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...