Thinking of all of those who have lost a child and remembering (as we do everyday) sweet Brielle.
Author: lovingbrielle
Playing Catch Up
David has worked from home a couple of days the past few weeks. This has been huge for me. Getting a few hours a day to myself has been wonderful. And I’ve been trying to play catch up on Loving Brielle stuff.
I’ve been working on putting posts together and scheduled as well as responding to comments and messages. I’m really behind and I’m so sorry. I don’t want to write quick thank you notes or give rushed replies to your messages, you guys deserve my full attention, and I’m sorry it’s taking a while to get back to you all.
Many of you have shared very personal stories and have taken the time to encourage me, pray for my family, and have been incredibly generous with your time and gifts. I really appreciate all of this and I want to give you all an appropriate response. I could not get through this time without all of your love and support. You have all touched my heart and made a difference in my life, please be patient with me. I will get back to you and send thank you notes.
We’re Going On A Cruise
This will make the second time that we’ve taken a “change of job vacation.” Five years ago, David and I went to Universal Studios (hello Wizarding World of Harry Potter), after he left one job and before he started the one he is currently leaving. We’ve decided this is a good trend to have. Take a week off between jobs. So David and I will be taking a Disney Cruise.
Now, for those of you who knew about our honeymoon, you know this is a big deal for us. David and I are no strangers to cruises, and we used to love them. But our honeymoon cruise, with Royal Caribbean, was horrific. For instance, mysterious white substance all over the stateroom couch…you get the picture. We swore off cruises and said, “NEVER AGAIN.” Never, say never.
We’re sticking to our aversion of Royal Caribbean, but after telling David about Disney Cruises, he’s been begging to go. My family went on a Disney Cruise in 2001 and the entertainment was incredible. The ship was beautiful and the entire experience was magical. It may sound kind of ridiculous to take a Disney Cruise after we lost Brielle, but they have multiple adult only areas and a great spa.
David and I fully intend to hang out at the adult only pool and spa. I have a facial booked for me and a couples massage on the adult’s beach at Castaway Cay. We’re not getting off at Nassau, we’ve been there so many times it’s not even fun anymore. I’m hoping that the adult pool will be less crowded and I’m hoping the Nassau day will make the boat less crowded too.
David and I are going for ultimate relaxation. Sunbathing, fruity drinks, good food, and relaxing spa time. We’re so excited we’ll run up to each other and say, “We’re taking a vacation!” And we’ll do a happy dance, we need this.
The most difficult thing about Bernice is that she is extroverted and I am introverted (not that extroversion is bad). I never get to relax. It’s been five months and I’ve never had a moment to relax or be alone. She seeks me out and finds me. I barely know the woman, so it makes me incredibly uncomfortable. I really, really need a relaxing getaway. Alone time, I need lots of alone time.
The stress from David’s job is making his hair turn grey and he looks haggard all the time. And he tells me I look on edge all the time, like I’ve never really rested or slept in months. He’s also complaining that I snap at him far more, which I can’t deny. After spending every day repeating the same thing over and over again to Bernice and then David coming home and asking me the same questions over and over again, I’m ready to break and bite everyone’s head off. I usually end the day with a bit of a twitch and a constant loop in my head, “They’re both crazy. I’m living with two people who are losing their minds.”
We need a vacation.
I’ll take book recommendations, I like trashy romance novels, but not too trashy, like I don’t want naked guys on the cover, let’s be real, it is Disney. Light and fluffy guys, I need lots of light and fluffy crap. And if anyone wants to share Disney Cruise tips, I’d appreciate them.
David Has A New Job
David has a new job! I wanted to make sure everything was final before I shared the good news. The interview went great and our prayers were answered. God did some pretty cool things during the interview, so I’m going to brag on Him.
I sat down to pray after David left, and in the middle of one of my sentences to God I felt a huge urge to pray for David’s parking situation. I stopped what I was talking about, prayed that David would find the spot he needed to be at and that he’d make it to the interview at the right time.
I checked the time, it was 12:51 PM. I asked David later if he had parking problems. He said he did, he got lost, and was really starting to panic and then one spot opened up at 12:53 PM. He walked into the lobby at 12:59 PM. His interview was scheduled for 1:00 PM.
I prayed that everyone there would be blown away and desperately want David. I prayed that they’d give him an offer that day and that they’d give him the best offer they could afford. I prayed that he’d mesh well with everyone there and would make a good impression.
He got along with everyone, they wouldn’t stop smiling. They were incredibly impressed and gave their highest compliment, “He’s not an idiot.” After the interview, they unofficially told him he’d be receiving an offer. The official offer came in three days later and they offered the highest option they could give him.
The company sets engineers as the VIPs of the company, not management. They have a pancake printer, open vacation policy (as long as your work is done), hover boards, flexible hours, they even had a viewing of Star Wars a few days before it came out. The company is styled after the dot com era Silicon Valley startup, it’s a nerd’s paradise.
We’re incredibly thankful for your prayers and God’s work for us. We have needed a win and we’re looking forward to a better job and lower stress.
Dreamy Bungalows & Stress Free Days
Lately, life has been incredibly demanding. I’ve mentioned it before, but David and I are under so much stress. Thankfully, things are beginning to look better and we’re starting to see the light. I’ll talk more about that in a few days. But all of this stress has really made David and I think about the type of life we want and need.
It’s been almost five months since Bernice moved in. Some things have been easier than I expected and some things have been far more difficult than I imagined. Of course, David and I love and care for Bernice, but it has been a challenge at times to not lose our minds. She keeps me busy or exhausted most days and, until recently, I haven’t had much of a break.
She wants laundry done every day. I don’t have time to take care of her and the things going on in the house. It’s all overwhelming. And David and I have found ourselves more and more burdened by our things. I have entire areas of the house I don’t even step into for weeks at a time. If I haven’t used those things in those rooms, why do I need them? They’re just one more thing, on my already full to do list, to maintain. I resent my things. And I find myself craving a simpler life.
So I spend my time pouring over small cottages and bungalows. Looking at their dreamy yards and bright spaces. The challenge of fitting our over sized life into a smaller existence, exciting me. Imagine, having the entire house clean in a day. Or opening my closet and not finding junk stuffed in the corners. *sigh* Better yet, stepping out into the backyard for my morning coffee (*cough* early afternoon) and being surrounded by the smell of garden roses.
It sounds so nice. And I do enjoy dreaming just a little bit too much. So, for now, David and I will stay where we are (which we are very happy at), but today, I’m going to play pretend and dream about living in these adorable bungalows.
