#givingtuesday

Today I wanted to share with everyone a few of my favorite charities for Giving Tuesday! Maybe you will donate today or maybe this will just inspire you to find your own favorite place to give back this Holiday season!

**The first is local and Matt and I just went to a charity event a few weeks ago for this organization!

Here is their Mission: Loving kids, families, those in need with food and financial assistance while restoring dignity and hope for a better future!
To learn more or see how you can help or donate click HERE

** Next up is a wonderful organization that was founded by a friend of mine, and I love donating to this incredible group!

Learn about what 41 does for their community..........

To shop for a great cause or to donate to the organization click HERE

** I love this organization and in the past I have sponsored an elephant for a year and one day I hope to travel there to volunteer!

Born from one family’s passion for Kenya and its wilderness, the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is today the most successful orphan-elephant rescue and rehabilitation program in the world and one of the pioneering conservation organisations for wildlife and habitat protection in East Africa.
To learn about adopting an elephant click HERE

** Lastly is another wonderful organization that I love, The Gentle Barn

Ellie Laks founded The Gentle Barn in 1999; it was a dream of hers since she was seven years old. Animals were always very healing and nurturing to her as she faced the challenges of growing up, finding herself, fitting in, feeling understood, etc. She majored in special education and psychology, and with her special love of animals and children, The Gentle Barn was a perfect way of putting all her talents and passions into one.I love all the good this place does for animals in need and they do such a wonderful job at truly sharing with other the compassion we all need to God's creatures. Click HERE to donate

Decisions.... dum dum duuummmm

I wanted to open up to you guys today for a few reasons.......
1. Spilling my guts on here is therapeutic for me
2. I want to share with you all and be open about everything because of the feedback I have received over these few years.... it helps people and that helps me!
3. And You all... our family, our friends and our wonderful supporters online matter to us.

A few weeks ago Matt and I had a very real and very hard conversation about our future and what we want it to hold. But the future for us is the next year only, dealing with infertility it is best to only plan a year at a time we have found out. Mostly because so many different factors go into this and things can change on a dime. You know no one gives you a manual on how to deal with the news that you will never have biological children and then no one robs a bank for you either. So ya, money is a huge factor in this decision but we honestly set that aside and talked about how we feel. If we robbed a bank and got $30,000 plus in our laps would this decision change... maybe. But we don't actually know and for now we both feel at peace with our decision.

We decided that for the next year we are going to be US. It has been YEARS since we have lived without trying to conceive, years since we were not constantly sticking me with needles, emptying bank accounts on medical intervention and years since we stopped tracking time by my period. And trust me no one wants to count time by their period! HA! So this next year we are going to focus on US. Live our lives, focus on our careers, love on our fur-animals, go on vacations (I hope) and celebrate our 10 YEAR wedding anniversary next year. Then after our 10 year anniversary we will sit down and see where we are and how we feel. Matt mentioned that maybe we don't have children and I feel the same but in this space is that just the residual grief talking? Or in a year will we want to move forward with adoption? I can't answer that. What I can answer is that is has been just the 2 of us for 11 years this Christmas. Our first date was 11 years ago and we have come out ok(ish) LOL!!!!! Now, we do want to try and save.. I hope to sell a few houses so we can save money but first for us to have a savings again. We have like $300 in savings because of how much we spent this past year on 7 IUI's and 2 IVF's. We also want to finish our basement but we will see. So next year we are going to STOP revolving our lives solely on if we are pregnant. And ya, we both have a lot of healing to do.

I need people to know that especially like this past week when SO many friends announced their pregnancies I am truly happy for you. Why would I not be, I know how hard it is to get pregnant so YAY you, for real! SO very happy for you... your future baby has no bearing on my situation although people seem to think it must. The only thing is it makes me think.... will I ever get to "announce" we are having a child one day? Will I be ok if we never do? And those are valid questions to ask myself. And who knows that answer! And I hate how this situation, something I cannot control effects the way people are to me/us.. So stop it you guys! No, neither of us have officially dealt with the ramifications of the past few years but how do you? Really, how are you suppose to? For me I think all my emotions have been channeling into anger, which I don't like. Anger at situations and people who just act as if my life never happened, anger to those who cannot seem to not even once acknowledge what we have been thru. It doesn't take much time or effort to say "Hi, I love you, I am sorry." But it clearly must be...... I can't seem to move past it, I stew in it and I hate myself for it.

SO that is where we are, I did ask my Mom to stop saying "But you all would have the most beautiful baby ever, we will never see that" I know Mom, I know you are hurting too but that isn't good for any of us to hear anymore. And thats the truth, that is where we are and how we are moving forward as a couple. I still have some expensive IVF meds in my fridge, I am gonna offer them up again to anyone who wants them before I throw them out. I have loved helping 2 other girls with free meds, I like the thought that something good is coming out of our situation.

PIE!

Happy Thanksgiving you guys!!! I hope your day is full of relaxation, great food, loved ones and PIE!!!!

You Guys!

Sorry I have been away for a few days but it's a good thing Elway is SOOO adorable because we are in the middle of puppy hell right now. We knew it would be hard, we haven't had a puppy in 8 years but.... WOW! We are running on NO sleep, I have a migraine from lack of sleep and this adorable puppy is terrorizing everyone in our house! LOL But really. I haven't gotten anything done this week and I haven't left the house but once..... he screams bloody murder anytime we put him down in his playpen and the poor other animals, I feel awful for them. I know it takes time and right now we are in the midst of the worst. BUT I am alive just being held hostage by an adorable 3 pound nightmare!

Elway Austin Savage

Surprise!! We are new parents!!! Let me introduce you to our bundle of joy...........

Elway is a mini dapple Daschund and his middle name is Austin because he was born in Austin, Colorado!

Elway was welcomed into our family last night at 7:45pm.

He is 3 pounds, 11 inches long

8 Weeks Old

Let's back up and start at the beginning!

Elway is Matt's Birthday present and at his Birthday dinner back in October I wrapped Elway's baby collar with his name on it! And ya, keeping the secret was hard but I wanted a "true baby reveal" because .... why not!
You know adding a new member of the family is a tough decision and he is in NO WAY a replacement for our beloved Oscar. But our other weenie Abner isn't doing too well, and our Ralphie boy has never been alone.... so we needed to add the 3rd leg back to our dog tripod. I was fine with ANY dog, are you kidding me... you know I will fall in love with anything but Matt was dead set on another weenie puppy and so here is Elway!

 Last night was the BIG arrival, we went to the Centennial airport to wait for our new babies arrival!

 And check out his ride, we had no idea he was riding in style A'la Jet service! But honestly it's kinda sad, he was so worked up being on a flight alone.... first day away from his family and then he meets his new fur family. Poor baby was BEYOND worked up and he still is!

 Look at that little face, he is SO small! It has been 8 years since we had a puppy and I knew it was going to be a ton of work but OMG! We are 100% new parents. I was up all night with him and his lungs work great.

Here is his newborn photo, he was 2 weeks old here..... little pumpkin!

And this is his 5 week old picture.........All ears

And now he is starting his life with us, just wait until he realizes he hit the jackpot of families! The coming weeks are going to be SO hard but eventually we will all meld together. Our biggest boy Ralph would you believe it or not is scared of him, the cat is NOT happy but our boy Abner is trying his hardest to welcome him into our family. It takes time.

You know a TON of pictures are coming..... and I had BIG plans to do a whole newborn baby photo shoot with Elway but you guys getting a puppy to cooperate is NOT going to happen! I gotta go... he is crying his little eyes out right now.

ONE Night to Give Back...

Last Night was the Charity Event partly thrown by my Real Estate Company and my mentor, the proceeds went to SECOR, here is a little more about this organization and last night...

One Night to Give Back

November 13, 2016, Charity Event with dinner, drinks and auction items galore!

South East Community Outreach provides funding for those in need during financial distress, kids who are on free lunch programs to eat on the weekends and a variety of other support for families in Douglas, Arapahoe and Elbert County. Did you know that 1 in 9 families in Douglas County are living in suburbon poverty? It could even be your neighbor.
Their website has additional content and information if you would like to look around or donate directly to this organization: www.secor.info

I helped do come planning for the event as well as the set up, I also got to do the events photography last night! Matt and I both donated gift baskets.... I did a wine and Italian dinner basket and Matt donated an awesome Farmers Insurance Golf bag, Balls and Beers! 

 I will say draping the lights and the tulle across the venue earlier in the day wasn't as easy as it might look! LOL! The event space was downtown and perfect for our 120+ guests!

 Here are some of the girls I work with at Realty ONE Group Premier! We all had a really nice time last night and it is always nice to get together outside of the office!

 SOooooo....... This happened, my husband won the bid on this Orange Crush helmut signed by the man, John Elway himself! It's all for a great cause and the proceeds of just this helmut that go to the charity are enough to fill up an entire truck of food for this food bank, so we did good!!

It was a great night and in a way a nice way to kinda open the Holiday season by doing something so nice! Happy Monday friends!

*sigh*

Todays post is best summed up by a text message I got from my sister yesterday.... "Sorry about your mouth" yup, true dat! So no judging but I HATE the dentist, I had awful experiences growing up and I literally have refused to go for many many moons! But This past week it was time (dun dun dun) and I got the news I didn't want. 

So ya, I need al 4 of my wisdom teeth cut out, THEN I need a root canal and 2 crowns! YAY me! And I am also I found out I am a SUPER duper grinder, so mouth guard come and get me! I meet with the oral surgeon this coming week to discuss my surgery. But there is ONE bright spot for all the infertility this year.... We have not only reached our deductible but our out of pocket cost as well, so this surgery will be covered at 100%! Finally a little bit of good news but I have to get this done before Dec 31!!!!!!!! I don't like anything about teeth or surgery for that fact and I am scared to death, I have asked my Mom to come and stay because let's me honest Hubby's are not good nurses!

I'll keep you all updated but needly to say I am SO SO SO OVER 2016. 2016 you are DEAD to me.

Movie Monday

Hi friends, Monday again huh?? I don't know about you but I kinda like the time change... when it gets darker earlier it just screams FALL to me.... and snuggles, fire.. you get me! Did you all have a nice weekend? I'm gonna be honest, I had a terrible weekend! And I saw not 1 but 2 movies alone and ya, take your hints as to my weekend by that. Whatever it's Monday and it still sucks but all things shall pass, right?

When I am upset or having a very bad day I love escaping to a movie... because that it what it is... an escape. A place where I can clear my mind and relax for 2 whole hours. The movie theater is my #1 escape. 

Doctor Strange!

I love a Marvel movie and I was excited to see this one and it did not disappoint! Benedict is perfect for this role and I would describe this as Inception meets the Avengers/Dr Who! This is a non stop thrill ride that makes your mind work to keep up and thats a lot of fun! All ages will like this and husbands too, maybe not all of my girlfriends but I was a happy movie goer!

Inferno!
Man, I have missed Robert Langdon and these books! I read the first one well over a decade ago and I read this one many many years ago as well.... so I was surprised as anyone in the theater because I forgot what had happened! I loved this just like I loved the others, the settings are stunning, I love the history and the puzzles. I am only sad its over now........

Well Cheers to good movies and to hopefully my week getting better starting tomorrow.

La La Land

 This past week my friend Rebecca and I got to do something cool, we went to the kick off of the Denver Film Fest which was a screening of La La Land. AND not only did we get to see one of the most anticipated movies of the Holidays but Emma Stone and the Director were in attendance!
Here she is on the red carpet, there were too many photographers so I didn't see this in person but found this pic online!

Emma received the excellence in acting award for the festival and when she spoke she was lovely, saying this was her first time in Denver and if everytime she comes will the reception be this great! 

 After the screening there was a Q&A with Emma and the Director, talking about the challenges of making a musical set in modern times but with a old classic feel to the film.

What is MY review?

SO the movie opens with a BANG the opening sequence song and dance is amazing!!! I was like OMG I am gonna LOVE this and I did BUT...... the middle dragged... Too much self absorbed talk and not enough going on. The movie is about a struggling actress who meets the struggling Jazz musician (Ryan Gosling) and how they navigate life in La La Land. I wanted MORE songs, more dancing.... there wasn't enough. Actually in the preview below you will see a clip of EVERY song and dance number..... not enough. But the tap dancing, the massive production numbers I fell in love with, am I going to sing these musical numbers at home? No, it wasn't like that. This was like the "art" version/nod to musicals of the past. I loved the ending, I think this movie wrapped everything up in a beautiful bow always set in beautiful surroundings. Now, I can't speak for all husbands but they will hate it...I know Matt would. This is the perfect Friday afternoon girls movie!!!!

Cave of the Winds

Last Friday after we went to the Wolf Sanctuary we went to Manitou Springs, this charming little tourist town outside of Colorado Springs nestled in the base of Pikes Peak. We walked thru main street and had lunch at this European Cafe which was really really good!

 After lunch we went to our last stop of the day Cave of The Winds in Manitou Springs!

 This amazing cave system is inside the base of a mountain and this attraction is set in the cliff of the mountain overlooking the stunning canyon below.

 I always love playing tourist in my own state and lucky me Colorado will always give us plenty of opportunities to do that, the hard part is just narrowing it all down for that day!

 We took an hour long tour inside the cave which was incredible, I loved learning the history of the cave and how the tours ran when this first opened. And let me tell you back then you couldn't pay me money to CRAWL in the dark for 4 hours just to see 1 open room then to only crawl back in the dark to get out.

 This is a great tour but honestly unlike the tour says... fun for all ages, don't bring toddlers! Or anyone who can't walk a million stairs or pay attention for a full hour. We had fun but some others were trying to ruin it for us!

A few years back the Today filmed from Cave of the Winds and they have an attraction called the Terror-Dactyl which I would NEVER DO but the Today show did! You can see the video below, its funny...


To learn more about Cave of the Winds click HERE

Abner Gundy Savage

This Friday marks the Anniversary of the day we brought our boy Abner home and is therefor his Birthday. He was in the worst shape when we got him and no one knew his exact age and to this day we only guess along with the vet. Most likely Abner will be 15 on Friday, our little old man. Since living with our family for the past 7 years he has battled seizures, intestine issues and now our boy is losing his hearing and his eye sight. We have reason to believe that our boy might not be with us too much longer and that pains us greatly ( I hope we are wrong). 

This EXACT time last year almost to the day we found out Oscar had cancer and my parents came to visit him where my Dad did a photo shoot with Matt, Oscar and myself. That was one of the greatest gifts we have, doing that before it got too late. So this last weekend my Dad once again gave us the sweetest gift of letting our Abner be the star of our Fall pictures. 

Abner has days when I think everyone must be wrong... he acts like a puppy but then there are days when I just know it in my heart. We spoon feed our oldest baby and lace his food with cheese.... because Abner gets what Abner wants from now on. I will of course keep everyone updated on his health and the thought of losing not 1 but 2 of my children in the same year breaks me, it breaks us both. I could NEVER imagine our family without Abner, he is truly the light of our family and if you have been around him.... you know that is true! It's a true honor to be bossed around by him! lol

Here are some of the photos and the rest I am putting on Facebook you can see HERE

I only have one more thing to say.... Could Abner BE ANYMORE handsome and dapper? I surely think NOT!

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