New Job

I finally started work at the beginning of January. I'm working for a really neat nursing home that is just down the street. (Between the kids school and our home is where I work.)

I have not worked a "real" job since I was first married. Coming up with a resume was disastrous to my ego. Luckily, I'm done with that part. This last year, I worked for my brother in his custom tile business, but he didn't need a resume, and the hours were REALLY flexible. So, real job, here I am!!

I work 40 hours+ a week with every other weekend off. The hours are 6:30am- 3:00pm. It's great in that I'm home in the evenings with my kids. It's not so great that I'm a night owl and I'm working early mornings. Papa Echo says I'm a "light weight" now because by 9:30pm I'm falling asleep.

I have always been concerned about being a "working mom" and not a "stay at home mom". I'm finding that my kids don't seem too concerned. It may be because of the hours, or their ages, or because they feel so confident in their parents love that they can handle anything... okay I may be stretching on that last idea... I know it also helps that Papa Echo is able to bring them to and from school and run them around to various activities on the weekend. When his help ends (meaning he finds a job that has different work hours than his current contract work), then things may not run quite as smooth. We'll cross that bridge later.

I know that I've been trying harder to be more attentive when I am home. I make sure I get story time in with Jonathan. Alyssa and I have been baking together. And, I've been trying to just listen and hug Jessica more.

Years and years from now, I might look back and regret working. (Although I don't know that we have many options at this point.) Most likely, I'll regret worrying about working and I'll be grateful for the stay at home time I did have.