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!