Matt & Sheri's Wedding

My friend Sheri got married this past weekend-she was absolutely beautiful and the wedding was lovely. They got married at the church they go to, then had the reception at a nearby golf course. It was cool and sunny yesterday-no rain at all this weekend finally!

I had the honor of being one of Sheri's bridesmaids-I was absolutely touched to be included. We started our day at the salon of course, this is us pre-wedding hair:



Here's the back of Sheri's hair-she has the most gorgeous hair-so it was awesome to see it all up yesterday!

After hair, we went to the church to get dressed and do pictures. Here's one of us right before the ceremony. The dresses she chose for the bridesmaids complemented everyone I think and it was such a pretty dark red for Christmas!


I didn't get to see Sheri much after the ceremony, but her and Matt looked absolutely happy and excited to finally be married. I'm afraid I didn't get any good pictures of her and Matt together, I feel so bad. I am not the best photographer I think!

At the reception, Eric and I sat with Sara and Jon. Sara and I were Sheri's roommates at GCU. We were pretty much at a "GCU" table. About half of us at the table went there, so it was fun to talk and catch up.




The reception went until about 9pm, then we watched the new bride and groom take off for their honeymoon. They're headed on a cruise, and I hope they have a wonderful and relaxing time!

I get caught up sometimes in thinking how quickly time flies. It seriously does feel like just yesterday I was checking into the dorms at GCU and meeting all my roommates for the first time. I had so much fun at college with them.

Sheri was so fun to have has a roommmate! We lived in the same dorm freshmen year, then roomed together the rest of the three years in an apartment on campus. I have lots of fond memories of going home to Prescott with her, hanging out in the apartment, studying at Coffee Plantation, and pretty much staying up late a lot of the nights talking. Sheri was always someone I could confide in and I admired her drive to get where she wants to go in life. She is an encouragement and one of the smartest and sweetest people I know. I hope and pray I didn't drive her too crazy being her roommate in college!!

Anyway, I wish Matt and Sheri the best and pray they will have a wonderful first year of marriage!!!

Ugly Sweater Christmas Party

We joined a young marrieds Bible Study group in October, which we are totally loving. The couples are way friendly and way relaxed to be around. Every year at Christmas, they have the "Ugly Sweater" Christmas party-everyone has to come in the ugliest sweater they can find. The other catch: the guys all grow mustaches to go with their ugly sweaters!!!

Our sweaters were provided courtesy of Mom-special thanks to the decade of 1970 and the special year of 1988....

Eric is attired this lovely 1970s sweater (yes, this was Dad's, and yes, Mom wants it back).

And, of course, he grew a mustache, of which I had to beg him to shave when we got home. He didn't want to, but finally did, then said he lost the power of the 'stache once it was gone.

See this bright and shiny sweater Mom purchased full price in 1988. I assume 1988 because that's what the tag says on the sweater.

Yes, those are keys, and yes, they are heavy...

AND HECK YES, I got voted 2nd place for the Ugliest Sweater. I lost out to a guy who took the time to sew together 5 ugly sweaters. It was way fun to dress up and laugh at each other and some of the outrageous stuff people can find. I wouldn't say so much the key sweater is ugly; just more "unique".

I'm going to have to outdo myself next year-I'm keeping my eye out for even more ugly or "unique" sweaters. I may have to check out the Quacker Factory....(those of you who do not catch this reference, please tune in to QVC. You will then understand).

Copernicus' New Toy

Mom bought Copernicus a new toy-it squeaks!! He was so excited to get it that when Eric and I got home that day he grabbed his new toy and came running to show us. So far, the new toy has survived. It's his favorite and he loves Mom a ton for buying it for him.

Happy Anniversary to us!!!

Yesterday was our one year anniversary!! We celebrated it Saturday night by going to our favorite sushi place and then out to Gelato. So good!!! We also went to our favorite bookstores to wander around.


On Monday, Eric sent me flowers at work. I wasn't expecting it at all since I thought we had already celebrated. He was very sweet to send them to me at work. They are beautiful!

It has been a challenging year for us-both switching job, moving, buying a new house, selling a house...Dad...I can't imagine I'd ever have to say I lost my father in my first year of marriage. I feel a little ripped off. But, I also can't imagine having gone through that without Eric by my side. I am thankful God knew this and prepared me in that way at least. And even through all the challenges I never questioned marrying Eric-I love him very much.

Happy Halloween!

Eric and I wanted to spend Halloween answering the door in our new home! We finally got around to doing some decorating Monday night...

Eric putting up our orange and purple Halloween lights

Eric making scary faces to the camera...

This is our RIP tombstone and fake bones that light up!

Eric also wanted to buy a strobe light that makes ghostly noises-so we have that on the front porch. We've had a pretty good run of kids so far-hardly any teenagers either! And, my husband is having fun answering the door in his Optimus Prime helmet. :-)

Social Weekend

Our weekend was pretty packed with activities. Saturday morning we cleaned (always fun!), then went to church. After church, we went to our friend April's show. She performs a few different places, but our favorite is always Borders. We get our coffee and a book and just hang out and listen to her sing. She had some new songs to perform that were way good! Afterwards, we all went to dinner to Claim Jumpers.

April and her husband, Troy (Eric's best friend)

And, of course, Eric and I

Sunday was fun too. We went over to Garrett and Georgia's to hang out. Georgia and I ran over to Sara's for a jewelry party and to make some Halloween cut out cookies...

Georgia made the pumpkin and I made the witch. It's with the 3D cookie cutters from Williams-Sonoma!!!

Garrett and Georgia posing for a picture (I had to talk Garrett into it though)

Hmm...who's giving me bunny ears???

Overall, it turned out to be a relaxing weekend and we both felt pretty rested from it.

Mercs

Eric's Mom, Nancy, bought my cat Mercs a halloween hat last year when she was taking care of him over our Honeymoon for us. He doesn't like to wear it at all, but we did manage to get a picture of him in it (sort of-I had to hold it on him).

He was mad at me for awhile after taking this picture...

New Furniture!

Last weekend Eric and I wanted to do a date night, so we had plans to go to dinner, the used bookstore we like, and then watch a movie at home. We showed up at the bookstore and realized there was a Roomstore next to it. We have been needing some new furniture, since Thanksgiving and Christmas will be at our house this year.

We wandered the Roomstore for awhile, but were debating some things. Eric likes leather (I don't) and we weren't sure what type of dining room table we wanted. I had no idea we'd end up buying anything but we did!

We compromised and got a dark, chocolate colored sectional couch, in a polyester material that cleans easily (since we have animals, and in the future, kids!).

This is half of our living room, but you can see the couch fits nicely!

Me, relaxing on it...

Eric, relaxing on it...

Our previous couch was Eric's bachelorhood black, leather couch. I had to compromise and let him keep it, but he did say I could buy a couch cover for it. Any suggestions on where to get a good one (not too expensive!) would be great! We decided for the holidays to put his couch and my old couch in the formal living room for the holidays-so people have extra places to relax and sit.

I love new furniture!!!

I Can't Find Plain Hostess Donuts...

I was thinking about Dad Friday night when Eric and I ran to the store after work. We were having my friend Sheri and her fiancee, Matt, over for dinner and needed a few items. I've been wanting plain Hostess Donuts with my coffee. Dad had a fondness for them, actually probably more for the chocolate ones, but I couldn't find them anywhere. I had to give in and just buy the regular store brand ones in the bakery section.

I remember one family trip (I couldn't tell you where we were or where we were going, maybe Mom will remember?), but Dad was driving and we were all really tired. We had the usual staple of snacks in the car-one of which was the mini hostess chocolate donuts. I don't know what made Dad do it, perhaps in an attempt to cheer us up, he rolled down the window while he was driving and started tossing little chocolate donuts out the window yelling "Be free little donut!!!". It was hilarious to watch the donuts behind us bounce down the freeway.

When I was living in California, Dad would usually call around 7 on some Saturday mornings requesting the Times Standard paper and donuts. Other times, he would call and lure me out of bed with promise of donuts and coffee if I came up to talk with them. I'm not a morning person, but I cherished those mornings with Mom and Dad, just talking and drinking coffee. How I wish I could do it again, and I know Mom misses that too.

There is so much I want to write and say about Dad. And there is just this ache that people say goes away. I don't want the ache to go away though-I want to cling to it-as its the only thing tangible thing that I have of Dad at the moment.

This is one picture our photographer took of Dad at the wedding. (Sarah sent me another good one I wanted to post, but I can't get it to load right on my computer...ugg technology!!!)

Update...

I've had a hard time getting on to type this blog...I'm at a loss as to what to write. For those of you who I have not talked to yet, my Dad passed away suddenly and unexpectedly September 7th. It is the worst experience of my life.

Garrett and Georgia, Eric and I got a flight out that morning to be with Mom and help organize everything for the memorial service. Yesterday, Eric and Garrett flew back to Phoenix for work. Georgia and I are staying until this friday to be with Mom and help with the huge list of things that need to be done.

I just want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers right now. So many people have showed us their love and support.

I especially want to thank Sarah and Andy. You two are amazing and such a blessing to us. If you weren't here, it'd be so much harder.

Counting my Blessings

So, I'm at home today. I asked for today off from work. I was just feeling tired and overwhelmed and little things are bothering me lately that shouldn't. Sometimes I wonder what is wrong with me. My mom always reminds me when I'm in these moods to count my blessings. I think I should, as I've struggled so much lately with being homesick for California, missing my parents and friends, and missing my old job at Humboldt Land Title Company.

My first blessing... I'm not really home alone today-I have two friends (uh both passed out sleeping right now, but at least they are not fighting with each other)

Copernicus after a monsoon

Mercs in the bathtub at our old house-not sure why he liked it there...

Now, I have to pause and admit that both of the animals have been getting on my nerves lately. Mercs likes to meow at 4am (which I'm sure Eric loves!) and Copernicus has decided he can eat whatever he finds in the kitchen (i.e. rubbermaid containers, chocolate cake, stir fry, hmmm what else....). I have to remind myself though that without them the house would be lonely, and both animals have been with Eric and I through the lonely parts of our lives. They really are comfort from God I believe.

Of course I'm not putting the animals above Eric!!! But they called dibs on getting their pictures in first (hehe). Anyway, I have a husband who I love dearly-I can't even believe how God put us together at times, and I can't imagine my life without him. I asked Eric's mom, Nancy (also a blessing by the way-she has helped us out a ton lately and I could not have asked for a better mother-in-law), for some little kids pictures of him awhile ago and she found some for me!! Here is one...

Not sure how old he is here, but oh so cute!!

Now, I also have my own little kid picture of him. How you might wonder?

This is Transformer Eric...at work by the way...so busy to be a software developer...

Anyway, I tease him, but I love him and I love that he always finds a way to make me laugh even when I don't want to. And sometimes I really don't want to. Those of you who know me well know I have a tendency to be too serious. I like being serious and I know God knew this when he put us together. Eric finds the craziest things to do to make me laugh and put me in a better mood. But he is also extremely supportive, very intelligent, responsible, and considerate of others. He loves his Mom and he would do anything for anyone if they needed it.

I can't leave my parents off this list! How do you even go about truly thanking your parents for all the sacrifices they made for you? Getting you through school, giving hugs, encouraging you...I don't even know how to thank them. I just pray that I can also be a good parent like mine were. But I do miss them dearly-it hurts at times. I miss lunches with Dad at Porter Street BBQ (SO GOOD!!!) , I miss sitting and budgeting with him, I miss being able to hug him in person. I miss cooking with Mom, and watching movies together, I miss our walks and pilates dates, and I miss hugging her too! I also miss her Mocha Macadamia Nut brownies by the way-the best thing ever to eat when you are hormonal!!! MMM...so good...
I just realized I don't have any good pictures to add here-I think they are all on my other computer that's sitting out in the garage!

Now there are way more blessings and people to count...so much when you actually sit down to write about it. I feel better too (my Mom is so wise!). So no one feel forgotten, I have a whole list of you in my head I'll get to write down soon here.

Hawaii

I figured since I posted the wedding it would make logical sense to cover the honeymoon next! We went to the Big Island of Hawaii and stayed at the Hilton Waikaloa Resort (thanks Mom and Dad!!!). A beautiful, HUGE, resort right on the coast (I guess that's sort of redundant to say since everything is pretty much on the ocean there). In my head, our arrival off the plane would be all romantic and exciting. In reality, we got in really late at midnight and discovered that my luggage never got on the plane!!! Yes, that's right, laugh it up-a honeymooner with no luggage. You can see the joyful look on my face in this picture Eric took of the two of us.

Now, I might be able to survive in Hawaii on my honeymoon with no clothes (you can buy a bathing suit and live in that!), but I cannot survive without my beauty supplies!!! Luckily, there was a Wal Mart on our drive to the Resort, so we stopped there. I stocked up on some essentials (No makeup though, eeeeesh). My luggage arrived late the next day, but we spent our time wandering the resort, so I wasn't too concerned.





We decided instead of getting each other wedding presents, we would splurge and do the Dolpin Quest activites. Early Wednesday that week we went and played with the Dolphins! They have a special Dolphin area at the resort, so we got to watch the instructors feed and play with the Dolphins. We got to pet them and be in the water with them, then jump to the next pool and do some snorkeling (which FREAKS me out by the way-I can't breathe with the snorkeling mask!!). Eric loved the snorkeling though, so at least one of us enjoyed that part! And, he was also attached to the motorized handheld boat thingy they give you to help you get around the water.

Since we were there over Thanskgiving we also decided to do the Red Sail Sunset Tour...unfortunately, Eric got seasick and I didn't do too well myself...It was a horribly long 2 hours. We stared at land the whole time...



The rest of our Island adventure included lounging by the pool, reading, and driving around the Big Island to check out the Volcano.

It was definitely a memorable and fabulous trip. I talked Eric into letting me have the stuffed dolphin to bring home from the hotel too!!


I actually now have a small collection of these dolphins (thanks again to Mom and Dad!!!) :-)

Wedding!

Hello,
This is the first weekend I've finally been able to sit and go through the 1000+ wedding pictures our photographer took. I think I've been procrastinating because it seems to be a daunting task. I really didn't make it through many today-I kind of got lost just looking at all of them. And I can't find my family in any pictures yet! I'm sure they are there...there's just so many!! These are some I've found that I like so far.

Eric & I

Eric and I with Erin, Michael, and Patrick (Eric's niece and nephews)

The bridal party...

Me...I just like that you can see my tiara up close!

Eric is actually smiling in this picture...

I can't believe we've been married about 9 months now. It definitely does take work and communication (thanks to my parents for that bit of advice). It's so worth it though!! I thank God everyday that Eric is my husband.

Welcome to my first blog!

Hello All,
So, on the inspiration of my close friend Sarah, I've created a blog to better stay in touch with everyone. I'm not exactly sure what to write for the first entry-there's actually so much I can think of! Eric (my cutest husband ever!) helped me upload pictures that we've had on our camera since our honeymoon so there are lots of pictures to post soon!

For now, since I'm just getting started, here is one of the outside of our new house when it was being built. My camera skill is not the greatest, so the pictures of it finished haven't quite turned out right. It's too sunny here!!

Here is also one of Eric and I-probably my favorite from our honeymoon.