Big Announcement, wrapped in a long story ...

Yes, it's long. Yes, it's wordy. It's how I write. I'm sorry!

If you've read this blog over the course of the last few months, you might have noticed how I'm posting about money issues more and more. And how we've been on a bumpy ride. And how dh and I had to wake up to the fact that we were spending more than we earn and how scary all of it can feel at times to me. I've also talked a lot about FPU (which again I must point out that I won from Lu and because this woman has changed our lives in so many ways I will never be able to repay her fully so I simply say thanks to her in a lot of posts here ROFL!)

One thing that hit dh and I in a very big way was that we needed to cut back on expenses and try to increase our income. The cutting expenses has actually been surprisingly easy. It's that upping the income part that has been hard. My husband already works two jobs. It is hard for me to get work out of the house because I'd have to pay someone to watch my 3 children. Truly, I don't think there is much I can do today that would even pay me enough for that expense alone! And the etsy shop isn't going as well as I had hoped it would.

And so, without any answers and feeling nervous, I did the only thing I could think of to do: pray. I prayed lots and lots. I prayed about selling the house, moving out of the area, dh getting a different job (okay, most of those items I still pray about truthfully).

Now around the time all of this was going on, I stumbled upon a fabulous site called The Motherhood - which isn't about finances, but about being a mom. I said this earlier to someone else tonight, the thing that drew me to The Motherhood was that it was a place that not only assumed I was a mother, but they also assumed I had a brain and I liked to think! Now, the sad truth is that for me, it often feels that most people assume since I am a mother, my biggest thought during the day is what color is my child's poop. Okay, that's an exaggeration, but yet not that much of one. Or people assume I must only want to discuss my children - to share every single little tiny detail of their lives with them. And yes, I interact with moms who do tend to do that - and I'm okay with them doing it, but I long for more! I do care about politics - both national and world. I care about the environment. I also care tremendously about my kids, but that is not the only thing I care about! So I jumped in feet first and started interacting - sharing links, starting groups, talking, just being there and loving it.

And then one day one of the women who started it sent me an e-mail! And I admit, I felt really special about it! And she actually encouraged me to start a Homemade Christmas Group on The Motherhood (which I posted about here!). And then she said both of the women (Emily and Cooper are their names) would like to call and talk to me.

I do not exaggerate when I tell you, when my husband came home that night I rushed him at the door and said "Oh my gosh! You are not going to believe this! But Cooper and Emily, no you don't know them but they are pretty smart people, want to call me and I'm so nervous and what should I say and what will they talk to me about? And what if the kids are loud and I can't hear them and I can't believe they want to call ME!" And then I had to back up and explain all about it to him. People, you would have thought I was 14 and Sally told me that Jenny told her that my crush was going to call me ROFL!

So they called. And yes, I was nervous. And yes, I paced around my bedroom while the children played mostly quietly downstairs. And we talked and it was all fabulous. They are so sweet that I felt very relaxed (and I am pretty sure I managed to say nothing too dumb to them because I tend to spit out really stupid things when I get nervous!). And then they asked me to be a moderator on The Motherhood. And I so wanted to jump up and down and scream. They told me I could think it over (umm, hello, no thinking involved, yes! yes! yes I'll do it). And then they spit out "Now we can't pay you much" and that's about the time I think I almost had a heart attack ... because it didn't occur to me that someone would pay me to spend time on the computer doing what I liked. I am pretty sure I blurted out that they wouldn't even have to pay me but it all got foggy after that.

Now, understand this call came at a time when dh and I knew we would be in a struggle to get our finances together. That we were struggling with how to balance what came in the house and how much money went out of the house. That I had been praying to God for some guidance on this issue and all that jazz. Seriously, at that moment, Emily and Cooper became an answer to prayer. And they are helping dh and I get one step closer to where we would like to be! And I get to do something that I love! Truly, really, I am so excited about this opportunity they have given me.

So, there it is ... folks. I've been dying to tell everyone about this truly wonderful chance I've been given. (of course hesitant to share before now in case I would jinx it!) I just hope I can live up to their expectations!

So anyway, please, come over and visit me at The Motherhood! (My name over there is Brandie) Look around, check it out. Trust me when I say I love visiting over there and I really recommend this site to everyone! =)