It has probably been the second hardest year of my life, probably all of our lives. Fortunately, we can now look back and laugh over it.
Lauren has adjusted well to southern living. She completed her junior year in high school. She cheered on the competition cheer squad and lettered in lacrosse. She started almost every single lacrosse game and yet maintained her I play it because its fun attitude. Despite what she thought she managed to hang on to her boyfriend, Shane. He has made several trips to Georgia. Once for homecoming and once for her prom. and they are both always looking for a ride to see each other. So if you're headed south let us know! Lauren was also able to attend Elizabethtown's prom this year too. It was a very quick two day trip because she had finals the next week but the pictures and memories were worth it.
Kirsten finished her first year of high school and has adjusted well. In the fall she played on the JV softball team at her high school which was quite an accomplishment because softball is so much more competitive here than in PA. In the spring she played and lettered in lacrosse. She has also played and conditioned year round with her travel ball team, GA Trouble. We love that team and recommend it to everyone that asks where she is training. The coaching is awesome. She has grown by leaps and bounds through all her hours of training. She struggled with her batting a great deal this year. For Kirsten as well as many others if she doesn't feel confident in her game she doesn't play well. She has started to shows of overcoming her issues which is awesome for her. Last night with her school ball team she was the most consistent batter, making it to base at every at bat. she had a triple and two doubles for a total of 6 runs batted in. We are so happy to see her beginning to enjoy the game she loves so much again.
Zach made it through his seventh grade year. I say made it because there were times I thought I would surely choke the life outta him. Just kidding! Moving in the middle school years is perhaps the worst possible time in a child's life for such a major change. But he made it and can sometimes even laugh about it. He played football in the fall and lacrosse in the spring. Currently, he is playing lacrosse through LB3. It is run by a former Major League Lax player and several individuals that have played both college and professional level lax. Needless to say, the instruction is top notch and he loves it.
Cole is finished with third grade and we are hopeful that fourth grade will be a more positive experience for him. That's all I will say on that topic! He has made several good friends through school and even has a buddy or two in the neighborhood. He has loved going to the neighborhood pool because he can almost always find someone there to play with. He took a year off from sports and activities which was a good thing. I don't think I could have managed another practice schedule if I tried. Recently, he has taken an interest in baseball. He's been going to the batting cages with me when I take Kirsten for practice and really enjoys it.
Bill has loved his new job since we moved. He is able to go to the gym that is right in the building where he works during his lunch break. The stress level is so much better. His boss and everyone at work have been awesome about sharing their knowledge about life in GA.
As for me, I am pretty well used to the Southern way of living now. I never thought I would say this but I actually enjoy country music. After living here somehow the music just makes more sense and I find myself relating to the lyrics. After all, I know all about those red dirt roads! I still haven't found anyone here that scrapbooks but I'm sure they are here somewhere. Instead, I just facetime one of my scrapping buddies back in PA. It is alot easier than packing up all that stuff anyway! I did try meeting up with someone from social media but that didnt turn out too well. I will definitely have to share that sometime! Social media, texting etc have been life and sanity savers for us all. I can honestly say I don't think I would have made it through the year without them. It has also made it a lot easier on the kids and their friendships. I am really not sure how people did these kinds of moves before smartphones and GPS. Siri has literally been my lifeline this year! She has gotten me to every practice, every game and every appointment with minimal stress. She has also helped me find fun things to do when we were bored.
Almost everyone at some point has asked me if this is home now... That has been a tough question for me to answer because while I love the area and there is lots to do here, home is where the heart is and part of my heart is still in PA with our extended family and my best friends. I miss those drop ins for coffee or those Sunday morning calls from my mom saying they were on the way to our house. That has been the hardest for me. Missing out on family times...
