I could sleep, I could sleep
2011 is wrapping up nicely. We were in our first parade (as Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus). We found a mentor couple for our Foundations group, and it's very likely that Betty and Andrew will be joining our group as well. I got my medication adjusted. We've figured out how to divvy up our Christmas time without drama. We're sending out Christmas cards for the first time (unfortunately, most of you won't be getting one; it's the curse of having so much family and so little expendable cash to spend on postage).
And then there's Alma--oh, that sweet, wonderful girl. She makes me so happy. We've had some hard days, but for every day where she fusses and cries, there's a day where she giggles non-stop, smiles so big that her eyes squint up, and snuggles into me while she sleeps. She coos and "talks" and loves to watch me fold clothes and listen to me sing. She's also sleeping through the night, more or less, which is a huge perk. She loves to stand and look around, and hates it when she can't see what's going on.
2012 is a promising year. There are a lot of things that could happen and a lot of ways it could go. Here are some highlights:
Tier 3 of yoga instructor training begins on January 7 and concludes March 18. It's a much lighter load than the intensive, since I'll only be in training on weekends from 8 to 6. Assuming I manage to graduate, I'd begin teaching immediately (although I won't get paid until I've taught ~25 classes). Finding time to teach will be tricky, but I'm thinking I'll stick with 6AM and weekend classes for the most part, since Alan will be able to take care of Alma. And dude. I'll be teaching. At freaking. Sunstone.
On top of that, a part-time paid advocacy position has opened up at DARCC. I would be covering parts of the hotline/hospital schedules not covered by volunteers, as well as being backup for the shifts that were covered. I would be paid just for being on call, regardless of whether or not I actually had a case come up during that time--and I'd get paid extra if a case did arise. I would also be splitting the position with a few other people, so I'd only have to work one weekend a month.
TL;DR version: I'd basically be getting paid to do what I currently do for free. I'm interviewing for the job in January. Nothing's guaranteed, but I'm good at what I do and I don't see why I wouldn't get it.
I find myself feeling torn about potentially taking on two jobs (albeit part time jobs) AFTER having a baby. My dad gave me one piece of advice when I told him about the DARCC opportunity: "Guard your time together." That was when I realized that what I put on my calendar has become infinitely more significant now that every minute I spend somewhere else is a minute I'm not spending with Alma. Given how much time I spent crying about her growing up when I was WITH her the whole time, I can't imagine how I would feel if I woke up one day and realized that I'd missed out on time with my wonderful girl and that I could never get it back. So yes, I am going to zealously guard our time together.
All that being said, I think it's healthy for me to have some time for myself and my interests. Alan and MD have both reassured me that this is a great opportunity for me. And if I'm going to be off doing yoga and advocacy anyway, I might as well get paid for it, right? Which leads nicely into my next point...
Finances are a little tight right now, as they always are around Christmastime, but I'm optimistic. We have two things we're trying to pay off: my car (pretty small amount) and Alan's school loans (oh my word soooo huge). Alan did the math, and if we continue putting the same amount towards debt every month (we would increase it if any additional income started coming in, but we're making conservative calculations here) and don't acquire any new debt (I don't see why we would), we will be completely debt-free by 2017 at the latest. Sure, it's a long way off, but big picture, it isn't too bad. And just think how awesome it'll be when we're out of debt completely and all that money is going into savings!
Then there's school. Alan just wrapped up his ASL4 course, which means he now has three correspondence courses of his choice, plus two computer sciences courses at UTD once he's done those. Finances will determine how many he can take at a time. My schooling is kind of up in the air for now, due to a limitation on time, finances, and uh...knowledge of what classes I have left. (In my defense, I have requested my transcript more times than I can count. Not much I can do to hurry it along.)
Meanwhile, Alan is all set to start leading his own small group of middle school boys at church! He's such a natural leader and he's always loved youth ministry, so this is a perfect fit for him. We're not sure yet exactly what this will entail, but we're excited.
OH AND MY BRO IS GOING ON A MISSION TRIP TO PERU AND MY JO-GIRL IS GETTIN' HITCHED, HOLLAAAAA.
Category: None
gin
Posted on December 14, 2011 at 10:38 AM
Test!
neko
Posted on December 16, 2011 at 12:57 PM
I firmly agree that it's good to have time for your own interests - working part time does not automatically mean missing your daughter growing up, and having 'you' time (by which I mean time doing what you enjoy for its own sake) will make you a happier, healthier person, which will in turn better every other part of your life.
I'm really excited, by the way, to hear about these plans and things happening and the general shape of your life. I'm glad for you when I read things like this :)