I have been home with my kids for 12 years now. I gave up my teaching career to be with them full-time. It is something I will never regret... or take for granted. All of the sacrifices were worth it. (And, that is what I remind myself every time I get into Nurse Boy's old, rusty, and smelly van.) My husband was the biggest advocate for our decision to live off of one income. Truly, he was the one who sacrificed the most.
It was a GREAT run...
However, I am now a working woman. God started to give me a desire to go back to work in the fall of 2011. I fought it for awhile, but I ended up applying for a paraprofessional position (think Teacher's Aide in the Special Education Department) at Bruiser's and Sweet Pea's school. Their principal was so supportive and hired me this past summer. I love that God brought her into our lives.
I taught 3rd grade before Dimples was born. It is a different world going back as a Para, but I am simply not ready for all of the responsibilities that come with a classroom of students. My paycheck is much smaller, but so are my responsibilities. I get to take my kids to school, start working when the bell rings and head home with them when the bells signals the end of the day. The job has many of it's own challenges, but I love that I am tapping into something I am passionate about. The one-on-one time I get with the students is very rewarding. Plus, I get "drive-by" hugs from my kids every day. They love having me in the building and I love that I get to be a part of their school day. God has great ideas!
Nurse Boy is still in school. (Yes, it has been 5 years. 5 long years. Thanks for asking.) He is on the path to be a Clinical Nurse Specialist. He is still the Nurse Educator in the GI Lab. It is his passion. He is currently acting as the Interim Nurse Manager as his boss and mentor is battling cancer. He is expected to have a full recovery and Nurse Boy is happy to help out during this difficult time. Next year Nurse Boy will be in school full-time and working full-time. He is excited to finish his journey, but he still has a rough road ahead of him. He is such a hard worker and I am his biggest fan. I am blessed to watch this man be the best husband, father, and nurse that he can be. God continues to use Nurse Boy in a mighty way.
This last year has been filled with many blessings and some tough moments. Cancer has attacked 4 of our friends this year. While 3 of them are strong and fighting the dreadful disease, one of our friends left this home for his eternal home. He was a man of faith who left behind an amazing family. He was our age. We found ourselves heartbroken for his children and his wife. We still are. This year has been a humbling one as we are continually reminded that this world is not our eternal home. Life is short. We have struggled, not with our faith, but with the harsh realities of this world.
God is still good. We continue to seek Him in all things. We are thankful for our health and we are counting our blessings daily. We desire to glorify Him... nothing else really matters.
4 comments:
That is a great family picture. It's good to see you here again, and to see the changes in your family. We don't always know where God is leading, but as long as He is leading, I'm willing to follow.
I am so glad to hear you singing the praises of our wonderful Lord when you could so easily have written a mopey complaining post about all the same things. He has taken you to this place in your lives and He will guide you through it. Being this far into the school career or Nurse Boy does it seem kind of daunting to have the end in sight? To know that a whole different lot of crazy awaits at that point? Praying for you as you get closer and closer and need more and more patience as it will some days seem like it is still so far away.
It is so good to be able to catch up with you all! It's hard to believe how much the kids have grown since your last post (well the Meet You At the Pole post)! I'm glad Nurse Boy is still on track, and that you all are still fighting the good fight!
Lots of things have changed in my world, too, so when you have time read back through my posts.
God Bless!
Love how God brings us provision and places us perfectly in different seasons. Grateful that you had that time as a stay at home mom, and now can help support your husband's career in a different way (while still be an awesomesauce mom :)
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