Since I wrote last October we decided that Matt working full-time and being a full-time graduate student in a rigorous program was not feasible for our family life and happiness. So after two weeks working as an RN at the local hospital he gave his notice and has been focusing all of his time and energy on studying and getting through school. We are fortunate that I can continue to work part-time for the University of Utah, and that we have school loans that will help us survive. (even though I hope I don't get an ulcer from the stress of going more and more into debt!) Leaving his job paid off because he finished the semester with all A's, and only one B+. I was called to serve as the Young Women's Beehive Advisor. I teach the 12 and 13 year old girls. It is a fun age, and these are such good girls. In December, we flew back to Utah for almost an entire month, traveling up and down the state to see both of our families and catch up with our close friends. The day after we returned to Champaign, I received the phone call that my Grandma Betty Pace had just passed away. She had been been battling Alzheimer's Disease, and she finally was at peace on the other side. It was hard to know I wouldn't see her again in this life, but I am so grateful to be a part of an eternal family and know that I will see her again someday. Olivia and I made a quick trip back to Utah for the funeral, and then made our way home to Illinois where Matt was happy to have us with him again. Since that time our days are filled with school, church service, and chasing Olivia around.
Last fall was hard. Matt didn't really feel (and some days still doesn't feel) valued in his program. It has probably been one of the hardest things we have had to do. Live so far away from family. Having to start over and make new friendship, while still wanting maintain old ones. And then adjusting to the new dynamic has brought new meaning to us which is both joyful and challenging. Olivia is almost 9 months old, which is mind boggling to me. This last year has been one of the fastest in my life. I can believe she is closer to being a year old than she was being born. Her little personality it developing more and more each day. She is such a happy little girl. It is rare for her to not be smiling and cheerful. She is filled with determination and a strong will to discover this world around her, and she has already shown her fierce desire to be independent. She is my little buddy...I really don't go much of anywhere without her, but she gives me so much purpose that I am grateful that we have one another.
We are adapting to living in the Midwest. I am finding things to focus my energy on that helps me feel more involved and less lonely, and Matt is working so hard and doing well in school. There are days he doesn't know if he will survive, but we just take it a day at a time, and we will get there together. After all, we are finished at the end of Summer 2018....that doesn't even sound that far away, right?
