Introducing "My People": A 2019 Tribute to my Day to Day peeps
Well, Readers-
I'm eager to introduce you to my new people and update you on the family!
First, My family.
My husband, Ben.
He is still "Easy" Goins- kind with a sense of humor. He still loves fast cars and randomly aquires little nuggets of helpful truths about a little bit of everything. Doctor M-F and Super dad nights and weekends- that's his year to year gig and he rocks at it!
Children. Reagan (5); Reggie (3); Wyatt (almost 2); Jude (7 months)
Surprise! Not two anymore- now we have 4.
After Reggie, I wasn't even sure if we were open to having more. But then on Ben's birthday, I took a test and found out I was pregnant- about 2.5 months after returning back to work. When I told him reluctantly, he said he had been praying for another baby. Surprise! Well, if you know me, you know I'm down with answered prayers - so I was excited!
Now, we really enjoyed having Wyatt because he was such a sweet baby. So, seven months later, I was pregnant with Jude.
At the school I work at now- I had only been there three years. The first year, I was pregnant. The second year- I started on maternity leave and ended the year pregnant. This year, I started pregnant and had a maternity leave. Ha- it's kind of a running joke and I can't blame them... God's timing with growing my family has been hilarious!
Introducing my new peeps... *drum roll* please...
My coworkers- The staff at BM Williams Primary School
Ha. That might be anti-climatic for a lot of you OR it could be comforting to SOME. Of course, I hope it is comforting in a #goals kind of way for you young folks. For me, it is a relief and a comfort to belong and be loved by the people I work with cause family and work is ALL I have time for. I think a lot of people can relate to that.
To Belong.
Well, I'd like to say I worked really hard to belong at my school...but, I was too busy drowning in life's transitions. I hadn't set up a classroom in 4 years. I had kids now so I couldn't stay in the classroom until 8 or 9 at night crafting/planning AND even if I brought it home- I'm not guaranteed the time to get to it. I just moved two months before 35-45 minutes away from my new job site and Reagan was commuting with me to attend her Montessori school.
Well, at least I was getting paid right?? Well, when you've worked two jobs since 12 years old and 4 jobs in college- getting paid ALWAYS brought me joy. However, my second child, Reggie, had severe RSV (baby asthma) so he couldn't stay in daycare. I had to hire a nanny to stay with him at home. The cost practically took up all my paycheck, BUT at least I was saving the family $1000/month on health insurance- so, that savings became my new monthly income.
It was a low blow at first, but through heavy prayers, I knew it was the best decision for my boy ... AND the best decision for ME.
*disclaimer*
I know what you are thinking....WHAT- did you read what you just wrote?? $1000 to do what you do each day!!?!? Your husband is a doctor- you don't need to work and you sure don't need to pay someone to watch YOUR baby.
Well, yes, all of that is and was true- but, in those heavy prayers- I really felt the Lord leading me to this new way of life. I didn't see his reasons at first- but, now, His reasons are clearer than ever.
See, teaching IS MY PASSION. Life without passion is just living...but LIFE with passion is real LIFE. Being with these people each day, awakened a passion inside me that was dormant for many years. Even on the worst day- feeling like I just got bit by 50 billion mosquitos in the face- I have an inner drive in me still reving up until my next go or endeavor. After years of caring for the house and husband, raising kids at home, and mentoring teens 24/7... I lost my OWN way. I didn't really understand who I was anymore and what I wanted in life.
Then, enter God and His precious gift of these people. This group of coworkers are something to rave about and I'm thankful for them each day. To belong at the big BMW, is to show up with that same PASSION I referred to above and keep. showing. up. Bottom line. That's it.
At the big BMW, we have LOTS of the same passion for teaching and a lot of coworkers raising families at home. To my surprise, they all love their families BEFORE their job. To my surprise, they encourage me EVERY chance they can to do the same for my family. Then, to top things off, they NEVER expect perfection... just your best. (What???.. I know! Who does that..)
They celebrated both pregnancies. They challenged me to do things MY WAY (even when I didn't know what that looked like and have spent the last three years figuring it out). Some let me pray with them. All of them let me "Shimmer and Shine" with them. And, most importantly, they love me just as I am- crazy, busy, forgetful, and loud.
And, when they loved me...they loved me FIRST- in every transition that life threw at me the last three years- my people loved me through it all. They checked up on me, backed me up, prayed for me, helped me move, comforted me, and even brought me meals when my kids were sick. Because they loved me first with no strings attached, I mustarded up enough courage DAY by DAY each year to show back up... even if I felt like a mess inside.
From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU.
This post comes at the end of my third year at BMW. It was the sweetest year thus far for me- even if it wasn't always easy on us as a whole- LOTS of change personally and ALL OVER the building. Nonetheless, that love and passion still remains. It's one of a kind and I'm thankful to have all the BMW people in my life.
With Love. Always,
Crystal
I'm eager to introduce you to my new people and update you on the family!
First, My family.
My husband, Ben.
He is still "Easy" Goins- kind with a sense of humor. He still loves fast cars and randomly aquires little nuggets of helpful truths about a little bit of everything. Doctor M-F and Super dad nights and weekends- that's his year to year gig and he rocks at it!
Children. Reagan (5); Reggie (3); Wyatt (almost 2); Jude (7 months)
Surprise! Not two anymore- now we have 4.
After Reggie, I wasn't even sure if we were open to having more. But then on Ben's birthday, I took a test and found out I was pregnant- about 2.5 months after returning back to work. When I told him reluctantly, he said he had been praying for another baby. Surprise! Well, if you know me, you know I'm down with answered prayers - so I was excited!
Now, we really enjoyed having Wyatt because he was such a sweet baby. So, seven months later, I was pregnant with Jude.
At the school I work at now- I had only been there three years. The first year, I was pregnant. The second year- I started on maternity leave and ended the year pregnant. This year, I started pregnant and had a maternity leave. Ha- it's kind of a running joke and I can't blame them... God's timing with growing my family has been hilarious!
Introducing my new peeps... *drum roll* please...
My coworkers- The staff at BM Williams Primary School
I LOVE this picture! Hey Wanda!
To Belong.
Well, I'd like to say I worked really hard to belong at my school...but, I was too busy drowning in life's transitions. I hadn't set up a classroom in 4 years. I had kids now so I couldn't stay in the classroom until 8 or 9 at night crafting/planning AND even if I brought it home- I'm not guaranteed the time to get to it. I just moved two months before 35-45 minutes away from my new job site and Reagan was commuting with me to attend her Montessori school.
Well, at least I was getting paid right?? Well, when you've worked two jobs since 12 years old and 4 jobs in college- getting paid ALWAYS brought me joy. However, my second child, Reggie, had severe RSV (baby asthma) so he couldn't stay in daycare. I had to hire a nanny to stay with him at home. The cost practically took up all my paycheck, BUT at least I was saving the family $1000/month on health insurance- so, that savings became my new monthly income.
It was a low blow at first, but through heavy prayers, I knew it was the best decision for my boy ... AND the best decision for ME.
*disclaimer*
I know what you are thinking....WHAT- did you read what you just wrote?? $1000 to do what you do each day!!?!? Your husband is a doctor- you don't need to work and you sure don't need to pay someone to watch YOUR baby.
Well, yes, all of that is and was true- but, in those heavy prayers- I really felt the Lord leading me to this new way of life. I didn't see his reasons at first- but, now, His reasons are clearer than ever.
See, teaching IS MY PASSION. Life without passion is just living...but LIFE with passion is real LIFE. Being with these people each day, awakened a passion inside me that was dormant for many years. Even on the worst day- feeling like I just got bit by 50 billion mosquitos in the face- I have an inner drive in me still reving up until my next go or endeavor. After years of caring for the house and husband, raising kids at home, and mentoring teens 24/7... I lost my OWN way. I didn't really understand who I was anymore and what I wanted in life.
Then, enter God and His precious gift of these people. This group of coworkers are something to rave about and I'm thankful for them each day. To belong at the big BMW, is to show up with that same PASSION I referred to above and keep. showing. up. Bottom line. That's it.
At the big BMW, we have LOTS of the same passion for teaching and a lot of coworkers raising families at home. To my surprise, they all love their families BEFORE their job. To my surprise, they encourage me EVERY chance they can to do the same for my family. Then, to top things off, they NEVER expect perfection... just your best. (What???.. I know! Who does that..)
They celebrated both pregnancies. They challenged me to do things MY WAY (even when I didn't know what that looked like and have spent the last three years figuring it out). Some let me pray with them. All of them let me "Shimmer and Shine" with them. And, most importantly, they love me just as I am- crazy, busy, forgetful, and loud.
And, when they loved me...they loved me FIRST- in every transition that life threw at me the last three years- my people loved me through it all. They checked up on me, backed me up, prayed for me, helped me move, comforted me, and even brought me meals when my kids were sick. Because they loved me first with no strings attached, I mustarded up enough courage DAY by DAY each year to show back up... even if I felt like a mess inside.
From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU.
This post comes at the end of my third year at BMW. It was the sweetest year thus far for me- even if it wasn't always easy on us as a whole- LOTS of change personally and ALL OVER the building. Nonetheless, that love and passion still remains. It's one of a kind and I'm thankful to have all the BMW people in my life.
With Love. Always,
Crystal
I did not know you have a blog. That is AWESOME. Love reading it. Great writing. How do I subscribe? Your brother, Arnel.
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