Success!!

Chris and I are in Michigan. We flew to Chicago on Monday and stayed over night with a friend of mine before driving the three hours to Grand Rapids, MI the next morning. Things happened quicly once we arrived starting with an appointment with our lender (for which we were 15 min late b/c we didn't realize that GR is an hour later than Chicago!). When we were done signing about a million papers, we were off to look at houses and saw six the first day.

We liked a couple on Tuesday but Wednesday afternoon we saw three great houses.
(in house hunter's style, HGTV)
1. a 1940's super charming house with wood floors, a huge walk-in closet, next to the Great River and an amazing park, but only had 1 &1/2 baths and a 1 car garage

2. A newer home with a great layout, big kitchen, and everything we were looking for but had the smallest backyard and no deck and was next to a borderline neighborhood.

3. An older home that was completely renovated and had a great yard w/deck in a fantastic neighborhood but was priced 10,000 more than the others

So what did we pick? Well, we had one in mind but wanted to sleep on it. On our way home thought, our realtor called and said that there were two other offers in and if we really wanted it we had better submit ours that night!!!

With no time to sleep on it or even discuss it over dinner, we decided to go for it! We put an offer on house #2 and it was accepted!

We are so happy and can't wait to move into our new home!

my new haircut

When Hannah and Megan visited last week, Meg and I got a very strong urge to cut our hair. We spent all evening researching salons, reading reviews, and trying to decide who to trust our precious hair with.

We found places that offered an "relaxing aromatic journey", salons that would restore energy and heal our minds and souls, and some that vowed to give the best haircut ever.

The next morning, we called as soon as our chosen salon opened and amazingly were able to make appointments for Megan and I later that day. Hannah, after watching our excitement finally decided to take the plunge and cut her hair too. We had a great time and i am happy with my new fun style.

Some cute pics of my puppy

Ichi eating his new toy, his favorite
way to play

Ichi pretending he is a cat


Ichi snuggling with his dad

Ichi eating his bed, what a punk! I was washing
sheets and this is how he thanks me!

Fun week of family

I just want to say, hurray for spring break and new jobs! Due to both i enjoyed the company of almost all (way to ditch out nik, jk) my sisters at my house this week.

Hannah, with a push from Megan and a lot of courage, drove herself and Megan from Kingman all the way to Tucson to visit me. We had a fantastic time shopping, cooking, and even got our hair cut together! They even helped me out with teaching first year medical students by being my patients. It was so nice to have someone to hang out with all day and play around. I only wish they had been able to stay longer.
(i would also like to note that i would have had a great picture to post too but they both covered their faced and then Ichi ran away)

As soon as Nan and Meg left, Sarah came with her girls. We also had a great time. We went to the park and fed the ducks, we visited the zoo and rode the train, and we got some good mall time in too. The girls were great and i loved having Sarah here. It was great training for Ichiban too. He has always been afraid of children and after having the kids here for a few days he is much better (and they are too).
(no excuses for no pics, i forgot my camera everywhere we went and i am so sad about it)

Our horrible walk

My puppy and i walk everyday, usually from 30min to an hour all over the neighborhood. Today we were taking an especially long walk when my worst nightmare happened. another woman was walking her dogs (a rottweiler and another big dog) and when they saw Ichiban and i they went crazy. They dragged their owner across the street and attacked us. The Rot had Ichi by the leg and the other dog had him by the neck. I threw my body over the rest of him to protect him and the four of us along with the dogs' owner were screaming and rolling on the ground. I don't really remember what happend but it seemed like it was lasting forever and Ichi was screaming and I could not get the dog to let go of his neck. I put my hands in its mouth and tried to pry it off, I hit him in the head, i tried everything i could think of and was terrified that he was going to kill my dog in front of me.

Thankfully, the man who lived in the house who's yard we were rolling around in heard me yelling help (which i don't remember doing) and Ichi screaming and came out to see what was going on. He beat the dog until he let go of Ichiban and we quickly ran into his house to hide from the crazy dogs.

The man's wife called 911 and watched ichi as i ran after the woman and her dogs who were leaving the scene. The police came and took pictures and got our story. The whole thing was very surreal, i was shaking and had blood and scratches all over me. As soon as the police were done, the man's kind wife drove me and Ichi back to our house where i called our vet, put Ichi in the car, and headed to get him some help.

After concern's of a broken leg or dislocated hip, he thankfully is ok with no damage to any vital organs or bones. They fixed him up, gave him antibiotics and pain killers, and sent us home. He is still shook up (so am I) and can't walk on his back leg which is bit, cut, and very bruised. His neck as well as many other parts of him are cut up but he is a trooper. We survived and I am so thankful to the people who helped us and for the fact that we both came out ok from the ordeal.