Thoughts

I haven't been blogging much lately, mostly due to lack of internet service at home, but also because I haven't had too much to blog about. I finally decided to sit down and try to update.

*Only 8 weeks left until we meet our little one.
It seems like forever and really fast all at the same time. I have
a lot left to do before she gets here...

*Lacking motivation. I have been lacking motivation for most things.
I blame it mostly on the heat, but I also think it has to do
with getting little sleep. I know that is just going to be worse
in 8 weeks!

*This summer definitely feels different than previous summers.
This is the first time I haven't been thinking and planning
for a new school year. Usually at this time I start getting
antsy to get in my room and start prepping.

*I should be getting the nursery together, but I haven't
really had the energy or motivation. I think it is
mostly due to lack of ideas. I really don't
know how to decorate so I am stalling. Maybe when
I have the bedding up I will be more inspired!

*I feel financially overwhelmed. I think a lot of it has to
do with knowing I won't be getting a paycheck
next year on top of a baby--holy expenses! We are
so incredibly grateful to all of our friends and family
who have helped us with so much of what we need. Now we have
a lot of the pricey items left to buy...strollers, playpen,
car seat, diaper bag, rocking chair,
video camera, etc.
The worst part is the doctor bills have already started coming...yippee.
Sure wish we could have taken advantage of having Educator's Mutual!

*We have already started the long, exhausting job of getting
wood for winter. We decided we better do it early.
Thankfully, we should be close to done. Poor Jeff
has really had to do all of the really hard stuff because I can't. Between
that, yard work, scouts, and work in general, he is exhausted.

*I am getting plenty of tips on being a mom, staying home,
what a newborn is like, how little sleep I will have,
etc. etc. etc! It's funny how everyone wants you
to know how hard it is going to be. Do I really seem like the type that lives
in fairytale land? I mean, I know
there will be some surprises, but I have
never had rose colored glasses on. I appreciate the
people who say things like, "your
life will be totally different, but better in so many
ways." Much less depressing.

*I am getting very nervous about the actual birth.
I am kind of a wuss about things like this.
Child birth classes start in a few weeks and I just
hope Jeff and I aren't both passed out in the back. I keep
telling myself that millions of people have gone through this, so
surely I can too. Again, this is a topic
everyone has a story about and likes to give advice.
I really don't like hearing horror stories about what
happened at this hospital or that, or what this nurse or
that doctor did, etc. I would really
rather not have more to worry about--I can do plenty
of worrying all by myself!

*Jeff is doing great. He still loves his job
and the people he works with. I'm so happy he found such a
great place to be. His co-workers made him a surprise
diaper cake last week. It was so cute and thoughtful.
Jeff was a little embarrassed carrying it around, but
at least he didn't have to ride the bus that day.
Hilarious.

*Every time we come to UT we want
to get together with friends, but the trips are always short
and jam packed with errands to run.
Since my doctor appointments are starting to become more
frequent , I look forward to getting together with many of you soon!
We miss you and love you all!

Rough Day

Today is the last day of school, and like every year, it is bittersweet. Today, it feels a little more bitter since it is my last day of school for I am not sure how long. It has been such a great year. It feels so strange and so incredibly sad to say goodbye to my career. As I look back on the last seven years, I can't help but feel unbelieveably grateful. I have worked at two incredible schools, with two incredible principals, colleagues that have become my best friends, and I have always had the best students and parents to work with. I have the best of memories and have made such great friends with so many people. I am excited to stay home with our little girl and be a mom, but I didn't anticipate just how hard it would be say goodbye to this part of my life. I feel like I am losing part of who I am and I can't believe I won't have a set of keys letting me into a school and a classroom. There are so many things I am going to miss:

*Summers of getting organized and ready for a new batch of kiddos--I love the anticipation
*Seeing the back to school sales and getting an excited/nervous pit in my stomach
*The night before school starts nightmares...well, maybe I won't miss those so much, or maybe I'll still get them
*The first month of school. I love training a new group and getting to know the kids!
*Planning and teaching the curriculum. I will especially miss watching the kids learn and get excited about what we are learning.
*The connection you make with students
*Halloween in an elementary school! Crazy day, but I LOVE it!
*Hearing "Mrs. Hunziker" or my favorite, "Hunziker", a hundred times a day from every kid in town
*Feeling part of a team
*Laughing with and playing jokes on colleagues
*Lunch in the faculty room
*The feeling of having grades done and turned in
*Parent/Teacher conferences...I really do like meeting and celebrating with the parents. Plus, I have to say, I really have worked with such positive parents and always enjoy visiting.
*When the long nights of parent/teacher conferences are over--they do tend to be exhausting!
*Looking forward to the breaks--Thanksgiving, Christmas, Summer
*Tracking student growth
*Holidays and theme days
*The always overflowing lost and found
*The funny things the kids say when you least expect
*The way the kids make you feel
*Read aloud...I love watching the expressions and excitement when we read a really good book
*Seeing the coats and backpacks hanging on the coathooks

and so much more...

Jeff has been so sweet and supportive this week, which has really helped out. I know when this little baby comes I will be so happy I stayed home and I know it will be hard, (harder than working) but worth it. This summer I think I am just going to have to focus on getting ready for the baby to keep my mind off of school. So weird...not only will I not be bringing home a paycheck, but I will no longer be known as a teacher.