Birth Story- Welcoming Neyland Alizabeth Crouch!

I know I haven't blogged for a while. Things have kinda been insane and exhausting. Plus there wasn't much to tell. I was pregnant and ready to meet my baby!!
My water broke around 1:30 in the morning. Since I had planned to not get an epidural and not really contracting I stayed at home. My birthing ball and FRIENDS (the tv show) kept me occupied till 6 or so that morning when Eric woke up and I made all of the necessary call to let everyone know we were going to be on our way to the hospital soon.
 It was so crazy realizing we would not be returning home alone. It was rainy and nasty that day. I was uncomfortable but not hurting. When we got to the hospital around 8:30 I was greeted by my wonderful friend Kelley who was going to be my nurse!! I was so excited she was there. It calmed me because we had been talking about my labor since before I was even pregnant. She knew exactly what I wanted and how I wanted it. Between her, Camille, and my midwife I knew I was in the best hands possible. Nicole (the midwife) checked me and I was 3! YAY! Change! So I went walking. I walked and got on the ball, and showered, broke the rest of the bag of water (OMG how GROSS!! I knew it would keep coming, I tell my patients that all the time. Its completely different when you have it done to you....its gross!!)
So I walked and rested and walked and got on the ball..... and walked. Some where during this time it got to the point where walking was no longer an option. I had been ruptured for too long with only a small amount of change and irregular contractions still. So Pitocin it was. Grrr. I was hoping not to have to get pitocin. But I knew it was coming. I had tried everything else. If pitocin was the worst thing I had to do it was better then a c-section! I have no idea what time it was by this point but I do remember looking out the window and mentioning it was dark again.... Thats right AGAIN!! I had been in labor for 18 hours by this point. I was checked at some point and I was 6cms. I dont remember much after this point. Labor had become real and I was in total tune with what my body was doing. A room that I had welcomed with conversation (it distracted me from the pain) was now quiet. I was now the one making noise!! All I could do was breath...with a few choice words inserted here and there. Apparently I was quite funny during this time. I wish I could remember. I was in a constant state of prayer, and connecting with my baby telling it to COME OUT....NOW!!! I did and said things (like almost kicking my best friend in the face....sorry Camille!) that I don't remember saying or doing!!
 Then I hit that point. The point I tell every women about who tells me they want to go natural. The point of doubt. Where the pain is so unbearable and you want so badly for it to just stop that you start telling anyone in the room that will listen that you cant do it......that you are surely going to die. Just so you know...I was no where near dying....but I felt like I was darn close. The pressure was ungodly. I had to push way before I was able to. If you have ever felt that, you know what I am talking about. Its awful.  The next thing I do remember was Melissa, the midwife, checking me and telling me I was 8cms. I was so mad because I just knew I had to push but couldn't. This was SO HARD!! 45min (or so) later I was told I was 9...."Do you want to push pass it??" YES!!! I pushed and I was complete. I pushed again....There was hair!! I pushed again....more hair!!! I pushed again....even more hair! Another push....there was a head....another push.....IT'S A GIRL!!! It was a GIRL!!! AND SHE  HAD HAIR!! I was in complete shock!! I had been told my entire pregnancy that people just knew it was a boy. I secretly wanted a girl the whole time but would never admit it. I didn't want to be disappointed. We were so excited! Then it hit me....I had achieved my goal, what everyone told me I wouldn't be able to do (or my favorite....."just wait.....you'll get to 4 and be begging for an epidural"). I couldn't believe I had done it! Did I really just give birth....without any medication?? I did!! 21 hours later my girl was in my arms. I was just in shock and complete love. I couldn't believe she was mine! She was ours! Eric had been so good through the entire labor. Not to mention I had the BEST group of women ever. All friends/co-workers. All made my desire for a natural labor possible. They reminded me to relax, rubbed my back, my legs, my feet. If it would not have been for them I would have surely acted a fool!! I would not have been able to keep myself calm for sure! They were the best! (I did miss my Courtney though!)
I was told afterwards I kept saying over and over again " what just happened? Did I really just have a baby?? OMG I just had a baby?? Are sure she's mine?!? What just happened??" The best way I can describe it or explain it was almost out of body. I guess because I have, for 4 years, been the nurse beside the patient telling them to push, you can do it, push, push, push. I guess in my mind I was the nurse standing on the side of the bed....not the actual patient in the bed. I know. It's weird. But it really wasn't until that night while I was breastfeeding my new baby that I had actually realized what I had done. And after thinking about it, it wasn't really all that bad. No I didn't forget that pain. That part was real. But for my first baby and being awake since 1:30 am, being ruptured for as long as I was, what i did was pretty amazing. I was always impressed with the girls who came in and stuck with their plans even though it took longer, and didn't go exactly as planned. Realizing I did what I had set out to do made it all the more sweeter. My reward was no different. I delivered a healthy baby and in the end that was the ultimate goal, no matter how it was going to happen.
Neyland will be 7 weeks tomorrow! Where has the time gone? It has not been the easiest 7 weeks. Labor was the easy part!! Breastfeeding has no been what I thought it would be. Its so much harder then these hard core breastfeeding moms make it out to be. None the less we are working through the hard days and still breastfeeding, except for her last feed at night due to the fact that she will have to take a bottle at night when I go back to work. We wanted to have a well established bed time routine before I went back. She is also sleeping in her own crib and most nights through the night!! I return back to work in 2 weeks. I can't believe its already time =(. But thankfully Eric will be out of school and his mom will take over when he goes back. By then she will be 4 months old! Thats crazy to me because we found out we were pregnant the weekend before he went back to school last year!
**** PSA: My birth birth without medication does not make it any more special then anyone else. Birth is a miracle no matter how it occurs. It is what I do and I know from experience as long as there is a healthy baby in the end that is all that matters. This was my choice, my goal, my birth experience that I desired. In the end as long as you are happy with your birth experience that is all that matters!

33 weeks and loving it?!?

Haven't updated in a while...I know....Who reads this thing anyways!! This whole baby thing has been an adventure. I thought doing what I do I would be more prepared then the average pregnant women. I forgot that my job mostly deals with the laboring women....not the everyday pregnant one.
Eric and I got pregnant VERY fast. It was almost so shocking that I didn't believe it at first (I took 5 test before I could come to terms with it).
I was very lucky. I mean VERY lucky and blessed with almost no nausea.... but I was HUNGRY!! I mean the kind of hungry that I can't even begin to describe. The best description I can think of is the they describe the thirst new vampires have for blood in Twilight.... I would kill for food. I was so hungry I would snatch food from a small child. A small, hungry, child. I was so hungry. I cried, and worried and thirsted over food. Ask my friends.... and my husband.
My Second trimester brought on a whole other set of symptoms. The beginning of October the L&D unit at Doctors closed for good. I started working at Midtown Medical in L&D. This was a change. It was like starting a new job all over again....with out really starting a new job. As a labor nurse I knew the dangers of what could happen during pregnancy. The only thing is we were mostly shielded from that at Doctors. We dealt mostly with healthy, normal pregnancies. We had our share of sick ones and occasional fetal demises, but this was different. A sick pregnant women was not out of the norm any more, it was an every day thing. I think in the first month I worked there every time I came in there was something going on....and they all had around the same due date as me. Most people don't realize how much can go wrong. Not to scare anyone or sound vain...but I lost the connection with my baby. I just could't attach. It was suddenly too early. Too much could happen. No one seemed to understand.  I was no longer happy and excited. I was scared. Scared that the same thing that was happening to them, would happen to me... to us. I didn't want to hear about the baby, see baby stuff, and I especially didn't want it in my house. It was too much. People would ask me how I was and come up to me smiling and excited and I just wanted to scream!!!! I had no medical reason to worry. Everything was fine, nothing abnormal with me or the baby. But I knew too much. This is the part of pregnancy that everyone failed to tell me about. I was starting to worry that I would never be that "happy pregnant women". You know, the one thats always smiling and glowing and acting all googly because they are pregnant and seem oblivious. I wish I could have been oblivious. Whats that saying?? "ignorance is bliss". Oh so true.  I don't know if it was changing jobs, a higher acuity of patients,  getting to know new people, in new surroundings, with new ways of doing things, on top of being separated from all my work friends I was used to, the holidays, on top of being pregnant. I'm not sure. Probably a little of it all.  But for some reason after the new year  it was like I could breath again. I had reached the 25 week mark and viable....too early.... but viable. And a light at the end of the tunnel.
This, the third trimester, has been pretty good. I've started this weird sleeping pattern lately. It started out around 20 weeks I would wake up around 2 am every night.... and could never go back to sleep till around 5. Then it moved to 4.....then 5... and now I'm back to sleeping the whole night! Weird. I'm sure it will change again. But other then accommodating my growing stomach, which came out of now where I might add, I feel great. Probably the best I have felt physically and emotionally since August. With only having around 7 weeks left I know it will be here before we know it. The nursery is almost done, with the exception of the last minute decision to redo the closet and getting the bedding.... thats a whole other story. With 2 more showers left as well I'm hoping we will have no problems getting the rest of the stuff we need for Baby Crouch! I can honestly say I am now that happy, excited pregnant women. We are ready! Ready to know and see our sweet baby. They say it has hair!! We'll see. 7 weeks.....48 days.....20 night shifts left. But who's counting??

10 questions!

So I'm sure if you have any interest in reading this silly blog of mine I'm sure you already know that I'm pregnant!! I'll be 14 weeks tomorrow. One thing I have learned from being pregnant so far is that people are VERY excited, curious, and ask you a lot of questions.....like all the time. Which is fine...I don't mind. I would rather be the one answering the questions instead of asking them. Being that my job involves a constant revolving door of pregnant women I try not to ask a lot of questions because I know they get the same one all the time....plus when they get to me I have enough questions to ask them.... Most of the same exact ones everyone else has been asking her the entire pregnancy!! So here it goes. 10 questions of all the things you might be wondering....or not.

  1. How are you feeling?  Well compared to how I know I could be feeling I feel great. Only time I feel really bad is early in the morning right when I get up, or if I get hungry. I am pretty much hungry all the time.... that has been worse then anything else! I feel like i eat all the time!!

   2. When are you due? Well technically when ever baby decides it is....but April 13 is the official 40 week date. Of course I pray baby doesn't come early and comes after 38 weeks.

  3. When do you find out what it is? On baby's birthday....thats right....on baby's birthday... yes people still do that. It's not as uncommon as you think. 

  4. Why are you not finding out what it is? Because its more fun that way! And because I can!! No, for real, I feel like its one of those things God gives us that we have no control over and finding out what it is isn't going to change anything. We still love an want this baby despite if its a boy or a girl. Plus we are not pink or blue people. We are color and modern and it wouldn't matter either way. I want to focus on getting the things that I will need and could reuse again for future babies instead of getting everything in pink or blue, which I feel would happen if we knew.

Also, this is a compromise between Eric and I. He wants to know but since we are both a stickler for names I have given up rights to the name for this wonderful surprise. 

  5.  How are you going to connect and talk to your baby if you dont know what it is??  REALLY?? I was kinda taken back when a patient's family member asked me this..... Well women have not known the sex of their baby for MANY, MANY, MANY years and they all turned out ok. My mom didn't know what me or my sister was and we are ok. It's not that serious. I still talk and sing and connect with my baby now and even if we were finding out I wouldn't know what it was at this point. Thats not going to change. I just can't call it by name... I call it peanut or Baby C.  

 6. What are you going to do the room in?  It's called gender neutral people :) It's possible! We haven't landed on anything particular yet but anyone who knows me knows I LOVE elephants and giraffes. I also sold Eric on it so it's definitely going to have both of those things worked into the theme. Plus we can always add girlish or boyish accessories in later. It's going to be us, and thats all that matters!

  7. Are you showing?  Well, some days I feel "bigger" then others. I looked down yesterday and there was a bump. But if you didn't know any better you would think I just had a muffin top! Ha! I feel like the "muffin top" is getting bigger by the day though 

  8. Are you going to work at St. Francis? This is a clear and big NO! I prayed for many months and even ended up applying praying that if that was where I was supposed to go the Lord would put me there. I was given my answer and it was no. I am a firm believer that you should ask God a question if you are not ready for his answer, even if its not what you want, or thinking you want. The door simply didn't open for me and I'm and completely content with that. And here is why. I got the email in June that I would not be getting an interview. I got pregnant in July, found out in August. If I would have gotten and excepted a job there I would have lost all of my time off and had to go probably around a month with out pay. 

Another reason I think the door did not open for me is I feel like I still have more to learn. Working at Doctors I didn't deal with a ton of high risk patients and hardly any preterm patients. I still have never done a delivery with multiples. These are all things I will get experience with at Midtown Medical (formally the Medical Center) and probably never have to deal with at St. Francis. I'm excited. One thing I have learned as a nurse is that you can never stop learning. There will always be something more you can learn. I am still a "young" nurse, so this will be good for me. I start on Monday! This being said, St. Francis is going to have a beautiful facility with some great nurses just like the Medical Center. Either way I feel like you almost cant go wrong either place you go. ;)

  9. Where are you going to deliver? Midtown Medical. I don't think I have to explain this one. 

 10.  Are you sure your not going to find out what it is? I already know what it is...its a baby :) and yes. I'm positive. You will have to wait and ponder just like us!! 

One to grow on.... 

  11. Do you have any names? Really this is a question for Eric, but yes we have a girl name. No boy name just yet he is still deciding. We are not going to share them for a while I think. We might just wait for the birth the tell that too!

To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven Ecclesiastes 3:!

Can I just say.... I hate change....Ok its not necessarily that I hate it. I guess afraid it a better word. Afraid of losing what I have, even if its not working. Afraid of the unknown...is it going to be an easy tradition, one I find better and not as bad as I thought, or is it going to be challenging and difficult for me to find my place and to catch on.  And the weird thing about it is that you can know its coming and still be surprised when it happens no matter how long you knew about it. It always seems to sneak up on you. Before you know it its here and you can no longer escape it and you have no choice but to confront it.....Either way.... it all SUCKS!! (my mother hates that word) The reality in life is....change is inevitable....its going to happen.
I remember right before I got married I was so ready to move and start the next phase in my life, live on my own finally be completely independent (what the heck was I thinking??!!) As the months turned into weeks and the weeks turned into days I still had not packed my room to move.... I couldn't do it. I realized I would never have my own room again, never have my own space, my own bed, my own closet....it was weird.... and I resisted...by not packing. Like that was going to stop it from happening. My best friend ha to come and MAKE me pack. Actually I think she ended up doing most of it!!! lol!!
Change is about to happen in my life again. I have resisted it for about a year, denying it was happening or coming.....but it has. I can no longer resist. I would be lying if I said I wasn't worried or afraid of whats to come or how this will change my everyday life. I just don't know. What I do know is that resisting the change is only going to make me more stressed and afraid. I know the Lord is in control and he will put me in the position that I am supposed to be in to do the most good for his kingdom. I am a servant for him and by trade so where ever I can serve him most, is where I will be.
If you are resisting change in your life, give it to the Lord. He tells us not to worry but to trust in him. Believe me, I know thats easier said then done.
When I was ending nursing school I was literally getting to the point where I thought I was losing my mind. I was getting married 3 weeks after graduation, I had finals, exit exams and boards to study for and pass. If I did not pass the exit exam it meant Eric and I could not go on our honeymoon that was already paid for....it was serious. And I seriously thought I was about to LOSE IT!!! I got to a point where I just had to stop. I had to put down the books, know that everything that was learned had been learned and there was nothing else I could do but pray. And pray I did. I also asked others to pray for me, which I hardly ever do. Every time I thought about it I prayed. Guess what??? He did it, because Lord knows I couldn't do alone! I was mentally done! But I passed....not with flying colors....but I passed!! So today thats what I do. When I start to panic on the inside I say a little pray to myself to calm down and know who in control of this mess of a world I live in. He has the perfect plan for all of our lives. I hope I can continue to remember this.

2006 wasn't that long ago!

All of these graduations lately have me thinking of my own..... a whole 7 years ago! I was so excited to finally be done with school, and move on with what I was planning to do.....NURSING! I was tired of the structure, and the dang bell dictating my days. I was tired of trying to find a parking spot every morning and trying my best to not get sideswiped by a bus, or a car (which actually did happen eventually). Tired of making sure I had clothes for band and dinner theater everyday. I was even tired of some of the people. Luckily I wasnt one of those girls that was in a ton of drama....but I had my fair share. I was just done.....and tired!
What I didn't realize was the hardest part was yet to come. I wasn't one of those kids that made all A's...I made pretty much As and Bs (with a few Cs due to one particular, god awful, ridiculous teacher who shall not be named....but was later fired). But.....I didn't study a whole lot. You should have seen what happened when I did that in college!!! Lets just say it didn't work! I worked my but off in Human Anatomy....I studied ALL THE TIME!! I didn't go anywhere without flash cards and books! It was ridiculous!!! I was in the lab with my dead cat many nights when my friends were else where. It did not come easy for me.
All that stuff that I was so ready to get rid of in high school I would have done all over again, and again, and again!! As you can tell my 4 years in college were not very fun. I was so ready to be an adult and more independent and away from all the structure...but after I got away from it I craved it! In most college classes you are simply a number....you very rarely are known by your name, or have relationship with your professors (except in nursing school...different world....they were great!) They could care less if your late, if you did your work, if you wore your pajamas or a ball gown....no one cared. Some teachers would let you in late, some would shut the door in your face and not think twice (true story....saw it happen....not to me of course) It's just a different world you get thrusted into with out really any warning.
Even now as a married, 25 year old, with a career, and a mortgage and hopefully a growing family soon I still dont feel like an adult.  And the crazy thing is all those years I was wanting to grow up I didn't realize I had the entire rest of my life to be adult like!!
So, for my two favorite graduates Savannah and Justin (and let me just say I used to consider these two the "little" kids I would hang out with...not so little anymore. They are pretty much my equals now) live your life for the now! You are never going to be 18 again and you have a lot of adult years ahead. Decisions and problems are now going to be for you to take care of a figure out on your own with out the help of your parents to guide you or to do it for you.... and it stinks.  Eric and I are so proud of y'all! We know you both are going to do great things!!
Also, today is my sister's 22 birthday!!Happy Birthday Melissa! Hope you have a great day!!

Quarter of a Century old...When did this happen??

Thats right people....today I turn 25. My car insurance is lower and i officially and no longer in my "early twenties" CRAZY!! So in celebration of my birth I give you

"25 things you may or may have not known about Dara Alizabeth (Davies) Crouch!!"

1. I was born in Germany at 7:41 am on April 4, 1988....but technically here in the US is was 11:41 pm on April 3....so I really have 2 birthdays. I have been trying to tell my mom this for years that I REALLY have 2 "birthdays" and both should be equally celebrated....she, however, disagrees.
2. My mother named me...yup blame her for the fact that it took you 10 times to learn the correct pronunciation of my name....and for the miss pronunciation of my name at my high school  graduation. 
3. I have a small obsession with cake, pizza, and bread.....and elephants and owls.
4. I wasn't, what I would consider, popular in high school. But I knew just about everybody.
5. I played basketball in the 9th grade....true story....look it up. I didn't say I was good. I just said I played...more like kept the bench warm! HA!
6. If I ever come across a lot of money I want to buy my own zoo....or maybe a farm..... It just has to have an elephant....named Betsy
7. I love camping. Wish Eric did.
8. I love to travel. Put me on a plane and let me go!
9. I wish I could live at Hogwarts!! 
10. Speaking of Hogwarts I have read every Harry Potter book at least 2 times....some of them 3 times. 
11. My favorite sport is Quidditch....ok I know.... I'm a little obsessed...I dont really have a favorite sport. But I prefer football, baseball, or basketball. 
12. I have wanted to deliver babies since I was 9 years old. There is pretty much nothing else I ever wanted to do....ok maybe at one point in time I wanted to be a teacher and a dentist....at the same time.
13. I still have terrible dreams, most consisting of being in school and showing up to finals without having gone to class.....I have been out of high school and 7 years and college for 3. Crazy stuff. 
14. My dream trip would be to Europe. I have wanted to go since I first found out about Princess Diana when I was about 8 I guess and wanted to go to England....but why I'm there I would want to  go to Paris and Rome
15. That being said, I have an slight obsession with the Royal family. I actually own the Royal wedding on dvd.....I know....Its weird. Don't judge.
16. My earliest memories consist of my Dad coming home from Desert Storm. Then visiting my sister in the hospital when she was born. I took her a pink elephant of course! 
17. I have a terrible habit of collecting water bottles on my night stand. Well, really drinking cups in general. It drives eric nuts!
18. I used to HATE being tall....I mean HATE!!! I couldn't stand that every guy I liked/dated was shorter then me. Plus all my friends were shorter and cuter then my tall lanky self and they didn't have to worry about finding a guy taller then them.Then I met Eric. Now I wouldn't trade being tall to be short any day of the week. Yall can have that!
19. I hate washing dishes. So glad I met a man that can't stand a dirty sink so that I dont have to do the dishes!
20. I have only had 4 jobs since 16. I can honestly say I have learned something from each of them that makes me a better person/employee today. 
21. I'd rather be at the beach then the mountains. 
22. I was supposed to join the Air Force or Army after high school and go to nursing school from there...but for some reason I thought that because I wanted to deliver babies, they would not make me deploy....till I realized the Air force/Army wouldn't care what I wanted and I would more then likely get deployed. Yeah...there went that plan
23. Not too many things make me cry, but show me a slideshow of pictures paired with a sappy song, and the tears will flow. 
24. I learned to cook mostly from Pintrest....thank GOD for Pintrest!!!
25. I am super excited about planting and caring for my very first garden this year!! If I can ever get Eric to get it tilled up!

There you go....25 useless tid bits of info you never thought you even needed to know. =)

This year has taught me a lot. I started paying attention to my health more then ever. I did something I never thought I would ever do, and ran a half marathon....I don't think the word "run" or "marathon" was ever in my vocabulary before. I have learned that I don't have to jump on a bandwagon to be happy. I am taking life as it comes and appreciating what I have now. I love the fact that I can sleep till noon if I want to, and if I still don't want to get off the couch till 3pm I don't have too!! So many of my friends don't have this option anymore, and although I would like to join their club soon, I am taking advantage of the life I have while it last.
Right now I am currently eating frozen pizza and watching Kortney and Kim take Miami and then Nashville and 19 kids and counting on DVR....cant get enough of those Duggers! Eric has class tonight, and since I had to work last night I slept most of the day. Also, i rained today, which on your wedding day is a sign of good luck....wonder if it applies to birthdays?!
Happy Birthday to ME!!!

Dear Lord...

I dont do this a whole lot. Like I've said before, I don't like to put all of my problems on Facebook or look for sympathy, or attention. But I have been dealing with a lot lately health wise and with life in general.  Health wise, on the outside, it seems like I have never been healthier, but on the inside my blood levels are sorta out of whack. I miss going to the doctor and them telling me that there is nothing wrong with my levels. At one point after leaving a doctors appointment upset and crying cause she basically scared me into thinking I could be in some serious trouble with my kidneys.  I just came home and didn't get out of bed till it was time to go back to work the next night. But after talking to a few coworkers and my midwife I decided to go see a different physician. After seeing him I realized its probably not as bad as that other doctor made it out to be. After a few more test I may be cleared from seeing this doctor, which make me very happy and able to move on with some plans we have for the summer ;) I have been trying to remember that the Lord has my health in his hands. I am lucky and blessed, after everything I have been tested for, every thing has come back negative. I try to think of my friend Lisa when she was told her 3year old son had cancer and needed a bone marrow transplant, and after watching her son dealing with and then beating cancer, having her own health scare. Or my co worker Miranda who fought and beat breast cancer. Or this poor boy a lot of people have seen on Facebook, Tripp Halstead. He was at daycare and a dead limb fell out of a tree and hit him in the head. That was 4 months ago and he has been in the hospital ever since with serious brain injury. Reading her updates and everything they have been through is heartbreaking. But they praise the Lord for his achievements and his good days, and trust and pray when he has set backs. Then I realize, I am BLESSED! I look at three women, and these two boys and know that I am not so bad off after all. It could always be worse....and guess what.....one day we are all going to have something!
ITP wise I dont have to go back till MAY!! YAY! The longest I have gone so far before having to see my hematologist Dr. Nukula!
There are a few other things going on in life that is making things complicating and stressful. Things that I cant really go into detail with. I know it is so annoying when people say that.....its like why tell people about it if you really cant tell them about it.....but really, I can't. Just know that Eric and I are currently going through some life changes and having to make decisions on what and where to go next and waiting for that this chapter to close and another to open and trying to trust the lord through everything that is happening and trusting in his plan and his timing because it is perfect and I am NOT! So if you have some space in your prayers say one for me. I know in the end God has complete control. So I give it all to him!

Thirteen Point Freaking One!!

So for the past 3 months (July 28th to be exact) I embarked on a journey that I thought, in my head, was crazy and impossible. I started "running" merely out of peer pressure and the secret want to be a runner.

So two friends of mine (Leia and Casey) convinced me to go to this Jeff Galloway (olympian marathoner and runner guru....look him up...hes pretty genius) and Soldier Marathon information meeting. Long story short that meeting inspired us and made it all sound do able so they signed up that night. I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I had to think about it. 13.1 was crazy to me. I could hardly get through a mile now....the 2 5ks I had done I thought I was going to die! But something clicked and I decided to sign up.

When I did the girl asked me if I could run 3 miles...I kinda laughed in her face cause the true answer was no....But I could run/walk 3 miles....I took me a while....but I could do it.
So on July 28 my two friends and I met the group down on the river walk to run our 3 miles. It was hard....but I wasn't exhausted like I had been before! Ok...I CAN do this. Another long story short Casey couldn't make it because they wouldn't let her bring her stroller and Leia got hurt....So both of the stinkers that got me into this dropped out!! I still love them though! But I was so bummed.
I was forced to meet new people and depend on them for encouragement and conversation during the runs. They were a GREAT group of women though! Very encouraging and knowledgable and a "were going to finish this together" attitude! Love them!

So as the weeks progressed the miles increased. I hit a serious "wall" right before we increased to 10 miles
-I dont want to do this anymore
-this is crazy.....everyone thinks im crazy
-ugghh i hate this
-how did I get into this again
- but its too hot to run
- I'm not as good as everyone else and always come in last
-I suck at this
-This sucks
But then I did it!!! And it sucked!!! But I did it!!! I was further inspired....plus the weather got colder....that helped. But I knew if I could finish 10....I could get to 12....and if I could get to 12.....whats one more mile!! I was going to do this!!

So race week comes. My friends and family were planing to come....so I had no choice at this point. Luckly I had to work Wednesday and Thursday so that occupied my mind a little.
Friday I went and picked up my bib and packet. Eric had a wedding so I went and picked up some pasta at Olive Garden (probably not the best choice but its what I wanted) and went home and watched some tv, got my stuff out  and called it a night.
I slept well that night which was a blessing. I woke up at 5 (almost threw up in my mouth. Way too early!) ate some toast and half a banana. Got dressed and was pulling Eric out the door.

Got to the infantry museum and found a parking spot around 6:45. Found my running group and made our way to the start line.  We left and turned on to Ft. Benning. This was my favorite part. There was one or 2 soldiers every so often, drill sargeants lined up the hills with their drill sergeant like voices to get you up the hill. Some where around 6 miles I started to feel bad... cramping and out of breath. I stopped a sec to take off my shirt and re strap my phone. This is where I went wrong. I lost my group and started freaking about about catching up and the fear of having to do the rest of this alone! Handed my clothes off to Eric and kept going. Had to calm my self down, but keep going at the same time. When I nervous I start talking to myself.
-Oh crap.....They are way ahead of me....oh crap
- Where's the next water station
- I can't feel my hands....
-I hate this
- Wheres the beep so I can walk
-Why am I doing this again???
-Wheres the next mile marker??
-Oh there it is....did it say 8....crap!
-I want a coke
-I hate this
-I can't feel my hands
- Wheres the beep??
-This minute is lasting an hour
-Just how do you set fire to the rain??
-OMG I just dropped my cup of water ( I had to ask this poor guy to poor water into my mouth because my hands were SO frozen I couldn't hold my water....I know...how embarrassing!)
-did I really just ask that guy to pour water in my mouth????....poor guy....
-Did that just say 9......CRAP!!!
- I want a coke
-I can't feel my hands
-Where's the beep??
-Where do we turn around
-I bet Casey is already done....(she was :)
-I hate this....I HATE running
-I'm so hungry
- PTL there is the turn around!!
- I am NEVER doing this again
-Where's the water??
-I dont think Taylor Swift EVER wants to get back together....like EVER
-Did that just say 12....OMG that just said 12....
-Hey...I can feel my hands....GREAT
-Forget the beep....Im running the last mile
-Forget that....I'm walking
-I CANNOT let these two old guys beat me!!

My sweet friends were waiting for me...I felt like a loser when I realized they had been waiting there for an hour!!! Casey finished in 2 hrs!! Go Casey!! Shes amazing! But I finished!! And 2 seconds under my goal!! It was awesome! I was crying because I was in so much pain and I couldn't believe I had just finished something I never though I would ever do. But then I was delirious....I was SOOO hungry and in so much pain I din't know if I was happy or mad. I didn't like any of the food they had but I DID manage to find a COKE!!
In the end I was so glad I did it. Everyone ask me if I will do another one (probably because I complained so much!) and the answer is yes. I dont know exactly when, depends on what the next year brings... but eventually I will.
If anyone is a new runner or never really have done much more then a 5k I highly recommend the Columbus Galloway program. Its a run walk program and it worked beautifully for me! It made the whole thing do able and manageable. I would have been able to do it otherwise.
I have found a new love in running. It's definitely a challenge...maybe thats why I love it so much! But right now I really need a massage!!!
Cant forget to mention that a part of this run was running in honor of a fallen soldier. I ran in honor of Jordan Schumann who is best friends with a childhood friend of mine who was KIA in 2011. He left behind a wife and a unborn son at the time. I prayed for them multiple times through out the run....knowing that I am lucky enough to be able to run. It was an honor to run for someone who served our country in the most honorable way.
As for a marathon.....ummm....no.... not right now!

My name is Dara Alizabeth Crouch....and I am a scared little girl

It is officially 1 week away from my first half marathon. I know I have prepared myself for this with the training program I went through, but for some reason I still feel very unprepared. I know I can do it though. I did a 12 mile run and even though I was hurting around mile 11 and could hardly walk when I was done because of my knee I was able to finish running....so even if I have to walk the last mile...I will be ok with that! I haven't had any problems since with my knee so hopefully it was a one time thing. I am also hoping that the adrenaline and atmosphere  will get me through those last few miles. I know from this point on its just a mental game. I am no stranger to mental games.....I have been through nursing school....it took me 3 hours to take my boards to get my license. I had to answer all 265 questions....that was a mental challenge. I know that I can physically do it...I have already done 12...at this point 1 more mile is just another mile. I know.....you dont have to tell me....I know I have lost my mind.
Part of the solider Marathon is choosing someone to run in honor of to put on your bib. I did want to choose someone off a list that I dont know or have any connection too. I have a friend I grew up with in Ft. Riley, before we moved back here permanently. Our fathers were both in the Army. He is now serving as a MP in the army stationed in Germany. He was serving with is best friend in 2011 when he was killed in action. His name was SPC Jordan Shuchmann. He also left behind a wife and a now 1 year old son. He died before his son was born. He never got to meet his son. So that is who I am putting on my bib.

This week at work has been rough. All I can say is I am happy to know a god that is merciful, and shows us grace even is the worst of situations. I happy that pray puts me at peace. My doctors dont know it (I think I have told one) but I pray the instant they come in the room for a delivery/epidural. I pray over my patients when my baby is looking bad....I pray a lot. Mostly because once I have done everything I can from the outside thats all I CAN do at that point. So happy I can depend on that is a sticky situation.

I have my 3 month check up with the hematologist this week. Praying everything is pretty much the same....but hopefully a little better.

I am currently, as I type, drinking my last coke for this week. After today its 2 liters of water a day. Only good food....no fast food. I can't have anything holding me down. I got one more run before next week. EEKK!!

Congratulations to my friends Camille and Stobhan who finish their first Half Marathon in Savannah today. They both finish in just under 2:15.....which is fantastic! I know I am going to be at least 45 slower then that....but to be honest I don't really care about the time! I just want to finish alive!!
Hope everyone has a good week! Don't forget, change your clocks tonight an your president on Tuesday!! Hope this doesn't offend anyone...just my stance! But honestly, whoever you vote for, just get out and vote! It's part of our American duty and like my mother says "If you don't vote you can't complain!"

For no reason at all

So I am about 5 weeks away....exactly 38 days away from my half marathon...38 days 27 hrs 36 min and 10 secs. =) Getting the runs in every week have been difficult, annoying, and frustrating. I am not a morning person so it has been hard getting up early before it starts getting to hot....then getting them in around my work schedule......On the days I have off I just dont want to do anything...I know I am complaining. I shouldn't be...I no children so I really dont have an excuse. It's still exhausting though. The good news is it does seem to be getting easier. Today on my run I took it as a time to have church on the trail....I listen to my worship music for a straight hour. It was wonderful. No pressure, no one to keep up with.

This Saturday....if you can't find me....its because I collapsed on the trail.....probably  somewhere between mile 9-11. We are up to 12 miles....Whoa. 10 miles really intimidated me....but somehow I got through it. So at this point what is 2 more miles, right?? Yeah that's what I said too. "Dara, YOU HAVE LOST YOUR MIND!!!" You dont have to tell me, I already know.

I have 3 more bi-weekly blood draws for my ITP and my appointment with the hematologist. Going there every 2 weeks is really getting old, but I'm glad it doesn't take very long. Last week I had to go after work. I had 2 hours of sleep in 24 hrs. I fell asleep in the waiting room. The nurse had to come wake me up!!! Embarrassing!! I am so ready to have these over with!

I have a love hate relationship with football season. I love going to a football game, watching football on tv (one game a weekend is enough for me). I love the fall weather, and the bands. I hate that thats ALL Eric wants on the TV for the WHOLE weekend. I hate that people make such a HUGE deal over the team they go for, and like to start stuff with others over a GAME!! I watch it, I love it, but it does not make my life better or worse, nor will my life be impacted in any way it they win or lose.

Knox chewed up my favorite pair of socks......thanks man

I have to work the next 3 nights! So thankful to have a job.

We booked our trip to New York!!!! AHHHH!!!!! SO excited!!! 2 months! Can't wait to discover a kinda new place with Eric (I have been twice) A little nervous about how much it is costing us, but I know it will be worth it because we will never forget, or get to go back like this again. Plus its going to be decorated for Christmas! Can't wait to check somethings off our bucket list!  YAY!!

I love the beach, but I couldn't live there

I love the beach, but I couldn't live there. A few days every year does me good. I love the feeling of being on the beach. I love the sun and the sounds and the birds and the GREAT nap I get after coming in from the beach...but I could live there because 

• my hair looks crappy the ENTIRE time I was there. Nothing I did made it look better.....I went around with crappy looking hair the whole time I was there.
• The sand seems to never leave.....doesn't matter how much I wash. I love it at the beach...I just wish it would stay there.  
• Carrying everything down to the beach....and then carrying it all back up...the bag, the umbrella, the cooler, the chairs....and thats just us....I have no idea what we are going to do when that includes children.
• The way you smell when you come in.....I can't stand it. I got to take a shower almost immediately 
• The sand everywhere.....
• The water taste nasty. 
• I forgot things that would have made our stay better.....cereal, butter, sugar, flashlight, box fan, coffee filters, and a float, my running shoes (I didn't know there would be such nice sidewalks to run on)

At least I will have a better idea on what to bring next time. And learn to get over what my hair looks like, because it just is not  happening. Plus they decided to cut the AC off in the condo at midnight on Monday....really.....glad we left that day.  On the flip side at least I got some quality time with my husband....of course he couldn't leave the football in Columbus. But it was time alone that we haven't had in a while.

I have to run 10 miles on Saturday......whoa. Every time the milage gets higher the rationalizing part of my brain says "this is crazy....why are you doing this.....you can't do this....10 miles....ares you kidding me..." The reality is 6 months ago I couldn't get up the road to the stop sign with out wanting to pass out....and now I am running 10 miles (let me take this time to correct myself...I run/walk 10 miles. I can't run flat out 10 miles without stopping....that is not happening.) The most I have done up to this point is 8 miles......So I know 10 is not impossible. In 2 weeks I will have to do 12....which is 1 mile away from the 13.1.....Again....this is crazy. I have officially gone crazy. 

9/11

I am pretty sure I shared my 9/11 story last year on this day, so I won't share it in full again. But like many others, I can remember exactly where I was, who I was with, and how that day has changed my life and this country forever. I remember the terror on my teachers face, which first clued me into the fact that this was no accident. I remember the shock as I watched on live tv as the second plane hit the WTC, and watching them later fall on live tv, my teacher turning off the tv unable to teach that day.
 At the age of 13 I had no idea what the word "terrorist"  meant. I had to ask my teacher.  But I was old enough to know that as a daughter of an active duty solider any attack on the US, especially one on US soil, meant war. I never thought I would be in my 20's and we would still be fighting that same war.  I was lucky that my dad did not have to fight this war. He served out his career in the Army by training soldiers to fight in desert conditions. For that I am thankful. I have, however, had friends that have served in this war, one who lost 4 of his best friends. I thank him, my friend from high school Micha Chandler, and all the others who have served our country so selflessly. Please, no matter what your political stance, thank and support our soldiers. People have told me before that our military is a "volunteer" army and no one makes them join. But if they didn't "choose" to join our boys wouldn't have a choice.
Also thank you to all the firefighters and police who serve and protect us in our cities.  God Bless Amaerica!!!

Tuesday Thoughts....

I spent my Labor day in the rain.....the POURING down rain.....covered in dye....with my friend.
I would like to take this time and thank my co-workers for, once again, talking me into something that is supposed to "fun" that ended up being not so fun....I need to stop listening to them. I am still having nightmares of the river at Mud Mania.  It was one of those "sounded like a good idea at the time" moments.
Some of us at work did The Color Run in Birmingham. It was suppose to be "fun". They even call is "the happiest 5k on the planet".....it was more like "the biggest wet t-shirt contest on the planet" Unfortunately because it was raining so bad I dont have any pictures to show you. We didnt want to risk our phones in the rain.  It wasn't pretty. I am sure, if it would not have been storming, it would have been alot of fun. I could have even had fun in a drizzle, But the pouring down rain, changing my wet clothes in the parking lot behind a towel, and riding home with no dry undergarments in my reach....not my idea of fun. But like I said, rain aside...it could have been fun and we would have stayed to enjoy it because they had music and dancing and pictures and all that cool stuff, and maybe in my younger years I might have not cared. But I embraced the rain long enough to endure the run it self and got the heck out of there! Thanks again to the Reeds (Camille's bro and sister-in-law) for letting me spend the weekend with them and their families! It was so sweet of them to let me stay with them in their new home.

I have had an interesting week at work, although I can't go into details there is never a dull moment in L&D....totally lives up to my favorite quote from the ever famous Dr. Malone  "Labor and Delivery consist of hours of bordom followed by sheer moments of terror" totally describes my work week. Even after 2 years I am still trying to learn to let things go when it comes to my patients, and just be the best nurse I can be for them.

Eric started with his new class about month ago. He has a cute little class that already loves him....he has already come home with some stories and sickness. To which he so kindly passed on to me.

I am still in the midst of my half marathon training. Due to me being very sick last week I only got 2 runs in because I couldn't get out of bed except to go to work. We are suppose to do 8 miles on saturday.....I am scared, but trying to mentally prepare myself. I know it has to be done to make it to 13.1. I still shudder every time I say "13.1" Again....Sometimes I have no idea what I was thinking. But alas! I have paid, so I will run.....or die while doing it!

 I just have to say, that I can not stand when people feel the need to correct your spelling on Facebook.....it REALLY annoys me. I know I am not a good speller, or what I type may not always be grammatically correct....but there is such a thing as auto correct on my phone that sometimes takes over my typing and I dont double check before posting.....also last time I checked I graduated college 2.5 years ago and I am not writing a college paper...And yes I did got to college so I should be grammatically correct and know how to spell....but last time I checked I got a degree in nursing, not teaching. Plus, may I add that my "New Teacher of the Year" husband misspelled a word on our Christmas card last year...it happens is my point. To everyone. So stop. Or I will delete you :)...Just saying. If it annoys you that much, just hide me. Wheew.....glad I got that off my chest! I feel better now.

I must now get up and unpack from this weekend and do some laundry. Hope everyone had a safe labor day!!! One the bright side most of you only have 4 work days this week....I still only have 3 ;) they joys of being a nurse!

Fill in the blank Friday....on Monday...as usual

I always forget to go look at Lauren's blog on Friday to fill out the blanks...So I always end up do this on Monday. Typical. 

So here they are!

1.  I am   a Jesus follower, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a nurse, cupcake lover  .

2.   I have always    loved going new places. It must come from all the traveling I did as a child. It's the Army brat in me  .

3.  I hope to    one day be a mommy.

4. I can    take my arms linked behind my back and bring them to the front without disconnecting them...true story. I can delivery a baby

5. I dream of    being a mom, having a wonderful relationship with my children taking them places and doing things with them, and running a marathon.

6. The way to my heart is   through acts of service. I love it when I come home knowing there is stuff that I have to get done and Eric has already done it.

7.  I am passionate about   my job. I may complain about it, or have a bad day, but I LOVE what I do. I love being able to give new mommies the birth experience they dreamed of. I thank them for allowing me to be apart of such a special part of their lives .

26 things

Eric's birthday is Saturday! He will be 26...hard to believe we have been together since he was 18....almost 10 years!! Wow! So for Eric's birthday I am going to write 26 things I love about him! I am doing it today because I work tonight and will probably forget tomorrow =)

26. He has gotten better about trying new foods and new places to eat.
25. He watched all of my trashy tv with me (he even gets into it sometime)
24. He takes care of all the icky stuff around the house that I can't stand to do (ie trash, dishes, bugs)
23. He mows the grass.
22. He is decent at a few different sports, which is good because I want our kids to be well rounded.
21. He loves Disney world
20. If there is a deal to be made, Eric can find a way to make it. He is great to take when you are buying a car, or tv
19. When I was in high school he came to all 4 of my dinner theatre shows, and most of the football games. He even wore a shirt that said " I am with the white girl on Color Guard" to all the football games. It was pretty much the coolest shirt ever!
18. He likes my 3rd love.....Harry Potter. He will watch them over, and over, and over again with me.
17. He cried the day we got married =)
16. He will find the good in someone before the bad
15. He gives people the benefit of the doubt.
14. He goes through phases with food...its funny to me. Oreos, chocolate chip cookies, wheat thins, swiss cake rolls ect....right now its chocolate milk =)
13. Eric has a totall "go big or go home" attitude.....he cant do something small. It has to be bigger and better then everything else
12. He only excepts the top of the line...this can be a good or a bad thing
11. He pretty stylish
10. He can grill pretty much anything
9. He loves our Knox and Ellie...and they love him
8. He always tells me dinner is good...unless its just not
7. He is a morning person....lord knows one of us has to be
6. He can't wait to be a daddy
5. He can make me laugh...no matter what.
4. He can pretty much talk to ANYONE! Which can come in handy sometimes
3. He loves children....and they love him
2. He loves his parents
1. He loves Jesus, and prays for our family all the time.

extra for good luck: He helps people remember the most important times in their lives through his pictures.

There you go!! Happy Birthday Eric! Hope you have a wonderful day!!

Soo.....

Soo... I have never really been the type to put every bit of my business out to the public on Facebook...I usually just tell the people who need to know or ask and leave it at that. But since people have been curious and asking questions I thought it would just be easier to just try to answer all the questions in one place.
  Recently I went to my normal GYN appointment and had my normal exam, with the normal blood work drawn and everything looked normal. Later I got a phone call from my midwife....(want to be honest, my heart skipped a beat and I almost didn't answer it because I think I would have been in a state of shock if she were to tell me I was pregnant, even though I knew there was a slim chance of this being true) she told me that everything was normal, I was not pregnant(sigh) but that my platelets were low. My first thought was not really a big deal right now, it's just low platelets.  But she went on to tell me it may not be a problem now, but it would be a problem when I did decide to get pregnant. Just for thoughs who dont know, a normal level is 150, mine at this time were 86. She suggested I get a redraw in a month or so with a primary doc (which I had still failed to find a primary doc after leaving Martin Army), mentioned the fact that I might have ITP, ideopathic thrombocytopenia purpura. Basically for one reason or another my body destroys my platelets. Finally went and saw a primary physician, went through any other possible signs and symptoms, drew some more labs, called me back a week later and told me my platelets were up, but still low at 107, and that they were going to refer me to an oncologist/hemtologist at John B. Amos.
 That brings us to yesterday. I knew I would be having several blood test done so I brought Eric with me because I don't handle my own blood very well (crazy thing is I deal with others blood all the time and it never bothers me) When we went and talked to the doctor, he basically explained the diagnosis of ITP, that is is a excluding disease basically you rule out every other cause for low platelets, then you come the the diagnosis of ITP. Another issue they are looking at is if my blooding clotting properly, and if not then why. The main things that could be the cause would be Leukemia, or lupus, along with some other things. I AM NOT showing ANY signs of any of this, nor does the doctor think this is the cause, but like I said, to rule it out as a cause. I have been tested for this in 2008 and tested negative for all of this. I don't want anyone to think I have this. Is it a possibility, I guess, but the doctor says there is a 5% chance. I am not worried about it, so therefore I don't want anyone else to either. In my opinion there is no reason to worry about something that I don't think I have to begin with. If something secondary comes up will deal and treat what needs to be treated.
 I think when the doctor mentioned the secondary causes, it freaked Eric out a little. It's a little scary when a doctor says they are testing you for cancer, but reassuring when they say there is a small (very small.....like VERY SMALL) chance.  Anyways, 3 hrs and 12 tubes of blood later, I have to go back in 3 weeks for a follow up and find out the results. The great news is my levels are not so low that's have to be put on steroid treatment. He said I would even be safe enough to go into surgery if I needed it. So as long as there is no other underlying cause, I will be fine. We will deal with the issue during pregnancy when the time comes. I want to be as healthy as possible before getting pregnant, which is the main reason I wanted to get checked now. I appreciate all the concern and prayers. It seems as if we scared some people, which was not our intention at all, just asking for prayers. If we scared you, because you had no idea, we do apologize. We are of course praying that all of the test will come back negative as we expect them too. I feel great, I am still running every week ( even if it is a walk/run), and feel completely normal.
Like I said thank you to all who have thought about me and prayed for us. I'm truly blessed to have this many people think of me!

Just a little randomness....

Haven't written in a while so I figured I would throw on out there for ya, you know for all those readers out there that are just sitting at their computers waiting to read the profound thoughts I have running through me.

• I am struggling with my addiction to coke....it's bad. I see one, I want one. I hear someone open one, I want one. I eat pizza, popcorn, pretty much anything....and I want one. I have only had 1 in 8 days after the hellacious 5k on Friday night and that point I felt so bad that water would have just not been enough, and since I dont drink I indulged in a coke. 
• I want Chill....like EVERYDAY!!! 
• I am craving chocolate all the time. I even resorted to melting the chocolate syrup (that had been in my fridge probably since we got married) and put it on my strawberries for desert tonight...not the healthiest thing in the world....but its cheeper then driving all the way to chill, paying for chill, and driving all the way home. If I were rich I would install my own personal frozen yogurt machine in our house...true story. 
• Speaking of our house we just celebrated a year in our home. YAY us! The financial obligation of a home is more the I expected but worth it at the same time. It makes Eric and I talk about the finances, which I think is essential in a marriage.
• I have been saying that I needed to find a summer camp for Eric to go to this summer to occupy his time....well he found it, golf. He seems to always to go for expensive hobbies....started off with his car when we first started dating...then it was hunting, photography, computers, now golf....whatever! Atleast he has something to do!
• I like the show Sister Wives. I find it interesting, although I could never have a sister wife or be a sister wife. 
• I love our youth at our church. I love our church in general, but I love our youth. Mostly because I have changed the diapers of about 4 of them. They are more committed, and helpful, and generous then I have seen our youth in a long time. I watched them serve the neighborhood around our church so unselfishly. If you dont know anything about my church, it is located on 2nd ave, and in a low income, high crime area. Alot of the people are not necessarily clean, fed or up kept. But they put themselves aside and served these people who had a need. I wish I could have been that open to serve at that age. I was just not up for it at that age. I also realized looking around that this was alot of my patient population at my job. People dont realize that most of the women that our having children are not married, and already living under the poverty level. Lots of opportunity to serve!
• Knox is obsessed with Eric....this morning he wouldn't even eat his breakfast till Eric got out of bed...
• Eric just asked if we had any chocolate... a man after my own heart!!
• Had a platelet issue lately that has concerned me...they have been really low. Had to go and get a redraw last Monday and they were up to 107!! PTL! YAY! Still waiting to see if my doctor wants me to see a specialist but I am happy its not so low I am in true danger at the moment.
• BTW I post my runs on FB not so you can see it and know I am exercising, or to get attention (although the encouraging comments are welcome =) I am doing for my own motivation...dont hate. If it annoys you then hide me...its ok. It's not like I will know anyways. Plus I find it funny that the same people that say it annoys them post the same kind of stuff too.

Hope everyone has a good week!! Glad I dont have to get up early in the am, even though I have to work Monday night. Looking forward to my lunch with my Korean mom Tuesday!

Day 732!!!

732.....thats how many days we have been married!! 2 years ago today,  after 3 years of planning and 5 years together, I walked down the aisle to my handsome, CRYING groom. =) He will never live that crying thing down.... it was sweet though and part of our day that I will never forget.
Take it from someone who watch all of her friends have boyfriend after boyfriend, while I couldn't even get one guy to like me, thought I would be 30 before I got married....To get married at 22 and have my husband cry at the sight of me walking down the aisle was priceless. Not to mention it made all of my friends jealous....in a good way.
In our second year of marriage we bought our house, got our precious dog Knox(who decided this week that along with the tv remotes and shoes that the couch cushion sounded like a good thing to chew up at the time.....we still love him though) learned a few lessons about money, and a few other life lessons. Eric settled into a job he loves and got some cool recognition along the way.

In the next we have some exciting things planned!! I am doing my first half marathon in November. Hoping to also go on another trip or 2.....and go sky diving....you read that right. I am calling it my mid20's crisis!! (you know instead of a midlife crisis??) I dont even know if a mid20s crisis exist but everyone keeps telling me that I should do a few exciting things before children...these are just a few of the things I would like to do .... if I am going to jump out of a plane my mother said I needed to before I have kids.....I think I will listen to her... Happy Annaversary Eric!! I love you Pookie Bears!!! To many more!

I am married to the BEST New Teacher of the Year!!

A couple of months ago Eric came home and told me that his peers had nominated him for New Teacher of the Year. He came home a few weeks ago and told me that he had been nominated to the top 4! I didn't even know this award existed! Last night he was chosen out of the top 4 for the award! We were so proud! He worked so hard!

 I can't even believe he is done with his first year! I feel like yesterday we were just hoping he would get a job after several weeks of nothing, even being brushed off by one principle that told him she didn't hire new teachers at her school. Well, last night when we got his award, the lady's signature was on his award. Touche! She apparently had no idea who she let walk out her door.
I knew Eric would be a great teacher, I mean lets face it, Eric is a child himself. But more then just that. I rarely hear teachers talk about their students the way Eric does (no offense to any of my teacher friends, I guess I am a little particle). Every where we go he tells people about his students. He genuinely loves those kids and wants them to succeed not to make him look good, but to make them better. Most of all he defends them, and I have never heard him say anything bad or mean about them. I think every child deserves to have a teacher that loves them, defends them, see potential in them, and believes in them.
  He had six kids leave, six more new kids come. He has had a few with some challenges and one that could barley speak english when she started. When he came home and told me all of this at the beginning of the year I thought he was in over his head, that this was going to be a rough year. But I underestimated him. He embraced it and took it in stride and that child who could barely speak english at the beginning of the year is now reading on almost a 3rd grade reading level. He did the impossible and made reading FUN!! I hated reading until I was in high school. These kids are in the first grade and reading chapter books!! I didn't pick up a chapter book till I was in the 4th grade!! He got 16 iPod touches, and 6 iPads funded for his classroom, as well as hundreds of books, along with some of our own money to make sure the kids had the books they needed for the year. He also had almost every child in his class pass their CRCT.
Overall I believe that he deserved this award. I didn't know the other teachers that were nominated, but I am sure they were great teachers mostly because they were nominated.
I am so proud of him! I still can't believe its almost summer break! I am still accepting any ideas for summer activities for Eric!! =) He is going to be terrible bored. I am afraid one day I will wake up and my house will be some crazy color, or my kitchen table painted black, or a new animal in my house. Who knows! We will start in a few weeks preparing his classroom for the next year.
Thanks to everyone who congratulated Eric and supported us in our careers. We could have done it without the support of our parents through out our college years!
Way to go Eric! I love you pookie!!

Fill in the Blank Friday!

Yay!!! It's Friday!! Which means nothing to me btw. When you work in a 24/7 operation TGIF means NOTHING!! But for those of you that is does, here are some cheerful blanks!

1.  Something that is very near and dear to my heart is,   marriage. No offense to my parents or grandparents, but my family doesn't have a good reputation when it comes to marriage. I am bound and determined to make mine work,  no matter what it takes! 

2.      Today.   is good cause to celebrate . Tonight is Relay for Life where we are going to celebrate LIFE after cancer and remember the ones we lost. Its a great time to fellowship and get together!

3.  The most fun I ever had was     its hard to say, but recently it was our Honeymoon and going to Disney World .

4.  True friends are   the ones where no topic is off-limits and you can always pick up where you left off even if there's a time lapse between visits  .

5. Something that makes me terribly happy is      Going anywhere out of town with Eric, either new or somewhere we have been before . I just like going places!

6. A good way to spend a sunny day is     with an ice drink out by a pool or lake. I wished I lived near a lake. 

7.  My favorite celebratory food is   cake! I love cake! Anything with cake is a good reason to celebrate. I can never pass up cake.

Blanks and picture from Lauren

I just got back from a cruise with my mom and sister. It was fun, but I did miss my husband! He told me on the way home that he had some surprises for me....that he moved some stuff around and got some things changed (he had a habit of doing things like this when he gets bored!) I came home and he had a bow on my car tire. He had when out and got me some much needed new tires (i was told i needed some about a month ago) and came in and he had gotten the carpets cleaned (which was much needed too!) and kept the house clean while I was gone! I knew I picked a good one! He even told me that he made the bed everyday and he enjoyed it!! He should have never told me that, because now I am going to hold him to that. Hehe! For now though I am up to my ears in my own laundry and  I have to go back to work on Saturday after being off for 10 days....Booo. Se what I mean....TGIF....I dont know what that means anymore. What I do know is that when all for you have to get up on Monday morning I get to stay in bed!! =)

Happy weekend!