The best Christmas gift came a few days late!

As I mentioned in my last post, we have a new family member who joined us a few days ago! His name is Dieter and he's a German Shorthaired Pointer. He's a total sweetheart and is adjusting pretty well to our routine and home.

We got him from a co-worker of J's who loved him dearly, but recently moved to a home in the woods where he was getting into a little bit of trouble (the neighbors chickens weren't fairing well) and there were large predators that could have made a meal out of him. He's a little bit of an escape artist, so he will be an inside dog, especially since our yard isn't fenced completely.

But, we are SO glad to have him, and he is completely spoiled!

Things Dieter Loves:

• His 'baby' It's really a stuffed toy duck that honks. 
• Playing find your baby {we hide it and he has to find it}
• playing fetch with a tennis ball
• snuggling on his bed or the couch, as long as he is next to you he's happy. 
• watching birds
• sniffing EVERYTHING

We are hoping to continue his training so he can be a great hunting dog. J has gotten into upland game hunting and would love to have a dog to point birds for him, as well as to take him big game hunting in the fall. He has LOTS of work to do on that front but he has some great basic skills and we have been researching training methods to get him started!

I'm sure I'll have some good stories and LOTS more pictures of Dieter in the future but for now here's one last picture.

For now, 

Kari

Christmas is over...now what?

Having spent the day cleaning, packing away treats for another time, and settling back in after being away from for a few days, it's got me thinking forward to a new year. I'm not a resolution setter, but have been thinking about some goals I have for 2015. Rather than focus on things I want to change, I am thinking of things I want to achieve/do this year.

A lot has happened this year...
We bought a house, redid most of the inside of our house, moved, got married, went on our honeymoon, and will soon be welcoming a new {4 legged} family member into our home (more on that soon!)

I couldn't have imagined a better year, honestly. But, that won't stop me from thinking ahead to 2015. Like I said, I am not a resolution setter, I never have been...I never stick with what I pick out to change. This year, I am going to do something different. I am going to set some goals. Things I want to achieve, do, experience, work towards this year.

Here is what I have so far...

• Build my beachbody business. This may seem silly, but this opportunity has the potential to do amazing things not only for my health, but for J and I's savings account! 
• Read more books. I often don't make time for this, but honestly it's one of my favorite things to do. I've started working on my list of what I want read!
• Spend more time outside. We live seconds from beautiful hiking trails, and hours from the beach and mountains. J and I both LOVE spending time outside and I would love to spend one day a week doing something outside.
• Get in the best shape of my life! This girl has GOALS. I've loved seeing what I am capable of and pushing myself to try new things. I've fallen in love with working out at home and am constantly amazed at the results you can get in your living room. J and I are doing a fitness challenge through his work that starts the beginning of the year, and I am SO excited to get started together!  

Honestly, there are so many goals I have for the year, but I won't bore you with them all. Part of sharing is accountability. These aren't pipe dreams. They are things I want to do, not just think or dream about doing. So, hold me accountable people! Ask me to go do something outside, suggest a book, ask me to come do a workout! I'd love to hear about your goals for 2015 and help you achieve them!!!

For now,
Kari

That time in life between Married and Kids

Yeah, I know I've been married for like .5 seconds but it seems like the moment you get married people start asking you when you are going to have kids.

If you are married, you probably remember that relative that asked you that just mere hours since you said "I Do" while you were still beaming at the fact that you had just married your love. It's a little bit of a smack in the face when you are repeatedly asked this question as a newly wed. The pressure to have kids right now is everywhere, whether is is said out loud as a question out of pure curiosity or the silent pressure we place upon ourselves to fit into the idea that we need to have kids NOW.

It's a silent tug-of-war in my head on a daily basis. You are almost 30!! You are ONLY 29. You just got married. You have plenty of time. What if we have trouble? I want a dog, but I want a baby. I'm not ready. I could be a mom. HOLY CRAP, THIS IS SCARY! eh, you can do it!

Like I said, it's a silent struggle. Life is short in a beautifully long sort of way. Often we rush to do the things society pressures us to do, what we are supposed to do without thinking about what is right for us. Do I know what the right decision is for myself? {and obviously my husband and our future} Maybe not right now. Do I think about it all the time HECK YES. We are a young couple with lots of love to give, and a lot of life before us. I know that ultimately the decision isn't just mine alone and the blessing of raising a child is one that is not one made by J and I alone. I know that the plans for our life together are held dearly by the Big Guy upstairs and we have to trust in his plan.

Something I am working on is slowing down and figuring out what the best decision is for me in that moment. What makes me happy? What will serve my life best? What will bring me and my family joy? {There is more to this internal dialog that digs WAY deeper than this, but that's for another time}

For now...The silent tug-of-war rages on, but I will delight in knowing I can spend this time building my relationship with my husband and trust that when the time is right, children will be a part of our family! 

For now,

K