October? Really?

I am not sure how six months have flown by since I last posted.  It seems like just yesterday I was writing that philosophical post about entering the fourth decade of this "crazy, tragic, sometimes almost magic, awful, beautiful life*" of mine.  But, when I think about in a more analytical way (and with a calendar in hand), I know exactly where the majority of 2013 has gone:

April -  We got the news in mid-April that the university where April worked would not be renewing her contract for 2013-2014.  It was a real disappointment because we had received mixed signals about it for months and April had been giving her all (and probably more than was healthy for her to give) to try to earn their approval and get another year on faculty to teach and finish her dissertation. After all, if not for the severe medical circumstances she encountered, she would have completed the requirements on her contract.  But, without departmental support or ADA protections, she was powerless to properly defend herself.  Ultimately, we decided that this was a blessing in disguise because it would force April to focus on recovering, allow us both to concentrate on dissertation defenses, and job market opportunities where we could both work (since there was little Sociology professorships in CO anyway).

May - In May, we knew we had 1 month to make final decisions about where we would go post-Colorado Springs.  As per usual Team Beattie moving plans, nothing worked out as planned. After much deliberation, we had decided on renting our house month-to-month so that we could continue working with April's doctors {though transferring health coverage from her job to Brett's job was a huge pain}.  But, in late-May our landlord informed us that we had until the end of June to move out because the home's owners were moving back in.  Lovely.  So, with that planned scratched we had to pick between Texas (where my parents were) and Pennsylvania (back to our PhD institution to work with our mentors and where Brett still has his job).  On the medical front, April couldn't get an appointment with the special mitochondrial specialist in Pueblo until the day before her health coverage ran out, so any answers would have to come later...on another health plan, and potentially after we lived in another state.

June - We were blessed with a miracle when Brett's Mum Lyn (Mama Beattie) volunteered to come over from Australia to help us make the move from Colorado to Texas.  We had finally arrived at the conclusion that living nearer my parents was a better idea, financially and to support my health needs, than to be back in PA where the only benefit was to be close to academic resources which may or may not really have our long-term best interests at heart.  So, for three and a half amazingly helpful and bonding weeks, Lyn traveled with us from Texas to Colorado Springs to Texas again with all of our stuff.  She helped clear out rooms of clutter, put things in storage, etc., We couldn't have done it without her.  In June we got the first results of April's test with the specialist which showed that there were indeed substantial problems and she needed a muscle biopsy.  Due to the transfer issues with health insurance, we were unable to schedule this until late July.

July - July was the month that didn't happen, lol. Lyn left after the 4th of July holiday (no one had any energy left to go to the big fireworks displays, etc., but she was at least able to see the uptick in flags and sales on picnic and BBQ fixin's).  The rest of the month, up until we drove back to CO for my biopsy on the 30th was a blur.  I can remember many trips to the storage unit to bring home boxes of things we realized we did need after all.  My Mom, Lyn, and Brett had carried so much furniture up stairs that I felt a little bad having them do it again once we cleared out the second bedroom, but it was worth it to give Brett his office space. Now we're just missing the black couch...but that is way in the back of the storage unit and I'm not hauling it out until it cools off more! I can remember a week spent in bed recuperating after the whirlwind of forcing ourselves to have done soooo much (and so much more physically than my body probably should have done).  My stepdad turned 78 in there somewhere too.

August - I was still in a lot of pain when we celebrated our 1 year anniversary in early August.  We forgot to email Brett's dad on his birthday (and we were so sure having gotten married the day before that we'd never forget again, but I think the Australia-US time/day difference thing is still not automatically clicking in my brain).  Brett got confirmation of his appointment with immigration for our interview for his green card, and also was officially re-appointed to his job at our graduate institution.  The school wanted him to go back there (instead of to the national conference) to see his boss/advisor and to re-sign his employment documents with his new status. My parents house began a slow transformation as we helped (forced?) them to faced the clutter they had been collecting for years.  While not a complete success (mostly they have just moved things into their own storage unit, the garage, and their new RV), they do finally have a cleared out bedroom to sleep in for the first time in many years. Kira and Alex went on a trip overseas this summer (was in August? September?) and it was great to hear about their adventures in Europe.  I could tell how much Brett wants to go and experience it himself (and his way), and so that really is on our bucket list for someday.

September -September brought lots of changes.  Brett traveled to Pennsylvania to do paperwork, meet with his dissertation committee and update them, and came back with work to do and lots of enthusiasm for finishing up this year.  I'm his #1 supporter in this goal and am doing everything I can to help.  On days/weeks that he works, I rest and cook meals and try to keep his office clean, etc.  On days that I am working, he takes care of other errands, the kitchen stuff, etc.  It's working out pretty well.  In other news, my little sister Angela had her new baby (a girl) in mid-September.  My parents babysit Angela's oldest (a boy) very often and we've always been a close family so we all see Angela and her family a lot.  My older sister Lori's baby (a girl) is due mid-October.  Lori's elder daughter Lily is very excited to be a big sister (she's been waiting 5 years!).  I am excited to give the new family additions those special baby gifts Lyn brought over from Australia!

October - So, while it feels like this month has just started, actually is is nearly half-over.  Despite the fact that US government is partially shut down, on the 1st we were able to have our immigration interview for Brett's green card.  We passed with flying colors (was there any doubt?)  We even printed out our Team Beattie blog so they could see our three years of random life and couple musings...who would want to fake that?  Anyway, it is conditional for 2 years, so we're still collecting evidence.  Then, in as early as 2016, if he wants, Brett could apply for naturalization/citizenship.  Also this month, we've been focusing on yard work around the house (digging up those awful sticker plants) and finally trying to get a doggy door installed before it gets cold.  My mom starts a new promotion as her job in two weeks, so that is exciting too.  Brett has brochintis really bad, so I am trying to take care of him and he is taking a few days off of work and house duty to just rest.  Of course, even when sick trying to get that man to rest is a challenge.  But I love him so it's worth it. 

Well, that is about as much typing as I can do for now.  Life is day-by-day as far as how we feel, what progress gets made (academically or around the house), but we always put taking care of each other first (with the furry Beatties a close second-they are doing great by the way; finally getting along 99% of the time). I do hope to post here more often (let's say I aim for 1x a month at minimum) and Brett does look forward to his Skype calls to his folks (he just really has been sick and without a voice).  I know we'll find ways to stay in touch!

Despite my online tardiness, I wanted to give y'all an update.  And, more importantly, a belated thank-you for putting up with us throughout this extended transition period.  I am sure we're in for even more ups and downs and times when it seems like things are stuck in the same place and not changing at all!  We appreciate the support of our family and friends more than we can ever express.  We couldn't have gotten from there to here without you.  Take care and you all are in our thoughts.

*Lyrics to a country song by Darryl Worley.

30, Thirty, The Big 3-0, etc.

Today is April's birthday.  She's 30.  I think we often forget the age difference between us (after much coaxing from Brett over the years because it used to be something April was a bit self-conscious about).  But, turning 30 is definitely a time for self-reflection...

On milestone birthdays...I've never done anything important on a "major" birthday.  My sweet sixteen was low-key, I was sick and friendless at 18, for my 21 Jim and I went out to dinner and I had my first (ever, really) drink, and just one at that. At 25 (which is not actually considered a major birthday), I was in D.C. and probably had more friends and freedom than ever before, but I still spent the night working, watching TV, and eating take-away.  So, lots of people asked about what I'd do for 30.  Brett was really sweet about doing anything I wanted. It depends, like everything these days, on how I feel, not by the day but literally by the hour.  I think we're planning a day together at home, no-electronic interference (my excuse for posting now is that he's still in bed, lol), and just spending time catching up on our us-time.  If it won't antagonize our migraines too much, I have an impossipuzzle, I'd like to take a crack at. :-)

On transitioning from the 20s to the 30s... I was never afraid of the 30s.  Instead, I am welcoming them with open arms.  I am disappointed that I have not finished my dissertation by 30 (something I truly believed I would have done had I not suddenly deteriorated with these new crop of neurological issues in the fall).  But, other than that, I expect the 30s to be a pretty awesome decade of my life.  The 20s were a time of learning (book-learning and life-learning and April-learning) that I desperately needed to get to the happy, settled, grateful place in my life that I am currently in.  Now, I plan on enjoying that to the best of my ability with my amazing partner who makes every day better and more wonderful.  I don't want to ever take for granted what I have because the journey to get here was a roller coaster I am glad to say I experienced but wouldn't want to get back in line for seconds.

Ok, well, that's all the typing these fingers can do for today. Thank you to those who read our Team Beattie blog--We appreciate y'all and having you in my life is one more thing to be grateful for on my birthday. Hugs and love, April

Cape Jervis Station

Cape Jervis Station is the current front-runner in our search for a wedding site in South Australia.  We haven't posted a deposit yet, but Brett's family (his parents and sister/brother in law) went to visit and loved the location, accommodations and atmosphere.  The pictures were hard for me to really capture the essence of where we'd get married, but I recently found this video and it helped to get me pretty excited.  Here's the link if you want to check out the place more:  http://www.capejervisstation.com.au/

Best. Husband. Ever.

I am not sure how nearly three months slipped away.  Now here it is at the end of March and there is so so much to recap about our adventures the past 11 weeks.  But, for the most part, we've been sick, seeing doctors, teaching classes, doing research, taking care of animals, taking care of each other, more doctors, making fires, doing chores, cuddling, grading papers, resting when we get a chance, and so on...

I am hoping that this coming week ("spring break" if you believe there is such a thing once you're a grown up) gives us a bit of a reprieve from the stress, busyness, and nonstop work that we've had on our plate.

Brett has been such a trooper.  Taking such good care of me despite him also being sick.  I do my best to take care of him too, and we're making it day by day. He's been helping me out a lot with my job too...now that I'm 90% caught up, it'll be time that we focus on getting him to the next level on his dissertation.

Still no news on a diagnosis for me.  We're starting a new medication regimen for him and hopefully beginning chiropractor and allergy therapy in the coming days.

Still no news about next year on any front.  I'm hoping no news might be good news...

More Team Beattie Holiday Firsts...

Well, things have been really busy around here since Brett's parents arrived.  Luckily, it has been busy and fun! My apologies for not posting more, but between all this busyness and fun, plus bouts of not feeling well and chilly chilly weather, we've had our hands full.

 Here are a few pictures from the first-ever snowman these Aussies have ever made and our holiday gingerbread house.  Details are in the captions:

It was really much harder to make a snowman with Colorado snow than PA snow.  And with the temperature in single digits that day, brrrrr...   Brett named him "Bob" (big surprise there!).  He lasted five days through serving as Baxter's potty hydrant, a bright Colorado Springs sun, and warming temperature before his head fell off.  RIP Bob the Snowman.

Front view:  I really should have read the directions on the gingerbread house sooner.  It has to be made at least a day before you try to put the frosting and candy on top.  Oops.  The front includes a Snowman, Xmas tree, door and wreath.  The candy decorations were so much harder to work with than we imagined.

Side view:  Both sides looked the same and had a lot more plain brown that we intended but it probably would have taken so much extra time and effort to cover it all up like the amazing one on the box and this was pretty enough.  I especially like the heart candy cane on the roof. <3

Well, that's everything for now.  We're heading down south at the end of the week for the great Australians meet Texans family reunion (or family introduction as the case may be).  Wish us luck!

Team Beattie 1st Christmas Tree

Now if only we could convince Baxter that the tree, ornaments, and lights are not food...

For the love of cricket (bats)...

A  long time ago, in a far away place called Adelaide, a young boy named Brett had a cricket bat.  Brett loved playing with his cricket bat and balls in his family's backyard.  He'd practice his bowling for hours on end and he would love to bat even though he couldn't play any hook shots to protect his parents' windows.  The famed Beattie pitch changed over the years but Brett always found a way to put his beloved cricket bat to use playing the all-Australian pastime.  

Brett grew up into a tall, smart, handsome young man and his family was very proud of him.  He decided to move to America to pursue a graduate degree and was sad to leave his cricket bat behind.  Even as he packed his final bags, he knew that he wasn't saying goodbye to his bat because someday they would be reunited and they would be able to be hitting boundaries together again [even if they were six-and-outs].

Years past and Brett flourished in America.  He did well in his graduate studies, fell in love with a beautiful girl, and explored the world.  Every time he visited Australia or his family and friends came to visit him, his heart tugged at him to be reunited with that special old friend--his cricket bat.  He would meet new friends who suggested he just buy a new one, after all, it would be about the same cost as having the old one sent from half way across the world.  But, Brett knew that just wouldn't do.  If he couldn't have HIS cricket bat, he didn't want any cricket bat.  It was only HIS cricket bat, that held so many memories, that felt just right in his hands, and that loved him just as much as he loved it that belonged in his garage. It was his cricket bat that he wanted most of all...

UPDATE:  Brett's parents were very generous and brought his beloved cricket bat to him.  We were able to go outside in the afternoon on Christmas eve and play.  I learned a few of the rules of backyard cricket (I am not very good at it, sad to say), and we found out that Baxter really enjoys going after the balls. If only we could properly train him to bring it back to the pitch! :-)  I'll try to take a picture of the bat soon and post it for those who are interested in what a cricket bat looks like-it wasn't anything like I imagined, and really heavy too!