Monday, March 11, 2013

Back to O-H!


The last 2 weeks have been spent moving to Scottsdale. Our new apartment is beautiful. Excellent location, we can walk to restaurants/shopping.. etc. Also, we live ON the 30 mile bike path that runs along the Green Belt. I'm really going to love it there and can't wait to be there with Sam permanently!

Our moving company took much longer than expected to deliver our stuff. It just arrived today and I had to fly back on friday. Unfortunately Sam will have to put everything away himself. Some may think I'm lucky but I honestly wanted to be there to help! Plus I am somewhat OCD and would really like to decide where everything belongs, so later this week iChat date. Because we did not get our stuff, we had a lot of downtime. It was very relaxing and we got to spend a lot of great quality time together!  We found our preferred grocery stores, went to Target about 10 times, tried out multiple restaurants, ran on the bike path, joined a gym (health club & spa), laid out by our resort-style pool, and went to a baseball game. The weather was perfect, 70's during the day, 50-60's at night. 

Now begins my one month separation from Sam. I already miss him and really wish I could be there to unpack and help him out. Tomorrow is his first day working in Scottsdale and I really wanted to be there to support him and to just share the day with him. We are really excited about his new position. He works so hard, and will do so great. :) I am now staying with the Gruber's until the wedding. Our very wonderful friends have graciously given me a bedroom in their basement. Their house is beautiful and I love this area. Sam and I have said that if we were to stay in Cincinnati we would buy a house here in Loveland. It's funny how our lives just took a huge turn. 

After a fabulous 12 days off work and 9 days in Arizona at our new apartment, I am back in Ohio and working.. {womp womp}. Jk, there's much to be excited about! My North Canton bridal shower is this weekend, and the following weekend is my Evansville shower. Can't wait!! Oh and our wedding is in 74 days!
















Kaitlyn flew to Arizona! Ha! And now she's fearless! and a bit weird.. she likes the fireplace ;)



My new daily route! and my new pool (year round)


Back to Ohio I go!




Monday, February 25, 2013

Stress: the good kind and the bad




Time is flying by and the end of January and all of February have just been full of stress. Sam says I need to chill out but I can't lol. The idea of moving across the country finally settled and has now sent me into a new gear. A go-go, stressful gear. Wedding planning like a mad woman and trying to organize and pack for the next 3 months of my life. It's mostly been exciting, because I really enjoy most of the wedding planning, minus the invitation. Sam and I strongly agree the worst part of this whole wedding planning was the invitations, not fun picking them and spending the money on paper. "Paper they're just going to throw away", says Sam. So we have accomplished the 5 main goals I wanted before Sam left: finished wedding invitations, picked out our wedding bands :), met with caterer, met with DJ, and finished our registries!! It feels good!

The bad stress... At the end of January Sam's dad underwent triple bypass surgery on his heart. I can't remember the last time I have been that scared. We found out on wednesday afternoon (Jan 30) and surgery was 7:30 the next morning. It was a very long 2 days and there was a lot of crying, and every emotion under the sun. At first it was shock, disbelief, and scared. Then when we finally made it to the hospital and we could see Mark, it was a little relief and still scared. And confused because he looked like normal (which is not a typical pre-open heart patient.) Once we were all together, there was definitely that scared underlying feeling, but it still amazes me how the feeling of love was emanating through. Above all, love, so strong so supportive. I am so blessed to become a part of this family. I love them so much. When the family is together, we always have fun, we always hug and kiss and laugh a lot! So even in this time, in this situation we laughed through our tears. We all did the right things, we hugged, we prayed, we showed love for each other, we put our faith in God, and we trusted the health care providers.

Through this entire experience, I have really grown to love everyone so much more. It is amazing how strong and wonderful each of them are and how these strengths really beam through in a tough situation. From the first time I met Mark, I knew he was a true role model and I admired so many of his qualities. For the last 2 years, I have looked up to him and I have taken joy in seeing the same qualities developing in Sam. One of my favorite things about Mark is how appreciative he is of everything. He is full of life and really knows how to find the optimism in any situation. Sam was incredible throughout the entire experience. I am so proud and thankful that he's mine. :) From the moment we heard about the surgery, Sam immediately jumped into alpha male role. (I mean he's already in it usually, but this was super alpha.) Even though, he was also scared and crying at times, Sam was very calm and kept everyone else calm. His thought process is amazing to me, he was sensitive to the situation but looked at it from a positive and logical perspective. His words were that "it was better to be proactive in a controlled situation, than to be reactive to a traumatic situation." Sam stepped into a man of the house role and took care of everyone and truly was the rock for me, Lauri, Anna, and Joe. Not to mention I'm sure that he sent a lot of calming energy to Mark as well. I am so blessed to have this strong man by my side for the rest of my hardships.

As scary as open heart surgery sounds (and it still is) somehow Mark flew through it with flying colors. How do you do that? Well from the beginning it has gone as smooth as it gets. Like all great things, it's a combination of luck, blessings from God, being smart, and proactive. Upon minimal symptoms, he was diagnosed with blocked arteries earlier than most people would ever notice. He chose open heart surgery, as he is in otherwise great health and no co-morbidities. Surgery went smoothly. He was a textbook patient with an isolated problem. He was extubated 3 hours post-op. Transferred to the step-down unit and up in a chair the next morning. He was discharged monday morning, POD #4. Now he is doing great, and feeling better than before. A visit to AZ is planned for him the week we move out there in March!

You have to take control of your life. Live smart. Tell those you love that you love them. Show emotion. Live your life!

One last Hoorah in Ohio with great friends! We are all moving. Leah & Jerry to Nashville, TN, and Taryn  Scott to New Hampshire! Cheers!












Fat Cat Murphy

Because he makes me smile!!

Monday, January 21, 2013

Scottsdale, Arizona!!

You know when you're on a ride that keeps spinning and you know it's supposed to be exciting but it's spinning so fast you can't see or think and you can't decide if you're scared, excited, or you just want to jump off. Well that's how I've felt the last 4 weeks. Today is the first day IN 4 WEEKS that I feel like my head is clearing up, my feet are almost to the ground and I'm actually excited! Counting it out right now, I can't believe it's been 4 weeks, what a blur! So anyway today, I am excited! ECSTATIC!

So obviously I have BIG news! We are moving to Scottsdale, Arizona... yes Arizona! Sam was offered the opportunity on December 19. We spoke with his family and mine over our Christmas trips and then we went to Scottsdale to check it the 2nd week of January. Sam's final interviews were this past friday and now we are waiting... we already know he will be offered the position, but I am dying to know when he starts and details about the moving package. Because as timing would have it, they will prob want him there by March and oh yea we are getting married in May. Clearly this makes things difficult. BUT we are adaptable and have and always make the best of it! Either way I'm not being forced to move anywhere terrible like BFE Montana. I mean this is beautiful, southwestern, active, healthy, warm Scottsdale!

Well I'm not going to blabber much because I could for days, but just wanted to say that I have definitely had lots of negative reactions that have made this harder and less exciting, but also some amazing people that have made this easier for me and have helped me realize this is actually perfect for Sam and  me.

First of all, Sam has been extremely patient and supportive. I have selfishly taken a lot of his time to cry, complain, worry, and stress over this decision. I say selfishly because he is the one taking a huge job change and interviewing, all the while I know he is worried too, but he continues to be the rock that I need. We have talked and talked and talked about this. Sam has given me, without pressure, every opportunity to say how I feel and to ultimately say no if that's what I want. The last thing either of us wants is to feel regret or to feel like this was a lop-sided decision. We are a team and this is OUR decision. Good communication makes a great marriage. I really appreciate him in this situation as I always do.

Also, two of my best friends have been extremely supportive!! Andrea and Amy. They are the only 2 people that gave me a positive reaction. They understand and help me to further see that this is an excellent opportunity for me and Sam. Sam and I are our own family now and this will be a great decision for us and our future children. They have known me for years and we just "get" each other. I am blessed to have not one but 2 best friends that understand my heart in a way that some people never experience in a lifetime. I am grateful for their time, love and support in this matter.

There are a lot of other people that have been great throughout this as well, like my mom and Sam's parents! My dad took a little bit of time to come around but his approval and blessing has meant the absolute most to me. He spent this weekend here and I know that's why today is the first day I feel excited and SO relieved!! I am finally looking forward to it and I am so much less scared! Also, Scott, Sam's future manager, has been awesome. Many thanks to him for giving Sam this opportunity and for showing us around Scottsdale, easing some of my fears, flying me out there, giving lots of advice and doing all of this with no pressure. Could say a lot more but not much time. Our Scottsdale trip was a blast, here are some pics! Will back-blog about Christmas & NYE for sure!

































Sunday, December 9, 2012

PICU Christmas Party

I can't believe it's almost Christmas again! It doesn't feel like Christmas quite yet considering the temps are hanging out in the 50's. Sam and I put up our tree and decorations on Monday night and we had the windows open because it was 60, surreal. Traditionally, we were listening to Christmas music and drinking wine :) we always have fun decorating together! It was just nice to spend time together.





Our Buckeye Christmas tree :)

My favorite ornament

Lately, we have been pretty busy and when we're not busy we're trying to relax. So I don't feel like we have been able to spend much quality time together, which in turn just makes us feel "distant" and I miss him. This weekend was exactly what we needed. We have spent the whole weekend together and have had plenty of time to relax and have a little fun too. Friday night we ordered pizza and watched the first Batman movie. Saturday morning we got to sleep in, did a little shopping during the day and then went to my work Christmas party. Today of course is pizza, football, grocery store, and laundry. 

So the PICU Christmas party was a great time! I really love my job in the PICU and I have made a lot of great friends here. I'm getting close to a couple of them, and (if we stay here) I can see myself becoming very good friends with a few. It's always fun to see everyone out of work, dressed up, drink in hand. I also really really LOVE taking my Sam out and introducing him to everyone. He is my "other half" and sometimes when I become friends with people at work, it feels weird that they don't know my "other half." And if people like me, I always say "Wait til you meet Sam, you'll love him!" I do think he's my better half :)


We started out at the Pub in Crestview Hills at 6:00 with about 15 people and arrived at the party around 8:30. Free beer and wine. Lots of talking, and a little dancing. Sam didn't come on the dance floor with me, but that's okay he always does at weddings! After the party, a big group of us went to the banks to a bar called "Tin Roof." Overall it was a pretty fun night and for everyone's sake it was pretty uneventful and drama free.




Christmas is only 16 days away! I think this year is going to be kind of hard for me because I am working Christmas Eve & Christmas Day PM's and Sam will be at his parents. I think I will feel really lonely even though I'll be spending the day with my patients and coworkers. It's just not the same when you can't spend it with the people you love. I'm not really looking forward to it, but I am excited about all the other days I will get to celebrate. The weekend before Christmas, we are going to North Canton and the day after Christmas we are going to Evansville for 5 days!! The next 2 weeks will just be working and shopping. Oh! Also, I just got off facetime with Ashley and baby G. He will definitely be crawling by Christmas!! I think it might be this week or next, he's getting very close!! He's adorable and I miss him like crazy!




Monday, October 22, 2012

Making goals!!

There is something about accomplishing a goal, that makes you want to set more goals!! I am obsessed with goals today hahaha! I even goggled "making a goal page".. So I turned back to my blog ;)

This past weekend I ran in the Nationwide's Columbus Half Marathon, my 2nd half. Last fall, I ran the Chicago half and my time was 2:19, a 10:40 pace. It was my first half and I didn't love running the way I do now. Also, Sam ran the Chicago with me and he wasn't quite feeling it that day, so we walked a lot toward the end. Anyway, when I started training for this race in August, I had a little voice in the back of my head saying, "goal, sub 2 hours." I kept this thought to myself because I was unsure how realistic it was at first. As training went on, it got louder. On September 22, my first double digit training run, I officially made it my goal to finish the Columbus half under 2 hours!! I publicly announced my sub 2 hour goal on dailymile :) That to me made it real!

So I have been crazy excited about this weekend for a very long time! Sam and I drove to Cbus on friday and stayed with our friend Nick. We went to the expo friday night and then to dinner at "La Fogata" delicious Mexican, to catch up with Nick. Saturday was Sam's day, Ohio State football!! He drank all day as I hydrated for my race! I honestly enjoyed the game, and as always the social atmosphere, and then the winner's high after watching the Bucks beat Purdue in OT. (a dilemma of mine- do I root for Ohio State? or Purdue? whatever..) Either way, I want nothing else than to see Sam as happy as he is after Ohio State wins :) My pre-race dinner was a Guac turkey burger and waffle fries from Champp's lol... yes dinner of champions. I figure carbs are carbs and I'm not getting healthy food at Champp's no matter what, so what the heck. Just needs some glycogen for my liver.

As the day goes on I start to realize that my big race is almost here but it's not until Leah and Jerry arrive that I realize it's happening! I have so much good to say about Leah, but basically she started me on running and I am forever grateful! So the feeling when Leah walks in the door is indescribable. We immediately embrace and start jumping up and down screaming in excitement (sorry boys and neighbors). So I flip into nervous mode, start gathering my things, cleaning, organizing, and making small snaps at Sam (he knows how I am when I am nervous and getting ready, "I'm sorry, I love you!") This mood carries into the next morning and Sam just keeps his distance and does his part by taking care of all the other things like time, driving, and parking, so I only have to focus on me. He's amazing. As per usual, I am the last out the door and I forget my pre-race drink on the counter, Nick goes back to get it. I think "Man I feel rushed, I hope I have everything now!" So the 5 of us pile in the car and once we get on the road, I pull my Nike+ out of my jacket and omg guess what?!?!! It is freaking dead! --What?? I charged it overnight! Really? As I am freaking out in my head I am calm on the outside and hoping I am not coming off as a baby and the girl who needs her watch to run. But umm I do!! So I literally want to cry, but I'm not. Sam offers to drive back after dropping us off but I know this won't work, but thankful he offers. He reaches back to me to squeeze my hand to quietly soothe me because he knows me and he knows I want to cry. And because he is a genius, he somehow finds a way to plug my watch into his car and charge it. I still don't know how that worked. Sam and Jerry stay back to charge my watch as Nick, Leah, and I start heading for our corrals. The crowd is huge, it's dark, the porta-potties suck. Everyone is nervous and chatty. This all feels like a cluster-f to me. But I am quiet and no longer freaking out, honestly I don't think I am thinking about anything anymore, my mind is clear. I feel instantly better when it is just me and Sam. He brings my watch and he is quiet, pleasant, and smiling. He knows I don't want to talk because I am focused. So he kisses me and wishes me luck and says cute things to build my confidence.

I am in corral D and it takes 16 minutes before I am over the starting line. The first 2 miles I'm not happy at all and my 2 hour goal seems impossible. My watch won't link and these people are slowing me down! I honestly, calmly think "I can't make the 2, and I'm not too upset because I feel like there's too many external factors against me. I'll just run 13.1 at home and kill the 2 hours!" I get my watch to quickstart @ 1.2 miles, but I am still anxious. I started feeling better when I hit mile 5 and realized my time was under a 9 min/mile, even after the terrible first 2 miles. So the problem with my watch is that I started it 1.2 miles late and I don't trust it. In the past my avg pace has been off by 30 seconds and my current pace is never accurate. So I honestly just did it the most basic way and at each mile marker I looked at the time and divided it by my mile and as long as it was under 9, I knew I could make it if I kept this pace. I felt like I was running blind! I mentally and physically didn't even realize I was running until mile 5 or 6, probably because I was too busy being mad and trying to figure out my pace. I got a really tasty raspberry goo on mile 7, that I slowly ate and enjoyed and then right before mile 8 I saw Sam!! At this point I was really happy because I knew my pace was 8 something and I swear all I could think was how bad I wanted to tell Sam that "I am doing it, I'm going to make it!" That made me run faster because I was so excited to tell him at the end of the race. I couldn't wait to see him!

At 8 miles, I finally realized I was running and started enjoying it and did what I always do, made small markers. I thought run 2 more miles and you are at double digits, then it's just a 5K from there. Then when I got to 10 miles, it was the Angel Mile, which provided me with plenty of things to think about. My sick patients and their families, the love they have for one another, and the vulnerability that they wish they didn't have to show. These thoughts like always for me, go hand in hand and simultaneously with my thoughts on my life. The perspective I have on my life is a beautiful one. I know how lucky and blessed I am. I thank God and count my lucky stars every single day. Mile 10 was easy.

Mile 11, I just thought less than 2, it's the home stretch. I saw Sam again :) and then it was mile 12! Thousands of people cheering and I picked up the pace, high-fived a line of 20 little girls which was exhilarating and cute, I laughed out loud. At the last turn, the last quarter-mile it was a little up hill and I thought "wow, they want to kill you before the end, so nice" but I pushed it and normally it probably would've hurt but I don't think I felt it. And then I could see the finish line, I sprinted! It was amazing! I could feel the burn, but I wanted the burn. It wouldn't have felt accomplished without it. Then 30 yards from the finish my legs were cycling so fast I thought "great, I'll tumble across the finish." The last 30 seconds were so clear, I couldn't hear anything, I was flying and concentrating on my fast but even breathing. I said "just one step at a time, one foot in front of the other, don't fall." and then I crossed. I almost cried and I instantly was wishing I wasn't alone!! Wished I was sharing it with Sam or Leah, but knew there were plenty of strangers around me that felt the same way. It was beautiful, and the best part is I knew I beat my goal. I looked at my watch right when I crossed, 9:39 am. At this point I know I beat it, but by how much?? I still don't know. I am so excited and all I want to do is find my friends! Someone gives me my medal and I am so proud, I take a few quick pics and start frantically looking. Eventually Taryn finds me, and right away we spot Leah and Nick. I am so excited to tell them I beat it and to hear that Leah PR'd too! 1:45, 4 minutes faster than her best! Nick's time was 1:36, one minute slower than his last (but obviously still impressive, especially since he had brewskis all day yesterday). Soon after, I spot my tall Sam! I run and jump on him and tell him "I did it! I did it! I beat 2!" I finally find out my official time when a friend writes it on facebook lol!! My official time was 1:52!!! I beat it by 8 minutes!! That's an 8:35 pace. I couldn't believe it! All this time in training, I thought I was going to run 1:59, and I beat it! by 8 minutes! I couldn't be more excited and more proud! And I want to do it again, and again, and again!

I couldn't have done this race without Sam and Leah! Leah got me started on running last year! I started running in April 2011 and it was a long rocky start. I'll never forget all the miles that Leah had to drag me through and the day I stomped my foot and said "I can't go anymore!" That day is hilarious to me because we ran 0.9, I needed 0.1 more to run 1 mile. That's it, 0.1, and I couldn't do it! This is a girl who had run 4 marathons, and I was telling her I couldn't run 0.1. Looking back I can't believe Leah's patience with me. I mean, I can because she is the kindest, most patient, sweetest person I know. But without her I wouldn't be where I am today in running. She taught me how to start, maintain, and flourish in running. And for that I am forever grateful, and in Leah I have a wonderful life-long running partner and friend!

Sam is my partner in everything we do, whether it's my thing or his thing, we are teammates. He started running with me last year. Even though running is definitely not his thing he trained for and raced the Chicago Half Marathon with me last fall. He still runs with me every once awhile just so I have company, he even ran on his birthday this year for me. Sam supports my running 100%, which means: he never discourages me; he deals with my sleep/running schedule; he provides me with healthy meals, my "fuel;" he is a sounding board because I text him after every run; he bought my Nike+ watch and my iPod shuffle; he buys me running apparel; he doesn't complain when I don't drink because of running; he lets me talk about running a lot; and he constantly praises me. We had football plans Oct 21 but I really wanted to sign up for this race, and Sam compromised and let me sign up. Instead of going to the Browns game, he woke up @ 5am, dealt with my snappiness and took care of me on my day. He was exactly what I needed on my race day, and without him I wouldn't be where I am today, period.


My Training Plan
 




Varsity Club
Sam & Barren
Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Purdue Boilermakers

Great Buckeyes game with my Love!!




The starting line!!

Mile 12!! Almost there!! Still smiling!!

All Finished!! With Leah & Taryn! We all did great! Leah & I both made PR's!


I couldn't wait to see Sam at the Finish Line!!




WHOOOOOHOOOOO!!!!!!

Sam & I @ Winking Lizards watching the Browns vs. Colts game!

So on to more adventures and more goals!!