On March 31st we had a combined Relief Society and Elder's Quorum lesson. The bishop had actually asked me several weeks before to teach the lesson. The topic was assigned to us from the First Presidency on, "Being Wise in Managing Finances." I had studied and prepared every day since he gave me the assignment. Of course I enjoy learning about finances and teaching it. I was just a little nervous about how the class dynamics would be since I'm in Primary and am not part of the regular Sunday School lessons. I decided to divide it into 8 categories. I passed out a handout and had everyone think of a goal in each category they could work on.
The eight financial priorities were:
1. Pay the Lord First
2. Manage Your Money and Use a Budget
3. Avoid and Pay Off Debt
4. Prepare for Emergencies and Build a Reserve
5. Save and Invest for Short- and Long-term Goals
6. Protect Yourself and Family Through Adequate Insurance
7. Open Communication about Finances
8. Teach Your Children and Family
It went went though thankfully. And of course it always feels good to be done. A couple people commented to me that even though they usually cringe when they think about finances, but they actually enjoyed the lesson. I hope we can all continue to be wise in our finances.
On Monday, April 1st I also started a new position at work. For the past 8 years I have been a Portfolio Specialist (PS). I've mostly worked w/ clients in the Anaheim/Brea, CA area. I recently applied to a new position as a Senior Portfolio Specialist (SPS). I actually was offered a position as an SPS a little while back, but turned it down since I didn't feel good about it. The area you get makes a big difference and I didn't want to hate my job or coming to work. Since I've been w/ my book a while I've gotten to know the clients well and didn't want to give it up unless I felt really good about it. So another book came up for grabs and this time I felt good about it. I was offered the position and I accepted. I'm now working w/ clients mostly in Washington and Arizona. I didn't think I was going to get a pay increase, but surprisingly I did. They decided to offer me a higher base due to the fact that I have both my MBA and CFP (finally a little recognition for my education and hard work). I also have a higher variable bonus opportunity. Both of which I'm very thankful for. We are hoping and planning to use any extra money for Steve's school and to start paying off our mortgage.
It's been a little hectic the past few weeks since I only had a couple days to switch books. I was working on getting the girl taking over for me up to speed, and also trying to get caught up on the guy's book I was taking over. I'm just now starting to feel like I have my head above water, though I know I have more to catch up on. At least we now have our laptops to take home so I've been able get work done after putting the boys to bed. That's been a blessing for sure. I also switched teams and my manager, June Wong, who used to do our job, so that's really helpful. She's awesome!
That first week of my new position, I had the week blocked since we were double booked in some areas (trying to cover Ryan's appointments and mine). I decided to take that Friday off since I didn't have any scheduled appointments and Nyles was already on Spring Break. We wanted to go up to visit my parents for Easter but decided this weekend would work better. We packed up and left Friday morning and got there by the afternoon.
Nyles and Carter watching movies on the way up.
Checking out Grandpa's updated fishing boat.
Dad redid the carpet w/ new flooring and took out some seating to make more room.
Nyles and Carter checking out the boat w/ Grandpa.
Of course they had to go on a motorcycle ride w/ Grandpa.
And throw a ball for Foxy.
And again....she was very patient w/ Carter throwing the ball.
Nyles playing w/ dinosaurs downstairs while Grandpa makes a fire.
It got cold down in the basement during the night.
Going on another ride the next day. Saturday we watched the morning session of General Conference together, then Barb and her family came over to play.
Brady w/ Carter, who is wearing Grandpa's hat.
Callie, Nyles and Dallin eating lunch as Foxy watches closely if they drop anything.
After motorcycle rides we went and found our Easter Candy sacks.
Everyone getting ready to go find their sacks.
Nyles found his sack pretty quickly.
And Carter found his too.
Carter and Nyles w/ their Easter sacks. Me finding mine which was up a little high.
Everyone w/ their sacks.
Back in the house exchanging candy.
Then we went out and flew kites.
Carter loved being w/ his cousin Abby and their dog Zoey.
Carter fell asleep that afternoon while Conference was on again.
He was pretty out of it. He must take after Grandpa :)
Mom's beautiful daffodil flowers in bloom.
Steve and I went out for a short walk.
Carter got a little dirty playing outside.
Barbara and her family left a little while after dinner Saturday night. It was good seeing them and the kids sure had fun playing. After getting the kids bathed we got them ready for bed. Shortly after we went to bed Carter started to cough. He woke up w/ a the "croup cough" and we both knew what it was when we heard it. Steve said he thought it bring his medicine, but didn't remember to pack it. We knew his cough wasn't going to get better, only worse as time went on, so we made the decision to leave right then and go home. It was just after midnight after we packed up and left. I woke my parents and told them what was going on. It definitely wasn't what we wanted to do, but we felt it would be best. Nyles fell asleep pretty quickly after moving him into the car, and Carter also went back asleep. We definitely feel that having him sit upright in his car-seat helped him breathe easier on the way home. Steve and I did pretty good staying awake until the last 1-2 hours on the drive home. Luckily we had some candy to help keep us awake. :) Steve also got a soda when we stopped to get gas in Snowville. Though the traffic was pretty light early in the morning, we were surprised at how many were actually awake!
After we got home we gave Carter his medicine and Steve and I took turns trying to sleep. Of course the kids slept pretty much the whole way home, so they were good to go. Carter was feeling better and his cough improved after he got his medication, so we decided to join Steve's family for our regular family dinner that night. It was at Jeff/Kim's house. After dinner the kids had their Easter Egg hunt.
Carter went first to find his Easter Eggs since he couldn't wait.
Nyles coming out to find his eggs.
Carter played in the hot tub w/ a rubber duck while the rest of the kids found their eggs.
Nyles looking for his eggs high and low.
London, Alexa and Nyles searching for their eggs.
It was fun to be w/ family over the weekend, we just wish Carter didn't get sick. We're thankful we had medicine though to treat him. Steve called Duane Bates, who is a PA, and he ordered us more medicine for Carter in case he gets sick again. We're also thankful General Conference is recorded and we can listen again and again to it (or read it) as we can.
"Brothers and sisters, sometimes our prayers are answered quickly with the outcome we hope for. Sometimes our prayers are not answered in the way we hope for, yet with time we learn that God had greater blessings prepared for us than we initially anticipated. And sometimes our righteous petitions to God will not be granted in this life. As Elder Neal A. Maxwell said, “Faith also includes trust in God’s timing.”
We have the assurance that in His own way and in His own time, Heavenly Father will bless us and resolve all of our concerns, injustices, and disappointments."
I know this is true. The Lord does answer our prayers, even though it can be hard to trust in his timing.
