Plans Change Part II

I have some wonderful news to share.

Jason and I are expecting our 3rd child. Today's dr. appointment complete with a healthy heartbeat assured us that it is the perfect time to share our wonderful news. Jason and I couldn't be happier, we prefer the fact that our children are spaced a little over 2 years apart (anyone with significantly older or younger siblings will resoundingly agree just based off of personal experience:)); and look forward to just focusing on our children and this final pregnancy. To know that those are the only things we have to "worry" about at this point in our lives gives us a sense of happiness and calm you can't describe.

On the heels of that, I've recently accepted a senior network analyst position within the IS dept of the state Department of Justice. It is a weekend only position which allows me to spend more time with my children which is something I have wanted for quite some time. The perfect opportunity presented itself in this position as the financial tradeoff was next to none-so tell me, if you could get paid what you do now for working 20 less hours, plus better benefits, and get the liberty of raising your children instead of relying on daycare-would you? You wouldn't believe the reluctance and negative tone I was met with when contemplating this no brainer; so the last few weeks of contemplation and interviews were shared with a few close confidants and those who supported me most. I will complete a full week of training and then jump aboard the weekend shift comprised of working late Sat and Sun afternoon into early morning hours the following day. My weekend won't be shot, and anyone with young children doesn't exactly have a "social life" anyways, the trade off was far worth it. It will take some adjusting, but we will be just fine. And yes, as of the 2nd interview they were aware I'm expecting; it's reassuring to know some companies don't hold a gender barrier and are looking for the most qualified candidate. In fact, I was the first of 3 candidates, and got first choice of my shift. I'm elated at this news, I've waited a long time for this opportunity to present itself so that I could achieve my own goals and do so in a manner that wouldn't upheave our life. This job gives me an opportunity to continue my skills and education in the IT field, while keeping my foot in the door for when my children grow up and I'm ready to return to the fulltime working world.

A short while ago I posted about plans changing, the last paragraph left way to however my cards would fall. The scene was set with a phone interview for a part-time position; however, a few things had to fall into place such as refinancing our mortgage, and the perfect job had to present itself. Another scene layered under that was Jason and I's attempt to have our 3rd and final baby; the thought of a winter baby wasn't appealing to me, so that last window of opportunity came right around the time I tested for the open position.

End result in chronological order:

test for IS position within the state
result scored well enough to land a phone interview
refinance home at record low rate
phone interview
positive pregnancy test
2nd interview
3rd interview
job offer

I was surprised with the reactions for both sets of news, to which I couldn't make any sense-these are both wonderful things, yet I was crassly referred to as being knocked up, and I think some people thought that once I was pregnant I had dismissed the job opportunity. Regardless, Jason and I are very happy with both end results; so plans have indeed changed once again. I won't be competing in that 1/2; but the reasons are worth their weight in gold. I'm glad I left the rest in someone else's hands, I couldn't have came up with a better end result myself.

Happy Birthday Mom

We recently celebrated my mom's birthday, so as a gift I sought tickets to the Oprah show. She's been a long time fan of O, and has attended a few other shows as well; but regardless whether you like the woman or not it's still great fun just to go and experience the excitement of a live show. Last week I received a phone call from Oprah studios asking if we would be available to attend 2 screenings the night prior to taping, at the time all they told me was that Kate Winslet was in the movies, and that she would be in studio. Typcially the subject is TBA to the audience, so it was exciting to have an inkling of what was to come.

We arrived in Chicago late Monday afternoon and headed straight to the theatre. It was then we found out we were watching Revolutionary Road and The Reader; Kate had just won a Golden Globe for each of them Sunday night. She acted wonderfully in both films, so obviously they were well deserved awards; however it's been a long, and I stress a long time since my mom has been to the movie theatre to watch a movie; muchless two very sexually charged movies. The plots were interesting, if somebody asked me if I liked one over the other-or liked them at all my response would be that they were very different movies. The plots were not real typical, although both movies held your attention throughout.

After 5 hours in the theatre we headed back to the hotel, my mom didn't even know who Kate was to begin with so the entire night was a mystery to her; she didn't have much of a response to the movies either; however, it was quite priceless when we got back to the hotel and she says "Well I do know that I saw more sex in those two movies, than I have in the last 20 years". I laugh just thinking about those words coming out of my mom's mouth.

The next morning we arrived at the studio; Kate was in studio as promised and Leonardo DiCaprio, Meryl Streep, Micky Rourke, and Ron Howard were on Skype thoughout the show. It was a live broadcast so we didn't even get home in time to see it-but it was more fun just to be there for it. We hit MI Avenue afterwards, but it was so bitter and windy down there that we didn't last long. We hit the train out of Union Station back to Milwaukee, and headed home after a fun, and memorable 2 day getaway.

Anyone that knows me, knows that my mom plays a very large roll in my life. She's the only person I'll bare my soul to, the good, bad and ugly and know that she'll still love me no matter what. While I said that you don't truly appreciate your parents until you are a parent back in my Father's Day post, I can honestly say that I have always appreciated the person my mom has been even at a young age, she has taught me so much about life just through leading by example. She's weathered a lot through her life, but at no time will you see her gloating about the woes and highs she experienced, it's through her quietness that I've learned what is important in life. Your an amazing woman mom: I love you, and happy birthday!