There is no doubt that 2017 was a year of change for our family.
We started out the year in January with me taking on a new role as a late night (and wee hours of the morning) teacher with VIPKID. December 31st will mark 1 year with the company. I love the job, and especially love my Chinese students. I have had to adjust my hours with the many life changes that have taken place, but that is the beauty of this teaching position; it is completely flexible and I get to chose when I work, and when I don't.
The next big change came in June when Mark interviewed and accepted a position as a Rehab director in Corning, Iowa. This was an exciting time for our family, but also very stressful as we had to prep another house to sell and go through that whole process of keeping the house clean with three little ones at home full time. And even though we were excited to move to a smaller community, it was difficult for us to leave our family, friends, and the only town that either of us have called home.
The next big change came in August, when we packed up and moved to Stanton. I was here with the kids for about a month while Mark finished up his last few weeks in Omaha, and Owen also started school during that time. He was so excited to go and skipped the whole way there the first day. Today I picked him up from his last day before Christmas break. He was just as excited to go this morning as he was the first day. He is doing really well, and has met many new friends. I am happy to see him doing so well, but I am still anxious to pick him up every day and have him run to give me a hug. I know soon enough he will be too "cool" for this, so am taking it while it lasts. ;) His interests right now are battling "Bey Blades" on the playground and anything sports related. In January he will being doing basketball once a week at the Viking Center.
Nora was in for a big change when Owen started school, and let me just say it was HARD ON HER. She had never known anything other than having big brother around, and she definitely adores him. There were tears the first few days. She was devastated and would repeat over and over "I miss MY Owen!!" It was heart-breaking, but we pushed through. We spent lots of time painting, making messes with play-doh, going for walks, taking trips to the library and before too long she was asking if Owen had school and eagerly say "YES!!!!" when he did. I have really enjoyed having special one on one time with her while Emmett naps.
Speaking of Emmett.....oh boy. This little guy is turning my hair gray! Literally. He is SO MUCH fun, but SO ORNERY! His favorite activities these days include banging on things, knocking things over, climbing things, coloring (mostly where he shouldn't), and being an all around happy, silly guy. He is certainly keeping us on our toes and we are absolutely loving (most) every minute with him!
Mark has now been with Rehab Visions for about 3.5 months. He is really enjoying the job. It is busy, and every day looks a little different. There have been some adjustments that he has had to make as this is a new role, with management duties included. Now that he is not working so late, he has been enjoying time at home with the kids. They are thrilled to have Daddy home to wrestle with and tell all the things that they did during the day. This fall, Mark also played on a rec basketball league. After he survived the first week with 2 games back to back, I was a little less worried for him. He had a great time and met some nice guys, but realized he is not as young or in shape as he used to be.
I have stayed busy this year keeping the little people alive, fed, somewhat clean, and mostly happy. (Ha!) I am so thankful to be able to stay home at this point in the kids' lives. I get asked a lot if/when I will go back to teaching. I am not sure the answer to that right now, and I am okay with that. I feel like I am where I need to be. I love teaching, and at times miss the classroom and the students I got to work with, but there are so many things that I missed out on in my own kids' lives as a result and for now feel content being there 100% for them. I have also really enjoyed sewing and have experimented with many different projects this year. I am not the greatest, but I really enjoy it and have learned a lot.
The house build began the middle of September and it has been so fun to watch it go from a hole in the ground to actually looking like the house we are going to live in! The kids are getting excited now that they can see it.
Although we have settled in to life in Stanton, and have found our new "normal" I still feel that we are in the "messy stage" of this major change. We can certainly see the "gorgeous end", but I don't think we will be there until we are moved into our own place. That is not to say that we are not enjoying the "mess". We absolutely are.
God has blessed us this year with so many opportunities, and amazing people. We are thankful for his blessings for that sweet baby Jesus born in the manger on Christmas day!
We hope you all have time to spend with the ones you love this holiday season and time to reflect on 2017. :)
Love,
Mark, Katie,
Owen, Nora, Emmett, and Daisy
No comments:
Post a Comment