Back to College!

So- I've been thinking for a while about getting a job. The thing is- I don't really want my kids to stay with a babysitter. The two oldest spend a good part of the day at school, but I still have a 3 year old and an 8 month old. I really feel like I need to be the one to take care of them! This may sound like a moot point in this day and age, but that's my #1 job, to take care of my kids. So I flip-flop over the issue. Some days I feel like I'd do just about anything to make a few extra bucks, and another I feel like there is no way that I can leave someone else to raise my beautiful babies!

What to do, what to do?! A few nights I tossed and turned worrying about how was the best way to take care of my family. Of course, then I was a tired mommy- and we all know a tired mommy is a grouchy mommy- and a grouchy mommy equals a grouchy family! So, after a few days of overall unhappiness throughout the family, I decided I had to do something. Anything. I had to make a real decision and then live with it.

So I applied for a few night jobs in our small town... and... nothing. Not a call back. Not a thank you for applying but no thanks... nothing.

GREAT- NOW WHAT!!

The stress and frustration was overwhelming. What kind of a person can't get a job working night shifts and weekends at Walmart during the holiday season? Waiting tables at Denny's? I'll tell you what kind- a loser like ME! Or, so I thought. Again, some sleepless nights... again some nasty days with a grouchy family... I felt like I was at a breaking point.

Looking back, I think it was a blessing that I didn't get the jobs. If I had got one of those jobs I might have stopped looking for other options, and other options were what my family really needed.

My father-in-law teaches a few classes at the local community college and one day I thought maybe I'd take one. But then I'd have to come up with a few hundred bucks for tuition and books... and gas to drive the 40+ miles into town and to the campus. Crap. I don't have any money. No way I can afford even one class right now. But then this light came on in my head... I may not be a poor starving college student anymore, but back in the day I remember filling out some paperwork to see if someone else would pay for my college. I can do that again, right?

So I googled "college grants" and found a government website where you can fill out applications for student aid. Hmm... I'll go to the community college... um... half-time, that's 6 credits, right? 2 classes... I can do that... working towards my Associates... majoring in what... well, when I was 19 I majored in fine arts and goofing around, that won't get me any jobs... Josiah's dad teaches electrician courses, so if I want to take them maybe I'll major in Construction Science... And so my train of thought went as I filled out paperwork and applications.

By the time the applications were submitted I had a plan. 2 classes a semester- one night class and one online class. I would major in construction science with a minor in small business management, classes that would make me a true partner in Josiah's remodeling business. By the time I get my degree I'll have all the kids in school and be able to go to work with Josiah and actually do more than sweep floors and hand him tools!

At the end of the application they gave me an estimate of the funds I would be approved for. I couldn't believe my eyes... It would be a huge help for our family's finances for me to go to just 6 credits a semester. No need to find a job- just one night a week at the college would take care of most of my family's basic living expenses. Woo Hoo!! What a blessing!

So, I'm back to school and ready for an adventure. Maybe I'll have my degree by the time I'm 40.