Been a while since I've been here .....

[amandae]

So much has been going on ... had to take a break from internet life. I've posted so little anyways in the six months (or so) that I've been a member that many of you probably don't even remember me!

My baby started Kindergarten this week ;( ... I just realized where the hard part of having kids starts ... letting them go. I've been delusional thinking that the hard part was all the late nights and diapers, screaming and whining, etc. This is it and it's just the beginning ... I can't imagine how I'm going to feel when she's going off to college or when all of my kids leave the house (my Kindergartener is my oldest).

I also landed a really cool job (actually found out I had it last spring but it doesn't start until a week and a half from now). I'm a research assistant (I'm in grad school) for a really cool professsor who is writing an incredibly interesting book ... I feel pretty lucky for having this opportunity.

Just feeling like I'm in a funk and looking for some friendly faces. I've never been too good with change, even the good ones.

[BurtWorm]

1. Welcome back!

Congratulations on the cool job. I'm envious.

[iluvchicago86]

2. I can empathize

Although I dont have kids or a job...I have my school. I'm going to be a high school senior and it will be incredibly hard to leave this nice niche I have been in my life for the past several years come next summer. I'm nervous and sad...but curious too. These emotions are sorta overwhelming but they are what life is comprised of! Congrats on your little ones and your job...your life seems to me as if its full of lots of love!

[amandae]

3. Thank you for such a nice response ....

It made me smile ... I remember having those feelings before I left high school ... my parents took care of that by moving me half way through my senior year to a school that was across the country and horrible compared to the one I left! That in itself made me want to leave it in the worst way ... I didn't even go to graduation. But I missed my old school so badly and would have liked to be back to what I had known my whole life.

You'll have a blast once you're out; it is different, but in a lot of ways better. Enjoy every minute of your senior year! There have been ups and downs (like everything in life!) since high school but there are so many wonderful things for you to experience next ...

Again ... thanks for the kind response :-)

[iluvchicago86]

5. Your Welcome, and thanks

For the equally nice response on your part!;-) Your story in high school reminds me of what just happened to my good friend. She moved to a bordering suburb and they kicked her out of our high school for it...a week before school starts ! She's quite sad and depressed but at least we can chillax with her, and our distance isn't a barrier as it was with your schools...thanks for the anecdote though. It's reassuring to see toher people go through the same stuff and turn out well!:hi:

[XanaDUer]

4. Welcome back!

I may be joining the grad student group myself.

I helper a professor with research for a book when I was in (another) grad program-it's a great learning experience, and maybe you'll get a plug.WAVE!

[GoddessOfGuinness]

6. Welcome back!

My little one starts kindergarten in a couple of weeks. My oldest is in high school. It's scary how quickly they grow...

The job sounds great! I'm glad you came by :-)

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

7. Welxome back! I remember you!

Sounds like you have some wonderful (and some uncomfortable) growth going on in your life.

Thanks for the update :D

[Sperk]

8. welcome back, seems like yesterday i sent my daughter to

kindergarden. I still can remember her little red dress! This year she starts middle school! Yikes!

[NJCher]

9. odd you should mention this

A colleague was talking about how difficult it is to see her five-year-old go off to kindergarten. I was thinking about that and empathizing today.

Your job sounds great. I had an opportunity like that when I went to grad school, too. It's the source of some of my fondest memories, not to mention a significant learning experience.

Welcome back. Stick around this time!


Cher