Merry Christmas

December 9, 2011

Our Christmas Newsletter this year..

Merry Christmas
Wow, I cannot believe it is time to write one of these again!!

I have fully decided that the first 3 days of any new year should be skipped! On January 3rd, Mike was unexpectedly laid off without severance, effective immediately. It was surly not the way I wanted to start off the new year!! With mike being 90% of our income, we had no idea what we were going to do! We knew that the company RED BULL was opening a new warehouse in Solon. (before he simply worked for a distributor that distributed the product). After 3 looong weeks of not having any idea if they were going to pick him up or not we finally got the call. What. A. Relief. He would start the first week in February! We have many friends who have gone a year plus before landing the next job. During the layoff, Mike and I learned a lot about our marriage. We saw it’s strengths and felt it’s weaknesses. God saw us through each day and for that we are grateful!

So in February, Mike went to work for RED BULL North America. A company that is NOTHING like the distributor company! His day starts early, but he gets home waay before dinner time! In November, he won the “Bull of the Month.” He continually makes his family proud of him!!

Also in February we took a trip to Disney World. Ruthie turned 4 on Valentines Day and we had been debating and mulling over the decision for awhile. It was totally a God thing to book the trip 2 weeks before the layoff. Had we waited till the New Year we would not have gone! It was a blast and Ruthie was in awe most of the week! My sister, Heather, was still home from Cambodia so she also went with us. She was the serious planner! We would have probably missed out on a lot if she hadn’t done all the research and planning!!

Ruthie’s 1st accomplishment of the summer was pumping her legs on the swing! Boy, was I happy about this one! The summer was full of friends, swimming, friends, and more swimming! Now that it is cold out she is still wanting to swim!!

We also took our first trip to Chicago as a family. Extended family was gracious enough to put us up for the weekend and be our personal guide tour! Mike, of course, was very happy to fulfill a life long dream of his…to watch a game at Wrigley Field. He was like a kid in a candy store that day! I personally couldn’t tell you if they won or lost that day!

In August, Mike’s company had a picnic at Cedar Point. My little brother ad sister worked very hard all summer and were able to go with us. It was the first time for all three kids! It was a different experience for Mike and I ~ the day was no longer about us and our fun, it was about the kids and their fun. It was a great family day!!

I continue to work from home watching 4 wonderful children plus Ruthie. I have two 4 days a week and then the sibling group I typically have 2x a week. I still love it! I am completely overjoyed that people are willing to pay me to stay in my comfy clothes, not do my hair or make-up, and play all day! It is seriously the best gig ever!!

September did bring some changes in our schedule, Ruthie started preschool 3 mornings a week. Mike was able to take the day off and we made it a family event! She absolutely loves school! She is doing wonderful and making a lot of new friends! I have learned to adjust my mornings and we are liking the new schedule…although the snow has yet to fly when I write this…we will see on those cold snowy mornings when I have to dig out my van out just how much I like it!!

My day off falls on one of Ruthie’s school days, so I was really looking forward to having that morning to myself. That was my plan. God’s plan was for me to go do office work for a friend 4 hours in the morning. I have NEVER worked in an “office” environment. At first it was a challenge, but now I am enjoying it very much!! It gets me out of the house and away from kids. It allows Ruthie to go to her best friends house after school. It gives extra money that is not budgeted every month. Overall, it has been a nice 4 hour job!

I turned the dreaded 30 this year. Mike and many of closets friends spoiled me rotten that day! I am not at all where I thought I would be when I turned 30, but I am right where God wants me! So I am learning to accept it and trust Him even more!

We hope and pray that all of you are doing well. We hope that you have a very Merry Christmas. May we all be reminded of what Christmas really is all about. We pray that 2012 will be everything you hope for
and more!!

Love,
Mike, Sarah & Ruthie