sorry I'm not sorry

Hello world!  After a month of silence I'm back to update my cyber diary only to promise what will most likely be another month of silence.  I keep wondering if I'm going to regret this weakly documented year of mine & Karl's lives but after much deliberation the answer I've come up with is a resounding no.  To put it plainly, this year just kind of sucks and I will never forget it, I don't really need a biweekly post to remind me of that.  And quite frankly, I can't think of a single one of my loyal readers who would enjoy logging on every other day to read my complaints of married life, being a boomerang child, without Karl, without my own house/kitchen/decorative freedom/icouldgoonbutiwillspareyou/etc.

moving right along...Christmas was wonderful, however, it didn't feel like Christmas at all.  Just a nice family gathering + good food.  Karl wasn't there, Pa wasn't there, we are still figuring out what it's like to have 3 sets of in-laws to share sisters and brothers-in-law with, cousins + aunts/uncles were missing... basically it was just a wonderful time to focus on The Lord because that was about the only thing consistent that this holiday season provided... and praise God for that, because I have been doing/noticing a lot of that as of late- really REALLY noticing and feeling and experiencing that He is the only constant that can be counted on, the only unchanging, permanent, faithful, who will not fail me.  I'm not trying to be crypic--- here Karl & I are in a season where he has absolutely no control over his absence and inability to be here physically and provide for me in the ways that I want & need- what an experience and lesson this has been in relying solely on The Lord.  By the way, I wouldn't recommend this particular curriculum to anyone. 

Anyways, the past month has been CRAZY!  I have loved every second of the busyness- it definitely helps me cope with Karl's absence better.  Maddie & Matt's wedding was gorgeous and took up every second of my spare time for all of November & December.  I'm glad it's over because it was stressful, however, I did enjoy giving them the gift of planning, doing that with my mom and sisters, and seeing it all come together- it was a blast!!  They both looked gorgeous and it was just awesome!  I can't wait to get the professional photo and video back- I'll definitely post more about the big day when I have those.  Having my cousins and family in town as well as The Johns' was basically heaven- Maddie & Matt's wedding would literally have not been possible without them & some other heavenly help.  Dream.Team.

After Maddie's wedding weekend I kept Lincoln & John's biggest boy, Valin, for a few days while Lincoln got caught up on some rest & house things and then drove Valin back to Little Rock at the end of the week since I was already headed that way to return wedding things that we borrowed from The Riggans!  I spent 2 days in Little Rock with The Harris' and it was so nice and relaxing!  Just what I needed after the wedding, loved every second of it and cannot wait to zip on back up there and do it again!  I tell you what, I just don't know what kind of awful it would be like to have been raised without a close relationship with my cousins.  Being able to call upon them for help, having confidence that you will know their children like you know them, and looking forward to seeing them is the best thing.

As of late, I have moved into my parents house and out of Callie & Jeremy's as they prepare for the arrival of Oliver!  They hastily kicked me out last week.  I kid, I kid.  I willingly left to give them some time as their family of 2 before the big guy makes his debut.  Life at Amy & Paul's is grand- this new house has so much space & privacy... it will be hellish interesting when the renovations start, which could be literally any day now.  Work is good- I had a full day of training yesterday alongside every staff member of the @rlington/Mansfield Pregnancy Centers- we are changing our model of care and I am SO STINKING EXCITED about it!  I will start my new position as soon as I am back from...

VISITING KARL IN KOREA!  I leave the second week of February and will be there for a little over 2 weeks!  He was able to secure a few days of leave so we will get to travel and explore the country together!  I absolutely cannot wait and have had so much fun thinking about everything that we will get to do while I'm there!  We will get to celebrate Valentines together, our 1 1/2 year anniversary, go on as many dates as days I'm there, I'll get to cook for him, do his laundry, clean- it will be the most semi-normal our lives have been in 5 months.  I can.not.wait.  Like, my mind is absolutely consumed with thoughts of my arrival, days there, everything.  Basically it all looks like scenes from a very wonderful movie.  And most importantly, I have been heavily focused on what I'll wear each day.  Obviously.  

Well, I'll probably post a month from now, or maybe I can talk Karl into a guest post while I'm in Korea!  However I make no promises these days.  I'll likely be a super uplifting person to be around following my trip, youuuu know, when my next countdown to seeing Karl becomes 4 months... and then another 4 months.  longest year everrrrrrr.

Love,

Debbie

M.I.A.

I know my posts have been few and far between...  my apologies to you and my future self for not properly documenting this season of life.  I'm caught between wanting to post about life-happenings and not wanting to just login to complain... which has led to my cyberspace silence.  Karl has been gone for 4 weeks today.  And it feels like he has been gone for 4 years.  So basically I'm not feeling too optimistic about the speed at which this year will go by, time is certainly not on my side at this point.  Friday nights are my loneliest time as my sisters and parents usually go on dates with their spouses... for which I am thankful- I am very aware of people feeling sorry for me, changing plans because of my solo-status, and even more acutely aware of my own pity parties so I'm not particularly interested in playing third-wheel on date night each week- praying my pity parties away because I know that is certainly Satan trying to break my spirit.  So, how about a little written gratitude now that I've given my honest take on the past month?  I am thankful for my job.  I haven't written about it yet but I am really SO excited about it!!  I have been hired on for a part-time nursing position at the @rlington pregnancy center!  This is my dream first nursing job that I have been praying about for months, literally.  Long story short, this job just fell into place perfectly, in God's perfect timing.  I really look forward to going in, so enjoy what I will be doing, and couldn't ask for better coworkers- really all the women there are such servants.  I never imagined that I would have the privilege of working with such supportive, encouraging, and Godly women.  Not sure how much blog-time this position will get from me as confidentiality plays into basically everything that happens there, but I'm excited to share my job news with you today!  I've had this position for maybe 5 weeks now;  right now I am just going in once a week for training, however starting in January I'll be working about 20+ hours a week.  I'm thankful for busyness- planning Maddie's wedding is basically a full-time job, helping my parent's with decisions about the renovation of their new home is really fun for me, and shopping for/talking about/obsessing over Callie & Jeremy's baby boy, Oliver Ryan, is plenty of fun as well!  I am thankful for friends and their outreach to me and I am especially looking forward to a trip to Little Rock next week!!!  Thankful for health and wellness for Karl and my family- especially my sweet newborn cousin that came home from the NICU after a 3-week stay this past week!!!!  Thankful for great TV shows, a supportive family, and mostly for how God has protected my heart during this time.  I have been praying that Karl & I wouldn't feel lonely, empty, or sad and He has certainly provided.  I kind of just feel numb- like, don't think about what is actually going on in my life, Korea-wise, in fact, it still doesn't even feel real to me that this thing is 12 months long.... maybe that will catch up with me in a bad way but for now, it's working.  So, now are you glad I've been quiet?  Because most of my posts would read similarly to this... kindofdepressing, but I'm working on it.   How's that for honesty?  And speaking of honesty- go ahead and lower your expectations of me in that department- when I'm asked about how this is all going face-to-face with someone, I'll tell you it's fine... I mean, what am I supposed to say?  "This really blows, I'm pretty lonely, and time is going by at snails pace."  So I just lie instead.  God is working on me.  Maybe another month and I'll be totally over it all.  Maybe.  Annnnnnd now some cheery pictures to send you on your way:

Maddie & I at her most recent shower- SO FUN!

Sending Karl lots of Christmas packages- LOVE doing this!

Billi, loving the house plans too.

And last, but OBVIOUSLY not least- a picture I recently sent Karl to brighten his day.  Never looked better, I tell ya.

Happy week to you,

Hannah K.C. Burton

Hey Karl- how about another guest post from Korea?!?  Your fans are demanding more from you!  You're so popular!!

Not so Wordless Wednesday: done deal

My parent's closed on their house yesterday.  Closed, y'all.  Renovations start next week and will last for 4 months.  I am so excited.  And kind of ignoring the 'question mark' that is [where will me and my family live for the next 4 months?]  Anyways, no buzz kills here... consider this your 'before' shot.  My mom will probably be miffed that I'm showing this pre-landscaping and exterior painting, however, I just basically can't believe this home is theirs.  They have been in the "closing" process since August.  August.  Did you fully process that?  Buying this home has been basically a nightmare.  But that is done.  And we are starting such a fun season!!  Praise God for His perfect timing (albeit His confusing, mysterious, and baffling timing...but always perfect).

Sincerely,

Not so homeless Hannah