
This thing called life has been nothing less than chaotic, and quite honestly has been kicking my butt lately. I remain grateful for such a wonderful life, but I am still trying to find my way and get in a good routine.
I’ve written a hundred blogs in my head, but unfortunately, my blogging has gotten pushed to the side for the last month. I figured a “life lately” update post was long over due for my readers! My team and I continue to update my social media on a daily basis, so you can always expect to find new content on there! However, I like to personally write all my blog posts and take my time with those, so they have gotten pushed to the back burner.
The last two months have been filled with starting a new job, soccer, gymnastics, Halloween, Wizard of Oz play rehearsals, Spell Bowl practices, Girl Scout meetings, Fall activities, football games and taking a family vacation to Sanibel Island.

I started a new job in September and that has been the biggest change going on over here. As many of you know, I started substitute teaching last year on and off, as our district is in dire need of subs. I got asked to come on permanently as a 1:1 Instructional Aide for a 6th grader. I took the job, and have been working 29 hours a week at the Intermediate School. My oldest daughter is in 6th grade, so I get to see Sonoma every day. The hours work well with my own kids, and I needed something else, so this job made sense. I am basically a 6th grader again, taking notes, learning how to divide decimals and do long division, and all the other things in science and math I forgot about!

Decades Day! Dressed up with Sonoma at school
Working at the school has been extremely eye-opening and also very rewarding. Our district, our students and community is struggling with a lot of different issues and I am thankful that I can be a part of trying to make a difference in the students’ lives while I am there. Last year, I joined the Westfield Parents for Change group, an organization focused on DEI efforts in our schools and community. So many parents are quick to complain and post on social media about all the problems with schools. If more parents took the jobs and made an effort to help rectify these problems, then we would probably be in a better position than we are today. We are in desperate need for more aides and bus drivers, among other jobs.

It’s been years since I have worked a full-time job outside of the home. Trying to balance working outside the house, getting myself and the kids dressed-up and ready to go every day, working my other businesses, doing all the mom and home things, taking care of myself and working out, etc, has been very challenging for me. I know it will take some getting use to, but in the meantime it’s been a a struggle. I thought I owed it to my readers to fill you all in on this beautiful crazy thing called life!