Please pray for the family of Gina Brunen. Her battle with cancer ended October 22, 2012 and she returned home with our Heavenly Father.
You can follow her memorial foundation over at http://bbotb.blogspot.com
So, thanks to living in the great state of Pennsylvania that still recognizes pregnancy as a "pre-existing illness," I get the the lucky card to take completely unpaid maternity leave. You're ALL jealous I know! I missed having it by four days folks.
So, can we get a sponsor for this?! I'm an RN still paying off student loans, my husband is a veteran who is in school full time and working the only other hours he has off. I was hoping to take a nice long break with the little peanut, possibly not even go back to work, but those dreams are quickly being dashed. 12 weeks of FMLA is turning into maybe taking 6 weeks. I've already cried at the thought of daycare for a 6 weeks old and it's breaking my heart.
I'm trying to keep the faith that it will all work out in the end. Currently looking for some per diem work, but since I already work 5 days a week there isn't much room for much more work.
Pray for us, we need it, and appreciate it.
And for reals guys, if you wanna sponsor us, just let me know :) haha!
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| Harbor in Georgetown, SC |
That's right kids! It's the first week of July, hence why we are at the beach. We vacation to Pawley's Island, SC, and it's fantastic! So look forward to lots of pictures to come while I enjoy a week of southern living, and celebrate our two year anniversary!
So, we started this Dukan Diet about 5 weeks ago and I've lost 17 lbs...great! Right?! I need to be thankful for what I have lost so far, but I still have so much left it's really that it is hard to keep the big picture in sight. I want to lose about 50 more big LBS! I'm happy with the progress I've made so far for a whopping day, then quickly lose sight of that, and it is replaced with negative thoughts about how much I HAVEN'T lost...ugh!
To make matters worse, we're leaving for vacation in t-minus 13 days, and I am SO not ready. At least my body isn't ready yet! It's for sure going to be a one piece week at the beach! Hopefully the sunshine, downtime, and the hopeful tan that I will get will help how I feel. The week although relaxing, is going to be filled with lots of activity. Runs/walks on the beach, swimming, and bike rides. On a side note, it's our two year wedding anniversary down there and I cannot wait to celebrate two wonderful years with my husband.
Hopefully, I'll be officially over food poisoning by tomorrow and can get back to Couch 2 5K.
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| Oh yea, by the way, you should TOTALLY see this movie! |
Hello blog world! I've been so so busy recently and I feel like I've abandoned you! So, my wonderful Seester (my sister-in-law), Jana, is gonna be a Mrs. this upcoming November and I cannot wait! Plus, I get to be a bridesmaid in the wedding, which I am beyond excited for. She was a bridesmaid in our wedding back in 2009, and now I get to be part of her big day.
The first half of the day was spent at a small bridal boutique in Nazareth, PA checking out the fantastic dresses that they had to offer, we found some not so great ones, some horrid ones, and two pretty fantastic ones. We settled on two, I'd love to share them with you, but the only picture I have includes HER dress, and that will remain under wraps until the BIG day! Either dress will be fantastic and flattering to everyone, and the color, oh my! It's phenomenal, a rich eggplant perfect for the season.
We all worked up an appetite, ladies you know what I'm talking about, that post shopping hunger pain....We had a nice little bridesmaid lunch at The Widows, this adorable little place right down the road from the shop. I had some yummy lettuce wraps and treated myself to a lemon drop martini (ok, Seester treated me since she treated everyone to lunch, thanks again!).
Then I came home, updated the room assignment sheet for the lodge at the wedding, brainstormed some ideas, took a jog with the pup, and napped. All in a days work of a bridesmaid!
PS-being a bridesmaid means trying on a whole lot of dresses in a room that is all mirrors....hitting the pavement harder on my workouts and kicking the diet into higher gear!
My life currently has been a little hectic, but good, and exciting, and scary all at the same time!
- We finally started the weight loss journey, for reals this time! I'm 11 pounds down, and Kurt is down 17, can we get a woohoo?! We started the Dukan Diet, which we've realized is more than a diet, it's really just all about self discipline. We're not following it to a perfect T, because I think it's important to get some extra nutrients. But, so far it's great! We're losing weight, at a healthy pace, and soon(ish) we'll be our new skinny selves!
- I've been adjusting to a new job. It's great, just an adjustment. I work at an eye surgery center here in town, I'm getting some great experience, and meeting awesome people. It's much earlier days, and a flexible end time. It's a different pace, and I feel like I do/see something new every day!
- We decided not to buy a house, and not to move to a different rental. We, and the dogs, have become accustomed to living here. Maybe we could get into so place cheaper, but then we're going to have to pay to move, the hassle of the move, and then getting everyone used to the new place....no thank you! So, we're going to stay here for at least 6 months.
- About that 6 months business, yes, normally a lease is for a year, but we're going to see about 6 months locked in then month to month after. Why, you ask? Because, Kurt may go active duty in the NAVY again. Scary...yes, but also exciting in a way. There is no definite answer on this yet, as Kurt is in the process of slimming down to meet the NAVY height/weight standards, and I'm so proud of him! Taking control of himself and doing what he wants to do. He respects my input, but I told him, this is his decision. He can take to heart my feelings, but this is ultimately his decision, so we shall see!
- Bailey seems to have reverted into a troublesome puppy recently, getting into everything! But we love her dearly and she does things like curl up next to us and put her head on our lap. Or, she will come up and give us sweet kisses. Our answer, we need to get her more exercise, which works wonderfully with our diet plan. I'll keep you updated how that works out.
- I've been helping teach Sunday school with my momma-in-love which will soon be coming to a close.
- There's been a little bit of family drama on my dad's side, maybe you'll get filled in later.
I'm sure there is more that I'm missing, but it's crazy, scary, and great all at the same time! I wouldn't trade it for anything!
Hello all! Sorry it's been a hectic week...working and attending a wound conference about two hours away yesteray, and now we're back on the road "home" to Columbus, Ohio and I couldn't be happier about it! I miss my family SO SO much, we havent seen my mom, pops, and one brother since a couple days after Christmas, and the my dad and stepmom has been even longer than that! I get to have some much needed sibling time! I'm the oldest of 4, I have two 15 year old brothers and a 12 year old sister who I miss SO much while in PA. I start my full time job the first week of April and I knew it would be hard for us to get "home" as it's easily an 8 hour drive from where we live. So, well be here for four glorious days! Tonight we're watching our Buckeyes dominate on the court, tomorrow is a belated birthday party at my grandma's house for Kurt and I, Sunday we're watching my sisters soccer games, and Monday grabbing lunch with my best gal Maddie! It's going to be a great weekend, we just wish the fur babies were here with us too! They are in great hands though! Look for pictures to come!
So, yesterday was my birthday! I've never been overly excited about birthdays, not that I have a problem getting older I really don't. Let's be honest...I'm 24, am I even allowed to be bothered by age yet?! I really just don't like attention on me, I love it to be on other people and I love doing things for other people, so a day focused on me is kind of a nightmare for me, haha!
However, the day was relaxing and nice. Started off with my Sunday School kids and a surprise that my hubby orchestrated with them that included red velvet cake and a wonderful group of 4th/5th graders singing to me. Then we all headed to brunch as per usual, where we brunched and talked, and thankfully I was NOT sung to by the staff. They brought me a wonderful little chocolate muffin, which I gave to my chocolate-aholic hubby. Then my seester (Jana, my sister-in-law), my momma-in-love, and seester's fiance all went to the Lehigh Valley Bridal Show. I don't care if you're already married, it never gets old going to look at wedding stuff, taste cakes, and food. We left there and headed to look at a house that we may potentially rent to own...however we are in our lease 'ill June, so we might miss out on it. We came home napped, and then headed back to the in-laws for some pizza, ice cream cupcakes, and a rousing game of Quelf.
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| Some of the fantastic characters from Quelf. |
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| Just read these cards and you can see why this game is plain ridiculous |
For those of you who don't know what Quelf is, you're missing out. It's quite possibly the most ridiculous and most fun game...google it!
It was a great day, but I'd be lying to say I didn't miss my Ohio family on the day. It's been since Christmas since we've seen them, and it's rough. I love my family here dearly, but really I will never get used to being away from my Ohio family. It was amazing to talk to them and get to hear their voices, but it made me itch to get home and see them. Hopefully it will be in the next few weekends it will happen.
One of the best things I received for my birthday was a simple text message from my oldest and best friend Maddie. She is more than just a friend, she is like a sister, and I love her dearly. She effectively made me cry my eyes out from her text...she may get a special post just about this.
All in all, I am another year older and happy (for the most part) with where I'm at right now. I love my husband dearly, he is amazing, and I couldn't ever as for a more amazing, thoughtful, and stand by me man! We have two balls of fur we love, and a cozy house to live in. He's doing great at his job at Apple, and is plugging along in school. I just got a promotion to full time, and was accepted back to finish my degree. We have our God, and he loves us. We really have a great life...now if I could just get this weight off!
Sorry for being MIA this week. It's been hectic, stressful, and just plain busy! I'll fill you in on the busy, hectic, and stressful week something soon. So, after having one day to decompress I am now back to blogging.
Here is a list of things I am doing right now:
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| iPad 2..I want it SO bad! |
1-I am currently drooling over the iPad 2. I stuck it out a whole year since wanting the original iPad, because I knew another new and exciting one would come out with a camera and all sorts of fancy ones. So now....I want it! And would appreciate it as a birthday gift! My birthday happens to be two days after the release. Coincidence...I think not!
2- I'm treating my ears to this little girl. She amazes me, seriously so mature beyond her years, and is just stinkin' cute! Honestly all of her stuff is good, especially for an 11 year old! She was on Ellen a couple years ago.
3- I'm sprucing up my letter of interest to take to work for another job. Seriously people, I'm going to land a full time job with benefits or die trying. I'm even getting certified as an instructor of BLS/CPR to open up doors, and obtaining my certification in ACLS/PALS to try too.
4- Waiting for the hubs new computer to get here. His MacBook Pro has lasted him quite some time, and quit literally has started to fall apart. So, the new MacBook Air should hopefully arrive today!
That's right folks, I'm planning ahead! I'm making a meal plan this week for us in an attempt to actually stick to eating at home for dinner ALL week, so here goes!
Monday - Beef Stew (yum!) with this current snowy weather (yuck!) will fit perfectly! Some stew beef, red skin potatoes, carrots, celery, pearl onions, and a little secret sauce. I'll actually probably freeze some of these left overs for us, or save it in the fridge for in case I decide to change up the plan this week.
Tuesday - Left overs from our Sunday Sauce. Sunday sauce, an regular in Italian family homes, is several kinds of meat in a home made tomato sauce cooked for a couple hours...yum! Now, I'm not Italian, but my FIL is and he loved it! I made homemade meatballs (healthy version kids!), chicken sausage, beef braciola, and a few pieces of lamb for flavor. All of that cooked in some organic tomatoes, garlic, basil, and onion for a few hours served over whole grain brown rice penne.
Wednesday - Chicken breast with Dijon herb potatoes and small side salad.
Thursday - Mahi Mahi with fresh steamed veggies, simple and fantastic!
Friday or Saturday - Balsamic chicken breast with broccoli over brown rice. The other night will be date night :)
So, today I gave in and decided it was time to go back to Weight Watchers (as the seester is getting married in November). I like the new points plus where basically all veggies and fruits are ZERO points. I decided the whole meetings thing just isn't for me due to lack of regular schedule, so this time I went we the online option, and granted only one day in, but LOVIN' it! I really need this so that I get my portion control in check, and it kind of forces me to cook at home and just make overall good choices. Another thing I like about this program, it's easy to come off. It's not some dramatic change in diet, it's just making better choices and eating the RIGHT portion size. Making it easier once I stop counting the points every day.
Also, started c25K (couch to 5k) today. I really wanted to get back into running, and let's be honest, Bailey can ALWAYS use the activity. Especially when it comes time for a baby in this household I want to be one fit/healthy momma! So far so good, and Bailey was pooped when we got back, she loved it too!
So, here we go!
P.S.- I might have some exciting news on the job front here soon, so stay tuned!
Sorry kids...I've been slacking this week, but for good reason! It was hubby's birthday and we both were a little under the weather..yuck I know! Let me catch you up on the first part of this week.
Valentine's Day (we actually "celebrated" this on Sunday) we treated ourselves to the AMAZING Emeril's Chop House here in Bethlehem, and YUM-O! Seriously, best steak I've had in my life. I now actually know what it's like to have steak melt in your mouth. We then were just a bunch of bums on the actually Valentine's day, we just love each other, we don't need no stinkin' special day!
Tuesday was the hubs birthday, he's the big 2-9! We had his mom, dad, and sister over for some yummy dinner and chocolate cake (the hubs fav). It was great fun and great company.
Then I worked all day today. That's the extent of our week thus far. I promise to be more exciting tomorrow!
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| Pawley's Island 07.08.09 |
1 - I met my oh! so fantastic husband online, just like Lauren, and I will give her credit for convincing me to go onto Christian Mingle and it actually working (seriously, it's great!). I almost wrote the hubs off because I found out he was in the military and was stationed in SPAIN, while I was finishing up nursing school in Cincinnati, Ohio...talk about long distance. However, I couldn't resist his charms and fell in lurve.
2 - I am totally a dog mom. I have always loved animals, but I never really pictured myself as a "dog mom", but I totally am. People share stories about their kids, and I then have a story that I think somehow relates to raising a child, to raising our dogs. Our dogs are 130 lbs, and 90 lbs and sleep in bed with us (this soon will change with the purchase of new dog beds), thank goodness for a king size bed.
3 - I am a true nerd at heart. In high school I was a cheerleader, ran track, grew up playing select soccer, all while belonging to science club, competing on science Olympiad, working as a lab assistant for our biology teacher, and working on yearbook. Not too mention, I LOVE Harry Potter. Yes, I am 23 (almost 24) and will be at the midnight showing, as I always am, for the next movie....I even have a shirt I wear to it!
4 - I want to run my own business. I love working as a registered nurse, but I strive to do something else. I love photography, baking, cooking, crafting, and event planning. I'd love to really get my photography business of the ground, open a bakery, start an organic baby food company, become a wedding planner, flip real estate, or really anything. I just want to have something that is my own, that Kurt and I can run together and be flexible when we have kids.
5 - My parents get along great! When I say my parents, I mean ALL of my parents, including Kurt's parents. In fact we all vacation together every year (can you believe it!), to Pawley's Island, SC where Kurt and I got married.
6 - I'm neither a wino, or a beer fan...I'm BOTH. I love wine of sorts, but mostly reds (especially in the winter!). I love beer, and my fav is pretty much anything from a local brewery here in Bethlehem, PA named Bethlehem Brew Works.
7 - We want four kids, yes four. We're each one of four, and love it! Let's get this family growin'! (after we get insurance, and I lose the lbs!)
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| Our wedding bands and 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 |
So, this post is inspired by a Valentine's Day Card competition. This photo will soon grace the wall of our bedroom. It's our wedding bands with a portion of scripture read from our wedding, and many other weddings, 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7.
The photo, taken by me one day at the first house we had together in Cincinnati, represents us a lot. Our marriage and lives are Christ centered. Christ is who brought us together, and we try to live our daily lives putting Him first, and letting our love grow in His image. The scripture is right, Love never fails. Our love for each other, for Christ, and His love for us never lets us down. Times may be tough, not always a walk in the park, but our love for one another, and our love and trust in Him gets us through it all...the good, the bad, and the sometimes ugly.
Spoiler Alert: I think photo may be the winner for the homemade card that the hubs gets this year :)
Along with Valentine's Day comes another great day, the day after in fact, which is the hubs birthday. Seriously, we jam pack events in a couple of months. Christmas, New Years, Valentine's Day, Kurt's Birthday, and my birthday all before April. Not to mention that the Momma-in-Love, both Scott and Jana's (brother/seester-in-law), my dad, my aunt, and my uncle's birthdays are all in the mix as well, yikes!
Again, here is the apology for only blogging ONCE in a week. It's been a hectic, sad, and lovely week all in one. Pop returned to the arms of Jesus on Monday and we've had family dinners, gatherings, planning, and a memorial service to attend this week. And while all were amazing and therapeutic, they take up time and the emotions/stress leave you feeling exhausted. The main reason I think that when Kurt and I returned home each night we don't even remember falling asleep because it happened so quickly.
While we were left feeling exhausted the nights spent with the family were amazing. Dinners, story telling, games, and yes we even did a family beer tasting (seriously, we did this. Twenty two beers and eleven family members)! Last night was the final night that everyone was in town, and it was completed with a game of spoons. I married into a family of some intense game players and I love it! I think there may have been some blood shed during the game last night from the attempts to claim a spoon.
My goal next week is to post EVERY day, here's to achieving that!
So, today was spent at hospice with Pop. We got home to our wonderful pups and the comfy bed with the hubs and pups is calling my name. Here are a few shots of us playing in the snow the other day!
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| Bear spotted another dog |
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| She's having SO much fun! |
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| Seriously...she's special...covered in snow I love my little family! |
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| Emeigh/Suess Family Christmas (a "few" members missing) 2009 |
Sorry, to the few readers that I have, for the delay this week in blogging. It's been a week full of work, job searching, and family time. The week started off with Kurt's grandfather, Pop, in the CICU at St. Luke's this week, and then moving to St. Luke's Hospice on Wednesday. We're headed there soon for more family time with Pop and others. It's been a bit of an emotional week, as an RN I have more insight into what is going on with Pop, I see the benchmarks that he is hitting in the hospice process, and it's all bringing me back to when my grandfathers were on hospice in 2009, both a bittersweet experience. I seem to almost have flashbacks to moments with my Grandpa Jerry from when I was taking care of him during his final days, and I've made a couple tearful calls to my mom back in Ohio sharing memories with her, and her heart and prayers go out to the whole family here in PA during this time.
The hospice care is wonderful, the staff is great, many memories, stories, and laughs are shared, along with tears and hugs. While many of us were there yesterday the St. Luke's Hospice chaplain came into the room and visited us and was so pleased to see us smiling, and telling stories and he said well "you all seem to be doing great. What a great environment for Hal to spend his final days, with all of this love surrounding him." I think in that moment we all stopped the idle chatter and story telling and looked up at the chaplain as he said, "You only get this kind of love, unless you've given that love out your whole life." I think that chaplain successfully brought a tear to every person in Pop's room right then.
It's so true that in the final days of someones life, you can really see how that person must have lived their life and the legacy that they built. It really is ALL about love. Giving love and support to one another. Families rally together to be with the loved one and with each other. I remember the camp out we had of inflatable mattresses and my grandparents home in Ohio while Grandpa was on hospice. We cooked together and shared stories, and it's the exact same experience we're having here now with Kurt's grandfather, Pop.
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| Pop's 90th birthday 2010 |
It seems that there is no better way to leave this Earth into the Lord's arms than to be receiving the love from your family, friends, and loved ones that you gave our your entire life.
You really do get what you give.
The holiday season is always filled with lots of traveling to see friends and family. This week we made a quick trip "home" to Columbus, Ohio. Although, I haven't lived in Columbus since I was 18, I still call it home. There is something about Columbus that I love, you just have a good feeling here. Maybe it's the ability to see The "Shoe" (home of the buckeye's) from my parents house, driving by my high school, or knowing how to get anywhere without the use of my GPS that makes it feel like home. I love where we live now in Bethlehem, PA and quite honestly, wherever Kurt is makes it home to me.
We arrived yesterday to The Brake Family Christmas, a great tradition on the first Sunday after Christmas that has happened since my grandpa was a little boy. All of the Brake brothers and sisters get together with their children and grandchildren....no great grandchildren yet, and celebrate the season together. We get together visit, reminisce, and get up to speed on what is going on in their life. I haven't been to one in two years, and man has it felt good to be there with everyone! However, I did get mistaken for being pregnant (seriously going to hit the pavement when I get home), and while holding my cousin and attempting to get her to sleep she was mistaken as being my child....this must mean that we NEED to get home more often. Kurt even got to give my great aunt a iPad tutorial...she loved it!
We've gotten our fill of our favorite Indian food, and soon Chipotle, YUM!
This was just what we needed after the busy weeks that Kurt and I have had, and it's been great to actually see my husbud for more than just a few short hours a day.
I hope that you all are having a great holiday season, just don't forget the true reason for the season...our amazing Jesus!
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