2012 has been a rough year, full of sick family members in our house. The next few posts will cover the happenings for each of us.
Adam and I have done pretty good about staying healthy through out the year. With just minor colds and aches and pains, we certainly have been the lucky ones. Adam has had several sinus issues with allergies this year. Allergies, in general, have been much worse in our house. He is also dealing with minor body aches due to work.
Me, on the other hand, have dealt pretty well with allergies. Headaches, on the other hand, have been in abundance. But, since seeing the eye doctor, those have decreased slightly. My only other complaint, I worked extra hard over the weekend, and seem to have twisted my back yesterday.
Now, the kids on the other hand, have had more than their fair share of sickness through this year. Details to come soon.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Career Changes - Part 3
Here is the last part of this mini-series:
Amid all the daycare drama and family stress, mid-May I learned of a career opportunity. My first reaction was "this is crazy! I have the daycare, which I have put all this work and heart into!" At this point, we hadn't decided to close the daycare, and so I was really not interested. But, upon discussions with Adam and a few others, and many prayers later, I decided that this might be better than originally thought. The idea of shorter hours, no stress, a paycheck, and continued flexibility to be at the kids school functions was very appealing.
It took a while for me to finally decide to fill out the application. After I did, we made the final decision to close the daycare. When I interviewed for the position, I was completely at peace with moving forward. I knew (and still do know!) that this was the right decision for me and my family. About a week later, I was told that I had the position, and everything fell into place.
I started working at Oklahoma Natural Gas on July 2nd. I was primarily hired as a staff specialist for the Clinton office, but I also fill in for Customer Service at Elk City. It's like having two completely different jobs. I spent the first 6 weeks training in Elk City and OKC. There is a lot to the computer program and a lot to the job over there! But, I think I picked it up pretty well, and can now fill in when Tammy is sick or on vacation. (As long as she sticks with her phone, cause I still have questions!) Once I was catching on over there, I started learning my duties for Clinton. It is much more laid back and slower paced over here. The duties are completely different, and it is a lot of stop and go. I love each office for very different reasons!
Now that I have been here a couple months, the feelings haven't altered in the slightest. I truly love where I am and know this is where I'm supposed to be. This was our last month of rent at the daycare, and the stress from that is starting to ease. There are so many things that I love about where I am now, and I wouldn't change it for anything!
Amid all the daycare drama and family stress, mid-May I learned of a career opportunity. My first reaction was "this is crazy! I have the daycare, which I have put all this work and heart into!" At this point, we hadn't decided to close the daycare, and so I was really not interested. But, upon discussions with Adam and a few others, and many prayers later, I decided that this might be better than originally thought. The idea of shorter hours, no stress, a paycheck, and continued flexibility to be at the kids school functions was very appealing.
It took a while for me to finally decide to fill out the application. After I did, we made the final decision to close the daycare. When I interviewed for the position, I was completely at peace with moving forward. I knew (and still do know!) that this was the right decision for me and my family. About a week later, I was told that I had the position, and everything fell into place.
I started working at Oklahoma Natural Gas on July 2nd. I was primarily hired as a staff specialist for the Clinton office, but I also fill in for Customer Service at Elk City. It's like having two completely different jobs. I spent the first 6 weeks training in Elk City and OKC. There is a lot to the computer program and a lot to the job over there! But, I think I picked it up pretty well, and can now fill in when Tammy is sick or on vacation. (As long as she sticks with her phone, cause I still have questions!) Once I was catching on over there, I started learning my duties for Clinton. It is much more laid back and slower paced over here. The duties are completely different, and it is a lot of stop and go. I love each office for very different reasons!
Now that I have been here a couple months, the feelings haven't altered in the slightest. I truly love where I am and know this is where I'm supposed to be. This was our last month of rent at the daycare, and the stress from that is starting to ease. There are so many things that I love about where I am now, and I wouldn't change it for anything!
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Career Changes - Part 2
Continuing from yesterday's post...
March and April were pretty good. We had a steady stream of students. We had our ups and downs, but for the most part, things were ok. At least we were making ends meet, and making slight progress.
Then May rolled around, and things took a major turn. Beth got really sick and I spent a week in the hospital with her. (More of that story in a latter post.) During that first two weeks of May, life was extra stressful. I needed to be in three places at once, and I was worn out emotionally, physically, and mentally. Reality hit that some changes needed to be made. I began putting feelers out for a new teacher or director to work at the center so I could be home more. When I was at work, I was overwhelmed. When I was home, I was still dealing with employee drama at work. I loved my students and was very attached to them, but I needed help.
In mid-May, I began to get some feedback that a girl that had a directors credential was willing to come work for me. About a week later, she decided that she liked being a stay-at-home mom, and wasn't ready to work again. No hard feelings, I get it. I wished her the best, but I was still bummed. What to do now?
Then the very next day, a girl walked into the center and was interested in buying it. She asked lots of questions, and took several pictures, and told me she'd call me tomorrow with her final decision. Yay, right? No, she called back the next day and backed out, stating that she'd want to turn it into a candy store. Well, our landlord wants to keep it as a daycare, so that didn't work.
About a week later, a woman walked in, and she asked even more questions. Said she'd have to talk to her husband, and they'd be back. Well, at this point, I honestly didn't believe her. But, to my surprise, she showed up just an hour later with husband in tow. They looked over every square inch of the building, did a lot of talking and asking questions, and finally said that they'd do it. I couldn't hardly believe it! We started making arrangements: we told the staff, parents, and she made arrangements for the utilities and lease to be changed to her name.
Finally things were looking up. My students would be taken care of. I was going to have someone handling the stress of the daycare. I could spend more one on one time with my children, but still work with the daycare kids. Win-win, right?!
No... The first of June, she backed out. Really? Really!
So, we decided to close the doors of our wonderful center. It was the hardest decision I have ever made. We were down to 6 students. I let two of my teachers go. That was a nightmare all in itself. I felt bad, but there was no sense in there being 4 of us for only 6 students.
June 29th was our last day. It was so bitter sweet. I knew, and still know, that it was the right decision. But, dang, I was attached to those children. I loved being a part of their little lives, and SO miss them.
March and April were pretty good. We had a steady stream of students. We had our ups and downs, but for the most part, things were ok. At least we were making ends meet, and making slight progress.
Then May rolled around, and things took a major turn. Beth got really sick and I spent a week in the hospital with her. (More of that story in a latter post.) During that first two weeks of May, life was extra stressful. I needed to be in three places at once, and I was worn out emotionally, physically, and mentally. Reality hit that some changes needed to be made. I began putting feelers out for a new teacher or director to work at the center so I could be home more. When I was at work, I was overwhelmed. When I was home, I was still dealing with employee drama at work. I loved my students and was very attached to them, but I needed help.
In mid-May, I began to get some feedback that a girl that had a directors credential was willing to come work for me. About a week later, she decided that she liked being a stay-at-home mom, and wasn't ready to work again. No hard feelings, I get it. I wished her the best, but I was still bummed. What to do now?
Then the very next day, a girl walked into the center and was interested in buying it. She asked lots of questions, and took several pictures, and told me she'd call me tomorrow with her final decision. Yay, right? No, she called back the next day and backed out, stating that she'd want to turn it into a candy store. Well, our landlord wants to keep it as a daycare, so that didn't work.
About a week later, a woman walked in, and she asked even more questions. Said she'd have to talk to her husband, and they'd be back. Well, at this point, I honestly didn't believe her. But, to my surprise, she showed up just an hour later with husband in tow. They looked over every square inch of the building, did a lot of talking and asking questions, and finally said that they'd do it. I couldn't hardly believe it! We started making arrangements: we told the staff, parents, and she made arrangements for the utilities and lease to be changed to her name.
Finally things were looking up. My students would be taken care of. I was going to have someone handling the stress of the daycare. I could spend more one on one time with my children, but still work with the daycare kids. Win-win, right?!
No... The first of June, she backed out. Really? Really!
So, we decided to close the doors of our wonderful center. It was the hardest decision I have ever made. We were down to 6 students. I let two of my teachers go. That was a nightmare all in itself. I felt bad, but there was no sense in there being 4 of us for only 6 students.
June 29th was our last day. It was so bitter sweet. I knew, and still know, that it was the right decision. But, dang, I was attached to those children. I loved being a part of their little lives, and SO miss them.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Career Changes - Part 1
The first update, of the many to come, is about my personal journey over the last year and a half, mostly focusing on my professional journey.
At the beginning of 2011, Adam and I started discussing the possibility of starting a new business and me opening a daycare. The more I researched about this idea, the more I realized that this was a much bigger project than first anticipated.
During the research process, I needed to make a decision. If you were following my blog last year, you know the options were to run a daycare out of my home for a couple years or return to school and take the classes needed to get a directors credential to open a center within a year. After many discussions with Adam, who by the way was little help as his response was "whatever you want to do," and MANY nights spent on my knees, the decision was made to return to school.
With three children, this was a lot easier said than done. After only suffering through one semester, I bow down to the moms that are also full time students. WOW! Between my classes, the boys school, someone watching the younger two (a HUGE shout out to Breanne who watched Beth and Zack everyday for me! THANK YOU!), soccer, homework, prepping the soon-to-be daycare, and trying to keep up with home duties, August thru December was a blur. I look back on it and feel so neglectful as a mom. But, I can also look back and realize that it was a necessary sacrifice.
In January, we had driven by a vacant building, and had made comments on how perfect of a location and set up it would be for a daycare. All spring and summer, I had kept an eye on it and it had never rented. In November, we signed a lease to rent the building and I set to work cleaning and moving stuff in. I am so grateful for all the donations and time and effort from everyone that helped pull it together. I, along with many others, spent countless hours arranging and rearranging toys, wall decorations, and furniture.
After many obstacles, a lot of paperwork, and rescheduling our opening date twice, we finally opened on Valentines Day in February. We started with 9 wonderful children, and by the first of April, we were maxed out on capacity at 19. I very quickly fell in love with our students, and grew very attached very fast.
However, the 13-14 hour days were wearing on me. I had a very hard time finding good help. That was one obstacle that I hadn't anticipated. It was very challenging to find both full time and substitute teachers. The student drama, the endless paperwork, the DHS regulations - - I could deal with all that. But, with 19 students, I couldn't run the whole show alone. I finally did get teachers hired, but saying I had "good" help, was a great stretch. I did have one GREAT teacher, and I found myself relying a lot on her. I don't think I could have made it without her. In fact, I know I couldn't have!
At the beginning of 2011, Adam and I started discussing the possibility of starting a new business and me opening a daycare. The more I researched about this idea, the more I realized that this was a much bigger project than first anticipated.
During the research process, I needed to make a decision. If you were following my blog last year, you know the options were to run a daycare out of my home for a couple years or return to school and take the classes needed to get a directors credential to open a center within a year. After many discussions with Adam, who by the way was little help as his response was "whatever you want to do," and MANY nights spent on my knees, the decision was made to return to school.
With three children, this was a lot easier said than done. After only suffering through one semester, I bow down to the moms that are also full time students. WOW! Between my classes, the boys school, someone watching the younger two (a HUGE shout out to Breanne who watched Beth and Zack everyday for me! THANK YOU!), soccer, homework, prepping the soon-to-be daycare, and trying to keep up with home duties, August thru December was a blur. I look back on it and feel so neglectful as a mom. But, I can also look back and realize that it was a necessary sacrifice.
In January, we had driven by a vacant building, and had made comments on how perfect of a location and set up it would be for a daycare. All spring and summer, I had kept an eye on it and it had never rented. In November, we signed a lease to rent the building and I set to work cleaning and moving stuff in. I am so grateful for all the donations and time and effort from everyone that helped pull it together. I, along with many others, spent countless hours arranging and rearranging toys, wall decorations, and furniture.
After many obstacles, a lot of paperwork, and rescheduling our opening date twice, we finally opened on Valentines Day in February. We started with 9 wonderful children, and by the first of April, we were maxed out on capacity at 19. I very quickly fell in love with our students, and grew very attached very fast.
However, the 13-14 hour days were wearing on me. I had a very hard time finding good help. That was one obstacle that I hadn't anticipated. It was very challenging to find both full time and substitute teachers. The student drama, the endless paperwork, the DHS regulations - - I could deal with all that. But, with 19 students, I couldn't run the whole show alone. I finally did get teachers hired, but saying I had "good" help, was a great stretch. I did have one GREAT teacher, and I found myself relying a lot on her. I don't think I could have made it without her. In fact, I know I couldn't have!
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Life Changes
This year has been extra busy. There have been several major changes and events in our house. Someone had recommended that I blog about all the happenings that have been going on, and I've decided to take their advice.
I'm going to try and catch everyone up on the ongoings over several posts in the coming days and weeks. My free time is sporadic, so we'll just have to see how fast I can play catch-up.
Be watching for more to come...
I'm going to try and catch everyone up on the ongoings over several posts in the coming days and weeks. My free time is sporadic, so we'll just have to see how fast I can play catch-up.
Be watching for more to come...
Friday, January 27, 2012
2011 Recap
Wow, it's been nearly a year since my last post. I hadn't realized... A lot has happened in the last year, so I will just sum up 2011 for the Hansen Family.
Adam is still working with Schlumberger. The Elk City office has had lots of ups and downs over the last year, and have had lots of changes in supervisors, management, and paychecks. Adam has recently been promoted to EO2, and shortly will be getting his EO3. He's also put in for a training supervisor position. It sounds like there are several wanting the position, though, and he is still low man on the totum pole. But, I fully believe that he will get it eventually.
Nick finished his first year of school last May, and was wanting to know if summer was over a week after summer vacation started. He quite drove me crazy over the summer months wanting to go back. When August finally rolled around, he was insistent that I not walk him to class any other days than the first. He is doing very well and at the top of his class. He is reading beginner books, and his handwriting is improving every day. He turned 6 in October, and is currently playing basketball. He's the smallest one on the team, and doesn't get the ball very often, but outworks and outruns them all.
Zack turned 4 last April, and very much enjoyed the quiet mornings while Nick was at school. He has gotten addicted to the Wii, and I have to persuade him to pursue other activities while at home. He spent the summer telling everyone that would listen that he was NOT going to school, but rather staying at home with his little sister. He did finally agree to try school, once August came, and I think really enjoys being with the other kids. He is very smart and hands on. He knew all of the Pre-K curriculum before the end of the first semester, with the exception of writing his name. He is making progress on this skill, and can write the Z and c quite well. My hope is that he can write it sometime before he is 10, lol.
Beth is at my favorite stage of kids. She is learning something new everyday, and keeps us on our toes. She finally has hair, and once it started growing, it's really taken off. I was beginning to wonder if she'd every have any! She learns new words everyday, and will copy just about anything she hears. (Yes, that can be dangerous!) A few weeks ago, she discovered the clicky end of my ink pen, and after clicking it a few times, tells me "ouch." After asking her what was wrong, she points at her finger, and says "finger." I was a little shocked. She then sticks it in her ear, sticks her other finger in her other ear, and, wiggling her other fingers, tells me "Nanny, Nanny, nah nah!!" I laughed so hard!! It was adorable!
As for me, I finished up my classes at SWOSU this fall. I am working hard on getting the final touches ready to open the new daycare, Chick-A-Dee, in just a couple weeks. Right before starting school in August, I was called as a counselor in our church ward's Primary Presidency. I have learned so much working with the children over the last several months, and it has made me even more excited to get this daycare started.
I guess that's it for now. I hope all reading had a wonderful 2011, and I will try my best to blog a little more often this year.
Happy New Year!!
Adam is still working with Schlumberger. The Elk City office has had lots of ups and downs over the last year, and have had lots of changes in supervisors, management, and paychecks. Adam has recently been promoted to EO2, and shortly will be getting his EO3. He's also put in for a training supervisor position. It sounds like there are several wanting the position, though, and he is still low man on the totum pole. But, I fully believe that he will get it eventually.
Nick finished his first year of school last May, and was wanting to know if summer was over a week after summer vacation started. He quite drove me crazy over the summer months wanting to go back. When August finally rolled around, he was insistent that I not walk him to class any other days than the first. He is doing very well and at the top of his class. He is reading beginner books, and his handwriting is improving every day. He turned 6 in October, and is currently playing basketball. He's the smallest one on the team, and doesn't get the ball very often, but outworks and outruns them all.
Zack turned 4 last April, and very much enjoyed the quiet mornings while Nick was at school. He has gotten addicted to the Wii, and I have to persuade him to pursue other activities while at home. He spent the summer telling everyone that would listen that he was NOT going to school, but rather staying at home with his little sister. He did finally agree to try school, once August came, and I think really enjoys being with the other kids. He is very smart and hands on. He knew all of the Pre-K curriculum before the end of the first semester, with the exception of writing his name. He is making progress on this skill, and can write the Z and c quite well. My hope is that he can write it sometime before he is 10, lol.
Beth is at my favorite stage of kids. She is learning something new everyday, and keeps us on our toes. She finally has hair, and once it started growing, it's really taken off. I was beginning to wonder if she'd every have any! She learns new words everyday, and will copy just about anything she hears. (Yes, that can be dangerous!) A few weeks ago, she discovered the clicky end of my ink pen, and after clicking it a few times, tells me "ouch." After asking her what was wrong, she points at her finger, and says "finger." I was a little shocked. She then sticks it in her ear, sticks her other finger in her other ear, and, wiggling her other fingers, tells me "Nanny, Nanny, nah nah!!" I laughed so hard!! It was adorable!
As for me, I finished up my classes at SWOSU this fall. I am working hard on getting the final touches ready to open the new daycare, Chick-A-Dee, in just a couple weeks. Right before starting school in August, I was called as a counselor in our church ward's Primary Presidency. I have learned so much working with the children over the last several months, and it has made me even more excited to get this daycare started.
I guess that's it for now. I hope all reading had a wonderful 2011, and I will try my best to blog a little more often this year.
Happy New Year!!
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