Change Happens When You Least Expect It

A lot has happened this month, and I have yet to open up about it until now.

The main thing that has happened deals with my job. Over the past couple months, I had realized I wasn't as busy as I normally was and started getting concerned. I wanted to continue to grow at my job, but not having many responsibilities wasn't allowing that to happen. Every marketing-related task that I tried to complete would be put on hold by my supervisor, and it was the worst feeling not being able to complete a single thing. I started to dread going into work, the place I once was excited about going to because I loved what I did and who I worked with. I knew something needed to change, I just didn't know what. Then before I knew it, the answer came in a way I was least expecting.

It happened during our Monday morning staff meeting, which we had every Monday. We had been told that my boss had an announcement to make, and we figured it was the announcement of our new office location, since our current office's lease was soon ending and moving locations was being taken into consideration. But it definitely wasn't anything close to that. My boss basically said that due to financial struggles, he had no choice but to let a few people go from the company until the company was able to get back on its feet again. I was so shocked, but deep down I should have known something like this was going to happen. Now the thoughts that would come to my mind of looking into other jobs, even though I don't like change and was hoping I would once again have more responsibilities at my job, made sense. The calls our office would receive (I typically would be in charge of the phone if our secretary was out, and lately she had been out a lot due to being really sick) from Chase wanting to talk to my boss about possible business loans... That should have been a red flag right there! I knew right there and then that I was going to be laid off, since it made sense why my marketing responsibilities had been dwindling little by little. My company just couldn't afford to put the money they didn't already have into marketing.

I started job hunting that day, even though we were told no one would be laid off until the end of the week. But if you know me, I always have to be prepared. So many emotions went through me during that week. I'm currently the main bread winner for Geoff and I until he finishes school, so the thought of being jobless for even a little bit scared me. There was no way I wanted to take any money out of our savings, but I guess that is what a savings account is for.

After suffering at work for the next few days, not knowing what my fate would be, I was laid off. Just like that. I was given a severance check, cleaned out my desk, exchanged emotional goodbyes with the people I had come to know so well over the last 22 months, and left probably to never return. Of course everyone was like, "Come back and visit us," but I was an emotional wreck and would probably be too embarrassed to drop by and say hello after crying the way I did. Three others were laid off that day as well. Such a sad day at Digital Trike! I cried all the way home and luckily walked into the door to be greeted by my loving husband, who held me while I cried for a good half hour.

I expressed to Geoff that although I didn't get laid off because I had failed, I still felt like a failure. I had never gone through something like this before and so I just kept blaming myself. But Geoff reassured me that it wasn't my fault at all, but a difficult choice my company had to make in hopes they will be successful again someday. He also told me that this was probably a blessing in disguise. I had not been happy with my job the past couple of months, so maybe this was the Lord's way of letting me know I am suppose to be somewhere else in life where I can continue to grow so I can find that happiness I desired in my job.

Two weeks had gone by, and I was looking for jobs like crazy. I had a few phone interviews as well as a few in-person interviews during those two weeks. I felt really good about a couple of interviews I had, and just had to wait to hear back to see if I got the job. Lucky for me, just 15 days after I was laid off, a job I had interviewed for wanted me to come work for them. I was so excited that I had found a job so quickly! Someone, namely my Heavenly Father, was definitely looking out for me.

My new job is with a company called Keyrenter, who claim to be Utah's #1 property management company. They rent and sell tons of homes, condos, apartments, etc. across Utah. They are a franchise who has recently grown into four new areas: San Antonio, Chicago, Denver and Boulder Colorado. My responsibilities include helping to build separate websites for each of these new areas and update the content on the websites as needed, as well as set up social media accounts for each of the new areas. I'm also working on SEO to spread the word about these new areas. I started last Thursday, and I have been crazy busy working ever since!

I am grateful for this new job for many reasons. I only have to drive two miles to get to my office. Best commute ever! I'm also getting paid more, which is a big deal because I wasn't getting paid all that much at my other job. And although I've only been working for a couple of days at Keyrenter, I can tell I'm a lot happier because I'm a lot busier. Plus I get off at 5 instead of 6, giving me an extra hour to spend with my husband or enjoy a little more free time!

I'm excited to see where this new job takes me, and hope I can make a difference at this company in one way or another.

Finally Reunited With My Mom!

My sister Kristen had a four-day weekend this past weekend, so my mom thought it would be a good idea if her and my sister drove up for the weekend. Luckily the weather has been crazy nice the past couple of months that the roads were perfect to drive on. Unheard of this time of year! They arrived Thursday early evening, and I was so excited to see them after not seeing them for over seven months!

We had a fun girly evening Thursday watching a chick flick and putting on face masks since Geoff had to work until 9. Friday was spent dealing with my car, which had a flat tire and we found out I needed two new tires due to my flat and another being extremely worn out. But we went out to a yummy dinner that evening with my cousin Eddy and his family and my cousin Chandler and his girlfriend! My mom also finally got to meet Eddy's cute 4-month-old, Pipkin. Later that evening, Kristen got to meet Eddy's three cats, who are known on Instagram as the "Little Dum Dums." They have almost 12,000 followers! She was a pretty happy camper meeting them.

Since the weather was so nice outside, we decided to drive to Park City and spend a few hours there. We went to the Park City Mountain Resort where Kristen rode the alpine coaster. We walked around the resort for a little bit before eating at Maxwell's a restaurant featured on "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives." Once we got back to my place, we decided to take the TRAX to the Lion House downtown Salt Lake and have some pie. We walked around Temple Square and the mall before heading back home.

I loved seeing my mom and sister, even though it was only for a couple of days! Geoff and I are pretty sure we'll be heading up to Washington in April when Geoff's brother gets off his mission. Geoff hasn't seen him in four years! So it will be great to see him.