Not Mr. (and Mrs.) Rogers

It's official (unofficially).

Brandon and I must be terrible neighbors.

In the three years I have lived here (Brandon has been here for about 5 years) we have had two different sets of neighbors to the right, two sets of neighbors directly across the street, and now....the second set of neighbors to the left has a For Sale sign in their yard. Looks like we will be welcoming left side neighbors number 3.


(please note this is not a house in our neighborhood....in case you wanted to try your luck at being our neighbors)

I can't help but take it personally. The housing market has been so bad....but does not seem to affect those living closest to us.

Maybe it is our late-night raves? Brandon's 3AM motorcycle burn-outs? Or outside dogs that bark all night long? (We don't really do these things....at least not often)

I mean, seriously, how could you not want to live next to this family? We are anything but normal, but we can not possibly be THAT bad!

Your "stuff" is in the mail

This morning I called the doctors office and let them know Brandon and I were prepared to start our IVF process in January. When we went to meet our doctor and had our consultation a couple of months ago, they told us to call approximately one month before we were ready to get the process rolling (we are about a month away). The receptionist informed me she would order my "stuff" and let me know once that was taken care of.

I was nervous to make that phone call this morning. I was supposed to call yesterday, but put it off another day because I couldn't bring myself to sit still long enough, gather my thoughts, and dial the phone. It makes me giddy to think that this time next month we could be counting down days and marking them off our calendar (not that I don't do that now). At the same time I am surprised that it took me 24 hours to dial a phone. I have stared at Wednesday, December 8th on my calendar for several weeks. Stared at the highlighted words that read "Contact Dr to get squared away for 01/11". For several weeks I looked at those words, knowing that was the day that I would officially say "Let's get this ball rolling"....yet it still took me a little extra time to make the call.

So I told the receptionist we were ready. She informed me they would order my "stuff" and they would call me back once that was done. My "stuff". My stuff. I don't even remember what my stuff will consist of....but I can't wait for it to come in. Like a late Christmas present, this stuff will bring us the hope of our own family. This time next year this stuff may result in a baby on the way. We have waited so long (feels like forever for me), I am praying for continued patience. I know we can make it one more month. Now I will wait for the phone call that says our "stuff" has arrived. While we wait, I will be grateful for the hope that will arrive along with our "stuff".

January....so close I can practically touch it. We are ready for the new year and for all the changes we know it brings our lives.

Also...I promise this isn't a blog about infertility, but it is a blog about our lives....and this is what eats up a lot of us right now. If you don't like the infertility posts, I apologize....but be prepared for more of them in the coming months as our lives venture farther down this path.

*Our Stuff- this will probably consist of hormone shots and birth control and whatever other goodies they plan to pump into my body over the next couple of months.

All growed up

On this day (December 6th) in 2007 a litter of American Pit bull Terrier puppies was born in North Knoxville. Just over three months later Brandon and I would find ourselves (after a long day of looking at puppies) in the front yard of a house, surrounded by neighborhood children and puppies. Brandon and I met Chris, owner of Pritchett's Sydney, Dixie's mama. As soon as we met Chris and witnessed how much he loved Sydney, we knew we wanted a pup from this litter.

Inside the fenced yard of this little house, 3 or 4 puppies ran along side the neighborhood kids who had stopped by for a quick visit. Brandon and I knew we wanted a female dog to be the companion to Noah (our male). There were a few female options. Brandon had his eye on a little pup (one we now call Dixie), while I had my eye on a female with a giant head, who I assume grew up to be a big big girl. Brandon was sure his pup was the perfect fit for our family.....and he was right.

That night we brought Dixie home and introduced her to her new life and big brother, Noah. We were relieved that Dixie was instantly in love with Noah (although the same could not be said for Noah). I believe having a dog in the family already made Dixie's adjustment that much easier. She blended with our family almost immediately and now we can not imagine our home with out her.

Noah running for his life from Scary Dixie


Soaking up some sun on the back porch


Cuddled up together for a nap....she loved Noah the second she saw him


Dixie is an amazingly sweet dog. She loves all people! She is always happy and always eager. We laugh because sometimes you can hurt her feelings, and she will give you the cold shoulder....while looking back at you with sad eyes. She loves children more than anything and I know she will be in doggie heaven on earth when we finally have children. She is so different from Noah in terms of personalities, yet they are both great dogs.

Dixie can jump higher than any dog I know




We love her so much, our little Dixie-girl! Although we realize she is unaware that today is her birthday....we hope there will be many many more birthdays with this incredible pup!

She was so tiny when we brought her home


Our pretty girl!


** This post is dedicated to the loving memory of Lupe! May you always know how much your family loved you and that you will be greatly missed**

We will probably never be friends......

Michael Vick. (This will probably come as a major shocker to MV and I bet he will be saddened by this news)

I have such mixed feelings about this guy, it makes me crazy.

I wrote a whole blog about the guy but I have erased it all, because in the end, I am just arguing with myself. Which makes me seem insane (hmmm?).

I just wish he would go away and I wouldn't have to think about him at all, then I wouldn't have the internal struggle of whether or not I should forgive him. And I say "I" (should forgive him), because it's not about what society thinks. It is very personal for me and I can't seem to decide where I stand.

I wonder how I would feel if he were traded to the Titans (because we could sure use a quarterback who DIDN'T throw a tantrum in the middle of the game....yeah...I am looking at you VY).

I guess in the end I don't wish him any harm, I just can't seem to look at his face and not be sickened by his past actions. At what point do you let the past remain in the past and allow people a second chance? And why do I feel so guilty every time I think about giving this guy a second chance?

Do you see what I mean? I really have mixed feelings about Michael Vick. And seeing him be a superstar on the football field each week is not making it any easier. Let's just hope he continue to make strides in the right direction, because although I think I may allow him that second chance (eventually)....I have no interest in third chances.

I can't imagine my life without these beauties. And it breaks my heart to think of some idiot throwing them into a ring for sport.

Thanksgiving, Part 1

I have been sitting here all morning watching TV and goofing around on the internet, while Brandon is working hard in the kitchen preparing Thanksgiving, Part 2. Brandon decided this past week that he would spend Black Friday preparing his family (me) a delicious meal. He has cooked a ham, smothered it with honey, brown sugar, cloves and nutmeg. He has made from scratch macaroni and cheese and as I type there is a sweet potato casserole in our crock pot. I have to say....I am impressed. Everything smells delicious and I am pretty confident it's all edible. The word "proud" does not even scratch the surface of how I feel right now, although....maybe I should save my opinions for once the meal has been consumed!

Yesterday, on Thanksgiving, Part 1, we had an amazing day. Brandon and I got up and ran in the Autumnfest 8k race down on Neyland drive. Brandon had an amazing race and we both rocked it out. I was so happy to see him cross that finish line and beat the time he had expected by over 10 minutes. I think that is incredible for someone who has only been running for 3 weeks....way to go Brandon. He seems to amaze me more and more each day. I had a great race too and we both felt accomplished and were relieved when it was over!

After a long afternoon, Grandma Ryan finally made it to Knoxville for Thanksgiving dinner. The best part about the day was that she finally got to meet Camryn, her newest great grandchild. Wow...now if there was ever something to be thankful for...that is definitely up there on the list.

Here are some pictures from Thanksgiving, Part 1:

Brandon with our niece Camryn (napping) and nephew Chandler watching a little football




Grandma Ryan or G.G. (Great Grandma) holding Camryn for the first time




The beautiful table


Our adorable niece and her chunky monkey thighs

Could she be any cuter?

We have so much to be thankful for this year, as with every year. Our families, health, and happiness, just to name a few! Happy Thanksgiving...Part 1.

Learning to be grateful (slowly)......

The year 2010 hasn't exactly been kind to Brandon and I. I can't seem to recall another year where I have been thrilled to see the end, and even more excited to begin a new year. To put it bluntly, 2010 has been crappy. Although, if this is the toughest of years to come for Brandon and I, we will be incredibly lucky.

This year we dealt with and faced obstacles we were not expecting. Obviously (because I talk about it every few posts) we learned our fates in infertility. And of course, when you find out about infertility, you don't find out in one appointment (at least we didn't). You have to go through a series of appointments here with this doctor, and some there with that doctor, and you have to run tests and give samples and yada yada. No need to give you too many details. My point is, this wasn't something we learned early on in 2010. It was a crumby lesson we learned MORE AND MORE about as the year went on.

In March Brandon had his Lasik surgery. He was so pumped about it...and nervous! We thought this surgery was going to help make his life easier. Brandon is one of the few people whose surgery didn't go as planned. After Lasik, Brandon had irritation and infection in his corneas. After several rounds of medications, Brandon continued to experience blurry vision. Once the inflammation cleared up (months later), it was discovered that Brandon's surgery was done at the wrong prescription. Which, of course (unless Brandon wanted to go through life with bad vision- the thing we had hoped to solve) meant he would have to re-do the surgery.

Something I have had to learn recently (although not yet learned how to fully apply to my life) is that you have to find a way to be grateful even when things are not going the way you had planned. It is easy to be thankful when your life is going great, but seems so much harder when things are not going well.

We can't get pregnant on our own. Some days I get emotional just typing that sentence, so don't even ask me to say it out loud. But, I am thankful. I am thankful to be with a man who I know is the man I was meant to spend the rest of my life with. And I am thankful for how much stronger it has made our relationship and how much it has taught us about ourselves, patience, and love.

Brandon's eyes were messed up for many many months after his Lasik surgery. It became a stressful situation that quickly wore the both of us down. It was hard for me to see my husband, who is usually the happy-go-lucky guy, go through this alone (physically), as there was nothing I could do to help. Thankfully, in the end, Brandon's Lasik (the second time) was a success. Brandon has very few problems with his eyes now. And although it was a tough time for him and very stressful for the both of us, I am grateful for the growth it brought us, as a couple.

We are learning (even if slowly), that there are always reasons to be grateful- sometimes you just have to search a little harder. If we can teach ourselves to give thanks, in all circumstances (no matter what), we might actually get through this year...together, alive, and happy. Thank you 2010, for making us stronger and allowing us to grow together as husband and wife. Now please end...and bring on 2011!

Dixie-2, Lauren-0

I love this dog.



I truly do. She is super sweet and LOVES every person she has ever come to meet. It amazes me and we could all learn a lesson from her.

But (there is always a but), in the past week she has busted my lip and ruptured my ear drum (possibly). The problem (truly) is me. I sometimes want to snuggle her too much and she throws her head back to see whats going on (hence, the busted lip) or jumps up in the air and head butts me full-force directly in my right ear (hence the possibly busted ear drum). People are going to start to think my husband abuses me.

But, this ear...
It hurts. And it feels like I have an ear infection and a huge cotton ball shoved in there. My hearing is DEFINITELY affected and it just stopped ringing. Is that a ruptured ear drum? Anyone know?

The worst part (aside from my physical pain) is that she is completely aware, after the fact, that I am hurt. She stands there, tail tucked, wondering why I am holding the hurt body part, fight back tears (the truth...I cry every time I get hurt). She feels so bad then follows me around for hours wanting extra love and attention. She's a sweet girl! I guess I just need to work on my reflexes!