Let's go catch a wave

While all my friends are bragging about how wonderful fall is, the crisp air, and getting to bring out the fall boots, I am here in 90 degree Florida weather. I'm indifferent about it. While I do get a little jealous when I see my friends getting to put on their Uggs and skinny jeans, I forget these thoughts as soon as I drive 10 minutes from my house and get to have a view of the ocean. Don't get me wrong, I love fall, like really love it, but when else am I going to be able to brag about living in a place that is year round pool weather. The locals tell me it's going to start getting cold in January, like maybe 68 degrees. Don't worry, I packed all my winter jackets for the event of "Winter" in South Florida. It is rumored to last a whole 1 1/2 months.

While we are here though, Dylan and I are trying to go to the beach as much as possible. It's not that often considering Dylan is a study machine, but yesterday he came home from school early, and we decided to try one of the beaches we haven't visited yet. We went to this great little beach called Hallouver Beach. It was pretty amazing, and no one was there, well at least where we were at. Funny thing, there are 2 Hallouver Beaches, one is normal, the other is a nudist beach, no joke. Well Dylan and I pulled into the wrong parking lot at first, only to be directed to the normal beach parking lot since I was not getting nude with a bunch of strangers (I contemplated it, but decided against it). Don't worry though, our beach was RIGHT next to the nudey beach, I tried not to look and no I did not take any pictures (Dylan took my phone away).

Check one

Remember that one time we got caught in the ghetto? Yeah me too... It was awesome. So, on Friday night, Dylan and I had the most brilliant idea to take the Metrorail (think subway above ground) in Miami from the suburbs where we live to downtown Miami. Seems like fun, right? I mean commuters do it everyday, so it must be cool. Well the trick with these commuters is they do it during the day, in daylight, when it's really crowded. So our brilliant idea of riding this metro-ghettoness-rail at night time was, well, to say the least, uncomfortable. We boarded the train at 8pm, because everyone in Miami goes out late and we wanted to fit in (don't even worry I basically had to eat a snack that equalled the size of a dinner before we left because I am like a grandma and eat the early bird specials). We were basically the only ones on the train besides a bunch of African American men wearing shirts that said "SECURITY". My guess is they were bouncers at some super ritzy club. The train broke down not once, but twice while we were on the metrorail, so instead of waiting for the next train when we had to exit the broken down one, Dylan decided we'd just walk to the stop for the metro-movers (these little trains in between metrorail stops that take you to places inside of downtown, not on the main path, but just like clubs and restaurants and stuff). I did not like this idea. Walking to the metro mover included walking for 1 1/2 blocks of the most ghetto-ness, non lighted streets with 8 (did you read that 8!!!!) sleeping homeless people. The whole time Dylan is speed walking, leaving me behind, and I'm shouting at his that this is suuuuuch a bad idea. I was so mad. Luckily we made it to the metro-mover in one piece, only to ride it with even more ghetto-ness (think like crack-whores, no joke). We finally made it to our destination, this way cute little outdoor mall called Bayside Mall where it is poppin on a Friday night with a bunch of honeys trying to get it on. We ate at the food court, and then just headed back to the station since we had to be back by midnight because that is when the parking lot closed.

In short, we rode the metrorail, we can check it off our Miami To-Do list, and we're done with it. I'll take my air-conditioned car, thank you very much

Bienvenidos A Miami

We're HERE!! I kind of forgot about blogging in the midst of all this moving madness. I can't even explain how crazy moving across the country was/is, but we are loving life here in Sunny Florida. The weather is awesome, the beach is amazing, and the people are one-of-a-kind, literally. We started our little trek on July 28 for a 3 1/2 day trip filled with fun and lots of fast food. Barkley was the #1 trooper riding with Dylan, and I, of course, got to ride with my mom. Gina is the best... seriously she spoiled us so bad paying for gas, food, buying us groceries, etc. I don't know when this kind of treatment stops from your parents, but I hope it's not anytime soon.

Our little while in Florida was crazy to say the least. We didn't have electricity for 24 hours which equalled sleeping or not sleeping in a house that was 88 degrees, Dylan dropped/threw his iphone on the ground, we were pregnant when we got here and then not anymore, being without our furniture and all our stuff for 3 WHOLE WEEKS, being jobless (which is actually pure awesomeness), and having to take Barkley into the vet for an eye infection. It was craziness, horrible, bad, but we are all good not and we are working through stuff.

Life in Miami is different. Dylan has been studying like a mad man, I've been looking for jobs/taking it easy, and Barkley has been loving all the time I have at home with her. I knew Dylan would be studying a lot being in Med School and all, but I had no idea it'd be this much. It's Bo-RING when he's not here, but I know it will be worth it. I'm picking up some hobbies, learning Spanish, and just enjoying some time off after a kind of hectic little bit. I'm kind of in retirement right now, but I'll be back in the workforce eventually.

Overall, things are good. Here's some pics of our life, which are really just lots of pictures of Barkley.

Moving Truck!! This is after it FINALLY arrived after we'd been waiting for our stuff for 3 weeks.

Dylan didn't let me drive with him that often, and Barkley didn't like it either. She likes being co-captain and didn't want me in her seat.

Remember that one time when we had a hurricane and tornado warning in one night. Yeah that was fun hanging out in the bathroom all night.

Pbest wedding reception ever. My new BFF at church had the most bomb wedding ever with pass-around liters of diet Pepsi. Best idea ever.

Gertrudes... Mejor Amigas.

BORED!! Dylan is always studying. Luckily I have lots of Netflix to catch up on. Hello Pretty Little Liars and Mad Men.

CAMP

I am lucky enough to have a job where I can take days off and get paid. It really is the bomb being an adult with a real job. I used a few of my vacation days this past week and went to Girls Camp with my little babies. We had almost 30 girls go to camp this year, so there was some extra help that was needed. I, of course, having no kids or other plans but work was able to go up for the week. Easy decision: a) work for a week OR b) go to camp and love your life not working. Duh.

 

The week was really great, spiritual, wonderful, etc. Not to get too churchy, but I really love getting to work with these girls. They are so fun and great, and it was one of the best weeks I’ve had in a long time. Girls Camp will forever hold  a special place in my heart. The first time I ever bore my testimony was at Girl’s Camp, and I really believe that for a lot of the girls (and me), that is where testimonies are born. There is no other place where we get to have a week set aside to just be together as girls (or women), and get to experience serving one another, and learning our capabilities. I loved seeing the girls’ personalities come out, and by the end of the week they were all being friends with one another. I just loved it. Ok, enough sap, here are some pictures:

 Funny story about this one. We went shooting one day, and I had to keep raising my hand because I kept pushing my bean bags off the front of the shooting table. The Boy/Man Scout did not think it was funny.

The Graduate

This is one of those occasions that I get to brag about my husband. If you are already annoyed, then stop reading. But I’m so proud of Dylan. He graduated with not one, but two bachelor’s degrees in 4 years. Most people can’t even get one degree in 5 years (I’m a 4 ½ year-er, so I am super impressed).  Dylan has worked so hard in school, studied so many hours, taken so many tests, and even had time to hang out with me sometimes. He’s on some sort of Dean’s or President’s list (good GPA, but because he’s not of another ethnicity, UNM doesn’t want him for Med School… boo, but more on that later). He’s pretty great.

 

We spent the day going to breakfast with my grandparents (they are old and don’t have to go to boring ceremonies and stuff, so they got to skip the graduation stuff). The ceremony was very UNM-ish. Ghetto if you will. They were letting people get up out of their seats whenever they wanted, some kid opened a flask (of alcohol) and took a big swig before he walked on stage, and there were hoochie mama dresses like I’ve never seen before. I love New Mexico.

 

Enough with the stories, here are some pics of my graduate.

 

Now we are 4 years down for school, and only 4 more to go (plus residency….one day we’ll be done).

Hey Mrs. Wilson

The last post was somewhat depressing, and I can't believe I forgot to document such a great/important/wonderful event from March.

I again made a quick trip to Utah for other Rachel's wedding. My BFF from forever and ever ago got married to her long time lova Danny Wilson. Deep down, we all knew Rachel and Danny would end up together, and it's about damn time they finally got their butts to the temple and sealed the deal. I couldn't miss work for more than a day because of a big project/job change going on, so I left on a Wednesday night and was home at 7am on Friday morning so I could get back to work. It was a quick trip, but it was so wonderful to be there for such  a great day.

It really was the best day. I stayed with another BFF Whitney who I hadn't seen in a long time, and we were maybe late to the temple because we were eating at Cafe Rio (whoops). The temple was really special and wonderful, and I'm so glad I got to be there. Rachel is the reason I am where I am, and that I was able to get married in the temple, and it was so great to be there to see her get married to her sweetheart. Rachel (and her family) mean a lot to me, and it was so fun to get to spend so much time with them. Rachel looked amazing, and picked a very Rachel Dress.The reception was adorable at this cute little cottage at "This is the Place". It was very Rachel, and very low key which was really fun. A lot of my fave girls were there that night, and it is just the absolute best to be with friends. All of the girls in this picture below are the coolest cats, and I am so glad I got to catch up with all of them. (Camille-o it was so good to see you girlfriend. I miss living with you and getting to talk about our issues/watch tv etc etc. You're the bomb.com and I'm so glad we got to bond for a few over our lives).

Words can not express what these next 2 girls mean to me. The pics pretty much sum up Natalie and my relationship. She is tickling my armpit in one of the pics, hence the squinty smile/laugh. Natty is like my BFF x10 since I've moved to NM. We may be in different states, but we even work out together everyday (don't ask, it just works for us). She is a little gem when I come to Utah, and has taken me to the airport at 5am on both occasions. That's love.

R. Sharp, Whit, and I all lived together freshman year in the dorms, and since then we have been BFF/soon to be neighbors one day if our plans work out. I love these girls. Too bad my eyes were squinty in this pic.

This is me and Rach in action. This is pretty much all we do when we're together. We're the biggest dorks, but that's the best part is that we can be ourselves.

And let's not forget the highlight of the night. While Natty and I were at a late night stop to Wally World to look at nail polish, we found a fresh dog turd in the aisle. The best part is the Wal-Mart worker thought it was me, and came up to me, looked me in the eye, and said "That is disgusting, who would do that?". Yes intelligent Wal-Mart woman, I was not only able to go to the bathroom with no one noticing, but I made it real small like a little animal.

On Fertility

Fertility is such a precious thing, such a thing that we do not even realize until we start trying to use our powers of procreation. For some, it comes sooner than others. And for those others, it’s hard. Like really hard.

Deciding to start a family is a BIG deal, like huge. And you have to really decide, and pray, and do all those things to make sure that it’s what you are supposed to be doing. And when you feel good about it, it’s GO time. And you think, YES, it’s time to get a baby in this belly. It’s my time to be a mom, and it’s my time to start a family. It’s the best feeling in the world to know that you get to create a little piece of God to have on this Earth.

And then you start trying. And it’s like you are newlyweds all over again with S alllll the time. And then a month goes by, and nothing; and then another month, and another, and still you have nothing. No positive sign on a pee stick, just a damn period that keeps coming month after month. And then you get tired. And you think, this isn’t really that fun anymore to keep trying. The trying part was supposed to be the fun part, not the forced part. And then you get worried. And you think maybe you are broken, or he is broken, or maybe you are both broken. And then you get stressed.

And people tell you not to worry about it, that it will just happen when the timing is right. So then you start worrying about not worrying, and you worry even more. Your doctor tells you to not worry about anything until it has been a year….forget the term family planning then. Talk about total defeat here. You even think of why you have been on birth control all this time to begin with, when you didn’t even really need it. Then you start hating birth control, and think that it is the thing that messed your body up. (True story, I will NEVER go on BC in a fake hormone form again).

And then you have lots of friends who tell you their stories of how they weren’t even trying and got a surprise baby, or how they only had to try one (singular) month before they got knocked up. And you secretly are bitter. And then you have friends who have been trying a lot longer than you, and would be way better parents than you anyways, so you feel bad for complaining about your measly time trying. So then, you just give up. Not give up in a bad way, but in a way that there is peace in life.

Every situation is different, and I’m not looking for comfort or to start an army against the period gods.I am finally at peace with my situation, and I know that when I do get to be a mom, I’ll have a little more appreciation for the calling that it is because I’ve had to work at it. And I mean REALLY work at it. We’ve had to pray, and we’ve had to fast, and we’ve had to cry and beg, and we’re still here, in square 1. But, it has brought us closer, and we have 3 wonderful years of marriage down, and we are happy. Last night as Dylan and I were having pillow talk in bed (not the dirty kind, the fun sleepover kind) I just realized things will be ok, and my life is perfect just the way it is (for now).So here’s to fertility, and trying, and all the S that a woman can handle (I really think I’m almost at my max here people, so if it doesn’t happen soon, I’m going to be a nun for a few months until I am ready again)

The “In”Stagram Crowd

Ok, for those of you on the bandwagon, you know what I’m talking about. Facebook and BlogSpot are now on the backburner as Instagram literally instantly gives you the ability to creep into people’s lives. Blogs are now anticlimactic for me, as my friends on Instagram have already posted that photo days before with a caption like “Getting my hair done” “On my way to ____ for dinner”. I already know what’s happening in their lives, as they do mine. So for those of you on Instagram, these photos are a thing of the past. You already know what I’ve been up to for the last month via photos and witty comments. For the others, here’s our lives in a nutshell:

For V-day we went to a Lobos game during the day courtesy of a generous co-worker who wasn’t using his season tickets. Dyl is totally in his element at sporting events, and that makes me enjoy sporting events so much more. I love when he teaches me the rules (I still don’t get a lot of the fouls and such) and gets so into the game. It’s the cutest. We ended the day getting all fancy and going downtown to a place called Slate Street Café and then to see The Vow. It was awesome (you see Channing Tatum’s butt, what more can I say?). V-day was great.

We are still waiting to hear back from UNM Med school (I’ll keep you posted on that one), I’m studying to take the GRE (keep you posted on that too), and maybe even pulled the Goalie for love making if you know what I mean. We have 2 plans laid out for the next year. Option A: Dyl goes to UNM for Med school, I take the GRE and start in the fall to get my MBA. I go down to working 2 days per week at my current job and we throw a baby into the mix sometime next year. Option B: We move to Miami and Dyl goes to Podiatry School there at Barry University (where he got a scholarship that makes tuition just as cheap as in state UNM. Go Dyl!!), I maybe go to grad school in Florida (depends on how expensive tuition is there) and maybe get a job (dependent upon when we actually have a baby) or try to find some cool work from home job which may or may not involve me getting involved in a pyramid type scheme. As soon as we hear anything on any aspect of the previous plans, I’ll keep you posted. Until then, that’ll do pig.

Honeymooners

Dylan and I have started a tradition (well it’s 2 years in the making, and depending on where we live next year/the size of our family it may not happen again) of going on vacation together as our Christmas present to each other. It may seem boring to not have anything to open up from each other on Christmas morning, but our parents still do a good job of spoiling us (especially on my side since there are no grandbabies and I’m still way spoiled). This year Dyls and I headed to the tropics again for a fun-filled (almost) week. We think it’s way fun to pretend like it’s our honeymoon for lots of reasons:

1. Room Upgrades

2. Special Treatment at hotel

3. Easier to make friends

4. EVERYONE pays attention to you (after you meet someone, they love pointing you out to various people at the resort and saying “It’s their honeymoon!!” We love it)

I guess those are not that valid of reasons, but sometimes it’s fun to live on the wild side (we obviously live a fabulous life if this is our idea of wild). We had the most wonderful time sipping on lots of sugary drinks- our hotel had a “health” bar that consisted of smoothies made of juice, full fat milk, and ice cream. Can you say milk shake? We went snorkeling one day at our hotel, only to find out that we were directly over a reef (to you this must sound amazing, and the fish were out of control amazing, but…) this also meant SEA URCHINS. I’m not into pain/risk taking, so I turned around after about 7 minutes of swimming and hustled it to the shore like whoa. I am not into getting a needle stabbed into my foot like some of the other drunken snorkelers who had impaired judgment. We ate lots of yummy food at the gourmet restaurants at our hotel- we stayed at an all-inclusive which is the way to go for us. It’s all paid for in advance, and you don’t have to take your wallet to the pool with you. I ate more nachos than I’ve eaten all year, and probably made my trainer cringe when I reported the yummies that I’d been eating. I sang karaoke at the night club because…well hey, everyone else was wasted so I was a top competitor. I ran around the room high-fiving everyone while singing “Don’t Stop Believing”. It was awesome. We visited some ancient ruins and swam at the most beautiful private beach with no sea urchins. My feet got super swollen on the last day from drinking so much diet coke and not even aqua. It was no bueno.

All in all, the week was a dream. Sometimes it so great just to get away from a week and just be Dylan and me. We had no worries, could just relax, and got a lot of one on one action together (get your mind out of the gutter). I love my husband.

PS- The pictures are HORRIBLE because we didn't have a digital camera with us. These are classic Kodak disposables...well not even Kodak, I think it was Walgreens brand. Oops.

3 years... stop it right now

I can’t even believe I’ve been married for 3 years. Sometimes I feel like we’ve been only been married for a short time, and at others I feel like we’ve been married for 10 years. Marriage is just the best, and I love my little Dylster. He has turned out to be the greatest husband (for me). Disclaimer- Everyone says their husband is the best, but it’s not true guys. We all have the best husbands for us (some of the things that I read your husbands do for you on your blogs, I would not want and I’m sure it’s vice versa)….Example: I didn’t want a fancy diamond necklace or anything huge for our anniversary (after my ring story, we all know that jewelry is NOT going to be a present given often in this family) so Dyls got me something I’ve wanted for an oh so very long time.

A pair of Nike Frees. A man after my heart…he knows how sensitive I am about my kankles and trying to reduce them. They are on their way in the mail because they didn’t have this cool color in the stores. I’m so lucky (or my husband is trying to hint that I am fat and need to lose some major lbs). Going into the our now FOURTH year of marriage, I still feel like we are newlyweds. I still love hanging out with D-dog all the time, and he’s the first person at the top of all my lists. Most importantly, Dylan is doing a great job at being the man of our home, ALWAYS praying because he thinks I take too long and letting me do all the girl stuff like cooking and cleaning. He’s just the best.

Our plans for the night include going to mutual and cubscouts, and then hitting the gym. Afterwards, we might just go for a McD’s ice cream cone and have some good old fashioned you know J

Happy Anniversary Dylly Baby. Thanks for letting me blog to the world with as many ridiculous nicknames as I want and not getting mad.