Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes...

I have a lot of emotions running around my head right now - we have a lot of changes coming up for our family. I have to get all of this off my chest, so bear with me - I'm sorry this is so long! Here goes...I have worked full time since I graduated from High School. I worked for Sears Credit Central for 3 years, then I went to work for Idahy Federal Credit Union. That was in 1999 - and I just passed my 9 year anniversary. Time flies. I never wanted to be a career woman, I just wanted to get married and have kids. I got married at 21, but we didn't have our first baby until 5 years later and Nate was trying to get through school.

It seemed that many opportunities were handed to us over the years as I moved up the ladder at Idahy. I know that we were blessed because we were paying our tithing...I started as a teller. Idahy was a small credit union with one branch and a close knit group of employees and members. I did the teller thing for 2 years. I loved it, but was offered the opportunity to be a Team Leader. I never wanted to move up - I was going to have babies, but I accepted the position and did it for about six months. Then the management team was realigned and they eliminated team leader position in favor of elevating it to Operations Supervisor. It came with more responsibilities, and a decent raise. I was able help Idahy through two mergers with other credit unions - took my first airplane ride to Spokane to train a staff in Coeur d' Alene. I loved it, but in the back of my mind I knew I didn't want to do this forever.

Fast forward 3 1/2 years, I am pregnant! I was so excited, and completely determined to stay home. We even moved in with Nate's parents to financially be able to handle it. I gave my notice to Idahy that I would leave as soon as the baby was born. With Idahy's second merger, they brought on an Accounting Supervisor to handle the supervision of the Finance Department. This was a cool new position that was directly under Connie - who I considered to be a good friend and mentor for me. The original Accounting Supervisor that they hired left after 6 months, which left the position vacant. I didn't consider myself qualified for the position - but this would be my dream job! What to do? I felt pressure from both sides, my religious and personal beliefs, the co-workers. It kept weighing on my mind. I truly felt compelled to discuss the position with Connie. She told me that if I wanted the position it was mine - I couldn't believe it - this was a HUGE raise and a great opportunity for learning and growth within the company. I had already made the decision to stay home with Owen, but Nate and I discussed it, prayed, discussed, and prayed some more. Ultimately, we both felt strongly that I should take the position and go back to work after Owen was born. At the same time Nate's mom's boss was retiring and she would no longer have a job. Around the same time, Nate's dad received a significant pay increase at work. She no longer needed to work and she offered to watch Owen for us! This was so perfect - Nate could go to school full time, and Owen would be with Grandma. Everything was going great, I loved my new job and the flexibility it gave me that my former position did not. I love this job.

Fast forward 1 1/2 years - I found out I was pregnant with Audrey. I was so excited, but knew that it would be hard and/or impossible to work full time with two kids. Nate still had some more schooling to go. Again we discussed, prayed, discussed, prayed and ultimately decided to try for me to go back to work full time. Talk about hard! I continued to enjoy my job, but Audrey wasn't as easy going as Owen and it was getting harder and harder. It was really important to me for Nate to finish school and I just felt lost. I love my job so much - I love my family so much...One day in about January I realized that we had to make a change. I feel like I'm not spending the quality time with my kids, my house is a mess, I am so tired at the end of the day I don't want to cook, clean, or do anything.

So Nate and I prayed, discussed, prayed, and discussed and ultimately came up with the PERFECT solution. Nate started working full time at his internship at Motive Power. They have agreed to allow him to arrange his schedule to take two classes per semester. Three more semesters of that and he is done - YAY! It has been a long road. We can't quite make it on Nate's income alone, though. I need to help out somewhere so...starting on July 1st Idahy has arranged for me to work part-time two full days per week. Earlier this year Connie (my mentor) was promoted to CEO and I got a new boss, Juan who I really like, but I'll always love and respect Connie. With this new job, I will work directly for Connie and be able to work on credit union related projects, research, etc. I am thrilled with the new arrangement. I will be able to keep my foot in the door at Idahy and I will be able to be a better mom to my kids.

I can't wait to finally be able to take my kids to the park during the day...take them to the library...go for long walks...go to the zoo...all the things that I just tried to fit in when I could - now I will have the time (and hopefully energy) to do them. YAY! I am sorry for this huge long (possibly boring) rant. I just had to get all of these emotions off my chest. I am so excited for the new changes ahead!