HI!

Where have I been?

Well, to make a long story short....

OK.  First let me clear up a few things.  I am as healthy as a horse (are horses really healthy?) and so is everyone in my family.  Thank goodness.  So no major illness here.

Second, I am not getting a divorce :)  I still love my hubby and my hubby still loves me.  Again, thank goodness.

So what could have kept me away from my beloved blog and scrapbooking in general for so long?  Well, this is where that long story starts.  I am going to try to make it as short as possible but it really is one of those long ones.

It started when I left the last GASC in Grand Rapids.  I had known the whole weekend that something wasn't right with my hubby since he seemed so quiet whenever I talked to him on the phone but it wasn't until I was on my way home that I managed to drag it out of him.  I was not prepared for it.  It was bad.

You see, my husbands family owns a large printing ink company.  It has been in their family for over 65 years.  Everyone in the family in some form works there.  My husband was to take over it when his father retired.  And if you have ever owned your own business then you will know it always will have ups and downs.  We have been through lots before but we were not prepared for what was to come.

Though it is very complicated this is the gist of it - the CFO fixed the books and ruined the company.  Every little bit of hard work gone.  Just like that.  Everything and every sacrifice that they put in it over their lifetime gone in the blink of an eye.  You can imagine the stress.  And we only could see the tip of the iceburg.  We had no idea what was to come.  As more and more was discovered it just got worse and worse.  It got to the point where there was no saving the company.  Which meant not only losses of jobs for us and our families but the hundreds of people employed all over the world lost their jobs too.  Suppliers who supported the company were in trouble too.  So not only did out company fall but so did a few others which is just heartbreaking.  People with new babies and elderly parents and other responsibilites were out of a job.  Lots of these people had become family friends as they had worked for the company for so many years.  Lots knew my husband from when he was a tiny baby.  The material loss was great but the emotional loss was enormous.

And all because of one person's actions.  A person who had worked for the company for over 20 years.  A family friend.  Someone who attended my wedding.  Now you may be wondering why would a person do something like this?  That is a question that has been asked over and over and there is no answer.  I doubt there will ever be a satisfying answer.  It is just something we have to let go.  Investigations are happening and the law is involved but I am sure the "why" will never be answered.

So over the last 6+ weeks our lives have been turned completely upside down.  Again, it is for complicated reasons but we have sold our house, we have no cars, no jobs and are technically homeless.  Now don't go feeling sorry for me.  I am not writing this to have a pity party.  I haven't blogged this until I was able to do it with a smile on my face.  I have an amazing family who has rallied around us.  We are temporarily living with my mom.  My kids think if it as an adventure to get to live with Nana.  It is very tight in her place so we are on the lookout for something bigger.  We finally had something in line last week but while I was away this past weekend it fell through.  So back to the search.  

So you can see why I haven't been around.  Major changes for us.  I have spent every waking moment worrying and planning and worrying some more.  As a parent your first instinct is always to make things better for your kidlets so that is where my focus has been. No time for much else right now. The kidlets have had to change schools but now they get to walk to school which is a fun adventure for them.  We have always lived in the country so to visit friends it took planning.  Now that we are in the city Harper is thrilled that there is a little girl her age right around the corner.  This is the thing I am probably most grateful right now.  Harper has never made friends really and to have an actual friend is a gift like no other.  So so so grateful for this.

So now for us life is wide open.  An adventure waiting to happen.  Who knows what is in store for us.  Yes, having our life canvas so blank right now is rather scary at times but I hold on to the fact that something really amazing has got to be in store for us.  I feel it in my heart.  It is something that I cannot even fathom right now but I know it will be great.  I just have to wait. :)

So that is it.  Blogging is probably going to be a bit sporatic for a bit more.  Our focus is jobs and a house right now.  You know, the basics, lol!  Oh and sleep.  My hubby and I have to share a double bed right now (we have always had a king) so sleeping has been a bit of a challenge but that is what couches are for!

Just know that we are ok and keeping our heads up.  We are a strong family and we will get past this bump in our lives.  I have only read a few emails that you have sent but I wanted to say thanks to everyone who has been checking in.  It is nice to feel loved and missed.

Be back soon. :) 

cjr