Nostalgic and Celebratory

Yesterday evening I was feeling nostalgic and celebratory... and these feelings may last for the duration of the weekend.

One year ago --
I had just decided to go ahead and spend 2013 working... working on earning my Orientation and Mobility Certification.  Chris and I had come together and discussed a lot of options and decided that 2013 would mean graduate school for both of us... and a huge commitment from both of us for me to earn this O&M degree.

We knew that, if all things worked out perfectly, I could complete the ENTIRE degree in less than 12 months, and by December 2013, I would be a fully certified O&M instructor, and it would be DONE!  I would have the qualifications to open new doors, and serve in new ways, and NOW was the time.  This was not a degree I wanted to get around to doing when we had young children, or when our children were in school.  2013 was the year to complete this.

That being said, we KNEW it was going to be a rough year.  I was working 50+ hours a week, and would need to complete an online class during the Spring semester (Jan-April).  Then, looking ahead, we knew that right after I finished the school year on Friday, I would have to move to Greeley for a month-long blindfold class all of June.  Then, the rest of the summer would need to consist of two practicum placements -- only the Lord knew where.  Coming back for another school year of teaching in Rifle, I would still have one last practicum placement to complete... and somewhere in there, I had to pass a University comp exam research paper.  THEN, after ALL THAT, I still had to pass a National O&M Certification Exam.

But, Hubby and I felt that this was the year to do it.  We felt that God was giving us a nudge to have me do this NOW.

We had no idea how we were going to pay for it -- tuition, travel costs, living costs for all the different practicum placements, exam costs.  We just knew God would provide, and now was the time.

... that was all one year ago...

Fast forward to Memorial Day Weekend... the last week of school... the week before I leave my husband for Greeley, CO to be blindfolded for a month.  Hubby and I found out were were expecting our first baby.  We were thrilled by the event -- and flummoxed by the timing.  Seriously?!?!  My first trimester of my first pregnancy was going to be spent away from my husband, BLINDFOLDED, learning to travel with a cane, then away from my husband in TUCSON, in JULY, all alone?!?!?!

Nevertheless, the plan was to continue with the O&M certification as planned.  If things went smoothly with my pregnancy, AND my O&M program, I would be fully certified before the baby was born, and we were very happy about that timing -- if everything (pregnancy and classes) went according to plan.  We worked with my doctors, and learned the dos and don'ts of so much work and travel and stress... and we stuck to the plan.  The plan for me to be fully certified by the end of 2013.

I was first-trimester sick (not to mention HOT) in Greeley and Tucson.  I was growing out of my clothes in Michigan.  Hubby and I felt the baby move for the first times in Austin.  And yesterday, nearly 30 weeks pregnant, as I took the National O&M Certification Exam, the baby was dancing and kicking like crazy.  I'm not sure if he/she knew we were finally to the end of a very long process, or if he/she was trying to tell me the right answers in Morse code.

Today, as I reflect on this past year, I am so grateful for God's faithfulness through this degree, and so proud of myself for completing it so quickly and so well.  I met all the University qualifications, I traveled from coast to coast to have quality practicum placements, I wrote a killer research paper to pass my University Comp Exam, and I passed the National Certification Test.  I am SO GLAD IT IS OVER, and I am proud of the job I did.

To be completely honest, I do not know exactly what way this certification might be used in the next few years.  Hubby and I have a lot of decisions we're praying about with the arrival of our new baby... but now, I HAVE the certification.  There are jobs I can consider today that I couldn't consider a year ago.  There are people I can help today that I couldn't help a year ago.

I look at the remainder of 2013, and I am SOOOO excited that I actually finished this certification BEFORE the end of 2013.  I have 6 weeks left of the year that I get to prepare for Christmas, organize for the baby, make arrangements for maternity leave, and ENJOY the holidays!

This year would not have been possible without the love, support, and encouragement of my Hubby.  He supported me every step of the way, he believed in me when I didn't, and he had faith when I doubted.  He ran the roost at our home while I was gone, and assured me that my students, our life, our home, our critters, our baby, and our marriage could withstand my absence and our time a part from each other.

WHAT A YEAR!

Summer 2013 Summary

Adios, Summer 2013.

Top row left to right:  Positive pregnancy test; Meeting our little Nugget with our 8 week ultrasound; Hubby and I were a part all of June; Lloyd competed in Dock Dogs

Second row:  Lloyd won a lot of medals; We bought our first outfit for our little baby; I completed my blindfold course; I saw my grandmother in Arizona

Third row:  Our niece, Zivah, entered the world; We were in St. Louis when Zivah arrived; While I was living in Tucson, I got to live with a tiny little dog about the size of our cat

Fourth row:  Hubby flew to Arizona to help me drive to Michigan; We were finally reunited with our Lexie-Girl; Momma had her 60th birthday; We announced to the internet world that we are expecting a baby

There are the good parts of the summer.  In between the lines feel free to read "working hard, time away from my husband, nausea, exhaustion, heat, and studying."

Praise God - Home Sweet Home!

I am home sweet home in Rifle with my hubby. 
I arrived home at 10pm MST last night almost exactly 22 hours after I left Michigan.

This summer has included:
4 weeks of Graduate school in Greeley including a blindfolded drop off
3 weeks of teaching in Tucson
3 weeks of teaching in Michigan
Passing my O&M Comprehensive Exam Research Paper

All of this was topped off yesterday by a 1300 mile, 22 hour drive alone from Michigan to Rifle.

All of the above was accomplished while pregnant -- and completely by the grace of God.

I am so grateful to be home with my hubby with two days of rest ahead.

Gratitude: DAY 20

DAY 20!!!

Today is my last day in Tucson.

I HAVE MADE IT!

My bags are packed, my car is loaded -- I just have one more 8 hour day to work and I head North to Phoenix to see my love.

Today, I am grateful for a sense of accomplishment, and the relief that comes from a little time off.  Sure, my time off will be spent driving from one end of the country to another, and preparing for my next practicum placement that starts in 9 days... but I am going to try to not let those factors detract from my accomplishment and relief.

I will try to continue blogging as Hubby and I travel, because it's a nice habit, but no promises as we sojourn cross country.

I get to see my Hubby today.  I cried and cried 20 days ago when he put me on a plane to come to the desert alone for three weeks.  Today, I may just cry and cry when he gets off his plane in the desert to greet me.

Three weeks is WAY too long to be away from the man I love.  Such a fact makes me think about military families who are away from each other for MONTHS and longer.

I know Chris and my greeting to one another will look nothing like this, but I want to share this beautiful video of a solider coming home.  I am so grateful that there are men and women who work away from their families protecting our freedom.  I am so grateful for the families who carry on and keep the home fires burning while their soldiers are away.  Lord, please bless these families in a very special way, today, and every day.


19.5 days down; 12 hours to go!!!!

Gratitude: Day 19

Oh my, Day 19!!!!

Today, I am so grateful for the woman who had been housing me during these three weeks in Tucson.  She is a PEO sister, and has opened her home, her kitchen, her life, her heart, her dog, and her family to me.

She is such a natural mother, and she had taken care of me in so many ways while I've been here.  She fixes dinner for us every night, she listens to stories about my day, she makes sure I get my work done, and she even shares her garage with me so my car doesn't have to sit outside.

She has the most beautiful home, but what makes it most beautiful is her hospitality and the open arms with which she greeted me and has continued to welcome me every day of my stay.

Lord, Please bless this woman for her incredible kindness and hospitality, and please bring it back to her in spades.

18 days down; 2 to go!!!

Gratitude: Day 18

Day 18... I'm getting there.

Today, I am grateful for mechanics... and mechanics who can serve my car immediately.

Yesterday the air conditioning in my car died.  I heard a weird sound in the morning, but didn't notice a difference in the temperature.  In the afternoon, however, OH MY, I NOTICED A DIFFERENCE IN THE TEMPERATURE!

With the help of a few locals, I was able to find an air conditioner repair place that was able to get my care serviced IMMEDIATELY!

Within two hours my air conditioning was fixed.  It cost plenty, but I am SO Grateful for a working air conditioner.  Not only do I need it to survive in Tucson, but Hubby and I will definitely need it this weekend as we journey from Tucson to Michigan on a very long road trip.

17 days down -- 3 to go!

Gratitude: Day 17

Today, I am grateful for the light at the end of the tunnel.

I can't look too far ahead or I get incredibly overwhelmed - I have been working nonstop with only one or two isolated weeks off since last August.  I will be working nonstop until the end of next school year.  I still have two O&M practicum placements ahead... I can't think about those things today.

What I can think about is how near I am to completing my time in Tucson.  How near I am to completing my first practicum placement.  How near I am to CONCLUDING these three weeks I have been away from my hubby, my puppy, my kitty (actually, it's been 11 weeks since I've seen my kitty cat!), my home and my family.

Today, I see the end... Day 17 of 20... that's really near the end!!!

I am starting to get excited about some things coming up when we're in Michigan.

Each day is closer and closer to seeing my love and I can FEEL it!

16 days down -- 4 to go!!!

Gratitude: Day 16

Today, I am grateful for the doctors in my life.

When I was living in Greeley last month, a friend of mine was having some problems feeding her 9-week-old baby.  She had a question for her pediatrician and I was in the car and overheard her conversation with the pediatrician's secretary.  The bottom line is that she was never even allowed to leave a message for the pediatrician because the baby had not been to his first appointment with that practice yet.  His two-year-old big sister was a patient, and he had an upcoming appointment scheduled for the following week, but the secretary would not let the mother ask a question about her son, because he had not yet been seen by the pediatrician.

I was appalled, and promptly called my Daddy (a pediatrician for nearly 60 years) and had her talk to him about her baby.  My dad (as per usual) listened very carefully, made several recommendations, encouraged her to call back any time, and eased her fears.  He gave her wonderful advice.

Today, I am SO grateful that with three phone calls, I can talk to three doctors -- no secretaries involved.

Last night, I had a little medical scare, and within twenty minutes, I had spoken to three doctors -- after hours, on their cell phones -- my dad, my sister-in-law, and my friend.

I have never had to depend on a secretary to LET me leave a message for a doctor, and I have probably taken that for granted in my life.

Today, I am SO grateful for the doctors that I can reach at a moment's notice, and who offer excellent, calming, quality medical advice.

15 days down -- 5 to go!!!

Gratitude: Day 15

Today, I am grateful for practice.

Last week I taught A LOT of Orientation and Mobility lessons, and it became very clear to me that I need practice.  My instructors are supervising me, and telling me what things on which I can improve, and they have told me they can tell I came from a strong O&M program... but all of that doesn't account for the practice that I need in simply teaching these skills.

Three years of teaching blind students does not translate to automatically teaching O&M well.  There is a reason this is an entirely separate certification, and why it requires 9 weeks of students teaching -- these people knew what they were doing when they designed this criteria.  I need the practice.

Last week, I had to consciously tell myself several times to focus on MY STUDENT and not look around at the cool downtown of Tucson.  This really takes practice.

As I look ahead to my LAST week in Tucson, I am grateful that I will have more chances to practice teaching and improve my skills before my next 3 week practicum placement.

14 days down; 6 to go!!!

Gratitude: Day 14

Today, I am grateful for a 9.5 ball of fur named Zoey.

Every day, I am greeted at a door by a small, bubbly, joyful puppy, Zoey.

I will be the first to say, that I am used to nice BIG dogs.  :-D  These dogs are 60-80 pounds, strong swimmers, and certainly CANNOT jump into my arms when I walk through the door.

But, I will take this tiny, joyful little puppy that I can carry around in a purse ANY DAY over no puppy!

I am so glad that a sweet little puppy greets me every day.  Life without pets is so much less fulfilling than life with pets.

13 days down -- 7 days to go!

Gratitude: Day 13

Today, I am so grateful for the loving arms of my husband.  And, what is more... his loving arms that reach across thousands of miles to brighten my day, support me, and make me feel loved.

Tuesday, and especially Wednesday, I had TOUGH, TOUGH days.  I was missing Chris like crazy, and picking fights with him over the phone because it was easier to be angry with him than miss him.  All of Wednesday I felt like I could burst into tears at any moment.

Finally Wednesday night, I just feel apart in my husband's arms -- his digital arms, I guess.  I just poured my heart out to my hubby and told him all the things on my mind, and everything that was bothering me, and told him how exhausted I am, and I just cried, and cried, and cried.  And my husband is so wonderful -- his strong, loving arms reached from St. Louis to Tucson, and he let me know that it was okay to cry about everything, but that it was all going to be fine.

Well, its amazing what a good 'ole sob-fest can do, because Thursday I felt back to myself -- and because I had felt SO lousy Tuesday, and Wednesday, by comparison, Thursday I felt GREAT!!!!

And then my day got even better!!!

Even though my hubby had already fixed my problems, and let me cry it out... he sealed the cheering up by sending me flowers during the day on Thursday.  I feel so loved, and I get to look at these beautiful flowers until he comes to see me himself ONE WEEK FROM TODAY!!!!

By the time these flowers wilt, I will be seeing my hubby in person, and I will be wrapped within his real arms.

12 days down -- 8 days to go!

Gratitude: Day 12

I am glad I chose to focus on gratitude during these weeks summer weeks working away from my loved ones.  This is when it would be very easy to simply complain and cry to the blog world... but that is not the focus of these weeks.  There is always something to be greatful for.

Today, I am grateful for old, comforting movies that offer an escape from reality, a relaxing few hours, and words for a real-life situation.

Last night, I enjoyed a few hours away from reality with You've Got Mail.  Last night, I was especially grateful for the "Goodnight, Dear Void" scene:

"Sometimes I wonder about my life.
I lead a small life.
Well, valuable, but small.
And sometimes I wonder...
...do I do it because I like it...
...or because I haven't been brave?
So much of what I see reminds me of something in a book...
...when shouldn't it be the other way around?
I don't want an answer. I just want...
...to send this cosmic question into the void.
So...
...good night, dear void."


11 days down; 9 to go!

Gratitude: Day 11

As I am writing this post today, I am not feeling very grateful.  I am telling myself how fortunate I am for so many things in my life -- including this summer of working like a dog following immediately by the school year of back-to-the-grind.  I am listing my blessings for myself to try to buck myself up and increase my level of gratitude, but today, it is not working.

Today, I am grateful that I can come to my Lord when I am not grateful.  I am grateful that I am cast all my cares onto the Lord, and He does not judge me for my momentarily (or sometimes longer) lack of gratitude.  I am grateful that I have nothing to hide from my Comforter and Keeper, because He knows every word that is on my tongue before it gets there.

Today, I am so grateful for my Savior, my Brother, my Friend, my Deliverer, my Rock, my Comforter, my Defender, my Almighty God, my Everlasting Father.

As I am typing that, I am reminded of a song, that I love, and haven't sung at church in such a long time.  It's call and response between men and women, which I LOVE, You Are Holy (Prince of Peace) by Michael W. Smith.

During the refrain, the woman sing the following... such beautiful words, and an even better sentiment:

You are Lord of Lords, You are King of Kings,
You are Mighty God, Lord of Everything,
You're Emmanuel, You're the Great I AM,
You're the Prince of Peace who is the Lamb,
You're the Living God, You're my Saving Grace,
You will reign forever, You are Ancient of Days,
You are Alpha, Omega, Beginning and End,
You're my Savior, Messiah,
Redeemer and Friend,
You're my Prince of Peace, and I will live my life for you.

That is what I am grateful for today.



 10 days down; 10 to go!

Gratitude: Day 10

DAY TEN!!!

Hubby and I have made it to the half-way point of this time a part!!!!  I am SO grateful that from here on out, we are on the second half, the down-hill, the home stretch, the countdown to seeing each other!!

Also, as silly as it sounds, I am grateful for The Bachelorette...  and The Bachelor (although The Bachelorette is what is currently airing).  I know its silly, I'm not sure how authentic everything is, although I think the guys on there seem to be pretty sincere... but I really enjoy these shows because I fall more in love with my husband when I watch them.

via

When I hear the participants talking about the object of their affection and remember their dates together and moments when they knew that person was the "One", I think of my hubby and I remember special dates that we had, and when our relationship became serious.

I hear how twitter-pated they are with each other, and I get all giddy and twitter-pated with love for my husband.

Also, these shows make me grateful that I HAVE the man of my dreams.  I am not still searching for him.

9 days down -- 11 to go!

Gratitude: Day 8

Today, I am grateful for Sunday -- the day of rest.

Rarely do I feel that Sunday is a day of rest -- more often than not in might be Saturday for me.  Sunday is nice... but not always a day of focused rest and worship.

Today, I still have some work to do... but today will truly be a day of rest.  I will be finding a church to attend in Tucson, I will be completing ONE FINAL proof-reading of my research paper and TURNING IT IN, and preparing for a few O&M lessons for next week.

All of that having been said, today will be SOOO RESTFUL compared to the week I had.  I am giddy just thinking about the rest my body and spirit will get today.

Not only will my body get more rest by being able to sleep in a little, but I will NOT be out in the Tucson heat for a prolonged period of time AT ALL today!

Thank you, Lord, that You knew humans so well that You knew we would need one day to recover from our work.  Thank you for Sundays.

7 days down -- 13 to go!!!

Gratitude: Day 7

Today, I am grateful for rain.

Tucson has a LOT of heat... but it also has these beautiful rainstorms.  Not every day, but just about every day and a half, Tucson gets a HUGE thunderstorm.  It may not last very long -- maybe 15 minutes, but it is BIG complete with thunder, lightning, wind, sheets of rain.  It's called Monsoon Season.

Apparently, as a city, Tucson isn't very equipped to deal with heavy rain, and has flood warnings posted all over the city... but as a Coloradian for the past 4.5 years, I LOVE rain storms.  We don't get rain storms -- REAL thunder storms.  I can think of maybe 3 big  thunder storms in my 4.5 years in Colorado.  We get big snow storms, little rain showers, and plenty of droughts... but we don't big, beautiful thunder storms.

I am LOVING the Tucson monsoon season.  It is a nice trade-off to the insane temperatures.

I took these pictures yesterday during a storm, and accidentally labeled them "typhoon" instead of "monsoon" -- clearly, I'm not from around these parts.

6 days down -- 14 to go!

Gratitude: Day 6

Today, I am grateful for time.

While on the whole, I want this time in Tucson to fly by, I am grateful for today -- time to write my research paper.

Yesterday, I spent 13 hours working for practicum, and I will be working all of Saturday and Sunday... so today, I have a day off -- TO WRITE MY PAPER.

I am so prayerful that I be diligent with my gift of time, that the Lord will guide my research and my writing, and that by tonight, I will have a very solid first draft of my paper written.

Furthermore, I am So grateful that two weeks from today, I get to see my HUBBY!

5 days down -- 15 to go!

Gratitude: Day 5

Today, as I type Gratitude: Day 5, I am grateful that I am 25% of the way through my Tucson practicum experience.

That is not to say that I sit around wishing away every day, because I do not... but Tucson is really hot, and I am grateful for each day I get through without heat stroke.  Yesterday was the first day I was out and about for O&M lessons -- the lesson from 1:00-3:00 was a doozy.

I do not want to wish away my time here... I want to treasure my time here, and gain everything possible from this experience.  Nevertheless, my huge O&M paper is due Sunday, and so I am kind of am wishing away every day until Sunday.

Yesterday afternoon, I couldn't keep my eyes open while reading research, so I decided to take a 20-minute power-nap.  I set my cell phone alarm, and fell asleep immediately.  I awoke 2 hours later and my cell phone was on the floor.  I'm not exactly sure what transpired when the alarm went off, but I certainly did not wake up.

I think the afternoon in the heat might have affected my afternoon exhaustion.  Next week, a two hour nap would be okay -- this week, I HAVE TO WRITE THIS PAPER... and I really need to be awake to do it.

4 days down -- 16 to go.

Gratitude: Day 3

Today I am grateful for a smooth and enjoyable first day yesterday at my practicum placement.

I am grateful for friendly co-workers.
I am grateful for friendly and welcoming students.
I am grateful that the day was a little low-key because the students had just returned from Orlando, and everyone needed a chance to re-group and catch their breath.
I am grateful that I was able to find the office without a problem.

These students with whom I will be working are VERY advanced travelers, and while I feel a little over-my-head in teaching them, I see working with them as a priceless opportunity to learn.  Many of these students are headed to college this fall -- this is as advanced as O&M teaching gets!

I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from such advanced students.

2 days down - 18 to go

Gratitude: Day 2

I am settled in Tucson.

Yesterday was a long day of traveling and a very tearful parting from my hubby, but by the end of the day I was settled into a lovely home with a lovely hostess and an adorable little puppy (well, a 3-year-old tiny dog).

As I think about leaving for work today and jumping into the challenges of these next three weeks, I am grateful that I only have to do the first day once.  For better or for worse, the first day only happens once.

1 day down, 19 to go