Since I've been sooo BAD at blogging, here's my entire year summed up for you.
2013 was truly a great year. And I couldn't possibly tell you about everything, but here are the highlights.....
Last February, Wes spent two weeks in India. what? I know that feels like it was so long ago. It was a great experience for him, but he doesn't plan on going back. Too busy and too dirty. We spent Valentine's Day apart, but he still managed to surprise me with a box of chocolates, which he led me to through one of our skype dates. He's the sweetest!
At the end of February, I attended my last college class and took my last college exam ever!! Thank goodness. In March, I started my externship with school. I worked at Windermere Animal Hospital for two months. I really enjoyed my time spent there and value the experience I received. The staff was patient with me as I figured out the job and helped expand my knowledge of animal care. I became more comfortable with all aspects of veterinary medicine and made some friends in the process. At the end of my externship, I graduated with an Associate's degree in Veterinary Technology!
May was a month of weddings! Congratulations to Jonathan and Monica Haag, Jeremy and Rachel Eaton, and Keegan and Emily Dunn. I am so happy for all three of these couples and cannot wait to see how God blesses their lives together.
Wes and I celebrated our ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY on May 26th. We spent the weekend in Brown County, just like the year before. Our goal is to go back every year, until life gets too complicated, but maybe even then.
The first weekend in June, we had a wonderful visit from the newlyweds, Rachel and Jeremy! They came to Indianapolis and stayed at our apartment. We went to the IMA, ate delicious food, and talked and talked. But the best part was just being together. I so wish we lived closer!
My dear friend Leanne got married in June and I had the honor of being a bridesmaid. We met during school and have become great friends! Wes turned 27 on June 26th. I surprised him with a car full of balloons and a book on the drivers seat. We went out with friends for dinner and it was a special day. That following weekend we went to Cincinnati. Had dinner downtown at the Moerlein Lager House, got Graeter's ice cream, and spent time with my family. It was a much needed weekend, I don't see them nearly as much as I'd like.
In July, I was officially promoted to a manager at Three Dog Bakery. I absolutely love this job and the owners are the best. We celebrated my 23rd birthday on July 3rd. I spent as much time at the pool as possible, enjoying the sunshine. Summer is truly my favorite time of the year. Near the end of July, Wes and I had what we called a "stay-cation". With no vacations planned together, we made it a mini vacation within Indianapolis. We went to Connor Prairie, the Indianapolis Zoo, shopped downtown Noblesville, and ate out a lot.
In August, I went to Hilton Head Island for a week with my grandparents, aunt, and cousins. Wes wasn't able to go because he took a job teaching World Geography at the University of Indianapolis. I learned that vacations without him are not as enjoyable. Even though it was only a week, I missed him a lot. Regardless, I did love my week on the beach! I love the beach and the sun. I spent most of that week with Abby; we laid out, rode bikes, watched movies, played putt putt, a little shopping, the usual. It was a different trip than normal for many reasons. My uncle passed away in 2012, so he was not there, Wes was not there, and my grandparents and aunt spent a lot of their time dealing with a house they were buying. It was emotional. However, the vacation was still a lot of fun and I got to really bond with Abby.
In September, I went to the Exotic Feline Rescue Center in Center Point, Indiana with Alexis. It was an awesome adventure. The rescue has 230 big cats, 5 cubs, 9 different species, all on 108 acres of land. Their mission is to provide a permanent home to exotic felines that have been abused, abandoned, or have no one where to live, and educate people about them. A rescue volunteer led us around the grounds telling us their names and their stories about how they came to find the EFRC as their new permanent home. Some of the big cats are very social and will actually interact with you... on the other side of a huge fence of course. It was a really neat experience!
The first weekend in October, Wes and I went down to Louisville, Kentucky to spend another weekend with Rachel and Jeremy! They made it their goal to show us all of Louisville and convince us to move there. We went to Louisville Stoneware and painted plates, walked around the St. James Art Festival, ate out at several "trendy" places, walked the people bridge, and went to South East on Sunday. It was a weekend packed full of experiences! We had the BEST time hanging out with them. Rachel and Jeremy are truly amazing friends and we are blessed by their friendship. We actually talked about moving after that weekend, obviously it didn't happen... yet
I passed the National Veterinary Technician Exam in November! And I'm working on getting my license and becoming a Registered Veterinary Technician, just need to get a background check and take the state exam. Everyone wants to know my next steps as far as a tech job. As much as I enjoy both the bakery and working in a clinic, I'm not sure where I want to be. I am trusting that the Lord will guide me with this decision and put me in a place where I will be happy and can bless others.
Wes is currently transitioning out of Sagamore Institute and is on the hunt for a new job. We are excited and anxious to see what God has planned for him. He has had interviews, some of which he was definitely overqualified for and others that just didn't fit him. Recently, there has been two opportunities with great potential... we will see.
This December, Wes and I decided to come up with some Christmas traditions and spend more time together during the holidays. We put the tree up and decorated the apartment together, watched Christmas movies, made a gingerbread house, went Christmas shopping, had a baking party, and sent out our first Christmas card. On Christmas Eve, we went to Wes' parents house to open gifts and celebrate. Bonnie, David, Wes and I spent the night and had breakfast on Christmas day. We went back to our apartment opened presents from each other, gave Cleo her green fish, and spent the day relaxing at home. That night, we drove around looking at Christmas lights. For me it didn't feel much like Christmas without running from house to house seeing my whole family, but it was much calmer. The weekend after Christmas, we went to Cincinnati to see my family and exchanged gifts late. My cousins and I played old games from our childhood... Aggravation, Loopin' Louie, and Mouse Trap. It was hilarious! We were able to reunite with some wonderful lifelong friends over lunch. It was basically a perfect weekend. I really really enjoyed seeing everyone! I always miss them, I just don't realize how much until I'm with them.
It's New Year's Eve... Wes and I have no plans. Tonight we will probably be that old, married couple that sits at home in our pajamas watching Netflix. Oh, sounds like a normal evening for us!
Happy New Year!
