Progress

Nothing new, but lots has progressed since I last posted. Johnathan and I are up here at Lynchburg now. Johnathan has started his classes, and we've already paid our first two month of rent. (I know, I know; I'm not confusing the deposit or anything and yes, I do know the difference between that and rent.) Anyway, We're doing well.

Johnathan's 24th birthday was last week! His family came up to see us and we all went to O-Charlie's. (Johnathan's favorite "fancy" restaurant) His brother, Joel, wasn't able to make it because he had to work, and they wouldn't give him the day off. We missed him terribly!! He's such a pleasure to be around. He's got a quick sense of humor, but he doesn't really speak much unless your actually talking to him or asking him a question. He's one of those rare people who aren't quiet because they are insecure, they're just quiet because they don't have anything to say.
I haven't made many friends since coming here, but he's definitely one of my favorites! (We miss you, Joel!)

He gave Johnathan a little metal boat on a music box for his birthday, and when you wind the music box up, the boat rocks up and down as if it's on the ocean! It's one of the most peaceful things I've ever seen and we play it all the time.

Johnathan is doing better in his classes than he thought he would, even though they are extremely difficult. I'm so proud of him! He has the most amazing work ethic of anyone I've ever known. He studies late into the night, and then gets up at 5:30 in the morning to go to class. He spends hours with tutors and professors who might be able to help him, and even though he gets discouraged, he still manages to smile at me and make me laugh. He's very understanding when I get tired, but I still feel bad and wish that I could do something to help him get through it. It's too bad I can't just learn a couple chapters in a text book and then "download" them to his brain.

Some of the teachers really don't seem to know how much they are asking their students to do! They need to attend the Seven Laws of the Learner class! One man split his class up into groups of twelve, and assigned them each to study a certain business man. They have to basically pretend like they are a company trying to "sell" this man to the public, I guess, with reports and all kinds of fun stuff. All this would be good a good enough project for them to be working on while they are in this class, and most wouldn't complain... Until he said that they are also required to read every one of the books that this man has ever written! I think there's around 70 books belonging to the man that Johnathan's group was assigned to study. Johnathan tried to appeal, but his teacher thinks that he's being "tough" and that because of that, he is a good teacher; but he's not. He's got his students running ragged and out of breath, barely passing quizzes and exams, because there is simply too much on their plates. Did I mention that some of these teachers need to attend the Seven Laws of the Learner class??

Anyway, I don't want to talk about that anymore, it's making me upset. lol!

On a happier note: I've been feeling the baby move a lot lately! At first I honestly thought it was just gas, but since then, I've been paying closer attention to the way it actually differs from that feeling entirely. For example, gas is more of a rumbling, bubbly feeling, where as THIS is more like a little "bump" here and there. I feel it mostly when I'm at home, laying down. Maybe the baby has no way to know that it's bedtime since it can't see the sun yet? lol. The other day I told Johnathan about it and he got all excited and said, "I want to feel it!" But the baby is still too small for anyone else to feel it but me. *poor Johnathan* :(

I've been having a hard time finding maternity clothes. On one of my searches, a lady sympathized with me and said, "I just had a baby myself, and I will tell you that the only places in Lynchburg that sell maternity clothes are Target, and Burlington coat factory." That was rather disheartening, since I generally don't like what target has to offer anyway; so I went to check out Burlington. I wasn't that impressed with their selection either, but I did find a few things that would work for me.

I wonder why modesty doesn't seem to be an issue for a pregnant lady? Do they look in the mirror, decide they are too ugly for repair anyway, so they just blow it completely?? I'm serious! Some of these shirts are so tight, they reveal every single curve you could possibly be hiding!! Why???! *sighs and laughs softly* I will never understand girls my own age.

Then Johnathan's dad and brother told me about a Good Will somewhere, and THAT'S where I hit the jackpot. The reason why Lynchburg doesn't have any decent maternity clothes is because they're all at Good Will! All these "old fashioned" styles that nobody likes anymore because they are modest; they give them to the Good Will for people like ME to find! Yayayayayayay!! *laughs and grins happily*

Anyway, I think that's just about it for now. I'm sorry I haven't been posting very much. I'll try to do better.

I love and miss every singly one of you more than you can imagine!!