The Whirlwind

So, life is crazy.  I, the Pumpkin Patch daycare lady am now a stay at home (sort of) mom.  My hubby who works for our city waste water treatment plant now works for a fish food factory (way more brilliant than it sounds...really!  If I could explain it better I would.....he is doing amazing work for an amazing company with an amazing goal!) across the state.  Sometimes, life throws a curve ball at you and you have no choice but to ride along.

However, that doesn't make it easy to swallow.  With absolutely no warning at all my husband was released from his job in September.  We immediately started Looking Up Handyman Service to help keep funds flowing.  He started putting applications in all over in our area.  BUT, this one company all the way across the state wanted him.  He turned them down, we weren't going to sell our house, loose our amazing dance company, church and friends that we have grown to become a part of over the last 11 years!  I wasn't going to give up my daycare that I worked so hard to make the best I could over the last 9 years!  But this company came back with another offer, we turned down and a third that we couldn't turn down.

So here we are....living with my parents...across the state.  Praying for our home to sell so we can find a place over here.  Kids are starting new schools, we aren't in dance for the first time in 10 years, and I am trying to find my footing.  It was very emotional having to tell friends that I was not going to be able to finish the last 9 months of their childs' care before she goes off to school this coming fall after caring for both of their girls from birth.  To tell other clients whom have also become sweet friends as they are 7 days from their due date with number 2 that they will now need to work at finding an impossible daycare position for their newborn.  :(  Or even another friend that now we won't be available for your sweet little newborn or to help while your husband is deployed like we said we would.  When you care for someone's child you become a part of their life and they yours....even someone who isn't 'connecty' (not a real word..I get it) cannot help but include you in their lives once you care for their children.  I attended so many birthday parties, got to know Grandmas and Grandpas; Aunts and Uncles....learned how the families function and what makes them go.  I kissed booboos, changed diapers, saw first steps, did the bouncy walk, and loved these kids.  And I had to say goodbye.  It just didn't seem fair.

Now I had the privilege to stay with one of these precious families overnight last month.  It was fun to see my little Pumpkin on her home turf and see how she ticks in her comfort zone.  Or getting a phone call from a Mama who's daughter just said "why did Miss Ashley have to move all the way to the other side of the world?" It makes me hurt because I love those kids.  I lost track of home many children were ever enrolled in Pumpkin Patch Daycare...but I guarantee I remember their faces and their names and they will forever be in my heart.

But now when I hear a song by Natalie Grant (King of the World) I remember that it isn't MY life I'm living.  It is HIS.  I had a little fall apart yesterday.  Things here aren't all roses, unicorns and rainbows.  Moving is tough...having special needs kids worlds' turned upside down is pretty much a suicide mission...BUT, for some reason God decided we needed to move to the other (less pretty) side of the state...so we will try to bloom where He has planted us and I will try to just keep watching my Pumpkins grow up on social media!

"King of the World"
by Natalie Grant

I tried to fit you in the walls inside my mind
I try to keep you safely in between the lines
I try to put you in the box that I've designed
I try to pull you down so we are eye to eye

When did I forget that you've always been the king of the world?
I try to take life back right out of the hands of the king of the world
How could I make you so small
When you're the one who holds it all
When did I forget that you've always been the king of the world

Just a whisper of your voice can tame the seas
So who am I to try to take the lead
Still I run ahead and think I'm strong enough
When you're the one who made me from the dust

When did I forget that you've always been the king of the world?
I try to take life back right out of the hands of the king of the world
How could I make you so small
When you're the one who holds it all
When did I forget that you've always been the king of the world

Oh, you set it all in motion
Every Single moment
You brought it all to me
And you're holding on to me

When did I forget that you've always been the king of the world?
I try to take live back right out of the hand of the kind of the world
How could I make you so small
When you've the one who holds it all
When did I forget you've always been the king of the world
You will always be the king of the world.