A Little Change Of Plans.

Life doesn't always go as planned. I feel that the more I try to "plan" things in my life the further away I stray from the plan. I have worked at Budweiser since I was 20. When I started there I wanted to go to school to do business or marketing. When I got pregnant with Lexi that quickly changed. I figured I needed to do something that would benefit us in the long run, something with a good schedule and great benefits. I had ALWAYS wanted to be a teacher and decided with a baby coming that it would be a good idea to start taking child development classes and go from there. I continued to work at Budweiser while I was pregnant and when I had Alexa, Eric and I decided it would be more beneficial for me to stay home with her. So for the first year I stayed home with her and went to school. It was hard with me not working and I got lucky enough and got my job back at Budweiser in the graphics department. This was a great position because it was so flexible with my hours. I was able to go to school and take whatever classes I needed. At the beginning of this year I was planning on quitting Budweiser because I had to do my student teaching which was 4 months straight. Thank goodness I didn't do that because I have had the most difficult time with finding a teaching job which is expected with this economy that we live in. I thought for sure that I would be able to apply to a few districts and get a job. I had this whole thing planned out and as months went by and after apply for NUMEROUS jobs in districts all within an hour drive of my house I got really discouraged. I was getting burned out working two jobs. I would sub in the mornings and then go to Bud in the afternoons and it was tiring and a waste a gas. I loved subbing but it was hard having to wait for a paycheck. In October a position at Budweiser opened up. I was super hesitant on whether to apply. First being that I would have to give up subbing all together because this would be a full time position and second because I didn't want to get rejected again for another job. After talking to Eric and some friends I felt good about my decision to apply. I had filled in for this position a few times during the strike so I knew what I would be going in to. Long story short I applied for this position, had two interviews and finally got the job! It is a lot different then working in the graphics department which I am really going to miss, but I think it is a good move especially for now. Hopefully one day I will get the opportunity to use my credentials and my love for education in the classroom, but for now I will sell beer! My new position is telephone sales. Pretty much I call smaller accounts and take their beer order over the phone and I will go visit accounts in my territory a few days a week! Hopefully all of this works out!!

part of my letter... :)

It's the most wonderful time...of the year!

One of my most favorite things about Alexa's school besides the teachers is the amazing Christmas program they put on. This was the 31st Christmas program!! There is so much time and effort put in by all the kids (ranging from 2 1/2 - 6 years old) and the teachers. I always know when they start practicing because Alexa sings non stop and I love it! This year it was held at Citrus Valley High School instead of REV. I got the opportunity to go early and help with some of the set up. The owners of the school put all the decorations in a U-HAUL and set them up! Miss Kaye sets up whatever will fit in their living room ahead of time and takes a picture of it so that she has an idea of how she wants things to look on the gigantic stage and then takes it back down and loads it in the U-Haul to set it up at the high school.
This year's program started out with a slide show and I got teary-eyed! I love seeing all those smiling faces and friendships being built. Alexa has been at this school since she was 2 1/2 and a lot of kids in her class now have been there with her. It is such an amazing thing watching these friendships grow.  After the slide show came the singing and dancing of each class. Alexa did such a great job! She really has come out of her shell since her first program 4 years ago! Eric and I are such proud parents :)

Gosh she is so beautiful!