I am finally coming to an end of a chapter in my life.
School.
And I couldn't be happier about it!
I know that I could keep going if I'd like, but that's the best part... "if I'd like."
Right now I am completely content to be getting my Bachelor's Degree.
I started college Fall of 2004 and now finally 7 years later am getting my degree.
You'd think I was just being lazy taking seven years to get a degree, but when you think about everything I have accomplished in those seven years, I'd say I did pretty darn good!
I spent a semester in China, got an Associates Degree, went on a year and a half mission to DC, got married, and had a child...and a half:)
After finding out that we were expecting Leilani, the idea of finishing school seemed very daunting to me. I knew that we have been told by the Brethren to get an education but we've also been told to not postpone our family. But, they don't really go into detail about how you are supposed to do these things simultaneously.
I've always wanted to be a stay-at-home mom. When I started college, I had no idea what I wanted to major in because if anyone ever asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up my answer was always, "A mother."
After Leilani was born I stayed home with her for 7 months before returning back to school and can honestly say that those were some of the hardest seven months of my life. Staying at home was not everything I had dreamed it would be. It was hard work:)
Going to school at that time was exactly what I needed to get out of the new mom rut I was in.
P.S. I have to add that going back was only possible because of my amazing Mother. I would not be graduating if it were not for her service and support. She has watched Leilani for a year and a half. She is a huge blessing in our lives for which I do not have adequate words to express my gratitude.
But, then I came back home this last summer knowing exactly what I was getting into by being a stay-at-home mom.
So I had a plan.
I was amazed by how much I did not know about my child. I had been around, but not really there in her life. I had to relearn her style and the stage she was in. The day I was down on the ground playing with her I will never forget the look she gave me as if she couldn't believe that I was really there, as if she was seeing me for the first time and I was seeing her for the first time. I cried as I thought about the sacrifices I had made to pursue my education and seriously doubted my decision to return even though all I had left was one semester of student teaching.
We soon became best friends playing and learning together. I loved my summer with her so much. But the time did come for me to return. We moved in with my parents so that my mom could watch Leilani in her own home and I wouldn't have to worry about my long hours.
Leilani was mad at me for quite a while. She didn't want anything to do with me when I came home from school for those first few weeks. I guess she figured if I was just going to leave then it was better if she acted like she didn't want to be with me at all.
Again I cried.
Those first few weeks of student teaching were very hard. I was still sick from being in the first trimester of pregnancy, adjusting to a new living situation, and basically working full time- with no pay:)
I asked a friend of mine who is a first grade teacher how she did it every single day. She replied, "I do it because I love it."
I had to agree with her that the only way anyone could be a teacher and do what a teacher does day in and day out was truly if they loved it. I do love teaching, but at this stage in my life, I realized that I love my daughter more and that being home with her was the most important thing I could do for our family.
My heart ached each morning I waved good-bye to my little girl.
But we adjusted again, and made it through student teaching with flying colors. I enjoyed my placements and learned so much from being "in charge" of a classroom.
Some people may judge (everyone always has an opinion, right) and say that I am wasting my education by not choosing to work, but I cannot think of a better way to apply everything I've learned than to teach my own children.
So with that I am saying WOOHOO!!
Let's celebrate!
And since I always like to add some pictures, especially if you just sat and read that entire post, my friend took some graduation pictures for me.
Thank you
Sierra!!
Our family bracelet.
We get to wear it during special events in our lives.
This is my scholarly look.
Very thoughtful and reflective.
Isn't that what you're supposed to look like after becoming a college graduate?
