The difference a year makes...

The last day of school for most kids in our area is this week. And, I barely even noticed. It doesn't affect us at all. Well, other than the fact that we won't have parks to ourselves in the mornings... That is SO STRANGE for us! With Derrick in school and me in school/teaching, our lives have always revolved around school schedules. Now, neither one of our lives do. We're blissfully unaware of the 'Last Day of School Countdown' that all the teachers have on their whiteboards and calendars. I don't notice the increase of hyperactive and aggressive behaviors that comes with the end of school and stress for many students because they don't feel safe at home. I just notice the heat, the neighborhood kids playing, and more kids at the park. Last year at this time, I had a big huge countdown on my white board, was busily finishing and cleaning up my files for all my students, and (to be completely honest) terrified of how I would do as a stay-at-home mom. Would I miss my students? Wouldn't I feel lonely without all the other teachers around? Would I be able to be a good mom all the time? How was I going to keep up with laundry, cleaning, and cooking? Was Derrick ever going to find a job? Would we have insurance? Oh, how God provided. He really, really did. Life has changed, dramatically. I only cried leaving my girl once this year-when I had a dentist appointment and left her at a friends. Last year, I did nearly every single day. Derrick got a job that he enjoys and is good at. He's amazing at working two jobs and being a wonderful father and husband to us. We have insurance. I miss many of my teacher friends but not in the miserable, I'm the only adult in the world way, that I was afraid of. I'm excited to get to see more of them this summer! I do think about my students regularly but, am so thankful that I only have one student here at home and adding working with our youth group has helped that 'teacher' need in me. I still stink at laundry. I really, really enjoy cooking (especially as it doesn't make me sick due to pregnancy anymore!). Being amom all the time, with my girl all thetime, is truly wonderful. Exhausting, yes. But, wonderful.

Just look how much Addilyn has changed, how sad would it have been to have missed so much of this little girl growing and changing?!