My Crazy Beautiful Not So Perfect Life

Our Wedding Part One

2012-02-04T21:05:00.002-05:00

I've been wanting to write everything down, but for some reason I have had this feeling that I just want to hold it close for awhile and just think about all of the sweet details as I fall asleep. I think finally, a month later, I am ready to share everything about the wedding and its surrounding days.

We were to leave on January 2nd, 2012. We spent new years with some friends making and eating sushi, playing just dance and enjoying the company. The first we spent packing and tying up loose ends, and we were ready to go by around 8 pm. We had spent all day watching the weather and we knew that Erie was expecting severe weather with up to 20 inches of snow in the next 36 hours, and snow squalls predicted. We were concerned, but we continued to tell eachother that we would make it to Florida as scheduled. We went to bed around 9pm as we were to get up around 330am. I laid in bed praying over and over that the weather would hold until we left. I couldnt sleep but I was fairly content just laying there praying. Ryan on the other hand was tossing and turning and finally decided to get up because he couldnt sleep. Eventually I got up to join him downstairs. I think when it was all said and done we were in bed by 1200am.

We slept our short time, got ready and took a cab to the airport. It had snowed about 2-3 inches, but let me tell you it was continuing to snow as we drove, and it was icy. The cab driver told us that many of the flights leaving had been canceled, but we decided to press on to the airport anyways to see if our flight was among the canceled. We arrived to the airport to learn that all flights that connected in Cleveland were canceled. Our flight, from Erie, PA connected oddly in Detroit, MI on our way to FL. Addmitedly it was an odd connecting place- but the weather was clear in Detroit, and our flight was still opened. What an amazing "God thing".

I was toting my wedding dress as my carry-on in a white davids bridal and we had checked the majority of our luggage with only a small roller bag with us. We had packed only the important things that we didnt think we could do the wedding without in that bag. We passed it, with the wedding dress, through security. They asked us for permission to run it again- and of course we agreed. After that they asked if they could search it. We were a bit confused but again agreed. We were prepped by saying please refrain from touching anything, and is there anything that may stab or poke us as we open this bag. Finally they pulled out my wedding day purse, a sweet little bag that my step mom bought me to match my dress - that had the cutest little handle..... that happened to look just like brass kuckles on the xray machine. Everyone had a good laugh and we were congratulated for the marriage, and we were on our way to Detroit.

When we arrived to Detroit we were about 40 minutes late due to the de-icing that had happened in Erie. We had 10 minutes to make our flight. We RAN. And let me tell you Detroit airport is not small. There was even a long tunnel with music and lights that we RAN through. We got to the gate with NO time to spare, but we made it!

Finally we arrived in Florida. The weather was so nice, and we were excited to finally be there. We got our luggage and rental car and met my mom and grandpa at the courthouse in Ft Myers to get our marriage liscense. It was CLOSED. Apparently January 2nd is a holiday. So we ran the rest of our pre-wedding errands (including a hair-cut for Ryan, and final shopping for welcome bags.) My mom and grandpa dropped off my wedding dress to be steamed, dropped off Ryans suit to be dry cleaned and did other running for us.

We arrived to our hotel around 4-5pm and we were exhausted and hungry. We went to a great restaurant right on marina and shared sweet time with family and for once enjoyed being in Florida... days before our wedding. We enjoyed seafood that we had been dreaming of and spent time with people we loved.

That evening as my grandpa and Ryan watched a football game, my mom and I stuffed the welcome packages for all of our guests. Ryan eventually joined us and we were able to finish the bags in not too much time. It was now around 7pm and we were exhausted.

We kicked my mom and grandpa out (to their delight- they were tired too) and we spent a little time talking about how we couldnt believe that we were actually there, in the days before the wedding, and we went to bed... By 8pm

Merry Christmas and a Catch Up

2011-12-25T21:20:00.005-05:00

Merry Christmas!

This was the first year that I wasn't surrounded by family for the Christmas holiday. Ryan and I hunkered down in our little home and celebrated Christmas together with our pups. We went to church, made a big breakfast, opened presents, talked to family on the phone, watched Christmas movies, had a Christmas nap and had spaghetti dinner. All in all an atypical but nice Christmas. Ryan wasn't able to get any time off from work this year due to our upcoming wedding and honeymoon so I decided to be a good wife-t0-be and stay home with him. I was also sick sick sick of traveling- so I thought I may take the weekend off!

Our Christmas tree covered in the cards that our beautiful friends and family have sent us! We are so blessed by the people around us!

Of course I have Christmas pictures of the girls!! Oh how I love them!

"The girls"

In order to dust this blog off- I suppose I have to do a little recap of the last 3 months (how has it been that long?).

In the last three months I have gone on 6 interviews (five alone- and Ryan joined me on one). I flew to 4 of these and drove to the other 2- all while being on rotations. It has been a HUGE blessing that I've had fairly easy rotations through the interview season. Interviews are stressful in their own right- just the act of being "on" for 6 or so strait hours is enough to make me need a nap. But throw in flying in the day prior for a dinner, getting up early for the interview and flying out immediately after then interview..... consider me exhausted. I am blessed that the travels all went well but after 3 strait Sunday/Monday travel interviews believe me I was ready to be done. During the last interview after a 7 hour flight delay and missing the dinner prior to the interview I hit my limit- I had horrible stress induced heartburn and I was just done. After a crying spell in the airport before my flight home, I felt better and a more emotionally stable yet tear stained me got on the flight for my last trip of interviews. That was 1 week ago and I am so glad that they are over. I feel that I learned a lot about the programs and that I will be able to rank the programs in an order which are the best for our family and my career.

Of course through all of this there has been the undertone of a fast approaching wedding and honeymoon. As of today I will be a married woman in 10 days :) I am so excited for this- but I have to say, it takes a lot of planning and a good amount of work. I am currently working on a "to-do" wedding list which is shortening slowly. I am so excited to marry this man- and I just cant even wait to get to the day! I am also very excited for the festivities surrounding the wedding in which we will get to spend time with our immediate family! So you see I've been a busy girl. Lots of big life changes for our family in such a short time- but all of it very exciting.

That's all for now as far as the big things- I plan to post more about my emotions through all this and different fun things that have happened along the way- but that is for further posts....

Thanks for sticking with me even when I'm too overwhelmed to post!

Merry Christmas

They Miss Me

2011-10-04T20:57:00.008-04:00

My dogs miss me when I'm gone.....
Especially when I get out the fall decorations....
And find these cute little "outfits".....
That I put on them....
And force them to sit obediently...
Through photo shoots....
With multiple costume changes....
Yep I'm convinced that they miss me.......
So so so much...... :)

****no dachshunds were hurt during the taking of these photos- well except maybe their pride****

Welcome Home Miles!

2011-09-21T13:30:00.002-04:00

My beautiful friends Sarah and Drew are in the process of adopting a sweet baby boy, and today was their "gotcha day" when he came home to live with them forever! I am so inspired by them, and have loved watching God work in their lives through the process of adoption!

Please go check out their story and beautiful new baby!!!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS DREW AND SARAH (and Miles too!)

Sunsets and Cinnamon rolls

2011-09-20T20:01:00.007-04:00

I am trying to make the most of my last "vacation" week only working 2 hours a day. Today and yesterday I made cinnamon rolls! The recipe made four pans- three of which are in the freezer and one that I bribed Ryan with in order to get him to go with me to the beach for sunset tonight. So, with no further ado, here are pictures from the beautiful sunset...

life lately and a day at the beach

2011-09-17T21:15:00.004-04:00

Life has been busy and slow all at the same time. I studied and passed my step 2 comlex (the second written portion of the boards) as well as my step 2 practical examination (standardized patients). I wrote, rewrote, and agonized about my personal statement and then eventually submitted my application to pediatric residencies. I heard from one of the residency programs and was offered an interview. I've done two rotations with very low hours (2-4 per day) and have enjoyed napping, running, cooking, visiting with family, and so much more. I've gone to girls group, walked with friends, played with the pups and done my fair share of grilling. I've enjoyed the summer, and am thrilled that the fall is here. I have good days and bad days and days in between. But all in all I have to say my life is good and I am content. I love my friend, my family, and my dogs. I am blessed.

We have been going to the beach almost every weekend for the last month or so. And we always enjoy the time.

Our girls dont seem to mind it either. Abbie always starts squealing in excitement when we enter presque isle park.
They run and chase, and smell and roll (in dead fish and birds - UGG)
But you cant help but see how very happy they are when we spend the afternoon at the beach!

And we agree with them! We love the beach!

Oh please pray

2011-08-15T10:59:00.004-04:00

Update: I just read more of their blog- and I found out that this "sweet baby" is not a baby at all. This sweet little girl is NINE YEARS OLD. Nine years. Oh my heart is breaking.

I sit here with tears in my eyes thinking about this sweet baby and all she has endured in her short life. How has the human race gotten this far away from the Lords plans for us? I am ashamed. Please join with me to pray for this sweet baby and her family. Let there be a revolution started.

Please click here

Please please pray. Please comment and tell the family you are behind them.

Loving to play!

2011-08-14T17:22:00.000-04:00

Memories and Moms

2011-08-09T15:51:00.008-04:00

There is something about moms. I don't know how to describe it. How are they always there? How do they take the crap that kids throw at them, and come out the other side loving their child just the same or more? I wanted to write down some memories that I have of my mom, that are from seemingly insignificant moments. When I am a mom I want to be able to remember, that these silly, small, and simple moments can be the most treasured memories.
When I look back at my childhood a lot of what I remember is from stories. Stories that are told and retold around the dinner table that play through my head as though I am watching a movie. I think this is what happens when you are the youngest one, and I cherish these. The memories that are truely mine are different than a movie. They are more of a short clip or a feeling. They aren't as funny or exciting as the ones that are told and retold, rather they are usually something much simpler- the everyday moments that it seems meant the most to me. Here are some memories of my mom that I thought I'd write down... I don't know if she knows how important these little things were to me as a child- and now as an adult looking back.
~ the sound of her singing in church as she held me and I rested my head on her shoulder
~ the way she rocked me when I had a nightmare, even though I was way too big to be rocked
~ that she always would give us "piggy back rides" when we were tired
~ the way she felt when I would snuggle up next to her while watching TV or a movie
~ the way it felt to have her play with my hair when she wanted to settle me down
~ the way she would cut up toast with jelly for me when I was sick
~ the way she was so patient when the "I love you's" yelled from the bedroom
were way too late and way too many
~ the way she allowed me to be a child until I was ready to grow up (doll playing, leg shaving, etc)
These are just a few of the memories... all seem so little and simple- but they meant everything.
And even now- the small things mean the most to me.

Like what?
~ she takes her breaks from work when I call so that we can chat any time I call
~ she will drive here at a minutes notice all I have to do is say the word
~ she does laundry for me when she comes to visit
~ she doesn't get angry at me when I'm too busy to call
~ she loves my dogs
~ she cooks with meMaybe I am easy to please- but I think the real revelation here is that the little things- are indeed very big.
***this is not "the" dress- just one that I tried on :)****