Monday, August 13, 2012

Unexpected

For the past 10 years I've been a stay-at-home mom.

I've absolutely loved it, too, by the way.  I can't imagine anything else I would have preferred to spending a ton of time with my kids during their early years.  I know it's not everyone's choice, and it isn't always even feasible for everyone...my goal here is not to stir up that age old debate of what a mom should or shouldn't do.  I'm simply saying I chose to be at home with my kids and I would choose it again in a heartbeat.

But this fall, something new is happening.  My youngest is going to Kindergarten.  For the first time in a decade, I find myself child-free from 8 AM to 3 PM five days a week.

It's a big change for me.  It's like a giant canyon of unknown, and I am hesitantly, carefully creeping up to edge to look.  I don't know what this new stage is like, or what it will bring to my world.  Therefore, I purposefully have kept my schedule very open.  I decided to sit back and see what would happen.  Perhaps God might lead me into something new that I had no idea was even a possibility.

And that is what happened.  I got a call out of the blue last week from the director of the preschool where each of my kids went.  She explained that they were needing a teacher for the Tuesday/Thursday 3's class and they thought I'd be a great fit.

I was surprised, and did not rush to a decision.  I carefully weighed all the pros and cons I could think of.  I talked it over with Cody and with my closest friend (Who happens to be a career counselor.  She's been an amazing friend to me because I've needed a lot of counseling lately and now I have even tapped into her specialty area!  Let's hope she never sends me her bill...)

I decided to take the job.  And I'm really excited about it!

Now I suddenly find myself in a whirlwind of preparation that I was not expecting, but I am thankful for it.  This is a great opportunity for me, for many reasons.  I am looking forward to seeing the ways God uses this job to mold my heart in new ways and how he might use me to bless the lives of those I will interact with during the year.

3 comments:

Rachel said...

How cool! I have often thought about how my life will change when the boys are both in school full-time. It is a big change, that's for sure. Even in Sept, when they're both in preschool for the first time ever, is a bit of a change for me!

I am so excited for you! I think they are right...you will be perfect for the job! I hope these days of preparation are not too stressful for you and that you get settled in quickly. How lucky those kiddos will be to have Mrs. Becky as their teacher!

Christina said...

Congratulations, Becky! Yes, that is a big transition and I'm glad that you will be doing something that you enjoy to fill the time! I also can't believe that Lucas is in Kindergarten - wow!

Anonymous said...

You'll be happy to know that my procrastination tactics have drawn me in to your blog and I can't stop reading but well...I must. I have to get to work on this presentation I have coming up. But before I do I wanted to comment right here and say that I'm super excited about your job. Your students are going to have a great year and I know, first hand, how much time, energy and thought is going into your preparation. Not to mention the love that overflows from you that will touch their little hearts and tell them in so many ways that God loves them. Greta