Of course, the military pays for your school using the GI Bill and gives you a monthly allowance to "survive" while in school, but what people don't realize is that we live in California. You can't "live" off of that pay. So I got a job (no biggie) and he had to work while taking 4 sometimes 5 classes. I decided my life wasn't going anywhere and I wanted to make a life of my own. So I went to cosmetology school which wasn't bringing in any pay. The amazing man that my husband is, picked up two jobs plus joined the Marines Reserve just so I could go to school. This is all while he was still going to college. One day Blake came to me and said I know things are hectic right now but I really want to start a family with you. These are words any woman wants to hear from their man. I've always been ready but I respected he wasn't yet. So I jumped the second he said yes. It was perfect too, because I would be done with school by the time our baby would be born.
Well life happens and plans don't exactly go as you think. I was so sick, not the typical morning sickness but it is called Hyperemesis Gravidarum . I didn't stop throwing up every 30 minutes to an hour for 8 months straight! You can probably already guessed I had to drop out of school. I guess because I lost so much weight it was causing my body to go into early labor and the last two months I was put on bed rest. This was horrible! Not only did my husband not care and only worried about the health of our baby girl but he worked his butt off! This guy after 3 years and me being a stay at home mommy has worked a minimum 2 jobs and school full time, He is finally done! He received his Bachelor's degree in Accountancy! Proud is an understatement. I don't know how he did but he is AMAZING! Possibly superman!
The last day of his semester was coming up and panic started to set in. No jobs. He has applied to 100 places and probably 30 interviews and nothing. Not only does that take a toll on your ego but imagine how he felt. He felt like all that hard work for nothing. What was the purpose of this? He landed an internship at his dads company, Entertainment Partners, as some finance position. It wasn't what he was looking for but he at least thought that would turn into a full time position if need be. Ya, that didn't happen either. They extended his internship but no offer. His boss actually said keep looking. For those in the field, this position would have been a career killer. You go to a private place like this to retire not to start your career in accounting. He needed to be in a public firm doing tax or auditing. This is what he wanted! This is what he worked so hard for.
In December, Blake did a phone interview with a public firm that he would consider a dream job. It's close enough and it is EXACTLY the position Blake wanted. They said they would keep in touch for an in-person interview but a month went by and nothing! So a couple weeks ago Blake was getting depressed and I was trying to keep him from giving up. FINALLY they called for an interview. Blake came back and said he thought it went well but after so many declines he really didn't have his hopes up. They said in a week they will make their decision and let those who got it know. They even told him they are only choosing like one or two guys, that's it! So it really didn't seem likely, unfortunately. I told him to keep praying and just keep trying. The next day from his interview a package was delivered to our home....... Ummmm, WHAT? So me thinking it was something from Amazon we ordered I opened it and found this beauty....
After reading it I FREAKED OUT! Called Blake at work, which I never do, and said "you have a gift!" Blake seriously thought I was crazy and told me to calm down. After I got myself together I read it to him and he asked if I would open it up. A book?! Who cares! I can't believe a company would send out a gift like this! Even if you get the job or not get the job companies don't do this. They don't care, honestly. So we were thinking this is a great sign but again it was so hard for Blake to get his hopes up.
He started to read it that night. A week went by and again NOTHING! OMG. The anticipation was driving us nuts! Finally, that Tuesday the phone rang... Could it be?! Yes! It was the news we have been waiting for. Blake got the job!!!!!!!!!! The second they hung up Blake broke down like I have never seen before. All he said to me was that he isn't a failure. I lost it. I looked at him and said "you are never a failure to me or your daughter. Don't you ever think that ever again. You could work as a street sweeper (which is his night job) for the rest of your life and I would never think of you as a failure." People don't understand how stressful it has been. Living pay check to pay check while having another mouth to feed. Not being able to do more for you family or worry if you did enough hours that week. Even at some points we had to ask our families for help, which we have never had to do in the 7 years we have been married. We went out and celebrated that night! He had a couple more break downs. He still doesn't know what to do with himself. Knowing starting on the 2nd of next month he will have a for-sure pay check and he will know exactly how much is coming in. I haven't seen this guy this happy in a LONG time (except of course when Olivia was born). He comes home so proud and relieved. It's a whole new man!
That company doesn't know what gem they just caught. He is going to work his ass off like how he has always done and I know they will be impressed. Monday he starts this new journey as a staff accountant at Milam Knecht & Warner. I can't wait to see how far he can grow. I thank God every day for giving us this blessing!
(Thank you family and friends for being there for us the past few years. Without your guidance and love we wouldn't have gotten this far nor had the strength to do it!)
