Mary Kay Beauty Consultant

I think that probably every woman out there has hard of Mary Kay, right? It is a line of make-up and skin care items for women, and they also have several items for men. A few weeks ago I went to a May Kay party for a friend of mine (her husband is also an M1 at UMMC, and we are in the Wives' auxiliary together!). I was listening to the beauty consultant talking about what Mary Kay was like for her and I was so inspired! Not only was she really able to boost her financial situation, but it gave her an opportunity to meet some really amazing woman and touch so many lives. I was inspired to look into becoming a consultant myself. So.....last week I signed up and I am now an official consultant!

I am so excited to be working with such a great group of women. They emphasize that our priorities should always be- God first, Family Second, and Career third. I was so impressed that from the very beginning they were emphasizing that a career should not be the most prominent thing in our lives. Of course we need jobs to survive and pay bills (etc etc etc), but a job or one's desire for money should never be the ultimate goal or our driving force. 

I think this is an especially hard concept in the world today, particularly in my generation. We are beginning to enter the work force now and it is hard sometimes to remember that all the benefits of life and work will come in due time. Our parents didn't have 3 story mansions and granite counter tops when they were our age. I believe there is a certain sweetness that comes with working hard at something and then enjoying the benefits. I've been thinking about this a lot lately because I think the timeline Will and I are looking at has become more apparent and 'real' to me. He's got at least 3 1/2 years of school left and then several years of residency, and soon (hopefully!) I'll be back in school. We've still got a long haul before we'll be in our careers and working. 

I know our time will come when we can work and enjoy the benefits. For now I am trying to enjoy all the small things that come with our lifestyle at this point, for I know this time will pass all too quickly. 

I love that I can vacuum the whole apartment without having to plug the vacuum into more than one outlet. 

I love that I can always hear where Will is in the apartment. 

I love that Will can ride his bike to the hospital.

I love that we are in the middle of a neighborhood and can go walking and visit with our neighbors. 

I love that we are almost equidistance from all 3 families. 

I love that this apartment has so many windows and we always get so much sunlight. 

I love that the small space means we are constantly bumping into each other. 

I love that our laundry is right in the kitchen. It makes me laugh now, but I know I'll miss it one day.

I love living in such an eccentric part of the city and seeing all of our weird neighbors walk around. 

I love that in the afternoon I can hear the local high school marching band playing. 

I love that we are right across from a park where they show free movies like ET and Indiana Jones. 

I love that we have two porches and a little patch of green space that I have reclaimed. 

Circa May 2011

There are so many things that I love about this apartment and this stage of life we are in now. I'm trying to enjoy everything about this moment because it's going to pass too quickly. So for the time, I am going to take too many pictures, stay up way too late with Will (every night this week), and try to enjoy all that this stage has to offer.

Go hug someone you love :)

Pardon Our Progress- We Are Under Construction

I think that title pretty much sums up this blog right now. Last week I got really into updating the blog and trying to give it 'the look' that accurately depicts the feeling we want to convey (....and I'm REALLY good at procrastinating....more on that later).

I spent several hours researching how to change the look of a blog, and how to add tabs. It would be really helpful right about now if I had taken had paid attention in my Computer Science class last Fall. Whelp. Ya see, I don't exactly understand HTML code. I know, I know....It's not that hard. I'll get it soon....but for now I'm on strike.

So this weekend was Halloween! And Will's 5 year High School Reunion! And the UMMC Student Body Halloween party! And my tour for the UMMC School of Nursing! And game night with my sister Rachael and her hubby! and Will's only 'free' and relaxing weekend in a long time! woohoo!

It was a fabulous weekend, but I must say, I am sad that it went by so quickly. Will and I had some great time together and it felt like we were a married couple again- rather than two people occupying the same space.

I say this in jest, seriously. Ever heard the phrase "medical school widow"? I used to laugh when people said that (and cringe on the inside).  This past month has given that statement some credibility. Will has been a great husband with what little time he has, but let me say that I am so glad that Blacktober is over.

This too shall pass. 

Why, hello there, Movember. To raise awareness about Prostate Cancer, this month Will will be growing out his 'stache in support. We will be taking either daily or weekly pics to display in an effort to help raise funds for research. Did you know that Prostate Cancer affects 1 in 6 men? That's huge! My uncle was just diagnosed a few weeks ago and is now preparing to have the radical procedure of having his prostate removed. Let's get involved, ya'll.

In other news, I submitted my Nursing School Application. I am very excited and very nervous. I applied for two programs- they only differ in the amount of time. The Accelerated BSN program is 15 months, and the Traditional BSN program is 2 years. Both would begin next May. These programs are very competitive- but I know in my heart that I am meant to be a nurse. My fingers are crossed and I am praying that I find out soon! I applied Early Decision which would let me know of an acceptance in December, and if I'm not accepted into the first round or decision, then my application will be put back into the general admission pile and I will know more definitively in March. Please say a prayer for me!

For Halloween Will and I were "Black Eyed Peas". NOT The Black Eyed Peas. Just, Black Eyed peas. Pictures to come soon.

I'd love to know what your Halloween Costume was this year! Or was there a favorite one that you saw? Please leave me a comment and let me know!

Have a great week. Happy Movember.

P.S. You know those times when you feel absolutely certain that you have the best mom? Today is one of those days. I've been struggling the past few weeks with some personal stuff- mainly just normal life growing pains, and my mom went out of her way to get me a sweet happy- an electric wax melter scent diffuser thing-a-ma-bob from Scentsy. Thanks, Mom. I love it.

Isn't it beautiful? I love the angels. I think I know where Christmas gifts are coming from this year!