times are changing

 You can feel it in the air.

The last couple of weeks have gone by in a frenzied haze around here.  

In anticipation of Billy's upcoming graduation (very soon you can officially call him Master Doctor Billy, Chemist Extraordinaire), we decided to put our house up for sale.  Our hope was to be able to sell it by the time Billy graduated.  So, I spent a very busy week and a half hauling trunk loads of stuff to our newly rented storage unit and Goodwill, patching, painting, sprucing up the yard, deep cleaning and re-organizing furniture.  Before it was even listed our realtor brought a couple through and by the time we had an MLS number, they had made us an offer we couldn't refuse.  

I have been in a small state of shock and denial ever since.  

In just a few short weeks, pending the home inspection and buyers' financing coming through, we will be residents of the Cupboard Under the Stairs at Billy's parents' house.  

Billy has been interviewing and applying for jobs here and there and everywhere.  Now, we just have to wait and see where we end up.  It is exciting and at the same time daunting to be this close to finishing such a long, long process and finally starting "real life".  Right now feels like the blank page between two chapters of a book.

In the midst of this selling the house business and applying for jobs blitzkrieg, the first day of school has come and as I type, almost over.  Lucy is starting 3rd grade which practically sounds like college to me.  Her teacher seems like the nicest grandma you can imagine.  Lucy gets serious and quiet when she is nervous, which she is.  This makes me love her even more.   I think she is especially somber this year because her BFF is not in her class.

Lucy has had her first-day-of-school picture taken in front of this door since her first first day.
If I think about it too much, I might cry.

kindie

first

second

third

Alright, now I am crying.

Henry is now a full-time Pre-K'er.  All day.  I'm not ready for this, but I think he is.  He was so excited this morning and couldn't have cared less about a good-bye kiss at the door of his classroom.  It's a good thing I have the task of packing up our entire house and moving our family in three weeks, otherwise I could see myself coming down with a serious case of baby fever, because I am sitting here wondering where my babies went?

All in all, change is good, right?  

Life is good.  

I am proud of my children.  I am proud of Billy.  

And I am very glad we get to do this together.