My deepest and sincerest apologies for leaving you all hanging with wonder as to how we are surviving this transition in life. I know posts on fashion, recipes and other mundane happenings makes for a lot of curiosity… “Ok, we get it Sam, you love cozy sweaters for fall”…”but lets talk about the real things taking place in life, like Dusty and his sleepless nights going through medical school, or your new puppy Reo, or how life is living in a new city!”
To be honest I haven’t had much time the last month or two to really wrap my head around all that has happened in such a short amount of time…we’ve worked out a system for getting through each day that seems to be fitting. We ARE surviving. Even if barely.
Living in our new little place has really been a joy. It is small and quaint…yet it is the perfect size for Dusty and I and our two little pups. The last month or so I have been busy learning how to juggle a lot of new responsibilities. For one, Dusty handed over the finances for me to manage. He always has done it…and it was great. I loved not having to think about bills and such…but now that Dusty barely has time to do much of anything aside from study and sleep. I have had to take on quite a crazy load of responsibilities. The finances…although a little clunky for me at first have smoothed out and I have a seamless approach to taking care of them. I am quite impressed with myself and I think Dusty is impressed too! After the first month my claim to success sounded something like this, “see babe, I did it all on my own and we aren’t bankrupt!” It was at that moment the color in Dusty’s face came back and I am pretty sure he sighed the biggest sigh of relief.
Aside from learning to manage the finances I also had to pick up the slack in the yard work department. I never knew that using a weed wacker could be so therapeutic! And as princess-ish as this sounds…the men in my life have always been the ones to do the yard work …but not anymore…now it is up to me. So I have now learned how to pack some muscle behind starting up a “pull start” mower! Be very very impressed. I also have a new found love and appreciation for the oh so clever pooper-scooper. Who knew that two little dogs could make such a mess of the backyard?
Photo of Dusty and I in a small town called Lowell enjoying a little date.
As far as medical school is concerned, Dusty is doing well…there are days I can tell he is just plain frustrated and stressed. The feeling of “I just want to get through this…alive” seems to dance in his mind every single day. We knew coming in to it that things wouldn’t be easy. We heard the stories, read the articles, understood the pros and cons to taking the road less traveled. But, alas, now that we are here and in the thick of it….it is plain tiring. But never-the-less we will get through it. Perhaps a bit battered and bruised…but we got this. And as Nemo would say…”you just need to keep on swimming.” And so we keep paddling up what feels like a never ending stream that has a current that could sweep our legs out from under us at any moment…we are side stroking, back stroking, breast stroking (I am doggie paddling) and all the in between…and we will get to the shore eventually.
And how am I faring you ask? …I am doing FINE. Life is good. It means a lot to me to have the opportunity to play a roll in helping Dusty reach his end goal. Even if it means that lawn mowing, weed wacking, crunching numbers, cooking and cleaning tend to fall on my never ending to-do list. I also have been working a new job part time. This aids in our ability to eat more than ramen noodles for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It also aids in an occasional Target and TJ Maxx run for some on sale goodies.
Right now…life is good. And terribly hard. But always good. Because God is good.
Tomorrow’s post will be about our new puppy Reo and how he is adapting to living in this crazy household! Stay tuned for an abundance of cuteness – and maybe even a video or two.
I’m glad your settled into your new little place & that you’re staying afloat. I know from experience how stressful and overwhelming it can be to take on a bunch of new responsibilities like the finances and yard work (dan usually does those two), but Dusty is lucky to have you as his other half and partner in all of this! You are going through medical school too . . . even if you don’t have to go through clinicals and paper exams! But keep us updated on your happenings . . . along with your cozy winter sweaters, because I for one love those posts too!
Awww LIBBY! You are so sweet. Thank you for the sincere comment. I truly appreciate it. Yes…I am going through it too… I use the word “we” and it just seems funny…but truly WE are. It is a team effort in the end! And don’t worry! The cozy sweater posts random recipes and such will always be around. <3 xo
I’m so glad things are working out so far for you guys! I haven’t had experience with med school, but I was a law school wife and the load can definitely be challenging for the spouse too! Keep up your good attitude and it’ll be over before you realize it (says the gal who can only say that because she lived through something similar). 🙂
Suzanna – Thank you! Yes, very similar – both have rigorous schedules! 🙂 I appreciate the encouragement and the kind words. Time is already flying by! xo
“…life is good. And very hard. But always good. Because God is good.” I struggle with perspective sometimes… moaning about my ‘challenging day’ or house not big enough or nothing to wear.. this & that… thank the good Lord my husband is usually the one to kick me in the pants & helps me to keep things in perspective. Being a SAHM of 4 under 6….sometimes the responsibilities seem overwhelming, and the grass looks greener on another’s lawn…. but after pause…. reflection… prayer to God to let me survive the day or at least until 5pm when the husband arrives home to see me with car keys in hand running towards the door… I wouldn’t have it any other way. “…life is good. And very hard. But always good. Because God is good.” Ps I love the sweater stories/cozy pictures/oatmeal/Rio/following the future doctor’s journey
Thank you so much for sharing! I truly appreciate your honesty! It is so true…no matter who you are…or where you stand…you always feel like the grass could be greener on the other side! I am constantly reminding myself to be grateful for all things. Because there truly is SO much to be grateful for. It takes a lot of brain power and determination to convince yourself that though in the midst of tough times or messy moments. Aren’t husbands awesome like that? Yours sounds like a wonderful guy! A good balance 🙂 I can’t even imagine staying home with 4 kids under 6! You are one tough cookie! Good luck to you and thank you for reading along <3
Thanks for sharing with such honesty. It is really great, as God leads we know the answer is simple, but the process is hard. Dang it. It is a very relatable (is that a word) situation, just moving and trying to figure out the next best step in each day. Some days, it plain and simply sucks.
Katie – thank you for your insight! yes, it can just plain and simply suck. Agreed. But you are right, God leads…and there is light at the end of the tunnel – good days and bad days. It is all part of his grand plan! xo
I am happy things are going well. Doing the right thing always makes new adventures possible and this was right for both of you.
Thank you so much Carol! Appreciate the kind words and support 🙂
You are on such a long road, take care of yourself and pace yourself. Been there, done that!.
Lots of challenges ahead with internship, residency, moves, long hours, call etc.
I only hope that when he “arrives” where he wants to work, that he learns to pace himself and have a life as well as a career. It is hard to do in medicine, but oh sooooo important. Good luck to you both.
Sam – Thank you! Appreciate the insight and kind words. We are definitely preparing our minds/hearts for a lot of changes and challenges! 🙂