Where do I even begin?!
We spent a month back in North Carolina, visiting as many people as we could squeeze into our schedules. It was thoroughly perfect, and it was really hard packing up the car to return home to Texas. But we're back, and we're happy, even through some major life upheavals.
Life change #1: Last February we started talking about the possibility that I might return to work, either full or part time to help support Team Riggsbee while Adam's new company is in its early years (poor years). After getting my Texas school counselor license and after several no-thank-yous-we've-selected-someone-elses, we pretty much accepted that I would not be working this fall, Ave would not attend preschool, and we'd be eating beans and rice several times a week. I was pretty damn happy about this plan too, as my neighborhood mama friend had put in her notice at work to stay home with her two little boys. As irony would have it, I ended up with a last minute interview on her last day at work. And they wanted me, so here I am. I work part-time, 4 days a week, at a sweet little elementary school in south Austin. I have seen more of the city in the last 3 weeks than in the entire year prior. Speaking of which, we celebrated our One Year of Survival in Tejas on August 3rd. I sweat less this year, which is a big bonus, especially now that I have to wear grown up clothes and occasionally mascara.
Life change #2: Due to me working, Ave and G had a to start a new preschool that would accommodate my schedule. We found a Montessori school less than a mile from my school where they are in the same class. This was a huge bonus, as Avery is still unsure about the whole separation from Mama thing. Gracen loves it and often growls at me when I come to pick her up, or asks why I'm there, or asks if I can come back later.
Life change #3: AVERY IS FULLY POTTY TRAINED!!!!
Life change #4: Avery might be weaned?
Life change #5: Athena Marie, our collie-shepherd-husky-chow-wolf mix pup, died a few weeks ago. She deserves her own post soon, so I'll not write much here except to say that our hearts are still very heavy with missing her.
I feel certain that there's more, but I need to head off to WORK now. My mother is in town for the week, watching the girls because their school is out for vacation. They've pretty much ignored me for the past 24 hours.
Miss you, people...
