Wednesday, March 23, 2011

TE (Total Exhaustion)

So, we knew this was coming when Dan started the credentialing program. The Teaching Event (or TE or the TPA or the Mistress) is the big project that stands between students and their teaching credential. Dan has already been working hard in school, but he has been buried up to the neck for the past month or so. We are realizing now that the year-long break Dan took to have surgery and heal has actually made his TE a little more difficult for him. Not impossible, just difficult.

We haven't been able to spend much time as a couple since I've been working a lot at the hospital and Dan's been stuck with the TE. Even for his birthday, he did homework when he came home from our "date night"! We're trying to make the time we do have count, but it will be a breath of fresh air to have my happy husband back. We're fairly used to challenges in our marriage, but this has been stretching us pretty thin.

We are beginning to see a light at the end of the tunnel, as the TE is due next Thursday. God willing, Dan will pass the first time and be done with this for good! Please pray for endurance for Dan and that he would finish well.

Though Toulouse is sleeping and quiet at the moment, he is showing us that he does not like being home alone so much. He knocks over all of his water dishes and our cups, eats anything he can grab (including my hair) and tries to get into every cabinet he can. Just a couple days ago I had to "cat-proof" our kitchen. Now, all our cupboards have baby locks on them. Good grief.

In health-related news, Dan has scheduled his hip replacement surgery for July 28th. It will be a rough bit of rehab, but then Dan should feel "young" again and not dependent on a cane. He's much more excited about this than I am! Yet, it will be nice to know all the nurses since the surgery will be at my hospital.

We cannot wait for a break. Even if our first day together with no work or homework consists of running errands or just sitting on a couch, we will be thrilled. The next couple weeks are going to be murderous for both of us, so any and all prayers would be appreciated greatly!

That's the news for now. We apologize if we have been non-communicative lately...you'll all begin to hear from us again soon :)