Taevin was just a baby when Russ got hired at Union Pacific, it was a huge blessing for us. He started as a laborer, the entry level position and over the last nine years, earned an apprenticeship, became an electrician, and has just a couple of months ago, been promoted to a foreman. He has worked hard and gone through all of the proper channels to move up in his career and I'm so proud of him.
When he was hired at UP, he kept his job at SkyWest Airlines part time because well, we couldn't survive without it. He quit SkyWest and moved to Delta in 2012, so for nine years he has been working two jobs. NINE YEARS!
Over the course of those nine years he has been living on 6 hours of sleep a day or less, missing church, holidays, and family events. I have been through 3 pregnancies almost completely alone and have for the most part, raised the kids and maintained our home by myself. To say that the last nine years have been hard would be an understatement.
When Russ got promoted, we discussed quitting Delta but didn't want to do anything drastic right away, but I kept getting this feeling that it was time so I finally brought it up to Russ. I thought he would be resistant but it turns out, he was feeling the same thing, we needed his time now more than his money. We went on vacation a couple of weeks later and trying to get on the flight was ridiculous, Russ and the boys ended up having to drive after all, and that sealed the deal. Knowing that the flight "benefits" were no longer benefiting us, it confirmed our decision to quit. Russ put in his two weeks as soon as we got home. After Russ had worked his last day at Delta, he called me as he left the airport, we both felt the weight lift, I hung up the phone and cried. I had missed him so much and couldn't wait to be a normal family.
It has been amazing having him home! The kids are thrilled to have their daddy back, in fact Z hasn't let me put her to bed he's been home. We are enjoying dinners together, family bike rides and making up for lots of lost time.
I don't regret the life we've had, I'm lucky to have someone who's willing to work so hard to provide for our family, but it's made me not take for granted all of the little things that matter so much, like every night before bed when Russ puts the iPad, my phone, my glasses and a glass of ice water on my night stand (he definitely knows my routine) or just having him here to play with the kids while I make dinner.
We may never have a mansion or a boat, but having a family that spends time together is worth far more than anything we could ever buy.
When he was hired at UP, he kept his job at SkyWest Airlines part time because well, we couldn't survive without it. He quit SkyWest and moved to Delta in 2012, so for nine years he has been working two jobs. NINE YEARS!
Over the course of those nine years he has been living on 6 hours of sleep a day or less, missing church, holidays, and family events. I have been through 3 pregnancies almost completely alone and have for the most part, raised the kids and maintained our home by myself. To say that the last nine years have been hard would be an understatement.
When Russ got promoted, we discussed quitting Delta but didn't want to do anything drastic right away, but I kept getting this feeling that it was time so I finally brought it up to Russ. I thought he would be resistant but it turns out, he was feeling the same thing, we needed his time now more than his money. We went on vacation a couple of weeks later and trying to get on the flight was ridiculous, Russ and the boys ended up having to drive after all, and that sealed the deal. Knowing that the flight "benefits" were no longer benefiting us, it confirmed our decision to quit. Russ put in his two weeks as soon as we got home. After Russ had worked his last day at Delta, he called me as he left the airport, we both felt the weight lift, I hung up the phone and cried. I had missed him so much and couldn't wait to be a normal family.
It has been amazing having him home! The kids are thrilled to have their daddy back, in fact Z hasn't let me put her to bed he's been home. We are enjoying dinners together, family bike rides and making up for lots of lost time.
I don't regret the life we've had, I'm lucky to have someone who's willing to work so hard to provide for our family, but it's made me not take for granted all of the little things that matter so much, like every night before bed when Russ puts the iPad, my phone, my glasses and a glass of ice water on my night stand (he definitely knows my routine) or just having him here to play with the kids while I make dinner.
We may never have a mansion or a boat, but having a family that spends time together is worth far more than anything we could ever buy.
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