Home and Garden Show

This past weekend Kansas City was hosting the Home and Garden show downtown. The headline speakers for the event were Chip and Joanna Gaines from the show Fixer Upper.

Before marrying Andrew, I had never watched a show on HGTV. It just wasn't something I was into. Honestly, I didn't watch much TV unless it's my girls Shonda Rhime's TGIT. Anyways, soon after we got married I quickly was introduced to the Property Brothers, Flip or Flop, and House Hunters and I've grown to really enjoy watching these shows. Unfortunately, I've never had a place to really do the things we've seen on these shows but the prospect of having somewhere soon allows me to start gathering ideas.

My mom had mentioned the show Fixer Upper and I decided to give it a shot and have fallen in love. I enjoy the show not just from the design perspective but also the dynamic of Chip and Joanna. Some of my favorite parts of the shows are when they are being interviewed and being completely genuine and authentic with one another and often times it reminds me of Andrew and I's relationship. There has never been a time Andrew and I haven't been able to sit in a room with absolutely nothing to do and not have a good time. We both act goofy, are 100% comfortable with one another, and have shared laughs over some of the stupidest things.

When my mom shared on my Facebook that the Home and Garden Show was in town and that they'd be headlining we decided to get tickets and -try- to see them speak. We got to the show when doors opened at 10 and got seats for the talk at noon and it was well worth the wait!

Chip made sure to add humor to their story while Joanna shared the passion of their journey on Fixer Upper.

Seeing Chip and Joanna was truly an enjoyable experience. There were many laughs had and it was a great Sunday spent with my mom.

2016... 3 months later

Holy moly- 2016 is in full gear!

Andrew and I's first married Christmas was one for the books! We learned a lot about one another and had our first "crisis" as a married couple. Three days before Christmas, Andrew found out he had kidney stones. This wasn't the first time he'd been stoned BUT it was far worse than the last time.

The Sunday evening before Christmas he was urinating blood and we decided to go to the hospital just to get it checked out. Unfortunately, we found out he had a stone 10mm wide which is ultimately un-passable. So upon leaving the hospital they had us make an appointment with an urologist the following day. They were able to get him in the next afternoon and Andrew was going strong until he had to move to get to the doctors and then he was on his knees in pain. The urologist was unable to do anything due to it being so close to Christmas and told him to hold it out for a week!! -__-

That evening the pain got worse and he had to go back to the hospital. This time we decided we were going to Kansas City and hopefully they would be able to help. Unfortunately, that was unsuccessful again and we had to track down a doctor who would be able to do lithotripsy- a procedure to shock the stones into pieces that are easier to pass. To our luck, the lithotripsy machine was in Topeka and we were able to get him in to have the procedure done along with putting a stent in- all the day before Christmas Eve. Thankfully, after we were able to break the stones the healing process wasn't as painful and we were able to enjoy the remainder of the holidays. However, after spending two nights in the hospital and having to help Andrew in ways I was never prepared to help- we survived and are coming up on a year of marriage, 3 months staph and kidney stone free!

It's the little victories in life that count! :)

I've been meaning to jump back on this wagon but struggled finding time... yes, I know that's nothing but an excuse and I'm fully aware of that but I'm back in it now.

Besides Andrew's medical issues, our first year of marriage has been going great! I still get the occasional "when are you having kids" but I've grown used to it especially after my experience at the doctors.

This past month I had my yearly exam and left completely frustrated- just ask my 16 year old sister Kelly. While in my appointment, the doctor brought up Andrew and I's plans to have children. Andrew and I originally talked about waiting about 5 years before having kids so I can work for the amount of time I went to school just in case I choose and/or need to stay at home. (We are secretly terrified we are going to end up with twins- Andrew is a twin, I have twin sisters, oh, BTW Andrew's twin just had twins). Anyways, after discussing this plan with the doctor she proceeded to lecture me about my fertility and responded by saying, "I would just hate for you to miss out on being a mother because you are too busy waiting." UMMMM... excuse me? I think where I struggled most with this were two areas:

1. Andrew has not had to hear a WORD about his fertility and/or yield any questions regarding us having children
2. When I went to this SAME doctor last year nothing was said about my fertility going down but now I'm married and a whole 12 months older- I'm going to "miss out on being a mother because I'm too busy waiting."

When I left the appointment I was frustrated, devastated, and truly questioning what the point of how hard I've worked has been. I know this is something a lot of women have had to deal with but I had never been blatantly called out about it before and wasn't able to disregard this as easy as other conversations about Andrew and I's future plans.

After a couple of days of frustration I grew to be ok with Andrew and I's decision and that if we're being frank, it's not anyone else's place to tell us otherwise. If we choose to adjust our plan that is our choice and we will be ready to do what is best for us and our family.

Thankfully, I am surrounded by a supporting husband and family who are willing to support me in whatever I do and have allowed me to be successful and achieve goals I've set for myself.
At the end of the day that is all that matters and I have realized this past year how blessed I really am to have the support of those around me and they're all that matter.