Reality

The "summer" is over in regards to Jason's break. We had a good four weeks together. The summer was rough on us both, and truth be told, I have a hard time adjusting; adjusting when Jason goes back to school in the evenings, and also when he is home. While I am thrilled to see him, I get so used to my own routine, that I have to adjust all over. It's a viscous cycle, ya'll. #FirstWorldProblems.

At the end of his Spring semester, while I was on a cruise with friends, Jason accepted a new job, and was about to start the summer term, which consisted of a crammed seven weeks of Hell, and a new job. Fast forward and the job he started in May wasn't working out. Husband was miserable, and started to look for new employment. Of all the coincidences in the world, Jason applied for a posting that had little information listed other than it was an insurance defense firm in Tampa {which is what Jason was going before the new job in May}, and found out the following day, he actually knew two of the three attorneys at the firm, and they offered him a job on the spot! Things seem to turn out how they're always supposed to, huh?

So. Jason finished the summer with decent grades, and one year of law school under his belt, and another a new job.

We took advantage of all the time we had, no matter how short it was going to be. We both had to work, but maximized our time with friends, family, and each other at night and on the weekends.

We went to a wedding in July, several Rays games, canvas painting {and ahem, drinking}, multiple dinners out, Jason was able to play golf a few times. We played trivia with friends. We took a trip to Long Island, NY, and NYC this past weekend to see friends get married and be tourists in the city.

It's been a wonderful month, and as always it is sad {for me} when it's over.

But reality has set back in and we're back to our daily grind(s). All we can do is enjoy the time we have, when we have it, and move forward.

Sometimes, I hate being an adult. But there is still no one I'd ever want to go through this life with, than that guy I married.

XOXO,
Nichole

Year One

I don't even know how to begin this post. No, I take that back. I AM SO PROUD OF MY HUSBAND.

As of last night, Jason has completed his first year of law school. While working a full time job as a paralegal, and having me for a wife {I kid on that last part. sort of}.

He won't get summer grades for weeks, but pass or fail, we have one year under our belt! I realize I just said "we" and you may be thinking, "Um, when did you get accepted into law school?", and of course the answer is, I didn't. But being a law school widow has been a very challenging thing for me, for Jason, and at our casa {see what I did there?}, but it made me stronger. Jason was already strong.

But enough about me, back to my spouse...

Husband,

I love you. I am proud of you. I have NO idea how you do it. I try and help as much as I can to make anything in your personal life more easy, but at the same time as your wife, and friend, there is only so much I can do. You never expect anything from anyone and just keep going. When I get sad pissed off because you can't join me out for the night and/or are too tired to move, or have to study one hundred and fifty pages over the weekend, you don't complain at all. You're amazing. I don't think I really tell you that, but I hope you know it. I know you're exhausted but know that I am so proud of you, and impressed. If I were in your shoes, I think either the job or school would have had to go. And you keep on going. If you don't die by the end of this all, I know it will be worth it.

One down, three to go...

XOXO,

"Babes"

Clutter

Can I tell you all a secret? I hate clutter. Ninety percent of the time, our house is clean {as in no dirt}, but lately, it is bey-ond cluttered, and I hate a pile up of such things.

I know being a law school widow is nothing compared to what others go through. You know, like actual widows, and military spouses, and sad things like that. But the "quality" time I get to spend with Jason is few and far between. And while I know he is busting his ass hump for us, I am sure the last thing he wants to do is work forty hours and go to school at night. And then study in between. But even though rationally I do know all this, sometimes I am still mad with him.

Maybe mad isn't the right adjective here, but it works for me in the moment. I get upset {maybe that's better?} because I am the one who now goes places alone, and has to explain to the four hundredth person why Jason couldn't make it out, since he has to study. I get annoyed because I know he is killing himself for us and our future, and that leaves me to do the majority of cleaning, cooking, and general house ish in general. And mostly, I do think it is more than fair. I wouldn't want to memorize case laws all weekend and read and read, and read until my retinas started to detach {dramatic, much?}.

But sometimes I get lost in who Nichole is in all this. I have no idea how mothers do this. HOW?! And when I get like this, I let the house stuff get behind. To the point where I don't want to do anything but avoid it. The last thing I want to do when I am in a law school widow funk, is clean. So the clutter begins to build. Literally and figuratively.

And with a cluttered home, comes a cluttered mind for yours truly. And sometimes as sad as it sounds {by the way, I didn't intend for this to sound so sad and boring, but here it is}, I get lost in a fog, until I physically clear the clutter at Casa de Crews.

This past weekend, I cleaned and de-cluttered our 1100sqft condo rental. And you know what? My mind is more clear, and I feel so much better.

I think I need a hobby. Or possibly a maid.

Do your surroundings affect your mood?

XOXO,
Nichole

A post about that husband of mine...

Soooo, as you all now know; the cat is outta the bag. My super smart husband is going to law school! The only reason we had to keep it a secret the way we did, was because we initially thought we were moving away from Tampa (and since my blog posts to my facebook page (where I am friends with a few of J's co-workers),  and couldn't share all that yet.

Here is the low down: Hubs changed career paths from an insurance adjuster to paralegal after a lay off four or so years ago. Once he started working for a law firm, he began entertaining the idea of going (back) to school to become an attorney. Jason won't be the traditional law student. A) He's not twenty-five, anymore (and you know he has a wife and real bills) B) He's still going to have to work full time and do the school thing part time (I mean, do you know  how much law school costs?!). So while he started talking about going, he took a bit of time to finally make the decision to apply (after taking the LSAT); plus, we had this thing called A WEDDING to plan.

...Anyway...

This past fall he applied to three law schools within Florida. The hope was that we (yea, I know I'm not going to law school but the decision affects us both, so "we" applies here) would get into Stetson (about thirty miles from where we live). But Stetson is a tough school to get into. Jason had decent grades while he attended USF, but he got a general degree and didn't know then that he would want to go to law school so his chances weren't as high as other applicants.

The week he told me he had big news (a.k.a. our anniversary weekend) he was accepted to a law school in Jacksonville (four or so hours from Tampa). I was so excited and happy for him! I was ready for a new adventure if that meant J could do what he wanted as well. We went ahead and told both our families, Easter weekend and were ready for whatever was next. Oh but hey, I was unemployed and looking for a job in Tampa and all. What the hell was I going to do?!

The same week he was accepted to Jacksonville, Jason found out he got into Barry Law in Orlando (much closer to Tampa (and our families)). AND they offered him a really generous scholarship (based on his undergrad and LSAT score). So in a matter of three days; we were moving from Jacksonville to Orlando. Sheesh. Instead of looking for my dream job, I started looking for any job, to save money if we had to move. It became a little emotionally draining, for me!

Three more days go by and Jason finds out he was waitlisted to Stetson. The best of the three schools; local and also...expensive as all Hell. So we were either moving to Orlando...or staying here. Oh, and I was still going on countless job interviews for a job here, where we live now.

Jason could go with the flow, but I was becoming a tad stressed (tad, is probably an understatement).

Two weeks ago (and a day after we had paid a deposit for Barry Law, natch), Jason found out he was accepted to Stetson!! I'm so proud of him, ya'll. We literally spent that weekend going back and forth deciding what to do. It wasn't easy. That scholarship to Barry was very enticing. BUT Orlando is a lot more expensive of a place to live. I'd have to find another new job (after just accepting a job with a company I'm excited to work for) and if I'm being honest I am a momma's girl and my sister lives less than two miles from me and my bestie is only ten miles away. Plus, we like to help babysit Jason's niece & nephew when we can; and I like being a part of their lives.

So after much thinking, talking, questioning...we are staying right where we are. Its funny how things work out in the end, no matter what happens, isn't it?!

If Jason had only been accepted to Orlando or Jacksonville, then we'd have gone and I wouldn't have looked back. But in the end, Steston is the best of the three schools and since we'll both be working, its not like he'll talk out additional loans to live on. I see a lot of budgeting in our future but I'm looking forward to a new challenge. And I'm so proud of that husband of mine!

 Yea, that is my ah-mazing (and goofy) spouse. I love that nerd...

XOXO,
Nichole

Scenes from the weekend

What.a.weekend. We were very busy but it was a great time. I didn't take as many photos as I would have liked (seriously bad blogger, here) but I guess that just means I was busy livin' it up?

Friday, hubs and I joined his co-workers out at Bahama Breeze for happy hour. But I had an ulterior motive, kids. I wanted us to have some end of the week drinks to celebrate Jason getting accepted...into LAW SCHOOL. Remember when I told you guys right before our one year wedding anniversary how Jason told me some news that I couldn't share yet (side note: do you know people actually asked me if we were pregnant? I mean did I not say J was the one who told me news?! Oy), well he was accepted into three law schools within Florida, ya'll. There is more to this story but I feel like it deserves its own post another day. But in a nutshell; we have a lot of decisions to make in a very short amount of time!

Saturday, we ended up at Tropicana Field to see The Rays kick some Atlanta Braves ass (though we lost the series so what do I know?). Seven of us busted out the tent, grill, cooler and ladderball a few hours prior to the game in the heat to tailgate. And my friend, Shelly, conveniently had these mustaches just lying around in her car. That's just how she rolls.

Hawt

Sunday was spent brunching with Kari & Lauren at Datz Deli in South Tampa. I've been wanting to go there for quite sometime so I was excited to finally go. Plus is was brunch, which is my fave meal, around.

Via 

Deliciouso

Last night, Lane and I (plus our very smart husbands) went to Eddie's in Dunedin for some live trivia and happy hour (gah, how I will miss random outings once I start working again). Folks, we came in 3rd place! We won $10 house cash. Honestly though if it weren't for our men, we wouldn't have won. Lane and I were enjoying the two for ones and chatting more than the trivia :)

Don't spend that all in one place, kids