Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Merry Christmas!!

I don't mean to brag or anything, but we had a white Christmas!


Okay, so maybe I do mean to brag.  I think it is completely justifiable, though.


My first Christmas with the love of my life, in the most beautiful place on earth.  Life. Is. Good.

Happy Holidays to each and every one of you!
~J

Monday, December 17, 2012

A Great Move

While it wasn't easy at first, this move has turned out to be probably the best decision we possibly could have made, and it's not just because of the beautiful scenery, although, the scenery is beautiful:


These deer were foraging not even a mile from our house.  It's not often you see a buck like that without a Cabela's neon sign hanging behind him.

I feel very lucky to live in such a beautiful place, but I also feel very lucky for all the good fortune we've experienced since moving here a tad over two months ago.


Shortly after making the difficult decision to leave the farm, I found out that the nursing program at the nearby university has an accelerated degree program, which shortens my education goals by an entire three years.  It's not often that you find exactly what you need for less money and less time.

Then I found out that the application deadline to the program was the day before we were set to move, so I hurriedly got the paperwork in and then waited...


...and waited...and waited.

Finally, last week, the letter I waited for FOREVER came: I was accepted!  So, come May, I begin my 14-month journey toward my Bachelor of Science in Nursing.  Last month I resigned from two of my three jobs due to lack of hours in the day, but I will continue working the job I kept--GI Lab Technician--full time while finishing my prerequisites this spring.  As summer approaches I will be taking on less work hours and more school hours, so it works out perfectly.  I love my job and am learning so much there as well--it's an ideal situation!

Just when I think life can't get any better, that same week Clint got some well-deserved, long-awaited news of his own--he accepted a job offer from the city.  He had been working at a "pay the bills" sort of job that was way below his skill level.  I knew it wouldn't be long before someone recognized what he had to offer and nabbed him up--I'm just glad it was sooner than later!


I've lived long enough to know that when things go right, it's best to embrace and appreciate those times as much as possible, because life is not a climb up just one mountain; it has all the ups and downs of an entire mountain range.  However, I know Clint and I could not have gotten to this point without each other's love and support.  I may be experiencing a streak of luck right now, but I know, and will always know, the luckiest thing to ever happen in my life was meeting him.

Love and Luck to All,
~J