Ramblings

I love Sundays. Mostly for the worship but also for the rest.

Changes are coming in our family regarding both mine and my husbands current positions at our schools. It looks like we will both be moving within our respective school districts. Change can be exciting and good. It remains to be seen if these will: 1. happen for sure 2. be totally good.

We'll see. We'll know soon for my husband and next month for me. (but informally we've both been given the news that we'll most likely have changes)

It sure is warming up and spring is here. I planted seeds with my students last week. Hopefully they will grow. I am not a very good gardener, so I hope that it works so I don't have upset 5/6 year olds.

After a lot of research and a great deal of prayer and seeking, I have decided to wear a Mantilla to Mass. (and also anytime I'm in the presence of our Lord as we Catholics believe) My reasons are so multi-layered and the process of my listening to God's call for me to do this has been quite a journey. I do not like the looks I get and I hope to be back to being more invisible soon....I do not like attention in the least bit and this is probably the most challenging aspect of following what I see as something I have to do and must do.

Life continues to be quite an adventure and great blessing.

Our younger daughter was the Saint Patrick's Day Queen. She went along with it because she realizes that being as red of a redhead as she is, this will be one of the "duties" she'll probably be given for many years. I thought she was lovely and anyone who knows us personally knows how incredible looking she is...thankfully she is not too aware of it! (and she does not know about this blog so she won't read it here either!) The same daughter was Lady Macbeth in a recent play. It was quite good. She is also in a musical that we'll go see in late April.

Our oldest daughter did well at State and she is also in the same musical as her younger sister. She is learning how to drive and honestly she scares me when I'm with her! She really hates driving and would rather not learn, but living where we do without public transportation, she does not have a choice in the matter. I feel bad for her but have faith that she will eventually learn. I try not to laugh when I'm out with her...it really is that comical. Poor thing. Other than driving, she is doing very well.

Our oldest son is still making bad choices. Please pray for him.

Our youngest son is doing well also. He loves learning Latin and is sticking with his violin lessons. We decided to strictly limit his gaming and he is still adapting to it. That came about quite by chance because our computer was down (being in Wyoming, it takes a month to get a part in) and we realized how much improved his behavior and creativity was without the computer games. I guess it was a blessing in disguise.

Our middle son is keeping the same course and moving along in life. He is our guy who we adopted shortly before his first birthday. (from an orphanage in Mexico) He has Down syndrome and some other behavior challenges. He keeps things interesting around here.

Peace

Still missing home

I am still struggling with working full-time outside of our home.

If you do not know me, you do not know the dynamics of our family and why it is proving to be so very difficult having me work full-time. If you do...well, you understand! (in a huge nutshell....two children with chronic health conditions, two "typical" children, and one child with severe MR, ODD, ADHD)

I'm averaging around 60 hours a week and it is really difficult.

I love where I work and love teaching, however it is the hours and the responsibilities at home on top of working so many hours that is really hurting.

I also think because my husband and I have always made sure to live well beneath our means and made sure his salary was all we counted on. Well, when he was unemployed....it did not matter what we had planned!

It is like it says in (I think) Saint James...about how we can plan all we want, but we should really be saying "if Lord wills it....we will go here and do this....". I know that.

I do love teaching and I know I am good at what I do. Teaching full-time is something we (husband and I) had talked about my doing when our kids were grown. But not before then. Part-time teaching and/or sub-teaching would work very well...but not full-time.

I guess I'm just missing home and missing what I thought life would be like this year.

I do have to say that I am grateful I am teaching at the Parish school where we are members of the Parish. I did ask to be moved to 2nd grade for next year and I hope I get moved....If not, I know I will only stay one more year. (I'm not a career kindergarten teacher) I think if I get moved to 2nd grade, it may help a great deal. I'd still be putting in the long hours but the daily physical exhaustion of teaching a full class of five year olds without an aid would be gone.

We'll see what happens. I doubt I'll know anything until after Lent.

Speaking of Lent, I hope all those who participate in this season are experiencing a closer walk with our Lord through what is being given up and by what is being done additionally. I do love this season so very much.

Peace