RaggedyAlpha's Xanga

Monday, August 11, 2008

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 23:49:10 GMT

Welcome, Jonah Matthew...8 lbs., 21 inches. He was born on 7/18/08, 11 days after his due date, in a quick natural birth.

Friday, February 29, 2008

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 14:06:23 GMT

Today I completed my application process to be a La Leche League leader!! I'm so excited. Leadership in LLL has been a goal of mine for about two years, and I'm so proud to finally have reached it. My support leader has been wonderful, and I can't wait to get started in my new duties. Whoo-hoo!

Happy Leap Day

Merry Christmas

Mon, 24 Dec 2007 12:56:46 GMT

Obviously, life caught up with me. Again. Big news...we're having another baby! We are so excited to welcome our 2nd little one in July 2008.

Merry Christmas to the Xanga World. May the day be blessed.

Saturday, September 29, 2007

Sat, 29 Sep 2007 16:52:28 GMT

I love fall. I'm at my parents' house, trying to get some work done. Mom and Fletcher are shopping. It is a cool, sunny day. The leaves are changing a little bit. Perfect, perfect day.

I'm back...and better

Sun, 26 Aug 2007 19:18:02 GMT

Thanks to my two Xanga buddies who commented.

Allison: Your blog is amazing. You really had me with the Mozambique story!

Jenn: I would love to take you up on the "writing buddy" suggestion. How would we make that work? I'm open to any ideas.

Here is where I stand for the moment:

School starts tomorrow, and I'm teaching again. Freshman Comp. I'm excited and optimistic and very happy to get back into the schedule of school. Even though I was supposed to be done with coursework, I somehow managed to fill my time (again) with two courses...just because. I think I'm addicted to college.

I've thought a lot about the issue that I described in my last post, and I've decided that I think too much. Instead of analyzing and worrying and trying to read God's mind (as Jenn put it so well), I'm going to just live each day and enjoy the many blessings in my life. I'm going to give my best to each task that comes along. The sermon today really helped me think about my goals, and I've decided to make a list of what really matters to me.

MY GOALS: 1. Nurture a godly family. 2. Maintain good physical and mental health. 3. Earn my Ph.D. and contribute to the field of education. 4. Develop meaningful friendships that help me to grow in my personal and spiritual life.

There you have it. (Raises a glass of ginger ale) Here's to a successful academic year. Cheers!

Sigh...

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 16:10:00 GMT

Why does this always happen to me? I get so wrapped up in so many things, and then I suddenly realize that I'm not living the life that I wanted to live. No...I'm not threatening to run off, alone, to some far away place to adopt a new identity. I love so much of my life. I'm totally absorbed by my terrific husband and amazing (and beautiful) son. I love my area of study, and I get to work with great (smart!) people. My problem is with extra activities that fill my time but do not satisfy my soul. I enjoy all of them. I love volunteering for ASA and for La Leche League. I enjoy my church activities, and I've liked the first months of my Creative Memories business. I'm still reading, knitting occasionally, and taking violin lessons. These are all good things. HOWEVER, I fear that I'm filling up my time so that I do not have to face the few things that really scare me. There was a time in my life when I was much better at studying my Bible and praying, and during that time, I began to feel called into ministry. That scared the...the...I-don't-know-what right out of me. I've never been as devote since. And secondly, writing used to be my life. I worked hard to earn my MFA in poetry, but since then...well...nothing. It's like poetry got wiped out of me. Its absence makes me sad, but the thought of going back is very scary. I graduated from the program feeling that I was not good enough and never would be. As long as I don't try to go back to that world, I can convince myself that the harsh feedback was just the opinion of one bitter person. Although, the MFA experience was rougt, I liked who I was when I was surrounded by writers and writing and words and questions and sound and rhythm, but I don't think that person fits into the life that I now lead. The more I think about being a poet again, the more I neglect my current work. I'm completely behind and feeling like a fraud. Aahhh. I need to do work. NOW.

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Wed, 18 Jul 2007 18:26:40 GMT

Another month without a xanga entry. Sigh...

So here is what is going on in one very quick entry:

Tim McGraw & Faith Hill...I saw them...for real...last night. Great concert!

School...more of that again. Behind as usual. Feeling stressed.

Work...I'm excited about my project, but "working from home" is VERY hard.

Knitting...taking up too much of my time...but it's fun.

Family...I love it! My son is wonderful. My husband is amazing.

I'm happy.

One year

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 17:39:22 GMT

One year ago yesterday (my birthday!) I received my letter inviting me to initiate into Alpha Sigma Alpha. Since that time, I've come to know some fun, enthusiastic ASA sisters who have offered me friendship and exciting opportunities. I was initiated on February 2nd at District Days (D3), and I've participated in activities with two different alumnae chapters. The most exciting event (aside from initiation, of course) was the Alumnae Panhellenic scholarship benefit luncheon and fashion show.

I had a great birthday yesterday. We went to church, and when we got home, Cory baked a carrot cake (my favorite). Then we met my parents at Joe's Crab Shack. The crab dip is scrumptious! Then Cory, Fletcher, and I watched the end of the US Open. We had cake, and my little Fletcher sang Happy Birthday to me! Cory surprised me with tickets to see Tim McGraw and Faith Hill this summer. Yay!

Well, that was a lot of exclamation points! !!!! A few for good measure.

Amen for late Spring

Fri, 11 May 2007 17:44:32 GMT

I haven't updated in awhile because I am adjusting to my post-semester life. The weather has been so beautiful. It's sunny, warm, and just a little breezy. Perfect. We've been doing a lot of work on the house, and I'm so pleased with the freshly painted porch, the new duvet cover and sheets in our bedroom, the neatly trimmed backyard. It's excited to have a new start. Both the ends and the beginnings of semesters feel like New Years to me. I have new goals and new motivation to live faithfully and peacefully.

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Wed, 25 Apr 2007 14:39:47 GMT

Today I will take my last final exam of my graduate school career. I'm nervous and excited. The course is Experimental Design. I will walk out of there having completed all of my coursework toward my Ph.D. I set the goal of earning a Ph.D. when I was 12 years old. It feels awesome to be one step closer.