countdown!

 (just an FYI, this post might be long and seem cramped because my enter key is not working as of now!) so my wedding is 18 days away! How exciting is that?!  On April 23rd, Jeremy and I celebrated our 6 year anniversary. It's hard to believe that we have actually been together that long, but I am so thankful for all that time to get to know him and us grow together before we make this big change in our life! I couldn't imagine doing it with anyone else though :)     I must confess, I have been in such a weird mood the past two weeks. I don't know what my deal was...I have so much to be excited for but the only thing I could do was be in a bad mood! The feeling was awful! I felt so selfish but couldn't snap out of it! Finally I made myself sit down and think what could be causing it. I mean, anyone could really answer that question of what caused it....stress. But why am I stressed? I mean (knock on wood) everything for my wedding is pretty much ready to go, the honeymoon is booked, and I have been having amazing showers and gatherings with friends and family. But the more I thought about it, it was more than that. It was the small tiny details that were bothering me. I'm not just talking about the small details about my wedding day, but the small, insignificant details about the whole process. For instance, I can't believe how much society has changed and lost some manners. Is it really a polite thing to ask about invitations to the wedding? Is it really polite to want to know who all is going? I mean, it's our wedding. We already had a hard enough time trying to narrow down the list to 200. If we had our way and an unlimited amount of money, we would surely invite everyone! But we can't. And I just wish people understood that. But they dont, because it's all about them. They want to know why they weren't invited. So I had a lot of built up stress about already feeling guilty about having to chose then people making it worse. I am sorry. I am not trying to offend anyone. It's just what we had to do. So I told myself to let it go, that there was no point in worrying about it and that the people that would be there would make that day very special to us and thats all that matters! So believe it or not, after explaining that to a few people and letting it go, I've felt a lot of weight being lifted from my shoulders!    Ok so enough of that rant! I am super pumped about the big day! It's going to be perfect no matter what! I am also very excited about the honeymoon as well! Any chance to get out of town and just relax, I'm in!     I had my bachelorette party this past weekend in DC with my friends and it was amazing! We got to spend a whole day shopping then ate at this wonderful tapa's bar, Cava Mezze in Arlington! It was so good to spend some time away from home with some of my closest friends! Note to self: if you plan on going to a club, make sure your license is NOT expired... fail. But at least the bar let me drink so all in all it was a good time :)   alright well thats all for now, until next time! xoxo

Celebrate more!

you know, most days it's hard to believe that i'm actually 24 years old (and for all those older people reading this, I know what you're thinking..so young!) but i still feel like i'm 18, getting ready to graduate high school and start a new adventure in college..not knowing what to expect. But really, those college days have come and gone and now even three years out, living with my very-soon-to-be fiance, in our own house, with our own dog, working our own full time adult jobs, paying our own bills. Some days I just stop and think, wait...when did this all happen and why did it happen so quickly? I'm not saying this as a bad thing, because trust me, I am in a very lucky place in my life right now. I have so much to be thankful for, and I truly am. But when we were young and looking forward to all the grown up things, it's here and it's nothing like I thought it'd be. I didn't think it'd be "fun", but I guess I felt it would feel more like a milestone. And I suppose at the time of each event, there was celebration but that celebration has since worn off! I think we should all celebrate special times in our lives...not just once, but over and over. Because to me, every day you get up and work and take care of a house and family and yourself and do what you have to do, thats something to celebrate and be happy about! I think people could use some more celebration in their lives! so why not? you've accomplished something and have earned it! enjoy it! :)

" There are two things to aim for in life: first, to get what you want: and after that, to enjoy it. Only the wisest of mankind achieve the second." --Logan Pearsall Smith

mini vacation!

First off, good news! My grandmothers surgery went very very well! She's already up and moving and back to her normal routine! Such great news :)

Ok so lately I have become more interested in taking pictures. I guess due to the fact that I'm starting to move up in the world and actually got a smart phone the end of last year, I can actually take pretty decent pictures with my phone! I also found this pretty awesome app that does all these effects so i've been playing around and took some pictures of our weekend getaway!

This is the best bloody mary I have ever had! Besides, what else do you drink at 11 in the morning on vacation?

If anyone has ever been to Bryce, there is nothing there at all besides the ski resort and a tiny diner where all the locals hang out. Well, about 20 minutes up the road there is a small town that has a few more places (the biggest thing there being a sheetz) but they have this adorable little duckpin alley! I had never heard of duckpin until my mom told me that she used to play when she was younger so (no offense to my mom) it's an older type of bowling game. So we went and played one night and it's a lot harder than it looks! There were also no electronic machines or anything. Had to keep score by, get this...an overhead projector! haha tells you how dated that is, but none the less, adorable and fun!

So we always go up to Bryce for their end of the season winter festival. I think the winter part was a joke this year but at least the weather was perfect for pond skimming! People would start at the top of the mountain and go down and try to ski or snowboard across the pond. Surprisingly a lot more people made it than I expected! It was fun trying to watch them make it though!

This is the only view I managed to get of the mountain from where I was sitting. You can see the extreme lack of snow there was! But it's still a beautiful place to go!

Alright well thats all for now. Just wanted to share some photos from the trip! So happy that tomorrow is Friday!! Until next time..xoxo

spring is here!

I'm sorry that my updates are getting spread out more than my original intent. I don't really have a reason as to why that has happened..work, wedding, life in general all play a role in that but I will try to update more!

So wedding is two months away! Everything is falling into place and I love it! We only have a few details left to take care of so I'm not worried yet..they will get done! Tomorrow we meet with the Minister to talk about the actual ceremony. I'm excited to meet with him because he is a family friend and used to be the Minister at the church I grew up in (also the church we're getting married in!) He even baptized me when I was much younger so I consider it an honor to have him be part of our special day!

Today my grandmother had surgery and everything went well! She is not your typical grandmother...I don't even like calling her that! We call her Gee and that fits her more! She's such an active fun lady who can entertain a crowd! She has definitely taught me important lessons in my life and am so glad that I have gotten the chance to spend many years with her and many more to come!

The fiance and I were able to sneak away for a few days this past weekend to head to the mountains for his family's annual ski trip. It was so nice to get away (Lets face it, any break from work is appreciated). I really do love being in the mountains. It's such a peaceful and calm place. The term "breath of fresh air" is definitely how it feels being up there! I do have to admit though, getting home yesterday, I had a feeling of relief. It was good to be back to our own house and pick up the pup! I surely did miss him like crazy! But the fact that we have a place to call our own to come home to, there really is no better feeling! I know a lot of my friends and people my age can appreciate the fact when you can find a permanent place to stay, it's such a relief! For the past 6 years, I have moved every single year! It gets old after awhile and you feel you can't really buy nice things! So this August, unlike the previous 6 years, I can stay put! No moving, no deadlines when to be out, nothing! How awesome!

Well I suppose that is all for now. Can't believe it's almost 11 and I'm really not even tired. I love the fact that it stays lighter later but my sleep hours are all out of sorts! I'm sure it will resolve itself soon because I cannot live without my sleep! Until next time...xoxo!

I should be sleeping

So I'm exhausted and it's only Monday. I mean, is that even possible? Only 1/5 way through the week and I'm tired. I think this crazy weather has me in some kind of weird mood. Saturday was absolutely beautiful! Got to enjoy sitting on our deck with the fiance, watching our pup play in the yard. Then yesterday I got to enjoy watching the pup play in the yard, only I was inside and he was playing in the snow! I don't get this hot/cold weather but I wish it'd make it's mind up, either way would really be fine with me!

So our wedding is officially less than 3 months from today. Crazy?! I think so! But, I'm not even the least bit stressed about it! We have a lot done for it and only a few minor things to sort out between then. I really don't want to get all stressed and worked up about it, really because it doesn't get you anywhere and plus, I want everything about my wedding to be a good experience! There has been some talk about a couple showers and even the bachelorette party so all of that is getting me super excited :) The only thing that I am maybe a bit worried about is the honeymoon. That is not done yet but we are not picky people about that, as long as it's warm and all inclusive, we're in!

ok well I think that is all for now, I was in the mood to write and update about everything but my eyes are getting heavy so I think it's getting close to time to sleep! I will update soon with more! Until next time....

A place to call home

So I figured it was time for another update. Can't believe that January is halfway over. That means that my wedding is getting so close! Its 130 days to be exact! I've finally started thinking more about the wedding and my mom has been such a wonderful help! She's been making tons of phone calls for me finding out information and prices for different things! We are going on Thursday to do wedding stuff! We are meeting at Oakwood to go over layout, decorations, etc. Then we are meeting with the florist and also hopefully start to get decorations that I can start working on! I'm glad that it's finally coming together because I know it will be here before I know it!

So Jeremy and I got started on our Christmas present that was given to us! We were given a new driveway! (you know you're getting old when you get excited about a new driveway!) We were so excited about it because ours desperately needed it! Here is the before picture:

See what I mean? Looks terrible!(excuse Tysons butt, he just had to be in the picture!) But its a small driveway and has hardly any gravel left. So Jeremy and I went to Lowes and bought 20 Timbers to outline our new driveway how we wanted it. Then his uncle, who gave us the Christmas present, came over and started digging up the ground where we were going to put the new driveway. Then we put the base coat down! Here is the after picture (this is just with the base coat, we just got the gravel the other day and still waiting on more so I will take a picture when it's completely done!)

What a difference! We are super excited about it! The bottom part then leads to the shed so we have a walkway for that now! We absolutely love being homeowners! I know there is so much to do and always something to fix, but we love it. It's just nice that we can call it ours!

So I had a first time experience at work 2 weeks ago. Something I never want to do again. I had a patient pass away in my arms. Not sure the reason...stroke, blood clot..I dont know but it was rough. It's a terrible feeling to be right there and not be able to do anything to help him. I watched the paramedics work on him...shocking him, giving CPR, trying to put tubes down his throat...I was in shock. My adrenaline was racing so I wasn't thinking of anything at the time but once that wore off, I was in a strange mood. I feel so bad for the patient and his wife. I can only imagine how hard that is to watch the one you spent your whole life with, pass away in front of you. Just awful. Definitely thinking about his family!

Alright well thats all for now..I will update again soon! Until then..xoxo

a new year!

So it's a new year. Last year went by fast, but it seems the older I get, the quicker they go! A lot of great things happened last year. The boys graduation from college, my best friends weddings, my exciting engagement, our new home, and our adorable pup! It was a great year with so many eventful things but I am looking forward to 2012 as well! This is going to be the year I get to marry my love! I can't be anymore excited about it! I also hope for this year plenty of time with friends and family, to be healthy, to enjoy the small things, to take things more lightly, and to love my pup even more (and hopefully get him enrolled in obedience classes!) If only he was this good all the time :)


So Jeremy and I got a lot of awesome things for Christmas! We got so much stuff for our kitchen (awesome knives, steamer, rice cooker, crockpot, etc) I figured since we got so much for our kitchen that it's time I really start learning to cook. It has been something I've been interested in but never really had to tools to do. Sure I'm great at heating things up, but I want to be able to actually cook! So my friend from work came over the other night and we wanted to make a healthy meal from start to finish! We decided on a WW recipe called Mexican Chicken Wraps. It's super simple and very healthy! We took boneless skinless chicken, seasoned it with taco seasoning, salt, and pepper then cooked it on the stove. Then in a small bowl we mixed light mayo, chipotle peppers in adobe sauce, and one lime. Mixed that together. Then we assembled the wraps with a little of the chipotle mayo, grilled chicken, and tomatos and arugala. It was amazing! It was very spicy because we left the seeds in the chiptole peppers when we diced them but you can just use the adobe sauce instead. We sauteed some mushrooms and roasted some peppers in the oven for the sides! It was so good :)

Jeremy and I had such a wonderful Christmas. Not only did we get to spend it with both of our familes, and see our friends...we also got some great stuff! We were so fortunate to get new rocks for our driveway (you can tell you're getting older when you get excited about a new driveway!), nice luggage for the honeymoon with a nice check included in the luggage, and tons of kitchen stuff! I also got this chair for my living room which I've had my eye on since we moved in our house in August! It matches so perfectly! I love it!

Alright well that is all for now! So happy to be off work tomorrow but I feel I have so much to do! I need to take down Christmas decorations and clean this house! We'll see what gets done tomorrow! Until next time..xoxo!