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Saturday, July 5, 2008

Biting Off WAY More Than I Can Chew

I'm not sure what I have gotten myself into these days, but I'm certain that my blood pressure has been rising steadily over the past few weeks. (Probably not good for a pregnant lady...)

In just about a month and a half, I am returning to my full-time job. I will be about 6 months pregnant, mind you, but I am still returning, because that was my plan, darn it, and I'm sticking to it! (Hello, Type A!) Many of you know that teaching is not a 9-5 gig. My work is about 45 minutes away, so I have to leave my house at 7 am to get there on time. That means I will somehow have to get myself, Charlotte, Gavin, and eventually a new baby ready all before 7 am. (Deep breaths, Amy.) If I even begin thinking about all of the lesson planning, grading, conferencing, and collaborating that I am going to have to do, I will need a paper bag to breathe into. I will be lucky if I see the twins for a couple of hours a day. I wish I didn't have such a crazy commute.

I've also begun taking a graduate course. At this point you are probably thinking that I have lost my marbles, so let me get you up to speed here. When the twins were born, I was just about 14 weeks short of obtaining my Masters in Reading/Reading Specialist Certification. Receiving this Masters will not only move me up the pay scale, but also open some doors for me career-wise. I have three courses left to graduate. I am taking one course right now, over the summer. The final two are thesis writing courses, and I have to take them during the fall semester. Which means I will have to write some sort of thesis. When I am very pregnant. And working full-time. And missing my twin toddlers at home. (Deep breaths, Amy.) With Michael's encouragement, I decided that if I didn't finish the degree now, I would never finish it. So I am muddling through just to get it done.

If that isn't enough, I am getting ready to teach a 2-week Reading and Writing course to first and second graders. I agreed to this before I knew I was pregnant, and before I started taking a grad class. And I'm not a quitter, so I start next week. So now I am busy writing lesson plans on top of all the homework I'm doing for my grad class. (Deep breaths, Amy.)

We are so getting a cleaning lady when I return to work in September.

5 comments:

  1. Amy, you can do this. I know the thoughts of it are some what overwhelming, but once you are into it and on a routine, you should be fine. AND we are here to support you.

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  2. Yikes. That's a lot. But Keri is right~in the beginning it might be tough, trying to forge a routine, but then it will work out.
    Hope you're feeling well!

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  3. Gedder-done! You can do it, and in the end, it will be o-v-e-r. I started student teaching for school cert (while working) a week after we found out I was pregnant. Nothing like taking state teaching exams with no snack and potty breaks.

    Alas, we are type-a (thanks Dad) and you can get it finished. Thesis should be easier then having to get to a class. Write a bit at a time and it will work out. It would stink to have only a few credits left and never getting back to finish the degree.

    Kiss those babies for me!!!

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  4. Just remember that Mom did a heck of a lot with 5 kids under the age of 6, and did it well! So I have no doubt that you will be able to do all this without losing your mind! Love you!

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  5. P.S. Audrey is right (all of you girls are so smart) and I would get a cleaning lady now.

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