Ok, I got a job. It’s only 8 hours a week and barely pays enough to cover child care. But, I love it and from the kind words of congratulations I’ve gotten from the people who know me well, I think they get what a big deal this is for me.

This is the grown-up version of a first day of school picture.

I’ve had a bit of a weird year. I went from working full time as a sign language interpreter to being a stay at home mom. It changed my identity. The first few weeks I obsessively filled up my calendar. I took on some volunteer work, started a play group, started a blog, met as many people as humanely possible, joined MOPS, and still showed up unannounced at the doors of people who barely knew me when I had a free moment. I was a little afraid to be at home by myself with a two-year-old.

Over time I became more comfortable being at home, doing regular mom things like laundry and cleaning toilets. About six months into stay-at-home momhood I chilled out a little. I let a few commitments on my schedule go. I sat alone, with myself, every once in a while and didn’t have anxiety attacks. Go me, right?!

I am so open to families doing what works the best for them, sometimes it is mama working full time or any number of other options. For me, it doesn’t seem right for me to work full time and put my little guy in daycare. But, being at home full time did make me feel a little like something was missing in my life.

Moving to North Dakota shook up our lives and our roles has given me the opportunity to look inside myself and re-evaluate. Or maybe just evaluate, not sure if I really have before.

So, I started to think. Who am I? What makes me tick? What makes me happy? What does my boy need in his life? What kind of mama do I want him to see?

This other totally cool thing has happened to me, the financial burden of providing for my family has shifted onto my husband’s shoulders. He is doing a great job. Because I wasn’t under pressure to earn as much money as I can (the primary reason I have been interpreting for so many years) I had the space to think about what I love. I do not take the moment to breath for granted. I love that man.

So anyway, I started chatting with Neal Shipman, the owner of the McKenzie County Farmer (local newspaper), and the more we talked the more excited I got. I was worried that he would want more from me than I could comfortably give if he brought me on to the newspaper. I really really didn’t want to over commit myself and have my little guy pay for it. But, we came to an agreement on hours and stories and pay and 2 weeks ago I started!

This is what you call, a McKenzie County Farmer selfie

I feel good finally doing what I went to school (decades ago) for. The staff at the Farmer is fun and hilarious and a breath of fresh air for me.

I never thought I’d be in North Dakota, writing for my small town newspaper. Life is funny like that and I’m glad to be along for the ride.