As I sit here rocking my little Mad Man I know I have so much to be grateful for. I am however not sad to see 2013 pass. On the whole - not a great year. There were of course magical moments, but overall not a very joyous year. So, it seems appropriate that I should see 2013 out fighting a virus as well as pink eye, courtesy of my Mad Man.
Let's look back. The new year started off alright. I was home with my babies and we had created quite a lovely routine. Of course both kiddos were sick all through the holidays so we were recovering for most of winter! Life with Hubby was getting increasingly strained, if I'm being totally honest. After some serious heart to hearts things looked up. We went to Disney World. We went to Dutch Wonderland. The kiddos and Mima and Poppi and I took some day trips. Life was full of adventure!
Then the news came that my position was being terminated (the position I was on an extended maternity from). We were not surprised, in fact we would have been shocked if it wasn't eliminated due to increasing budget constraints in the school district. I was actually quite happy with the news that I would be home for at least one more year guilt free, as it wasn't my decision. However, reality sank in and we knew we had to increase our income. So, I decided to try at home day care. Luckily, our good friends knew I was considering it and I ended up watching their 11 month old niece. Long story short it was a long summer. I tried to make the best of it, but it was challenging meeting the vastly different needs of three little ones. I cannot imagine how the parents of multiples do it!
Late in August I was notified that my position was available due to another teacher in the department moving. Ugh. I was not happy with the news. In fact I was devastated. Although the daycare thing was hard I felt like I was getting in a rhythm with the kiddos and I was so looking forward to the fall and bringing T to preschool for the first time. I felt like it had all been ripped away. I will admit I do not adjust easily to change and this really threw me for a loop. Now, of course I could have turned down the offer, but that would have meant losing any right to a position in the future, as well as losing my stature in the district. So, really I couldn't say no.
I returned to work in September and have tried to accept my new reality. It has not been easy, but it is what it is. I try to make the most of the evenings and especially the weekends. I try not to think of all that I am missing out on. I hope that my children will continue to thrive. I wish I could have figured out a way to stay home, but I didn't. Now I just have to keep moving forward. Just keep swimming, as Dory from Finding Nemo says.
As I said there was also some magic this year. Mad Man is changing by leaps and bounds. He is developing an adorable sense of humor and I could listen to him talk for hours. His voice is sweet and high pitched when he is really trying to communicate. He is my little love man. T is amazing. She is maturing into such a sweet, talented, intelligent little lady. She tells the most elaborate stories which I adore. I love watching her play; she is so creative. I live for my moments with these two.
That's life on the Mommy Coaster, right? Ups and downs. Highs and lows. That's life...period. My hope is for a brighter 2014 with more highs than lows. More peaks than pits. Less turbulence. Either way I wouldn't change it for the world. I love my precious babies and am truly thankful to experience this ride with them.
