Day 1: Happy New Year!

I fear this will be a "picture-less" post,so I'll try to keep it short and sweet.

As I posted a few days ago, I have a goal of losing 40 lbs by May 7th, 2011 (this is the day Aaron and I leave for Disneyworld).  To help achieve that goal, Friday evening Aaron and I went to the gym and after dropping a small fortune, I now can officially say I have a Personal Trainer for the next 12 weeks.  I'll see him 3 times a week for those 12 weeks.  The nice thing is that he's certified in corrective exercise, so he will be able to help me strengthen my quadriceps and even further my recovery on my left knee.

I'll also be undergoing a "cardio point" test, which will measure my zone 1-5 heart rates, and we'll program those into my heart monitor.  This way I can effectively use my gym time to burn fat.  

Additionally, today marked my first "sugar free" day (and I'm feeling it)!  The first few "sugar free" days are always the hardest, but after about a week the cravings tend to subside. 

Not a whole lot to report, but figured I'd update you on my progress.  My first session with the PT is on Monday- I'm VERY excited!

Because Dreams Really Do Come True...

Where has the year gone...

Yesterday, Aaron and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary- man where has the year gone! We had originally planned on going out of town, but after I resigned from my job (yes, I resigned from my job) we ended up staying in town. We had a wonderful day- which started with breakfast at the Ritz Carlton (where we were married last year), took us over to the Biltmore for a little shopping and relaxation, a nice nap at home, and a wonderful dinner at the Melting Pot. Let's do a little "then" and "now" shall we?

June 12th, 2009:

June 12th, 2010:

(they moved the piano and furniture around)

And look, someone else was getting married at the Ritz Carlton on the 12th of June as well! They even had their reception in the same ballroom we did, though we had an outdoor ceremony on the pool deck.


After a wonderful breakfast, we walked around the Biltmore (got all my Macbook questions answered!) and then came home to rest before going to The Melting Pot! We had a wonderful dinner:

(Dessert the best part!!)

Three Requirements- Sun, Sand, Fun!

Aaron and I are trying to figure out where to go for our anniversary trip! Originally we had decided to go here, to the lovely Turks and Caicos Islands:
Two years ago, I was flying back from Puerto Rico and the captain got our attention to notify us we were flying over the Turks and Caicos Islands- at that moment I was attached. Even from 20,000+ ft in the air they were GORGEOUS. However, I've read hit or miss reviews for the all inclusive resorts on the islands.

So, we've also thought about going here, to St. Lucia:
I've heard amazing things about St. Lucia from a co-worker who honeymooned there. It's a distinct front runner.

Then there's also this place, Exuma (Bahamas):
This place is relatively new to the list, but I still like it.

I would love to go here, Bora Bora, but I just don't think Aaron would approve of the cost:
As you can see- they are all amazing and beautiful, and I'm truly blessed to get to go any of these places. But, I can't pick.

So, I need your help! What do you think- which tropical paradise would you chose? Or is there another I haven't even thought of that you can recommend? Let me know!

Happy Anniversary Aar-Bear!!

My how time flies! Six months ago Saturday, Aaron and I drifted away into newlywed bliss. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful, kind, brilliant, amazing man as my husband. Aaron, you truly are the love of my life, the sparkle in my eye, and my better half. I couldn't imagine my life without you, nor would I want too. To tomorrow and always!

A few of our favorite photo's from our special day:




I can only hope to spend the rest of my life, getting to be your "excellent" wife!

(End schmoopiness)

What a month!

So I've been horrible about updating the blog- I know. We've just been so busy!

Update 1: My knee. Well, I'm not crazy, nor imagining things. My knees are in fact still messed up. So much so that I will need to have Petallar Realignment Surgery on both knees. As you can see in the X-Ray, my Patella is not sitting in the joint as it should:


It's hard to see, but basically my Patella is hanging out to the left, and has rubbed that side of my joint well, raw. The surgery will basically require the ligament that connects the Femur, Tibula, and Patella to be moved to a different location on my Tibula, and held in place with some screws- awesome right?

Update #2: Budders. A few weeks ago, Aaron and I were at Petco with Miley, and we met an adorable little kitty- Budders. He was up for adoption and we were just drawn to him (so was Miley) so, we brought him home! He's adorable and loves his Miley-Bear, they are the BEST of friends!
Update #3: Aaron graduates one week from tomorrow! Can you believe it- it feels like it's been close for so long and now it's finally here!!

Update #4: We bought a new car- I don't have pictures, I know awful. We bought a brand new 2009 Nissan Rogue SL. We LOVE it! The lease on Rex was up, so we decided to purchase a more fuel efficient vehicle. We still don't have a name for it :(

It's Been a While!

I know, I know- life has just been SO crazy!

Here's our summary (I'll elaborate later):

- Bought a new car (pictures to come)

- Got a new Kitty (Budders- pictures to come)

- Put up the Tree (pictures to come)

- Took Family Christmas Card Photo's

I'll elaborate more on all I promise!!

Happy Monday!

My Amazing Husband

This past week has been really stressful for me- well let me back up, this past month has really been quite stressful. Work is good, but it's very busy. We're being challenged each and every day- which while I love a challenge is well, just that. I'm pushing myself to greater lengths then I could have ever imagined, but it all comes with a toll. Additionally, I've been traveling quite a bit this month which always takes a toll on me.

To top this week off, on Monday, we had to put Honey done. While it was the right thing to do, it was still very challenging. On top of that, I've been stressing big time about how exactly it will work out when we're ready to start trying for babies- after taking contraception so long, my bodies having some problems figuring itself out.

So after a very long day at work on Tuesday, I called Aaron to let him know I was on my way home around 7:30pm. He asked if I wanted to go out to dinner, to which I said, "honestly no, I'm tired". He sounded really disappointed so I asked if he was near my office, and he was about 2 blocks away, so OF COURSE I had to meet him for dinner. We agreed to meet at Scottsdale Fashion Square to have dinner at Paradise Bakery- my favorite!

Well, as soon as he shows up he has a big Crate and Barrel bag! After we eat, he asks if I want my special present to which I said- I'd rather wait until we get home. Well once we got home, I got to open my present! He had purchased me the place mats I wanted for our new dining room table! I was so excited, until he said, wait I have one more for you- and he pulled out a bag I was very familiar with- a Brighton bag!! I knew exactly what it was, the weekend before we had been in Brighton purchasing my mom's Breast Cancer Bracelet (it's become a tradition for me to get it for her every year) and I commented on how much I liked it and wanted one of my own.

I opened the bag and there it was, I adore this years bracelet. The heart actually opens and on one side says, "trust in your journey" and the other says, "Everything is possible". It is so special to me to know my mom and I both have them- we wear them often but especially on challenging days, it's our way of knowing we're always with each other.

I was so excited I didn't even realize there was another charm on the bracelet! Can you see it?

It says, "Mom"! At first I thought he put this on there because my mom has the same bracelet, which I thought was adorable, but then he tells me that he wanted me to know that regardless of how it happens (though we're both not anywhere near giving up on having a baby as we've not even started trying, I'm just OCD paranoid) he can't wait for our family to grow, and to see me as a Mom, and he never wants me to give up hope on my dream- it was his promise that I would be a Mom no matter what. I had tears in my eyes at this point.

I wear this bracelet, with my "mom" charm daily as a reminder of my dream, and to remind me to keep my faith, as God has a plan for our family.

Aaron- you really are the most amazing man on the planet, and I'm still not sure how exactly I ended up having the privilege of being your wife. My love for you grows deeper and deeper each and every day. I love you!