Seven Months Later*

Seven months.

I think that’s the longest I’ve gone without writing something, somewhere since I was a kid. It was a much needed respite, but I’m feeling that pull again to put my thoughts down somewhere… and despite my increased absences, this little blog still feels like home.

So much has happened since August that I’m not even sure where to begin. First of all–our biggest news–I’m pregnant! If you are friends with me on Facebook then this won’t be a surprise, but I’m currently 21 weeks along with our third, and we just found out that it’s a boy. That was a huge surprise for me as I could have sworn it was a girl, but what do I know? haha. The Hubster and I are both thrilled, and I’m feeling well (now). I’m tired a lot, but I think that’s just par for the course when you work full time have have two small toads at home. :)

When I last wrote, my work future seemed somewhat bleak. There were no openings at the school I’ve worked at (and loved) for almost the last three years, and I had very little drive to start over at another school. A new school meant finding a new daycare and interviews and more stress than I wanted to handle. Despite this, I love what I do and wanted to work, so I began applying and restarted the interview process for the billionth time. I interviewed at three schools before I was offered a first semester half day LTO contract at a new school teaching two courses I had never taught before in my life. Part of me was excited about the challenge, the other part was completely terrified about starting over so completely at a school where I had absolutely no connections.

My first day was terrifying, but I was thrilled to find someone that I had crossed paths with at a previous school and she took me under her wing for the day. My new department was amazing and welcomed me, and despite some initial reservations, it didn’t take me long to feel at home at my new school.

In fact, I love it there. It’s huge school (2000+ kids) with an incredibly diverse population of cultures and religions that I find absolutely fascinating. I spent the first semester teaching World Religions and Civics, and while both were daunting initially, it was actually really refreshing to have a mini break from teaching English. As the first semester ended I realized that while I have always wanted to land a permanent teaching position at MHSS, I could also be really happy at this school if that didn’t work out. I was thrilled when another LTO opened up and I was offered the opportunity to stay until June. I’m teaching English again, and I love my classes.

For the first time in my career, I finally feel like I’m getting the hang of this thing. I have always loved teaching, but I finally feel like I am reaching a place where I have some confidence doing it. As a new teacher, there is so much to learn and figure out… and while I’ve been “doing” all those things I’ve been unsure of for almost six years, I’ve been second guessing myself all along the way. But the experience I’ve had at this school has been incredible–I really feel like people have confidence in my abilities and they are genuinely interested in what I have to contribute. That’s not to say that I didn’t have that experience at every other school I worked at, I just don’t think that I was ready to believe it. I think all the experiences I’ve had have shaped me into the teacher I am today, and I’m finally ready to take that step outside my individual classroom and into the larger school community. I’m a part of several different committees and organizations at the school, and while it’s incredibly busy, I am really, really loving it. This year I am one of three teachers running the school’s Student Body Government, as well as helping to plan and organize our Leadership camp. I’m also part of our Literacy and Safe School committees, with a few other smaller commitments along the way. I’m not going to lie–it’s a lot–but I feel like I’m learning so much and I want to soak it all in while I can.

Balancing work and home life while being pregnant is a constant battle. I can’t seem to manage all three, so my poor little house is a bit of a mess most of the time. While I love my job, a part of me is also counting down the days to the end of June when I’ll be home with my amazing kiddos for at least another year.

Hank and Ruby (still using blog nicknames for privacy) are the light of our lives. They have grown into two of the funniest, sweetest little people I have ever met. Ruby just turned four and surprises us almost every day with something new she has picked up or something we can’t believe she remembered. I’m in a little bit of denial that she is starting kindergarten in the fall, but she is so excited about it. Right now she is tall and slender with beautiful auburn hair that has just enough red in it to match a stubborn streak and temper that occasionally rises its head. She is currently obsessed with Ninja Turtles and recently insisted that we buy her a bow and arrow from the dollar store, but still loves to dress up and play barbies. She loves to play and be around people and just came into the kitchen to show me her new somersaulting skills.

Hank is still a tank. We were all sick through most of February and the Hubster and I were quite concerned about how much weight he appeared to have lost… but he has since made up for that and more. He just turned two and yesterday wore a pair of 3T pants. His feet are already the same size as Ruby and he is quickly gaining on her in height. He is also the sweetest, funniest little boy that you will ever meet. He loves to play and has the best laugh I’ve ever heard. Right now he is obsessed with the Cars movie and spends most of his day driving his small cars around my kitchen table while making sound effects. He is a horrendously picky eater, but I’ve decided not to stress about it as he is clearly not suffering in the weight department… haha. He has a blue and white blanket that he drags around everywhere that he calls his “mum mum”. He is still my snuggler, and I’m trying to enjoy that for as long as I can as I know it won’t last forever!

So, all in all, life is incredibly busy, but I am really, really happy. We have two of the best kids on the planet, and while we are a little nervous about being outnumbered, we are really excited to welcome this sweet pea at the end of July. I wish The Hubster and I were able to get out together a little more often, but we try when we can and we are hoping to try for a weekend away before the baby comes. He is still my most favourite person and I like to try and date him when I can. :)

I don’t know know how often I’ll be able to get back here to write, but it has definitely been on my mind lately and I know I’m not ready to give it up completely. I’m thoroughly enjoying a bit of extra free time while I’m on March Break, and I plan to spend at least some of it here. :)