We made it to the double digits; we only have 2 months left!!
This past month started off rough, I was still in the low place I was in the previous month, but my mood started shifting slowly and by the end of the month I was feeling a little more productive and hopeful, with more low moments instead of entire low days. Getting my thoughts and feelings out by writing them in the previous post helped. We also recently had friends move into the house directly across the street from us (purely by coincidence!) so we have been spending a lot of time chatting outside while our kids play together… this has also helped me a great deal.
There is an overall feeling of loneliness this year with J gone. He’s my best friend, he’s the one I want to talk to most and although we text daily, we only have long phone conversations once a week or so. As a stay at home mom, I don’t get much adult interaction. I do have some friends here but I don’t see them often. Getting together with someone once in a while just isn’t enough to improve happiness or stress levels. With our new neighbors here (also a stay at home mom), I have gotten more social interaction in the past month than I have in the past year. It is so nice having someone to talk to on a regular basis! Also, knowing that C or I could literally shout out our front door if we need help with anything makes me feel less anxious and not so alone. I am thankful that they are here.
C and I traveled to Pennsylvania for Thanksgiving week. Neither we nor my parents live in a place with a major airport so we had to a two-hour drive on each end of our flight. Driving from Pittsburgh to their house, it got dark (an hour earlier than it does in Valdosta) and it started snowing. That was the first time I had driven in snow in seven years – I didn’t like it but C was SO excited! She has only seen snow during one other winter in her life, three years ago. The first thing she had to do was catch snowflakes on her tongue when we stopped for snacks during our drive. The next morning, we went outside and she got to do other things on her “snow list” which included make snowballs, throw snowballs, make a snowman, and make a snow angel. C had a great time playing with four of her six cousins during the week and seeing her grandparents, great-grandma, and most of her aunts and uncles. I enjoyed seeing everyone and sleeping in every day.
We were supposed to find out what our next assignment will be at the end of October but things didn’t work out so we were pushed to the next assignment cycle and are currently trying to work out other options. We had to reevaluate everything and change the path we thought were taking. During this past month, we have already researched five places where we thought we may end up but it keeps changing again and again and again. I believe that things happen for a reason so I’m trusting that wherever we do end up next will be what we need.
Month 10 events:
- C and I spent a week in PA for Thanksgiving
Month 10 accomplishments:
- I got both of our vehicles serviced
- I fixed our water heater by myself (we had no hot water upon returning from our trip)
- I ordered our Christmas cards
- We got our Christmas tree and supplies out of storage and decorated!
Onto month 11!
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“Trust in the timing of your life.”