A Halloween Blog

I'm in a blogging mood today...

The sun is shining, and I'm enjoying this gorgeous fall day with my best friend!  (And a cup of hot spiced apple cider!)  I cannot believe that it is Halloween already!  October flew by without a warning.  Luke and I have just 6 weeks left of classes left in the semester and then it's Christmas Break! We are both looking forward to break so much!  And as much as I probably don't want to admit it, I am looking forward to the snow.  While the cold is not my favorite, the idea of snowflakes makes my heart flicker in excitement just a bit.

Life in the Butters' household has been very good these past couple of weeks.  However, very busy too.  Things at work seem to be going well for Luke and classes are coming together for him as well.  He is still putting in long days, but the stress level (for both of us) has decreased immensely! Luke has been working on the final touches of his CASPA Application (to apply to PA schools) and is hoping to get out his application to a couple of schools.  He is SO ready to get into school and start his program.  I'm praying that it works out for him.  He's going to be a great PA and deserves a spot in any program (but I may be slightly biased) ;)

School has been going really well for me too and I have been getting A's on all of my assignments and tests.  The best part - I have not lost my cool yet in all the craziness! lol For those of you who know me too well, know that this is a big accomplishment.  It's almost bigger for me than actually performing well in class.  It definitely makes life much more enjoyable for myself and everyone else in it!  My health has been on the mend this past week (overcoming flu like symptoms) and I am ready to start November with a "bang!"  Bring on the big semester papers!

Through it all, I can't help but think about how blessed we are!  Even when things seem a little crazy, life has been very good for both of us and we are both blessed with the ability to work toward our dreams.  We know God has big plans for us and this is all part of it.  All of it makes me very excited to see where 2011 will take us and what it will bring.  :)

So, as I close, I will wish you all a Happy Halloween, Beautiful Sunday and Football Day!
I've got sugar cookies to pop in the oven and cider to drink! :)

God Bless!
~The Butters'~

A Lesson in Leaves

Walking out of work tonight, the sky was that color between night and day and it smelled like leaves.  The air was warm with a fall breeze.  Ahhh....I wish I could have held onto that moment all night.  Yet, when I got home I opened the window hoping that same smell would engulf our apartment - no such luck.  It was gone as quick as it came.

Thinking about the changing of leaves and taking in the beauty of the change (before this wind storm comes through and wipes it all away), I am reminded of the change that takes place in my heart. 

"Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." - 2 Corinthians 5:17  


I can look at these leaves as the daily change that takes place (or should take place) in my heart; allowing myself to daily die to the world and for the Glory of the Lord and to be renewed in Him. 

In a way, these leaves are a beautiful reminder of that renewal process.  When the change begins to take place, it is a beautiful thing.  While it might be sad to think about the "dying process" we are gauranteed a new life.  Being a Christian is an ongoing change process.  We daily have to commit to "die" to this world and accept new life in Christ. 

Dreaming in OT

You know it's serious when you close your eyes at night and you continue to think of occupational therapy.  Whether it be terms, concepts, class, projects, homework, etc. - it's there.  There is never a break.  My mind refuses to give me a break; even my subconscious. 

Yes, it's official; I am eating, breathing and sleeping with OT on the mind.

Midterm

I feel like it has been too long since my last blog...and the truth is, I've sat down several times to start blogging and then find other things that I need to.  So I decided to take some time today (as I've had plenty of it on my hands having been sick the last 2 days) to get everybody up to date with us.

It's been Midterms last week and this week (not a great time to get sick, but I'm managing).  So far, my midterms have gone really well.  I even scored better on my Neurology test this time around than I did on my first test.  This week I have two more tests to take and I'm feeling pretty good about them.

Registration for Spring 11 classes is this week for us.  I can't believe it's that time of the year already...to register for my second semester.  It's exciting that two more semesters and I'll be practicing in the clinics.

Last Saturday I got to go horseback riding with my mom and realized how long it has been since I've rode.  I woke up incredibly sore...but I am so glad I got to go.  The weekends have been absolutely gorgeous, and going by fast. 

This coming weekend Luke and I will be spending time with the Butters' side of the family on Saturday and having my cousins to out to stay with us for the weekend.  I'm looking forward to having them out as well as spending time with the Butters'. 

In the meantime, I have to get caught up on homework and studying - being sick can kinda set you back a little bit.  But this is the latest news I've got - nothing deep, nothing awe-inspiring, just life. :)

Enjoy!

Something Like Fall

This has been the perfect fall weekend...
Not a whole lot of exciting news to share about the Butters' Family. Nothing new or life changing to report on; life has just been happening. However; I feel as if I've been veiwing life through different lenses these days, and that in itself has made life more exciting for me.
Let's take this weekend for example. Friday night Luke and I had a fantastic Date Night in. I made delicious lasagna and we went and rented a movie and just relaxed. Saturday was a full day, but great none the less. My Uncle Sid and Aunt Amy came up to visit us; as they had yet to see the new apartment and brought us delicious chocolate from Noraway. We went to lunch and had a nice visit with them. Sid couldn't help himself and tinkered with our computers and wireless system. :D
Later, Luke and I headed to Battle Creek to visit his mom and dad. We had a great time perusing through the book store and JCPenney’s. I am very proud to say that I found very cute shoes on clearance for $4.99 – regular $30.00. Yes, I am learning to be quite the bargain hunter! We ended our evening having dinner with Tim and Christy at Don Pablo’s and called it a night.
Today was just as amazing as the previous. On a whim, Luke and I decided to go to Tim and Christy’s to get outside and shoot his gun. The weather was gorgeous and we weren’t getting much studying done sitting inside. The homework isn’t going anyway; but this weather won’t last forever. (Thank Mary Rick for your great advice!)
All the while, I have been soaking up and savoring every moment of this weekend with my husband. The colors, the sunshine, the wonderful smells of fall; I love it all! I have been thinking about last fall and how quickly it comes and goes…and then comes again! This time next fall; according to my academic schedule, I will be applying for graduation from my program already! I know that may be thinking too far ahead, but that’s about how fast it all happens.
Luke and I have been extremely blessed and I admit there are days that we forget that. It’s easy to think about the things we don’t have, the amount of schooling we have left to complete and how “hard” it is to balance life with school and work. I kept thinking to myself that I could not wait for life to “start.” I put my focus on when we were finished with school, when we could start having kids, buy a house, have “real” jobs, etc. Yet, it was this weekend that showed me that the reality is; life has already started. This is it, we are living it right now. It may be different from the Jones’ and the Browns’ or whoever. We may not be trying to buy house, but trying to register for classes. We may not be considering children right now, but considering grad schools. Our life is different from most of the couples we know and our friends right now, but it doesn’t mean it’s not “started.” It’s just on a different track right now and I’ve come to be content with that right now.
Just like fall comes and goes so quickly and back again, so will the time we spend on this route we are on. We will be in a different season before we know it – and I’m sure looking back wondering what happened to this season and how quickly it went.

Fall Fun

I have been meaning to blog like 4 days ago, but we have been having problems with our internet connection.

Anyway, here I am...finding time in between classes and a workout to blog the latest with the Butters'.

This past weekend was a Fall Festival in itself.  I predict that this coming weekend will be one too.  In fact, I predict every weekend in October will be a Fall Festival as this is my favorite time of the year!  October brings crisp, cool weather, sunshine and beautiful colors.  (Mind you, this is the limit to my "Cold Capacity".  Anything colder than 50 degrees is too cold for me.)

This past Saturday, Luke and I drove up to Muskegon to celebrate the wedding of our dear friends; Ben and Suzie.  It was a beautiful wedding on the beach and enriched with gorgeous colors - everything fall!  It was a small and intimate wedding, and was perfect for the two of them!

Sunday, we traveled to Fort Custer and had our Annual Family Fall Walk.  It was a great day, sun shining and light breeze.  Oh how I love this time of year!

October is the beginning of comfort foods, family time and traditions.  I just wish it could stay October for longer than a month.  Before I know it, October will be gone faster than it came.  The tenth month of the year has already begun.  Where did 2010 go!?!? 

Just like that, my time before class is slowly ticking away as well - so I will post a few pictures of the weekend and be in touch for this upcoming weekend.

Have a great week!

~The Butters'