10/24/2019 Update

It is a crisp, warm day in the sunshine here in the Shenandoah Valley. On my to do list is laundry, dishes, sweeping the kitchen, and completing several assignments that are due in just a few days. 

On a whim, back in August, I gave Liberty University a call to inquire about continuing my education with online classes. After completing the Medical Assistant program, many people (including myself) wondered, what's next? Not wanting to receive just another certification and declining the opportunity to climb the corporate ladder at my current job, I took the plunge and enrolled, fulltime, back into Liberty University online. I am now working towards my Bachelor's degree in Healthcare Administration. 

It has taken us a while to settle into a healthy and happy routine where I juggle all of my different hats, but I think we have finally found it! I work weekends as a waitress at Cracker Barrel and then work 20-30 hours a week at urgent care medical assisting and loving it! Oftentimes, as I am caring for a patient and getting their blood pressure, I will remember back to last fall- I was just learning how to take blood pressures and practicing on my family. Now I perform this task successfully and efficiently 20+ times a day! 

Another huge change came our way in May of this year and again in September when my mom was offered a job in Wilmington, North Carolina. As my dad had been in search of a stable position here in the valley for well over a year, they decided it was best for her to accept the offer and take the chance on a new adventure! Mom moved in May and was able to come back and visit a few times, making the change not seem too permanent then, after all, dad still remained nearby and my brother Cliff was back for the summer to lifeguard at the Edinburg pool. Reality hit like a sack full of cement when my mom returned at the end of August, they packed up the remainder of their personal possessions and headed south together. 

My parents have always been nearby, and while we don't have the kind of relationship where we "hang out" and "chill" together, their presence in my life has always been a vital component to my day-to-day routine. Those three month stretches when I was away in the Netherlands for long periods of time were emotionally draining, for the very reason of being apart from family.

After analyzing why I feel the way I do about having my parents 8+ hours away, the core of the frustration came to light- I have found that it is less of a necessity for them to be here to care for me and more of a desire and a need I feel to be there to care for them. This is a conviction and loyalty that I have had since childhood, and it has simply never left, although deep down, I know they are just fine without me. 

With their departure also left logistical issues. Somehow Pieter, myself, and my dad came up with an arrangement for us to rent their home for a while. It worked out, considering our rent had increased (alot) and mom and dad had no other interested parties in buying or renting the house at this time. 

So, now we maintain a beautiful and rustic old farmhouse, we've taken in the family cat (as he sort of came with the house), and we press forward! Oddly enough I have found some of my most content and comfortable moments in this home in the past few weeks... something about those apple spice candles flickering, the fire in the wood stove blazing, and the sunset peering through the hundred year old windows that makes you feel like you're being hugged from all sides- it's a brisk reassurance this time of year when you realize everything is working out just fine. 

Hampton- technically my brother's cat, but a grouchy little companion to everyone in the family. No one else's landlord would allow him to accompany them on their journeys, therefore he's stuck in Woodstock for a little while longer. He and Nicholas have become great playmates. 

Finding the Time

Three and a half years in the making, THIS is what we were waiting for- life together!

 After Pieter arrived in September, I jumped right into my CCMA (Certified Clinical Medical Assistant) classes, which took up two of my evenings during the week and every other evening I was working. Thankfully, we have learned to use what time we have together, wisely.

The greatest addition to our lives joined us in December. Nicholas, a now nine month old blond tabby, has brought such joy and laughter to our home. He and Pieter have become great buds as they spend evenings together while I am at work. I think the little guy may even know some Dutch by now.

While juggling work and class, we spent our winter months watching "Downton Abbey" and "Superstore", studying flashcards on medical terms and CCMA guidelines, and tossing cough drops for little Nicholas to pounce on and retrieve.

After passing the CCMA national exam last month, I began a parttime internship at an urgent care facility in Harrisonburg. To my surprise, I was offered a fulltime position there just days after my first day of observing. This career shift has been a welcomed change and challenge for me! I see it as a brand new opportunity to learn hands-on in a clinical setting. So far I have performed and observed several new tests and techniques. It is gratifying to be able to say that I am learning something new everyday.

Trading the apron for the stethoscope! 

It was a long and tiring winter that seemed to never end. The cool spring evening breeze is now blowing in through our half-opened window, birds are chirping, and lawn mowers are buzzing! This is the time of year that I love!

All of our anticipation for summer is building up as Pieter prepares for his first summer back at Brethren Woods for summer camp. He has been diligently working on gaining several certifications to better equip himself with new skills. So far he has acquired a certification in CPR, Wilderness First Aid, Ropes Course Facilitating and Supervising, and, most recently, Lifeguarding. In the next few weeks he will also be completing Canoeing and Archery training. It is so rewarding for me to see him happy and excited about what he is doing in life. I am so very proud of him.

Harper's Ferry in March 2019

Our favorite ice cream stand just opened up down the road, so we celebrated the first spring day and all the new changes we have coming up, there, with a Reese's ice cream and a Smores' sundae.

I think that we are slowly figuring out how to be a "fulltime" married couple again, but it is a process that takes patience, understanding, and communication. I anticipate the next few months flying by as we have all eagerly been awaiting the warmth of the sunshine's return. So I encourage each of you, as well as myself, to try and use a "pause" button as you go through the next few weeks. Take a moment during your commute, or when you finally get a chance to sit down, to realize how amazingly blessed we really are.

Love to you all!
Pieter and Lydia