Another Working Stiff

It's been almost six months since I left my job. Our summer passed unbearably fast and was quite literally the best summer of my life. But now the boys are back in school and I figured it was time for me to make myself useful again.

I started subbing for the school district during the first full week of school. Subbing is a little stressful because you never know from day to day if you'll be working... So planning the day's activities can be challenging at best. The first and only position I was giving was as a para in the health clinic at a middle school ten minutes away from our house. When I found out that the lady I was subbing for had resigned her position, I immediately went home and applied for the job.

The posting has to stay active for a week before they pick interview candidates in our school system so while I was waiting, I kept on subbing in the position I'd applied for. I tried to learn as much as I could as quickly as I could and prove myself to be helpful and competent.

My interview was last Friday. Two other candidates were interviewed ~ it was strange to watch my competition coming and going while I worked away as the interviews were conducted in the office across the hall from where I was working. I did well in the interview and about a half hour before I left to go home for the day, the school principal called me in his office to tell me they'd selected me!

I would have liked to work part time but positions like that just aren't available in the school district that I've been able to find... and it was more important to me to find a position that would give me summers off to spend with my boys.

I'm so excited about this opportunity ~ it's what I've been working for the past year and finally my work has paid off. I really enjoy being in the school ~ middle schoolers are a whole new ball game for me and I'm trying hard to put myself in their shoes and remember what life was like as a 6th, 7th and 8th grader. I love being around so many people and not stuck in an office alone most of the time. It's busy and the days pass quickly.

So here I go... off on a whole new adventure!

Quiet

It feels like fall today, in Colorado. The leaves are still on the trees, but the air is crisp and cool. It's temporary, but predicting the season (my favorite!) that's right around the corner.

My summer with the boys is over.

We had a wonderful summer together ~ it was just what I'd hoped it would be! Not knowing whether or not I'll be able to duplicate this summer (according to my job situation), I was determined to make it the best it could be. I wrote down an activity on our dry erase board calendar for each day ~ not wanting to waste any of our days together with mindless play.

We started our days with a bit of school work in summer work books I bought for the occasion... hoping to prevent the loss of education that naturally happens over a summer of fun. Our afternoons were spent at the pool, the movies, the park, bowling, roller skating, making cookies, doing art projects, visiting museums, the zoo and the library. I loved every minute of it.

Watching Connor, a friend's little boy that Gavin met at a local preschool, was perfect. He is well behaved and well mannered and my boys got along very well with him. He blended in perfectly with our family and we loved having him as a part of our summer adventures!

But now, they're all back in school. It's quiet here as I wait for the phone to ring, bidding me to come work. I'm glad to have the time alone but I could see myself easily getting too lonely. I'm still having a hard time accepting that it's all over...

I feel like a very lucky Mama to have had the opportunity I did to spend my days with my boys... they are such good boys and I really enjoy my time with them. I can't imagine a more perfect summer than the one I just had!