The End of Summer

Things are moving so quickly around here these days.  We blinked and the summer passed.  This summer has been huge – a cross-country move, new jobs, getting married, making new friends, finding a new church.  It’s been a summer of change.  That seems to be our theme the past year or so: change.  Most everything in my earthly life has changed during the past 15 months. 

I started my new job on Monday, July 23.  I’m working at Blackboard in Raleigh.  Do you ever use Blackboard in high school or college?  I used it at BHS, SBU, and Drury.  My official title is Market Development Representative.  I’ve officially been here for three weeks, and I think I have gotten into the swing of things.  The first week I was here I mainly shadowed my co-workers.  Our department also had a training seminar for two days.  The second and third weeks I made phone calls galore.  A big chunk of my job involves calling current customers to make sure we’re meeting their needs and to invite them to events, etc.  The other chunk involves me contacting potential customers who have shown interested in our products.  I have my very own cubicle. Haha  It’s not exactly a corner office, but I guess it’s kind of big as far as cubicles go.  The office building is super sweet, too.

Robert visited a neurosurgeon at the end of July.  Robert’s back has been a pain in the back.  Sorry, I had to say it. J  We’ve been trying to take care of his chronic pain for nearly a year.  It has been frustrating to say the least.  We’ve gone to the chiropractor, physical therapist, primary care physician, pain management specialist, and now a neurosurgeon.  Moving to NC didn’t exactly make this whole process easier.  I’ll spare you the details, but to summarize things Robert will be having back surgery on September 12.  We are so excited!  He has two large herniated discs.  The hernias are causing his entire left side to be miserable – numb extremities, tingling body parts, cold feet, arthritis-like stiffness, a limp, inability to move fluidly, lack of flexibility, radiculopathy, and nausea.  It’s been awful.  Robert has been in such physical pain, and it’s definitely been frustrating for both of us.  It’s been tough, because there really isn’t anything I can do to relieve his pain other than feel sorry for him and offer him my sympathy.

My family came to visit!!!  I had been awaiting this visit with great anticipation.  It was absolutely wonderful to be in the same place at the same time again.  I’m so thankful we were able to coordinate it all.  I picked up Mom, Dad, and Jim from the RDU airport on Saturday morning.  It’s great to live so close to the airport – only a 30 minute drive.  Highlights of the trip

•   A visit to the Wake Forest Museum
•  A day at Duke – Checking out Camden Indoor Stadium, the beautiful garden, and listening to an organ demonstration at the cathedral
• Showing them my office
• Church together at Faith Baptist
• A day at the beach – Beautiful weather, swimming in the ocean, lighthouses
•  UNC 
•   Catching up

It was wonderful!  I can’t wait to go to MO in November!  It seems so far away though.

We had another fun weekend this week.  Robert and I went to Richmond, VA to meet up with his family.  Richmond is kind of the midpoint between Serina and us.  Bethany and Jason were in DC for a few days to celebrate Bethany’s birthday.  We met up yesterday to go white water rafting.  I had never done it before, and it was a lot of fun!  We had a picnic at Brown Island before the rafting trip.  After our adventure we enjoyed some delicious BBQ.  Great time!

This coming weekend Ray will be in town.  We love visitors!!!

Robert starts welcome week on Wednesday.  Where has the summer gone?  We’re excited that he will finally get to sign up for classes.  Has anyone heard of waiting to sign up for classes until three days before school starts?  Nonsense!  How are you supposed to order your books in time?