The summer has officially ended in our house with the yearly closing of the pool. There are still some very warm days in the forecast like today’s heat in excess of 90 degrees, but once school starts there is just not enough time in the day. Speaking of school, the fist day was a success for all! Both girls had great days especially our new first grader.
Ready to take the field
The first day seems like a life time ago already. Saturday morning was picture perfect. Although there was a slight chill in the air, the sun, high in a bright blue sky was warm and comfortable. Our day started with a season opening soccer game with the youngest at 9am. At her age they play 2 fields of 4 on 4, open goal. This is my husbands first year coaching soccer and the first time most of the girls have played together. There were many bright spots. A little girl who just could not keep herself from picking up the ball mid play was not necessarily one of the brightest but the season looks to be fun none the less.
The look of a 3-0 shut-out to start the season!
The travel game with the older child was much better. I think what made this game so much fun was the fact that over the last year we sat through many (emphasis many) bad, down right ugly soccer games. With Megan as the full-time goal keeper this year we feel extra pressure to ensure she plays her best. Saturday the entire team stepped up and played the best game we have seen them play as a team. The final score was 3-0..first game of the year and first shut out of what we hope will be a wonderful soccer year for Megan and team.
The week is flying by with time split between my few hours at the school doing cafeteria and playground duty, soccer practice, karate and everything in between. How quickly our lazy days of summer have been filled with days that just do not have enough hours.
On a totally different note, I caught a few minutes of the news last night as I was getting dinner ready for the girls. The story was about a new pump to help to identify breast cancer up to 10 years sooner than with current methods. I do not know how much data they have collected on it or how accurate it is but I would like to believe that such advances are true and reliable. I think about my young daughters and the very real high risk possibility that they face of breast cancer. I can only hope and pray that the advances continue so by the time my babies have to face tough decisions, like me they will be lucky enough to be able to act proactively.
With both of my girls heading to school full-time this year, it has been difficult for me to stay focused. No surgeries to schedule, no scans or appointment to get to and no child arriving home after just a few hours of school for lunch. A few weeks ago I finally settled myself into the reality that my babies were growing. I decided that although I still need to be home for bus stop and homework duty, I needed to spread my wings a bit. I spent many nights after the rest of the family was in bed thinking about what my day would look like.
I started to think about jobs and what that would look like. I reached out to some old work colleagues for advice. One stood out, the person said, “say what you believe and get your family/work boundaries established early”. As I looked around I saw part-time work that required weekends or night hours. The only times I have missed putting my girls to bed was when I was in the hospital after the mastectomy. My girls play soccer as well as many other things and I love being the proud momma on the sidelines win-lose or draw. Many headaches, much thinking and the words, “get your family/work boundaries established early.”
I turned to what seemed to be the most logical place available, our local school district employment board. I sent a few applications for things, went for an interview 2 weeks ago and received final word today. I am now officially a cafeteria/playground assistant at one of the local elementary schools. I will work a few hours a day but will have off when my girls do, go in after they are well on the way to school and will be home in plenty of time to get them from the bus. Sounds perfect!
I have not worked outside of my home for 9 years now….I am still amazed as I think about that. I will admit that I am a bit nervous and excited about the next chapter in our lives. It is a long way from CEO of IBM, (what I always told my mother I wanted to be when I was young) but for a first grader who can’t open that darn water bottle….pretty important :-).
Thank you to all who provided thoughts and advice. I appreciated it all!
Decisions for my Family 