Another Change in Seasons

Telling a story in the car with my kids can start on one subject and end on a drastically different one.  I never know where our conversation will go.  Last week we were talking about a sign the kids saw on the side of the street and somehow it ended 10 minutes later in a very depressing way.  As I pulled into our driveway, I was telling them about how my childhood pet, Fella, had been hit by a car and died.  If I could have grabbed the words that flew out of my mouth and shoved them back in, I would have.  Instead, Matthew looked at me with unshed tears in his eyes and said, “Mommy.  Please do not tell me stories that make my nose burn!!”  I knew instantly what he felt like.  That is the worst feeling when you can literally feel a good cry coming. 

I had that same feeling today when I was teaching preschool.  I had one of my sweet girls sitting on my lap and reading “Fancy Nancy” before her mom came to pick her up.  I choked up on the second page and felt my nose start to burn.  I was sad because it is the end of the school year and I was saying goodbye to all of my babies that have such a special place in my heart.

For the last several years, I have been a preschool teacher and LOVED every minute of it.  I work with the most amazing group of ladies and get paid to love on babies.  It is the perfect environment for me.  I started almost 5 years ago for two reasons:  1.)  I had been housebound with three toddlers desperately needing a change of scenery and 2.)  I couldn’t afford to put said three children in preschool otherwise!   My time there has been a blessing beyond measure.  I wrote in my book about surrounding yourself with good friends.  I could not have asked for a better group of Christian women to surround myself with.  We have laughed, cried and prayed through life.  I am so grateful that God brought them into my life. 

Today with a burning nose and blurry tears, I said goodbye to my sweet babies and those amazing women.  Next year I will be embarking on yet another season in my life.  I decided to no longer teach next year and focus on my family and writing full time.

My first blog post ever was written at the start of this school year and talked about the change of seasons in my life.  (Link:  http://fullheartemptywomb.blogspot.com/2014/08/seasons.html ) My youngest son was starting Kindergarten and my little world was rocked.    This latest change of seasons was not an inevitable season.  No, this change has been one that I have chosen intentionally after a lot of tears and prayers.  In some ways it was an easy decision to make.  When you pray something through, you just get a peace about it and know it is right.  I also happen to have the most supportive husband in the world.  He has been encouraging me all the way along.  I am taking a leap of faith and devoting my time and energy where I believe God wants me. 

And why would I want to be anywhere else? :)

I always like to add a picture on my blog post because if I don't, then there is a big picture of my head that shows up every time it is shared on Facebook.  And that's just creepy ;)  The above picture is a poster that we had hanging in my classroom next to the puzzles.  Every day a little girl pointed to the picture and asked me what my kids names were.  It didn't matter how many times I told her that it wasn't me, she would ask the next day.  Oh I love preschoolers....