at long last

It's been eight months since we came back to the States and it's been a trying time to say the least. But finally, at long last, I've found full-time work that blends into my life with my kids almost perfectly. I was subbing at the schools for a while as a paraeducator (like an educational assistant) at the same time I was working for the web design company. Since that job ended and I started working at the adoption agency, I couldn't fit the subbing in. We were trying to make it work, but it just wasn't gonna happen.

Then two weeks ago, the principal at my kids' school asked me if I'd like to join the staff. One of their high school paraeducators needed to leave and they wanted me to take the position. I jumped on it and started work right away.

I'm still working for the adoption agency, in the early mornings and on the weekend. Then I work full-time in the high school part of the school (it's a K-12 school). So far it's worked out well; I have no extra commute time and I get to spend plenty of time with the kids, especially Stuart. We get to hang out for lunch and amazingly, he seeks me out, unafraid to be seen with his mother.

I was hired as a temporary replacement, but last Wednesday signed papers to return next school year. We'll have the summer off, though I will still be doing some work for the adoption agency. I'm planning to save every dime to go back to Ha Noi for a short visit before my students leave, then hoping that the kids and I can do something fun, as well, during the warm summer months.

Life trips and turns and every once in a while it feels like all's right in the world. Too often it doesn't, so for now I'll be basking in the ability to pay most, and possibly all, of my monthly bills. Delightful.