Finally!
October 17th, 2011I finally got the last of the pictures from our trip to Florida loaded!





It has been a very busy fall so far! The kids are doing great at school, David’s enjoying his job… all is good, just busy! I’m still working at a parent resource center part time and substitute teaching on demand.
Some things have fallen to the wayside – like blogging! – but there are still things I insist on… we have dinner together as a family every night we possibly can (Wednesdays we eat at church, we try to eat dinner before I go to PTA meetings), I try to make sure the kids practice their instruments every day, and (unless I’m subbing) I workout every day. Life gets A LOT busier once mama goes back to work! I’m so blessed, though, that I have a job where I don’t have to arrange for childcare for my kids on a regular basis, that I can put them on the bus in the morning and meet them when they get off it in the evening, and I have the energy left to fix homemade meals most nights. I wonder if the kids will ever look back and realize that it was a sacrifice – one that I happily make, but still a sacrifice. I have moments where I wish I had a full-time job with a regular 9-5 schedule instead of 3 half-days a week and early morning calls to come sub (which I’m always thankful for!), a job with benefits and more stability, a job where I manage a team of people and plan bigger events… but I love the lifestyle my jobs give me and I love the work I’m doing. I know I’m directly serving families in my own community, and I’m so glad I get the chance to help people. I also try really, really hard to be a loving, positive, encouraging influence on kids in my classes when I sub. This is my third year subbing, and since I do the majority of my subbing at one (smallish) school, its so sweet to walk through the lunchroom and have kids from different grades jump up and come hug me, and hear “Hi, Mrs. Woods!” as I walk down the hall.
I have realized I need to try to take some more “time off” during the weekends, when David is home with the kids. I don’t like to give up our family time, but working with kids so much during the week and spending the mornings and evenings with my kids does wear me down sometimes. I am such an extrovert, I never thought I’d need down-time, but I do! Being by myself, or being in situations with other adults where I can just be “Jen” (not Mama or Mrs. Woods) is important. I need that relaxation and renewal time. Whether its visiting friends, going shopping by myself, or taking a long bikeride – I need that time where I’m not responsible for any little people.
At the same time, I’ve realized that I’m feeling more confident in my abilities as a mother than I used to. I was talking with one of my college professors about how now I can look at my kids and just laugh at family/friends who questioned my parenting beliefs/values – as he said, “The data is in!” I have two lovely children who are both gifted, respectful, talented, and sweet. Every parent-teacher conference I’ve ever had I’ve been told my children are a joy, good helpers, very respectful, and fun to be around. I know that’s not _all_ due to my parenting style, but I feel like it does show me that I’m on the right path. Gentle discipline, a high-touch relationship (including co-sleeping and lots of cuddling!), and trying really hard to always show my kids the same respect I want them to show me _is_ the right choice for my family. Now I’m finally at a place where I can roll my eyes at family members who think I’m a pushover because I don’t spank, and at family members who think I’m mean because I have firm rules and consequences. And that’s a good place to be! I know I’m not a perfect mother – I’m always working on having more patience and not raising my voice. While I’m disappointed in myself when I slip, I keep working at it – and I’d like to think that THAT is what makes me a good mother.
Now I’m off to give the kiddos baths and read them to sleep, then tomorrow I’m off to share my time with a wonderful class of preschoolers!








