Saturday, April 5, 2008

I guess it's been a week!

OVER a week since I've posted actually. Crazy. WELL- to start, my birthday was a blast! My mother was here and we had tons of fun together. We went to a movie, "27 dresses" and it was WAY CUTE! We both loved it. We went shopping and just hung out! It was great. She was sick the whole time, which was sad. But she was a trooper. Anyway, on my birthday we went to Rebecca's, who made delicious chicken and rice, and AMAZING Reece's Penut Butter Cup CHEESE CAKE! YES- oh my, most delicious desert you'll ever have. AND, she was kind enough to let us take the entire leftover of the cake home. Truly, I think I must have this cake every year on my birthday for the rest of my life! All my presents were great! I was spoiled and got many. I just got done playing with one that Clay got me, DANCE DANCE REVOLUTION! YEsssssssss it is way fun, and WAY addicting. AND a workout! A pretty good combination if you ask me. I can't count how many times, the first night I played it, that I said: okay, this is the last one. But i just couldn't stop! I'm not that good at it though.

Life is pretty much the same as last time. Fast moving and stressful! Work is getting more and more stressful being that the 15th is only about a week and a couple days away. I've been staying longer at work, which isn't fun at all. I know it will just be worse this week. I'm excited to start school because it will be a nice little change, but I'm not excited to have homework again, and the neverending stress of keeping my grades perfect. I am an extreme perfectionist when it comes to school- when I get a B, or worse, a C or D on a test- I am horrified. Really. I pretty much cry if I don't get an A and if I don't cry, I have this guilt gnawing inside of me. It's horrible. I guess it is worth it that I am basically being paid to go to school though. I have a scholarship that pays for the whole thing, PLUS Financial Aid/Grants. After all is paid for, we keep a big chunk of money for ourselves. It's a pretty sweet deal.

One thing has changed since I last posted that has been a great relief of stress. Clay quit his job. If you are wondering why- I kind of wonder HOW you could wonder that! The thing is, this last week alone, Clay was at the doctor 3 days. One of the appointments lasted 3 whole hours! We didn't realize it, but this is pretty much how it is going to be I think. He will be going at least once a week if not more. Also, he has finals this week, and has been so stressed about school. It hasn't helped that I've been gone so much. The fact is, his life was too much to handle for anyone. Work, school, doctors appointments, wife, physical pain, etc etc. It was a lot to juggle and I could see that he was really really stressed. We talked about it and I told him: out of the three major things right now: school, work, and health, which ones are priority at this point in our life? 1. HEALTH; 2. School. No matter what, we will be poor. What we need to do right now, is focus on getting him healthy and getting him through school. Procrastinating either of those will just make things worse. So we decided that he should quit his job so he wont be so stressed anymore. We amazingly feel so blessed right now. Our savings account is somehow larger than it's ever been in our marriage, we are getting that stimulus package from the government in a month (if you don't know what that is- google it) and we are so so blessed to have an inexpensive apartment and basically paid for college. I don't understand why we are so blessed like this, but we are. We've always been full tithe payers so we know all will be okay. Basically, probably today- I will do a very detailed budget to see if we can handle neither of us working this next semester and just living off of our savings. I wouldn't be surprised if we could do that. I'm sure we would have to both get full time jobs once summer starts though. If you don't know- after summer semester, the one that will start in 2 weeks, there is a 6 week break before the next semester. We'll see. I don't know if this is all too personal for a blog, but you've all kind of been going through this all with us anyway- oh well. Sorry.

Well we are planning on going to Lizzie and Shad's in a little over a week! Wow, that came fast. We will be there 3 full days and traveling 2 days. We are soooooo excited. Do you know how sick we are of snow and ice and cold weather!?!?!?!! It will be a perfect little break. It will also be way fun for Clay to see Shad's office and what it's like down there. And of course, I can't wait to see the kids! Clay and I have never met Kate before. We've only seen pictures. We already think she is absolutely perfect, I can't imagine what she'll be like in person:) Alrighty- Love you all!!!!!

9 comments:

AMY AND MIKEY said...

Well Danyelli, I called you today, maybe you went to your inlaws for conference? We still have tomorrow. Your birthday cake sounds divine. That is so sweet and thoughtful of Rebecca to make you that cake and let you take home the rest. And of course chicken and rice- haha- that's so funny it's still your favorite. You are so lucky you got to have mom all to yourself on your birthday and go shopping $$$$ hehehhehe. We both know what happened :) and the movie- I want to see that! You have really lucked out because wasnt' mom intown last year for your birthday? You'll have to make it a tradition:) I'm so glad she was there- I couldn't imagine not seeing mom often, but I guess you do have Rebecca. You are so blessed because you are extremely righteous- now I know this makes you feel uncomfortable because you think that I or (fam) that you are perfect. I knwo you're not perfect, and I know you probably have really bad days even, but overall you are so righteous- you and clay do so much more than mike and I do. You are examples to us. I feel the spirit when I read your blog! You just dont' realize how you are becaues you are in it, you aren't an outsider looking at yourself. I love you so much, and I dont' think your perfect, don't analyze what I told you. And your grades...... holy cow! You are so amazing. I leap for joy if I get a B in my test. I love that you are so good at school. You study really hard. You're really disciplined. You knwo what- I think you'll be skinny your whole life because you are really disciplined, I just think it takes ALOT of discipline to do the things you do so I dont' know why it wouldn't leak out onto your other goals in life. that is so wonderful about your school being paid for and grants. I'm so glad that Clay is quiting his job, I felt overwhelmed whenever I woudl read about his schedule, I could not imagine doing all that he has been doing. You guys are seriosuly so amazing! You guys are like a power couple. I love you both so much. Hope to hear from you sunday!

Susan, Blain & kids said...

Hey guys, I sm really glad to hear that Clayton is slowing down a bit. I am so glad to hear that you had a good birthday. You guys are very diciplined with your money and i know you will do great and Heavenly Father will bless you for your faith. I love you guys and hope all continues to go well with Clayton and you.

Love,
Susan

Lizzie said...

I'm so grateful you wrote all of this and shared it with us. You are both so humble and wise. Two attributes that are hard to come by and everyone wants. It strengthens my testimony just when I read your blog. I love you both and are excited to see you guys.

Emily said...

Wow, that cake sounds yummy!
Aren't pel grants the best invention ever? Steve and I would have died without them. Sounds like you guys are super smart and financial geniuses, so you'll be just fine without working for awhile. I agree that health is always the most important thing.

How fun for you to get to go to CA. I can't believe you have never seen Kate! I bet you're so excited! Have tons of fun!

Sharon/Mom/ Grandma said...

I'm so glad Clay quit his job!! I think you should really think hard before you two would have him work next semester. I think even if you have to take out a loan it would be better for him to let his body heal. You are so humble. You guys have had trials up the wazoo! Yet you don't see that just the blessings, that is why you are blessed. I love you both sooooo much, I had a great time, will blog the pics of your b-day tomorrow, teh disney land blog wore me out!!

Grandma, Nonnie said...

Dear Danielle, I think your blog is truly wonderful, and so are you guys. I hope Clay can just relax a bit for the next few months, and get well. It sounds like you have the money in pretty good control. So just hang in and finish the schooling and everything will fall into place. Your mom is right you could get a loan if you have to. We will continue to pray for you. Have a fun time at Lizzie's. Little Kate is so sweet and you will love getting to know her. Did you get the recipes I sent you? They came early a week or so before your b-day. Glad your b-day was so fun, and the cake sounds devine. Love grandma

Cara_Cude said...

Hey girl im glad everything went well with your birthday and i totally understand why clay quit his job. I went to the doctor well i put an entry about it so whenever you get time just take a look. I am glad you are doing well and i love you!

Rebecca said...

Not that my opinion matters, but I think you made the right decision for Clay to take a break from working. You just can't do everything all the time. It just doesn't work. It doesn't surprise me that his treatments are so long, and I think it means the Dr. must really be doing something! Yea! Finally! I'm glad you guys have each other. I love you both. Bye.

Rebecca said...

P.S. I hate using savings, but that is what it is there for, emergencies. So good for you guys that you have savings. You are prepared for what you are having to face!