Becoming a Grown Up

Another good and busy week.  Tuesday I got to go to Windermere (where I worked last summer) to see some dear friends and have a wedding showing for Loretta.  I got her a waffle iron.  Which if you knew Loretta you'd know this item will be used on a daily basis. haha

I had two tests and a speech last week.  I don't know how either test turned out, but I felt decent about both.  I got an A on the speech which is encouraging after my last speech.  I really can't figure out that professor.

Robert and I went to Springfield to Wednesday to celebrate 13 months of dating.  We went to the mall, Chili's, and a park.  I'm blessed!

At Jordan Valley Park

Thursday Robert and I got to have dinner at El Rodeo with our dear friend Harrison.  Delightful! 1. El Rodeo is my fave local restaurant.  The food comes in approximately five minutes and tastes delicious every single time.  2. Harrison is hilarious.  He and Robert picked me up and what was waiting in the back seat for me?  A precious baby animal calendar.  How thoughtful.  haha

We had this gigantic pageant thing called Mr. and Miss Southwest Friday night.  Residence Life was in charge of it.  Boy am I glad to be done with it.  It went really well, but it was a ton of work.

Robert and I spent yesterday together.  I love weekends without much to do.  I vacuumed, washed, and waxed Robert's truck while he worked on a research paper.  We went to the town library.  $2 for a grocery bag full of books.  Hello!  We got four puzzles and about 20 books.  We worked on a puzzle while watching the Cardinals kick butt that night.  We made dinner together: grilled pork chops, grilled veggies, and mashed potatoes.  I attempted to make dessert but the heating element in the oven decided to spark and essentially explode.  Hadn't planned on that.

Robert and I had the honor of playing for Carey's third grade Sunday School class this morning.  So great!  Then I got to work in the nursery.  Quote of the day:  Eisley called me Miss Robert.  I didn't mind. :)

Robert and I got to hang with Chad and Natalie today.  We painted a canvas for their house.  Now we get to be with them wherever they go!  We're so pumped to have them in Bolivar with us this summer and next school year.

Just in case you forgot, I have four more weeks of class and one week of finals until I'm a college graduate!!!

Insanity

I started doing Insanity this week.  I know how it got it's name.  So sore!

Robert had his spring choir concert on Tuesday.  His mom (Serina) and sister (Bethany) got to come down which was a special treat.  His dad (Ray) is in DC on business right now so he couldn't come.  All of us had dinner with my parents before the concert.  Pike Auditorium is being renovated right now so the concert had to be at First Baptist Church.  The choir did a great job!

On Wednesday I took a major step into the grown up world.  I went to Drury and officially signed up for classes.  This summer will be intense.  I'm sick of people reminding me of that though.  I realize it, but when people comment about it, it freaks me out, and we all know I don't need that.  This summer will be the most packed semester of the entire degree.  I'll be taking twelve hours.  One class (Entrepreneurial Communication) will be going on all of July and August, but it's online so I can kinda go at my own pace.  Communication consulting will be going on throughout the entire summer.  It's a hybrid class (some seated time but mostly online).  Monday-Thursday I will have introduction to graduate studies, but it only lasts for June.  The craziest class will be Social Media Certificate.  It's three weekends in June, Saturday and Sunday from 9am-6pm.  Let me do the math for you.  That's nine hours a day for a total of eighteen hours for three weekends in June.  Gives new meaning to Sunday School.  July and August will be totally awesome thought because it'll just be the online and hybrid classes.  I'll have two weeks off between graduating SBU and starting at Drury which is sweet.  I get 4th of July (Monday) off.  Plus I will have about three weeks off between summer term ending and fall term beginning.  It seems like I'll have plenty of time to re-cooperate between sessions.  Anyway, so I signed up for classes on Wednesday and got a parking pass.  I'll go back later to get my picture ID taken and printed.

Last night Robert and I got to eat dinner with the Bethells.  What a treat!  We had a delicious meal - lasagna, bread, salad, and strawberry pie.  We got to eat outside since it was so pretty.  Miles just got upgraded from a baby swing to a big kid swing so we had to check that out.  The boys got such a kick out of pretending Robert was a tree and they needed to chop him down.  After that we went over to our friend Chad's house.  He is getting married to Natalie in June, and we hadn't met her before.  She's in town for the weekend so we finally got to meet her.  She's super sweet, and I'm excited to get to know her better.  We played a crazy game called Curses.  It was super fun!  Chad and Natalie will be living really close to my parents and grandparents too!

Next week is pretty busy.  I'm trying to make myself study a bunch today.  Academic goals: Advanced Public speaking - practice presenting my rhetorical criticism speech on Apple, Medieval and Renaissance Literature - Work on research paper and study for test, Communication Theory - Study for test, American Public Address - Read.  Time to get started!

Big Week

This was a pretty big week for me.  The first week back after a break is always interesting.

Monday: I got the paperwork to fill out for graduation.  It was pretty exciting to see that I'll be graduating cum laude.  It's really cool to see that I'll my hard work has paid off.  I also met with Dr. Leo.  I am so very thankful God has given me such an amazing doctor.  He is very knowledgeable and does an excellent job of relaying the information to me.  He said my ultrasound looked perfect.  My blood counts are still low.  He switched my iron supplement to Bifera which is supposed to be easier on my stomach.  The main bummer is that although it's still OTC it costs $20 instead of $3.  It's totally worth it though to not feel sick.  We hired the new RA to replace me.  It's a weird feeling.  It seems like I just became an RA.  I think Bekah will do a great job.  It's hard to balance investing in the girls for the last month and a half of school and starting to let go.

Tuesday: I ordered my new car!!!  I have been very thankful for my Pontiac Sunfire.  It's served me well for the past five years.  We've had some good memories together.  It was my very first car.  It has never broken down or gotten a flat tire.  However, it's time to upgrade a bit.  I ordered a 2011 Ford Fiesta.  It should be here in 3-7 weeks.  It's cool to think that I'll be the first owner.  Although my Sunfire was kept up pretty well, I think the previous owner was a smoker.  What was my clue?  A couple of burn marks on the ceiling and chair.  The dealer said I've chosen a pretty "basic" version of the Fiesta.  It's interesting to see how "basic" has changed over the past ten years when my Sunfire was made.  My Sunfire is "basic" - manual windows, manual locks, manual mirrors, no keyless entry, etc.  My "basic" Fiesta will have automatic windows, automatic locks, keyless entry, MP3 hookup, CD player, etc.  I'm most excited about the locks and windows.  It's the little things, baby!

Wednesday: I worked in the church nursery in the morning and evening.  I'm guaranteed a good laugh every single time I work.  Three year old boy: "I use plastic spoons to bench press, but sometimes Mommy cooks with them."  Obviously, what he's doing is normal, and she's the weird-o.  On Wednesday nights my family always eats dinner with my grandparents (Memaw and Pepaw).  Memaw is quite the cook!

Thursday: I meet with Carey every Thursday morning.  Our time together is such a breath of fresh air.  She's an excellent example of a loving and Godly wife, mother, and friend.

Friday: I got to have lunch with my dear friend Tarah.  Tarah and I have been friends since we were in diapers.  It's a bummer that we don't get to hang out quite as much now, but every time we get together it's great.  Conversation comes so easily with her.  I gave a speech in advanced public speaking.  It didn't go as well as I had expected.  It's different when you don't prepare for a test, presentation, or paper and then do poorly.  But when you prepare and study your butt off you should be rewarded properly.

Saturday: I was the RA on call this weekend so I worked 1:00-5:00.  It was open dorm so I got to go over to Robert's room.  We watched Superstar.  Hilarious!  Then we played a game called trains.  Robert dominated.  I guess guys never get too old to play with trains.

Sunday: We all got to eat lunch with my parents.  Delicious!  Then Robert and I walked around the neighborhood.  It's 80 degrees today, people!  Now I'm working in the dorm office from 2:00-5:00.  I got employee of the month at work last week and was rewarded with a $15 giftcard to Subway.  I think tonight will be a perfect night for a free dinner date with my man.

This week looks like it should be pretty chill.  No tests, papers, or presentations.  Just lots of work and babysitting. 

I've been reading a book called One Thousand Gifts.  It's a great challenge.  The author spent several months writing down 1000 gifts and blessings.  What a great way to show our gratitude.  I think there's something to be said for actually stopping to write down gifts.  It makes it seem more real.  I want a heart that continually seeks an attitude of gratitude.

48 days til graduation.