Changes in 2014...

Obviously the biggest change that will happen this year (that we know of) will be when Ty is born in March.  But, there are a few other changes going on around here as well…

At the end of December, I picked Sawyer up from the UH Children's Learning Center for the last time. She had been in that school since she was about 14 weeks old and she LOVED it.  I did too, I cried when we left.  I'm sure she would have too if she would have understood that she wasn't going back there.  It was so hard to put her in daycare initially, but we couldn't have been happier with the place we chose for her first school.  It was so good for her.

She is no longer going to school there, because the day we returned from the bowl game was my last day as a full time employee at UH.

It was an extremely hard decision for me to decide to leave the job that I had always wanted and that I loved.  But, with the 2-3 hours per day in the car and the financial commitment of two kids in full time child care it just didn't make sense to continue in that position.  It was really very bittersweet because I am very much looking forward to my "new life" but will miss the job tremendously.  I cried when I left there too…I don't even think I can even blame the hormones…both goodbyes were genuinely difficult.

So now…the plan is for me to continue working part time doing some consulting/private counseling and teaching at UH.  I am very thankful that Barry has been totally supportive of me making this change and has done way more work than I have up to now as far as me starting my own business.  I have been enjoying a couple weeks of downtime and just hanging out with my girl.  I am really loving this time with just the two of us because her little world is about to get rocked come the end of March.  We have been sleeping in and snuggling…

making messes…

playing LOTS of princess and make-up…

and cooking and baking…

I am so happy to be back cooking again!  That part of my life had really taken a back seat and there were way more sandwiches and frozen pizzas for dinner than I care to admit.  So maybe, maybe, this blog will return to its roots and some recipes will appear again!  I also plan to get back to some sort of regular fitness routine, blog more regularly, and regain some sort of social life…I have missed my friends!  I have big plans for the new year…

Sawyer is still going to school, just two days per week now.  I found a school near us where she can continue her Spanish immersion.  We wanted to keep her in school so that I can have some time to work and just to maintain some of her "normal."  She has to wear a uniform every day and it is so stinking cute!  This was her on her first day…

I just love the little pleated skirts!

She is doing great in her new school and has adjusted quickly.  They seem to be doing a lot of fun things and speaking quite a bit more Spanish than she is used to, but I have been getting great reports from her teachers =)

She was so proud of her mariposa she couldn't wait to get home and show Daddy.  It has also been a little bit of unexpected adjustment for Lori!  She is used to be outside all day while we are gone and is now anxiously following me around ALL day.  She isn't quite sure what to think about me spending so much time in the office where all of her hunting things are…normally it is her and Barry's space (if you couldn't tell that from the spurs and fishing pliers (?) on the desk).

I'm sure she will get over it quickly when she realizes she can stay in her cozy bed in the air conditioner all day.  I think it will take some more getting used to for me, but I am happy with the changes and think it will be best for our family.  I am enjoying eating dinner earlier and having stress free evenings.  Sawyer is going to bed earlier and Barry and I have more time to spend together at night.  And, I certainly don't miss the Sunday evening anxiety of getting everything ready for the week…or the commute!  Not. One. Bit.

So, here's to 2014 and all the new things and changes that it will bring...