Saying Goodbye

It's probably the thing in life that I'm the worst at. I hate saying it. We say it a special way in our little family - when we say it, it's said like it's all one word - maybe it's meant to be quick and painless? But we say it like this: 'Seeyalaterloveyabye'....

Mike and I made a huge decision recently... I've been given a job offer (and accepted it) to work for a local internet-based company. It was a decision that was, by no means, made lightly.

*Yes, it's closer to home - a lot.

*Yes, it's something that is right up my alley and I know that I will thoroughly enjoy the job itself, as well as the new friends I've made.

*Yes, there are perks besides the pay that will be super fun.

*But the thing that sold me is that although I will work away from home during the day, I will be able to work part of the time at home and be there with the kids - an awesome opportunity for any mom.

Even though all of that is awesome, it was still a hard decision to make. It's been said by a few people I've talked to, including Mike, that it's a 'no brainer'. But certainly not for me.

Why was it such a hard decision to make? Well, for starters, I wasn't looking for a new job. I loved my job. I've worked in law enforcement since 1997. Katy was not quite 2 years old when I started dispatching full-time; there was a little bit of time off after babies, but for the most part of the past eleven years, I've been privileged to have a place in a sort of second family. Not only in one department, but in two.

I've met people that have changed my life, changed who I am, and who I will be forever. I've gained friendships that can never be replaced. These are the people that have seen me at my worst - angry, frustrated, sad, embarrassed. I also dare say that on rare occassions they have seen me at my best. I even know from a reliable source that our laughter has carried through the building to the extent that someone had to close their door. I won't apologize for that! *Ü* These people have become an integral part of my life... I worry about them, I pray for them, and I love each and every one of them.

I feel like I've been one of the luckiest people in the world to have been able to work with people that I can genuinely call some of my dearest friends (Jill, Heather, Janet, and yes, even Mark... we'll always be a team). You are the ones I've confided in, the ones I've gleaned from - you've taught me so much about life - from family and the great balancing act we each do every day, to church callings and trek and girls camp, to what's happening in town and where the best eating joint is (and what are we doing for lunch today?), to what's the latest with the new building (which I don't even get to be a part of!), to what to wear and what our latest diets are, to what our favorite new songs are, and who's winning on our fantasy leagues... and I won't even mention the great gossip we've gotten down and dirty with!

You know me so well... you played Shania Twain's 'Up!' full blast when you knew I was down. You jumped up and down and screamed with me when Chris made the JV team. You've been mad at Mike just because I was... and forgave him when I did. We've made pacts not to take our business to places because one of us had an 'incident' there. You were my greatest support when life came crashing down on me last year... and you were excited and thrilled for me when we finally found home. We have cried together and more often than that, laughed together until we cried. We have private jokes that I won't even put on here - but we will always know what the peace sign really means (if held over your forehead); the truth about stars on the calendar; that Heather holding a fork will forever make us laugh; how BA wishes he could dress while directing traffic; Mark's gift before going to Hawaii; where Jill, er, 'Matilda' was before her interview with John; that the words to the song are 'three way chat'; and more important than any of those... that we would all 'go to the ground' for each other, even if it's just in our imagination because of the crazy guy in the lobby.

I LOVE YOU ~ I'LL MISS YOU ~ SEEYALATERLOVEYABYE

P.S. there are so many more... if you remember, will you share in my comments? Remember, as little detail as is needed to bring back the memory - we don't want to implicate anyone! *Ü*

An Award? For Me?

My friend Kami at The Biggie Blog gave me an award! And now that I'm over the inital shock and shaking and remembered that I did, indeed, have that 'thank you' list in my bra (I was so flustered I forgot!), I am now able to post.

Although she didn't specify the actual name of my award, I'm going to go with "Most Promising New Blogger" or maybe "New Blog on the Block", or maybe even "Beer: It's For the Lawn - No, Really". Since I'm one of those people that never wins anything... it doesn't matter what this award is for, I'm taking it! And because the love can't and won't stop with me, I now present this glamorous award to the following:

1. Beth at Sugar and Spice - Because I'm so lucky that she's my cousin and friend! She is one of those people that is actually as cute in person as she is on her blog. I can't think of her or anyone in her family without smiling. Oh, and if you're ever in need of a good hair day - she's the one to call - she's way hair talented!

2. Laurie at Jacobson Party of 7! - Another neighbor and friend (hence the 'new blog on the block', because I literally am). Because she got me hooked on Goodreads - and because I read a totally naughty language book that she recommended - and loved it! And also because she is that way laid-back, spur-of-the-moment mom that I wish I could be - she has the best posts about their family adventures and expeditions.

3. Amanda at SouleMama - I don't know her and probably never will, because I pretty much just blurk on her blog. But she has the most amazing photos and thoughts - another one of those moms that loves going on adventures with her kids. You should read this post - it's one of my favorites - I wish I could put my thoughts into words that well.

4. Chris on Facebook - His blog is private.... really private.... once I sent a request to be a 'friend' and he denied me (his own mother!) but what he doesn't know is that I'm smart... way smarter than he thinks and I have my ways of keeping tabs, so after the initial shock, I got over it, and have laughed about it ever since... because I so would have denied my mom too, but we couldn't deny people from atari (which was our high-tech) - we didn't need to deny anyone the pleasure of watching that ball bounce back-and-forth, back-and-forth...

5. Andrea at mcconahay.net - She's one of my oldest and best friends from high school (go tigers!) and I think that she was one of the very first bloggers - I've been able to check in on their family for probably about nine or ten years now. I always thought it was super cool, so I don't know why it took me so long to jump into this blogboat. She's also way fun to be around... and if you like usborne books - she's your go-to gal... she runs great specials all the time!

The really great thing about this particular tag is that you don't have to play along - just accept your award and live high on the hog for a day or two! But if you so choose to play, here's the rules:

1. Please put the logo on your blog.

2. Add a link to the person who awarded you.

3. You must nominate 5 fellow bloggers for this award (yep, I changed that one - I only had 5, so I couldn't ask you for more than me, but if want, you can nominate 7).

4. Add links to the recipients.

5. Leave a comment so the recipients know they have received an award.

Last but not least.... Congratulations, everyone! I think you're all awesome!

Block Party Blast

We had the best time at our neighborhood Independence Day celebration! There was tons of food, friends and sunshine; the kids got to ride their decorated bikes around the neighborhood for a bike parade (which they thought was super fun!); there were some great music talents from our ward; and it all ended with a firework show put on by our very own pyromaniacs - the young men. It was exactly what a block party should be!



Have a wonderful Independence Day, everyone!