27 Birthdays

27 Things I'm Thankful for this birthday

1. For having matured up enough to fall in love with a husband who thinks I'm really really awesome.
2. The way Yogi sleeps in our bed and usually kicks me out of it by morning.
3. A house that's turning into a home.
4. The cubbiest (ok, ok, big furred) cat. ever.
5. The bravest cat ever. (Yogi is no calm bear)
6. A body that continues to let me destroy push it.
7. Finding a new job that surrounds me with encouragement and support
8. Engaging in volunteerism and charity. Two values that have helped define who I want to be.
9. Finally learning how to live without the credit card "safety net"
10. Finding a habit in making a weekly breakfast-lunch-dinner grocery list.
11. Living in a city filled with people who love it so much they will put up with a week-straight downpour
12. Having friends across the US that provide us somewhere new and fun to travel to.
13. Packing a lunch everyday to save calories and cash (over two months straight so far!)
14. Living minutes to hours away from the BEST wine in Washington
15. Talking to my mom, and always ending the conversation like it's the best conversation we've ever had. I really like being able to make her smile.
16. My dad joining Facebook and liking all my pictures and posts. I like to think it shows him how much I am my father's daughter.
17. Air popped popcorn with fancy salts.
18. Finding and Buying a 8 by 10' rug for under $300 this past memorial day wknd.
19. The cats running downstairs the moment they think yogi is gone.
20. Hearing the cats run and chase at all hours of the night in all areas of the house.
21. Yogi's very low, long  and sleepy growl to any imaginary or real noise at night. He's so goofy.
22. Having done some major, although unexpected, remodeling to our basement. & so far, so good.
23. Finding success and peace in a financial plan both Ben and I could agree to.
24. Free wifi at coffee shops
25.Warmer weather each day, fewer raindrops
26. Attending Ballets routinely since moving to Seattle
27. Cucumbers and Hummus to hold me over until dinner.

Motherhood

Kris Atomic Illustration

currently reading:

  Mothers on Motherhood

and dreaming of a big family full of hugs, kisses, and snuggles.

Kickstart November

Good Morning, November!

This month I am taking a spin on National Novel Writing Month and going to challenge myself to post daily to this tiny little blog. I've always wanted to expand this into something worth visiting, and I'm hoping this is the kickstart that it needs -- look forward to some posts about travel, dogs, cats, hair, clothing, and life.

First up. 

I'm participating as a Mo Sista for Movember!

I've created a team with my co-workers to raise awareness and support of men's health.

Starting November 1^st,  we are raising awareness and funds for men’s health issues, specifically men’s cancer initiatives.

Men start Movember 1st clean shaven. For the rest of the month, these selfless and generous men, known as Mo Bros, groom, trim and wax their way into the annals of fine moustachery (or beardom). Supported by the WOMEN in their lives, Mo Sistas, Movember Mo Bros raise funds and awareness for their Mo-growing efforts.

Mo Bros effectively become walking, talking billboards for the 30 days of November. Through their actions and words they raise awareness by prompting private and public conversation around the often ignored issue of men’s health.

If you're interested in helping - 

Join me in Support and awareness of Men’s health

1 in 2 men, and 1 in 3 women, 

will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.

Baby Bucket List

DeerHead

Remember this post?

Ben and I... okay well maybe just me, pride myself on this idea that I am a highly responsible, super street smart kind of adult.  I know what it means to save money, I've always kept a budget of where things are going, and if something costs more than $150, I have serious buyers guilt about it, so I don't do it (alone).

We have been fortunate enough to have traveled and visited friends and family in different states, so when we were thinking about a baby bucket list, nothing really jumped out - YES we would love to go to Europe - Spain - Germany - but we don't have the vacation days or money to do it. And we already make trips to Yakima valley (heaven, really) multiple times a year to get some quality ben-dana-wine time.

We decided on two very important (and time consuming) things to accomplish before Baby could be a reality.

1) pay off our debt (Credit Cards strictly, and create a budget we can both agree on to pay off our house & student loans, and build up our savings account)

2) get Dana to a healthy weight (It's so important to me to create a healthy body for a baby to grow in)

When we accomplish these things, I think both Ben and I will be able to rest easier knowing that we have created a financially secure place surrounded by a healthy lifestyle for our kids.

kid thoughts

Bear Print via Animal Print Shop

You know that moment when you're a kid and all you want in the world is to be an adult so badly. You crave the responsibilities, the control, the money, and the ensuing adult life choices. 

And when you tell an adult about your big rush to get to their spot, they tell you to settle down and take your time, you're only a kid once. 

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I rush through life, it's not my most redeeming quality, but I'm impatient. I've set goals for myself since I was a little kid. I only lived in the "next step" phase and never in the "present." This also attributed to my successes - kick ass internships across the United States, winning scholarships, and many leadership positions. All these were stepping stones to eventually achieving adulthood. 

I recently turned 26. 

When did that happen?? I was just a youthful 20-something. Now my bones are weakening, my skin is wrinkling, I enjoy red wines, got hitched, and just bought a house. 

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Since before we got engaged, Ben and I have been excited to start a family (you can breathe, I'm not pregnant). We both love kids, big families, and cute little things. And there have been serious times when we say "yea, let's do this!" However, we just don't feel like it's the right time for us, which is really frustrating because we can't pinpoint anything except that we still feel like college kids.

A few weeks I stumbled onto this cute blog: WhereMyHeartResides and her great idea for a baby bucket list. So part of our college kid mentality isn't that we think we're immature, we just don't think we're smart or cultured enough to raise a kid to be the absolute perfect kid in the entire world.  And that's why we're going to do a baby bucket list... things to do, see, & experience before a little one arrives and makes us parents forever. 

Suggestions?

Geez theknot.com, a little pushy, eh?

It's Been 6 Months Since Your Wedding...

 And theknot.com thinks I need to make babies.   

STOP TELLING ME WHAT TO DO, INTERNET.

 

Dad and Me

photos compliment of my new Aunt Jane!

my favorite

Heroes

Max found this back home :)
Message sent from phone.

Update: we think this is from a 7 or 8 year old Dana. My heroes were Mario Lemieux, my Dad, and my Mom. 


maybe this is why...