Summer 2014

Once again I start out by saying that it's been a long time since I have written in my little space on the internet.  It's been since March, the beginning of Lent.  I find myself saying, it's August already…where has this summer gone?  My summer happenings have been fun, busy, full of love, and most of all full of peace.  Since, my summer was a busy rush that just flew right past me, I will mark it with bullet points and hit the details!

*My first niece Leah Mary was born at the end of May and of course I made a trip to the tundra to love on that little girl!  She is absolutely adorable.  I learned that there is always enough room in an auntie's heart for more nieces and nephews!

* I got to take the road trip to the tundra with my little sister and her adorable son while following my mom and dad!  We made this trip through the plains of KS, NE, and SD on two-lane highways.  It was like a game of chicken when trying to pass the ever so slow cars that were in front of us!

*One of my best friends from high school had her second son, Archer in June!  I love watching my friends become mother's…it never gets old!!!

*I did a lot of hiking from the end of May to the middle of June and loved every minute of it!  Colorado is beautiful and the scenery never gets old. Mia even got to join in on one hike!!!

*Red Rocks concert for the 4th of July was amazing!  The fireworks all over the city were awesome to watch when you are at one of the most beautiful outdoor venues in the the state!  

*Rockies games with friends are bound to be the best time ever!!!  Even though you don't even find your seat or know who won when you leave the stadium! 

*Through all the hiking I did this summer I would have to say that the incline hike in Colorado Springs was the toughest by far!  2000 ft. of elevation gain in less than a mile just might kill anyone, however I live to talk about it!  It was a great hike and very rewarding!  

* I found love and I lost it…but that's ok!  You win some, you lose some.  While it sucks and sometimes you don't understand…you can chose to dwell on it or continue to live life and do things that make you happy.  I have chosen the greater path, grabbed Jesus' hand, and continued on with life.  However, I do know one thing….I will continue to love with all my heart…some will run, but I am waiting for the one that stays! 

*It never fails…those Priests and their homilies will put tears in my eyes and make me see the bigger picture.  It's been awhile since I have actually cried in church, but this summer, I have cried a couple times.  Wiping those tears that flow down my face reminds me that the Lord is there for me, he will take all my hurt, my worries, my anxiety, and my fears…he will conquer them and help me to make me the strongest person I have ever been.  

*I'm still riding my bike, but far less than before!  I had a ride planned in May, but the friend that I was riding with ruptured her calf and was unable to ride, so I bowed out too!  We are riding the Bikes & Brews ride in the Royal Gorge in September and I can hardly wait!  We even recruited another person that just began riding this summer!

*Running has been on my back burner this summer and I need motivation!!!!  However, I did bust out the sneaks and ran 4 miles yesterday, boy did I need that therapy!  

*I became a member of Orange Theory Fitness in April, and I just happened to find the new love of my workout life!  Oh that place….AUH-MAZING!  It is a group workout session for an hour…30 minutes of rowing/crossfit and 30 minutes of interval training on the treadmill.  I am freaking out, as I signed up for their Dri-Tri that is next Sunday….2000 meters of rowing/300 reps in the gym/5K run!  WHAT AM I THINKING?!?!?!?!!?!?

*I am anxiously awaiting the visit of my parents this weekend and my sister and her family over Labor Day weekend!  I need some time with my favorite people!  It couldn't come at a better time for me right now! 

*School, well I'm still grinding away!!!  I am finishing up my 4th class of grad school and seriously can't wait for Christmas break as I have no breaks until then!  I think for the first time ever in my life I have a 4.0 GPA…WHOOP WHOOP!!!!  :)

Alright, I think that sums up my summer!  I still have a hiking/camping trip from Aspen to Crested Butte coming up, visitors, biking riding, and more fun that I am sure will be a blast!  

Through all the things that I did this summer, I have to say that I am ready for Fall!  I can't wait to get my decorations up, buy my favorite Fall scents from Bath & Body Works, see the beautiful scenery through this gorgeous state, a virtual 5k with some of my favorite bloggers, and of course my Chiefs, who won their first pre-season game!  I can't wait to do that Tomahawk chop at Arrowhead (I'm praying I can make it to KC for a game)!!!!!!! 

Ok, I think that is enough!  I always promise to not go MIA from this part of my life, but I always do!!  When I do I think about it, and then don't write, but as I wrote this post it was good therapy for me and hopefully motivation to keep on writing!  Well, I am signing off to put a little Whitney Houston on the pandora and get to cleaning for the rents visit this weekend!  

MUAH!!!!!

Preparing my heart for Easter...

It's been a long, long time since I have blogged…in fact, it was January 1st…dang…I have missed this little part of my world!  Don't get me wrong, I have read and kept up with the rest of my blog world…just getting the motivation to post something has been difficult for me!  I started grad school…so all my writing efforts have gone into that…believe me when I say that I would much rather be writing a blog post than an APA format paper!!!

Today is Ash Wednesday…one of my favorite season in the liturgical calendar.  I take this season to heart and really evaluate my life and how I am living it.
I am not perfect…
I sin…
I make bad choices…
I gossip…
I complain…
I make excuses for being a better person…
I lack on my prayers…
So, as you can see…I have a lot of work to do this Lenten season.  But, I am motivated to be a better person!
I am motivated to make better choices…
I am motivated to say nice things about people…
I am motivated to not complain as much…
I am motivated to be a better person…
I am motivated to get back into my prayer regimen that has been lacking…

As I remember the sacrifices that Jesus made for me to walk on the earth and be a sinner…I am ready to make sacrifices in my life to prove to him that he didn't walk this earth for me to take advantage of it!

In order to help with my motivation list I have given a few things up in order to become that person I strive to be!
I am giving up Facebook…that stupid little social media site sucks a ton of my time for no reason at all.  Most of the posts on there are not even worth reading, in fact I have found myself getting angry or irritated with some posts that people have posted…so alas, Facebook…after these 40 days and 40 nights, I just might not know you even exist!
I am striving to be a more positive person…there have been a lot of changes at my place of employment lately and I have noticed that I have been a negative nancy…which is not something that I want to be known for.  If I have noticed this about myself, I am more than positive that there are people that think the same thing…so I am here to say that I am going to make an effort everyday to be more positive…it is so needed in order to prepare my heart for Easter!!
I have to biggest sweet tooth imaginable…so I am making the sacrifice to give up all sweets for 40 days and 40 nights!  Last week when I decided this, I literally started stuffing my face with candy, chocolate,  cookies, pumpkin bread, scones…and well everything in between…I realized I have a problem!  Hello, my name is Allison, and I'm an addict…to sweets that is!
As I was sitting in mass this morning, the announcement was made that Stations of the Cross are held every Friday during Lent…right then and there I made a decision to attend at least half of the Stations during Lent!

There you have it…I am ready to prepare my heart for the coming of the risen Lord on April 20th!  I am excited to see how the Lord will help me with the sacrifices I have chosen to make…he is there…EVERY.STEP.OF.THE.WAY!!!  I will collapse into prayer when I am struggling…

2014 Bucket List

As I look at what I want to accomplish in 2014, I am a little overwhelmed, but I know from 2013 that if I put my mind to something, I will succeed…time and time again!  So, here are the things that I want to accomplish in 2014!  To me, it's a bucket list…those resolutions…well they fail…all.the.time!  People start them, and they never finish…ever!  So, by calling it a bucket list…I am hoping that I will be able to avoid the disappointment in February! 

Finish my first year of graduate school with a 4.0…this is a HUGE goal for me because school DOES NOT come easy for me!  I will be working my ass off to accomplish this bullet point…but I know that if I put my mind to it and work hard, I will be able to do it!!!

Read the bible!  Reading the bible is something that I have always wanted to do.  I have a bible app on my iPad that has a program to read the bible in 365 days…starting today I am going to read the bible in a course of a year!  

Run 500-1000 miles…I haven't shared with most of you that I now have a running coach!  I am just about to finish my first 8 weeks with him.  I am loving it, and I wanted to make a goal of how many miles I will run because last year I never thought it was possible to run 13.1 miles and I accomplished!  Running is something that I have learned to love…it has become my therapy and something that I make time for!

Cycle 1000 miles…my love for cycling is still there, it has just been overtaken by my running!  I want to spend more time on my saddle this year…especially since I got a bike carrier for my new car…and I was secretly more excited about the carrier than my car! 

Continue my budget,..I started a budget in November…and it's been hard!  December didn't go so well, but I am determined to start this year off on a budget and stay on one until I get somethings paid off!  

Eat healthier…I do really well for a while, and then I binge on bad food.  It takes me a while to get back on the healthy eating kick again!  So, I am starting January 7th with a 10 day Advocare cleanse…in hopes that it'll kick off some healthy eating that will continue forever!!! 

Pay it forward once a month…I read about my fellow bloggers paying it forward…and I get a little jealous that they are being so generous to strangers!  I can't wait to pay it forward to someone that may not expect it!  Putting a smile on someone's face is going to be the greatest reward!

There you have it…my bucket list for 2014!  Here's to having a successful 2014!  I can't wait to see what this year will bring me!  I am excited to start and get the most out of this year!

What I learned in 2013...

I've learned….
…that I am strong…much stronger than I ever thought I was.
…that when you put your mind to something and don't give up, you will surprise yourself in the best   way possible.
…that one's heart will always have enough room for the love of a nephew.
…that the feeling on holding your 3 day old nephew is the best feeling in the world.
…that running 13.1 miles will make you feel like a beast.
…that friend's will make sacrifices to support you while you are running those 13.1 miles…like getting         out of bed at 0500 to run up and down the half marathon course just so that you have the motivation to finish.
…that spending time with the people that you love most will never get old.  In fact, as I get older I live for spending quality time with them.
…that no matter how hard it is to tell a friend the hardest truth to save them from continuing to be miserable, just say it…in the end it'll be the best for both of you.
…that I will eventually love buying running shoes…Brooks, you are the bomb.com!
…that hard work pays off…and eventually you will reap reward for it.
…that cycling 100 miles in one day is hard…but oh so worth it!
…that Denver has given me a new love for life…this city is amazing!
…that forgiveness is hard, but in the end is a weight lifted off your shoulder when you finally realize that it's not worth holding the grudge.
…that some people just aren't who you thought they were.
…that being 30 has already been the best year I have lived and I'm only 2 months in!
…that the person you thought would never turn their back on you, will…and it's hard, you will shed a tear, your heart will be angry, you will long to have their friendship, but you only wish them the best in the end no matter how disappointed you are.
…that my little sister is the best friend I can have…how did I get so lucky to have a sister like her!  We didn't get to chose each other for a sister, but we have chosen to be the best of friends!
…that I am not the best blogger out there…I long to be like my blogging friends, but something just take the back burner to more important things in life.  I'm trying…
…that going back to school will give me emotions that I haven't felt in a long time…oh the anxiety of starting in 7 days!
…that my career is blossoming…and hard work pays off!
…that Delta Zeta is what is promised to be…it has crossed my path with many amazing women!
…that I will get a running coach because I long to be fast!
…that you will continue to miss some people that left this world for a better one in heaven, and each year that passes you long to share your current life with them!
…that cable is a money trap…cancel that shit!!!
…that my love for a 4 lb. yorkie is the best love of all time!  And the love she gives back…well there is nothing comparable!
…that sticking by your favorite NFL team will pay off…going from the worst team to the playoffs!  GO CHIEFS!!!
…that life is not complete without a cruiser to pedal around with your pals!
…that taking a girl's trip is a necessity…like every year necessity!
…that certain people will come into you life for a reason.
…and that no matter what, trying to the best version of yourself is hard work, but totally worth it!

Here's to being an even better person, friend, sister, daughter, nurse, and Catholic in 2014!!!  

Bipolar Heart

As I sit and write this my heart is full of happiness, yet it has a little sadness in it as well!  I am not sure what to feel right now.
I am a huge family person…like HUGE!
I would spend every minute of every day with my family if that was realistic!
I have the best family in the world…

I am happy because my 14 yr. old nephew is on cloud 9 since he got on the  freshman"A" team in basketball….
His dream….His life…His love…
His smile is priceless and the biggest I have ever seen it!

I am happy because in July I will be the Auntie of 4 kids instead of 3…
My older sister is pregnant and blessing our family with another little baby!
I will have another one to spoil and love with all my heart!

I am happy because I just got to spend 2 solid days with my nephew Owen!
It was just me and Owen!
He had me smiling every minute of those two days!
He snuggled in my arms and slept so peacefully!

I am happy because my mailbox is full of Christmas cards from family and friends….near and far!
There are constant knocks at my door to deliver my family's Christmas presents!
I got to spend time with friends at an ugly Christmas sweater party…and had a blast!
I am spending the day in my kitchen making Christmas goodies for my friends and family.

I am happy….

There is that one part of my heart that is….
….sad
….depressed
…full of tears.

I left my hometown Friday evening with my eyes full of tears.
Knowing that I would be back there nor see my family until after Christmas is over, is a hard thing for my to swallow.
It happens every other year…but it doesn't get any easier.
Working the holidays is something that I despise the most…
Anyone would rather be with their family…including me!

My happiness definitely trumps my sadness, but spending the holidays by myself and working is hard…oh so very hard.
Going to Christmas eve mass by myself is not ideal….
Walking into an empty apartment on Christmas morning after work is tough…
Calling my family to wish them a Merry Christmas instead of telling them in person is torturous…

So while I am taking care of your family while wishing like hell I was with mine.
Hold your family dear and don't take for granted the holidays that you get to spend with your family.
I know that during Thanksgiving I cherished every single second I had with them as I knew it would pass to quickly and like the snap of a finger our 2013 holiday would be over….


*I wrote this post on December 18th and completely forgot about it…but I still wanted to post it!*

So Thankful….

Thanksgiving was absolutely amazing this year!!!  I headed to Oakley to spend 5 days with my family…we were all there…every.single.one.of.us!  Some made an 8 hour drive, some made a 3 hour drive…and some well they made 5 block drive!  No matter the distance we all came together for great memories and family time!

My mom made a fabulous spread of food…and no one walked away hungry!  I made the pumpkin pie and my little sister made the apple pie!

The spoiled nephews!!!  Love them!

SISTERS!!!

Nana & Papa and their boys!

Love them!!!

My Godson Owen!!!  

After Thanksgiving the "girls" and the "babies" made the trip to Hays to see my grandma that is in a nursing home!  Of course she didn't know who we were, but that doesn't matter any more!  She is still grandma…and we al had great visit!  She loved the babies and held Owen for a long time…with a smile on her face!  We met up with my mom's brother and sister and their families for lunch…it's always great to get together with them and see my cousin…oh my how they have grown up!!!

Hudson showing Great Grandma Alice his car!

Owen and Great Grandma Alice

Great-Grandsons!

Sisters with Grandma Alice

Cousins!

Friday night our small hometown had a light parade and firework display complete with smokes and hot chocolate!  We headed downtown in the chilly weather and enjoyed the perks of a small town!  Hudson had a ball with all the trucks, police cars, fire trucks, ambulances, and of course the tow truck that just happened to have "Mader" from Cars on the back of it!  He was in heaven!!!  The glow in his eyes and the smile on his face was priceless!

We had the 2 cutest turkeys!

The Potter's!

Nick and I

Family!

Mom and her girls!

Nick making his smore!

Saturday was the most gorgeous day ever! It was close to 65 degrees! I spent the morning watching Finding Nemo with Hudson, my 2 year old nephew and enjoying coffee by the fire! I went on a long run and went driving with Nicholas who is learning to drive!!!  Nothing like being able to practice in a small town!  Then we were off to church!  We have a little tradition of going to the Oakley Country Club every Saturday night after mass…and that we did!  After we headed back home we popped open another bottle of champagne and sat around the living room and had small talk as everyone was headed home the next day!

 
I am such a family person, and I cherish every time we are together!
I have so much to be thankful for!
I am sad that "our" holiday is already over this year, but it is one that I won't forget!!!
Here's to working Christmas…..

San Francisco: The Girls

As I finish up my recap of my birthday trip to the Fog City, I thought I would take a moment to thank each and everyone of the girls that jumped on the bandwagon without a second thought back in July when I started planning it!  They never questioned the trip and couldn't wait until the day we actually left.  We talked about it for months, then it was time to board the departing plane, then we arrived in the city, and now we are each back to our daily lives of work, kids, husbands, and more work!  This trip was amazing due to each of the girls that were more than excited to join in on the fun!

Sarah

Sarah and I go way back to high school, even though we didn't actually go to school together, we went to the same church.  Through our youth group we went on many trips together as teenagers, and then college came and we went to different schools.  I applied to nursing school and got my acceptance letter, but little did I know that this girl who I never kept in contact with would be joining me in nursing school!  After we started nursing school, we were inseperable and the best of friends.  Not to mention, late night study buddies for 2 solid years!  I love this girl, and was so happy when she said she would go on the trip with me....out of all of the people I invited, I really didn't think Sarah would go because she is a wife and mommy...but she was so excited and had a blast in San Fran!  Thanks for taking time out from being mommy to celebrate with me.  I loved having you there, you are the greatest friend!

Sarah and I when she lived in Miami and I went to visit.  We thought it was sooo cool to smoke a little hooks!  

Lexie

Lexie and I met when I walked into the Delta Zeta house my first semseter of college and we hit it off right away!!!  When we got in trouble with cops the next semester she was always looking out for me!  She graduated before I did, but we always kept in touch and even lived together for 2 years when I moved to KC.  Lexie was there for me during good times and bad, and when I look back at our time as roomies, we laughed a ton!  Thank you so much for coming on this trip!  I know that I can always count on you!  My favorite quote from the trip came out of your mouth, "We're not assholes, we're your best friends." Touche my friend, touché!

Amanda

Amanda and I went to school together from Kindergarten to walking across the stage together at our high school graduation.  This girl will make you laugh until you cry!  She introduced herself to the rest of the girls with, "Hi, I'm Amanda and I have no filter.  I lost it at birth."  And it's true, Amanda does not have a filter so you can imagine the amount of laughs she caused on this trip!  She was the first one to jump on the band wagon and sent her money to me in lightening speed!  She was so excited to go, and I am so glad that she went!  Thank you so much for going, I had a blast with you and your no filter!  Laughing...that is what you make me do best!

Rosa

When I walked into my new employee orientation here in Denver, I scoped the group to see if I would have a new friend...and when Rosa opened her mouth about hypothermia protocol, I knew that we would be working in the ICU together. We had lunch everyday of orientation and then she saw a picture of my dog who was a little tiny pup then, and it was over!  She has become one of my very best friends and I am so glad that this hospital brought us together! We are oh so different, but oh so much a like!  We have went on road trips, met each other's families, and have many mutual friends! Thank you so much for joining us!  I loved having you there!  Thanks for being such a great friend!

Sabra

When I first met Sabra she answered the phone at work and I heard, "CICU this is Zebra." And I thought to myself, "Who in the world names their child Zebra." All night long I tried to glance at her name tag, but could never see it.  I went home thinking her name was Zebra...I was oh so wrong...THANK GOODNESS!!  Sabra and I talked and talked after that and she got me into cycling. The next summer we spent many hours and miles on our saddle and become great friends!  Sabra calms down my drama and anxiety because she is not any of the above!  She is also the best drinking buddy/wine sipping girl a friend one could ask for!  Thanks for coming to San Fran, I know you love that city and I was so happy you came!  I know the first day was difficult for you due to lack of sleep, but no one would have ever known it!  I can't wait for our case of wine to arrive!!!  Here's to sipping fabulous vino!

Star

Star is Sarah's cousin and we met when we were both in Sarah's wedding.  She moved to good ole western KS, and we would run into each other every now and then!  When Sarah was talking about the trip, Star asked if she could go and I am so glad that she did!  She fit right in like she had known us forever!  Thank you for speaking up and saying you wanted to come along!  I really enjoyed your company and dance moves!

Kathryn

Kathryn is my cousin and we are only about 2 months apart...her 30th is coming up at the end of January.  She has lived in CA all her life and we don't see much of each other, so I knew that I couldn't go to San Fran without including her when she only lives 45 minutes away!  I was so happy that she took off Friday and came to the city to hang out with us all day and all night!  It's always great to catch up with her!  Thank you so much for spending my birthday with me!  I can't wait until we see each other again!!!

I have to say that I have the best friends in the world...the ones that came on the trip and the ones that were unable to come.  I received many birthday wished from the friends that were unable to make it.  After Amanda decided to record me passed out on the ferry back to San Fran after the wine tour she sent it to my sister, who in turn laughed and sent me a text back...I was a little intoxicated so, I replied with "These girl's are not my friends." I got a message back from her that said, "Oh, please, you have the best friends ever." She is beyond right...