E-X-H-A-U-S-T-I-O-N

People frequently make the statement "it feels like it should be Friday"...

I'm sure I've said it but I couldn't have meant it as much as I do today. It's only Tuesday and I've spent 3 hours this week playing moderator to screaming families. On Monday evening I went to a families' home for a meeting. Before I even entered the house the mother and daughter were screaming at each other and the mom was telling her 13 year old daughter to get out of her house. The situation was not cured by the time I left, however everyone was calm and I didn't think they'd attack each other (for the moment)...

This morning at work I spent hours typing up the report from last night so I could give CPS a detailed narrative; then as everyone who has had to report someone to CPS knows, the process took hours.

Needless to say I was not on my a-game at work today.
I met with 2 semi-functioning families and then headed off to visit the last family of the day.

Once I sat down on the couch it was "everyone talk at once" time. The father and mother YELLING about how their teenage daughter didn't bring them her report card. After about an hour of refereeing the yelling, the family (I'm assuming got tired) and started speaking in only semi-raised voices. When I tried to talk to the father about he and his daughter respecting each other he looked at me like I had gone mad, "I don't have to talk nicely to her, she needs to do what she is told!".
My only reply to this was "Well if you want to keep doing what you've been doing and you're happy with how things are then I don't need to be here. This is the only way I know to make things better; if you really want things different, this is what I got."
I think he was rather stunned at my response... but maybe (hopefully) he really thought about what he had said before.

I don't know that I can handle these parents, I agree that they have difficult children; but when you stop and listen to what they are saying it doesn't take much to fulfill what they are asking.

"I just want my mom to stop calling me names"

"I just want Dad to not put me down all the time"

"I lay in bed at night thinking of all the things he's said to me throughout the day, you're so stupid, why can't you just behave, you sure do forget a lot, you always make stupid mistakes, you'll never learn, will you.

"I wish Mom would just ask me how my day was instead of screaming at me to make my bed."

"He just doesn't know what its like... and if I tell him that he yells and says he does."

"You heard her, she doesn't care, she wants me outta her house."

"Teacher says I'm the worst kid he's ever seen. I tell him, how can I do good at school when my home is like this? Then he says that I'm the one who causes the problems in my house, and if I'd just be good everything would be fine."

"I wish Dad would sit down and talk with me and not just yell about the bad stuff."

"Why even try to do anything right, they don't notice unless its something bad."

"You heard him, he's tried every way to get rid of me. Now he's just stuck with me."

While in college I always said that I wanted to help those that really needed help, not just the rich kids. Well I know that I am truly helping the people that need help--- but oh my goodness I did not know what I was asking for. I don't really know what I need, but I need something. Some kind of divine intervention.

Its beginning to feel a lot like....ummm

At this time of year nothing gives me more pleasure than decorating the house, popping in a ol' Christmas favorite and turning those holiday hits up~

However this weekend was out of the ordinary- I was having a low weekend and thought "I know what will cheer me up"... So I busted out the decorations, and turned on Home Alone--- Several hours of sorting out lights and looking at ornaments and my mood was still gray. I finished up some minimalistic decorating and turned on the movie ELF (This movie always makes me laugh). But this gray was holding on like a bargain shopping to a last clearance item. So I settled down to be content in the mood that wouldn't budge.

Its not the waste of a Saturday that really bothers me but how what use to make me happy doesn't anymore. It is just another confirmation of how I've changed and need to move on with my life. Its scary, exciting, and sad. I just pray that I can be content for the time I am in this place and trust that God has the next chapter ready for me!

A Gloomy Sunday made Sunny---

Sunday morning was chilly, the sun was no where to be found... After a fun-filled weekend I would typically welcome this lazy day... But this Sunday was the KIDS FAIR! I signed up High Sky to participate in this event and Bekah was also going to represent the CVFA.
I enjoyed the cool day and it really got me into the "fall spirit". Kids running about with candy and temporary hair dye... The girls at the table next to mine were spraying kids up all different colors, they even talked me into giving Moose a green mo-hawk...

I never thought I'd enjoy working on a Sunday as much as I did this weekend. ... But I have to give some credit to Moose because without him I feel that I would have been quite lonely at our table. He is so good with everyone, I am indeed blessed!

Old Navy Dog

Ok, so maybe I went a little overboard...

All I can say is "You tear up my stuff, I make you wear clothes..." :)

It's not really like that, he doesn't mind at all. I am not going to stretch the truth and say he likes it, but it didn't stop (or even slow down his rowdiness)... And look at how handsome!
Silly pup looks like a real prep I know--- Well, he had fun running around the living room avoiding Mom's camera like it was a game a dodgeball.

At least he got a fun afternoon out of it -heehee

Terrible Twos...

So Moose has just turned 6 months and the terror has begun.... 

This is some of his handy work after I gave up and left my room door open last night... It is like my precious baby boy has moments when his darling face turns into the dog form of Mr Hyde! I would have been less agitated if I hadn't taken him to the park yesterday morning before I left for work and even on a walk when I got home--- I wish he could understand me so I could ask him "what more do you want from me!?!..."  

Oh help me I need an extra dose of patience this morning---

 

tear me up

I've never been one that God gave visions to, never heard words for people, or could distinctly hear his voice (without questioning myself). It never bothered me too much. I just figured our relationship wasn't like that---

Well, tonight during worship one of the speakers asked God to "tear us up" to give us a new vision of God and his love- This guided my prayers as I beseeched God-

"Make me sensitive to your spirit God..."

He gave me this---

I saw my life as hard ground.
Soil comfortably in place, not touched for an extended period of time.
A few sprouts have emerged from this soil but non significant in size or splendor

God gave me the image of this ground, not looking at it with disgust or disappointment but full of thought as he considered his plan.
A plan to till up the soil of my life that I have let remain motionless.
I felt only anticipation and excitement from my father as the ground began to display texture- No hint of hurry or frustration-
For he plans to grow so much in me; he expects a great harvest to come forth from me.

He showed me how I have cut myself off from his life by allowing myself to become sedimentary. The ground he showed me receives minimal nourishment from above as most of the rain is unable to soak in and therefore runs off-
The soil thrives because of the sustenance it has stored below. The relationship with him and the knowledge of his word have not evaporated; it is firmly in place- but it does not grow; it does not reap the harvest of the king-

My loving father knows me so well- Oh how he knows every uncertainty, every fear, every weakness, all of my hidden frailty he considers-

He carefully showed me in that moment that this ground could continue on in its current state--
No evil would occur, no angry wrath would ensue, no love withheld- even a minimal amount of growth would sustain---
But to continue on in its current state the ground would never reap the full harvest of God.

Oh my glorious creator- how I indeed comprehended the nature of psalms and the inability to call you by any other name than Marvelous- I need not to work in the soil, I need not tire in the sun - The only thing you require of my is to let go of this “life” I’ve created and become sensitive to your spirit-

You indeed are a glorious father; my only desire is to stay in your presence-
amen

The Saga Continues...

So yall know that Moose has been my little incident boy--

Well is seems that from the moment I put him in my lap he has had stomach trouble

(throwing up in my lap on the way home for the first time)

We went to the vet (again) on Friday. There are 3 vets at the clinic, Moose has seen all of them at one time or another... Well the one we saw on Friday is my favorite- very through, asks lots of questions, listens... After a long exam he suggested that Moose has an ulcer, brought on by acid reflux-

He told me about his own shelter dog that is a shepherd mix that stresses very easily and has to stay on acid reducers.

I was relieved to have an answer that makes some amount of sense- Moose is very "sensitive", seperation anxiety being a constant issue. Happily after only 2 days on the meds Moose's appetite has improved 100%. His tummy is still bothering him some. But I'm so glad to see he is eating, this is really a first since i've had him that I haven't had to encourage him to eat!
So slow but sure- hopefully it continues to improve :)

smack dab in the middle

It has been an interesting summer. Learning how to live with just one person has required some getting use to… For the length of my college life I’ve had anywhere from 2 to 5 roommates. While there is definitely less drama with just 1- it still requires adjusting. Erin (who just moved out in May) came to visit this weekend- quite fun, felt like old-times. I went with them to a college church group on Monday night. I normally do not go for various reasons but God really spoke to me through what was said last night.

The topic was “The Snare” which I automatically thought “I already know…” But God always has something to say if we are just open to listen-

The Pastor made the statement
“Evil takes hold because of our own evil desires” This got me to thinking…

*evil* is not necessarily something dirty or immoral but is anything that God is not part of!

Although I feel that I am ready for my white picket fence, husband and kids if I am not including God in my hopes and dreams they are as evil as leading a life of immorality.
I know my father has good things in store for me. - But how am I ever going to receive his gifts if I’m too busy trying to control and determine my life.
I can not count the times I have thought "I got this" to certain situations in my life- No matter the size or importance of a situation my alpha and omega should be smack dab in the middle of my daily life! When I think back... How dare I not include God in my little plans, the Lord who thought out every detail of every plant and species on the earth! But I say him: "Its no big deal!" How grateful I am that my Lord knows my faults and does not hold them against me-

When I realize these obvious things- I picture my Papa with this peculiar smile:

No impatience or annoyance- Just this smile that seems to say "silly kids"

This picture in my heart is the utmost vision of love-

This is my daily or even hourly desire-
To give the reigns of my life over to the creator of the universe.

What weekends are good for....

Friday came and went with much laughter and good times spent with close friends...

Saturday morning found me rushing around preparing for company. My Dad and many of my siblings would arrive soon.

...Showering, Vacuuming, Breakfasting, Grocery Shopping, Bed Making...
Running to the gas station because I forgot ice at the grocery store & they arrived!

We ate a feast of queso, pickles, grapes and custom deli creations! It was yummy if I do say so myself. Keeping all the picky eaters happy in this family is not an easy task.

An afternoon of playing rock band and chasing Moose around the house was quite entertaining! -my family loves to sing & we dont care what we sound like, as long as we sing together :)



My Dad and Brother helped me build a little fence to keep Moose away from this tree/bush... Everytime he chews on a stick or leaf of this thing he swells up! I drew the line when one morning his eye was swollen from this evil thing...

The evening was spent at the grandparent's---
until Sarah, Hannah, Tina and I returned to my house to crash.

Sunday morning came too early but STARBUCKS brightened our moods :)




Church at the Grandparent's was full of "I knew you when you were a baby" and "you look just like your mother..." but all in all it was good--- We make any situation memorable!



Seeing them leave makes me all the more ready to move closer. We didn't do anything that cost lots of money or required stylish clothing--- We were just ourselves and it was a BLAST!

Dog People are Crazy!

I recently joined a forum that has a range of dog topics, question and answer sort of thing---Since my Moose has proven to be the most "incident" prone puppy ever, I thought it might be helpful.

Well it has been so hot lately I've been looking for ways to help Moose stay cool... So I post on this forum a question about ideas for helping dogs keep cool in the summer...

Little did I know I committed the number one sin of "Dog-Obsessed-People"... I said that my Dog stays outside while I'm at work.... dun-dun-dun...

"You mean he doesn't have access to air-conditioning!?!?"
"I am horrified at the thought of him staying outside all day alone!"
"If you knew you had to work why'd you get the dog to begin with?"

...There were a few helpful tips from sane people mentioning the ideas of frozen water bottles and peanut-butter flavored ice cubes -yum!

so... after the persecution I needed to vent a little bit to people that understand although we love our dogs they are still genetically dogs---

Doesn't he look just sooo mistreated :)

Dog Attack!

This entire week I've said to myself
"I'm gonna get up early and take moose for a walk"...
And every morning this week I've hit the snooze button til at least 730.
This morning was no different; however, I decided to get up and at least walk for 15 min around the block.

So Moose and I were rounding the corner and about to make the last block to come home...Some dogs were barking at us (not an unusual happening) so we move away from their yard to the other side of the street. This was not enough for those dogs; I guess they wanted the taste of puppy in the morning. Three large barking dogs bounded over their fence and began circling us, growling and snipping. I grab moose up (poor baby was so scared) and think to myself "is this really happening?" Thankfully a lady driving by stopped and said "yall get in, those dogs look like they're gonna bit you." I am truly grateful for her kind assistance and the fact that we got home safe and sound.

I realize that instead of sitting at work this morning I could be in the hospital getting my ankle sewed back together. For this I am thankful--- Also, I will not be walking my pup anywhere without bringing my pepper spray from now on!

Giving It Up

Sometimes I feel like I'm a "lot of talk" when it comes to my relationship with God... I believe that he's got a plan and no matter what happens it will work out for his glory.
But when things happen like yesterday- it is trying...
I made plans to graduate in May 2010.
I planned on taking a light course load in the spring so I didn't kill myself studying for the comprehensive exams that come with graduation.
So I planned on taking a summer class to get at least one class out of the way.
What I did not plan on was my class not having enough students enrolled and getting dropped!

Frustration!

Its a part of life I'm getting better at dealing with; better, not good---

It just seems that when I'm being a responsible and doing the "grown-up thing" it doesn't really work out.. Ummm, I wonder if God is trying to tell me something....

Jer 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Proverbs 16:3 "commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established."
Proverbs 16:9 "A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps."

Moose!@!

Driving down the road... A great song comes on the radio... Singing along with my pup's panting head enjoying the breeze...and...
"Thud"
and a whimper...
My super intelligent dog decided to jump out of a moving car!
I look back to see him lying in the road crying.
"Did I hit him with my back tires? Oh my gosh, we're gonna have to go to the emergency vet clinic, Stupid dog, poor baby, shoot this is going to be expensive!..."
~all these things flashing in my mind as I go to pick up my pup...
I pick him up and put him in the back seat, a friend's house is just down the street so I drove over to be able to get a better look at Moose's leg.

Thank you Lord! He was able to get out of the car with minimal difficulty. A little limping but he was able to put some weight on it. After the initial shock wore off he struggled some but was able to walk quickly and he didn't appear to be in pain.

Oh the joys of Motherhood. Yes I know my children will probably not jump out of the car window, but all kinds of things happen.
Well I guess if there is anything positive in this whole experience, this is good practice~

Me and My One Dollar Junk Yard Dog

Driving out to the country, dirt roads wind until we arrive at our destination. We pull up the drive and see a house in front of us. On our left and right however are tons of scrap metal and broken down cars; a little skeptical the car goes into park and I get out. As the car door opens at least five dogs come barreling towards me. Mutts of all design, small, medium and one goliath like monster; all varying in color and stature some more friendly than others. I step out of the car but leave two friends who have let goliath intimidate them into staying safe inside their metal cage. “Hey, how yall doin? He won’t ert ya! The pups are or’ there, we gotta keep um’ pinned up so they don’t get runned over.”
…I walk up to what appears to be a metal museum with scraps and broken down cars abounding. But unlike most junkyards this one is full of large-bouncy pups!

“That ones reel good, he gives ya lots a kisses!” A little boy (later to find out his name is John-Michael) climbs up on the fence and starts telling me all about the puppies and which pups he intends on keeping. “I want that one, so you can’t buy um’… ok”. I assure him that I will not.

One pup catches my eye… He’s put off by all the hustle and bustle and retires under a broken down car. “That’n is Striper Jr.” John-Michael informs us (As my friends have now decided to brave the chaos of dogs.) The boys mother instructs him to get the puppy and bring him to me. “You can have him for a dollar…” John-Michael, a natural salesmen tells me. His mother quickly reprimands him and insisted that the pups are free.

A scrawny big-footed pup is placed in my arms. Striper Jr, a belly full and legs draped across my arms he struggles to return to the pack then relaxes.

Arms full with an old towell and big puppy in my arms, we walk to the car. John-Michael‘s mother calls out a warning… I ain’t sure how he‘ll do, “He never been in a car afore”… And what would you know that towel came in handy has little Striper Jr, or as I call my clumsy big-foot “Moose” lost his lunch just a few miles down that dirt road.

So this begins our adventure~
Me and My One Dollar Junk Yard Dog
Thanks Bekah and Dionn for being there...
and letting Moose ride in your pretty new car!

New Job---

Its been a few weeks since I left the hospital and went to work at High Sky's Stay Together Program---
Adjusting to office life has been a struggle for me. I love having my own space but I miss the constant interaction with others. Last week I began observing in home consultations, (now this is what I'm talking about...) I love it! Talking with parents and kids about what is going on in their life, offering support and helping them make good decisions. Now I just have to get accustomed to the paperwork and I'll be ready :)
I am going to be in Midland all next week for some intensive "Common Sense Parenting" training. It is the program we teach and I am going to spend a week learning the program backwards and forwards---
Some major adjustments but much less stress... I think that this is gonna work out :)

everything's changing, when I turn around...

Well the month of May has been one of change for me.

May 1st
Turned in our 30 days notice for our rent house
Found out I got a new job
Turned in my 2 weeks notice at the hospital

Throughout the month---
Looking desperately for a rent house that was in our budget and didn’t smell like pee.
Sorting through massive amounts of stuff and preparing for a garage sale
Trying to survive the last month of school and finals.

As of today May 13th
We put down a deposit on a rent house
I am done with finals
2 more days at Rivercrest and I begin my new job.

A new job, a new house and a month break from summer, what more could you ask for…
Well Mom always said you don‘t want “too much of a good thing”… and I think that now I believe her.
Although the changes in my life have been positive its been an extremely stressful time. Every time I close my eyes to sleep I have a nightmare of a terrible rent house or catastrophic event at the hospital. No matter how much I try to convince myself that I’m not stressed, by body begs to differ.

I have continually shifted my eyes up and given all the choices to God and I finally feel some weight lifted.
Thank you for being the King of my life and providing me with all these joys and opportunities.

“God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions” Matt 6:33 ~The Message

For the past few weeks I’ve been striving to live toward a continuous walk with God. Not the occasional prayer and worship but a constant flowing conversation between me and father.
These words appear on the background of my computer…

“God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions” Matt 6:33 ~The Message
These words strike a cord in my spirit. Life = God, not some of life = God.
God-reality. Everything in my life is a part of God. There are no certain “subjects” that we discuss, everything in my life (in my reality) should include God.
God-initiative. Why do we do the things we do? All words and actions should be for one purpose. God has called us to be his sons and instructed us how to live. So are we living to be “good” or living to be God-like.
God-provisions.
…Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear…Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these…
I can’t say it better than Jesus himself!

So these past few weeks I’ve been torn about my future and career. I’ve been praying “Lord place me in your plan and in your peace” As long as I’m in his plan I know he provides peace and that is what I need… PEACE. He shows himself faithful day after day, yet we doubt and we fear. I wish I could mature faster but I know its all in his plan.
The Lord blessed me with a new job that I will begin on the 18th of May. He has more than provided for me and I am so grateful.
Thank you Jesus for helping me step aside and let you in.

Thunder

I am beginning the “sorting process” that comes before a move…
“Do I really need this? Haven’t ever used that, etc…“
I don’t seem to have trouble going through my closet or getting rid of old purse or shoes… ...

...However it is those little pieces of paper that I hold onto for dear life. Those remnants of the past, those pieces of past relationships. From a guy’s phone number to a dear letter from an old friend. I have found tons and tons of this stuff. While going down memory lane can be enjoyable, some of the old things I find hurt my heart.

1. Old emails from friends who no longer speak to me.
2. Notes from dear loved ones who are as constant as the mountains & show me the character of God.
3. Letters and emails from friends whom I haven’t kept in contact with.
4. Letters I’ve written and never sent.
5. Pictures of random things that make me smile.

There was something I noticed in this array of mementos...
It seemed that I was always “busy” or things were “chaotic” and while this is true of the years 2002-present. How sad is that that the “youth” of my life I’ve felt burned and overwhelmed.

So this is not a “new years resolution” but a new “life phase resolution”. I cannot change what has happened to me, who has hurt me or the number of hours I work in a week…

But this “Identity” of this busy person is not someone I am called to be! I am called by my father to be a support and strength to those around me, in his name.
Somewhere over the years I’ve lost sight of that design. It slipped in through with “taco-soup nights in the apartment” or numerous late night talks during my college life, but I want to change it from “slipping in” to a purposeful life stance.

Lord you know what I can handle and
oh, how I love you for that.
Please place me in your plan and in your peace!

As I write this the sound of thunder rattles my windows. The sound can make me shutter, but most of the time I feel comfort as I feel God’s power and I feel safe knowing that’s my Papa.

grad school

So I have a lot to say and I really want to blog, but grad school won't let me... It's always like "write this paper, go to this class, lead this group...blah, blah, blah.... Talk about a nag!




sorry just needed to vent a bit :)

24th birthday

So birthday 24 came and went...
There was the good- the great and the slimy...

Saturday night a good friend of mine turned 21 so we sang, danced and laughed the night away!

Sunday I just chilled, I had some fun messin with my fish tank and watched a movie or two---

Monday (birthday) I had to be at work at 630am but that was ok. My RCH kids were so sweet and wanted to sing to me every other minute... One of my teens even said "be nice to her, its miss megan's birthday!" But my birthday or not its still a psychiatric hospital and craziness will always be in the air :) ...Multiple restraints, got spit on and even had a fire extinguisher thrown at me! (dam fire code)...
After work I got to have a couple drinks with the therapists and some other co-workers.
To follow drinks me and my roomies finished the night off with eating dinner at bonzi garden (Japanese steak house)
So 24 doesn't seems to be off to an ok start--- Lets see how it goes ;)

birthday

It's my birthday week... I'm not much for birthdays cause i tend to have high expectations, then things go wrong. So my goal this year is to relax and have a breezy attitude about the whole thing. Well my week officially started last night when one of my friends brought me a cookie cake to class :) ---Class was a bit more pleasant and it made my day. So thanks to Mari for a great start to the week!

The Rest is Downhill...

Spring break is over and only 7 more weeks, then finals!
I am so ready for a break but the thought of completing all the papers and projects in less than 2 months---eek!
This weekend is my b-day- plus a couple of good friend's birthdays too!
Next weekend is Bekah's b-day and we're going to Abilene to camp for Friday night then Sunday is the Children Advocacy Center's Picnic in the Park---
And to top it all off the following weekend is Easter and I'm going home for 5 days!
---So although I'm excited it feels like time is going against me ----

Spring Break

Spring Break 2009
My sis came down to visit me this weekend... We watched movies, went to a play at ASU, played scrabble :), lounged about, talked forever and chilled
This weekend really felt like spring break, however tomorrow it starts....
I have so much to do this break its a little overwhelming. An online exam to take, a research paper that really needs to be written and a book review that I have no idea how to write. Ugh Grad School is ruining my life! ---just kidding, but yeah it is :(

Life at a place most unusual

Working at a psychiatric hospital is never boring। Once you walk through those hospital doors there’s no going back! You never know if it’ll be a great therapeutic day or utter chaos. When job hazards include being bitten, scratched, kicked, hit or even peed on you might consider these deterrents. But it just makes me love these kids more… I feel an ounce of what it must be like to be a parent. They are screaming “I hate you!” when you’re giving them a consequence and “I love you miss megan” an hour later!

I’ve heard unimaginable language come out of the most precious mouths. It’s strange that when a six year old screams “you’re a stupid head!” it is such a sweet-innocent sound…and to hear such a thing can almost bring tears to my eyes, or at least a smile to my face.
From kids that have no family to kids whose families drive them nuts, we all come to this mutual understanding of life(or at least “life at Rivercrest“)... We form roles in this strange place, roles of mothers, sisters, brothers, friends, and confidants. It is difficult to discourage the dating scene cause evidently hooking up at a mental hospital is appealing to some…

What truly keeps me coming back is the realization that me spending just a few minutes truly caring for these kids could change the way they see the world!-!-!
Wow, now thats responsibility... My job makes me completely and utterly exhausted, most of the time profoundly annoyed and always entirely spent... But I keep coming back everyday for all those reasons, all those -short, tall, thin, thick, light, dark, funny, scared, loving, sad, mad, confused, caring, troubled little children and adolescent reasons...

workin the weekends....

I'm so excited... This weekend will be my last obligated weekend to work! I have worked weekends for as long as I can remember be it Recreation Therapy, Church Nursery or just living up at good ol' Rivercrest Hospital।

But now I am going to be free~

I will still work some Sundays to get my practicum hours but the obligation of punching a clock will be no more...

I just wanted to share my excitement--- Is this what having a life is all about? I guess we will find out huh... :)

"Your work is to discover your world and then with all your heart give yourself to it."
~ Buddha ~

I'm just testing out how to 'post from anywhere' this anywhere just happens to be from my cell.Its kind of entertaining, quirky technology

My First Blog

Everyone has those moments... Those "what is life all about" moments...
It feels as though mine have been lasting for an extended amount of time.
Is this how we stay passionate and appreciative or how we feel frustrated and overwhelmed?
I feel all of the above... I'm "appreciatively overwhelmed"---

1. Grad School
I don't know whose idea it was to make it socially acceptable to work a FULL time job and complete immense amounts of homework, paper writing, research and classes... Who ever the person was, I hate them. You feel less than adequate when you're exhausted after work and class even before you begin homework and always the work you "take home"...

2. 20 somethings
Everyone and their Grandmother knows that every nice young lady gets married and starts having babies once you're "20 something". Well for those of us who are "socially delayed" because we spend all of our free time in professors offices or in the research library this age requirement seems quite overwhelming. When I think of acquiring more responsibility it makes my insides feel like I'm at sea. So although all nice young ladies have settled down and have their 2.5 kids some of us would appreciate just a bit more time ;)

3. Family
"The family. A strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together." ~Erma Bombeck
I could not pray for a more caring family, their love and concern are astonishing.
...8 sisters & 2 brothers...
When we're together we are loud, crazy, nerdy, hyper, immature, impulsive and so much fun!