Last day of school.. for a while

Even since before we got married, Danny and I knew that we wanted to make it work for me to stay home with our child(ren) once God started our family.  I think we also had the notion that things would be "perfect" when that day came, and that the decision would be an easy one.  Since this pregnancy was by no means a mistake but also came a bit suddenly, we found ourselves far from our perfect scenario we'd always dreamed of.  Aside from finances and the very run-down basement apartment we'd been living in the past year, I also never dreamed it would be so difficult to stop working from a completely non-financial standpoint.

If you've been around me for 5 minutes, you know I LOVE my job.  I love the teaching profession, I love Spanish, I love my school, and I absolutely love love love my students and their families.  Because the school is so small and there are only two Spanish teachers, I had the awesome privilege to teach many of my upper-level students three full years (Spanish 1, 2, and 3, or Spanish 1, 2, and 4, depending on the student).  This being my 4th year at the school, I also was starting my first round of younger siblings, so even my Spanish 1 students were kids and families I already had wonderful relationships with via their older brothers and sisters.

Deciding what to do was heart-wrenching.  I knew what was right for our family, but the thought of giving up all "my" other kids was very difficult.  After a lot of tears and long conversations (about the emotional difficulty as well as the new financial situation it would introduce), Danny and I decided to go for it, much of the unknowns left to faith.

Telling my students was the next hurdle.  I tried not to cry (much), which was semi-successful some days and less successful the others.  Some of the girls in whom I've been especially invested this year and I had some knock-down sob sessions on several occasions.

Finally the last day came, and they completely surprised me.  I got a call from the office to come down between 3rd and 4th periods (my two sections of Spanish III/IV).  As I turned the corner to the office, I saw on the counter two huge bouquets of flowers - one from Danny and one from my students.  On the student's card it said, "Now get back to class, we're waiting for you!"  I started sobbing immediately, but just thought they were being sweet to deliver flowers, not expecting there could be more.  I cried the whole way back to my room.  Little did I know what was coming!!  I turned the corner, and my room was FULL of students - past and present, all waiting!  Of course I was a blubbering wreck, but they sat me down and played an amazing going-away video roast they'd put together, with tons of interviews of my students giving a little good-bye message.  It was one of the most touching moments of my life, and I will never, ever forget it!!  I hope to watch that video years down the road with my grandkids and convince them to become teachers, too!

So yes.  Long post, but I will not be teaching next year.  I know this is the right thing for this season of life, as my number one calling is now to Addison and to our little growing family.  But I also know that Lord willing, this hiatus will be just a season, and I will be back to my calling as a teacher one day.

God has already totally blessed that decision though, as I found out on the LAST teacher workday that I have been chosen to work as an adjunct instructor for the graduate education department, supervising student teachers and teaching the Monday night methods course (both Fall 2011 and Spring 2012 semesters).  It is very part-time, but seems like an awesome fit to stay involved in education, as well as help shape future Spanish teachers!

See below for a few of the reasons saying goodbye was soo hard...