Engagement Party: February 22, 2014

Hello all,

I finally am able to post about my engagement party! Madi and I are so lucky to be blessed with such great family and friends that came to celebrate with us for our engagement. My mom and cousin Latoya did such a great job planning and orchestrating the entire thing. They set it up so there were four different stations: pie, cookies, fondue, and my personal favorite, cupcakes. Each station had multiple choices and toppings, making it a delicious evening! They put so many personal touches into the party, including on the end of every balloon pictures of Madi and I in black and white squares (unfortunately I didn't get a great picture of that) and since I hate the taste of champagne and sparking juices, they added rock candy (another one of my favorite things) to the drinks to give it a different flavor. It definitely made it more tolerable for me! And I might have eaten an extra stick of rock candy ;). Earlier that day one of my best friends and bridesmaids took our gorgeous engagement pictures, and she had a great idea to go and print out a few in 8x10s to have at the party. It definitely added another great touch!

Another thing they did was have two mason jars and Popsicle sticks for people to write date night ideas. Clearly my family is super creative! A couple of speeches were made by my mom, Mrs. Franek (who made everyone tear up with her quote from the movie About Time, which if you haven't seen that movie GO WATCH IT! BEST movie out right now for sure), our Best Man, Jeremy Perrin, and Maid of Honor, Kari Truong. It was such a memorable evening and I am so grateful for all of the people in attendance.

Xoxo,
- Olivia :)

Nike's 1st Birthday

Hello everyone,

It is a happy and sentimental day for me as a puppy mom today as Nike turns one today! So crazy. I can't believe how the time has flown. Madi and I always agree, Nike has definitely been the best investment we have ever made. If you are considering getting a puppy or adopting a dog, heed our advice: be ready to plan your life around your new fur ball baby as if it was a human one. We knew it was going to be a lot of work, we knew it was going to cost a lot, but what we didn't know was how attached we would get to this pup. She is the best comforter, cutest cuddler, and most playful girl around. Madi's mom told me that after having her for a couple of months Madi told her that he doesn't know how he could love a child or another dog more than he loves Nike. It is a crazy weird bond that happens when you get a puppy.

Looking back and talking about the first few months, we literally slept on the floor with her, cleaned up pee and poop way too many times off of the floor, took many trips to the vet, called our parents crying too many times, and gave way too many dog treats. The first time we went out of town and could not bring her, we called and texted to check on her probably way too many times. And that was just for the day! When we went to Deep Creek this winter we left her with her cousin Charlie the Dalmatian and FaceTimed Latoya and Justin to see her a few times, but it made us tear up how much we missed that dog. I know, pathetic but if you have raised a dog on your own for the first time you probably are understanding. Anyways you knew it was coming, here is a video of Nike and her first year with us! Thank you to everyone who has taken care of Nike for us, or just loves her like we do! We couldn't have gotten through this first year alone and we appreciate everyone for helping us

Here's the link for a quick video to look back on Nike's first year:

http://youtu.be/rCq9GoNkrEc95%

I will be posting a blog on our engagement party soon!

Thanks for keeping up,
- Olivia :)

New Year: 2014

Hello Everyone,

So I realize this post is about a month late, but I honestly forgot that I didn't post my new year goals or review 2013 at all! With the craziness of the engagement I lost track of time! So here we go :)

My old goals last year were: 

1. Go to the gym once a week

2. Get a 4.0

3. Take a trip to NC with Madi

4. Finish and publish book #2

5. Do more volunteer activities with nursing or USF in general

Well I can cross a few of those! I did go to the gym/worked out at least once a week for the entire year! So props to me! Can't say the same for this year, but I've managed to keep off what I took off last year so far (that's another post for another day ;) ). I did get a 4.0 one semester last year, so hey that is close enough when it comes to nursing school and their screwed up grading scale! Madi and I did go on a trip to NC and it was one of my favorite memories! I also became more involved with nursing and became a volunteer for a local free clinic which I went to once a month starting in August until the end of the year and also volunteered for more college of nursing events! 

Unfortunately the only one I didn't get to knock off my list was publishing book #2, however I did finish writing the sequel to my original book The Portrait Pathway as well as finished a children's picture book which I will have the illustrations for very soon! So that is exciting! But let's review my highlights in 2013:

1. I got engaged to the love of my life on December 30, 2013:)

 2. I got to swim with the manatees!

 3. We made the best decision ever and brought Nike into our lives!

 4. I got hired as at Moffitt as an observer, then promoted to an oncology tech!

 5. We did take our vacation to North Carolina and saw Wilmington, Durham, and Asheville!

Some goals for 2014 are: 

1. Graduate from nursing school and pass the NCLEX!

2. Get hired as a full time RN

3. Travel somewhere new and/or take a road trip

4. Get one of the two books published!

5. Do at least one 5K

Pretty simple and nothing crazy, but there they are! What are your goals for this year? 

Thanks for keeping up :),

Olivia