Project 365: Week Twenty-Two

Weeks twenty-two and twenty-three of 2013 have been so action-packed with decisions and changes that I am just now posting pictures from week twenty-two.  It was during week twenty-two that I made the difficult decision to take a leave from teaching to stay home with the twins.  I had been thinking about doing so over the last few months, but didn't pull the trigger on the decision until last week.  I had been enjoying the balance between school and home that working part-time offered, but I never quite felt as though I was the teacher that I wanted to be this year.  I didn't have the time that I once did to put everything that I wanted to into my teaching.  Plus, it didn't make a whole lot of sense - I was working just to pay for childcare.  And when difficulties in childcare arose, it didn't seem worth the trouble any longer.  At school, we were being asked to move to different classrooms anyways, and a lot of changes were coming our way for the 2013-2014 school year.  It just seemed to be time to make that decision. 

I know that I will never regret the time that I spend with Maddie and Will over the next few years, but it was definitely hard to make the decision to leave the school that has been my home away from home for the last twelve years.  My colleagues have become my dear friends.  When I turn in my keys and walk away from the school with the big blue roof for the last time, I will leave those friends behind to continue the work that I have done for so long. 

When I was mulling over the decision to leave, I consulted with a few friends who have made the same choice.  They all reported no regret in their decision and much happiness in their new lives at home.  They reminded me that I can always return to teaching, but that I will never again have the opportunity to spend these precious years with Maddie and Will.  As my friend Jen wrote in a message to me, "One day you'll retire from teaching and say, 'I was a teacher', but you'll say you're a mom for the rest of your life." 

I don't know that it will really sink in that I am not returning to teaching until fall, when my friends will leave their own babies in daycare to return to their classrooms.  I'm sure that I'll miss teaching - at least initially.  I definitely won't miss writing report cards, though...or that week before Christmas...or the parent who refuses to believe that his/her child is nothing but an angel...or...maybe I AM ready to take a leave from teaching after all!

148/365:  Going in for a Kiss

This might be my favorite picture of all time -Will, leaning in to give Maddie a kiss while standing in the doorway.  Maddie did not reciprocate the gesture; she may have even pushed him away after he attempted to kiss her over and over.  But this moment?  Priceless and precious and beautiful. 

149/365:  Horseplay

On most weekdays, Jim typically gets home with just a few minutes to spare before we put the twins to bed for the night.  He makes the most of that time holding, talking to, reading to, and wrestling with the twins.  He saves most of the roughhousing for Will, who seems to enjoy wrestling with his daddy.

150/365:  Happy {Stroller} Walker

We typically take two walks a day - one short walk with the wagon before the twins' morning nap, and a longer walk around the neighborhood with the stroller after dinner.  The twins' LOVE, LOVE, LOVE taking walks.  All I need to do is say the word and they both book it to the front door!  Bailey used to be the same way until he realized that he doesn't take walks with us anymore.  If only he was a good walker.  Here, Will shows his enthusiasm for walks with a big wide-mouth smile! 

151/365:  Remembering the Good Ol' Days

Maddie and Will love to look at pictures, but they especially like to look at pictures of themselves!  Maddie's favorite picture is one of her and Will as newborns that hangs in our bedroom.  She points to it again and again, "asking" me to tell her about it.  In the picture above, Maddie reaches out to touch a framed picture of herself, taken when she was about seven months old and just learning to sit up on her own. 

152/365:  First Swing

Maddie and Will enjoyed their first experience with swings so much that we are going to hunt down some toddler swings at a park later today!  It is so much fun to watch them smile and giggle as they swing back and forth!

153/365:  Backyard Balloon

While we were preparing BLT sandwiches for dinner on Sunday evening, Jim made the mistake of telling me that he had spotted a hot air balloon in the sky when he peeked out the window.  I grabbed my camera and went outside, leaving Jim behind.  Later, when we were about to eat, Jim noted that no tomatoes or lettuce had been cut.  Apparently that was my job.  I told him that he shouldn't have told me about the balloon.  He said that next time, he wouldn't!

154/365:  Overexposed and Overwhelmed

On Monday, I officially resigned from my position as a teacher in the school district.  Before bedtime that evening, Will, who had only taken 2-3 steps at a time before, crossed the living room to come to me.  I think he must have known how much I needed a hug!  I had my camera nearby when Will started his journey across the room, but it wasn't properly set.  I fired away anyhow, capturing the moment and the memory in washed out pictures.