Gracious… It has been almost a year since I posted anything on this blog. I stumbled upon it today (along with an e-mail from WordPress alerting me that my format has been changed–strangely it looks the same to me?) and took a little time out to read some of my previous posts. They reminded me of things I had forgotten, of ideals I have since traded and of how much I love to write. I don’t write much these days–not for work or for pleasure–so I decided I’d come back for what I hope isn’t just a “Guest Entry” on my own blog.
So much has happened since I last wrote. The new job is not so new any more and has proved to be more challenging and fulfilling than I could have ever hoped. I learn something new every day and sometimes that new “thing” is just a realization of how much I still have to learn. There are circumstances that push me to be better and to thoughtfully consider who I am and the example I set for others–I like that. I like that my job is a personal and professional challenge and a source of education and experience–it’s nice and a welcomed changed from some of my previous gigs.
Personally, Brad and I are great. Our marriage continues to grow and I’m proud of how far we have come together. We have been together for going on 8 years now and although we have both changed immensely since we first started dating, we’ve done it together and have supported each other every step of the way. In March we will celebrate our 3rd wedding anniversary and I can’t wait to see what God has in store for us in the coming months and years.
Brad continues to check classes off of his list in his quest to finish his degree. He has done incredibly well in school and I could not be more proud of him. He works hard at his job and then goes to school at night and works just as hard. I know it is tough for him, but I think deep down he (finally) enjoys learning and he’s passionate about being the first person in his family to achieve his degree. He’s the best.
I have loved cheering Brad on with his school work, watching him go to school and working at a place where I am surrounded by education has pushed me to begin my quest for a master’s degree. I took the GMAT in December and am set to start classes on January 24. I am still working out the whole schedule thing and the balance between work, school, life, etc. but I’m confident that regardless of how many (or how few) classes I squeeze into each semester, it’s at least a start. I’m praying hard about how vigorously to pursue this and for the wisdom to know how to achieve the balance that is necessary for me to successfully do my job and earn another degree. We’ll see how it goes…
Other good news that you’ve missed out on–we welcomed another nephew in September and he is doing great! I’m officially an aunt to 5 kids on Brad’s side of the family now (which is still a little weird, since I knew them LONG before we were married), but in March I will be an aunt again–this time on my side of the family. Allie will welcome the first Walls family grandchild in March and we are all incredibly excited. I’m in crazy-party-planner mode for what I hope will be one of the best baby showers of all time. I’m pumped, mom’s pumped, it’s going to be great!
There are so many wonderful things coming up in the year ahead–my sweet friends Erin and Amy are getting married (one in March, the other in October) and we have many couple friends anticipating the arrival of new babies. There’s a lot to look forward to already and it’s only January. I have a feeling that 2011 will include many more celebrations of engagements, weddings, births, new jobs and more. It’s going to be a good year.
