Oh, I have a blog?

No, I really haven't forgotten I have a blog, its just I am not a good writer and so I let fear keep me from blogging.  It's been over two years since I've blogged, WOW, how such much has happened in those two years!  No one has probably even noticed, since I don't think anyone ever read anyway, haha.

The last time I blogged I had just started a new job, but was still working part time for my old job of 12+ years.  Well very shortly after that blog, I returned to my old company in a new position.  I had been waiting years for the man to retire so I could take it and he finally retired right after I had left.  I knew in my heart that I was never supposed to leave that company, but I let fear, pride, selfishness, greed, and many other human qualities take me away.  This time God told me to simmer down and wait on him to move me and quit trying to move myself.  Ok, so I've learned that lesson.  (Well, at lease in that area of my life, for now) 

Dean was laid off from his job a month after I started my new position, man oh man was that a tough time.  It was several months before he found a new full time job, looking back the only way we made it through was God's hand on us.  He is now the General Manager for a large Fitness Center in town, don't get me wrong, I am very thankful that he has a job, however it has not been to him.  Shortly after starting he had to go on blood pressure medicine and he is ALWAYS stressed.  At this time he believes God has a purpose for him there, but man it's difficult for him to go to work everyday.

My beautiful Kimmer in the last 16 months has: had reconstructive jaw surgery, medically had to quit playing volleyball competitively, found to be allergic to her braces (they were eating up the inside of her mouth), two different permanent retainers that broke, another procedure to remove inflamed fluid from her jaw, has to wear a jaw splint and her removable retainer at night, found to have a rare gene HLAB27 that causes her to have and be prone to a multitude of conditions/diseases including uvieis in her eye that she has been battling for over a year now and they can not seem to get it under control, been on countless medications, received injections INTO HER EYE, started high school, got contacts only to be told she can't wear them due to the eye condition, all that and being a teenager.  I'm sure I've left something out, its been a TOUGH time for her but she handles it much better than I think I would.  There was a period from the last week in January 2011 until late September 2011 that she had anywhere from 1-3 appointments a week trying to get all her medical conditions under control.  That was hard on her, her schooling, my work and drained our checkbook.  Last week she started a new medicine and we have to give it 4-5 weeks to determine if it is helping her.  I know that it could be worse, I know, however I hate to see her going through all this.  She just wants to be healthy. 

Kenzie, well she completed elementary school mostly a straight A student who did her homework as soon as she got it, every time.  This year she is in middle school and well, homework is the last thing she does!  I was really hoping that her desire to complete it immediately would carry with her forever, but no.  She is at the same school Kimmer is at and her course of study is dance, so she spends depending on the day of the week between 1 & 1/2 hours to 3 hours a day dancing at school.  It has really sucked some of the joy she had for dance right out of her.  She's growing up so fast!  She has a heart to love people, to laugh, to make people laugh and she's becoming a beautiful young lady.

**WARNING I'M STEPPING ON MY SOAP BOX**  I really don't understand why people who don't enjoy teaching go into or stay in that profession!  It kills me to see so many teachers at my girls school who seem to enjoy making kids terrified of them or unwilling to help them learn.  I know, I know, they go to what is sometimes referred to as a college prep school, I just don't think making students scared of you, being unwilling to help them learn, or demeaning kids helps them in anyway.  I understand this world isn't full of rainbows and lollipops, my girls just do not learn from these types of teachers.  Every teacher that has ever fit these descriptions, both girls struggle just to maintain a C in.  EVERY teacher my kids have had that helped kids learn, talked to them, worked with them, explained or taught in more than one way, or encouraged them, my girls have thrived in.  IF YOU DON'T ENJOY TEACHING, PLEASE DON'T DO IT. Stepping down now.

Me, well I've gone back to school taking more accounting classes.  I'm really enjoying them.  I'm thinking of attending one of the working adult programs to finish my degree, the cost is outrageous!! I need some scholarships!   Besides work and school, my life is full by loving on my family and serving at church. 

Things you can pray for our family about: Dean - his job to be less stressful, Kimmer - healing and a heart for learning, Kenzie - to not give up, keep fighting and me - to find a way to finish my school without creating any debt for us.  Finally as a family, we would still like to sell our home in this market for a price comparable to what we paid and find a community where we can settle for years to come. (I'd love if it was in Texas, but I won't push it)

Until whenever.......
Kristi