Happy Birthday Jeff!

Jeff's birthday was on the 7th.  I made him these Cake Batter Truffles and they were delicious!

On Friday, we had a family party and had great food and even better company!

On Saturday, we had a few friends over and have Buca di Beppo to go and played the game "5 Second Rule".  It was so much fun!

Coming in to finals week, it was nice to celebrate and have some fun together!

My Better Half

I am so thankful for this guy.

He reads me like a book. 
Even when I am hiding my emotions and stress, he gets it.
But instead of drawing attention to it, he just does things to make it better.
Like, waking up before me to make my breakfast, lunch, and cook me a wonderful pasta dinner for my night shift.
Doing all of the dishes and laundry while I'm gone, when he could be studying.
Making sure I have a relaxing day off and making me homemade icecream shakes.
I notice every time I start thinking I'm going to lose it, he somehow makes everything manageable and cheers me right up (when I didn't think he knew I wasn't okay).

I am so lucky to have such a wonderful support by my side and am so grateful for everything he does for me.

Latest and Greatest!

Sorry this photo is not the highest quality... I have an ancient phone.

We are dogsitting this week for Brad and Leah's little puppy, Zeus! He and Ike are great friends! (Look at them holding back paws.)  Zeus is so cute and energetic.  I'm sure Ike is loving having someone to rough-house with! 

Thanksgiving is tomorrow and I will be making 4 pies today!! Apple, pumpkin, Oreo cream, and peanut butter. Yummmmmy!

I have been doing a lot of wedding planning lately, because all of a sudden, we had less than 4 months to go!  In the last week, I've hired the photographer, videographer, photobooth, and DJ!  AND came out $1500 under budget in those areas.  LOVE that!  Because we are getting married in the middle of a semester, we are going to spend one or two nights somewhere and then finish the semester.  We will go on our honeymoon at the beginning of May.  Any ideas on where we should stay for our wedding night?

[ONE]

ONE year, ONE month, ONE week, and ONE day until I graduate. I can do this!
I am burnt out.  Just a few more weeks of this semester and then a small break! Yes!
I am so ready to be done.  I also don't know what I'll do with myself when I'm not this busy. 

Also, ONEhundredtwentythree days until we're married! Woo hooo!

Ramblings.

Here I sit... 5:22 AM.
I've been up since 4:30 AM when Jeff left for work.
I should go run, but it is snowy.
(Since I'm not a runner, conditions must be prime)
So I'll workout inside instead.

I'm trying to get fit for the wedding.
And really just life, too.
But you know what sucks?
Back fat.
You can not suck in back fat.
Does that mean that back fat actually doesn't suck?

So many people tell me that they fought more with their spouse during their engagement and wedding planning time than any other time in their relationship.
Jeff and I have never been happier.
Cheesy, I know.
But seriously, it's always been great and now it's just greater!

My dog is almost 4. That's 28 in dog years.
He's the best.
I'd have so many blog posts dedication to him, but I don't want people to think I'm a crazy dog lady.
Like all the posts people have for their children.
How cute they are. (He's damn cute.)
Their accomplishments. (He has mastered "bang" where I point my finger like a gun and shoot and then he plays dead.)
Potty-training. (He's poops on the grass EVERY time!)
See? I told you - the best!

How Can I Miss You If You Never Leave?

Life is busy, to say the least.  I like it that way.

Jeff and I don't see each other as often as I'd like, BUT we definitely see each other more than like a military family or long-distance relationships.  So I'm thankful.

Here is what a usual week looks like for us:

Sunday:
Jeff: OFF!
Traci: Work 5:00 AM - 5:30 PM

Monday:
Jeff: Work 5:00 AM - 5:00PM, Class 9:00 - 9:50 AM and 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Traci: Clinical 6:00AM - 3:00 PM, Work 5:00 PM - 5:30 AM

Tuesday:
Jeff: Work 5:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Class 6:00 PM - 7:50 PM
Traci: Clinical 6:45 AM - 4:00 PM, Work 5:00 PM - 5:30 AM

Wednesday:
Jeff: Work 5:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Class 9:00-9:50 AM and 5:30 PM - 8:20 PM
Traci: Class 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM
(Oh yayyy! We get to see each other tonight.)

Thursday:
Jeff: Work 5:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Class 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Traci: Class 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM, Test 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
(And again!!)

Friday:
Jeff: Work 5:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Class 9:00-9:50 AM
Traci: Music class whenever.
(Helloooo weekend!!)

Saturday:
Jeff: Works most for 8 hours.
Traci: OFF!

The beginning of the week is hectic and then it slows down.  It is a bummer to not have dinner together every night like last semester but we'll survive.  I am so glad we are able to spend time together.  In our free time we have been rock climbing and wedding planning.  I have the best supporter by my side and am so happy to have him!

P.S... Wonder why Jeff is working SO MUCH? It might have something to do with... ANOTHER PROMOTION!  Woo hoooo! Jeff has such a strong dedication to his work and I'm so proud of him.

I bought a...

A WEDDING DRESS!
I am so excited! I love it! If I could customize a dress myself, this one would be it.
I went dress shopping with my mom, sisters, and Leah and after I tried this one on, no other dresses compared. 
Here it is....

Hahaha totally kidding, I am not posting pictures of the real deal because Jeff cannot see it!
It feels so good to check that part off of the to-do list! Not much left to do really.  5 months to go!