the first day of school, and I'm not going

Tomorrow is the first day of school here in Utah Valley, and I'm not going. I have gone back to school every single fall (whether as a student or as a teacher) for 19 years straight, but tomorrow I'm staying home. It's such a weird feeling. I feel like I should be packing a lunch and picking out a first-day-of-school outfit (yes, even teachers do this). Last week in Walmart I got super excited when I noticed notebooks were on their big sale, and started piling crates of them into my cart, until it hit me that I don't need to buy 150 notebooks this year, and I sheepishly put them back. I even had a middle-of-the-night panic attack once about school ("I don't have any copies ready yet! And what will I do with the baby?!").

I've been a little jealous this week of all my teacher friends. I see them with their brand new, organized, clean classrooms. I love that beginning-of-year stuff, I really do. There's something about new school supplies, clean classrooms, and fresh lesson plans that just gets me. To all my teacher friends: good luck tomorrow! Go rock this school year like you always do. You are amazing.

If you need me tomorrow when everyone else goes to school, I'll be home snuggling my sweet baby. I've been feeling so grateful lately for online teaching jobs and for tutoring, so I can be a teacher and a mom. And hey, I actually have time to do things like exercise! And sweep the kitchen floor! And hopefully take some online classes. I have big plans for this school year. Life will be just as busy, but in a new, different, and ultimately very good way. There is a time and season for everything, and I am especially loving this time with my little chickadee.