I’m exhausted.  I am doing the job I love, and I am exhausted.  I finally landed a job as an art teacher, and it does everything I hoped it would.  It fills the part of me that was missing.  I feel accomplished that I went back to school during what could be considered the hardest time in my life.  I borrowed a TON of money to do it, but still I did it.  I made it through death and grieving, and other crappy things going on in my family.  I still did it.   I cried through a lot of it.  (Shocking..I know)  I finished school and landed a job without a gap.  That’s damn impressive. (Even to me!)  I’m exhausted.

During these accomplishments, I have continued to raise 2 children.  Anyone who is a parent knows this is a challenge, no matter what your work situation is.   I have my children 90% of the time.  I have watched them finish elementary school, start middle schools, enter high school, etc.  (Still while accomplishing my dream)   I have been teaching one child to be a gentleman, a friend, a good-smart student, a hard worker, a great brother, and a dreamer. (and driving him around the state to play soccer) Meanwhile, teaching the other child to be more independent, have better social skills, and to try and be as happy as possible.  (and toting her everywhere I go – literally everywhere) Exhausting.

If exhausted is the worst it will get…then I’ll take it.  I teach 900-950 kids a week something about art.   That’s amazing! I get to show Kindergarten through 8th grade students what art is about, and how they can love it too. The look when a child is inspired to make art is priceless. Then after teaching my love of art, I come home and get to show my own children something even better.  I get to show them that you can succeed at anything you want to do.  ANYTHING.  At any time.   Even better, I get to watch them do this as they grow.

Yes, I am exhausted, but this is the best exhaustion I have had in a while.