Tis the Season

I have come to the realization that I am horrible with keeping up with a blog! I love reading everyone else's, but it just seems that blogs are more fun with pictures. My camera broke so I never have pictures to put up on here so I just don't blog. UNLESS, I am bored or just need to take a time-out from life! Well, right now is one of those times, so I figured I would update WHOEVER reads this, if anyone! :)

This year has gone by so incredibly fast, I can't believe it is almost Christmas! It is hard to believe that in 2008 I graduated college, got married, and started my career. It is crazy to think about. Life is definitely different...priorities have changed, and life is setting in. Work is wonderfully crazy. When I was originally hired, there was one other HRA. She switched positions so now I am the only HRA for the Seattle Branch working for the adults program and both of our kids programs. I am in the process of hiring another one, but until that happens, it is just me. I absolutely love my job here at SL Start. It has taught me so much. Besides the HR aspect, which I truly love, I have learned so much and have appreciated caregivers and people with developmental disabilities even more. They are truly amazing and have taught me more than I could ever teach them. They make my job that much more fun. I could be having an extremely stressful day and one of the individual's we support can come into the office and put a smile on my face and I am reminded of why I do what I do. It is a true gift.

Cody's job is going well for him to. He is definitely stressed because right now he doesn't have a lot of freedom in his job so it is the same thing every day, which can get old, but he knows that it won't be like that forever so he is working hard and doing everything he can to prove to the managers that he is ready for that freedom. I am so proud of him. He is doing such a great job and is such an amazing husband. I am so thankful for him and happy that we are married. I can't wait to start a family with him in the next couple of years. He is so driven and such a hard worker, I know he will be a great provider for me and our family.

Christmas is definitely different this year. We are used to having a 3 week break. Yes, during that break we work for UPS, but we are at homes, with our families, and it just seems more like Christmas. This year, we will see his family on Christmas day, but only because his uncle lives in Port Orchard. Cody works the day after Christmas so we can't stay the night there either, and this will be the second year in a row I won't be able to see my family on Christmas. I haven't seen my grandparents for so long and I miss going to their house on Christmas day, even if it is just for a few hours. There are a few traditions that I definitely miss, but I know Cody and I can start our own traditions and that excites me.

So, to finish off this post, I just want to say that I am so thankful for everyone in our lives that have supported us. Thanks for always being there. Thank you to my friends, who I never see, for always being there when I need you, and thank you Cody. We may be away from our family, but I know in my heart that this is exactly where we are supposed to be right now. And lastly, thank you God for protecting us and our families and allowing us to pursue our dreams.

Merry Christmas Everyone!