New Job Title: SAHM!

       I hadn't wanted to stay home...no I take that back...I did. When my son was first born in 2003 I cried buckets at the thought of going back to teaching. But my very supportive family and husband reminded me how much I love teaching and how much passion and time I had invested in this career. So, I went back. And then baby number two arrived and I found myself wanting just a little extra time. "Babies need their mommas." I negotiated 9 months maternity leave.  It was a wonderful time for our family, but when I got back I didn't regret returning.  Staying at home was HARD work!  And I loved the classroom, it was my  place in the world. Teaching is  my passion and I thanked my husband for not letting me give that up. Things were going well...kids were thriving...found a lovely home...had friends...on the right path....BAM...life changes.

       Now, here I am in a new city as a SAHM. Thanks to this great economy, my husband relocated to our homestate of Iowa and took a job.  I tried to teach, I really did! I worked on essasy questions until the wee hours in the night. I created a great webfolio while my kids watched endless videos (check it out if you'd like: teaching portfolio.) I sent out resumes and even went to a couple of interviews. But, no job. I was crushed, totally deflated. Then my husband reminded me that I could always "stay home". What? Stay home you say? My kids are potty trained, one is in school, and the other one is already 3 1/2. The babies are gone now! What would I do at home? I already get a  summer to play with them and organize the house, rest and recoup. I don't need 12 months of bickering brothers, tantrums, spills, endless story telling, and toys everywhere!  It is fun for a few months, but a whole year!

        This school year officially started this week, and thus my new career begins!  I have just begun to think about all the possibilities, the opportunities, the adventures, the memories, the teachable moments, the learning and growing that the kids will do. But wait...could it be that  I may be the one that will learn and grow and change. I guess we will see. Welcome to my journey!