It's Almost Over...

So, my extremely long (and blessed) maternity leave is almost over! It makes me quite sad to think about it, but I know that I have been very lucky to get as long as I have. It has reinforced in me that I really would LOVE to be a stay-at-home mom. Unfortunately, that just isn't in the cards for our family at this time. It certainly makes one question the choices he/she has made in life, but we live our lives with no regrets. Our girls are flourishing, we both love our jobs as educators, and we have an amazing child care provider who loves the princesses about as much as we do. I can also be proud that we are teaching our children the importance of working hard, finding a balance between a profession and family time, and that they can be extremely happy even when life isn't exactly what they had planned. We are excited for this coming year because Chris is starting at a new school and teaching a different grade. Also, he finally quit Best Buy after seven long, but good, years. I think he deserves to only work one job after working at least 70 hours a week for many years now. Being the bill payer in our house, he is currently questioning if this was the best choice for our family. I have faith that everything will work out.

Some of the highlights of my time off included lazing in bed for half the day with my girls when Princess R was brand new, baking and crafting with Princess N, and getting to play and hang out with my and Natalie's friends at various locations. We have had SUCH a good time. I also enjoyed visiting our families in Vermont, which we are super blessed to be able to do every summer.

Now, though, I am looking forward to seeing how Princess Ruthie fares at daycare and watching Princess Natalie blossom into an even more awesome big sister. She loves that role these days! I am also looking forward to returning to school and seeing my kids and co-workers. I get really energized by working with creative people, and I am blessed to get to do that daily as an elementary school counselor. This is my 4th year, and I am anxious to become even better at my job.

Pray for me, pray for my princesses, pray for my family. I promise, I'm praying for yours, too.
We have an exciting year to come <3