raincoats, birthdays, and the first day(s) of school

First things first: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY FAVORITE TRIPLETS!  Molly, Ally, and Natalie were born on this day when I was sixteen years old, which means they are now ELEVEN! I think they look so grown up in this picture.  Maggie's birthday is in about a week, so in case I don't get a chance to blog then, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAGGIE!  I can't believe you will be ten years old!

Now, on to the dog in the rain slicker...since thursdays are the only day of the week I have off (weekends are for reading, and thursdays should be too, but I need at least one day to go to the grocery store, etc!), I took Madison to Buntzen lake.  We hiked a good bit, and there's a neat dog area where the dogs can play in the water, so Madison got her feet and underbelly wet and then proceeded to roll around in the sand.  Awesome.  Anyway, we played outside for a bit (it was sooooo nice to be outside--I feel like I've been cooped up in the apartment or my office for the past two weeks!), and then we went to buy people and dog groceries.  While in the pet store, the lady said, "oh, we just got the cutest rain slickers in, and I think we have one that would fit your dog!"   Uh...yes please!  So I bought a pink one.  It obviously doesn't cover all of her, but hopefully it will cut down on the amount of water she's bringing into the apartment after every time I walk her in the rain...which is a lot.

On to the next topic: school is great.  I mean, I don't have time to eat, and I sleep from the hours of about 1 am to 6 am, but I really really like it.  Why do I like this fresh hell, you ask?  Well.  Let me just tell you that it's everything I hoped it would be: the reading, the teachers, the collaborative students--it sounds cheesy, but there really is learning in the air here.  I've made several great friends, and people are genuinely helpful and kind in the department.  People talk about English studies in a hopeful, anticipatory way, like they've been waiting to be in this atmosphere, too.  I really can't say enough about how happy I am in school.  As my friend Meredith would say, I'm busier than a one-legged man in a rear-end kicking contest (edited for language content), but I absolutely love it.

And it gets better!  Tommy will be here next Tuesday through the weekend.  I'm really looking forward to seeing him and to having him walk Madison for me.  Single parenthood is hard work!  He's still looking for jobs up this way, so continue to keep your fingers crossed for him.  As I was sitting overlooking Buntzen lake this morning, in the kind of stillness that can be heard, I really felt a sense of peace about all of it.  I know I'm in a good, supportive place, and I know he will be soon, and I can't wait for us to be there together!