March Madness

I'm not referring to the sports ya'll! February was absolutely i.n.s.a.n.e!

To recap: I worked, Sean learned, we had some fun with friends. Here is how I ended the month:

As you (my invisible audience) may have noticed I have been pretty mum about my February read so I started a different book the same friend suggested. However, I didn't get an opportunity to finish it so I am planning on starting my March book, following my one rule that at the beginning of the month I had to start my next read. BUT hopefully I can finish it at the end of the month.

I am not sharing my March book tonight; the March theme is an author request from a friend so I'm going to get a couple samples and choose carefully.
Sean & I are both off tomorrow so we have a good day planned doing whatever the day might bring. He RANDOMLY sent me flowers this morning and asked me to have a coffee date tomorrow morning. It's totally sappy but I LOVE it; we make coffee on a day off and drink it together on the couch, just enjoying each others' conversation. They're our coffee dates :)

Exhausted

I took off the first three days of the working calendar this year thinking I would get some R & R and come back to work rejuvenated with the new year. The time off was AWESOME but I haven't not had to work since last Wednesday and am ready for a day OFF. So is it any surprise that I have zero motivation today?

Meanwhile, Sean went back to school on Tuesday and he already looked like the life had been drained out of him by last night. My post-it note countdown reminds me that he only has 20 more months until graduation (19 after next week!). Thankfully, he is a pretty good employee and rarely calls in so he has several hours of vacation that he'll need to use... for school. He has clinicals one night until 9:30 pm at South and then at North the next morning at 7:30 am. I don't know when he's going to get to sleep. Or when we are ever going to see each other. We would certainly covet prayers that he could maintain his enthusiasm, health and grades.

I feel so blessed that we have this opportunity to further his education for our future. He is competitive and driven and willing to succeed. I have an able body and mind that I can help contribute where needed.  But it is still really, really hard. I am reminded that it could be much more difficult, though. Money is tight but bills are paid, the pantry is full and we are good. Our time is tight but I am fortunate to have a second job that meshes really well with my primary schedule. Sean seems to have a good reputation and a supportive superviser who understands the importance of education so his (sometimes 2 hour) tardiness because of class is easily excused. Our families are quick to let us know that they are willing to offer assistance if we'll take it so it is nice to know that is there as well. But I am tired and I can see he is exhausted.

I feel so thinly stretched that when I don't have to work, I really just want to go home and sleep for a couple of hours until we have to start over again the next day which really does nothing for the social life. Our house is a wreck because the last thing I want to do when I come home at 10:00 at night after working since 8:00 that morning is clean my bathroom. But Sean hardly ever complains. He is bright eyed and bushy tailed when I wake him up for school and the most he'll remark about is that he's running out of clean socks. I, on the other hand, will devote an entire blog entry to shed my frustration :). But we are very blessed and we are closer to the finish line than we were in August when he started.

In other news, I've been able to read my book at lunch some and now I have just pages left in my book so expect my report on Monday! Now that I am so close to the end I am starting to get into it...

Day {Twenty+Two}

Day 22 A photo of something that means a lot to you

I didn't post anything on Friday and I have gotten to the point that I feel a void in my day if I don't take a moment to just lay out my thoughts but I really didn't have any clue how to answer the question for day 22. I love a lot of things in my house, but I really don't have just one meaningful thing.


I could have posted a picture of my grandfather's tattered bible. The binding is worn off and the pages are brown with age. There are half a dozen flowers dried between the pages and I have no idea why or the occasion they represent. There are various notes scratched in between the verses which is meaningful because I have never been very clear on my grandpa's stance when it came to faith.


I could have posted a picture of a few of the ornaments that Sean and I have collected over the last couple of years. They are still shiny and new but they hang on our tree anxious to age with our family.


I could have posted a picture of a ragged copy of a book my mother gave me when I was in 2nd grade. It's a chapter book of "Beauty and the Beast" and it appears very unassuming but just inside the front cover is a long note written by my mother for being such a good big sister. It means so much to me because it was a gift she gave me for no reason and I remember never having felt so proud before. It sounds pretty lame but it has great meaning to me.


For now, though, I'll post a picture of one of my favorite days with the symbol of our vows. There have been quite a few things that have gone on over the last couple of weeks. A lot of really crappy things that have made us wonder why bad things happen, particularly so close to the holidays. Things that have made the view of our family turn a little sideways. Things that I have been forced to only pray about because I can't do anything else to fix the situation. My thoughts have been consumed with a family member's health problems, with a friend's preparation for a possible loss of a grandparent, with another family member's crisis, with the loss of my husband's step-grandmother, and with my own hurt feelings. Looking over my wedding pictures last night I was reminded of the beauty that day held for me. It was so much fun to be there with our friends and family members and it really seems so far away now. But the vows were for the good times as well as the bad. We haven't had a blast over the last few weeks, but we've done it together and that has been immensely better than going through it alone.

Day {Fifteen}

{Day 15 A picture of somewhere you’ve been}

I love winter.
I love the cold. I love the snow. I love the crisp, clean feeling of winter.
But I .LOVE. the beach. I realize now that I had a very blessed childhood; my parents took us to the beach nearly every summer. When I got into high school, my parents also let me invite my best friend. How many people (from the midwest) can say that they got to visit the beach with their bestie FOR 4 YEARS IN A ROW!?  Those are some pretty sweet memories. 

I can't remember if it was 3 or 4 years ago now, but my parents were in need of a vacation and asked me to go with them, but also asked Sean if he would come as well. Sean knew my parents but wasn't quite at the point that he felt comfortable in a room alone with them. My parents knew Sean but really didn't know much about him other than what I had told them. Essentially, this was an important trip in our relationship. 

We went to Dauphin Island in Alabama. Sean had been to the beach but he had been so young he could hardly remember it. We spent the entire time in the water or on the beach drinking an icy margarita. It was a blast!

We did nearly everything as a family. Sean had a good opportunity to really get to know Will, which was supremely important to me. My family left the beach with a much better idea of who this guy I had been seeing was and were satisfied. I knew this boy would fit in just fine and I was proud. It was a good trip.

Day {Three}

{Day 3 Your first date}

I have had a few first dates and only one thing resounded through each one of them: awkward conversation. I hate talking to people I don’t know because I never know what to say. The conversation usually goes one of two ways.

1. Jill is too nervous to say anything so Jack dominates the conversation.
2. Jill is too nervous to say anything and Jack finds himself equally nervous so nervous conversation about the direction of windshield wipers ensues. (Note: I have not personally experienced this exact conversation. This scenario is thanks to my dad and his first date at the drive-in.)


I’ve had a first date with the guy’s parents. I’ve had a first date at Build-a-Bear (I was 21+. It wasn’t cute). I’ve had first dates that were so unimpressive I can’t even remember what we did. They were all awkward.

My first “outing” with Sean wasn’t really a date. We weren’t “dating.” I had just broken up with a boyfriend and he had experienced a recent break-up as well. We were just two people from work (although I had a huge crush on him). Sean had invited me to a party at a friend’s house. It was as about unromantic as you can imagine but we were both equally shy when it came to meeting new people so it was nice to have a lot of people to help open a conversation. I think the night ended watching Pulp Fiction which we both agreed was just a sucky movie.

First time doing anything outside of work together. The girl sitting next to me wasn't much of a conversationalist.

Truthfully, I can’t even remember the first time we went out and had a real date. Which is probably why I can’t remember too many awkward moments. :-)


What was your first date???

Busy

It would appear that as soon as the weather got warm enough to stand outside without a parka, our schedule filled up! Yet when I try to think about something to blog, there really isn't anything that exciting to read about going on.
Over the span of two months, we have been invited to two weddings and one wedding reception for some very good friends who are leaving soon for Cancun where they will be having a beach wedding. So of course, each of those has their own wedding shower and bachelorette party. One cousin is preparing for a new baby while another cousin was finally able to adopt her daughter - parties for both. My very best friend's grandparents are celebrating a big anniversary - party. My neice celebrated her 9th birthday with a party at our house and Sean's birthday is coming up so I'm sure there will be a party there as well with all of his friends. Is it any surprise that for my birthday next month I want a low-key day?!
Between all of the celebrations we have so kindly been invited to, we have planned a good number of projects to work on around the house. We have finished the majority of the work on our privacy fence which I have looked forward to having since we very first looked at the house. We badly need to re-side the garage and tear down the carport and some other minor maintenance tasks before Sean starts school in August. This weekend, in the midst of the heatwave we are experiencing, Sean's family is helping put together a softball tournament to benefit families in Joplin who are having difficulties paying for funeral services for those lost in the tornado. Since I don't possess an athletic gene, but I'm kinda smart, I'm running the concession stand.
I am planning on taking off work through the last week in July to relax and enjoy some time with the hubs before he starts school and our finances become tight. I want to go to the beach so badly, but he doesn't want to go very far away (I fall asleep too quickly so I'm apparently not a reliable navigator. Whatev). Regardless of what we do or where we go, I won't be at or think about work which will be a very welcome feeling I am certain.

My Glass

Glass half empty: realizing that I've eaten all of my gum (with some help from my nieces) after eating a super garlicky spaghetti lunch.
Glass half full: remembering that I "stole" the rest of the mints this morning at my early morning meeting at the hospital. They have really good mints and no one else was in the room.

Glass half empty: wishing so badly I could go home because the rain makes me want to nap.
Glass half full: because it's raining, I won't have to water this weekend which means I have more time to do other things. Like nap this weekend.

Glass half empty: this next week looks so daunting, with a number of tasks at work and home that have to be done by a certain time. Our fence has to be finished by Memorial Day because we won't have any help after that. I have a deadline that has to be met by next Friday or else I won't be able to take Tuesday off or will have to work from home the entire weekend & Memorial Day, which I won't be compensated for.
Glass half full: I took this job in order to have a challenge. I can't ask for a challenge and then complain about it. And after Memorial Day, the entire fence will be done, beautiful and something we can be proud of. We WILL finish it.

Glass half empty: dreading the holes we have to dig this weekend for our fence we're putting up over memorial weekend, possibly in the rain.
Glass half full: we're making memories working on a project together for which I am very thankful. We don't have to hire someone to do our project when we can do it ourselves (with a LITTLE oversight from my father. That could be glass half empty AND half full, I'll let you decide). Also, I have a husband who is willing and eager to try to do these projects on our own. I love that he wants to improve our home just as much as I do. After talking to some of my other girlfriends, I am extra thankful for that.

How Charming

Me: Hey! Do you realize our anniversary is one month from tomorrow?!
Sean: Yikes. What do you want?

He's such a charmer, that one.

I think we've settled on side tables for the living room. Boy, this marriage thing sure is romantic. :D

Gratitude

Send some rain, would You send some rain?

'Cause the earth is dry and needs to drink again

And the sun is high and we are sinking in the shade

Would You send a cloud, thunder long and loud?

Let the sky grow black and send some mercy down

Surely You can see that we are thirsty and afraid

But maybe not, not today

Maybe You'll provide in other ways

And if that's the case . . .

We'll give thanks to You

With gratitude

For lessons learned in how to thirst for You

How to bless the very sun that warms our face

If You never send us rain

Oh the differences that often are between

Everything we want and what we really need.

I did a presentation in college on this song to a primarily agnostic class my freshman year. The assignment was to find a song that represented who you were and demonstrated your outlook on life. I knew it would be received with glazed eyes and a skeptical professor but I still come back to its words several years later. (I wonder if the students who did their presentation on Teen Spirit could still say the same.)

I'm really seeking guidance on so many levels about the things we really need and those that are only desires.

Gratitude ~ Nichole Nordeman

The Best News

I left my office for one tiny minute today and came back to a big pollack that I did not remember being there when I left. I jumped because I was so startled which made my heart start beating pretty hard. Then he handed me a letter.

And boy did my heart start beating after that:

"Dear Sean,

Congratulations! Welcome to the Cox College Associate of Science in Radiography Program (Class of 2013). ..."

This is one proud wife :D

Friday, February 25th @ 3:30 PM

He got a call this afternoon and Sean has an interview for rad school!*!*

Dear Sir or Madam

To whom it may concern:
I am writing on behalf of my husband to tell you all the reasons why he should be admitted to your school.

He is a hard worker and is very good at what he does. I can count on one hand the number of people I know our age who have a work ethic comparable to his. He works the hours no one else wants to work, does the jobs no one else can do and rarely complains doing it. Beyond that, he has a compassionate soul and a generous nature. He daily performs a task that most people cringe at the thought of but he understands their suffering and tries to make the experience more tolerable. He takes time to not just do his job but to make sure the patient feels heard and comfortable before leaving their room. There is a lot to be said for good patient care skills, which he certainly possesses.

He has accomplished more in the last few years than even I ever expected he would realize. He has bought a house, started school and gotten married, all within the last 18 months. Not only has he accomplished all these tasks, but he has put careful consideration into each decision for how they would affect his future. Our home has a lot of potential that we are in the midst of making a reality. He has made better grades than he has ever made before in school. And, let's face it, he didn't do too badly in the marriage department, if I might say so myself.

Finally, he has to be accepted because our future is nearly completely dependant upon this decision. Certainly, if he doesn't make it in this year we will just try again next year. But that is an entire year to wait to realize your future which is a very hard pill to swallow. There just cannot be that many applicants that are more deserving of this opportunity.

P.S. If you accept him into school, his wife will bake you cookies every week for the duration of the school. She'll have to do something to pass all the free time alone she'll have!

The Valentine's Day Dilemma

This will be mine & Sean's third official Valentine's Day as a couple. (Wait a second, right? Or is it fourth? Regardless...) We have never actually celebrated Valentine's Day, mostly because I've given him an out. Don't get me wrong, I L.O.V.E. Valentine's Day. I love loving, I love being loved, I love the word love. I just don't like celebrating Valentine's Day other than spending time together.

And why have I always given him an out?

Because I hate buying Valentine's Day presents. Last night when Sean got home from work (at oh..... 11:30) he said he wanted to celebrate Valentine's Day this year by either exchanging gifts or going to a nice restaurant - my choice. Oh the dread. I know, I have a pretty pathetic decision to make. Don't get me wrong: I love buying things for people.  But how do you buy that ONE thing that says, "your love has changed my life, made me a better person, and allows me to look forward to a wondeful & fulfilling future." And there is no dinner nice enough to convey these feelings.

Perhaps I am making this too difficult.

There's No Place Like Home

We left Saturday the 8th for vacation but didn't arrive until the sun was almost already down so we finally got to the beach on Sunday!

We enjoyed 2 days of sun.

And a few piña coladas :)

We ate great food & had excellent service everywhere we went on the resort.

But then it rained for 2 days. We started to get a little bored & kind of bummed. So we decided to paint some souvenirs for the family.

It was all good though because we were with family.

The last full day we finally got to enjoy a few more ounces of sun to finish off our tans.

Overall, we had a good time, but we were never so happy to see Señor OP. It is certainly good to be home.

Worthless

I am absolutely worthless today. All I can do is sit behind my desk, buzzing with energy & excitement, ready to leave for MEXICO! This time tomorrow we'll be on our way (probably waiting in Atlanta to board our plane to Cancun). I'm so freaking excited that I've got that nervous sick to my stomach feeling that I tend to get when I'm this elated. I shall endure it!
I didn't sleep that well last night because a) we're leaving for Mexico, didn't you hear?! and b) because my sickly hubs has pneumonia. He must have coughed half the night. I think Mexico will cure him, don't you? I was up bright and early at 6AM this morning so I could be at work early so I can take an extra long lunch.
Sean's dad asked yesterday if we could meet him for lunch somewhere today; he wanted to see us before we left. This is an especially sweet gesture but it makes me a tad bit nervous. I'm not at all worried about the flying. I LOVE to fly! It's all the talk about violence and corruption in Mexico & all of the questions of, "are you sure you want to go down there right now?" that are finally getting to me. YES! I'm sure. But when the father-in-law says he wants to take you to lunch before you leave, it deposits a tad amount of fear.
I packed most everything I'm going to need last night. I have a list of everything else I need to pack & made a list of things for Sean to gather together so I can pack for him. I kissed our nephew goodbye this morning - he is celebrating a birthday while we are gone. I'm so sad to squeeze OP for one last time for a WEEK. We are heading to mom & dad's tonight to close our eyes for a few hours before going to the airport at 4:30 in the morning.
Adios!

New Years Resolution

Happy 2011!
In bittersweet excitement I watched the new year come in with my new husband in our (fairly) new home. 2010 was so good to us that I can only pray that 2011 will be as generous. These are the things I want to remember about 2010.

• For the first time in my life, I really understood what it meant to take pride in your work. We got so much accomplished on our house this year, including landscaping, stump removal, intense cleaning, a new sink, new light fixutres and an updated kitchen color. Even better? We worked and made decisions on nearly everything together. It is the epitome of teamwork: making decisions & agreeing on one of your greatest financial investments.
• Family has been so good to us. We could not have accomplished many of the items on our list without the help of Sean's dad. Both of our fathers were merely a phone call away for any questions we had, primarily regarding electrical issues. Additionally, Sean's sister lives with us. There were many naysayers before we all moved in together, and I hate to say that I was in the highly skeptical crowd. I've never had very good luck living with other females, and it may not come as a surprise but I'm not the greatest with kids. Many nights I've just needed to come home and unload my troubles on someone, or just talk, and Ashley has always been there which has meant a great deal to me. Additionally, when Sean gets tired of talking to me, he can always go hang out with his big sis. I think it works out well for all of us. We would be lost with out our family. And I would have no cooking buddies.
• This is truly the year we established a weekly "date night." It is the one night out of the week that we do something just as a couple. The night may evolve into a night out with friends, but it is spent together. I think this has been very healthy for our relationship: I am very much a homebody so it helps me get out. We have communicated more on date night than any other night of the week.
• Of course, the biggest event of the year has been our wedding. Sean & I have watched both of our best friends get married and they have both been tear jerkers for this girl, primarily because I understand and realize the depth of the commitment now. It certainly is the best day of my life. I hope to never forget watching him hop from side to side, shifting his weight while I walked down the aisle. My dad whispered to me, "He's so excited he can't stand still!" I hope to always remember the dancing. Oh, the dancing! We truly became dance partners that night! On-lookers thought he was going to pull my arm out of socket and I thought he was going to drop me but he never did. I love that pollack.

My new year's resolution is to keep this blog going. I used to journal EVERYTHING and haven't even cracked my diary open to read lately. I feel like I'm going to forget important events of this newly married life that I want to be able to tell my kids about one day. So here's to the new year: that it will be as productive as 2010, that it will be as generous as 2010, and that I'll be able to remember even more about 2011 than I do about 2010.