A New Beginning

So many things are "starting over" at our house, so I thought I'd think (and write) about those.

Jake moved home July 5th. It's not like he was gone that long, but it was different without him around. Now we are starting over. New rules and expectations, new jobs, new friends, new school. He is excited and is really doing great. He has two new jobs (Wendy's and Big 5 Sporting Goods). He is still working with the community college to see what credits transfer and what he needs to complete his AA. He is hoping to get plugged in with the worship band at church. He is jumping in with both feet.

Megan starts her senior year in a few weeks. She is jumping in, or stepping cautiously into her new life as well. She had a great trip to Tennessee to a youth leadership conference with our church. She was still having some trouble connecting with the kids here, but she immediately made some new friends from CT. It was just the confidence booster she needed to push a little with the kids from AZ. By the end of the week she had connected with several of the kids from the youth group here. She took an online college prep course this summer and will be starting a CNA program through the community college this fall.

Michael's new beginnings start the minute we make a change. He doesn't have time to waste being lonely or sad. He has connected great with the new soccer team here. He has several friends from school, the neighborhood and the church. You can't hold a good man down.

And, while my kids are taking the bull by the horns and accepting this new beginning, I have been spending time remembering the past. Last week was my mom's birthday and the anniversary of her passing. I thought about going to Spokane, but honestly, I'm still a little nervous about going "home" and not having her there. To help keep me occupied, I have been hanging out with friends from the past. I went to San Diego with some friends from CA. I am spending the next week with my BFF from WA. I guess I'm not quite ready to embrace this new beginning, but I'm sure it will come...in time.