Just A Quick Note!

Hey guys! I forgot to mention yesterday, I know I shared with you all a little about my mom during our meeting after spring break. Just wanted to let you guys know we've talked a few times and she's doing well. She's even planning on coming to my graduation, which makes me pretty nervous, especially since I still haven't seen her. Anyway, but I'm doing well with all of it. Thanks for your support!

The Cherry Blossom Festival!

Hey guys!
Sorry I haven't written yet this module. I'm glad to hear you're having a nice weekend Ariel! And I LOVE the pictures Lindsey! Super cute. I'm glad you're adjusting well David and not letting your exercise routine go!
So today Josh and I spontaneously decided that it was a beautiful day to go into the city and see what cherry blossoms there are and spend the day wandering. We ended up at the Newseum, which is one of my favorite places in DC besides the Smithsonians. Anyway, I have a paper due Monday which I have to start soon, but it was nice to take a day just to ourselves and enjoy each other's company.
Oh my gosh! I cannot believe that we're graduating in like a month!!! I'm so excited and it's finally starting to feel real. I just bought my cap and gown and my family members have booked their flights. Graduation can't come soon enough! Especially since I'm SO overwhelmed with school.
I'm feeling a little disappointed in myself because I've let one of my classes slip to the wayside and I just found out that I failed the midterm by like 1 point. Thankfully there are plenty of other assignments and I should be able to pull my grade up to a decent grade, but it's the first thing I've failed since my sophomore year and I'd made a commitment to myself to focus on school and make it a priority and it feels like a failure. :/ Hopefully everything is ok and this doesn't mess up my chances of getting into grad school or worse, graduating, but I'm trying to stay positive and not put too much stress and pressure on myself over something that's over and done. Anyway, I'm going to go make some dinner and enjoy the rest of my weekend! I hope you all do the same!

Beautiful Day

Hey groupies,

I appreciate all the smartphone love, it truly is such a gift and since I waited so long, I do not take it for granted one bit! Today is a beautiful day and I got to hang out with my friend, Reese (pics below), who will turn 3 in a couple of weeks.  She is so special to me and helps me fulfill my well-bring practice of spending time with kids.  It is so life-giving to me and today with the sunshine was double-awesome!  We ate lunch outside and went on a bike ride :)

I have been doing well with exercising too (3 times this week) bc it's starting to get warmer out and this is helping my stress level for sure.  Also my praying is getting better but I still need to be intentional about doing it every day.

So miraculously, both of my classes were cancelled on Wednesday (which I needed to work on my 10-page paper due Thurs..thank you Jesus!) but I did not need to wake up early. So I did the experimentation with one really solid night of rest on Tuesday night and it was so great!  I felt like a different person when I woke up and although I usually get a good amount of sleep, not having an alarm wake me up made my whole day!

I know we are all so busy, but I'd love to make lunch/dinner work.  Can you guys grab lunch at the Chipotle at Fairfax corner on April 20th?

6 Weeks!

Heeelllllloooooo Ladies!

It was great seeing all of you in class, I'm glad you could all make it! It's been a while since I've seen you girls. Lindsey, welcome to the smartphone world! How do you like it so far? It's great isn't it? haha :) I've enjoyed every minute of it ever since I got mine two weeks ago. Heather, those pictures are great but at the same time they're scary. I'm sure I would not have been able to walk around those areas without being concerned but I'm glad you survived :) Ariel, I'm glad to hear you've been able to start making progress towards your goal. Go you!
Ever since I retired, life has been different but I try to keep it somewhat similar to what it used to be. I still work out 6 days a week, which my body requires. I swim 3 times a week, I go to the gym 3 times a week and I run 3 times a week as well. I try to spread it out evenly and not do everything all at once.
It sounds like the hardest part of the semester is just ahead of all of us. BUT! I know we can do it! We only have 6 weeks till graduation, so keep that in mind! Don't let senioritis take over, I know it could be hard. I would gladly meet up with you girls if we can find a time that works for all of us.
That is all for now, hope you guys are doing great!!

David

The Hardest Part

Hey guys,

So my semester has been busy - no doubt - but this coming week and next will be the hardest yet.  Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers or send me good vibes if that's your jam.  I'm still doing well with my practice of spending time with children but I have been struggling with exercising and praying.  Usually, Josh and I pray before bed together but when I stay up late doing a paper after Josh has already gone to bed, then I so easily forget to pray.  I notice a tangible difference!!  My energy levels are so much lower from lack of exercise and my spiritual well-being is also noticeably affected from lack of praying and/or intentional time with the Lord.  I can tell because of how easily overwhelmed I become if I am not consistently praying so I will definitely try and get back into a rhythm of praying.

Luckily, I have not had to sacrifice much sleep because I cannot function without AT LEAST 8 hours so I am so grateful that I am still finding time to sleep and sleeping pretty well throughout the night.  I am trying to count my blessings!

The good news is that it is a beautiful, sunshiney day today and even though I have 1,000 things to do before Monday, I am going to go for a run :)

It was great to see you guys Saturday!!  AND more good news! I got my first smartphone too David!! With unlimited text/talk so let's start group texting again and set up a time to do lunch or dinner.  Peace!

Back to the Daily Grind (and PHOTOS!)

Hey guys! So I finally and back to the normal swing of things. I'm feeling ok about how my interview for grad school went yesterday. I'm super nervous about getting into the program though. I don't really have much of a backup plan but to just keep working and reapply next year if I don't get in, but I'm really not anxious to do that. I'm really excited to see you guys Saturday, although I'm a little disappointed because I was also supposed to have my "reorientation" at the same time from my Philly trip where we all get together and look at pictures and talk about our trip. But it's no big deal! I'm much more excited to see you guys. Anyway, I'm gonna go try to get some sleep! I just wanted to post some pics for you guys! See you soon!

Time IS Flying!

Hello my wonderful ladies! I'm kind of sad as I got to read your posts! It sounds like you girls are having a very hard time! BUT!!! Graduation is right around the corner (less than two months WOO) so keep your heads up and stay positive at all times! I didn't do anything during break, I just stayed home and tried to relax as much as I could before heading back to school. Lindsey - It was great seeing you the other day, even though it was only for a few minutes! I saw that you had stuff to do so I didn't want to distract you too much. I'm excited to see everyone this Saturday, it has been a while since I saw you guys. Being retired feels weird. I'm not sure I like it, although it's nice not having to wake up at 6 to go swim in cold water. I'll have to get used to this for sure but I'm definitely going to swim on my own a few times each week. On a different note, my brother got me an early graduation present, he bought me an iPhone 5! I cannot tell you how excited I am as this is my first smart phone and so far I'm loving it!! I can't believe it's the second half of March already. Time is flying so fast! We will graduate before we know it. I'm very excited to graduate, but like Ariel said, I'm kind of nervous to see what's coming after graduation. In the mean time, I try to do at least 4 meditations each week to keep myself calm and relaxed. That's all I have for now, I can't wait to see you guys in a few days! Hope all is well with you guys!