Oh the Places You'll Go....

Jackie got me a book by Dr. Suess when I graduated called "Oh the Places You'll Go". That seems to be the trend of my life right now. Oh the things that are happening and the grown up decisions that must be made....A lot has happened since my last post over a month ago.

Probably the most important and devastating news is the RIF (reduction in force) letter that I received in the mail March 5th. TSC has to cut $7.8 million out of its budget this year, making the elimination of teachers and programs unevitable. They have decided to lay off over 150 teachers and displace almost 70! I just so happen to be lucky enough to be one of the 150 RIFed teachers. While the letter we received isn't set in stone and for sure yet, it is basically a heads up letter that when the board meets again in mid-April that I will probably be having my contract terminated. Not only is it bad because we are losing one of our sources of income, it is also bad because last May I decided to start my grad. school work. I am now over halfway done and will graduate in December. The problem with this and getting laid off presents me as an expensive teacher with not a whole lot of experience when I do go back into the education job hunt. I'm going to take my chances though and finish my masters. I want it done and over with. I've worked too hard and paid too much money already to stop. This week we have had two meetings, one with the teacher's union and another with central office, about being RIFed and the process. It was all very overwhelming and emotional but a good opportunity to learn more about the overall process and get questions answered. I never though I'd be getting laid off after only being in the workforce two years. Being a grown up is definitely not as much fun as I thought it'd be.

In the midst of losing my job, I've been trying to research and think of alternative careers that interest me. The only one that I felt most interested in was real estate. I know this isn't necessarily the best field to go into right now either, but it's definitely been on my bucket list of thins to do and try during my life. So this past Tuesday I began taking classes to get my license as a real estate salesperson. Classes are Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30-9:30 and Saturdays from 9-12 for 6 weeks. Luckily one of those weeks (next week) is my Spring Break so I'll have one somewhat easier week. Call me crazy-I know! I've got a lot on my plate right now.

And as if I wasn't doing enough already, I decided to sign up to be an Avon sales rep. It was very cheap to start up and could be another possible method of bringing in some additional income without a lot of demand and time. I feel somewhat silly saying that I sell Avon now because I always made fun of my Grandma Wilcox for being an Avon fanatic. At least I know I'll have one customer! =)

Jessica and Phil had their baby boy, Carl Phillip Ferger V. He was born on March 4th and is adorable. We went down to Indy the following evening to meet him and see how Jess was doing. The delivery went well and mom and baby are doing just fine. It's so exciting to see our friends begin the next chapter in their lives and add to their families. Jesse and Libby will soon be having a baby girl and Brandon and Tonia are next having a baby boy! I also just found out today that my half-sister Hilary is having twin girls. Poor Ryan! He's totally outnumbered by girls in that household. Soon to be 5-1.

I'm trying to talk Kyle into taking one last vacation somewhere before I get laid off. It's not working very well. He would rather save money. I guess that's the smart thing to do. He turns 25 on Thursday! He's becoming such an old man. Hahah! I have to say though that I am floored that we have had a full week of temps in the 50s and 60s and he has still yet to go out and use his brand new golf clubs. Never saw that one coming! I'm sure once he does go though, I'll never see him again.

Hope everyone else is enjoying this nice weather as much as we are! I was getting so sick of the dreary winter! I know Tucker and Zeke are loving being outside and running around again! They are tired boys every night now!

=)

My New Baby....

It's been awhile since I've wrote. A lot has happened since my last post. Kyle's great grandma Bol was released from the nursing home after being in there since December. Not much than a week later she was admitted to the hospital. We were called up by Kyle's dad, John, a few days later to say our goodbyes. She was ready to go and didn't want to live her life being taken care of and not being able to do anything. She lasted in the hospital a week and died on Valentine's Day. As hard as it is to say goodbye, we were given the luxury of being able to tell her what we wanted to and have as much time as possible to prepare for what seemed like the unevitable. She was very much at peace with what was happening and went peacefully. We had her showing last night and her funeral this morning. It was very emotional. I hate funerals. Regardless of how well I know the person I am always in tears....I was reminded how hard it is when you truly know and love the person dearly. Her birthday was this past Tuesday-she would have been 93.

Turning this into a positive note, Grandma Bol shares a birthday with one of boys, Zeke. He turned a year old on Tuesday. I can't believe how fast time goes and how big he is getting. He changes more and more everyday. He is becoming quite the cuttlebug with Kyle and I. He will now come lay his head on our lap and is giving more than just one kiss. He's such a sweetheart and brings such joy to my life. I don't know what I'd do without him.

Kyle and I took the boys to Armstrong Park for a walk today. We left them off their leashes and just let them run around. They loved it! Zeke just loves going and sniffing around and Tucker loves playing in the snow. We never thought we'd be able to leave Zeke off a leash and walk with us like we can with Tucker, but he is proving us wrong everyday.

I finally convinced Kyle to let me get an SUV in preparation for starting a family. Saturday we traded in his Honda for a 2009 Buick Enclave. I did not know much about these cars before test driving it on Saturday, but they are amazing! I am in love with it and could not be happier. I was finally able to purchase my own first car. It has plenty of room to put the boys in the back and room for two car seats in the future.....if we need them. We won't be needing them anytime soon though-I'm not pregnant...yet! =)

Brandon and Tonia found out last week that they are having a boy! I am so happy for them. The pressure is definitely on now when the time comes for Kyle and I to have a child to have a boy. Brandon & Tonia, Jessica & Phil are having boys. Kyle wants a boy so bad that he's completely convinced we'll have nothing but girls. I'm sure he'll be happy with whatever as long as it's healthy, but he definitely is hoping for a boy to hang out with his brother's son. Tonia is finally starting to show...finally after 5 months! Jessica on the other hand is due in a week. She's definitely 9 months pregnant and is ready for baby Phillip to be here. At least for now.

Jackie came back a few weeks ago and I was able to hang out with her and her mom. My mom and I went with them to see the movie Dear John. SOOOO good! It was nice to see them. I went over to her parents house afterwards and helped her with her Save the Dates. Her wedding is coming up so quickly. It's so nice to sit in the back seat on this one and provide help and guidance whenever she needs it and not have to stress about everything. I've even started buying a few things for the bachelorette party! I can't wait to start planning and helping out more as the wedding gets closer.

And finally, to try and get my mind off all the stress at work, I went out with some of the girls last Friday for dinner at Red Seven (very good restaurant by the way) and to see Valentine's Day (the movie). I had a blast and it was exactly what I needed as each week at work brings about a new concern and stress about whether or not I'll have a job. I'm just trying to not let it consume my life and worry about it too much. We'll just have to wait and see what the future brings. Hopefully I'll have a job for many reasons, but also because we're all thinking about taking a trip to NYC this summer for a few days. I've never been there and would love to go. Kyle said there's no way he's going there. He hates big cities. We'll see if I can make it to the NYC....