So life has been wonderful. I don't have too many complaints; I mean, it would be great if I wasn't poor but frankly, what's new? I feel like things are just good, you know? I like my job, I love my family, I'm excited about starting school and we have friends. We have become good friends with this family in our ward named the Nydegger's (NY-DEG-GER). They also happen to live in our complex. His name is Jeff and just finished his 2nd year of law school. Erin, his wife, stays busy with their two children and visiting teaching stuff. They're pretty cool. In many ways they remind us of our friends in Rexburg; they're fun, they're active, and they're good to us.
For the last couple of months I've been trying to figure out what to do after getting my MSW. I've spent hours looking into various PhD programs, MBA's, and law schools. Nothing has really resonated with me, so that's been a bummer. I finally found a couple of things that seem cool. I'm interested in the PhD in Public Administration from NYU and I'm really interested in law schools at Penn and Yale. I know what you're thinking, "dang, Yale?" I know, but what have I got to lose? Anyway, the reality is that I don't know what I'll end up doing when I'm done with my MSW. Who knows, I may not even pursue another degree; I know Catherine might appreciate that. I'm giving it about a year before I decide what to do. I figure that after a year of MSW work I'll have a clearer idea of what I want to do. I am considering a few internships with the state legislature and maybe even with some federal legislators. It could be interesting to intern at the attorney general office. I figure since I'm in Austin I might as well take advantage of the opportunities the state capital has to offer.
-JP
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Monday, May 31, 2010
Waiting for Dad
Every morning when Gwen wakes up I bring her into my bed where we cuddle and talk as she drinks her milk and I try to wake up. As soon as I get up she plops down and heads for the living room. I then hear her little hands banging on the window of our back door. I open the door for her to the porch where she plays contently as I make breakfast. Since Joseph has begun working the graveyard shift Gwen has figured out that Daddy comes home from outside, and so sure enough every morning she goes out to the porch hoping to see Daddy when he comes home.
Gwen truly is remarkable. She always amazes me at what she understands and her determination to figure something out. Whenever she acts stubborn or undetered despite our "No"s I look at Joseph and say, "That's all you!" Can you blame me? She is completely her father's child - extremely social, outgoing, driven, intelligent all the while being very well mannered (OK so maybe not all of Joseph's genes...). I will admit Joseph is also much more compassionate and controlled with her than I. He often has to remind me that "She is only a baby." No matter how fussy, whiny, or cranky she gets, he always responds with a smile and sweet reassurance that everything is OK. Such love shown to her always pierces my heart as I rock her in my arms each night and sing, 'Love one Another'. The lyrics start, "As I have loved you, love one another." I quickly think of the time I spent with her that day and wonder, 'Did I love her as Christ would love her?' 'Am I showing her the kind of love that I want her to learn?' Such questions have often brought me to tears as I kiss her goodnight and pray that I will have the strength to be and do better tomorrow. Then when I hear her waking the next morning and embrace her I feel a sigh of relief that she is only one day older and the Lord has given me another chance.
I love her. Oh, how I love her!
-CP
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Blog Update 2
So I kind of like that I don't have fancy or clever names for my blog entries; it helps conserve the creative juices for the actual entry.
Since I work graveyard I try to sleep during the day some time. Sometimes I sleep in the morning and on other days I sleep in the evenings. Today I didn't sleep and now am starting to feel the pains of trying to muster up the energy to stay awake. Fortunately I was able to study my scriptures without falling asleep:)
This morning Catherine woke me up to go to the park. It was spur of the moment and I ended up picking up breakfast from Chick-Fil-A. When we started our walk at the park I noticed that it had been a while since our last visit and the greenery had grown substantially. The moss in the lake had seemed to grow especially rigorous and reminded me of potential fresh water monsters that could be hiding. I don't know how many people know, but I have this irrational (or maybe not so irrational http://animal.discovery.com/tv/river-monsters/) fear of being in lakes and rivers. Not that the fear has ever stopped me from engaging in outdoor water activities; however, when I do, no joke, it's like the JAWS theme plays over and over in my head and all I can think about is getting out of the water. This experience always goes unnoticed by everyone else but it is ever present in my mind (at least when I'm around water) and I just get over it long enough to have fun and enjoy time with friends. If I have a choice between a river/lake and a pool/waterpark, it's a no-brainer, pool every time:)
-JP
Since I work graveyard I try to sleep during the day some time. Sometimes I sleep in the morning and on other days I sleep in the evenings. Today I didn't sleep and now am starting to feel the pains of trying to muster up the energy to stay awake. Fortunately I was able to study my scriptures without falling asleep:)
This morning Catherine woke me up to go to the park. It was spur of the moment and I ended up picking up breakfast from Chick-Fil-A. When we started our walk at the park I noticed that it had been a while since our last visit and the greenery had grown substantially. The moss in the lake had seemed to grow especially rigorous and reminded me of potential fresh water monsters that could be hiding. I don't know how many people know, but I have this irrational (or maybe not so irrational http://animal.discovery.com/tv/river-monsters/) fear of being in lakes and rivers. Not that the fear has ever stopped me from engaging in outdoor water activities; however, when I do, no joke, it's like the JAWS theme plays over and over in my head and all I can think about is getting out of the water. This experience always goes unnoticed by everyone else but it is ever present in my mind (at least when I'm around water) and I just get over it long enough to have fun and enjoy time with friends. If I have a choice between a river/lake and a pool/waterpark, it's a no-brainer, pool every time:)
-JP
Monday, May 24, 2010
Blog Update
So Catherine and I have been wanting to update our blog but just haven't gotten around to it. Our time together during the day is limited and frankly I don't want spend that time writing a blog. However, Catherine had the idea that I could be in charge of the blog since I work graveyard and don't have anything better to do. I guess she has a point.
So Gwen started walking about 3 weeks ago. When she was only 3 months old my mom had her on her feet trying to walk.. so, naturally, I thought she would be a walking-at-8-months baby. But she wasn't and after 13 months of life my daughter is finally walking, whoo-hoo!!
As you may (or may not) know, I've been working at a residential facility for post-adjudicated youth. That's another way of saying, kids that have been convicted of a crime. The biggest adjustment has been working midnight to eight. It took about a month for my body to adjust but I feel like it's finally working for me. I love working with these kids. Despite their legal issues they're busting out with potential. Sometimes I just want to dropkick a couple of them but for the most part I get along with them and they do what they're asked. I want to do more to help them but I don't know exactly what to do. I'm leaning toward something that focuses on education.. maybe a non-profit or mentor group. President Hinckley said that education is the key to opportunity. I think these boys would benefit from pursuing more education. If I do a mentor group, which is what I'm really thinking, I want to pair adults from a spectrum of professions with kids who have the same professional interests. In other words, if a kid wants to be a doctor or a machanic I would pair him with a doctor or a mechanic so that he could get an idea of what it's like and what it would take to achieve that level of success. I have a friend who is willing to help with the legal paperwork and I figure it might be a good idea to take adnavtage of that while I can. I'll keep everyone posted.
Catherine is doing really well. She tends to stay pretty busy with raising our daughter, taking care of the home, doing her calling and reading books. She recently finished a book about mormon pioneers living in Palmyra. She loved reading the book and couldn't put it down. After that she started reading Camilla Kimball's biography. Right now she's reading excerpts from President Hinckley's biography. I love that she takes an interest in these types of things when so many women around her don't. I mean, to each her own; I'm just glad my wife has interests in learning about these great people.
So, being a social worker isn't the most lucrative profession, especially at the bachelor level. Catherine never ceases to amaze me with the creative ways of saving money. The other day when we sat down for lunch I noticed that we were eating on paper plates. Since I had never seen paper plates in our home I made a comment about them. Catherine explained that, to save money, she pulled out paper plates from the dumpster. I nearly choked as I took the first bite of my sandwhich; she reassured me that there was no need to worry because she had thoruoghly washed and sanitized the plates. Seriously, I know we're strapped but, come on; really, you washed paper plates that you got from the dumpster?!! I don't care how much you sanitized the plates, that's nasty. Anyway, I love my wife and her commitment to save money but I don't want to get ecoli or some other type of germ from eating reused paperplates.
Just joking:) My wife does work to save money and I am genuinely impressed with her creative approach to frugality but even she would never do something like that. However, instead of buying magnetized letters for Gwen to play with, she is making them. Catherine, you're awesome:)
Anyway, that's my blog update. Just a couple of last things: 1) we're getting used to the heat, 2) we have friends now. Life is good:)
-JP
So Gwen started walking about 3 weeks ago. When she was only 3 months old my mom had her on her feet trying to walk.. so, naturally, I thought she would be a walking-at-8-months baby. But she wasn't and after 13 months of life my daughter is finally walking, whoo-hoo!!
As you may (or may not) know, I've been working at a residential facility for post-adjudicated youth. That's another way of saying, kids that have been convicted of a crime. The biggest adjustment has been working midnight to eight. It took about a month for my body to adjust but I feel like it's finally working for me. I love working with these kids. Despite their legal issues they're busting out with potential. Sometimes I just want to dropkick a couple of them but for the most part I get along with them and they do what they're asked. I want to do more to help them but I don't know exactly what to do. I'm leaning toward something that focuses on education.. maybe a non-profit or mentor group. President Hinckley said that education is the key to opportunity. I think these boys would benefit from pursuing more education. If I do a mentor group, which is what I'm really thinking, I want to pair adults from a spectrum of professions with kids who have the same professional interests. In other words, if a kid wants to be a doctor or a machanic I would pair him with a doctor or a mechanic so that he could get an idea of what it's like and what it would take to achieve that level of success. I have a friend who is willing to help with the legal paperwork and I figure it might be a good idea to take adnavtage of that while I can. I'll keep everyone posted.
Catherine is doing really well. She tends to stay pretty busy with raising our daughter, taking care of the home, doing her calling and reading books. She recently finished a book about mormon pioneers living in Palmyra. She loved reading the book and couldn't put it down. After that she started reading Camilla Kimball's biography. Right now she's reading excerpts from President Hinckley's biography. I love that she takes an interest in these types of things when so many women around her don't. I mean, to each her own; I'm just glad my wife has interests in learning about these great people.
So, being a social worker isn't the most lucrative profession, especially at the bachelor level. Catherine never ceases to amaze me with the creative ways of saving money. The other day when we sat down for lunch I noticed that we were eating on paper plates. Since I had never seen paper plates in our home I made a comment about them. Catherine explained that, to save money, she pulled out paper plates from the dumpster. I nearly choked as I took the first bite of my sandwhich; she reassured me that there was no need to worry because she had thoruoghly washed and sanitized the plates. Seriously, I know we're strapped but, come on; really, you washed paper plates that you got from the dumpster?!! I don't care how much you sanitized the plates, that's nasty. Anyway, I love my wife and her commitment to save money but I don't want to get ecoli or some other type of germ from eating reused paperplates.
Just joking:) My wife does work to save money and I am genuinely impressed with her creative approach to frugality but even she would never do something like that. However, instead of buying magnetized letters for Gwen to play with, she is making them. Catherine, you're awesome:)
Anyway, that's my blog update. Just a couple of last things: 1) we're getting used to the heat, 2) we have friends now. Life is good:)
-JP
Sunday, February 21, 2010
A Tender Mercy (Part 2)
I'm probably breaking some unspoken rule that only wives blog but I thought I'd give this blogging thing a try.
It's been about 2 months since leaving Rexburg and things are starting to look up. I still don't have a job and I'm still not sure I'll be accepted into UT grad school but I'm starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel.
The love handles that I'd been working on over the holidays have started to decipate thanks to 15 miles a week on the treadmill.
Gwen is starting to walk along the walls and other things she can lean on. Additionally, each day we take a stroll around our empty livingroom hand-in-hand. She's so cautious; I'm often tempted to compel her to take steps but I have to remind myself that, like other milestones, when she's ready she'll walk.
Not having a job has been a real blessing in many ways, one of which has been spending a lot more time with Catherine and Gwen. People have asked, "Are you killing each other yet?" I'm gonna say no. I've really enjoyed my time with these two girls. I recognize that this is an experience that I probably won't have again. Knowing that has made a world of difference in the way I approach my time with them. It will be great when I finally start school or a job but I will always look back at these months with fondness and gratitude.
This week we were invited by the Jones and Thompson families to dinner on Friday and Sunday, respectively. This was not only an answer to an unspoken prayer but in every sense a tender mercy. I don't think people understand what it was like for Catherine and I in Rexburg. It truly was heaven on earth. For the past 2 months I have been missing our friends and the homesicknesses was starting to get to me. When I thought I couldn't bear anymore the Jones and Thompsons invited us over for dinner and games. You can imagine that it wasn't the same; afterall, we've been through a lot with our Rexburg friends but it was as good as could be expected. They were warm and inviting, we had some laughs, we talked a lot, and overall I loved the experiences; like I said, it was a tender mercy. Since Friday night at the Jones I've felt that things will work out and, alas, I can make life outside Rexburg heaven on earth. -JP
"...Dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still... for His arm to be revealed." - Joseph Smith
It's been about 2 months since leaving Rexburg and things are starting to look up. I still don't have a job and I'm still not sure I'll be accepted into UT grad school but I'm starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel.
The love handles that I'd been working on over the holidays have started to decipate thanks to 15 miles a week on the treadmill.
Gwen is starting to walk along the walls and other things she can lean on. Additionally, each day we take a stroll around our empty livingroom hand-in-hand. She's so cautious; I'm often tempted to compel her to take steps but I have to remind myself that, like other milestones, when she's ready she'll walk.
Not having a job has been a real blessing in many ways, one of which has been spending a lot more time with Catherine and Gwen. People have asked, "Are you killing each other yet?" I'm gonna say no. I've really enjoyed my time with these two girls. I recognize that this is an experience that I probably won't have again. Knowing that has made a world of difference in the way I approach my time with them. It will be great when I finally start school or a job but I will always look back at these months with fondness and gratitude.
This week we were invited by the Jones and Thompson families to dinner on Friday and Sunday, respectively. This was not only an answer to an unspoken prayer but in every sense a tender mercy. I don't think people understand what it was like for Catherine and I in Rexburg. It truly was heaven on earth. For the past 2 months I have been missing our friends and the homesicknesses was starting to get to me. When I thought I couldn't bear anymore the Jones and Thompsons invited us over for dinner and games. You can imagine that it wasn't the same; afterall, we've been through a lot with our Rexburg friends but it was as good as could be expected. They were warm and inviting, we had some laughs, we talked a lot, and overall I loved the experiences; like I said, it was a tender mercy. Since Friday night at the Jones I've felt that things will work out and, alas, I can make life outside Rexburg heaven on earth. -JP
"...Dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still... for His arm to be revealed." - Joseph Smith
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Tender Mercy
Lately, Joseph and I have been feeling a little overwhelmed by our current transition period into "the real world", currently Joseph is in Austin, Gwen and I are in Boston, and nothing seems to be going according to plan. So tonight after I put Gwen to bed, said goodbye to family and was feeling a little down, I was reminded of the Lord's love and awareness of me through a tender mercy. As I was going online to access Elder Anderson's CES Fireside I noticed a link on lds.org to this month's First Presidency message entitled, "Hold On A Little Longer" by President Uchtdorf. Instantly I felt the love of my Father in Heaven sending a message just for me. I read the talk and was reminded that even through trials we can receive beautiful manifestations that will strengthen our testimonies - we just have to hold on a little longer.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Out of Rexburg..
Well, it's almost been 2 weeks now since we've left Rexburg! I think it finally hit us when we arrived in Long Beach, CA from SLC to make our connecting flight to Boston, and as soon as we sat down I looked over at Joseph and sighed, "I miss the 'Light' of Rexburg." That has led us to reflect and discuss our life at BYU-Idaho and the bittersweetness we feel moving on. Joseph compares it to returning home from a mission - going from a spiritual high to "just blah".
So what have we been up to? Well, only Joseph has managed to put on a few pounds as we try to grasp the concept of doing a whole lot of nothing. It's definitely been an adjustment and we're excited to get going again in Austin (although Joseph did start recruiting for BYU-Idaho at church). In the meantime, it's been good for Joseph and I to spend a lot of time together - eating junk food, watching movies and figuring out where we're going to live when we get to Austin.
Gwen, who turns 9 months tomorrow, has been a great sport about all of the new changes and getting RSV. Meanwhile...Joseph is "studying" for the GRE and I am busy cleaning and organizing my mom's home. Joseph will be flying to DFW this week to set up shop at which point I will follow with Gwen.
As exciting as our life is we ache for our friends in Rexburg. Joseph is experiencing Wackee-Six withdrawls and I'm missing the late night laughs. We hope all of you have a Happy New Year and know that our hearts are with you.
So what have we been up to? Well, only Joseph has managed to put on a few pounds as we try to grasp the concept of doing a whole lot of nothing. It's definitely been an adjustment and we're excited to get going again in Austin (although Joseph did start recruiting for BYU-Idaho at church). In the meantime, it's been good for Joseph and I to spend a lot of time together - eating junk food, watching movies and figuring out where we're going to live when we get to Austin.
Gwen, who turns 9 months tomorrow, has been a great sport about all of the new changes and getting RSV. Meanwhile...Joseph is "studying" for the GRE and I am busy cleaning and organizing my mom's home. Joseph will be flying to DFW this week to set up shop at which point I will follow with Gwen.
As exciting as our life is we ache for our friends in Rexburg. Joseph is experiencing Wackee-Six withdrawls and I'm missing the late night laughs. We hope all of you have a Happy New Year and know that our hearts are with you.
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