Happy New Year!

Wishing everyone a happy and safe New Year! T & I are off for New Years' Day so we are headed south to visit K & B! :) We haven't seen them since September, so we are very excited! I imagine there will be lots of games and wedding planning going on! :)

Workers!

We had our first worker company on our 6 month anniversary (Sunday)!! :) Linda & Megan came for supper and the night. I'm highly disappointed in myself - I didn't get any pictures (I should have at least gotten some pictures of the apartment - I don't think it's EVER been so clean- lol) !! We had a fun evening, though! We played Boggle and Megan showed us a new game on the Internet - which is very addicting (and somewhat educational, I must add), so I won't share. ;) We were so excited to have them!

Merry Christmas!!

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas!! We are planning on spending the day with my family. More later!

Happy Anniversary!

The main reason we went on the cruise was to celebrate my grandparents' 50th anniversary!

Here's a wedding picture.

Here they are after 50 years of marriage!

Happy Anniversary, G'pa & G'ma!! And thank ya'll for the cruise!!

Cruise!

We had a wonderful time on our cruise! We flew to Ft Lauderdale and met up w/my great-aunt & uncle (Jerry & Barb) as they were surprising G'pa & G'ma on this trip. 

So, for the sake of saving time at the airport, T & I packed light. We were planning on carrying-on our luggage...(aren't you impressed? I had the 3oz liquids in the 1qt baggies and everything!) However, at the last minute, Dad talked us into just checking our bags since the rest of our group was checking their luggage anyways. So, my luggage is ALWAYS last. It doesn't matter who I'm traveling with, where we are going, but it's ALWAYS last off the belt. So when we get to Ft Lauderdale and my bag is the only one missing from our luggage stack, I don't stress b/c I figure, once again, it's going to be last. However, this time it was different. For some reason, my luggage (and yes, ONLY mine!) ended up at the Miami airport instead of Ft Lauderdale. Very convenient, I know. After my suitcase is found in Miami, the Delta attendant (who, by the way, is way too happy for this early in the day, especially to be talking to someone who isn't so happy that her suitcase is 45 minutes away) reassures us this is not a big deal, someone from Carnival cruise will pick it up and take it our ship, but first we must check in w/our cruise line before they will do anything. (Are you thinking that she's making this sound ALL too familiar?? -- yeah, me too!) Once we checked in and talked to several cruise reps, I learned that my suitcase was on a van w/ "all the other luggage and it's on its way to port right now". "All the other luggage" at this point in the day made me feel somewhat comforted...I guess I wouldn't have been the only one on the ship wearing a turtleneck, long jean skirt, cotton tights, and snow boots in the 80 degree weather for the next 5 days! Anyways, to make a long story short, I got my suitcase about 4 hours later just before we left the port. *whew!* I must add that I didn't start really stressing about this until about 1 hour before we left the port...aren't you impressed??? Somehow I knew I could trust the Carnival reps w/my dearly beloved suitcase! lol :) 

Anyways, we really did have an awesome trip, despite the missing-for-6-hours suitcase.

We left from Miami, went to the Bahamas, Half Moon Cay, & Grand Turk. 

In the Bahamas we visited Paradise Island via ferry from Nassau. On the ferry we learned a lot about the island, who lives there, owns it, etc. In the slide show below there are pictures from the Atlantis (on Paradise Island). We toured the Atlantis and did some shopping at the market.

Half Moon Cay is a privately owned island about 79 miles from the Bahamas. And it's just beautiful! The water is so pretty!!  We spent the day soaking in the sun and enjoying the beautiful beach. There are also some pictures below.

Lastly, we went to Grand Turk. It is known for it's snorkeling and beaches...and also it's shopping. We went shopping and also visited the beach. We would have liked to tour the island but didn't have much time to spare after shopping. :) 

The last day on the ship we spent the day at sea. Thankfully, the seas were "smooth sailing" that day. We learned how to make towel animals, watched as a large block of ice was carved into a swan and just relaxed. And of course, ate a LOT! :) 

Enjoy the pictures!

Semester Fall 2008: COMPLETE!

Yay!!! We have officially completed another semester!! And our grades are posted: all A's & B's for both of us! We are very happy!

So in the midst of studying my brains out this week, I met a man who can't read and write. I was (and still am) in complete shock! T & I were dogsitting this week and the couple's house we were staying at, is getting some additions/repairs done on the house. So it just so happens that the garage door installer shows up (thankfully T was there!) to install the garage door and the keyless entry. The owners had left a list of instructions posted in the garage, in case the contractors came while we weren't there. So T & I greet this man and he tells us what he thinks he's supposed to be doing. Just to verify he was doing what needed to be done, I walked over to the list and said, "Well, here's a list, maybe this has something on it that applies to the garage door". He preceeds by telling me that he can't read and write and asks if I would mind reading it to him. I have to say I probably paused for a complete 5 seconds just trying to grasp the fact that a 50-something year old man can't read and write. I have to say, since then, I have given a lot of thought to this. I honestly can say I believe him, I don't think he was lying to me. But how can you not know how to read and write by the time you are 50-something? This is America! Most education is FREE! So, while he worked on the garage, he talked to T & I - told us about his family, how he was looking forward to Christmas, his daughter just had a baby (girl) and how excited he was to see her again during the holidays. Just a good 'ole Southern man! I have to say, this did put a damper on my stressing for finals. Here I am, stressing about finals, trying to complete a college degree and worried about making a B in a class and yet, there are still people (in America!) that can't read and write. Wow...

So, T & I were talking about this later and he said he that heard once that there have been studies that show that there are people who graduate w/a high school diploma and still can't read and write. Being an education major at one point and having completed a minor degree in education, this was never mentioned...so now I'm interested...are there really people out there like this?

What an eye-opener week! Now to get ready for the cruise... :)

End of another semester...(well, almost)

Can't believe we are approaching the end of another semester. In August, this week of finals seems so far away!

Tim is done with his finals and awaiting his final grades to be posted. However, we know that he made a 100 in his Stats class!!! Yes, that's a FINAL avg!! :) I'm so proud of him! I just wish I could go to class w/out the textbook, pen/pencil, or calculator, and not take any notes, not study, wait until the NIGHT before a project is due to START on it (and make an 98 - and have the professor ask to keep it for future examples!) and have no problem making straight A's! Hopefully our children will have his learning abilities!

I have one final down, two more to go. I, too, am waiting for my grade to be posted. Thankfully these professors have a deadline for this or we (students) would be pulling our hair out with anticipation! My accounting final (Thursday) is the only one I'm dreading b/c it's cumulative. I'll be glad to get it over with, no doubt! Thankfully, my boss is a CPA and understands how overwhelming this is and therefore is letting me off early tomorrow so I get some more studying done! :)

We are looking forward to our cruise next week when we can RELAX!!

Now back to studying...

I Am Thankful...

Someone sent this poem to me a couple years ago, and I thought I would share. We truly have SO much to be thankful for! Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

I Am Thankful…

I am thankful for the wife who says it's hot dogs tonight because she is home with me and not with someone else.

For the husband who is on the sofa who is being a couch potato because he is home with me and not out at the bars.

For the teenager who is complaining about doing dishes, because that he or she is at home, not on the streets.

For the taxes that I pay, because it means that I am employed.

For the mess to clean after a party, because it means that I have been surrounded by friends.

For the clothes that fit a little too snug, because it means I have enough to eat.

For my shadow that watches me work, because it means I am in the sunshine.

For a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need fixing, because it means I have a home.

For all the complaining I hear about the government, because it means that we have freedom of speech.

For the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot, because it means I am able to walk and that I have been blessed with transportation.

For my huge heating bill, because it means I am warm.

For the lady behind me in church that sings off key, because it means that I can hear.

For the pile of laundry and ironing, because it means I have clothes to wear.

For weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day, because it means I have been capable of working hard.

For the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours, because it means that I am alive.

Live Well, Laugh often and love with all of your heart!

Catch up!

It seems like forever since we've taken the time to blog! And it also seems that our blog always starts with "we've been staying busy with school and work", and yes, that's the excuse this time too! However, we HAVE found some time to attend get-togethers, play tennis, play disc golf, laser tag, and go bowling with Jeremy & Scott, help one of Tim's co-workers with his car (rebuilding a motor), attend Girls' Night Out...oh, the list goes on!

Tim had to work, but I went to the Hick's GTG a few weekends ago. It was lots of fun (as always)! Alvin & Joann were also celebrating their 50th anniversary! :) Enjoy the pictures...

Tim & I decided to try tennis a couple weeks ago! We discovered that we live very close to a park with tennis courts! :) Neither one of us have ever played but it was fun, nevertheless. :)

We also got to go bowling and play laser tag with Jeremy & Scott a couple weeks ago. It was loads of fun. The next day, we played disc golf with them! I have to admit I wasn't looking forward to this...but it ended up to a lot of fun. We have gone back since then and I think we are "hooked"! 

Cameron & Scott - doing who-knows-what??

Amber, Amanda, Cameron, Jeremy

Tim - in action! Scott in the background

If I wasn't looking forward to playing disc golf, you can only imagine my reaction to helping one of Tim's friends rebuild his motor. :-/ However, I learned so much "helping" them (without having to get too greasy/oily/dirty in the process) and actually gave them an idea that solved a major issue (imagine that!? a girl's idea working??) ;) I also got to know this guy's wife, who happens to be a teacher! Now the car is up and running, so everyone is happy!

This week we had Girls' Night Out at The Melting Pot in Duluth. After we figured out the menu (I still agree w/Melissa, you need a PhD to eat there!), we had a fun night. :) We used to do Girls' Night Out more often but haven't for a while. Britta suggested it, so we threw it all together kinda last minute and it turned out to be a blast! I forgot my camera in the car, but here are some pictures I "stole" from Mom...

All the Ladies

All the Ladies again

Britta's Birthday

Well, that will catch us up for a while now. Next week it's Thanksgiving Holidays, then finals, then family cruise, then Christmas!! I know the time will fly! Happy Thanksgiving!

Another Wedding!

Well, TnT are married! :) I promised to post some pictures, so here goes... I'll try to add some more w/Slide later. Enjoy!

The Kiss

The Cake - Natalie did a wonderful job! It was her first wedding cake ever! The cake was delicious -- chocolate raspberry!

Table Centerpieces - Pumpkins w/fall flowers

:)

Close up of flowers

The most updated pic of the family (minus 5)!

T-n-T

Leaving in Tim's 55 Chevy

Rings

Almost the whole crew!

Cali-forn-i-a

We are headed to CA today for a wedding! Tim's sister, Tami is getting married on Saturday. :) It's been almost a year since we have been to CA, so it will be nice to get back there for a visit. We also plan on getting a Sp Mtg before we catch our plane on Sunday!

I know we haven't posted a lot lately, but we have been staying busy with school and work. The homework seems never-ending! This week I had a 3-month review at work. I was stressing about it, but it turned out very well. Tim has also been working long hours, as they had a Tent Sale last weekend. However, I hope to get some pictures up of our beautiful fall colors here...SOON!

I never got around to putting more pictures up of Lydia & Zack's wedding...Slide is taking SO LONG to upload pictures...if anyone knows another program to use, please let me know. Anyways, you can view more pictures at Jorge's blog.

Congrats to Cindy, Daniel, Noah, & Addy on the new addition to their family: Liam Chandler! He was born Monday, October 20th. We are dying to meet him! You can see a couple pictures of him here.

Well, that's all for now. You can look for wedding pictures sometime next week! :)

Lydia & Zack's Wedding

And...they're married! :) It was a beautiful wedding! Here are some pics from our camera. :)

Well...

Slide is taking too long to upload pics today...I'll add more later. But for now, here's a preview...

County Fair

So, we went back to the fair, but this time took along Mom & Cameron! It was a lot of fun! We went to parts of it that we didn't see last time! I also took my camera, so I have some pictures to share. However, about half way through the night, my camera started acting up, so I don't have a LOT of pictures, but do have SOME, nonetheless. :)

This week is flying by! Midterms are over, and my fall break starts tomorrow. Technically, T has a break on Friday but since he doesn't have any classes on Friday, I guess it really doesn't count. However, he has off on Saturday to attend Lydia & Zack's wedding, so at least he'll have a 2-day weekend!

We were planning to go hiking tomorrow, but we are getting the ever-so needed rain today, so that might cancel our plans for tomorrow. :/ But nevertheless, there's always something to clean, cook, or organize at this house -- so I'll be enjoying my fall break to the fullest! :)

Enjoy the pics! :)

Another Hike...

Well, I haven't posted in a while simply because there hasn't been a lot to post on!

We went to the local country fair on Friday. It was actually very fun. It was complete w/a petting zoo, rides, a high dive show, an alligator show, and good ol' "fair" food! I forgot my camera, so we don't have any pictures to post, however we are going back for Student Night so hopefully I'll remember the camera!

Today we had a very relaxing day! After mtg we went hiking with Keith, Juanita & girls. We hiked this mountain a couple months ago, but this time we took a different trail to the Indian Seats. Can't wait for the leaves to change colors so we can get some pictures from the lookout...

View from the Indian Seats

Amanda comforting Shannon after her fall :(

My wonderful hubby & I

This week it's all about midterms, FALL BREAK, and WEDDINGS! :) Lydia & Zack are getting married Saturday!! Depending on what time T gets off work this Friday, we'll head up early for that. I'm just holding my breath that my bridesmaid dress will still fit...! haha

More later!

Demorest Conv 2008...

Can't believe how quickly 4 days can go by! We had a wonderful conv! We heard many wonderful things and know the responsibility that comes with that.

We stayed in a tent this year. It was fun, and believe it or not, I actually did pretty well. Except Friday night...I only got about 2 hours of sleep because we had a wild dog circling our tent (well, I was told, very calmly, later that it actually could have been a coyote, since those have been spotted in the area). Whatever it was, I'm determined it was after our cookies... ha But we had perfect weather for "tenting".

After conv, we had my family and grandparents over for supper. The original plans were pizza until I told Dad and he crinkled his nose (he doesn't like pizza), so I decided to do tacos. We had a good time; ate dinner and played hand-and-foot. 

We have a busy week ahead with school and work. My boss is out of town, so I'm the "non" certificated public accountant on duty. T has a couple tests this week, so know he'll probably be hittin' the books! 

Our thoughts are with Peggy H and family...

Enjoy the pictures!

My Wonderful Hubby...

Husband Tag

What is his name? Tim

How long did you date? 4 years

How long have you been married? Almost 3 months! Time flies!

Who eats more sweets? Depends...but probably me! I have a sweet tooth. Hence the added weight (ahh!).

Who said "I love you" first? He did. I was on the plane leaving SFO (from visiting him) to return to ATL and he called me to make sure I made it to the plane and everything was ok. :)

Who is taller? He is... I don't think I could even be taller in heels.

Who is a better singer? We're about the same here...neither of us are all that great. Tim is probably better though, he was in chorus in HS. Regardless, I still have led the singing in mtg a couple of times...so go figure.

Who is smarter? He is. :)

Who does the laundry? Most of the time, me. But he does help! Especially when it's stacked 5 feet high and he doesn't have any clean socks...(j/k, Mom)

Who pays the bills? I do...and I have a "system" to this, so I don't mind it at all.

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? He does.

Who mows the lawn? Right now we don't have a yard to mow, but he'll probably be the one to do it; although, I don't mind mowing the yard either!

Who cooks dinner? We worked out a system...haha - If I cook, he does the dishes. If he cooks, I do the dishes. Most of the time I cook and clean up though, because he has to work so late.

Who drives? He does...until I get scared half-to-death and ask to drive or he gets tired of hearing me complain about how badly my leg hurts from slamming my "passenger" brake. (j/k)

Who is more stubborn? Probably me.

Who kissed who first? He kissed me first.

Who is more sensitive? Me, no doubt.

Who wears the pants? I would have to say neither of us. We respect each other, so our relationship isn't a power struggle. We talk about things together and don't usually make decisions without input from each other.

Labor Day Weekend in AL

T & I went to visit my g'parents in AL for the Labor Day Weekend. We had a very relaxing weekend. Here are some pictures from the parade downtown on Monday.

Busy, yet fun week!

We had a busy week but fun nevertheless! 

Tuesday, T was chosen from work to go the Braves game with free tickets from Napa Auto Parts! His store exceeded their sales goal last month, and this is how they rewarded them. So, he took along his wife! :) It was very stormy on Tuesday but the weather cleared up just in time for the game. On the way into Atlanta, we saw a beautiful rainbow. My pictures aren't that great because we were driving 55 mph (ok, ok, more like 70-75 mph), but it was pretty nonetheless!

Oh, and by the way, the Braves beat the Marlins. :) 10-9 final score.

Then on Friday, we went with my family to a rodeo! It was a lot of fun! :) I'll also post some pictures from that.

Enjoy the pictures!

Another tag...

If you are tagged, copy/paste this…erase my answers and finish the sentence.

1. Maybe I should... start my accounting homework.
2. I love the smell of... rain, my hubby's cologne, and puppy breath!
3. People would say that... I'm organized and a time freak.
4. I don’t understand why... people can be so critical sometimes.
5. When I wake up in the morning... I'm usually in a good mood unless I'm running late.
6. I lost... my one and only sister suddenly in 2005. I learned a lot from this experience, though and won’t ever forget the kindness and comfort our family received from our friends...
7. Life is... full of experiences to enjoy...and it flies by wayyyy to quickly!
8. My past is... full of memories!
9. I get annoyed when... people waste time.
10. Parties are... fun to attend!
11. I wish... I didn't stress about everything.
12. Dogs... I miss Molly!! We can't have dogs where we are living now, but we make sure to "visit" Molly each week at my parents' house! ;)
13. Cats... I'm not really a "cat" person.
14. Tomorrow... I'm working!
15. I have low tolerance for... slow drivers!
16. I’m totally terrified of... spiders and losing loved ones.
17. I wonder... what my life will be like in 5 years!
18. Never in my life have I... broken a bone...imagine my childhood with no major injuries! :)
19. High school was... life changing.
20. When I’m nervous... I get knots in my stomach and my heart beats 10000x per second.
21. One time at a family gathering... um...can't remember anything exciting.
22. Take my advice: Enjoy your friends and family to the fullest.
23. Making my bed... is something I have to do EVERY day!
24. I’m almost always... at work or school.
25. I’m addicted to... lip gloss and checking my emails on my new iPhone.
26. I want someone to... give me a massage. My muscles are killing me!

I tag: Teresa, Cindy, Lydia, Mimisusan, Michal, & Amy

Lydia's Bridal Shower

Yesterday, Mom & I gave Lydia a bridal shower. Enjoy the pictures!

Remembering Heather...

Can hardly believe it's been 3 years now.