Bam, it's 2024!

 I've said it before and I'll say it again...I forget this blog exists. How is it that I remember the login for something I visit every 2-5 years but not something I signed up for last week? My brain is a wonderful and confusing thing ;) 

My mind is a whirlwind...where to start? The kids are always the best place to start, so let's go there. If you can believe it...Cassandra is 24 and a college graduate! She has a fantastic job with an amazing boss who shows her what an intelligent, strong woman can do in their industry. I am so thankful she has such an amazing role model. Cassandra spent 2 years living in DC working for a lobbying firm and came back to Arizona in 2022 (I think? Time does this weird thing where I loose a month or a year from time to time) and she is now in a rental house with Griffin who is almost 21 (September!) and working at a construction company as a mechanic apprentice. He is doing well, learning how to be an adulty adult and navigating what I consider to be a very challenging time of life. Savannah is 22 and attending ASU for a history degree. She is doing well, still keeping up with her hobbies (DnD, reading and gaming.) Alyssa is 17 and a HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR!! What the hell happened!? I swear, it was a year ago we were crying on our way into kindergarten!!! She is doing great, awesome grades, an impressive gamer, the list goes on. I am truly lucky to have four incredible kids with their own huge personalities and yet, some really beautiful similarities <3

Shane is doing well! He made a big job change after 35 years at his last job! Talk about a career you can really be proud of. I'm really proud of him. He learned and grew and took that place in a great direction where the employees felt valued and cared about (or so I am told) as well as doing his best work for the longevity of the District. I admire all he has done there and I'm happy for his next steps at his new District. I know he will bring that same caring energy to these people!

We 've had some huge changes....we sold the house in Arizona and headed to the PNW for Shane's new job. Cassandra and Griffin stayed in Arizona and while it's hard to be apart, I totally understand their decision. Everyone is growing and sometimes that growth takes us different directions. I'm not going to lie, I hate being apart. The kids are my everything and this is a difficult transition for me. Others too but right now I'm just feeling sorry for myself ;) We are at least a short 2 hour plane ride away and I know we will see each other regularly but it really makes you realize when you take for granted the 1 hour commute to see each other to where we are now. It's a different season of life and we're all adjusting but I believe this is a good move for us. 

I am settling in and getting the new house in order...there are so many directions I could take this conversation. Maybe the challenges for living somewhere for 38 years and then starting over....little things like learning streets, finding doctors, trying to make some friends, sadness, anxiety, excitement...it's all wrapped into one big glittering ball in my head. I guess the question that arises day to day is will this ball use it's powers for good or evil. I never know when I get up. I can be a day full of excitement or I can want to climb back into bed and cry. It's all part of the experience. We've only been in the house for 3 weeks...I know this is early in the process. Part of me is so grateful to be here now because Shane moved in January...that was 5 shitty months apart and I do not care to do that again. I try to keep that perspective when I have days that I struggle. Still, I was so ingrained in our communities, our schools and my job that it is a big loss and a big transition. I'm trying to manage my expectations and my progress. 

I feel this is a lot of mental dumping for a first post back in 2 years so I should probably wrap this up. I know the next post will be better and have some great pictures too!