{43/52} Aaaaaannnd I'm back--in school, that is.

(What happened to weeks 17 - 42??. . .Life!)

We got married.

We had an amazing honeymoon in the Dominican Republic.

We moved to nice neighborhood outside of Portland.

I started my first semester of pharmacy school.

Cody officially became a full-time employed dental hygienist (woo hoo!)

I have used public transportation more in the last 4 months than I have my entire life.

I failed only one exam so far - and failed means got 89% instead of 90%  : P

I have made great new friends.

I have discovered the deep love I have for trying and cooking new dishes.

You've heard of the "freshman 15'? I reached the graduate school 10 (is that a thing? haha)..thank you stress eating...and my love for good food.

And last but not least, after 17 weeks of roller coaster emotions, I've successfully finished my first semester of pharmacy school.

So much change has happened since my last update, and I can't believe that 2014 is just around the corner. I have not ever cherished a school break like I have this one! :)

Our wedding day was perfect and went by way too fast. We got to celebrate with the wonderful people we get to call friends and family and had an absolute blast....the time rolled around for the DJ to leave and there were still tons of us on the dance floor--I'd say it was a successful celebration! Our honeymoon was just as wonderful. We got to swim with dolphins (I've wanted to do it for as long as I can remember!) and see a little bit of the Dominican countryside. Of course there was lots of relaxing on the beach and by the pool, taking advantage of the perks of staying at an all-inclusive resort. My birthday fell on the last full day of our trip--couldn't ask for a better way to have spent it! We also had a fun second celebration with my family in Oklahoma after we got back from our trip. It meant a lot to get to share that with them! From our wedding day to the day we moved in to our apartment in Portland was only 3 weeks--talk about a whirlwind! 

The last 6 months have not been a cake walk by any means. A lot of crap has happened that has challenged many aspects of my life, and a lot of good things have happened too. But, there will be no dwelling on what could have been done differently, no holding grudges, no letting anyone belittle my accomplishments--moving onward and upward with this new chapter. I can't fix things I didn't know were broken and I sure can't help someone that doesn't want to be helped. I have so many other things to be thankful for and happy about in my life that there's just simply no time for much else :)  My time and energy are going to be focused doing well in school and on those people and things that make me happy, that love me for who I am and what I'm doing. I am (still) learning that people who want to be happy will do things to make it so, people who want to be unhappy will continuously find things to complain about, and that people make time for the things and people that they want to. Take a deep breath and let it go - one of my favorite sayings I've come across (on Pinterest, of course!).

This break hasn't exactly been a break so far, but I got spend time with my husband on more than just the weekends and that has been great! A couple of months ago he was offered a position at a very successful dental practice and he really loves it there! We attended our first formal work Christmas party a few weeks ago and had a great time with all of his new coworkers--I even got to pick out a little black dress for the occasion! ;)

As I said earlier I've survived my first semester of pharmacy school--YAY! It has not been without stress and tears, that's for sure. I've enjoyed the content, but not so much the volume of content...guess that's what I asked for choosing a 3 year program over 4 though : P It's not quite what I expected it to be, but only 3 more semesters until I get to do the fun stuff--rotations! I've became friends with a couple of pretty awesome girls as the semester went on. There are definitely times that I think I would have gone a little crazy without them--Kristine and Lindsey, you are the best!!!!!

We are praying that the odds will be in my favor and I will get assigned to sites in the Tacoma or Seattle area (I'd even take Olympia! : P) for my third year so we can move back up this direction and possibly start thinking about buying our first house! Not getting too ahead of ourselves just yet - one day at a time for now :)

Despite the stress I've made sure that we get out and do stuff on the weekends when I can afford the time to--we've gone on a few beautiful hikes,explored the new territory, got to hang out with our nephews in Portland a couple of weekends, and have had a great time hanging out with our friends Josh and Sarah. It's been nice to see them more than once a year like we had for the past few years! A few nights I got to play volleyball with a group that Lindsey and her husband played with, it was so great to get out during the week and do some fun exercise--even if I did come home pretty bruised from throwing myself around diving for the ball ;) I signed up to play on a non-competitive league but haven't heard for sure if they'll be able to find a spot for me since I didn't sign up with a team, but either way I plan on continuing trying to play. I could certainly use more exercise in my life...couldn't we all, though? :)

I think that sums up the highlights for now! We are looking forward to spending Christmas with our families and ringing in the new year with great friends. I can't wait to see what 2014 has in store for us!

{16/52}: Caution: Fresh Paint

Do you ever have those days where you just can't seem to function? Not like an I'm so tired I don't want to do anything function, but more like a tripping over your own feet dropping everything you touch kind of non-function. I had one of the latter the other day, and it was actually a quite comical day despite what happened. 

Cody installed the speakers in my car, for the garage reorganized (that will last till our next project lol), and I spent about 6 hours painting the house. Out with the browns, in with some bright yet cool grays! We also got the new front door put in--go us!! It was a very productive day.

It was also a destructive day for me. My allergies were KILLING me--seriously, being allergic to grasses and cats sucks--and allergy meds were just not cooperating so I spent the whole day sneezing my face off! : P  I decided to start with painting the trim so I could be a little "messy" with where the paint went. Despite what I felt was free spirited painting, why does painting take so long??? I got only the trim done on the front of the house in 6 hours! 6!! ...OCD tendencies win again. Ooooohh well :) 

 

Pretty new door!

The destruction:

- being on a ladder in flip flops (really, Ashley?)

- moving said ladder with a tool on top resulting in it falling off and, naturally, the sharp side of it finding a place on my thigh. I've got a pretty bruise, luckily not so big of a wound after neosporin

- forgetting how high I was on the ladder and hitting my head on the roof trusses...multiple times.

- at the end of the day, bringing in a bucket with the brushes and our water glasses from the garage: I went to set down the brushes in our paint bin, started to fall backwards, and ended up going Hulk on the glasses in my hand and smashed them up against my thigh as I was falling!!!!...right over the spot I had stabbed just a few hours earlier. Broken glass, water went everywhere...

Cody's thoughts as he's cleaning up glass and I'm putting on band aids--this just isn't your day, is it? ;) Really, it could have been a lot worse--I'm so lucky my hand and leg didn't get cut to shreds when I did that. I still don't know what the heck that was or why, it was like slow motion when I did it and took me a minute to register what had just happened! 

Despite the blunders, so far it's looking good--I got a little bit more done the other night before heading to work, but haven't had a chance to get back to it. I'm sure the neighbors are digging the pinstripe look ;)

Painting is not complete without getting it all over myself ;) 

My last night shift is tonight--and it's REALLY my last one this time!!!!! I don't know how my coworkers have been doing this for 4 years or more--one also went to school while on nights, one went to school AND had two little ones to run after, and the other has been on night shift for years--I admire them for being able to do it, I feel like I've been a monster on nights! I hate feeling like I have to sacrifice sleep so that I can get up early enough to get something accomplished. Sleeping through the day, waking up and doing the dishes, making dinner, then going back to work and doing it all over again for 7 days just does not fly for me! 

But, it's OVER. : D  Cue happy dance as of 1:30pm on Saturday...that's about when I'll wake up lol

Oh Saturday....my bachelorette party is slated for that night, being planned by the future sister-in-law bridesmaid, and I've been left in the dark about what's going down. All I know is I need my cowboy boots, a hat and show up at 7!  Pretty excited to have some fun with some of my favorite ladies...little bit scared at the same time ;)

{15/52}: Wedding Festivities

This past weekend I was honored to have two bridal showers thrown for me, one by my mom and the other by my maid of honor. They were both amazing and it meant oh so much to me. I felt a little spoiled and realized I don't really like being the center of attention, so to speak, for that long but I definitely felt loved and am so glad to have the friends that I do. Even though we each have our own lives and we don't see each other very often, it's always nice to go right to where we left off last :)

Cody and I are getting very excited to see all of our family and friends that are making the trip from near or far to celebrate our marriage--it's going to be a wonderful day! Bride to be here is getting a little neurotic about packing, moving, finishing up wedding projects, and whatever else she feels like freaking out about, but not to worry--her future husband is doing his best to keep her in line and calm her down...As he likes to keep saying, it'll all work out and be great :)

Momma made me a recipe book of my favorites :)

<3 her to pieces!

My science themed shower by the maid of honor and bridesmaids! :)

How perfect is this?! Our newest kitchen addition now : )

Grape molecules : P

Even Miss Lucy dressed up for the occasion! :)

Love these girls!!! ...missing Jamie and Ferowi, forgot to take a picture before they left!

{14/52}: Cody's Graduation...finally!

What has seemed like an eternity to me has finally come to a close...I bet it felt like an eternity plus infinity to Cody, but none the less he did it--through hell and back he has completed the dental hygiene program and is only a few tests away from getting his license!!!!

I am so so proud of him for pushing through all the crap that came with the program, I can honestly say that if it was me I probably would have had a breakdown and quit after 2 quarters!! But, he didn't. He's a bigger person than I am in many ways and I'm happy to call him mine : )

I got to know a few of his classmates (all females in hygiene school? go figure : P) and I know that these girls will be life long friends of ours. They were a big part of why Cody has finished, not to say he wasn't capable of it without them, but their adoption of him as their "little brother" was probably the best thing to come from the last two years...aside from his future job : P

Only 3 more years and we will both be done with school for good!...I think. There's talk of him wanting to be a chemistry teacher part time at some point...we'll see.

We can only go up from here--very much looking forward to what our future together has in store!

Ended the day celebrating with some good friends on the Olympia waterfront : )

{13/52}: Little Miss Lucy

May 20, 2013

Lucy Elizabeth Lynn Callon,

Your uncle Cody and I are so excited to have a niece to love on now! We love your brothers dearly, but are excited for the color change! :)  You, like your brothers, are an absolutely beautiful little baby. You had us all a little worried at first, but we stayed positive and knew everything was going to be great in the end. That being said, no more drama from you until your at least 13 little miss! :) I am starting pharmacy school in a couple months and that means I won't get to see you nearly as often as I will want to. I love taking pictures of your brothers every chance I get and I definitely want to do the same with you, it just won't get to be as often for a few years. But hopefully your momma will come visit us in Portland every now and then, and FaceTime will be a must! 

Uncle and I can't wait to watch you grow up, and hopefully your future cousins won't be too much younger than you ;)

We love you very much miss Lucy!!

{12/52}: Leavenworth

This week I took my first trip to Leavenworth with my mom for our church's annual women's retreat. It was a great few days of laughter and fellowship with some great ladies, I think we all came away feeling refreshed and energized. It was fun to have a girls weekend with mom, and of course that would not be complete without good food and shopping :)

The weather wasn't as nice as we thought it was going to be, but it didn't rain on us while we were out and about so that's all that matters! This little Bavarian village has lots of little shops and a nice trail along the river, and of course awesome 360° views of the mountains. I'm going to be talking Cody into going there when there's snow on the ground!

Biggest mini golf course EVER. We got a putter, that's it! lol

I mean really, who chips with their putter?! Guess I need to work on those putting skills.... ; )

We had fun racing sundown and doing our best to stay out of the water! : P

Our hotel had an alphorn play each morning at breakfast--kinda cool!

Some photos from our morning walk by the river..

The view from a balcony at the hotel

All in all it was a good few days away :)

Next up on the list of exciting things happening around here: Baby Callon #3 arrives tomorrow!!!!!!!! SO stinkin excited to meet her and hear what the final verdict is on her name! Get ready little girl, auntie's camera is awaiting anxiously! : )