Excuse me.. I have a lot to say today.

Before I get to some news I need to hop up on my soapbox and have a "moment".

If you have been with me awhile you may remember this post when I was laid off my job 1 1/2yrs ago. During this time we moved across country closer to family which I told you about in this post. The move had been planned way before I lost my job.

I had planned on quitting as our move got closer - but was instead blessed with a nice severance package and unemployment insurance. Two things I wouldn't have had otherwise.

Now as most of you are aware, the economy here in the US is horrible and jobs are scarce. As I searched for a job - we started to realize how bad things have gotten in the job market. It was looking bleak and we lost sleep thinking about it.

And since we had no idea if or when I would ever be able to find a job in my career field, my husband and I worked to stretch our savings to the ends of the Earth.. Much farther than we ever thought we would need to. And we learned that the security blanket we had may not be large enough at times like this. But, at the same time, we also counted our blessings.

One of those blessings is my husbands job. Unlike some people suffering - he has an excellent job and makes a good living. And for that we are thankful!

But at the same time we had to pull our family together. And, along with our children, we learned the true meaning of a "want" vs a "need".

And knowing that times like this can be scary for kids - we continued to assure them that even though they may not get what they want - they would always have what they need! And explained that this way of thinking was their parents being responsible for their future rather than indulging them in their present.

During this time we have seen a change in our kids. They are more aware and they also have a whole new level of appreciation that I'm proud to see. They aren't perfect by any means.. Let's be real, if I took them out today and offered to buy the hottest toys - they'd take em! But the foundation is there and its a good start.

We have asked ourselves - when they are grown and in college, will they remember how many gifts they received for their birthday or Christmas 2011?? UM NO! I bet if we asked them - they probably don't remember what they got last year!! But they will remember having a secure upbringing and a paid for education!!

And I'm sure some of you may have noticed a slow down of fabric and projects for me. Unfortunately, fabric falls into the "want" category. I know... I know.. Its a fine line. But it had to be drawn.

So with all that said - I'm happy to say that after hard work and a lot of prayer, I have finally found a job in my career field. I will be a Systems Analyst in Clinical Research beginning in July. YAY!!!!

But our family has pledged to ourselves that we will continue our new way of thinking. And we won't save for a rainy day.. But rather for rainy YEARS!!

And we will continue to pray for other families who are suffering along with families who think "that won't happen to us! We have a savings and we have secure jobs". Because guess what.. Your savings needs to last longer than 6 months and no job is secure in these troubled times. It's getting worse.. not better. Let's not fool ourselves people!

And now I will step down from the soapbox. If you are still reading.. thank you for listening to me.

But before I let you go.. I want to say that I will be taking a little blogging break. Not a long one though - I will be back for the July Friday Night Sew-In on July 22nd. (July also happens to be the 2 year anniversary of the FNSI and Bobbi and I are planning a celebration to mark the milestone. So stay tuned)

During this small break from the blog I am planning to maximize my time as a "stay at home mom" and focus 100% on my boys and my home before I become a working mom again!

I appreciate all of you and love having this blog. I read each and every comment! Enjoy your summer, or winter for you across the equator, and I will see you in a month!

Hugs,

Heidi