I think I start every blog by saying how bad I am at writing consistently. This is why I’ve never really kept a journal. It would basically be an utter waste of my time. Lol. At any rate, I think this should be expected by now. So let’s update on my life, and check back in around Christmas. lol.
Living in DC
Last month made a year of my family and I living in DC. Woot-woot! π It was a rough transition for me that I really wasn’t expecting. And honestly, I don’t know why. Moving halfway across the country is a big change, and I am not a person who likes or adapts well to changes like that. Being somewhere new and not feeling particularly close to anyone (here or anywhere), while also having a very stressful year just felt lonely. The first 6 months here were fine for the most part, but maybe around October, November, things just got rough. Realistically though, moving back to Texas wouldn’t have changed anything anyway. Life was going to happen, and it just would have been stress in a more familiar place. lol. But thankfully life has calmed down, and things have gotten back to normal.
Moving on to something less depressing (lol),Β we are moving to a new apartment next month. It would have been nice to stay here until we bought a house, but this area is just not for us. It’s not really family friendly. DC is full of young professionals, and this neighborhood is a true reflection. I think I’ve seen maybe five kids in our apartment building since we’ve moved here. lol. The new apartments we’re moving to are in an area that has a lot more things for kids to do, and it’s right on the water. So we’ll be there until we buy.
I honestly never thought I would enjoy living outside of the suburbs, and now I don’t know that I ever want to leave! Well, I’m torn. Part of me wants to move back to Texas when the kids go to middle school because the education system is so bad here and the houses are so expensive. I’ve made my peace with how expensive houses are for the most part. I don’t like that spending well-over $500k will maybe get us 1,500 square feet when I think about what that would get us in Texas, but this is where we live. It is what it is. And if we choose to sell, we’ll definitely have some equity so that will be nice. My real concern is the education system here. It’s a lot easier to get into good public schools in Texas than it is here, but we’re a long time away from middle school so that’s on the back burner for now.
My Babies
Speaking of school, Alvin starts Pre-K3 this year!!! The second I opened the DC lottery and saw that he was matched for a school, I started crying. And I’ve cried several times since. lol. I’m excited that he’s starting school, and I think it will be good for him, and Alvin can’t wait. But I’m super sad for a lot of reasons! First, I feel like time is escaping us. It seems like just yesterday Alvin and Zoe were both infants, and now he’s starting school and she’s going to daycare. And the next thing you know they’ll both be dating (or trying to anyway lol π) and graduating and getting married and having babies! π© Dramatic- I know, but this is how I feel and I’m not ready. lol. I would always hear parents say that time passes quickly, and now I understand it. It’s just all so fast. Second, we decided that if Alvin started school this year I would go back to work- which is an entirely different topic- but concerning my babies, that means this summer is the last time I’ll have to spend everyday with Alvin and Zo. Also, I feel negatively about Zoe being in childcare, and I don’t want to be away from her yet. But I also think this is the right time to go back to work. So. I’m all over the place. lol.
I’m just going to miss being with my babies everyday. This time has been the sweetest and most precious, and I am very grateful that I have been able to stay home and spend everyday with them. My husband is the best. β₯
Alvin and Zo are good. There is a lot of energy in this house at all times, but things are as chill as they can be with a 1.5 and 3.5 year old. They are really funny, very different and always into something. lol. They definitely keep me busy.
Zoe had her 18 month check up two weeks ago, and she is doing so well! Her doctor said that babies at her age are expected to say about six words. Zoe says over 50, and started using sentences this weekend! She handed Al a football and said, “here’s the ball.” She also said, “I want more. Eat, eat, eat!” when I was feeding her. lol. And right now she is saying, “I want juice, I want cup.” So a lot of her sentences pertain to food. lol.
Let me show you how much more cute they have gotten (and how is it even possible? π©)
Work, work, work, work, work
I was super stressed about going back to work. It has been almost five years since I’ve worked, and I’m nervous about applying for jobs and not hearing anything back because of my time staying at home. I’m also sad about leaving my babies. I was also really frustrated because I don’t want to be a social worker anymore, and that’s what my Master’s Degree is in.
I’ve been interested in Project Management since last year, but was very discouraged because I don’t want to get another degree (right now, anyway) and I thought that would be required. This past week I looked into the requirements, and it turns out I only need 23 hours of project management education and a certification to be a junior project manager. So I enrolled in a 6-week class two days ago (started today) that will give me 24 hours of PM education and will spend the next two months or so studying for the certification. So when I’m ready to start applying for jobs, I’ll be qualified. It feels a lot less stressful going back to work and having a direction. lol. I’m sure some rejection will still come, but it is what it is. Honestly, that would have came whether I started working now or five years ago because I had just graduated. New to the workforce in either situation.
Love and Marriage
This year was rough for me- family stuff, personal stuff, just a lot of stuff. I haven’t felt as discouraged as I did last year in a really, really long time, and I’m really grateful for my husband. He is such a great support, and I really love him. β₯
We celebrated five years of marriage almost two weeks ago. We have been saying that we would go hiking and see waterfalls since the first year we were married. He has seen some before in Central America, but I haven’t really been anywhere or seen anything. So we went to Letchworth State Park in Castile, NY and saw three or four waterfalls while hiking. The reviews all said the hike was more like a walk than a hike, but the scenery was nice. And when we went, I was thinking… what the hell are these people talking about? There were hills that we had to run up/down, I was sweating, jumping over mud. Those reviews were lies, and obviously posted by people who had a lot of hiking experience. lol. It was, however, very fun and beautiful. Good first hike.
The next day we went to Niagara Falls, which in turn made the waterfalls at Letchworth State Park wildly unimpressive. lol. I was sooooo excited when we got there. I have wanted to see Niagara Falls for such a long time, and I couldn’t believe I was finally there. We went on the Maid of Midst, and were in the middle of the waterfalls. It was so beautiful and pictures don’t really do it justice, but here are some of the hike and Niagara Falls anyway:
Well, I’m going to watch The Greatest Showman for the 10th time (favorite movie & Loren Allred’s voice is everything π©) while I finish drawing Princess Peach and Luigi for the kids Mario-themed bedroom. I really wanted them to love superheroes, and while Alvin likes Spiderman and Batman, he is far more into video games. lol. So I painted a Mario-themed table and dresser for them, and need to finish these last two pictures. I want everything to be ready to go when we move into our new place. Their room is going to be so cute π Maybe if I remember I’ll post pictures of it. I painted their toddler bunk-bed with chalk-board paint too, and they love getting to draw all the time. Maybe they’ll be artsy like their mama! Anyway, it’s been real. Later gators!
