I’m quickly closing in on three years of Thankful Thursdays, having started them after Thanksgiving 2010. Hard to believe! If you ever wondered how it got started, you can read the first one here.
Today I’m really excited to announce that my husband was temporarily promoted to a Team Leader (TL) position at his work place. And yes, this means a pay raise! (If you ever wondered what he does, he works at an inbound call center selling life insurance. Now, instead of being on the phones, he will be supervisor over a group of other insurance salesman). The timing of this is really uncanny, or perhaps I should say divine, because it so perfectly coincides with me taking unpaid maternity leave. He starts training on Monday, and his first higher paycheck will come the week Joshua is due. *shiver*
I have not shared much about my plans for working after baby comes, and that’s because my plans aren’t set in stone. I will be taking unpaid leave, and during that time we will be able to see if we can handle living on one income with a baby. If so, I will be resigning rather than returning to work.
Though Den isn’t getting a staggering raise, it will help a lot! And since the promotion is temporary, he will be able to see if being a TL is something he could do/would want to do permanently. We’re both hoping and praying that opportunity presents itself, which it very well could from what he’s heard, because the raise would be much higher and help compensate for the income we’d be losing without me working outside the home.
When you’re waiting and hoping for something, it can be hard to appreciate God’s perfect timing. Before we got pregnant, I felt almost panicked because it felt like it was already too late and I thought maybe children weren’t part of the plan for us at all. But then my workplace announced it was closing and almost exactly a month later, I was pregnant for the first time in my life. One of my first thoughts was that with the REC closing, this was the perfect opportunity to stay home with a baby (my hearts’ desire–I want to be there for all his firsts!), if we could swing it financially. I also couldn’t help reflect on how there was never another time when things were so perfect for us to have a baby.
For one, Dennis wasn’t ready to be a father until this year. He was willing for my sake, but not ready. He told me he was ready just three months before we got pregnant. Two, we didn’t have insurance when we were younger, and our income was even more pitiful. Three, I had some health issues that didn’t completely resolve until about 2011 and would have made having a baby more complicated. This year, we both have jobs, both have insurance, both were ready (OK, so I was over-ready! lol!). Perfect timing!
But me not working is so scary. I could possibly keep my job for up to another year, and voluntarily resigning before I actually have to is a scary thing. I have the higher income, so to see it completely disappear is intimidating since we’ve relied on it for so many years. Add a baby into the mix, and it borders on the impossible. So it just really seems like a God-thing to have Dennis get a promotion right in the nick of time! And I’m just so grateful.
It can be hard to take a leap of faith, but these examples of how God provides helps a lot. I honestly feel like we’re going to make it, no matter what. Thank God for his perfect timing.
Veronica's Cornucopia 
Wow, that is perfect timing V! You’ll be surprised on how many things you think you “need” go by the way side when the money isn’t there. I hope that you’ll be able to swing it – you are going to be the best Momma!
I only had six weeks off when Hannah was born, and worked her whole childhood – she turned out pretty good if you ask me! :D
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Oh I’m sure! When we married, our combined income was $5000 a year (ask if you want to know) so when Dennis got a minimum wage job (I still was working for pennies), we were living high on the hog, or it felt like it. Amazing how quickly you adapt to the money you make but we’ll adapt again. :) And I really respect working Moms – being a Mom s is work enough, so add a job on top of that and you really gave Hannah a great example to live up to! I think you did great, Biz.
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G-d is faithful………….I lost my job 2 1/2 years ago……got diagnosed with a benign brain tumor 5 months after the job loss……….went through rehab etc…….fast forward to now……….we have no major debt and G-d has abundantly taken care of us…………we tithe and we trust……….all our bills are covered and paid on time and we are not lacking……..I am totally healed and it’s like I got my 20 something body back (trust me my real age is not in the 20-50 zone)……….just focus on the L-rd and “watch and see what He will do”………enjoy being a mommy and I will continue to pray for you………a new adventure awaits you!!!! — S
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Thank you so much Sonja for sharing your wonderful testimony of how God has provided for you, and for your prayers! <3
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So thrilled for you and your Hubby! I have been following your blog since you became pregnant, and reliving my own “Tour of Duty” as a new Mom. I also had trouble getting pregnant, and after 5 years when it was the last thing on our minds I became pregnant with my first born. After that a 2nd little one came along, and I was pretty sure we were done. Not so. 7 years latter I found myself pregnant with Twins! I must say, altho we did not live “High on the Hog”, Being a Mommy to 4 boys was the happiest time of my life!
It’s all in Gods hands, just set back and enjoy every minute with your little one, and cherish every hug and kiss! They grow up too fast. I am now 62 and a Grandma of 5 wonderful kiddos!! I am truely Blessed! <3
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I just LOVED hearing your story, Vickie!! So wonderful. The Lord has blessed you richly indeed!
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Amen for the continuous Blessings!
Now 18 days left for the big day!!!!!
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Or less! Wow!
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PRAISE HIM1 PRAISE HIM! For all the ways He takes care of us…amazing to watch Him provide for us. I am SO excited for you both in all of these things, and know God will give you direction when it’s time to decide if you’re going to stay home or go back to work. Exciting times for sure! Thankful I get to be a part in these exciting times. XO
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Thank you so much, and thanks for following me through this! :D
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While I may not be religious, perfect timing is one of the most wonderful things in the world :D
A beautifully expressed post!
Cheers
CCU
P.S I seem to have lost around 1000 subscribers on my blog and I don’t know how, so if you were subscribed, could you resubscribe please? it would really help me out!
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Thanks Uru, and I did discover that I was somehow unsubscribed. It’s fixed now!
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I’m so excited for you! It’s wonderful to hear of all of your blessings!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
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Thank you Melissa, you too!
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God’s timing is always perfect, Mama! I will continue to pray for you and Dennis as you await the birth of your precious Joshua. Have a great Thanksgiving, Veronica!
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Thanks, you too Erin!
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That gives ME chills. God has such great plans. I love that Joshua’s arrival has coincided with such great news and happy times. I’m so happy for y’all….and still excitedly anticipating the arrival of baby boy!!
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Indeed he does. And he’ll be here any day now! Woohoo!
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I like t say that things always work out. Sometimes it is not exactly like we have planned, but everything happens for a reason.
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I concur.
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Love the photo! Congratulations on the good news and the good timing. lovely post
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Thank you, it was one of the few I didn’t share of our professional maternity photos so I thought I’d share it here. :)
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Aw, Veronica, that photo up top of you and your husband is absolutely stunning! And I’m so glad you’re having perfect timing. It’s a rare thing in life, and it should be celebrated when it happens!
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It definitely is an answer to prayer and I’m so thankful!
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oh wow–what a huge blessing!! praise god! and on a sidenote… my husband worked for an insurance company that sounds super similar to what dennis does–except his company sold medicare insurance. he was on the phone in sales for about a year before getting a promotion to compliance, where he worked for 3+ years before we moved. now he is job searching….so we are praying for something to come his way soon, but I know that God’s timing is perfect.
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I became a stay-at-home mom, the day my first son was born and spent the next 18 years staying at home and raising my 2 boys. Looking back, I’m so grateful and THANKFUL that I had the luxury of being there for them. There’s not a job in the world that is more satisfying and rewarding or as important. I just know things will work out for you… Praying that God will continue to bless your family!
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