i think it is 100% nuts that this year is almost over. it's flown by, faster than you can say… pop? i don't know. but either way, it's been quick. for example, i have a brand new 2013 wall calendar that i bought in january, super cute, that i NEVER used. that's how crazy this year has been. didn't even have time to plan it out or write it down.

big changes are ahead for this shaker family of 2. or 3, if you count gracie. i'm knee deep in finals week, which means that i am (almost) 1/4 of the way done with hygiene school. tax returns are coming up, my second favorite time of the year. my first christmas break in 4 years where i actually have nowhere to be (can i get a what what!). hopefully a grand vacation is in the making. and speaking of grand, this house of ours is calling for a make over. for awhile we were toying with the idea of upsizing, but crunched numbers and decided our best bet is to stay put until i'm done with school. so, in the mean time, this house is getting an upgrade here and there, and i cannot wait until it's all gussied up!

now, let me start by saying that we are on a fixed income of 1 at the moment. and although we are doing pretty great for our age, shifting our lifestyle from 2 full incomes down to 1 has been a big, fat adjustment. but it feels great to know that we can do it. i know one day we'll look back at these times and remember how much we learned and grew, but right now is not that time. it's been hard, but extremely doable. we both know this is all part of growing up and becoming big kids, and in the grand scheme of things, we're doing pretty dang well for ourselves. but that doesn't mean that it's all giggles and smiles when we think about finances. au contrair, it's usually the opposite. but we done good.

i know blogs are supposed to have a point, but honestly, this one doesn't. i mostly just wanted to ramble, and lucky for me, this space is fairly private. i say fairly because sometimes 1 or 2 people look at it. but for the most part.

i'd like to wrap up by saying this: things can change is a second. in one single moment, our lives can be turned upside down. one little decision can affect the rest of our lives. even with the tight budget, the boring house, the very cheap (free, if we can work it out) date nights, i can honestly say that i can't remember a time where i've been more content. this is silly, but i can finally look in the mirror and not only see my chubby back, or birthing hips, but i can actually think to myself, "yeah, i'm no twig, but i look gooooood in this (shirt, pant, skirt, whatever)". mat is a dream, honestly. when i think of how much love we have for each other, and how far we've come together, it makes me so sad to think that not everyone gets to experience this. although we don't agree on everything, we have worked up an amazing amount of respect for each other, and i know that even if i'm crying at a not-cry-worthy part of a movie, mat will still comfort me and not make me feel dumb. i know that if i'm being crazy hormonal, mat will still hug me and tell me its okay. i know that no matter what could possibly happen, mat will be by my side, supporting me and making sure that i know that i am not alone, ever. i bought a print a few months back that said "remember this, that very little is needed to make a happy life." amen, sister (or brother, not sure who wrote it). i can finally say that i am content, and completely happy with everything we have (which is very little), and i cannot wait to see what this coming year has in store for us.

2013, you've been great. but 2014, you'll be much better. i can just feel it.

lets be honest, i kind of hate posting pictures. i am so anal about having them line up perfectly that it takes me forever, and usually when i post, i just don't have the time or the patience. one day folks, one day.

i finally made the philippines trip video, but quickly found out that i have way too much footage to only do one. and since it took me roughly two months to get around to this video, i'm guessing it'll be about july-ish before the second one is done. i am the worst.

Philippines 2013 - Part 1 from Kaelin Shaker on Vimeo.

in other news, i only have 2.5 months left of my boring, boring, boring desk job. can i get a hallelujah?!

things have been pretty cray-zay around here! i have a million and one pictures to post and stories to tell, but i will keep the details for another day. and yes, i will actually post them. big things going on around here.

since my last post, we have actually gone to and come home from the philippines. honestly, the most amazing trip! i am slightly regretting the decision to only go for a week and a half, and am wishing he had spent more time in the city than on the beach. but regardless, the few days that we did have with family was amazing, and worth every second of awful travel time. i was so nervous for mat, for a few reasons, but mostly because he hates flying, and he has never been outside the country, besides mexico. but that doesn't count. but he loved it, even the 13 hour flight! i could not imagine a better man to travel with me. it just makes me more excited for the rest of our lives :) i will be posting photos galore and a video very soon!

over valentines weekend, i surprised mat with a little getaway to san diego, during which we decided to get a seasons pass to sea world. i'm hoping we go back again soon, because honestly sea world is the best. absolutely in love with the animals there.

another weekend getaway was to rocky point. some family friends invited us down for the weekend, and it was honestly the perfect weekend getaway. i'm hoping we make it back there again over the summer!

next on the agenda is the dental hygiene program. i'm finally in!! i start in august, and gave my very early notice at work, my last day will be july 31st. i have been working for as long as i can remember! so to think that i will not be working at all and just focusing on school is so weird to me. but i could not be more excited. we are finally no longer in limbo and are heading in the right direction.

speaking of the right direction, mat's band murrieta has been doing great lately. they have started to get some attention, and will be recording their first full length album over the summer. if all goes well, they will be able to set up some out of town shows, and maybe a tour or two. these boys started playing together just before mat and i started dating, and have been practicing at my house for the last two years, and i could not be more proud! honestly, i feel like the band mom haha. they have worked so hard and i am just praying and hoping that they accomplish what they have set out to do.

all of the above will be elaborated in further posts. i just felt the need to get everything in writing before i forget. i have probably already forgotten some things, but those are the highlights, at least.

here's to the rest of 2013! we are almost half way there, insane. this year is flying by far too fast.