Busy Mama...

Wow, the last time I posted, I was on maternity leave. Yikes! I've been back to work since the beginning of February and my days have gone as such: wake at 5 am, nurse, pump, get ready, leave for work at 7:15, work, work, work, (pumping twice at work), head home about 4, walk into the house to the world's most smiley little girl on the face of the earth, take a moment to spend with Lauren, nurse (Matt get's home), make dinner, then I have about an hour with Lauren before the bedtime routine begins at 6:45, she's down by 7, time for household chores, then sit down for a moment, wake Lauren at 9 to nurse- then we're all off to bed. We're in a good routine (Amen!), but one that only allows me a mere 3 hours a day with my baby. Thank heavens that's going to change.

I only have 8.5 days left with students and 14 days left of work. I can't tell you how happy that makes me. I still don't think it has registered in my brain that I won't be going back in the fall. I can't wait to have my house back to myself (no more taking 30 minutes daily to pick up for/from the babysitter). I can't wait to sleep in a little longer (although then we're going to have to tweak the scheduled Jenny and I have worked hard to put into place). I can't wait to watch my little girl grow up. I can't wait to laugh and play with her every day. I can't wait to not feel like my mind, body, and soul are being torn into pieces daily. I can't wait to be the mommy Lauren deserves, with her as my top priority (not that she isn't right now, but I still have 19 students that have needs that I have to meet daily too- I didn't turn into a bad teacher just because I had a child of my own). I just can't wait.

This waiting hasn't come without its trials and tribulations. There have been many tears and many prayers, over many months that have gotten me here thus far. I'm so grateful to be surrounded by such wonderful Christians who pray for me daily. Just last week I was having an especially hard day at work. The guidance counselor I work with, Judy, is the most wonderful lady ever- she happened to walk by me at just the right moment and I asked her to pray for me. She must have prayed something fierce- because the very next day I felt my burdens lighten. The students didn't seem to be as crazy, my outlook got brighter, and the work load didn't seems as daunting as the previous day. For people like her I am ever so thankful.

Well off to wake that cutie pie of mine...oh how I love her! I'll leave you with some more recent pictures (she's changed so much since the last post- sorry, I plan to be better once work is over)

Bath time fun!

Can you believe she's eating solids!!

Splashing around in her pool!