Adulthood

So, the question is often posed: when did you know you were an adult? Answer: today. Today I realized that when you are an adult you are often confused, but you also realize that there is very little you can do to eliminate or ignore confusion, you just live with it. The only thing I know for sure is that I don't know.

Basically we have to make grand life decisions. We don't love Midland. It's just a town. It's not bad, but it's nothing to be excited about. There are some good things though, like Gabe likes his school, there are activities for kids (if you have money, luckily we have enough for some options), and we figure over the course of the year we will start to meet people which always makes a place feel better. That being said, neither of us can imagine wanting to stay in Midland long term.

We have now visited Frankenmuth twice and we like it. But it's a small town, albeit cool, which may have fewer offerings. We are still trying to sort all that out. The thing Frankenmuth has over Midland, is that it is interesting. Just walking down the street is entertaining. Also, the parks are cleaner (the whole town is neat as a pin). We have no way to know with absolute certainty whether or not we would want to live there longer than a few years, but we think it's more likely than Midland. But do we move down there, only to move yet again soon, or do we think it will last longer. The other consideration is that the only nearby art therapist I can find is down near Flint, and if I was to do my clinicals with her, Frankemuth would make for a shorter commute.

Also, we know some of our problem with Midland is that we don't like our house and landlord that much. Would it be better if we had our own place? I think it would be, but I still have trouble envisioning life here long term. We did see our dream starter home today, but it's so darn cute it won't stay on the market long and we don't have enough for a down payment right now. We really need to wait until the summer.

We don't know how to decide, and we kind of wish we didn't have to, but eventually, a decision will have to be made. At least we have some time, but answering these questions isn't likely to get any easier. If anything, the more time Gabe spends in school and we spend in church, the harder it will be to decide what is really best for all of us.

Summary: adulthood equals confusion. Grr.

Chi

Malachi is enjoying the use of a new word. He uses it liberally. The word is: Mine!

Oh, the joy. So happy to be entering the terrible twos (January, just around the corner).

Today he attempted to play with a boy at the playground. He pushed him and then clapped. Oh, joy...

(Actually, it's all kind of amusing. Annoying, yes, but amusing too.)

Life and times

I have been absolutely terrible lately about updates. My apologies. We have been quite busy trying to get settled into our new routines. Gabe seems to be enjoying Kindergarten. He misses his old friends, but he is making new ones -- mostly girls so far. ;) Matt is overall enjoying teaching, but he's still a little hyped up. One of these days he'll settle down, I hope. He's beginning to get a reputation as the bad joke professor since he is starting his 112 class with a joke each meeting. He'll tell you that they are not bad because people laugh. I don't love my class per se, but the subject is interesting. I'm finding that it's a bit stressful to carve out time to study since I don't spend much of my time away from the house, I have to make a more concerted effort to get it done. Chi is just going with the flow.

My parents were here for a visit which was nice. We did a few things in the area, they took a day to go up to the north side of the bay and we capped the week off with Oktoberfest in Frankenmuth. Good beer and music. Gabe got a real Bavarian hat and he looks so great in it. The boys enjoyed playing on the inflatables. They had them all to themselves for quite awhile which was nice for them.

We still haven't picked a church. It's annoying because there are things we like and don't like and all of which are important to us, so it has become a matter of sorting through what we feel is the most important. But it's a factor in life that is making us feel a bit unsettled, so I hope we soon have a church.

I will leave you with my favorite of the jokes Matt has told so far.
What is E.T. short for?
Because he's got little legs!

School

I am enrolled in one class right now. I am hoping to go to grad school next fall, but I need a couple classes first. I am planning to get a masters in art therapy. So, right now I am taking Abnormal Psych. The book is interesting. The class wasn't so much. I hope that improves over time.

Matt has taught each of his classes at least twice now. I think he is settling down. He seems happier now.

Gabe went in for his assessment with his teacher. He got to meet Mrs. Price and look at the room and the school. Mrs. Price just had him show her what he knew basically. I didn't say anything beforehand. When Gabe was done, she said "wow." I will say that socially he is definitely a kindergartner, but he is a bit advanced for where they are planning to start. She said she is prepared to work with kids being at all different levels. I just hope Gabe doesn't get bored, and then get into mischief.