Adventures of 2009

I must say this year has been full of so many memorable moments. It all started the second week of January. Mike came home and said he was let go from his job. Perfect timing I had just opened my Business in November and Christmas had just passed. My jaw dropped and the adventure began. We went from two full time jobs to nothing. There was nothing else for me to do but to go out and find a full time job and put the business on hold. So the next day I put my resume online. A few days later I got a call from SBI. After three interviews I was offered an opportunity of a lifetime the Interactive Marketing Manager position at SBI. I then had to make one of the hardest decision to leave Ideal after 13 years. I knew it was time for me to go and I wish I could have done it differently. The timing was not the best however I had to look out for my family and SBI had so much more to offer. I took the chance and left my comfort zone and started a new career at SBI. Ideal marketing was like my baby I had grown and evolved the department so much over 13 years. It was tough to tell my brother I was going to leave after everything he did for me. Like I said I wish I could have done it under different circumstances. However it was in our best interest to take this opportunity. My Dad helped me rational things out and said you understand your going to battle and you must look at all your options. It took a lot out of me emotionally to adventure out into a completely new work world and leave all my friends. It was time for me to move onto the next chapter in life:)
I started at SBI in March and what a great choice it was. The first few months involved many experiences I will never forget. We launched two new websites which were thousands of pages and involved hundreds of business owners. I had the opportunity to be the project manager and lead the whole new website initiative. During this time I traveled to Minneapolis, Charlotte, Atlantic city, Hollywood, and last Las Vegas. It was in Las Vegas that we had the opportunity to train all the business owners how to use the new website. Through all of my travels with SBI I met many great people and learned so much about myself and those that I would be working with for the months to come. It was so much fun to travel and see how others lived. Through my travels I was able to experience so much and see a variety of lifestyles. It made me appreciate my simple life that I had here in Michigan, it all looked so different when I came back from CA. We do have it good, and I love green grass and the suburbs. I could never have done all this if it weren’t for my hubby at home taking care of the family. I am so lucky to have him. We’ve been through more than I can even explain. He went through a terrible depression, something I hope no one I know has to go through. He was even diagnosed with Skin cancer it was an unbelievable year. I often thought why is all this happening? We had lost our jobs, found new and then skin cancer… He had surgery and was given the clear and told everything should be O.K. So the next few months he was able to enjoy the summer. He struggled with depression and I went to work every day knowing how tough it was on him to stay home. Gosh it was tough and it took its toll on our relationship. When the one you love does not love themselves its hard to keep a strong relationship.
Then Emily had a seizure on her 7th birthday I mean come on. I knew it was all for a reason, but I could not help but question why? She is O.K. and we all have worked past it, and of course learned from it. Life can be over in a minute and an experience like this brings everything into perspective. I am so blessed to have such a talented, beautiful in every way daughter. I know she was sent here like an angel. Everything she says seems to be so grown up. She is the strongest person I know and the kindest heart that fills so many with love and joy. My daughter is truly an amazing little angel and so full of life and music. She often sings the “The Climb” by Myley Cyrus out her bedroom window and it echos through the neighborhood (it sounds so beautiful). It warms my heart to hear her sing, and play my guitar. She’s got a gift for music; I wonder where it will take her?
Through all of this he kept looking for a job, and took one with Tim Hortons which did not last long. Then RS offered him a job the same day that he quit with TH. I thank my lucky stars when this happened. Now 4 months later he has made it through depression put on a few pounds from all that chocolate and is back to his normal self.
We’ve all grown so much from this year and I feel so blessed. This year has tried all of our strength and faith. However through it all I knew that we would make it and that the future would hold many more happy days. I am so thankful for all my friends who listened to me gripe and supported me through 2009. I might have lost it without the love and support. Today the last day of 2009 I count my blessings and envision a much smoother 2010.