Our NEW Schedule!

Dear friends,

This post has been a long time coming, and I'm so very happy to be sharing it with you.  I'll provide some back story in a moment, but right now, I'd like to tell you that next Monday will be Bryant's first day at his NEW JOB!!!

As many of you know, he had been looking for a new position (preferably with a new company) since before he met me.  The main reason, at that point, being the schedule (he was working 5:30 p.m. - 6:00 a.m. four days a week).  Granted, it wasn't a very aggressive search before I came into the picture, but with a new reason to be available during the day and on weekends, his efforts increased during our engagement...but to no avail.

As you also may know, we went ahead with plans (i.e. getting married...me moving to KC...him keeping his current position...), even though his schedule wasn't ideal.  His diligent, persistent search continued as we began our married life together.

I always knew what his schedule was and some of the challenges that came with it, but I didn't fully understand it till I was living it.  I won't bore you with mundane details of our daily in-and-outs, but in a nutshell: we had about 2-3 waking hours together each working day - and usually the beginning of his day was the middle of my day, which was also hard to get used to.  The schedule was further complicated by him being "asked" to work on weekends with only a day or two's notice.  AND, from about a week before Christmas up to only a couple weeks ago, his schedule changed on almost a weekly basis, and he was working 6-7 days a week, anywhere from 8 to 12+ hour shifts.  Vacation days were basically prohibited and sick days were frowned upon.

Yeah...

I know there are people who work/live with similar (or worse) schedules and have for years.  Some prefer it, but others don't have a choice, and my heart goes out to them.  I don't mean to be dramatic or throw a pity party, but suffice it to say, the "work schedule thing" didn't make the "getting used to marriage thing" any easier.  That said, I can't say enough how much I appreciate Bryant's hard and consistent work in such a draining and not-uplifting position...and with so little complaining.  He recognized how hard it was on me, even if I wasn't the one spending 12 hours at work, and always made sure to put my needs first and make what little time we had together count.

We had been praying daily for a daytime position, period, and maybe with a good company and other perks...and that's exactly what we got!  The offer came on Bryant's birthday, no less!  He was as excited as I think I've ever seen him (remember - I didn't see him before our wedding ☺) to go to work the night he put in his two weeks - haha!  It's their loss, for sure, but he will be taking the skills he's gained while there to bigger and much better places...starting next week.  ☺

Our sincere thanks go out to many of you for your prayers, listening ears, flexibility, and support through the last few (and/or many) months.  God is good, and He absolutely works all thing out for the good of those who love Him and in His perfect time.

We have learned a lot through this first leg (or few steps) of our journey.  From now on, we will be forever thankful for quiet evenings together, same bedtimes, free weekends, and lunch breaks at noon instead of 11:00 p.m.  We will make the most of our time, using it to strengthen our marriage, build and grow other relationships, help others, and enjoy the blessings of each day.

This occasion definitely called for celebratory balloons!

Praising the Lord,
Kensy

Favorites of the day:

my awesome husband

our bread machine

new hobbies
this awesome new phone case I received as a sweet, thoughtful gift:

The Scoop, lately...

Hi.  My name is Kensy.  I teach private music lessons, have a cat named Charlie, and live in a refurbished chicken coop.

For real, though - I feel like I need to reintroduce myself.  Thanks for sticking with me and reading, regardless of how often I hold up my end of the deal!

Lots of good things have been happening here:

• graduation parties for students I student taught 3 years ago
• acquiring new responsibilities and/or students at both work places 
• purchasing an iPhone 5 after going 4+ years without upgrading my non-smart phone (I'd been avoiding the switch, but was in the market for a new camera, as well as an iPod, so just went the smartphone route...got a free case and car charger out of the deal, too! You know how I feel about freebies... ☺) 
• whirlwind Memorial Day weekend, including wedding dress shopping with/for BFF from college in Norfolk, a visit from best friend from Topeka (shopping, Starbucks, painting nails, quality time with family and friends, etc.) and a visit from my super great brother (movie, iPhone orientation for both of us, day at the zoo and building Legos with the kids I nanny for, and Charlie time) 
• trips to the farmer's market
• hosting (and performing in) concerts for work 

Here's some photo evidence of some of the above happenings (all captured via the new iPhone ☺):

Sweet kiddo story:
The now-6-yr.-old I nanny for occasionally has things to share with me about various TV shows - specifically River Monsters - and always wonders if I've watched them, too.  I've had to remind him a few times that I can't watch most of the shows he talks about, because I don't have cable at my house.  The last few times I've told him this, he's said very matter-of-factly, "We have a million cables that would work on your TV - you could have one!  What's your TV look like?"  I told him, and he said, "Oh yeah, we have one that would work on that...they're pretty much new and just laying around."  I didn't have the heart to tell him it doesn't really work that way. ☺

I hope this finds you all well and you survived the recent storms and crazy weather.  Praise the Lord for the rain, but praying He blesses and comforts all who have been affected negatively by the it all.

Finally enjoying skirt and flip-flop weather,

Kensy

Favorites of the day:

meeting new people

fresh asparagus from Mom's garden

these flowers from one of my students:

Where did the month go?!

Somehow my summer "break" during the month of July always turns into a do-everything-and-see-everyone-you-can-while-you-have-free-time sort of frenzy.  So...I'm going to attempt to play catch-up (not ketchup...though I do love ketchup) in one post.


Since I last wrote to you, I have:


-hosted a game night.
-gone to a kickin' 3rd of July party...and earned 4th place in the backyard games tourney, thanks to the help of my very capable teammate.
-taken a trip home (to Topeka) which included: best-friend-pool-time (as well as crispitos & slushies and Chick-fil-a & shopping), quality family time (including games, grilling, and homemade ice cream!), lunch with Dad, trip to see Mom's new workplace, and a reality check for Charlie (he had to stay in the hot garage for awhile, and I hope it made him appreciate the fact that he's an indoor cat).
-attended a wedding and super fun reception.
-hosted/coordinated/attended quite a few events for various groups through work...most of which have been outside.
-visited my good friend near Yankton, SD (this trip included lots of lake/beach time, good food, games, s'mores, grilling, and much-needed catch-up chats).
-replaced the rugs in the bathroom after Charlie shut himself in there overnight while we were gone.
-led Bible study (discussion centered around Ester and Job, because I'm currently reading through the Old Testament).
-spent an entire day and evening at home alone (with Charlie, of course) - got a whole lot done that day!
-learned enough chords to play a few songs on the guitar!
-taught some lessons (by appointment) at the studio.
-picked the first of (hopefully) many cherry tomatoes!
-attended my roomie's sister's baby shower - the first of many for this season in my life, I'm sure!
-finished reading a "blook" about dating/relationships.  My brother shared it with me months ago, and I've been reading it little by little.  Check it out - it's worth a read!  Even if you're fairly far removed from the dating game, as I am.  ☺  Here's the link: http://thedatingblook.wordpress.com/
-accumulated a couple kiddo stories:

• I had a summer cold/cough at the beginning of the month and had to miss a day of nannying.  When I saw the kiddos the next week, I received quite the greeting (absence makes the heart grow fonder...?) and the 3-yr.-old told me, "If you're ever sick again, I will be a doctor and fix you up on your face!"  I don't quite know what she meant, but it was followed by a smile and big hug.
• When I was letting a kiddo pick out a sticker for passing a piano song, he picked one with lots of smiley faces on it.  This soon-to-be 1st grader counted the smileys on the sticker by 5's (after figuring out they were in rows of 5) and declared, "There are 35 smiley faces.  No wait - 36!" and pointed to my smiling face.  I said, "I think there are 37!" pointing to his smiling face.  ☺

I am continually amazed at all I've been blessed with and grateful for the people and relationships in my life.  I spoke in the Bible study I lead about the phrase "for such a time as this" found in Ester's story.  I believe God has been preparing my heart "for such a time as this."  Though I sometimes wonder when the next "season" of my life will come, I am embracing this one and the opportunities I am able to partake of that I wouldn't be able to if I were otherwise "attached" or had anyone but me to care for.  He is continually teaching me to live in the present and strive to bring Him glory in all I do.  


Life. is. good.  (In spite of the heat.)


I hope you all are staying cool and enjoying the last of your July.


♥,
Kensy


P.S. Charlie sends his love.

Favorites of the day:

Brown Sugar and Cinnamon Pop Tarts

unexpected notes/mail

dinner dates with Jesus

"Music Librarian" is an understatement...

Today I celebrate my job at Arts Incorporated (click to go to the website).  My trumpet professor owns this arts management business and graciously offered me a job a couple years ago.  I filled the position of “music librarian,” but have also been asked to complete the following tasks:

-give the birds a bath

-feed the birds

-feed the fish

-give the birds medicine

-entertain the cats

-locate the cats (usually followed by disciplining them)

-take the smashed and soggy box that the no-longer-living fish came in to the post office to see what they can do about it

-water plants

-take videos and photos of various events

-record official office voicemail greeting

-help create inserts for CD’s (professionally recorded ones to sell)

These, of course, are in addition to tasks such as creating music lists and folders, repairing parts, filing music, organizing the music libraries of the various ensembles, etc., etc.

I feel like I’m living the quote, “Variety is the spice of life!”  I love all the unique experiences this job presents.  My favorite random task is playing with the cats (yep – I’m a cat person).  There have been instances in which I was unable to work because a cat had decided my computer keyboard is the "purr"fect spot to roll around and get attention.  I don’t complain…  : )

Sorry it's blurry...hopefully you get the idea.

: )  He found this nap spot all by himself.



Hope you've enjoyed hearing about this wonderful workplace!  Let me know if you have any questions... 

Spicily (is that a word?),

Kensy

Favorites of the day:

the 99-cent clothing sale at Goodwill (I forgot to mention it this weekend)

not having to worry about finals!  (don't mean to rub it in, dearest student readers)

the young adult Bible study I attend!