Where do I begin....?

Well.............since January hit I've moved, worked MORE than I've ever worked, been taking two classes, been to Phoenix, been to Napa Valley (and surrounding areas), housesat twice, and started the process of training for my 2nd job...not to mention a sad, but meaningful attempt to try and stay physically fit. sheesh...going to the gym can be HARD.

I feel like January didn't even happen. What? February is in 3 days? No it isn't. I don't believe it for a second.

Aside from some very late nights at work...I've actually managed to hold myself together pretty well. Not meaning to imply that the late nights at work had me totally losing my cool, but they definitely can make you sleepy for a few days after....which is kind of unacceptable when you're running as much as I've been.

I feel like things have been good though. It's nice to have a family to come home to everyday (and when I say everyday, I mean the days I actually get to come home). It's like having an automatic support system. I love it. Family dinner? Jenna made fish? My heart is melting.........I'm actually struggling with the thought of potentially NOT having them around come June. Maybe I should sabotage Phil's schooling so that he can't EVER graduate.........

Kidding...

Wait............maybe I'm not? ;)

This is going to be a long post, so brace yourself now. I'll try not to involve too many of my mental breakthroughs, as really I've just been embracing the fact that I'm still sane through all of this life stuff. It's been hard to stop and realize just how much I'm actually learning.

That said, however, I feel like doors keep opening. Or that I keep looking through them, at least. I feel like I'm looking for something so specific, but I just haven't found it yet....so I keep looking. I open these 'doors' in attempt to find that perfect.....niche.....

Unfortunately (or fortunately), I've opened a LOT of doors. ha. Ever felt like you've bitten off a little more than you can chew? Maybe I should have backed away from some of these things...but I'm just so impatient! I just want everything done now. so....I'll struggle through it, risking losing my mind, but simultaneously getting me that much closer to starting the rest of my life. :)

My birthday.........I'm just waiting for that wonderful day. March 24th is the day that both of my classes end (and I get to go on a little girls trip!). What a wonderful relief that will be! It is amazing how much harder it can be to organize your schedule when juggling class / lab / clinicals / skills tests / etc. yuck. I'm marrying someone with money and washing my hands of all this. ;) psh. yeah right.

Here are a few pictures to help me remember that January actually happened:

I'd been working SO much that I didn't have time to even unpack my things......I came home to find this:

My whole room was put together, clothes put away, bed made, art up. So thankful. I can't even express how this made me feel. 

First night at my new place. Jenna was screaming the living room. The boys had found wigs. Oh dear...welcome heather, these are your new roommates.

Lo / Jimmy in Cali

Hallie. :)

 Amy + Me in Cali. IT WAS SO SUNNY!!!

 I made a hat in Cali. It's been stolen.

 This was the drive up to Rubicon while we were wine tasting. It was SO foggy, but beautiful. I was nearly kidnapped by a limo full of Italians?

 I dunno...I'm sure we'd had too much by this point.....

 Bogie sleeping......I woke up to this guy in my bed some mornings. what a snuggler!

 Ed and I cartooned out. I totally look weird, but Ed is my favorite so I thought this was worthy. I am SO  SO blessed to work with the most incredible people!!!!!

 Phoenix!!!!!! I go back next month!!!!!!!!

Adding this picture in.....better late than never. Cousins re-united after like 8 years of not seeing one another! Such a fun night! Shout out to Jonny....coolest member of our family!

I'll try to post again when my brain is less tired. I just have been wanting to get some of these pictures up.  As always, I have more to say...but this will be enough for now. 

Just as a fun fact: I'm addicted to journaling...and sometimes if I find some insightful or meaningful quote / song lyric / verse, etc that sticks out to me, I write it in my journal. So....I may share some of them on here: 

If you don't go after what you want, you'll never have it. If you don't ask, the answer is always no. If you don't step forward, you're always in the same place.