My Big News!!!

A couple of weeks ago, I alluded to some big news to share...

...well the "i"s have been dotted and the "t"s have been crossed...my background check was completed...and my references were contacted...the official offer was made and accepted THIS MORNING....

...and so...

I'M A WORKING MOM AGAIN!

Five years ago, when I walked out of my Third Grade classroom for the last time, I swore I would never go back to teaching.

I was overwhelmed...and under-supported.  NOT from my school district...and NOT even by my family...it was just the work-family situation was not working for us.

I had a three-year old and a one-year old and a husband who worked all of the time (he still does!).  I have in-laws in KC, but they live over 50 miles away from us...I was using a great in-home daycare, but I still felt that my kids weren't getting what they needed from me...from us...as a couple.

So, I made the decision to walk away from teaching.

Last Day of School in May 2008

I don't regret one single minute of these past 5 years! They've been the best years of my life, including the blessing of another baby!!!  Who would have ever though it!  Getting to be a stay-at-home mom while pregnant and then not having to go back to work after 12-weeks (oh, yes, I do take my full FMLA maternity leave!!!!!!!!!) were experiences that I longed to know and that God blessed me with.

Luke Alexander's First Christmas (December 2010, 5-months)

But the Father...ooooh, the Father knows us so much better than we know ourselves.  And he uses his Holy Spirit to stir awakenings within us...to whisper messages to us...and to place us in situations where we interact with others that can lead to life-changing decisions!!!

Since Mary Catherine was enrolled in Kindergarten I've been that mom!  You know the one...Room Mother...PTO member...classroom volunteer...

When we made the switch from public to parochial school, I really felt called to help out in whatever capacity I was needed.  Sometimes this looked like PTO Officer and volunteer, and other times it was me working the Scholastic Book Fair, putting up teacher bulletin boards, or volunteering in the cafeteria.  And always with my side-kick Luke!  

My husband warned me this would happen...

...he promised me that Tonia, Mary and Benjamin's principal, would call and offer me a job, but I poo-pooed it!


Well, on the first day of Summer Break, I got a phone call from "Catholic School".  Of course, I was still in jammies, lounging around with a cup of coffee, while my kiddos were running through the house beating on each other.  I had no idea when I picked up that phone that my life was about to change!

Seems that the school was looking for a Part-Time Resource Room Specialist (SPED) to work 12-15 hours a week.

I didn't even hesitate to say, "yes".  As in, I hadn't even had a minute to process...or call the hubby...or talk to the kids...

...I just knew that this was an opportunity of a life time and a calling that I was supposed to answer.

I've had stirrings in my heart for some time now to return to the classroom.  But, I feel that family must come first and the expectations of a full-time teaching position were just not right for our little family of five.  Besides, my youngest is only 2-years old!

Still, each time there was an opening for a full-time grade level teacher at the school, my heart would long just the tiniest bit to apply and I would be disappointed that the opportunity was presenting itself now instead of in the future.

But, God is so good...he works situations for our benefit!

A couple of weeks ago, I posted that Luke self-potty-trained.  (Oh, we've had a few bad "accident" days, but seriously...the BOY is still 2!)  Well, potty-training was one of my biggest stressors about accepting this teaching position.  How in the world was I going to enroll my newly-turned 3 year old, (he turns 3 less than 1 month before starting preschool) in a program when he wasn't potty trained.

Well, God took care of that.

Then, when the offer was made, Luke was specifically factored into the formula...meaning...I work when he is in preschool!!!  The school is actually setting up my schedule so that I work with kiddos in the afternoons while Luke is in the 3-year old room.

Oh, did I mention that I'm getting a small (LOL) stipend, but that more importantly we are getting a reduction on tuition for both the elementary and preschool fees????!!!!!

Wow.

Did I already mention that God is so good????!!!

So, my friends, that is my big news.  I guess I truly didn't realize how much I missed the classroom and working with students.  I've been contemplating a SPED (special education) endorsement to add to my Master's Degree that I earned in 2004.  In order to return to return to work full-time (not in the immediate future) I need to take a minimum of 6 graduate-level hours to re-certify and I've been considering taking special education classes.  Now, I get to actually put into practice (immediately) coursework that I will be taking in the future.

For now, though, we are going to ease into things slowly.  We are going to enjoy the rest of our summer...regroup and get used to mom working outside of the home...and then I will return to Grad School.

Oh...and since before Memorial Day...as the hiring process took longer than I thought it would...I've been praying this prayer...

Let nothing disturb you,

Let nothing frighten you,

All things are passing;

God only is changeless.

Patience gains all things.

Who has God wants nothing.

God alone suffices.

(St. Teresa's Bookmark)