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RESURRECTION

2013 rocked my world; our family's world.

Before January 2013 ended, we had taken a once-in-a-lifetime family vacation to California; spent a week in the hospital watching poor C recover from a terrifying case of rotavirus; and I was offered a once-in-a-lifetime job. Let's also not forget that during January both K and I come down with rotavirus; C had two ear infections and a nasty eye infection; and did I mention we took K to Disneyland and Legoland (all within a 72 hour period of time). 

January was just the beginning of a crazy year.

Once offered my now-new job, we had nine (yes, NINE) days to make a decision... do we leave DC? what about our house? friends? neighbors? jobs? It seemed like an impossible decision, but after a weekend away (sans kids), many conversations, much prayer, and a generous offer from D's employer, it ended up being a simple decision for us. As the weeks turned into months post-decision, our time in DC ended and our new lives in a small, rural, college town began.

In some ways our move was seamless; in other ways not so much.

My blogging and photography stopped soon after our move as I was overwhelmed by a steep learning curve at work, four months with no child care, and a daughter who was withering without her friends and activities. August was by far one of the most stressful (and bad parenting) months of the year for me. Thankfully once kindergarten started and classes were underway everything turned around. September was a glorious month full of new adventures, new friends, new hiking trails, visits to Grandma & Grandpa's (without a single rest stop!), swim lessons, violin lessons, and free access to the College's gym.

Looking back I wish I would have kept blogging through it all. However, keeping up with the daily pictures and thoughtful posts felt like a chore, and I didn't want/need another item on my to-do list. 

So I stopped. 

With the start of a new year, I feel refreshed; comfortable in our new life; and inspired to start again. I want to finish a #Project365 -- taking a single picture each day. I want to journal about marathon training. I want to set goals. I want to remember moments. I want to vent. I want to to look back at the year of 2014 and be grateful that I took the time to blog and take pictures.

So ~slowlygrowingoldtogether~ is hereby formally resurrected.

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Classes haven't even begun and yet my to-do list is a mile long. I have so many letters of recommendation to write for students that I barely have time to get my own stuff done. And I am prepping for two new classes this semester. To say that I am looking forward to the spring of 2015 is an understatement; it will be the first time in my academic career when I don't have a single new course prep. PTL!

Though the to-do lists are long and the demands on my time endless, I love my job. I love teaching, learning, working with students, researching, and trying new things. 

I am so grateful for my job; for the opportunities it has provided me; for supportive colleagues; for a supportive partner; for great students; and for an exciting semester ahead of me.

Here's hoping I can check a few of these items off before bedtime...

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