I'm Now a Working Mom

At the end of June I put in my application at the airport to work for United. I needed a distraction from what has been the last year of my life (the whole trying to get pregnant but not being successful at getting knocked up thing.) Plus there is the whole the cost of everything is going up lately except our income, especially since I haven't been babysitting for several months.

By the end of July I got a call asking if I was still interested in the job (I was) so I went in for an interview. The next day I was offered the job and I took it. Since I am working at the airport I had to go though all kids of background checks and screening and pass a class to get my ID badge since I am allowed in special areas of the airport. So as of August 3rd I went from being a SAHM to a part time ramp agent. At United everyone starts our at the ramp then they can move up (if they want) to a ticket agent (which I think I would like to do, because who doesn't want to be yelled at by passengers stuck in an airport far from home... sign me up for that!)

So far I just love the job. It is exciting. I love the people I work with even though most of them can't understand why I am working there if I have a college degree (the hours let me still have the benefits of being a SAHM during the day and I just work a couple nights a week.) Oh and did I mention the flight benefits!!!! For just $50 a year I can fly around the world and so can Curtis, Lucas, my parents, and my in-laws. I might finally get to see Paris one day!

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What is a Ramp Agent?

Ramp agents are responsible for all ground servicing of an aircraft while in the airport between flights. Typically, this means preparing for aircraft arrival by readying the wheel chocks, beltloaders (for unloading baggage), and various other machinery used in aircraft maintenance. When the aircraft arrives, ramp agents are responsible for guiding the pilots with hand signals or orange flashlight wands into position next to the gate. When the plane comes to a stop, ramp agents chock the wheels of the plane and guide the jetbridge (the enclosed ramp connecting the airport gate to the aircraft) to the aircraft door.

Working conditions for ramp agents can be difficult at times. Most work is performed outside in all types of weather, and ear plugs are usually necessary because of aircraft engine noise. Agents sometimes must work quickly to ready a plane for departure, and weather delays can cause several flights to arrive at the same time, making for hectic schedules.

Dear Lucas (4 years 6 Months... and some days),

This is the latest I have ever been with one of your letters and this is NOT a habit I want to keep. It has been quite a busy month. We are currently in the middle of buying our first house and we all all excited.

Today we got brand new carpet and you were so happy to see your new room. When we got home you wanted to start packing up your room so we got out the boxes and let you pack up some of your toys. The first thing you packed... your trains. Hopefully you understood when we explained to you that we aren't opening the boxes until we get to the new house. I think you are going to be very happy there. We are planning to turn the spare bedroom into a playroom and there is a playhouse in the large backyard. We should be moving in there in just a few weeks.

To go along with our new house you and your Dad decided we needed a new dog. So about a week ago we welcomed "Nicey" to our family. You are the one that named her, "because she is nice." She really is a sweet dog and she loves to cuddle, so you guys are two peas in a pod. Every night she comes crawling in your bed to snuggle after you have fallen asleep. She is pretty much your dog. We were planning on getting you a loft bed for the new house but have been rethinking it because then Nicey couldn't crawl in bed with you. We asked you if you would rather have a high bed and Nicey not be able to sleep with you or a low bed so Nicey could snuggle with you. Your response totally cracked me up. You told us you wanted a high bed with an elevator for Nicey.

You've been asking for a brother lately and you've gotten the next best thing in your book, I started watching your friends David and Gabe again. When I started looking for a job last month it really hit me that I was going to have less time with you and just the thought of it was killing me. Right around the time I started getting interviews, David and Gabe's babysitter gave notice that she would be moving in a month and Priscilla asked if I might want to start watching them again. It seemed like a perfect solution, you would get to spend time with your best friends and I would be able to still be a "stay-at-home mom."

Snuggle Buggle, I love you to the moon and back,

Mama

P.S. The next letter should be written from our brand new home!!!!

Sitting, Waiting, Wishing

Today we put our very first offer on our very first house. Now all we have to do is sit back and wait. When we signed the offer today we took Lucas to see the the house for the first time. His favorite part of the whole house is outside in the fenced in backyard. We're trying to get our hopes up because we know there is a chance that the offer won't be accepted and that in the end we can't agree on the terms of the house. We're trying to not be too optimistic just in case but we REALLY LOVE THIS HOUSE. The seller is out of the office until Wednesday so we won't even know anything for a couple days.

Right after signing the offer on the house I got a phone call about a photography job I applied for a few weeks ago. I passed the phone interview and now I go onto the in person interview. I go Thursday morning and I am so excited. I have a really good feeling about this too. I'm so excited with all the new possibilities but at the same time I'm trying to restrain myself. I am so used to being thrown curve balls this past year that it's like I am just waiting for the bottom to drop out of everything. Could things really be going this awesome for us? I guess all we can do is hurry up and wait and see how this all plays out.

Beginnings

This year brings so many possibilities, so many adventures, and so many unknowns. The first big change is that since my Grandma passed away a few weeks ago I now have a whole lot of free time. During the school week I helped take care of her a few days a week. Now I've just been by myself while Curt is at work and Lucas is in school.

Our plan was always for me to go to work when Lucas started school... so here I am job hunting. I've applied for a job at a local library but haven't heard anything. The problem is finding something that starts after 9AM since I have to take Lucas to school in the mornings.

The other big thing is we finally have a decent size amount of money to pay off our credit card debt and still have some left over for a down payment on a house. We've been looking around at houses here and there but feel a little overwhelmed. I've started reading "Home Buying for Dummies." I wish we could skip the whole home buying process and go right to the home decorating.... I've already been googling "train themed twin bedding" for Lucas' new room.

The last thing I am focusing on is getting back into the gym. In the last month between four Thanksgiving dinners, losing three loved ones (Southern Fried Funeral Food anyone?), birthday cakes (Curt's and mine) and all the Christmas festivities I have gained 15 pounds... in one month. The sad thing is I have a gym membership to a place right next to Lucas' school that I haven't seen the inside of in quite a while. That ended this week after I realized how much weight I've packed back on. Now a few days a week I drop Lucas off at school and then head STRAIGHT for the gym before I do anything else.

So here I am just a little scared and a lot excited and I'm ready to see how this year is going to unfold.

Sitting, Waiting, Wishing

Tomorrow at 10 AM is the drawing for the Savannah-Chatham County Pre-K program. Since there are a limited number of spots they do the selection by random drawing. We could only sign Lucas up for two schools and we ended up applying at Pooler Elementary and Bloomingdale Elementary. Each school holds a drawing and since I can't be in two places at once I'm going to have to wait for the letter they send out next week to find out if Lucas is accepted or not. If he doesn't get in to these two schools we still have a chance at Coastal Empire Montessori Charter School, they don't do their drawing until April. Since they don't operate under the school board, which is why we are able to apply there too.

Our first choice is actually C.E.M.C.S. but at this point I just want him to get in SOMEWHERE. He just wants to go to school so badly. If he does get in to Pre-K the plan is for me to go to work. That way we will be able to pay off the rest of our debt quicker and some of the pressure can be off Curt. I've been so blessed to be able to stay home with Lucas and it is because of Curt. I am very seriously considering applying for a Paraprofessional job at one of the schools. That way I can have the same vacations that Lucas does. I also think it would be fun to work with kids but I don't know if I really want to be a teacher. Being a Para-pro would let me get my feet wet and then I could decide from there. Who knows if he will even get in anywhere? All we can do now is wait.