Mama's back in her School Psychologist career!-Mother's Day, etc

In a small community such as Bemus Point, it really is about who you know and word of mouth.  Just as I was entering into my 3rd month of substitute teaching at both Bemus School District and Chautauqua Lake School District, and debating about whether to take a very temporary and shady substitute position for a school psych (as well as subbing for the school counselor simultaneously) for Chautauqua Lake SD, a fellow school psych colleague and friend (the School Psychologist at Bemus Elementary that I met a couple years back and has mentored me) called me to give me a heads up a more long-term opportunity.  It just so happened that this other small rural school district I had never even heard of was needing a School Psychologist long-term substitute to fill in for their psych who had been out on leave and extended leave for a good chunk of time.  I hit it off right away with their Principal, who was also a former School Psychologist, when we spoke via phone.  It was a great conversation with good positive energy and her complete understanding and support of my getting back into my career after being a SAHM was very refreshing and comforting.  I was immediately offered the position which included a salary and benefits.  After being approved by the School Board, I started as Pine Valley Central School District's School Psychologist following Spring Break and the day after we returned from Australia. I hadn't slept for 2 days and was majorly jet lagged but my first days being back in my career were exhilarating!

I feel like I was back in my groove and overcame such a HUGE hurdle transitioning from being a stay-at-home mom for more years (FIVE) than I was a school psychologist previous to that for El Rancho Charter School.  I had thought about this nervously the day I stepped out of my career to focus on being a full-time mom.  I never once regretted stepping out, and always knew that it would be within the right timing that I would be able to continue to pursue my career.  I remember my mother's wise words how babies are only little for so long, and that my career would always be there waiting for me to get back into.  She was 100% correct!  Life is fleeting, and childhood is such a short precious chapter.  You blink and you miss a milestone or a treasured moment.  The timing couldn't have been more perfect as my substitute teaching gig prepared me for the work hours.  We had already been "practicing" our new dual working parent routine with Brad as he would often get the boys ready to go to school in the mornings.  Now that I would be working a solid 5-days a week full time schedule with a commute (40 minutes each way to get to South Dayton, NY- north east from Bemus), I would not be able to get the boys ready for school in the mornings or be home in time for when they finished school.  Daddy Brad really stepped up to the plate and handled all morning routines, after school bus drop-off, and we had a friend's daughter help us a couple days/ week by waiting for the boys to get off the bus and stay with them until I was able to get home.  I value his unconditional support, and we are incredibly fortunate his job allows so much flexibility for me to to be able to get back into my field.  We developed this system pretty quick, all while juggling the two intense Baseball Little League practice and game schedule for the boys.  Spring 2017 was sure crazy busy for us, and bittersweet for this mama, as I was propelled back into the working world in lightning speed.  I enjoyed the challenge, being able to compare the similarities and differences of being a School Psychologist in 2 different states, and quickly adjusted to how things are done in NY State.  It was almost like learning a new language, the terminology and procedure is so different!

a little blurb about me in the Pine Valley School newspaper

My Mother's Day gift -a Nespresso machine!  We were inspired by our cappuccino making at the King family's household when visiting them in Australia.

Special mommy and Jax time, going to nail/ foot spa and getting spa pedicures!  Jax really enjoyed it!

Adventures in NSW AUSTRALIA 2017

Amazing Australia! 

This adventure of a lifetime was like no other!  Lots of beautiful beaches, mountains, nature, exotic animals, delicious foods, and awesome company of our friends- The King Family!

We go way back with our friends Jane and Griffin,  transplants from Corona del Mar, CA, who currently live in New South Wales, Australia, and we just had to see this incredible life they live!  Last time our families spent time together was in Leogang, Austria, when we attended our friends Mike & Julia's wedding.  Their twins, Saga and Lincoln, were just toddlers back then.  

Australia is such a unique country-continent, so much interesting history, landscape, and species of animals.  It was such a cool experience seeing everything, hearing the Aussie accent, driving on the other side of the road.. we had a gold rental car so we really stood out!  The North Beaches of Sydney were a cross between Southern California, Hawaii, and Bali with a British twist!  The beaches were one of the most gorgeous coastlines we've seen in a long time!  The boys learned how to boogie board for the first time on the Tasman Sea, held and touched kangaroos, koalas, frolicked on the beaches and beach "pools", enjoyed Saga and Lincoln's amazing house and pool (lots of water fun and sleep-overs), many yummy breakfasts, an adventure to the Blue Mountains where we hiked the dramatic cliffs, saw waterfalls, and learned about the Aboriginal culture (the first people of Australia), and relished in Sydney city time at the very end of our 2 week trip.  Sydney was beautiful- the highlight there was dining under the stars with a beautiful view of the famous Opera house, bridge, and skyline.  These one-of-kind family nights in cities all over the world is one of my favorite memories from all the trips we've taken.  Just before our Sydney city time, the Australian Easter Bunny managed to make a visit and hid eggs for the kids to find and we had a memorable Easter celebration down under!

Most of all, we and the boys walked away becoming masterful travelers with a 20+ hour travel time under our belts... this was by far the furthest and longest flights we've flown to-date.  The boys did amazing and out motto is, whether you are on a long-haul for 9 or 10 hours, another 5 hours makes no difference and feels no different.  Long-haul flight feels long regardless of the hours... you just try to sleep as long as you can, and catch up on many, many movies.  We would go back in a heartbeat!

Vancouver, Brisish Columbia layover.  We flew one leg from Toronto-Vancouver, and then a 15 hour flight from Vancouver to Sydney.

The make-shift tent I made the boys using blankets, my carry-on suitcase suitcase lodged between the their seat and the seat in front, and placed down pillow over to make a bed for Jax.  This is how they slept for maybe 4 hours!

Our driver that our friends sent to pick us up from the airport

King family beautiful beach home in Dee Why Beach

The first thing we did upon arrival to combat the jet lag (which honestly wasn't bad at all, because since we flew out in the late evening from Vancouver, and arrived in the morning in Sydney... basically skipping a whole day- it felt like any morning time really).  The Nespresso cappuccinos were a must, so were the healthy energy drinks Griffin made us for an energy boost, and of course a dip in the pool was refreshing and we felt like we had re-booted.  Jax was the only one that was down for several hours during the day catching up on ZZZZ's. 

coconut welcome drinks