An Update for Luke!

A quick little blurb on Luke's pursuit for graduate school...

As I have mentioned previously, Luke applied to Western Michigan and to Findlay University in Ohio to their physician assistant programs.  So far, Luke has heard back from Findlay.  They wanted further information on him.  This is a good sign! While, an acceptance from Findlay would mean a move...once a gain...and further from family...it would also mean Luke is on his way to becoming a PA! No word from WMU yet, but that doesn't mean they're not interested yet. 

On another positive note; my very gifted husband has managed an A in Physics and B+ in Chem 2.  I'm so proud!  He's so smart, I don't know why he's so worried about getting in somewhere. : D

Please continue to keep us in your prayers. We know that God has big and exciting plans for both of us; it's the waiting on Him part that is hard.

Post Christmas Blog

Christmas is over...oh how fast it came and went.  We spent this year on the go-go.

To cut down some miles, Luke and I decided to celebrate our Christmas with each other on Christmas Eve morning.  It was great to "pretend" to spend Christmas morning together and relax for a bit.  We then had to gather up our goods and pack for a couple of days to head to Jackson for Christmas with the Bregg side.

The Bregg Christmas was fun! I found that I might have eaten too many buckeyes throughout the night, but I only get them once a year right?  I also learned how to play Eucre and we played that into the late hours of the night with the family.  I hooked now...anyone up for Eucre?? 

We then headed to my parents house so we could wake up Christmas morning with them.  Mom made her famous breakfast casserole.  She only makes it once a year - you don't wanna miss it!  I drank coffee with mom, we opened presents, and played with my Ruger puppy (he's not really a puppy anymore) all before we had to pack up and head to Bronson. 

We were having a brunch with the Butters' down in Bronson and had to make it there about noon.  We had a great time.  It had been a long time since we got to see everyone and the first Christmas in 3 years that we were all together.  We spent the night playing Skip-Bo and then watching a Christmas movie.  We ended up getting home about  10:30pm.  It was a LONNNGGG day. 

By Sunday, we were beat.  We had once more family Christmas with the Gafjken's at  4:00 back in Jackson, but we opted out.  We were sorry that we missed seeing everyone, but it was a long weekend and we needed a break.  The driving was getting out of control too.  Luke also had to wake up early Monday morning to drive an hour an a half to work.  He wanted a break from driving as well. 

Overall, Christmas spent with family and friends was great.  The driving on the other hand got old really fast.
Next year, I vote everyone comes to visit us! : D

Christmas Pictures

Uploading Pictures...Take 246...
Finally got it working after many many attempts!

Christmas baking! Yummm!

Our Christmas Tree 2010!

The 2010 ornament that we picked out.

Now that I've got this working again, more will come soon.  Just sit tight!

Hope you all had a very blessed Christmas!

~The Butters'

Ready for Christmas!

The cards are addressed and will be mailed tomorrow! Woo hoo! I love sending out Christmas cards to friends and family...I just forgot what it was like to study for finals and how time consuming school can be!  None the less, the cards should be arriving to your doorsteps before Christmas! :)

I have also gotten caught up on our Christmas wrapping and baking!  I love being done with classes and being able to particpate in my favorite Christmas preparations!  I also took some pictures of our Christmas tree so ya'll can get a peak at it.  One of the traditons that Luke and I started when we got married was picking out a Christmas ornament together every year.  Last year we got a traditional "First Christmas" ornament heart and this year Luke picked out a "B" with some bling to it - very classy, I thought.

NOTE: I was going to post pictures, but I am having problems uploading to Blogger...sorry. :(

Semster One: Check!

I did it! I have made it through my first semester of grad school - SUCCESSFULLY!  Finals are done, papers are graded and grades should be in before the New Year. 

I can't believe how fast that all went!  Don't get me wrong, there were parts of the semester I was worn out and ready to be done for good...who doesn't feel like that at some point or another?  Yet, I pushed through and made it! 

Now I have left no excuses to not get these pesky  Christmas cards out.  It's not that it's "hard", but it's time consuming.  My desk has been left a disaster for the last 3 weeks and I'm pretty sure my husband is getting sick of staring at the crap in the bedroom I've thrown into a pile due to lack of time and energy.  While I have my list of  Christmas Break To Do'S - I do plan on taking a little time for myself for the next few weeks.  I have a new book picked out that I have yet to read, "At First Sight" by Nicholas Sparks, girls nights with my besties and running.  Although, the running part is going to take some serious motivation from me to get back into.  I desperately need it though! 

All in all, I am very happy with the way the semester went and how it ended; papers were a success as well as finals.  I'm so ready to veg out for a bit though.  I feel that it has been much deserved!

Happy Finals Day!

~The Butters~

A cute cartoon that demonstrates what my life has been like the last week. Enjoy!

A Running Start...

I dislike New Year's Resolutions.  So don't mistake this for one.  I am simply setting a personal goal for 2011. 

Last year I told myself I would run a 5k in the spring and in the fall.  I only completed part of that goal.  I completed a 5k in the spring but was unsucessful in the fall.  However, I'm setting a different goal this year.  My goal is to run the same 5k in March 2011 and and beat my personal time.  I also, by the end of 2011 would like to have participated in at least 5k's with the hopes of completing a half marathon.

I know excuses are useless, but I have let life get the best of me this past summer and fall and I have gotten out of running. So starting tomorrow I plan on hitting the gym hard and going doing so all through Christmas break.  I also plan on scheduling it in for next semester.  I make time for work, class and homework.  I will make time for running as well. 

I'm feeling pretty ambitious about this! 
So, I am off to bed as I have an early morning if I'm going to be on top of running for 2011!

PS - I know I haven't sent out Christmas cards yet...I have them, I have yet to make time for them.  I am such a slacker. Two more finals and I'm done! I promise to have them out this week!

Wicked!

I promised a review on Wicked today...one word; AMAZING!

I'm still not sure which aspects of the show were my favorite.  Between the amazing set, dancing, music and comedy; it was all great! 

I was pleasantly surprised that the show was full of cute little comedic scenes.  My favorite was the "Popular" scene...I think.  It's hard to pick. :D

Overall, I think it's a great show and it's totally work the money to go and see it. 

If you ever get a chance - do it!

Papers, Posters and Proficiencies - OH MY!

I promised you a blog with pictures...however life has been taking over lately. I apologize for this...but here it is none the less:

I'm almost done with classes, but I'm super swamped with work.  I guess this is the life of a full time grad student...  In the meantime, I'm trying to get waived from my Research and Statistics courses so that I can take extra electives and possibly do an independent study on neurological rehabilitation.  So, again, my schedule for next semester is completely up in the air.  That also includes my works schedule.  I have the type of personality (in case none of you have noticed yet) that I need plans....I thrive off of schedules...and I like them in advance.  I will still have this in advance, just not as in advance as I thought.  I will survive.

...And as if school wasn't enough to think about; Luke and I have been dealing with our own issues.  I swear this school "stuff" is getting to us and making us both crazy!  Luke was sick last week with the flu and I've been fighting some symptoms of it, determined NOT to get it full throttle.  So far...good. 

I am also preparing to go to Wicked this weekend!  I am super excited to see this play! I've wanted to see this play since I was a senior in high school!! It only took me 5+ years to finally see it...it's not that I was busy or anything....  ;)  However, my original date cancelled and now I have no idea who I will be seeing this show with.  I guess as long as I get to see it right??? 

*You can look for my personal review on that Saturday morning sometime - I promise! :D

Aside from papers, posters, and proficiencies, I've been in a mad rush to try to get our Christmas cards out!  Yet, I do not foresee them getting in the mail til' next week.  Sorry - I tried, but if you're waiting for one from us, it'll be in the mail next week. :)

That's all I've got for ya now...basically the same ole', same ole'.  I'll post some pictures for you and be blogging again Saturday morning.  Until then...have a great week!

God Bless,

~The Butters' ~

And NOW your long awaited pictures....

The "Sisters" at Thanksgiving 2010!

The "Crazed" Couple taking a break from work and school to go on a "Hockey Game Thanksgiving Date."

My crazy schedule for the week. Blahhhhh!!!

Messy Messy Desk...It's a disaster, has been for the past two weeks as I've been finishing up projects.

Books scattered on the floor....literally, this is what poor Luke has had to deal with for the past 2 weeks. (At least they're by my desk....)

Seriously....have any of you known me to EVER be this messy before!??!?

Almost There!

I realize I have gone all the way through Thanksgiving without blogging about it and I apologize.  Between celebrating Thanksgiving with three different sides of the family; Butters, Gafkjen and Bregg, and keeping up with homework - my Thanksgiving break flew by!

Needless to say, things went very well!  It was great seeing everybody and spending time with the family. We got our Christmas decorations out and put up as well as our Christmas tree. It is very festive in our home right now.  Now that the snow has hit, it is really starting to feel like Christmas! 

I will put up some pictures as soon as I get through these papers I'm buried in up to my ears!  So while I'd love to elaborate on the past couple of weeks - I need to sum it up by saying; It was good, I'm glad it's snowing, and classes are keeping me on my toes.

Until things start to slow down...enjoy the snow!