Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving this year. Nana and Papa brought Aunt Bev and Henry and the doggies over for a delicious breakfast. We really enjoyed our visit. Later we went to Grandma's house for Thanksgiving dinner, where I forgot to take a single picture! Guess I was too busy eating and relaxing! We had a great time there too though, with Gma, Dean and Denise, and my parents!

First grade field trip!

On our way to the Discovery Center!

Polar take 2!

Polar express elves of 2013!

When I grow up...

When I grow up...

I wanted to be a Mommy.

I wanted to be an Interior Designer.

I wanted to be an Actress.

I wanted to be a Singer.

I wanted to be a Missionary.

I wanted to be an Artist.

I wanted to work in Advertising...

Then I grew up. And didn't have a clue what I wanted to be.

I struggled through 4 years of college, changing my major several times, and ultimately quitting without a degree. Then I did the one thing I was sure of, and married Jason. We started a life together, and soon I was a Mommy.

Being a mommy is wonderful, exhausting, all-consuming, and thrilling. I love it. For 12 years I have been a Mommy. Last year my last baby started school full-time, and then the question came back...

What do I want to be when I grow up?

I love so many things, but am not really qualified for any of them as a career. I finally settled on subbing as a way to earn some money, and have some control over my time. I didn't think I would love it, but I thought it would be okay. I soon found that my favorite places to sub in, involved children with special needs. These kids are cool. I love their quirks, their sweet spirits, their sense of humor.

This year I signed on to sub again, and began the first day of school filling in for a Para in a SPED room on maternity leave. For six weeks I worked with, loved on, and helped teach a group of sweet and special kiddos. My heart is still with them. The next few weeks I moved over to a different school in our district, filling in for an injured coworker, also in a SPED room. As the weeks ticked by, and I worked full time as a sub, I finally realized that this is what I want to do. I prayed that God would open the door if it was the right thing for me, especially since I was still unsure about working full time. Soon He gave me my answer, and I accepted a position as a full time Para working with ECSE (Early Childhood Special Education).

My life has gone down many paths that I did not expect. I certainly never thought about working with special needs kids as a possible career when I was in college. Special Ed wasn't even on my radar. But having Ellie, and then Austin, has changed all that. I have sat through countless hours of OT, Autism therapy, and IEP meetings. I have researched Autism and ADHD online, into the wee hours of the morning, night after night. I have read books, magazines articles, and listened to podcasts about parenting children with special needs. All to the end that I feel I have earned my life degree in Special Education. I am SO excited to use my life experience and knowledge to help these sweet preschoolers!

I finally have the answer. When I grow up, I want to work in Special Education. And it only took me 36 years to figure it out. :)

Ellie and Darby

Halloween 2013