Back to a Routine

The fall semester has started up again and we have tried to get into a weekly rhythm once again after the busy summer and various trips away. Jim takes the bus to campus 4 days a week to work/study/write at the library (in the school of education), and spends another 1-2 days at a coffeeshop or working from home. Go, dissertation, go. He is hoping to get the majority of the dissertation written and into revision stages by the end of this semester.

And Gemma and I continue our weekly pattern of grocery shopping, library time, play dates, park time, walks on the trail, plus a mom's group at a local church that we have just joined this year. Oh - and doctor's appointments and getting ready for baby brother!!

However our life pattern right now feels more like a "routine" than a routine. There is a lot of uncertainty about what the near future holds. Our condo is for sale and we are hoping for a buyer in the next month, while there is still some activity on the market (before colder weather hits and the market goes quiet). And Jim is of course still looking for a full-time job, and we are wondering where we will be and what our lives will look like a few months from now.

Some Sundays after church a few families with young kids will gather for a picnic lunch at the park across the street. Here are a few pics from two weeks ago. It has been fun this summer to watch Gemma grow in her physical abilities and - in particular - conquer a lot of climbing on park equipment (slides, ladders, and monkey bars).
 

Gemma with Pierce and Blythe, some friends from church (and small group)

Here's Gemma holding her beloved Possum, a hand puppet that Margaret Gunn sent back (from Australia) with Jim as a gift for Gemma. The possum (a much cuter species than our American ones) is a new favorite for cuddling with books and at nap-time and for taking along on car trips.