Times are Tough

Times are tough for so many people these days. Most of you know my job at the bank is handling the foreclosures and bankruptcies and those are at all time highs! Only my boss and I handle all of First Federal's 6 branches of loans. During normal times we would be busy, but it was manageable, but these times are tough.

It is a daily struggle to handle the massive amounts of phone calls and requests for getting payments lowered, loans modified, or figuring out what the person can do because they think they aren't going to be able to make the payment soon. To the outside world this would seem easy...change the rate and move the loan out to lower the payment. I wish it was this easy..we are bound by so many rules and what the investor requires, it is overwhelming..especially when they roll out new programs but don't really have the "meat" of the program figured out so when someone qualifies you're left in the dark on how to carry out the program.

My job is not black and white, it is so many shades of gray that each person could have their own color of gray. It is mentally exhausting because I feel so bad for some of these people who, out of no control of their own, have fallen upon this horrible economy. I'm so grateful for the job that I DO have and it again reminds me that my 2009 word "appreciate" is so valuable to remember. Appreciate what you have because tomorrow it could be taken away.

There is nothing more rewarding in my job than to help someone save their house from potential foreclosure. They are so grateful for the work that we do for them. I've had the chance to meet some of them and the relief on their face and the thanks they give are why I continue to be mentally exhausted...because there are people that need me to figure out a way for them to stay in their house. I appreciate the leverage that my bosses give me to handle my job and I can certainly appreciate the sensitivity I need to give these customers during these hard times.

Please pray that I stay strong for those who need guidance from me..I feel the weight on my shoulders and seem to be very emotional lately (more than normal anyhow)..certainly signs of stress!

Aubrey tooth update

Aubrey has gotten her second tooth in..it was like 2 days after the first one! It's very sad to see my little girl growing up so fast knowing that I won't be having anymore children (knock on wood since neither of us are fixed..but that's another story)

Updates

Aubrey got her first tooth in on Valentine's Day! I was so excited! I've been checking every day because I could feel the bump and this morning it happened. It was very bittersweet..my baby isn't going to be a baby too much longer! While I can't wait for her to get older so we can shop and talk, I also dread her not being a baby anymore..being able to hold her in my arms and watch her sleep or have her just lay there and look at me laughing and smiling! She has also found her voice! Wow...she just talks and squeals so loud! Yeah, I know, just like her mom! She's going to be a talker.

Caleb is pretty much officially potty trained..with a few minor accidents here and there. Overall, it was worth waiting until he was ready! It went so much faster. Also, Caleb will be starting Wee Ones Pre-School in the summer at Grace. He'll turn 4 in July, but we are holding him back the first year because we want him to be ready. He's excited because he thinks he'll get to ride the school bus and he's been wanting to "go to school and ride the bus"-he says this because he sees the school bus go by the babysitter's house and he wants to be a "big boy" too.

I am appreciating each day with both Aubrey and Caleb because I know that time will go by so fast!

I'm so proud of you...

Every day I try to tell Caleb how proud I am of him. With alot of constant "No, Caleb put that down" or "Stop that please" or "Caleb do not put your hand in the toilet" I felt I needed to be more positive too. Usually at night when we are getting ready for bed I will give Caleb a hug and tell him something positive from the day and tell him how proud I am of him. He has picked this up and now when he comes to lay down with me on the couch before bed he hugs me and says, "I so proud of you Mommy, I so proud of you!" I think it's hilarious! I wonder if he thinks that's how you say you love someone? Whenever I say, "I love you Caleb" he says "yep" For now, I'm taking the "I so proud of you" as "I love you Mommy