::Waives:: Hello, anybody out there?

Oy, where has time gone?  I know it's been months since my last post- and I wish I could tell you that in that time I had done some new and amazing things- but alas, I have not.  I am however going to make a more conscious effort to start blogging again.  Mrs. Lindauer has inspired me to post some goals for 2011.  So, without further ado, here they are:

1) Drop 40lbs by May 7th, 2011.  That's right, I'm assigning a number, a date, all the things you maybe shouldn't do in weight loss goals.  But I don't care.  I need to put it out there, for all of you to know, to keep me accountable.  Dropping 40lbs will bring me about 10 lbs lower then my wedding weight.  Why May 7th?  That's the day we leave for Disneyworld and 1) it's a date to strive for and 2) I don't want to have to buy all new shorts for Florida (unless their to big).

2) Make/find (adoption people, I'm not going to steal an infant here!) a baby.  Come on, we're a beautiful family I know (that wasn't cocky), but an infant would add some pure cuteness, can't you see them in between Aaron and I, next to Miley:



3) Graduate with my degree (I should be done by October 2011!)

That's it, those are my goals this year.  3 simple goals for the entire year.  I have an amazing husband who's set me on the track of financial glory- so no real goals there.  I also have an amazing husband who loves me for me, and loves me in a way I'd never thought imaginable- so again, if I had any goals on that it would be that our love continue to grow and mature.

Where I've been...

I disappeared- again.  I know, I'm kinda into that lately.  I just wonder off leaving you with no clue or idea as to where I've gone.  I've just been so busy lately LIVING life that I've not really had the time to write about it. 

First off, I absolutely, 100%, COMPLETELY love my job.  Each and every day I love it more and more and am so incredibly grateful for the opportunity.  Second, I am a Zumba queen!  (not in the sense of being good at it, just in the sense of, I do it, a lot!)  Third, I'm finishing my degree, finally!  Ugh school is not fun at all, but it's getting done, just a short time until I have my Bachelors finished, then I'll tackle my masters! 

Now the big one.... Aaron and I have been praying very hard and have decided to seriously pursue adoption at this time.  We're not giving up on trying to have a biological child, we just feel that this is what God has placed on our hearts right now.  Originally we were only interested in international adoption, as domestic adoption had to many "what if's" and almost felt like a marketing campaign to me to be honest- trying to market yourself through pictures and words as the best possible home for a set of biological parents to place their child.  Aaron and I are so much more then just words and photo's.  However, with changes to our state Adoptions Laws, we may be more into considering domestic adoption from our home state.

So that's it... nothing to incredibly exciting.  We're just living our lives happily together.  We did just get back from Disneyland... pictures to come =)

Because Cousin's are Simply Siblings Living in a Different House.

Luckiest Girl in the World

Meet these guys:

They are my parents. They happen to be the most amazing parents on the planet (true biz- that's not even me being biased). Awesome parenting skills aside, there's something even cooler about my parents- how much they love each other.

My parents have been married for 26 years. Those 26 years have thrown them quite a few curve balls, but it's clear to not only myself, but anyone who meets them, that those curve balls have done nothing but make their marriage stronger.

With our 1 year anniversary coming up, I thought it was important to reflect on my parents and how they've influenced what I want out of a marriage. Additionally, with recent family events, it's made me even more grateful and appreciative of the relationship my parents have.

Growing up, I never really realized how lucky I was to have two parents who loved each other. It wasn't until I was older that I truly gained appreciation for what I had. And even though there are times when my sister and I have to give each other the look because mom and dad are "going at it again" (IE: making my sister and I blush with their affections), I am so thankful that I have two parents that love each other enough to still want to be publicly affectionate with each other.

I don't know that I can ever truly thank my parents enough for the values they instilled in me, the value of knowing that a marriage is something you work for daily, but if you're willing to work for it, the rewards are endless and infinity + 1.


I can only hope that Aaron and I can set the same example for our children that my parents have set for me.

The People We're Destined to Meet

The other day at work, I was chatting with a co-worker about one of the biggest pro's of our team being the people who were hired. Our now Vice President (JD) has done an amazing job putting his team together, and matching individuals who connect on so many levels. I look at the individuals I work with- like Jamie and Jillian (okay used to work with) and it amazes me how we found each other. Now don't get me wrong, I firmly believe that the three of us would have someone found each other- even without working for the same employer- but it's just amazing to see how people come together.

It really got me thinking about the individuals in my life- and their purpose. I believe each person in my life has a purpose and was put there by God for a higher meaning. However, I've always had this thought (or rather ever since I saw "What Dreams May Come") that maybe our souls are connected in a way, that when we venture to earth- part of it is a mystery, a game of sorts to find each other in our mortal form. I don't know if this contradicts my Christian beliefs- I've heard heaven explained a multitude of ways from various members of clergy. I guess there's just something about it that appeals to me. When I think about the people who I can form an instant connection- and a bond so strong that it doesn't matter if we talk daily or yearly, or if we see each other every day, or once every 5 years- that bond and connection is stronger then titanium.

Jamie and I hit it off instantly- I think she had worked with me for all of 3 weeks before we spent hours chatting on Memorial Day and hit off an instant friendship. The same with Jillian, instantly when we both started speaking on a more regular basis we connected. And then of course there's my husband- the man whom I knew I would spend the rest of my life with almost instantly within meeting him. There was an instant connection- deep within.

I'm sure this can be chalked up to science or emotional intelligence- the reasons why we instantly bond with some over others- but I have to believe there's just a deeper meaning, a deeper connection that allows us to open ourselves up to some more then others- sometimes with very little background about them.

I guess that's just my hypothesis for the evening... what's yours?

It's 1am- and I can't sleep

Have you ever felt so conflicted that it hurts?

That's pretty much where I'm residing right now. This week has been such an up and down roller coaster of emotion, that I'm not even sure where everything falls.

There was the hair incident, but lets face it, hair is replaceable, fixable, and well not an issue.

As the entire world knows, I have baby fever like nobodies business. I keep telling myself, it will happen when its right, regardless of how it happens, we'll be a family. Most of the time I believe it. I believe it so much, that I even pick up random things on sale or on clearance and justify it to myself (and Aaron) as spreading out costs. But then at times, when I'm all alone with myself, my thoughts, and that mean nasty voice in the back of my head... it makes me sad that we'll have to have some sort of medical intervention to have a baby. I mean- it's sad to think that I'll never wake up one morning thinking "my period is late" pee on a stick and BAM we're pregnant.

But then, I think of the other information I've learned this week. Aaron's mom has another lump in her breast. Her first one was removed, and after it was removed, she decided not to undergo Chemo or radiation as the doctors recommended, and instead sought help from a homeopathic specialist. Because of this, they told her there was a 50% chance of relapse. While we don't know yet if it's cancer (her surgery is on the 24th), it's still scary. Aaron told me on Friday, right after he found out.

And then there's the absolutely amazing woman I work with, whom, after hearing her story I honestly cried for probably an hour. She found out she has a really rare form of Breast Cancer, and at this point it's up in the air. If it's spread, because it's spread via the blood, there's nothing they can do but manage the pain, if it hasn't, then they hope to God they removed it. While this is something I'd never wish on any woman- this particular woman, just doesn't deserve this, at all.

So then I get angry with myself. I get angry over the fact that we'll need "medical intervention" for a baby- and yet here are two women, who are facing situations that threaten their lives. Even if we end up adopting, we'll still be a family, a healthy (God willing) family. What's wrong with me?

" Fear not; for I am with you. Be not dismayed; for I am your God. I will strengthen you; yea, I will help you; yea, I will uphold you with the right hand of My righteousness."- Isaiah 41:10

Merry Christmas- Only 1 month belated

This Christmas was our first year in our very first home together. I was so excited for this Christmas for so many reasons: our first Christmas together as husband & wife, Bella's first Christmas, and just the season- this year for the first time in a long time it just felt like Christmas.

We started Christmas on Christmas Eve. We had dinner with Aaron's parents, went to church as a family, and then came home to exchange gifts. Jared absolutely loved the DS we got him- score one for us! LOL

Christmas morning we didn't set any alarms and weren't in any rush. We woke up, and just got to enjoy each others company! When I came down stairs the first thing I saw was this:
My very own elliptical!! I was SO excited! Santa brought it just for me =) (at least that's what Aaron said!) Aaron wasn't too sure about his PS3:
He still (to this day) hasn't played it... maybe one day.

After opening the rest of our gifts, we relaxed a bit more, then got ready and went up to my parents house in Prescott Valley.

Mom loved her apron & Andie loved her new Coach Purse I found her in New Hampshire while there on business!
Saturday morning, mom and I got up early, and headed out shopping- we thought that Walmart would open at 5am- we were wrong. They didn't open until 6am...well 6:15 if you want to get technical, nor did anything else in Prescott Valley open until 6am- so we sat in the parking lot watching Christmas with the Kranks on my iPhone.

We had SUCH a successful shopping trip though! Aaron and I had to buy all new lights for the house this year, and well they were just so expensive that we didn't buy as many as we'd have liked to- so I purchased like 5 more boxes of those lights, plus a few more boxes of other lights we had liked but opted not to buy. I also got a few lawn items (not to many as our front yard isn't really made for lots of items with all the landscaping).

Saturday afternoon, mom and dad hosted our family Christmas party. We had such a wonderful time, and it was so special getting to see Bella for her very first Christmas.

Aaron and I headed home on Sunday morning so we could get back and unpack in time to head back to work Monday.

I have to say, this Christmas was probably one of the best ever. Only one thing could have made it better, and we're hoping for that by next Christmas ;)

Trey's Graduation- Denver, CO

This past weekend Mom, Andie, and I headed up to Denver, Colorado to see Trey graduate from University of Colorado-Denver. We honestly couldn't have been more proud of Trey. He's worked very hard these past few years achieving his dream, and soon he'll have his very own classroom to call his own. The weekend was absolutely wonderful (with the exception of the mythical winter storm that blew threw with the snow queen).

Trey's wonderful wife Kim has made Trey's dream possible (with his hard work and dedication of course). They truly are a wonderful and adorable couple.



After graduation (and a WONDERFUL meal at Rodizio) we walked around downtown Denver. We visited the 16th st mall which was totally awesome. After a little shopping we even ran into some old friends.


Saturday evening we ventured to the Denver Botanical Gardens and walked through the trail of lights (after getting the coolest holographic glasses that made all the lights snowflakes, bells, and snowmen!) I tried out the "Tungsten" setting on my camera and got a pretty cool photo of a tree.

Afterwards we headed back to Trey and Kim's and did our "mini-family" Christmas. The weekend was all to short when we had to head home Sunday afternoon.

Trey- we are so proud of you!
Kim- Thank you for being such a wonderful wife to our beloved Trey. You are such an awesome addition to the family, we're so blessed to have you!
To both of you- Thank you for letting us share in your day and welcoming us into your home!

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!