I have good news and bad news- good news is that Kevin FINALLY started his job today. After about 5 weeks after being hired, he had his first day. It has been a long wait. He is working for a security company that helps run the Seattle port (they also provide the same services for the Port of Long Beach). We were so excited when he got hired, but it has been a LONG wait to begin and the much needed cash flow could not come fast enough. The bad news is, the schedule is going to be crazy and changes every week. So that will be a big downer since most shifts are at night and sometimes into the early morning... lame. BUT we are grateful for the job, and Kevin said his first day was "scary but exciting too". We are hoping to move in January, and will be looking for an apartment for our first year (we are hoping to save a lot more this way so that we can rent a home/condo in the near future).
On my side of things- my "students" are doing great. Many of the kids are adjusting to going to school and learning about routine, following rules, praying to God, sharing, talking, potty training, singing, and lots of "wiggle time" which is when they copy things I do (i.e. clap your hands, tap your feet, touch your nose, wiggle your arms) in order to let them move but also practice following direction and about animals or whatever I have them do. It is so cute. I have been getting good feedback from parents, which has been really rewarding and encouraging. Some kids ask if "Teacher Colleen" is coming to their house, swim practice, or for bedtime stories, and some apparently ask if they can go to school on their day off :-) To say the least, I am being spoiled by cute kids and great families. It is a great school and I am so lucky to be a part of it.
It has been weird though, I notice so much more about motherhood just by being at this school and interacting/observing the mothers. I daily struggles, the loneliness, the love, the joy, the demands, the need to relate, the ugg boot with stretchy pants and a sweatshirt look, the crazy do everything moms, and also the rare stay at home dads. I feel much closer to it all than I did before at the preschool I worked at in college. I'm not sure where I am going with this- but I will reflect on it later. Overall, these children are helping me and building me into a person who practices much more patience, kindness, gentleness and love. Being more self aware and remembering that all that I do reflects and teaches something to these children- and knowing that I want it to all be in love. I want them to think of school as a place where they know Teacher Colleen will be there to love me, teach me, and encourage me with gentleness and care. (*Note: for all you Duggar Haters out there- watching that show- since it is on demand here- has really helped me to channel my inner Michelle and change how I teach and interact with these kids... If you dont know what I am talking about- ask me- or go watch an episode of 19 kids and counting)
Okay enough rambling. I'll have a more fun post soon!
