Welcome to Nevada President Obama

A little taste of our life here in Nevada... It's reality. I know everywhere in the country has been affected, but I'm not sure if anyone realizes how bad it is here. When I've told people they all kinda nod their heads and say, "yeah yeah everyone is struggling everywhere." They don't get it. It's been so bad that we've had general authorities come and we've held special fasts for the people in our city that have lost their jobs and families that have been affected by the turn in economy. Welcome to Nevada. I don't like to get into politics too much on here, but when I saw this video it hit home for me. So we're just rolling with the punches and doing our best to survive. Good news: we are still alive :)

Ch-ch-ch- changes

I've had my swing shift (5pm - 1am) for over a year now. It worked out ok when the kids were in preschool and Kindergarten, but now that they're all in full day I've started to grow less fond of it. During the day I sit at home all by myself, then as soon as they get home from school I have time to say Hi and ask them how their day was before I get in the car for work. I barely see them. When I get home from work at 2am of course the entire house is asleep. I discussed the idea of switching over to a day shift with Ti and was excited to make the move, but every shift that came up had me scheduled to work Sundays during church... so I never signed up for any of them. I waited and waited and thought that I was doomed to this swing shift forever LOL. One night I went in to work and seen a grave shift up for bid.  I've worked grave before and barely survived. Didn't think it was for me. But I looked at it again and couldn't help the interest and curiosity that crept in my mind. 11pm-7am with Saturday & Sunday off. I wanted weekends off so bad. Hmmmm... If I started at 11pm I could actually have dinner with my family and even put the boys to bed before work. And if I got off at 7am, that would put me home at around 8am - just in time to send the boys off to school. The more I thought about it, the more it made sense to sign up for it. It took a little convincing for Ti. I think just the word "grave" made him a little uncertain about the change. I worked 9pm-5am before and it was brutal! But that was when Siope was still in preschool and so I never was able to get consecutive hours of sleep. I was confident that this time around would be different. We finally decided that I would sign up for it. If it didn't work, then I could always go back to a swing shift.

I've since completed my first week of grave and am going on week 2. Can I tell you how much I love it?! I know there are pros and cons to each shift, but the pros definitely outweigh the cons for me with this schedule. When I explained what my new schedule was going to be to the kids I was surprised at the reaction from them. They memorize my routine from swing and on Mondays they would come home and jump all over me cause they knew it was my day off. I told them that I was starting a new shift and I would be going to work while they were sleeping and come back in the morning when they were waking up. Mote jumped so high and hugged me so tight.

The other night we went out and had dinner at Chili's. It was freak'n awesome that I got to go out and have dinner with my kids during the week! Each night we do homework and have dinner together. I'm able to give them a bath and put them to bed before I get ready for work. When I come home in the morning they're already awake... usually brushing their teeth and soon as they hear the front door open, they run down the stairs to greet me.

Surprisingly my body has been doing ok adjusting to the time difference. It didn't do so good when I worked 9-5. And I'm not sure if I'm doing better because I went in to it this time expecting the worst. I've been ok during my shifts... a couple yawns here and there and Ti has bought me some 5hr energy drinks, but for the most part I've been fine. Last week I never got more than 4hours of sleep at home though. I would sleep either 4 or 3hrs each day. My body just wasn't accustomed to sleeping at this time of day. Today however I got 6 hours! Which is good enough for me!! I was shooting for 6 or 7, so I'll take this 6 that I got :) I have very little to complain about this shift. So far so good!

Saturday, Saturday, Saturday

I'm so exhausted- not really a major reason to be, just tired for free I guess. Today was Mote's last game of the season. I've gotta be honest- I'm a little excited for the break! 3 kids in soccer was a bit chaotic at times. So we've got until March to enjoy a little peace and quiet. Aaah, I remember why I'm so tired. I worked a closing shift last night, got home at around 10pm, dropped off Ti Tonga at work, woke up early, got the kids dressed, picked up Ti, and amazingly made it to Mote's game on time. After the game and a little "Hoo-rah, the season's over" celebration meal I attempted to shop for our "family portrait" attire. I knew I was in for some good ole stress. It seems like every time I shop with something specific in mind I can never find it. I had this fabulous picture in mind about what everyone would be wearing, had the whole color scheme down- and ask me if I found anything remotely similar to what I envisioned??? Not even close. I got to the point where I didn't even care what I was grabbing off the racks. I think I counted 5 near-breakdowns by the end of the night. Sila- I hope you can work some magic! Maybe all of our shots will be black and white. haha

Upside Down

Why does it seem like just when everything's starting to settle into place, someone throws a curve ball at you? I feel like we've adjusted quite well and we've gotten our schedule down with school, work, activities, church callings. And it all kinda seems weird now cause Ti started a new shift last night- wait I guess it's considered today. He used to work at 4:30 am so he'd be up at 3 and out of the house by 4. Today's our first day on this new schedule and Richard, whom he normally carpools with, is still working the 4am shift. So while Ti's at work we have no car at home. I have no clue what time to expect him home. And who knows how much longer he'll have this shift because this project will be done soon.
Soccer is now coming to an end for the kids. Tomorrow is Nici and Siope's last day with their teams and Mote will play his final game Saturday morning. Which means we get a break from practice and games, but I'm sure we'll manage to fill those spots with another sport/activity.
So we have a week to adjust the best we can, then the schedules get thrown out the window for Thanksgiving - no school, no work, and a ton of family in town. When all the mayhem is done- back to trying to readjust. And with the end of the year all my nursery kids will be advancing to Sunbeam which means I smell a new calling coming on. Upside down I tell ya.