Blur of Updates

I know I've been bad about updating the blog with our life happenings, but the past two months have been absolutely crazy for us. We are just now getting back into the pace of life and catching our breaths. Here are some of the major happenings:

Digilent to National Instruments
I don't know if I've even mentioned it on the blog, but long story short, the company I work for, Digilent, was recently bought by National Instruments.  The deal closed at the end of last year, but changes didn't start happening until April.  Despite all the prep work we supplied NI (mountains of paperwork: benefits, employee stock plan, life insurance, 401(k), etc), they still haven't gotten everything completely figured out and squared away.  It has been very frustrating.  We are supposed to be getting access to their intranet this month, but that's debatable.  I still love my job, though, and am finally feeling confident in my position and have undertaken more responsibilities that will hope my advancement in the company.  Also, I'm getting a new chair soon, so that's great.

Zak's new job
Zak recently started a new job as a laborer for the WSU grounds crew.  He is already enjoying it; he gets to ride on the 4-wheeler, spend time outside, do physical work, and get paid decent money for it.  I am also thrilled because we get to carpool to and from work together!  This job will last until mid-August, and then he will return to his school-year job at UI.   


Rachel the semi-runner
I decided to give the Couch to 5k program another shot, once the ice had gone away.  For the first few weeks, Zak and Penny came along with me, but eventually I went at it on my own.  Not that I didn't want their company, but Zak had several other obligations and priorities, and running by myself with Penny still isn't something I like to do (she's so strong! and there was too much for me to focus on), so I went rogue.  Last week I finished the program!  Today was my first 'free run', and it was my best time yet.  I can now run 2.65 miles in 30 minutes and to me, that is HUGE!  I am going to work on improving my time, and I would love to do a local 5k run by the end of the year.  I have been surprised with how much I've enjoyed getting up early and running through our neighborhood.

First emergency
First off, everything is fine and we are all ok.  On the second day of Zak's 2-week camping trip for school, I got a call from him from the hospital in McCall, ID.  I quickly left work (everyone was so kind and supportive throughout all of this) and Jenna and I drove to pick Zak up.  It was an 8-hour round-trip and I would not have been able to survive that day if my sister wasn't with me.  Zak had an urethral stricture and was prescribed 2 types of antibiotics, Vicodin, and had a catheter in for the next week until his surgery day.  For a week he basically laid or sat on the couch, depending on what was comfortable, and took his pills and tried not to complain too much.  The day Jenna flew back to CA was the same day as Zak's surgery at 6am.  Jenna's flight was at 6:40, so after our farewell, I rushed back to Moscow to wait until the surgery was over.  It was successful and Zak woke up in the recovery room talking about how his head felt like macaroni & cheese.  We actually had a very pleasant experience with everyone at the hospital.  The nurses laughed at Zak's jokes, were funny and personable.  After an hour or two after the surgery, I took him home and took care of him.  He had to have a catheter in until Friday, and once he took that out, everything has been great.  He has a follow-up appointment on Wednesday, but he feels great, so we should be good to go. 

My sincere thanks for our family and friends for all their help and support with this.  Special shout-outs to:
-Reilly parents, who took care of getting the truck fixed (it stopped working 2 days before Zak left), it helped so much to know that was taken care of
-Gabe, for lending us the Jeep for a week
-Jenna, for being incredibly helpful, sweet and supportive.  She is truly the best sister anyone could ask for, and I'm so so glad she's mine :)

Jenna's visit
Jenna spent 2 weeks with us!  It was a great trip, with lots of fun adventures and food.  I was lucky to get several days off, or work 1/2 days when she was here.  I especially loved having our friends meet Jenna, who have heard about her for 2 years but have not met her.  Likewise, she was excited to meet our friends (& their pets); all the times spent together with friends were fun and I'm so happy everyone loved her/she loved them!  She was thrilled to meet Hampton the pig, who is now a PIG (he's so big!) as well.  We played games, had a marathon of Daniel Craig as James Bond, went camping, made food, and rode roller coasters at Silverwood.  It was really fun for me to have her around, because she is such a delight and always willing to help.  After driving almost 9 hours in Gabe's Jeep to get Zak, I collapsed once we got home.  She made us dinner and it was amazing.  Penny loved her, and loved snuggling with her on the couch.  We all loved having her here and can't wait for her next visit!

Wedding season
There are 3 big weddings this summer!  Zak's sister Delaney is getting married in Boston in August and a few days later, my brother Kenny is getting married in California.  We are still trying to finalize flights and trip details, but it's an exciting time!  Our great friends Chad & Bryan will be getting married here at the end of July, and we are both in the wedding party.  I will also be helping Chad's best friend Emily with her wedding at the beginning on September--I am going to be in charge of the food, etc.  We are so excited to be a part of these weddings, as we love all the people involved! 

General/Penny
Penny is about a year old!  We still love the crap out of her and she still loves us!  With all the chaos in our lives lately, she probably has been acting out a little.  We have come home more than once to find a hole (or two) she's dug while waiting for us to return.  We've been told it's probably separation anxiety, so we are taking actions to fix that.  Now that the weather is nice, we leave her out in the yard on a tether.  The cord is long enough that she can rest in the shade by the bushes or the shed and get to her toys, etc.  So far it's been a bit of trial and error; we came home one day to her waiting for us at the gate...which is NOT accessible if she's on the tether.  She had dug it up.  Of course.  We've also come home to her wrapped around the bushes or poles by the patio.  It's funny because she's a very smart dog, but she can't figure out how to unwrap herself?  We have also been working on some new tricks, like balancing a treat on her nose.  She has not gained the composure yet to accomplish that, but she is getting good at waiting until we say a command. 

Most nights she sleeps with us, sometimes she leaves in the middle of the night to go to her bed.  I usually go to bed earlier and will read until I get tired.  It's very cute because she will watch me pull and rearranged the blankets and wait until I get into bed and then she hops up on and cuddles with me.  She loves to sit/lay next to me, but it's better if she can have most of her butt on me in someway.  It's really silly, but sweet.  She is getting really good at jumping to catch the Frisbee, it's so fun to watch her!  It doesn't seem like her leg is bugging her at all.  She runs, jumps, plays just fine.  She's a very happy, loving dog.

Other general updates...we are currently working on some ideas for the yard.  A few weeks ago I acquired some heirloom tomato seedlings.  I was on a run and there was a sign saying they were free, so I ran home with two of them...and then drove back to get a few more.  They are in a big pot inside, but we are about to transplant them to the window box by our bedroom.  I have seeds for squash, cucumber and lettuce, and while I have hopes for all of them to do well, I'm most concerned about the tomatoes.  I have some flower seeds that I'd like to plant in a different section of that yard.  Zak wants to build a little stone patio, we have started to look around to get ideas on what will work the best.

I apologize for the lack of pictures.  I have a bunch from Jenna's visit, but they are also on Facebook, so you can view them there.  I think that's everything for now! 

Spring Is Coming!

It's hard to believe it's already March!  The time is flying by.  Our lives have been very busy these past few months.  Now that Zack is into his final push with school (estimated graduation date: spring 2014), his workload has increased a considerable amount.  But he's doing well, surviving and enjoying his classes for the most part.  He has spring break coming up and couldn't be happier about it!  It'll be nice for him to unwind and relax for a week.

Finally got a new computer! The MacBook he got in '06 is still working, but he really needed a better one...so we used his educational bonds to make it happen!

We have now had Penny for 3+ months and are finally settling into routines and the like.  She is getting bigger, healthier and smarter.  We are constantly amazed and amused by the things she does.  It's been really exciting and fun for us to teach her things.  She knows the words 'treat', 'chewie' (those rawhide sticks), 'potty', 'food', 'bed/gotobed'.  She's gotten good at sitting, then laying down for a treat.  When we play catch, I tell her to 'drop' the ball, then have her sit and then I throw the ball down the hall.  If we want her to catch something in her mouth, we say 'catch' before throwing it into the air.  She's pretty accurate when there is food involved!

playing in the yard

'look what I found!'

Zack sent some pictures to me at work to cheer me up

 

Yes, we are becoming those kind of people, who talk about their dog often.  And take lots of pictures.  We are aware of that.

I went on my first walk with Penny a few weekends ago.  Previously, Zack had taken her when he got home from school.  By the time I got home from work, it was too cold or dark to go on a walk.  I had a great time!  She was so happy to be walking with BOTH of us outside, I bet it was like a dream for her.  We've also been able to play out in the yard with her more.  She's getting good at catch, her favorite toy is green rubber circle thing Zack got for her.  It's great because it rolls really well, which makes her chase it around the yard frantically.  And then she'll walk back to us, trying to swing it up on her head.  It's seriously so cute.

napping in the sun

'LET'S GO, DAD!!'

look how curious the puppy is!

I've been having some success with my new food/exercising routine!  I've lost a few pounds in the past few weeks and that feels really good.  It's nice to have success, because it keeps me excited and motivated that I might be able to do this!  I've been having lots of fun cooking new recipes or experimenting with some of our favorites.  I thought eating healthier would be harder, but it's actually gone really well!  I've been creative with different smoothies, snacks and meals for us.  It's been so much fun for me, turns out I'm pretty good at cooking.  Something that I want to work on is making some of my favorite recipes a bit healthier.  I've had success with recipes from the internet, but I'm curious how adapting some of my family's recipes would go.  For the record, my version of healthy isn't exclusive, per say, I know I could be doing even more to be super healthy.  But for now it's a start and I fully believe that gradually change will be more beneficial to us in the long run.

Zack and I had a pretty low-key Valentine's Day.  Our lives have been so hectic and we've been working hard to budget better that we decided to put our money and energy into future trips (like going to see Zack's favorite band, Neutral Milk Hotel, in Boise next month).  I was just thrilled to have the night together, as neither of us had to work that night.  Zack got me some very pretty red roses and a sweet card, which is all I wanted.  I got him some chocolate and a leather wallet I meant to get for him for Christmas but it completely slipped my mind.  We got bagels and spent the night together, relaxing.

my gift to Zack

pretty roses

:)

I don't think we have ever been this consistently busy.  There were a few weeks where we only had a few hours together and poor Penny hardly got to be with both of us at the same time.  We've had to really work together to make sure everything gets taken care of.  Adding Penny into the mix has been slightly more difficult, as we can't leave her in her crate all day nor outside just yet.  But we've made it work.  And it sounds silly, but planning to spend time together on the weekends, making just 'us' time has really helped our lives stay balanced and happy.  But it might be good practice for the summer, as I've been preparing to have Zack gone all summer.  Since we still aren't sure what he'll be doing and where he'll be, I'm just preparing to be all by myself. 

Speaking of, Zack has had some interviews for the jobs he's been applying for.  There have been so many jobs and interviews and places running around in my head that I can't keep them straight.  He knows what he's doing and I know he'll find something.  He's smart and talented and interested in this stuff, so he'll be great, even if his experience isn't as high as other candidates.  I know he'll find something! Once we hear back and make the decision, we'll be sure to inform everyone.  I know it's been hard to not have any stable answer about summer plans, but it's just as difficult for us.  We really hope that both of us will be able to attend the weddings this summer. 

Zack's hair has gotten really long; it's the longest I've ever seen it in real life.  I'm surprised how much I like it.  He's been growing it out for awhile, since he'll have to eventually cut it for work.  It's really nice, thick and shiny.  One day he asked me to try to put it in a ponytail.  This happened:

GIANT HAIR

right before I gathered his hair up

almost all of it

twinsies

 
Overall, we are still enjoying life and making it happen!  Here are some more pictures!

Zack took some picture with Penny & sent them to me while I was at work...they're too funny together.

'Can I have that please?'

'I want that ball, Dad!!'

this one cracks me up, her cute little facing looking at him!

Every time we go anywhere, she automatically sits in the driver's seat like she will drive us around. It's hysterical.

pretty normal

Sometimes she looks at me with such disdain I can't help but laugh; you'd think I never gave her ANY attention or any bonus little treats! Heaven forbid I want 20 minutes to read!

we like trying to get her to walk on her hind legs. it's so goofy

now she's a fan of Zack's guitar playing (when we first got her, it freaked her out)

This is a common sight around the house. She will slip her paw under the door if I'm in the second bedroom exercising or we put her in the hallway while we eat.  It's so funny to see her little paw, and then when we touch it, she gets so excited ('OMG HUMAN INTERACTION!')

we went shooting one day, I like this picture because it makes me seem pretty cool

She adores me, she is always licking ... everywhere on me. She gives me hugs, which are my favorite.

She loves being picked up and cuddled

goofing around at Hasting's one day

Rugby attire + goofy attitude

Penny-back ride

Penny's friend, Bella (the neighbor's dog). They freak out when they're both outside at the same time, it's so silly. We love that she has 'dog friends'.

 

So we put this Spongebob blanket I got a decade ago in her crate (it's soft, thought she'd like it). Little did we know she'd been eating it. Zack found evidence while on 'doodie duty'. Goodbye, Spongebob blanket!

I had flour on my hands when she came into the kitchen, so I chased her around and got her 'floured'.

Penny Puppy

meet Penny

Zak and I have been talking about getting a dog for awhile and on Saturday, we found our newest addition to the family!  Penny is about 5 months old and is an Australian Shepherd-Border Collie mix.  She also has a broken femur with a bright pink cast.  She was a stray that had been at the animal shelter in Lewiston for a few weeks.  We went with our friend Kandace to look for any dogs we might like and fell in love with our puppy.  She was eager, enthusiastic and friendly and lovingly licked our hands and clothes.  It was pretty much love at first site.  After debating for a few minutes, we decided to get her.  Besides, it's hard to say no to a puppy with a broken leg, right? 

After all the papers were filled out, Kandace's mom met us at the shelter with a big kennel for Penny (Kandace's parents live in Lewiston and have a little herd of dog, they are totally pet people!) and we took her back to their house.  The shelter gave us some coupons for some of the local stores for pet food, etc. so we went with Kandace to get some basics for Penny.  Seriously, Kandace and her parents were the best people to do this with, because they have years and years of experience with dogs and were so willing to help us with everything (neither Zak nor I grew up with a dog in the family).  They helped calm my worries about having a dog.

The ride back to Moscow was a bit stressful.  Kandace and I placed Penny on our laps and held her tightly, but it was night time, raining and we just wanted to get her back to our house before she peed or threw up on us.  Luckily, she only drooled on us. 

trying to get her to stay still for a picture

she loves to be right in the middle of anything we try to do

see?

Bringing her home was so much fun.  We could tell she was a bit nervous but genuinely happy to be somewhere new.  She loved us right from the start, she eagerly crawled up on my lap and licked my face.  When I left the room to clean up the house, Zak told me she whined a little.  She got excited when one of us would come back into the room.  The first few hours she was a little ball of energy, despite her broken leg.  She did have a few accidents inside (the puppy pads Kandace's parents gave us didn't seem to help persuade her at all), but quickly learned that if she went outside to do her business, she got a treat.  The first night we put her in the bathroom with her bed from the shelter. 

slightly better shot

stay still, Penny!

take 2

On Sunday, Zak had to work so I was mostly home with her all day.  We worked heavily on going outside to pee and by the end of the day, she had it down.  She's very smart and quickly put that together, we're pretty impressed with her.  By Sunday evening she started actually eating her puppy food rather than the rawhide (we figured it was stress).  She definitely needs to be fattened up a bit, she is pretty thin.  It was a relief to have her eat all her food!  We also talked with our landlord about Penny.  She is a dog person and is fine with Penny, but does want us to get a kennel for her when we aren't home (just put in new carpet before we moved in), and our rent goes up a little.  She fell in love with Penny also--how could you not?

loves her rawhide

 

playing with Zak

playing paw tag

she loves the rope, but won't play with us with it just yet..also how cute are her paws?!

happily sitting with daddy

gangsta dog

It's funny, because I have never wanted to own a dog before; I've been strictly into cats (and pigs, as of late).  But our friends have dogs, so I've had to get used to the different dogs in my life.  Once Zak told me he'd like to get one, I started really considering it.  And then we found Penny and now I am in love with her.  She is so sweet, calm and friendly.  She knows her name and knows us and wants to be loved so much.  I don't mind her licking my face or getting that dog smell on my clothes.  I'm just happy to have such a great dog and look forward to getting her cast off so we can play even more!  We are both so happy with our newest addition to our family!