tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4558407660694236752024-03-19T14:34:27.499-07:00mrs.smithlife is too important to be taken so seriously...Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08662461696733574277noreply@blogger.comBlogger110125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-455840766069423675.post-5650879588474276982015-08-12T19:03:00.001-07:002015-08-12T20:32:58.411-07:00I was a Mom, once. <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Almost since the day I met Shaun, I knew he wanted to have kids. I've teased him relentlessly about being more baby hungry than most women I know and him wishing I was wearing a maternity wedding dress on our wedding day. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was a little more conservative. I told him I wanted to wait until we had been married at least a year and lived in our own place. Once both of those stipulations were met, it was time to start "trying".</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Things didn't seem to be progressing as fast as I was hoping. I had been off birth control for over a year and still nothing. For some reason I kind of thought I would be <i>that </i>girl that had no problem getting pregnant. Thinking there might be something wrong with me, I went to an OB and he prescribed a few months worth of Clomid. Oh, Clomid. That stuff is the devil! I'll have to write another post about my Clomid experience (there was actually one pretty funny story about it) but not today. I only made it on that stuff 2 months before I threw in towel. I changed OB's and it was the best decision! My new doctor started with some testing for me and Shaun, and everything was in the clear. We started remodeling a new house and decided to hold off on the baby thing. More and more it seemed like I just wasn't destined to be pregnant and we started looking into adoption.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>July 7, 2015</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At this point, still no baby and I was just about to start a new job after 3 months of unemployment. I had been feeling different for a couple of weeks and I was about 5 days late. I had even starting looking on Pinterest for cute ways to announce a pregnancy on the off chance I was. Part of me screamed I was pregnant, and the other part wanted nothing to do with that side of my brain. I had no clue if I was excited or utterly terrified at the thought of really being pregnant. After a friend's little boy asked me where my baby was, I figured it was time to take a test.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKCO_S7yIotZk4520zOknqFsCTO0Rxlp-wRAZ9GeW-qrRoTqvzSjO50nD-MIfMICHLaksTHMwG_ONZ80epjBbneJC_y4QK1AILxZZTmituIYWq_JrRV2lDyS8HCFHCKgmU3dlN6h9X11F/s1600/20150707_174616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKCO_S7yIotZk4520zOknqFsCTO0Rxlp-wRAZ9GeW-qrRoTqvzSjO50nD-MIfMICHLaksTHMwG_ONZ80epjBbneJC_y4QK1AILxZZTmituIYWq_JrRV2lDyS8HCFHCKgmU3dlN6h9X11F/s320/20150707_174616.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh. My. God. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I almost had a panic attack when I saw this. I really didn't think I could or ever would be pregnant. I started shaking and just kept staring at that word.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Pregnant.</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I knew I wanted to surprise Shaun somehow, so I ran to the store (still visibly shaking) and got a card and some baby bibs that said "Daddy Is My Hero. The card said "Congratulations" on the outside and inside I taped the test and wrote "Holy. Shit" next to it. When he came home I told him I got him something for being so great while I've been unemployed. His reaction was priceless! He looked at the card, looked at me, and said "Are you effing serious?! No way!" Of course, there was more colorful language used, but it was amazing to share the news with him. I loved being able to give him something he's wanted his whole life.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCqUGA8nqrv5p7khPq9_P9HlVR9iE2f5_tZJMeiLis_IZuJPmasF7m7zk4k7PceeySh5IQFYDJeMAR2pyHYkEgKQT39CGdRJ_bH-DZMlsb5cu_p_hWk3XcQyb5iKs5VlmjDKO57INTyU2/s1600/20150709_141937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCqUGA8nqrv5p7khPq9_P9HlVR9iE2f5_tZJMeiLis_IZuJPmasF7m7zk4k7PceeySh5IQFYDJeMAR2pyHYkEgKQT39CGdRJ_bH-DZMlsb5cu_p_hWk3XcQyb5iKs5VlmjDKO57INTyU2/s320/20150709_141937.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We wanted (and really tried) to wait to tell people, but we only lasted 2 days before Shaun wanted to tell his Mom. We took one more test to make sure it stuck and I made a cute picture to send her with Shaun's uniform and a test. We used that picture to tell most of our close friends and a few family members, and they were all just as excited for us as we were.</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We told my mom and dad with books called <i>How To Babysit A Grandma/Grandpa</i>. I told them it was from the dogs as a thank you present for watching them that weekend, but inside it said "Please read to me when I make my big debut in March 2016". My mom's reaction was hilarious. She read the note and got this confused look on her face. She started counting and said, "But that's 8 months away?" Shaun and I just smiled and started laughing, then I showed her a picture of the pregnancy test and she finally got it. She had been asking for a human grandchild for years and it was almost as fun telling her as it was to tell Shaun.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxC0ROXxo2r3zi2JcdgLhzSm_KXq8g59gRcWXu7PykE6lZmTaYCmRQzVxt7LKKxylcYGzCrkwOP4Oi-jAqvdFMOXFHFnM1MeF7YK3In8MGIgoZ7TZekAViY-AKhq7GWAZ2SXt9mmM1MQ7/s1600/1436475371000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxC0ROXxo2r3zi2JcdgLhzSm_KXq8g59gRcWXu7PykE6lZmTaYCmRQzVxt7LKKxylcYGzCrkwOP4Oi-jAqvdFMOXFHFnM1MeF7YK3In8MGIgoZ7TZekAViY-AKhq7GWAZ2SXt9mmM1MQ7/s320/1436475371000.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I started work and, let me tell you, working at a mine when you're pregnant is NOT fun! Even though I spent the majority of my day in my office, the smells alone almost killed me. Also riding around for a few hours on bumpy dirt roads didn't help matters much, but I just kept some peppermints on hand. I told my manager my first day so I could start making appointments and getting things in order. After a week of freaking out about what she would say, it was such a relief to know I had the support of my new company. Finally I felt like I could relax and enjoy this.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>July 29, 2015</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First appointment day!!!!! According to my calculations, I was 8 weeks pregnant. I had spent the night before looking up ultrasounds and listening to heartbeats and just getting excited about the appointment. I remember telling Shaun on the drive over I didn't know what I was more scared of- nothing being wrong or something being wrong. It seems like a strange thing to say, but I've had way too many friends experience horrible pregnancies and I was terrified of being sick the whole time. I had been feeling a little sick the previous few weeks and had some cramping, but everyone I talked to said as long as there was no bleeding I should be fine. I was worried something might be wrong, but I never actually <i>believed</i> anything was. I'm just a natural pessimist and worrier.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They tell you to come to the appointment with a full bladder for the ultrasound, so being the good patient I am, drank a 54 oz water. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then we waited.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For over an hour.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I really thought my bladder was going to explode. When we finally got back to the room I begged Dr. Nolte to do the ultrasound first so I could use the bathroom. We went to the back room and I jumped on the table. I thought I knew how I would feel when we looked at the screen, how the "bubble" would look like a little baby and hopefully we would see and hear a heartbeat. But nothing prepared me for what we did actually see.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nothing.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I knew we should have been able to see something, even a blob is visible at 5 weeks, and there we sat with a blank screen. Dr. Nolte wanted me to go to radiology and have a higher resolution ultrasound, so down the hall we went.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The tech did not have great bedside manner (...again, another story for another time) but she didn't see anything either. There was a gestational sac, but nothing inside. She said sometimes the body just "thinks" it's pregnant and sends out all the appropriate hormones but there's no baby. Then she walked out of the room (awful, awful lady!)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I started crying and tried to pull myself together enough to walk down the hall back to the clinic. I can't say enough great things about Dr. Nolte because he was truly a lifesaver! He said he wanted to wait another week before we started to panic. He said sometimes the dates are off or sometimes the baby just hides. Either way, we were about to play the waiting game.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After that, I was pretty much a wreck. Thankfully I have an amazing boss who let me go home early the next day because I was crying so much. I couldn't understand why this was happening. I did everything I was supposed to do. I had started taking prenatal vitamins the day after I found out I was pregnant. I wasn't doing any strenuous activities. I cut out all sushi and deli meat. I couldn't understand how women who use drugs, or teenage girls, or women who just didn't give a shit could go the full 40 weeks and have a perfectly healthy baby.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It wasn't fair.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And it wasn't fair to Shaun. I think I felt worse for him then I did for myself. All he's ever wanted was a baby and I failed him.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>August 6, 2015</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't know what was worse; waiting another week to see if there was a baby or telling the people we had already told about the possibility of there not being one in there. I felt guilty because I had been so scared about being sick and not knowing if I could physically deal with a pregnancy, I felt like this was my karma for my bad thoughts.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">During this time a few of my friends shared their announcements on Facebook. I so wanted to be one of those people. I was so jealous of them and their happiness. They KNEW there was a baby. They KNEW everything was developing. They could be happy and celebrate. And there I was not knowing if I would be as happy as I was 2 weeks ago or if was about to get the blow of a lifetime.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A week came and went and we were back at the doctor. I was on the verge of tears all day because I just knew nothing would be there again.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Unfortunately, I was right.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Blighted ovum"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> When you really are pregnant <span style="font-size: x-small;">(thanks a lot dumb tech who made me feel like I was crazy and imagined the whole thing) </span>but the egg does not develop and for some reason your body doesn't get the memo and keeps thinking it's pregnant. Again, Dr. Nolte was so kind and very apologetic. It was amazing knowing he was on our side. He said we had a couple options but we didn't need to make any decisions that day. I just wanted to get a game plan in place and get things going. We decided instead of waiting for my body to play catch up, we would go ahead with a D&C and remove all the remnants from the pregnancy.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I couldn't really bare to tell anyone, and gave that task to Shaun. I was still pretty angry with myself and the universe and was simply trying to hold it together. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Yes...except I went through it with no one to hold my hand since my husband was out of town." height="320" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/fb/1a/de/fb1adef0f86b97f03eacf95a26047706.jpg" width="313" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is a pretty accurate picture of how it felt to look at the ultrasound screen and see an empty sac. Words are hard to find to describe it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would like to take a second and share a few things to <b>NEVER</b>, under any circumstances, say to a woman who has miscarried or lost a baby. I know most of these are said to comfort the parents, but if any of these things pop into your head as your about to say them to a mom who lost her baby, please rethink what you're about to say</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. *Disclaimer: I found this list online and added some personal thoughts. I know these aren't said with bad intentions, but I think a simple "I'm sorry" will work much better*</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="background-color: floralwhite; box-sizing: border-box; color: #604d80; line-height: 27px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1. <span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b>At least you can get pregnant.</b><br />This is a double edged sword for me. Yes I got pregnant but not only did it not develop, then my body when crazy and thought it was still there. So obviously it can't be trusted. I know some women who have no problem getting pregnant, but they can't carry a baby to term. I had a miscarriage in high school so my stats are sitting at 0-2. I don't know what's more painful - not getting pregnant or not staying pregnant. </span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: floralwhite; box-sizing: border-box; color: #604d80; line-height: 27px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2. <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">At least you miscarried early in your pregnancy</strong>.<br />It doesn't matter how many weeks you are. From the second you see that positive test your whole life is turned upside down. You start making plans for your life and your child's life, and it's heartbreaking at any age to lose a child.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: floralwhite; box-sizing: border-box; color: #604d80; line-height: 27px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3. <span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b>It happened for a reason.</b><br />I know there's a reason it happened, and I know you're only saying this to try and make me feel better, but since I don't know that reason I can only blame myself. </span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: floralwhite; box-sizing: border-box; color: #604d80; line-height: 27px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">4. <span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b>Maybe your eggs are bad and/or old.</b><br />So basically is what you're saying is that it IS my fault? Thanks. Jerk.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: floralwhite; box-sizing: border-box; color: #604d80; line-height: 27px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">5.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Don't worry — I'm sure you'll get pregnant again right away.</b><br />Maybe I will, maybe I won't. Maybe this has happened before and my body just isn't meant to carry a child. Maybe I don't want to try again. Maybe this time took too much out of me and I don't want to go through this again.</span><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </strong><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Bottom line, this isn't making me feel any better because I already feel like a failure, and this just makes me think I'll be a failure again.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: floralwhite; box-sizing: border-box; color: #604d80; line-height: 27px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">6. <span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b>Maybe this means you aren't ready for a baby yet.</b><br />Not ready, huh? I've been married for almost 3 years, my husband and I both have good, stable jobs and we own a house. How does this not make us ready? Are teenagers ready? How about those lovely drug addicts? Think they were ready to bring a child into this world and care for it? I didn't think so either. </span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: floralwhite; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 27px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>August 12, 2015</b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: floralwhite; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 27px;">And all of this leads up to today. I thought I was handling things really well until we got to the hospital and I saw my chart.</span><br /><span style="line-height: 27px;">"D&C - Missed Abortion"</span><br /><span style="line-height: 27px;">I was laying in the bed, gown on and IV in my hand, and started sobbing. I couldn't believe that this was really happening. It was all starting to sink in and things were getting so real. I still didn't want to believe in a few minutes I wouldn't be "pregnant" anymore. Shaun sat by my side and held my hand as long as he could until they wheeled me back. I tried to make jokes with the nurse about it being just like "Grey's Anatomy", but I'm pretty sure she could still see the tears streaming down my face. </span><br /><span style="line-height: 27px;">All I can say is thank God for drugs and anesthesia. One minute I'm laying on the gurney feeling "floaty", the next I'm back in the room having the worst cramps of my life. </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 27px;">It felt like a thousand little knives stabbing me from the inside. Motrin helped a little, but I just wanted to go home, lay in my bed and fall back asleep. Lortab helped, but it's still pretty killer to sit up in a chair.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: floralwhite; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 27px;">I also have to take a minute and thank my husband for all of his support and love. From the minute he saw the pregnancy test, to finding out there was a miscarriage, he's been the one person I can share all my thoughts/feelings/worries/happiness with. I could not have gone through this with any other person and I'm so grateful he's been by my side. I love you sweetheart.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: floralwhite; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 27px;">I don't know if we're going to really try for another baby, or if we'll start going down the route of adoption. Right now I don't want to think of any plans. Right now, I just want to grieve and be angry with the world. </span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: floralwhite; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 27px;">All I know is at least, for 4 weeks, I got to be a Mom.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08662461696733574277noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-455840766069423675.post-50167684115210445252014-01-03T15:30:00.003-08:002014-01-03T15:30:59.761-08:00Lessons I Learned From My Pomeranian<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">Indulge in your guilty pleasures</span>. Toby got the nickname ‘panty
snatcher’ for an obvious reason-he was also going after my underwear. It was pretty embarrassing when people would come over and my thongs would be all over the house, but that was just Toby's thing. <span style="font-size: x-small;">{On a side note, we actually had Toby cremated with a pair of my underwear he was always stealing. I know... I seem like the freak now, but he seriously loved those things</span>}. I say if it makes you happy and you're not hurting anyone, have at it!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">Don’t be intimidated by things that seem bigger than you</span>.
My Dad cracks up every time he tells this story of Toby- One day we were taking all of the dogs (Toby, Murphy, my Mom's two dogs and my Dad's dog Koda) for a walk. Toby hadn't been around Koda very much, but that didn't stop him from walking right up to her, looking her in the eye, and barking at her. Did I mention Koda is a full grown, pure bred German Shepherd? So there's my tiny Pom barking at this enormous German Shepherd that could have easily eaten him as an appetizer. The point is there are a lot of tasks that seem so much bigger than us and we just cower. If Toby can stand up to Koda, we can do anything.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">Protect what you love.</span> Toby drew blood from Shaun a
couple times because he thought Shaun was coming after me (he didn't know hugs
were safe) and even the slightest noise would send Toby into a barking frenzy.
But I always knew it was because he was looking out for us. I said I wouldn't
need a gun or alarm system because I had Toby. Since Toby died I have thought a thousand times about how I could have protected him more or what I could have done to keep him from getting out of the yard. I know it's useless. The important thing is I did protect him while he was still here, and I'm still protecting Murphy and Shaun the best I know how.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">Tell people how you feel</span>. Toby had no problem with this
one. When we were living at my dad’s house with our friend, he brought a girl
over. Toby peed on her shoe. While she was wearing it. We never figured out why
he disliked her so much, but she never came back. You knew right away how Toby
felt about you. Too many times we hold back feelings because we don't want to hurt their feelings or it will cause drama. Just do it. There's no reason to <i>not</i> express how you feel/the good and the bad.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">The past doesn't define your future.</span> We never got the
full back story on Toby (I got him from a friend of mine, who got him from a
friend of hers, who got him from who knows where) but it seemed pretty clear
something had happened to him before he came to us. He was so nervous and
scared when we first got him and was like that with every new person he met.
Eventually he learned to trust us and love us. He didn't let previous negative
experiences influence his future. He moved on.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">Stand up for yourself.</span> Toby hated when you would blow on
his fur. HATED IT! I’ll admit I would do it once in a while just to bug him-but
the last time I did he jumped over a pillow and bit my face. He had every right
to defend himself and I totally deserved it. If someone isn't treating you the way you feel to be treated, tell me. Don't let them walk all over you.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">Enjoy life</span>. A day didn't go by that Toby didn't body
check Murphy or chase the horses or sheep through the fence. He just wanted to have
fun. There were some days when all he wanted to do was cuddle with us on the couch. And that was okay too because he was doing what HE wanted and loving every second of it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">Go after what you want and don’t let anything get in your
way.</span> I’ll never know what was so important that Toby had to squeeze through the
gate and run down the road the day he was killed, but knowing Toby it must have
been something important and something he had to do. He was on a mission and
nothing was going to stop him. This is something I struggle with all the time. I set goals in my mind, but then this happens or that happens and I don't end up accomplishing them. Sure, there's a chance it won't end up happening, but if you don't try then you'll never know.<o:p></o:p></div>
Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08662461696733574277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-455840766069423675.post-39654299910578330102013-12-20T08:36:00.000-08:002013-12-20T08:36:49.001-08:00My TobyLast Saturday we lost a member of our family. We lost our furry, four legged child. We lost Toby.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
To say I was devastated is an understatement. I completely lost it. One minute we were sitting on our coach, relaxing after a great morning at 'Shop With A Cop'. The next minute a lady is at my door-holding Toby's collar-saying she hit him. I didn't even know he was outside, let alone out of our yard.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I don't blame the woman. She was so kind. She went to multiple homes looking for us and brought Toby back to us. She had a lot of courage and character to do those things for us.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I sat outside in 10 degree weather just holding Toby and sobbing for over an hour. I felt, and still feel, so guilty for not checking on him sooner and not figuring out how he had gotten out of the yard. I couldn't wrap my brain around the fact that just 20 minutes earlier he was laying on our couch, and now he was gone.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The last 6 days have been the worst of my life. I've cried more than I ever thought possible. My heart hurts so much it's hard to breath.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Most people in my life have so great and so supportive. I can't thank them enough for the love they've shown me this week. I couldn't have made it through this without my husband, my family and my friends.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Some others will just never understand that he wasn't 'just a pet'. They don't understand how every day he made me smile and laugh. They don't understand how I knew exactly what bark I would hear when Shaun walked through the door, because Toby was always on guard and always at the ready. They didn't see how long I spent picking out Halloween costumes for him and Murphy and or their Christmas stockings hanging over the fireplace.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Toby was one of a kind. He thought he was the biggest, toughest dog around. He looked my Dad's German Shepard right in the eye and barked at her. He had no fear. But he also had the sweetest personality. He would do anything to be pet- you had to hide your hands from him. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Shaun and I have this vision of Toby standing guard at the Pearly Gates and barking whenever someone new arrives. He'll sniff them out and give the approval to let them through. If he doesn't like them or think they deserve to come in, he'll pee on their shoe and chase them away.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Nothing will ever replace Toby. He was our little boy. Our sweet Tobes, Monkey and panty snatcher.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We love you Toby. You will forever be in our hearts.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDaxEy3XiZ4jyHWbE1Vtz161ZL3crtyu1i6_aKbSpRvFgKcfvrhCB1_FyRgrBGS4FnRF2hLHNOuJZrviYoouucJ1b5F0x-Ark_n6mAZY3FJtvx5Fi4jPvvFM8iKqwy4mc1LZL7k-F8Sd3z/s1600/Toby1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDaxEy3XiZ4jyHWbE1Vtz161ZL3crtyu1i6_aKbSpRvFgKcfvrhCB1_FyRgrBGS4FnRF2hLHNOuJZrviYoouucJ1b5F0x-Ark_n6mAZY3FJtvx5Fi4jPvvFM8iKqwy4mc1LZL7k-F8Sd3z/s320/Toby1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3U8eU6HKxE1CZmroDZrTWJ7JVh43CUaHow1NO1-WPr4xVfOg9ONkX3EefzgDCTc_4zHp4nimoKFq8EUfhKY7-Izw3iIOwUY5rm431KYefby-gGdfuDAR6RYgRleCJDL2mQVmtT3Bf4XBm/s1600/Toby2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3U8eU6HKxE1CZmroDZrTWJ7JVh43CUaHow1NO1-WPr4xVfOg9ONkX3EefzgDCTc_4zHp4nimoKFq8EUfhKY7-Izw3iIOwUY5rm431KYefby-gGdfuDAR6RYgRleCJDL2mQVmtT3Bf4XBm/s320/Toby2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40ovis8p_rG0WYuR-407PMQOJPUBgL0X8o26_uvSoICFF3FMNvhY8qIZEMVzdnP3SAztQZmvgsw2v1mLdk8X540q7e1J6ZAJ7bP7ch5gH1n_Ag6DJfMC8-tyFY4LmAwJX7FCSY2pI05Sw/s1600/Toby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40ovis8p_rG0WYuR-407PMQOJPUBgL0X8o26_uvSoICFF3FMNvhY8qIZEMVzdnP3SAztQZmvgsw2v1mLdk8X540q7e1J6ZAJ7bP7ch5gH1n_Ag6DJfMC8-tyFY4LmAwJX7FCSY2pI05Sw/s320/Toby.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08662461696733574277noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-455840766069423675.post-40003249564532331702013-11-11T09:04:00.001-08:002013-11-17T08:01:58.163-08:00Life doesn't have to be Perfect to be Wonderful<span style="font-family: inherit;">Okay, okay. I know I said I'd do better in blogging. Obviously, that didn't really work out the way I intended. But I really will try to do better this time. Pinky swear!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
Time to play catch up...again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
<b>April-</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My awesome hunnie was awarded Vernal City Police Officer of the Year! He's spent countless hours tracking fugitives, monitoring sex offenders and basically just kicking ass :) I'm so proud of him! A part of me is jealous that he's doing the one thing he was born to do and loves every day of his job.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzprEoglsViJLVuuP4epoKDDy64GDci3IKGEdziD2wVy8r52bViPCMz3xzZsgg8Hx3UMhGRPU7SZW0o_jl1NhAzaXbxI2unRVCwFyyax6qFhvikCrbPrcWv5Fe-VRM_LME3cCMjBHceU8/s1600/Detective+Shaun+Smith.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzprEoglsViJLVuuP4epoKDDy64GDci3IKGEdziD2wVy8r52bViPCMz3xzZsgg8Hx3UMhGRPU7SZW0o_jl1NhAzaXbxI2unRVCwFyyax6qFhvikCrbPrcWv5Fe-VRM_LME3cCMjBHceU8/s320/Detective+Shaun+Smith.JPG" width="213" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">May & June</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">These were pretty boring months to be completely honest. I was working graveyards at the hospital and my life consisted of sleeping and working. It was weird functioning during daylight hours. The one good thing about these months is we were able to meet Steve & LeeRoy. Steve is walking across America raising money for an orphanage in Africa his best friend began. LeeRoy is his goat. I started talking with him on Facebook and he actually stayed at my mom's house for a few nights while he was traveling through town. He's definitely one of a kind and I'm glad to call him a friend :) Check out his website to donate and learn more about his walk <a href="http://www.needle2square.com/">www.needle2square.com</a></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeSN94W41Q_5AuW4zVggO-oXOfcSC70Wkp4arcHM0f9Oca9VHxvZVJTHmwnfxr-abS-8yjUbMXTrPFmhyYbl4wWooHSBYabsIwp8K_N_Z95GhveL0NNoIZakCI_wSLU4yiOBZbLozhs8MX/s1600/needle2square.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeSN94W41Q_5AuW4zVggO-oXOfcSC70Wkp4arcHM0f9Oca9VHxvZVJTHmwnfxr-abS-8yjUbMXTrPFmhyYbl4wWooHSBYabsIwp8K_N_Z95GhveL0NNoIZakCI_wSLU4yiOBZbLozhs8MX/s320/needle2square.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">July-</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I left my job at the hospital. We went to Idaho for a mini-family reunion and then went to Yellowstone. It's been years since I've been there and it was fun getting to spend cousins we rarely see.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Shaun and I FINALLY moved into our own place! It was great being able to stay with my mom while we paid off bills and got married but it was even more great to have our own space. The dogs are still unsure about our neighbors (our landlords horses and sheep).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX189R7CVDE2xL0ZVpRmo-bRyy4iqUpyRjg34S82Qe4Hrm0aNBw31BjHPxfnVynNW2eHxf10hEDiFVv2rhH9u2VMuLhAB3pI6PsNnxThyIEl48oPnjvWv3RCt89vJUybyxu0iE3sfTM441/s1600/1012419_923677336341_1846515976_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX189R7CVDE2xL0ZVpRmo-bRyy4iqUpyRjg34S82Qe4Hrm0aNBw31BjHPxfnVynNW2eHxf10hEDiFVv2rhH9u2VMuLhAB3pI6PsNnxThyIEl48oPnjvWv3RCt89vJUybyxu0iE3sfTM441/s320/1012419_923677336341_1846515976_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
<b>August-</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This was actually a fun and busy month. Quite a change of pace from the previous few months. I started my new job at The Journey Counseling Center. I'm over the foster care program. So far it's been a good job. Stressful, but good. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">During August, we just got settled into our house. Shaun's bro & family camped out at Flaming Gorge one night so we joined them. Man, I love the water. It doesn't matter if it's the lake, river or ocean, being near the water calms me. Makes me feel like things are going to be alright.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My best friend Tyson also got married!!! Neither one of us ever thought we would get married, and actually made a pact that if we weren't married by the time we were 35, we would marry each other haha. I was so happy that he found the love of his life. I was also pretty happy she was from San Diego and that was where they got hitched. Awww, the ocean....My happy place :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">After we got back from San Diego, the PD hosted a family river trip down the Green. Shaun's family came out again and I had another chance to be around water. Overall, it was a great trip :)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCXB6UvQWMZVwveJ00c8GnGjjIi02odmidAUkbr8U3U9C485kvNYcH7VvVfHWee8-KRJVVvSFfxqTdbHsGwTUyuU6uJiZyNUdxrTHChCgcqD4FqfFeqAMaxoGZB6XY1DjTQOGHINrRfVh/s1600/lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCXB6UvQWMZVwveJ00c8GnGjjIi02odmidAUkbr8U3U9C485kvNYcH7VvVfHWee8-KRJVVvSFfxqTdbHsGwTUyuU6uJiZyNUdxrTHChCgcqD4FqfFeqAMaxoGZB6XY1DjTQOGHINrRfVh/s320/lake.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Smith Family</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh900DVyCfn0z1NyjzPEZBIQzQ2v4KH5aSEyhDxVvemnuDPbJiqwQ1kj_2oClZmDwRM1Vyh_q22EFFLhA4r9XZP7GazDS-k8jgDevKvtwH1JW3U41zxKbq6j2szZLS-cBKxNPDCs75e860k/s1600/tyson+wedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh900DVyCfn0z1NyjzPEZBIQzQ2v4KH5aSEyhDxVvemnuDPbJiqwQ1kj_2oClZmDwRM1Vyh_q22EFFLhA4r9XZP7GazDS-k8jgDevKvtwH1JW3U41zxKbq6j2szZLS-cBKxNPDCs75e860k/s320/tyson+wedding.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJNBeuPlXmUil_gkRGQP2f4j-GPYWk247UvuJnuhIZY_t_ig5d5qPXAuYVG4kCQ_JeBmkEKd3lA9ScSJW-IjzmauFny02wH2u29RjBiJp-TnyOl4iWyJgq-3coorSfw8O2OcLmluH5RfK/s1600/7843_945634314381_1178100846_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJNBeuPlXmUil_gkRGQP2f4j-GPYWk247UvuJnuhIZY_t_ig5d5qPXAuYVG4kCQ_JeBmkEKd3lA9ScSJW-IjzmauFny02wH2u29RjBiJp-TnyOl4iWyJgq-3coorSfw8O2OcLmluH5RfK/s320/7843_945634314381_1178100846_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
September-</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Our one year anniversary :) We didn't do a lot to celebrate (work really puts a damper in plans ;) but as long as I got to see my husband I was happy. He got me a gorgeous necklace and I got him tickets to go see 'Fluffy'. I don't want to fall asleep or wake up to any one besides Shaun for the rest of my life. I don't know what I would do without him!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
October-</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">BIRTHDAY MONTH :) :) :) haha Even though it's my birthday month, I'm not usually a huge fan of October. October usually means the end of warm days and that snow is just around the corner. While everyone knows how much I love my hoodies, there's nothing I hate more than seeing the stupid white stuff fall from the sky.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Anyways, we finally got to see 'Fluffy' and it was great to have a weekend away. We've both been so busy the past few months that it feels like we barely see each other. It's amazing we are still married since we only saw each other when the other one was getting ready to go to bed or just waking up.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">For the birthday, Shaun bought me a super cute new winter coat (Hey, even though I hate winter doesn't mean I need to suffer through it) and we went to dinner with my mom, dad and grandma.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">When you're married without kids and your husband is at training, your dogs tend to suffer the most on Halloween. Yes, I'm that person that dressed up my dogs. Murphy was a Pirate and Toby was a Shark. Well, he was supposed to be a shark but the costume didn't fit great so it looked like he was being eaten by one. Anyways, I got to see my nephews for a bit and got to take Gage trick-or-treating. I can't believe he'll be 13 in January! Holy cow, it makes me feel old.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
And now we're into November. Again, my life is boring. I work. I sleep. I eat. I repeat. Things have been extremely stressful and I haven't been handling it the best. Hopefully I'll get my anxiety under control soon and can feel normal again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
There are only a few weeks left on the year. I can't believe 2013 is almost over. I don't know how I feel about the end of another year. I don't feel like I've accomplished what I wanted to but hey, there's always next year ;)</span>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08662461696733574277noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-455840766069423675.post-82450359329999373982013-04-08T17:57:00.000-07:002013-04-08T17:57:09.347-07:00One day I'll be better at this....I kept waiting for something awesome and 'blog-worthy' to happen so I could finally update this, but I've just come to the realization that it doesn't always have to be something awesome that will make me write.<br />
<br />
I randomly pulled out my old journals the other night and it's so strange to go back in time and remember everything I was feeling back then. I kept a lot of journals when I was in college and when I lived in California, and there's one common theme I found...<br />
<br />
Lonely.<br />
<br />
I was so lonely and I was trying to 'fix' it in all the wrong ways. I spent more time on the wrong guys and not enough time on myself. All I wanted was someone that would make me feel special and make me feel like I was good enough.<br />
<br />
After I read those, I got a little sad honestly, mostly because there were some great times and I really missed the beach. But then I looked around my room and saw the engagement pictures of me and Shaun, and pictures from our wedding day, and our dogs sprawled out on our bed, and all those feelings just went away.<br />
<br />
My life has no resemblance to the life I thought it would be. I never thought I would still be in Vernal. I never thought I would still be living at my Mom's house. And I most definitely never thought I would be married to a man like Shaun. <br />
<br />
But my life isn't bad. In fact, my life is pretty damn good. I'm finally happy, and content, and feel like I'm right where I need to be at this point in my life.Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08662461696733574277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-455840766069423675.post-14702568638737720172012-10-14T14:55:00.002-07:002012-10-14T14:55:17.343-07:00Mr&Mrs SmithSo I'm only a little behind on this post ;)<br />
<br />
It's been six weeks since we got married and I'm still having a hard time calling Shaun my HUSBAND instead of my fiance :)<br />
<br />
The wedding was great! The weather was perfect and beautiful (but that's just how San Diego normally is)! We don't have our official pictures back yet, and I'm assuming most people have seen the pictures we do have on Facebook, so I won't do a picture overload. Instead, I want to give a few bits of advice to any newly engaged people.<br />
<br />
1. Decide what is most important to you.<br />
For me, it was all about location, location, location! I have always dreamed of getting married on the beach so that was a no-brainer. After we figured that part out, everything else was cake! <br />
<br />
2. Give yourself plenty of time.<br />
I had over a year to plan and prep and figure out how I wanted my wedding. I honestly have no idea how or why people get married with so little time! I didn't want to be stressing every day about getting things done.<br />
This also goes for the day of the wedding. We got all that we could get done the day before because I knew I didn't want to be rushing around the morning of. I got to sleep in, and then leisurely went and ate and got our hair done. Granted we were a little late with our hair, but it wasn't anything too big.<br />
<br />
3. Find ways to save money.<br />
Destination weddings are never cheap. But I think we did our wedding in San Diego and a Vernal reception for under 10k (which seems high, but SD weddings cost a LOT!) Anyways, our first order of business was to find a good restaurant to have our reception. Finding a venue and then finding a caterer gets a little pricey! Plus they already have the plates, silverware and tablecloths. Our reception center even had a built in sound system so we didn't have to rent equipment or hire a DJ!<br />
Another way to save some cash...have your wedding on a weekday. I know it seems odd, but we saved ourselves over two grand just by getting married on a Thursday!<br />
If you have the option, go to a cosmotology school to get your hair and make up done. The going rate in San Diego was about $120, just for your hair! We got our hair and make up done at the Paul Mitchell School for $55! So worth it too.<br />
I knew we would only be using our flowers for a few hours, so instead of spending hundreds on professional flowers, we did them ourselves! For 15 centerpieces, 3 bridesmaids bouquets and 1 bridal bouquet is was $120. We lucked out and had a Trader Joe's near our hotel. They were gorgeous! I loved my bouquet.<br />
<br />
4. Don't set your expectations so high that it will never compare.<br />
I've been part of both of my sister's weddings and I knew something would go wrong, so I was constantly reminding myself that it doesn't have to be perfect. Nothing too major went wrong but I also wasn't stressed and freaked out all day.<br />
<br />
5. Just enjoy the day :)<br />
I know that one seems kind of obvious, but it's so true! We had a small enough wedding (just under 40 people) that we were able to talk and visit with everyone and still have time to ourselves to just enjoy the moment.<br />
<br />
6. Do 'day after' or 'sneek peak' pictures.<br />
We did a day after session on the beach, and it was so much fun! Mostly because we were on the beach, but also because we weren't being rushed about having to get here or go there. We could just relax and have fun. Plus, it gives you another reason to wear your dress :)<br />
<br />
That's basically all the advice I have about getting married and planning and blah blah blah haha It was the best day of my life and I couldn't imagine it any better! At the end of the day, I was married to my best friend and that's all that matters<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtafYwaylLFlFOZWRIwRUqYLGGOMgDbJ_7l5NEyLxDWX6AUPLj3KvV6hlUKCvFrRKNXCZeZU2nkUK0MHbojo0Zr9jdUFgBxT77yAyJKdRQyfTYNmWpRsCfbZk4LcwaYBFFCIxJVNT4z74W/s1600/IMG_2678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtafYwaylLFlFOZWRIwRUqYLGGOMgDbJ_7l5NEyLxDWX6AUPLj3KvV6hlUKCvFrRKNXCZeZU2nkUK0MHbojo0Zr9jdUFgBxT77yAyJKdRQyfTYNmWpRsCfbZk4LcwaYBFFCIxJVNT4z74W/s1600/IMG_2678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtafYwaylLFlFOZWRIwRUqYLGGOMgDbJ_7l5NEyLxDWX6AUPLj3KvV6hlUKCvFrRKNXCZeZU2nkUK0MHbojo0Zr9jdUFgBxT77yAyJKdRQyfTYNmWpRsCfbZk4LcwaYBFFCIxJVNT4z74W/s320/IMG_2678.JPG" width="320" /><br />
<br />
</a><br />
Lisa with our awesome Trader Joe's flowers :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZoNnODLZ_5sortvhslq63AbWrfFZQQM_1lfirJYaw__4JW8lvd7bZ7Ub0Zl7HToWVtjI1CYcwWWwu3wAlgvO_CfOMGqVBMZHtK5DPewFPWfM6OCbMr06FFKEIKxiuR890PMO-IuZ70eKo/s1600/IMG_2710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZoNnODLZ_5sortvhslq63AbWrfFZQQM_1lfirJYaw__4JW8lvd7bZ7Ub0Zl7HToWVtjI1CYcwWWwu3wAlgvO_CfOMGqVBMZHtK5DPewFPWfM6OCbMr06FFKEIKxiuR890PMO-IuZ70eKo/s1600/IMG_2710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZoNnODLZ_5sortvhslq63AbWrfFZQQM_1lfirJYaw__4JW8lvd7bZ7Ub0Zl7HToWVtjI1CYcwWWwu3wAlgvO_CfOMGqVBMZHtK5DPewFPWfM6OCbMr06FFKEIKxiuR890PMO-IuZ70eKo/s320/IMG_2710.JPG" width="320" /><br />
<br />
</a><br />
We were lucky enough to have a good friend (who just also happens to be a judge in Utah) fly down and marry us :)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZ23lQlLyxZg-cLMjR_CZcBw0BhY7RWugdG26PHJhKFwHYe9e8hAByM1PYaS8koACcd1fgc882w3c2y4rrxjpfmcXnTycbI6MM7DajvHrW_7jCzFaj-RlGFyL6qnfOLy3CTftNPjM78yS/s1600/kris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZ23lQlLyxZg-cLMjR_CZcBw0BhY7RWugdG26PHJhKFwHYe9e8hAByM1PYaS8koACcd1fgc882w3c2y4rrxjpfmcXnTycbI6MM7DajvHrW_7jCzFaj-RlGFyL6qnfOLy3CTftNPjM78yS/s1600/kris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZ23lQlLyxZg-cLMjR_CZcBw0BhY7RWugdG26PHJhKFwHYe9e8hAByM1PYaS8koACcd1fgc882w3c2y4rrxjpfmcXnTycbI6MM7DajvHrW_7jCzFaj-RlGFyL6qnfOLy3CTftNPjM78yS/s320/kris.jpg" width="320" /><br />
<br />
</a><br />
<br />
I loved my dress and my bouquet! I had never felt so beautiful in my entire life.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIpK_66pYe-aV3iX63tQKbkKVjumOYRcqRVkalCWRRpehTv76Swcx9r4p2Ewzh9dH7c4St5HRdqQU-5BQlVr8Vtn0m7uC0Ftl-fJacwVnx1mx_cdL2FboijhKDxqY3wUUzqDqcmdxutwL8/s1600/wedding4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIpK_66pYe-aV3iX63tQKbkKVjumOYRcqRVkalCWRRpehTv76Swcx9r4p2Ewzh9dH7c4St5HRdqQU-5BQlVr8Vtn0m7uC0Ftl-fJacwVnx1mx_cdL2FboijhKDxqY3wUUzqDqcmdxutwL8/s1600/wedding4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIpK_66pYe-aV3iX63tQKbkKVjumOYRcqRVkalCWRRpehTv76Swcx9r4p2Ewzh9dH7c4St5HRdqQU-5BQlVr8Vtn0m7uC0Ftl-fJacwVnx1mx_cdL2FboijhKDxqY3wUUzqDqcmdxutwL8/s320/wedding4.jpg" width="320" /><br />
<br />
</a><br />
<br />
Beautiful San Diego skyline outside our reception<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6pRRTfQNJOr5LdmJD3IlILLpMIdI_Eokdc__1kLAZEz9JQ9hsEr_JEPD3fRH2zSv1WMohQJ5MaUYEH-2JUrShRveNT2JkuGghPCMsH9rUo0lf8sXol27oYljkRDovhnC0GRpjR0xmY5TH/s1600/Wedding2+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6pRRTfQNJOr5LdmJD3IlILLpMIdI_Eokdc__1kLAZEz9JQ9hsEr_JEPD3fRH2zSv1WMohQJ5MaUYEH-2JUrShRveNT2JkuGghPCMsH9rUo0lf8sXol27oYljkRDovhnC0GRpjR0xmY5TH/s320/Wedding2+(2).jpg" width="213" /></a> Awesome sunset over the ocean with my husband. Life could not have been any better!</div>
</div>
</div>
Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08662461696733574277noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-455840766069423675.post-31605102110822358002012-06-25T21:03:00.002-07:002012-06-25T21:03:34.222-07:00When It Rains...List of not-so-good-things that happened the last month....<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>I got fired.</li>
<li>Later that same day, the transmission in my car went out.</li>
<li>I had to get a crown (not a fun bill to pay).</li>
<li>Random medical bills for Shaun.</li>
<li>Random other bills started piling up too.</li>
</ul>
I cried a lot when I lost my job, mostly because the main reason I was given was "it was all the little things that added up" and that even though I "did a lot of good", it just wasnt a good fit. That's almost worse than the 'it's not you, it's me' line you get when you end a relationship unexpectedly. One person thinks things are going great, and the other person has one foot out the door.<br />
<br />
Anyways, I've been trying to stay positive and not stress too much, but I am me afterall, and worrying comes second nature. I've been applying for every job under the sun, and today I got a part time job as a hostess, which will definitely help with all the bills and wedding costs.<br />
<br />
Shaun has been amazing through the whole thing! He has been so supportive and trying to help me not worry. Unfortunately all the jobs I keep wanting to apply for are out of Vernal :( And law enforcement jobs are not easy to find/get right now, so we will have to wait and see what happens with that one.<br />
<br />
I can't believe the wedding is coming up so quickly!! Where has all the time gone?? I really don't know how people plan a wedding in under 6 months. There is just so much to do, not to mention the expenses, I don't think I would have my sanity intact if I had anything less than a year to plan.<br />
<br />
So there's an update on the latest happenings of my life. Hopefully I'll have good news to report back on soon :)<br />
<br />Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08662461696733574277noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-455840766069423675.post-25451728036964488342012-05-08T12:25:00.001-07:002012-05-08T12:25:19.049-07:004 months!How do we only have 4 months until the wedding?? It really feels like yesterday we had 8 months, and now we're down to the wire. Eekk!<br />
I've made (a little) progress.<br />
-Bought the dress :)<br />
-Bought the bridesmaids dresses<br />
-Bought the groomsmen shorts<br />
-Have the majority of the centerpieces<br />
-Made the guest book<br />
........<br />
<br />
<br />
Okay, that's about all I have lol I really feel like I've been more productive than that though. I guess hours on Pinterest will make you <em>feel</em> productive without actually doing anything!<br />
<br />
So this weekend Shaun's mom and dad came to Utah for the week and we hung out with them in Salt Lake. Ever since my camera died I haven't taken as many pictures as I normally would have, but here are just a few. We went up to the Capitol, mostly to see the Fallen Officer Memorial. We thought that Officer Francom's plaque would be up by now, but if it was we never saw it.<br />
<br />
I don't think I've ever been to the Capitol, and if I have, it was years and years ago! But man, that place is GORGEOUS! Shaun's brother and sister in law, along with their three girls, came with us and it was a ton of fun! I love having nieces :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhotFQsbbLIGQtqSQ_EH3hgzqgR50S2a8shYs3ELi_VaFW-DepINCTBqND7y7ytTfLMtOgoWxCbYuuznKCPaGWI5dvuVuoc1LYqUUPvSvSIACBeQD-fhXPi0KYWiADPVZPavJqO8e1CNRl6/s1600/IMG_20120506_221142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhotFQsbbLIGQtqSQ_EH3hgzqgR50S2a8shYs3ELi_VaFW-DepINCTBqND7y7ytTfLMtOgoWxCbYuuznKCPaGWI5dvuVuoc1LYqUUPvSvSIACBeQD-fhXPi0KYWiADPVZPavJqO8e1CNRl6/s320/IMG_20120506_221142.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJOmB8LHHbcZsUB6ClWCmS5HqFYDNR13ZKCKvSqhksWXdc27xcy06CYoezrd4ei6H7X93lRPEMBKn68ymLizo9hsyTwm_-qOkCOjfK6CYuxoJEQfxZDjvdNU9VdcchRYu6a9fri_ZlSKdM/s1600/IMG_20120506_215808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJOmB8LHHbcZsUB6ClWCmS5HqFYDNR13ZKCKvSqhksWXdc27xcy06CYoezrd4ei6H7X93lRPEMBKn68ymLizo9hsyTwm_-qOkCOjfK6CYuxoJEQfxZDjvdNU9VdcchRYu6a9fri_ZlSKdM/s320/IMG_20120506_215808.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip0QIoIcluh4TzD-Qib-tLPcOvBh28r4k7hBQtjP-Jw2LvPN_YHRVxXUPjf9yBuGTNcxo_bCRW3lT0dHaxPCTahPpJEzrxRiKROeiW5I7v83nqPCw-eoq_yRpAVu1zr3gI3zOv0pSe6tpo/s1600/IMG_20120506_215917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip0QIoIcluh4TzD-Qib-tLPcOvBh28r4k7hBQtjP-Jw2LvPN_YHRVxXUPjf9yBuGTNcxo_bCRW3lT0dHaxPCTahPpJEzrxRiKROeiW5I7v83nqPCw-eoq_yRpAVu1zr3gI3zOv0pSe6tpo/s320/IMG_20120506_215917.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08662461696733574277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-455840766069423675.post-10160500146668324002012-03-22T07:23:00.000-07:002012-03-22T07:23:29.539-07:00The Mr :)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcIBO4r6jog1Cc9ljxOipKrvwphRZiI1_-5u2LO9qvHt4m_nTvl60UgD3wscrIi2XEPEuU8BayI1g4FmcV6iovBDPSZTj0Hy17xwNcjCnLW0yfFLwa3eqw2WbocCuUzg8_hhXFIpE92jUn/s1600/shaun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcIBO4r6jog1Cc9ljxOipKrvwphRZiI1_-5u2LO9qvHt4m_nTvl60UgD3wscrIi2XEPEuU8BayI1g4FmcV6iovBDPSZTj0Hy17xwNcjCnLW0yfFLwa3eqw2WbocCuUzg8_hhXFIpE92jUn/s320/shaun.jpg" width="238" /></a>I realized that in being together almost a year, I haven't written much (if anything) about Shaun, so today I'm going to change that ;)<br />
<br />
When Shaun and I met, I was recently single and not looking to get into any sort of relationship. I seemed to fight with him every step of the way, basically doing everything I could to push him away. I saw a quote once that said you build up walls to see who will work take the time to break them down, and that's exactly what Shaun did. It feels like all my past relationships have been so disfunctional that I wouldn't know a good relationship if it slapped me across the face. I didn't think that I would ever find someone who was good enough for me, and that I felt good enough for.<br />
<br />
My whole life I've wanted a relationship where I felt safe and secure. Well, you can't feel much safer than when you are with a cop ;) But besides the gun and taser, Shaun has done everything in his power to show me that no matter how mad he gets at me, no matter how mad I get at him, even when I feel like screaming and walking out the door, he will always be there for me and love me unconditionally. To say I have abandonement issues is the understatement of the century, and I know that has caused multiple problems in my past, but for the first time in my life I have someone that understands that and works to keep me from running. And believe me, I tried. I've had major doubts, not so much about Shaun and our relationship, but about myself and basically talking myself out of the relationship. But I finally realized that at the end of the day, all I want to do is go home to Shaun and our dogs, and just be together. It doesn't matter if we are laying in bed, driving around in his patrol car, walking down the beach, or even doing chores around the house, as long as I'm with Shaun, I love every second.<br />
<br />
I've had a ton of dreams about things not going right with the wedding, like I have no flowers and no music and I'm wearing an awful dress. But even in those horrible dreams as soon as I realize I'm walking down the aisle to Shaun, I'm overcome with an incredible feeling of happiness.<br />
<br />
We drive each other crazy sometimes (I always leave the bathroom drawers open. He wears a gazillion shirts that have to be washed all the time) but I love him with all my heart. He's the first and last person I see every day. He's the person I turn to for advice, for love, for support. He's my best friend and I can't wait to marry him.<br />
<br />
Love you sweeheart!!! xoxoAndreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08662461696733574277noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-455840766069423675.post-45455578193799406592012-03-13T08:38:00.000-07:002012-03-13T08:38:31.874-07:00<em></em><br />
<em>*Warning-this blog contains a mini soap opera. Not too much bitching and complaining, just some drama. Enter at your own risk*</em><br />
<br />
I'm never really sure how much information I want to share on my blog. I try and keep all my personal drama to myself and very rarely put anything negative even on my Facebook account. But this has been bothering me for sometime so I'm just going to go ahead and purge all this negativity from my mind.<br />
<br />
Expectations. Everyone has them and everyone is held to a different standard based on who they are. I tend to hold my family to pretty high expectations and just because they are 'family' doesn't mean they can get away with murder, at least in my opinion.<br />
<br />
Since Shaun and I got engaged, I've had a few close friends extremely excited and involved in the wedding planning, along with one of my sisters and my mom. A few other family members, on the other hand, have really hurt and disappointed me.<br />
<br />
I love my Dad, but I think he may have hurt me the most when all of this started. Talking about money is never the easiest thing to do, especially when it comes to weddings. I know money is tight everywhere and I don't expect a dime from my family. What killed me was when we first got engaged I tried talking to my dad about the wedding and what not, and in the course of talking about money and going to San Diego my dad tells me that <em>"he'll try"</em> and make it to my wedding, but he's not sure if he'll be able to make it. W. T. F. I was furious. Again, I get that money is tight, but that's why we waited a year to get married so everyone could save and we could have a good time. I asked him, "So you're saying you're not coming to my wedding?" and all he could say was, I'll try but I don't know. <br />
<br />
Shaun and I left his house and I started bawling in the car. This was my father, the person I always invisioned walking me down the aisle, basically telling me I'm not worth his time and energy to save some money. I called one of my friends and told her the story, and the first thing she said was she remembered when my dad first got diagnosed with prostate cancer that he wouldn't be alive to walk me down the aisle. Well, there he was, healthy as could be, and he didn't even seem to care about my feelings. Not to mention his pack a day smoking habit would have paid for his trip down there, but that's a different story. So My mom ended up calling him and telling him how upset I was and THEN he said he would of course make it, but it's still left me hurt and still not entirely counting on him making it. I tend to hold onto hurt feelings and it takes a very, very long time for me to entirely forgive someone, but again, that's a different story.<br />
<br />
So after all the drama with my Dad settles down, now we have drama with my other sister. This would seriously take days to describe, the the basic story is she told me she didn't trust me, that even though I was getting married I was still a spoiled little brat, and I never did anything for anyone unless it benefited me. And to top it off she said if I was done with her then I was done with my nephews and I couldn't see them. Needless to say I was devastated. Shaun and I were laying in bed and I woke him up because I was crying so hard. After discussing it with Shaun we decided not to invite her to the wedding after all that she said and some previous things she had done. So besides fighting with her, now my family is upset because I don't want her at my wedding. Everyone keeps telling me that family is the most important thing and I should basically give her a free pass because she is family. I know that family is important, but this is one of the biggest days in my life and I want to be surrounded by people that love and care about me and Shaun, not someone who obviously thinks so little of me. It kills me to think my whole family won't be there but, like Shaun reminded me, we are starting our own family and if other people want to be a part of that, it's up to them to make that effort.<br />
<br />
So with all of this said, it basically boils down to me holding onto some childhood dream of my wedding day. All my sisters and close friends will be with me when I find "the dress", they'll help me decorate and come up with cute crafty things. My dad will walk me down the aisle (while I'm in the most amazing dress in the world) and I'll marry the love of my life. I know at the end of the day I will end up with the love of my life, and that's all that should matter, and I will have the support of close family and friends, but sometimes it's just hard to give up those expectations and have reality smack you in the face.<br />
<br />
-Sorry for the sob story, but I wanted to vent. Love you all =)Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08662461696733574277noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-455840766069423675.post-79670878589390424872012-02-17T19:51:00.000-08:002012-02-17T19:51:23.399-08:002 w's....work and wedding!So the last two weeks have been quite the change of pace for me.<br />
<br />
I got a new job!<br />
<br />
My last day at X94 was much more emotional than I thought. I cried the last time I read the news and totally broke down on the air. I really do miss my coworkers, but I am loving the 6:30 alarm instead of 4am!<br />
<br />
Now onto the new job: Now I work at TriCounty Health Department, working with Uintah and Dagget School Districts updating their tobacco use policy and starting up youth groups. The first week consisted of a ton of reading, and this week I've actually been able to go out and talk to people. I've been drawn to jobs where I get to interact with the public on a regular basis and this one is right up my alley. My new co-workers are fabulous, and the benefits are pretty awesome too :) It's been a little strange going through my whole day without taking a nap. It's amazing how productive I am! haha<br />
<br />
I've actually been able to get some wedding stuff done too. We've confirmed a hotel block in San Diego, we found our photographers (yay!) and we have a food tasting scheduled when we go to San Diego next month. A lot done, but still a TON more to actually get done! And let's not forget I haven't even started looking for my dress. I know I should be more excited about that, but I'm behind on actually starting to lose weight so I'm putting that off until I absolutely have to.<br />
<br />
Well, I hope everyone has a great, fantastic weekend! This felt like a big mix of subjects for a blog, but this is what you get when I'm sitting home on a Friday night ;)Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08662461696733574277noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-455840766069423675.post-69971674601335923192012-01-28T07:27:00.000-08:002012-01-28T07:27:56.971-08:00A little bit of DIYI have never realized how <em>expensive</em> a wedding could be until I actually started planning mine. Shaun and I are extremely lucky that my mom is helping us with the majority of the San Diego ceremony, but since most our friends and my family are back in Vernal we are planning a reception here as well.<br />
<br />
Anyways, the point of all of that is I'm trying to find decor that can be used in both places, and oh my, that is difficult! Again, I'm lucky that I have an extremely crafty sister who can sew and help me with all of this because I am not crafty at all! And then I discovered the awesome world of Pinterest and it seems like a less daunting task.<br />
<br />
Here are a few ideas I have for the wedding. Our reception will be at this awesome restaurant so I want to keep things to a minimum because the view is just awesome! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GMVyPx3SN20ccO6EFxOWl_D8kpEuVjNQoZIhJKspxZDdQUvnN6Ej9u9c-U5qUG6uIcRjCkOT9wzcrsUQfY4iOe11ZB1ACutzjhlTh4dGRHw1ftZoF6L0a8vhIbpsjjOU0PP2SSAABAKm/s1600/rosette+bib+necklace+tutorial+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GMVyPx3SN20ccO6EFxOWl_D8kpEuVjNQoZIhJKspxZDdQUvnN6Ej9u9c-U5qUG6uIcRjCkOT9wzcrsUQfY4iOe11ZB1ACutzjhlTh4dGRHw1ftZoF6L0a8vhIbpsjjOU0PP2SSAABAKm/s320/rosette+bib+necklace+tutorial+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The bouquet! Well, technically this is a necklace but I think you see where I'm going. I love flowers, but I love the idea of keeping my bouquet for my daughter (one day) even more! These seems super simple and I'm actually going to try my hand at this today. Wish me luck! Another thing I love about this is all the bridesmaids can personalize them and keep them as well :)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqdS-JRr3IuvQGoVen1NebmFcj8R77ZMwvBecZqFP5qleG4TwVnzXqk_BJH1wfnU-m6xyjTMpL9juoTQ667zaMgXtAp2QVUCe324vhhk5EsKVgGPNjya7s9_CatdqQE8W_pTfmf42kePT/s1600/pic1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqdS-JRr3IuvQGoVen1NebmFcj8R77ZMwvBecZqFP5qleG4TwVnzXqk_BJH1wfnU-m6xyjTMpL9juoTQ667zaMgXtAp2QVUCe324vhhk5EsKVgGPNjya7s9_CatdqQE8W_pTfmf42kePT/s320/pic1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div> Another thing I'm loving-mason jars! I'm also into this vintage-feel and I would love to incorporate it into the wedding. I love the lace over it. And, again, SUPER simple! Well, at least I hope it is.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwegnMThdWo4Uz1BobwveSvOrvBL4L-n2qW9KsvTVBJF0FzeinJ3sTNjFvjD0dY9wwF9uZow92J6ESYmlL8TIA6nJs8pZVwf7dvWhMp8F2QOHFvT_AIfP7mEjboFj5Budpime9OIbUzUR8/s1600/bottle+for+candle+082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwegnMThdWo4Uz1BobwveSvOrvBL4L-n2qW9KsvTVBJF0FzeinJ3sTNjFvjD0dY9wwF9uZow92J6ESYmlL8TIA6nJs8pZVwf7dvWhMp8F2QOHFvT_AIfP7mEjboFj5Budpime9OIbUzUR8/s1600/bottle+for+candle+082.JPG" /></a></div>Is anyone seeing a trend here? Mason jars galore! And books! I'm such a nerd and want, almost need, to fit books into my wedding. Shaun's basically letting me do whatever I want so yay :) I saw a couple bouquets made from book pages, but that takes WAY too much time and I definitely don't have the patience for this. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Okay, now the big question is how to fit all these ideas into a beach theme?! I'm sure vintage-beach is possible, but unless I see a picture of it I have a hard time believing it exists. Guess it's time to get DIY'ing :)Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08662461696733574277noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-455840766069423675.post-27248627410917037792012-01-12T17:53:00.000-08:002012-01-12T17:53:25.575-08:00Farewell to a HeroOfficer Jared Francom was laid to rest yesterday and Shaun and I were able to attend the funeral. I've attended many funerals for family members, but I have never experienced any funeral quite like this one. <br />
<br />
I didn't know this man, but what struck me the most was how much Officer Francom and Shaun had in common. I kept looking around me at the thousands of officers packed in the building, and it's probably one of the only times I'll ever see an officer cry. I couldn't stop staring at my ring, thinking one day I could be the wife sitting in the front row with my two small children. It's a thought that crosses every police/military/firefighter wife-one night your loved one might not come home. But Officer Francom died doing what he loved, and I know if anything ever happens to Shaun, he will be doing something that matters and something that he loves.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkHt3xLB9MEGykVt9kaD0tydcih1RaFtuvRLr7_KmYF4yvyVs_XJqxtbmPb0xavb7cum3BZ60tvY-FWCQ4YW7NKoAi6H921wfgTv9Sn_Mu71CjZETVF-LTAkHiorI4q8DizzF9w5hCOv9f/s1600/IMG_1115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkHt3xLB9MEGykVt9kaD0tydcih1RaFtuvRLr7_KmYF4yvyVs_XJqxtbmPb0xavb7cum3BZ60tvY-FWCQ4YW7NKoAi6H921wfgTv9Sn_Mu71CjZETVF-LTAkHiorI4q8DizzF9w5hCOv9f/s320/IMG_1115.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVMtEwsEPi1eIXW1Op1rZ3RcHmUkj_ZMSulvopqUPfRKD8704MCJjYTkNgREfEkSAzFedWshu52MTTRl7-JT0NocuH2Ri2OBMSnBpdhCOARSz8PElcM2lshHyIo2MNRFeWqCRdf9WKbrYt/s1600/IMG_1122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVMtEwsEPi1eIXW1Op1rZ3RcHmUkj_ZMSulvopqUPfRKD8704MCJjYTkNgREfEkSAzFedWshu52MTTRl7-JT0NocuH2Ri2OBMSnBpdhCOARSz8PElcM2lshHyIo2MNRFeWqCRdf9WKbrYt/s320/IMG_1122.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKrnrrDefsWH2O8VVfzkv10f3E1awuu30Cld7NPhyphenhyphenHdYL2h_32pOX44zgqyLDVjmt5Kj2T72EUU2twEv_m9XPGL4Je8PwgFFHVxPOCaZVP5PZXMwNwgJ02E-lGnOz1hTyqS0UO5hFVQ2rT/s1600/IMG_1116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKrnrrDefsWH2O8VVfzkv10f3E1awuu30Cld7NPhyphenhyphenHdYL2h_32pOX44zgqyLDVjmt5Kj2T72EUU2twEv_m9XPGL4Je8PwgFFHVxPOCaZVP5PZXMwNwgJ02E-lGnOz1hTyqS0UO5hFVQ2rT/s320/IMG_1116.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/gejEFPib7uI" width="420"></iframe>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08662461696733574277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-455840766069423675.post-73067150966772093722012-01-09T19:18:00.000-08:002012-01-09T19:18:44.083-08:00"So how old is your baby?"I think it's some sort of requirement when you leave home and move out the first time that you gain a good 10 or 15 pounds. And then, following every move after that, you are alloted an additional 5 pounds.<br />
<br />
I've moved around A LOT since graduation, and all the nights I was too tired to cook or exercise caught up with me. I decided I was done with the weight thing since last year I started weight watchers and lost around 12 pounds. I was super proud of myself, finally felt good about wearing clothes again, I didn't feel awful being seen in a bathing suit.<br />
<br />
Then I met Shaun.<br />
<br />
And I realize that sounds horrible, but it was actually a great thing. I had finally found a guy I felt completely comfortable around and so when I gained back a few pounds, I didn't feel a strong urge to race back to the gym. And with our crazy work schedules, I decided it was more important to sit around the house, watching the Food Network with him then go to the gym.<br />
<br />
This time last year I was around 139. This year...add about 15 pounds :( And I realize that I'm just a few pounds over my 'recommended body weight' and while I really have nothing big to bitch about, one thing, well actually 2 things, have caused a wake up call.<br />
<br />
On two seperate occassions within a week of the other, I was asked if I was <em>pregnant</em>.<br />
<br />
That is probably the worst thing you can say to a girl who <strong>isn't</strong> pregnant.<br />
<br />
Now, the people that asked me this weren't being mean or hurtful. This first lady I see at hearings a lot but never really have had a full blown conversation with her. We were sitting around waiting for the hearing to start, and she made the comment about how I didn't look pregnant <em>anymore </em>and was wondering how old my baby was.<br />
<br />
Strike one to the ego.<br />
<br />
I don't know what's worse. Being asked if you're pregnant, or having to tell them that in fact, no, you're not pregnant. Just fat.<br />
<br />
Fast forward a few days. My fiance and I were eating breakfast at Betty's and I saw an old teacher from jr. high. I was excited to talk to her and after giving her a hug the first thing she says is. "I can see you're doing great. You're married and expecting a baby...."<br />
<br />
Strike two to the ego.<br />
<br />
Apparently any weight I gain goes straight to my lower belly...making me look like I'm about 4 months pregnant.<br />
<br />
So between these two incidents, and after reading one of my friend's amazing blog, I am determined to lose this extra weight. I refuse to be one of those women who look back on their wedding day pictures and complain about how fat and ugly they look. Not. Gonna. Happen. And I also know that it will better for my health and all that stuff. But honestly, you want a woman to lose weight, tell her she has 8 months until her wedding day.<br />
<br />
Anyways, wish me luck!Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08662461696733574277noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-455840766069423675.post-3801997332672056952012-01-08T08:25:00.000-08:002012-01-08T08:25:21.824-08:008 more months...It feels like just yesterday Shaun was proposing, and now we only have 8 months until the big day and I feel like I've done <strong>nothing. </strong><br />
<br />
Okay, that's not really true. I've logged countless hours online looking up wedding colors, dress styles, centerpieces, photographers, and wedding favors. But as far as actually starting anything, not so much.<br />
<br />
I have a lot of things planned out in my mind that I would <em>like </em>to be in our wedding, but we'll see if it actually happens. Anyways, I thought I would give a sneek peak into some things I would <strong>LOVE </strong>at our wedding.<br />
<br />
First and foremost, the <span style="font-size: large;">dress....</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLM6MUPKYt4QVYFdnP5oInotEWQhO9RCv2gNYkG1WXN0OIodR9gYLoPBclpzqhiHn15AhkyAHhFAwEHaCuN1UCqD_diIn0RlMELsE3w-Y3zmhu5i2F-Jkb4p8t_zOrOoJb3JpR-_PFeR2m/s1600/dress1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLM6MUPKYt4QVYFdnP5oInotEWQhO9RCv2gNYkG1WXN0OIodR9gYLoPBclpzqhiHn15AhkyAHhFAwEHaCuN1UCqD_diIn0RlMELsE3w-Y3zmhu5i2F-Jkb4p8t_zOrOoJb3JpR-_PFeR2m/s1600/dress1.jpg" /></a>I found this dress at David's Bridal, and of course, it's almost $300 over my planned budget :/ I'm not sure if I'll let Shaun see the actual dress I pick before the wedding, but I have been asking his opinion. He wants me to be in something form-fitting, which worries me because I've been a huge fan of my body shape (but I guess most women feel that way too). But we'll see....OH! On a side note, all you married ladies, when do you start looking for a dress??</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNdH60mCmZjic2nkPZCKML1wrmPaKETzapsCfEQ5OevhnsVc72wEcL6SPDw9BIVj1Gxu9JyNKEsNZ6b_OeaErmt4OEOVTAYrMzak96NrOwKD95w67yE_sCaS9-5Bzj7loAQyEx9asJuQyQ/s1600/inspiration.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNdH60mCmZjic2nkPZCKML1wrmPaKETzapsCfEQ5OevhnsVc72wEcL6SPDw9BIVj1Gxu9JyNKEsNZ6b_OeaErmt4OEOVTAYrMzak96NrOwKD95w67yE_sCaS9-5Bzj7loAQyEx9asJuQyQ/s320/inspiration.bmp" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>And now, the wedding colors....I'm in love with the red and teal! I think it will be perfect for our beach ceremony and then our reception. I'm so so SO excited about this! I think the hardest part will be finding just the right shade of red and teal.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So that's honestly all we really have set in stone so far. We do have the reception location, but I think I'll keep that a surprise a little bit more ;)</div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08662461696733574277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-455840766069423675.post-16537619368060807222012-01-05T19:14:00.001-08:002012-01-05T19:32:39.978-08:00My Worst Nightmare...<div>Today has been an emotional day for law enforcement around the state.</div><div>While serving a search warrant last night, the suspect opened fire on the strike force members, hitting six of them, and killing one, Ogden Officer Jared Francom.</div><div> </div><div>I don't know Officer Francom, but my fiance did. He worked with him during his Ogden days. I know nothing about this officer other than his name, the agency he worked for, and that he left behind a wife and two little girls.</div><div> </div><div>I'm a newbie in the law enforcement family and this is my first real experience with a loss of this magnitude. I can't even imagine what his wife is going through tonight. This is every police wife's absolute nightmare. We send our loved ones out every night to protect the streets of our cities, and we know there is a risk they may not come home. We try not to think about that risk, but it's always there in the back of our minds.</div><div> </div><div>Officer Jared Francom was killed in the line of duty and from what his family has said about him, he died doing something he loved.</div><div> </div><div>RIP Officer Jared Francom</div><div>End of Watch: January 5, 2012</div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 246px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694356521356779682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7wzT74NirJ3P5fegjqHlXFx678hCYjPKSWAmdO0FRhPkNOTnsmDFumk76aKSrEXzxmbu65-w_eVLLq5U9BDPvY_anmtUcLowS8EOu-3K1EfloPu5jjDCt7QO4U37B0oaQeE7RTPW6xOO/s320/francom.jpg" /></div><div><a href="http://www.odmp.org/officer/21078-agent-jared-francom">http://www.odmp.org/officer/21078-agent-jared-francom</a></div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08662461696733574277noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-455840766069423675.post-5753254597746025102011-12-29T18:18:00.000-08:002011-12-29T18:25:30.098-08:00Merry 'Smith'mas<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pUa4JvjofzOZCVjvXIasITbMThqVUxjPfCAvxcfL187884I9e-HTrxiwZsJKi1vYRIJJZMnYjOwfEneK7kQQ9XwkyXe5UqiuPV4AanU2pNnE1GwgP6UNyUHBN3NViypFvczV6OnI66UQ/s1600/editwinterize.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691740648759289650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pUa4JvjofzOZCVjvXIasITbMThqVUxjPfCAvxcfL187884I9e-HTrxiwZsJKi1vYRIJJZMnYjOwfEneK7kQQ9XwkyXe5UqiuPV4AanU2pNnE1GwgP6UNyUHBN3NViypFvczV6OnI66UQ/s320/editwinterize.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSvU1WAAJWJVo7e8juDDo7os5aI8msEtaIeyjCvmCwjDEL3OLw9nrCCDeNbwijCSFk9xrosICsIqjqt-BXpQagBbB-1UtqAATpuPMenKnHoV-Gz9aTp2NaeGeFTFITfxnM-flWx1Jgyk7d/s1600/me+and+pups.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 215px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691740639898469122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSvU1WAAJWJVo7e8juDDo7os5aI8msEtaIeyjCvmCwjDEL3OLw9nrCCDeNbwijCSFk9xrosICsIqjqt-BXpQagBbB-1UtqAATpuPMenKnHoV-Gz9aTp2NaeGeFTFITfxnM-flWx1Jgyk7d/s320/me+and+pups.jpg" /></a><br /><div>This holiday was definitely a crash course into the "Life of a Law Enforcement Wife".</div><div>Not only did Shaun work Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve, but he worked Christmas Day AND will be working New Years Eve and most likely Valentine's Day. Yay for us :/ </div><div>Despite him working every major holiday since we've been together, this has been an amazing year and a fantastic Christmas :) It's crazy to think how much has changed in the past year, but that will be another post.</div><div>Hope everyone had a great Christmas and will have a great New Years :)</div></div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08662461696733574277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-455840766069423675.post-3675645932684980632011-12-02T20:40:00.000-08:002011-12-02T20:40:00.736-08:00...and Toby makes 4!<div><br /><div><br /><div><div>So this may be the most difficult blog to write. Like physically difficult. It's not easy to type when a pomeranian is laying on your lap, trying to paw your computer, and lick your arm all at the same time.</div><div> </div><div>Yep. We got another dog!!</div><div> </div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1sAw2E9DmaKv2yZgGvL3z795e_U4p1bXZWSEZzFzdxPcTt1xmj0S4vjIciUKlxNAWFO83qYg5WjUIYZIoJxgoJdp3aUDwfitvPAE411WueGx912uSU63d_o2qttvkhQJih1ZQwjIB-qj/s1600/edit.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 290px; height: 320px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681741137968430562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1sAw2E9DmaKv2yZgGvL3z795e_U4p1bXZWSEZzFzdxPcTt1xmj0S4vjIciUKlxNAWFO83qYg5WjUIYZIoJxgoJdp3aUDwfitvPAE411WueGx912uSU63d_o2qttvkhQJih1ZQwjIB-qj/s320/edit.jpg" /></a></div>Well, according to Shaun's boss, it's not "manly" to have a pom when you're a cop, so <strong>I </strong>got another dog.</div><div> </div><div>Anyways, we had been talking about getting another dog as a friend for Murphy and my friend was giving one of her dogs away and we got him! His name is Toby. He's about a year and a half and he is such a sweet dog! I'm used to Murphy, who loves to lay down and cuddle with me, and Toby is sooo not like that! He was a ton of energy, and he'll cuddle, just not for very long.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1sAw2E9DmaKv2yZgGvL3z795e_U4p1bXZWSEZzFzdxPcTt1xmj0S4vjIciUKlxNAWFO83qYg5WjUIYZIoJxgoJdp3aUDwfitvPAE411WueGx912uSU63d_o2qttvkhQJih1ZQwjIB-qj/s1600/edit.jpg"></a> </div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzxkM_h4Uv_UZmBDtvB8pASrmBBDnlMvnPW5VuGEDXVxQMgbpxDyPR09N_Up85rxLLWETuoi1PcCnNNFZb_SEItlbq7XGqAC2owRTi00vilty8PFzIhAkoXAYq9KAhMzQU3sKb0IBKKlq/s1600/myboys.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 275px; height: 320px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681741141387575362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzxkM_h4Uv_UZmBDtvB8pASrmBBDnlMvnPW5VuGEDXVxQMgbpxDyPR09N_Up85rxLLWETuoi1PcCnNNFZb_SEItlbq7XGqAC2owRTi00vilty8PFzIhAkoXAYq9KAhMzQU3sKb0IBKKlq/s320/myboys.jpg" /></a></div></div><div> </div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzxkM_h4Uv_UZmBDtvB8pASrmBBDnlMvnPW5VuGEDXVxQMgbpxDyPR09N_Up85rxLLWETuoi1PcCnNNFZb_SEItlbq7XGqAC2owRTi00vilty8PFzIhAkoXAYq9KAhMzQU3sKb0IBKKlq/s1600/myboys.jpg"></a> </div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzxkM_h4Uv_UZmBDtvB8pASrmBBDnlMvnPW5VuGEDXVxQMgbpxDyPR09N_Up85rxLLWETuoi1PcCnNNFZb_SEItlbq7XGqAC2owRTi00vilty8PFzIhAkoXAYq9KAhMzQU3sKb0IBKKlq/s1600/myboys.jpg"></a> </div></div></div></div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08662461696733574277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-455840766069423675.post-49560602530703477982011-11-27T10:31:00.000-08:002011-12-02T19:28:34.077-08:00SanDiego2o11<div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_OFDiDgbXdx51GYzhRpcIO96fvMZWuV6ngXDA6p9Ns1iiK8i055U_guphA0GbGZCYDyoauMidGC7QFKuOdgYNrEnFEMI3xaFLp3b-o2xjNih9z2ZVgLaEhXscm7uxd9gGj0opTVlrmgS_/s1600/IMG_7375.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673566826489208098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_OFDiDgbXdx51GYzhRpcIO96fvMZWuV6ngXDA6p9Ns1iiK8i055U_guphA0GbGZCYDyoauMidGC7QFKuOdgYNrEnFEMI3xaFLp3b-o2xjNih9z2ZVgLaEhXscm7uxd9gGj0opTVlrmgS_/s320/IMG_7375.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQyB93ZdqelJr1SBB3d2SCZVjvuzGNKvnU2aVVp0DbEbaEGW83p7b5s3S1g3i2XWX1oJTmlmB1QPKxeoAZ_XCVVBqjsmz1uT2UTlKD0SIoX-xD0oF_6zQBK8pLKvbLKKa0b-g_C52Wy5k6/s1600/shadows.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 240px; height: 320px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673566824394513858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQyB93ZdqelJr1SBB3d2SCZVjvuzGNKvnU2aVVp0DbEbaEGW83p7b5s3S1g3i2XWX1oJTmlmB1QPKxeoAZ_XCVVBqjsmz1uT2UTlKD0SIoX-xD0oF_6zQBK8pLKvbLKKa0b-g_C52Wy5k6/s320/shadows.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /> </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNE-eH_CKOjTx4tyWt27cL6-jgKFAhilRuaCgY8pqigQW_fXVCaEBAsgV3A115AnvrmVdFnYHrHnaxmeEF7JQVxBbvJFXG5SpvSwZAITlZN0iswuyxscHz1EdA7svSwoDToTzErOiXoxC/s1600/beach3.JPG"></a> </div><div> </div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNE-eH_CKOjTx4tyWt27cL6-jgKFAhilRuaCgY8pqigQW_fXVCaEBAsgV3A115AnvrmVdFnYHrHnaxmeEF7JQVxBbvJFXG5SpvSwZAITlZN0iswuyxscHz1EdA7svSwoDToTzErOiXoxC/s1600/beach3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673564987429445858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNE-eH_CKOjTx4tyWt27cL6-jgKFAhilRuaCgY8pqigQW_fXVCaEBAsgV3A115AnvrmVdFnYHrHnaxmeEF7JQVxBbvJFXG5SpvSwZAITlZN0iswuyxscHz1EdA7svSwoDToTzErOiXoxC/s320/beach3.JPG" /></a> We started planning a trip for my birthday back in May, but then in turned into a birthday slash wedding planning trip. Either way, it was a much needed vacation and we cannot wait to go back!</div></div><div> </div><div>Shaun, Lisa and I stayed in Vegas on the way down there, and then we met up with Tyson at the hotel the next day. The resort was amazing! We used my mom's timeshare and I loved it.</div><div>Anyone who goes to San Diego should purchase a Go-Card. We went to the Safari Park, Legoland, and when kayaking for like $100 a person, which seems like a lot but when you break it down it's a great deal!</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVzieocx2Z0OIsUzjN3gNUkAongwCNqQcH746x-bn3m56M32PWoCBDiX2300kLcPqgLH2fbV3ksnMD0Cs1fODNtMmM6Od5GUsDmz4kYPnSW0NIsEuVqnicg1nh6cxX7i0QQyj6EurXeDbs/s1600/sd1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673564982234252674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVzieocx2Z0OIsUzjN3gNUkAongwCNqQcH746x-bn3m56M32PWoCBDiX2300kLcPqgLH2fbV3ksnMD0Cs1fODNtMmM6Od5GUsDmz4kYPnSW0NIsEuVqnicg1nh6cxX7i0QQyj6EurXeDbs/s320/sd1.JPG" /></a></div><div>We got a few wedding details worked out (like where the reception will be and what cupcakes we are ordering), but other than that we didn't get as much done as I was hoping. I guess that means we will have to make another trip in March or April ;)</div><div> </div><div>On a side note, can I just tell you that watching all these wedding shows on TV is so much more fun when you're actually getting married?! My new favorite is "Four Weddings" on TLC. The whole time we've been planning our wedding I keep thinking what the other 'guest brides' would say, and then try to fix the issues. Weird, I know. But that's a good thing about waiting a year...you get to make all the changes you want :)</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXInQCiiaDTI11MRqmO8El6sS5Gihrrc7cEk9ziQ9sTGsjn1dqn6RveJ7B4cfQ-xwnwvBXDh5Ni2yHbfetBMi7eAqo8y5cJrzpd0bZr7q-jhrv2pe14iDczX9XkMW10fcjfLBN4KWm1Lg/s1600/IMG_0827.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 306px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673564954063472146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXInQCiiaDTI11MRqmO8El6sS5Gihrrc7cEk9ziQ9sTGsjn1dqn6RveJ7B4cfQ-xwnwvBXDh5Ni2yHbfetBMi7eAqo8y5cJrzpd0bZr7q-jhrv2pe14iDczX9XkMW10fcjfLBN4KWm1Lg/s320/IMG_0827.JPG" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTBbyr6-cTyO4B_-qhOLrpmnWAICvYaHOIei2lYeJnPgqTB1aMAmGiDcvoGgQx6BPFo1gdsMGD-Jwo0-Zmj6BjiONhZV785OmF7xfP-UGL5MLJ0nUB5pyxkhbz01mjd9fYp8SmpnRFhvR/s1600/bday5.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 240px; height: 320px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673564951529410738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTBbyr6-cTyO4B_-qhOLrpmnWAICvYaHOIei2lYeJnPgqTB1aMAmGiDcvoGgQx6BPFo1gdsMGD-Jwo0-Zmj6BjiONhZV785OmF7xfP-UGL5MLJ0nUB5pyxkhbz01mjd9fYp8SmpnRFhvR/s320/bday5.JPG" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HZEKkndUxAM_76_9V5zATVWbNV_qK9xbHYmQVjIfaQsacnDnCHIe1LPceMUd3h_6gP02EpsYdrl8D_NTX27r5bIrGIpizlnFIRAHy_ootPOje8HdKNUNEaukHHx8cutVFjehI-X-7Jsd/s1600/zoo19.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673564945598364338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HZEKkndUxAM_76_9V5zATVWbNV_qK9xbHYmQVjIfaQsacnDnCHIe1LPceMUd3h_6gP02EpsYdrl8D_NTX27r5bIrGIpizlnFIRAHy_ootPOje8HdKNUNEaukHHx8cutVFjehI-X-7Jsd/s320/zoo19.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /> </div><div> </div></div></div></div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08662461696733574277noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-455840766069423675.post-55589781902621562002011-10-16T06:58:00.000-07:002011-10-16T07:33:53.515-07:00Time for an update!<span style="font-family:verdana;">Yes, I've been a <span style="font-style: italic;">major </span>slacker on this blog...Sorry 'bout that ;) Okay, time for the updating to begin!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I'M ENGAGED :) :) :)<br /><br /></span>Yes, Miss-I'm never getting married, is getting married. I honestly never thought I would meet the man of my dreams in Vernal. I had pretty much given up on dating after my last 2 dating disasters in the Basin, but apparently when you give up is when you find what you're looking for.<br /><br />Let's back up and explain for a second...<br /><br /><br />I had been dating a guy for a few months, but things didn't work out and we both realized we weren't the best for each other. A mutual friend said we were good together, but not great, and that's the truth. I'll never have anything bad to say about him and I'm grateful for the time we spent together...<br /><br /><br />So a week (yes, a week) after we broke up, X94 held our fights (we usually have about 3 or 4 a year). I was finally starting to feel better about life, but still didn't want a relationship. We usually have Vernal City Police patrol the grandstands just to keep everyone in check.<br />That's when I met Shaun :)<br /><br />We probably only talked about 5 or 10 minutes that whole night, but I was pretty smitten. A couple days later he found me on Facebook, because no modern day love story would be complete without a Facebook factor. I was heartbroken to see he had a girlfriend because that was just my luck. Well, I'll admit I was <span style="font-style: italic;">that</span> girl that started talking to a guy with a girlfriend and that was probably the best choice I ever made! He broke up with her a few days later.<br /><br />We texted everyday for like a week, and then when I came back from a visit to see my brother in San Francisco, we went on our first date. And the rest is history :) He will never let me live down when he tried to kiss me the first time-I turned my head haha In my defense I wanted "romance" and the Subway parking lot did not seem romantic enough. So he waited for another week and then we kissed when we were walking around the lake :) See, much better story.<br /><br />Now, onto the 'engagement story'...<br /><br />Shaun and I were spending the weekend in Salt Lake to meet his mom and step dad, and on the way we stopped at Bridal Veil Falls in Provo Canyon. I love love love waterfalls and have always wanted to hike up to the base. I looked online and it said the trail was steep and rocky, but it was only 15 minutes so it was manageable. So we start climbing up this steep, rocky part and, oh my hell, it was torture! We had Murphy with us and he kept sliding down, rocks were falling, we were gross and sweaty, and it was hot! Well, about 15 minutes into the hike we can see the water....and then we cross the actual trail. The 'rocky' part was gravel and it was so steep my 92 year old Grandma would maybe be winded going up it. Yeah, we took the wrong way.<br /><br />Anyways, we get to the base and are just standing under the water trying to cool off. Shaun tries to hug me and, again, I shut him down because I'm so hot and gross I don't want anything touching me. So he goes in the hug again and says...<br /><br />"The water is really cold, and there are people around, so I don't want to get down on my knee, but WILL YOU MARRY ME?"<br /><br />:) I just laughed and said of course :)<br /><br /><br />And I will give him points that when we got out of the cold, rocky water he did get down on one knee and asked again :) :) :)<br /><br /><br />So there is our meeting and engagement story :)<br /><br />We set the wedding for September 6, 2012 in San Diego. So now the next year will consist of blogging about wedding colors, dresses, favors, and all the fun stuff that comes with weddings!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqDsAX0MwEp-5cUk0WGkIpIedZtlsgoOOvNg7zToD98QKSBx4ixQJhE_zqn2mRx5SKtKvbSdCeOHUP4fyhoY636badhrGC7J3S3zJ2_WPmHTcUhYMsmRhaYgInTKcUS24I_cj07LfFs7qk/s1600/fixed+picture.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqDsAX0MwEp-5cUk0WGkIpIedZtlsgoOOvNg7zToD98QKSBx4ixQJhE_zqn2mRx5SKtKvbSdCeOHUP4fyhoY636badhrGC7J3S3zJ2_WPmHTcUhYMsmRhaYgInTKcUS24I_cj07LfFs7qk/s320/fixed+picture.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664097106149896706" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkPKgdr7_fu9FdsRIMDjCAAQR0zumtTJ72dfh3uf1q2Mvh8512P5kMU1iphxx1qndp6FgCseq51Qwv8Ohmr7AjfMEJMneXqhHlidhaHq3k9zeFvRFv2-2mATNIrbnI0m6xuA5dw_p5UCAB/s1600/shaun+and+me.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkPKgdr7_fu9FdsRIMDjCAAQR0zumtTJ72dfh3uf1q2Mvh8512P5kMU1iphxx1qndp6FgCseq51Qwv8Ohmr7AjfMEJMneXqhHlidhaHq3k9zeFvRFv2-2mATNIrbnI0m6xuA5dw_p5UCAB/s320/shaun+and+me.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664097106470957122" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7CRMNmyN-AIG2H4cTquWt7LK7mQzm4Je9JkYUdEIhYt_O-vuL6DE22Ldv_ff4w-7NYm1NExMu8F04lrcUZQae8JsDPHUS7pkWBK4memsjcD6spI4C-aE66EJnlu89ywwoXw6dMX9ae89h/s1600/she+said+yes.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7CRMNmyN-AIG2H4cTquWt7LK7mQzm4Je9JkYUdEIhYt_O-vuL6DE22Ldv_ff4w-7NYm1NExMu8F04lrcUZQae8JsDPHUS7pkWBK4memsjcD6spI4C-aE66EJnlu89ywwoXw6dMX9ae89h/s320/she+said+yes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664097114821874930" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmkA8qTLTaQn0L472v5GCiVkehJMWlQadh-v4g_kfw9eSMQmAfnz4FIf28_ZPzHZU-94BbbHeRheqHDJGu7f4WZczyiseb-fxl0Uaj0naaRf5hWSb8zLUZ-xATd1Tk4IxZPzHqTYzWfWv/s1600/IMG_1079-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmkA8qTLTaQn0L472v5GCiVkehJMWlQadh-v4g_kfw9eSMQmAfnz4FIf28_ZPzHZU-94BbbHeRheqHDJGu7f4WZczyiseb-fxl0Uaj0naaRf5hWSb8zLUZ-xATd1Tk4IxZPzHqTYzWfWv/s320/IMG_1079-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664097121427029794" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLV6VuuxXpbSU1Nn8u2cXJyq-ZUUTCRoS0RiMkC8twIj0g4IpzbziAIpiYWqZlnAdwJdF2Ky4HL2yUfbGmZ_JPDfPGHZuMubcqr0Xd2KDScIJuVUh2-4S1VkOKruzI7a9u3frvGhqQ0WlA/s1600/print3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLV6VuuxXpbSU1Nn8u2cXJyq-ZUUTCRoS0RiMkC8twIj0g4IpzbziAIpiYWqZlnAdwJdF2Ky4HL2yUfbGmZ_JPDfPGHZuMubcqr0Xd2KDScIJuVUh2-4S1VkOKruzI7a9u3frvGhqQ0WlA/s320/print3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664097126170969602" border="0" /></a>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08662461696733574277noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-455840766069423675.post-16495557754798076062011-09-25T12:16:00.001-07:002011-09-25T12:16:05.065-07:00Stationery card<div class="sflyProductPreviewWidget" style="width:425px; height:494px;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetTop" style="height:6px; background-image:url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/top.gif);"></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetCenter" style="height:482px; padding: 0 6px 0 6px; background-image:url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bg.gif); background-repeat:repeat-y;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewLogo" style="width: 105px; height: 34px; padding: 14px 0 0 14px;"><img src="http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/logo.gif" style="padding: 0; background: #ffffff; border: none; box-shadow: none;"></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewContainer" style="height:350px; text-align:center; padding: 0;"><a href="http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AZsmbZm0aN2bnI&cid=SFLYOCWIDGET&eid=115"><img src="http://images-community.shutterfly.com/prs/v1/0AZsmbZm0aN2eg/0AZsmbZm0aN2euaA/p/67b0de21b3127d902548/JPEG/1316978149000/0/" style="padding: 0; background: #ffffff; border: none; box-shadow: none;"></a></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewMessageContainer" style="height:55px; background-color:#f4f4e9; text-align:center; padding: 15px 0 15px 0; line-height: 19px;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewTitle" style="font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 15px; color: #333333; font-weight: bold;"><span>Beach Bliss Save The Date</span></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewSEOText" style="font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 13px; color: #333333;"><span>Create custom <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/announcements/save-the-date" style="color: #6666cc;">save the date cards</a> at Shutterfly.com.</span></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewViewCollection" style="font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 13px; color: #333333;"><span>View the entire <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery" style="color: #6666cc;">collection</a> of cards.</span></div><img width="1" height="1" border="0" style="padding: 0; background: #ffffff; border: none; box-shadow: none;" src="https://os.shutterfly.com/b/ss/sflyshareprod/1/H.15/111?pageName=sharekey&c1=msc&c2=blogger" /></div></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetBottom" style="height:6px; background-image:url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bottom.gif);"></div></div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08662461696733574277noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-455840766069423675.post-83290967820361590162011-02-22T17:22:00.000-08:002011-02-22T17:51:12.240-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;">"In the book of life, the answers aren't in the back"<br />- Charlie Brown</span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It's amazing how many things can change in one, short month.<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm no longer unemployed (yipee!)</span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">For the first time I can remember, I'm in a <span style="font-style: italic;">normal and healthy</span> relationship with a great guy.<br />Despite the fact I'm living in Vernal, I'm actually happy.<br /><br />Let's start with the job...<br />I ABSOLUTELY love it!! For anyone not in the Vernal area, I'm the News Director for Channel X94. It is such a blast! I'm actually using my degree and gaining so much more experience than at the "other" station. The morning show is amazing :) My co-workers are amazing :) The only downside is getting up at 4:00 am every weekday, but that is why God invented coffee, right?<br /><br />Now onto the guy...<br />Since I started dating, I have picked the absolute worst people for me. I've called myself the Queen of Bad Relationships for such a long time I didn't think I would ever know what a good relationship looked life if it slapped me in the face! It took a couple of months before I stopped thinking he would turn out like the rest of them and actually begin to calm down and trust him. I'm not making any predictions about what could happen. Right now I'm just enjoying the relationship :)<br /><br />And finally, life in Vernal...<br />The last month my life has been very boring, very simple, but it's exactly what I need right now. I go to work, come home, see the boyfriend if he's not at work, then go to bed. There's no real drama. No fighting. No bs. It's great! I know it won't last forever so, again, I'm just enjoying what I have going on right now.<br /><br /><br />6 years ago when I was getting ready to graduate high school, or even 2 years ago when I was living in San Diego, if someone had told me I would be back in Vernal, working in radio, I would have told them they were insane. I've never really had my life plan mapped out, but I was always positive it would never take me back to Vernal. Vernal is the one place I never wanted to be, but it's turning out to be one of the best decisions I've made. This is definitely not the path I ever planned on taking, but I'm hoping that it will lead me somewhere amazing.<br /></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></div></div></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08662461696733574277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-455840766069423675.post-72408662425366682632011-01-11T19:54:00.000-08:002011-01-11T20:13:22.819-08:00New Year...New Beginnings<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm sure most people have heard the quote, "When one chapter ends, another begins."<br />That's how 2011 feels for me.<br /><br />I've spent a lot of time the last few weeks reading my old blogs and digging up my old journals. It's amazing to go back just a few years and see how much things have changed, but then to also see that some things haven't changed all that much.<br /><br />But it's a new year, a new chapter, so no more looking back for me. I've spent too many years thinking about all the "what ifs" in life and how my life "could have" turned out. Well I'm done. Certain situations and certain relationships didn't work out for a reason (some I've figured out while others I'm sure I will never know the answer) but they all served a purpose.<br /><br />It's been almost a month since I was laid off and I haven't really panicked or freaked out as much as I thought I would. Until last week that is. That's when all the tears and the "what the hell am I doing with my life" started to pour out. It sucked, but I figured it would happen eventually so it wasn't a big shocker. For once I was thankful that I lived at home with my mother, because if I had actual bills to pay I'm sure the freak out would have been much worse.<br /><br />I have a sort of interview tomorrow with another company and I'm really hoping for some good news from them.<br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm not really sure how to end this, but another quote comes to mind;<br /><br />"A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step." -Lao Tzu<br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Here's to the start of a new journey...</span><br /></span></span></span></span>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08662461696733574277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-455840766069423675.post-28913744761301172372010-12-01T20:12:00.001-08:002010-12-01T20:13:00.117-08:00Christmas Cards<div class="sflyProductPreviewWidget" style="width:425px; height:494px;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetTop" style="height:6px; background-image:url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/top.gif);"></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetCenter" style="height:482px; padding: 0 6px 0 6px; background-image:url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bg.gif); background-repeat:repeat-y;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewLogo" style="width: 105px; height: 34px; padding: 14px 0 0 14px;"><img src="http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/logo.gif"></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewContainer" style="height:350px; text-align:center; padding: 0;"><a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery"><img src="http://images-community.shutterfly.com/prs/v1/0AZsmbZm0aN2eg/0AZsmbZm0aN2euLA/p/67b0de21b3127d902548/JPEG/1291263157000/0/"></a></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewMessageContainer" style="height:55px; background-color:#f4f4e9; text-align:center; padding: 15px 0 15px 0; line-height: 19px;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewTitle" style="font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 15px; color: #333333; font-weight: bold;"><span>Retro Love Holiday Card</span></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewSEOText" style="font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 13px; color: #333333;"><span>Christmas cards and holiday <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/thank-you-cards" style="color: #6666cc;">thank you cards</a> by Shutterfly.</span></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewViewCollection" style="font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 13px; color: #333333;"><span>View the entire <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery" style="color: #6666cc;">collection</a> of cards.</span></div><img width="1" height="1" border="0" src="https://os.shutterfly.com/b/ss/sflyshareprod/1/H.15/111?pageName=sharekey&c1=msc&c2=blogger" /></div></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetBottom" style="height:6px; background-image:url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bottom.gif);"></div></div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08662461696733574277noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-455840766069423675.post-69890814278147221062010-07-21T10:23:00.000-07:002010-09-01T18:24:18.172-07:00MurphyAnyone that knows me, knows how bad I've wanted a dog the last few years. Well, here he is!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59DsZhJVunu-Vjug8Q2IITzUKX8Xt1mBXeycnvo8DlnhoDmdaZv6BeUQy59ItvlI04KHyfbzOfxEL_JxZS0kb7uLx3QMNgXnYryzEkgxebYDmp2P8akOGnni-mCJJfHghIVwejRrnK2ZZ/s1600/murphy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 271px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59DsZhJVunu-Vjug8Q2IITzUKX8Xt1mBXeycnvo8DlnhoDmdaZv6BeUQy59ItvlI04KHyfbzOfxEL_JxZS0kb7uLx3QMNgXnYryzEkgxebYDmp2P8akOGnni-mCJJfHghIVwejRrnK2ZZ/s320/murphy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512118007958746882" border="0" /></a><br />Meet Murphy :)<br /><br />I took this picture the first day I had him. He had just gotten done playing in the canal by my house and was wet, and dirty, and couldn't have been happier!<br /><br />He is so much fun!! He loves to carry around his squeaky toys, but he loves this little rubber chicken the most. It's hilarious. He's a big fan of jumping on my bed and cuddling too :) But only for like a min then he lays at the bottom of my bed hanging out haha<br /><br />Anyways, just wanted to introduce my little Murphy *aka Murph-Dog, Murphalicious, Smurf, Smurfalicious, and Fuzz Ball (my mom's name for him) to the blogging world :)Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08662461696733574277noreply@blogger.com1