Saturday, August 29, 2009

Busy is an understatement

It’s been a very busy week, and I can’t stress BUSY enough. Alicia started her new job on Tuesday. It’s a whole new world for me, having both the boys at the same time with no one there to “help”. The first night I was so scared and sick to my stomach but it went fairly well. Both the boys were very good, Christian was helpful and played well by himself when I needed to feed Jackson. Alicia left to go to work as soon as I got home, around 5:30…It was just weird because I didn’t get a chance to breathe until 9.

Alicia really likes her job and the people she works for. She seems fit in really well and make friends easily wherever she goes. They didn’t really have training for her, just showed her what to do, like the first day on the job she ran a register. The second day they taught her how to stock and settle the store for closing. She’s working 4 nights a week so at least its not every day because that would be too much for everyone.

We’ve been planning a getaway for just the two of us. We wanted to get away but stay on a budget and stay close to home. There aren’t a lot of “exotic” places in the middle of Amish Country so we decided to look into a B&B. There are so many in the area. Originally we wanted to stay for two nights (Friday and Saturday) but because of cost and finding someone to watch the boys we went with one night. The place we found is the EJ Bowman House in Lancaster. (Click on the title of this post to see the website).

I know that we are both really excited for this weekend getaway. We need the time to get away from the kids and be adults. We need that time to relax and reconnect with each other. It’s been a while since we’ve been able to spend quality alone time; it’s actually been since our honeymoon. On that Saturday night were going to a real Amish family’s home for an Amish home cooked meal! It should be a neat experience. Then they have a hearty home cooked breakfast the following morning as well. It will be a nice relaxing weekend that Alicia and I can spend together.

My job is just that, a job. I use to look forward to coming to work everyday but recent events have made me dread coming to work. I don’t know who to talk to, I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes or go above anyone’s head…So I just bit my tongue, do my job and go home.

That’s the last week in a nut shell.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Problem, meet Solution

Alicia went into work on Thursday and told them that she couldn’t work anymore because of the situation with the boys. They were very understanding and asked if she could stay until they found help, probably by next Tuesday. Alicia said she can at least give them that much. While it made no sense for her to work just to pay for daycare, eventually, the money would have helped out.

The saying “God never closes one door without opening another” couldn’t ring truer. She got the job at Five Below working evenings! The job is Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. She received a call today being offered the job and she starts next Tuesday (perfect timing). So the boys will be at the home daycare until next Wednesday.

So she’ll spend days with the boys and work at nights and I’ll work days and spend the night with the boys. It will be a big adjustment for everyone, but it’s a sacrifice that we have to make.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

We've been doing a lot of thinking

Alicia and I have been talking a lot since last Wednesday about where we are going to put the boys while she works. Since my sister said it was too much for her, daycare was out of the question. There’s usually a waiting period and it’s too pricey. We needed to find some one quick since we only had a day or two notice to find someone…We called a lot of people that we found in the paper and found one lady that was reasonably priced and had her clearances. Last Saturday we went to her house and met her. I didn’t get bad vibes but I didn’t get good ones either. Afterwards Alicia and I talked about it and agreed that it would have to do for now.

Alicia has been doing a lot of thinking since that Saturday. The job she has is a temp job so it’s not like she just got a full time job, it’s only a 2 month job. Currently her pay checks are going to pay this woman to watch our kids. At first I thought that Alicia should at least finish out the temp job and leave on good terms so that way she can has that door open for a potential job down the road. Now, I’m not so sure about that.

There are too many similarities between the Jared incident and our current situation. My parents were a young family as are we. When the Jared incident happened I was around 2 and a half and Christian is 2 and a half. Jared was 3 months old and Jackson is 3 months old. The lady who watched my brother and I had two kids and so does this lady.

My mom emailed me on Tuesday and asked how the first day went. I told her it went well; Christian had a little bit of listening problems and went in time out a few times. I said that the lady was surprised at how little he sleeps during the day….I don’t know if she said it light hearted or seriously but my mom said that was the same comment Sherrie made and then 3 days later Jared was in the hospital. I was just a little freaked out when she said that…She assured me she wasn’t trying to freak me out but she did.

Alicia and I were already on the fence about a home daycare and just all the similarities between the two are just uncanny. What’s the point in her going to work if she isn’t making money? She just working to pay for this lady…and she said she just sits there every day nervous and worried. Alicia has a potential job right now, one being for Five Below (again and for the same position) and she’s thinking about applying for evenings or weekends at the fast food place down the street. Also, delivering papers again. So we have our options open because she will need to make some kind of money.

Alicia said she is going to call today and let them know that she is no longer able to work. She is going to finish out the week though.

For one night, we were royalty!

Last night we dined like royalty! Well, sort of. We had a 6 course meal at the Grand Opening of the new Giant Supermarket in Exeter. The bank Alicia is temping for is opening a branch there and that’s how we found out about it.

They had so much food to choose from, fruit and cheese trays, crackers and soup, wings, meatballs, mac & cheese, salads….I could go on and on…They had a clown there and Christian got a baseball and football drawn on his arms. We stayed for about an hour and I got to meet some of the people Alicia works with. And the best part, we didn’t have to make dinner!

Monday, August 17, 2009

Jacksons latest accomplishments

August 13th he started to giggle and laugh! He only does it when I play with him, mommy cant get him to do it! We've been trying to catch it on tape and we just cant get it! Its the most awesomeness sound ever!

Also, on thursday or friday evening he was playing on his playmat and was on his back. He started to roll over but couldnt complete it. He was so determined to roll over! However, when we do tummy time he can roll over from his tummy to his back! He's doing really well with tummy time and rolling over!

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

PARENT - Job Description

POSITION : Mom, Mommy, Mama, Ma Dad, Daddy, Dada, Pa, Pop

JOB DESCRIPTION : Long term, team players needed, for challenging, permanent work in an often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities!Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required..

RESPONSIBILITIES : The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be a willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst.. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION : None. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE : None required unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION : Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and only wish you could do more.

BENEFITS : While no health or dental insurance , no pension, no tuition reimbursement , no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth, unconditional love, and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

This week so far

The job is for a local Credit Union. She works in the back office and does filing and completing different reports. She said she likes it so far. Said its not too stressful. She gets paid every week which is also nice...the money will help us get back to stable grounds! The job is across from the Reading Phillies stadium so its about a 15 minute drive.

Brianna said that she likes watching the boys. I was worried that it would be too much for her but she said its not. Christian is pretty independent and all she needs to really worry about is Jackson. Jackson's really taking a likening to her, he gets so excited when she's around! The only concern we need to address is when we tell Christian NO, he goes and cries to Brianna to get what he wants. While Brianna doesnt give in, its still a bad habit to get him "use" to.

Last night we went to a Reading Phillies game, my mom and brother came and we invited the neighbor boy. Nothing too exciting. I've had training Tuesday and Wednesday and on Friday I have a job interview. Its within the company but its about 20-25 minutes off my commute. Its the closet branch to my house...

Monday, August 3, 2009

Alicia

Alicia had an interview about a week ago for a temp agency. They said they really liked her and she did really well on her tests. Well, they called her about 30 minutes ago and they found her a job that is Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 9-4. They said the job may go until October or November. The only problem is she has to start tomorrow.

Fortunately my sister is home doing nothing this summer and she is available to watch the boys. Were going to pick her up tonight. I feel bad for her because she hasnt really spent alone time with both the boys. If she feels like its too much then Alicia will have to say no to the job.

Pray that this all works out!