Something sweet...

So the reason I did NOT become a teacher is because of all the serious adminstration crap- them telling me what I can and cannot teach, the testing, the streamlining of our youth... I got close though. A year away in fact. And I have never regretted the decision to NOT become a teacher.
Now I'm working at a school. With the kids. And I'm loving it- I've always loved kids and the perfect part of this job is that there is no administration crap. Sure, throw this many women together in one company, you're going to have a ton of drama and gossip but the kids... the kids make it worth it (at least for now- if it gets much more ridiculous, then it may change).
Let's start with one of my kids- I'll call him Jake (which is not his real name but he's an innocent, so...) Jake was adopted I don't know how long ago but before his adoption, he'd had a rough time of it. Enter foster care and then... the two most amazing women in the world. One is a firefighter, one is a police officer and they took on Jake and all of his drama and mess and they are changing this little boy's life. They are turning him into a smart, strong young man who KNOWS without a doubt that they love him completely. And while he can certainly be a challenge, as all my little boys can be, he's a sweet kid and his story, the chance he now has in life, warms my heart.
How about one of my favorite kids, I'll call him Thomas? He's this little round pudgy kid with a very funny personality but a rather bad lying streak. He's always protesting, always trying to get me to change my mind and all around drives me crazy on a daily basis, but when we go to the gym, he'll get the ball and hold it so the little girls can kick it or he'll try and include them in the game- without me having to ask. It's amazing.
Or one of my little girls, I'll call her Belle- she's this adorable little blonde thing with the cutest smile but she's smart behind all that cuteness and she knows, when you have to yell at her, what she's done wrong. And she turns that little smile on you, knowing you can't resist.
There's Jane who's an avid reader (she's only in 3rd grade) and who's reading the Harry Potter books and can't wait to talk to me about them every day. Or Tracy who does gymnastics and always comes over and gives me a hug, telling me she "missed me". Or Ryan whose so interested in his book that he'll skip going outside to play. Or Ashyton, my little wanna be soccer player or Marsha and Danielle who are as thick as thieves but are still sweet little girls who like to tell you about their days.
I am so very thankful for this opportunity to be a part of their lives; despite all the ridiculous rules, despite all crap that could happen if a parent took a disliking to me, I can't get past the fact that I love these kids- I love playing with them, I love hearing their stories, I even love when they're disobeying- because I'm getting the chance to influence their lives. And that's pretty heavy stuff. :)