After much discussion, Trevor and I came to the decision that we need to be in Maine closer to my family. So, once again, we packed everything (truth be told, some stuff was never UNpacked!) and loaded it into the huge moving truck. Before we left, Corinne was able to participate in her first swim meet. She competed in the 100 meter free style, backstroke and butterfly. She didn't place, but we were impressed with her time for her first ever meet!
The drive back to Maine was made much easier because Grammy Robin came out to get Lincoln and flew him back with her. It was a win-win for everyone! My car ride was much calmer (with only Sophie chatting my ear off) and we were able to get in way more driving hours. Grammy and Pop Pop loved having Lincoln to themselves for a few days. Lincoln rode the tractor, fed the chickens, collected eggs and really just soaked up all the attention!
We're now settled into our Sawyer St house in South Portland are loving living less than a mile from my brother and his family, less than a mile from the beach, and having the greenbelt (a 7 mile bike path) right beside our house.
Corinne's teachers reported she has found a good group of girls to hang out with and she is excelling in her classes. Ayla is making lots of friends and is doing well academically, despite some reminders to stay focused. Sophie loves having her cousin and now bff, Ava, in her school. They're in different classrooms but enjoying spending recess together.
We went to an open house at Baxter Academy in South Portland, a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) charter school that Corinne wanted to check out. She has a few friends from Brunswick who are interested in going as well. You might think it odd that Corinne wants to go to a STEM school, since she is so intensely interested in reading and writing, but it's the allure of something different that drew her in. She loved the open house and has fingers crossed her name is drawn in the lottery at the beginning of February. We have arranged for her to have a tour of South Portland High School to ensure we're helping her make an informed decision about where to spend her high school years.
Ayla and Sophie are starting gymnastics in December. They're both excited to get back into it. Corinne and Ayla are starting guitar lessons again next week. They're taking them at the Maine Academy of Modern Music, which has opportunities for them to join different ensembles and/or bands. There are lots of other opportunities to get involved with at the school as well.
Lincoln is enjoying his new daycare. They've already asked to take him home! He's in a classroom with kids ages 2 1/2 to 5, so he'll stay in that room until he goes to kindergarten. They're outdoors twice a day and Lincoln loves his "job" he's assigned each day.
I've been subbing every day in one of the elementary or middle schools in Portland. It's fun to be able to work with kids and not take any work home! I have accepted an HR Coordinator position at Maine Medical Center and I'll be starting December 7th. I'm super excited to be working with my previous manager from Mercy Hospital! I already know it's going to be a great fit! The schedule allows me to be at home two mornings a week so Trevor and I are splitting the mornings between us, which means Sophie and Lincoln are home until we drop them off at their schools.
Trevor is settling into his new practice and is already booking up very quickly! He's enjoying spending time working with people who are motivated to get well and stay healthy. He's excited to be able to make his own schedule and is looking forward to making his office his own space.
All in all, we know we are where we want to be: home. Maine is home and we've already seen more of our family in the past month than we've ever seen before. The girls and I enjoyed my cousins bridal shower where I got to visit with my Gram, aunts and cousins. We've had lots of get togethers with my brother and his family. We've also been able to get together with a few friends.
We spent Thanksgiving at my mom and Mark's house with my cousin and her husband. It was a great second Thanksgiving spent with family! The girls and I made it to the movies with Grammy Robin and Kelly over Thanksgiving break as well.
It's hard to believe my next post will be wrapping up the end of 2015. It's been a crazy whirlwind of a year, but we're on the path and looking forward to what's next!
