Goodbye Military Life. Had you told me one year ago today that in just one year's time my husband would be out of the Marine Corps, attending college and working at a garage...well, I'd have looked at you like a crazy person. You see, that was never the plan. The plan was to reenlist and stay in another 9 years, after which time he would retire. But God had other plans for us, and due to military downsizing, those well thought out plans went right out the window. It's been a rough transition, but we have also been incredibly blessed to be in a place we love and opportunities available. For a brief time, my husband considered going into the police department- a logical next move out of the military...but ultimately decided that he would rather change gears- go with a career where being shot at wasn't a job hazard. So he decided to take his hobby of working on cars and make a career out of it instead... he's currently enrolled in college to become an auto technician and manager, and is learning on the job as well at a local tire and auto shop! What a change!
Hello Mainstream. 2014 was a big year for Shaun as well! He started 1st Grade...in a mainstream classroom! Since moving to Indiana, school has been a bit of an up and down struggle for Shaun, so we were thrilled for him to have reached the point where his previous teacher felt he was ready for this step. It was a scary transition for sure, but I am happy to say that Shaun is doing very well! He still has some struggles of course, but has grown in leaps and bounds! I could not be more proud of how well he has done.
And Other New Experiences. In addition to mainstreaming, Shaun has also finally felt ready for more extracurricular activities! He joined soccer for the first time and did really well (not to say he was a champion soccer player, of course, but he certainly went out there and gave it his heart and soul!). He also recently joined Cub Scouts and has already earned his first two badges. It's such a wonderful thing to see him experience new things!!
It seems the biggest theme for our family in 2014 was change. So many changes- some of them good...some of them not as good. But if there is one thing that all those years in the military taught us, it's that change is inevitable and you just have to keep right on going. This year was all about change, and I'm confident that 2015 will be all about new beginnings! I cannot wait!!
Any big changes for your family in 2014? What were the highlights? What do you hope 2015 has in store for you?
It sounds like yall had a really blessed year even with the rough transitioning! So happy yall are finding your groove!
ReplyDeleteMy husband is an auto technician and loves his job. Hope your husband does too. Your children are adorable. Here's wishing you a wonderful 2015!
ReplyDeleteChange happens. Make the most of it. Your kids look lovely
ReplyDeleteslehan at juno dot com
My grandfather was in the military, back in WWII. He worked on vehicles (and I believe he was also working on gliders as well). When he got out, he became a mechanic too! Ended up working for the city, and retired from the city many years later doing what he loved, working on cars/trucks and everything in between. Your husband reminded me of him. He's still going strong at 94 years of age. Once in a while he'll still be under a car working away. There is no other person I know more honorable and hardworking I know, and I'll bet the same could probably be said for your husband. Thank you, sir, for your service to this country. :)
ReplyDeleteI love planning ahead and it's so hard to bounce back when things don't go according to plan. This year our biggest change was getting pregnant and for 2015 we'll be having our first child so I can't really imagine what this year has in store for us but I'm loving it at the same time.
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