Hi ho, hi ho, It's back to work I go...

...and I am excited, nervous and sad.  I am going to miss seeing these two precious faces all day everyday.  

So, as a lot of you know, I taught 8th grade social studies for several years before having Brenna.  When Brenna was born, I only went back to work part-time so I could spend more time with her.  At the end of the 2012 school year, I was about 20 weeks pregnant with Brody and decided that, rather than take maternity leave at the beginning of the school year, i'd take a leave of absence.  My school system allows for up to two years of leave for childbirth and care of an infant.  I always knew in the back of my mind that it wasn't going to be forever, even though I hoped it could be.  And to be honest, if I want to have my career after my kids my go to school (which I do), I kind of need to go back.  I need to keep my certificate current and I need to work on my masters.  I can only do those things if I am working.

So an opportunity arose a few weeks ago at my old school.  A position teaching 6th grade social studies, in a familiar setting, close to home.  When I looked into daycare, I quickly realized I couldn't afford to send two kids to daycare and actually bring home any of my salary.  So that was out.  Until...I was nonchalantly talking to my neighbor about the opportunity and the cost of daycare (she has two little girls herself, close in age to my kids) and she said "Well i'd watch your kids for half of what a daycare would charge".  SOLD. They'll be with someone they know, kids their own age, and right next door to our house or even at our house some days.  It seemed like the stars were aligning for me to get this position.  So I emailed my old principal, applied, interviewed and was offered the position this week.  It's bittersweet.  I am seriously going to miss these kids so much.  But I keep telling myself "teaching is conducive to having a family.  You get lots of breaks and the kids will be happy to see you when you come home everyday".  Rinse and repeat often.  And of course there's the added bonus of a paycheck and adult conversation during the day.  So while I am positive I will spend the first week driving to school crying my eyes out (remember, I haven't worked full-time in 3 years), I know my kids will be in good hands, having fun and I am doing what's best for all of us right now.  Wish me luck, I have exactly 1 month until I go back.

Of course I can't end this without more pics of the kids...so here ya go!

How cute is my family?