Well, it's a good thing I didn't take a job before school started because I don't feel like I would have had time for it! I recently accepted a volunteer position in Nate's classroom and I LOVE IT! I basically spend about 4 hours, every Monday, making copies, hanging up things in the classroom, putting together projects and using the laminator!!! I realize that makes me sound like a complete and total dork, but there isn't one second that I'm there that I wish I was somewhere else! In fact, I find myself offering to do other stuff that will require me to help out on other days, too! I volunteered at the school when Nate was in Kindergarten but had to step back last year because I didn't have anyone to keep Adrianna or Gabe. I'm so grateful to those who have agreed to help out with Adrianna and Gabe this year so that I could get back in there. I love that excitement in his face when he wakes up on Monday morning and finds out it's my day to go to school with him and I love even more, the look on his face when he's walking with me down the hall to his classroom. I'm not looking forward to the day when he's not so thrilled about my presence, but one of my other kids will be glad to see me, right? They're stuck with me at East Elementary for another 11 years (that's when Adrianna will be done with 6th grade)!!! I'm also working on getting into Gabe's classroom at Liberty once a week, which I also did when Nate was there. I realize I may be the overbearing mother that hovers, but at least I'm involved, right?

Since having a child in school (this is his 3rd year) I have developed a great respect for teachers...even more then I already had (I have lots of teacher friends). I think about the hours that Mrs. Ryan, Nate's teacher, already puts into her job, creating an amazing learning experience for her students, and I wonder what she'd be pulling herself away from, if she had to do all of that busy work that I've volunteered to do. Did I mention how much I love doing it, though? Is it wrong for me assume that every teacher needs a Monday helper?

Adrianna is liking her new babysitter...until about 11 a.m. when she'd rather be in her bed than with Miss Alicia! I know it's a rough hour or so for Alicia when she's trying to make lunch for a half a dozen kids and Adrianna is on her heels! I get there to pick her about noon and before we're even out of the driveway, she's out...and doesn't even flinch when I pull her out of her car seat at home to put her to bed!

I do have to pay for Adrianna's babysitter and since Matt wasn't too excited that my volunteer position at the school actually cost about $100 a month, I took on a part time babysitting job for my good friend, Erin. I keep her kids on Tuesdays so that she can work at her family's business. This week was my first day and I don't think it could have went more smoothly. I kept the kids at her house and brought my two little ones along. Nate got off the bus there, which he loved, because they live in our old neighborhood. I got a taste of what having a 2 1/2 year old daughter will be like, when little Stella informed me that if I didn't play her way she was going to go to her room (she told me this with her hands on her hips and while wearing a Tu Tu and ballet slippers). It all ended well, though. How is it fair that playing with 5 kids all day is work?

I also just told another friend that I would keep her little girl on Mondays and Wednesdays. I thought about it for a few days after she asked and I couldn't think of one reason why I should say no. I've been telling myself, and Matt, since we've had Nate and made the decision for me to stay home, that I'm NOT a babysitter, but why do these decisions feel so right?

So, no, the perfect 'professional' job didn't come along for me in these last few months of searching. I did get two great offers, but as great as they were, they just didn't seem right. I guess my kids are stuck with me a little bit longer and the stay at home 'working' mom gig is still the best fit right now!