So, you aren't supposed to brag or gloat or anything, but I figure no one reads this anyway, so I am going to do just that. If someone does happen to read this and gets upset with me, I am very sorry, this is nothing personal to anyone, it is just my proud moments.
What I am Proud of:
1. Adam graduating college with a Bachelor's Degree in Geology
2. Supporting ourselves through his college career - it was both a financial and mental sacrifice and we came out on top.
3. Supporting myself through college and graduate school. I was very fortunate that my parents paid my undergraduate costs that my student loans didn't cover. I was also very fortunate to receive a full scholarship and a teaching position in graduate school, so that I did not need a large loan during that time. That being said, I graduated with only ~$48,000 of student loans to pay back (and are still paying back).
4. Buying our own house to stabilize our life in Texas and to grow a family in.
5. Having a good career where I can grow as an individual, and also bring Adam to love my passion for geology too.
6. Surviving 5 weeks with a newborn and no husband (field camp).
7. Making all of my own baby food for Jensen. Late nights of steaming fruits and veggies and blending everything was super hard, but I didn't give in and buy any (that's right, ANY) jarred baby food. I am very proud of that, because it would have been easy not to do that and just buy the jars.
8. I am proud that I don't know what all these TV shows names other parents are telling me about are. "Do you watch Chicka Chicka on Sprout?" Ummm, no, I don't know what you are talking about, and I don't even get that channel - hmmm secret benefit of having the cheapest option of TV???
9. Keeping our house clean! Adam and I work as a team to keep the home clean and do the laundry. We don't hire help, since it isn't within our budget, and we still have quite a clean house. It might help that I am a little neurotic about clutter and throw everything away :) I just don't like to see crap piled up everywhere! Throw it out!
10. Staying focused on my career and my family - balance is everything! It is always a challenge, but we are doing what's best for us, and it works. We are happy!
11. Being strong through Jensen's surgery (wow, talk about tough, handing your baby off for an hour long surgery is the hardest thing we have ever done) and his recovery. We had moments of pure pain for him following surgery and they took me to my breaking point.
12. Adam being such a strong man. I say this because that's exactly what he is. He has a lifelong auto-immune disease, and he has pushed through every ounce of exhaustion and is a terrific father and husband. Once we finalize his therapy with the iodine treatment, we are hopeful that things will only look up from there.
