A 2-working parent-home. Yep. That's us!

I am developing a new respect for my friends and family who have always worked and raised their families. It is hard. I'm finding out that it is difficult to split my time between my family and my work. I am bound to do less well on one or the other, but that is the life a working mom, it seems. That sounds a little depressing to write it out here, but it feels like the truth right now. I am not able to spend as much time on my kids as I once did, and I don't have the energy or patience to mediate or teach my own kids like I once did. I'm hoping that over time things will balance more, but at the same time I'm realizing that balance won't come until I focus on that. So, although I hesitate to make resolutions, I did this year. One of my "resolutions" was to spend less time on work things and more time with my family. I only allow myself to work late 1 (sometimes 2) days each week, and I cannot bring work home with me unless there is some "emergency" where something just has to be done, and there is no way I can juggle time to get it finished in time. I also still do my regular Sunday lesson planning, since I have not figured out where the time for that will come during regular work hours. At some point, I hope to get that done at school too, so I won't have to bring that home either. Teaching is what I am meant to do; these last 6 months have confirmed that for me. I went back to school for my degree because I really felt God wanted me to work with children and show them that there are people in the world who will love them. Although it took a long time, that purpose has not changed. I am really working on my brain to remember what is important: My family. God's will for me. Then all the other stuff. I guess things have been overwhelming for a little too long, and I am nearing desperation to be free of the burdens. It's time for me to find a new way. So that's what I'm working on: the new way to live my life!

Kindle Fire

Today I got a new tech. toy! I have been thinking about getting one for a while and finally decided to go ahead and do it after Christmas. So far (after about an hour playing with it) I am really happy with it! I can do Internet stuff as well as using it as an Ereader. I'm pretty excited to have a few minutes before bedtime to wind down. Since I began working, trips to the library have all but stopped,so having access to reading material will be good. We'll see how this works, but I think it will be pretty great!

Trimming the tree

We followed tradition and put the tree up Saturday. I pushed for white lights this year, and with a 3 to 1 vote, we got the white lights! Kathryn was disappointed, but once she saw the finished tree, she did agree it looks very nice. Now the Christmas fun can begin! 11 1/2 days until the kids and I are out of school. It can't come fast enough.

Fink Thanksgiving

The kids building a fort out of leaves. They were entertained for hours! We had to stop them at dark to clean up (by flashlight).

 

My class