Life is change.

Changes are in store for us! Today was my last day as a full time Kershaw County Deputy Sheriff. After tons and tons of wonder and worry if we'd have jobs after the recent sheriff's electin, it turned out that we did. (Austin officially, me conditionally, since I didn't initially pass the physical fitness test.) But in our preparation for the upcoming changes at the sheriff's office, I went and did all that was necessary to become a registered Family Child Care Home for the state of South Carolina. Basically, it means I set myself up to run a daycare at home. But after all the preparation, I didn't hear anything back for quite a while, so I went on with my job at the Sheriff's Office. This past Wednesday though, I did. But just before that, I had a phone call that changed things for us...and all for the better.

The call was from a mom who has a full-time job that she works from home, and 2 1/2 year old twins that are there as well. She needed help. And she had no clue that by asking me to help her by watching her girls, she was helping me more than she knew. I'd been praying for this, praying for a way to help my family and help our job situation. I was worried about the physical fitness test that I didn't think I could pass, even giving it all I had. And I knew somehow that it would all work out. I just didn't realize it would happen so quickly, or how it would change how I felt so fast and make me so excited.

So, I quit my job. With one day's notice. And they actually understood! I didn't speak to the Sheriff directly, but to the Chief Deputy, the Captain of Patrol, and my Luietentant. And I believe they really want the best for our family. After turning in my short notice, I left the Sheriff's Office feeling very relieved and very much at peace.

And today was more of the same, except there was frustration over getting some of my stuff turned in. I'll be staying on as a reserve deputy, meaning I'll volunteer once a month or so. It will keep my certification up in case I ever decide to go back to law enforcement full time. And it will help me remember what I love about the job. And I'm still excited!

The kids are excited too. Well, Annah is. She's excited about being able to stay home with me. Jacob will be too, as much as he can express, anyway. Jonathan is frustrated that he can't stay home, but he IS excited about riding the bus in the afternoons (I'll still be able to take him to school most mornings, and Austin can help on his days off). Matthew says it's weird to think about me not being a deputy anymore. I agree. But still....the excitement far outweighs the weirdness.

So....there's my story of change. We'll see what next week brings! And if I think I'm nuts now, wait til I have a day with all four of my crazies plus the two cuties I'll be watching! ;)

Seriously, 7 months?

Okay, so I've been a little on the lazy side of blogging. But 7 months since my last post? Even I'M disappointed in me!

2010 was a busy and difficult year. During it, Matthew changed schools three times, moved to his biological dad's house, I moved him to the Boy's Ranch, and then finally home with us. We moved from Georgia to South Carolina, Austin and I both found jobs (at the same place), went through the South Carolina Police Academy, survived (barely) a horrible Sheriff's election, and are now facing even more employment challanges. Jonathan started a new school, and Annah and Jacob started a new daycare. We left behind everything we knew because of our faith in our Heavenly Father, and although it's been extremely hard, I know it was the right thing to do.

Sooooooo.....that said, I'm going to do better. Really, I will. And just as a way of making restitution, here are some fun photos of the last seven months.