I get to retire, again, in 5 days. I cannot tell you how excited I am.
My first retirement was in July 2000, after working as John's administrative assistant for the 8 years we had his office in our home. And boy, was I ready to retire. We had outgrown having a home office, and I was working around 40-60 hours per week. At home. With four kids.
It got to be way. too. much.
I must say, though, that those 8 years of having the privilege of working at home were very much a blessing. Although there were some very hard times. But still...they were a blessing when all is said and done.
Because I was able to work at home, I could still be with my kids and experience all their milestones and go to all the kid-type things at school.
Because I was able to work at home, I was able to keep up my computer/administrative/financial skills.
Because I was able to work at home, we were able to pay off all our school debt.
Because I was able to work at home, we were able to buy our first home sooner.
Because I was able to work at home, my kids learned that sometimes they had to entertain themselves, which I think is a good skill for kids to have.
Because I was able to work at home, hopefully my kids learned from first-hand experience how to work hard.
Because I was able to work at home, I got to see what John experiences at work, and I know I have a much better understanding of the pressures and stresses he's under. And I understand a lot more of what he does from day-to-day, so we can share that huge part of his life.
Because I was able to work at home, I got to see first-hand what a hard worker I married. He takes his job, and his responsibilities, very seriously. He doesn't cut corners, or not do things, or take the easy way out. He's very patient with those who work for him, and does his best to help make them successful.
Because I worked at home, sometimes the kids got to earn some money by helping me with different projects. Sometimes we even "hired" their friends to help.
And I know working at home is not an option or even a desire of some people. But it worked for us.
My second retirement was in 2009, when I worked for a couple of months on the start-up of a huge new account. Since I had helped John with start-ups before, he knew I could come in and do what needed to be done, without having to be trained, and that I would "retire" when the start-up was done. He wouldn't have to hire and train temporary help and then lay them off. Pretty cool set-up for him, and for me. I could work during the hours my kids were in school, and be home for them after school. And make some extra $$ in the process.
Yep, pretty cool set-up.
My third retirement (and probably not my last) is this Friday. I know I've talked about this working period before, but I have to talk about it again.
Because I'm feeling so very blessed.
To be honest, I was not excited about going back to work. Even though I knew it was only for this semester. And even though it was only during the hours my kids were in school. And even though it would really help us over the "we don't know how long our Arizona house will be vacant" hump.
But I still was not excited.
I really like being at home. I like going to school. I just like being at home and doing home-type-mom-type stuff. And I feel so very blessed to be able to do this.
But I knew that going back to work was what needed to happen this semester.
And I must say, the semester has flown by. Kam and I were talking about this last night. These past 19 weeks of working, and 14 weeks of school, have gone by so. fast.
And our Arizona home was actually only vacant for three weeks, which is a huge blessing. So my paycheck was able to cover some pretty hefty repairs for Penelope (our green mini-van, named by Kam, that the kids drive), which otherwise would've come out of savings. And we were able to put more $$ into savings.
Which is a huge blessing.
I will continue to do some work-related things that I've been doing for John since my first retirement, and I will continue to do his monthly regional newsletter that he started back in September (I love doing this!), and I will help him with miscellaneous things that come up.
But I will get to do all of this at. home.
I am so excited to be able to take two classes next semester instead of just one (because I was working). I am so excited to be able to go to the Temple one morning a month with my friends. I am so excited to be able to get most of my schoolwork done while the kids are in school.
I am just so excited.
And feeling extraordinarily blessed.
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