Don't Blink!

If you blink, you'll wake up a year and a half later wondering where this blog ever came from. At least, that is what happened to me. I am unsure why I haven't written in a while. Maybe lack of things to say, maybe I am just caught up in myself to think about it. Either way, the new year puts ideas in your head, and for me one was restarting up this blog.

I'm doing it really for my own prideful purposes. I'm so vain, I love to read what I have in the past, and what my life was like then. There is something about putting words and pictures together that bring back the past.

So.. I'll try to hit the high points in the last year and half, while hoping not to bore you in the mean time.

I left working at Amor Animal Hopsital, early last year and went to an all cat clinic called Dancing Cats Feline Health Center. It has been a long adjustment, but It was for the best.

My sister got married. I have a new brother. He is pretty cool. Most of all, I am so glad to see my sister so happy. Thanks Jeff, I owe you one.

I lost a kitten named Violet, to a nasty disease called FIP. First animal of mine I had to humanly euthanize at only 4 months old. It was awful, and eye opening. Even though I only had her for 4 months, she will always be with me forever.

I also obtained a small pathetic little ball of fur not long after Violet's passing. She weighed a total of 1lb and 4oz, full of ear mites, tummy worms, and God only knows what else! Her name is Wednesday, and she is five months old today. She fits in well with our family, except she just might fit in a little too well here. I think I should have named her Queen of Everything!

I dyed my hair blonde for a short while.

In 2013 I became a season ticket holder for my most favorite sports team Real Salt Lake.

Frankie and I applied and tested and became a member of Intermountain Therapy Animals (ITA). This has given us the opportunity to start visiting a local old folks home near us. Very rewarding...and who knows where it can take us!

Yes, I still have my two boys. They are so damn adorable, I can barley stand it!

My youngest, older brother left for his mission a month ago -- to UKRAINE! Bah! I have very mixed feelings about it, but he seems to be having a blast at the Mission Training Center getting ready to head over the pond in February. I really miss him already, how will I survive two years apart?

I opened up an Etsy shop in October called Raging Stitches. I create cross stitch designs with a wicked twist. I am having a blast creating everything, and putting them together. You should take a look!

www.ragingstitches.etsy.com

And last (but not least), I am still married and madly in love with Brandon. He is my everything, and it has been a long year and a half, but he is by my side during all of it. I feel like after 3 years of marriage I still feel like I can't get enough time with him. I am very lucky to have that.

♥

P.S. - Don't worry my hair is back to it's normal color now

Valentine

Brandon set up a date for Valentine's this year. We went up to the homestead in Midway, and took a horse sleigh ride. I seriously had a blast. The day was beautiful, I'm obsessed with horses, and talked about dogs practically the entire time. How can V-day get better then that right?

Not only did we have a great time, Brandon left me sweet flowers, a mace gun (yes, a mace gun. I asked for one) and Lady GaGa little monster dolls. I think he knows me. Too well. 

It's just love.

Hubs & Lubs

I think UPS is stealing my husband.

They get to see him 12-14 hours a day

I get to see him for maybe an hour before it's time to meet Mr. Sandman

Isn't it ironic?

That around the holiday season we never see each other.

I look forward to seeing him on Christmas

Which is the last day we have together this year.

Gross.

UPS you suck.

I despise you.

But, I will defeat you.

Soon we will be back together. Like normal.

Like it should be.

It's A Bum's Life

I can officially say I have GRADUATED! I am overjoyed and tear up just thinking about all those hard times with the blood sweat and tears. And now after so many hours and years of working day in and day out. All those days and nights spent up all night studying or staying in school until midnight working on projects. All of that is behind me now. So I have been spending the last week doing practically nothing. Can ya blame a sister? I'm just trying to re-charge my battery and soak in life, before I start up a huge new chapter in my life.

In the mean time I've been reading, hanging out with my family, waiting patiently (and sometimes not so much) for my husband to get home, and of course spending a lot of time with my baby boys. Last weekend was such a blast! Our family dressed up and headed over to the muttster mash with our other friends. We looked hot!

I had a great time watching Reggie and Frankie run around like maniacs. They had such a fabulous time and I always have a good time doing anything dog related. I was the devil, with Frankie being my hell hound. Reggie was a cop and tagged along his prisoner Brandon. Even with my great costume matching, we didn't win best costume. However, in the best trick competition Reggie won for playing dead! I never thought that trick would come in handy some day. He won a free grooming session there. Since he is terrified of being groomed I am going to put Frankie in his place. After they stole every snack and treat they could, we left and the boys slept great that night. I always like to go to dog events and enjoy time with my family.

That picture of us together makes my heart sing happy songs. I like it when I get to do something to help out other animals, while enjoying my own. Life doesn't get better then that.

Boys Night Out

My boys all got a make over.

It all started when I had the urge to give Frankie some red nails.

Arn't they pretty?

Reggie looks sassy in orange.

Brandon chose the dainty sky blue. (Ignore the crappy paint job)

I'm lucky to have such secure men in my life. Who let me frantically paint their nails when I have the urge.

Strut Your Mutt 2011

Strut Your Mutt was above and beyond what I was expecting last weekend. Brandon and I woke up early to get to the park so we could check in. I think Reggie and Frankie were more excited then I was!


We quickly met up with our team Utah Friends of Basset Hounds who were at the front of the start line. It was easy to find them considering all the basset hounds howling.


The walk was great. Everyone walked around the park in unison. I had a lot of time to think about how Brandon and I accomplished a lot by raising $390 and being around people who felt as passionately as I did. It was a rare moment in time where I felt like I was doing exactly what I should be doing - especially for a very special cause that doesn't get enough recognition. Once the walk was over, because we raised a certain amount of money we were able to go to the VIP area, which was fabulous!


We had breakfast


The boys got pedicures


We even had a pet physic that did a reading on Reggie and Frankie. It was very interesting. I was told Reggie is thankful that I put ice in his water (which I've done for years - and everyone made fun of me for it). She also said Frankie was glad to be in a forever home. Along with a lot of other silly things. I have to say I was impressed, it was a good time.

Most importantly we relaxed and enjoyed the beautiful day.





I can't thank everyone enough for the donations, love, and support we had. Thank you for helping me do something very important. Rest assured I'll be doing the same thing all over next year.

Everyone was just a little tired after all was said and done.

Valentine's Day Extravaganza

Since Brandon works nights, we decided to celebrate Valentine's day the Saturday before. I think Valentine's day should always be on the weekend, who has time to celebrate it on a Monday?

Brandon left me some beautiful calla lilies (sorry for the lack of picture) on Friday night with a little note getting me excited for the next day when our date was.

Before we go on, lets mention I am not very good with surprises. I am sort of a control freak, and don't like it when I don't know where we are going. But alas, I must trust the Husband sooner or later right? I woke up the next morning and we set off for our date... which ended up being at the ZOO!



Going to the zoo always gets my blood pumping. I can't help it that I love animals so much! When we get there a lady meets up with us and says "You are both here for the Giraffe feeding, right?" I am sure my eyes were very wide with surprise. What? I get to touch and feed a giraffe? O.M.G.

And people, we did meet the giraffes, and it was spectacular. At first we fed them treats so they would get use to us.



After that, we went down with the trainer, and helped her with training them. There is this big frisbee attached to a stick. We simply walked around the cage area and the giraffes would follow and touch there nose to the frisbee. Of course they got a lot of treats, and some lovin from the both of us.







They are so big and lovely, I think I'll add them to my list of future pets.

We also had lunch at The Garden downtown. I always love going there, great food, with a great view.




The rest of the day was filled with reading and napping, some of my favorite things to do. Brandon made dinner, which was also amazing.


It really was the perfect Valentine's day. And just when I thought it was all over, I got some beautiful flowers delivered to my work on Valentine's day.


What can I say? I was completely spoiled this year. All thanks to my wonderful Valentine, who pulled out all the stops. I am completely in love with him.

♥♥

Dear Brandon,

Dear Mom, [My September 17th]

Oh mom - September 17th was a wonderful day. I woke up very early, my nerves just couldn't take it any longer. I convinced Craig, Brittni, and Trent to go to IHOP with me. I knew it would probably be the most I would eat the entire day. Then to kill some time we went to see the movie Easy A, which I do not recommend. Just sayin'.

But before I knew it, it was time to head over to the hotel to get ready. Luckily I had all my girls there, and Becky to do my hair.



The funniest part about getting ready for me was that I kept very calm the entire time. I thought for sure I'd be pulling out my hair. And again before I knew it, we were going downstairs to meet up with my dad, I started then to get a little nervous.

As the bridal party was walking down the isle, my dad started to cry - which of course made me cry. So, I have no cute pictures of me walking down the isle. It was pretty much just me crying the entire time with my big baby of a dad. However, seeing Brandon at the end of the isle calmed me, I couldn't believe how good he looked.



There was a chair left for you in the front row in between my Craig and Ron. When I look at these pictures it gives me chills, because I can feel you there when those pictures were taken.



So, there was the ceremony part. To be honest I don't remember much of what was said. I do remember thinking to myself that Mike did a good job speaking, and that Brandon was very emotional the entire time. In fact, I mostly kept my eyes on Mike for fear that if I looked at Brandon I would cry too. I think I almost slipped up my vows too, but that isn't too important right?


Let me tell you, I was so revealed when the ceremony was done. We met up with our witnesses to sign the paperwork and everything was official. I'm glad Grandpa Billy was able to sign for our side, and Brandon's dad for his. Brandon was crying even more while we were signing the marriage licence. I think it started to really hit him at that point we were married, or that he would have to deal with me for the rest of his life, I'm not sure which. Ha. Before we met up with our photographer to take pictures, we got to see a sneak peak of the reception set up. Let me tell you, it was better then I could have imagined it.








Alyssa made all of the paintings - which turned out fabulous. How could you expect anything less though from her? She helped me create a painting with your favorite saying on it, I wanted everyone to know that you were there too.


I think everyones favorite part was our mustache bar, where you could walk up, pick out a mustache, and strike a pose. I know I had a good time with it.




After I got a quick walk through of the place, we took a ton of pictures with everyone. My smile was already starting to hurt.

















Phew - thats a lot of pictures. Right?

Brandon and I had our first dance, which I thought was magical.


There was a lot of dancing in fact. But besides Brandon's and my first dance, the daddy-daughter dance was my next favorite memory. I started out dancing with Craig, then Ron cut in, and last was Grandpa. It was a moment I know I'll never get again, so its a new treasure of mine.




Everyone seemed to dance - even your parents! Grandma told me it had been almost 30 years since they last danced together.






And last, but not least, was the cake cutting. I sticked to my word that there would be absolutely no cake smashing. Let's be honest, that is just tacky.


It wasn't long after the cake, that I was partied out. This day, to say the least, was one of the best days of my life. I felt like I was able to share so much of myself, and you, and of course Brandon to everyone else. The love and support that I felt all day made the crazy planning worth it.

I sure got a handsome husband out of the deal...


I love you with all my heart - thank you for being a part of my September 17th. It means everything to me. I'll be talking to you soon.

Love,

Rachel