An Accomplishment I'm Proud Of...

So I am linking up with my girl Monica from I Heart Grade 3 for her weekly summer link-ups. This weeks' topic is an accomplishment I'm proud of...

Ok. So I'm going to be real for a few minutes. Not that I'm ever NOT real, but....here goes :)

Rewind my life to 10 years ago. I was a single momma of my gorgeous baby boy. I was working 3 jobs. I was a college drop-out who got pregnant, who had to move back in with my mom and younger brother and sister. I had a 6 month old, and was and out of control 21 year old.

I was what some may say as in a rough spot. I was dating loser guys, going out drinking while my son was with my mom, spending money I didn't have, I think some may have called that rock bottom, at least that's what I call it.

I would look at my son and cry, thinking how ashamed I felt making the choices I made. I chose to change. I chose to end that cycle. I made a promise to make a better life for us.

I met my husband when Karter was 18 months old. He became the father Karter didn't have. We had a baby, my Katie. We got engaged. We had another baby, my Christopher. I had a pretty decent job. I worked in the Human Resources Department of the school system. I really loved my job.

However, that job was not what I wanted. I always knew I wanted to be a teacher. My husband saw and knew my dream. He encouraged me, "Melanie, if you wanna do it, what are you waiting for, go back to school, you can do it."

So when Christopher was 9 months old, I started taking classes full-time, while continuing to work. The fastest way for me to become a teacher, with the colleges around where I live, was to finish my bachelors in Sociology and then go through a 1 year intense Master of Arts in Teaching Program. So that's what I did. I finished my undergrad in 2 years, going full-time, taking classes on-line and in the evening after work. Then May 2012, I started the M.A.T. program, I was able to work through August, while having classes at night from 5-10 p.m.

I would leave the house at like 5:45 a.m. go to work, go straight to school, and by the time I got home my little babies were asleep. I really give credit to my husband, he stepped it up during that time when I was in school. Now I only did that schedule from May-August, then when August hit, I had to start my student teaching placement--so I could no longer work. The following May I graduated from Frostburg with my masters of arts in teaching. I got hired 2 days before we graduated to teach 1st grade, and everything was falling into place.

My life today is picture perfect, I have 4 amazing kids, a fantastic husband, and a great job. No one would ever guess the 'backwards' path I have walked down. However, I wouldn't change it for anything. My path has made me who I am, and I think has made me a more understanding person and teacher.

 Sometimes I look back and think, how in the heck did I do it? How was I able to have 3 babies, go to school full-time, and work full-time? Then I think back to 10 years ago, when my 1st love was such a wee one--and that promise I made him and made myself--I was going to change, our life was going to be better.

I have to say, I am so grateful and so proud of my 4 children, however, the accomplishment I am most proud of was that promise and change I made for them <3