Big day tomorrow

It's Monday night and my husband is out seeing a movie with some of my A-100 classmates. It's been a busy weekend. My parents took the kids overnight on Friday so that D and I could go out with friends and get some things done on Saturday am (thank you Mom and Pop!!). We finally opened a USAA bank account (or 5) and will soon begin the painful process of transferring all our direct deposits and withdrawals to the new accounts. Apparently USAA offers great car loan rates and will allow us to ship a car abroad. Really glad that we got that started. I have these tasks that weigh on me and bother me until I do something to get them done. That was one of them.

We also had 2 official playdates for the kids and spent tons of time with new friends. We are frankly much more social than we ever were in NY, and I'm really enjoying it! I love to make plans, but it's also fun to spontaneously get together with people living in our building. It's like college again, but different.

Also did a lot of shopping this weekend. I love buying spring and summer clothes for the kids (well, for me, too, but that rarely happens). I get really obsessed in Feb/March about getting the right bathing suit ensemble for the kids, and this year, it's multiplied, since we'll be going to the beach regularly for 2 years straight! YES! Have I mentioned I'm excited about the DR? I also love Carter's outlets. LOVE. We have one pretty close, which may be good or bad.

Tomorrow I start Spanish. I am excited but a bit apprehensive. I don't know what it will be like. I don't know how much it's going to kick my you-know-what. My husband started a Spanish distance learning course and we are kind of fighting over the computer lately...might have to buy another one. I'm eager to learn my schedule; in fact, I had a dream that I was assigned to a 7:30am class and I was stressing because the daycare doesn't open until 7:30am. I have heard that in that kind of case, they will try to accommodate you, but I don't know for sure. I'm sure it will be fine. But just eager to learn more.

I am really loving our life here in Virginia and at Oakwood. I am really grateful that we have the opportunity to live in this community- we have met so many people and been able to start building friendships because of the proximity. I am worrying about the possibility of a government shutdown and what it will mean for us and the FS community. I am worrying about the Middle East. But overall, we are healthy, happy, and tremendously grateful to be here. More soon!