2017 Recap?!

Wow, a whole year since I’ve written here.  I’m sure a lot has happened, but in many ways life is the same.

Still sort of staying home with the kids (although Jane is in 1st grade and Aiden goes to daycare part time) while doing some nanny work on the side and trying to figure out what I *really* want to do with my life.

One major event was that I got a sweet job last summer.  Awesome company, fun co-workers, nearby, flexible schedule.  It was a huge and stressful change for me having to learn a ton of new things and being in a new environment, but I was really starting to settle in, only to get laid off before x-mas.

That was really disappointing and made for a stressful holiday season, but I’ve been trying to do a lot of self care and soul searching and trying to be ok with all the uncertainty of the future…  hard for me as a “planner”.

Nathan and I are still married, still separated, mostly amicable.  We’ve held off on the divorce mostly due me not having health insurance, but it is inevitable.  Both of us are in new relationships, which adds it’s own kind of stress, but I think is good overall.

Just realized I mentioned “stress” in each of the last 3 paragraphs.  That’s certainly appropriate at this point in my life.  But despite having a lot of emotions all over the place, I’ve managed to stay healthy with a good support system, enough time away from the kids, a regular workout schedule, etc.

She patiently helps him do big kid projects  =)  

Speaking of the kids!  They are great, not much has changed.  Jane is as sweet and smart as ever and loves school.  She definitely seems more grown up, more reserved, more aware of the nuances of social situations.  She will hug me and tell me she loves me all the time, but it’s not the same as Aiden’s uncontained enthusiasm when he sees me and runs for a hug and wants “all my nuggles”.  He is 3 now, was easily potty trained last spring, loves his preschool, which makes me SO happy.  He still talks all the time and wants my attention nonstop and drives me nuts, but every day I savor his still fat baby cheeks and the little dimples in his fingers and the way he fits perfectly on my lap.  I know it won’t last as long as I want it to.

He also loves everything superhero, weapons, and being loud.  

Loves to be with his sister and do what she’s doing!  

So that’s the high level recap.  I’ll have to do a “Day in the Life” now that I have some more time on my hands.  One reason for the lack of posts was after I started working I felt SO BUSY even though it was only 4 days/week.  No idea how all you people do it working 40+ hours/week, with commutes, whether single or two working parents… it felt like there was barely time for anything else!  Not exactly how I want to live my life, but time will tell how everything falls into place…

Trip to L.A to visit old friends + new baby!  

Also got to go on a 2 day trip to Austin, TX!