The Good, The Sad and The Grad School Experience: A Dent Family Update

Ok so I’ve fallen off the wagon for a while, but I have a good excuse: Grad School! But more on that in a bit. The truth is there were several events which I wanted to blog about but never got the time. In order to remedy this, I figured I would offer some highlights to catch you all up to the events that I would have blogged about. Here it goes:

THE GOOD

1. Beach Trip: For the week of July 24 - 31^st we enjoyed the company of eight of our closest friends, rented a beach house and traveled to Tybee Island in Georgia. Savannah was just about 20-30 minutes away so we made a few day trips, but mostly we enjoyed waking whenever we wanted, catching up with our friends and spending plenty of time enjoying the ocean and the sand. It was the vacation Jonny and I both needed desperately!

2. Multiple Weekends in Shreveport: We may have moved our stuff to live with us in Dallas, but are hearts are still in Shreveport. I think it took moving away for us to really value our hometown. With trips to Shreveport for Mudbug Madness, Father’s Day, birthdays, meeting Baby Asher, the Chaney/Montgomery wedding, KK’s baby shower, singing at Grace and fantasy football, we have spend A LOT of time back in the Port City and have loved EVERY minute of it. We have yet to establish our Dallas friends and church family so, sometimes it’s a challenge, not having a local outlet to share our lives with others. That’s one of the many reasons it is so good for both of our hearts and spirits to be home surrounded by friends and family.

3. Bachlorette Party: Speaking of friend and trips to Shreveport, our friends Michael and Lesley will be getting married in Shreveport in October. We all know what weddings mean… lots of parties. On August 20-22nd I got to spend the weekend with the bride-to-be and other friends in Dallas enjoying some girl time. Word to wise, if you are in the area and are jonesing for a sweet treat, hit up Sprinkles, a cup-cakery.... SO. STINKING. GOOD!

4. One Year Anniversary: This probably should have been first on the good list because it is my favorite of all. On July 18^th Jonny and I celebrated one wonderful year of marriage. We were lucky to be able to attend the Chaney/Montgomery wedding the Saturday before our anniversary and as we watch them profess their love for each other before God and everyone, it was a nice reminder of our own union and vows to each other and how God has blessed us so much since then. Many couples struggle in their first year, and while every moment wasn't rainbows and jellybeans, Jonny is SO good for me and being married to him is even better. I am so in love with that man and I look forward to a lifetime of years together.

THE SAD

Not to be a Debbie-Downer, but we have a very tragic and some what traumatic event strike the Dent household with the death of sweet Tucker about a month ago. I don’t really want to rehash all the details, but let me tell you, it is not an easy thing to watch a dear friend loose his strength and then to find him gone from this world, once you return home. Jonny and I have shed many tears over this loss and our hearts still hurt to realize our sweet old friend is gone. Even with the sweet supportive, gestures we received from family and friends, one thing I know for sure is grief sucks and I don’t think I want it to be one of my counseling specialties AT ALL.

THE GRAD SCHOOL EXPERIENCE

I began my Practicum experience the week of April 12^th, saw my very first client ever April 20^th and have been rocking and rolling ever since then. It has been a challenging and fulfilling experiences for sure. I began in our clinic at school in Plano and am currently at my off-site placement which is located in Uptown - about a 30-40 minute commute. I have a steady caseload of about 8-9 clients a week, each for one hour sessions, plus whatever Intake Interviews I am schedule, plus all the lovely paperwork that goes along with seeing people. Graduation is in sight and the date on my diploma will be October 15,2010 Lord willing! Some days I don’t know if I am doing any good and I really doubt my skill level, but even in the midst of the doubt, I know I am exactly where I am suppose to be, helping hurting people. I’ll get some awesome moments, when a client has a breakthrough and they are able to have a victory with self-awareness or new behaviors and its so rewarding. I think one of my favorite moments thus far was when a client said in session “You know, I’ve been thinking about something you said last week all week”. There was a moment of utter fear, wondering what I could have said and if I really even said what he heard, and then he told me “You said relationships are important aspect of life” and I sighed my sigh of relief and sat back and enjoyed the processing going on in this client’s life. It feels good to know that my God-given desire to be with people and to encourage them, is being developed and used. So in the middle of the good, the sad, and the grad school experience I am constantly reminded that I am so blessed and I would not change this busy time for anything in the world!