Part-Time Pays Off!

There have been incredible changes since I last blogged here. My husband lost his dad suddenly...we sold our house in Willmar...we rented a 3000 sq foot "vacation home"...I got a 1/2 time teaching position in my husband's hometown. Where does that leave our family?

Well, we moved to Madison, MN on August 29, 2009. Madison is a town of 1600 residents 15 miles east of the South Dakota border. It is the prairie in the fullest sense. The school district generates electicity and income from a wind turbine. We are renting a smaller home than the one we sold with shag 70s orange carpet and decor.

My husband is still commuting this year...even further, from 60 miles to 90 miles one way. His job was cut to a .7 and so he works a 4-day week and stays one night with friends during the week. He has realized I am a better wife with fewer things on my plate and it is demonstrated in our entire family life.

I work as a 1/2 time second grade teacher from 12:30-3:30 daily. I teach math, science, and handwriting. There are 16 students in my class and I LOVE being back in the mainstream after some difficult years in special education.

My daughter, Carissa, is a 2nd grader and I get to teach her for science. She is doing well with the move although she misses the many good friends she made in Willmar. I love that she gets to join a garden club and participate in things only small towns can offer.

Life in general has slowed down for us, which I needed. Sometimes I think I was made for a different time period in history...stuck in the fast-paced, information processing mess!

We attend a small country church with lots of children and we even have a young adult sunday school class! It is a pleasure to start over...even if it is difficult. Change is great for our family at this point.

Carson will be 3 years old in a few days and he LOVES seeing his grandma, who watches him while I work.

God is faithful and while His timing is never what I'D like it to be, it is always the right plan.