I don't know if moms back in the day felt guilty as they sent their husbands off to work, but I sure as hell do. Don't get me wrong, it feels WONDERFUL to be able to drive Mackenzie to school, hang out with Sadie all day, hit the gym, plan for dinner, and take care of things around the house, but my poor husband. He is working his days off lately to ensure we are okay.
As a working mom for the last 9 years, I am truly appreciative of his efforts but feel so freakin' guilty! Guess I'll have to come up with a kick-ass dinner for tonight!
NOLA 2014
Friday, September 17, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
How in the world did I end up here?
This morning, as I lay in bed, I wondered as I have so many times lately, how in the world did I end up here? Not just the physicality of B.F.E. Texas, but here...age 34, mother of 2 girls, newlywed, stay-at-home-mom??? I'm not complaining, really. I don't think I've ever been happier. It's just the changes in my life have happened so suddenly that I'm just now beginning to notice.
Two years ago, I was a single mom of two girls, struggling to get by. Luckily, I have a great family, everyone helped out. I worked as a teacher in Flint, where I grew up. I had that desparate need to give back to my community. I taught in the ever so struggling school system of Flint, along side great teachers and not so great ones. My cousin would come to my house in the morning after working 3rd shift all night to watch my little one, while I drove my oldest to her father's house so she could catch the bus to a school in Grand Blanc, which was deemed superior to our neighborhood school. I'd come home, make dinner, do homework, prepare lessons, try to have meaningful play time with both girls, then do baths, and stories, and bed. I was exhausted, but I had no choice.
I grew increasingly disappointed in Flint Schools. That could be a whole other post, anyhow, I began looking elsewhere. And for once, I felt I had no ties. I had a brief teaching experience with Village Oaks in Novi, Michigan....AMAZING school! But with the economy my job was going to be reduced to 80%. So, I took this as a sign to look further.
I discovered the KIPP school network, Knowledge is Power Program, and was sold from the get go. I applied, was hired, and moved to San Antonio, Texas all with in a 3 month time frame. It meant long days, for me and my girls, but it was worth it! KIPP is what Flint students need. Huge difference in dedication by both the staff and the students. But my poor little girls. We left the house at 6:30am and returned at 6:30pm. I just kept telling myself that many families work long hours, so lots of kiddos have long days like this in school and daycare. I wasn't successful at convincing myself that it was okay, but it was necessary.
I felt extremely fulfilled in my teaching career. I made wonderful friends with a very talented group of colleagues, but I was struggling to feel like I was giving my girls enough of me. I was also feeling the need to meet someone, date, and get out and have fun, but without any family in Texas, that was tricky.
I looked to facebook to make new friends, I attended University of Michigan Alumni events in Austin to open up my social network a bit...but it wasn't until March that everything kinda came together.My now- husband Will and I went to SXSW in Austin (my favorite city in Texas). It reminds me a lot of Ann Arbor. Anyway, I was in love. He, unfortunately, lived 7 hours away in a town I'd never heard of near Louisiana and Arkansas. And from the time we met, he drove every Thursday night to come stay with me until Sunday. We both knew it was crazy, but come June when school was out, I moved in with him. We were married July 13th! And here I am....in B.F.E. Texas.
Two years ago, I was a single mom of two girls, struggling to get by. Luckily, I have a great family, everyone helped out. I worked as a teacher in Flint, where I grew up. I had that desparate need to give back to my community. I taught in the ever so struggling school system of Flint, along side great teachers and not so great ones. My cousin would come to my house in the morning after working 3rd shift all night to watch my little one, while I drove my oldest to her father's house so she could catch the bus to a school in Grand Blanc, which was deemed superior to our neighborhood school. I'd come home, make dinner, do homework, prepare lessons, try to have meaningful play time with both girls, then do baths, and stories, and bed. I was exhausted, but I had no choice.
I grew increasingly disappointed in Flint Schools. That could be a whole other post, anyhow, I began looking elsewhere. And for once, I felt I had no ties. I had a brief teaching experience with Village Oaks in Novi, Michigan....AMAZING school! But with the economy my job was going to be reduced to 80%. So, I took this as a sign to look further.
I discovered the KIPP school network, Knowledge is Power Program, and was sold from the get go. I applied, was hired, and moved to San Antonio, Texas all with in a 3 month time frame. It meant long days, for me and my girls, but it was worth it! KIPP is what Flint students need. Huge difference in dedication by both the staff and the students. But my poor little girls. We left the house at 6:30am and returned at 6:30pm. I just kept telling myself that many families work long hours, so lots of kiddos have long days like this in school and daycare. I wasn't successful at convincing myself that it was okay, but it was necessary.
I felt extremely fulfilled in my teaching career. I made wonderful friends with a very talented group of colleagues, but I was struggling to feel like I was giving my girls enough of me. I was also feeling the need to meet someone, date, and get out and have fun, but without any family in Texas, that was tricky.
I looked to facebook to make new friends, I attended University of Michigan Alumni events in Austin to open up my social network a bit...but it wasn't until March that everything kinda came together.My now- husband Will and I went to SXSW in Austin (my favorite city in Texas). It reminds me a lot of Ann Arbor. Anyway, I was in love. He, unfortunately, lived 7 hours away in a town I'd never heard of near Louisiana and Arkansas. And from the time we met, he drove every Thursday night to come stay with me until Sunday. We both knew it was crazy, but come June when school was out, I moved in with him. We were married July 13th! And here I am....in B.F.E. Texas.
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