I love my job?

Lately, I've been fretting over my job. Somedays I feel completely overwhelmed by it. Lately, I really had been thinking of giving up teaching (k-12) in the next two years. However, I think I just need to tone it down some. This year I did lessen my plate by not being in grad school and not co-sponsoring some things. However, I'm still on committees and things like that. I know that in two years, I'll need simmer down on all the responsibilities and just teach, as we plan to start a family then.
The other day I was complaining about all the farting, nose picking, flirting, helplessness, and just overall immature behavior running rampant in my classroom. It was just one of those never-ending detention writing days. My friend asked me if I ever considered teaching another grade. I immediately said no. Even with the farts, I really do love teaching 7th grade. They still care. I can ruin (actually they ruin it, but I get blamed) a kid's Halloween weekend when I catch him cheating on a test by calling his parents and he actually cares. He actually tries the next time. He actually comes in for tutoring. He actually grows as a person. I'm not sure if I would see the same effects in an older student. Not to say that all my students care, because there are a host of students who couldn't give a rat's ass about the high expectations I have for them, but I do care. I want what is best for them.
So, I guess this is my vow to stick it out in k-12 education. I will consider moonlighting at a community college. Murad suggested I teach an evening class every once in a while. He said he'd stay home with the kids.
Our lives are changing rapidly too. Murad graduates next month and starts his master's degree. He's still looking for an easy job so that he can go to school full-time and graduate in December 2010. maybe subbing? He already found a site for his next practicum. He's made so many connections at his current practicum site. He's so excited. It'll be in downtown Dallas so he'll still get the urban environment. He'll be working under a social worker who has a private practice and he'll get to run group therapy which is what Murad's always wanted to do. He did it before in NJ and loved it, so he's excited that he'll get to continue that here.
Money is tight, but we're still saving. We're really hoping to buy a house in 2011, but we may have to wait until 2012. We really want to buy our "forever" home. Something in which our kids can grow. We've narrowed down the neighborhoods and picked out the schools (we're nerds like that). We're making plans to bring home a little bundle of joy in 2012. I know it may not work out that perfectly, but we want to be ready for whatever God throws our way.
Life is really good right now. We have a lot for which to be thankful and a lot to look forward to. As the holidays approach, we're thankful for time with our family. Wednesday we travel to to NJ for Thanksgiving with Murad's family. Immediately after that his family will be back for his graduation here. We're excited that Abby will spend Christmas with us again!
So, Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!