The New Year

It's a new year and it has definitely brought some changes to my little world. I stayed home with my two beautiful babies for a little less than a year. It was such a wonderful blessing to be able to focus all of my attention and energy on my family for that time. I knew that the time would go by quickly, but I had no idea that it would flash by so fast! It is now mid-February and I have been back at school for a month and a half, teaching a subject that I love - Art. I have gone through quite an adjustment period as I changed my daily schedule from spending every waking minute with my little ones to spending the morning and evening with them; from feeding them every meal to only feeding them two of their four bottles and dinner; from changing all their wet and dirty diapers to changing just a few (I don't necessarily mind this one); seeing them smile after waking up in the morning and from their naps to seeing just their very first smile of the day when the wake up. Their are so many more little things each day that I miss, but there is absolutely no way to list them all. However, with each moment that I miss - I cherish the opportunities I do have to spend with them. It makes each smile that much more special and each snuggle or hug a little deeper. I know that teaching is my calling, but so is being a mother. I am working to balance both and so far it's going well. I feel I am still the person I want to be with my kids and with my students. Both callings will help each other - experiences as a teacher will help me to be a better mom and experience as a mother will, in turn, help me to be a better teacher.

I had heard that the transition back to work would be harder on me then it would for A & W - as far as I can tell, they love Mary (their daytime caretaker) and the other children that she watches. They show excitement in spending time with the other children and with Mary and her husband who has taken quite a liking to both A & W. Even though Wyatt has "broken" into parts of the house that are off limits. He figured out how to open their sliding door and then gnawed on it afterwards. I guess using all that brainpower getting the door open made him hungry. They now have to use a makeshift lock for the door until Wyatt is gone for the day. Some of the things I know they will enjoy in the future at Mary's are the baseball games that they will play in the spring and the tractor rides that Gary (Mary's husband) will take them on when it's finally warm enough. It's exciting to hear how their personalities are coming out at Mary's - things that I saw on a daily basis that make other's smile. A & W are such happy babies and get along really well with everyone. They are the entertainment on many occasions with their wiley antics at Mary's (how can they not be humorous with the parents that they have). I would have to say that they are doing great and are enjoying their time to socialize and learn even more new things from their experiences at Mary's. It has at least made my transition to work a little easier. The fact that in 13 weeks (yes, I'm counting down) I have the entire summer off also helps! Better yet, I have an entire week off with them in 6 weeks! Yeah for spring break!