Where has time gone

Can you believe tomorrow is the start of August?  AHHHHHHH!!!! Why does time seem to be flying by? I really didn't think time would fly by this quickly but over the past year it sure has.  I guess a bleak reminder that, as if I need another reminder, that life is short and not to put off tomorrow what you can do today!

So with that thought in mind I have taken full advantage of my days and have been BUSY!  My time has been consumed with welcoming home dear friends, visiting new friends, spending time with family, and enjoying the HOT summer days- oh I guess I should mention the 4-8 hrs I spend studying m-f and my hunt for a job.

Since I have last written I have traveled to Minneapolis, been eaten by massive mosquitos,  enjoyed drinks with friends up north.  Checked out (drove by) a hospital for a possible job, lets hope they call me back- or anyone for that matter.  Ate a delicious 'juicy lucy', a burger as seen on Travel Channel Man V Food a show which Brian dreamed he could participate in.

Did I mention I study a lot for my boards in September and apply for jobs?!  It is so hard getting back into the swing of studying again-taking a hiatus for a few months and experiencing what the rest of the world does when not in graduate school has been way to much fun to go back to studying.  Looking for jobs has been fun. NOT.  It has been a struggle because prior to February I had a set plan, that plan changed, I literally can do anything go anywhere and that has left me with NO CLUE on what to do with my life.  SCARY, since my life revolves around having a plan and I'm currently planless, jobless and these people called student loan collectors keep asking for money!  I keep telling myself to calm down and be patient that the job for me will show itself but the idea of student loans kicking in soon is starting to make me frantic, panicked, and impatient.  However, I'm enjoying the freedom of having empty days to run errands in between studying.  Can I just go straight to be a stay at home mom without having kids or a source of income?  I get a lot of stuff done and my house seems to be more organized when I'm home during the day.

Last weekend I got to welcome home Brian's best friend Andrew from Afghanistan. I'm so blessed that him and his wife have opened their arms to me and have kept me close to them.  I was so honored that I was invited to spend time with Andrew's family all weekend and be there to greet him as he took his first steps on Iowa soil.  The emotions of watching spouses, family, kids, friends reunited after a military deployment is something that can't be described in words.  I can't imagine the release of fear one gets when you get to hug your loved one for the first time after they return home.  You literally can let go of every knot in your stomach that aches not knowing if they are on a mission, in harms way, how they are, etc.  All I can say is THANK YOU, THANK YOU for everything all of the military personal do for us. You all are truly heros.

Since it is summer time and extremely HOT in the midwest the only way to survive is to cool off at the pool with a cold margarita and some friends!  So I spent one weekend slathered up at the pool (SPF 60!!!).  Please ignore the horrible image of me in a bathing suit!

I even managed to hit a concert.  Actually, not any concert...an OAR concert!  OAR was Brian and I's favorite band and we had seen them 4 times in college.  True story a groomsmen at our wedding emailed the band and asked them to play out our wedding, the band felt really bad they couldn't make it because they were on tour so they mailed Brian and I an autograph picture that said 'congrats on the wedding' with a bunch of picks, stickers, and other memorabilia.  THAT IS WHY I LOVE THEM.  When I saw they were coming to DSM I was bummed because I couldn't see them with Brian but I was able to enjoy it with Brian's best friend in Des Moines and (through what I say a Brian thing) my two favorite kiddos.  I thought I was crazy for bringing a 12 and 9 year old to a concert but we sat front row (as Brian and I would) had rocked out.  It was such a different memory then any other OAR concert but one I will cherish forever.  The memory of hanging out with the both of them is something I can hold on to as it means I'm in a new chapter in my life, a new journey, and they were apart of it.

Front Row!!!!

SO CLOSE!

Why I love this band...the guy on stage in the red shirt was from the audience and had a sign asking if he could play one song with OAR and they let him come on stage and play 'hey girl' with them (by the way my favorite song!).

This is Kelly James the opener, he was amazing.  And really liked that I brought the boys....well the autograph CD he gave me at least said so.  I guess a 12 & 9 y.o. is a great way to meet the band! ;)

No really, a good way to meet the band.  This is the lead singer of OAR.  I talked to him for little bit, he is so NICE!   

Happy 9th Birthday LUKE!  (I may have gotten my dates mixed up but hopefully OAR made that up)!!!

Finally, this weekend my parents came to town so in between- babysitting, having drinks on the patio with friends, and a going away party- we managed to roam around Des Moines for summer fun.  Saturday morning we hit up the Des Moines farmers market- a must do/see.  We purchased some homemade pasta, goat cheese, corn, split gooners, egg sandwiches, ice cream, cinnamon rolls, and gnawed on some samples.  YUM!  After the market we had a drinks on the patio of my favorite patio bar downtown and enjoyed the tunes from my new favorite DSM band.  After the patio we ventured across the bridge for a Italian fest.  We may have hit the festival with the early birds and it wasn't hopping yet but we sure did enjoy some fresh sangria and tasty Italian food. (I have to run double this week to burn off Saturday's adventure).  Sunday I took my parents to church, we ran some errands, did odd and ends around the house, ate lunch, cooled off with ice cream, and yondered across the glass bottom pedestrian bridge downtown. Can we say busy?

This week I will say I'm on repeat: study, job hunt, apply, study.  If I could get better at posting my posts would not be 3 pages long.  However, one thing I have found is that as time goes you have less and less to clear your mind about.  Although, some times are rough, most days are good and I hold onto the good days and run with it.  No sense in searching for sadness or meaning but live for life. Point taken! :)