Career VS Job

So what's the difference? For years, I didn't know the answer either. It's just been in the past year that I've discovered a career is something you love. Something your great at, something that makes you SHINE. A job is well, just a job and if you spend your days tirelessly watching the clock for your workday to end, then you haven't found your career yet. Below are 5 reasons why I LOVE my career!

1. I get to be a real hero. I protect lives, families and futures. How awesome is that?
2. My co-workers RULE. They are my second family. They are motivators, leaders, rockstars. Their knowledge and wisdom and talent is INSPIRING.
3. This doesn't feel like a J-O-B. I get up every morning excited about going to work.
4. Flexibility. This career has been ideal for this mother with 3 kids.
5. The income potential is RIDICULOUS. Just sayin'. If you have a job, find a career you LOVE.

 If you'd like to know more about mine and how you can participate in the opportunity of a lifetime, contact me!

Sweet Summertime

Summertime has (unoffically) arrived. Late Spring/ early Summer is probably my most favorite time of year. I love the warm tempratures, the sunshine, and of course fun at the lake, beach or in the pool.

This weekend, I did something even simpler that as a kid I absolutely loved doing with my Grandmother in the Summer - Noah and I caught fireflies in a glass jar.

We spent a good 45 minutes, outside, in the dark watching the flicker of fireflies, laughing and giggling and building memories. It made me think of my Grandmother and all the simple joys in life she taught me. Summers with her were the best. Whether we were catching fireflies, building paperdoll houses, fishing or even catching honeybees in a jar, my Grandmother taught me that sometimes the simplest, most inexpensive things in life are the most fun, and in the long run, the most treasured.

We are heading to the beach this week and I can't wait. I love the sand, ocean, and smell of suntan oil. Not to mention, we deserve this break. We've worked long and hard and overcome a lot in the past year, and it's time we celebrate our accomplishments. Let's not forget the beach makes for great photography too.

I've attached a couple of my photos I've been working on. I absolutely love photography and believe it's a talent God has blessed me with.

Life is good, God is great, and we couldn't be any happier at the moment.

Have a great weekend! And thank you to all of those who gave their lives for our freedom.

One Year Already?!

This is me. April Swancey, Agent and AUM for the Troy Dew branch in Meridian MS. I work for a life insurance company but not just any company, Liberty National Life Insurance Company.

So what makes us unique?

We are 112 years strong. We are built up of a dynamic group of people from all different walks in life. We are LEADERS. We are driven, hardworking everyday people who see a need for protecting families and their futures. We are SUPERHEROES.

The crazy part about it all is, well, almost a year ago today, I was sitting at home facing the unthinkable, never imagining that I, April Swancey, graduate of MSU with a B.A in Child and Adolescent Psychology would become an insurance agent.

Nearly a year ago today, I was sitting in the doctors office when I recived a phonecall that changed mine and my family's lives forever. My husband informed me he was about to loose his job. My heart dropped and I felt like someone had punched me in the stomach. Panic took over my body. And I did everything possible to keep from having a meltdown smack in the middle of the doctor's office.

Sitting in my car that afternoon I began to cry. I feared the worst. We had 3 kids under the age of 5. I had no job at the time, I feared loosing EVERYTHING.

Just two days prior, Troy had called me in for an interview for a company called Liberty National. My first thought was that there was no way in a million years I could ever sell insurance, so I immediately turned him down.

As I sat in that car that afternoon, my phone began to rang. The number was the same number that had just called me two days prior about a career opprotunity with LNL. Out of fear of the unknown, I agreed to come in and talk with Troy.

The day of the interview, I remember thinking to myself I would only stick with it for as long as I needed. That there was no way you could ever convince me to do this long term. I signed the contract and the day I went to work, my husband offically became unemployed.

I remember getting the call and being in the car with my UM. Tears filled my eyes, and once again all I could think about were the 3 little faces sitting at home waiting for me. I told my UM that day I didn't care what we had to do, but we had to figure out a way for my family to surtvive and that I was willing to work as long, as late and as hard as possible to acheieve that.

The next few weeks were the scariest weeks of my life. We had to rely on food stamps for the first time ever. But all the while my coworkers kept me motivated. They were some of my biggest cheerleaders. They reminded me everyday of why I was out there doing what I was doing and before I knew it, I fell in love with my career.

Within a month, we managed to get off of the food stamps. My income became enough for us to survive on without my husbands unemployment. He began his career search and soon landed a job better than the one he had before.

This past year my husband and I have done more things as a family than we've ever done. We've been on numerous trips, gone out to eat millions of times, were able to have a night out with just me and him overnight for the FIRST TIME EVER since we married nearly 5 years ago, bought things for our children we used to could only dream of and we owe it to God first, but to LNL second.

As I look back at the past year, I am blessed beyond belief. I have been blessed with coworkers who were a shoulder to cry on when worse came to worse, gave me an extra push when I felt like I just couldn't go on, and were cheering me on when I accomplished the unthinkable.

This has truly been one of the best years of my life and for the first time in a long time I can honestly say I truly love my career. My coworkers are my second family and my clients are some of the sweetest most down to earth people you could ever meet. My job doesn't feel like a job. My career has forever more changed my life.

On June 10, 2012 I will offically celebrate my one year anniversary with the company. If you have played a part in my success in any way, thank you. Thank you for believing in me, encouraging me, praying for me, and hanging in there with me. Without you, I wouldn't have made it this far. I am so thankful that LNL took a leap of faith on me.

Just a few shots

Comcast FINALLY sent our equipment - YAY! So here are a few shots I took back at easter.

more to come...

Jet Setter

It's been  a crazy few months. I haven't really had time for a whole lot of blogging. I'm still around though.

My job continues to amaze me at it's awesomeness. Dallas was a total blast and I can't wait to go back. I'm working hard on promoting up to the next level before the year is out.

The moving process is offically over. We had some interesting mishaps along the way (like um, someone using 30,000 gallons of water in a month we weren't even in the house?) but we didn't let any of it slow us down. We love our new house. It's quiet, it's peaceful, it has a beautiful shady yard. It's probably the nicest setup we've had since we've been together.

I am still obsessed with my camera and photography, just haven't had the time to upload any shots lately. Hoepfully by the weekend though, you'll be able to see what I've been up to in that area.

Fishing has become my weekend passion. I'm determined to catch the biggest one in Tom Bailey. We've gone 3 times in the past 2 weekends.

Johnny got another raise and Sundays off!!! Yay!

Smiley is learning more and more words. She can now say "cheese," "Swancey," "daddy," "mama," "cookie"

We got the offical registration packet for Noah to attend Kindergarten in the fall. Can't believe that's happening!!!

Memphis is turning into a little man too with his ever growing vocabulary and now everything that happens is "you fault"

We are off to Panama City in 2 1/2 weeks and I can't wait. It's a much needed vacation with all I've had going on lately.

God has been so good to us! We are blessed beyond measure. We are slowly day by day moving forward in the right direction, building our marriage stronger, our family bond stronger -- this will be our best year ever - hands down.

Aggra-ma-vated!!!!!!

Yes I created a new word. And yes, I'm really aggramavated! I moved a month ago, asked Directtv to move my stuff, called Comcast for Internet, and neither of them have showed up yet! Seriously, I'm ready to scream. On one hand it's not so bad because I love being outside, but on the other, like rainy days, it's frustrating!! On a completely random note, I'm hooked on fishing again! Got my first fishing license and fished all day Saturday and have plans to do it again this weekend! Maybe then I'll have an Internet connection so I can post about it!

I'm still here

Ive been busy to say the least. I've moved, promoted up in my job and flew to Texas. Had a blast in Texas but man the trip home was quite the adventure. I had a layover from Dallas to Houston, and our intelligent capitain underestimated the amount of fuel needed. So we got stuck on a runway for what was supposed to be 20 minutes but turned into 3 hours due to bad weather in Houston. Got home, hubby picked me up at JAX and my alternator died leaving the airport. I finally made it home at 4 AM. Anyway, car is fixed, we are settled in and life is good. I love our new home. I have tons more to blog on but I'm exhausted. Just thought I'd let you know I'm still here!