Saturday, September 1, 2018

Summer of Change

Have you ever felt like you're on this constant journey in life and just when you think life is going to get settled, it changes? That's pretty much how our life has been for the last 3-4 years. First we thought we were going on a long adventure to Alaska which ended up being an amazing, but short one. An unexpected little one will do that. Then we thought we would get settled in the Palouse and we kind of did for a short time, but that flopped and it never really worked out the way we thought it would so life lead us on a new journey. Now we are here in what we both know as "home", but what hasn't felt like it for many years. When we first started talking about moving back to Nevada for real (Nevada has been discussed as a side note in the past, but was never really an option for me) my gut sank and I started looking for excuses not to go and ways to stay in the Idaho area. The more we discussed it however and the more reality set in, the easier it became to accept it. I was nervous about coming back home because I never really connected with this area as a child and I almost always was attached to Idaho and Alaska. As a child I had many nicknames, one of which was "Dirt Clawed". I vividly remember playing in the dirt and building homes for bugs as well as enjoying spending any time I could outside and/or swimming. These were my friends. I had other hobbies like simple arts and crafts, sports, and music. These are all things I probably would have done regardless of where I grew up though. For different reasons I just preferred the north west. 

 
People who know me well know that I love the outdoors and love a good view. Once we moved back here to Nevada, I began searching for trails that I could take Gage and the dogs to. Thanks to an app called "All Trails", I was pleasantly surprised.  Probably to know one else's surprise this region, also known as the Sierra Nevada's, is surrounded with beautiful trails and water. Of course Lake Tahoe is here so that's a no brainer, but there are many more "secret" gems all over the area. I have discovered far from all of them, but that's what's exciting about it. I suspect that every season and every year we will discover new trails, lakes, and parks. One thing I know already is that as long as we get snow, the winters here will be incredible! Wait! Did I say something positive about being here?

Gage has taken some convincing about staying here also. After about 3 weeks (if that) he began asking for home. Home of course meant Pullman. He was missing his grandparents, friends, and familiarities there. He recently stopped asking about it since returning to daycare, but every once in a while will mention it. For the majority of summer, Gage asked about home many times during the week. He has been doing better since starting daycare, but he had some tough weeks this summer. We think it primarily had to do with his own transition to moving, new rules, over stimulation from so many people regularly, and weaning. That's right, in the first week of July we weaned Gage entirely from breast milk. He was almost two and a half and that week John was going to be home for a few days. We knew we'd have some rough nights so we didn't want to hinder John's work days. Prior to getting pregnant I never thought I'd nurse as long as I did, but Gage LOVED it, I enjoyed it, and we loved all the benefits it has given him. We began the weaning process in January when we stuck to nap and bedtime only, but we came to a point where we as a family were ready to be done. After a few hard nights with both John and I protecting Gage's rage from hurting himself or us, a new night light, a "special" cup for a "special" night time drink, and a new friend to sleep with (Bunny), Gage finally slept through the night for the first time ever. He continued to do that for weeks. Now bedtime is all about stories, ABC's, and back rubs. He goes threw some phases where he wakes up screaming for food, but we think it has more to do with night tremors and looking for comfort. Currently we're in a good phase.

Gage loves his cousins and has really enjoyed being able to play with them all of the time, but it took some convincing. He was not use to the excitement of so many people all of the time. Now he pretty much loves it and ask where everyone goes all of the time. He gets excited when they "come back" from being in their room or with friends. He's also built a stronger relationship with my parents and continues to love on John's parents through Facetime. None of us are really use to the regular excitement of big family events multiple times a month, or the higher temperatures, or the smoke from fire season. Fortunately the smoke has mostly cleared (for now) and their is plenty of fun things to do including visiting the great lake in the mountains above us and awesome concerts. Besides the season's are changing so it's getting cooler anyway. We are getting more an more use to our new...er home and making steps to settling permanently, including selling my jeep and beginning to window shop :) 


The dogs are doing pretty good. They have had some changes as well, but have adjusted and continue to get out with us regularly. They are always outside now, but they still get plenty of love and attention, especially from Gage. They will hopefully have a big yard soon to make their own and get to lick Gage to death again. I am very happy that we've been able to keep them in our family through our bumpy road and that this isn't going to change.


One of the biggest changes for the Klein clan is work. John started working again in January and is in full swing now. He is much happier now that he is working and in a job that suits him perfectly. As a project manager for a construction company, John is nothing short than a little kid in a candy store. He works with a great group of people, gets to use his accounting and project management skills, works with big trucks and use his handy skills, and is even able to use his Spanish regularly. John is a huge contribute to his team and the people who work with him (including his boss) really appreciate what he has to offer as an employee and an individual. This is definitely the best job he's ever had. The only down side to his job is the commute, but that might be changing soon.

My job is almost entirely different also. Truly, the only thing that is the same about my job is that I'm still teaching special education. Other than that, my job is quite different...in a good way. I primarily work at a middle school which has its own unique attributes. I am only teaching sped half time though and have to travel for the other half of my job so they were kind enough to give me a schedule that allowed flexibility. I do not have a class of my own like I did before and up until recently did no pull out groups. I have one now with one student, but it's a very small part of my job. The majority of my job as a special educator now is to co-teach with two English teachers, one 6th and one 7th. The other half of my job is adapted PE where I consult with general physical educators and help teach students with significant disabilities. Right now I'm working with middle and elementary students and I don't think that will change much, if at all, this year. I really enjoy my job and the fact that I get to do what I love. I work with a lot of really great people who support me and allow me to contribute in the way that I am able. I know that I am contributing because of feedback that has been provided and because of how my coworkers and supervisors are around me. I walked in to this job more confident than my first, but that is due to more experience and a few select teachers whom I worked with in Idaho that really helped me to become a more confident teacher and professional. I miss my colleagues and friends dearly, but am so appreciative of what they have done for me.

So what is home exactly? Is it where we are born? Where we are raised? Or the things that bring us happiness? The reason Idaho and Alaska felt, and still feel, so wonderful to me is because of everything and everyone they have offered me. The majority of time in all of the areas I've lived in during my adult life, they've made me happy. Between the amazing people I've met, the beautiful and peaceful regions I've been able to surround myself in, and the experiences(as well as organizations) I've had, I felt at home each time. Leaving my home in Idaho, my home in Alaska, and my home in Idaho again was heart renching for me. However as I habitually discovered places of happiness here, I am beginning to feel more at home with the home I once left. My experiences this summer, our jobs, and knowing more about myself, have helped me to understand that it wasn't Nevada I didn't necessarily
like, it was things I was missing and people that make all the difference. Just in the last two weeks (tonight included) I've seen people and been reminded of what I've missed, what I've had, and what I've learned. While I am so glad that we left home after high school and experienced all of the amazing adventures on our journey that we have, I am glad we are back. A piece of the northwest will always be a part of us (we did get married, graduate college(s) and become parents there after all) we are happy in this "new" place we call home again and know that we are right where we are meant to be.