{winsome weekend}

In typical spontaneous fashion, Jonathan and I decided to drive to the Ozarks this weekend for a little R & R & Ridiculous fun at Silver Dollar City. I took Friday off after going to work 12 days straight. We got to Uncle Louis and Cathy's house on Bull Shoals lake Thursday night and slept in the next morning. Friday was a gorgeous day, starting with fog over the lake that dissipated to reveal shimmery waters. We had a full day of 4-wheeler rides and a boat ride, lunch on the porch, a nap!...dinner at a tiny local pizzeria, and wrapping it up with a soak in the hot tub. Saturday, after a blueberry pancake breakfast, we drove over to Silver Dollar City, and were greeted by fall colors and hot apple dumplings. Again, a perfect day. Katelyn even rode Thunderation! The kids are the perfect ages to enjoy participating in all the activities and rides. Once darkness came, the "city" lit up with thousands of Christmas lights. Two massive trees held our attention as their sparkling lights towered above us, while the parade marched through. Katelyn was especially enchanted by the princess's glimmering dress. We ended the day in Marvel Cave, with 700 stairs and tired, but happy children. Sunday, we drove up to Springfield, ate lunch with Daniel and Christin and got to see their apartment. Many more Boggle games in our future for sure...My life has been so much better since I finished a difficult first year of didactic and started anesthesia clinicals. I'm definitely tired every day, but have more time with my family, and get to interact with people and learn hands on. As always, ever so thankful for this opportunity to become a CRNA and a short getaway before call and rotations start this month. TTFN!


P.S. by Chad "The Farney family is awesome! :-)'
P.S.S. by Kate "Together is best."

{my social butterfly}

This is to my 5 year old daughter Katelyn Farney, soon to be a big 6!

This morning, on the way to your first day of school at a new elementary-Robinson, I thought I'd ask you questions from the "get to know me" form from Miss Garten, your teacher. 

I asked, "What upsets you?" expecting to hear about Chad, but instead you answered, "Not much. Well, maybe if someone tells me to go stick my face in the mud, or something like that..."

I thought I'd try, "What are your weaknesses?" After a short pause, "I'm good at most things, but pretty bad at climbing walls, standing on my head, and maybe picking up a couch." Daddy and I suppressed giggles. 

Your strengths? You answered, "Picking up my shoes, remembering to shut the door, and folding my clothes." I think that was more of a wish list, my dear ;)
Your favorite things were dress up tea parties, ice cream, fancy clothes, and new shoes.

I'm so glad you're my daughter, not afraid to be your own personality, displaying strong character qualities and tenderness toward others, imaginative, spunky, and creative. You are strong, beautiful, and important. I am praying for you to have a good year in first grade, make friends, and continue spreading your sunshine. I love you!

{raindrops}

Raindrops in the storms of life...Only a few days after that triathlon, my world fell apart. Packing for the 2 required weeks of class and lab in Fort Worth, TX, I was also faced with the possibility of not passing my 6 credit physiology course. Once I got to TX, I knew I needed to be in the classroom, instead of trying distance learning any more. Karen, also assigned to Colton, CA offered me a place to stay. I got into a good study group. My grades improved. I was closer to my teachers. I studied every waking moment it seemed. May 10, I took my last exam, flew back to CA and my little family, and packed my sweet kids up for a summer in Indiana with Nana, Papa, and Megan. A few days later, I walked heartbroken through a Dallas airport, gearing up for a summer in the classroom. I knew I had much to be thankful for, but when someone asked if I was glad I went back to school, I responded with "right now, I f-ing hate my life."

Jonathan joined me a few days later, and we lived with Jamie and Ben Casmer. Jamie is a fellow student, and we were able to ride together to class. We became good friends, and spent hours studying in adjoining couch recliners, dog snuggled in each lap. The first week, Karen, Taylor, and I were talking about residency, and Karen randomly suggested Taylor and I switch. Taylor wanted to go to CA, Karen was looking for a roommate, and we have family in Wichita. As soon as Jonathan and I decided to switch, he flew to Redlands, packed up our things, and said goodbye to some wonderful friends. Although it was the logical decision, in my heart, I long for palm trees and mountains again. We loved our experience in California. 

We did get to see a little of the mountains in Denver and South Fork, after my final. We started vacation there for my brother Darren's wedding.

As I write, we are moved into Mary's basement, its raining for the first time in months, the kids are at their first day of school at Robinson elementary in Augusta, and I am preparing for clinicals to start next Monday. Last Monday at the dentist (Jon's dentist when he was a kid), I met one of the hygienists whose husband graduated from TWU and did residency at Wesley in Wichita. She said the first year was definitely the worst. I agree. It's been hell. But now, we're all together again, and I get to see my husband and sweet kids every day. I'm in a better place emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. God is faithful to continue demonstrating his presence. Graduate school has required many sacrifices, but I am blessed with the opportunity, and look forward to the day when I can say it was worth it. Thank you Jonathan every day for your patience, encouragement, and partnership.

{desert triathlon}

 

Jonathan, I am so proud of you this day. Your training, fortitude, tenacity, going for your goals...This was an international distance tri, and your first tri ever to compete in. Your time was impressive and you did not give up. You should have seen your kids, especially Chad, look at you with excitement and inspiration. We love you. You are A+.

A terrible realization seconds before the race- you forgot your timer anklet and had to RUN back to get it.

{deep creek hot springs hike}

{decisions, plans}

Chad with a solemn face: "Mom, don't laugh, but I think I've decided to get married." (No, I didn't panic- this is huge. Up to now, he's vowed in all seriousness that he will never marry, that he's going to be a scientist in a lab, and that girls are too much trouble...)
I assured him I would not laugh and that his new decision was perfectly acceptable at an acceptable age.
Then he asked, "What if the girl I'm supposed to marry marries someone else?"
"Chad," I answered, "The girl you are supposed to marry will not marry anyone else but you. God has a perfect plan."
Not so sure about this response, he reasoned, "Well, maybe I'll pray that God will remember that plan until I'm ready. That's alot of years..."

{"international what?"}

I don't usually write about arguments, but let's face it. We all have them. I also don't usually write about those days where nothing seems to go right, but we all have those too. So, the only reason why I'm writing about this one is that it's provided many laughs, our arguments are rare, and I want to remember the bitter, the sweet, and the irony. Pared back, the jist of it...here it is for shits and giggles.
It was Jonathan's Friday off, and I also had a rare Friday out of class. During some texts back and forth a few days earlier, he had asked me what I wanted to do. My answer was: "How about you surprise me." Well, I have to admit, the morning started out gloriously, getting to sleep in. But when Jon mentioned a hike to the hot springs, I thought surely there was not time to do that and get back to pick up the kids, and told him as much. We then discussed distance, logistics, mileage, miles/hr...and I never picked up on the fact that this was his plan for the day. In truth, I downplayed it. When I got back from dropping off Katelyn, he was still in his pajamas (although washing dishes). Apparently, no plan. Then we started into an argument about Chad's baseball season which escalated into hurtful things said and me leaving to go study. Baseball, really? Neither of us had a clue why we were fighting or how it started, but we felt that our perfect day had been ruined. And how is this at all comical?
As I was driving to the coffee shop, I remembered Jonathan saying he needed a massage since he's been training for a triathlon. I called several places and found the International Day Spa with an opening. After booking the appointment, I asked Carly to call and tell Jonathan about it and when to be there (I didn't really feel like talking to him yet). But when I got there to pay, Carly told me, "Yeah, I just talked to your husband. He didn't sound too excited." I retorted, "Well, we're not having the best day. He can get over it" and left before I could register her facial expression. I sat in Augie's for a while before Jonathan came in with a beautiful dozen red roses and tossed them on the table. I could see he was still upset, so I tentatively asked, "Did you get a call?" He answered, "45 minutes is a little over the top don't you think? 5 minutes would have been more than enough." I was puzzled, mad, hated those roses, and thinking rather evil thoughts. We tried lunch, and I couldn't eat. Finally, I pushed back my plate, got up to go, and said, "Well, you better get to your appointment or you'll be late. Like it or not, I already paid for to to get a sports massage."
"What???" he asked, as a realization began to dawn on him. I repeated myself with plenty of vigor. And then I heard..."Wow. That lady called me while I was picking out flowers and said she was calling from International Day Spa. I heard 'International baseball!'... that my wife had made an appointment (I thought to find out more details about Chad's baseball season), and that I needed to come 20 minutes early for a consultation." Wow is right. There were no other words.
Did we instantly make up? No. In fact, the day continued to sour because of other sad things happening beyond our control. But we do love each other, at the end of the day "it's not the mountain to die on," and years from now, we'll read this and...laugh:)