Friday, May 25, 2012

Happy Belated Birthday to Me: My 27th Year in Review

I thought it might be interesting to look back on my 27th year of life on my birthday. I was going to do this on my birthday, but it was a Sunday. So it was busy. Then this week with all of the birthday and anniversary festivities has been full of action. As I thought about the last year of my life I gotta say I was a little overwhelmed by it all. So I thought I would share. And let me warn you, it's a pretty long recap, which just shows what a year it has been...

Actually, I'm going to start a month before my 27th birthday. Less than a month before my birthday, Bryan and I were blessed with one of our dreams. We bought our first house. Oh, that house. I love that house. For 7 years we had lived in an apartment or duplex of some sort. And with dogs, having to walk them 10 times a day wasn't too fun. So I was especially happy to be getting my very own fenced in yard. And what a yard it was. About .4 acres of fenced in grassy-ness! The dogs loved it. They would have lived out there if I would have let them. So that, by far, was my favorite thing about the house. The lot was set in a quiet, established neighborhood that just screamed homey! :) Sometimes I would just look around me in awe that this was mine, finally. We were happy. Our life was coming together like we planned. But God had a different plan.

Two weeks after that we lived another dream. Bryan graduated from Law School!!!!! After 9 years of college, he was done. I felt like a proud mama! All that hard work, all that sleep he lost, all the stress, all the books...finally, it was over. And let me just add that out of about 200 fellow classmates he finished number 13 in his class. Top 5%. Yep, that's my man! What a wonderful day. And we got to celebrate with an open house at our new house. I will always remember that day. But something was missing. We had timed it perfectly to have a baby shortly after graduation. At that point, we had been trying to get pregnant for 10 months. My OB had called and told me her work was done and referred me to a fertility specialist. I remember sitting on the floor in the bathroom at work crying. Why wasn't this easy? Why wasn't God giving me a baby? Remember that plan of God's? Well, he was working.

Two days after graduation, Bryan was laid off from his job at the law firm he was working for. This was the firm he had been working for since that January, and the job that he would become an associate for upon passing the bar. Yet another huge change in our lives. We just bought a house, and Bryan has no job?? We realized that our plan to have a baby right during that time would have been very tough without Bryan working. So that was my answer, God knew what he was doing by making me wait for my baby. But as far as Bryan's job it was very hard to understand at the point just what would happen. Well, as so many times before things worked out for the best. Bryan took the next 2 and half months to prepare for the bar. So that was part of the blessing of not working. I can't imagine how he would have done it and worked at the same time. During those few months we pretty much just lived together but that's it. So much studying going on in our house. But once again, it was worth it.

About a month after that we had our first visit to the fertility doctor. We had been trying to have a baby for almost a year. My body just wasn't cooperating, and basically my reproductive organs weren't functioning normally without medicine. Well, you can't get pregnant if all your "plumbing" isn't working. We discussed our options and came up with a plan to begin in August.

In the meantime, the energy company that Bryan had been working for when he left for the job at the law firm rehired him as a contract attorney. He started the week after the bar was over! What a blessing. Little did I know then that this move would evolve into so much more...But again, God was supplying our need.

About a week after that, at the beginning of August, I started round one of fertility treatment craziness! Crazy really is the best word to describe what my body went though. If I had only known what would follow. Mood swings, hot flashed, night sweats, weight gain, and just plain meanness.Poor Bryan. But fortunately I married a man who takes very good care of me. I went for an ultrasound to make sure everything was good to go. Then started the oral medicine for 6 days. Then shots in my stomach along with it. Then another ultrasound to see if there were any dominant follicles. There were none, but some that were pretty close, so we did meds for a couple extra days hoping they would grow. Then proceeded with the last shot to release potential eggs forcing my body to ovulate. Then the two week wait began. Was I pregnant? Did it work? No.

In September Bryan found out that he did indeed pass the bar!!! There was never any doubt in my mind, but still it was such a relief! My husband was officially going to be a lawyer. Thank the Lord! Finally!

In October Bryan was sworn in, and I was officially the wife of an attorney!!! I love the way that sounds. Yes, my husband is a lawyer. And about a couple weeks later Bryan came home and said Brian (the partner from a DC law firm) was at work that day. He had met him a year before. My immediate response was, "I'm not moving to DC!" He told me to calm down, and that they were just talking to him. Fine, let them talk to him, that's fine with me. Well, the "talking" turned into their wanting to interview him in DC. Still I had hope that they would hire him and he could work remotely from Indy. That was my plan.

In November was round two of fertility treatment craziness! They upped my medicine hoping for better results. I went for the ultrasound to see if I had dominant eggs. I did! I had 3!!!! This was it. I knew I would get pregnant this time. But, in the few days after the ultrasound all it did was make me so sick. I literally couldn't breathe or move without everything inside me just hurting. I didn't know what was wrong. An ultrasound showed that basically my ovaries blew up to three times the size from the medicine. So I had giant ovaries, and again, no baby.

During those few days Bryan flew out to DC for his interview. He came home that Wednesday night and told me if he wanted it the job was his. I was so drugged up, I remember still thinking, ok, great, and we can stay here. He might have to travel but we can stay here and still be employed by the firm. I could work with that. By the next day I realized that was not the case. They wanted him (us) to move to DC!!! DC??? Really?? No way. And we had to know in two weeks. We had to make this decision by two weeks before Christmas. What a great Christmas present for our families. Hey, Merry Christmas, we are leaving.

And that's just what happened. We told them we were leaving right before Christmas. Not the best Christmas ever...It was hard to be happy and celebrate the holidays when in just a couple months we would be 9 hours away from them instead of 2. Bryan  had taken the job and was thrilled. And he had every right to be thrilled. He was going to be employed by a top 100 firm in the world. It was such an amazing opportunity. To be an attorney for two months and land a job like this? A dream come true. Making this decision was the hardest thing I had ever had to do. I could not honestly say I believed it was God's perfect will, but my husband could. And that's all that mattered. I trusted that he was making the right decision for his family. But, honestly, it's not a good feeling when you don't know in your heart that it's the right thing to do. But I married him. I trusted him. And I would follow him to the ends of the earth.

Also, that December we had another visit with our fertility doctor. We wanted to discuss what the next step was. Surprisingly, he walked in the room and told me he wanted to do surgery. To "stimulate" my ovaries and make my body do what it was made to do. Right, surgery. Sure, let me just fit that in before we move. I was blind sided and just couldn't wrap my head around having surgery. So we decided to go ahead and do round three of fertility treatment craziness. If that didn't work I would have surgery. Well, since the medicine made me so sick the last month and didn't do enough to produce eggs the first month he set my dose right in the middle of the two. Also, this time we were going to do and IUI (intrauterine insemination). I was excited. We went on a Wednesday to have the ultrasound that would confirm that I had eggs and we could do the IUI Friday. The ultrasound showed nothing. Literally, nothing. No eggs that were even kind of close. It did not work. There would be no IUI, and I would be having surgery. I cried. I cried and cried. I couldn't control myself so I took the day off work. And I went home. And I cried. No IUI. No baby. Surgery.

On February I had a laperoscopy and hysteroscopy. He was just supposed to "poke holes" in my ovaries to get them going. But on top of that he removed endometriosis from my bladder and uterus and a polyp on my fallopian tube. Having surgery was a blessing in disguise. Going into it I wasn't 100% sure this was the right choice. But God, once again , was taking care of me. He knew I had endometriosis even thought the doctor didn't. My great physician was working in my life again.

Three weeks after that we moved to Washington, DC. Our house was officially on the market. My house. My perfect house that I love. Someone else was going to buy my dream home that I had only lived in for 10 short months. I was leaving my church family and friends in Indy. I was moving 7 hours further away from my parents. The moment I pulled out of my driveway for the last time was one of the most difficult moments of my life. My chest tightened up, my heart started pounding, I couldn't breathe, and I couldn't stop crying. Someone told me later I was having a panic attack. I had never experienced anything like that before, and it happened several more times in the next few days. My life was turned upside down. Everything was different. We were far away from our friends and family.

Now, three months later I am finally starting to be okay again. Before we moved I just kept saying it's not going to be wonderful or perfect at first, but like so many other times in my life I knew I would be okay. It has taken longer that I expected, but I think I'm going to be fine :) The crying has stopped, I haven't gotten lost in awhile, I have figured out some sort of schedule, and I am fighting through this. I will be okay! Our house is still on the market. We are still not pregnant. The surgery was successful in that I my body is cooperating now. I will be making another appointment next week with a fertility doctor here. Bryan loves his job, and I am so happy about that. He is living his dream. Hopefully, one day soon, our lives will contain less drama. But in the meantime, I know I will be okay because I have a God who lives in Virginia too. He is taking care of me no matter where I live.

"So let the storms rage high, the dark clouds rise. They don't worry me. For I'm sheltered safe within the arms of God." God has a lot in store for my life. I have realized that so many of these pieces from the past year are just parts of his bigger plan for my (our) life. I will say, I am ready for the puzzle to be put together, but in the meantime, I will trust that God knows what he is doing, even thought sometimes I don't understand.

Whew! I am worn out! Now you know why my blog name is "Life Ever Changing". :)


Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Dear Bryan,

I just really can't believe is has been 8 years since our wedding day. I still remember it so vividly. I remember how excited I was to be marrying my high school sweetheart. The day you told me you "liked" me, I knew I would marry that 14 year old boy. The day you told me you loved me when you were 15, I knew I would love you forever. The day you put that ring on my finger, I knew I would always be happy.

When I describe you to people I try to put into words just how amazing you are. But I know those words fall short. But I do know that when I talk about you they understand that you are very wonderful. You have changed my life forever. I feel so honored that you chose me to be your wife. And I feel extremely blessed that the Lord had you picked out for me. You have been in my life for so long that I truly cannot even begin to imagine what my life would be like without you. I have learned so much from you. I have learned to be myself. I have learned to be content with what I have. I have learned patience. I have learned how to like peanut butter and jelly toast. :) I have learned how to be less judgmental. I have learned that little things are not worth getting upset about. To be married to someone who takes such good care of me, works so hard, provides for our family, leads us where God wants us, protects me, and knows what's best for me is something that I am so thankful for.

Life has taken us down so many unexpected roads. But that's okay because we are on the same road. I know I could not have handled so many things without your support and encouragement. Life is not always perfect, but with you by my side I know I will be okay.

The best day of my life was when I married you. And I am looking forward to so many more "best days" with you. Thank you for loving me unconditionally. It takes a strong man to do that. :) You just really have no idea how deeply I love you. Happy Anniversary, honey!

Friday, May 18, 2012

High Five for Friday

Ok. Top five things about this past week.

1. We got to see the seniors from our high school we graduated from. They were in DC for their senior trip. Along with our old principal and school secretary. It's crazy to think that I was doing the exact same things 10 years ago! I told you I'm old. We saw them  for church Wednesday night and met them at Union Station for lunch Thursday. I gotta, I felt like I was back in high school when Mr. D was standing there telling our group what time we had to be back. Such good memories.

2. I started getting birthday cards this week. LOVE THAT!!! It's so wonderful to know that people from all over are thinking about me.

3. We went to Annapolis last Saturday. It is so pretty there. We will definitely be visiting again soon. The one thing I love about this place is that there is so much to do, It was literally perfect weather for it. And while we were there I found my beloved Jimmy John's!!! I haven't gotten to eat it since we moved. I do think there is one somewhere close but I just haven't found it yet. Definitely a highlight of the day. Along with the yummy s'mores crepe. Yes, highlights of my days usually include food!

4. This is just going to be sad sounding when I tell you it was one of my favorite things about this week. I got all of my coupons in my binder and organized. Yeah, I know it sounds lame. But it hasn't been done since we got here. Sense of accomplishment right there.

5. I just bought a cast iron skillet! I never thought I'd say that. I bought it to attempt pan fried steak "like the restaurants do". I got me a Pinterest recipe. I'm very excited about it because it is such a hassle to me that whenever I want steak Bryan has to grill it or I attempt it in my grill pan with little to no success. Succulent, juicy steak that tastes like you were cooked in a restaurant, here I come!

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Getting Older

As I approach the ripe old age of 28 in just a few days I am feeling really old. This has pretty much been happening for the past year though. Even as I sit here my back is aching.

So let me just tell you about my back. I no longer can sit on my couch comfortably. Kills my back! And it's my middle back, which is something that has never hurt before. So it just confirms my aging. So, no problem, I will just sit in the recliner. Wrong!! I can't sit there either because it hurts my neck. So I guess, I will live out my remaining days standing up watching TV.

The week after my 27th birthday I went to the eye doctor. Do you know what he told me? I had an add power! That means basically that I can now where bifocals! Bifocals???? Are you kidding me? Those are for old people. Instead of getting bifocals I just got a pair of reader. That's right, old people glasses.

A couple months ago Bryan and I were walking around downtown Indy. We had been walking for a couple hours and were heading back to the car. Bryan asked me what was wrong. I told him nothing. He kept asking. Finally, I said "My hips hurt!!!!!" I was ashamed. My hips hurt just from walking around. How old am I?

About a month ago I realized yet another thing. You know when you sleep on your side all curled up? Well, that's how I always sleep. Except now, I can't have my knees directly on top of each other because it hurts!!! What the heck? My knee bones hurt? I didn't even know that could happen!

I have forehead wrinkles. Oh, and yes the crows feet. I will never be able to raise my eyebrows or smile really big again without the monster wrinkles showing up!

That is just some of the physical stuff. But I gotta say, I think I'm losing it mentally too!

I have noticed recently that when I'm in parking lots I drive really slow. And when I am backing out of a parking space it takes me like an hour. I'm just so afraid that I will hit someone or something! I used to be the speed demon in parking lots and complain about other drivers. Not anymore, friends.

I check the weather like all the time. Its hard for me anymore to plan too many things in advance because what if it rains? Our friends are coming to visit in July and I am already a wreck about the weather! It could rain. Our visit could be ruined.

I just get on google and look at the map of my area. I'm sure this has to do with just moving but I did this before we moved too. Just a few minutes ago I was trying to find some new doctors in our area. I wasn't looking at the reviews for the doctors. I was just making sure I could find the office. The doctor may be shady, but, hey, I didn't get lost!

It takes me way longer to make purchases. Which I'm sure is not a bad thing compared to impulse shopping. But now it takes me an hour to spend $20. Our budget is definitely appreciating this new little characteristic of mine.

I can now say, I am pushing 30, which, by the way, I'm not okay with!!!

Monday, May 14, 2012

Miscellaneous Monday

Hello from the rainy day that is here in Alexandria. My little dogs are glued to the windows just watching the rain fall. I gotta say, it's hard to be motivated on days like today.

My friend and I have started this thing every Monday called MRT (Monday Random Thoughts). Basically where we talk about mostly nothing important. So in keeping with the theme, Happy Miscellaneous Monday!

I have recently taught myself how to french braid. And I have to tell you, I'm addicted. There seems to be some sort of braid in my hair almost everyday. And I'm not very good at it yet so I'm sure it doesn't look the best right now. So much so that Saturday when my husband saw my little braid he started making fun of me. I said, well, does it make me look awful and do you think people will stare at me? He said no. So why make fun of me? Don't mess with the braid!!!!

I have several unfinished projects including, my couponing blog, my recipe book, my fabric decorative balls, my pillow cover...Maybe I should work on one of those soon.

I'm sitting in the basement at my new wonderful desk with Swing music going in the background. Gotta say, I'm pretty relaxed. Maybe this in my new happy place! :) Underground! I can hide some of my crazy down here! Ha!

I love Skype. No, really. I'm not a huge phone person. I would rather talk to you in person so this is perfect. The other day I had my parents on Skype and we were all watching the KY Derby together. Way cool. Plus, I get to see my Andrew! :)

The microwave repair guy came today only to tell me he has to order a part. So in two to five days I will have a working microwave! Yay!

Oh, I could bore you will all the other randomness in my brain, but I will save that for another day.

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Dear Mom,

Oh, dear mother, where do I even begin? I think you're just amazing. And I want the whole world (or at least all of my Facebook friends) to know. :) Anyone who knows you even a little bit adores you. Like a moth to a flame, that's how I describe the effect you have on people. They can't get enough of you. They are drawn to you. You are such a compassionate person, so people line up to share with you their problems because they know you care deeply. And it's crazy, but I will be talking about you to people who hardly know you or who have met you once and in the middle of my story they will say "Oh, I love your mom". I have heard that phrase so many times being associated with you.

And let me just say, I agree with them. I adore you. I love your personality. Your fun loving spirit. Your encouragement. Your patience. I love how close we still are. Through the years and through the miles. That has never changed anything. And I am so thankful for that. I'm thankful that distance has not come between us one bit. I'm thankful that even from afar you still figure out ways to take care of Bryan and I and your grandpuppies. Ways to let us know you love us and care for us so. You really have no idea how much a cherish and appreciate you. I hate that I am not with you today. I wish I was there to hug you. I'm sorry I'm not. But know that I love you so so much. And I miss you everyday.

Happy Mother's Day,
Katie

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Thankful Thursday

I have been waiting since Sunday when I got the idea to do "Thankful Thursdays" to write this. As I sit outside in this perfect breezy weather, it is easy to be thankful. But that isn't always the case. Especially lately for me. I am working on that, stupid DC! :) Ok, that's enough. So today this is what I'm thankful for.

Low stress-I don't work so I literally have the most flexible schedule in the world. And freedom. Other than the normal chores of everyday life, I am free to do whatever it is I feel like doing that die. Gotta admit. It's nice.

My new little kitchen gadgets-In the past few weeks I have added several additions to my kitchen. I just love all these less than five dollar objects that makes cooking more fun and easier. Right now I am loving my new salt pinch jar. It's super cute, and it's my favorite color, green. 

My laptop-I got it for Christmas, and I use the fire out of it. It's such a good tool. Right now I am using it to put together a recipe book of all of my favorites that I have used over the year. Also, love it for printing coupons. And blogging, of course.

My new green concealer-I have always been the girl with the red cheeks. Always. Until a few weeks ago when my friend, Ashley, shared this amazing magic concealer to me. It covers up red and actually stays on my face longer than five minutes!!! 

My little dogs-Well, one is little. We call them "the big one" and "the little one". Love those guys. I get to see them way more than ever, and I love the fact that they aren't home all day everyday by themselves. I'm the girl who won't stay out to late because I have to go home and make sure the dogs are ok. :) Oh, yes, they have been driving me crazy lately. By "they" I mean "the big one". He pretty much barks all the time. But today he has been the best. Love my Riley. And my Sam.

 Coupons-I don't know if I would say I'm thankful for them. But I'm super excited about them. So I guess that makes me thankful for them. Just this week I have gotten over $150 in free stuff. That's not including the savings on top of that for other items. I am thankful now that I have time to do it more and save my family some money.

My new Bible app(s)-On my phone now I have a verse of the day, daily Bible reading and several devotions to chose from. Also, I can listen to the Bible. It's very cool. Very glad I updated my Bible app that I already had. 

What are you thankful for? See you next Thursday. 

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Riley's Shirt

Riley has a shirt. It's blue. He hates it. 

I discovered when he was about 3 months old that he can't stand wearing clothes. The first time I put a shirt on him he literally couldn't even sit up. He just kept falling over. And now, six years later, the only thing that is different is that he can sit up. But that's about it. He freezes up as soon as he sees it. NO!!!! Not the shirt, mommy!!! 

Since we moved here every Wednesday morning is shirt time for Riley. For you see, the garbage comes on Wednesday mornings. The magic shirt he wears keeps him from barking and waking us up because he is half paralyzed. Initially I felt bad about doing this to him. But week after week when I wake up to discover that the garbage is gone and my sleep was not interrupted I don't feel so bad anymore. 

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Mother's Day: Fertility Update

As this Mother's Day approaches I thought I would update you on our fertility progress. It's been two years this August since we started trying to have a baby. By that November my doctor started running tests to figure out why I wasn't ovulating. I was diagnosed with PCOS and low progesterone. 

So January 2011 started a slew of tests and treatments and medication. Three months on Clomid and then in June it was off to the fertility specialist. In the past whenever someone went to the fertility doctor, IVF popped in my head. To these doctors that is actually a last resort. There are actually so many other things to try first. In August I started my first round of oral medicine and injections. Basically all of this medication made my body do the things it was natuarally supposed to do. Produce mature eggs, release those eggs, and ultimately ovulate. 

My hormones were already in a bad mood from the Clomid. Well, my body was in no way ready for these larger doses of medicine. Lets just say I was not easy to deal with at times. And Bryan, wonderful Bryan, got nicer the meaner I got. I was bloated, gaining weight, experience hot flashes and night sweats, along with the mood swings. It was not the best year of my life. 

After three rounds my doctor decided I need surgery to "stimulate" my ovaries, basically to do what they should be doing on their own. It was a hard decision to make since we were leaving for DC in less than two months but we decided it was what was best. So three weeks before leaving Indy my doctor performed outpatient surgery. What was supposed to be a simple procedure turned into removing endemetriosis and a polyp on my uterus. I was so thankful then that I had the surgery because of the other unknown problems I had. To me, it was just one step closer to having that baby. 

I am happy to report that since the surgery three months ago I am cycling regularly (something that hasn't happened naturally in a year and a half) and I have begun ovulating. And I don't have to be on "crazy pills" which is a huge blessing itself! We know that one day God will bless us with a child. We do know and have realized time after time that his way is best. Is it hard every single time I see a mother with her newborn or find out someone else (even the fake characters on TV) is pregnant? Of course. But God has given me his grace through this. And one day I will be able to use my story to help that woman whose arms are empty and tell her that I know firsthand that God will fill them someday.

So to all of my many friends who are mothers, Happy Mother's Day. You know I love you, and I thank so many of you for your prayers and encouragement for me. Someone gave me a picture once that said, "Friends are God's way of taking care of  you". I love that. 

And to all of my friends also longing for that baby, I pray for you as well. We will all be mothers together soon. :) God knows. 

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Housewife Blues

On February 3 I quit my job, not for another job, not to look for another job. No, I quit because my husband took a job in DC that no longer required my monthly funds. There was a mixture of emotions. Mostly good. Mostly excited that I didn't have to work anymore. Oh, what would I do with my time? My first plan was to veg out and watch all the seasons of 7th Heaven. My next plan was to craft. Or sleep. Or volunteer. Or cook. You know, do all the things I have never had time for. All of my plans basically went down the drain the minute I arrived here. Let me just say that I am thankful and feel very blessed that I have a husband who works so hard so I don't have to. I am very lucky by a lot of people's standards. And I know that. Bryan has been extremely fortunate to be working for the people he is. They have been so good to us. So since I've been here I have been doing a lot of shopping, sleeping, watching TV, crafting, cooking. And not so much cleaning, organizing, blogging, or pretty much anything useful! What the heck is wrong with me? I have so much time and can't get anything done. You know what they say, "If you want something done, give it to the busy person." It's so true. There is a severe lack of motivation here in Alexandria, VA! Where did it go? Apparently I left it in Indianapolis. I need it back, and soon. I am the most unorganized, unscheduled that I have ever been. Basically, my world has been tuned upside down, and I can't figure out how to fix it. A couple weeks ago I got my desk all organized with all these projects in mind. Well, I have the cutest desk ever, but it sits in the basement longing for me to use it. Soon, cute desk, soon. In the meantime I must get off my couch and clean my house. It's time. I am looking for a new normal. Hopefully I will find it soon.

Friday, May 4, 2012

Things I Miss

This has been in my head for awhile now, and the list is growing so I thought it was time to share. This does not include the people I miss. Just the random things from Indianapolis.

Traffic lights-This one is definitely at the top of my list. You may think it crazy that its at the top. Don't judge until you drive around here just once. I'm telling you, there are no censors on these things. The other day I was at a light for six minutes! Six minutes!!!!! And no one was moving. Its insane the amount of time that has been lost because the DC metro area won't put censors on their lights. So until then I will be sitting in my car wasting what seems like a year of my life every time I drive.

Fruits and Veggies-They just do not have good produce here, and its stinking expensive. Not to mention there are no honey crisp apples to be found. Nothing is ever on sale and the selection is pathetic. Most of the fruit I buy ends up in the freezer for later use in a smoothie.

Streets with just cars on them-Not people, not bikes, not a million Metro buses. Just cars. It is a regular occurrence that I am paying attention enough not to run over the guy with his headphones in looking down at his phone as he crosses the street. Sure you have the right of way. But that won't matter if you're dead!!

My yard-I could say my whole house, really, but that yard. That big beautiful fenced in green yard. My outdoor space has been reduced to some rocks and basically a grassy area the size of my bathroom for the dogs to go to the bathroom in. And they are scared of it half the time. I waited six years for that yard and now its just sitting there vacant waiting for someone else to run around and play in. I hope they are as happy as we were there.

My mailbox-I have been reduced, yet again, to having a key to a block of mailboxes not attached to my townhouse. Ok, I'll admit it, I don't want to put proper clothes on just to go get the next round of bills.

Ossip-Yes, surprisingly, I miss my job. For the first time in my life I loved where I worked and what I did. Hopefully my next job will be a mommy, which I'm sure will be way better. But in the meantime I miss it.

Newspapers at the Dollar Store-As many of you know, I am a devout couponer. I used to get four papers a week and pay $4. Now I pay $8 a week. So I don't actually start getting stuff free for the month until after I get $32 worth.

Ladies ministry-Of course I miss my church and all that includes but I think about Ladies of Light a lot. It never ceased to amaze me just how all the ladies in the church would come together to make a meeting so special and personal. All the details and hard work. I definitely took for granted that our church had a ladies ministry.

Mexican food-We have been to three different Mexican restaurants and we have yet to find anything that is even close to being as yummy as Indianapolis! Lets just say we live in a very diverse part of the country so you would think the food would be better! :) I miss you, El Meson.

Doctors-So there is a medical plaza on like every corner in Indy. In the two months I have been here I think I passed a hospital once, but I don't even remember where it was. Hopefully we don't get sick here because I have no idea where to go.

Cato's and Maurices-Nope, there are none here. Where am I supposed to get my affordable clothes that no one else has?

This list could go on. This was supposed to be funnier than it is. Not complaining. Just missing my home.