Lots of Learning Happening...

My honey and I took a walk yesterday evening that was more ambitious than we had thought.  The city has paths mapped out with the distances, but we must be more out of shape then we thought!!  There are a lot of mosquitoes around here and I counted at least 8 bites on me when I got home and I was wearing pants!!  I have a habit of starting new exercise ventures without using common sense...like not taking it slow in the beginning!  So I ended up with a migraine and a poor night sleep.  Oh well, life is about learning even though I seem to make the same mistakes over and over!
My honey was able to take the walk with me yesterday because it was his first night not on call...that was nice for him.. We were able to go to a sports bar called "Wild Oats" that is right down from our condo on main street and he was able to enjoy a Newcastle without worrying about being called into the hospital.  (Mom, this is a neighborhood bar where they serve food and drinks...not some dark, shady "hole in the wall" with skimpy girls:)
My meeting with the volunteer lady went really well...she was nice and we were able to chat about things other than volunteering at the hospital.  She is going to call me with any openings where she thinks I would be a good fit.  I gathered everything for my nursing license application yesterday, but found myself hesitating to send it in with the large amount of money they require.  The South Dakota BON states that it takes 3 - 6 weeks for them to receive paperwork from everyone (my school, Children's and the Alabama BON) to even begin considering me for licensure.  I'm just not sure that it is worth it...I'm praying for guidance.
My project lately has been learning how to relax when given the opportunity instead of losing this great time by fretting and worrying about jobs and busyness.  This is a challenge but the Lord is my Teacher and He is very patient.  I was telling my honey last night how in Birmingham there was a lot of admiration that came when someone found out I was working in the ED at Children's Hospital.  Learning to live without that to boost my identity is something that I'm working on.  I don't need anything to "boost" my identity because I am good enough just being me (plus, nobody gives you a second look here if you say you worked at CHS of Birmingham:).  So, there you have it...the lessons I am learning right now, that I did not expect when I started this adventure!  Plus its hard because I am starting to miss my job, starting IVs and working with the kids...also, I'm missing the environment/co-workers.  I didn't realize, though, until I left how much stress I carried because of my job...that is why it is so hard for me to "wind down" now!
My honey is doing great at work and is learning to work with nurses and doctors who do things totally different from him.  It really is a different world being at "that outside hospital".  So, we are both growing individually and together! 
On Wednesday (tomorrow), I am supposed to meet the staff that works with my honey in his clinic!  They love him and I am excited to meet them and see the clinic.  I'll report on how that goes.
I am going to start posting more pictures of the city so that you guys can get a feel for how quaint and different it is here!

Him + Her = Home,
Amanda

1) The Methodist Church downtown. 2) A historical business. 3) A view down a street near our house.