The last day of "summer"

Boo starts Kindergarten tomorrow. More on this later...

We've had a busy summer full of life changing events, catching up with old friends, and making new memories together as a family. Where to start???

After the move-in from hell, we've had our hands full getting boxes unpacked and furniture arranged. The house needed A LOT of work. We still have a way to go, but the renovations have stopped until our budget permits more home improvement projects. (I hope our renters in Indy are enjoying our updated kitchen and bathrooms because they're way better than way we have now!) The house is perfect for us - not too big, not too small. We love being in a ranch-style home versus two-stories, and the pool is our best friend as the temps soar above 114 degrees.

Boo got to spend a ton of time with Meme and Pepe, who have wound up being very "hands-on" grandparents. Turns out, they LOVE having Boo visit, and have helped her pass many weeks in the cool pines with trips to the library for story time, playing at the park, meals at McD's, and showing her off around town grocery shopping, going to Pepe's office, and picking up the mail at the post office. Boo has a special relationship with both of them, but, seriously, she has Pepe wrapped around her little pinky finger. While she misses Grandma & Grandpa very much, the relationship she's formed with Meme & Pepe is equally valuable and heartwarming to see.

Hubby got a job! It's not his dream job by any stretch of the imagination, but it's the difference between making ends meet and not. I'm proud of him for finding a gig in this crappy economy, and sticking it out when we all know he's "under-employed". Thanks to the recession, our household income is pretty much one-half of what is was this time a year ago. We've made major adjustments to the way we live, and how we think about money. While it's humbling at times, we know that we are incredibly fortunate that our family has not missed a meal or paying a bill despite both of us getting laid of last year.

As for me, I'm struggling a bit with my career change. I'm used to being one of the sharpest crayons in the box, and I have so much to learn. My job is extremely technical, and every question turns into a mini-research project. I've been told that I'll spend a good year feeling lost and insecure before things start to fall into place. Yippee.

Through it all, we've so enjoyed becoming reacquainted with our old friends. Hubby & I weren't a "couple" for very long when we lived in Arizona, so now we're getting to know friends from both sides of the relationship, and realize we know some amazing, good people. Most of them have children now, and Boo has many pseudo "aunts and uncles". There's comfort in having a sense of community here, and Boo will grow up with these kids.

There are times when I feel "homesick" for my old life, our friends, fireflies & greenery, and the charm of life in the Midwest. But we did a good thing. We did the right thing. Soon enough, this will start to really feel like home.

Oh, and tomorrow when Boo starts Kindergarten, I'm going to cry buckets.