Our First Fur Child

I'm years away from being a real mom, but we've definitely been wanting a dog for quite some time. And where better to find a dog then at the pound (allow me to clarify- there is no better place- try walking through those kennels, knowing that they only get a few days there before hitting the E list, and you can't help but leave with one).

We played with a few puppies (the term in which I call all dogs because it's much cuter than dog), but our heart kept coming back to this little guy.

he is not a fan of posing for the camera.

Meet Payson.

He may be only 6 months old, but he knows what he likes. 

He loves going potty outside (which he's done since day 2 with us), playing fetch, cuddling with mom and dad, and eating through cords (well, it was only one cord, and it's my fault). 

He doesn't like walking on leashes, loud noises, us going to work, and being kicked out of our bed. 

He pretends he doesn't like baths (as evidenced below, but when he's all done he loves being clean- and not smelling like a ferret- side effect of the pound), and that he doesn't sit on the top of the couch when we're at work.

the best dog shampoo EVER

Payson does not like bathtubs.

Since we're not married yet, we joke that Paysons full name is Payson Henderson-Fast. And I think that is hilarious.

Welcome home Payson!

just shy of 3 months.

Hey all,

I am sorry to say, but it's been 3 months since I've posted last. 3 months. Which is mostly like 4 months, since really I didn't post in November.

On the bright side, I haven't had time to blog because my Real Estate career has taken off. On the down side, I definitely miss blogging.

So lets see if we can keep this short and sweet. Here are the 1st two months I missed.

November 

Thanksgiving day at the Monsons

Sibling love

Thanksgiving evening with the Johnsons

December

The best gift given at the White elephant exchange- this creepy doll from my Grandfather

Cousins :)

we be crazy

those are some great people

the love of my life. 

Twinnies

Sibling love

Hey ladies!

Our gingerbread house in the competition against Natasha and Nolan

Tell me youre not impressed

Working up some hunger

Anytime you head to the pumpkin patch, you may work up a hungry tummy. 

And any time you're uploading pictures onto your blog, you may realize you never finished uploading all the pictures from your Pumpkin Patch post. 

Pumpkin Patch Fun

We had a pretty great time at the pumpkin patch and in the corn maze!

look out Brandon!

hey there!

so small

tell me you don't love him. 

wait, how do you use this pump?

from our family to yours, Happy Halloween!

Life Update 2.0

Lauren, has requested another life update. Thanks for thinking of me lovely. :)

I have been on a bit of a break from blogging. Not because I don't love to put down my thoughts, events, etc., but because I have been way too stinkin busy.

Real Estate

For 12 days in September, I crammed 90 hours worth of education down my throat. In addition to my part time job? I was way busier then than most 2 week intervals in college.

Then I spent hours and hours between the end of my class, September 18th, and yesterday, cramming for the exams. 1 school exam (average of 3 attempts before someone passes- I did it on the first shot - woo hoo!), 1 national exam (pretty easy based off my previous studying) and 1 state exam (see national exam). I finished with my testing yesterday! woo hoo!

Thhhhheeeeennnn the 6 additional hours you have to take, finished that this last Saturday [awesome Saturday. sarcasm intended.]

I interviewed brokers. 3 to be exact. [If you don't know, interviewing brokers (the person who is, sort of, legally responsible for a real estate agent) is not like interviewing for any other job. Instead of them interviewing me, it's more like me interviewing them. So all in all, a pretty awesome experience.] I met with one good broker, 1 horrible one, and 1 absolutely fantastic one. Guess which one I went with. That's right, absolutely fantastic brokerage. More specifically,

I am absolutely extatic about choosing KW, and the Biltmore Partners seem to be a perfect fit for me.

Licensing

You don't just become a RE agent over night, too bad, hunh? but I have completed most of what I need done. In fact, I hope to be licensed tomorrow!!

Life

In spite of the fact that I have been crazy busy and absolutely overwhelmed, life is fantastic.
-This past Friday we celebrated Brandon, Dad and Grandfather's birthdays. It was really nice to have the family together.

-I spent this past Saturday evening with Cammie and Nicki, eating confusing pitas and seeing What's your number? Absolutely hilarious and it was wonderful to spend time with ma ladies.
-I was in Tucson just over a week ago, which was also fantastic. [see separate post when I'm blogging from home] and this upcoming weekend Nicki and I will be rendezvousing in California at Disneyland in celebration of her birthday! [believe me, there will be pictures]
-A pretty fantastic group of us are planning a half marathon at Disney next September [which my mom has started training for and I'm so proud of her].
-Dustin is fantabulous- and doing so stinkin well at his new job :)
-Nicki and I got to visit Kieren about a month ago, her little Clara is just so precious!!! Also, her new place has so much space! It's a pretty wonderful place.

looks like someone missed the stripes memo

Ma Face/Body

As you probably remember from these Frankenstein pictures, I was in a pretty gnarly accident. Well, I'm lookin a little bit better! I've finished 6 weeks of physical therapy, and finally was able to run my first mile this past Monday (and again with mom yesterday). Welcome back knee!!! Although, I would like to say when I was in Tucson, peeps felt it necessary to rub my scar without my offer/their asking. you're weird.

Ehhh, that's enough for now. How about I just become a little bit more regular on my posting? deal.

What does your life update look like?

Media that moves me, If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away

The first time I heard this song, was on my Uncles Birthday. Ironic? Yes. Driving alone in my car coming from Tucson to Phx. [aka Tear City for Kelly in the car] And even more ironic, that night Nicki text me to ask if I was doing okay (which I immediately thought- how did she know I was crying?! but it was because she knew it was his birthday).



It makes me think, what is my version of the song?

I'd bring mom with me and have a girls day with her and my Nana. Afterwards we'd have some Pepsis with Aunt Peggy and Aunt Patty.
I would give my Uncle Eric the biggest hug and talk to him about graduation. and life. and everything. and maybe watch an episode of Doug.
Grandpa Bill and I would sing the oldest songs ever together.
Haley Ford and I would take a dance class with her mom watching by.
Great-a-moomoo (my great grandmother) would tell me stories of when my grandfather was younger.

Those are just a few things I would do if heaven wasn't so far away.

if you forgot

KL Photography is a pretty happenin place. Check it out.

Also, I was just paid for my first real session. [note that my mom totes counts as my first session, but this one is considered real with the official payment] - love you mom

Look at these cuties. 

makin moves

Looking at the bright side

So right now I am pretty much in a rut about some of the details in my life. Mainly the whole I completely changed what I want to do the rest of my life, and still don't 100% know what that is.

But I have something wonderful worth thinking about. [and subsequently lifting my spirits]

In the last 14 months I have purchased and paid off a car. But not just any car, my dream car. Chauncey. aanndd saved $1,800.

And how do I have that in the bank? [because I actually had to think about this] Well because it was for graduate school. But now it's part of my nest egg. For when I start the next big chapter in my life.

I'm pretty excited about it. But I have some people to thank that gave me the opportunity to save that up. Like scholarships and grants to get me through undergrad without loans. My grandfather for ADPi. My mom for providing me a loving place to live post grad. and the wonderful love of my life for spoiling me every now and then. --- Basically, I am so grateful for all I have been given.

But don't let that fool you- I've been workin hard too. I've worked since I was 14 and held up to 3 jobs at one time. And I'm grateful that God has given me the opportunity for that as well.

So I guess this is post is a reflection on how blessed I am- to have my friends, family, and most of all God, give me the opportunity to grow.

Crazy long self reflective post. Woahh.


What are you grateful for?

Our first crazy night at Bass Lake

Just a few highlights from our first night there!

Tell me he is not the cutest guy ever. 

 

 trying to get on the pole. 

Dustin stood all the way up and walked across. as did my brother. as I did not do.