Journal: settling into our new routine

Yes, it's been (almost) a month.  I know.  I think like only two people read this though, so as Pete the Cat would say, "it's all good."
TODAY

Out my window: Sunny and warm.  The days are definitely getting shorter though, and the heat is so much less intense even on the hot days.  We went to a local baseball game last evening, and the weather was so nice, despite being a warm day.  Hubby is watering our trees on the off chance that we don't get the rain that's being predicted for the next five days.  You just never know around here.

Around the house: My pumpkin spice candle is burning, because hey it's almost Fall!  Much as I despise winter, I really do love this season-changing time of year.  And there are so many fun things to do in Fall!  The candle is probably a bit premature, but it smells nice. I saw this idea on Facebook where you put coconut oil, pumpkin pie spice and some cinnamon in one of those little warmer things and I really want to try it.  I don't have a warmer but bet it would work in a small saucepan on the warming area on my stovetop.

The kiddos: They're all back to school!  And despite all the changes around here with me going back to teaching, I think this may be our smoothest start to a school year yet.  Gemma has settled in nicely, although homework is definitely not her fave.  Kolbe had a few rough mornings the first couple days of school but got past that and really seems to enjoy being there, and Clem has never looked back.  He was my first child to not have any tears on the first day of school (and my other two didn't even GO to preschool).  He loves it.  Runs up to the door with gusto and a huge smile on his face every day we drop him off.  I really hope (for his sake and mine) that this continues.  Makes the big change of having him (and me) gone in the afternoons much more manageable (for him and for me). 

In the kitchen: What's cooking here this week? 
Sunday: Grilled steak/jalapeno poppers, corn on the cob and some sort of wilted greens salad that I am still trying to figure out a recipe for....

Monday: French Dips and steamed broccoli

Tuesday: simple spaghetti with meat already in the freezer

Wednesday: lemon garlic chicken (new recipe I'm trying!) with fetuccini in cream sauce and steamed green beans

Thursday: salads (crispy chicken) probably, or leftovers

Friday: baked catfish and simple sides 

I am back to only cooking for one at the rectory, so that is a nice change, especially with heading back to teaching. 

Learning...how to juggle working and school and everything.  Really it's all good so far.  I didn't take into account how short my short days (Monday, Wednesday and every other Friday) were going to be, so that has been nice, still plenty of time around the house to be with Clem and get things done.  And I'm not there until around 9 on my long days, so even then mornings are still relaxed.  Or at least as relaxed as a morning can be trying to get two kids and Aaron out of the house.  The kids seem to be settling in with their respective school workloads and I'm sure they'll learn all kinds of interesting new things this year.  I have ample plan time built into my schedule at school, so I haven't had to do a ton at home (especially with all the work my partner and I did this summer), so that has been nice.

Reading: Um. Nothing. I did make a resolution at the beginning of the year to spend 15 minutes reading/meditating on Scripture a day, and this may very well be the first New Year's Resolution I am still sticking with come (almost) September.  And let me tell you, it has borne much fruit.  The kids and I are reading a book about Clare of Assisi at the breakfast table, and also The Saturdays.  Gemma and I just finished Understood Betsy, and I just don't know what we are going to do to follow that beautiful book.  It may be my favorite read-aloud yet.  And before that we read Caddie Woodlawn and its sequel, so I just really don't know where to go from here.

Watching: MLB mainly and a few other random things....like the back of my eyelids.

Bringing me joy: Confession.  New students.  The coming change in seasons.  Pretty flowers.  A date with my hubby on the horizon.  Doing puzzles with the kids.

Thinking about: lots.

Pictures to share:  

First day of school 2016.  Third grade, first grade and PK4yrs.  If you are friends with me on Facebook you've already seen these.  Sorry.