Almost Done, 2017

We just finished our last vacation of the year and I would render it a complete success, except, we worked harder than either of us do when we are not on vacation... Starting on Wednesday before Thanksgiving, PJ came home and we were GO GO GO!!! We started by heading to the mall and changing our phone plan, which took far too long with 2 toddlers in tow. They were quite gracious and we were able to enjoy dinner and settle the girls down before the long drive to San Jacinto to start the festivities with Jessy's parents.

On Thursday, Jessy battled the temptations of several different pies and extra Thanksgiving starches. PJ indulged in all of the potatoes and mac n cheese, and the girls were basking in all the attention. We had wonderful family time and welcomed in the Christmas season with movies after dinner.

Thursday night we headed up to Reno to visit PJ's family. Though his parents live in our area, they and his brother (Peter) were there to visit his sister (Christine). Christine just moved there this fall after landing her first position as a psychiatrist! She was so excited to host everyone and it was such a beautiful place to visit. We weren't in the touristy area, but close to the Reno-Tahoe Airport in a nice neighborhood. All that to say, the drive was not too bad and the girls slept wonderfully!

It was a calm few days up there playing games, cooking lots of food, and catching up since we don't get to see PJ's siblings very often. It did not take long for AJ and E to warm up to and love their auntie and it was so precious to see her enjoy her time with them.

After a long trek home, Jessy had doctor and dental appointments, PJ had a DMV appointment, we ended up having maintenance done on the family car, we had a dinner and lunch with our small group then Jessy took AJ to Disneyland with her parents to top off a fun week. In short, we committed to too many things and I lost site of our schedule until it was too late to change anything. We over-committed and ended up more tired than before. It's okay, though, we were thankful for all of the family time we had as well as the ability to take care of things (like vehicle maintenance).

PJ found out that there is going to be some corporate management changes, which may or may not alter his leadership program, but definitely has altered his manager over him. Hopefully, he will have the opportunity to meet his new manager soon. In the mean time, we are praying for wisdom as PJ seeks to get his store back to normal after his absence. Please be praying for him, as there are a lot of changes happening and he is uncertain how to encourage his team through all of the issues they are having lately.

Jessy is overwhelmed with trying to get everything back to normal at home, update the schedule and organize. Please be praying for discernment and intentionality with time. AJ seems to be coming down with something, so prayer for swift healing would also be appreciated. They both also seem to be teething and going through growth spurts continuously, hopefully this will be a short season of growing pains.

This Year at Work

I wanted to take the time to share (brag about) my husband's success. I am so proud of PJ for all the work he has accomplished at the pharmacy this past year. He has completely turned his store around from having an "underperforming" status to being among the top in his district and his "area," which includes, I believe, all or most of Southern California.

A few months ago, his supervisor asked him to share his success on a monitored panel for other District Managers in the area so they may take away from his experience in improving customer service and other numbers for their own stores. When that went well, he was invited to speak at a national conference in Boston. My husband was recognized by his company on a national level! I did share about that already, but to update, he made it out there and back and it went wonderfully well!

He had made his first hire last summer, but after her training, she has only been at his store for 3 months now. Unfortunately, it has been a difficult adjustment. I am praying for a turn around, but it has been stressful for his whole store, with staff being effected in their motivation and performance.

Please be in prayer for PJ as the Lord guides him through this time at work and in approaching the situation among his colleagues. Praise God, I have been able to not only encourage hubby in his work, but also help him through a few stressful situations this past week. We are so grateful for the Lord's faithfulness as I have been growing and being gracious in late evenings and making the most of my time at home instead of sulking in waiting for PJ to get home.

Life's Encouragements

About a month ago, PJ told me that his district manager wanted him to recreate a panel discussion regarding his store's success at the national conference in Boston for Area Managers for the company. I really wish that my response was, "Oh my goodness, honey, that is amazing! I am so proud of you and the work you have accomplished at your store this last year!" To my shame, however, I responded with, "Well, how long will you be gone?" in a tone of contempt for his accomplishments. I felt the excitement drain from his demeanor and I knew there was no way I could take that moment back.

I was being completely and unreasonably selfish.

I wanted him to say he would bring ME with him. I wanted him to acknowledge how difficult his absence would be for ME. I wanted to feel as needed as I feel I need him.

It is not easy being a full time mommy and housewife. But I think that being a true helpmate and encouraging wife are even harder. As much as I give myself to my precious little girls each day, I have to give my full support and encouragement to my husband each day. That is a lot of work and takes a lot of investment. I want my husband to be successful and I desire him to do well. If I am aligning my life with his, which is what I am called to do, then I need to be more uplifting in my attitude.

Gee, this wife thing is tough, but I am so glad to have this opportunity to love and minister to my husband in this way.

Please pray for PJ as he heads off to Boston tomorrow. There is an ice storm warning in effect this weekend on the east coast and I pray his flight is not delayed or cancelled coming home. He will be flying out tomorrow morning, his meeting will be all day Thursday, and - Lord willing - he will be returning on Friday afternoon.

-Jessy

An Update on Hubby

I have spent so much time on here giving baby updates and sharing my own struggles with weight and other issues. I realize, though, that I have failed to share marital updates and how my hubby is. 

PJ has been a little stressed at work, lately. It has been a bit of a whirlwind these last couple of months with his performance review, an offer to move stores and the potential loss of one of his strongest technicians. His review went well, and I was so proud to hear that his store is progressing so well as one of the leading stores in the High Desert.

His boss offered him a different store in the same area which is also underperforming (worse than where his current store was). He hoped PJ would take over to help improve it and follow a similar career path as his manager. That is, clean up store after store until they are ready to bring him up to a corporate level. He politely declined the position, honestly sharing that he did not have the desire to follow the same career path. It was difficult, as it would have come with a pay raise, but it was just as far if not a little farther away from home and was open later hours. We like the store he is at now because his other staff member likes the closing shift and PJ has days 99% of the time. There would be no scheduling guarantees at the other store. Along with the relief of keeping his daytime work schedule, PJ is excited to remain with his current team and see more growth where he is.

One of the most dependable technicians was considering leaving PJ's store. It would have been a big loss, since he was one of the few who could work multiple stations proficiently. With another job lined up and a plan to leave soon, hubby set to work on finding a replacement, along with another part timer to cover call outs and vacations. With the process in motion, the district manager reached out to the tech and convinced him to stay. In addition, he is still allowing PJ to hire another part timer and request backup from neighboring stores so the area has a floater tech. Hubby has enjoyed conducting his first interviews and it has been a good experience for growth. 

In other news, hubby shared that it has been difficult to find sufficient fellowship outside of Sunday mornings due to work. I have no doubt many of my own friends' husbands feel this way. I am extremely blessed to have my weekly women's study, times to meet up with my friends during the week, and the opportunity to catch up on Sunday mornings. It is hard for us to do weekends with friends, as PJ is in a retail pharmacy, and his days off are Sunday and Thursday. 

It is fortunate, though, that there a few close friends of his from church who also have odd hours. Hubby was able to join them in an early morning study on Thursdays. Please be praying for a rich time of fellowship and encouragement. I am so excited for him to have this time to spend in God's Word with godly men. 

Thank you for your prayers and love for our family! 

Love, Jessy.