My main man...er, dog

This is my dog, Charlie. He is sweet, crazy, a lot to handle, and he has a big ole piece of my heart. But right now, he is fat. It's not his fault really. He loves to eat and I love to feed him. I also love to sit at home and veg on the sofa while he naps in his dog bed as opposed to walking him in the park or around the block.


The thing is, whenever he sees a dog or a cat or a bunny, he freaks out. He tugs at the leash, he barks, sometimes his hair on his back will raise up. He is inconsolable until the dog is out of sight and even then, he continues to tug and seek out the other animal. It isn't aggressive, just frantic and anxious. So I've been really lax on the exercise because there are times when I just can't handle him.


But it won't get better if we avoid the problem and really, he's more than a little tubby. So tomorrow it begins. We live right around the corner from a pretty awesome nature preserve. I'm taking him hiking in the mornings, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (weather permitting) and we're gonna get fit, have a good time, and get out in the world. I owe it to him to try.

Time Apart

How fitting that after I post about how much Jacob and I enjoy being together, our work schedules take us apart for weeks.


Last week my work family took a trip to Crested Butte for spring break. They also took me with them. I went back and forth whether I would actually go on this trip with them but ultimately, couldn't think of a real reason I wouldn't go other than I want to spend the time with my husband. So I went.


The first few days of the trip were really hard. It was a last minute trip to begin with but nothing was planned out so we had to do some scrambling and the parents really didn't deal with it well. Things were tense and awkward and I wished I had stayed home. Then I realized Jacob's work schedule would take him out of town for the two work weeks after I got back and I couldn't believe I was in Crested Butte skiing (which I don't even enjoy that much) when I could be at home with my boys. 


So here I am, home alone on the first day of Jacob's work trip to Longview, wishing we could be together and dreading the rest of the week without him. You can't always get what you want I suppose.

Together Time

The thing is, I love being with my husband.

I'm starting to think we are not normal. Everyone I talk to says things like, "Are you guys ready to kill each other yet? When I first got married, I was so sick of my husband". Even before we got married some friends of his said that if we didn't have doubts before the wedding, we just weren't normal. I have never doubted us. I will never doubt the love we have for each other and the bond we have created. On our wedding day, I was so excited to see him and become his wife and be tied to this man forever. Isn't that how it's supposed to be? But I'm getting off track here. Being together.

When we aren't together, I miss him. I miss talking to him and sharing my evening with him. When we aren't together, I wait impatiently for the time when we will be together again. Unfortunately, my husband's job keeps him away from home from time to time. The schedule always changes but we can be sure that at some point, he'll be away during the work week.

Next week, I'll be going to spring break with my work family to Crested Butte, CO and for the first time, my work will take me away from him. I don't want to leave him but he hates skiing and I really want a chance to try it again and get better at it. So after much deliberation, I decided to go. What I didn't plan on was Jacob's schedule taking him out of town immediately after I get back. So I'll be gone for one week, then he'll be gone for two work weeks. Added to that, he'll be out of town for three weeks in June, three weeks straight, and my work family is discussing taking the month of July to be in Crested Butte or Jackson, WY. They/we haven't figured out if that means I will go as well.

I have being away from Jacob. It's our first year of marriage and it seems like we'll be spending it more apart than together. How are we supposed to have a baby, how are we even supposed to MAKE a baby if we aren't in the same place for more that a couple days?

I'm trying really hard to just give it up to God and let Him lead me/us where we're supposed to be. I trust in Him and I trust us. Our love is so strong, we'll get through whatever our work schedules throw at us. But that doesn't mean I have to like it because when it comes down to it, I'd rather be snuggled with him on the couch than anywhere else in the world.

Christmas has come

There is no tree in our apartment. It's quite roomy for two adults and a medium size dog but for all the living room furniture, and doggie beds (yes the dog has multiple beds. He's a bit spoiled but we'll get to that bit later), and extra chairs AND a tree? Not roomy enough.  

I love Christmas. I would decorate every last inch of my home with red and green if I could afford to do so and if it wouldn't constitute a fire hazard of some sort because obviously that amount of tinsel and greenery is a three alarm fire waiting to happen. To be without a tree is a blow. I've tried to resign myself to loving the garland and lights on the mantle but damn, there is no tree! 

Marriage is wonderful. I have to say, there isn't anything much different from when we were engaged or even when we were dating. So being with Jacob is wonderful. He's sweet and caring and is trying really hard to be a good husband but honestly, he doesn't have to try too hard. He's already so good to me; that's part of why I love him. 

Our next big step is either a kid or a house. I am ready to start having kids but Jacob is not there yet. He's made great steps. He used to be scared of kids and want nothing to do to them. Luckily, with my nanny job putting me close to two great kids, he's gotten some experience. Even so, it seems like all of a sudden he's looking at toddlers and waving to kids, telling me about the cute baby that was in his office the other day. He's there, he just doesn't know he's there yet. I won't push. We'll get there together. For now, we are content to be a family of three - two humans, one canine - living our little life in the apartment we chose together. 

In two days we leave for family Christmas in Kansas. Adventures abound I'm sure!

First things first

My boss has been trying to get me to write again. He says I've got some things to say and once upon a time I liked to call myself a writer. So here I am, writing this little thing about my life as I prepare and then become a wife.

So who am I? I'm a 33 year old engaged woman about to marry a 25 year old wonderful man. We met, we dated, we fell in love and are going to build our little life together. We have a dog and an apartment and a wedding we are planning, which will happen in thirty-two short days.

 I'm not really sure how it's all gonna go or if I'll have anything worthwhile to share. But I'm sharing anyway. Actually, right now no one is reading this. And that's okay. I'll get there. All in good time friends.