An Update: Wichita, Turkey Day, Bedlam, and Proposal

I've had a good past couple of weeks. About 2-3 weekends ago, Josh and me went up to Wichita and saw some of my family. We had a good time talking and laughing with my aunt, uncle, cousins, and Mamaw.
Thanksgiving was quick but fun. It was good to catch up with family and spend time with my 5-year-old niece. She said the Pledge of Allegiance, sang the Star-Spangled Banner, said the Oklahoma pledge, and some of her "expectations" from school. She also got to stay with her May May (me) and Big Josh for a night at Josh's dad and his wife's house one night. So with go-carting, hot-tubbing, a family feud game, and making s'mores and singing around a campfire, I'd say my Thanksgiving was pretty good. Oh yeah, I also had GREAT food.
This past weekend was Bedlam...we lost, but it was still a good game. The pictures are us after the game showing off our faceart. Go Pokes!
Today I had my practice proposal presentation for my reserch group and advisor. I survived it...now I have to prepare and survive Friday. It's almost over! Keep on praying!

The Countdown has Started...

No I'm not talking about Christmas. I'm talking about my proposal and oral exam coming up soon. It's always on my mind. My facebook status says that I am either working on or thinking about or dreaming about my proposal.
I did a practice today for some of friends from my department. It was great to get feedback and suggestions from my peers. I feel like even though I have such a large amount of work to still do (mainly just reading and pondering the chemistry of EVERYTHING), I have direction. I know what areas I need to read up on.
Of course, while all this is going on, I'm still trying to balance everything else. Josh has been great and taken care of mostly everything around the house. With Thanksgiving break, I'll get some time to relax and time to read and study, too. The hardest part is balancing all of this with my relationship with God. I am working hard at still going to church and doing my bible studies, but when my thoughts are so saturated with proposal thoughts, I really question if it's all worth it. When I graduate, I know that it'll be worth having a ph.d, but I never want to do graduate work again. It's difficult keeping God first in your life and in your thoughts and in your actions when all your mind is saying, "Work on the proposal!" My comfort though is that I know all of this is in His hands. Whatever happens, I know I'll be okay. Of course though, I've been praying that I pass. : )

Padme's Surgery

So about a week ago, Padme had hip surgery. She has hip displacia, very advanced (of course we picked the mutt out of the litter that has a rare case of advanced displacia). She'll have the other hip done after Christmas. After Newman's ordeal this past summer, I was dreading having another dog go through the recovery. Padme has done great though. I guess this surgery is a lot easier of a recovery than putting a pin through a femur. She gets to lay on the couch on a blanket currently since she's "sick"...you can see her shaved leg in the one with her post-surgery treat.

Lifegroup and S'mores

Tuesday nights I attend Lifegroup with a great group of girls. It's always so uplifting and encouraging...and fun! Different girls take turns presenting the lesson so I get to hear some different ideas and thoughts. After our devo, it's easy to stick around, visit, and laugh.
Chancey brought her s'more maker and five of us stayed late and made s'mores. The marshmellows really do get roasted; way better than the microwave method. Seungeun (pronouncd Sing'in) is from Korea and had never made s'mores. I'm glad we introduced this nutrition graduate student to a delicious (but unhealthy) snack! Lauren is the one in the picture "choking" (I think that's what she was doing). Cassie hosts our lifegroup at her apartment each week.