Am I Sure I Want To Marry This?: Part 1,251,503

Whenever I see a picture of Tom with his thumb up and his tongue hanging out, I always question the sanctity of our impending marriage.



Tom has been blogging about his Colorado trip the entire time as part of a project (though he failed to tell me this until yesterday!). It's a group blog, so please refrain from commenting there --- leave 'em here.

Colorado May Term blog

On Top of Old Smokey...

Tom sent me this picture from the top of Pike's Peak yesterday...


When they started the trek up, they were at 7,000 ft. above sea level. At the summit of the mountain, they were at 14,000. He said they went from average weather to lower than thirty-one degrees, and this picture was taken at the edge of a cliff with a 3,500 foot drop off! Eek!

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie...

Well, surgery was a success (if you discount the fact that he peed on the vet as we were leaving!), and he's almost 100% again.

He was SO good this weekend --- he didn't once try to lick his incision, he played more gentle, he slept a lot, and he cuddled (which he rarely does!). Even his barking has been reduced!



As witnessed by the picture above, I've found him more and more up on the couch, something we'd like to break him of doing. Pre-surgery, Murdock HAD to be in the same room as one of us, no matter where we were or what we were doing. Now, it's like playing hide and seek with him. If we don't hear him running around in the living room, we have to check the bedroom, where he's been known to curl up in a pile of laundry, instead of on his bed which is 2 feet away. Occasionally, and this is the biggest surprise of all, we'll find him sleeping in his crate with the door open.

I think he's becoming more comfortable in his surroundings, and has learned what is his and what is not (which is reducing the trouble he used to get in). He's responding better to commands (he finally responded to "Go get a toy" and went to his toy basket and brought one back to me last night!), instead of just staring and wagging his tail. I was also working on "lay" with him last night. Once we get "come" and "no bark" figured out, we'll be all good! :)

On a side note, Tom is currently in Colorado studying how athletes respond to different altitudes during training. He was at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs yesterday (and was in the same building as Michael Phelps, who actually refused to meet the tour group, butthead), and will be visiting the National Strength and Conditioning Association (who awarded Tom an All-American award last year), the United States Air Force Academy, Coors Field (where the Rockies play), and a few other places. In addition, he'll be hiking Pikes Peak!

Hopefully he'll be able to sign on and give everyone a complete recap of his trip, including pictures!! :)

Introductions...

This is us:


(circa 2005 - look at how young we were!)

And this is our ridiculously cute but at times ill-trained puppy, Murdock.

This blog will follow our transition into marriage, our adventures parenting our puppy, our experience as we "build our nest," and just our general day-to-day musings.

This is our story thus far: (abridged version)

Tom and I (Beth) began dating in the fall of 2003. It was quickly obvious that we were headed into a long-term relationship, which eventually gave way to a long-distance relationship once I went away to college. The next several years encountered many good times, and a few challenges. But, we've persevered and will be getting married this August. Currently, Tom is finishing up his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education. He is also becoming a certified K-12 teacher, and will have two minors, in Health Education and Fitness and Health Promotions. Tom is an All-American in Track & Field, specifically the weight throw and shot put, and is planning a professional athletic career (specifically in the hammer event) once he graduates. I am a writer at a small media company outside of Chicago, with a degree in English and Business. While no one can say for sure where we're headed, we're planning for a cross-country move in a year so Tom can begin professional training!

Stick with us in the coming months --- we can't guarantee it will be a smooth ride, but I promise, we're fun!