2.28.12

Caribou Coffee

Tonight, this is one of the few things getting me through my art history class.  It's an interesting class, however, working all day and then going to class for three hours at night makes for a long day!  I said from the start that these posts were going to be more about finding the beauty in each day so that's all the complaining I'll let myself do. 

The beauty of today is that I am able to leisurely go get coffee and then go to a class that will help me get my masters degree.  That is more than some can ever dream to do.  When I get overwhelmed or frustrated, Dane will remind me that what I'm doing is helping our family.  While our family only consists of the two of us and our sassy little Boston Terrier right now, I believe that each class I attend, each book I read, and each paper I write will help create a bright future for us.

2.27.12

Sleepy Pup

Warning: The following post is incredibly biased...mainly because I'm pretty sure I have the most adorable dog in the world.

I'm pretty sure Bella has a mission in life to do at least one adorable thing everyday.  All I can think every time I take a picture of her is a) I probably have more pictures of my dog than my husband and myself... b) When we have a kid, I'm going to need to get a gigantic external hard drive.

I mean seriously...she's sleeping and stinking adorable.  Yep, I said in the first picture of the year I took of her I said that she would be gracing my blog posts many more times throughout the project.  I'm wondering if now I should limit myself to one picture every other week...

2.26.12

Married Life

I think Michael Giacchino hit the nail on the head when he created the score for Up.  Particularly with the song married life.  In 4 minutes and 10 seconds, he was able to capture all of the ups and downs that comes with marriage.  

While Dane and I haven't been married long, we've had a few low, lows and, thankfully, more high, highs.  One of the things I've found the most wonderful during the downs, is having a partner that can focus, communicate, and help create a plan.  I'm also incredibly thankful for his strength, support, and love. On the flip side, it's wonderful to have my best friend around all the time to celebrate the highs and achievements in life.  The thing about the lows in life, is that they make the high points so much more exciting and rewarding.

Dane and I have been fortunate and had more ups than downs, a course that I hope continues. However, I'm thankful to know that whatever life holds, I have one of the best people standing next to me that can support and cheer me on.

2.25.12

Success!

The first annual girls ski trip was a success!  After an incredibly silly detour to get McDonalds breakfast.  We made it to Cascade Mountain in Wisconsin.  After getting my ski equipment picked out I had reached that moment where I realized I had no idea how to get from point a to point b.  

With much help from my lovely instructors, April and Nicki, I was able to maneuver my way over to the bunny hill lift.  I was in line. There were people behind me.  There was no going back.  Now I'm sure most reading this are probably thinking, "Really, you're nervous about the bunny hill?" The thing is this is where my mom's ski career came to an end, so yeah... I was a little nervous.  After testing the softness of the snow right after I got off the lift (my wonderful instructors told me that the first fall doesn't count), I was able to make it down the hill.  

When my confidence was up enough, I made my way over to the green hill.  Again, my lovely instructors helped me get going.  I may or may not have been screaming, APRIL NICKI APRIL NICKI, half way down the hill.  Only a minor fall or two later, I made it down successfully and was ready for lunch.

After lunch, Nicki and April were able to get me down a blue hill successfully.  I was feeling pretty proud of myself at this point.  I had achieved my own personal goal of making it to a blue hill.  When we switched to the other side of the slopes, Nicki decided to go down a black diamond hill.  April and I settled on a green.  When we made it down, Nicki, with her wonderful honesty told me I could probably handle it if I didn't freak out.  

After making it to the top of the lift again, and then seeing a future X Games participant (I'm pretty sure he was only about 7) fly down the chosen black diamond I decided to go for it.  I am proud to say I was able to make it down twice with out falling.  

I have to give major credit to my amazing ski instructors Nicki and April.  They are both amazing teachers who were able to encourage me to go farther than I thought possible.  I'm already looking forward to next year! 

2.24.12

Bella and Lyla

It's official...Bella has a new best friend.  Lyla is the adorable rolly, polly puppy that just joined our dear friends, Kyle and Nicki's family.  They have played non-stop since Lyla entered the apartment.  It's definitely going to be a busy weekend keeping track of these two for the guys!

I've been looking forward to this weekend for quite some time.  Nicki, April, and I are going on a road trip up to Wisconsin to go skiing.  I should also point out that Dane keeps telling me to come back in one piece, unbroken.  It's important to know that my family doesn't exactly have a great track record with skiing.  (Sorry, Mom!)  Hopefully, I'll have some positive posts to publish in a few days!

2.23.12

Lent

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday which marks the beginning of the forty days of Lent.  It seems a little odd to be talking about Easter in February, but it's such a special holiday for me.  While Easter has always been important, it was this time about two years ago I chose to really take ownership of my faith.  While that is a topic I'll probably explore more closer to Easter, for now I'm going to enjoy this time of preparation.  Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fasting. Basically this means try not to go crazy and eat huge meals with snacks in between.  It never fails that on these days I am starving.  However, I try and remind myself that my hunger for one day is far, far less than many people struggle with in a lifetime.  While one day of hunger is uncomfortable, it reminds me how many blessings I have in my life.

2.22.12

Figures

It never fails, I will be walking to the train to go to class and the train will come barreling down the tracks and all I can do is watch it pass by.  I'm sure many can relate to this feeling.  It stinks.  Luckily, I leave early so I'm not late!

While I wouldn't consider a ride on the "el" luxurious, I do enjoy the time a little because it forces me to sit.  It allows me to clear my mind and get away from the busyness of everyday even if it is only for 40 minutes at a time. It also gives me a chance to finish up any homework!