Here is where I find myself

It has been a while since my last blog post... why? Because I have... I take that back... HAD no time. I was working full time, going to school full time, being a Mom, starting making and selling my own jewelry, and let's not forget staying in shape. So how do I have time for this post? Glad you asked...

Today I am officially UNEMPLOYED. Not by choice, I have been laid off. 

Naturally, I cried my eyes out, thought of all the horrible things that will happen without the amount of money I was making, and filed for unemployment. After speaking with my mother in law who happens to be a Human Resource Manager, we figured out approximately how much I will pull in while on unemployment and talked about how this may actually be a blessing.

I realized I get to be a stay at home mom again. I don't have to pay someone to watch my child (which if you don't know it cost upwards of $550-$1000 depending on whether it is an in home daycare or a preschool with daycare... if you are thinking Yikes, you would be correct), I get to teach her more, see her more and experience more with her which was the plan when I had her. When my husband was laid off I had to changed that plan and now I am literally forced into it again. 

I also now get to enjoy being a house wife. I get to have time to clean my house, and cook! OH I love cooking these days (when I have the energy, which work zapped me of most days). I am into healthy food, farmers markets and trying new recipes and I can take my daughter to the farmers markets for some local cheaper, organic foods! Teaching her how to be healthy and getting her outside. 

Some other blessings I didn't think about at first is, I don't have to DRIVE an hour in traffic each way to work!!! YAY!!! I hate traffic! HATE IT! No more of that! Also more time for the things I want to pursue:
Music. My awesome husband got me a microphone for Christmas and it hooks up to my mac, (which I am learning how to use more and more) and to the system at church! 
Jewelry. I have been making Jewelry. Uproar Jewelry check it out. 
Also... I can draw... did you know that? Well now you do. Tonight I went to one of my favorite stores of all time, Hobby Lobby, and purchased some things for jewelry, a pastel chalk sketch pad, paint, paint brushes, and blank canvases. Should keep me busy when I need an outlet.
School. I don't have to stress so much about fitting my homework and essays into such small time frames, maybe even double up and finish sooner!

The last thing that has been pointed out to me is, I get to be picky about a job. I don't have to take a job I don't want. I can ask for the wage I think I deserve and get good benefits that we need. 

In all of this I see the scary side too, but I have to know and trust that God has me, he has control and "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" Matthew 6:26

I matter to God and he puts us through things to make us stronger. A friend told me tonight from a sermon he saw "your muscles won't grow without lifting weights, and your faith won't grow without a little hardship". This is something I needed to hear. We will get through this and we will be stronger. 

Thank you to all of my friends and family that are praying and looking out for us. You truly touch my heart with your kindness.