Next step

The last year and a half have been a blur.  I know that the last time I posted it was a pretty heavy subject, and I have been back here many times to write about new things that were going on, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it once I saw that picture of Belle.  It still tears me up inside that she is gone.

Now that it's been a while since Brett graduated college, I've decided that it's finally time for me to take that leap.  I've got one semester under my belt and as I prepare to start the second, I find myself excited and terrified all at the same time.  I know that I can do it, but it's going to be a really long road and every time I think about the commitment to it, it just seems daunting. So far, the two classes that I've taken have been good and I was able to maintain A's in both classes.  Hopefully that's a sign of things to come. I am very appreciative of the fact that I was able to find a program that I will be able to complete online because it allows me to do things at my own pace (mostly), which means that I don't have to alter my day to day schedule or cut corners at work.

I used to have a hard time understanding people who started college without a real plan.  I would hear them talk about their decision to start down the path toward a specific major and then change their minds after a while. I figured that if you were making the commitment to go back to school, it was only logical that you had made up your mind about what you actually wanted to do with life.  The program that I've signed up for is one that I never really saw myself pursuing, but when it came down to it, and I was meeting with my academic advisor, she kind of directed me to it.  I have already started thinking about changing it, but since it goes against how I've always felt I'm having a conflict inside of myself about it. If I change, it's quitting on something that I've committed to.  If I stick with it, I'm potentially risking some serious failures and that scares me.  I know that I don't have to decide right now, but I don't like the thought of not knowing where I'm headed.  If I make the change, things will get more challenging because I most likely won't be able to do all of it online, but in the end I feel like it will be the better decision.

I'll keep you posted on what I decide to do.

Sweet Belle

Belle
October 3, 2004 - March 25, 2014

Two weeks ago, we were forced to make the hardest decision of our lives and say goodbye to our girl.

She was home, where she was comfortable with the people who love her, snuggled up in her bed with her blanket and her toy.  She went peacefully.  She was ready.

I can honestly tell you that the nine and a half years we spent with this dog, were the best years of our lives.  She made us laugh on a daily basis, whether it was her inability to catch anything you threw to her, or watching her shake her toy around like she was the toughest dog in the world.  She was funny.

I may be a little biased, but she was the best dog.  Ever.

Belle loved everyone she came in contact with, dogs and humans alike.  She was great with little kids, and didn't have a mean bone in her body.  Sure, she would bark or growl here and there, but it never lasted more than a few seconds before she was excited about whoever was on the other side of the door.  You always knew when she was happy, too, because her nubbin would wag like crazy.

She loved car rides and spending time outside basking in the sun.  Every morning when we left for work, we made sure the window was open for her to look out at the world.   She was so curious about the cars and people passing by.  She was always just so happy.

As much as my heart aches, I know that she is at peace.  I just miss her so much.

We love you sweet girl.

Home

2013 was a busy year, and had a lot of monumental milestones for us.  Hence my absence here for almost the entirety of it.  I tried to make myself sit down and write, but inevitably, something else always got in the way.  I'm hoping 2014 will allow me more relaxation and time for myself.  

The biggest, and most exciting of those milestones, is that we bought a new home.  We had been living in a basement apartment of a family member's home for the past six years while Brett finished college, so this move was extremely exciting for us!!

We are not only in our own place again, but closer to our offices so our daily commute time has been cut nearly in half.

We already have a lot of projects planned out, and things we are hoping to improve as time goes by.  It's actually not at all the style of home we were looking for in the beginning, but once we walked through it with our agent, it just felt right.

I've already had the opportunity to do some entertaining, and it has been fun to be able to have the space to do that.  I can't wait for summer, when the snow will be gone, and we can take advantage of the back yard some more.

Even though 2013 was a good year, I'm glad it's behind us.  I'm looking forward to seeing what 2014 will bring! 

Happy New Year.

Milestone

I am elated.

I can't believe that I finally get to say this, but mid December marked Brett's final days of college.  He graduated on the 14th, officially, with his Bachelors Degree in Art and Visual Communications.  It has been a long road to get to this place, and I couldn't be happier that this leg of the journey is finally over.

This means that we are moving forward.

Many good things are in the works that I will be blogging about soon, so hang in there.  I will be back in full force before you know it.

And the worst blogger award goes to.....

Me.

I feel terrible that it has taken me so long to get this post up, because I should have done it weeks ago, but I am hoping that my Secret Santa will understand!

I was absolutely thrilled with the gift she sent!! It was very thoughtful and the package contained some great things!! Here's what she sent:

A ball for Belle.  It's even her favorite kind....squeaky!

A journal for me.  I love that it has the quote from the top of my blog 

on the cover.  I can't wait to start writing in it.  

The package also had the board game version of Words with Friends, which I didn't take a picture of, but I am very excited about it because that happens to be one of my favorite iphone games.  

Thank you to my secret santa!! Once again, I had a great time participating, and look forward to doing it again next year!! 

A place without background music

The countdown has officially been on for a while now, but it is getting so close that I can almost taste it. 

Brett finishes school one week from today.

It's a surreal feeling to think that soon we will be packing all of our things and relocating.  We have lived in this apartment for just over five years now, and even though we are outgrowing it, I think I will miss being there.  Just a little.

We have started looking for houses closer to where we both work, in hopes that our daily commutes won't have to be as long.  It's been fun to think about all of the possibilities, and sad to see some of the ones we really liked being sold, but it's exciting. We are ready to be home owners again.

Soon things are going to settle down a bit, and I will have more time to update this blog.  I'm looking forward to that, too. Things have been so busy for both of us between work and trying to get all of the final school projects completed, that I don't feel like there has been any time to sit down and breathe, let alone write.  I miss it.

I'm curious to know.... is anyone still here? 

If you had an opportunity to save a life, would you take it?

I have always been about organ donation. I am registered as a donor and, in the event of my death, I want them to take everything that they can to save the life of someone who needs it.

It wasn't until recently that I came to the realization that I don't actually have to die in order to help save someones life.

Sure, I've always known that donating blood saves lives, but I've always been too damn scared to do it myself because I am a total baby and can't stand the thought of needles. Oh, right... my tattoos. Yeah, that's partly what made me open my eyes. That, and the fact that a blood transfusion once saved my husband's life.

I started thinking about it a few months ago when I volunteered to run the table at a blood drive for my office, and I've come to the conclusion that I need to start giving blood regularly. I need to do my part to pay it forward. I am so grateful for the people that donated their blood so that Brett could have it when he needed it, and if I am capable of sharing, why shouldn't I?

The second thing that has really helped me to open my eyes, came shortly after that blood drive. A friend of mine at work, whom I have become extremely close with over the past year, has a son who was recently diagnosed with a rare form of Leukemia. He is currently awaiting a bone marrow transplant.

Did you know that donating bone marrow isn't as tough or painful as it used to be? The majority of donors no longer have to be put under anesthesia to have the marrow drilled out of their hip. Now, it's mostly all done through donating blood. Then once you have donated your blood, there is a process that takes weeks, but will eventually result in bone marrow ready for transplantation.

Isn't that cool?

You could save someones life.

As soon as I found out about Be The Match, I signed up to be a donor. It's a quick online registry where you can go sign up to be a part of an amazing cause. It doesn't cost you a dime, and you will have the chance to be a hero for someone who needs your help.



My swab kit - Ready for processing!

Once you sign up, they will send you your swab kit. You swab your cheeks and pop them back in the mail so that they can test you and see if you'd be a match for someone. It's that easy! 
If you want to follow Marshall's story, you can visit his blog: HERE
If you want to sign up for the Be The Match bone marrow registry, you can do that HERE

My version of heaven

Moab, Utah 2011

I cannot wait to be back there again.

We need a vacation, and Moab is right around the corner. I couldn't be more excited. I sit and reminisce about last year and look through our pictures, and it brings a smile to my face that is wider than the Grand Canyon.  

Basking

Belle takes her toys very seriously. They are her babies.

She absolutely loves to sit outside in the sunshine and enjoy its warmth. Since we are fully taking advantage of the fact that there is still no hint of snow in sight at our house, she gets to spend time outside when Brett is home between classes. Today, she snuck her baby out with her so that it could enjoy the sun, too.

Success!

With the first week of my Etsy shop under my belt, I have officially made my first sale! So what if it was my aunt Michelle?

It's still pretty exciting.  Hopefully this is a sign of good things to come!! Have you gone over to take a look yet?