A new stage of life

In a recent job interview (I will explain that in a minute), I was asked where I see myself in the next 3-5 years.  My answer was something I had not really realized up to this point.  I am in a new stage of life.  For the first time I'm not caring for babies, newly adopted children, or homeschooling 5 days a week.  I actually have some TIME!

The homeschool program the boys go it is moving to 3 days a week for 7-12 grade.  That means a couple of things for me.  One is that I have 3 full days to myself when the girls are also in school!  The second thing is that tuition is higher.  Up to this point we have been very blessed to be able to pay tuition.  The first year Larry had a different job and made more money.  The second year a family member helped us with a large chunk of the tuition.  This year we literally have no idea how we will pay for them to go to school.  Pulling them out will never be an option.  This is the best thing that has ever happened to them related to their education.

When I realized that I had both 3 days alone, and no money, I decided it was time to look for a part time job.  I am picky....very picky.  We have a unique family and not every job will work for us.  There was one job I would have loved, but the hours were evenings and weekends.  We decided there was no way I could do that.  I've been searching for a couple of months and recently learned that one of our local school districts was looking for a parent educator.  If you aren't familiar with that, it is through a Parent's As Teachers program.  It is designed for families with children birth-3.  They are assigned a parent educator who comes into their home.  This parent educator is there to support the parents, encourage them, help them find developmentally appropriate activities, answer questions, and identify any early intervention needed.  I think I would love it.  It's only 17 hours and you set most of your own schedule.  I interviewed a couple of weeks ago.  Unfortunately just yesterday I discovered that it payed too much for us to qualify for Medicaid for Oksana so if they call me to offer me the job I will have to turn it down.  Infuriating.  Which brings me to the next opportunity I have been given.

One of my first thoughts when I realized that I wanted to see about getting a job was to go to the boys' school to see if they needed help.  I'm simply looking for help paying tuition so it just made sense that anything I did there would knock off some tuition and help out.  I've been talking with them for a couple of months about some opportunities but nothing quite worked out.  They talked to me about a preschool teaching position but after praying about it I realized that I am in a stage of life where the preschool age is just not a place I want to be.  They want people with a passion for what they do.  I was not feeling the passion....at all! Then a couple of weeks later I found out they needed someone to teach their high school public speaking class.  I inquired about it, talked to Larry about it, and talked to Clayton since he will be one of my students.  We all seemed to feel it was a good opportunity so I took it!  It is only 3 days a week from 2:30-3:45.  A couple of days after that they also offered me a front desk position.  I will work from 8am-12 the same three days helping out as a receptionist.  I'm exited for this opportunity to help their school and help us pay tuition!

In another area of life that is entering a new stage, I have a kid meeting some big "growing up" milestones that bring in a whole new season of parenting!  In June Clayton turned 16.  Last week he got his drivers license and started a new job!  This is so strange!  He drives himself to work.  That's just weird.  Then we went just Friday to get him a checking account!  I personally love this stage of parenting, but it is scary too!  There are all kinds of new experiences and emotions to deal with in all of us!