Monday, May 17, 2010

Summer, Summer, Summertime...

Well, I'm almost afraid to say it...but I think summer is about here! This weather just makes me skip with joy! I love warm weather, sun, sitting on the deck, watching baseball and grilling. This time of year is my absolute favorite.

It is also a great time of year becuase we just celebrated our FIRST anniversary! It was a really fun weekend, we actually attended a wedding on our actual anniversary. It was neat to see another couple begin their life together- congrats Nate & Sara Sirek!

We just booked a family trip to Disney in Orlando this fall. The kids are very exicited about it, they have never been to Disney, or to FL for that matter, so they have a lot of questions about what we will see and do when we are there. So far, our only plan is to hit the parks and SeaWorld. Recommendations for dinner are MUCH appreciated!

The new job is going really well. Learning a lot about the community and the great need for safe, decent, affordable housing. I'm still staying in touch with my pals at Rasmussen and try to have lunch with the ladies as often as possible. ;)

On a sad note, my Dad had to have my dog Pacino put down a few weeks ago. He had been sick for a week or so and the vet said he was severly diabetic with a low chance of making it through any kind of treatment. It was a really hard day for both my Dad and I, but there was some comfort in knowing "all dogs go to heaven". I'm not sure I'll ever be ready for another dog, the end is just too heartbreaking.

Monday, April 5, 2010

I hear wedding bells!

We just returned from a weekend wedding in Seattle over Easter (Congrats Michael & Jess). It was a fantastic time! It also reminded us about what we were feeling this time last year- going into the final preparations for our April 24th nuptuals. I think it's safe to say that while I don't miss the planning and stress from this time last year, I do miss my (fake) tan and excitement to be in Hawaii.

April 24th has proven to be a popular wedding date- we are actually attending a wedding in St. Paul on our anniversary (Congrats Nate & Sara) and talked to another couple this weekend who are getting married the same day in Chicago.

It's hard to believe it's been almost a year since we tied the knot. It seems like yesterday that we were walking down the aisle then sipping First Class Mai Tai's on our way to our Honeymoon destination. Our reception is certainly still remembered by all (well, most of us anyway). People still talk about how great the music was, how much fun they had...and are still finding baseballs in their cars and bags.

Thanks again to all of those who made April 2009 one of the best months of my life. This has been a great year and we look forward to many, many more years of wedded bliss!

Monday, March 1, 2010

Mrs. Clean!

Well, I finally did it; I hired a cleaning company to come to my house every other Monday. I just couldn't take the look of the floors or the bathrooms one more minute. With both of us working full time (plus some) and having the kids and family around on the weekends- it was becoming too much to manage. This is the best money I've ever spend...not a moment of buyers remorse!

In other news, I'm starting a new job on March 5th. I'm thrilled about my new adventure but also a bit sad to see my career at Rasmussen coming to a close. I've been here almost 4 years and it has been a great learning experience for me. I'm not one to shy away from change or a challenge- and I think this new endeavor will be a little of both.

Went to a hockey tournament/jamboree to watch my oldest stepson play this weekend. It turned out to be a really fun date weekend for my husband and I! We stayed in a hotel, had dinner and went shopping. It was the first weekend in a long time that we've spent quality time together- it was much needed.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Spent a glorious weekend in Las Vegas with my husband and friends this past week. I really do love that town!! There are few places in the world that will allow you to stay up all night, spend an insane amount of money, drink on the street and eat a Fatburger at 4am. What a weekend it was!

I love traveling with my husband. We actually went on our first trip very early on in our relationship. I had no idea he hated to fly, he had no idea I feel asleep so early at night!! The trip didn't get off to the best start, but after some great Mexican food and a Margarita- it turned out to be one of my favorite weekends with him.

Jeff and I have 2 things we won't generally do on vacation- meet other couples/make new friends and make solid plans. However, we did meet Nate & Sarah on our trip to Orlando and were very happy we did!! We also made solid plans in Hawaii during the Honeymoon- a dinner cruise and 2 Luau's- but that was it! We like to play it by ear, have fun and just enjoy each other's company.

Where is your favorite vacation spot? Where is the one place you think every couple should visit? Where should couples never travel?

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Hello Times readers, it's great to be back blogging about my life. I've officially been married for 263 days according to my Facebook page. I think so far my least favorite question I've received is "so, how's married life?" I always want to look at them and say "awful" just to see their expression. My married life is wonderful, just like my dating life with my now-husband was and just like our engagment was. "How's married life" has to be an old saying asked when couples didn't live together before marriage, right? Becuase my hubby and I lived together prior to getting engaged and married, not much really changed following the "I Do's". I can see how there would have been big changes if we had not lived together first. Moving in with someone brings big changes! I remember the first month or so when I moved in with Jeff it didn't really feel like my house. I had my clothes, dishes, shoes and (of course) purses; but it took a few months for it to really feel like home to me.

Now, however, our house does feel like home. There are very few places in the world I'd rather be then in our home. Hawaii, Atlanta, Vegas and Sea World rank right up there in terms of places better than home, oh, and Iowa.

I look forward to hearing from our readers moving forward- please feel free to ask questions or suggest topics for me to write about. I'm open to writing about ANYTHING related to "life, love, laughter; everything in between and what happens after."