My First Blog

I wrote my first blog for work on Friday and we published it today. It is a little boring and educational, but that was the point of it. It takes me back to writing financial newsletter articles. It has my bosses name on it since I am not in my new position yet (and not in the blog as an author.)

Accurate Background Blog

I also had my first day of training today. It was a lot of information and I am getting nervous about doing it all on my own. I am lucky to have such a great team to back me up and help me. It feels good to work with people who want to see me succeed. 

The Great E-Reader Debate

I hate Kindles. Well, I have always said I hate the thought of an e-reader. I love to browse the bookstore and there is something special about having a paper book. I do admit that reading a book sometimes gets a little inconvenient when trying to read lying down or in the bright sun.

So, what did I do?

I bought a Kindle. AND, I kept it in the box for two weeks deciding if I really wanted to go down that road. I knew my life would change forever. Good or bad - it would change.

I opened it today and I was right. My life changed.

I LOVE MY KINDLE!!!!

I just have the $79 model, but it is perfect. I loved that I could buy 3 books for $10 and have them on my Kindle right away. The screen is so clear and it is so easy to read. The typing is a little difficult since I don't have the touch screen, but I don't plan on using it much. I like to purchase off of my computer. I will, however, be a hypocrite and make my kids read "real" books.

Now that I have made the switch, anyone can!

And, it doesn't hurt that I'm helping save trees :) I

You all know how much I was against it and now take it all back. What are your thoughts on this?

My Big News

I have a new job! Okay, a promotion within my current company, but a new department and a big raise!

I interviewed four times and signed my offer letter today. I will be the Associate Proposal Writer and the company's only proposal writer.

The pay isn't as awesome as I want, but all greed aside, I am so content with it. I have been out of the workforce for a long time and really haven't used my degree until now. The pay is right where it should be.

I am really proud of myself and I am not afraid to say it. In the past two years i started as a stay at home mom, I left my home in AZ, got divorced, quit my job, moved in with my parents, started a temp job, was hired full time (bottom on the food chain) and am now going to be writing and managing proposals and RFPs for fortune 100 and 500 companies. my company is also willing to pay for me to get some design training to work with marketing.

All the while, I have stayed true to who I am and what I believe. I am surviving as a single mom and feel like surviving may turn to thriving soon.

I will be able to spill the rest in another month or so. Nothing to do with my job though.

I am so thankful for the path I am on and for the blessings that have come from God.

To top it all off, my sister may have an awesome new job soon too. She should know soon!!!

Thank you to everyone for your support and encouragement.

I really really want to tell you

But, tomorrow is the BIG day. You only have a few days left of waiting (I hope only a few).

My sister has just as big of a day for the same reason. It is kinda of, okay, REALLY a big coincidence.

Are you excited yet?

Not as much as I am!!!

Oh, and I am NOT pregnant. I did not buy a house. Or a car.

I wish...

...I could tell you what has been going on, but nothing is final and I don't want to jinx it. Oh, but some things are SO big!!!! That's why I have been avoiding you all. I just want to spill, but I'll give you some hints:

1. I just signed some very important papers tonight.
2. A career change may be coming
3. My list felt naked with only two hints

So, that's it. Nothing more from me tonight.

Oh, except it's my son's 6th birthday!!! AND I had a parent-teacher conference and he is "brilliant." (her words :). If only he'd stop tattling on other kids...

Our Lives - Something to Believe In

Part of me wanted to write about what I think my calling is - my purpose - in this world. but, I don't want this to be about me. OK, this blog is all about me, But I want to share two songs today that have been encouraging me lately...giving me hope...giving me somehting to believe in. 

I hope they are encouraging to others as well.

I have been so blessed by a group of 17 people who all just met 7 weeks ago. This little group that I am facilitating is starting to really feel like family. We are building relationships with each other. We are serving together. We holding each other accountable. We are listening to each other. I love them.

I want to facilitate another group when this one ends, but I think I may have found a home with the group I am with now. 

So, it is a HUGE change from my post a few weeks ago about feeling alone, 

which is why I am LOVING these two songs. 

Our Lives - The Calling

Something To Believe In - Parachute

Single Parenting

I was a military wife for 7 years. I gave birth to my first son while my ex-husband was deployed and have honestly done most of the parenting alone, whether it be because he was gone or wasn't pitching in. Not to say he never parented, because when he did, it was a huge help.

I used to say that "single parenting" was hard in those circumstances. 

I had no idea what single parenting was. 

That was not single parenting. Co-parenting long distance maybe. Feeling alone as a parent maybe. Feeling like I was carrying most of the parenting burden maybe. But single parenting, it is not single parenting.

See in all of my past situations, the time was going to end or it could have. Eventually he would call and we could talk about my struggles, get advice from him and have his support. Eventually he would come home. Eventually, I would get fed up with carrying all of the weight and would talk to him about stepping up to help more. The season ends and co-parenting begins again. I am not saying that it wasn't hard and it isn't hard for those who are in those situations. It is hard. You have something to look forward to though. He/she will come home. He/she will call. You can tell him/her to get their butt in gear and be a parent.

As a single parent, there's no choice. There is hardly any alone time without paying someone for it (and time at work does not count as alone time.) And as a single parent, really how often can we afford to pay someone for it?

There's no tag-teaming with the kids when you feel defeated and just can't handle anymore whining or fighting.

There's no running out alone to the store (and sneak a quick coffee.)

I wish the term "single" parenting wasn't used as a general term in society today. Feeling like you are parenting alone is one thing. Actually having to do it alone is another. 

And, being a single parent isn't a bad thing. Just really hard.