For those who have noticed the lack of "family" postings, there is a reason. Andrew and I separated over the summer and our divorce will be final just after the first of the year. It was not a decision that was reached lightly, however it was the decision that was best for our family. No, I'm not going to get into the details. If you see us and would like to ask for additional information, we will each share what we feel comfortable sharing.
As you might have seen from Facebook, the house is on the market. With the market slowing down right now, we haven't had any bites on it. I'm hopeful after the first of the year the market will pick up and we will get it sold. It's been a blessing in disguise to not battle moving during the semester and to keep Izzy's life a normal as possible. Once our house is sold, my hope is to purchase another home for Izzy and I.
I finished up my first semester of law school this week. It was as much work as I expected, but I'm proud of myself for keeping up with it. I would not have made it through without a lot of help from friends and family. A huge thank you to my parents for taking Izzy for the day on the weekends I had assignments due or tests to study for. I have some amazing classmates and friends who kept me in check and kept me going. A few in particular saved my butt more than once! It was a bit of an adjustment to be back in school again. I definitely had to adjust my study style. Things are a little different now than they were eight years ago when I finished my undergrad education. I'm now enjoying a little rest and relaxation. It was an odd feeling putting Izzy to bed this week knowing I had no reading to do after she went to sleep! Classes don't start again until January 22nd. My goal is to relax through the end of the year and after the first of the year re-group and come up with a plan for next semester. So much of the first semester of law school was figuring out how to make it through the next two and a half years, and now I feel like I have a better handle on it.
Izzy continues to be a very busy toddler. We have had a busy fall with a trip to the pumpkin patch, her baptism, Thanksgiving, and of course a daily dose of sass. Her personality continues to develop daily; she really is a great mix of both Andrew and I. I think we are going to have quite the daredevil on our hands! Her vocabulary is certainly expanding and I have had to monitor some of the things I say. I try not to burst out laughing when phrases like "oh my gosh" comes out of her mouth. Sometimes I just have to look away from her to regain my composure. She brings me so much joy. Yes, sometimes (daily) she pushes me to my limits, but I love that little turkey to pieces. Her laughter is the best sound. Hearing her scream "mommy" as she runs across the room when I pick her up from daycare makes my heart explode!
Izzy had her first trip to the dentist in October. She wasn't a huge fan, but we did manage to survive the trip. She has actually been much better recently about letting me brush her teeth, so I'm glad I don't have to battle that every day now. At the time of her appointment, her two year molars were coming in, which explained a lot about her attitude at that point. Honestly though, I think we got pretty lucky will all of her teeth coming through. I don't ever remember it being overwhelmingly terrible.
Izzy was baptized at our church in October. I was reminded why most people baptize children when they are babies.... patience was not on the top of the list that day. But, she certainly was entertaining. Pictures weren't easy to capture; she had reached the end of her rope by the time the service was over! The picture below accurately captures the wild look in her eye as she was waving the candle around and attempting to (and in some cases succeeding at) hitting people with it.
I haven't measured her or weighed her recently, but I don't think her height has changed a ton since her last checkup in October. She is still in 2T and 3T clothes. She does have some 24 month pants. 3T pants would probably fall off of her. Although in shirts and dresses, 3T is what I go with most of the time. Hello long torso! She has the permanent belly shirt issue much like I remember having. She is still in size 7 shoes, but there are still some size 6 shoes she can wear. It amazes and annoys me how much variation there is in sizing for kids clothing and shoes.
I'm looking forward to spending some down time with Izzy over the next couple of weeks (perhaps in our new matching Harry Potter pajamas) now that I'm not totally stressed about classes. I'm back to "just working" while I'm on break from school. I really do feel beyond grateful and blessed for the opportunities I have had this year. Even on the hardest days, I pinch myself and realize I'm going after a dream I have had for many years. It isn't easy, and there are many days I seriously question my sanity in all of it, but the best way to get through it is to keep going. At the end of the day, I remind myself that I'm teaching Izzy to not give up and to always go after your dreams even when it feels like everything is pushing against you.
