So now I guess it is officially time to update this thing!
Hmm, life. Ours has been hectic, to say the least. Between Steve losing his business, looking for a new job, a baby growing up WAY too fast, and kids who keep me so busy with all the amazing things they're doing-I haven't had a lot of time to really reflect on it all. I'm so happy to report that Steve's new job is working out fairly well. I say fairly, because, let's face it-once you've been your own boss, it is very hard to turn back into a regular Joe Shmoe. He was telling me how his perspective has changed so much. He doesn't see things as an employee and it's driving him a little crazy to know that there's not much he can do to fix the little things that need it most. Like for instance-overtime. Really bums him out that he knows he could get a lot more accomplished if they'd give him some small amounts of overtime here & there. Rather than work by the job, it's work by the hour. So a job that needs only that extra 1/2 hour has to be put away early and returned to the next day. Unfortunately, in that process, he has to spend time putting it all away and then pulling it all out again. SO, it really ends up costing the company more. He's only allowed to put in 8 hours plus an hour lunch, so he's there a total of 9 hours-but the store is open for 10 hours with only 2 employees! I think he feels like, if he gives in to accepting that as norm, he loses that piece of him that he's worked so hard at. Being a tough it out, rough it out kind of guy who finishes a project once he starts it. We'll have to take it day by day and see where the world takes us, but I know he doesn't want to "work for the man" for too long. He wants to find a great location & get back to what he does so well.
Hmm, life. Ours has been hectic, to say the least. Between Steve losing his business, looking for a new job, a baby growing up WAY too fast, and kids who keep me so busy with all the amazing things they're doing-I haven't had a lot of time to really reflect on it all. I'm so happy to report that Steve's new job is working out fairly well. I say fairly, because, let's face it-once you've been your own boss, it is very hard to turn back into a regular Joe Shmoe. He was telling me how his perspective has changed so much. He doesn't see things as an employee and it's driving him a little crazy to know that there's not much he can do to fix the little things that need it most. Like for instance-overtime. Really bums him out that he knows he could get a lot more accomplished if they'd give him some small amounts of overtime here & there. Rather than work by the job, it's work by the hour. So a job that needs only that extra 1/2 hour has to be put away early and returned to the next day. Unfortunately, in that process, he has to spend time putting it all away and then pulling it all out again. SO, it really ends up costing the company more. He's only allowed to put in 8 hours plus an hour lunch, so he's there a total of 9 hours-but the store is open for 10 hours with only 2 employees! I think he feels like, if he gives in to accepting that as norm, he loses that piece of him that he's worked so hard at. Being a tough it out, rough it out kind of guy who finishes a project once he starts it. We'll have to take it day by day and see where the world takes us, but I know he doesn't want to "work for the man" for too long. He wants to find a great location & get back to what he does so well.
On to kid news. The whole thing with Andrew's teacher has slowly passed. I still don't like her, and probably never will. Andrew has come to a place of acceptance and is now slowly beginning to understand, and in turn, like her. I still say he's crazy, but an opinion is just that, so I'm left grinding my teeth when he excuses her behaviors. ANYway. Other classes are going great. He is really doing well & I'm so proud of him! He's starting his last year of baseball for the Vista American Little League. After this he moves to Pony. He's still a White Sox player though-they don't move teams once they're in the majors. So season begins in March & I'm really excited to see another great year of baseball! Maybe the schedule won't be so exhausting, now that I'm not heaving my pregnant belly everywhere I go! :)
Hannah, of course, is doing great too! She has an amazing teacher this year who just loves Hannah to pieces. I couldn't be happier. She's learning at such an amazing speed, and I'm really impressed with her abilities. As all the statistics & theories for birth order go, Hannah is definitely not following the "norm" When she was younger, she would get so frustrated when Andrew would know the answer to something she didn't. She would get really huffy and say "Andrew is ALWAYS smarter than me!" I would stop, look at her, and say "Andrew isn't smarter than you, he's just had more time on this earth to learn more! The two of you are both smart, and don't ever think otherwise!" Well, I think she's finally seeing that as she progresses. Plus, I'm having Andrew help her more with the homework, instead of me doing it. I think it's good for the two of them to work together to find the solutions to her homework problems.
Hannah, of course, is doing great too! She has an amazing teacher this year who just loves Hannah to pieces. I couldn't be happier. She's learning at such an amazing speed, and I'm really impressed with her abilities. As all the statistics & theories for birth order go, Hannah is definitely not following the "norm" When she was younger, she would get so frustrated when Andrew would know the answer to something she didn't. She would get really huffy and say "Andrew is ALWAYS smarter than me!" I would stop, look at her, and say "Andrew isn't smarter than you, he's just had more time on this earth to learn more! The two of you are both smart, and don't ever think otherwise!" Well, I think she's finally seeing that as she progresses. Plus, I'm having Andrew help her more with the homework, instead of me doing it. I think it's good for the two of them to work together to find the solutions to her homework problems.
I am so proud of those two-They are becoming more & more comfortable with their roles in the family, and as they get older they only continue to get better! They help so much, love each other, and are getting along almost so well that I have to wonder if they remember that they are brother and sister! Also, I am so profoundly amazed at how well they have handled having a baby enter the picture. Thomas does make it pretty easy for them though-he just loves them to pieces & always has a huge smile when they are around. He brings a certain sort of unity to all that we are as a family. So, as cliche as it is to say-Thomas really, truly, completed this family.
I am beyond overjoyed at all the amazing things that lay before us, and can't wait to see what happens next!
