Journey of Us Part IX
Time is running out! Our anniversary is this week. So, I think I'll just give you some highlights (longest post ever!) of the past five years. They seemed to have flown by!
2005-
Birth of Allie
2006-
I started working outside the home for the first time in five years! I remember interviewing for the first time and saying out of nervousness, "I'm sorry, this is my first interview in about 10 years!" They were shocked. I guess I can sell myself pretty well. So, it was then, January of 2006, I began working 24 hours/2 weeks in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit as a Health Unit Coordinator.
Aaron at that time was desparately trying to get out of collections. Which started a downward spiral of one job after another.
We also settled into a new church during this time. I had attended Emmanuel Christian Center since 1997 and Aaron since 1980! We felt it was time to move on and grounded ourselves at Abundant Life, where we attend today.
Jonathan started his schooling career at Zion Preschool. He loved it! Within a couple weeks, he was writing his own name! Something he would NOT do for me at home no matter how hard I tried. He met a girl named, Grace, who remains one of his best friends today.
Allie was a peanut and not all that healthy the end of her first year. From 8 months to 12 months, she had periorbital cellulitis, pink eye, dehydration (hospitalized for 2 days), a broken leg (her and mama fell down the stairs), Fevers, double ear infection, and major respiratory infection (almost resulting in another hospitalization). She gave us heart attack after heart attack. She weighed in at 18# 5oz (with a full leg cast on) at her 1 year check. By her first birthday, she had 6 teeth, walked (even with the cast), danced, and talked as well as a 2 year old!
2007-
Aaron continues his job search. The start of 14 jobs in 4 years! With job loss came the loss of our first home. We soon found ourselves living back at home! We moved in with Aaron's mom and dad July of 2007. Not the ideal thing to do, but at the time, it was are only option. It really wasn't all bad. The kids became very close to their grandparents, especially Allie. Aaron and I had it pretty easy. We actually went on more dates that year than ever before or after. The kids would go to bed, and we would head out for a coffee. Grandparents are the best!
Jonathan started kindergarten in August as well. This was not a fun transition! His first day of school, I had locked my keys in the van. Aaron had to come home from work and ulock it. I was sobbing, Jonathan was sobbing...it was HORRIBLE! Oh and yep, my kid was late for school the first day of kindergarten! Nothing like teaching them young. We survived the first day, but the year would continue to be a struggle. After much counciling, we discovered Jonathan has generalized anxiety. Move to granparents, start school, live with cousin, Dallas, mom's working more hours, dad is in and out of jobs...poor Jonathan! Thank God for our awesome therapist, Barb!
Meanwhile, Allie was living high on life! Her and grandma were best buds. She quickly learned to not have a care in the world other than Princesses and FUN!
All in all, 2007 proved to be a tough year. Wouldn't that be how it is in the 7th year of marriage?
2005-
Birth of Allie
2006-
I started working outside the home for the first time in five years! I remember interviewing for the first time and saying out of nervousness, "I'm sorry, this is my first interview in about 10 years!" They were shocked. I guess I can sell myself pretty well. So, it was then, January of 2006, I began working 24 hours/2 weeks in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit as a Health Unit Coordinator.
Aaron at that time was desparately trying to get out of collections. Which started a downward spiral of one job after another.
We also settled into a new church during this time. I had attended Emmanuel Christian Center since 1997 and Aaron since 1980! We felt it was time to move on and grounded ourselves at Abundant Life, where we attend today.
Jonathan started his schooling career at Zion Preschool. He loved it! Within a couple weeks, he was writing his own name! Something he would NOT do for me at home no matter how hard I tried. He met a girl named, Grace, who remains one of his best friends today.
Allie was a peanut and not all that healthy the end of her first year. From 8 months to 12 months, she had periorbital cellulitis, pink eye, dehydration (hospitalized for 2 days), a broken leg (her and mama fell down the stairs), Fevers, double ear infection, and major respiratory infection (almost resulting in another hospitalization). She gave us heart attack after heart attack. She weighed in at 18# 5oz (with a full leg cast on) at her 1 year check. By her first birthday, she had 6 teeth, walked (even with the cast), danced, and talked as well as a 2 year old!
2007-
Aaron continues his job search. The start of 14 jobs in 4 years! With job loss came the loss of our first home. We soon found ourselves living back at home! We moved in with Aaron's mom and dad July of 2007. Not the ideal thing to do, but at the time, it was are only option. It really wasn't all bad. The kids became very close to their grandparents, especially Allie. Aaron and I had it pretty easy. We actually went on more dates that year than ever before or after. The kids would go to bed, and we would head out for a coffee. Grandparents are the best!
Jonathan started kindergarten in August as well. This was not a fun transition! His first day of school, I had locked my keys in the van. Aaron had to come home from work and ulock it. I was sobbing, Jonathan was sobbing...it was HORRIBLE! Oh and yep, my kid was late for school the first day of kindergarten! Nothing like teaching them young. We survived the first day, but the year would continue to be a struggle. After much counciling, we discovered Jonathan has generalized anxiety. Move to granparents, start school, live with cousin, Dallas, mom's working more hours, dad is in and out of jobs...poor Jonathan! Thank God for our awesome therapist, Barb!
Meanwhile, Allie was living high on life! Her and grandma were best buds. She quickly learned to not have a care in the world other than Princesses and FUN!
All in all, 2007 proved to be a tough year. Wouldn't that be how it is in the 7th year of marriage?
2008
We moved into our own place again! Actually, we moved into the apartment complex we had lived in our first two years of marriage. It wasn't ideal, but it worked.
Aaron went back to school. He made it a year, found a better job, and stopped going to school. Which has worked out just fine.
I keep trucking along in the NICU, only now I am a .6 (I work 12 days/month instead of 6).
Jonathan is now in first grade and doing well. A couple hick ups during transition, but all in all, life is good.
Allie continues to find fun! That is what life is all about.
At Christmas time, Aaron lost his job and we had no money for Christmas. The night before Christmas Eve when all through the house I was preparing a fondue meal for some friends. We heard a buzz at the door. What to my eyes did appear? Four little Mueller's with a bundle of toys. We were shocked and all in tears! Our church family had gotten together and purchased a gazillion things for us. Clothes, socks, underwear, pajamas, and toys and gift cards galore! It was the best Christmas EVER! Then, Christmas Eve morning, the bell rings and it's a package for us. It was another HUGE box full of gifts for the kids! My friend in PA had a chirch group who wanted to bless someone. THat someone was us! It was the most amazing Christmas ever! We will never forget or take for granted the Lord's blessings.
2009
Our ninth year of marriage proved to be the worst and the best! A story of addiction, recovery, hope, commitment, and love.
Aside from our marriage and all the joy it brought, Allie and I's week in Texas was a close second! We had so much fun visiting our BFF's.
Jonathan did well in 2nd grade.You know, except for the hick up of transition in the beginning of the year. He's done well and we are very proud of him!
Allie now writes her own name, knows her ABC's and 123's, colors in the lines and can't wait to go to school. I, on the other hand, want to keep her at home as long as possible.
2010
Thus far, 2010 has been a great year! We are both working, we are all healthy, and we enjoy life daily! If you don't believe me, run through the blog and you will quickly see how great our lives are. Never boring, always fun!
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