Updates... #7,251.

Why is this Update #7,251? Because it feels that way.

I am trying to make this post a little more cheery than the last one, but to someone who craves routine, stability and structure, my chaotic life full of change has me about going off the edge. Here is the 411 on some of those changes threatening to ruin my sanity.

Change #1: My Job

Yes, I know I have been working full-time now for almost five months. You would think my work life would have settled a little bit. Not! My big frustration at work is my lack of a stable schedule. I get my schedule four weeks at a time, and it rotates constantly, both day and night. I never know what I am days/nights I am working beyond my four-week time frame.

Part of my frustration is that I am married to a youth/worship minister, who always has a busy schedule full of church and youth events. Our biggest struggle has been finding time together. And it seems like I am always scheduled to work on the days/nights Jim has off.

Change #2: My Home

After much prayer and consideration, Jim and I moved out of our apartment and in with his parents. This is a Dave-Ramsey-approved solution, as we should be debt free easily by the end of this year. Also, we hope to help his parents out by helping out with their home improvements and yard work. So why am I frustrated? Because we had to move!

We were able to move quickly, in a few days. Unfortunately I had to return to work immediately following our move, which gave me exactly enough time to set up my bed and find my clothes. And that was just about all. The rest of our space was full of boxes and furniture and disorganization and mess. And you all know that I can not handle mess!

Literally, I can not focus or concentrate when my home is a mess. My roommates in college used to laugh at me reorganizing my closet before a big test - because there was no way I could sit and study knowing my closet was a mess. And it's still that way. I can go to work and function, but my mind is in a constant state of panic thinking about the mess at home. Yikes!

The conclusion: I'm embarrassed that I've been sitting here whining for the past 20 minutes. Jim tells me I need to get over myself and eat something because obviously my blood sugar is low.

Which is reason #7,252 why I'm married to him.