Setbacks

If you've read this blog since we've moved to Mankato, you know that we've had a few setbacks along the way. Everything from the original program that Aaron was pursuing (the accelerated nursing program) being cut (he would have been done by now!), to budget cuts and only 24 applicants getting into the Nursing program, to jobs that have fallen through, to many other things....It has felt like a waiting game for the last 2+ years. Looking ahead to the future, we have started to see the light at the end of the tunnel....knowing that a setback might also happen.

But, this time, it's different.

Aaron is graduating earlier than expected!!!

As long as the information is correct, Aaron will get done 4 months earlier than scheduled! The light is glowing brighter these days as we start to think about the future of "What's Next". Sure, we have some waiting still, but by next summer, we will be transitioning once again. Obviously we don't have a clue where we will end up but we are SO excited to get a start on it next summer and be done with school August 2013 instead of December 2013. We know it will be a busy year with year-round schooling (from August 2012-August 2013) but to us, getting done early is so worth it!

Even though there are setbacks in life, sometimes you get that unexpected fast forward that makes the setbacks all worth it. :) Hope you're all having a wonderful weekend :)

No Namer

I can't think of a name for this post. Therefore, it is a No Namer....probably much like this post because my mind is everywhere today!! Example??

1) I wish my husband was home because I want to play Draw Something with him....I am the world's WORST artist....for real, I'm terrible. And, it's so funny to play with my husband who is a pretty good artist :) Hilarity always happens as he can't guess what I have just drawn :)

2) I really really want to throw a random, out of this world party. Like, the ones that have the cake that looks like a cheeseburger or something that you really don't want to eat but you do because you know that it's cake inside even though it looks gross on the outside. But, I have no reason for a party and it requires work....hmm, maybe I'll just look at blogs of weird cakes :)

3) I want to sew maternity clothes. But, I don't want to get out my sewing machine. Nor do I want to buy fabric. And, I don't want to put in the work. But, I just hate maternity clothes shopping....such a ripoff. So, I shall bite my lip and wear the few shirts I have and not care. Until I decide to actually pull out my sewing machine and do something about it because there is no way that I'm buying overpriced maternity shirts!

4) We went to the zoo on Saturday and thought we were going to be the only ones there.....I guess a mob of people thought the same thing because it was the craziest, busiest zoo day that I've ever had!! But, it was fun and Tristen liked the animals :)

Look, everyone!! That animal has a crazy long neck!!! See?

Flower show! LOVE the hydrangea!!

5) I thought I would be making many trips to Minneapolis this spring as Aaron has clinicals there at the moment but sadly, the schedule just didn't make sense for me to try to tote a toddler along just to be in the car for most of the day. The only time that I'm disappointed about not going with him is when I have to be alone on my birthday....but I'm trying to think of the many ways in which Tristen and I can celebrate....and the only thing I can think of is getting sleep :)  Falling asleep on the couch while watching a favorite movie...that's what every 28 year old does on their birthday, right? :)

6) I've never been more tired in my life....I wish I could just sleep until July when Baby Girl gets here :) Yes, I said July. I've started telling people that she's due around Fourth of July just so I don't get my hopes up that she'll actually be early or on time. I'll be the most shocked one of all if she's two weeks early because I have July 3rd, 4th, or 5th in my head for her birthday.

7) And, that, my friends, is why this post is "No Namer"....a whole bunch of random bits about my life that you probably would have been fine without knowing. But, now you know :)

The Zoo

Already, it is SO fun to see Tristen's interests coming out. He LOVES animals.....especially dogs and fish :) He also loves trucks and anything that has wheels. He loves to climb and loves to play with Aaron (it actually resembles wrestling....maybe he will love wrestling as much as his father does? And, if not, that's okay too! He's his own person) So for this very reason, we decided that a trip to the zoo is necessary. Looking at our schedules, we realized that we don't have a free week/weekend until May after this weekend! And, May is getting into the "no travel" time of pregnancy so this weekend is the weekend to go! We can't wait!! :) It is so fun to see your children get excited about things!!

Tristen at the zoo last year

We hope you have a great weekend. Catch ya later!

My Heart is Heavy

My heart is heavy. In a good sort of way. For those of you who have read Francis Chan's book "Crazy Love", you may know what I'm talking about. I'm in the midst of it and have been altogether struck by so many things. I hate to admit that I didn't want to pick up this book because I knew that it would be convicting. I just didn't know HOW convicting.

There have been many times in life that I've feared death. Not my own death, however, but I've feared those close to me being taken from me. It started when a good friend from high school was killed instantly in a car accident when I was 16. That incident alone really rocked my world....although it made my faith stronger in the long run, it was so life changing. Life is fragile and I've lived by the motto that I could die at anytime since then. I've tried to make the most out of every opportunity and to be ready for when the day comes that I myself will die. I will spend eternity with Christ and I look forward to the day when that will be a reality!

However, reading the book, I realized that I only grasped PART of the concept.....yes, I could die tomorrow and I'm ready to die tomorrow if I do.....but I honestly didn't WANT to think about others around me that will die. I feared that my friends and family that don't know Christ will be the ones to die but I just HOPED that they wouldn't. People are dying everyday without the knowledge of Christ. Every single day! And, I'm just hoping that they don't die.....but we all die someday. My focus has sadly been on myself and my own personal walk with Christ. I am convicted. Majorly convicted.

I don't want to merely say, "I want to meet people. I want to serve. I want to give. I want to share my relationship with Christ. I want to think more of eternity than this life."

But, I will do these things. I will be intentional. Even if it kills me....because, really, this life is but a vapor and my focus needs to be on eternity, much like Francis Chan points out in his book. 

No, this is not a book review because I'm terrible at book reviews :) But, it's to get you thinking just like it got me thinking....where is our focus?? On the here and now or on eternity?

15 months

Tristen is almost 15 months old. Where has the time gone...I mean, really....I cannot believe it! I heard that it was supposed to rain all week so I wasn't planning on getting any pictures in. However, I looked through pictures yesterday and noticed I took a mere 20'ish photos of my son over the last 2 months. The video camera is out as he's walking and talking up a storm but the camera has been stored away. Then yesterday happened. With no storm on the horizon for much of the day, I grabbed him and our camera and we had fun. Like, LOTS of fun....

We couldn't find the golf clubs which would have worked perfectly in with these but, oh well! Maybe next time!!

Have I mentioned how anxious we are for Baby #2 to get here?? Saying her name around the house, praying for her at night with Tristen, slowly building her wardrobe with precious gifts that people have given us....this time around is SO different. I just can't wait for her arrival....and yet I have 3 more months to go. *sigh* I wish it was June, yet I do want to enjoy "just the 3 of us" for a little while longer! But, goodness, I really REALLY wish it was June-July!

Today was rainy and dreary....and I absolutely enjoyed it. Rainy days are refreshing as are quiet times such as what I'm experiencing right now. Not a sound in the house as Tristen and Sadie are sleeping away....*sigh* so peaceful. For someone who hates to be alone, I am pleasantly surprised by this peaceful night :)

And with that, I think I'm going to retreat to my couch and grab a book. Good night, all.

This is Why.....

We keep the TV off in our house!

But, March Madness is a slight exception. I quickly turn on a game, watch a tiny bit, check the scores, catch Tristen's eyes GLUED to the TV and turn it off :) I'm a little more lenient than I thought I would be (vowing to never let my child watch anything until he was 2 years old) but we do keep the TV off when Tristen is awake. After looking at this picture, I think it's the right choice :)

I'm totally into March Madness.....I LOVE watching basketball and wish I would have tried harder when I played bball in high school. But, I can still enjoy the games (and I'm rubbing it in that I called the VCU upset yesterday! Wahoo!)

Happy Friday all! You know what I'll be doing today in between cleaning/laundry/taking care of Tristen....yep, watching basketball and checking my bracket :)

Springtime!

And overnight, it is spring!! Yesterday we were SO productive!! Cleaning, putting out patio furniture, taking out the grill, working on Tristen/Baby Girl's room......it was just SO gorgeous outside that we had to be out in it!!! Don't worry though, we also had a little fun.....

Tristen trying out his new swing!! He can finally use all his birthday/Christmas presents that are outdoor things!!

 But, that wasn't the only fun we had! Well, I had that is! Friday night was a Girl's Night Out....oh.my.goodness! Hilariously fun night with these girls!! I think my abs still hurt from laughing so hard :) 

We dressed in flannel and went to the OK Corral in Jordan....a true Western Night!

Good times....sometimes we mommies just need a break to have fun!!

And now to have a lazy Sunday afternoon before another big week starts....adios!

Spring Break!?

It's Aaron's spring break. Doesn't that mean that we should be on spring break vacation right about now?? I could go for a week long vacation right about now. Maybe somewhere like this?

Walking along the beach in Florida? Sounds good to me!

Or, really, ANYWHERE that has palm trees and is warm??

 I always crave rollercoasters when I'm pregnant. Other people crave food, I crave getting on the biggest, craziest rollercoaster.....LOVE rollercoasters! So, I could totally spend a day at Universal Studios right now!

 Ummm, can I PLEASE go to Disneyworld?? (It was our 5 year anniversary trip idea but maybe it will be our "graduate from Nursing school" vacation!)

 

 Arizona is nice this time of year as well!!

Since we aren't going anywhere for spring break (quite the contrary, Aaron is taking all of the "college kids" shifts at his jobs while they go and have fun!!), I can at least feel like I'm on vacation by looking at pictures from the past. *sigh* Spring Break....at least it's supposed to be warm tomorrow?? :) Happy Monday!

Fun Times

 Ahh, this has been a FUN weekend!! My heart is happy :)

First, Tristen's first official haircut by my friend, Kelly!

He was alright as long as he had a cracker in his hand!!

Then, Friday night came...Aaron and a college friend decided to experiment with food. Finding a sweet and sour chicken recipe on Pinterest (I'm totally caving since my last post....I'm finding really great recipes and photo ideas on Pinterest!) they spent the evening cooking up a storm. It.was.SO.good. Aaron and I decided it would be fun to cook a new interesting recipe every other week for a date night....we'll see how it goes but if this is the start, it will be fun and DELISH!

Then, last night was a BLAST! My old RA staff from 2005-2006 had a reunion. It felt like not a day had gone by but we had quite a bit of catching up to do (6 years really DOES change a lot!!) Love all these people and it was SO great to see them again :)

 We even had a cake with our name on it....great addition!

 So, I didn't want to lug around my big camera so I opted for my small one and the pics turned out so dark...sad day! But, on the bottom is a pic from 6 years ago of all of us!!

Love it!! Great weekend!!

I'm off to take a nap....last minute Nursery duty this morning just about killed me since I couldn't sleep last night and was up at 5:00 when Aaron left. I wish I could say "No" more often but goodness, they were in a jam.....but now, off to get much needed rest!!