Days of Being a Nanny

I'm a nanny. I've been a nanny for just about five years now consecutively and have worked for three different families in that time. My job is very rewarding and very difficult all at the same time, but I must admit, it has a lot of perks to it too.

Perk #1- I am salaried which basically means that no matter how few hours I work each week, I still get the same rate of pay even if the parents decide to give me three extra days off!

Perk #2- When I go out to lunch with the kiddos, I get my lunch paid for. Also, I get all meals and snacks during my work day so I don't even have to bring a breakfast or lunch in for the day.

Perk #3- I get paid to take kids on fun activities such as bowling, swimming, the aquarium, etc. And if Phil has off, he's more than welcome to join us for the fun festivities!

The kids I watch now are older being 4 1/2, 7, and 10 so most of my day is with the little one follwed by three hours each day with all three. During school holidays and breaks, I get all three kids full-time for 10 hours a day. Yes, it can be fun, but overwhelming as well.

Right now I have one eating a snack, one stalking me, and one upstairs in her room crying because she doesn't want to clean her room. Today I'm taking it all in stride and laughing at the fact that the youngest wanted to "not eat" today and brought a yogurt and nutri-grain bar for lunch and wanted nothing else, the middle child has been in her room crying at the injustice that is cleaning her room, and the oldest hiding a snack she knows she's not supposed to have only to be caught with the evidence on her face! Lol.

I am still trying to transition into the career-world and keeping my focus on God to provide the right job for me upon leaving this one. I'll definitely miss the kids, but I'm looking forward to getting into a different line of work and knowing that my degree isn't going to waste. It will be a good transition for all of us and I'm trusting God for His plans are better than mine.

My Calling

Since I've been given until mid-June to find a job and now have my Bachelor's degree in tow I have been doing a lot of thinking about what I want to do for a career. For my whole life I wanted to teach. I love kids always for the most part and just knew that was my calling in life--that is until I actually looked into how to get my certification out here from taking my courses through an online college.

To say that I hit a road-block and was discouraged was an understatement. It seemed like there was no possible way for me to teach and afford my apartment. This is when I decided to look into human resources as an option even going so far as to take a business management class and human resources class. However, upon looking at the jobs to apply for it seems that I do not qualify for lack of experience...hmmmph.

Then I started looking into office administrative work. Not too exciting, but it would be something I'm good at and can pay the bills and give me the health insurance I've been lacking for over 2 years now. The problem with this is that it seems that not only do they want so much experience too, but most of the jobs I've applied for are really spam. I'm still not opposed to this type of work and will continue to apply for government positions, but if it doesn't work out...I won't be too upset.

The decision I've made has been made with a lot of thought, prayer, and talking it over with Phil. I've decided that I do want to teach. I want to have the summers, snow days, and breaks off with my kids. I want to be able to call in a sub and not worry about who is going to take care of my family when they are all sick. I want to be available and have a shorter day knowing that if Phil and I get married and start a family and he's still working in DC getting home late, then they would still have their mom around to take them to things and be there. These are things that have become increasingly more important to me.

I realize the road to teaching is going to be tough and pretty much suck for the next 2 years. I will have to rely on Phil and his family a lot for financial and emotional support if I can not find a school who will let me teach before I have my certification. I also know that if this is God's will, then He will provide a way for me and I won't have to worry about anything because my God is bigger than anything and can work miracles even in the worst circumstances.

So, for right now I am praying for guidance and direction in which path to take knowing that God will open the right door for me.

The Lord is Good No Matter What

This morning as I sat down to check my email I saw one from Phil that said "Needing a new game plan." Thinking it was about me going to the doctor's for a follow-up on my wrist from the car accident I opened it immediately. Unfortunately it had nothing to do with the doctor's appointment or road conditions, but rather Phil's job status.

He was hired this past October for a 13 month temporary assignment that "may turn permanent." It was his first big job and somehow the peace of the Lord came over me thinking of this assignment. I just knew it was all going to be ok and we wouldn't have to worry about it and we just needed to have faith. Apparently those words continue true today.

Phil's supervisor was told to come and remind him that he has a temporary assignment and that it will not become permanent. They told him to start applying for the same position within their company and to start doing so now. As much as this is not ideal it could be worse.

The way I see it is that they are not opposed to have him continue working there...hence the "apply for the same position starting now." In fact, I think it is a blessing that they told him now as opposed to October where he would have just one month to figure out a new job situation.

Even though there is a slight bit of panic in me thinking about all of the "what ifs" that could happen, I am incredibly calm and at peace with it all. I know without a shadow of a doubt that God has a plan and will provide. It might seem like the end of the world for him now, but it won't matter five years from now when he is in a better place.

God has blessed us so much and right now I am choosing to believe and have full confidence in His mighty power.

I find it ironic how much strength God can give women. When it comes to my job situation I can be a hot mess worrying and wondering, but when it comes to the man I love nothing can stop me from having faith, being strong, and believing. I will be there for him, tell him how proud of him I am, encourage him, listen to his fears and desires, and overall give him all of the love and support he needs and more. This is my job as the woman in his life.

God definitely knew what he was doing when he created woman for man. He knew that no matter what man would need the love, support, and unconditional strength of a woman during these trying times.

It's a Resume NOT an Online Dating Profile!

What the flip is a resume profile? I've been looking online at some resume samples and all of the websites are telling me to skip the objective and make a profile. This profile is supposed to "sell" you and your accomplishments in 3-4 sentences.  All of the ones I've read look like the job-equivalent of an internet dating profile. I thought I wanted a job, not another boyfriend.

I guess I'm just a little old-school when it comes to this. It's all just a little confusing trying to figure out what to write and Phil's dad sent me a great job listing that the closing date is tomorrow so I must have some kind of decent resume done tonight....goodnight.

I'm sure we'll figure out something, but until then I may or may-not need a hug and a major chocolate fix.