Our Birthdays

I couldn't post all negative- heehee!

Jason and I have both celebrated our birthdays recently, Jason turning 29 and me hitting the big 31 (wow, I can no longer say I am barely 30). Jason's birthday was on February 22nd. Though I had to work all day, I was able to go out and do signs with him that night and he even came and visited me at work and brought his traditional Pastrami Sandwiches. We knew it would be a weird day, and so on Saturday, we celebrated more. My dad and siblings came over and we played games, watched a movie, ate cake and ice cream, and enjoyed the day. I even was able to make him breakfast on Saturday (the day after). I did drop the ball this year, but I made sure that Jason sure felt loved, and my family helped to make it special also cause in the middle of doing signs, we stopped by the house (we pass their house twice during our sign routes) because I had to "use the bathroom" and they had a cheesecake, balloons, and sang Happy Birthday to him. They stepped up and saved me for sure!

My Birthday was on March 28th, and as mentioned below, was a truly emotional day. I only had to work a half day, and we were able to watch a movie, I took a nap (after being out until 1am the night before with my dad in the hospital), and then we went out to eat at my favorite restaurant. Jason did an amazing job and even got me two birthday gifts I really wanted. Then Jason dropped me off at my parents house where I was spoiled rotten. I got my hair cut from my mom, had a fun party with some neat gifts from my parents and siblings including my favorite cake and ice cream, received a very good massage from my brother Brendon, pedicure from my sister Nana, and hand rub from my sister Amberlyn all while watching Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (one of the classic fun movies I never get to watch). Then on Saturday, Jason continued spoiling me by giving me a very long massage, and then we went out with some friends to go bowling (my sister came too). Afterwards, we went out to eat again. I truly felt spoiled and felt as though I had been truly spoiled.

Work Update

Wanted to give everyone an update on my work status: Lots has happened since the last posting. On March 25th, Rio Linda School District (our partner with our free after school sites where we have over 140 kids) decided to switch providers on April 25th,meaning that we (Rio Linda Elverta Recreation and Park District) would no longer be providing the after school program at the two schools where we did have the free program (referred form here on out as ASES, After School Education and Safety). Quite a shock to both myself and my boss, and lots of work to be done to switch it over. Even though there were a number of factors in this decision, I myself felt directly responsible for the discontinuation of the program. I went through lots of feelings of guilt, anger, sadness, and have been trying to deal with all of these. It greatly effected my Birthday (on March 28th) and only after a priesthood blessing from my father and husband did I start to feel as though I was no longer alone in this process. I have been able to keep myself composed while at work except for a few moments of break down in my car sobbing to Jason. I also briefly broke down in front of my staff on Tuesday April 1st (yeah, nice April Fool's joke for them) when I let them all know they no longer were needed after April 25th. It was very emotional for many of them (and for others, they were upset and I am still dealing with them). Then, just last night, we had a parents meeting at the better of our two schools, and all the parents were stating how much they appreciated us and wanted to know why we were leaving because they liked us so much. When I went to ask the parents to write notes of gratitude or to let our Board of Directors know at our next meeting, I briefly cried again. But overall I have been able to keep myself in check. I am sure Jason would state otherwise, especially since I seem to take all my anger and frustrations out on him (yes, he is so patient and perfect for me). I am doing better each day, but know until April 25th that I will continue with my indigestion, headaches, nightmares, no appetite, sore back and shoulders (where I carry all my stress), and boughts of crying, yelling, and pure exhaustion. I know that the program will continue with the new provider and that the children will be taken care of which is the most important thing through this all. To quote my boss "If we can get through this, we can get through anything!" I truly believe that and am grateful through it all, my boss has been very supportive and helped me, our Board of Directors are not unhappy with me and I still have my job, that I have family praying for me, that I have such great staff that are willing to work hard until the end, I have supportive office staff who are helping me out with the paperwork necessary, a husband who is so patient and kind and willing to help me through it all, and most of all, for my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ who I know have carried me though this whole ordeal. Until next time . . .