I appreciate times like these when we can enjoy time with one another. I think we did a good job making lemonade out of the lemons we were served.
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Parenting Hands On
So our oldest son has been with his best buddy the past couple days and our Ben has been solo at home. Although I know he has been enjoying no competition for TV or games, we know he misses the comradre that he has with his brother. We tried our best to make it a great weekend for him but many, if not all plans of fun for him fell through, he was stuck with dear ol mom and dad. We decided we were just going to take this time to really enjoy him. Our Benjamin loves to draw, create and do anything out of the box. He even proclaimed at his preK Graduation that he was going to be an Artist when he grows up. He has a wonderful imagination and I hope that he continues to love life the way he does. For this saturday for just the three of us, we took him to the IDEA museum in Mesa. This is a place where kids can create with recycled materials and make anything. They can explore music and different types of art. Dad and Ben worked on a recharging station for the "robot" and "robot dog" Ben made. This was a sweet sincere moment for the two. They began working individually but the final product came together as one piece. Ben drew on an eisel that was available to all. He sketched his family. First, Dad with a beard. Next, Ben and "Mason with his arm around me" So Sweet! Mom came last with Dads arm around her. He showed us his writing skills scrawling "Family" along the top.
I appreciate times like these when we can enjoy time with one another. I think we did a good job making lemonade out of the lemons we were served.
I appreciate times like these when we can enjoy time with one another. I think we did a good job making lemonade out of the lemons we were served.
Sunday, July 6, 2014
Three weeks of Reflection
These last three weeks have been quite a blur. A blur in a sense of future endeavors and decisions to be made. In these last few weeks my husband and I had to search for jobs, mine was a replacement, whereas his was more of a promotion. He took on a job to be a Regional Project Manager for a growing underground (literally) company. This came to a surprise to us as he turned down a position at this same company a week before. They called him back to ask him to replace the man that had interviewed him. He really impressed them with his professionalism and knowledge of the duties he would be taking on. He truly deserves this next step and I am so anxious to see where it takes him. With his hard work ethic and dedication, I know there is nothing but positive growth in his future.
This brings me to my change. The agency that I worked for did not get their grant renewed. What this meant was those whom were paid under this grant would no longer be funded at the end of June. Initially, I anticipated this change. Infact, I was banking on it. I was disheartened by the politics of the fundee and all I wanted was the best for the children and families that I served. This often tied my hands when making decisions within my visits and community events. This was hard. Hard to be told that you can't be completely open and honest with what was happening (or what could be). My policy is to be transparent. This went against my moral fiber. As you can see, I anticipated the change. I was offered a chance to move within the agency laterally, but I just could not see myself running around with the politics of the Agency who preached well being and prevention but was really focused on their intervention piece (nothing wrong with this since it is their strong suit). It just wasn't for me. I was also given an immediate opportunity to be a paraprofessional at my sons school.This meant a HUGE paycut and no pay during summer and breaks. As much as I wanted to be there with my boys again in the school environment, I had to step back and know where my strength and education lies.
Families with children Prenatal to 5.
This is what I know,
this is what I am good at,
this is where I can confidently speak up and not second guess what I am saying.
This is the core and foundation for this blog.
I want to partner with families with young children and provide an outlet for them to ask the questions they may not want to ask friends or family, where they won't feel judged or recieve an answer with a strong bias. I want what is best for all kids. Not just the ones I know and love. As for "work", I am an Instructor at Grow With Yoga ABC in Gilbert, as well as, a teacher at Watch Me Grow Child Care and Preschool. This September, I will have known these families for the last 4 years. They have become family to me. This is where I feel at home. Although there currently is no room for managerial growth (which is really the jackpot job for me, to help support teachers and children = score!) I know that I can make an impact on the children that I will teach in the PreK classroom. This beat all of the other uncertain outcomes from the other opportunities. As much as my husband sees this as "settling" (asking "How much debt are we in now that you have a degree?") I can't let money overtake the now. I will figure that out as it goes.
After reflecting on these last three weeks, it has brought me to the core of our family. The relationship between my husband and I. No matter what has been thrown our way in the last 11 years (power turned off, stress of school/work/home, bills, medical care, being told NO), we have always perservered and made it out of the ash of what ever mess surrounded us. This has been a true testament to our strength and support for one another. We know its never 50/50 in a marriage. It may be 80/20 for a couple months and then 40/60. You can't take score.Who knows maybe it was my Family and Relationship courses that I took for it to solidify our thoughts on marriage. We knew we were on the right path, but when someone tells you the things that happen in a healthy marriage are happening in yours... it feels pretty damn good.
So here's a toast, to all you couples who have been through more than your family and friends may never know, to you who have said its worth it to be honest, open and communicate with your spouses. I applaud you, it may not be an easy feat, but dammit it sure feels really good to look across the table and know that he(she) has your back no matter what.
thelloydmom
Ashley Lloyd
This brings me to my change. The agency that I worked for did not get their grant renewed. What this meant was those whom were paid under this grant would no longer be funded at the end of June. Initially, I anticipated this change. Infact, I was banking on it. I was disheartened by the politics of the fundee and all I wanted was the best for the children and families that I served. This often tied my hands when making decisions within my visits and community events. This was hard. Hard to be told that you can't be completely open and honest with what was happening (or what could be). My policy is to be transparent. This went against my moral fiber. As you can see, I anticipated the change. I was offered a chance to move within the agency laterally, but I just could not see myself running around with the politics of the Agency who preached well being and prevention but was really focused on their intervention piece (nothing wrong with this since it is their strong suit). It just wasn't for me. I was also given an immediate opportunity to be a paraprofessional at my sons school.This meant a HUGE paycut and no pay during summer and breaks. As much as I wanted to be there with my boys again in the school environment, I had to step back and know where my strength and education lies.
Families with children Prenatal to 5.
This is what I know,
this is what I am good at,
this is where I can confidently speak up and not second guess what I am saying.
This is the core and foundation for this blog.
I want to partner with families with young children and provide an outlet for them to ask the questions they may not want to ask friends or family, where they won't feel judged or recieve an answer with a strong bias. I want what is best for all kids. Not just the ones I know and love. As for "work", I am an Instructor at Grow With Yoga ABC in Gilbert, as well as, a teacher at Watch Me Grow Child Care and Preschool. This September, I will have known these families for the last 4 years. They have become family to me. This is where I feel at home. Although there currently is no room for managerial growth (which is really the jackpot job for me, to help support teachers and children = score!) I know that I can make an impact on the children that I will teach in the PreK classroom. This beat all of the other uncertain outcomes from the other opportunities. As much as my husband sees this as "settling" (asking "How much debt are we in now that you have a degree?") I can't let money overtake the now. I will figure that out as it goes.
After reflecting on these last three weeks, it has brought me to the core of our family. The relationship between my husband and I. No matter what has been thrown our way in the last 11 years (power turned off, stress of school/work/home, bills, medical care, being told NO), we have always perservered and made it out of the ash of what ever mess surrounded us. This has been a true testament to our strength and support for one another. We know its never 50/50 in a marriage. It may be 80/20 for a couple months and then 40/60. You can't take score.Who knows maybe it was my Family and Relationship courses that I took for it to solidify our thoughts on marriage. We knew we were on the right path, but when someone tells you the things that happen in a healthy marriage are happening in yours... it feels pretty damn good.
So here's a toast, to all you couples who have been through more than your family and friends may never know, to you who have said its worth it to be honest, open and communicate with your spouses. I applaud you, it may not be an easy feat, but dammit it sure feels really good to look across the table and know that he(she) has your back no matter what.
thelloydmom
Ashley Lloyd
(photo cred: thethingswesay.com)
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