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'
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
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.)
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.)
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
"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!
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.
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