Rewind

Summer has flown by and omg it's SEPTEMBER! Can we rewind back to the start of the summer?I start school in alittle over a week and I feel like i'm getting ready for high school all over again, I honestly never thought i'd go back to school since I could never find anything in my opinion going to school for. My decision to go back to school was a fast one (literally deciding one night to enroll in the occupational therapy program) But God works in mysteries ways and I know it is meant to be.About 2 years ago I was rearended by a a driver on the freeway and as a result had to seek treatment for several months. In that time I was offered a job at a chiropractors office which in itself was a huge blessing for the employment change. A co-worker of mine was just starting the Occupational Therapy program at that same time. Because of her I also will be completing that program because of all of the wonderful things I know occupational therapy can do to help people improve there quality of life. I'm excited to make a difference everyday I go to work. I find it amazing that my life took a complete u-turn from that day. As I'm sure many more things will change in the years to come life is amazing, exciting and nerve racking all at the same time. It's a good feeling. Josh has been extremely supportive durning this time when we are relying much on faith to make sure this was the best decision at this time for our family. Once I complete school I will graduate will my Associates Degree and be COTA certified, I will be taking the National exam so I can practice anywhere in the United States. We are planning to make the move across the country once school is completed. This will as well be a leap of faith but we know it will be worth it in more than one way. But one thing is for sure eastcoasters don't do well here in the northwest ;)

Josh and I are doing well, excited to start this new adventure and everything that comes with it. Will post pictures soon of our AMAZING trip to Las Vegas and San Deigo this past August! Things are just crazy...

I'm 23.

  

  My birthday weekend was a relaxing one.Earlier in the week Josh took me to a Mariners game, of course they lost but hey it's always fun when you have good seats and it's a good reason to eat garlic fries.:) We spent saturday doing the birthday thing with my parents, presents and yummy dessert; Josh made Kansas dirt cake, yummy! We ended up driving the Olympic Forest route on Sunday (the day before my birthday) so beautiful, it was a very long drive almost 10 hours round trip; including taking the ferry into squim area. I wanted to go the beach really bad and this was our best option to accomplish this. We drove through Forks, WA which if you did'nt know was the town where Twilight was filmed  there was twilight signs everywhere, we also stopped to take pictures at Crestent Lake--so pretty, the glacier water turns the water blue surrounded by  huge mountains, in which your driving through. It was cool to recognize spots in town and around lake that looked so much like the movie.We also stopped at Ruby Beach as well as Kalaloach beach and walked for miles. Peanut had never been to the beach and it was fun to watch him run away from the waves as if they were going to swallow him up. (probably would have) He loved all the different smells and digging in the sand. There is something so romantic and peaceful about the ocean, we spent alot of time walking and talking about what Next time we take this route we will definitly have to plan to camp, there is a campground on the Kalaloach beach we would love to stay at. We did'nt have time to stop at the Koh Rainforest as it was about 30 miles inland and would have added another couple hours to our already long long drive. Our goal was the beach and it was totally worth the drive for all the beauty the national park beaches offer--miles upon miles of private, undeveloped coastline.

Josh and peanut taking the Edmonds ferry to Squim

The beautiful Cresent Lake

That night we went to the Ram at ate our favorite meal. One appetizer being the "armadello eggs". By the time we got home we were exhausted and went right to sleep. The next day Josh made me a breakfast burrito similar to my dad's famous breakfast burrito, we finally went and saw the hunger games, which I had been putting off since I had already read the book, I got a manicure and pedicure and just took a day to do whatever I wanted. It was a wonderful birthday yet again thanks to my husband who always my day a memoriable one. He decided this year though he would take it up a notch with DIAMOND Earrings! He was playing a mean joke on me the weeks before trying to make me believe he was going to get me a rice cooker since thats what I said I needed. (I'm always so practical) lol but I did'nt really want him to get me a rice cooker; in fact if he had I probably would have been upset. lol no wonder women drive men crazy right? hehe. He also got me the scentsy warmer I really wanted but wouldn't buy for myself.

   So I'm 23. I remember the time I could not wait for this day and now that it is here and gone I'm sad. It seems my life has been in fast forward i'm trying to hit rewind or at least pause. It's not working. Life is flying by and Josh and I are going through alot of changes. I'm going back to school! I've decided on the occupational therapy program at Pima medical institute.. I'm really excited. Josh has been extremely supportive, as well as my boss, letting me go down to part-time to acheive this. I can't wait. Josh loves his job and I hope I can enjoy this new career path just as much as he does his job. I hope it will be a wonderful change. It will be rewarding to be making a difference in peoples lives everyday I go to work.

Here's to being another year older!

Memorial Day weekend Roslyn, Wa

Friday night Josh and I got off work early to head out for our weekend camping trip to Roslyn, WA. Our first together by ourselves.We had spent the week trying to prepare and think of everything we might need. For our first trip I don't think we did to bad.Once on the road we sat in traffic for a good three hours with everyone else trying to get out of town. We arrived in Roslyn about 8:30pm just as it was starting to get really dark. Granted we did not know were we were going to camp. We were told once we drove through Roslyn there was nothing but campgrounds from there on out. We stopped at every campground we came across and of course all were full. I was told Roslyn had a ton of free campsites and that most were not marked but we needed to just turn down any dirt road we came across. (this was a true statement) A few miles down past all the "official" campgrounds we hit the motherload of all free campgrounds. Up ahead we could see all the cars in front of us pulling onto a very bumpy dirt road across the Cle Elm River so we decided to follow. Jackpot! There were a ton of campsites! The next 20 minutes we spent driving around and found a spot we thought would do. We really wanted a spot next to the river but of couse of our late arrival those were already taken. We unpacked and started a fire since both of us were starving. I had planned on cooking brats for dinner since that would be easy. But I had forgotten them! One of the only things I forgot to pack. So we cooked eggs and for some reason decided to put them in the hot dog buns; we were obviously really tired at this point. YUCK! The people beside us decided to blast there music all night until there car battery finally died! Thank goodness.
The next morning we decided to go on the hunt for a new spot, something alittle further from people. We travel further up the dirt road and pull onto another dirt road that lead to even more campsites and dirt roads! We come across a small road barely big enough to fit the car through. Josh ran up this huge rocky hill and once at the top yelled "We found it!"  The top was the most breath taking view overlooking the valley, lake and mountains, away from everyone!  We had a great weekend, can't wait to go back, explore and enjoy the lake in the warmer months!

This was the view from our tent

                                                                 Peanut loved exploring

I'm so grateful for the all the men and women who have sacrificed to much so we can be free. Happy Memorial day!

Welcome summer 2012!

I know it has been forever since I posted last. Josh and I have been staying super busy. We also cancelled our internet and cable subscription in trade for unlimited hot yoga every month. So I'm not able to get on the internet to post as often. But honestly I don't miss it at all. Being on the internet all the time and watching tv is such a waste of time. It's amazing when you take it out of your life how much time you find to do other things. Anyway we are really enjoying life right now. Hot yoga is our thing. If your not familiar with hot yoga it's pretty big in seattle since its pretty much always cold. The room is 105, we do a series of 26 postures to help strengthen, tone and help regulate your metabolism and stamina. It is so awesome;hard but awesome. I'm still on my weightloss journey, It's been months and the weighloss is slow but it's coming off and this is a lifestyle I can maintain something I've never been able to do before. 30lbs so far. :) I'm happy. My inspiration has been my best friend sarah who after only 6 months has lost over 100lbs. WAY TO GO SARAH! I love her and she inspires me to be better, thats what best friends are for. Anyway still working alot and going on lots of hikes we recently hiked Little Mount Si. Here are some pictures of the hike, it's beautiful and well worth the incline. We are finally getting some nice weather it will be a great summer i'm sure. We bought some white water rafting and kayaking tickets so we are excited to take those trips. We are still debating on what to do for my birthday since it's right around the corner! I can't belive it! I'll be 23. It feels like yesterday I was in high school but isn't that how it is for everyone? Time flys by!

Valentine's Day

My man never disappoints. I came home from work to find this romantic setting waiting for me. It was like we were in a 5 start resturaunt. The warm fire right next to our table for two. It was the perfect ending to my day. He is the most romantic guy, always out doing the year before. I don't know how he keeps doing it... One of his many talents for sure. We ended the night cuddled up together watching "The wedding singer" our valentine's day tradition. The song at the end of the movie has a special meaning in our relationship. I'm so glad we have a day dedicated to the one's we love. Happy love day everyone!

Twin Falls Hike

We love going on hikes, especially now that we have peanut, it's so fun to get out of town and explore new areas, there is something really satisfying climbing up to the top of a mountain and overlooking the mountain we just worked so hard to get up to. The views are awesome! It really helps put life in perspective.

It's Winter time finally! Snow days!

We finally got some snow this year! We were on a storm watch for 3 days but today it finally hit us...and of course when it snows everything closes down in Seattle.We woke up to over 9 1/2 inches of snow this morning. We slept in alittle and Josh made us a yummy breakfast. Then we decided to try our hand at dehyrating some fruit; all we have ever tried was jerky. It turned out great! The apples with cinnamon filled the house with the most amazing aroma throughout the whole day. This year the snow was so perfect for building a snowman we just could'nt resisit. We made a snow-woman and we think she turned out pretty darn good.

Peanut has been having so much fun in the snow lately, he prances through it and it's the cutest thing. He's almost 6 months now and almost 10lbs, I can't believe it...almost full grown. He has been such a good dog. He's been interesting with the cats and we are still unsure of how they will get along long term. Peanut has always loved chasing them but lately he has started to playfully bite them (since he's still teething) and just lay on top of them until they somehow get away. There relationship is interesting to say the least. We will see.

To catch up, we had a great christmas and new year! We loved spending time with Brittany and the kids while they were here right before christmas. Brittany was practically 9months prego at the time and has since given birth to our newest nephew Conner! We can't wait to meet him! We layed low this christmas and new year just enjoying time with our family alot and on new years getting together with some friends to play games and bring in the new year. The past year Josh has been getting more and more into boxing, training with a friend and co-league who used to be semi-pro. So his gifts consisted mainly of boxing gear. My parents splurged and got us an awesome, beautiful, will last forever, made in the USA vacumn a RICCOR...it. is. AWESOME! who knew I would get excited to get a vacumn ever in my life. Well it happened. Josh also gave me the most plush, soft bath robe in the world. This is not any ordinary robe because full body towel robes are literally next to impossible to find and I have been needing one forever! So..thanks babe!

All and all... the Ryen life is good. Happy new year!

Loving the season! Welcome to Fall!



Josh and I carved pumpkins this year and actually had a really good time, believe it or not Josh had NEVER carved pumpkins! CRAZY! I had'nt since I was probably 16 or so, I forgot how time time consuming it is! lol I was alot of fun though and the pumpkins turned out great! On Halloween we got a couple trick or treaters, we ate pizza and watched scary movies, kinda lame since it was a monday night..

I love this time of year, the crisp air and the trees all changing colors. It so beautiful! I hope everyone is enjoying the season! Happy Fall Everyone!

Meet Peanut!

Peanut is our 3 month old Jack Russell Terrier born on Aug 4th 2011. He currently weighs 5lbs and is cute and cuddly.Josh had been wanting a dog for quite awhile and I was'nt really sold on one and even on the way to pick him up I was unsure...but 6 hours, a ferry ride, and a speeding ticket later we got this little guy home and was worth every bit! He is full of energy, very loving and loyal. He's practically potty trained and knows how to sit and come! And we have only had him for two weeks! Jack Russell's are so smart! He is the perfect addition to our family and are loving having him around.

BOO!

To kick off the spoky season Josh and I drove down to my bestest friend Sarah's house to go to a haunted corn maze! So fun! It was alittle foggy and drizzling which added to the excitement. I am always jumpy and got pretty scared quite few times. Sarah took some pictures of the event. I'm learning if we don't document, it's like it never happened. We love Halloween as it is after all the month we met. It was Oct '08 3 years ago. I had been spending some time with a co-worker every now and again after work, one that funny enough I did'nt even really like..and Josh felt the same way! Anyway Josh just happened to be stop by with another girl on the night I happened to be hanging out with them. When he walked in I took one look at him I thought omg this guy is crazy. He had on baggy black sweat suit with a wife beater underneath and big gold chains. While I was thinking this he made his way over to where I was sitting on the couch not really paying attention to him and he practically sat on me and said "why you not smiling?" lol I just thought "this guy better get away from me, who does he think he is?!!"I found out later Josh had dressed up like a ganster since he been at a Halloween party before he came over. DUH! haha  A couple days later was Halloween and I went to a Halloween party with these same friends who just happened to be picking up Josh to go to the party as well. (Josh was dressed like a HOT army man.)When we got to his house instead of Josh riding with his friends he choose to ride with me when I asked him why he did that he said "why be squished in th back seat when I can enjoy the company of a pretty girl like you in your car?" At the party he flirted with all the girls and I was so jealous he was'nt by my side the whole night...lol he made the right decision though by the end of the party. Ever since I've been hooked, He is my best friend and I'm so happy he is apart of my life.