Weekend.

That word used to mean nothing to me. My other half worked seven days a week, and me, I studied and looked after the kids, rarely going out, so basically all days were the same.

Not now. Now I'm working.

So the last couple of days I have had a "weekend" for the first time in as long as I can remember. We didn't do anything monumental. We played with toys, we sang some songs, we did some cooking, played some games, watched some tv, and just chilled. And now it is the end of Sunday, everyone else is asleep, and I am sitting here with a glass of wine watching Masterchef thinking about the fact that tomorrow I am going back to work and will be there for five days before another one of these elusive creatures called a weekend comes along again.

I'm loving working. I really am. Whilst I am not doing what I will eventually be doing it is a means to an end. I am edging my way back in to the workforce, basically to make sure I can do it, and that the kids are okay with my doing it. For they are always my first concern. If they aren't handling it then that is that. But they are. And while part of me is rapt that they are another part of me is slightly sad, because it means that the role I have undertaken for the last three years is now over. No longer am I a SAHM - a stay at home mum. I'm a working mum. And I get home and see the kids for an hour or so before they go to bed, for a short while in the morning, and on the weekends. I won't lie - it's emotional.

But I do think it's all for the good. I really do. Lexi didn't cry when she dropped me off at the station on Friday, unlike every other day of the past week. And once I had been dropped off she said "I want to go to school now". School is daycare - but she calls it school. So it seems that she has adjusted. Remarkably quickly. And yes, it's great, but yes it is also sad.

I'm looking forward to what the future holds from a work perspective. I am looking forward to utilizing everything I have studied in a practical sense, and to do so I must take a few further steps and see if I can get myself into that kind of role. And I'm doing that. Tomorrow. So wish me luck.

It will take a while to get myself totally in sync, and to make sure things are on track, but they are well on the way. And it is good. Yes, it is very good.

It is just astounding how quickly things change. And how quickly babies become infants, then toddlers, then children. Young children. Little people.

Every day I look at my kids and feel my heart grow larger. I am so very grateful I was blessed enough to have these three miracles in my life, and now it is my time to work to give them the things I so wish for them, aside from that which I could never NOT give them - my undying love. Forever.

Isn't it amazing

how quickly things can change? One minute everyone is healthy, next minute it's 2.30am and a child is vomiting all over her bed. Just as an example.

I got all my essays finished and submitted so was very glad to see the end of this semester. Not that I didn't enjoy it; quite the contrary in fact. I do believe it has been my most enjoyable semester of study thus far. I'm very glad I did the subjects that I did, and actually enjoyed doing the assignments (shock horror what a nerd!).

We're still all ticking along here however there has been one monumental change. On Wednesday I decided to apply for a job. Just to see what would happen. I got an interview. I attended that interview on Thursday. And I start work next Tuesday. Insane!! So it is a one month temporary position and will be a perfect opportunity for me to see how I go in the workforce, and how the kidlets go at not having me here day in and day out. I'm really hoping it works because to be honest I am missing working. Not that I don't love spending time with the kids, but I have been a SAHM for over three years and am getting itchy feet to get out and do some paid work, and get into practice some of the things that I have been learning for the past 6 years.

I won't be working as a solicitor because I haven't done the required components to practise, however I will be working at a law firm and will get the opportunity to see how various different departments run and that for me at this point in time is ideal.

So I shall see how everything balances - work, family, relaxation, study. Will be an interesting experiment.

The kiddies are all doing pretty well. Mini chicks have both had the hurls, and Tabitha spent a day at home on Wednesday while the others went to school because she wasn't well and I didn't really want the rest of the daycare children to pick up what she had. And you know what? It was great to spend some one on one time with her. And I think she loved it too :) So everything happens for a reason.

I'm trying to get my head around the whole "going back to work" concept. It has been 3.5 years since I worked outside the home. Any hints would be GREATLY appreciated so feel free to put in your two cents' worth.......

One down

two to go. Essays I mean. I just submitted my Human Rights essay and I must say I'm pretty happy with it. I will do how I do, but however I do, I did my best so I'm happy with that.

The next one (due tomorrow, which is of course why I am hard at it writing a blog entry) is related to terrorism. The next one after that is reflections on sports law.

I must say I really didn't anticipate that by doing my Masters I would actually LEARN so much. I realise that the whole point of studying is to learn etc etc, but to be honest with you as most people would agree, when you are doing a degree the goal is just to pass. Once you get to postgrad level though, there is a bit more there. You get to choose all your subjects, not have to do the ones assigned to you. This in itself has been a huge plus. Although I did choose a few subjects for their utility in the future rather than my enjoyment level in them now, one factor I did make sure I had for all subjects was the absence of exams. For I truly suck in examination conditions. I could know the subject inside out and back to front and come exam time all I can think about is why the jam in jam donuts is not the same as the jam you get in jam jars. Riveting and useful things like that.

Anyway, I'm doing fully course based subjects and it suits me to a tee.

The kids are doing well. Tabitha had another review and xray yesterday and her leg seems to be healing up well, so only three more weeks in the full cast. That means only three more weeks of sponge baths. I hate sponge baths. Tabitha hates sponge baths. We both put up with them because we have to, and the screams and cries she lets out while she's having one are echoed in my mind for I do believe I hate them as much as she does. She has taken to saying "boo" when you put her top over her head too. First time she did it I just about wet myself laughing because it was so random. Now she pops up "boo" every random chance she gets. We'll be sitting watching tv and she'll drag herself to standing, peek over the sofa, utter a "boo", smile and giggle, then pop herself back down on the ground again.

Lexi has become incredibly clingy of late. And the tantrums. Oh. My. Lord. They say two is a bad age. Well whoever said that obviously didn't have time to come back and revise once their child turned three because holy crap it is ridiculous. The other day we had the mother of all temper tantrums. About what? Stage one of the tantrum - I attempted to help Lexi remove her top for her bath. And it was on. Loudly. For approximately 25 minutes. Stage 2? A hanky. Yes. A hanky. Ah the joys of parenthood.

Lil man now has four wonderful teeth and several more threatening to burst the banks of his little gums. He seems to be slowly recovering from the bronchiolitis that has plagued him for most of his short little life which is a blessed relief. Hearing your child struggle for breath all day and night is terrifying.

As for me, well, I'm hanging in there. I will be glad when these essays are submitted, which will hopefully be in the next couple of days. For once they are done there remain only two subjects, and once they are done so is my Masters! WOOHOO!!!

So I shall attempt to continue with my views on terrorism and hope the night is not too late, not too disrupted, and productive in the essay stakes.