Wow, I had no idea it's been since March since I've written anything here. I suppose it's time for an update.
Most of my lack of blogging has to do with work. Not that it's been super busy in the last month or so, but because of what I do. I spend all day on the phone, in email, and talking to people. So at night, I try to avoid doing all these things. It's nothing personal, my introvert traits are just more pronounced now that I'm married and have to be bright and bubbly all day long.
Speaking of work, it's going very well. Slow right now, but that's to be expected during the summer. I had my review, and not only did I not get walked out(which has been a concern for many of us not because of performance, but funds) but I got a great review and a raise. Very thankful for the raise, as our health insurance went up quite a bit this year. While there are days when I come home tired, and defeated, I love the people I work with, and most of the time love what I'm doing. We have a new president starting in August, and so I'm interested to see what changes he'll bring. My hope is that he actually likes/is appreciative to the employees, and we really evaluate how we do things. Some of our processes look good to the decision makers who don't actually have to do them, and it reality, aren't logical.
Summer had flown by for us! I can't believe it's almost August. Jon's been home this summer, as his employment opp feel through, and we just couldn't find one that allowed him to continue his church work, and actually see his wife. So he's just doing the church, studying for his GRE, and being a HUGE help to me at home.
We've also done something new in going camping with our small group. I was nervous, b/c I've never really been a camper. But we went, and had a great time! The two couples we went with camp all the time, so we kind of just followed their lead. They lent us a tent and a bed, and they brought all the rest of the "stuff." We cooked over the fire, went hiking and boating, and just enjoyed some time away.
As we head into our last fall at GVSU, it's really hitting both of us that this may very well be our last fall for awhile in Michigan. Jon's only looking at one school here, and it's not on the top of his list. Once again, a year from now, we're not sure where we'll be. I can't help but think God keeps throwing this at me, because this is where I struggle-uncertainty. I like a plan, a goal, a direction. I want to know, and be well prepared. It's not that i don't trust, I just want to know, and know ahead of time. I will admit, I am much calmer this time around, but I'm still nervous. Mostly about me finding a job. We've done very well building up savings, but that will only take us so far. I know we'll be taken care of, I'd just like to know how so I can start my to-do lists. At this point, I'm praying for wisdom to choose the right path, certainty in that choice, and patience. And that we have some time to prep. I'd like to be able to search for a place, get things settled, and give my boss some notice. I'd not like to be in such a hurry like our move to GVSU that I forgot essentials bras. True story.
If you're throwing up prayers for us, include something in there about church. It's taking a lot out of Jon, a lot out of me, and is a source for some Sunday morning tension. The interim minister is just awful. Really, prayers would be great. I'm still going, but it's not with joy in my heart. It's with a heavy obligation, and I'm going through the motions. At this point, I think the whole congregation is going through the motions. We're riding the storm out.
Not too much else going on. Jon and I are approaching our 2nd anniversary. We've unchanged gifts already, b/c Jon's was on sale. I think we're going to try and do something on the weekend before or after, as it falls on a Tues, and August will be busy for me at work. Everything is still great. He still continues to amaze me, and I'm loving being married to him.
The only other thing we really have going is Ash, Graison, and Chelsea coming up this fall. So excited to see them! I'm taking the week off work to relax and spend time with them. And to spoil Graison, b/c that's what aunts are for.
I suppose I should get back to work. I'm filling it at another campus, so I have lots of free time.
...which I really need to let go. Clearly to survive my job I'm going to have to stop over analyzing everything. Or I'm going to give myself an ulcer, or a stroke, or both.
Just a few things that have been on my mind/going on. Sometimes it's just easier to list things....
1.) Love my job, hate all the bull that comes with it. 2.) I worry about losing said job once a week at least. With the moving over of the other campus looming, everyone is wondering if they'll keep all the advisors-and who may be cut. Therefore, I'm trying to show how hard I work, and not fight the system. 3.) Every Sunday we're at church confirms for me what I always wondered-that I am not enjoying being a minister's wife. I hate the bubble. I hate people asking it I'm ok because I'm not smiling through the whole service. I'm not smiling because I've been up since 6am-as opposed to rolling out of bed in time to get to church, grab a pastry and enjoy the service. Love the people, ready to just be one of the people. 4.) Tried on all of my casual pants from last summer-they literally fall off of me. I couldn't keep them on if I tried. I may have jumped up and down, called my husband in, and made him stand there while I tried them all on and demonstrated that they fell off-then I showed him the receipts from my shopping trip Tried on dress today, also falling off. 5.)I am way more introverted now that I'm married. 6.) I blame part of this on the fact that I spend all day on the phone/e-mail and have no desire to do it when i get home. The other part is I just want to hang with the hubby. As long as I snuggle him, he'll sit there quietly while I digest my day. 7.) Really love said husband. I've never been happier. 8.) I'm starting to get nervous about life again. Big choices/crossroads are coming up. I'm interested to see where the Lord takes us. I'm ok with wherever He takes us, I've accepted it. This time around, I'm praying for notice-no last minute stuff. Any prayers you may want to throw His way on that are always appriciated. 9.) I cannot sleep without Jon in the house. Showering without him here makes me nervous, too. Please God don't move us to a shady area. I'll have a breakdown. 10.) I have become addicted to the Real Housewives shows. I know I should be ashamed-the woman are rich, and slightly trashy. And full of drama. There are better things to do with my time. But their drama facinates me. And it distracts me from reality, which I sometimes need.
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So I thought it was time for an update, since it’s been months. And I am bored out of my mind at work. Which is a first in quite some time.
It’s a first, because I have another new job! Still at Davenport, but now I am an academic advisor. I’ve been in my position for almost three months. They opened this job after I had taken the customer service position here, and it’s the job I really wanted-plus a pay raise and salary. So I applied, and I got it. I’ve still been doing aspects of my old job, which stops Monday when my replacement comes on-which will be nice, because we’re heading into the busy months of scheduling and FAFSA. But for now I’ve got nothing.
The new job is going well. It’s a challenge some days, but in a good way. If nothing else, it will look wonderful on my resume, and hopefully make the job search when it’s time for grad school much easier. And I’m working with a great team, so I have nothing to complain about there.My students are good for the most part-pretty low maintenance. Which I like in a student J
Jon and I have been doing quite a bit with our small group. We love them. It’s nice to be able to connect with people from the church and not have to be in a leadership role. We do come up with the lessons, but other than that, we just get to be Jon and Nicole the people, and not Jon the worship minister and his wife.And we’re connecting with them on a social level, too, which is great as we’re all younger couples. We’re going camping together this summer, which should be an adventure-as Jon and I have never camped together. It’s just so refreshing.
Things at the church are ok. Still dealing with the pastor search, and thus dealing with having an interim minister. He’s a nice guy, I just am concerned that A.) He’s operating under a slightly different belief set than the rest of the congregation B.) He’s trying to impress those beliefs on us C.) That we’re getting too attached to him, and deferring too much to his opinion instead of thinking for ourselves. Still dealing with the congregation as a whole. Not that I don’t love the people, I do. But there are days from a ministry standpoint that they make me want to scream-and I’m not even leading. I’m just the leader’s social coordinator. If nothing else, it makes me even more willing to do whatever it takes to get Jon teaching.
Married life is wonderful as always. Which I’m sure everyone is sick of hearing, but that’s ok. Because occasionally people ask, so I’ll be open about it. I love being married, and I love being married to Jon. Aside from the fact that he pushes off doing the dishes, he’s an awesome husband. He even grocery shops for me. What more could I ask for? As far as what we’re up to aside from work and church, it’s time to start really getting serious about grad school. Jon needs to schedule and take his GRE, and I think we’re going to be doing some visiting this summer to his top picks to speak to people and to explore the area/housing options, and possible job options for me.Drew Filkins has asked Jon to do his week of camp, and I think they may want me to come, too. So THAT should be interesting, considering not only have I never been to boy/girl camp, or church camp.
Ok, I should go try and do something work related before Amanda comes by.
Work is slow today, and I'm trapped at a desk, so I thought I'd give a more descriptive update, as my last just told you I have a new job. So here we go...
Work: I have a new position. Kinda. It's the same job title, same basic duties, but is a fulltime position at our campus out on 60th and Kraft. This position would help me transition into an academic advising role in that I'll be at the campus where there are advisor slots open frequently, and they're committed to mentoring me into the position. Plus, being at the main campus will give me more contacts, a more professional environment, and we're all going to move out there eventually. Which is why I chose it over the other internal opportunity I had. I'm excited to jump in. A little nervous, obviously, but excited. Especially b/c we will now have benefits, and I'm going from 11.17 an hour to 12.50!!!! It's just a huge blessing and an answer to many months of prayer. It will be an adjustment in that my free time will be much less, but now is the time for me to be working fulltime. I'm going to be lobbying for a half hour lunch, making my shift 8-4:30.
Home: Just doing our thing. Jon's started classes again, so we're just getting into the new rhythm of his schedule. On my late days we're home together for a few hours, so that's been really nice. Of course that will be null as soon as I start my new job next week. He and Josh have been working on a car to sell once they've finished repairs. I'm hoping they can get it done soon so we can have the money, and they can shift full focus on classes. Other than that, I'm going to focus this week on getting the apartment ready for me to be home less. I want to get a good cleaning in, as well as getting summer clothes into storage. I'd also like to get some meals prepared and frozen for easy meal prep and nights when we're going to be on the run. I'm also really going to push myself to keep up my workout routine. I've lost 5 pounds, and just bought two pairs of pants for fall/winter-which won't fit if I gain my weight back. And I usually gain a little in the winter. So it's going to be an adjustment to doing everything I've been doing when I'm home less. Most likely Jon will be incurring more chores, and I'll need to realize that some things just may not get done everynight. Or I'll be getting up in the am to workout-which will take a lot of willpower on my part.
Church: We start our small group next Monday. Which will mean I will have roughly two nights a week(depending if I'm on the worship schedule that week) that will be spent doing church activities. So that will take some schedule factoring.
Other than that, we're really just in change processing mode. The next couple of weeks will be pretty hairy, but we'll get it worked out. And with that, I should get back to work!
Tried on dress today, also falling off.