We started the year living in North Salt Lake, I was working as a bus driver for Valley Mental Health, and Ben well didn't have an "official" job, he was on admin. leave with the police department and we didn't know what was going to happen. With Faith we moved to Grantsville, feeling like this was where we were suppose to be, it didn't make sense why, it was 30 miles farther from our jobs, and going to cost a little more money which we really didn't have at the time, but we moved. Immediately we began to question our decision, Ben was let go from the police department and our income had just been cu
t into 1/3 now we had more bills and less money. Ben had been looking for a job and had a few prospects. He worked about a week at a food storage company, he seemed to like the job itself but I kept getting this sick feeling every time he went to work. I don't know what but something wasn't working. My anxiety became to much and he quit that job.
He had another job in his back pocket, working for Quest, as technical support. He began working and seemed really excited about the job, he was excited for all the money he COULD make and I think just excited to be working. The job ended up being a Sales position and there was a lot of dishonesty in the company, Ben kept pushing through, because it was a job.
Meanwhile I had gotten very busy at my job. I was covering for one of my coworkers who was out on short term medical, I went from 32 hours a week to 45+ the extra money was great and I was enjoying staying busy. I started working as a temporary counselor and loved it! The extra money I made in overtime made up for the money Ben wasn't making at
Quest. Things seemed to be working out, but we still questioned our moving.
My mom began to get sick, she was bed ridden for about 2 weeks. She'd try to go to work, but most days she couldn't even walk. When we'd go see her you could see how much pain she was in. My mom has always been the one to take care of others, and does not accept being the one who needs taking care of very well. It was very hard to see her struggle and feel like there was nothing I could do to make her better. I stopped questioning our move, I knew that for my own sanity I needed to be closer to my mom just in case something happened.
Back to Ben he had worked at quest for about a month maybe two when he called me. He called and said, I hate this job, I can't take it anymore, I'm going to quit. I was at work and went into panic mode, telling him not to quit to stick it out, everyone has bad days etc. He agreed hung up and called me about 5 minutes later, saying he had quit! I was so mad, before the anger could wear off he called me back saying he had a job interview with "Boart Long
year" on Tuesday.
We had planned a trip to Colorado that weekend to see the Cardinals play. We considered canceling but I'm very glad we didn't considering it could be the last time we ever see Albert Pujols as a red bird, and the last time to see Tony La Russa Manage. When we got back from Colorado life began to fall into place. Ben interviewed and was hired as a Temp to hire with Boart, where he is still working and enjoying. My Mom was able to get medicine to feel better and my family began to plan a family vacation to Disneyland.
Over the summer I took one the role of counselor full time, even though I hadn't been officially hired to the position, I was doing the job. I spent the summer, rock climbing, taking pictures, roasting marshmallows, canoeing and mainly hanging out with some rea
lly awesome teenagers. When the school year started there was a lot of Change at Valley, we were going through our third layoff and a few people were quitting. I officially moved to a counselor position and started teaching. I LOVE MY JOB!
We took our family trip and I fell in love with Disneyland. I can't wait to go back, and am making plans to go very soon. The end of the year has been pretty stable, we are trying to buy a house and its a very up and down game, I know we will find what we want, but right now it seems like we might build. Still haven't made a decision. My photography business is doing rather well and I'm really excited for its future. This year has truly been a huge change, from where we live and what we do to even my hairstyle, much is different. As for Ben and I, well how lucky are you when you truly marry your best friend. Ben is my sunshine, everyday I spend with him is a day at the beach, and life is good at the beach.
