It's graduation season...

And Stephan is not one of the graduates.

Last summer, we honestly thought he would be graduating this month. But in November, we found out that he had underestimated what requirements he had left, and so his graduation date moved to December 2011. Rough at first, but I dealt with it. I made the best of the situation. And then, Stephan found out that while he passed certain classes, the math department requires higher grades in those classes for him to get the credit for his major. Now it's looking he won't be donning cap and gown until April 2012.

*insert high-pitched blood curdling scream*

It's really hard for me to see so many people on facebook announcing, "I'm taking my last test EVER!" and the like. It's hard to see people moving on with their lives while we are stuck here in a tiny apartment with a scary looking number in our bank account. 

Everyone says, "Enjoy this time!" "Make the best of it!" and all that crap. I've really been trying to make the best of our situation, I really have. I think of the advantages of living in a small apartment; the things I don't hate about living in Utah; the advantages of Stephan being a student; etc. etc. and so forth. 

I want us to make more money. No, I'm not asking for tons of money to fall into our laps. I just don't want to constantly worry about paying the bills every month. I want to get out of this state. I want a baby (and to be able to afford it). And yeah, I would like a little extra space. 

Some of you may be saying, "Get a real job, Laura! Stop nannying the kid! Make Stephan's life easier!" As if nannying isn't hard work? Please, it's the hardest thing I've ever done. And I've gotten a lot of spiritual confirmation that I need to keep nannying him, even though it doesn't make a lot of sense. 

I should also mention that the good Lord has helped us out in little ways. Stephan recently started tutoring a few people privately. My family has always been willing to help out with money, even though I really dread asking them when we do need it. We also dropped our old health insurance company and got less expensive (and better!) coverage with another company. 

I suppose that I just need to suck it up and make the very best of the next year. It's hard, but somehow it will be worth it in the end. At least, it had better be!