Under Construction

Sorry for the absence...again. But, I think it's time for alexabbywilliams.blogspot.com to take a new direction. Not that there is nothing to Strive for, believe me that's all I feel like I'm ever doing. Striving for this, that or the other; every time I try to write a new post it seems very reminiscent of a previous post. So, with that said, our blog is going under construction and should hopefully be new and improved {very} soon!

Wish us luck! 

~Abby

Busy, busy, busy

It does not seem like only a week ago that Alex and I were white water rafting. Our week has been crazy good, but crazy busy! I will start from the beginning...


I have been out of school for a little over a month and since graduation day I have been sending resumes to every dentist I can find an address for. But, one day one of my classmates who lives across the river in St. Charles was browsing Craigslist for jobs in our area and came across a listing in Godfrey (which is about 30 minutes from our house). So, I emailed my resume to a blind ad and hoped for the best. A few days later I got a phone call and they wanted me to come in to interview! I was ecstatic and then a bit concerned....what was I supposed to wear?!? I went to the interview and learned that he was interviewing 12 more Hygienists, but he'd bring back his favorite four for a second interview. Alex and I headed to Colorado and I momentarily forgot.... 

Insert crazy busy week 

Monday: Alex and I got home from vacation. We were exhausted and I had A LOT of laundry.


Tuesday:Laundry, a phone call for my second interview[!] and a State Farm meeting about a potential, future agency. The meeting outlined for the spouses what is involved in opening an agency as well as how the process works. The process seems long and tedious, but I think it's a path we are slowly going to head down. (Proud wife moment: the first step is a test that is only allowed to be taken once a year and isn't necessarily easy. But, don't worry Alex aced it the first time!!) 


Wednesday: I went up to Mt. Zion to help Becky with Nora and Ethan's photo shoot. :) It was a good day and always fun to hangout and play with them. But, nonetheless a long day. 


Thursday: Interview day!! I was excited to go back in and get to observe the office and get to meet the hygienists, assistants and dentists. It is a fairly big office and they're looking to continue growing and expanding. Coincidentally, my very good friend Alyssa is one of the hygienists there. I left feeling fairly good, but there is always a hint of anxiety. I muddled through the rest of the day and that evening I met my, previously mentioned friend Alyssa, for "Lash Blast." She recently launched her Mary Kay business and invited me to have an evening of taco's (my favorite) and lash learning. We walked out with lovely, long lashes! We had a good time and if anyone is interested in a Mary Kay consultant, she is fantastic! 


Friday: I had nothing planned for Friday, but apparently I had a good day in store... I got a phone call at 8:15am from Dentistry with TLC hiring me as their 4th hygienist!!! I am very excited and ready to start my first big girl job...after we get home from vacation! 


I am so grateful for how much God has blessed and provided for us. We are so blessed, happy and excited for all that is in store!

Denver Adventure

WARNING: Long Post Ahead

I love to travel and I think Alex is beginning to share my obsession feelings. So, last week we took Moose to my parent's house and we headed off on a 12 hour drive. The drive was easy and wasn't as bad as I was anticipating but, Kansas lived up to my expectations...it was very dull.

Our adventure

Day 1:
We left Thursday morning, very early at 3:30am. Alex started off the drive and I did what everyone would do...I slept. So, Gnome kept Alex company.

When we arrived that afternoon we called Cory, Alex's longtime friend who just moved out to the region, and met for dinner. Alex found a Groupon for a burger place so, off we went. After dinner we strolled the 16th Street Mall, people watched and went to Coyote Ugly (it was not like the movie....it was just an empty bar. Slightly disappointing).

Day 2:
We woke up and headed to Colorado Springs to The Garden of the Gods. When we first got there we went into the visitor center to see where to go and get a map. As we were talking with the lovely little old lady, Alex asks, "So, where exactly is this Pike's Peak?" She kindly responds by pointing her finger and saying, "Right there, it's the big one..." I'm pretty sure she made fun of us after we left. But, we had a great time climbing around.

After Garden of the Gods, we decided to chance the weather forecast and drive up Pike's Peak and we are very glad we did. The drive was a lot of fun and very beautiful. As we were driving in the park they had a sign of things you could purchase, like an audio guide, a map and a Junior Ranger packet. Of course, we had to get the Jr. Ranger packet! It came with a coloring book, crayons AND a ranger star. I wore the star all day and was quite proud. We drove all 19 miles to the top and were 14,110ft above sea level! I highly recommend going up if you're in the area....just be careful on your way down (our breaks were hot-500 degrees-Yikes! We adhered to the mandatory break check and stopped for a bit to cool). 

Crystal Lake 

Driving into the clouds

Alex "jumped" off Pike's Peak

Day 3:

We started our day with the most important meal: Breakfast and we are happy we did! We went to LoDo (Lower Downtown) and ate at Snooze. It was FANTASTIC! I love breakfast, many days we have breakfast multiple times a day (as long as we have bacon, Alex doesn't mind). I got pancakes: 1 red velvet, 1 blueberry blossom and 1 pineapple upside down [pan]cake...yum. Alex got breakfast burritos...with extra bacon. :) Then we headed to my pick tour: Hammond's Candy Factory. It was somewhat interesting and worth what we paid...it was free. But, we got free samples, so it worked out. 

Then we picked Cory up and headed to Alex's choice tour...Coor's Brewery Tour. I didn't take any pictures because all I was concerned with was how awful (I thought) it smelled. But the boy's got 3 ten ounce samples, so they were happy. In my opinion, it too was worth what we paid: free. 

Day 4:

Our morning started earlier than we anticipated. Some doofus decided to pull the fire alarm at 5am so we were up and at 'em. But, the annoyance passed and we were on our way to Idaho Springs, CO to go white water rafting! Alex was adamant that we raft and I couldn't think of a reason not to, so we put on our wet suits and life jackets and set sail on the rapids. Since the winter was mild, so were the rapids. But, we had fun and went down the "advanced" rapids in lou of the "intermediate." We went 8 or so miles down Clear Creek. Our guide told us some interesting statistics about the creek, but I don't remember them... 

We're the cool ones in the front

After we rafted we headed into Idaho Springs to see the sights. Idaho Springs was the first sight of the Gold Rush, so it had some neat history. We ate at a Mom & Pop deli, walked up and down the main street and in and out of the cute shops. On our way to the car I had a slight judgmental moment. There were two individuals not of anglo-saxin decent taking pictures in the general direction of the highway. So, being dumb I turned toward Alex to make a wise comment. Before I could say anything, he pointed up and said, "Look! There's a waterfall.!" Oops...I felt bad and learned a lesson. 

Day 5:

We came home. 

We had a wonderful adventure and I'm grateful that Alex and I have the opportunities to go and do. Now I will (eventually) catch up on laundry, going through the mail, paying bills, and going to the grocery store...the real world,

P.S: Thanks Mom and Dad for watching Moose! 

Strive...to know I'm blessed

I have a disease. It's chronic and my mother has known I have had it for a long time. It's not terminal, but I'll probably die with it. It's called, I-want-itis. I WANT EVERYTHING!

 I want ice cream, I want Moose to go potty outside, I want the sun to shine longer, I want world peace, I want my neighbors to water my flowers when I'm out of town, I want to be taller, thinner, smarter, funnier, awesomer... 

I want something all the time. I don't want to get the words "want" and "strive" confused because, I strive to be healthier. I want to be thinner. This is the body God gave me so I should be as healthy as I can be, not disillusioned. I should strive to take advantage of sunny days and not pout when it's cold and rainy. I should strive to train Moose to be a good puppy, not expect him to be perfect (although he's pretty stinkin' close!).

I am so blessed to have everything that I do. I desperately need to stop wanting, whining and complaining for something I don't have and need to be thanking God and praising Him for all that I do. 

Job 22:21- Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you.

Hebrews 13:15- Therefore by him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name. 

Psalm 145: 3- Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.