2011 - Reflection

Good bye 2011, Hello 2012!

Hard to believe it's the last day of 2011 already, even though I recall saying this same phrase (just insert appropriate year) every New Year's Eve.  Yet, it is truer today as it was last year.  I find that I enjoy NYE.  I find myself reflecting on the past year and I am able to see change.  Change is good.  It's also a good time to thank God for another amazing year. 

When I think "2011" I think about a whirlwind and unexpected turns along the way.  Who would have thought that Luke and I would both be in graduate school and living in different states?  Not this girl! Yet, it is true and we are making it; fulfilling our dreams, one day at a time. 

We also celebrated our second anniversary as "Mr. &Mrs." We spent the day on the beach in South Haven soaking up the sun and watching the yachts sail in and out of the harbor.  Being close to Lake Michigan has been glorious - this girl loves the water!

2011 also brought the exciting and challenging opportunity for Luke as he has began his first semester of graduate school in Findlay, Ohio in August. 

I cannot recall much more exciting news for 2011 as (in my mind) it has been full of schooling, work and more schooling.  It has gone by very fast, and has been very full of studying, papers, clinicals, exams and practicals; for both of us. 

I am thoroughly excited for 2012. We are preparing for another quick paced year, but a year full of more transitions.  I will be finishing up my coursework at WMU in Kalamazoo and then transition into fieldwork full time (July - December).  We will also be planning on moving in the spring again and transition to not only a new home, but a new state as well.  (Yes, we will officially become residents of the Buckeye state).  I will also transition from being a graduate student in the classroom to a graduate of graduate school and working as a professional in the field of occupational therapy. 

Prospectively, this seems like a lot already planned for 2012.  I cannot wait to see what God has in store for us.

From our home to yours - Happy New Year! May you take time to reflect on the past year and look forward to the new!

~The Butters'

A Merry Christmas Weekend

Christmas has come and gone and now we are awaiting the arrival of 2012! 

Our many many Christmas' were wonderful! Luke got home on the 16th of December (after having been gone since Thanksgiving Break) and we hit the ground running with Christmas Parties beginning on the 17th.  I have definitely fallen behind on blogging about our family Christmas' AND taking pictures...oops.  This is the first week since Luke has been home that we're able to take time and just relax.  I feel like I've forgotten the meaning of relaxing lately...life does that to you doesn't it? 

Either way, the 17th was Christmas with the Butters and we had a great time! It's not very often that all the Butters Boys get together with all of us wives and the two grandchildren.  It was an enjoyable day followed by another amazing day.

On Sunday, we were honored to be apart of our God Daughter's dedication at church.  Followed by lunch with great friends.  It is so easy to see that this little girl is a blessing to many!  - Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of this either...shame shame shame.  What was I thinking?? (Oh, right, that I'd rather be holding this precious little angel instead of taking pictures.) :)

In between a few hours at work and last minute Christmas shopping, my best friend (who will be moving to Florida shortly) was able to make a little visit before Christmas.  When the two of us get together, you can bet there is going to be laughter and good times!

The rest of the week left some room for Luke and I to celebrate our own Christmas together before we hit the road to celebrate Christmas with my side of the family; with 3 different sub-family celebrations!

Friday, my grandmother was discharged from the rehab center to home - where we also celebrated Christmas with my mom's side of the family there - The Gafkjen's.  We all brought a pizza.  Yup, we had pizza for Christmas.  Unconventional - yes.  Delicious - yes.  Brilliant Idea - yes! Zero preparation and almost nothing to clean up except a few pizza boxes!  It made the most sense to do this with my grandma's transition back home.  This Christmas too, was a great party.  Lots of visiting, chatting and reminiscing. 

Saturday, after spending the entire morning going into town and gathering some last minute items and things for my grandmother, Luke and I spent some time with my grandmother at her house - as the transition process back home requires a few days and help from family.  By mid-afternoon, we were baking again and getting ready for Christmas with my immediate family before heading over to my Aunt and Uncle's place for Christmas with my Dad's side of the family - The Bregg's.  By the end of Saturday night - we were ready to crash.  But - I had to at least attempt to watch the Grinch before heading to bed...as I've adopted this tradition for myself.  I think Evan, Luke and I lasted about 15 minutes into the movie.  (Poor sister had to be to work by 6am the next day and went right to bed). 

Christmas Day - Santa brought stockings for all of us kids: Danielle, Evan, Luke and myself. (My parents family is quickly growing and Dad is finally getting boys!) Then Mom made her Christmas tradition breakfast; but only myself, Luke, Mom and Dad were there to eat it.

The rest of the day, Mom and I were at Grandma's house helping her move furniture around and 'modifying' her home as best as possible (my OT skills have definitely been put to practice the last few weeks and it's amazing how things have started to come natural to me).  Other than that, Christmas Day was pretty low key.  Luke and I went over to the Todd's to watch the Packers beat the Bears (GO PACK GO)!

All in all, it was a great Christmas weekend - full of lots of different activities.  Monday, we all got together and built a ramp for Grandma for accessibility. In the process of the craziness of the last five days, I acquired a cold and ran a small fever last night.  But I am feeling rested and much better this morning.

Whew...that was exhausting just writing about it all!
Regardless of the craziness and stress that the Holidays can bring sometimes, we hope ya'll had a memorable and joyous Christmas.  As Luke likes to remind me; we have family to visit and much to be thankful for! 

Merry 'Late' Christmas and if rest and relaxation were not available to you and yours this past weekend, may you be able to get a little 'R &R' this week as you gear up for the New Year. 

I have a feeling that 2012 is going to be another great year!

~The Butters'
(and sorry for not posting any pictures...I failed at taking pictures this year.)

"The Most Frantic Time of the Year!"

We received our first two Christmas cards in the mail today.  This makes me go into a small panic; "Ahh, I still have to do our Christmas cards!"

Bare with me as I turn that classic Christmas tune from, "The most wonderful time of the year..." into "The most frantic time of the year!"

My goal was to work on the cards over Thanksgiving break so that I could mail them out the first week of December (knowing I would be busy as the month progressed).  It seems I have overshot that goal.  I am still working on them.  It has been hard finding time to work on them when I have been occupied with studying for my final exam and final projects.  We did, however, get the Christmas Tree and decorations set up the day before Thanksgiving (I knew we would be too busy traveling over break to put it up any other time).  It was also important to me that Luke and I did this together.  He has yet to come home since Thanksgiving break; his finals are far more intense than mine and has been occupied in Findlay, OH since. 

I am [he is too] anticipating his homecoming on the 16th of this month (only 9 more days!)

In addition to the normal Christmas panic (yes, Christmas shopping - the little bit we have to do, wrapping, cards and baking still remains!), my grandmother fell last week and I spent the entire weekend at the hospital with her.  Talk about physically and emotionally draining!  Needless to say, nothing was achieved the past weekend, other than making sure my grandmother was taken good care of.  She has since then been transferred to a rehab center where my sister and cousin both work as CNAs.  We are praying she makes a speedy recovery.

In the midst of all the things I have yet to cross off my "To Do List" - I still managed to make time to blog.  Blog - Check! (at least I achieved one thing on this list today!)

I am preparing for my last two classes of the semester this week and then tying up loose ends next week. It is hard to believe that another semester has flown by!

 Despite all things; we're making it! One day at a time!

My desk - It seems to have been taken over by notes and papers!

The Butters' tradition of picking out a new ornament every year: This year we chose one that said "Celebrate 2011"  - as we have much to celebrate and be thankful for this year!

Our 2011 Christmas Tree

Before Luke left for Ohio, he surprised me with this beautiful Poinsettia.

Thankful for Relationships: Near and Far

My 5 week "Writer's Block" has ended. Let's call it a sabbatical, if you will. Time that I took to get some things figured out.  It was impossible for me to blog about life when I was frustrated and confused by most of what I was dealing with at the time; so I needed to take a break.
The last 5 months have been eye-opening, in a weird, unplanned, kind of way.

Being in a town without your family, your closest friends and your BEST [Luke] friend is much harder than what I thought it would be.  For as long as I could remember, I wanted to "go-away" and experience life by myself. I was taking nobody with me, but my dog.  I could do it and I didn't need anybody; that's what I made myself believe.  Little did I know that it was going to take a Divine intervention to show me that I did, in fact, need people in my life. - Go figure! ;)

After all, how do you know you don't need people when you're blessed to have them there all along?

This embedded idea of not needing people in my life only caused a constant battle in some of my relationships.  Some of my closest, most important, relationships.  I prayed that this conflict within myself would go away.

Be careful what you pray for...

This is where the Divine intervention comes in. God opened a door and closed many others.  I found myself in a situation where I was all by myself.  In the last 5 weeks I have hesitantly come to the conclusion that I need these relationships in my life and do not enjoy being away from them. Not one bit.  Being alone was tearing me apart on the inside.
Yet, I had to find a compromise.

You see, dependence can be just as detrimental as independence if there is not a happy medium. (This too was part of my 5 week sabbatical learning process).

I came to realize that God blessed us with relationships because we need people to help bear the weight of this world. To lift us up. To give us a purpose. We are not designed to be alone. Yet (key word here) - He created us to be strong and enduring so that we could bear the weight of the world on our own when called to.

God showed me three things in the past 5 weeks.  (Well, it was more like the last 2 weeks because it took me a few weeks to figure it out what I needed to focus on). 

1.) I need relationships in my life. I need to feel close to the people I love and care about.  2.) But I am strong enough to endure this time alone right now.  Satan will try to tell me I am not, but God tells me different.  3.) He tells me I am never alone.

Ahh...the revelation of finding peace in being alone, but alone WITH God.

I could go on here...but I won't.  I will let you fill in the rest with your own thoughts and ideas about this. May you find peace, fullness and meaning in your relationships, together and apart.

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  I know I am very thankful for the time I got to spend with loved ones this weekend, for time with my husband, and for God's grace and mercy.

Writer's Block

Again, I have found myself lacking on the blogging...  My desire to write comes in spurts.  Sometimes I find myself full of ideas to write about, other times I find myself lacking any sort of creative cell in my body.

Today is one of those days.  I'm blogging because I have let too much time go by without blogging, but I'm struggling to find a good subject to write about it.  I have many hobbies, many ideas about many subjects...yet when it comes to writing in this blog, I draw a complete blank.  How is that so?  It does not make any sort of sense.  I think my problem is I'm afraid that I will bore my readers with my random thoughts, ambitions and life events. 

So, this is my blog tonight.  Short and pointless. This is what us writer's call, "writer's block."

October = Breast Cancer Awarenss, Baking, and Football (and a plug on "Moneyball")

Can we just take a moment here and reflect on the fact that it is October already?  I don’t know what it has been about the year 2011, but I feel like it has been moving too fast!  For some reason, I cannot wrap my mind around the fact it is fall already, let alone October.  My mind, recently, has been in a time warp it seems.  I am forgetting important dates and appointments; something I rarely ever do.  I’m not sure if the antibiotics I’ve been on for the last month and a half have been messing with my brain, or if it’s just early short term memory loss. Either of those options are probably not good. – Aghh.

Being the first weekend of October, I did exactly what I wanted to do...I baked...a lot, made some meals to put in the freezer to send back with Luke, watched Brad Pitt's new movie, Moneyball and spent time with Luke.

Moneyball was an amazing movie! I had heard that it was a good movie, but it really was the perfect combination of comedy, drama and inspiration.  I definitely recommend this to everybody! It's not just for baseball fans...but if you're a baseball fan, you will not want to miss this one! Just watch it!

Moving on to baking...

Beginning Thursday, I went to Richland's Gull Meadow Farms and bought a 1/2 peck of apples and made Apple Crisp to take down and share with my in-laws. Nothing is better than apple crisp with vanilla ice cream to go with a friendly visit with the in-laws. :)a

Friday, I went to Jackson to spend the afternoon with my mom and help her bake goodies for a benefit bake sale.  The proceeds are going toward chemo treatments for a family friend who is in the advanced stages of Breast Cancer and can no longer afford the treatments on her own.  Not only are we raising funds for her, we're raising awareness;which seems fitting since how October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. - So we baked cookies, Peanut-Gooey Bars and caramel apples.

Saturday, I put a pot roast in the crock pot for dinner, made homemade apple sauce to share with a neighbor, and homemade meatballs and sauce to bag up into individual servings and freeze (also to send with Luke).

Sunday, I baked 4 loaves of pumpkin bread (1 to share with a neighbor, 2 to send with Luke to share with his roommates and 1 to enjoy here), and 5qts. of chicken and dumpling soup (again - to send with Luke and some for here). 

All in all - I'd say that it has been a very productive weekend and Luke will be eating well!

Now, it's time to relax and watch my Packer's play some football!

 We made made plain caramel apples as well as some with nuts and some with sprinkles. :D

 I cheat and use this tool to peel and slice my apples for the apple crisp and applesauce...I'm not a very good apple peeler, corer, slicer without this thing.

 1 of the 4 loaves of Pumpkin Bread...Yum!

 Dumplings...

Chicken and Dumpling Soup.

10 Years Goes By

NOTE: This was supposed to be posted Monday; but problems occurred.  So, Saturday, it is finally posted!

There were so many topics that I wanted to blog about this past weekend and I blogged about zero.  I’m going to start with the first topic, and one of the most important topics; the 10 Year Anniversary of 9-11. 

I don’t think I realized, when I was fourteen years old, what the terrorist attacks on 9-11-2001 would mean for our country and our world on that day and for days, months and years to come.  I was too young to understand the devastation in its entirety.  I remember being in disbelief, sad and confused.  However, for the most part, I was not that greatly affected as a child.  I still had school to go to everyday and none of my friends or family members were directly affected by the incident.  Thus, I moved on and remembered the day as a day in history that I got to personally experience.

Ten years later, I watched the interviews and video clips from that horrific day.  For the first time in ten years, I cried.  It finally hit me; I finally could understand the meaning behind the devastation.  I could see, as an adult now, what 9-11 meant for our country and the world we live in.  It changed major policies throughout the world.  For the first time, we had a terror alert system in place and going through the airport was no longer a simple, quick task, but a tedious one.  The ten year reunion also showed me just how quickly life moves.  With or without devastation; life continues to pace every day.  I know I’ve said this before in (Life), but this is a great example of it.  Life moves on with or without us and it moves quicker than we think.  I am still astounded that ten years have come and gone already. Yet, here we are, moving forward toward the future; just as we will continue to do every day for the rest of our life. That is the one thing that is certain.

30 Day Challenge

NOTE: Content may be deemed as sentimental and/or "mushy." Read at your own risk.

As of September 2nd, I have begun the 30 Day Husband Encouragement Challenge through www.reviveourhearts.com . I came across this challenge through a friend on Facebook and decided to accept the challenge.

As most of you know, Luke and I are apart during the week for schooling.  While I realize that this creates an even bigger challenge as I don't see him everyday, I chose to accept this challenge anyway.  What I have found about this encouragement challenge is that I have been gaining even more respect for my husband than I already had.  I am not sure how my daily doses of encouragement have been affecting Luke, but I am falling in love with my husband all over again! I originally embarked on this 30 day journey to encourage my husband during this new phase of our life.  Yet, I am finding myself encouraged daily!  The daily challenges force me to re-think the way I view my husband, which allows me to look at our relationship differently as well. I have a husband who is a hard worker, smart, driven, loves me and treats me like a queen.  I am newly encouraged and see my husband from a different perspective; and it makes me feel so proud and blessed to be his wife! 

Wives - DO THIS CHALLENGE! Not only will your husband be lifted up and encouraged, but YOU will be encouraged as well.  You will "love" your husbands from a whole new perspective; the way God intended us to love our husbands.

 Your husbands, yourself and your relationship will be blessed for it!

Labor Day: Fall is Here

Fall has timed itself perfect this year.  With the coming of Labor Day weekend, summer gave it one last shot for hot hot weather.  Then, overnight, fall set in.  It has been a beautiful weekend! I cannot believe that fall is here already; and so is the start of fall semester.  I never wanted this weekend to end.  Luke was able to stay home an extra day this weekend and we have had the best weekend together!  He left about 30 minutes ago and I wanted to go with him.  It was awful. 

I thought, that by now, we would be getting used to this.  However, it is like impending doom.  We silently and painfully watch the clock on this last day knowing that the weekend is running out.  I realize that this is our life right now.  Yet, neither of us like it.  We tell each other, at the end of each weekend, that this week is just one more week closer until this will all be over.  It never matters though.  It is still painful to watch him leave every week.  Once we're in our routines for the week; life goes on just fine with the excitement of the upcoming weekend when we get to see each other again.  It is the saying goodbye weekly that is the hardest. 

I'm praying that after this week, it will be a little bit easier.  I start back up with work and classes this week.  I'm sure that I will have things to keep me busy and keep missing Luke off of my mind. However, I recognize that this is merely a "hope" and not a guarantee.

Overall, the holiday that marks the end of the summer and beginning of the fall has come and gone.  I am still mesmerized by this as it does not seem possible.  With that in mind, I stay encouraged that the 8 months that Luke and I will have to say goodbye every weekend will go by fast as well.

 ... and there is a puppy waiting for us at the end of those 8 months! :D

Happy Labor Day, safe traveling!

Beginnings

After mulling over the idea of a title change, I decided to look up definitions of "beginning."  This is what I found:

1. an act or circumstance of entering upon an action or state

2. the point of time or space at which anything begins

3. the first part:

4. Often, beginnings. the initial stage or part of anything

5. origin; source; first cause

 

When I originally named this blog, it was the beginning of a new chapter in my life.  I was married and for the first time, moved out of the town I grew up in my whole life.  I thought "Just the Beginning" was an appropriate title, because it was the beginning of a new part of my life.  After having read the definitions that popped up for "beginning," I've realized that our lives are constantly beginning again.  As humans, we innately set out with a desire to embark on new journeys, move forward toward goals and dreams.  We change, we grow, we begin...over and over again. 

 

With that being said, I think I've decided that I like the word "beginning."  It means something new, it means change, it represents the start of something.  Sometimes we choose not-so-smart beginnings, and sometimes we choose risky or scary beginnings.  Either way, we are constantly beginning.  The first two words "Just the" I am not too fond of, as it is not JUST a beginning. It's A beginning!  So I think I will change the title, but you can bet "beginning" will still be apart of it.

 

Luke and I just began a new chapter in our life.  It was scary at first, but it's for the best.  We chose to have faith in this new beginning in our life and to go with it. 

 

If we were not beginning, we would not be moving.  A title like, "Stagnant" would not be very appealing, nor would our life. 

HELP! Title Change Advice

After reviewing my blog, I've realized that "Just the Beginning" may not be an appropriate title for this blog anymore.

 Maybe  ???? Not sure...

Any thoughts and/or comments on the possiblity of changing (or keeping) the title?

Thanks!

PS - Happy Tuesday!

The Beginning of a New Journey

Since my last blog, one could say that I was quite nervous about the idea of Luke going to school in Ohio.  Today, I find myself not only enjoying my (way over due!!) two weeks off, but thinking about Luke as he starts his first day of classes in T minus 13 minutes....in Ohio.
*University of Findlay - PA Program

Yesterday, him and I packed up the cars and drove down and got him settled in his new home.  Leaving him was much harder than I thought it would be.  For those of you who know me, know that I am not an emotional person.  But leaving my husband 3.5 hours away was difficult.  Very difficult.  Let's just say that if there was a "dislike" button for the situation, I would have "disliked" it multiple times! 

It was, however, all made better in Toledo when I got to stop and have coffee with my best friend at Tim Hortons.  Coffee and Emily have a way of making life better. :)

I am so incredibly proud of him!  I know he is going to do great in his program.  It's a sacrifice right now, but we're moving forward and closer to our dream.

Please keep us in your prayers as we embark on this journey together (and apart). 

I Wanna Be Anywhere But Here

So let us pretend that all the details have been figured out.Let us pretend that while I sit in this McDonald's, attempting to write my paper, that I'm not failing horribly at the task.
Let's pretend for 5 minutes that my life is exactly what it was a week ago:
- Celebratory (close to the end of this class)
- Simple
- Secure (for the most part)

I was so excited a week ago to think about all the good things that were going for us.  I had this sense of "We got this!"  It was great!

Shame on me for believing such a feeling could last.

Friday, Luke received a call from the PA program down at University of Findlay in Ohio.
....That is where I am today; Findlay, Ohio. CRAP!

I'm frustrated, scared, nervous, exhausted and emotionally; a wreck!
We now find ourselves attempting the impossible.  Or at the very least; the most difficult of tasks.
Going from two incomes (Luke's far more significant than mine) and one in grad school to partial of an income (my minimal part time job) and TWO in grad school. 

"Are you guys crazy!" - you may ask? Maybe.
"Are you high!?" - you say?  No - but I wish I was to help keep my anxiety at bay.

So that's it. That's the big news I've been holding out on. 
I'm sitting down at a McDonalds in this town trying to focus on this paper.  Unfortunately, all I can focus on is how this is going to work.  I've been working all morning with Financial Aid and everybody is telling us to just "Do It" (You would think this was a hell of a Nike ad - but it's not, unfortunately, and we are not collecting any royalties from this.)  But I guess we're doing this, we're attempting to make this work.

Now that I have that all out and the local MickeyD's has slowed down from a loud, annoying "buzz" to a mild "humming" of people; hopefully this second round of attempting this paper will be successful.

Thanks for reading my rants and rambles. You are my outlet.

The Choice

Ever been jolted awake with an option?  I'm not talking about the "What would you like to drink?" or "What do you want to do tonight?" kind of option.  I'm speaking of the kind of option that can quite literally, turn your life upside down.

I've never experienced a situaiton where I felt like I was living in a dream world until this weekend; until we were given the choice.  My heart wanted to be happy and excited, my head wanted to be realistic. The combination of them both felt surreal.

Now, to some, it may not be that big of a deal, but to Luke and I it is.

I'm going to take this time right now to build the suspense. 
Just keep in mind; our life is going to drastically change in the next 2 weeks. However, I am not going to give details to everyone until the details have been figured completley out.

So stay tuned....

Knee Deep

So I've got 10 minutes to write a blog, but this morning that's all I'm going to need.

Let me just tell you what's currently on my mind as I sit on my porch and watch the sun come up, all while listening to the Zac Brown Band; I  want to be "knee deep in the water somewhere!" Some place where I'm far from here, preferably looking out at crystal blue waters. 

Last weekend Luke and I joked about becoming permanent vacationers; leaving all of our material things behind and starting up a fruit and veggie stand in the tropics somewhere.  Ahhh...that wouldn't be so bad and I'm half tempted to entertain the idea of it...until real life hits me square in the face and I realize that I have to get ready for my real job in less than 10 minutes. Boo.

I woke this morning, made my coffee and turned on the news.   Turning on the news was my mistake.  Coffee made it better.  My point? - the news is so depressing these days.  I feel that it's important to educate yourself on what's going on in the world.  However, I get so tired of hearing the same political jumble, domestic violent sadness and media critics.  That's when I seriously begin thinking about giving up this complex life and trading it all in for something MUCH  MUCH more simple. 

Our world is in knee deep, but I don't believe water is the substance of that which it is knee deep in.  I'm all for human rights, building water wells in Africa (The Water Project) and non-kill animal shelters.  (Yes, I realize some of my readers may have a "word" for this) But let's set all "labels" aside here for a minute (or less). 

Regardless of whatever label you may want to stamp me with; I feel like those above stated issues are nothing of the negative.  Is it safe to say that maybe our innate need to label people and choosing sides has gotten us in the situation we're in now?  People get so focused on "picking sides", being for and against things that I think we sometimes forget our cause in the first place. 

I don't care what label you choose to place on yourself, or what label you choose to place on me.  However, whichever it is; choose something to fight for, and fight for it!  You don't have to wreck havoc fighting for it either; it can be done in a civilized manner.

 I think, our culture is in the mess it is in because society is so caught up in picking sides and labels.  Arguing about it and thus, not achieving anything. 

Arguing, does not constitute positive activism.

Life

Life takes over; exercising has to be scheduled into a day like work, classes end, then start all over again, papers pile up (along with bills - thus the work schedule), household chores are never ending, dates with the hubby are few, and carpal tunnel sets in.

Doesn't sound like summer to me...
        

                                                        ....yet, somewhere, it has arrived.

The summer solitice has come and gone.

Summer 1 term has come to a close.

My first (long awaited) clinical is ending.

                                                                           .... and yet, life continues to keep moving forward.

That's the insurance policy with life; it will always, ALWAYS continue to move forward. 

Life will continue to move forward even if we're not ready for it to move forward.
Life will move forward even if we need more time to study for that final, more time to "adjust", or more "free-time" (which I'm convinced no longer exists once you hit a certain age; in my case, that age would be 23).

Life will even move forward when we feel like our world has stopped.
It will move forward at the same pace as it did the day before, and the day before that, (even if it feels as though it is dragging).

I used to wait for my life to begin. To graduate from college, to get married, to be in grad school, to be done with grad school, to have a real job, start a family, or whatever it may be. I was waiting for my life to start.

Then one day, I looked back....
                                                    ...and my life...
                                                                             ...was leaving...
                                                                                                         ....me behind.

Life has already begun. We are living it right now.
And whether I like it or not, it's going to keep going.
Whether I'm ready for it to move forward or not, it's going to keep moving forward.

Luke and I have been stuck on this hamster wheel called "school" (or at least that is what it feels like to us).  Yet, when I look back on the last 6 months, last year and last 2 years, I have begun to realize that we're not on a hamster wheel.  We're not even on a treadmill! We're on a path and we're moving foward.  While we might not be moving as fast or as slow as we would like; we ARE moving.

Life. It moves with or without us.

An End and Beginning

It's official...we signed on for another year in Kalamazoo at our current place.  This means, whatever God throws our way, at least one of us will be in Kalamazoo.  Speaking of which, we still have yet to hear from Findlay.  They are now saying that it will be May before we know anything.  Just the thought of it makes my stomach turn.  April has all but come and gone...and in my head I feel that I will have Luke here with me everyday.  Knowing that he still has a chance of getting into Findlay is both exciting and nerve racking at the same time.  I'm praying and trusting that God will provide in all areas that we need him to.

In addition to our journey with school; I have officially made it through my toughest academic semester (credit wise) as a grad OT student! No more 18 credit semesters for this girl!  (If you've been wondering why I've been MIA - this past semester was the culprit.)  I passed THEE toughest course in the curriculum, Case Based - Through Life.  After two stressful oral exams, multiple evidence based articles, countless hours researching "Learning Issues" and studying Hot Seat Questions,  5 SP evaluations (Standardized Patients) and 2, multiple day treatment plans with SOAP notes...
I Passed - Finished - DONZO!

What a semester! The semester that I thought would never end, has finally been completed.  Next stop, Pediatrics Clinic - May 9th! I'm on a break right now and the thought of going back to "classes" actually means I'll be beginning my first rotation of clinicals! 

The semester ended with a trip to the east side of the state to attend a wedding of dear friends of mine from college and a mini reunion of us Spring Arbor University Alum (2009).  That was followed with one of my best friends from high school and the birth of her first child; a little boy. :) 

Spring has sprung - love is in the air and new life has begun!

April is Here!

It's finally April - bring on the summer!

It's when I realized that it was officially April that I realized a few things:

1) It has been awhile since I last blogged and figured I better write a blog.
2) My busiest semester is finally in the final 4 weeks! (Classes are done the week of the 14th and finals are the week of the 21st.)
3) I will be turning a year older in less than 5 days!

In the last year, life has been full of up's and down's...as life usually is.  I'm officially almost done with my first year of graduate school and while there are days that do not apply, I feel that it has gone by super fast for the most part!  The move to Kalamazoo has been a good fit for both of us, and we still wait to hear from Findley about school for Luke.

There is something about this upcoming birthday that is making me feel restless.  I'm not even sure what it is, I'm only going to be 24, but I feel very unsettled about it.  I think its a matter of wanting my 20's to be the healthiest and fun years.  While "fun" is an appropriate term to describe things thus far, I don't believe "healthy" applies here.  Maybe this is what is unsettling about this upcoming birthday.  I want to change that this year.  I want to work hard to be healthy physically, emotionally and spiritually.  In the hustle and bustle of things, I have lost my healthy balance between work, school, life and my relationship with God.  I'm going to claim it back this year - it's a promise that I'm making to myself.

In the mean time, I baked and decorated a cake for me and my sister's birthday celebration tonight. I think it turned out good being my first decorated cake. :)

You Know You're Becoming an OT When...

Is it just me, or does March appear to be FLYING by?  I cannot believe that we are half through this month already - and I am so thankful that it is treating us kinder than February! 

As I was trying to come with a topic to blog about, I picked up my American Journal of Occupational Therapy that I just got in the mail today and flipped through it for a bit. That's when I realized; I am an OT nerd.  These are the following criteria that I came upon that lead me to this self-diagnosis:

1. You know you're an OT nerd when you see research articles written on sensory integration and you say,   
out loud, "It's so good to see some research on Sensory Integration, there's not enough!"

2. You know you're on your way to becoming a true OT when you start scanning the authors of the articles, looking for names that you know or recognize.

3. You know you're an OT nerd (that loves horses) when you see an article on Equine-Assisted Therapies and you practically jump for joy out of the couch - then find yourself reading the article with more intensity than you read your text book.

4. You know you're an OT nerd (that dreams of owning your own practice) when you see an article about how AOTA has put out a challenge for OTs to dive into entrepreneurship.  You look up at your husband and say, "I can totally do this!"

...and the fifth way to tell when you are well on your way to becoming a true OT is when you find yourself sad once you've reached the end of the journal and find yourself already anticipating the next issue.

I'd say I'm in the correct field; what do you think?

Spring Break?

Believe it or not, Luke and I are currently on our spring break.  It seems far too early and far too cold to be spring break already.  Yet, so it is.   I cannot believe that it's Friday already - I have been planning on blogging all week (among finishing other things) and am just now getting a day at home to get it done.  My first day - all week - can you believe it?  I will say, however, that it has been so nice visiting family and friends during this time. I know that once classes start back up I will not have another break until August ...sigh... so I'm taking it all in!

Tonight, I will be heading back to J-Town for coffee with a dear friend of mine, whom I have not seen in what feels like FOREVER, and more time with my family.  My mom and I run our annual 5K in Brooklyn and we are gearing up for what may be the coldest Brooklyn 5K since we've been in it (started participating in this run in March of 06').  After that - it's off to ANOTHER baby shower of a close friend of mine.  Babies, babies, babies - seems like all of my friends are having them.  I'm so happy for them as I know they will all make great mommies!

I know that it has been some time since I last blogged - but time is a rare thing these days.  Especially the last few weeks.  Between getting really sick in the beginning of the month, case based (a very intense course I am enrolled in), midterms, and the already shortened month of February, it seems I had let almost a whole month go by without blogging.  Sorry to all my blog readers.  Yet, I haven't really felt like there has been much to report either.  I feel as if ya'll get tired of hearing the same ol', same ol', "Luke and I are busy with classes...Waiting to hear back about Luke's schooling at Findlay...Studying for a big test...blah blah blah" I apologize for the redundancy of this blog - however, it is our life right now.  I can't wait to blog about our wild vacations and adventures.  Or the new and exciting treatment options for occupational therapy and the exciting modalities I have used during treatment and so forth.  Maybe even blogging about motherhood someday...  So in the meantime, bear with me while I blog about school and life as a student/wife. 

This is our life right now - not so glamorous or exciting.  However, God has done amazing things for us in the past 2 years.  So I am certain that in the future, when school is finished, we will have exciting and amazing things to blog about!

Thank you to all of you who take the time to keep up with us and read my blog.  I not only use it as a modality for stress relief, but to keep all of you up to date with things over our way.  We appreciate all of the support, encouragement and prayers...please keep them coming as they light the fire that keeps us going!

Love,
The Butters'

Waiting on My Man

Did I ever mention that I am NOT a patient person??  I'm sitting in Panera, all by my lonesome, sipping on some delicious Chai Tea and waiting to hear back from Luke.  I'm guessing he's going to be there all day with no break.  I dropped him off at noon today for his interview and it supposedly goes until 5pm tonight! Ick! The things we do for the things we want right?

I am so proud of my husband.  He has worked the last 7 years on making sure his pre-reqs were all in order, the GRE, and working his way up to management in a privately owned clinic.  I know that he'll do great today!  Findlay would be fools if they didn't accept him into their program.

On a note about Ohio - sorry Ohioans - I am not really impressed so far with this state.  The snow removal is awful! There is ice and files of frozen snow everywhere! I'm having a hard time finding my way because the silly snow is in the way of signs!  I thought Michigan was bad.  It's final - when Luke and I are done with schooling; we are high-tailing it outta this part of the country and going somewhere WARM! Arizona perhaps?

The Monday Drain...

Oh Mondays....I don't know what has made this Monday any different from the others, but it just feels way more exhausting than the past ones.  I desperately needed some Norah Jones and bloggin in my life today.  So I grabbed Goldfish Crackers out of the cupboard and sat down to take just a little time for myself today. 

I have spent the last week sick, now I am scrambling to get caught up on homework.  I know I should probably be doing something productive to taht extent; but my body won't let me right now. I did manage to fit in a 2 mile run today; so I'm feeling productive in my training so far this week.  Does it count if it's only day 1? lol

This week, I will be working hard to get work finished before Friday so that I can accompany Luke to his interview.  The man has been reviewing possible interview questions and trying his hardest to not get worked up about it.  I know he's going to do great!

It's time now that I go and make dinner (before I eat this whole bag of Goldfish) and get back to the grind of homework.  I plan on taking pictures of all the snow piles outside of our apartment this weekend and posting them. 
Stay tuned!

Quick Update

We finally made it to February!! January surprisingly went by fast, but felt long (if that makes any sense at all).  And welcome February with the Great Blizzard of 2011! Oh snow...I wish you would go away, I'm SO ready for summer!

On a very exciting and important note; Luke got an interview with Findlay University on February 11th.  We are very excited about this...yet we know that it holds major decisions for us if they choose to accept him.  Please keep us in your prayers as Luke prepares for this interview next week and for the upcoming choices we may have to make.

Love,
The Butters'

Blogging, Running and Other Things

Finally decided to take some time and update my blog.  I haven't blogged since this new semester has started up; does that give you any indication of my semester so far?  The semester has been good, but yes, just busy.  I'm loving all of my classes and I feel like I have a better handle on things this semester (thus far anyway). :D

There's something to be said for turning on my favorite Pandora station, the Norah Jones station, a good cup of coffee and blogging.  I really should start my days like this more often.  It's very relaxing, reflective and therapeutic.  That may sound corny to most, but writing has that affect on me.  When I was younger I used to keep journals; I have quite a few packed away somewhere.  While they are full of dramatic tales of my adolescence, I'm sure it was my outlet for staying sane. :D

Funny how times have changed.  I have gone from using pen and paper to using a computer system.  Not only a computer system, but a public blog.  My journals from my childhood days were never public, nor do I think I'd ever want them to become public - can you imagine? Oh boy! Hahaha...  Now, I mostly write about life and how it is forever changing for Luke and I.  I have found that it's a great to keep family and friends updated on our crazy life together.

Anyway...let's get back to it, shall we?

In the past two weeks, I have decided to register for my very first 1/2 Marathon! The Chicago, North Shore Marathon June 12.  I will be running this with my sister-in-law Megan and her sister Emily. Let the training begin...as I'm going to need it! Any advice or tips would be fabulous! Bucket List "Check" here we come! (See previous blog about my bucket list).

In the meantime, registration for the 5k Hospice Holiday Run has landed in my mailbox.  My mom and I do this every spring for the last few years.  I think Megan and her sister are going to join us as well.  This race takes place March 5.  I'm already feeling prepared for this as I've been able to run 3.1 miles.  So I guess I'll be training for time on this one. 

It's crazy to think that I didn't start running for endurance or long distance since my freshmen year of college (2005).  I'll never forget how hard that first mile was for me; but I did it!  Had someone told me back then that I would be training for a 1/2 marathon in 5 years, I'd say they were out of their mind!  But here I am; training for a 1/2 marathon.  It is quite a personal achievement for me and I have grown to really enjoy running.  Not always during the process; but afterwards I feel like I accomplished another goal.

I think that's why I run.  I run because it challenges me.  I run because I'm a pusher; I'm constantly pushing myself to be better and I am able to do that with running.  It's probably a control issue as well if someone were to analyze this. Haha... Either way, I run because I know that it's great for my body and mind.  The endorphins don't suck either!

On another note, for those of you who have been keeping us in your prayers about grad school...
Doesn't look like Luke will be able to get into WMU for fall 2011 acceptance.  He didnt' realize that his biochemistry class had to be completed by 12/31/2010.  He had planned on taking it this summer, thinking that as along as he completed it before the start of the term he would be okay; not the case unfortunately.  So, in the meantime, we are still waiting to hear from Findlay and praying that God opens and closes doors where necessary.  There are a LOT of factors that play into this decision for us, so we are trusting that God all work out to His glory.

I now must get in the shower and ready for class.
Have a fantastic Friday!

~The Butters'

A Butters' Update!

Dun dun dun...last weekend of freedom for awhile...classes for usstart back up on Monday.  So before things get really crazy again, let me update you on the L. Butters' Household....

My break has been very nice.  I've been able to rest my brain, re-focus and establish goals for myself this year and develop a plan on incorporating them into my busy semester.  All that's left is to take down the Christmas decor.  (I'm so not looking forward to this...I love having the Christmas tree lights on at night...but it is time.)

As I sit here and blog, I realized that this is the first weekend all break that Luke and I have been able to truly relax.  Our break has been full of traveling and visiting.  While it has all been fun and worth it, it's very nice to finally take a weekend for ourselves and not feel like we're rushing around to go somewhere.  The sun is shining, I'm sipping on some homemade Chi-Tea and loving life at this very moment!

One of the projects we have been working on this week, (I mean, Luke has been working on) has been the installation of a new fish tank.  Our friend Derek gave Luke a 40gallon fish tank, all the plants, filter, and lamp for FREE!  Luke has been wanting to develop a hobby in fish "tanking" for quite some time now and this was the perfect starter kit!  We just had to buy the sand, heater and goldfish.  (The goldfish/feeder fish need to be in the tank for about 2 weeks before we get nicer fish for the tank - they help set up the environment in the tank.)  So we have been learning all sorts of new things about freshwater fish and how to set up a pleasant ecosystem for them.  I was a little hesitant at first, but I'm coming around and actually finding myself enjoying the sound of the tank and watching the fish; very de-stressing!

The second project/new event for the Butters' household has been that we joined a gym down the road from where we live.  "Santa",aka Mom and Dad (Bregg), provided us with our appication/sign up fee for Christmas and thought this would be a healthy and beneficial use of the money.  I'm really excited about this and know this is going to help me achieve my goal in running this year (1/2 marathon in the fall). It also gives us more, healthy, options of doing things together between the classes, basketball and volleyball courts.

Another piece of big news - Luke has officially sent in his second application to University of Findlay. (Which means he basically made it to Round Deuce!) In case I forgot to mention this previously, or you forgot, Luke was contacted by the president of the PA program at UofF and was asked for a second supplemental applicaiton.  The next step would be the interview process.  Please keep Luke in your prayers as we await this decision.  He is still waiting to hear from Western Michigan as well; we don't expect to hear from them until March-April. 

So, like I mentioned earlier, our break as been great; relaxing and productive.  I'm looking forward to classes next semester, but I also know that it will require a lot of work (just as last semester did).  I will be taking 18 credits this semester and Luke will be enrolled at KVCC taking Physics1 and Sociology. 

Spring Semester 2011 - here we come!

To a New Year! - and A Bucket List

Happy 2011!!!!

I cannot believe that year twenty-eleven is here!  Life sure has a way of sneaking up on you doesn't?

So far, our year has been off to a great start!  God is going to do amazing things this year and Luke and I are already preparing ourselves so that God may use us.  Last year, God blessed us with so many things; graduate school, vacations, family, our marriage, new apartment, etc.  This year, we are already awaiting the outcome for graduate school for Luke and we know it's only the beginning.

The new year has got me thinking about all the things that I want to do some day and how fast our days go.  So, I've decided share and add to my Bucket List.  Some things I have already completed and I'm sure that as my days continue, I will probably add to that list, but this is what I have so far...



Cassie's Bucket List
Go to Greece
Go to Norway
Go to Africa (see a REAL safari)!
Go to the Bahamas
Backpack across Europe; see Spain, Italy, France, London, etc.)
Study Abroad - Check; spent a month in Costa Rica
Work Abroad/Participate in missions using Occupational Therapy
Go on a mission trip - Check; 10 days in Peurto Rico
Become fluent in a foreign language
Get certified in Hippotherapy
Get my MOT (Master in Occupational Therapy) - So close!
Achieve certification for neurological rehabilitation
Get my PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences (or something similar)
Run a 5k - Check
Run a 1/2 marathon
Visit all 50 states
Go on a cruise
See the Disney Castle
Go to a Macy's Day Parade in New York
Go to a live Ellen show

That's all I have for now...and I'm happy to announce that I am able to check some things off and I'm on my way to achieving other items.  I'll keep you posted on where I stand with these goals and if I decide to add anything.

With that - have a great new year, I hope that it's off to a great start for you!