Learning

The last almost 2 weeks have been a blast. I knew that going into the teaching profession would provide me with ample time off during most holidays and a lengthy time during the summer - but I didn't understand the magnitude of those breaks. 

A few things I have learned during this most recent break...

a. My daughter is growing up way too fast

When you are constantly going, going, going, it's hard to notice the littlest things around you because you are so caught up on so many other things. Brinnley has grown up SO much in just the last 13 days. Her vocabulary has grown by at least 15 words.. yes, it's true. She now asks for 'juice', says the full 'thank you' when you give her something (or when she gives you something) instead of just the 'tanks', she can say almost complete sentences and tons of phrases - just this morning I said there was no more juice and she simply replied, 'no more juice'. She loves to say 'bye' when she leaves the room to go play or when she is doing her business and doesn't want you around - she will push you and say 'bye, go' so you will leave her alone, she enjoys pointing to other babies (or big kids) and say 'baby'.

She also loves to point out the letter 'O and B' and when we start counting, 1... she will finish with 2 and try to hold up her fingers to show 2.
When you tell her you love her, she simply holds her hand up to her mouth and says, 'maw' and motions she is blowing you a kiss. The L sound is hard for her so LOVE will be hard for her to say. 

Her little brain is growing each day and I know that when she returns to daycare on Monday they will be blown away by her growth! 

b. I hate being cold

It has been freakin' cold out this break. There has been snow every few days and I don't think the temperature has gone ABOVE freezing in the last week. 

Because it is so freezing, I have been staying inside as much as possible. Just the walk to the car, or from the car to the store, is too much for me and then throw in there that I have to strap and unstrap Brinnley from her car seat...no thank you! When I go back to work I am going to be wearing big ole sweaters and scarves to stay warm and at least I can bump up the heat in my classroom! :)

I know I will be the complete opposite when it's summer and it's TOO hott, but for right now, I will stay bundled up in my home with fuzzy socks and fleece pants!

c. I love my job

Yes, my job is exhausting and I miss my husband and daughter while I am away, but I cannot wait to return to my classroom and see my students. I absolutely love being in there and seeing their 'a-ha' moments when they learn something new or the stories they like to share. I enjoy being in control, go figure, of what I am doing and I just feel so in my element. I have said this before and I'll say it again, I was meant to be a teacher! I am starting to look at taking a few classes to enhance my technology background - Aaron says I can go back to school if I want - but it has to be worth it, obviously. Eventually, I would love to take some administration classes of some sort, but I know I need a few more years under my belt before I do that. Thankfully, my district has a fund that allows teachers to use and get reimbursed for classes that we need to continue or teaching license. I just renewed mine and it will be good for a few more years!

This break has been very enlightening for me and it just confirms that our life is just how we could have imagined it to be. It's very settling to know that we are where we thought we would be when we first started to date and now, almost 5 years later - most of our dreams have come true! We have many more dreams and we can just keep catching those along the way..