Graduate School

I am in grad school right now. I also work full time right now. And I'm the wife to one husband and the mom to two pups right now. It is a bit of a stressful time.

Graduate school is hard. Undergrad seemed very black and white to me. But this is all about the gray areas. They want you to think about intangible things and form your own opinions. Sounds easy enough, right? Well, everyone is from difference backgrounds and are at different stages in their lives. It's not a bunch of 18 year olds ready to make friends and get through school. It's definitely a different dynamic than I've experienced before, and it can be a little intimidating.

Going back to school while working isn't the easiest thing to do. It requires discipline and focus and patience.

Discipline because all I want to do after working all day and going to class is sit down and watch TV. And maybe drink a glass of wine. Specifically, I want to watch the new season of Glee, which I have yet to see. My DVR is maxed out and I'm at a loss as to what shows to cut. But someone's getting the axe.

Discipline to make myself read over 100 pages a week of books I'd rather toss aside for something more my style.

Focus. I need to focus on what's important right now. This time will pass, but for now I need to get down to business. But the trick is I need to focus on school, work and my family. This is kind of difficult to do. Something or someone always seems to get the short end of the stick. I'm working on doing a better job at this - trying to get in a routine, focusing on time management...you know the drill.

Patience. Oh, this is a big one. Not only do I need to have patience in getting through this extraordinarily busy time, but I also need my sweet husband and even my dogs to do the same. I just can't avoid school work because I'd rather go to the dog park or watch football with my love. Patience is going to be a pretty big theme in my life over the next two years, I think.

But, I'm ready for all this. I feel like now is the perfect time, and although it's not always easy I know I can make it through. And it's because of the support from my very favorite people -- and animals -- that I'll be able to do it.

So, wish me luck as I try to do it all! Only for a little while though.

And, I'm going to try and remember this...

Welcome to Fall

Fall is my favorite season, and I am so happy that it's finally here! I'm ready for the cool weather, yummy drinks, Halloween, fun decorations...I could go on and on. I'm ready to buy my pups Halloween costumes and wear long sleeves and watch a lot of football. OK, I'm sorry, I'll stop.

When Michael and I first visited Colorado together to see if it would be the right fit for us, it was the first weekend in October. The aspen trees were bright yellow, the weather was perfection and we fell in love. Because of that trip, fall in Colorado has a special place in my heart.

And another reason this fall is extra exciting is because I get to see my very best friends. At lease once a year, my college buddies and I meet up somewhere and have the most amazing time together. In October, we're headed to Texas and I couldn't be more ready. I value these relationships in my life, and I am so lucky to have a group of people I can count on no matter what. Regardless of how much time passes, we always pick up right where we left off and I know how rare that is.

I hope your fall is filled with lots of wonderful moments, too!

GLEE!

Tonight is the night...Glee is back. Man, I have missed this show! I can't wait to see what this season has in store.

In honor if this momontous occasion, I'm going to share some quotes from Sue Sylvester. Surely this will get you excited about what's to come!

Sue: One girl ate a pigeon. That's how badly they wanna be Cheerios.

Sue: Your hair looks like a briar patch. I keep expecting racist, animated Disney characters to pop up and start singing about living on the bayou.

Will: Inside, you're a really good person. I appreciate what you're doing for these kids. I won't forget it.

Sue: I'm seriously gonna puke in your mouth.

Sue: You know, for me trophies are like herpes. You can try to get rid of them but they just keep coming. Sue Sylvester has hourly flair ups of burning itchy highly contagious talent.

Sue: I just lost my train of thought because you have so much margarine in your hair.

Sue: You think this hard. I'm passing a gallstone as we speak. That is hard!

Sue: You have enough product in your hair to season a wok.

Sue: All I want is just one day a year when I'm not visually assaulted by uglies and fatties.

Sue: I empower my Cheerios to be champions. Do they go to college? I don't know. I don't care. Should they learn Spanish? Sure, if they wanna become dishwashers and gardeners.

Sue: I don't trust a man with curly hair. I can't help but picture little birds laying sulfurous eggs in there, and it disgusts me.

Sunday Inspiration

I was at church this morning, and this song really spoke to me. I've sung it a thousand times, but something about today made it special. I needed to hear it and sing it, so maybe you do too.

Everyone needs compassion,
Love that's never failing;
Let mercy fall on me.

Everyone needs forgiveness,
The kindness of a Saviour;
The hope of nations.

Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is mighty to save,
He is mighty to save.

Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.

So take me as You find me,
All my fears and failures,
Fill my life again.

I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in,
Now I surrender.

My Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is mighty to save,
He is mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.

Shine your light and let the whole world see,
We're singing for the glory of the risen King...Jesus 
My Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is mighty to save,
He is mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.

My Saviour, you can move the mountains,
You are mighty to save,
You are mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
You rose and conquered the grave,
Yes you conquered the grave.

 

What a great way to start the week! Enjoy yours. :)

Oklahoma

I've been missing home a little bit lately. Sometimes when I tell people I'm from Oklahoma I get less than nice reactions. They usually say something like, "Wow, I bet your glad to be out of there," or "Well anything is a step up from that."

It takes a lot for me to smile and laugh instead of telling them how I really feel. Oklahoma is wonderful. I loved growing up there and am proud of who I became because of it.

I love this quote...

 "I've spent most of my life living in cities where people are obsessed with looking down on people from everywhere else. You get so used to doing it that you start to believe it's simply what everyone does. It makes for an atmosphere of unwelcome that penetrates much of our modern life. It's a shame really because a couple days in Oklahoma will open your eyes to how much better it would be if the rest of the country was filled with a few more people from Oklahoma." - Adam Duritz (Counting Crows)

                                  

I can't wait to go back and visit. There is so much I miss like...

• People waving when you pass them in your car. You never pass a truck without getting a wave or a nod.
• Chicken fried steak. Mmmm.
• Quik Trip! Holy cow, I love that place.
• Bedlam.
• McAlister's sweet tea. Sweet tea in general, really.
• I know you already know this, but Taco Bueno. I'm sorry, I won't bring it up again.
• Singing Oklahoma at O-State games.
• Being around other people who say "fixin to" and "ya'll".
• Cowboys.
• The fair.
• Tornado sirens. I know, that's a weird one.
• People understanding when I put ranch dressing on everything.
• Route 66.
• Seeing Garth Brooks at church.

I could go on and on. So, today and everyday I am proud to be an Oklahoma girl.

Football

I am a HUGE football fan. Not the kind that just enjoys games every now and then or the fun experience -- the crazy, semi-obsessed, love it more than boys kind of fan.

So, the fact that September is here makes me very happy. I'll be rooting for both my Cowboys -- OSU and Dallas -- all season long and I am so glad it's finally here!

I'm ready for fall weather, going to games, watching them, arguing with my husband about why my teams are better than his, eating lots of game day food...it's going to be a great time.

Hope everyone is ready for some football!

13 Months

People often talk about making it through the first year of marriage. When we did that, on August 1, I thought I'd make sure not to jinx anything and discuss our first year after 13 months. :) (I'm one day late because I meant to post this yesterday. Oops!) So, here we are. It is officially the Richardson's 13 month anniversary, and it feels pretty dang good.

It was both the easiest and hardest thing I've ever done. In our first two months of marriage we moved to a different state where we knew no one, got new jobs, bought a car and many other stressful things. It was not always easy, but I always knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

Michael is the most wonderful person I've ever known. He makes me a better version of myself. His patience, smile, heart, laugh and stubborness are all things I adore about him. We really are the best of friends and that helps us appreciate both the peaks and the valleys. I can't imagine not being his wife and feel so blessed.

During the past year we have bought our first home, made new friends, gone back to school, got job promotions, traveled as often as possible, adopted a new dog, gone on countless hikes, runs, bike rides and ski trips, and loved abundantly. We've also yelled, cried, fought, been selfish and learned a lot about what it takes to make a marriage work. And I wouldn't change a thing.

Here are some pictures of our first year together...