Trials and Long Talks

I am really struggling with this job in Bartow for Danny.  It would be an hour commute for him every day from where we would like to live in Tampa.  Of course, we can't afford to live where we would REALLY like to live just yet (south tampa), but even a starter home would be great.  It would be great in a sense for him to get this job because we could own our first home, start our family, and be comfortable.  But, this job means less money which means a change in budget.  Danny and I are big promoters of Dave Ramsey and his "Total Money Makeoever."  Dave has done much for our marriage and we have been able to save my entire salary and then some this year for a down payment on a home.  Unfortunately, at this point, we are moving in with his parents until we are more settled and someone will give us a loan...which we don't know how long that may take.  

It is just so frustrating..to have so many obstacles in the way of our future.  I am a planner, as many of you probably know, and to have my plan interrupted is highly discouraging!  I have learned a lot in the process and have truly "gone with the flow" more than I would have liked, but I am ready for some stability.  We will find out early next week whether or not Danny got the job.  I think he deserves it and they would be silly not to give it to him, but who knows??  I know he is ready for work and does not want to spend any more time on the couch! 

As for me, I am enjoying summer vacation :) I have three days of teacher work week next week and then we are off to Tampa for good.  We will certainly miss the friends we made here, but we know that, in the long run, Tampa is the best place for us to raise a family.  Moving has been a HUGE pain in my bootie, but I keep telling myself that the next time we move, we will be in our first home!  I can't wait to document that milestone.  

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New Job :)

I have a job!! Hurray :) I will be working at St. Mary's Episcopal next year as a second grade teacher.  I went and toured and did a lesson on Friday, May 15th and was offered the job Monday, May 18th.  I am absolutely thrilled!  It is the perfect job, perfect grade, and I will be working with fabulous teachers.  I am looking forward to joining their team in August.  

We are still working on getting Danny a job.  He went to an interview last Friday at the DOT, but it is in Bartow which is about an hour away from where we will be living and would be making substantially less than he did at his last job.  He has not been offered the job and we are not sure when they will be calling to let him know yes or no, but I don't think we are ready to settle for that job.  It would be a four year position and these are the years in which we want to buy a house and start a family.  It would be a hard decision, so we will see if we have to think hard on it or not.  

School is winding down.  I have a week left.  We have a full week this week and then 2 and a half days next week.  I am looking forward to a relaxing summer!  We are packing up our condo and taking it to Tampa in shifts.  the movers will be coming next week for the furniture.  We just keep telling ourselves that next time we unpack, we will be owning our own home.  

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Opportunity

I visited yet another school this past week, Academy at the Lakes, in Tampa. It is in North Tampa near Land-O-Lakes. After being upset at not being offered the job at St. John's, I worked my butt off preparing for my lesson and interview at Academy. I think I did the best I could have possibly done and the administrators seemed impressed. I know if I do not get this job, it is of nothing I can control, so I feel much more comfortable knowing that. Danny is still struggling to find something in his field. We have so many friends and family helping us and doing all they can to get us back on our feet. We feel very lucky.

We will be moving to Tampa at the end of the month and moving in with Danny's parents. We are glad to know there is room for us there and they are very hospitable to be allowing us to stay with them. It will be hard for all of us, but I am sure that Danny and I will be back to normal in the coming months. This is not long term. It is sad to say good-bye to Sarasota. We had a fabulous year here and it was the perfect place for us to start our marriage. We had to depend on each other more than we could have ever known having not known anyone when we moved here. We learned much about each other both through our struggles and the opportunities we were blessed with.

We are excited to see what is in store for us in the coming months!

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