Turning Over A New Leaf... get it?!

October is finally here.. yes I know I am a few days late, however I must express my sincere gratitude for Fall showing up. I love the colder weather, the changing leaves and the crisp sunny afternoons walking the dog. Although with fall that means the need for more heat, the need for defrosting the car in the morning, and bundling up every time the puppy needs to go outside to potty.

Speaking of puppy... Izzy is getting huge! Steve and I can hardly believe how big she has gotten!


We've been working really hard to kennel train her, and as of recently the barking seems to have subsided a bit... Keep your fingers crossed for us! She has been doing pretty well with potty training, however when her parents are lazy and ignore the barks at the door, she punishes us by dropping a poop bomb in the living room. Excellent!

Last week was a pretty slow work week for me. I worked 2 days, but also had 3 interviews--One for Camas, one for Hockinson, and one for Vancouver. They all hired me for subbing. So all together I am now subbing for La Center, Ridgefield, Hockinson, Battle Ground, Evergreen, Vancouver and Camas. I think that just about covers this entire area, don't you? This coming week however I am completely booked up, including 2 days at my placement school from last year- Truman, and two days in a Special Ed classroom. It will be nice to be at my old school and be with familiar faces as well as have the possibility of running into some old students. I have also gotten wind of a full time sub position at Truman. The new second grade teacher is pregnant, and they are asking me to take the position of her long term substitute starting in February. I would be back working with my old team of teachers and it would mean steady (and more) income through the end of school year.

Things with Steve and I are going very well.. so well that we are moving in together. We went last week and canceled my lease for the apartment and I will be living at his house. Our new location will be in Salmon Creek. It is already a very nice change and we are loving the new arrangements. Now the only stress is making sure that we get everything out of the apartment and either into the house or into the storage unit by the 31st.

This weekend has left me feeling a bit under the weather, not sure if it was something I ate or a touch of the flu. So yesterday was a day of rest in bed while Steve was at work, and today is a day of trying to curb my appetite with things that settle well and watching some football with my insanely football crazed man... yes Steve I am talking about you. ♥

Wow... Major Update Needed

My apologies for not writing about my latest adventures, I must be honest and openly admit that I have been far to busy being in love. ♥ As well as caring for my new baby, and beginning the school year with subbing.

First things first, Steve and I went on vacation leaving on September 5th and returning on the 12th. Hands down, we had the time of our lives. We came out still loving and caring about each other and turned out having a much stronger relationship with one another. We took off and headed for Felton, Minnesota to visit Samantha and Darrin. We had a great time in the small town of Felton. It was fun meeting Samathana and Darrin as well as being in a new state. It was a very relaxing time for both of us.

Upon leaving Felton, Steve and I decided to take an extra day or so to get home. We drove to West Yellowstone and stayed the night there in order to wake up early the next morning and spend the next day driving all through Yellowstone National Park.

We took a ton more pictures, (I'll try and add more later). Steve and I had an incredible time and honestly didn't want to return home. We loved that part of the country and loved spending quality time together.

When we returned home, we headed to pick up our new bundle of joy (well sometimes..). Welcome Home Izzy!

Although I must say, honestly, these pictures don't do her justice now. She is much bigger, more playful, and a bit of a devil at times. (I say this as she peacefully sleeps at my feet right now). Steve and I both love her so much and enjoy watching her grow and learn. She's catching on to training pretty well, and loves to rough-house with Zeus. She's definitely a great addition to my life-- even though she loves her daddy more.

The school year has begun and I have been subbing a few days. It's been a ride to say the least, but it's so nice to be back to work and know that a paycheck will soon be on it's way. Although by the end of the day, working with kiddos for 8 hours, chasing Izzy around, trying to keep things in order, I find that I am very exhausted. And Izzy doesn't understand the concept of cuddling up for a nap with mama yet...

Steve has been studying and testing for Central Pierce Fire Department. This has meant that our weekends are cut short as far as time together, and he's had to be dedicated to hittin' the books. It's exciting to support him in a big decision like this. He passed the physical aspect of the process and this Sunday is heading back up to take the written-- Fingers are crossed for you babe! ♥

Next week looks a little less hectic for me, hopefully that will mean that I can write on here more often-- maybe in between trips outside to potty train Izzy. Steve will be done studying, and then will be getting his wisdom teeth pulled out... when does this grown up business end!? He claims he doesn't need anyone to take care of him... but if you know me in any way at all... he'll be a spoiled patient.

Like I said... Busy in Love ♥ And have never been happier.

Longing for Fall

This morning I sat in my living room and listened to the rain come down. I felt like cuddling up under a blanket, sipping on a cup of warm joe, and staring out into the rain... So I did. Fall is by far my favorite season. Every year I look forward to the cooler weather, the rain, the leaves changing, the smell of fires in fireplaces or outdoors. Today gave me a hint that fall is closer then we think. Although it's supposed to be nice early this week, towards the end, more rain and cooler weather... Can't wait!

This past weekend I attended the Gaynor's Company Picnic with Steve. We had a fun time, and even walked away with some awesome prizes... ok maybe not what we were hoping for, but we still had fun and in the end that's all that matters.

Sunday Steve and I went to see The Final Destination in 3D. It was my first 3D movie ever, and I must say it was quite the experience. I found myself pulling down my 3D glasses for fear of things flying at my face. Overall it was a very good movie-- although I'm biased and have really liked all the Final Destination movies-- we had fun together. Steve and I also went over for Sunday night dinner at Mom's house. Tacos... need I say more?! Didn't think so.

This week consists of getting more things in order for subbing before I leave for vacation. I figure I shouldn't procrastinate on this particular subject since I'd like to get to work once I return from Vacation. Plus once we return home, it's puppy time!!! That means this little lady is going to be very busy! But I'm not complaining.. yet. I'm very excited!

I'm sure there will be a frustrated puppy post later on this month... And ones filled with love. And more pictures.

Puppy Update

This past weekend, Steve and I took a trip out to see my new baby. At this point she is 4 weeks old, I was curious to see how big she had gotten and to see if more of her personality had begun to come out. Here she is:

She is so adorable! I held her the whole time and was tempted to not put her down as I began to leave. Her brothers and sisters are adorable as well. They are all so cute and different in their own way. My little love is a bit smaller then the rest (fingers crossed that this is a sign she will be a medium-big dog instead of a BIG dog).

She's got lots of love to give, which is so wonderful because as I held on to her I realized just how much love I have to give to her. ♥

I wouldn't want one of the special men in my life to be left out either, so I snapped this picture over the weekend as well.

Meet Steve's dog Zeus. He, as well as Steve, has joined the ranks of the important men in my life. ♥

It's Funny...

... to think about how different things were for me a few months ago. School had ended, I was miserable and alas found myself becoming someone I was not proud of. Lately however, I've been becoming more and more thankful for that slip up in my life. I learned so much about who I was, and what I wanted for myself. I was not afraid to make adult decisions that would benefit myself, and was also not afraid to have others not like those decisions. I used to be afraid to speak my mind and stand up for myself- but today as I ponder life and things of that nature, I realize that I've made it. My life is not exactly perfect right now, but there are aspects that come make it come very close. I have my health, an amazing man who adores me- and isn't afraid to tell me, a puppy who is on her way to being big enough to come home to me, and a roof over my head. However there are some things that would make my life just a tad bit better... A job, money in my account to go for a small shopping spree, an appointment to get my hair colored, and a relaxing vacation with no worries tagging along.

Sadly on the job front, well let's just say it's non-existent. I often wonder if I should have moved to some place with a better outlook after graduation, but then I think about how different things would be and am glad I didn't. I'm a girl, and would just really love to go buy a new pair of shoes or jeans or a new top and not feel guilty about spending my rent money. Same scenario goes for getting my hair colored, I can't tell you how long it's been, but again, rent money on my hair... no can do. And a relaxing vacation, I am happy to report, is coming up in 18 days. Hopefully all the worries and stresses can be left behind while I'm away.

Now that my venting session is over, here's an update:

This past weekend was spent with a road trip to Great Falls, Montana to move the little brother. Talk about a drive. Being crammed into a moving truck, 3 humans + 1 dog= tight quarters. Tension was running high among the members of this trip, including the dog (who became very antsy and attempted to lift his leg to pee on one of the hotel beds during our journey). Extremely early mornings, long stretches of rolling hills, and lots of "bonding time" left us all at our wits end as we arrived in Great Falls. Tears were shed, words were said and then we moved on, just like families do.
Upon arriving though, things moved pretty quickly. My brothers new neighbor decided to come out a greet us, and then pretended to be The Hulk and lift things out of the truck that he probably shouldn't have been lifting. I stayed in the back of the truck and moved things to be brought in by the guys. As I watched The Hulk do his hulk-like thing, I found that I became a nervous wreck because it was pouring down rain, he was wearing sandals, and kept slipping on the lift of the truck. I was waiting for a bloody nose or cracked skull, but when all was said and done, no injuries occurred- except for a few smashed fingers on my part.

Leaving was fairly difficult. It's hard to leave those you love behind. Saying goodbye has never been one of my areas of strength- although you'd never know because I don't show it (which I suppose could be said for a lot of other things as well). But knowing that Brody would survive on his own and that we would be in touch let the emotions subside a bit.

Here are some pictures from our travels:

Drivin' Dog

Lap Dog


Photo Session While Driving

Nap Time for the Boys

The Open Road

Mom & Brother

♥

Things That Have Kept Me From Blogging:

The Move: Sunday was a day of power moving. My new place was unlocked and open at 8am and soon after the move began. Luckily my wonderful mom had come by my old place a few days prior to help with the remainder of the packing and the beginning of the cleaning process. Without her, it wouldn't have gotten done. I have a feeling she's done this before. I wonder who with?! Everything was moved in a short amount of time, and with some of the best helpers a girl could ask for. Thank you! Now begins the unpacking process...

Unpacking: I have so many boxes that it's almost impossible to move around in my new place. And then when I get some emptied, where am I supposed to put them since the dumpster and recycling bin is a little ways away?! Well they just get stacked and then I find that I'm trapped into one section of my place. Such a fun process. And to think I'm going to have to do it all again in 7 months.

Relationship: That's right! I have the best man in the world! I couldn't ask for anything better! We're completely and totally infatuated with each other! We're even taking a vacation together in 24 days! Stay tuned for more. ♥

Another Move: My brother is moving to Montana. Tomorrow begins our journey to move him. It's going to be quite the trek, but hopefully we'll all have fun along the way.

As you can see, one word describes my life this past couple weeks: Busy.

Moving & Puppies & Guns... Oh My!

Moving day is officially this Sunday... Guess that also officially means that procrastination can no longer reside in my life. Time to kick it in gear. I spent the day packing and cleaning today. I also got to take a sneak peak at my new place. The people have moved out and they are in the process of cleaning so they let me go look through it and see the place I'd soon be calling home. Needless to say, I am very excited. I'm ready to get rid of boxes and be settled again.

Saturday I went out to see the puppies, and let me tell you... I'm in love! ♥ They were all so cute and sweet but one little girl stole my heart.


Isn't she so wonderful!?

Here are some of the others. I wish I could take them all!

On Sunday Brody, Steve and I took a trip up to Larch Mtn. to shoot some guns. I have had the urge to go shooting for quite some time now, but no one ever really took me seriously. Until now.

I had a BLAST! It was a bit intimidating and scary at first, maybe it was just too much power in this little girls hands, but I soon overcame whatever fear was plaguing me and didn't want to put the gun down. There's nothing like being in good company, fresh air, woods and guns to relieve some pent up stress.