A Long Time Coming

Change can be so good. This post is about some of the why and what we're going to do in our house to make some changes. I'm going to give you a little bit of background that's been leading up to these changes, which might help to understand some of the motivation and some of why I think that maybe this time around, it's going to work.

The last few weeks I've been feeling like our lives are at a weird stagnant point. For those of you that know us, you know that we usually travel a lot, but lately, not so much. That could be part of it, as I don't like to sit still for long, I like to be doing things, experiencing life. I've been working the night shift of 8 pm to 4:30 am. It's so difficult. Having a toddler wake me up at 8 am, is not awesome, even though he's so cute. Josh has been working days, usually leaving around 6 am and getting home at 4 in the afternoon. We have a decent system, depending on how long Sawyer let me sleep in the morning and depending on if he let me nap when he naps, Josh would let me nap again when he got home, before I'd need to leave for work at 7 pm. Luckily most nights I didn't need another nap. And on weekends Josh lets me sleep in until I need to. Hopefully in September I'll get a better shift.

Josh and I found out we were pregnant with baby number 2 the day after our 6th wedding anniversary (April 11). It was a difficult secret to keep, because I just want to share my joy with everyone. We kept quiet until I graduated with my bachelor's degree on May 1. Most of my family was in town and so we'd be able to tell all at once. At that point, I was only 7 weeks, but I just couldn't hold it in anymore, and there wouldn't be another chance with us all together. We were all elated, so happy. I was graduating, I was going to have a baby, we were going to have more time to be a family now, it was perfect.

A few short weeks later, I found out that I had a low lying placenta, which usually will fix itself, but precautions were to be taken, putting me on a modified (mild) form of rest. I wasn't allowed any activity for more than an hour, and no grocery trips longer than 5 items. Unfortunately, while work generally wouldn't be an issue, working late into the night and having all day with Sawyer, wasn't going to work. I started staying home in the beginning of June, and hoped to return to work soon. Things seemed to be getting better, until they got bad. To keep it cleanest for everyone, I started hemorrhaging. It was horrible, I'd been going to the doctor twice a week as it was, now I rushed in and was basically told it would heal and I'd be fine - I was told this was normal. Long story shorter, I'll never go to this doctor again. It wasn't normal and it wasn't ok. I miscarried the baby on Father's Day morning. I wouldn't wish the experience on anyone. The next few days are a blur. I didn't want to leave the couch, didn't want to eat, didn't want to see anyone or even talk to anyone.

Since I was already out on FMLA leave from work, I stayed out for a few more days. I was looking forward to the ability to work from home, something I've wanted since I was hired on, but it'd taken more than a year for an opening. I had been waiting and waiting and I thought everything would be ok with the pregnancy if I couldn't just make it to day I could work at home. So I stayed off work until I could get my stuff and be home. Since then things have perked up, I've been working and even picking up extra hours. I've been social again (even though I'm not going into the office) and I've been happy.

Thankfully, work at home has brought more opportunity than I had realized for change.  In the process of getting my home office set up, we completely remodeled what was my sewing room. There had previously been no window and it was painted dark and light brown. The room was a clutter of things that were just kind of stashed and hidden away. Now I had a reason and time to clean it out. While I was at it, I painted after Josh put in a big new window. I've been organizing the office things and the sewing things. The room is great now, bright and happy.

Now that I'm home more and have more time since I no longer need to commute, we're also making a few other commitments. This blog is now going to be dedicated to sharing with you our progress in these commitments and holding ourselves accountable. I hope that maybe it'll help to inspire you and maybe we can work on this together! Over the next few updates, I'll go into more detail as we go over our progress. Below is a list of our new goals, we'll see how it goes!

1. Eat better

Reason: We eat out probably about 90% of the time. I hate that we spend so much money on this silliness. I hate that we eat so poorly, it's just not right, I mean really, I take better care of my hair than what I ingest into my body.

Action: Pay attention to grocery sales, cook and eat at home, find healthy recipes. HERBALIFE. Some of you may remember I did Herbalife for a while, but I stopped when I was pregnant with Sawyer. I love Herbalife and feel a little guilty that it's taken me this long to go back. Herbalife is amazing and it's not a diet, it's a lifestyle choice and the results are amazing. (I am a distributor, so let me know if you're interested). I want to be healthy. I'm not planning on working out beyond walks with Sawyer and sit up when it's slow at work. But just changing our diet and having the proper supplements will be fantastic for now.

2. Cleanliness

Reason: I have a 22 month old. My house is a disaster. I need to be better about keeping clean and getting rid of my clutter. I don't need to be a pack rat.

Action: I've printed out daily chore lists and have dedicated my mornings to doing them. Previously mornings were dedicated to being lazy and relaxing on the couch while Sawyer played because I was exhausted from working all night. NO MORE! I can nap while Sawyer naps, I don't need to watch TV while he plays, I can clean! Maybe he'll learn to help, he does have his own broom after all. Also, at night when (if) it gets slow at work, I've been able to catch up on little projects, like sewing or organizing, or catching up on shows, which helps get things accomplished without little hands to worry about.

3. Take Sawyer out more

Reason: This sounds silly, I just said we eat out a lot. But when we do go out it's usually for Josh or me and Sawyer just drug along. I want to create more time just for him at parks and zoos and other activites

Action: Just do it. Afternoons when Josh is home either after work or Saturdays. Nightly family walks, when time permits.

4: Josh = Journeyman

Reason: Why not? It's been a goal for a while, and he's finally to a point where he can do his prep work and test.

Action: He's going to a contractor school (which wasn't cheap) and he's going to pass. It'll help our family financially and help him to advance in his work.

5. Get financially fit

Reason: I hate being in debt. It's scary and the worst.

Action: Now that schools over and I don't have to leave the house for work, I pick up overtime and extra hours where possible. Josh does side jobs when he's not studying or playing with us. And, as mentioned before we aren't eating out.


This was a long post, and I appreciate everyone's support. Let me know if you have suggestions or comments!