Summer is here, and with it I have a lot of time on my hands. Granted, I spend most of that time caring for Ellie, and whatever is leftover is used up by reading, surfing the Internet for interesting blogs, and watching my Harry Potter marathon (the library is great for borrowing DVDs for free!). I'm feeling a little antsy today, so writing will probably help get it out of my system.
Billy just finished a motorcycle class this weekend and got his motorcycle driver's license, so now he's looking to buy a motorcycle. It will be a good way for us to cut down on the amount of money we're spending on gas (compare 10 mpg in his truck to 40+ mpg on a motorcycle!). We've discussed it extensively, and we've decided that this would be better for our family. I'll still have my Jeep, which we drive all the time anyway if we go anywhere as a family, so the motorcycle would be primarily used for going to and from school/work (in the future). When the weather is bad or too cold, either I can take Billy to school or he can just take my car and I'll be home bound for the day, which isn't a big deal. There are so many families out there who only have one vehicle, and they do just fine. It's just another step we're taking to try to streamline our lives and cut down on the amount of money we're spending.
In other news, Ellie started crawling a little over a week ago, and now she's all over the place. She is such a mischief-maker (I guess most babies are), and she's getting into everything. I seriously can't take my eyes off her anymore, because I'll turn away for a moment, and she'll be on the opposite side of the room pulling books off the bookcase, or playing with the cords around the computer. I can't believe how quickly she is growing up...it's hard to imagine that she'll be a year old in about 2 months!
I'm still doing well with Weight Watchers. I'm losing about a pound a week, which is normal once you get into your stride. I am looking for ways to boost my weight loss though, through exercise. I've been walking at the park once or twice a week, but it's not really enough for me. Plus, I don't like going by myself because I get bored, so there's not much motivation to go. I've looked into joining the gym at Liberty for the summer (alumni can join during the summer for a decent rate), but I would want to take advantage of an aerobics class of some kind, and they don't have their class schedule posted online, so I'm not sure what they're offering this summer. I did find that Lynchburg has a Bikram yoga studio (Bikram Yoga of Lynchburg), so I'm thinking about trying that this week. It's the "heat yoga," so the temperature is set at 105 degrees (extremely hot, in my opinion!), but I'm willing to give it a try.
For me, exercise works best when I'm in a classroom setting. I need the accountability in order to work harder, and I also feel the need to prove myself. It's what motivates me. If I work out at home, or even at the gym by myself, I get bored or I don't push myself to the limit. I just do what gets me by. But when I'm in a class, I feel the need to do better. I guess it's the inner student in me. I'm a perfectionist, so I try to push myself further and work harder than I would if I were alone. I guess I'm extrinsically motivated....I'm not one of those good students who works hard just for the joy of working hard! A classroom gives me purpose, and so I'm hoping I can find something that will work for me. After I try the Bikram yoga, I'll make sure to write about it on here.
As I mentioned earlier, I've been feeling a little restless today. We're at the 6 month mark for Billy's schooling, and only 6 more months to go. It's hard to believe he's halfway done with his aircraft mechanic's license program! We've started talking about where to go/what to do once he finishes in December, and it's made me anxious to move forward. It's hard being patient, sometimes, when you feel like you're in this "transition" phase of adulthood. You're technically an adult, and you live like an adult (pay your own bills, live on your own, etc.), but you don't have a career. We've been in this phase for 5 years now. First, I was in college, and Billy worked full time to support me through my education. We always planned that I would be teaching after graduation, but having a baby changed that (for the better, in my opinion!). I feel like I'm fulfilling my calling, and Billy is certainly working toward his calling, but we're just not there yet.
I'm ready to move, both figuratively and literally. I'm ready to move forward with our lives and get out of this transition phase into adulthood. Billy is ready to work, and to do what he loves. And I'm ready to see my husband happy with his work, and to be fulfilled by it. No one can deny the fact that there is some aspect of work that fulfills us, if it's something we love to do. I think it's especially the case for men...and definitely true for Billy. I'm also ready to move...to physically relocate. It's something we've been thinking about for years, and once he gets his certification, it will be a very real thing. Aviation mechanics aren't in high demand around here, so we'll be looking elsewhere. I'm just ready to do this...to take the leap.
However, I also know that this transition time has a purpose, and we're spending this time preparing, both mentally and physically, for the changes that will happen in the future. We're slowly condensing our possessions, and trying to get rid of everything that's not absolutely necessary. We're also trying to prepare our house and finish all of the big projects so we can put it on the market. Selling our house is my biggest worry, aside from Billy finding a job, and it's something we're in prayer about constantly. We're just trusting that God's purpose for our family will be fulfilled, meaning that all aspects of it will work out in one way or another.
Well, I feel loads better with that off my chest. Sorry this post is so long, but it does me good to write a marathon post rather than short little sprints. Honestly, if no one reads this it wouldn't change anything for me....I just feel better getting words on paper (or on screen, rather...).
-Kristen
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