Testing.. Testing.. 1,2,3.. Is this thing on?

Well, we're back! It has been over nine months since we left Sweden (wow, where does the time go??) and I wrote my last post, but I have decided to jump back on the bandwagon and give this whole blogging thing another try. It really was a convenient way to keep everyone updated on our daily life while we were abroad and hopefully it will serve the same purpose back here in the states. Plus, it gives me an opportunity to stretch my creative muscles a bit.

So here's a quick update on what Big Adventures the Bogarts are on these days...

As most of you know, Ryan and I are expecting our first child in December. A little boy! We're SO excited (and nervous) to start this new chapter in our lives as parents. Talk about a "big adventure", huh? I am currently taking the year off from school to be a stay at home mom as I am due the last day of fall classes - December 16th. Ryan and I agreed that it would be best for my sanity and the baby's health if I just took the fall semester off to rest before he comes and then stay home with him for the first few months after he's born. No worries though, I will be returning to school next fall to finish up the six classes I have left and get my degree in Chemical Engineering! I've worked too hard for too many years to not finish...

Ryan had an internship this summer with St. Louis County doing safety and risk assessments and graduated this past August with his Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering. He really loved the work he did over the summer and actually decided to go back to school for it. He is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Environmental Health and Safety at the University of Minnesota Duluth and will graduate in the spring of 2013- the same time I will be graduating. In order to finance his education, he is working as both a lab assistant and research assistant. The two jobs combined pay for 100% of his school, which is beyond amazing. And as if all that wasn't enough to keep him busy, Ryan also started up his own independent consulting business this fall. He is currently contracted to St. Louis County and will be doing some work for them part-time while finishing up school. In case you're wondering... yes, he is incredibly busy and stressed by the many commitments he's taken on, but each of them was too good of an opportunity to pass up. 

We are still living in Duluth for the time being, although we did move to a bigger apartment in a different part of town back in August. Our little 600 square foot, one bedroom place wasn't going to be big enough for three people. Heck, let's be honest, it wasn't even big enough for just the two of us! One of these days soon I'll try do a video tour of our new place if I can figure out how to post videos...

And that about sums it up! I think I've rambled on enough for my first post back. Plus, this cold/rainy weather is making my Kindle and cozy bed call to me. Have a fabulous day, folks!

God Bless.

-The Bogarts