In the Moment

Please allow me this moment to enjoy the current happy that is my life. I know how easily it can change, but right now, in this moment, I am perfectly happy with the life, people, and work I have been blessed to have.

I was sitting at my desk this morning smiling to myself during my conference period.  It was a strange feeling and not always one I always have.   

Happiness
Contentment
No desire for anything more or less
Satisfaction  

Life is good these days.  The bolded sentences above are my current Facebook status.  As I sat there this morning, I wondered, how long will this last?  How can I hold on to this happy and what is different?  Then it hit me, I just need to enjoy it.  I don't know how long it will last.  I don't know what will happen next and I can't plan it out as much as I try.  I can't predict what will happen next or will be around.  What I can control is how I enjoy and appreciate what I currently have.  This moment?  It's real good.  There's nothing fancy or significant happening.  No major life changes that have occurred.  As my friend De calls it, it's a "happy hum" of my life.  It's regular every day stuff of life that is moving smoothly and happily. 

There is much to be grateful for in my life.  Here is the happy hum of my life--

My happy, healthy, funny little girls who are growing up in front of my eyes make everything happy.  Maggie is thriving in first grade, loving her new school.  She is in gymnastics, dance, and starts Girl Scouts tomorrow.  She turns SEVEN at the end of the month (can you believe it???).  She started earning an allowance about three weeks ago and has been contributing to our household more and more with chores.  I pay her up to $3 a week based on criteria we decided was best for her.  As she has always been, Maggie is my snuggly one.  She can curl up with me and give love like no other.  Katie?  That girl barely stops moving to give a quick hug and she keeps on going!  Katie is ever our wild child.  She makes Maggie and me laugh so much with the funny little things she comes up with.  She's growing faster than I would like, already wearing size 5T and not even three (she's my TANK).  She's a smart little thing too.  Life with Maggie and Katie is always a little crazy, a lot of fun, and full of love. 

My job continues to be the stability I needed and the daily challenge I love.  Being around teenagers every day keeps me on my toes.  I teach two grade levels (4 seventh grade classes and 2 eighth grade classes).  Each class period is different  They can be exhausting and boisterous while other classes can be sweet and quiet.  I'm constantly busy around here.  I am the dept head for foreign language as well as the co-sponsor of National Junior Honor Society. Being my second year, I've found it much easier to know and plan.  I know what's coming up next in the curriculum.  I understand things like policies better.  I've made some really good friends here at school too. 

Our new home is perfect for us.  We went from 3,200 square feet that I couldn't keep up with and made me go into debt to 1,500 sq feet that is way more manageable.  My last electric bill at the house?  $485.  This month in the townhome?  $122.  The girls share a bedroom and have pink bunk beds (painted by my mom!).  My landlord is kind and generous, as well as very responsive to any needs we have.  We live in a quiet townhome community which I love.  It feels more like a home than an apartment complex would.  Very safe and surrounded by older people who are always out walking dogs and talking.  My expenses have significantly decreased. Hopefully, I will stabilize soon and begin to take care of some of the debt I created in 18 months of trying to keep my head up in the old house as well as being crap at finances (let's be honest, I wasn't very good and I'm getting there.  Almost).  Settling into the townhome has been the best thing for us.  I don't miss that big burden of a home in the least.  I have nothing but happy memories in the townhome and all things belong to ME.  It's my space and my happiness with the girls.

Military Man and I are doing great, as you saw from my last post.  This week, our date was a movie at an old lounge style movie theatre and sushi (our favorite).  On the drive home, we cranked up music and were yelling and dancing in the car, just acting plain stupid (ok, me more than my reserved MM).  We were laughing hysterically.  He came to bring lunch for me and my two closest work friends yesterday.  I love having him come into my world here at school a bit.  The 8th grade girls, of course, freaked out that my boyfriend was in the building.  Even they call him Military Man!  They swooned and whispered and then came to me after he left the school to say to tell me he's very good looking and they approve.  Good thing I got the approval of 13 and 14 year old girls!  Silly girls. 

Yeah, I like this moment.  I like my happy hum.