I'm doing my very best to savor these last couple weeks of 2011. January is going to bring some big adjustments in our household as Graham's leave of absence from his masters program will come to a close. Somehow I think we both managed to forget that school would be back on our radar and we've grown quite comfortable with our "free time." Ha!
I am ever so very grateful for the blessing that this leave has been for us. At first we were both kind of disappointed when it was forced upon him after changing to the nurse practitioner track. But as much as I would love for him to be graduating this coming June instead of in 2013, I don't think I would have survived the last 3 months had he been in school. Thank you Jesus for giving him this break to keep me sane! It has been WONDERFUL to have him truly OFF a couple days a week, both off from work and off from school. Like actually free and available. And home. He's been home so much more in the evenings that we've been averaging ~3 family dinners a week which is a personal best for us (he gets home after Isla is in bed or at least after she is supposed to be in bed on work nights). We've been able to join an eastside community group through our church and there have even been some opportunities where I've even been able to enjoy a girls night out.
We were talking last night about how he's been in school for Isla's entire life and how neither of us are ready for him to dive back in. When questions arise that make us wonder if it will all be worth it in the end, we try and remind ourselves how clearly God opened the door and led Graham in this direction, into this particular program. And how He's provided for us every step of the way.
Thankfully, we just have to get through winter quarter and then he'll have another break until the final and really, really hard and time-intensive year begins in the summer. So if anyone finds themselves with free hands and a desire to watch two adorable girls over the next 3 months, I would WELCOME a break as any currently existing time to myself is about evaporate completely! :)
HALLELUJAH that my baby sleeps through the night!! The verse about the Lord giving us only what we can handle couldn't be more true--and He knew this Mama needs her sleep to survive!!
Awww....so sad and happy all in one. The work/school schedule seems like it would be so hard with two. I'm glad you guys were able to spend so much time together on his time off though - what a blessing indeed!
ReplyDeleteYou can do it, Kelsie!! It can be done!! Seriously, take it one day at a time and don't dwell too far into the future. Just embrace the here and now with your girls, as each day comes.
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain. Life is hard with a husband in grad school and a new baby. I have to take care of Lucy like 90% of the time because of it. But the good thing is that Graham is getting his school out of the way during an age that your girls probably won't remember and he'll have tons of time to spend with them when they are older! Yay! Wish we lived in the same place and could hang out while our husband's studied/were in class!
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