Wow. It has been quite the week. Life-changing. Mind-blowing. One of those weeks that can never be surpassed. So good that Jim and I are still floating on air a bit, stunned by our good fortune and how quickly things can change.
Where to begin? Let’s start with Jim. He has been in his current role for three years, has consistently knocked his performances out of the park, received tons of accolades and recognition but never a major promotion. That is no more. He received a great promotion and nice pay raise to boot on Thursday, giving him more responsibility but allowing him to move into that next level of his career.
Then, we have been batting around the idea of building our dream house for a while now. This would be a net-zero house with solar, geo-thermal heating, and energy-efficient everything. This is the house we would occupy as the kids leave for college, and we become empty-nesters. It just so happens that the perfect lot for this house is literally three lots down from our current house, the lot has been for sale for seven years, and our good friend and neighbor is available to be the general contractor for this project. After much hemming and hawing, questioning our desires, looking at plans and budgets, and in general making the decision to go forward, we pulled the trigger this week and bid on the lot. We found out yesterday that we have it. So now starts the fun part. It will be a slow process, as we will be building this ourselves with our contractor’s help, but by this time next year, we should be settled in our new home and enjoying all of the little things we have always wanted in a home.
Finally, there is my news. Three weeks ago, I was approached by a recruiter about an amazing position that is close to home. I wasn’t actively looking but figured I had nothing to lose so told her to go ahead and submit my resume. I was called within a day to set up an in-person interview; they skipped right over the phone interview. I went in on a Monday for that one. I was back in for the second round on that Friday of the same week. Exactly one week later, they extended an offer that more than met my expectations. Not only is it a huge promotion, an even bigger pay raise, greater opportunities in a stable company that is growing, but it is also five miles from my house. In fact, it is just down the road from Holly’s dance studio. Within an hour of submitting my verbal acceptance, I had an email from my new manager telling me how excited and happy she is that I said yes. Best birthday present ever.
Seriously, it doesn’t get much better than this. In one fell swoop, we changed our financial future, and our children’s future. It is scary to think of the challenges that face us both as we enter these new roles, but it is thrilling as well. It is the end of a very long tunnel.
After this past week, we are keeping the weekend very low-key. Connor had band practice yesterday, and Holly had dance practice again. We had friends over for dinner, and Connor’s girlfriend joined us in a fun game of Cards Against Humanity. Today will be even quieter. Jim is putting together my new Adirondack chair, which I will have to test it inside since it is raining. Holly brought me breakfast in bed, and Connor is doing his teenage thing in his room. My plan is to relax and enjoy my family.
I hope all of you mothers have a wonderful and love-filled Mother’s Day. For those who aren’t mothers, I hope you have a relaxing and peaceful Sunday. Have a great week, everyone! I know I will!
Congratulations to your entire family! What an amazing week!
Thanks, Lisa! It’s been a great week!
Congrats Congrats Congrats! Did I leave out a Congrats? What wonderful news all around!!! (Feel free to sprinkle some of that good-job-luck fairy dust my way)
Thank you and done!
Wow! Congratulations on all of your great news! Looks like there is a lot of excitement for you in the near future.
Thanks, Stacy! Definitely a lot of excitement!
I knew about your new opportunity but the rest is news to me! What a stellar week you’ve had! The house is very exciting! I imagine living in a tiny home someday. Out in the woods somewhere. Reading chair and view of the lake required.
This won’t be quite as tiny as I had hoped, but it will be ours and our designs. No woods or lake, but lots of reading nooks and built-in bookshelves plus a four-season room.
Congratulations! This will be a week you won’t forget! Best of luck in all your new endeavors.
Absolutely! Thank you!
It’s absolutely wonderful to read even more good news from you. Congrats to Jim, and I’m looking forward to your journey toward your new home.
Your new job sounds wonderful, what kind of timeline are you looking at? I hope your day was peaceful. Mine was quiet, Kevin played cook and waiter to me most of the day. Nick had to work, and both the girls did remember me on social media. It’s something.
Have a great week!
Thanks, Anita! My start date is on June 1st. I want my last day to be May 22nd, but my current manager has other ideas and is desperate to keep me for as long as possible.
Mother’s Day was incredibly peaceful. I could use another day or two just like that.
Have a wonderful week!
Wow, Michelle – fantastic news all around, and I am so happy for you!! What a wonderful week! I am so excited for you and your new opportunity – you are so deserving of it all! Definitely the best birthday week! 🙂
I hope you enjoyed your Mother’s Day and got some much deserved relaxation. Have a great week!
Thanks, Brandie! It still seems like a dream, but I’m sure reality will come crashing around us soon enough.
What amazing news – I am so happy for you! I hope you are having a wonderful Mother’s Day. 🙂
Thanks, Carrie! Happy Mother’s Day to you too!
Wow! So much great news!! Congratulations and Happy Mother’s Day!
Thanks, Heather!
WOW! I am so thrilled for you and your family. Sending you big hugs and wonderful Mother’s Day wishes.
Thanks, Andi!
Wow Michelle! What a week you all had. Your stars were definitely all alined. What great news!! And belated Happy Birthday too! Glad things really paid off for you & your family, Congrats!! It’s exciting about your new house and new jobs. I can’t believe it all happened in one week.
Thanks, Susan! It’s pretty unbelievable to us to. You hear about these sorts of things but never imagine them happening to you and yours!
How incredibly cool and exciting. Please share some of the house building cuz I love that stuff!
Absolutely! Jim and I are toying with the idea of either starting a new blog or adding a new feature he would head as we go through this journey. I’m excited because I get to pick all the built-ins!
I missed all of this wonderful news this week. (I was/am sick and mostly dead to the world due to NyQuil!) I am so so SO happy for all of you! It seems like all of this has come at a perfect time for you and yours. I know you were hanging by a thread at your job and I was worried that the stress would totally do you in! So, pat yourself on the back. No one deserves this great stuff more than you 😀
Happy belated birthday as well, my friend!
Thanks, Jennifer! It still seems surreal to me but in a good way. I can only hope I didn’t jump from the frying pan into the fryer!
It’s so exciting to hear all your great news! Congrats to you and Jim on your most excellent promotions, and I look forward to hearing more about your dream house as it becomes a reality! 😀
Thanks, Megan! Exciting and scary and thrilling and nerve-wracking all at the same time!
Congratulations to all of you! And happy mother’s day, Michelle.
Thanks, Irene!