Ups and downs.

I will say this. So far, I think Jeff's new job is AWESOME. Not only has he been home from work each night this week at 6:30, but his work week didn't start until Tuesday, and it ended today, Thursday. He works three full, eleven hour days and has occasional catered lunches. (That's just high class, as far as I'm concerned. :) Then he puts seven hours in during his resulting four day weekend. I am sold. He's a bit reluctant to say how fabulous it is, simply because he hasn't been "working". I guess the company is going through some sort of process right now where there is a lot of waiting around, trying to come to a decision on the program they will use to do projects with. So now, Jeff is encouraged to do some freelance on their dime. He's getting antsy, I'm praising a company that actually saw what he can do, and is willing to pay him accordingly--even when he's doing nothing. Also, I'm going to brag a bit...Jeff was told that out of sixty applicants, he outshown them all. He doesn't seem to think that it's that big of deal. But if you ask me, he's finally getting some of the stuff for which he's worked so hard. (Also, Jeff's previous boss is asking Jeff back so he can train co-workers with stuff they should know, but he always did, so they didn't have to. Jeff was the one that took the time to figure stuff out on his own, and now he's severely missed). I'm just happy for my husband. And yes, I'm gloating...but he really deserves this.
Riley's first day of school went really well, according to her. She's made new friends, and gotten reaquainted with old ones. The sad part? Her best friend, Olivia, moved over the summer. My heart goes out to her, because I remember how painful it was, when my best friend moved away as a kid. I'm pretty sure she'll be okay, but it's going to be touchy for a while. She has been upbeat about not having any homework this week, though, so for that, I'm grateful. Cole is getting nervous about next week. He's had a couple breakdowns--making me promise him that while he's gone, Noony will be able to sit on the couch, and watch a movie...preferrably while covered with "blue blanket". I have made this promise a couple times, and am pretty convinced that there will be mention of it tomorrow, as well. But he seems to calm a bit when I promise that Noony will be looked after. He seems to getting in every last second he possibly can--his white rabbit has been brought along every errand we've gone on this week. I am honestly grateful that Kindergarten is only two and a half hours long, because we'd have serious problems if it were any longer. I think he's going to do just fine, though. It may take a few weeks to adjust, but he's a trooper, just like Riley. Jeff and I have started Dexter, season one. We've watched it before, but now that we also have Dexter, season two, we're starting all over again. And then the new season will start...ah, sweet autumn. It's all just beginning. Jeff and I savor our nightly shows, and now it begins all over again. I'm stoked.
I'm posting a couple photos from last week. I told Kelli that I would, so she'd have copies of them...but I want to warn my readers. I went for broke...I wore a bathing suit, as it was the end of summer, and I'd gone the entire time without coaxing this ginormous body into anything spandex. The sweats of some sort I wear daily have the same comfortable give, but do such a better job of hiding more. So in addition to the reflective nature of my skin, there's also the MORE factor. And this is always extra fun when you go swimming with the Coplen girls...I had a hard enough time when I was just nannying them, not hating myself for weighing more than 80lbs. But put on a bathing suit, and walk around jiggling while they lounge and there's not a spot of cellulite to be found...even worse. And girls, if you are reading this, it's only jealousy talking. Jealousy and inferiority. If I could look like you guys simply by, oh, murdering two or three people? I'd start making arrangements now.
The pool was fun, and I was a little sad that I'd avoided swimming all summer long, just because of vanity issues. Also, I think that my swimsuit is now lost to me forever. When I bought it, in JANUARY, it was cute and loose, and I thought that it would be used a gazillion times this summer. But there it sat, untouched until last week. I think I've stretched it out beyond recognition, but it's okay because I'm glad that I got to use it...So, thanks Kelli, for making us come along. The kids loved it, and I got burned--but in a good, "it's truly summer", way. And now that I've had the realization of summer, it's turning into fall, and I'm SO happy. I'm ready for the cooler weather and to put all my sweatshorts away. (I'm assuming that Jeff won't be objecting to this, either). So this is my goodbye to the heat. And hopefully, next summer, I WILL use my swimming suit as many times as I'd planned on using it this year. And hopefully, I'll be much smaller. I have heard it said that the third child is the curse to a woman's body. This was one of the reasons I was afraid to have a third baby--ONE of the reasons. Anyone have some insight on this? If it's bad news, I can take it. If it's good news, I need to hear it. Okay, it's time for sleeping. I'm rambling, and Riley's got school in the morning, so I need to be going. Until next time.