Savannah as Mulan and Shelby as Dorothy for the Carnival at our Church on Halloween!!
Savannah and her cousin Hannah on the playground. Savannah is about 4 months older than her. They are adorable together.
Savannah is still all SMILES!!
The kids took a picture of me after I got the job!!
The weekend before I got the job, we went camping for the weekend. It was just me and Aiden and Shelby. Mike and Savannah got sick the night before. I went solo but had lots of help since we were going my Dad and his friends. The kids went tubing and Aiden got on the knee board first try. He's a natural
Well, as you can see it has been about 1 year since my last post. I guess you can say that a lot has changed since that last post. We are all 1 year older for sure!!
As I reflect on what was going on, I'd have to say a lot. Savannah had just turned 2 and I was struggling with homeschooling Aiden and Shelby. Mike was hanging on by a thread at his job. Our life was full of so many unknowns and I felt like a mouse on her wheel. There was no way off the wheel. Everywhere I turned, it lead to the same place. It's really frustrating to always feel like your treading water.
What was God doing or planning? There are many days that I wish was one of the Israelites on their long journey to the promised land. God did some amazing things to show them where to go and he provided all the way. However, they did have to move forward and trust in him in order to see he direction. He didn't part the Red Sea until they put their feet forward. It wasn't until they trusted him that he parted that sea.
That is exactly what I did!! In January, I quite homeschooling and decided that I was going to go back to work. It was crazy at the time! The kids start a private school while we were waiting to see if Mike was going to have a job or not. God gave us exactly what we needed during that time. He provided financially to have the kids go to school and Mike did not lose his job.
While being home with Savannah and enjoying our last months as a stay at home mom, I decided to take the HR Certification Exam in order to help in getting a job. The next four or so months were very busy with going to an preparation course one night a week and then studying in my spare time. I loved going to class one night a week. As soon and Mike got home I ran out the door. To be in a room with adults talking about HR issues that I love was energizing.
In June, I passed my test! Then two weeks later, I got a full time job. Summer was over before it started. It was so sad, but exciting at the same time. Since then, life has been a real challenge with how to juggle the life of a working mom. Since, the kids go to a private school, we have a long commute. It takes 1.5 hours to drop off and another 1.5 to pick up. Mike shares in the driving so that one of us doesn't have the burden.
It has been about 5 months since this craziness has started and we are getting the hang of it. The kids are doing great in school and Savannah loves preschool. She says the funniest things. You don't expect to hear the things that this little girl says. Her words are bigger than size in so many ways.
We look forward to the new challenges ahead of us as we search to buy our first home and keep saving money. I have to keep reminding me of my favorite verse.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. -Jeremiah 29:11
We wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving next week! Hopefully, I will be able to update sooner than a year from now.
God Bless,
Jennifer
