Home Stretch

We’re starting in the home stretch to the wedding, and I am starting to feel both more confident and more overwhelmed with each day.  Scott and I continue to grow in love for each other, and in this way, I am confident for our life together and that our love has a real foundation on respect, communication, and trust—elements that are increasingly absent in relationships in our times.  However, the wedding planning process continues to make me nervous as I enter in to the last 11 weeks of getting everything together.  Small victories are exhilarating events for me. Today I dropped off the paper to be printed and cut—and when I picked it up, I felt a huge weight off my shoulders.  I can’t even imagine how I will feel Monday when they are in the mail.  Despite the difficulty of balancing work, school, and wedding planning, I am continually looking forward to that day 11 weeks from now when Scott and I, in the witness of all of our friends and family, will enter a covenant of love and faithfulness to one another for the rest of our lives.

…AND, I’m really looking forward to that Barbados vacation right after :D

The Importance of Being Busy

So, I know that I have been neglecting my blog for the last couple months (I even started a post about how busy I am, and never got around to finishing it!), but I figured before round 2 of papers is in full swing starting this weekend, I could take a few minutes to give an update on what’s going on with me.

Taking care of two adorable yet tiring 4-year-old twins has definitely helped me in a lot of ways as I look forward to being married in about 7 1/2 months.  I am learning a lot about the needs of children and how to act with them.  Also, just figuring out the logistics of daily life with kids is very interesting.

Classes have been good, though I get overwhelmed at times.  Being a full time student and working nearly full time (not to mention planning a wedding) has lead to several emotional break downs over the past few weeks/months, but I think I am finally getting things into perspective.  Getting a masters degree is to further my own knowledge and ability for my own work in life.  It’s difficult to see how this is going to make things better now, but I am thinking about trying to do a teaching certificate program starting next year, which could make a goal and outcome more real.

Probably the most practical thing I am doing is my work at the Catechetical Institute.  I like how I am able to see an educational institute at work and being in close contact with some really knowledgeable speakers/writers/teachers in my field.  I am praying that my role with the Institute continues to grow through next year and hopefully beyond. :)

Wedding planning has been a joy and a burden.  I love figuring out what the big day is going to be (and of course being treated like a princess by all the vendors and stuff), but I hate when it becomes something that is just an extra thing on my plate that I don’t really have time for.  I was able to get a better perspective on this during this past weekend when Scott and I (finally) got some engagement photos taken.  The photographer was SO much fun, and I am really excited to see how they turn out.  It was a little bit of an adventure to get there, and taking the photos were super fun (it was kind of hilarious, we were in a super small town south of the Twin Cities, and it was like we were movie stars or something the way that the passer-bys would gawk at us!  I kind of liked how mysterious it all was to them).  I will definitely post a few when we get the proofs!

So, bottom line, I am really busy, to the point that it is difficult to keep up with everything, but I am happy that it is all there.  And honestly, I would rather be more busy than not.

Yesterday was really full, but really great. I worked from 8-5, during which my friend Laura interviewed for my job and we went to lunch together (I'm keeping her in my prayers for this one! I think she would be great and I am happy to hand off my job to someone I know really deserves it). After work, I raced over to the UST campus so I could finally get my student ID card, which will come into play later on. From there I was able to take a peek up into Ellie's new on-campus apartment (so cute!) and then head over to the St. Paul seminary so I could start my first day with the Harry J. Flynn Catechetical Institute. What a wonderful time! I was there from 6pm-9:30pm, but already I've met so many wonderful people and I think being involved with the CI will only help me figure out the more practical end of my time in the Catholic Studies masters program. After helping out with the CI, I ran over to the library to find a copy of a book which I ordered online (and paid for!) and never came (but I still have to do the reading by Wednesday nonetheless) and then drive the half hour home to Eden Prairie. It was about 10:30pm by the time I got home. I was tired. I was worn out. I was happy. I am so excited to be doing something once again that is in the interest of my own personal and professional growth. Here's to this academic year to continuing in the way it has started; full of blessings and unimaginable plans for me!

Last Monday at the Office

Even though I have complained from time to time about my job, I am really starting to feel sad to be leaving here. Not for the job itself, but rather for the people and how comfortable I've become here. I'm also really excited to really center my life around my studies and to be going in a direction that is best for me. Going for a masters in Catholic Studies might not be appealing to many people, and perhaps even confusing for those who don't know me well, but I truly think that I have received so many small hints and blessing that I am doing what is right for me, that this can't be wrong. Everything seems to be falling into place so well! Not only did some other job possibilities come through right when I was on the brink of feeling like I need to quit work, but I have just been meeting with so many amazing people that I will have been blessed to know.

Your continued prayers and support are greatly appreciated!

And...breathe out

I've completed the first week of my classes in the Catholic Studies Masters program at the University of St. Thomas, and despite a few snags, all went exceedingly well. It was evident to me in the two classes I attended this week that I am certainly in the right place.

My philosophy prof is so down to earth. She's a mother of four, and you can definitely tell that she views motherhood as her first vocation. She is extremely intelligent, but also very humble, which is a great combination in a professor.

Literature in light of Theological Aesthetics is going to be a great transition from my English Lit background into a more theologically based program. I am happy to have already gotten my feet wet with having read the first book of the Kristin Lavransdatter trilogy by Sigrid Undset in my undergrad days (It's such a great trilogy!!! I highly recommend it. Kristin reminds me of Scarlett O'Hara, a character you hate and love, especially since they are so human and remind you of yourself in their choices and struggles). Although it will be a difficult class, I am hoping that I will love it.

Tomorrow I will have my first Catholic Thought and Culture class, so I'll let you know what that and help out with the Catechetical Institute is like once I get there :D

Goodbye and Hello!

It's a good day. Today I received an opportunity to be a nanny for a fabulous family in St. Paul. I am so excited by this prospect, and thrilled that it came just in time as I start classes this week. It is such a relief to know that my crazy crazy schedule will probably only last about two weeks. I couldn't be more grateful for the opportunity.

I'm also so excited at the prospect of starting my classes this week. I finished the first book that I needed to read and I am well on my way to completing the other reading I need to have done as I start this week. Tonight I will be at the orientation meeting for my program.

I really happy that my prayers (and all of yours for me!) have paid off and that everything is falling into place right when it should.

More updates to come as the week continues.

Marriage Prep and NFP

Scott and I have wasted no time in starting our marriage prep and NFP class. It is early in the engagement, but what with both of us starting school full time (and me continuing a full time job?) we will have little to no time to get started with the preparations that actually matter. Don't get me wrong, wedding planning is fun (once you book a reception hall), but the prep and NFP; now THIS is getting into the substance of it all.

Last night was our first NFP class, and it was really great! I am a little confused by what I am looking for exactly at this point, but I am so excited to learn how my body works and all the signs it gives me about my fertility. The human body, and particularly a woman's body, is so fascinating. I'm especially glad that Scott can share that awe with me as a med student and one who has a particular interest in the human body and the way it works. The method we are learning is called the Billings Ovulation Method and it seems to be the least invasive unlike other methods that require you to take a temperature read daily or check the cervix. I would like to find out if it is the most effective method or if the other methods might allow less time for having to abstain (that is if you are avoiding pregnancy that month)? Let me know if you have any insight about this!

We are looking forward to doing some registry shopping (another thing we want to get done before school starts!) this weekend, and celebrating my 23rd birthday! It's my golden birthday, so hopefully we'll make sure it's going to be a good one!