My Birthday Miracle!

{photo courtesy of HopSkip Photography}

Last week I turned 40! YES, the big 4-0. And I am so excited to share the answer to prayer God gifted our little family. He is so good & in all of the details of our lives. To understand the full meaning of the miracle, you first need a glimpse into the past 4 years of our life. My hubby teaches anatomy/physiology at a local community college {yes, opposites attract: I did not enjoy science in college, though I must say I did help him dissect a cadaver once!} He has always had the “itch” to do something clinical with all of that head knowledge, so 4 years ago he took a sabbatical from teaching to go to receive his masters of nursing at Rush University in Chicago. Full time nursing school took almost 2 years to complete. He literally went back to teaching the DAY AFTER he finished nursing school {ie: no break for him!} & was miraculously offered a full time dream job at a local hospital which we felt God dropped in our laps & how could we pass it up?

The thing was, he spent an entire year working 2 full time jobs: he taught 4 days a week & nursed 3 nights a week {12 hour night shifts} so we basically saw him sleeping or acting like a robot zombie. It was no fun. When people in my life would complain how “busy” they were, I literally had to hold back rolling my eyes or flat out punching them…ha!

His boss graciously moved him to days & even gave him part time, so this past year it’s been teaching full time {which at his college is 4 days a week} & nursing 2 12 hour shifts, oh & plus this semester he added departmental chair to his hat {over achiever, no?!}

We’ve been incredibly blessed to do what we love. He’s been reading Ecclesiastes in his quiet times & over & over the concept of loving your work in life comes up cuz essentially one day it will all be meaningless in a way, so we are big on doing what you love & following your dreams.

At the same time, obviously that pace of life is not one that is healthy for a family! So, we have these 16 weeks of semesters which we try to press through & “make it”… until his winter or summer breaks when he is around a lot.

This fall we were talking about my birthday and he offered things like a trip to Italy as I LOVE to travel, or a new car. One night after work he came home & said that probably the best gift he could give me is to work less & simply be around more & be more present when here. Apparently my eyes LIT UP & I squeeled, “YES!!!!” Soon after that night he wrote a huge letter of resignation to his boss at the hospital. I kept asking him to ask for one shift a week {then he would teach Mon-Thurs & nurse Fridays = PERFECT life for me} He said he would but there is NO WAY she will give it to him, as their floor does not typically allow for that type of role & he is a brand new nurse.

Well, I had some friends pray & felt total peace about our taking that leap of faith & guess what?! Yup! Starting in January my hubby will be nursing one day a week. AHHHHH! I was crying so hard my kids were confused: is mommy happy or sad? Why is she crazy?!

You see, my love language is quality time, not gifts & God knows my heart & what I desire for our family. What grace!

His boss said I am a good woman & she would have taken the trip any day 🙂

OH, I am getting another gift & it is REALLY sweet…more on that later. It deserves an entire post of it’s own.

Grace & Peace,

Julie

p.s. I plan on having a big birthday sale soon…stay tuned!