I've pondered this post for awhile ... there are some big changes coming for our little family in the next week and I have some mixed emotions. I am leaving the teaching profession for awhile (how long? I don't know!) We decided this year that I would quit so that I could stay home with our little ones. I guess you could say it was a long time coming. We've always felt the need for me to be at home with our kids as much as possible. When David was born I went part time (working only 4 hours every morning for 9ish months of the year, having holidays, summers, and occasional long weekends off) and while it was hard to leave my precious baby boy in someone else's care it worked out well. I felt like I could help provide for our family's needs and I felt like I was still home with my son for most of the day. This year when Becca joined the family going back to work was even harder (now I was leaving 2 babies plus I was full of loads of emotional baggage from becoming a mom of 2, adjusting hormones, and a preemie who although she has done SO well from day 1 I was SO concerned about--it was the middle of RSV season, she was only a couple of months old, she was at greater risk by being born early, I was full of adjusting hormones :) etc., etc, etc.) I have been very blessed and ALWAYS tried to thank my Heavenly Father for sending our way fabulous babysitters who have loved our kids. I also have felt SO blessed to work for a school district who tried to accommodate me the best they could (allowing me to work part time for 2 years!) and has been full of people who have been supportive of me and so helpful. However, we have just felt like it is time. Time for me to put away the dress shoes and pull out the slippers ... okay, so I know stay at home mom isn't all glitz and glamor, but I'm prepared for it. And teaching severe special education I probably don't look or act as cute and put together as I feel like I am (at least not by the time I come home). I am picking up some odds and ends jobs to help financially (daycare and some mentoring for the school district--didn't I say how fabulous and helpful they have been) and am so excited for this new endeavor in life! Yes, I am EXCITED ... and scared, apprehensive, happy, nervous, excited, a little sad, thrilled ... I guess the moral of the story is I am super happy to stay home with my kids and am even looking forward to the new opportunities that await, but I'm scared about CHANGE and a little sad to leave teaching. I have never really been out of school (at least not since I was 5). Elementary, Middle, High School, College, and then straight into teaching! I plan on returning someday, but I don't know when. It probably won't really set in until all the kids and teachers start returning in the fall and by then I may not be so scared anymore.
