2014 in a Nutshell

To be honest, 2013 sucked jinglebells.  Brian was sick and had surgery, we got hit with big medical bills, cars broke down, and it was just one thing after another that wasn't going right.  So both Brian and I decided that since 2013 was just a wreck, 2014 had to be all sparkly, merry and bright to make up for it. 

2014 definitely lived up to our prediction, but things are just so busy that I didn't have time to do Christmas cards and get them in the mail like I normally do.  We didn't even have a chance to get an official Christmas letter done and out in time - so you get a blog.  Hey, cookie crumbs are better than no cookie at all right?

Lets start with Brian, because he had less going on in his life. (no, offense babe - you know its true).  Brian continues to work as a electrical drafting technician at Burns and McDonnell.  Basically he works quickly on a computer making lines, circles, text boxes and all sorts of other things.  I once observed him and seriously, he would give the Trans Siberian Orchestra a run for their money on the amount of epilepsy he could cause by watching him work.  He likes it, and that's all that matters.  At home, I put him to work on the remodel.  At the very end of the remodel - Brian had yet another surgery.  I've told him numerous times that I'm ready for an updated model of him that doesn't have health issues! :)   He had a bulging disc in his lower back that the doctors went in and fixed.  It wasn't near as invasive as his last surgery and we were in and out in one day.  He's a trooper!  He is almost back to full health and he is feeling great! 

This year we took on the biggest rennovation that we have ever done...in case you've missed all the endless facebook posts of our remodel addiction....in the two and a half years since we've had our house we have remodeled

#1:  The Basement

 

#2: The Master Suite

 

#3: The Craft Room

 

 

and finally....

#4: The Main Floor 

If you have ever visited our house - you know how dramatically different it looks now.  We have talked about doing this remodel since we bought our house and it is AMAZING.  There are many times we sit here and think....this cannot be the same room.  The transformation is phenomenal and we are so proud of it.  I like to claim a lot of the credit - but I really can't.  I worked through the whole process and a huge shout out has to go to Brian.  He is amazing.  While I was holed up in the craft room working on school work, he was busting his jolly 'ole ass on the remodel.  Also, my parents deserve a huge thank you!!! They have been a ridiculously huge support and this literally would have never been possible with out them.  They are nothing short of epic and we can't say thank you enough. 

As for me...life is crazy.  I started this year by ending my job at Oak Grove where I worked for 3 years.  I was lucky enough to score a new job at the Blue Springs School District.  I did my student teaching there in 2010 and then I got to go back!  It was a very exciting time in March when I got the job...only to have to wait 5 months to actually start the job!  And you know I'm about as patient as the kid on Christmas Morning (excluding my brother and I because sleep was much more valuable than opening presents early). 

I did get a jump start on the job this summer when I attended a month of training for the Biomed classes I teach.  It was a LONG month, but it was awesome.  I was surrounded by teachers who were just as passionate about teaching as I am.  It was one of those professional development experiences where everyone is drinking the spiked eggnog and everyone walks away a better person and educator.  

Then I put all that to use in the fall when I started my new job.  I'm definitely in a unique situation this year...  I'm at Blue Springs South High School in the morning teaching Medical Interventions and Biology, then I travel to Blue Springs Freshmen Center to finish out my day teaching Principles of Biomedical Science.  

2 schools + 3 classrooms + 3 different classes + 144 kids = never a boring day for me

Of course we can't forget the extracurricular activities either.  I'm the sponsor of HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) at the Freshmen Center and I'm an assistant coach of the Girls Swimming at South.  

I've finally found a wine that I like - and that helps with the stress.  Most days I feel like I'm giving Santa a run for his money on what he does once a year and I do it every day, but I honestly wouldn't have it any other way.  I'm exhausted, but I wouldn't do it if I didn't love it. 

Looking forward to 2015, we have one main goal...to start our family!  For those who don't know, we have been trying for about 2 years now with no luck.  We went to visit a fertility specialist this past April and found out that we have issues with both of us that make it a lot more difficult to conceive. We have had tests, been on meds and had re-tests.  We find out this coming Monday what the next step is.  (dang you Santa for postponing test results!!).  Whether the next step is an IUI, IVF or adoption; we hope to be parents or expecting parents by the next time you get a Christmas letter.  Everyone cross your fingers, send good vibes, pray, do a rain dance or whatever you do to send positive test results our way so that we can go with the cheaper option of making a baby!  

 

This year has been filled with lots of ups and downs from job stress, fertility issues, remodel craziness, and surgeries but overall, its been a great year.  

Here's to an even better 2015 coming our way! 

Am I Crazy?

When I say its been a while since I posted...that's an understatement this time. 

Stressed.

That is an accurate description of my life as of late.

To explain....here is what I've been up to the past couple months.

1.  I got a new job!  If you didn't know, I got hired by the Blue Springs School District to teach their Project Lead The Way courses!  I'll be doing Principles of Biomedical Science (PBS) at the Freshmen Center, Medical Interventions (MI) and regular Biology at Blue Springs South High School!  I am thrilled!! I get to go back to where I did my student teaching!  I also got hired as the Asst. Swim Coach and the sponsor for the chapter of HOSA (Heath Occupations Students of America).  = Next year is going to be crazy busy!!

2.  Finished my last year at OG in May!  Room is all packed up and I am all moved out [meaning my guest room is packed with school stuff],  and ready to start my new job at Blue Springs. Hardest part...leaving my kids.  So glad facebook exists so that I can keep in touch!

3.  During the last week of school, I started my first graduate class for my Specialist Degree in Educational Technology from UCM.  It's a six-week foundations class and next week is my last week...so far I have a 100%!

4.  The day school got out, we left to go on our annual kayking trip!  It was exhausting, but a blast!  We had a really good time and it was beautiful as always!

5.  When we returned, I literally had one day off before I started working my summer job.  My summer job helping run the grading of the AP tests in KC started on May 28th and my last day was June 15th.  No days off in between and working 10-12  hour days each day.  I was proud of myself because I did walk between 7 and 11 miles a day = one exhausted worker! 

6.  During my work extravaganza...I was also still working on my online graduate course.  On top of that, I had my last class for my Master's Degree!  I now officially have my Master's in Secondary Administration! Wahoo!! And....due to the grad credits I'm earning this summer...I'll be a third of the way done with my Specialist Degree by August!

7.  Then comes my current adventure...due to the way Project Lead The Way (the classes I'm teaching next year) I have to be certified in each class before I can teach them. So the day my summer job was over {I even left early} I came down to Rolla, MO for PBS training.  Its a 12 day training, so I'm in a hotel for two weeks.  Today was day 2 of training and its a lot of work, but also a lot of fun.  We are basically going through the entire curriculum of a year in two weeks. The good news is, I'm staying on top of my homework each night.

8.  I leave here on the 27th to go straight home to run my first 5k with my family at the Kansas City Foam Glow.  I'm super excited for that!  Oh, and the last day of my grad class is the 27th too!

So when do I get to take a breath and relax?  The next day????

Oh, wait.  Just kidding.  Its not over yet.

9.  Starting the next day....we are demo-ing the main floor of our house to start our main floor remodel.  I'm really happy I get to help tear down that dang wall!!!!! So we are back to square one on starting yet another remodel that will probably take us 6 months.  Our goal is to have it done by Christmas so that we can have a big gathering with all our family/friends in our big open room!

Then I'm home for a week and I come back to Rolla for two more weeks of training for my MI class for next year.  Then I get two weeks off in which I take the ISLLC Principals Certification Test, help host Ashley's Bridal Shower and Bachelorette Party and then I get the privilege of being a Bridesmaid in their wedding on August 1st!!!! Since I'm technically new to the district of Blue Springs next year...my teacher training starts that following Monday.

Remind me again...what is summer???

Even though I am so incredibly busy...I am also very grateful for all the opportunities that I have.  I may feel like I'm losing my mind on a daily basis, but it will be worth it in the end.  I know this was a lot about me...but Brian has been equally busy keeping up on all the other things that I have neglected because I've been so swamped.  He works, takes care of the dogs, cleans, cooks (<- who's kidding, you all know I don't do this anyways), does laundry, yard work and other needed tasks.  I'm so grateful for all of his help!!!! Love him!!!!

Hope every one else is enjoying a much less chaotic summer than me.  Send me some of your productive charm if you are feeling generous!

Rachell Turns 24!

My birthday this year was quite entertaining!

My birthday was on Friday and I honestly had no clue what Brian was doing for me.  He wouldn't tell me anything and I stopped asking.  Normally I bug him over and over and over and over again to tell me what he has planned...but he always gives in.  He hasn't realized yet that I don't want him to actually tell me what the plan is - I just want to bug him about it.  But he always tells me!  Then I'm disappointed that I know about it.  So I decided that this year I wouldn't bug him about it and then it would be a surprise this year!

So - I was sitting at my Master's class the Wednesday before my birthday and I get an email.  It was a break in class, so like any normal person.  I looked at it.  This is what I saw.

So I knew that by the email he had bought me a kindle paperwhite.  Which is a freaking awesome gift for me because I love to read and its great for him because I won't have to use my ridiculously bright light at night when he is trying to sleep!  So I forward the email to Brian and he denies EVERY THING!  When I got home, he wouldn't tell me anything or give any indication that he had actually bought one!  He was so convincing  that I was feeling crazy and maybe I was so bored at class that I actually made up the email???? NO!  I had to stick to my guns and I knew he had it...but he wouldn't give it to me!  So this was my attitude for the next two days!

When I woke up on my birthday - he left me a note saying that since I had ruined the surprise, I then had to search for my gift.  He only told me that it was in our bedroom.  Thank goodness that he narrowed it down to the 2nd floor...otherwise it would have taken me forever!

I found the kindle right away in one of his shoeboxes.  Easy. And I told him so....he replied that I would never find the case because he hid it too good. 

I was sitting on the bed when I read his text and was thinking where was the best hiding spot.....hmmmm.....30 seconds later I sent him this picture. 

He chose a pretty good place - behind the artwork!  But since he told me it would be "impossible" to find....I found it right way.  He wasn't too happy.  But I loved my gift!  He knows me so well.

The following night we went out to dinner with friends and family and then played games at Dave and Busters.  It was a great weekend!

Welcome to Summer!

To celebrate the start of summer and the end of the school year, my family decided to go on a Kayak Trip on the Buffalo National River in AR. 

We had always talked about wanting to try out kayaking...so my parents took the initiative and bought kayaks and we decided to go!

We went over to their house and dry-loaded the kayaks with all the camping materials to make sure we could fit everything and then we tried them out on the pond behind my parents house. 

I was worried because I have the WORST balance and I was afraid I would tip over every 2 seconds...but....Everything went great and we were super excited to try it out on the river! 

So we left out early (we left Johnathan and Ashley at home because Ashley was 8 months pregnant!) and headed down to the river.  We bought our fishing licenses and got on the river.

I was right....I flipped within a few minutes. Then as my Dad tried to avoid me - he flipped too.  So we spend the first hour of our trip dumping water out of the kayaks.....hahaha

But we eventually got the hang of it and it was a freaking blast!

The scenery was beautiful and it was amazing!  I found out quick that if I lead the way and just went down the rapids - I had a much better chance of not tipping over than if I tried to follow someone else's path.  But that doesn't mean we didn't flip.  It happened about 8 more times over our whole group...me more than anyone else.  I knew balance would be an issue! :)  We almost killed my parents chihuahua a few times...but the little puppy ended up holding his own!  Way to go little guy!

We camped out two nights and had some freaking good food!  Props to my mom for planning some delicious meals!

 On the third day....Brian got a text from my brother, Johnathan, saying "Ashley is in labor.  Come home now!"

Well - the service on the river sucks!  And we didn't know if he was joking or if he was being serious.  We finally got a hold of him and she was in labor!  Of course the little one chose prime time to meet us all!  So we started booking it!  We were paddling quick trying to reach our take out point faster in order to leave for home that night instead of the next day.  We thought she would be in labor for a while and then we would be able to make the four hour drive home in time to be there to support them. 

We made it to the take out point and had to wait on them to deliver the vehicles but we were finally on our way home!  Too bad little munchin decided not to wait for us to drive back...little River was born!

She is so stinking cute!  She is now the highlight of our family and we love her! 

Welcome to the family little one!  Way to end our trip with a bang!

Needless to say - it was a wonderful kick off to my summer.

Bedroom Remodel

In February, we finally finished our second big remodel in our house! 

When we first moved into our house, we moved our bedroom into the master bedroom on the main floor.  But, we did have a second level of our house that was dedicated to another master bedroom with its own bathroom and small closets.  So for the first 10 months or so while we did the basement remodel, the upstairs was just an empty room.

The door straight ahead in the previous picture lead to the attic space.  The doors in the wall on the left above were the small closets.  There is a bathroom opposite the attic that you cannot see (we seem to have lost some pictures).....

 The first thing we did was add a floor to the attic space that will be come the walk in closet (we covered up the old closets)

Then came walls, insulation, electrical and drywall.

Then Brian handmade the shelving for the closet.  He cut out everything and assembled it according to the plans we developed together.  

This is the after picture with it all finished, painted and closet rods are in.  The picture is from my side - so Brian also has this set up on his side as well. 

 

A few months later.......

Brian built the drawers for the built-ins.  (there are handles on them now!)

This is the view from standing in front of the bathroom facing the closet.  Notice how the old closets are gone and covered up.  Brian did make the sliding door apparatus.  It was a PAIN but they are super cool and we love them.  We feel that it makes the room feel more open. 

The view of the finished bed (like the accent wall??) and the bathroom that also has the sliding door. 

 This is the finished bathroom.  There used to be two entry ways (lost the picture) but it was really awkward and stupid.  So I re-tiled the whole bathroom and repainted.  We changed the vanity top/fixtures and added the shower curtain instead of the glass doors.  The glass doors were only 5' tall, so Brian was adamant to change them because he would get decapitated every time he took a shower if he didn't. :)

It was a lot more work than we were planning - but we LOVE it!  It's our little oasis and I'm so glad we waited to move up there until it was done the way we wanted it to be. The last step was the air conditioner addition.  Since the room is basically surrounded by attic space...it was HOT up there...so we got a portable air conditioner to add in there.  5000x more comfortable now.

Overall, it was completely worth it.  Especially since we did the majority of it the two weeks before Brian spent a week in the hospital for his lung. Yeah - he's an overachiever! Super proud of everything he made though, it looks and functions amazing!

Off to the Races...as the DRIVER!

In the past 7 months that Brian has worked for Burns and McDonnell, we have really benefited from the great job.  But there also comes quite a few perks as well....one that has especially stood out is when his company provided us the opportunity to drive on the new track at the Kansas City Speedway!

The email told him when to show up and we would just sit in line and then be able to drive on the speedway for a few laps.   We were only supposed to go 45 mph...so we debated if it was worth going - but we went anyway.

-------------------------------  Round One --------------------------------

We went up the first weekend and Brian was stoked! (I admit it - so was I)

 When we got to the front of the line...he was jumpy excited....and the guy noticed that Brian almost had a flat tire!!!!!!! UGH!!!! It was too dangerous to drive on the track so we over to NTB across the road and got the tire patched...but by the time they finished - it was too late to be able to drive on the track...so we drove all the way home.

------------------------------------- Round Two! ------------------------------------

The next weekend; we tried again.  And this time - we were successful!  We ended up going through the line four times...and the 45 mph was NOT enforced!  So Brian got up to 97mph!  It was a freaking blast!!!

 We were shocked how much of an incline it was! It was a super fun night (sorry, the videos wouldn't upload)!  Totally worth the drive to the Legends twice

Fishy, Fishy, Fishy!

So...its been a while. As I am creating and updating my craft blog, I realize that I have neglected my personal blog.  My last update was MARCH!  Holy freaking crap - time flies!

First update - the aquarium visit!

Sometime this past school year Brian and I decided to take a day off of work to have a date day.  Since it was about 4 months ago...I don't remember everything we did - but we did get to go to the new aquarium at Crown Center!  We had been wanting to go for a while, and we needed some time together and a break from the work world - so we went. 

Here is some of our pictures....

This little guy was really friendly!  He kept coming up on the side and splashing everywhere!

This guy was CREEPY and HUGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Totally not a fan.  He is gross. Ew. Nasty. 

Overall, it was a really great day and we had a lot of fun together!

The best part of the day was after the aquarium, we were at crown center and I was trying to convince Brian to go to Lego Land that was just next door!  While at the aquarium, they had little legos in the water (like the little fishy below) and it really inspired me to go!

Brian didn't want to go - he said we would be the only adults there and he wouldn't budge.  I wanted to show him pics of what stuff we would be able to see there, so I pulled up the website to show him the pictures....and there was a statement saying "Persons over the age of 18, must be accompanied by a child."...or something like that. So not only would we be the only people there with out kids - they wouldn't even let us in unless we did have kids!  Ugh.  I had to tell Brian he was right...dumb.

It was still a fun day together!