Welcome to WatchMonkeyMama!
I am Lesley. It is with great excitement that I hope to connect with you on an array of topics that touch on motherhood, education, homeschooling, and life in general.
Joyously married to my husband Randy for fourteen years, we have had our share of life’s ups and downs. Five miscarriages brought tears and heartache, but our faith and love grew even stronger. After nine years, our prayers were answered the day Sammy was born.
I feel like life has come full circle with my blog. I have always loved writing and believe that it takes only one teacher to truly make a difference in one’s life. I’ve been fortunate to have had several but one who stands out is my middle school English teacher. Her positive and encouraging remarks that I anticipated reading on my written assignments served as confirmation of my communication skills and passion. She often went the extra mile with her verbal feedback and praise. I knew then that I wanted to be a writer.
In college, I majored in Broadcast Journalism with aspirations of becoming a television news reporter and anchor. But as life often does — it took unexpected turns. After interning at a television news station, being promoted to news desk assistant, graduating college, and working a total of three different jobs, it all became too taxing. I moved back home with my family in Brooklyn, New York.
On a weekly basis, I continued sending my newsreels to small market television stations. And I waited. Repeated rejection came in the mail. I was so committed to this career dream that I even gave up a special church/family trip to Morocco as I awaited what I thought would be a promising job offer. That also fell through.
Well, fast forward … I never got a job as a news reporter. I did, however, welcome the suggestion of my sorority sister to try substitute teaching in the interim. After completing all essential steps, on a sunny winter morning in February 1989, I walked into an elementary school for the very first time as a substitute teacher. On my very first day, a tumultuous fight broke out with some of the children in the upper elementary class to which I was assigned. As I rushed in to break it up, fortunately a teacher came to my aid. Minutes later, when I looked down I noticed my shoe had been ripped during the scuffle. The very next day, I was even more determined to give my best to the children as I went back to sub. I truly enjoyed the children. I felt a new spark within myself and welcomed the reality of every day being different (minus fights of course).
After a couple months passed, the assistant principal called me into her office and asked if I’d consider taking over a kindergarten class while the teacher went on maternity leave. I jumped at the opportunity! It was in that kindergarten class, located in the basement of a traditional public school, with beautifully diverse children eager to learn and parents entrusting me to educate, that I fell in love with teaching!
At the close of the school year, and after heeding the best career advice ever gained from my phenomenal mother, I enrolled in graduate school in the field of education. Through invigorating course lectures, stimulating class discussions, and hands-on field experiences, I was introduced to and immersed in “progressive education”. Over the next fifteen years, I was fortunate to earn three Master degrees in Education. I also served in amazing roles as teacher, literacy coach, assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent, and adjunct professor. I learned and grew from working in diverse communities in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Bronx, New York, Hoboken, New Jersey, Cleveland, Ohio and throughout Indiana. And now, I feel like life has come full circle as I am blessed to be an exhilarated, stay-at-home mom, homeschooler, part time advocate for foster youth in college, and a blogger!
I have lots to blog about and I hope to bring encouragement to many. My favorite children’s book is Dr. Seuss’ Oh, The Places You’ll Go. And one of my favorite parts is where everyone is “waiting”. Whenever I read that part to my students and my son, I always read it with hopes and dreams for my son Sammy, other children, college students, and even myself.
Like all of us … Aren’t we waiting for things to happen in our lives, too?
… I waited for a job as a news reporter which never came, but I was introduced to a world of teaching and fell in love with my calling!
… I waited for my knight in shining armor to arrive. I stood by watching girlfriends get married and have children hoping and praying I’d be next. I was a bridesmaid/maid-of-honor/matron-of-honor in at least 13 weddings (maybe more), and I attended about 100 weddings. No exaggeration here. Well, like many in today’s world, I met my wonderful husband in 2004 via today’s quite popular internet dating. Two years later, at the age of 40, I walked down the aisle!
… We waited nine years for our baby. We experienced five miscarriages and then God Blessed us with our son Sammy!
… Born seven weeks early, we began to wait again as our baby faced a difficult journey for the first three and one half years of his life.
I have come to learn that as hard as it is to deal with the heartaches that accompany waiting, in the end, it is truly worth every step traveling the journey.
So … Welcome to my blog!!
One final piece … Perhaps you’re wondering: “What’s up with the name WatchMonkeyMama”? Well, when Sammy turned “The Big 1”, we gave him a stuffed “lovie” monkey which my loving sister Beth named “WatchMonkey”. While Sammy slept, WatchMonkey would watch over him. Nearly four years later, to say these two are inseparable is an understatement. Sammy and WatchMonkey have had so many exciting adventures!
… Quite naturally, I became WatchMonkeyMama! And now, I am elated to share our journey with all of you.
Thank you!
Congratulations Lesley Diann! I am so happy that your blog is up.. You have from a young child been quite passionate and expressive….it carries over into your writing. I so look forward to reading issues on varied topics all of whom you are so well versed for you have walked the paths all the while holding earnest to faith for light upon your journey. Gifted with answer to your most sought request, you again, with faith and diligent effort embark upon a course passing on to others what you have gained,.
Thank you so much mommy! I have learned so much from you and am happy that you continue to be proud of me. Hopefully, you will see the lessons you have taught and passed down to me in my writings. There are many to tell and I am thankful for the opportunity to do so. I love you always!!
Congratulations Lesley! Can’t wait to read more!
Thank you so much Stacey! I truly appreciate your support and interest in WatchMonkeyMama!
Congratulations Lesley on your blog. Thank you for sharing your story.
Keisha, thank you so much for reading my blog (personal story) and joining The WatchMonkeyMama Community! I appreciate it so much!
Love your blog already! I remember watch monkey 😉
Thank you so much Kelsey! You sure do remember WatchMonkey! Thank you for understanding and appreciating the relationship that Sammy had with his little lovie! I hope you continue to enjoy the blog.
Lesley,
Congratulations and best wishes in your new venture! I have no doubt that you will be successful in making new friends and enriching the lives of others who read your blog. You have so much to offer and will be a blessings to others.
Thank you so much Mary Lee! I am at the point in our journey and my life where I want to be of encouragement to others on a platform such as this. It is very exciting. Thanks for joining The WatchMonkeyMama Community and offering beautiful words of praise!
Oh, Lesley–how wonderful! Looking forward to each new blog. Hugs and love, Ann
Thank you so much Ann! I truly appreciate it! Sending love!
Congratulations Lesley!
I love your introduction. I am so excited for you and cant wait to read more.
Thanks so much Leigh! That really means a lot to me!
Love you, Lesly! Looking forward to reading your adventures.
Thank you so much Karyna! I am so elated you joined the WatchMonkeyMama Community! I love you too!
This is amazing, I’m so excited for you, and can’t wait to read more!
Your support and love mean the world to me Brooklyn! Thank you so much! Welcome to the WatchMonkeyMama Community!
Congratulations Lesley! So excited for your new (ad)venture and all that you continue to share. Can’t wait to read more. Love you lots!
Thank you so much Robin! Guess my (ads) are pretty transparent LOL. Hopefully, my stories/blogs will encourage others. Thanks so much for reading. Love you!
Dear cousin, your enthusiastic, passionate and kind nature is refreshing and appreciated. 😘
Thank you cousin Holly! I truly appreciate your kind words and thoughts about my blog.
This is so awesome. I’m excited for you and hope that every step of this journey is enlightening, full of pleasant surprises, and FUN!
Thank you Reesha! I appreciate your best wishes for WatchMonkeyMama! So far, it’s been a learning and loving experience, and fun as well!
Lesley, I have enjoyed ready your story and look forward to following your blog.
Thank you Julie! I appreciate you reading my blog and commenting! Have a lovely day!