46 and the future

I’ll admit, as much as I try to live in the moment lately, some days it really is harder than others.  I had a nice week last week visiting with many friends and family that I haven’t seen in a long time and also added a new kitten 6member to our family.  (Post on him and our other new adopted kitty soon to come.)

But on this Monday, 46 days until Chris comes home, and 46 days until I am done with college, I am having a much easier time focusing on the future.  To having my husband back.  To being done with school. To just finally being able to start our lives for real.  To the time when I can read whatever books I want!  The list of books I want to read keeps growing longer and longer, and it is killing me to not have the time to read them. To the time when I can enjoy cooking dinner rather than sleepily throw some food in the microwave after a 12 hour day.  Having 3 jobs and finishing school while my husband is on the other side of the country is no badge of honor, and I sincerely look forward to the day when all of that is over. 

Inevitably though, getting through these 46 days is a requirement to getting to that happier point.  Because Chris getting through training and me having my degree is what will lead us to be able to fulfill our plans for the future.  

Europe in 2013, here we come.   

Pre-baby Bucket List, here we come.

Life -- here we come.

Yes, that may sound slightly over dramatic, but it’s completely how I feel right now.  But to leave you with something in-the-moment for today.  Train is quickly becoming one of my favorite artists. And I love this song!

1 Day Down, 52 To Go

So Chris headed off to Delaware for his 8 week training on Sunday. In the rainy, windy 4am darkness at the airport, we had to say a very sad goodbye for 8 long weeks. Considering we have never been apart for more than a week in the 4 1/2 years we've been together...these two months are going to be hard. But like any other hard times that have been thrown at our relationship over the years, we will get through them!  No problem.

The good news is that the 52 day countdown also signals when I will be DONE with college. Completely done! So while there will be times during these two months where I am absolutely depressed, the end product will be wonderful.

But really, to get through this time, I am going to have to do my absolute best to keep a positive outlook, or as Ashlee would say -->  Choose Joy.

So here are some joyful things right now:

- I get to see 3 friends this week that I haven't seen in a LONG time! Plus my biweekly Fin's Fish Friday date with Stephanie!

- I get to visit with a ton family this weekend in Fresno, including parents, grandpa, tons of cousins and my cousin's new 10 week old baby.

- I hopefully get my new kitten! My cousin's cat had babies, and if they are ready to go, I get to take mine home. (Hopefully him and our adopted Abby-Bunny cat will make friends.)

- It's spring break, so I am not pressed for schoolwork this week.

- My new zumba shoes come in the mail tomorrow!

- And finally, look at the ADORABLE key pendants I bought on Etsy just now for only $7! 　

Please let the joyful things make these 52 days go by at lighting speed!

To The Future

"Don't fear the long road, cause on the long road, you got a long time to sing a simple song - sing along"  - Michael Franti

Sometimes it takes getting rid of a negative force in your life to appreciate all of the supportive and positive ones. That has been what this weekend was about for me. While the negative force was lifted from my shoulders, I was able to again be reminded to appreciate some very supportive friends, my amazing family, and my wonderful husband.

And now here, at a huge precipice for my immediate family's lives, as well as my husband and I's own lives, I have complete faith that we are all going to come through it all on the other side, as stronger and much happier people.

While my family said goodbye to our childhood house this weekend...we also said hello to a new era. While we said goodbye to the vessel that housed our hundreds of memories, we also promised to keep those memories in our minds forever. My dad said as I was leaving the house, “You came in at age 10, and you're leaving with your wedding dress.” Ain't that the truth. Going into that house, I was a kid, leaving that house I am an adult. And so is my brother. So mom and dad, while that house was an important chapter, it wasn't the only chapter of our lives. You have raised two children who have grown up to learn to make their own choices and to surround themselves with only the best of people. Now onward to bigger and better things, we all four go.

And with Chris leaving for his eight week long training in Delaware next week, we too are on a precipice, but a precipice of what will surely be a great life together. And I find that now, more than ever am I secure in the absolutely ironclad strength of our love and bond.

Here's to the future!

 "The future is always beginning now."  ~Mark Strand

3 good things in the midst of the waiting game

Anyone who knows us right now, knows Chris and I have been going through a REALLY tough time waiting to see if he is going to get this new job. Sometimes the waiting game has seemed unbearable. But in the midst of it all, I have tried to think of the happy things that are squeezed in between all that stress. I have discovered that really simple things can make me happy. And three of them happened this weekend.

First – a pedicure. It may not sound like much, but something about my inner perfectionist loves having my toenails look nice and perfectly painted. And thanks to Ultimate Nails in Lohmann's Plaza's only $17 pedicures and a very full change jar, I was able to make that happen. :-)

Second – going to the gym. Now 5 years ago, back in high school, I don't think I ever would have said that. But in the last 6 months to a year, I have been very consistently going to the gym several times a week, and I think I finally realized that the gym has now become my happy place. It is my stress relief, it keeps me sane. And thanks to some very awesome 24 hour Fitness instructors (Aman, Alex, Ingrid, Cathie) and some great gym buddies I enjoy it more every time I go. Plus – spring softball season is just around the corner! Yay!

And Third – Books and a trip to Barnes and Noble. Thanks to Groupon, I had a $20 gift card, so Chris and I ventured over there for a date Saturday. I love that we both love to read. There is nothing like a new book, or especially one you've been looking forward to reading. He has this series by Patrick Rothfuss that he loves. The second book came out last week and he couldn't wait to get it. Knowing him, he'll have it finished by next week – and the book is 1000 pages! I've promised to give the series a try this summer after I am finished with school. Because he said because of my love of Harry Potter, I will probably like it. Anyway, I bought a book too, and also got this month's book club pick on my kindle. And also added several books to my list of “Books I want to read.” This list is in addition to the long list of books already on our shelves at home that I have yet to read. It's gonna be a reading summer, I tell you!

So as we continue our waiting game, I can at least look at pretty toenails, look forward to the gym Tues/Wed/Fri and we can read our new books together. :-)

Happy Monday.

Oh, The Places You'll Go!

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss! AKA - Read Across America day!  I am so happy that we celebrate reading for children on this day.  I loved hearing about the kids at my after school program's days and how their teachers read Dr. Seuss.  We read Oh, the Places You'll Go! and we also did some coloring pages from Cat in the Hat. Thank you Dr. Seuss for continuing to help new generations of kids love to read.

Here are a few of my favorite Dr. Seuss Quotes:

"I’m afraid that some times you’ll play lonely games too. Games you can’t win ‘cause you’ll play against you."

"You’ll get mixed up, of course, as you already know. You’ll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go. So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact and remember that Life’s a Great Balancing Act."

"I’m sorry to say so but, sadly, it’s true that Bang-ups and Hang-ups can happen to you."

"Kid, you’ll move mountains!  So…be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray or Mordecai Ale Van Allen O’Shea, you’re off to Great Places!  Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting.  So…get on your way!"

"Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple." 

"Today you are you, that is truer than true.  There is no one alive who is Youer than You."