First off our oldest son, Mark will be marrying a wonderful young woman in October! The planning, mostly accomplished in Omaha, by the bride and groom and the bride's family, has been an eye-opening and intense process. Little details and big decisions have been in the forefront since last spring. Dress and tuxedo selections, table center pieces, venue searches, instructions with the parish priest, choosing a photographer, and much more have all been handled and the big day approaches.
Last month, a couples bridal shower was hosted in Fulton by the Best Man, the grooms brother, and a Bridesmaid, the groom's sister. The decorations alone were perfect. Both the bride and groom enjoy gaming and Harry Potter, so the decorations and cake reflected these tastes.
Another new adventure this fall finds me making a serious career change! After many successful and fulfilling years at St. Peter School in Fulton, Missouri, I decided I needed a change. A serious health scare last fall that took several months to diagnose as stress related issues motivated me to take a very honest look at my life habits. While it was hard to move from a community of wonderful students and life-long friends, I am very excited to be working for St. Joseph School in Martinsburg, Missouri!
The forty minute drive each morning is refreshing and absolutely beautiful. Suprisingly, I find the drive home relaxing, allowing me to return home each evening focussed on my husband and our home and family. I also find myself spending more time with concentrated efforts to really enrich my friendships. The change in career was a little scary, but I am truely enjoying the teaching and the rural parish community.
So, two big, huge changes this fall, and I couldn't be happier. I am a creature of estalished habits, and now, I am having to step out of my comfort zone and look at things with a new focus. We are welcoming Allie to our family next week, and she will make Mark's life more fulfilling. We are not an easy family. We are exceptionally close, loyal, passionate, opinionated, loud, fun-loving...you get the idea. What is amazing is we have not scared Allie away! She has a very clear perception of how this Jacobsen family works, and she is willing to join us!
Choosing to work at a different school after nearly 30 years of teaching at St. Peter School was not in my "life plan". I had always planned on retiring from St. Pete's, but when the new opportunity was presented, I knew I had to take a chance. I am very excited to be teaching, and that excitement had been missing for a long time. I now have time for me, time for Keith, time for my grown children and the adventures they bring.
Keith and I are planning some travel adventures and some healthy, life changing goals. Today's journey? Shopping for a mother of the groom outfit for the wedding!
