Monday, December 2, 2013

Moving Forward

Goodness it's been a long time since I've been here! I will admit that I have been hiding out, not even checking emails or blog posts, but I've been taking some much needed time off. People who know me know that I write like I talk; it's part of me. Writing without emotion is not something I understand, so after all of the emotions of losing my Granny it was too painful to write again. It's still not easy some days but there is so much on the horizon that I know she would be excited about, and I think I'm feeling ready to slowly get back into blogging.

Over the past however many months I've been gone there have been lots of changes. Here's just an idea:
  • After the University said Branden had to stay for another two years to complete his PhD, he downgraded to an MPhil (a degree between a Masters and PhD) which means he'll be able to finish in three years, like he signed up for, and be officially done in April.
  • Because of this, he's applying for jobs and we are hoping to soon be out of a shared house and actually in our own place, with an actual income, and we can finally start traveling! It also looks like we will probably be moving somewhere around the Dublin area as that's where most jobs are.
  • Also because of this, we have realized that we are super excited for the freedom we will have and being just the two of us again, so we have taken having children out of our future equation. You have no idea how much of a burden left our shoulders when we decided this, as neither of us has actually had the desire to have children but rather felt like it was just an expectation.
  • Since we aren't planning on having kids now, I am feeling like I no longer have to sacrifice my body for babies so I am finally finding a reason and purpose to really take care of myself. I have been doing some really fun workouts for free on youtube and also been eating much healthier. I'll definitely be sharing some of my favorite new and amazing healthy recipes.
  • Branden went back to the States for 10 days at the beginning of the month for his brother's wedding! Our family is now complete, as all of our siblings are married now and we will be adding a bonus member in May as his brother and new sis-in-law are expecting a baby! We of course are besides ourselves with excitement over a new niece or nephew (Dear Lord, Please let it be a niece!).
These are just some of the big things that we've been going through and we are really excited about our future and where it's going. Life is pretty hectic still, but as I said before, I will most likely be slowly getting back into the blog scene, so bear with me.

And just to give you a giggle, because that's usually what most people come here for, here is a little something Branden said the other night just before we went to bed, "You know it's Christmas season when you find a cookie cutter in your bed."

19 comments:

  1. So glad to hear from you. I hope (m)others understand your decision to not have kids and don't hassle you every chance they get.

    And if you would like, please post a link over on my site, and welcome back to blogworld.

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    1. Thank you Scope! I hope most people who know me enough know that I love kids so it's nothing against them or having them, but I love giving them back to their parents and not having them 24/7!
      I will be over your direction to post my link and everyone else should go check out your challenge:

      http://scope-tech.blogspot.ie/2013/11/cyber-mondaythe-challenge.html

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  2. Love your post! I'll be back to visit soon, so keep blogging! And I totally understand your kidless decision, and applaud you both!

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  3. Saying hello from Scope's site!

    I completely understand the decision not to have children as they flip your life upside down in so many ways. My parents pledged the same thing...although thankfully my mother changed her mind eventually. :) Best of luck to you guys with all of the upcoming changes!

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    1. Hello and thanks for visiting! If for some reason we hit our 40's and decide to adopt or sometime find ourselves unexpectedly pregnant then we will go with it, but planning on it just feels like it's holding us back. And yes, we don't want our life flipped upside down for sure! ;) Thanks for stopping by!

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  4. My husband and I are currently struggling with the same decision about babies! Good for you for getting that decision off of your shoulders. :)

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    1. By just deciding to stop trying to plan our future around kids, we found great freedom and peace. We don't want to 'settle down', buy a house in an area where there are good schools, and get a family sized car. Life would be somewhat 'grounded' if we had kids and we don't want anything to hold us back. If something changes in years to come, then fine, at least we spend these years without the plan of having kids holding our life hostage.

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  5. Welcome back. I know how grief really robs you of creative energy for months on end, so right now I can relate to your mentioning your grandmother's death and its effect.

    My parents had thirteen grandchildren in all, so there was never any pressure on me to have children. It's just as well. I wouldn't make a good father... I don't particularly like children.

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    1. Thanks so much William. It is good to be back but I know I will have difficult days still.

      I only have one sister (who thankfully has 2 kids) and Branden only has one brother (who thankfully has a baby on the way) so even though our parents won't have many grandkids, they at least will have some! I do like kids; I just like giving them back to their parents more.

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  6. It is so nice to see you back blogging. I have a new blog, but haven't written as much as I'd like. It's been a strange year for me...just don't want to share like I used to. Message me on Facebook if you don't have the new link. :-)
    Enjoy this time for the two of you.

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    1. The nice thing is that you are on facebook so I at least have been keeping up in that way ;) Although you have been lacking in cute guinea pig photos lately! hehehe

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  7. WELCOME BACK!! I know several who should have (but didn't) made the same decision as you.

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    1. Thanks Fishducky! It's good to be back and hopefully our decision will inspire those who really need to make the same one! Because there are definitely lots out there who should!

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  8. Oooooh, the baby decision. That's a biggie. And it probably feels like EVERYONE thinks they have a voice in it. I swear, at our wedding reception, at least three of Scope's and my relatives asked me (in VERY over-excited voices) when we would be having a baby. Wow--I was still in the dang wedding dress for crying out loud! Congrats on your decision. You two do what is right for you, no matter what anyone else expects of you. :-)

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    1. We had relatives asking before we got married but thank heavens not on our wedding day! One thing at a time!! It does seem like lots of people feel some bit of ownership over my uterus and seem to be making plans for it, but I am so relieved to just shut that door! It really is kind of creepy when other people plan your reproduction. Thanks for your support :)

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  9. I've missed you sooooo much. You need to go back to my blog and read my response to your comment. I think you are very wise to make a decision about children and not give in to expectations.

    Love,
    Janie

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  10. Whether or not to have children is a huge decision and a very personal one, and it annoys me to no end when people outside of a relationship think they get a say in that decision. Sounds like you & husband are a great team. And be sure to share photos of your travels!

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  11. Welcome Back Maggie!! I was SO happy to see you pop back up in my news feed (even though I didn't manage to see it until over 20 days later).

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Does this straitjacket make my butt look big?