New Beginnings.

Things are changing 'round here. Jeff just changed jobs. This week was the beginning of him going to and from his office and being able to take off Mondays and Fridays, and yet, being paid for a full work week. He has to do the whole meetings thing, which isn't his favorite part, surely, but apparently when in high demand, people want to know what you're thinking. I wouldn't know. Big clients and all that. I'm just thrilled that when I have this baby he'll have more time at home with me. When Cole was a baby he worked full time and was going to night school, so seeing Jeff was rare, and having him alert to what was going on, and able to help out, was even rarer. So this time around, it will be drastically different, and I'm immensely grateful.
Today Riley starts school. Somehow I totally missed this. I really believed that I had an entire week left, that next Wednesday, the 27th, is when she would start. Thankfully I ran into a friend at Wal-mart-the bane of my existence-and she enlightened me that not only was later that evening, "Back to School Night", but that Riley would start school the next day, and then Cole, because he was going to Kindergarten, would start the next week. HE starts the 27th. Riley, gets to go today. Is it just me, or is that completely unfair to those of us that can't be held responsible for even the most menial tasks these days? Seriously. I was thankful that I pushed myself to get the kids school clothes and lunch items...that was a hunch that wasn't wasted, like so many of mine are. So a week from now, hopefully I can say that I'm on top of what's going on, and my schedule, and so on and so forth. Here's to hoping.
Last but certainly not least, I'm making personal changes that have been a long time coming. I won't go into detail, hence, the personal part. But I will say that this weekend was the beginning of something new to me. I've decided that I'm going to start being less of a people pleaser--because it's gotten to the point where I can't pull it off anymore. I'm going to focus on the things that I know I can handle, and cut back on the things I can't. So, after thinking about it extensively, and with the advice of many--recently and over the years, I'm making changes. I feel I've been accepting of others and what has made their lives better; even if I didn't understand, or necessarily agree. So I'm hoping that the same will go here. If not, though, it's okay. I've really pondered for a looooong time about how to find my own inner peace and how I need go about getting it. And I owe it to myself to try. Luckily I like myself enough to realize that there are options, and I owe it to myself to try them, and see what works. So that's that.
Anway, as you can see, big things are happening. And they are all good things, so I'm feeling really content with life right now. It's amazing how just taking a stand on a decision can really change your outlook on everything.
So I just sent Jeff off to work for the day. I'll wait around for a text from him telling me that he's doing okay, and that he's bored, but slowly getting used to what his new job entails. Next I'm going to go wake Riley and fix her hair, and take a ton of pictures of her in her first day of school outfit. And I'll marvel at how much I want from life just for my daughter, at how happy I am for her that her best girl friend is in her class this year, and how excited she is about it. And then I'll drop her off, and feel my heart break a litte because she's growing so fast and there's no way to stop it. Cole and I will wait here, and go over his letters and numbers and talk about him going to school next week, and how great it will be for him. And then it will be time to pick Riley up. Cole and I will be anxious to hear whether or not she likes her new teacher and how things were with Olivia...if they went back to being best friends, or if things were a little awkward at first. This will be our lives for the next school year, and I'm looking forward to it. It's different, but sometimes different is good, while always scary. New beginnings, and all. You know how it is.