Saturday, June 19, 2010

Life's Curve Ball


Several posts ago, I mentioned that sometimes life throws a curve ball... and I said that I hope I can laugh about it someday. Well, I will share our experience with you today.

At the end of May, my husband lost his job. The company he was working for decided to close the office in this area. All the people in the same department were let go. Wow...

I had a precedure the week before, so he was working from home to take care of me, and the day the lay off happened he went to work not knowing that it was going to happen.

I was resuming my regular daily routine, then, around the noon, the phone rang...

My husband: Hi hun...I don't have job anymore.

Me:....(ok, my brain was tryiing to process what I just heard and decide, either he is joking or if he is not joking, what to say)

Husband: Umm... are you there?

Me: yeah...really? Why?


What made it harder was, two days before the lay offs, we planned our first Disneyland trip, got reservations, AND told the kids about the special family vacation we are doing. Talk about curve balls, if we would have known, we certainly wouldn't have planned the trip, nor would we have told the kids about the trip.

We had a family conference that afternoon, and told our kids what was happening.

husband: Well, I have something very important to tell you... I don't have a job anymore.

Michael: What!? You lost it!!? (As if he had lost a set of car keys.) How!?

Husband: Well, they closed down the office.

Michael:(his eye were looking somewhere in the air) Are we poor now?

Me: Not now, but if he can't find job, we might become poor.

Then we had to tell them that we probably won't be able to go to the Disneyland, and we have to cut back our spending and pray that daddy will find new job soon.

Michael was thinking about something and shouted, "How about BEST BUY?" at first we looked at each other and thought that "What is he talking about? Is he ok?", then, it came to me that there is a girl, he liked in his class, whose dad works at BEST BUY. He was trying to help find work.

Over the next few days, Michael would call out random company names to his daddy he probably heard on commercials and stuff to see if he could work there. He even told him that may be he could become a "bug killing guy".

They were disappointed about not going to Disneyland, but I think they were more worried about becoming poor and being homeless. I found out from my mother-in-law that, Michael even asked her if it would be ok for us to move in with them; if his daddy couldn't find a job.

They were all very helpful, if they wanted something at the store, and I say no, they didn't complain. I even told them that there were extra chores around the house for them to earn money. I am not paying until daddy gets a job, but they were understanding. Every morning and night, they prayed that their daddy would find a job soon.

My husband's persistant job search, lots and lots of friends' help, recommendations, and many other peoples' prayers (Thank you everyone!!), I am so happy to say that he got job offer today!

We had another family conferance today.

husband: Well, kids, I want to say thank you for your help and prayers over the past few weeks. Today, I got a job offer.

Michael: They gave it to you?!! (As if they returned his lost car keys)

husband:(chuckle) yes they did, and we are going to Disneyland this summer.

Kids:YEAH!!!!!!! (they were jumping up and down in their chairs as they clapped their hands.)

I know we are very fortunate to find a job so quickly in this economy. Life's curve ball came as a shock to us, but I am so grateful that we didn't have to worry for a long time. Although, this experience definately brought us closer as a family; and I know for sure that the kids appreciate thier daddy even more. Because of his hard work, love, and devotion for our family, we have food on our table and clothes on our backs and much more.

Father's day is coming up. I saw Michael writing a letter to his daddy in his room tonight. Chirstopher was asking his daddy what his favorite candy bar was with his piggy bank in his hand( talk about being sneaky and subtle). My husband and I looked at each other and smiled.

Oh, and Rachel told him that she wants to marry him when she is older. That totally melted his heart, and I know that effect will last for many Father's days.

I am going to spend lots of time with my family and I am gonna plan a special Father's day dinner for him.

Everyone, have a happy Father's day!

Note: I will post "Link Love" on Monday. Come back to see me! :)

55 comments:

  1. Wow! I'm so glad he found a job quickly, and of course you were blessed with all the prayers and everything you were saying and what you were doing. How great that you can still go to Disneyland. It seems we had the money, but life happened and now we don't know what we will be doing instead. Luckily, we hadn't told the kids yet. I'm happy for you guys!

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  2. Es una gran lección la que nos has enseñado hoy; gracias por compartir estos duros momentos con todas. Buena suerte a tu marido en su nuevo trabajo.
    Sorry, my english is not so goo to say all I want in inglish so I tell you in Spanish.
    Good luck to your hunband in his new job!
    Hugs for you and your amazing family
    Liliana

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  3. Awwww...that is so touching. Your family is so blessed.I think Michael grew a lot from this.And Rachel is so adorable !

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  4. We're still going through this same curve bal. Mine was made redundant too and has had an offer of a job but as he is partially sighted he finds things hard so will be trying another opening at the same department next week, crossing al fingers and toes this one is better :S

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  5. Congratulations!!! I am so happy for you that everything worked out :) I know not having a job can be extremely difficult and frustrating, especially with children (Ok i dont know anything about that last bit since I dont have any but I think i have an idea of it). Enjoy your holiday @ Disney to the fullest!!
    Hugz from London, MJ

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  6. Wow, Praise God! Your post brought tears in my eyes. You have a great family!

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  7. OK Now I have tears in my eyes. A gorgeous post. Just gorgeous. I am so glad for the happy outcome.

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  8. Well, I am so happy for you! Your story truly touched me!
    Life may throw you curve balls but it's for the players to manage the game successfully! You just did!!

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  9. Hole time I was reading this post I was so hoping this have a happy end! I am really glad your husbund manage to find job so soon.
    My family was reacently in the same situation. Can you imagine, with 3-year old boy and anather baby on the way...
    Luckly, he also manage to find a new job very quickly.
    (I am so so sorry my english is so bed)

    Lucija

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  10. Oh I am so happy that he found a job! YEA!!!!! Do u think he could find one for Jesse out there? :)

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  11. Hi dear...congratulates for finding job again.you are really so lucky to have a sweet family..God bless you,and enjoy your sweet time with sweet family..take care

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  12. Glad to hear the happy ending! What a wonderful little family you have. The plant where my hubby works filed for bankrupcy and it was feared would close as well. So far it is still running, but we have that looming over our heads that this might be a temporary job....it's a tough place to live this country right now....

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  13. What a wonderful uplifting story.. How great is that!! Prayers and the confindence of our children should never allow us to give up.. Great children and Congrats to your husband!!

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  14. So glad to hear things worked out for you. Best of luck to your husband on his new job!

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  15. Wow such an amazing story from start to finish. Thank you so much for sharing, I was moved through so much of it. I can only hope to raise my young children to be as understanding as yours are and your positive outlook on life is certainly wonderful

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  16. How wonderful he found a job. Yes it is times like this that we step back and smell the roses. Hug your family for me they are a treasure.

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  17. I'm so happy he found a job. What sweet children you have in that they were so understanding. I always feel that God wants to see just how we handle the curve balls that are thrown to us.
    Blessings and have a great weekend,
    Nancy

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  18. This story made me tear up so early in the morning! Thank you :)

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  19. Oh my goodness!!! What a wonderful if not bittersweet post--I am glad it worked out, and what a sweet boy to be thinking about where his Dad could find work! Have fun at Disney!

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  20. I am pretty new to following your blog, but I just had to comment on this.

    You have amazing children, and this story is so darn sweet. I am so very glad for you that things turned out the way they did. Our family has been there and I know how scary and unsettling it is. Prayer is about the only thing that helps with any resolve.

    I can not wait to hear about your vacation later in the summer! :)

    Have a wonderful weekend, and happy Father's day to your dh.

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  21. This post had me laughing and crying at the same time. I am so happy that he found a job so quickly. God is good. And your kids sound so sweet and adorable.

    Trudy
    www.sewingwithtrudy.blogspot.com &

    www.artisticcreationswithtrudy.blogspot.com

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  22. Wow, you've had a tough month or so. Congratulations to your husband on finding a new job. I hope it's better than the last one. Your kids understanding is so sweet.

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  23. im so happy things worked out! and that you have such loving kids! people say miracles dont happen still, but getting a new job in this economy is proof that they do!

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  24. That is a definite curve ball! Congrads on getting a new job so quickly. Amazing! You must be married to a very competent, incredible man!

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  25. I am just a random reader of your blog and I must say that I am very glad to hear that your husband has found a job so quickly despite the current economy. I have an ex-colleague in the Bsy Area who finally found a job after nearly 12months!

    It was really touching to read about how your children reacted to both scenarios. Your children are very thoughtful and sensible, and your writing brought much warmth to my heart =).

    Cheers, Xin

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  26. That's a very scary curve ball! I was the sole bread winner for 3 years while my SO went back to school and in that time suffered two different layoffs so I can empathize with what your family was feeling! Can only say Thank You to God he was watching over your family and your Hubby found a job so soon!

    ~Kelli @ Smidgens

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  27. You always share the sweetest stories and your kiddos sound like they are sweet, caring children. I know you must have been worried during that time, although your story doesn't allude to that. I imagine you are a real inspiration to those close to you! Congrats and enjoy your family time.

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  28. I'm so glad that everything worked out! Thanks for sharing your experience, your faith and optimism is such an example to me!

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  29. Thanks for sharing your curve ball story. It is so nice to hear that praying and turning to God was a vital part of this process. It is heart warming to hear how your children accepted the potential money issues in stride.

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  30. This is such a sweet story! I'm really glad everything worked out in the end for you!

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  31. I'm glad it all worked out so well for you. When my hubby lost his job (the company he was with for 18 years closed its doors) he was out of work for nearly 2 years. We knew how to be frugal, but it got extremely tight there for a while.

    Enjoy your trip.

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  32. What thoughtful, beautiful well-adjusted children you and your husband have raised. I am so glad that he found another job so quickly.

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  33. I know you have many followers, whom you don't know, and I'm one of them. I don't post on other peoples blogs unless they know me, but I must say, how BLESSED you are to have such amazing kids to be so faithful in their prayers that their Dad would find a job. I remember going through this EXACT THING when I was little. Good luck and have fun at the Happiest Place On Earth!

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  34. You are melting MY heart! What a sweet story. I'm so glad he found something so quickly.

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  35. What a touching thing to share so close to Father's Day! Thanks for sharing :)

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  36. What a special family story. I'm sure you will tell it for years. It's so great to see each of your kids pitching in and helping and working together. What a great family you have!

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  37. That is so sweet! I"m so glad things worked out so well for you guys. We can't forget the power of prayer.

    Enter to win a Lime Ricki swimsuit!
    clothed much, a modest fashion blog

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  38. So glad that your story has a happy ending. And you've got two great, adorable kids there.

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  39. I am so happy for your family. What a bitter sweet moment. I am sure your children learned something more about the value of money within those weeks. Have a WONDERFUL time at Disneyland!

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  40. well.... congrats Im so Happy for you =D

    I love your blog.

    Ara.

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  41. What a wonderful, sweet family you all are. Happy that your husband has found another job, but how amazing your children with their thoughts and concerns. Happy Father's to your honey and blessings to you all.

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  42. you are really a lady to have such a sweet family...so great.take care and enjoy...

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  43. How proud of your family you must be...

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  44. You and your husband are so very lucky to have such a supporting family. it takes work and determination to find another suitable job, even if bug killing guy didn't quite fit the bill, he found the right one. My road is longer than yours, my guy has been job hunting for 19 months now, but he does have a major handicap in the work place -- he is 61 years old... I just keep pushing him out the door and encourage him best as I can, the right combination will come along, and not as a bug killing guy either...

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  45. I know what you mean by being thrown a curve ball, but then having everything work out in the end. A year ago my husband lost his job, no real advance warning. We were devastated. My husband had applied to several law schools and we hadn't heard back from them yet. Then two days later he was accepted to Law School in Wisconsin and we moved out there. It's amazing at how the tough trials we face bring us closer together as families. Thank you for sharing your story (and your crafts). It was a good reminder of the blessings in my life, and I'm so glad for how everything has worked out in yours. Thank you so much. I think you and your family are very brave, and blessed.

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  46. Wonderful news about the new job! Enjoy this special Father's Day. Sounds like you are so bleesed! :)

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  47. this touched me so much! I am so glad it turned all good and your husband has found a job so fast! I am pretty sure you and your family will enjoy Disneyland even more now! I am very happy for you!

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  48. Oh Dear, you really make me tear
    I'm really glad your story has a happy end, cause if it's not, I'm gonna cry longer ^_^

    The best part for me is when you & your husband let the children knew what had happened. You & your husband knew that the news was so hard & may hurt the children, but you let them know.That's really a beautiful way to teach your children. If I became you, maybe I wasn't that strong to tell my children what happened to their dad

    I hope you & your family have a great holiday. Don't forget to share your trip to Disneyland
    Love & hug for your beautiful angels

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  49. Your kids sound amazing. I love how helpful they were, and helped pray for a new job. How sweet. And that your little girl wants to marry her daddy. I love hearing stuff like that! Congrats on the new job. What a blessing.

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  50. Wow! What a story! I'm so glad he found another job, and that everything is working out for your family. I'm not going to lie...I did tear up a little when you spoke about your sweet kiddos. God is faithful to provide. ;)

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  51. so glad your husband found a new job, that is great! your kids are adorable and so sweet to want to help!

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  52. I just happened upon your blog and I am new to the blogging world, but recently had a similar post on my site. My husband lost his job in Feb, at the exact moment he found out and called me I had just fallen down the stairs and severed and broke my toes. We were devastated as I am a stay at home Mom, but fortuneately at the end of May he found a much better company to work for. His other company he had been with 16 years...they came in closed the plant and let everyone go. I believe things happen for a reason and I'm happy to hear it has worked out for your family as well.
    blessings,
    Jill

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  53. That is the best story I've heard I a long time. Thank you for sharing it, and congrats to your husband for finding a job so quickly. Our family went through a similar situation a few years ago and it took my husband a lot longer to find a job (2 yrs), so I know how scary it can be. But thanks to a great family (my in-laws) who took us in during that time, we survived.

    I'm so happy that the curve ball is straight again. =)

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  54. I just read "Life's Curve Ball" - how wonderful to read!

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