I love being a parent. It is the most rewarding thing I have ever done.
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.
3 hours ago