It has been almost six months since Joel took leave from CCA as a corrections officer. We wondered at first how'd we'd survive financially, but since I'd been saying "no, we can't afford that" so often we had built up an emergency fund plus a little extra. We used that emergency fund and as soon as we started to worry again, tax refunds came in. Third time when finances started getting lower, Joel found a job.
It's a starting position, bottom of the ladder, but it's work and Joel's grateful for it. Not only is it just work, it's something he enjoys doing. Building, creating, welding. I'm not sure exactly what he does, nor am I thinking he knows since he's only been to one day of orientation, but from the sounds of it, he's an assembly man/welders apprentice. The company liked that his welding skills made for strong bonds, but they weren't super pretty. They said on his breaks he can tinker on the side till things start looking prettier, then they will consider hiring him on as a welder. Now that he's been there almost two weeks, I know more of what he does. He builds semi trailers. They like his work and thoroughness so he works on the custom orders not just the bulk orders. They start from the ground up and build the trailers you see being pulled behind the actual semi truck cab.
It's been nice having Joel home. We've learned a lot as a couple for good and for bad. As much as he wanted to work, being off for the past 6 months presented Joel with an opportunity that most people don't ever get. The chance to watch his first little girl grow up, learn to crawl, learn to stand, learn to growl and so much more. He's also had the chance to spend time working and building a relationship with me. We've watched close ones relationships and wondered how things for them might have been different it they had been able to stop at a critical point and focus on each other instead of all the distractions that work places on people.
I'm glad to have the house back. I love the quiet and when Joel's home, it's not quiet. He love background noise, whether it's a movie or music, it has to be something. I also realized that I get much much much more done when he's gone. I don't know why!? I still leave the dishes for him so he has so part in the housekeeping. Plus I just hate dishes. I think deep down, most people do. Why else would they have created dishwashers?
Hailey will continue to grow. Joel's schedule is not my favorite but he thinks it will work well for him and allow him to spend time with his girls. He goes to work in the early afternoon and gets home after midnight. But that leaves the morning for Hailey. Working at CCA from 5am-6pm with a little girl that goes to bed at 6:30-7 wasn't very fair or fun. Glad things have changed. Sorry Joel but you'll miss your nightly cuddle time with Hailey for a few days a week, but we all know she's much more active in the mornings. All smiles.
Life has thrown us many curve balls and sometimes those balls have actually hit us. Not fun, but overall we are somewhat stronger. At least we hope so. Time to just keep plug'n along.
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