Wednesday, August 17, 2011

The Schooling

As I mentioned last week, I'm starting college very soon.  So is The Rock.  And Runner Girl is in 7th grade this year.  Small Fry is almost 15 and in her sophomore year of high school (at least, that's where she should be from last time we talked about it ...)  With a 3 year old and a 1 year old, our lives are busy and full.

So why on earth would both parents decide NOW is the time to go to college?

Well.  The Rock has been talking about going to college since we met and he finally found something he wants to do.  He's working on an associates in international business and we'll go from there.  But first he has to catch up his math and English because his high school principal told him to drop out of school.  For real.  He did eventually get his GED but his math is still shaky and his English, though improved from when we met, isn't the best.

So there's that.  There's also the fact that his job is difficult and demanding and a very physical job and we both know he can't do it forever.  Not to mention his bipolar ... makes things even more of a challenge.  And his company has been struggling with the recession.  Between cutting hours and days and his bipolar causing him to miss time, we've had a lot of financial struggles the past couple of years as well, to the point that we qualify for Pell grants for the first time since we got married.  We looked at each other about 6 weeks ago and said, "Hey, nothing is EVER going to change for our family if we don't do something different."  So he applied, was admitted, and is going to college in couple of weeks.  There has been a lot of paperwork and several trips to the school, but we are almost ready.

Right after we started getting The Rock sorted out, a friend mentioned an online university, WGU.  I looked into it, evaluated my options, prayed, felt peaceful about it, so decided to go for it.  I'll be studying interdisciplinary studies, which is fancy talk for elementary education.  I will be a certified K-8 teacher when all is said and done.

This first term is scary.  When he did school the first year we were married, things were not good.  The Rock's bipolar was totally out of control and his wife was rather crazy and insecure.  Depression set in for both of us.  So we're crossing our fingers that, now that we've weathered a few more storms together, things will go better even if it's still hard and stressful.  Pell grants will cover almost all tuition and books for him, and we will do loans.  We really have to get through it and make different choices or we're always going to feel boxed in and helpless.  And that's not a great feeling to have.

Having long-term plans and goals and making active progress on them is new for us.  Well.  At least it's different than we've been able to do in the last few years.  We're both feeling more hopeful for the future, even amongst the fear and worry.  Trying to let go and let God handle it isn't easy, but we are working on it.  And knowing we have Him in our corner is an amazing thing.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

It sounds like you have all your ducks in a row nicely! You two will do fabulously! Good Luck and enjoy the beginning of a wonderful new chapter in your lives!

Leslie said...

That is so awesome! It is so hard to make the sacrifice for school--especially when there are kids in the picture. But it will be worth it--at least, that's what everyone has been telling us. THEY BETTER BE RIGHT. :)

warrenfamilyof5 said...

That is great! As a single mother of four who is also going to school, I truly understand the sacrifices you and your family are making to do this. I have two years left and know it will be worth it. It will be well worth all of the effort you are both putting into it. There is no time like the present to make things better for yourself and your family. Way to be!

Lindsay Anderson said...

Way to Es!! Love you! Does his major qualify Nestle tuition reimbursement program?

musicmom said...

Damon did his masters with WGU. He was pleased with their programs. I hope it is success for you as well. Such a tough time for your family, but I like the others think you will do awesome. Good luck my friend!!! I will be thinking about you.