A New Adventure

Today is an exciting day in my world, and I wanted to share!

First, I haven't talked about my personal life a lot online because I just assumed y'all were here for the blog and its regular topics. I've worried that sharing too much would turn people off (I must think I'm boring!). Recently, however, I made the decision to try and share a little more. In my "real life" I'm pretty introverted until I get to know people and am truly comfortable, and I've discovered that this truth holds online.

So, here goes: I'm going (back) to school. 

When Mike and I found out we were going to have our first son I was in school at the University of Utah (go Utes!) preparing to start nursing school. It was a surprise and it changed everything. My mom quoted a John Lennon lyric and told me, "life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." Isn't that the truth? I am such a planner and very rarely does something actually work out the way I think it will.

(Mike and I in simpler, blonder (for me) pre-baby days)

We talked about it and I decided to leave school. Paying for full-time childcare for an infant while I went to school more than full-time with clinicals, without the added income of even a part-time job just wasn't in the cards for us -- plus I desperately wanted to be home with my child. It was a tough decision and I wish it could have have worked out timing wise, but I've never regretted leaving school and my family is the best thing that's ever happened to me.

Fast forward. Within the last year or two I really started thinking about going back to school... I wanted to have something, even if I only did it part-time, and especially so that if I ever had to take care of my children on my own for whatever reason, I would be equipped with some sort of defined skill that would enable me to find a job and provide for them.  I know I have some design, web, and marketing skills, but employers don't; I have no degree nor do I have relevant job experience outside of this blog, which a lot of people still don't take as seriously as they should -- so finding a job could be tricky.

I decided against returning to nursing because of the program length, costs and time commitment as my kids are still young, and also because my area is pretty saturated. In the end, I decided to go to school to become an esthetician! I've always loved skin and I'll still get to interact with and help people. And think of the money I'll save by being able to wax my own legs! That was my argument to Mike for the class.

(note to self, I think it's time for a new family photo too...)

Class starts Monday and the program runs for about 6 months in the evenings -- I'll be in class Monday-Friday, 5-10 pm. I get a little nauseous thinking about that part, so I focus on how short 6 months really is in the grand scheme of things and how my friends and family will all love me when I'm giving them chemical peels.

Never fear, I will not stop blogging, nor will I stop working on my house. I think if I stopped knocking holes in things or changing paint colors I might suffer a psychotic break. My house is my hobby and I love it. I just wanted to share this new chapter in my life with you so you know what's going on in my life and so you understood why if I spend the next 6 months finishing and improving things instead of knocking new holes in walls, you'll understand!