Sweet June

I spent this evening packing and prepping for the annual Ryan family beach vacation. It's my very favorite family tradition. The Ryan (and extended) family has been reunited every year for 31 years. Some of my fondest memories occur in this specific week each year.

I find it only fitting that one of my favorite memories from the beach includes my Dad. This memory was from my younger years. My Dad, and Mom, and uncles and cousins would all be out in the ocean,swimming. I would have been young enough to not brave the waves on my own. Each time a wave would come through, my Dad would lift me up and over the wave....so it wouldn't crash above me. I don't know why that has always stuck with me, but even now I recall it with sheer happiness.

My Dad and Mom have always been fossil hunters at the beach. Shells, stones, bones and sharks teeth are treasures to be found at Garden City, S.C. I do not know how young I was when I started collecting these fossils with my parents and brother, but I can NOT recall a single beach trip where this tradition did not occur. And now, it's one of my favorite things to do.

So, on this Father's Day, I want to say Thank You to my Dad. Thank you for being a part of my favorite childhood memories. Thank you for the endless support and patience. Thank you for the opportunities you and Mom have allowed Matt and I. We were lucky to have parents with personality and humor. We were blessed to have you for a Dad. A role model of hard work, much like Mom, but in different ways!

I love you, Dad! Although I am so much like Mom, I like to think I am a lot like you, too, Dad (although some of that may just be wishful thinking). I would be proud to be like either of you, as I am proud of who you both are!

I could never say enough to express how thankful I am for all you have done for us over the years. I hope you know how much we love you. This day is to honor you. Happy Father's Day!



With Love Always,
Lauren

My piggy bank broke...

Brandon and I are currently trying to save money. As we do not share an account, we are saving separately. I have never been a good saver(this is an understatement). I buy things on impulse (small purchases, of course) and my addiction to Target, Hobby Lobby, and green houses (flowers) doesn't help my bank account. Making very little money (working Non-profit) adds to my saving frustrations....it's hard to save what you do not have.

Don't get me wrong...I love my job. I never thought money was going to matter. But here I am making weekly decisions like this "Do I want new work clothes, or do I want to have babies?"

Saving for In-vitro fertilization (known from this point on as IVF) has become my main priority. It's hard to constantly be making decisions like the one above. Putting future children on hold for a new pair of flip-flops hardly seems worth it. And, naturally, I am over-exaggerating (because it comes so natural to me), but sometimes this is how I feel. We never wanted money to dictate our lives or futures or most of all....children. I understand that money plays a role in everyday life, but this seems different.

I guess it's official. We are adults (I refuse to use the term "grown-ups"). And here I am, making ADULT decisions. Not as much fun as I had hoped, but we know it will be worth it in the end! Ahhh...to be able to get pregnant naturally....don't take it for granted!

How awful am I?

Mornings are not my best side. I tend to show my horns and spit fire in the mornings. What can I say? I love sleep. Period.

I have recently (as of yesterday) decided to stop attending the Tuesday morning Body Pump class at my gym. I had a hard time coming to this conclusion, but this was the best choice for me, and possibly the instructor.

Here is my problem- The Tuesday morning class is taught by a man that smiles from the second he walks into the room until the moment he leaves the gym (I KNOW...what a jerk). He is so stinking happy. And he laughs and giggles (ugh) and even tries to tell jokes. Right? Shouldn't someone tell this man it's 5:30AM? Maybe that's why they hired him....he's perky (understatement) and obviously really enjoys mornings.

It is really hard for me to drag my big behind out of the bed at normal time, much less at 5AM...MUCH LESS to go exercise. And this guy, who makes clowns look depressed and suicidal, isn't helping my desire to attend class.

I try to act like this isn't my real issue with the instructor. Like, I might be less of a bad guy if the real problem is that I can't hear him (which I can't). He does not work well with the mic system set up to be heard OVER the music, which is not accomplished in his class. All I hear is the music and the occasional call of direction. I try to watch him to get my cues...but he's up there smiling.....and happy and I can't look for long, otherwise I might catch what he has.

So, there it is....
I feel terrible for not liking him. Am I a bad person? I don't guess it really matters, I don't think I can go back to his class. Guess my Tuesday Body Pump will have to be moved to the evening. Where people can be as perky as they would like, as it's a reasonable hour!

Yep...that was scary, or not.

This afternoon as I was making copies at work I had a health scare. My left arm got tingly and numb. I had a weird sensation that went from my forearm up to shoulder. In only a few seconds I contemplated several reasons...of course, my first thought was "Oh my gosh, what if I am having a heart attack" (slightly over-exaggerated..I know). Now, mind you, only a second or two has passed. I look down at this appendage that is now (in my mind) going to have to be amputated from the gangrene I was obviously suffering from....and there it was.....

A rubber band I had forgotten I left on my arm earlier. At some point it had been pushed up towards my elbow and was simply cutting off my circulation. Oh good, I am not going to die from smelly rotting limbs....wphew, close call.

Never forget....

First, I would like to start out by saying THANK YOU to all the men and women who have served or are serving in our armed forces. So many have made sacrifices for me and my family. Sometimes the sacrifices are time away from family and friends, other times they make the ultimate sacrifice- their lives. The men and women in the military give up their lives EVERYDAY for our freedom. Every single day someone I have never met fights for me and my family. Thank you...from in the bottom of my heart, down to my soul...THANK YOU!

This Memorial Day I can not help but think of my best friend growing up, Molly. And what she has lost in her husband- Scott. I did not get to meet Scott, but I know if Molly chose him as her life-long love, he must have been something incredible! He was a former police officer, a husband, brother, a friend to many (I am sure this list could go on and on)....and a daddy-to-be. He was a hero long before he left this place....A true American Hero! Thank you, Scott, for your ultimate sacrifice. I know you are watching over your family and friends...and watching that beautiful baby girl grow! We, as a nation, are lucky to have had such an incredible man serve his country! Now, it's our job to never forget!!