What I've been up to

So I've been really busy, which has been a good thing for this year. Another reason that I haven't posted on this blog regularly is that I've started another blog for my Bradley classes. It is unfortunate that I neglect one for the other, but I'm trying to remedy that, obviously :)

Here is one of my adorable couples who won the costume contest, which happened to fall on Oct. 31st ;) I just thought it would be something fun, since we were in class on that day. Teaching my Bradley class has also been a great addition this year, giving me some much needed adult time as well as a point of focus on something that really enjoy. I have really loved getting to know a few of my couples and seeing them learn and grasp concepts that I know will help them in their labor and birth and beyond.

 I've also been making a lot of bows, headbands, and clips. My friend Megan and I sold them at a church boutique on Thursday and Friday, but unfortunately, it was much financial gain. At least I was able to support Women's Ministry at Paz Naz (it was a fundraiser), which is where I go to MOPS.

Being a part of MOPS leadership has been a fun part of this year as well. I am both the Asst. Coordinator and the Hospitality person. The bummer is that we all have pre-schoolers, so leaving the house by 7:45 to set up and staying until noon to clean up, bringing food and having leadership meetings once a month in addition to 2 meetings per month ends up being a lot, especially since it is not particularly close to my house. I've loved it, but probably will be stepping down next year as Andy's year will be much more crazy when he starts rotations next August.

 Our church has been a wonderful blessing this year as well. In July, we changed churches from MBCLA (Mandarin Baptist Church of Los Angeles) which we had attended the first year, to Grace Pasadena, a relatively new (about 3 years old) PCA church. The fellowship we've found there has been such a reprieve from the loneliness that I experienced last year, even amongst the church and small group that we were a part of. There are a lot of young families there, many of whom are also new to the area and need an "extended family" just like we do. So it is a great fit. Plus we convinced a couple med students to go there, including Andy's friend Tyler and Luke & Drea - bonus! :)

It is hard to say which is the biggest factor in this year being much better, but definitely one of them would be Andy's schedule. Whereas last year he had 36-40 hours of scheduled lectures, labs, group activities, and then would have to study and go in to the lab on top of that, it was a lot of time away from home.  This year, he has significantly less required time at school and he has become an avid "web-caster" meaning that he watches the lectures on his own time (in double speed, mind you). They also don't have anatomy etc. that keeps him studying in the lab. It has been wonderful for me and he's gotten to see the kids a lot more.

Having two kids is busy, but no longer having a newborn and not nursing has also contributed to this year being easier. We're looking forward to having more kids, but not sure exactly when that will be. I think I'm also glad that we weathered the 2.5's and are into the 3's. To be honest, it is still really hard to discipline with love and consistency and lots of grace, but at least I don't feel as much like I got broadsided with all these discipline issues like I did last spring when it came on so strong and suddenly. Annaliese is very smart and catches onto the slightest little things. I have to remember that even though she's so smart, she is only a toddler. Titus is really beginning to exert his little will and is both sensitive as well as stubborn, not surprisingly. They are both delightful, of course!

Christmas time will be fun and a lot of traveling. After Andy has his final on Thursday, we'll go up to Tahoe for a weekend with friends from SLO. Then we'll visit Andy's family in San Jose until Friday. Finally, we'll go to the Valley to visit my family for a week. We'll be back in Alhambra for New Years, I think we'll probably miss it.  I guess that's when you know you've begun to make a place your home - you miss it when you're away.