Fall holiday!

We took a small getaway this evening to the Ft. Smith Lake State Park. I wanted to see the trees before they were no longer pretty to look at. The weather here was perfect as it was in a bowl keeping the wind out. God some cute pics too. Here are just a few.

Fall peace...

Well this week was my first full week on my new job. I am definitely enjoying the perks of it, there are of course some down sides. While I cannot go into specifics, let me just say due to some emergency issues at one home, I was there for a total of 4 hours one day.

I am starting to adjust and get into the groove of everything and almost have a system of organization going. If you know me at all, you know when it comes to work or other outside home endeavors I am extremely organized. In the home well I am surrounded by a husband and 3 children who are not. It's a losing battle day in and day out trying to keep organization in the home. I have however put my foot down on my "home office". I told Steven it is just like when I was at work and everything is where I need it and meticulous. Needless to say he uses the other computer for his needs.

I am currently working with 4 families which is the maximum I am allowed to have. I have it to where I see them Mon-Thu and leave Friday to work from home doing paperwork and phone calls. I may end up going down a family after awhile. But for right now, it's not too much. The initial intake's are very tedious with the paperwork, but I am finding that once those are over it's not that bad. One big plus is I was able to pick Gage and Kieran up from school everyday this week. Granted I drove all over God's green earth going to homes, then to Ryker's prek in Farmington, and then picking them up in Bentonville. We will soon be investing in a good car for me so it won't be so bad.

Today has been a lazy day. Steven is again in Oklahoma helping his Dad out. The kids and I just have been hanging out. Last night we made it a night of movie rentals. Due to the rain I haven't felt much like doing anything. I was kind of hoping to take them to the Ft. Smith lake this weekend if it was sunny to look at the trees. Hopefully we can do that next week before they are no longer pretty.

Been thinking a lot of next year. I am going to name the year, the year of peace. My goal is to try and reduce the stress in my life. Including the busy stuff I no longer need. The job switch was the number one switch. Others include some committees I will let go of. I am also considering letting go of the non-profit. Either by allowing some one else to take it over OR just letting it go back to the non-profit without 501(c)3 status. It's not really done much for benefiting since I am not doing grants. The yearly paperwork is annoying and with me fixing to have to do my taxes for my job this will just add to stress if I don't let this go. Regardless the website will stay and still be a resource. I still haven't made the decision yet, just thinking out loud.

Either way, I will be working to reduce stress in the next year. God will decide for me what needs to go and what needs to stay.

Mind, body, and spirit...

This weekend has been absolutely amazing! Thursday I left with the women of our church to the Ft. Smith Lake for our first annual women's retreat. The lodge we stayed in was absolutely amazing. I took some pics with my phone and will hopefully have them posted on here soon. The lodge was able to sleep 32 and we had around 20. I even had my own private sleeping room. The weather was gorgeous! We ate outside with most of our meals. We stayed pretty busy the whole time and had lots to do from 8 a.m. until I conked around midnight both nights. We laughed a lot and got to grow closer to one another as well as with God. Friday during our down time I was going to do an Insanity workout with 2 of the other ladies but couldn't get it to work so we decided to go hiking instead. I took off before the others and got to spend some great time outdoors. I followed a trail which lead me to the top of the bluff over the mountain which had a breathtaking view of the lake and park. The others later met me up there and we just lounged around. Couldn't have asked for better weather. Later we did a picture scavenger hunt that was probably the funnest and funniest one I have ever done. There was so much more but there is no way I can list them all. We did decide to do it again next year same time. I can't wait. I told my sister she is coming with me.

We got home on Saturday and I was beyond exhausted! I took a long nap and my sister and her hubby later came for the night. I stayed up late again watching Letters to God, which is an amazing movie but will make you cry definitely. I took another long nap after my sister left today after lunch. Finished my Insanity workout and now I am just relaxing. I am not dreading tomorrow like I usually do when Mondays are right around the corner. I am sure much has to do with the fact that this next week is my last week at Vista. Of course I am nervous about my new job, but I have also already started it so I know what to expect. I will just be adding 2-3 more families to it. I am sure it will be fine and still much less stress than what I have been doing for the past 2+ years.

ahhhhhhh...... (relaxing sigh)

Yay for 10/10/10!

Ah those times when everything seems to slow down...

But not in a good way. I officially have 2 weeks left until I only have 1 job. Good news is I have a renewed energy at Vh because I know there is an end in site. The added pep in my step is helping with my efficiency, however today was somewhat of a nightmare. I was scatterbrained and left some paperwork at home this morning that I needed specifically for a noon appointment, therefore had to scurry around and make a trip home to get them all the while trying to squeeze all my Friday work in before noon. I calmed myself down later by taking Ryker to the park on our way home. Good thing to considering the traffic at only 4:30 p.m. was ridiculous due to motorcycle accidents backing up traffic. One of the downsides of Bikes Blues and BBQ.

As for the taste of my new job, I love it. It is definitely my style. I am starting to realize though while I will be working less, most of my hours will probably be in the evenings after kids come home from school. In the summers it will be really nice though.

Right now I am getting my insanity workouts done far later than I prefer but I am getting them done. I will be entering week 5 recovery week in a day or so, and I am looking forward to that.

Another side note, I ordered my dress for the derby ball. I am going short this year. Last ball's dress can't be outdone but it was huge and hard to maneuver. I also want to be able to dance in it with out it dragging. Ironically the ball is the day after my last day at Vh.

Yay, for October!