Back to My Future

So I have to admit, I've never seen a Back to the Future movie all the way through.  I've seen bits and pieces and get the general idea, but it's now on my list to watch the full movie(s).  Apparently today is the "future" date used in the movie, but the catch is we are not flying around on hover boards and (sorry Cubs fans) it looks like the Mets are headed to the World Series.  So this got me thinking about what I thought my future would be like.  One thing is certain...my four year ago self would definitely be surprised what the future had in store for her.

Taken about four years ago.

Four years ago I was unemployed, trying desperately to have a baby and not living the healthiest of lifestyles.  Fast forward to January and 2012 started off well with a new job in a school district.  Move to June and I not only got my dream teaching job, but I turned 30 and found out I was pregnant with Aiden.  Proof that life can change faster than you ever imagined.  I taught my first year with Aiden in my belly and took 11 weeks off when he was born that next February.

First day of school/daycare.

At that point, there was never a question that I would return to teaching.  We interviewed daycares and found one we liked.  Thank goodness for his wonderful teachers, because taking him there was HARD.  I never felt right about it, even though I knew he was being well taken care of.  Teaching that year was difficult, even though I loved my students and co-workers.  Let's speed up through the next two years... found out we were pregnant with Audrey in January, she was born in September.  Took my first year of leave of absence, which worked out well when I found out I needed open heart surgery in January.  After the surgery, we decided I would take a second year off to continue to focus on the kids and my health.  And that brings us back to today (no DeLorean necessary).

So the question I get asked almost daily...are you going back to teaching?  Here's where my four year ago self would be shocked.  No.  This week, I officially resigned from my teaching position.  The truth is, I never thought this would be possible, so I never considered it.  But we've decided, as a family, that we will make sacrifices so that I can be home with our babies.  There are other boring reasons too, but even with all of that, it was not an easy decision.  Teaching was my dream and I love working with kids.  My school is amazing and hard to leave.  But I know in my heart that this is the right decision.

A few weeks ago, I also did something else surprising.  I started training for my new part time job...back in the tutoring field.  My career started in tutoring and I worked in the industry for 8 years. I was offered a great opportunity with an amazing company, Varsity Tutors (look them up!), to work as a Sales Director.  It's not a lot of hours and it's only evenings and weekends when Andrew can spend time with the kids, so fingers crossed it is as perfect as it seems.

Work in PJs with hot apple cider?  Yes, please.

Okay, enough boring updating and babbling.  Now you know my up to date life story.  But my overall takeaway from thinking back to my future?  Anything is possible.  In a month we could be moving to Australia, win the lottery and fly all of you to our private island.  Not likely, but you get the idea.  So I'd like to tell my four year ago self to chill out. Get a lot of sleep and enjoy the free time.  Your future is bright, your dreams will come true and your dreams will change.  Enjoy the ride.