Surreal

Perhaps that's the best word to describe what I'm feeling right now. Granted, I was up until 3 a.m. and found myself awake at 6 a.m., having acclimated to this new early back-to-school wake up time. It's certainly different the second time around, with responsibilities and children and treading lightly around ex's.

But I'm happy. And I honestly didn't expect a ring. After all, we have 5 children between us, and the mere number of peanut butter & jelly sandwiches they can potentially consume in one sitting would put anyone in the red.

So perhaps pleasantly surprised is a more accurate description. Though I don't feel the same innocent exhilaration I felt when I was in my mid-20's, wide-eyed, and naive (a more p.c. way of saying "clueless"), there is certainly a great deal of happiness to be found in feeling focused and settled. Finally.