A pea in a pod

This post is a little late, but better late than never right!  For Halloween Drew was a Pea in a Pod and a cute one I might add.  Ruby was a chicken and let me tell you she was thrilled to be one!  Next year we must get her a little larger costume.  I was a nincompoop and didn't take one single picture of Drew by himself.  Thankfully my mom does have some on her camera.  Phew!  Thank goodness for nanny!(what the grand kids call my mom).  I thought I would share some pics.

He looks really enthused that we dressed him up!

Ok, now on to my blogging neglect.  Recently I was approached about coming out of semi-retirement from the workforce to work on a grant in the behavioral health services.  It was actually Brendan that was approached about this part-time position and he said that it would have to meet a few criteria.  It would have to off-set day care costs, I would really have to enjoy the work, and our day care would have to have an opening.  Well, all those things just fell into place and I am now currently working 3 days a week and I really am loving it.  Drew is absolutely loving day care and sleeping much better after he is there.  The other day I picked him up and he and his little buddy, he goes to an in home day care, they were playing with this music table and they were having these great little belly laughs between the two of them!  It seems to be a great situation for all of us and the grant I'm working on lasts a year and when I'm done if I want to stay at home again, full-time then I can, and if I want to find something else part-time then that's an option too.  Right now, it seems like everything fell into place and everyone is very happy. I will try to update this blog more often but I've been trying to get the lay of the land and have had some training lately so I've been a busy bee! 

Have a great week!

Well I wasn't expecting that

This morning I had some news given to me that I can't quite figure out how to take.  My bosses whom I both love dearly came to my office to chat with me.  They told me that due to major budget cuts in our school's district my position would be being cut.  They went on to tell me that this had absolutely nothing to do with my performance and that it really hurt them to have to cut my position, however we are overloaded in my department, and I am the newest edition, therefore I am the first to go.  My last day will be later this month at the end of the semester. 

   Both my bosses said that they would be more than happy to write me letters of rec and the HR director I spoke with said that if there is any position in the district that might open up in my field, it's mine!  He was very complimentary of my work, and again told me it had nothing to do with my performance.  All three supervisors that I spoke with said that they have enjoyed having me at the school and hate to see me go.  However, when you have to cut 1.5 million dollars from your budget, you have to start somewhere.

 At first, I am devastated, crying in my office and didn't know what to do.  I thought working in education gave me a somewhat "safe" job....Apparently, not so much.  Then as I talked to B,  and my co-workers I started to look at this as a blessing.  I am currently 7 months pregnant, we close on our new home on Friday and this will allow me to have time to get our house ready, decorate a nursery and enjoy my time at home with half-pint.  Thankfully we have prepared for something like this financially and my benefits are not through my school! 

 

   This afternoon B actually got a call from a friend that his son needs tutoring along with some other families that might be intersted in hiring me to tutor their child.  Not a bad gig until half-pint arrives and maybe even after.  We shall see.....

  I do wholeheartedly believe that God has a special plan for me and although I was considering pursuing other options after half-pint arrived, I honestly believe this is the push I needed.  There is a silver lining to this.  All I can do in move onward and upward.

 

  This week must get better!  I failed my 1 hour glucose test last week and I have my 3 hour this week...I better pass, and closing on our home needs to go smoothly!  A good cheesburger one of these days wouldn't hurt either!

Why I do what I do...

I get asked this question quite a lot lately. I work in the social services field and each day is full of rewards, challenges and break-downs. I will be very honest that in this field you don't make a ton of money, but to me it's well worth it! Here's why I do what I do...

First, it is my true belief that God has called me to help shape the next generation. I have never had a job where I felt this passion and love for a job or the people I work with. I love each day I see these little children's faces come into my room and know that for 2 hours they are safe and will be taken care of. These kids I work with are ages 5-10, and most come from broken homes, may be in foster care or living with a relative. These kids have had people leave them, abuse them, neglect them, and if I can be that one person that makes their life a little easier, then my job is done. If I can show them what real relationships are, then I feel accomplished. If I can put that trust in them that not all adults will abandon them, then I feel complete.

These children come from nothing, may have no home, no clothes, no love and affection and to see them run into my room, give me a big hug and say they are happy to see me, is worth so much more to me than any paycheck will ever be. I do what I do because these children need someone to be the stability in their life, and I can provide that. I provide a safe place for them to express their anger with their parents, or family....a safe place for them to be kids, and a safe to be who they are. To them my group room may be the only place in their life that they can do that.

Lastly, I do what I do because seeing these children succeed is priceless, to see them become something they never thought would even be possible is a truly a gift that God has given me. That is why I do what I do.