Getting Started--a whole new world

For the last 8 years, my world has been filled with diaper changes, Dora the Explorer, playgrounds, the Backyardigans, more diaper changes, never-ending dishes and laundry, and helping my kids with their homework (amidst their groans). Now, I have my own homework and a new set of groans. I am having to get used to lots of new things, the first of which is doing something for myself--going back to school--and feeding my brain again. It feels great but also a bit intimidating. This week has been hard, calling in favors to babysit my five kids while I go to my classes before my husband is done with his own obligations. I also realized immediately, I would need to buy a new computer for these courses much sooner than anticipated, so now I am learning a new computer (mac) instead of the familiar PC format I've been accustomed to. My brother has been trying to get me to get a mac for years. There is just a lot of new to get used to right now. My family also has to get used to different routines and a little less Mom to go around. I know it is more difficult here in the beginning, but we will get used to it soon.

I am very excited about this course, in particular, right now. I interviewed a librarian for the Tech course I am also taking and I am planning to help Ms. Reece with her greatest problem: low inventory of aged books and no money to get new books. Before my life of changing an endless stream of diapers, I taught middle school and Ms. Reece was the librarian. At that time, she was also taking classes for her master's through ASU. Now, I am in a position to be of service to her as well as learn about the operations of the public school library. It seems like a win-win. We are going to meet soon to work on applying for a $10,000 grant to build her library collection. I also wanted to learn about grant writing, so another win-win. I could probably blog forever if not for the call of responsibility in the next room--one sleeping baby and one toddler needing, you guessed it, a diaper change.