we should all have days like this.

Last August we moved into our house in Pittsburgh.  It has almost been one year since the move and I don't know if the year could have blown by any faster.  This was a crazy one.  There are those certain moments in my life when I feel a strong sense that I am in the exact place I am supposed to be in that moment.  Have you ever felt like that?  For me, although I have only felt that strangely awesome awareness a handful of times in my life, it has brought me a sense of peace and validation for all of the hard decisions I have ever had to make.  The truth is, my life is good and I know it, but sometimes it just rocks to feel like I'm on the right path.  When I first started back to college, all those five years ago, I chose to study Early Childhood Education because, well, I don't know... I liked kids.  Other than that, I just really wanted to earn a degree and didn't feel like being picky.  But when I started my classes and became involved in the program, I had an overwhelming sense that I was supposed to be doing exactly what I was doing.  I was so emotionally charged every single day, driven in my work with children and in my studies.  It was so unbelievably fulfilling and rewarding and challenging and good.  I felt the same feeling last February, when I decided to continue my education at WGU.  It just felt right and continues to feel right, although it's a completely different and unique experience.  It fits.  And then today things clicked for me here in Pittsburgh, at a PTA meeting of all places!  I felt like I was supposed to be there.  I belonged.  Finally.  Starting now, I'm going to be playing the role of the yearbook photographer for the middle school.  How fitting is that? I get to be out there and doing things for kids, while hiding a little bit behind the comfort of my camera. I'll be forced to put myself out there, which couldn't be more perfect since I'm a bit of a recluse.  As I sat there at the PTA luncheon, I just felt part of something larger than myself and I haven't really felt that in quite a long time.  I have no expectations.  I am unconcerned with changing myself to fit anyone's mold.  I am simply content with today's small moment; when I stepped outside of my comfort zone and it didn't even suck.  Not even a little.

And then to top that off, I have joked with the kids that I really don't have to worry about running into anyone I know since we are new.  And I have never ran into a familiar face, even at the grocery store.  Until today.  A mom went out of her way to approach me at Target and stopped to chat and say hello.

It felt damn good.

dreaming of this moment.

 

 

Sometimes it's the small things.  Sitting around an outdoor fire was one of our favorite Spokane past-times and now we've brought it to Pennsylvania too.

Marshmallows.
Hershey's chocolate bars.
Graham crackers.

Messy perfection.

soccer + humidity = all kinds of fun.

 

 

 

 

My kids have been asking me to kick a soccer ball with them for about a week now and until last night, I kept giving a 'no' answer.  Lame.  Then last night I spontaneously called out, "Who wants to go to the park and kick a soccer ball with me???"  Not lame.  I became a very cool mom all of the sudden.

Wow!  Soccer sure is fun.  I was actually raised on soccer, so I've always known this to be true, but I must have forgotten as I've grown older.  I played soccer every year of my life until my sophomore year in high school {when I discovered dance} and I have that fine sport to thank for my toned calf muscles.  Thank you, soccer!  Last night, kicking the ball around with my kids, it was AWESOME!  And in that humidity, it was WORK!  I think I've found another way to burn calories and bond with my kids at the same time, which is what the life of a multi-tasker is all about.

let the commencing begin.

Over the river.

 Beyond the Pirates baseball field.

And to the convention center.

To find a girl, sitting alone, for hours and hours, waiting to graduate.

 A smart girl.  The high honors type.

Who enjoys giving stare-of-death-teenager-face for fun.

Let's get this party started.  Commence, shall we.

Second to the last row, it's finally Elyssa's turn to take the stage!
McKenna performs a whirling dervish.

 OMG.

Let's do this thing.

I'll take that, please.  Thank you very much.

When is this thing over???

Do we have any snacks?

Listening intently with "her look."

Even proud mom and dad are getting a little antsy.

And it's a job well done!  Let's take more photos!

 

 

 

 

Then it's off to a late night dinner celebration!

And then it's goodnight, Pittsburgh, up way later than our bedtimes, let's go home and fall into bed.

It was a gosh darn good night.  It was trying to dress nicely, but not too nicely.  It was discovering McKenna has no nice shoes that fit anymore.  It was a drive through rush hour that actually went fast and it was Husband lucking out with the best free parking spot ever.  It was a stop at the local florist for a graduation bouquet.  It was a stop for Dairy Queen ice cream cake that never got eaten because we were all too tired.  It was the graduation girl leaving for commencement with wet hair {because college graduates are way less particular than high school graduates}.  It was no dinner until 10pm, but it was darn good dinner at 10pm.  It was a proud mom and dad, laughing at a singer's emotional botching of the National Anthem and suffering through an awful commencement speech about famous people in history {come on!  what about the future!}. It was watching the couple in front of us make out a bazillion times.  It was a lesson in diversity and multi-culture, as only a community college graduation ceremony could provide.  It was two kids doing their best to support their sister, even when their butts hurt from sitting for so long.  It was Elyssa rocking her Honor's medal and cords with pride.  It was a gosh darn good night full of good kinds of stuff.