Retired

After 6 crazy weeks of working two jobs, I'm officially done with one: teaching. I've decided that it is too hard for me to do both (I haven't felt like I've been doing either job particularly well the last few weeks) so I will not be going back to the classroom next year. David likes to tell people that I have retired, however, the truth is that I will be working part time (2 days a week from 8-2) as an SOL tutor next year. Regardless, packing up my classroom was both physically and emotionally tough. I honestly do love teaching and it was extremely hard to say goodbye to my kids, my team, and my room (I seriously had the whole tears streaming down the cheek as I turned off the lights and closed the door for the final time moment). While I've cried a bunch over the last few days, I know that staying home is the right decision-for both me and for Jules. I also have to give credit where credit is due too-Mom was a huge help. She came up for 3 days and watched Juliann but also helped me pack up all of my stuff. And boy do I have a lot of stuff-right now the attic, the bonus room, and the dining room all contain boxes or crates of teaching materials. I have no idea how I acquired so much junk over the last 4 years! I plan to go through it over the next few days and decide what I actually need to keep (for when I eventually go back full time or for Jules) and what I can throw out or give to other teachers. I can sometimes be a pack-rat so I'm sure I'll find excuses as to why I need to keep things, but hopefully we'll be able to walk around the bonus room and eat in the dining room (can't remember the last time we did this so not sure why I'm worrying) sometime in the near future. Wish me luck!

I'd like to think that since I'm home now I will be able post more, but truth-be-told, I probably won't! Just because I'm home with Jules certainly does not mean I'll have tons of time to sit in front of the computer and blog. I've been home 2 week days and I've gotten nothing accomplished. She doesn't take long naps during the day (used to before the baby sitter but now she catnaps for 30 minutes here or there) so when she does fall asleep, I run around like a crazy person trying to get stuff done around the house. The only reason I'm able to write at this very moment is because she fell asleep in her bouncy chair. Hopefully we'll be able to transition into longer morning and afternoon naps over the next few weeks. I'll let you know how it goes...OK, sleeping beauty awakes....and cries! What perfect timing! :)