Life Changes

Who couldn't use some life changes? People are creatures of habit and sometimes it's a good idea to shake things up! I'm trying to make some life changes. Some for me and some for us as a couple.

I REALLY need to learn to live in the moment. I spend a lot of time counting down the days to when we will be where I see us in the future. I need to learn to enjoy where we are right now. There are a lot of things I want in life (that at the moment we can't make happen) but if I keep wishing and waiting for those things, I'll miss the things we do have now. 

We are living in our first little home together. While I want desperately to have a house, I know I will miss our first home when moving day finally comes. I want to fill this little apartment with more memories than can fit in it! 

We have our first baby, albeit she's a four legged furry little thing. I love Moose and I know, sad and unintentional as it may be,  she'll get a little less attention when we have an actual baby so we should spend as much time loving on her as we can. 

We are newlyweds, living together for the first time. There are lots of new things to do together and lots of date nights to be had. 

Part of the problem is also my attitude. I feel like there has been a lot of negativity around us lately and it's really weighing on me heavily. Some of it we can control, some of it not so much. 

So, here's the plan (which has been partially implemented already):

- Rid our lives of the negativity. We have already started this to an extent. If you don't hear from us as often, you're probably part of the problem. There will be no negativity from friends, family, or anyone else. It seems lately a lot of people around us aren't getting along and we just don't want any part in it. Sometimes, it's easy to get wrapped up in other people's issues and we just don't have the time or energy to "fix" relationships that (a) don't affect us and (b) people don't want fixed anyway.

- When we can't control the people we're around or the things around us, I am going to give it my all in letting it roll off. I have a horrible habit of carrying around annoyances and I don't want to anymore. I've definitely started to employ this tactic at work. I've been trying to pay less attention to the things I can't control. I can't make other people do things, I can only make myself do things. As long as I'm taking care of my business, that's all that matters. 

- Getting in touch with our religious side. Another big change we want to make is our relationship with religion. We've both sort of fallen away from it. I have personally been a little lost in my walk with religion for several years. Life events rocked me in so many ways. It's time to regain my faith in faith. So, this morning we started the journey. We asked for church recommendations and Grace Point was the first one we tried. Online, it looked like a good place to start. We really wanted something a bit contemporary (but not TOO contemporary), something medium sized (not too big), and somewhere we would both be comfortable. We found all of that at Grace Point this morning!! The music was EXACTLY what I was expecting, contemporary but still religious. The sermon was great. I actually felt like it applied to us. The preacher was easy to listen to and I enjoyed what he had to say. The people were also friendly. It's only about a 15-20 minute drive so its location is nice too. On the drive home, Jesse and I decided we'd like to continue going there. I think we may have found our new church home :) I have high hopes that Grace Point may be just the place for us to get reconnected with God so that we may raise our someday family in a more religious home.

There are other minor changes being made as well. One being a diet. We've been trying a diet and have been losing a little weight. Hopefully, we'll get some motivation to add some exercise soon. We're  also trying to get Jesse a good job. The search has been a little more difficult than anticipated but I know we will find just the thing for him until he gets certified to teach (which he is also working on). 

We're hoping all of these changes will help us keep on track and be where we want to be in life. I'm most excited about church. I think it's the first, and most important, step we will take. Everything else will follow suit :)

How can you be sure?

All throughout life we are faced with decisions. Some are minuscule, some are life changers.

I'd say the biggest decision I have made thus far is marriage. Before we got here, I'm sure we both had our fair share of questions. 

Will he be a good husband? Will I be a good wife? Will we still get along 50 years from now? What if he/she has strange habits? Will we be able to live together peacefully? There are a million and one questions everyone has before "taking the plunge." It's a HUGE decision. 

For me, Jesse's accident was a big eye opener. Sitting next to him in the hospital I just knew I wanted to be with him and nobody else. This was only 3 months into our relationship. The following years just solidified all of my feelings. I just sorta knew. Jesse was going to be it for me.

Still, a little reinforcement never hurt anyone, hence this blog post. I feel like people are always looking for signs that they've made the right decision (no matter the subject). Did I pick the right job? Is this the best ____ for me? 

Last night I got all of the reinforcement I think I'll ever need. My Dad texted me a very sweet message about Jesse, basically his seal of approval. Of course I already knew my parents like Jesse, they tell us all the time. But this message was different. It was unexpected and true. Knowing how much my father approves of Jesse just really, really seals the deal.

I am 100%, without a doubt, whole heartedly sure that marrying Jesse was the best thing I could ever do in life. 

6 Months Married

Can you believe it?! We have been married SIX months already!! Where does the time go?

We are celebrating this weekend with All You Can Eat Shrimp at Red Lobster. It has been a wonderful 6 months and I can't wait to see what other new adventures life will give us :)

My loving, thoughtful, sweet husband got me flowers and wrote me a little love note. It was such a sweet surprise to come home to!

Our Furball

This little ball of fur has been such a blessing for us! She is our first family pet and we absolutely adore her :)

We have learned lots about Moose in the last two months:

- she does not like the a/c noise

- she only likes to lay in her bed when she thinks nobody is looking

- she likes to look out the window

- she LOVES to play laser

- a $0.34 piece of ribbon has provided her with a lot of fun

- she has more toys than a cat needs

- her favorite ones are wadded up pieces of paper (that we already owned)

- belly rubs are her favorite

- she is not overly thrilled with wet foot (thus far)

- she does however enjoy a little piece of sliced chicken

- she loves her treats and will stand on her back legs to get them

- she does not like to get on any furniture except the ottoman

- she flops on the floor like a fish

- she has one tan toe

- she likes to watch bugs on the iPad

- she stops in her tracks when the camera comes out

- she loves to be loved!

Moosey Girl has such a sweet personality. She is so cuddly and fun! One of our new favorite pastimes is just sitting around watching her play. It's amazing how a little cat can bring such joy to two people.

For your viewing pleasure, here is what Moosey Goose has been up to lately.

A Secret Community

I was so moved today that I think it's time to come clean. I don't talk about this with anyone but Jesse. It's something I like to have for me. But it is too good not to share.

When we first got engaged, I downloaded an app called The Knot. After a little while on that app, all of us brides jumped ship for Instagram because we could share photos of our wedding planning journey. At first, that's all it was; a place to share wedding ideas, vent about wedding woes, and show off all of our wedding goodies. 

It quickly became a place for so much more. 

Our IG family grew as more and more brides joined the app. And as silly as it may sound to some, we became just that... a family. One of them described it as having "online pen pals" and that's pretty accurate except we share pictures mostly. Ladies from all over the world. Some have met but most never will.

I have shared more with these women than I share with most people I know. It is a judge free zone. It is a place that we've shared marriages, pregnancies, babies, divorces, family troubles, personal triumphs, and heartache. I have "known" these women for 2+ years so you can imagine all we've shared. What was once just an app to bounce wedding ideas around is now a community that I am glad to be a part of.

I can see, how as an outsider, this might seem a little strange. How can someone share so much with strangers? But I know more about some of these women than I do about people I know "in real life." I think unless you've experienced it, it just sounds silly. Why would anyone want to confide in people you will probably never meet? I think that's just it. There's a sense of secrecy. No matter what you say, who will they tell? They only know as much or as little as you'd like them to know. It's so easy to release everything you're feeling knowing that at least one person in your feed can relate. It's nice to have an outlet. How do you become so comfortable with strangers you ask? The same way you started with people you do know; we all have common interests.

There have been many days where I have been like "Wow, these women are an awesome group!" But today I was especially proud to "know them." This week, one of the women lost her husband in a car accident. You can imagine the heartbreak. This woman, Sarah, and I do not follow each other on IG. But that's the great thing about these particular women. It doesn't matter if you "know" this IGer or you've only heard about their tragedy, these women rally. They rally like you've never seen before.

I woke up and just like every morning as I eat breakfast, I checked out my IG. My feed was filled with dozens of posts about Sarah. People wanted to do something. There were condolences, prayers, virtual hugs, and a fund. A fund was setup to help this perfect "stranger." In 21 hours, $3000+ has been raised to help Sarah with funeral costs and other expenses she may have while she deals with the loss of her husband. THIS is what good people can do. Good people can change the lives of deserving people, people who need help, people who have fallen on rough times. 

THIS is why I love this community. These are just ordinary women - nurses, teachers, mothers, wives, planners, sales people, engineers - doing extraordinary things! 

Today, send up prayers for Sarah. She needs them. How terrible to lose your husband, your best friend, your confidant, your future. They were still basically newlyweds, married less than 2 years. They had so much more to do with one another. And don't forget to send up prayers for each and every loving woman in our community. Their support is endless and God should hear about it. 

This world needs more people like this. If you don't have a community like this, get one. Get one as fast as you can because you are missing out on a truly amazing experience! 

I want you all to hug your loved ones tight. Tell them what they mean to you every chance you get. Life is too short to hold grudges. Enjoy every minute of your life. Tomorrow is not guaranteed.

You can read about Sarah's story here:

http://www.kpho.com/story/23059790/sedan-driver-dies-after-crash-that-kills-3-siblings

You can donate here:

http://www.gofundme.com/3usds0

Aunt and Uncle AGAIN!

We were definitely not expecting to see such an announcement today but WE'RE GETTING ANOTHER NIECE OR NEPHEW! Congrats to Jason (Jesse's brother) and his girlfriend Cathy :) We were certainly surprised but are excited to have another new member of the family! 

Those Hanrahans are a fertile people ;) 

Ava is 3!

Two posts in one day?! Today is also special because our sweet niece Ava is 3 years old! I wish we all lived near each other so we could celebrate and spend the day with her. Until then, gifts in the mail will have to do.

Happy birthday sweet girl!

Big fork, MT

Today is a day for the history books!!

Dad has officially been to Bigfork, MT! It is the only city I've ever heard him say he HAD to got to. There was a festival there today and he and Mom went and walked around checking out all of the little booths. 

I cannot begin to describe how happy I am that he's there, how happy I am that he's feeling well there.  It is such a blessing that we were able to all pitch in and get Dad to Montana. It took several people to make it happen and I am grateful for each one of them. Dad is having such a great time he told me to just pack his stuff and mail it to them. It is an amazing experience to see, even if only through pictures.

God is good!

Dreams Do Come True!

Well, my Dad has officially set foot in MONTANA!

I can't believe after 57 years he's finally there! It has been quite the long day but totally worth it. Jesse and I woke up verrrry early, 3AM, and had my parents at the airport by 4:30AM. Dad said they had no trouble with security and we got a picture at 5:30AM with the caption "We're on the plane." 

They made it safely to Kalispell, MT after a short layover in Salt Lake City. Dad said he's already having fun and I can't wait to see pictures when they get back. 

This trip has been a dream of Dad's for as long as I remember. I am so glad that we (and several others) were able to help make this happen for him. There is not a more deserving Dad on the planet!

My heart is so full today! I have the best husband, the sweetest cat, and my Dad is in Montana :)