I am fortunate....

Today has to have been one of the oddest days I have had in a long time. Let me give you a little background information...

Because of the economy being down (understatement) Club Car did away with 2nd shift and now has 1st shift employees on a rotation for 2nd shift hours one out of every 6 weeks. That means that Darrel doesn't get home until after bed time and we are here in the ghetto in the dark and me literally praying to God that he will come home soon. Needless to say I don't attempt to go to sleep until he is close to home and I have my phone preset to 911 in case something comes up.

Secondly, I currently have all of my treatment classes this semester which means I have to make at least 80% or above on every assignment or I have to undergo remediation (even though my grade does not change). I was unfortunate to have made below an 80 on my second test in adult evaluation and am studying to retake it on a week when I am responsible for just about everything morning to night. So just a bit of stress.

Last night Sara didn't sleep well (even though I was able to get her in bed and asleep before 9 which is a miracle in and of itself...but that is another topic for another time of venting) and I was up off and on all night playing musical beds.

So this afternoon my Dept Chair called me in her office. She asked if everything was ok. I said it was and she didn't believe me. So then I started telling her that I was just overwhelmed by everything and have been in a little funk, if you will, for the past couple of weeks. She said she could tell. Anyway this all occurred because I didn't joyfully say "Hi Dr Bradley" this morning and only said good morning. My reasoning was because she was with other faculty and I was running late (as usual) to my class.

Then I was called into another faculty members office but this time it was to get a heads up on my test that I have to retake. Instead of being 25 multiple choice questions it is 2 multiple choice and the remainder short answer/essay. Lovely:) I just smiled and said Thank you Dr.

Lastly, as I was finishing with my pediatric patient this afternoon another faculty member stopped me and asked if I was ok. So I had to give a short version of what I told the Dept Chair and reassure everyone that I AM OK!!!

My reasoning for the title of this entry is that I am glad that others care. As weird as it was that everyone asked me how I was, I truly feel as if it was an answer to a prayer to make me feel comforted. I know that other people are genuinely nice and take time to check on others. That is what we are taught to do. I am grateful to have other people take an interest in me and my well being. I feel as if my 'funk' is going away and I can be relieved that as long as I am trying my best and doing something to serve others then I to will be strengthened and edified.

Sara's First Primary Program

Sara had her first primary program today. She was so excited about saying her line in the microphone!! We had been practicing it with her for over a month, but she finally memorized it the day before the program and was able to say the whole thing without much help from her teacher! I was so proud of her and the way she behaved on stage this morning. It makes me feel like we've been teaching her the correct ways to act and now she is able to practice what she's been taught!

A major thank you has to go out to her primary presidency for putting together such a fabulous program!

I can't wait to see how much she'll learn this upcoming year and how inspiring the next primary program will be!

Good night;)

Cheers!! To 5 years of bliss!

Happy Anniversary to us!! We have made it five years!! I am so excited.

As big a milestone this is for us, this also means that Sara will be 4 soon! She is growing up so incredibly fast. We do hope to give her a sibling before she does apply for college;))

Anyway, my lovely husband surprised me with a digital video camera! This will come in quite handy as Sara grows up so that we can capture the special moments.

I guess this post is filled with pretty random stuff, mainly because I wish I was still taking a nap, and mainly because I am in awe with the many blessings that we've been given to get us where we are today. I never thought I would end up here! I am totally excited about graduating in the near future and being able to truly impact lives of all of my clients. I am thankful that Darrel finally started school and will be able to provide for us. I am thankful that we will be able to reach our goals of being debt free and self reliant due to our choices in careers. I know that Heavenly Father lives and knows our specific needs. I only hope we will be able to give back to others as people have given to us. I am grateful for our friends in the ward that have been excellent examples of faithful and humble servants of the Lord. I can only imagine what the next 5 years will be like....

Darrel's first quater at ATC

Well....Darrel's first quarter of school at Augusta Tech has been stressful on everyone. Sara gets so confused as to where we are going or where Daddy is most of the time because he is either at work, school or scouts.

His grades are starting to come in and we have GREAT news about his Algebra Class!!!!! He really worked hard to overcome his "I can't do this crap" attitude and persevered. He made A's and B's on his tests and now he can finally congratulate himself for making an A in math!!

I am so proud of him and what he can do if he will put his mind to it. I am so excited and I when I told him what he made he kind of took a second to realize that he did it! I don't know if he is nearly as excited as I am, but in his own way he is pleased because he had an awesome teacher and a great learning experience. He still thinks math is stupid, especially when you put letters and logarithms in places, but he is on the right track to get his degree. What a glorious day it will be!!!

The Good, The Bad, and... the Miracle

The Good
I was able to get my tooth fixed without too much trauma or loss of school

The Bad
It cost more money than I wanted to pay

The Miracle
Heavenly Father blessed me with an unexpected scholarship that covered all but $1 of the cost of the root canal. What a wonderful Miracle!! I thank Him everyday and every night for all that He has done for my family and me!!

Hunting Season

Let me tell the world how much I LOVE hunting season.... If it weren't my husbands favorite thing to do in this whole wide world, and if it didn't help us (in a good season) with our budget, I would just about throw a tantrum!!! I don't know how my mom did it for all of those years. And at least she only had one basic season. Nowadays, I hardly get a weekend to enjoy my family without the pressure of preparing for or engaging in hunting. And it's not cheap!!

I think Sara and I will have a SPA season (which will take up the same amount of time and energy as hunting does) when I am out of school and we will have to enjoy it just as often. And when we do have another kid (hopefully a boy) then daddy will have to be in charge and can have a little buddy to tote around.

GRRRRRRRR.....

I do feel a little better getting this off my chest. Back to domesticated bliss;)))

How long will it take the world to realize the Church is true??

So...we had a surprise guest speaker today in our Pediatric treatment class. She is a self-proclaimed expert in family and life management skills and has been teaching families and adults for about 25 years. At first I kind of doubted her expertise on the topic because so many people claim to be experts and don't really do anything but push their opinions and values onto you for a hefty fee. Anyway, it has been her experience that good families show respect to each other and especially give children respect (meaning dignity). They communicate, hold family meetings, value opinions of others....etc.

How long has the church counseled us to hold family home evenings, conduct individual interviews, respect and nurture our children, and openly communicate??? I know how long it took me to become converted to the gospel, and I am NOT saying that it is easy to do so when the world makes it so much easier not to believe. However, when experts can come out and state what we have known to be true for years, it makes me appreciate what I have been given.

I am very grateful for my small, growing testimony of the gospel and the church. I am even more grateful to be given such sound advice from our living prophet who leads and guides the church in this dispensation. I have many many things to work on to become a better parent, wife, and daughter of God. I have learned to communicate with my Heavenly Father through prayer and know that through Him all things are possible. My weaknesses will be made strengths if I desire for His will instead of my own. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

The process of learning

It is a million wonders why the brain works as effectively as it does. I am in the very beginning of all of my treatment classes, which means I have to score at the very least 80% or higher on every single assignment. And I have a pediatric patient that I treat once a week with some of my other classmates. I am just now understanding why some activities are used and the 'why?' that explains the purposed outcomes.

I still do not know where I will be in February, hopefully somewhere in Augusta, but no promises are made since my first choice rotation canceled. I do have the confidence that I will be able to evaluate and treat effectively. I feel as if my brain is on fire most of the day and then clouded in the evening from all of the stresses.

Darrel is almost finished with his classes for the quarter. I know Brenda will be pleased that he has a very high A in College Algebra, but mostly because she will not be on call Sunday nights for help with medical terminology;)) He is working so very hard and I am more excited to see him succeed than for me. I know in a few short years we will be back on our feet and able to provide for our family. But more than that, we will be doing what the Lord would have us to do by becoming self reliant and providing for our family.

We have been blessed by so many opportunities and people while being in Augusta. More than we even thought possible. I know more than ever that I am doing what the Lord has planned for me. I am grateful to be apart of His work and to be a Daughter of God. I have learned so much by humbling myself and following His will.

The photographer had her spin so she could get a somewhat natural little girl pose. This one is precious

This is my favorite picture of Sara! Can you believe she is almost 4 years old???!! Anyway I am just a proud mom and like to show her off;))

Our First Blog!

I have decided to do this so everyone can keep in touch with what's going on in our family. Darrel is finishing his first quarter at Augusta Tech making fabulous grades. I'm so proud of him!! I have begun my last year in my program and am excited about January and Clinical Rotations. Hopefully May will be here before I realize it and we'll have a huge party!! (even though I don't finish until August)

Sara is doing remarkable in school. She is the oldest in her class this year as they didn't want to bump her up to Pre-K because she might struggle. Anyway she is writing her letters and finding the ABC's everywhere from bank signs to menus at restaurants. She is our pride and joy.

Check back for new posts!!