A Year Ago Today (Yesterday)

We'll pretend like I posted this yesterday...
One year ago today I married my best friend.  He's the most wonderful man who constantly makes me laugh, and smile.  When I'm feeling blue he knows what the situation calls for.  He either makes me laugh and see the irony of the situation, or he holds me until it's better.  We have both said that we make each other want to be a better person, and that is so true.  I've heard so many people say "I don't want someone that wants to change for me" or "I'll never change for him/her"...truth is, you do change.  You both change, but you definitely change for the better.  We have learned to be biased with our love, and fair with our fighting.  We have fun! And we don't get all caught up in the silly little things that some couples do.  I would say this first year has been nothing but great, and I can't wait to see what year #2 brings us :)

A Year Ago Today...
...I was peeking through the church doors at my groom, and all the friends and family that were there to share it with us.

...I was wearing a gorgeous dress (albeit heavy) on the hottest day of the year.  Seriously, it was freakin hot! The whole summer had been amazing, average of 80-85 degrees each day.  Who picked the only 98 degree day?? We did! We did!

...I was shoving Shakspeares pizza in my face, not really caring if I smudged my makeup

...I didn't cry very much, to my own surprise.  But to make up for my eyes, my nose couldn't control itself! I sniffed so much while saying my vows, it was insane!

...I was having the best time with my groom, giggling while we were standing in front of everyone saying our vows.  "Did you cut yourself shaving this morning???" (major gash on his neck!)...."ummmm yeah" hahahaha!

(see the cut???) :)

...I was climbing into a limo, and melting into the seat.  We were done! That was one of my favorite moments of the day.  Calm and peaceful...and I was so full of love.

...We were walking into a room full of our favorite people, and I can't begin to explain to you how amazing the food was! Of all the things about our wedding, we got the most compliments on the decorations and food at the reception.  Loved it!

...I was dancing with my dad...he's the best

...We were laughing at the beautiful slideshow that my brother put together for us.  Between me having no hair until I was 3 and Timothy's snapping turtle picture, who wouldn't assume we'd have beautiful children??
...We were pouring ourselves back into that limo while the party continued into the night.  What an awesome, relaxing ride to the hotel room.  Such a fun night!
...We were reflecting on the amount of love that surrounded us that day. I thank God every day for how much love is in my life.

Thank you honey for the best first year ever! You are right, if the rest of our marriage is as fun as the first year, I can't wait to see what's next!

Long Time No See

I just realized how long it has been since my last post.  One might think it is sad that I haven't had anything exciting to report, but I'm almost glad.  Life has been good lately, and calm...Compared to last summer, so far this one has been fab.  I've had a chance to get more things done around the house, work on some stationery stuff (launching website soon!), and spend time relaxing.  Don't get me wrong, I do have basketball and that can get a little crazy.  I have games all day today, which stinks for Timothy (pizza tonight) but these girls need some work!  We started the Insanity workout over again this week.  Two months ago I would've never thought that I could do one whole video.  I am still out of breath and dripping with sweat at the end, but I can seriously do the video without dying!  I feel great, my clothes fit better, and I have more energy.  All in all, I would say it is a successful program! I highly recommend it!  Hopefully I'll have more to post about soon, but don't be surprised if they are few and far between.  We have a busy summer planned...
*This weekend, we are headed to OK to visit my bestie and her husband! Can't wait!!! Road Trip!!
*Next weekend, Father's Day
*Last weekend in June, Ashley's wedding
*4th of July + my bday + my bff flying in = hot mess
*July 11th = 1st Anniversary! Yippee!!
*July 17th Cardinals Game
After that, who knows, who cares...Can't wait to see what the rest of this summer brings!!

I'm A Sucker For Pretty Paper

I love paper.  When I was planning my wedding I obsessed over the paper for my invitations.  I obsessed over the font for my invitations.  I obsessed over how my invitations looked.  I didn't have a lot of money to work with but I was so pleased with how they turned out (helps to have a bf that does design work, thank you Lori!)  I kept thinking at that time that I would love to have a business that dealt with stationery, cards, and invitations.  Then I got married, and didn't want to touch anything remotely resembling weddings for a very long time (you brides out there understand) 

One day I needed a quick card for someone's birthday and I used some of the leftover supplies from the wedding.  I love giving things to people that are handmade.  I also think there's something to be said for writing a good old fashioned letter.  I remember looking at old love letters between my parents and grandparents.  I think it is definitely a lost art.  With text and email (and I admit I'm bad about it too) there really is not much of a need to send someone a letter.  Even though the massive amount of thank you notes from the wedding weren't fun, I really did enjoy sticking them in the mail and knowing that someone would appreciate them.  It really was somewhat therapeudic.  So I'm hoping to bring back this lost art by turning my hobby into gifts for your friends, or even gifts for yourself :) After doing a lot of brainstorming (thanks to Lori & Kristin again) Sugar Snap Stationery was born. It will take me awhile to get started, but I already have a bunch of samples of cards made and look forward to making more each chance I get.  Hopefully very soon I can get a blog started and get some samples up for everyone to look at.  Happy Monday!

Spring Has Officially Sprung!

Signs I Know That Spring Is Here:
7.  My students have checked out.  For some reason they think it's May 20th already...I am giving a practice state test today and a girl asked me (completely serious) "Do I have to do this?"...um yes, you do.  And you must try.  I haven't resorted to begging yet, but I believe that's next.
6.  The skirts are getting shorter.  Enough said
5.  I would sooooo much rather be outside than at my desk.
4.  Farmer's Markets have opened...Yippee!!
3.  My skin has a little color, as opposed to the ghost white sleeves I've been sporting since September
2.  New couples have emerged at school.  It's funny, because around March all the winter couples break up and new couples form just in time for prom.  The freshman girls are salivating right now...

And the #1 reason I know spring is here...
1.  I literally must sweep the house EVERY DAY in order to control the massive amounts of dog hair that has been shed over the past few weeks.  Is there business in wigs for dogs?? If so, I think I've hit a goldmine

An Affair To Remember

I'm having an affair.  Every morning I wake up at 4:45 and sneak quietly out of bed.  I put on the special clothes that I set out the night before, and I quietly leave my house (can't wake the hubby, hello!)  I walk down the road and spend one glorious hour with my man, Shawn T.  He makes me sweat, and moan, and groan... Ok, you may now remove your mind from the gutter :) I march my happy butt down the road, not for pleasure, but for pain.  Serious pain...but I feel AMAZING afterwards!  Shawn T and I have a love/hate relationship.  He makes me workout really hard, and I hate him for that, but I'm hoping to love the results.  I was in pretty good shape before, so I'm not dying, but I need to tone back up like last summer.  And quick!  I definitely do better with the peer pressure of a group, so I'm hoping to stick with this :) I'll let you know how it goes!

Feeling Good and Gettin' It Done!

I decided that no matter what my knees think, I'm just going to run.  I've been running for a few weeks and I feel GREAT!  My legs are a little sore, but that's all part of it!  Don't get me wrong, I really don't enjoy running, but I really love the way I feel right after I'm done.  I have more energy and I find myself looking foward to the feeling afterward. 

Those of you that know me know how much I absolutely love to cook.  I would love to own a restaurant (maybe someday, but right now I'm not willing to deal with all the regulations and money to get that started...) and if I could cook with unlimited ingredients every day I would (again, money is the only obstacle.)  The kitchen is my sanctuary.  To me there's nothing like putting together a really good meal, and thankfully I've only had one disaster.  By the way, it's never a good idea to have an entire bottle of wine and then decide you want to make spaghetti.  Things like oregano and cumin can get confused which can result in an odd Mexican/Italian spaghetti sauce.  And lemme tell ya, it really wasn't very good.  Edible (which is surprising) but really not good.  Someday we'll have a house big enough so that I can entertain, but until then I fill my time coming up with new things to make family and friends.  I have my little notebook, and when I get an idea for a new recipe I just jot it down.  Maybe someday I'll publish a cookbook.  That would be cool...So if you ever get bored and want a new idea for supper, check out my sister site http://www.yuminmytum.com/ .  It has lots of recipes.  And if you are apprehensive about cooking, don't be!  Really anybody can cook, I promise!

I've also been more on top of keeping the house clean lately.  For some reason something just started to click and I realized that if I just do it (even when I don't want to) that will leave more time for me to do what I want...which is mainly cooking, reading, and relaxing. 

Excuse Me Life, Could You Please Slow Down?

Sometimes I am very unaware of the fact that the Mr. and I have been married for almost a whole year.  I can't believe it!  Our life together has seriously been in overdrive since we got married.  I'm not complaining, but we are in serious need of a date night.  I am very thankful though for all the wonderful things that God has given us to do.  We are healthy, happy, and busy as ever.  Right now that's not such a bad thing while we can still handle going 100 mph all the time.  Someday things will slow down and I'll look back and be able to say, "yeah, we at least attempted to live it up before we had kids."  For instance this weekend we had a great dinner party with friends and it was just plain fab!  At one point I looked around the room and just realized that even though life is so crazy, it still blows my mind how lucky we are.  We have the best family and friends, hands down (although I know all of you beg to differ)

Just one more thought....
In this time of job/economic uncertainty I am so thankful to have a husband that keeps me grounded and helps me to not worry.  I do really feel like we compliment each other in that area.  I am a hard-core thinker.  Always have been, always will be.  I'm not sure that will ever change.  I think about things waaaayyyyyyyy too much (yes like the car commercial) and he really helps me not be so much of a worrywart.  I am a firm believer in God's plan for our life so I know that whatever happens, it's only part of that plan.  Timothy reminds me all the time that there are some things that are just out of my hands. So for now, I'm really going to attempt to just sit back, and enjoy the ride...