Happy Thanksgiving!

Oh my goodness.

I don't know how mom's work full time.

Really. I don't.

I am half way through with my JB training. 

Two weeks from tomorrow I graduate only to work the next two weeks of shifts at the call center and then home just in time to work Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. 

Nice. 

I wish I could say I love it. 

I don't.

I actually tried to quit - thinking I was jumping the gun. I have so much going on, my real estate work has taken off, my kids are all over the board and I am just too dang old to learn all these acronyms and  airport codes! 

It dawned on me last week, that I should have waited six years to work here - not that that would improve my aging issue - just that Rylee would be a senior in high school - and James and I could actually TRAVEL! (The whole point of taking this job in the first place.) 

I was discouraged because we were told it was virtually impossible to get out of Salt Lake during summer, Christmas break or spring break. The only time my family can travel. 

What the heck? 

Why am I doing this.

(It ain't the money....I'm telling you!)

Then upon learning that we couldn't trade shifts or volunteer for time off for the first two weeks - making me miss Ry's dance recital, all of Christmas Eve (3:30 to midnight) and the same lovely shift on Christmas Day - I was done. Finished. 

However, I wanted to leave on good terms so I could revisit working here later?

Well, apparently if you quit (or flunk out - my plan B) during training, you can never be rehired. FOR LIFE!
Good grief.

So, I decided to tough out training and then give my two weeks?

I talked with friends that work for JB and they assured me that I CAN travel during the above mentioned times, it just involves being savvy and not that I want to toot my horn, but I like savvy. I like plans A, B & C with an alternate  D.

Then Ry's recital was changed to afternoon instead of night and now I can at least catch her dance - even though I'll need to slip out early.  Then yesterday, a new friend in my class offered to pick up my Christmas Eve shift at 7 pm and perhaps my Christmas Day shift at the same time. (Seriously. What a sweetheart!)  and now I'm like the little train that could, "I think I can." 

We'll see.

Meanwhile, life goes on.

Devree played her first basketball game. She did awesome. I love watching my kids play sports. (Especially when they excel. I'll be the first to admit it was painful to watch Alex play basketball that first year. The year he wasn't sure if he could grab the ball with his hands based on only playing soccer in Ukraine up until that point? It was also painful to watch Austin play soccer when he was five or six as he was more interested in looking for 4 leaf clovers in the grass or tying his hoodie into a little hole that only his nose could poke out of.)

Alex is trying so hard to figure where he fits. He's had a hard time with me being gone so much. I had to laugh when he complained about all the things he misses about me not getting him off to school in the morning. Even that no one ells him to comb his hair in the morning. Yet, he always acted so put out when I would remind him? Good grief.

Austin is never home and if he is home he's "hanging" with his friends.

Rylee is doing well but I will be glad to get through this 6th grade drama. Everything is such a roller coaster. I honestly think junior high is easier than 5th and 6th grade. Maybe it's the rotating through 7 classes each day and not being cooped up with the same 25 children all day? I don't know, all I know is I get detailed reports about who said what, what boy likes what girl, what girl is mad at what other girl, and how mad the teacher got at the class. 

James is home. Thank goodness. He's been my real estate assistant/stay at home dad for the past week. Wish he was home for the rest of this training. 

Kambree is home for Thanksgiving. She is in the process of applying  for schools to continue her nursing degree.

It's so nice to have everyone home. Myself included. I have the next four days off and I plan on doing very little. (Besides hosting Thanksgiving tomorrow.) 

I am so grateful for so many things. My family and friends being at the very top of my list. And despite my grumbling about training and busyness, I wouldn't change my life and/or lot for anything.

Happy T-day blogging world!

Hope your turkey is moist, your pie crusts are flaky and we all take a minute to love those who love us and thank the Lord for all we have.

~Wendy