This is James in one of his uniforms!
Almost three years ago James was looking for a job and came home and told me that he was going to be applying with the U.S. Border Patrol. Being one who does not like any kind of change, I quickly informed him that there was not a U.S. border in Salt Lake and so it would be hard for him to do that job there. I did not want to move to who knows where and leave behind all that I loved. He told me that it was his last resort and that he would be able to find something in Salt Lake and we would be good. Well, he put in the application and for the next 10 months applied all over the place. He had his degree in Business Finance but did not have any experience. That was the problem. The jobs he was applying for sometimes had over 300 people applying as well and more than 60% of them had experience. He just wasn't getting that job! The end of that 10 month period came (Beginning of April 2007) and he got a job offer from Homeland Security. If he took this job (in El Centro, Ca.......um, where?) he would have to start on April 23rd! Hello! That was only two 1/2 weeks away! We prayed about it and got the answer that this was the right move. I was not happy about it, but who am I to tell the Lord what to do? So, we got a realtor and put our house up for sale. We sold it the very same day that it went up. We started packing and James did as much as he could (he was working like a madman) before he had to go off to his 4 1/2 months training. He left and I, along with my family and friends (thanks so much...especially Josh) moved all of my stuff in to storage. The kids and I then moved in with my kind, patient, wonderful parents. I am sure it was the longest 4 months of their lives! We kind of took over the house. 4 kids running around screaming and yelling and getting in to all kinds of mischief (writing on walls, breaking things, etc) had to be a shock after being just the two of them. I love them both so much for the sacrifice and love that they have shown to us. It was so nice to spend that time with them. I knew I was going to miss them so much. I did miss my husband and wanted him to come back, but I also knew that his coming back would mean that we had to leave....so I was torn between how I felt.
The day soon came that we had to leave. We had our U-Haul packed up and towing James' car (fully packed). James and Parker drove in that and the girls and I followed in my car. Pulling away and leaving my mom and dad standing on the curb was the hardest thing that I had ever done. I was crying so hard it I could barely see to drive and with each passing minute it got harder because I was getting that much farther away from my parents and sibs. Part of me was so mad at James that I wanted to scream! (at times it was a big part! lol)
We got to El Centro the second day and I was so not happy! It was 120 degrees and 77% humidity! I wanted to jump in the car and go right back home to Salt Lake! We had to stay in a small hotel room for 3 weeks until our apartment was available and it was VERY hard, but James was loving his job. It was the first job (besides the Marines) that he had that he really loved. Now, I should say something about the Border Patrol. There is a lot more to it than most people think. When he first got the job I had someone say to me "He will get something else soon. He is too smart to just be Border Patrol.". Well, it actually is not just a 'security' job (nothing against those...James did that while going through college). It is hard work. They have to learn how to track people and know tons of legal stuff (can you tell that I don't know it?! lol). It is also extremely dangerous.
So, when you start with the B.P. you are on a two year probation. They can pretty much fire you for anything and there is not much you can do about it. (this has happened to a good friend of James...very sad) Last Thursday James hit his two year mark! I can't believe that he has been with them for two years! He is now part of the union and I don't have to worry about him being canned! (if they did they would be stupid) Yay for James! There is also a change in my attitude. The first 3 months I was severely depressed and still depressed for months afterwards. I sobbed daily (more than once a day was normal). I look back and see that I probably should have seen someone about it. I changed a few things about what I was doing and it got a bit better, but it took a long time for me to be okay with things. I know that I worried my husband, mom and sister. I am grateful for their love and support. I still miss my family and I still want to move back to Salt Lake, but I have come to love El Centro and I love the people here. It was not hard to love the people, but it took some time to not call it Hell Centro. (the summer still fits into that category) I have several really good friends and so many other people that I enjoy visiting with. I have also come to like warmer weather! I get cold really easily and don't really like that much! I do miss having 4 seasons instead of two (one is MUCH shorter than the other) and I like to look at snow (in pictures), especially on Christmas but it is nice to have the kids play outside all year round.
I have also thought about how the economy is doing. I often wonder what would have happened to James and our family if he had gotten one of the many jobs that he had applied for. I know that his job is secure and I don't worry about us meeting our needs. I know that the Lord watches over us. I am grateful for what we have. I am also grateful for when I am able to go back and visit my family. I don't get to go as much as I want, but I do get to go back. We have also had family come here to visit (not as much as I want...but some). I know that we are better off here with a job than how we were before, with no job.
So, to end my LONG post....thanks for reading it, if you made it to the end.....I can't believe it has been two years. We don't know how long we will be here before we move back, but I will enjoy the time that I am here. I will do what my grams said and 'bloom where I am planted'. I still don't like change, but I recognize that sometimes it is in our best interest!
Almost three years ago James was looking for a job and came home and told me that he was going to be applying with the U.S. Border Patrol. Being one who does not like any kind of change, I quickly informed him that there was not a U.S. border in Salt Lake and so it would be hard for him to do that job there. I did not want to move to who knows where and leave behind all that I loved. He told me that it was his last resort and that he would be able to find something in Salt Lake and we would be good. Well, he put in the application and for the next 10 months applied all over the place. He had his degree in Business Finance but did not have any experience. That was the problem. The jobs he was applying for sometimes had over 300 people applying as well and more than 60% of them had experience. He just wasn't getting that job! The end of that 10 month period came (Beginning of April 2007) and he got a job offer from Homeland Security. If he took this job (in El Centro, Ca.......um, where?) he would have to start on April 23rd! Hello! That was only two 1/2 weeks away! We prayed about it and got the answer that this was the right move. I was not happy about it, but who am I to tell the Lord what to do? So, we got a realtor and put our house up for sale. We sold it the very same day that it went up. We started packing and James did as much as he could (he was working like a madman) before he had to go off to his 4 1/2 months training. He left and I, along with my family and friends (thanks so much...especially Josh) moved all of my stuff in to storage. The kids and I then moved in with my kind, patient, wonderful parents. I am sure it was the longest 4 months of their lives! We kind of took over the house. 4 kids running around screaming and yelling and getting in to all kinds of mischief (writing on walls, breaking things, etc) had to be a shock after being just the two of them. I love them both so much for the sacrifice and love that they have shown to us. It was so nice to spend that time with them. I knew I was going to miss them so much. I did miss my husband and wanted him to come back, but I also knew that his coming back would mean that we had to leave....so I was torn between how I felt.
The day soon came that we had to leave. We had our U-Haul packed up and towing James' car (fully packed). James and Parker drove in that and the girls and I followed in my car. Pulling away and leaving my mom and dad standing on the curb was the hardest thing that I had ever done. I was crying so hard it I could barely see to drive and with each passing minute it got harder because I was getting that much farther away from my parents and sibs. Part of me was so mad at James that I wanted to scream! (at times it was a big part! lol)
We got to El Centro the second day and I was so not happy! It was 120 degrees and 77% humidity! I wanted to jump in the car and go right back home to Salt Lake! We had to stay in a small hotel room for 3 weeks until our apartment was available and it was VERY hard, but James was loving his job. It was the first job (besides the Marines) that he had that he really loved. Now, I should say something about the Border Patrol. There is a lot more to it than most people think. When he first got the job I had someone say to me "He will get something else soon. He is too smart to just be Border Patrol.". Well, it actually is not just a 'security' job (nothing against those...James did that while going through college). It is hard work. They have to learn how to track people and know tons of legal stuff (can you tell that I don't know it?! lol). It is also extremely dangerous.
So, when you start with the B.P. you are on a two year probation. They can pretty much fire you for anything and there is not much you can do about it. (this has happened to a good friend of James...very sad) Last Thursday James hit his two year mark! I can't believe that he has been with them for two years! He is now part of the union and I don't have to worry about him being canned! (if they did they would be stupid) Yay for James! There is also a change in my attitude. The first 3 months I was severely depressed and still depressed for months afterwards. I sobbed daily (more than once a day was normal). I look back and see that I probably should have seen someone about it. I changed a few things about what I was doing and it got a bit better, but it took a long time for me to be okay with things. I know that I worried my husband, mom and sister. I am grateful for their love and support. I still miss my family and I still want to move back to Salt Lake, but I have come to love El Centro and I love the people here. It was not hard to love the people, but it took some time to not call it Hell Centro. (the summer still fits into that category) I have several really good friends and so many other people that I enjoy visiting with. I have also come to like warmer weather! I get cold really easily and don't really like that much! I do miss having 4 seasons instead of two (one is MUCH shorter than the other) and I like to look at snow (in pictures), especially on Christmas but it is nice to have the kids play outside all year round.
I have also thought about how the economy is doing. I often wonder what would have happened to James and our family if he had gotten one of the many jobs that he had applied for. I know that his job is secure and I don't worry about us meeting our needs. I know that the Lord watches over us. I am grateful for what we have. I am also grateful for when I am able to go back and visit my family. I don't get to go as much as I want, but I do get to go back. We have also had family come here to visit (not as much as I want...but some). I know that we are better off here with a job than how we were before, with no job.
So, to end my LONG post....thanks for reading it, if you made it to the end.....I can't believe it has been two years. We don't know how long we will be here before we move back, but I will enjoy the time that I am here. I will do what my grams said and 'bloom where I am planted'. I still don't like change, but I recognize that sometimes it is in our best interest!
10 comments:
loved your blog this a.m. I knew you would come out on top..cream rises...proud of both of you, he couldn't have been so successful without your support...and always remember 'God gave us memories so we could have june roses in the december of our lives'...making good ones is so important..lvya
Congrats!! 2 years in San Diego...where I would LOVE to be! (maybe I can talk Troy into the BP!) and I have to say, I've fallen in love with your Grams!
At least you know with BP you have job security!!! I'm glad you are finally able to love it, and not be so upset about your family being so far away. It's easier to resist change than it is to embrace it, but the sooner you buckle down and embrace it, the better--all the way around. Congrats for getting to this point emotionally for you, and literally for James! Yay!!!!!!
grams, we shouldn't be surprised that I rose to the top...think of me in the swimming pool! I am a bobber! lol
Hiroko, I wish we were in San Diego! I go there to get an emotional refueling! I am not surprised that you fell in love with her. She is amazing!
Katie, I know it is hard to take change....still hate change, but like President Monson says (paraphrasing) 'nothing is as constant as change'. sigh....better learn to live with it :) Thanks for the congrats!
Well, you have brought me to tears. (Truly, they are running down my cheeks!) We have prayed EVERY day for this to happen to you. I'm grateful that day has finally arrived. :) I know how hard it has been for you, but you have turned the corner and now, you'll love every minute of being there. Thanks for allowing God to soften your heart, so you could feel love for where you are living today. You have made my day and I can't wait to read this to your Dad tonight. With all my love, Mom. (BTW...it is always a pleasure to have you guys with us.) (Another btw, I bet James is excited. lol)
I'm glad to hear that you've found your place in El Centro. I hope that from here on out it just gets easier for you.
We've been in Utah for 3 years now and I'm feeling a lot better about being here now. I've come to know and love those around me and the neighborhood is amazing.
Computer tip of the day: If you double click on the picture where it is stored in your machine it should bring up the picture in "Windows Picture and Fax Viewer". Down at the bottom are a bunch of icons and in the middle are two little buttons for rotating the picture clockwise, or counter clockwise.
Gordon, you are a life saver! Thank you so much! I have wondered a million times how to do that. I appreciate it. :)
Julie, I didn't know it was hard for you to adjust back to Utah. Was that weird since you grew up here? I am glad that you like your area now. :)
Mom, I didn't mean to make you cry! And it is a good thing that you like us staying with you seeing as how we are going to be there for 2 months! hehe love you!
so glad gord? taught you how to flip the photo, I always knew he was a 'standup guy'..and whoever sweet escape' is I love her...
grams, I am glad Gordon was there to help too! The funny thing about James is that he looked at the picture and said 'I look like a dork! You could have gotten a better picture'. lol Who knew?
Sweet Escape is my friend Hiroko. We went to school together. She is great! :)
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