I'm A REALLY, REALLY Bad Blogger!

However, I'm here to change that starting TODAY!

I think we are all allowed to set goals for ourselves, then fail miserably, but are allowed to give it a try again!  I think I'm a walking advertisement for trying something, completely flopping at it and going forward! Some may say that makes me silly or oblivious to real life, but I think its one of my best characteristics! If you know me pretty well, you know I'm up for "almost" anything (nothing life threatening or that goes on past midnight, I get tired early these days!)

So, in short, I'm back to blogging and would love for you to follow my blog and help hold me accountable! I love reading my friends blogs and I love sharing what's been going on in my life with Hunter. Our lives are extremely blessed by our families and friends and I'm extremely grateful for that, so I love to share!

I stand by that all blog posts should have fun and fabulous pictures, so let me indulge you with a few!

I've laughed at this picture more times than anyone ever should. It makes my day everytime I see it!

Hunter and I went to Hawaii for 2 AMAZING weeks this summer! It was truly a dream vacation!

These two were the reason Hawaii was even better than we could have planned! 

(Seriously, how cute?)

Cooper was in my sister's tummy while we were in Hawaii, but I got to spend a week a week in St. Louis with him. He's perfect!

My best friend got knocked up and had a beautiful little girl! 

(OK...She's 26, married, with a master's degree so it's not really "knocked up")

Hunter and I are enjoying the 2013 football season! I tried to get him to relive our proposal, but he only agreed to a picture!

LOTS of my friends had babies this year! It's been so fun watching them transition into mommy-hood! 

(Isn't Connor adorable?)

Also, Aggie Wives Club held many wine filled "meetings" this year!

My Mom was diagnosed with Breast Cancer this fall, but she is currently kicking its ass! So proud of her and keep the prayers coming her way!

Well that's just a BRIEF synopsis since my last post. So much has happened and is happening now, I can't wait to share! I look forward to having you be a part of my new blogging journey and I hope to hear from you in the comments!

~Appreciate your blessings everyday~

Lauren

Date nights!

Who doesn't love a fabulous date night with the hubs?!

It wasn't until I got married that I realized the importance of having a designated "date night"! Don't get me wrong, be married is fabulous. But after going through the everyday stresses of work, house chores, and finances you gotta have something to keep that spark going!

Hunter is really good and thoughtful about planning a great date night just when it's needed! Last week he surprised me and took me to Fort Worth for dinner at Joe T. Garcia's. For my non-Texan followers (bless your heart!), Joe T's is just one of those places everyone just HAS to go to when they go to Fort Worth! It's an old local hot spot and just plain fun.

A friend of ours joined us with his date and we headed out to cow town! When we got there the line was wrapped around the building! It was crazy, but figured must be another reason it's so worth the wait! Thankfully I living in Texas so it was 60 degrees and we just had a good time chatting!

When we got seated, you aren't given a menu, just the question of enchiladas or fajitas! Ha! Simple menu! Food was awesome and my margarita was incredible!

I think the best part was being out on a real date! Hunter made it really fun and sweet! Plus being out with a couple that had just started dating made it add the extra little spark! Seeing them hold hands and sneak a kiss made me think of those fun and exciting days when Hunter and I had just started dating!

I decided we were having just too much fun and couldn't end the night so after getting back to Dallas we hit up a Fro-Yo shop and walked through the shopping area.

Just being all dressed up (ok I at least put on eyeliner) and out with the hubby made me really feel like we're dating again! I think it's just a great reminder of the advice a family friend gave me when we were engaged was to never stop dating each other!

It's such good advice and easy to do, but just as easy to forget! I think it's fun to send Hunter sweet, flirty text during an inappropriate time like during his business meeting, because I know he turns bright red and smiles reading it.

What are some good ways to keep "dating" your husband or significant other? Is it a fancy night out, reliving your first date, or little love notes? Do you think you should date your husband or is marriage something different! I can't wait to hear some ideas !

Grow a Baby or Adopt a Baby?

To grow a baby or to adopt a baby?  That is the question!

I don't talk about it a lot but I'm also very open about the subject.  Since I was really young I've always had "lady problems", they never really knew what was wrong, just that something was up.  It wasn't till a few years ago they ran a few tests and found out I had a Bicornuate Uterus {Info about it} .  Well it's what doctors think is going on.

If you followed the link you can see that what that means is I have a funny shaped uterus and it's congenital. There is no reason I have it and someone else doesn't, but it could be genetic. There are increased risks and complications with pregnancy and even possible fertility issues.  Or I could have absolutely no problems whatsoever.  OR I could have 2 uteruses... WTH!!?  Yup.

I don't really want to go into details about the condition itself, mostly for the reason that we don't really KNOW much about what's going on right now because to confirm everything and get specifics, there are a lot more test (very invasive) that have to be done to get an "Official" diagnosis.  More on that later.

The real reason I thought it was important to write this post was to bring up a big issue couples deal with on fertility. If you know Hunter and I's dating story, you know we got really serious pretty fast.  I think it was within like 3 month we were talking about babies and families one day when I was like

"oh by the way... I may not be able to have any"
and his response was like "oh, that's a bummer.  Would you adopt a baby?
and I was like"Oh yeah, for sure"
and he goes, "Cool, me too. I think it would be kinda neat."
and I responded with "Oh my gosh, I know!"

So that's was another reason I KNEW I had to marry him!!  But it was also the first time we talked about it. Since then we've beat the issue to the ground!   And we are totally  on the same page and he is super supportive.  I'm such a lucky girl!

As of now, we aren't ready for kids, so it's not a pressing issue in our lives, but I like to live my life prepared! So we talk about it A LOT!  I'm not sure what everyone else's thoughts are on how to start a family, but I'm hoping this post will give me some great feedback, whether or not you feel the same way! 

At this point in time Hunter and I are gonna make an attempt at baby making the old fashioned way! That is pending a few more doctor visits and tests to make sure it's safe for me and safe for baby.  After a good time at trying and it doesn't work for us, we are going to check out adoption.  We've even talked about adopting even if we can have babies ourselves. It kind of just feels like one of those life paths God is putting us on... but we're not sure right now.

I think we have ruled out fertility treatments, hormones, and very invasive/risky surgeries to increase our chances at having a baby on our own.  At least right now, maybe it will change.  It seems scary to me to to put so much pressure on my body and our relationship for something that may not happen when there are children out there that want to be a part of our family!!  I support those that pursue those treatments because I think it can be really the answer to prayers.  I just don't think it's for our family right now.  I truly believe what happens is what happens.  When Hunter and I are ready to grow our family and share our love.... we are gonna share to whoever we can!

I have a doctor's appointment this week for some follow ups and that's what got my mind thinking about this and I felt like seeing what anyone else thought about the topic, or if it's been discussed in your relationship. I feel like I'm completely blessed to have an incredible partner like Hunter. We knew that we got married because we were MEANT to be a family.  We just don't know how that family is going to happen just yet, but can't wait to find out! Share your thoughts and ideas on the topic!  Everyone has a different idea on family and how to start one, I would love to hear yours!

Adorable Pictures to Brighten Any Day

Dale's I'm ashamed face

 

 

 

 

Brother and Sister Car Trip Love

 

 

Dale in a Chair

 

 

Hardy-Har-har! Zoe is so happy in the mornings!

 

 

There was no point to this post other than I just am obsessed with my dogs and their pictures make me giggle!

 

Happy Day!!

 



Friday Night With the Jarvis's

Friday night with the Jarvis's is similar to hanging out with your middle aged parents... except way cooler.  Hunter and I are so lame and fabulous.

Today we had a busy day at work and it ended with a fun happy hour with friends from work for a coworkers birthday and my boss is leaving :-( So sad! We are gonna miss her a ton!

We had WAY TOO MUCH fun at happy hour! More fun than should be allowed with coworkers! Throw a few margaritas in and it's just craziness.  After happy hour I had a meeting with a friend I have met through Juice Plus+.  It was great meeting some new faces and learning more about Juice Plus+.  I didn't get home till after 9:30 and I was exhausted!!!! I convinced Hunter to take me to finally get some dinner and do a little shopping at Target.

By 10:15 we were cozied up on the couch, with a fire and two dogs snuggling on our laps.  I just can't imagine a better way to spend a Friday night! We have our netflix, some yummy TV snacks, and lots of cuddles from our furry babies! Life just can't get any better than this!

Tomorrow Hunter is taking me on a surprise day date!  He's taking me to Fort Worth...all though I've been a bunch of times, I've never had a day to just hang out in the city, so I'm excited!  Can't wait to enjoy a day off finally!!

Time to put the computer away and hold a puppy!  :-)

I'm a really bad blogger...

Yup. I'm not great at it!  However, it's a new year so I'm going to try to make this a renewed goal from last year! After reading Leslie's Blog, and saw how awesome hers was, I was re inspired! 

Since I started the blog, a lot in our life has changed.  Hunter has recovered from his back surgery and is doing really well.

Our house is starting to come together. There is finally paint!

My dogs are even cuter as if that was possible.

Dale Richard

 

Zoe-Zoe

 

 

I'm a hand therapist!! Like a legit one!  I have a little office and I treat patients with some crazy hand injuries.  I'm still learning A LOT... but I love it!  It's kinda crazy to know that I have really found my passion and I'm 26 and living it.  I don't think a lot of people get it, but I love working with the hands because it is such a big puzzle.

 

I no longer work full time :-)  I LOVE it! I spend more time with Hunter and our family and friends.  For the first time since probably high school... I'm completely living life to live life! I'm not working to get through school and barely scrape by! I'm working because I love my job and I have a real work/life balance.  It's fantastic.

 

I became a distributor for Juice Plus+.  It's the reason I no longer have to work full time!  I'm also just as passionate for my business with Juice Plus as I am with being a hand therapist!  I get to have parties, go to parties, eat good food, hang out with friends and share information about good health. IT is ALSO fantastic.

 

All in all. My life is becoming more and more awesome by the day.  I love where my life is headed and I love who I am becoming. 

 

Here's to 2013!  I'm looking forward to sharing my story with you this year!

 

If I see one more baby picture on Facebook....

I'm gonna have to HAVE a baby!

For real though.... Baby fever is real disease. It's worse than the flu.  It consumes you!!!  Hunter and I have an active case of baby fever. Sometimes I carry Dale around like a baby and swaddle him in blanket.  By sometimes, I mean about 3-7 times a week. 

Let me preface this post to my ENTIRE family that wants me to have a baby... we are no sooner to having a baby at this time!  So just calm down now.

In all seriousness, I'm obsessed with babies and having a baby.  Hunter and I know that we aren't ready for a little bambino just yet though. So we are just going to let everyone around us have a baby for us this year! (AHEM... Leslie, Melissa, Chelsea.... everyone else that's super pregnant.)  DID I MENTION I'M HAVING A NEW NEICE/NEPHEW THIS SUMMER!!! (YAY!!!!!!)

My friend, Holly gave me the BEST slogan that I'm living by this year, "Baby free 2013!!"  This year Hunter and I are gonna focus on US and spending time together growing as a couple.  As a newly married couple there is ALWAYS pressure, "when are you guys going to have a baby?!?!!?" X300 times a day. 

However, Hunter and I are so happy and content right now, we just don't have room for a baby right now! We love the heck out of our dogs, treat them like the furry children they are.  Plus, we have so much on our "before were parent's" bucket list, we HAVE to stay baby free till 2014!!  We have a very exciting vacation we are planning this summer (EEEKKKK can't wait to tell!!) to celebrate our 2 wonderful years together.  Also, I want to take a cooking class and baking class so I can feed this said human.  Ultimate goal is to put off this babymaking thing until I get my CHT for Hand Therapy... but that can't happen for 5 year minimum... and I don't know I can wait 5 more years! (Did I mention I have babyfever?!?!) 

I'm sure sooner than later we are both going to wake up look at each other and be like "OMG let's have a baby!!"  Which is actually something we say frequently, but the idea fades by bedtime when we like going to sleep at 9 AM.  But when we are ready...I think the feeling will stay! Or...we just may get a lil surprise! Who knows God's plan and what's the point of trying to figure it out?!

Until then, we are in family planning mode!  I'm eating healthier, working out, taking Juice Plus, and even reading books about how to prepare my body to make it an awesome 9 month apartment for Lil J.  Hunter is also on the get healthy for baby train and is working out, eating right and taking Juice Plus with me.  I haven't let him read the books about growing a baby because it always ends with how the baby comes out and I just don't think he is ready for that kind of reality.

Anyone out there in blogland... What did you do/are you doing to get ready for starting a family???  How did you know you were ready to start a family??