The adjustment period is slowly coming to an end- the house is cleaner, a full week meal schedule is planned every Sunday night and grocery shopping trips are becoming less frequent. I’m getting more used to balancing the wife-life slash night shift nurse business and I must say, I have grown an even greater respect for working wives (and working moms). Don’t know how you ladies do it.. my heroes. It’s been an interesting transition from being a single, night-shift working nurse to a married, night-shift working wife– but God has been so faithful in providing me the strength and the grace I need each and every day to pursue my calling and to do so joyfully. It’s been a great joy being able to serve Eugene as a wife, and amidst my frequently failings, He’s been so patient with me. (and so very appreciative too!)
So here’s where we’ve been..
Thanksgiving came and went this year and it was a bit crazy for me because I worked the night before Thanksgiving and the night after, so my sleep pattern was out of whack throughout the whole day. I attempted to make pumpkin pie (emphasis on the “attempted”) and it was a sweet day to remember the abounding evidence of God’s grace in our lives. It was actually the first time my family made Thanksgiving dinner at home, so it was a bit exciting!
We over estimated the amount of food though, which allowed each of us to take a week’s worth of leftovers. :) Yum!
Eugene’s been starting to hear back from Pharmacy schools he applied to this past summer, and he had his first interview last Saturday. He told me he wanted to eat healthy the week before his interview so he could look/feel better, so I tried to make as many different salads as I could. This was my favorite. Steak Waldorf Salad.
Just some greens with slices tomatoes, apples, cucumbers, green/red bell peppers, walnuts and feta cheese. Sprinkle some thinly sliced scallions on top with the dressing of your choice, and you have a sweet and tangy fiesta in your mouth! :)
I ended up having work the night before his interview, so I couldn’t drive up to Norcal with him. (So sad!) so I made a little travel pack for him before he left. Of course our week of healthy eating was sabotaged by my “travel pack”. Bulgogi/Avocado rolls, Banana nutella sandwich, freshly baked chocolate chip cookies to name a few of his nutritious snacks!
While he was away, I tried to decorate the house to surprise him with a warm and fuzzy, Christmas-decorated house upon his return! I had been gathering supplies a few weeks prior to this weekend, so right when he left I got to work.
These were the first additions. only $3 at Homegoods.
Tried to be as cost-effective as possible so I visited about 3-4 different shops to gather my supplies. The tree was an artificial fold-up plastic tree I bought for him last year at Rite Aid (yes, they sell trees there too!)
These scented candles, pine cones and cinnamon sticks really helps fill our living room with holiday cheer! Love it.
Something I’ve been learning to do these days is make different breakfast dishes in record-speed time. Because I usually get home from work around 8:00 in the morning and Eugene leaves for work around 9, it gives me a solid hour to make breakfast and pack lunch before Eugene is out the door. Having every meal of the week planned definitely helps me to anticipate what the plan is for the morning, but breakfast is usually on a whim. Something I’ve been doing lately (when I dont have too much time) is I make some “eggs in a basket”. Someone recently told me that’s what its called.
Eugene really likes it, and it’s super fast and easy to make so this has been my go-to breakfast these days. You just make a hole in the bread (usually with a small cup) and you toast it on a pan and fry an egg inside. Serve with some bacon and tomatoe slices and you have a fairly nutritious breakfast :)
It’s pretty awesome being a nurse because no matter how crazy my 12-hour night shifts are, I only have to work 3 nights a week. My days off usually consist of meal planning, cleaning the house, doing laundry, running errands and buying groceries. Lately, Eugene and I have been trying to learn how to budget our finances with the use of programs suggested to us by some of our friends. It’s been rather time-consuming but rewarding. More on that later.
I’ve also grown a greater appreciation for homemaker-friendly stores like HomeGoods. I can seriously spend hours here now, but thankfully all of my desired goodies won’t fit in my budget. :) but these are some additions to our home/kitchen that I purchased for less than $25. Woot!
Things are settling down!
I’ve also decided to make monthly goals for myself so that I can really accomplish my 22 before 23 list in a timely manner and also challenge myself to be intentional with my time, energy and to live more purposefully to serve God and His people more faithfully. Keep me accountable!
Making use of a chalkboard we used for our wedding. (The backside, I didn’t erase your artwork Skye!!) and “neighbors” in this case is literal. We want to meet our neighbors!
Hope you’e having a joyful week!! It’s 1:25 pm, which means its time to hit the sack for me. Night shift tonight. :) Let’s have a victorious week, everyone!
For you are great and do wondrous things;
you alone are God.
Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth;
unite my heart to fear your name.
I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,
and I will glorify your name forever.
For great is your steadfast love toward me..
— Psalm 86:10-13
Give thanks: days off, time to spend with Eugene, strength to rejoice every day, “The Darkness and the Glory” by Greg Harris, my new All-Clad cookware set – 20% off :)
