Right now I'm in the student teaching phase of completing my B.A. Which essentially means I'm teaching full-time everyday for free. Actually, not free, I'm still paying college tuition.
Honestly, I love love love teaching and it doesn't bother me one bit that I'm not getting a paycheck out of this experience.
But this is the first time since my oldest daughter was born that I've been working full-time. It keeps me away from home from 7:15-4:30 Monday through Friday. I've had to figure out a whole new work-life balance. My little girls are precious, my husband is amazing and I absolutely refuse to cut down on my quality time with anyone in my little family. They come first. Always.
Which meant that when I was figuring out my new work-life balance, some other stuff had to face the chopping block. I've cut down on "me" time (blogging time, craft time, television, seeing friends, etc), simplified dinners and came to terms with the fact that my toilet can miss a scrubbing. I realized it's totally okay to pick up takeout food one night a week. Even if that means our veggies come in the form of raw baby carrots that evening.
Because when I get home, I just want to play with my girls and hear all about the silly things that happened in Kindergarten. Then when they go to bed, I just want to be with the husband, relax, chat and giggle like a middle-school girl with a huge crush. Because that's how he makes me feel.
When it comes down to it, I feel like I'm actually spending MORE quality time with the kiddos and husband these days than I did when I was a part-time college student. Instead of following the kiddos around trying to keep the house clean and half-heartedly trying to engage with them, I'm hardcore interacting and playing with them. I no longer have to do homework in the evening so the husband and I actually get to spend time together. And we've been planning more dates these days; yay!
Plus, there's the added benefit of finally getting to do what I feel like God has called me to do with my life - teaching.
My life might be busier than it used to be, I might only get to see my friends for short periods of time here and there and dinner is sometimes less impressive but I am more at peace and happier than I've ever been.
Life is good, friends. It is very good. Don't stress about the big changes that come your way, just prioritize the people and things that are most important to you and the rest will fall in place.
