... and we're back!

It's been roughly a year since my last post. In that post I mentioned I was having a sort of blog identity crisis, and that slowed me down quite a bit. I kept feeling that if I had Facebook, and all the same people from there were coming here to read a lot of the same stuff I posted there, what was the point? I slowly started to feel a bit egocentric, and doubted that I had anything of value to say - especially if I was essentially saying it twice. Mix those feelings of doubt with my seemingly endless daily list of things to do, and I just let it fade to black.

Then, about two weeks ago, I deleted Facebook.

No drama, no big announcement to the world ... I just hit delete. I had come to realize over the last year that Facebook annoys me. It's intended to be personal, but in fact, is so impersonal and strange. I began not to care what people were posting, because it's mostly the edited, public version of everything. I can't tell you how many people I know that put on a smiley, "perfect" image to the world via Facebook, while their lives are anything but. My favorite posts were from friends who would laugh at their mistakes, and share how much they had no idea how to forge through the journey of marriage and parenting. It made me start thinking about how much more personal, connected, and creative I felt when I was blogging, and I missed that. So, I quit Facebook, tweaked my blog layout, and blew dust off the keyboard. I must say, it feels pretty great.

To bring things up to speed since last summer:

- Z is now almost 11, and tomorrow is his last day of 4th grade. He amazes me as much as tests me. A great student, a loyal friend, and an all around kick-ass young man. It's so fun to watch him grow up and guide him as he navigates the next chapter of his life. Yes, that means I have to face that he is now dangerously close to the "pre-teen" category. Ugh, I'm working on it.

- Aaron completed his schooling, immediately found a job, and started in August 2012 as a teacher. He has thrived in his new position, and his natural talent with kids has blown his principal away. He was offered a position as a full-time middle school social studies teacher next year, and he jumped at the chance. I am so proud of my amazingly talented husband.

- Since the last two years were focused on Aaron following his dream, he has been adament that we now shift gears and focus on me following mine. Only glitch is that I am still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. I'm beginning to lean heavily toward going to culinary school, not necessarily for a change of career, but ... maybe? As I continue to soul search and figure things out, I am still working at the apartment complex and Central Market. Both jobs have been so good to me. I am still so thankful to have them, but I'm tired. Really tired.

- Cody is the perfect dog, brilliant and adorable, and has become the center of our family world. He has reached about 100 pounds, and will be 16 months old on June 6. I was pretty sure I would never love another dog again the way I loved Elijah after he died, but Cody, thankfully, has proven me wrong. I am smitten, and could not imagine our lives without him. To know him is to love him, truly. He's my (giant) sweet pea.

- My parents are great. We just went on another cruise with them this past March, and it was fabulous, as always. They've been there with us through thick and thin, and Aaron, Z and I are thankful for their constant, continuous love and involvement. Thankfully, we have had zero drama with my Dad's health (knock on wood), and I am constantly sending up prayers it will stay that way. If you have some positive healing vibes to spare, consider sending them my Dad's way.

- My sister's divorce finally became official, and she is happily involved with a good man and is working a good job. She did, unfortunately, lose her dog a few months ago, so that was a hard hit. (RIP Grace). For the last few years, I have been hoping she would find some happiness and peace as she journeys along, because she deserved at least that after her husband walking out on her, and losing her job. I'm glad to say I think she has finally found some of both. You go, girl.

- 283 days until our next cruise. Oh that's right, we're not stopping yet!

That catches us up. I fully intend to post here as I can. I don't want to set any rules for myself or deadlines, but I'm certainly looking forward to getting back on here and chronicling our most recent adventures. As for now, it's time to get this day done so I can enjoy a nice double-date tonight with my BFF and our husbands. A night out without the kids? Don't mind if I do! Until next time ...

(PS - a quick shout out to Eric (my sister's ex-husband), and my in-laws. See, I have this function on my blog that tells me who has been by lately to read it, and all three of you guys showed up as having stopped by not too long ago. So, wasssuuppp! Ha!)