A Good Reminder

I've been reminded, and brought back into focus, the reason I am where I am today. Lord, let me never forget what you've called me to.

Tonight the world makes sense

I don't know why my serotonin levels are so high tonight (just my guess :) but things are making a lot of sense today. I'm not naive to think you care about my daily life-let's be honest you have your own life to think about, but when I look back on this blog I'll be happy to see that God was at work today. And that is something to write about.

I have a test in my research class on Thursday, and although I've chosen sleep over studying several nights in a row, today I looked in depth at the material and I think it makes sense to me. Thursday may tell a different tale, but today it makes sense!

I have a paper due on Thursday in a different class that I've also put off because other things have taken priority. I looked at it for the first time today, and began my outline. I'm pretty sure I can finish it tomorrow and have a high quality product. Now HOW does that make sense?

I usually try to "turn off" school, teaching, internship, etc. etc. by 5:30 when Patrick comes home otherwise I feel bad for not spending time with him. And let's be honest, no one wants to work 20 hours a day and sleep 4. Today he had errands to do until I was done with class at 7pm-which means I didn't feel like I was missing out. That makes sense.

I was able to go to the gym today, open up my Bible, study, do homework, have two really good class discussions, figure out tomorrow's schedule, make eggplant parmesan (one of my favorites), plan a friend's baby shower, start my paper, and write this blog. Wow. So grateful for things that have gone well today.

Not enough hours in the day

Teaching (both in the classroom and voice lessons), grad school, homework, internship, worship leadership at church, Scentsy, dogs, husband, working out, friends, me time, God. How do you fit it all in?

Well, I must admit, I'm really struggling with this one (this is the recurring theme in my life). Although those responsibilities are listed in no particular order, the list itself seems very reflective of how I feel: a pile of to-do's. So how do you fit everything in?

Keri, my discipleship/mentor/really cool lady from church suggested actually listing out all my obligations and the hours that they take in any given week. First I penciled that assignment in my calendar, and then two weeks later I actually got around to doing it.

Patrick and I sat down and planned out what our lives could look like for the next two years. (Disclaimer: FULLY knowing that God's plan trumps anything we write down on paper). But I mean, if you sit down and write out all the things you've committed to, then take a step back to look at it-mamasita it's overwhelming. But what if I changed my mindset and took everything in stride, realizing that few things belong at the top of that pile?

Balance is a tricky thing, especially when you've crammed in as much as I have into one year. And in order to make it through my master's successfully I keep telling myself, "Anyone can do anything for just a year." So I try to keep my emotions and feelings at bay and truck on through. It's the only thing that has kept me going so far.

But when the year of grad work, and teaching, and internship is over, what will change? Less responsibilities, probably. But only if I don't fill up that time again with other stuff. And that will take a conscious effort. How funny that I'm looking forward to my 9-5 job that I will come across after I'm done with school. Most people dread it :o)

My biggest concern is where God fits in all of this. And even that sentence repulses me, "Where GOD FITS in." But the fact is, I choose to fit Him in-and that takes a conscious and intentional effort. The rest? Well, hopefully it falls into place :o)

And so the journey continues.

No ipad today.

Today was a good day, an interesting day. I say interesting because we have had the pleasure of being around many people today, and we all know people can be...interesting.

It started out with a wonderful breakfast with friends. They invited us over for a good home-cooked meal. Delish! But it went downhill from there.

Then we decided to go to the Apple store to check out a computing device for Patrick. It's funny, in our house we could live off of one car. But we are most definitely a TWO computer family-especially now that I hog this one for my grad work. Poor Patrick hasn't touched the computer in I don't know how long. So we decided to check out ipads and possibly another macbook. The closest Apple store to us is in the Biltmore, which I must admit may have been a mistake in itself. Patrick had his comfy Saturday morning clothes on and I basically looked like I rolled out of my college dorm-room bed with everything but the dreads. No matter, we walked into the Apple store with all the other folks that had just shopped at lululemon, Saks and Coach. Well, I can tell you that our money is just as good as theirs (ours is cash!) but we weren't helped for 20 minutes. Maybe it was the attire, but that really shouldn't matter. Finally Patrick was clearly (by the looks of his face) frustrated with not getting any help and a young guy came over and said, "How's it going team?" Finally! Someone to help. It's sad that we were the last to be helped, and I'm almost certain it's because of the way we looked. Haven't purchased an ipad yet.


Then we went to Costco to see if we could get a discount on mac store gift certificates-to purchase the ipad. And now my friends, we come to mistake number two of the day: going to Costco on a Saturday afternoon. People were crazy. They were like hungry birds around the sample booths and just plain not paying attention. I sent Patrick in to get a sample for me while I stayed with the cart. He started to weave his way around the other carts when one just started coming at him and at full speed! He backed up, backed up, backed up some more, and finally the guy looked up and said, "It's a zoo in here!" Patrick looked at him as if to say, "Buddy, YOU are the zoo!" He had to move probably 10 feet out of the way before the guy even looked up. Craziness. People are crazy I tell ya!

So we get home, and it was our goal today to purchase an ipad. Well, Patrick is taking a nap on the couch (I think Costco wore him out) and I'm drinking my Skinnygirl margarita. Sorry ipad, maybe tomorrow.