So you ask, does absence truly make the heart grow fonder? YES! While Randall was in school, I couldn't wait to see him; the girls couldn't wait to see him. When we were together it was like a party full of beautiful dances :)(with occasional fusses, of course)...but for the most part it was awesome!
HOWEVER, We all learned a different way of life...Randall learned to survive at school, and then enjoy a 'break' on the weekend. The girls and I learned to survive with the help of so many important family members, then to have a 'break' on the weekends. All of us changed so much- we learned to live without each other.
All to say, it's been quite an adjustment to be back together. For all of us. Randall and I are getting to know each other again. (Nothing else should be said except it's quite an adventure). But the hardest things is being down here, raising the girls...I feel like we are missing something. That quote "it takes a village to raise a child" keeps coming to mind. I have two children....how many people are in each of those villages? Except, we don't have them. It's just me and Randall. Maybe that's a compliment to my family and to Randall's family. Thank you for being our village for the past 10 months. I don't know what we are going to do without you!
Life as we know it...
About Me
- Sarah
- After being a 'single mom' for almost 10 months while my husband pursued his career to better our lives- I find myself entering a new phase of my life to make our hopes and dreams possible...to find the companionship and love of my husband again in an environment where we see each other every day not once a week...and to renew the incredible father daughter relationship that exists in my household.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Greedy Me
What a weekend! We 'stayed home' as in- we didn't head to Boone...probably for the first weekend since I've been down here. Saturday my sis and her family came to visit, then my mom and dad ate dinner with us (what a pleasure to serve them!) and then Sunday we met Randall's family at Hillsville, VA for a flea market. No, they don't have real fleas there - I had to make LG aware of that...but we did see an awful lot of junk, and a bit of fun stuff mixed in.
Work is becoming more of a habit; by that I mean not such a task...it doesn't quite demand my brain like it did at the beginning (although it still requires a whole lot more thinking than I remember, or had gotten used to at my other job); and I think my legs are getting a little more in shape, as the walking miles and miles isn't quite so bad.
Our home, I've decided is a very comfortable little haven. I know I flip flop back and forth....but when my mom saw it, she reminded me how much we take advantage of having a lot of space- and 'maximizing' on our expenses and lives to "just get more". We are a greedy kind of people, not ever just becoming content. I know I am that myself...always wanting more...always greener on the other side. Truly, is it though? Maybe I am becoming content enough to live at our house and not wish for another one...although it would be nice to have Internet that doesn't come and go!
Work is becoming more of a habit; by that I mean not such a task...it doesn't quite demand my brain like it did at the beginning (although it still requires a whole lot more thinking than I remember, or had gotten used to at my other job); and I think my legs are getting a little more in shape, as the walking miles and miles isn't quite so bad.
Our home, I've decided is a very comfortable little haven. I know I flip flop back and forth....but when my mom saw it, she reminded me how much we take advantage of having a lot of space- and 'maximizing' on our expenses and lives to "just get more". We are a greedy kind of people, not ever just becoming content. I know I am that myself...always wanting more...always greener on the other side. Truly, is it though? Maybe I am becoming content enough to live at our house and not wish for another one...although it would be nice to have Internet that doesn't come and go!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Home Sweet Home
(I actually wrote this on Wednesday...but internet mishaps (again) kept me from posting it.)
What were the theme words to that TV show- Cheers....something about going to where everybody knows your name. Basically, it broke down to a place you felt yourself, felt comfortable, happy and at home.
This weekend we went back to our house in Deep Gap; and this feeling of ease....of peace...of coming home overwhelmed me as I walked in and saw/smelt/felt the presence of my home. I didn't feel lost when I left, but I certainly felt different while I was there.
Today, we went to the park, and that song came to mind- maybe because I felt so out of place. There is rarely a day that goes by in Boone that you don't 'run into' someone you know. We all joke that Walmart is the place to go meet up with friends (by this I don't mean I am a redneck that hangs out in the parking lot with my truck and my boyfriend). But seriously, the park, the grocery store...these are places that you feel comfortable with. Part of that comes from living in a town your whole life, but the other part is that it's a small friendly- and smiling community. (PS- DO NOT TAKE THAT FOR GRANTED, PEOPLE DO NOT SMILE EVERYWHERE!)
I guess I realized something about myself while I was at the park...I always thought I was an extrovert like my dad.Someone who was able to go anywhere and make a friend. Maybe I used to be...but as I settle into my life; and by that I mean become more and more happy/content as a mom and wife; sister and daughter- I realize I might be an introvert like my mom. I CAN make friends, and I CAN be happy anywhere...but I am more uneasy to do that in an unknown place.
As I read back over this I find the word 'comfort' A LOT. I guess I am being pushed out of my comfort zone....thanks God for the realization! I know it's not bad, just some days harder than others! I miss my friends, I miss my old job, I miss my family...I MISS HOME!!!
What were the theme words to that TV show- Cheers....something about going to where everybody knows your name. Basically, it broke down to a place you felt yourself, felt comfortable, happy and at home.
This weekend we went back to our house in Deep Gap; and this feeling of ease....of peace...of coming home overwhelmed me as I walked in and saw/smelt/felt the presence of my home. I didn't feel lost when I left, but I certainly felt different while I was there.
Today, we went to the park, and that song came to mind- maybe because I felt so out of place. There is rarely a day that goes by in Boone that you don't 'run into' someone you know. We all joke that Walmart is the place to go meet up with friends (by this I don't mean I am a redneck that hangs out in the parking lot with my truck and my boyfriend). But seriously, the park, the grocery store...these are places that you feel comfortable with. Part of that comes from living in a town your whole life, but the other part is that it's a small friendly- and smiling community. (PS- DO NOT TAKE THAT FOR GRANTED, PEOPLE DO NOT SMILE EVERYWHERE!)
I guess I realized something about myself while I was at the park...I always thought I was an extrovert like my dad.Someone who was able to go anywhere and make a friend. Maybe I used to be...but as I settle into my life; and by that I mean become more and more happy/content as a mom and wife; sister and daughter- I realize I might be an introvert like my mom. I CAN make friends, and I CAN be happy anywhere...but I am more uneasy to do that in an unknown place.
As I read back over this I find the word 'comfort' A LOT. I guess I am being pushed out of my comfort zone....thanks God for the realization! I know it's not bad, just some days harder than others! I miss my friends, I miss my old job, I miss my family...I MISS HOME!!!
Friday, May 21, 2010
Change
Is the only thing consistent in life truly change?
Change can bring fear, or relief, best friends and certainly new experiences.
Each day here we have faced change.
This last week has been an exceptional week of change for all of us!
I did my first 2 12hour days on the floor back to back. That started off the week in an exciting and very exhausting way. Being back on the floor I worked on before Lilly Grace was born, I knew what to expect, or so I thought. My first day was a shock. I knew things would change, especially since the manager and most of the staff had turned over; however- it was the same type of floor (oncology), so how much could really have changed? A LOT. Let me tell you, from the computer programs they use, to the atmosphere on the floor- everywhere I turned something was different. By day two, I was back at home, I didn't feel lost or like I had made the wrong decision anymore. I jumped right back in, and by the end of the third day- I was told I was 'kicking butt'.
By Wednesday morning, my first day off, the one thing that still continued to shock me was my complete exhaustion. I could not get over how hard the first two days had been. I didn't remember how hard being on a floor was- from waking up at 5 am, to the 10 mile hike from the parking deck to the floor and back(well, maybe not quite that long...but if you've ever been in this hospital you know what I mean), to not sitting most of the day, and the constant running back and forth. On top of all that, my mind racing with 're-learning' this all. Hopefully, it all will get better- because I can't be napping multiple times on my day off :)
I did work one more day on Thursday, which was smooth and pleasant and a whole lot less exhausting by itself.
The girls days have been fabulous! I could not ask for a better family to be watching them! Their house is perfect, their yard with playground equipment, all the toys you could dream of- but best of all, their newest 'best friends'. 'Aubey and Doey' as Peyt calls them, have made this transition smooth and happy. They ask every day when they get to go back!
Today, Randall and I took the girls up to my work to visit and to play on the 12th floor playground. You should see the view! This week we have been to parks four times. The thing I love about them (that Boone should get!) is that the ground underneath the play equipment is a soft rubber kind of stuff. SO cool! The weather isn't quite what I expected (I thought it'd be hot all the time)- but the pleasant weather has been nice reasons to get out of the house!
Tonight, as I was making dinner and listening to the radio- and a song by Chris Tomlin came on- and LG started singing 'I will rise on Eagles Wings'. She said- we listen to that at our church. Still a sad point for all of us, as we so miss doughnut church!
Overall, the transition has been nice. This has been a rambling post- but that's us for the week- Changing daily and enjoying it all!
Change can bring fear, or relief, best friends and certainly new experiences.
Each day here we have faced change.
This last week has been an exceptional week of change for all of us!
I did my first 2 12hour days on the floor back to back. That started off the week in an exciting and very exhausting way. Being back on the floor I worked on before Lilly Grace was born, I knew what to expect, or so I thought. My first day was a shock. I knew things would change, especially since the manager and most of the staff had turned over; however- it was the same type of floor (oncology), so how much could really have changed? A LOT. Let me tell you, from the computer programs they use, to the atmosphere on the floor- everywhere I turned something was different. By day two, I was back at home, I didn't feel lost or like I had made the wrong decision anymore. I jumped right back in, and by the end of the third day- I was told I was 'kicking butt'.
By Wednesday morning, my first day off, the one thing that still continued to shock me was my complete exhaustion. I could not get over how hard the first two days had been. I didn't remember how hard being on a floor was- from waking up at 5 am, to the 10 mile hike from the parking deck to the floor and back(well, maybe not quite that long...but if you've ever been in this hospital you know what I mean), to not sitting most of the day, and the constant running back and forth. On top of all that, my mind racing with 're-learning' this all. Hopefully, it all will get better- because I can't be napping multiple times on my day off :)
I did work one more day on Thursday, which was smooth and pleasant and a whole lot less exhausting by itself.
The girls days have been fabulous! I could not ask for a better family to be watching them! Their house is perfect, their yard with playground equipment, all the toys you could dream of- but best of all, their newest 'best friends'. 'Aubey and Doey' as Peyt calls them, have made this transition smooth and happy. They ask every day when they get to go back!
Today, Randall and I took the girls up to my work to visit and to play on the 12th floor playground. You should see the view! This week we have been to parks four times. The thing I love about them (that Boone should get!) is that the ground underneath the play equipment is a soft rubber kind of stuff. SO cool! The weather isn't quite what I expected (I thought it'd be hot all the time)- but the pleasant weather has been nice reasons to get out of the house!
Tonight, as I was making dinner and listening to the radio- and a song by Chris Tomlin came on- and LG started singing 'I will rise on Eagles Wings'. She said- we listen to that at our church. Still a sad point for all of us, as we so miss doughnut church!
Overall, the transition has been nice. This has been a rambling post- but that's us for the week- Changing daily and enjoying it all!
Friday, May 14, 2010
SQUEEZE
The girls and I have been spending the evenings alone this week. I actually kinda like it...don't get me wrong, I love when all four of us are together- but it's been nice having Randall on a 1p-10p shift. The girls get the morning with him, and the evening with me. One on one time (in doses) is always wonderfully pleasant to be with the girls. It's good for quality time, and conversation. Due to that, dinner time can often be amusing, but tonight, my heart was warmed by LG saying- 'mommy, did you know you are going to be a flower girl?' of course I asked why, thinking she was referring to my flower patterned shirt or something; that, however, would be too simple. She then said 'because you are going to be MY flower girl!' What can you do but squeeze them? Then conversation slipped quickly back to who was winning at eating there dinner (my attempt to speed up the eating process). Who won you ask? Pey finished her salad first, and LG her other stuff- so we declared it a tie :)
Do you have a dishwasher? Mine is smaller than my coffee pot; well maybe I'm exaggerating a bit- maybe it's just BARELY big enough to fit a coffee pot (seriously, not much more). I didn't even know they existed this small. It's unbelievable how you cannot even fit a whole meal worth of dishes in there. But did you also know that dishwashers clean a whole lot better (and I don't just mean efficiently) but actually BETTER than hand. Just a something I've observed while washing up our dinner dishes.
As I am putting the girls to bed, I told them a story (they like us to create them, rather than books) and I told them something about them growing up and becoming great mothers, and Pey said 'just like you mommy?' She got a huge squeeze too :)
And for closing. I've loved my week at Baptist. In Boone, I often used to wonder 'what were they thinking?!', or noticing how different people were. I still notice my differences from others here. Somehow, though, this week I find myself reveling in the fact that we were all created so incredibly different. I have come to a HUGE institute, where we all have a common goal of serving others, and making people feel better. I love hearing different accents, different inflections on words, the very different way people view things. Each day, I see and hear reminders that we are all special, no matter what we believe, or where we came from.
Do you have a dishwasher? Mine is smaller than my coffee pot; well maybe I'm exaggerating a bit- maybe it's just BARELY big enough to fit a coffee pot (seriously, not much more). I didn't even know they existed this small. It's unbelievable how you cannot even fit a whole meal worth of dishes in there. But did you also know that dishwashers clean a whole lot better (and I don't just mean efficiently) but actually BETTER than hand. Just a something I've observed while washing up our dinner dishes.
As I am putting the girls to bed, I told them a story (they like us to create them, rather than books) and I told them something about them growing up and becoming great mothers, and Pey said 'just like you mommy?' She got a huge squeeze too :)
And for closing. I've loved my week at Baptist. In Boone, I often used to wonder 'what were they thinking?!', or noticing how different people were. I still notice my differences from others here. Somehow, though, this week I find myself reveling in the fact that we were all created so incredibly different. I have come to a HUGE institute, where we all have a common goal of serving others, and making people feel better. I love hearing different accents, different inflections on words, the very different way people view things. Each day, I see and hear reminders that we are all special, no matter what we believe, or where we came from.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Surprise Surprise!
When I thought about moving into this house, I had some expectations...things, if you will, that were going to bother me- maybe grate my nerves. I have found myself in the last week sort of taken aback by what truly has become my irritating factors. Maybe a better perspective would be how much I realized I am thankful for my dark wood floors that don't show constant dirt; and my hot water heater that is bigger and allows for me to take an entire bath of hot water vs only partial. Who knew that cabinets under sinks were so precious?
This list could go on, but the long and short is too often we aren't thankful for what we have. You know- the grass is always greener on the other side; that is until we realize that it was "better in the frying pan than the skillet" (as one of my instructors told me this week.) All to say, don't forget what you have that is a blessing- even the little things.
[And by the way- as I write these, realize I am terrible with grammar and punctuation- I actually see my best friend Emma Annie critiquing it in her mind. Love me anyways and excuse it, please- especially you Emily!]
This list could go on, but the long and short is too often we aren't thankful for what we have. You know- the grass is always greener on the other side; that is until we realize that it was "better in the frying pan than the skillet" (as one of my instructors told me this week.) All to say, don't forget what you have that is a blessing- even the little things.
[And by the way- as I write these, realize I am terrible with grammar and punctuation- I actually see my best friend Emma Annie critiquing it in her mind. Love me anyways and excuse it, please- especially you Emily!]
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Home Sweet Home
Day 1 was the start of this 'Next Phase'; and the epitome of what I'd call adventure. Randall had to work so his dad, uncle and aunt helped me and the girls load up and make the trek down the mountain. I had spent the week packing (without Randall's help), so who knows if I got everything we needed (I am finding out daily I didn't)....Not to mention the exit from what is better known as 'The Black Hole' was pressed by impending rain. We rushed out the door, down the mountain, unpacked from the cars and then the family was off- and me and the girls were left here to start shoveling through the piles that were left here for us. I must not forget to mention how our sweet little girls clogged the bathroom sink with toilet paper and let the entire 1/2 bath fill with up to an inch of water. We are not positive if it was Pey, but LG swears it was- guess we'll never find out!
Day 2 was mothers day, and we tried a new church- definitely not what we were used to. Pey let us know this by asking on the way out of church 'Are we going to doughnut church now?' By the end of the day most boxes were unpacked- still, though, the 6 trash bags of clothes (yes, I am not kidding, Nana must love her girls because they are literally full trash bags) still sit piled in our tiny closet. When I get time, those will be rifled through. It will be like Christmas for the '19 kids and family' TVShow, except we only have 2 kids- and a one bedroom apartment :)
Days 3-5 have been pretty consistent: Mommy goes to her new work (orientation for a week) while daddy takes the girls to the new babysitters. Then daddy goes to work, mommy picks up and we make dinner, do baths, books, stories, then bedtime. I am loving work- can't wait to get on the floor though and stop listening to speakers and looking at computer modules. That will start next week though!
Anyways. The adventure thus far is a pleasant and happy one. It's not taking as long as I thought to get in a routine, but that will change weekly as our schedules change. We are LOVING being together after 10 months, and looking forward to THE NEXT PHASE of life!!!
Days 3-5 have been pretty consistent: Mommy goes to her new work (orientation for a week) while daddy takes the girls to the new babysitters. Then daddy goes to work, mommy picks up and we make dinner, do baths, books, stories, then bedtime. I am loving work- can't wait to get on the floor though and stop listening to speakers and looking at computer modules. That will start next week though!
Anyways. The adventure thus far is a pleasant and happy one. It's not taking as long as I thought to get in a routine, but that will change weekly as our schedules change. We are LOVING being together after 10 months, and looking forward to THE NEXT PHASE of life!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)