Settling down.

Hi guys!

Haven't really talked to you all in a while. EC and I have been getting used to the littlest member of our family lately. That, and all the stuff to do with school, jobs, family matters, government services, etc.

I'm starting a work study soon at the library and will be working a bunch of camps at TCVA this summer while taking 6 credits (2 courses). I'm excited but nervous? I don't like having a lot to do but also love having a lot to do. I used to be the person to take as many shifts at work as possible no matter what; I'd just down a bunch of Java Monsters. Anyway...

We're teaching at an intensive in Charlotte on June 27, which is the same day as my nephew's 1st birthday and the next day will be Belly's christening! We're trying to figure out baptism classes and the logistics of it all but that's all in one weekend. (And Megan's graduation is the Saturday before that [not to mention Father's Day])

We just have a busy summer on our hands! And Belly will be starting daycare on August 3rd...so we're facing the challenges of training our baby to do what they require of her so she can attend there. It's a little troubling having to base our parenting on their requirements but to finish school in a timely manner, we kind of have to. While it's not severely limiting, it's just troubling enough to dictate a few important things in her life like naps and feedings.

Trying to get back into dance is hard. I'm still not used to my new body and don't quite feel comfortable in it yet but the more I work, the more I will probably get used to it.

Talk to you guys later! (:

xxx

Beth

Plein Air Watercolor Summer Class!

Painting on a cliff about a mile above sea level is kind of great. I feel so inspired by the world around me and I love creating! I'm just glad my family can join me in my creative ventures. (:

xxx

Beth

We're VLOGGING!

In case you didn't already know, we've started daily vlogging!

We're not very good but we're trying. I promise. Royal promise.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGIqiBM16SOy80KkUPmJ73w

Check us out! (:

As the end of the semester comes to a close...

I'm reflecting on these past four(ish) months.

I am so happy to have my darling girl and my handsome husband. I only vaguely remember trying to get Belly to smile for the first time and now that's child's play compared to trying to make her laugh. She's growing up so fast.

My wrist is getting better! Taking care of her isn't that difficult anymore. Sure, it aches a lot here and there but I can usually just work through it and get blood flowing so it won't hurt as much. EC and I are learning to literally share the weight.

School has been the easiest thing to do compared to what else has been going on. Going to class and doing assignments, working on projects and studying for exams--not a problem. Waking up every 2 hours every night for two months, pushing a baby out of me, struggling to pay rent--my reality. And I love it. I don't love struggling in the moment. I love knowing we got through something so hard. After every fight, EC and I bask in the small glory of being able to forgive each other no matter what. Nothing worth having ever came easy.

I'm looking forward to taking summer classes and working more--and hanging out with my family more. (;

Don't lose sight of your victory! This last week and these last exams/papers/finals are just a stepping stone to get where you want to be!

xxx

Beth

Financial troubles of two married, independent college students with a baby.

EC's hours at work just got cut back and our bills are feeling it.

I don't mean to complain but we just... I don't know. We can't ask our parents for money. We can't pay our bills with credit cards. A lot of our bills are credit cards.

The credit card bills are from before I met EC.

I mean, we made it before when he was fired and didn't have a job for about 4 months...but we weren't trying to tackle his debt and we didn't have a baby.

I've just been so organized with our finances lately, it's really making us both anxious. Everything is thrown off balance. But, we'll get the money. The Lord always provides. That's what EC and I have been reciting since we moved in together.

The Lord will help us. He has always come through for us. He won't let us starve. He won't let us be homeless. He protects.

xxx

Beth

Tidying up!

So, I started reading "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing" by Marie Kondo.

When I was little, I was a habitual pack rat: the kind of person who would constantly say "I might need this later" or  "Someone else might be able to use this" or "I could sell this!". I always found a way to make a completely useless object useful. When I cleaned back then, I did it about once a month and it would take a full day to do. I went through all my possessions and through away at least two huge bags of stuff each time. However, I would always keep most things I owned; I just found new ways to organize and store them.

This is how I've never learned to love the things I have and to always feel like I've needed more. Being married, having a child, knowing I can't go beyond my means much, I feel as if a life change is in order. I'm not saying that having things is bad. I'm saying that having things that you don't LOVE is almost pointless. Having things around me that I'm not in love with but only somewhat care about clutters my space and therefore clutters my mind.

I'm not trying to live too simple. Just more simple than I am now.

Hopefully, I can keep up with tidying and using my space (and my belongings) with purpose and love.

She talks about being grateful to each of your possessions: showing love and respect for each thing you use by thanking it. 

Let's all try to be grateful for what we have!

xxx

Beth

One Year of MARRIAGE!

EC and I have been married a whole year. 

This is CRAZY. Before I met him, I would have never thought marriage was for me. I never thought raising a family was for me. I had always imagined it in my future but not this soon. 

But I'm so thankful to have him and Belly. I'm so thankful to have the life I do. 

Today, we went to Hob Knob, Dancing Moon, and Lucky Penny. 

I drank like 3 cups of coffee and we had an amazing conversation. 

We talked about where we were and where we were going, how hard it can be to focus on your own path, and how wonderful it is to revel in your own progress. 

The only person worth comparing yourself to is yourself. 

If you compare yourself to anyone else, you're setting yourself up for failure. 

That being said, it's better to take people as examples rather than competition. 

Anyway!

We blogged for the first time today and EC made an amazing tonkatsu. (: SO GOOD! He's such a great chef.

We also planned a few videos, talked about our plan for getting our degrees, and just enjoyed each other's company. 

It's wonderful having such a great friend also be your husband. 😍 Marriage is such a new experience and definitely not for everybody. You don't have to be married to love who you do forever. We got married because we were taking each thee seriously, we took our love seriously. But it's not the only way to take each other seriously. We aren't married because of a piece of paper. We are married because of how we treat each other, how we push each other, how we love each other. (I YUB YOU HUB IF UR READIN THIS😱😱😱 [I know you will at some point. You're lovely for supporting everything I delve into]). He isn't perfect. But he is perfect for me. He is all I need. 

2 years ago I met him. One year later, we got married. And today, we've been married for a year. Oh, how time flies!

Cheers to all our own personal achievements and personal progress!

xxx

Beth