Did You Miss Me?

So, I've been gone for a while.... a long while. I can tell, too, because this is such an outlet for me to lay out my thoughts and sort through everything and when I don't do it I get a tad stressed. Lots has happened since my last post. I'll put it out there in an ordered fashion to catch up and then go back to "regular blogging" later this week....
1.) Moved in July into our new house. Really miss my house we moved from. Miss my grocery store and miss my Target and my big yard with my big ol' trees and the creek. We've moved 5 times in 9 years and this has never happened. Miss Brian being home in time to eat dinner with us. I don't like having to put his dinner in a warming drawer while the girls and I eat alone because he lives 30 minutes from work now instead of 5 minutes.... Everytime I go to our old house to get something else (no, we haven't finished moving everything out, yet...) I feel like it's home. Don't know why. Maybe because we lived there longer than we've ever lived anywhere and that is the place the girls remember. I think I would be doing better if all of my friends moved out here, too, but for some reason, they aren't on the same page....They act like moving is a big deal or something. ;0) Hopefully this feeling will pass. It has only been made worse by #2 and #3 below....
2.) One reason we moved out here was to go to the church we really liked. Our pastor resigned a couple of weeks ago and preached his last sermon last week. It was on good terms- he's going to start a Christian counseling ministry. But in times like this, people tend to get their own agendas about what they want to happen and fighting ensues. Not gonna put up with it. We'll have to find a new church if that happens. Meanwhile- I'm really enjoying working with the youth group. They are great kids and they have been awesome to me. So, we'll see. Of course, if we leave that church, we will go back to one that we visited and loved- which happens to be about 2 minutes from our old house. (Of course...) Maybe things will work out at the church we're at now and we'll get an awesome pastor to come in and really amaze us. Remains to be seen.
3.) At the little private school the girls go to out here, the 2nd grade teacher (Annelise's teacher) moved to Ohio and so her last day was last week. Not only did the school not send any communication home about it (Annelise told us) but they have just combined the first and second grade into one class (they didn't send anything home about that, either). So, Annelise and Emmaline are in class together and I cannot see how they will both learn what they need to learn when the grades are combined like that. Not a happy camper. At all. Brian plans to address this with the school administration as I cannot or someone may get hurt....
4.) Annelise got baptized in August. Brian got to dunk her. :0)
5.) Aunt Libby's husband passed away in August (the day before Annelise's baptism) of a massive heart attack. He was like a grandfather to the girls and Emmaline in particular is having a terrible time dealing with his death. She has developed all kinds of neurotic tendencies and they are starting to slow down in occurrence, but are still there. Aunt Libby is really depressed and I'm worried about her, but she seems to be doing ok so far.
6.) I just turned in my 15-page mid-term paper for my Master's Degree program in Grief Counseling. I've made straight A's on all of my other papers, but this one is a biggie and I'm hoping it is what the instructor is looking for! I can't believe this is only the first course. Feels like I've done enough papers to go ahead and get my degree after this one is over. But, alas, I have 4 more courses to go after this one, and still have my final paper to do for it..... I've read about, talked about, and thought about death enough for the past few weeks that I may have to take medication.
7.) How 'bout them Tigers? So proud of the way they have improved over the season so far. Young team, but so much potential there. We'll be taking the girls to their first game on Nov. 21st, when they play Virginia. I am so excited to watch them take everything in. They cannot wait!!
8.) Obama ticks me off. Enough said. Don't get Brian started on him unless you want to get tied up for an hour or so in a rant.
9.) We gave our doggie, Alice, away to a really sweet family a couple months ago. We told them if it didn't work out that they could bring her back. Guess who's back as of a few days ago?
10.) Started the P90X workout yesterday. I'm having some major problems in my left hip, towards my back. I can hardly walk today. Already been diagnosed with arthritis in my hips and right knee. Don't know why it's gotten so bad lately. Lord, I'm getting old.
11.) Emmaline has started ballet and loves it with all of her heart. She is doing very well according to her teachers. :0)
Well, I know there's more to tell, but that's enough for now. I'm so glad it's Fall. I love this time of year. I need to catch up on all my blogger friends stuff, so I'll do that today since I'm at home taking care of a sick little Emmaline. She spent the evening puking her guts out last night, so she's recouperating in my bed at the moment. Hopefully the saltines and Sprite that she's taking in right now won't end up all over the place. Keep your fingers crossed. I'll try to post pictures sometime this week!