Change is in the air

Most of my posts are about pictures of what's going on in the life of The Hyle family. Today I thought I'd just post some thoughts I've been having because my heart has been heavy but in the midst of it all, you have to hold tight to those blessings that God gives us each and every day.
As most of you know, the hardwood floor business has not been all that busy lately, and my husbands body is screaming "Stop doing this to me!" :) It's been tight lately, which is always stressful especially when the future is unknown and you worry about what tomorrow will bring. So, we've been stressed, well, maybe I shouldn't speak for Steve, but as the provider for the family I know it's been weighing on him. The blessing however is that we have always had just enough. And we've been talking to my Mom who (for years) has been working for Business Innovations. It's a company that sells promotional items to other companies to promote their business. Mom has had a lot of success with this and Steve is going to begin training with her, trying to pick up some clients to see how it might work for him. It would be flexible enough that until we could be sure it will work, he can continue his hardwood floor business and do this at the same time. So if any of you own a company or know people who own a company that might be interested in his product, let us know! :)
Another changes is I have been hired with the Central Valley School district as a Classified Sub. I will be subbing as a secretary, teachers aide, supervisor, things like that. We plan to put all the money I make into savings so we aren't relying on a second income and only use it if we absolutely have to. I'm hoping someday this will lead to a permanent position in the school district. But we'll see what happens down the road.
I have mixed feelings about this. I've been a stay at home Mom for 14 years. I love being able to be there for the kiddos at a moments notice. I love my freedom and my spinning class, BSF, and Weight Watchers. But for a season I may have to set some of that aside to help out.
Another change is our dear friends the Benson's are moving to the Tri-Cities. This is one of the hardest changes right now. My heart aches at the thought of them leaving. Everyone keeps saying, "It's only 2 1/2 hours away. You'll still see them lots." But it's not the same. Fay's been living 1.7 miles down the road from me for awhile now and I will miss that comfort of having her so near. Kelly will miss her precious friend Avery. They are even in the same class this year but only for Sept. because they will be leaving at the end of the month. Kelly and I both cried when we found out. It's hard to see your daughters heart hurting while at the same time yours is too. Keith will miss Easton, although you'd never get him to admit that. They were able to put up with the craziness of their parents together. And Eric has been so good for Steve. Getting him to loosen up a bit and do things he wouldn't normally do. The Benson's are our crazy friends. We've had adventures with them that we would have with no one else. When I think of Eric and Fay I think of laughter. We do that A LOT with them. I know it's not good bye, it's see you later, but that doesn't make it any easier.
I just have to focus on the blessing that they're not moving to Billings MT. 8 1/2 hours away. They aren't moving clear to GA. (I know that's random, but we left some dear friends there when we moved away and have missed them ever since.) They are just moving to the Tri-Cities. I know that's a blessing but right now it's hard to feel any thankfulness in my heart because I just want them to stay. And Eric has gotten a really good job which is a huge blessing, and I am happy for him to have that.
Kelly said to me the other day. "Mom, everything is changing. I don't want it to change." I don't blame her and I understand completely how she's feeling. I don't want it to change either. I know some changes will be for the good. But some are hard. Some I don't like.
Thank goodness we have a loving merciful Lord and Savior who will never change. He is our ever constant in a life with twists and turns.
So...that's what I lean on right now. When it comes to business, friendships, schedules, health, whatever it is we have going on in our lives, it can all change in an instant, but we can rest assured that our God is unchanging.