This past week, Adam's brother Seth has been visiting with us. It is sort of a mark in time I think. Because Seth came to visit with us when we first moved to Texas- before we had jobs or even bearings on where things were. And now he has come to see us again, and we are now settled- own a home, have a dog and a way of life here.

I have really noticed that having Seth around makes Adam more joyful than usual. It is amazing to me the way family can affect us. For some people it may not be joy that they feel when family is close- it could be anxiety or anger. The power that those who are tied to us by blood is greater than that of any other person- even if we don't realize it. I also find it so strange how sometimes family members inter-change roles. For instance, the one person in your family that was always the supportive one may now be the more aloof one. Or the father taking a more maternal role later in life. It just reminds me that nothing is stagnate- but everything is fluid and changing.

Work has been challenging lately, dealing with the older women that work there. It is just annoying that they can work the system so well with no repercussions from it. I just hired 5 new student works a little less than a month ago. That part is always stressful- we had so many people interview. Just when I finally feel confident in all 5 of my choices- one of my students comes to tell me Thursday will be her last day. She decided to take another job that she had interviewed for -- BEFORE she took the job with me. So I am of course catching all the flack from that.

I know that someday I'll be able to close the door on this segment of my life- and I think I see the light at the end of the tunnel- the staying focused part is the difficult part.

*side note: we went to San Antonio yesterday- I'll post some pics of a few Missions soon*