home.

We made it. We had a delightful mini-vacation and despite the short time we spent in San Diego, it was certainly worth the drive. And if nothing else, it was worth it to catch a load of this:

Whaaa?! We never would've seen this stuff in Phoenix, so it was kind of cool to have a little snow time (even if my footwear was anything but appropriate). We played a little on our way back, but couldn't wait to see our Shibey baby!!! She had so much fun with Kelsi and Collin and said she'd have them doggy sit her anytime. :) 

We have a super busy week coming up. Hoping to make some changes and get quite a bit of things done. If only I could get going for the day.....

Monday morning love.

Ash + Viessey

SAAAAN DIAAAHHHGOOO.

Despite the crazy California weather (high of 52, 80% chance of rain?!), we had a great day at Sea World (as we always do). I feel like I learn something new every time I go there. This time, it was sting ray knowledge. We talked to the exhibit lady for sooo long and I learned so much about rays. For example, did you know that the part of the sting ray that stings is a small barb that sits at the base of the tail? The tail itself is harmless and delivers no sting. See?! You learn something new every day. 

We're here with my family and a few other families whose sons played football with Josh. Also despite the weather, the boys rode this all day (repeatedly):

Pure insanity (IT WAS SO COLD). Wet + cold = no good in my book. But we all had a great time. Tomorrow we'll enjoy San Diego some more for a few hours before heading back to Phoenix to my nice clean house and my FAVORITE PUPPY EVER. The Barbs let me know they took her running and she loved it!!! I'm so glad she's getting over some fear issues with being walked in the city (around buses/motorcycles/loud things). Also glad the Barbs are spoiling her with attention while we're gone. :)

We are thankful for mini-breaks and being able to spend some time together.

Hope you all enjoyed your Saturday.

<3

Ash & Chris

Miss V and the doggysitters.

Happy Friday, everyone! In a few hours, we'll be off!

Source

We are taking a well-deserved little break this weekend and meeting my family in San Diego for a few days. We'll do Sea World and, most importantly, CHILL. The only slight damper on this awesome mini-vacation: we have to leave our little Viesserton behind. :( I don't know if she'd get along with Shamu, so we're playing it safe and leaving her with a doggysitter. Or 'sitters' should I say. The Barbs (hubby + wife team Collin and Kelsi) are going to stay with Viesa this weekend. Collin is a classmate of Christian's and Viesa loves the Barbs! She's super lucky to get to hang out with such awesome doggysitters for the weekend and knowing that is helping to ease the doggy separation anxiety.

Yes...we are THOSE people. 

Viesa and her other dad (she can't wait to see him)!

We also got some great news today! We've had Viesa for almost two whole months now and she feels like she's always been a part of our family. But before Viesa was a part of our family, she was a very loved part of another family, Tom and Gina's family. Tom and Gina (Gina is our fave-guy-Kyle's big sister) have been doing the Air Force tango and moving all over the place, their most recent home being in Georgia. They found out today that when Tom is finished with his current deployment, they will be moving back to ... TUCSON! Viesa is so excited to be able to see her other set of parents all the time now that they will be so close!

Now I really should be finishing packing, but I have a sweet doggy in my lap and I hate to get up. Snuggling > laundry.


Hope everyone enjoys their weekend.

LOVE. Ash + V

smunday.

So, apparently I can't figure out what day of the week it is. I've been struggling with it all day! Maybe it has something to do with the fact that we went to Tucson on Friday night so I could go to my dear friend/faithful bridesmaid's baby shower on Saturday, but had to be back in Phoenix for work bright and early on Sunday morning! We are so used to leaving Sunday nights so we can be back before Chris has school on Monday so I spent all day struggling to remember that it's Sunday.

We did a few things key things this [really busy] weekend. 1) Did a bunch of computer homework for new grad academy (BOOO), 2) showered baby Emily with love and lots of presents, 3) helped see Chris' family off on their week-long vacation to Hawaii to celebrate... 4) LITTLE REESE'S BIRTHDAY! We may have celebrated from afar with a little party in our hearts but alas, the boy is one whole year old AND GETS TO CELEBRATE IN PARADISE with...6) TAYLOR! Who also had a birthday! Happy 18th! (that's how adults are wished a happy birthday) 5) Took care of tedious business (we're working on getting one of our many extra cars up here so Chris isn't stuck at home during my 12 hour shifts). 

Needless to say...busy busy busy. As usual. Chris has an exam this week, so he's in CPR/cardiovascular overdrive. Which strangely enough also touches on some key things my patients are going through, so we're helping each other. The new job is going well! My preceptor is still fantastic (whew). I feel like I'm starting to get into a little groove so hopefully this is forward progression. There is just so much to take in and if you mess up, someone winds up hurt/dead/maimed/messed-up-in-some-way. Um...feel the pressure. Still having thoughts about grad school and pondering the question: when are you in so much debt that adding more on top of it just doesn't even matter anymore? Hopefully, I'll come to that conclusion soon.

So, Happy Smunday to you all. Whichever day it felt like to you. Viesa is happy to be home after a fun weekend (she's a homebody).  Off to snuggle till we fall asleep. Either Viesa or Christian, not sure which. :)

LOVE and more love.
Ash + Viessey + Chris

PS: SARAH GRACE...I had a dream last night that you and I were hiking though the jungle and you took me ocean kayaking in Hawaii. Just sayin'.... <3

what kind of crazy person wants to go back to school already?

This crazy person does.
Big question: to graduate school now or not to graduate school now?

And if the answer is yes (which I think it is...):

Grad school here? ..........

Correspondence program.

.......... or grad school here?

By correspondence also... no worries, not moving to DC...

HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM. School is expensive but starting (and subsequently finishing again) sounds really awesome/fun/exciting/challenging.

Stay tuned...
Ash

whew.

And so ends four 12's and an 8 in 6 days. You do the math. I'm beyond tired and because I haven't been able to find my Camelback OR my Urban Assault water bottle, I haven't been keeping a bottle on me. This means I'm dry as all heck and I've been nursing a massive headache for two days. Silly nurses, always forgetting to take care of themselves. I need to find that dang bottle. If it's on me, I'll drink! If not...I have soda at lunch (BAD) and that's it. :/

On Sunday night we had some friends from medical school over to hang out. We also had a med school applicant staying with us. We signed ourselves up as a home for applicants coming from out of the area for their interviews. Instead of staying at a stinky old hotel, they can stay at our house! This was our first experience having a student and it was cool! We did our best to convince him that Phoenix was the best place to go (I hope our little party didn't scare him off) and I think he was buying it. He hit the hay early to be rested for his big interview, while we played a board game so kindly given to us as a wedding present from one of Chris' fellow students and her husband. Last Night On Earth pits zombies against survivors to see who will come out on top during the ..... LAST NIGHT ON EARTH! :D Beer + Pizza + Dr. Pepper (for moi) + zombie board game = a fantastic Sunday night. I unfortunately crashed early (36 hours in three days).

Survivors won, btw. 

Our Valentine's evening was simple and fun. We picked up our fave Mexican place around these parts, America's Taco Shop, for America's Favorite for 2 (2 carne asada burritos, 2 carne asada tacos, chips & salsa, and 2 Mexican cokes) and Easy A at the Redbox. Ahhhhhhh. My idea of a great night.

Yesterday, Chris drove me to work and picked me up so he could have the car. He picked me up after a long and tiring day on the unit and I was hungry. Me: "Let's get something on the way home!" Chris: "But I need to go home and change first." Me [starving tired monster]: "Why? We'll hit a drive through!" Chris: "BABE. PLEASE let me go home and change!" Me: [grumpy face]. We walk through the door and this:

Say it with me...."AWWWWWWWW!"

I mean....where does he come off being sweet on a day that is not my birthday, our anniversary (dating OR wedding), or Valentine's Day? He cooked me a delicious dinner and ... Netflix 1999 SNL. :) Another great night. So stoked for 2 great nights in one week!

Today: Me and Viesa went for a walk and she saw a cat and did NOT go nuts. Yay Viesa! Such a good girl. Now I'm trying to stifle the headache and hit the hay. But I'm off until Sunday!!!! HECKYES. Sweet relief.

Goodnight internet people. We're out.

Love,
Ash + Chris + Viessey

Hoy es Lunes.

Monday! This is my first day off following three 12-hour shifts and it feels goood to sit on the couch. This also happens to be my first Valentine's Day as a married lady. We've never really been Valentine's Day crazy, usually just exchanging gifts (who doesn't like an excuse to give someone a present!) and some combination of eating/movie watching in some capacity. This year will most likely be no different as I have to work tomorrow so we can't really stay up late or do anything crazy. However, we did gift giving last night. 

My Schwinn at the Dash (before it died).

Some of you may remember the Diamond Dash of 2010 where Chris and I raced around Tucson to find a $10,000 diamond ring. Well...despite having a really good time, we did not win the diamond AND my bike took a dive in the first fifteen minutes of the race (we had to bring in my sister's bike for back up). It's been sitting in the yard since that day, waiting to be fixed. 

Well wouldn't you know it, my dear husband snatched up my bike and with the help of bike-savvy and super nice neighboor, Ethan, my bike has a new lease on life. 

My bike is now beautiful and orange and I can't wait to ride it around. Christian's treat was an Apple TV, which will apparently connect us to the TV and our computers and the music and the movies and all of that stuff. I'd love to say I knew exactly what I was buying when I bought it, but all I know is that he's been talking about getting one for almost a year. He's really excited and I'm excited for him to show me what it does. :) Even my mom sent us a Valentine's Day card with a Subway gift card in it. Now we're having a Valentine's Day lunch (thanks, Mom).
    

My bike!

Apple TV!

I can say that Miss Viesa is pretty unenthused about Valentine's Day. Either that or she's recovering from a late night of hanging out with the med school kids. Girlfriend is a party animal. I'm sure when we go for a bike ride later, she'll be more into it.

So, Happy Valentine's Day to everyone. And Happy 99th Birthday to Arizona, my home. And Happy Monday. I hope everyone enjoys the day. We know we sure will. :)

Love love love.

Ash + V