Update on Life in the Lou

Hello sweet girls! I figured I would take the free time on this Friday evening since I have no life. I'm just so busy and popular I have so many options on things to do tonight that I just decided I had to stay home because I couldn't decide. ;) So here goes that past month of my life in a little blogpost.

So the semester ended after what was a very tiring and miserable couple of months. I headed home on Tuesday after my last day of clinic and then left for the great ol' HHI on Thursday with TJ to meet Whitney and Clint. It was a good time! Friday was rainy until about 4:00 so we kind of drove around and went to a few stores and then headed for a walk on the beach. We cooked in for dinner both nights we were there to get in more cuddle time save money and it made it so relaxing! And the dinners were delish! Sidenote: TJ is quite the little cook. He whipped us up a wonderful breakfast on Friday morning and then manned the grill both nights. He stole my heart a little. Nothing like a man in the kitchen. Not sure why, but I was surprised he was so good.Anyway, Saturday we were able to go out to the beach. It was one of those tricky days when you think it is so nice and breezy then you get home and realize your skin has been baking all day. Don't even worry about it. I got fried! (I'm STILL peeling. ew) But nothing could compare to Clint. His legs and feet were so burnt he could barely keep shoes on. It seemed miserable.

And since I know you are chomping at the bit to know...it was a really good weekend with TJ. One of the best parts I think was the drive down. We had so much fun and literally laughed the entire time! It was good to get to spend time together just the two of us. We had a great time with Whit and Clint too. It was good times all around and I think we really needed it. Because I've been going home so often lately, we've been kept to hang out at each of our parents' houses. Don't get me wrong...love my parents but sometimes when you just want to hang out together and they don't get the point...it gets old. So in short, the beach weekend was great. We had so much fun and I wish it could have lasted longer.

The Monday I came back from home and my summer (using that term as loosely as possible) break was miserable. I was feeling very sorry for myself, pitiful, like a loser sad. I have been so sad these past couple times coming back and couldn't put my finger on why. I mean before I left, the whole morning my stomach had that nervous, butterfly like feeling. When I was heading back drowning my sorrows in my Diet Mt. Dew, I realized that I have no real connections in Louisville. It is so different than UK! With the exception of Whitney, Amanda, and Erin I have no reason to be here besides to get an education. And I really don't even see Amanda and Erin because of our busy schedules. But the friendships like we had at UK are not here. I feel like I have no real connections here. The people in my classes are great (at least most of them), but the friendships I've formed here are pretty superficial. Aka we are only friends because none of us know anyone else. So I guess that got me thinking how much I miss you all being only a few blocks away at all times.

I also have really been missing my family lately. So many things happening. There obviously is something in the water at home because someone in my family has a baby just about every 9 months and it makes me so sad to not be home with those sweet, sweet babies!

Speaking of babies, Walker Paul Shamblin is finally here. And what. a. cutie. Mark my words, he is going to be a total heartbreaker. I got to go home last weekend and see him. It was killing me to not being able to leave right away! But once I got there I was able to spend lots of time with him. He's just so cuddley and sweet! And his hair. Oh my gosh! He has so much that it looks like it's actually been cut and styled like it is on purpose. I just love him so much. And he is all boy too! Sometimes you look at a baby and are like hmm boy or girl? But with little Walker, he's a total boy! The only bad thing about him is that he has the name of what would have been my first little boy. Darn him.

The semester is starting whether I like it or not. But thank goodness it won't be as bad as last semester or what next semester is supposedly supposed to be like. Actually a professor said today, "Honestly, it would take something like you keying my car to not get an A in this class." hahaha! Praise the Lord! I need an easy semester. But the scary/good/exciting/terrifying news is that this time next year I will be packing my bags and heading to God-knows-where to start my externship! Where will life take me? Stay tuned folks.

Ok so now I am probably going to bed at 11:00 on a Friday to go find some thing that 24 year olds do on Friday nights that is real wild and crazy and 24-like. Peace homes.

Royally Obsessed.

Ok, as much as I tried to fight it. I am now obsessed with the Royal Wedding.

Thursday I was all like: who cares, talk about something else, this isn't London. Hurry up and get married so people will talk about something else.

Friday after turning on my TV and seeing the end of the wedding I was all like: OMG! How can I meet Prince Harry and make this my life?? haha...but seriously, I have got to find a way to meet him. What. A. Babe. I don't even care that he's a total ginger and our kids would probably get sunburnt just thinking about the sun.

Anyway, back to the wedding. Can we just talk about how beautiful Kate Middleton is? I mean she is perfect for the Princess job. So elegant and classy. But even more importantly WHY DON'T WE WEAR AWESOME HATS IN AMERICA?? Oh my goodness. The hats. I was obsessed with the hats..well, most of them.

If I start showing up at weddings wearing crazy, but fabulous hats...don't be shocked. I think one of the reasons I love it so much is because of the tradition behind it. There is a wedding? Well, gotta go buy a hat. I love that. And it wasn't just the hats... the whole day was about tradition. And yes, I'm aware that every person that gets married over there doesn't go all out but it's the fact of the matter that they seemed like a big group of classy people. And even when they showed the crowds that had gathered outside...no one looked homeless or dirty or like they wanted to punch someone or like the country as a whole is going to be humiliated because that one person made it onto the tv! They had so much pride in their country and it was just really neat. Especially when all you hear lately on our tvs are "Republicans did this" "Well, democrats did this."...to which I say...is annoying. I love America, really. But come on people, let's take a lead from the Brits and class this place up a little.

Another reason I loved this whole love story thing is because Kate Middleton is living out a Disney movie. I love a good love story and this is definitely one! Seriously, she was just a normal "commoner" and then the Prince comes and sweeps her off her feet...making her a real life princess! How awesome! I bet after the first time he asked her out she called her mom and was like "Mom, you are never going to believe who just asked me out!!" and her mom was probably like "ha. ha. real funny, like that would ever happen." But it did and her life is completely and totally different now.

Ok, I'm done with the Royal Wedding talk. Just wanted to share my love. If you didn't watch it or see anything about it, well I'm sorry to know you've been living under a rock. But go to people.com and you'll basically get all the juicy details. If you did watch it, I hope you loved it as much as me! Now I leave you with, what I believe, is the most hilarious picture they probably had yesterday.

Things I love Thursday

I'm a day late but who cares! My post is about to sound a lot like Amanda's! haha But that's ok...

I am loving my sweet neices too! And that I got to spend so much time with them over the weekend! Saturday was Landri's 2nd Birthday! Can't believe she's so already two!!! The girls had a blast playing the games Brooke had planned and then of course they were all looking A.DOR.A.BLE. on Easter Sunday at church! Here are some pictures from Easter. I love these sweet faces! Every time I see this picture of Emeri I am immediately in a good mood! This picture captures her to a T! And then there is Ella looking like a total big girl and then sweet sweet Evie who is smiling like this just about 24/7! Then there is me and LowLow who was obviously very excited to hear a train coming! haha I love this picture too! (ok, I'm done being an annoying aunt! )

I am loving that the acceptance letter finally came!! TJ will officially be starting PA school in the fall at Mountain State University. It's about an hour from home, a really good but really small school (pretty much the rival school of where Tori went) I'm so excited for him and so glad that weight is lifted. I think it was really wearing on him. He also takes the MCAT tomorrow so please be saying prayers for him! :)

I am loving that a week from today I will be hearing toward HHI and getting to see BRoberts (I'm aware that's not your last name anymore but Bmarlow doesn't sound good!) Woohoo. Can't wait! This song pretty much captures my feelings about the whole situation...

I am loving that I will be 5 semesters down with 3 more until I'm done with class and 3 more of externship after that. Writing it out makes it seem so much less exciting but I will not let it rain on my parade! The hard work is paying off! :)

I am loving the new show The Voice. For those of you that haven't watched it...you should. Summary: Cee Lo, Adam Levina (Maroon 5 guy), Blake Shelton, and Christina Aguilera are coaches and they pick their team by listening to them sing...only listening...they have their backs turned so they can't see what the people look like since that could probably persuade votes. Anyway, they listen to them sing. Then whoever hits their button and turns around means they want them to be on their team. (if no one turns around you get kicked off) If more than one coach turns around then the contestant gets to pick the team they want to be on. Anyway, it's amazing! The coaches are hilarious fighting over the people. And Blake Shelton has some great one liners! And it shows their personal story at the beginning and their family backstage watching and of course it makes me cry because they are all so proud. Check it out next Tuesday night! :) Here's a preview of one of the best guys! I love this song and let's talk about how hot Adam Levine is.

ok, time to go be lazy or something!! LOVE YOU! :)

GUESS WHAT!guess what, guess what, guess what!

I am finished with KTIP! Hallelujah!!! If you talk to me I promise I will be in a much better mood than the last time we talked (wait about a week thought because I am PMSing.) I have been celebratory dancing to this song all afternoon. Whatever you are doing right now, stop doing it and just dance to his song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJdyfuiVw6k

P.S. I am gettin married in 165 day!!!

What I'm Loving Monday!

Hey girls! Due to my crazy, stressful schedule I have been lacking on my blogging. Since I have some free time today I decided to alter the famous "What I'm Loving Wednesday" and tell you all instead What I'm Loving Monday!

1. I'm loving that my niece is going to be 1 on Thursday! I can not believe it has been a whole year, but oh my goshhhhh she is just so sweet! I got to spend a lot of time with her while I was home for Easter and she just melts my heart :)

2. I'm loving that Dancing with the Stars is on tonight! Me and DC watch it every Monday and then get up and dance around the house together on commericals (We are thinking about taking dance lessons together this summer! I think it would be so much fun) haha It's one of my favorite shows and is a great ending to my Monday's :)

3. I'm loving that by the end of this week I will be done with this semester!! Yayy!! 2 semesters down only about 4 more to go!!

4. I'm loving my new flowers I planted! I was feeling like working in the yard last weekend so me and DC went and bought some cute little flowers and planted them out front! I'm such an adult haha You should all make a trip to my house to see them haha

5. Lastly, I'm loving WEDDING PLANNING! (Jane Ann's...not mine! haha) In some way or another I think about the wedding, shower, party, etc a little every day. lol I hope this is not wrong. Stay tuned for further details about wedding shower/bachelorette party fun :)

I miss you all very much! For those of you still in school good luck with finals and for those not good luck with life in general haha Love you girls :)

Random thoughts.

Well, first I'd like to say I am currently giving Britney a round of applause for blogging! Sometimes when I start reading the blogs it takes me a minute to realize who wrote it so naturally I was like hmm, who's this by? Then I kept reading and my day was made. It's the little things... haha! But I agree with Britney...y'all just make my day on this little blog. Love reading about your lives when it's been a while since we've talked!!

So life is hectic lately to say the least. It seems like the semester is ending at rapid speed and I am drowning in work. I have tried to be pretty productive lately though since I'm going home next weekend for Easter and I have a research paper due the Monday after. Rude! Who does that?? So, I'm rewarding myself with a little blogging.

For those of you wondering...TJ and I are still doing whatever it is that we are doing. And let me just say, it has not been easy as of late. I think I forgot how long distance relationships work. (ok, let's be honest, I think I forgot how all relationships work since it had been like a lifetime since I'd been in one) I hate not being able to see him or hang out with him whenever I want. I also hate that all our time is scheduled. We can't just spontaneously say "let's go get icecream!" Don't get me wrong, I love a Blizzard as much as the next girl, but I'm probably not going to drive 3.5 hours each way to get one. But that doesn't mean I don't want to any less. Does that make sense? I would love to be able to just drive in every weekend and see him but my grades and the gas prices do not like that idea. Sometimes it's hard too because I feel like he has a job and nothing on the weekends so he should be willing to come here whenever. Well, he's not. He is taking this little test called the MCAT in two weeks and well it is slowly melting my soul. I hate that test and I've never even taken it. It's been really hard trying to work around the ridiculous Princeton Review class schedule and all that other mess. With that class/taking the test has come a lot of stress. And I've learned that his stress= shutting down. Aka not really talking a lot, being crabby, and just generally not himself. We had a nice longggg talk about it one night and I feel like he was really honest with me about how stressed he is about the MCAT and PA school stuff (he applied to PA school and is taking the MCAT...long story short the PA school hasn't gotten back to him either good or bad news and everytime he calls they tell him the same thing "we are still reviewing applications" it's rolling admissions and basically it could be August before he hears anything and he sent his application in last August... unprofessional and not rolling admissions if you ask me!! so now he has to take the MCAT not really knowing if everything relies on his score and it's just a mess) I mean who can blame him for being stressed...he has no idea where he'll be or even what he'll be doing come August. So right now he's working on dealing with his stress better and I'm working on not reading into things too much (yes, that is by far my fatal flaw--well, one of many) But we do have a beach trip planned for the first weekend in May. It's the weekend after he takes the test and the week of my "summer break" and I think it'll be really good because it'll be time for just us to really see what is going on. I know that I really care about him and I feel like he's really showed me that I can trust him but at the same time I feel like every time I get really comfortable we will get in a stupid fight or have some deep conversation that makes me put walls up again. I know that with all the hurt I experienced before it is a process but part of me is scared that it will always be that way.

Life in Louisville has been kind of rough lately. I have been really homesick...not sure why. I think some of it has been because I want to just be able to see where TJ and I are but the majority of it is that I just really miss my family. I feel like I miss out on so much when I'm here. Babies growing up, people moving, and even just missing birthday dinners is hard. But like I said in my last post, I know I am supposed to be in Louisville. Too many amazing things and amazing people have come into my life since i've been here. So right now I'm dealing with it.

Just FYI- in a year and 2 weeks I will never take a test again! WOOHOO. I will be packing my bags and heading out to where ever my externship leads me. SCARY! I'm in the process now of trying to look around a little bit at possibly placements, but man- it's tough and nerve-racking! But the process will be here soon enough.

I went to Chicago last week for school and had a BLAST! (but I wish Gina had been there!!!!) It was a nice break even though it was for an audiology conference. I love Chicago, but I was ready to come back. A few of the girls in my room were about to drive me insane. One girl went to Chicago with literally $20 in her bank account! TWENTY DOLLARS!!! TWO-ZERO! She was a mooch on cab rides, got an attitude about paying for gas to get to and from, and didn't pay me back for the hotel until this past Wednesday. Call me crazy but she probably should have sat this trip out! Don't ya think?? The other girl had been to Chicago once before and acted like she was born and raised in Sears Tower. Someone would ask a question and she'd be all over it trying to answer. And if she thought you didn't know the answer or said something wrong, she pulled out her Droid and googled it. So, I was ready to get away from those girls but Whitney, Katie(the other girl in our room) and I had a great time and tried to ignore Miss Broke-as-a-joke and Miss ChicagoQueen as best we could and still had an AMAZING time! I think we should all go there with the REAL Chicago Queen...Miss Gina Trauger! That would be so fun!! I realize this can't happen for like 10 years because of school, life, jobs, etc. but just a thought :)

Ok, time to get back to work- trying to finish two presentations and a paper in two days. I think it's doable. Anyway, love you girls so so so so so so much! Missing you!

I know you all are probably falling out of your chairs right now because I am ACTUALLY blogging!! To tell you the truth I often forget about our little blog which is why I never post anything (so sad) Anyways......I just spent the last 30 minutes catching up on everybody's life....and it made my day! Over the past few months, I kind of feel like my life has been crashing down all around me. I have a huge weight on my shoulders with all the demands of school, marriage, and just life in general. I am having trouble finding happiness and contentment these days.....laughter and smiles have been few and far between. But...today when I opened the blog and I saw a picture with all your smiling faces and I read your stories of all the things that you "like" and that you are thankful for.....it boosted my spirit and made me SMILE! It made me realize that I have been focusing on all the wrong things in life. There are good things that are going on around me and I just have to open my eyes to see them. It's the little things like warm spring weather, engagements, visits with family, reading blog posts by friends that will keep me going! It just made me realize why I love you all....you can turn my day around and change my perspective even when your not around! Thanks for that! Anyways....sorry for being sappy haha I will probably be blogging ALOT more over the next few weeks because I am being shipped to the middle of nowhere in South Carolina for an internship. Just gotta get through 7 tests in the next 2 weeks then off to Greenwood for 6 weeks!

I miss you all soooo much and can't wait to see you this summer!