alive and hanging in there

Just wanted everyone to know I am still around. The last three weeks at my new job has kept me super busy! Hope everyone had a great holiday. Any specific posts you would like to see? If so, drop me a comment. I would love to hear what my readers want to know about me!

Happy Veteran's Day!!!!

Thank you to all the Veteran's past and present...


Thank you for not be selfish...

for giving up your life for those that you do not know...

for being brave...

for doing what many of us can not imagine doing day in and out...

Thank you to my husband for being my hero, and to the 48 brothers he lost in 2005. We will FOREVER remember your sacrifices.

Let's catch up

Well I didn't do so hot on the blogging front in October, did I? To be honest, since we have been back from vacation I just have not been "myself". In the last week my life has received some surprises. Last Monday, I received a phone call from my second job I work in the winter. Also, the same place my husband and I met. Thinking it was regarding my second job I called back immediately, never expecting what came next. They were calling to offer me a position in management full time. I was speechless, I had not even put in a resume (they were so impressed by my hard work on the weekends that they approached me for the position). We met on Wednesday and discussed what they were going to offer. One thing you must understand is that I currently work in downtown Cleveland which is about a 45-60 minute drive from my house. This position would be 15-20 minutes away from my house.

Thursday morning I go to my job as usual and get pulled into the office. My manager then offers me a position in the Akron office which is 15-20 minutes from my house. The catch, they can't promise that it is permanent being that we are going through a merger with another company. This was such a hard decision. I have been putting out resumes since I graduated last August, but have not even received a phone call. For this to happen it was unbelievable, but was going to take a big decision from my heart. Since my one broker (boss) had left in August I was truly unhappy. Since we were TTC, I decided to put off putting any more resumes out in the work force not wanting to have to start a new job and get screwed out of maternity leave.

My husband and I talked it over and over. We would both be working at the same employer full time if I took the position, I wanted him to be okay with that. Well yesterday morning I put my two weeks notice in at my current job, it was a hard thing to do but will only be the best for my future. With the position I accepted, it will be a huge stepping stone for our family in the future. I prayed to God about it a lot over the weekend, hoping he would guide me in the right direction. I am so happy to have that stress behind me, and am really excited to start my new position. My last day will be the 13th which is also my birthday.

So now that you are caught up with my life, I hope to make a effort to blog daily as I go onto this new experience in the up coming weeks. This weekend is going to be very crazy. We have my best friend's son's 1st birthday party and a surprise 50th for my father. So it will be nice to have a little relaxation this weekend! Hope everyone has had a great start this week!

Happy Halloween!!!

I hope everyone had a safe Halloween!! I will be back tomorrow to catch you up on my life...I have had A LOT on mind lately, and have had many big decisions to make.

A Year Ago Today...

I married my best friend. The man who stole my heart one winter five years ago. I knew the moment we had our first date that I wanted to marry him.

Seven months into us first dating, Luke went to Iraq for 10 months...we went through so much for a young relationship, it only made us stronger.

Then a year later my mom was diagnosed with cancer, and again we went through hard times. I know that we will make it till death do us part. We have been through so much that some couples at 50 years have not been through. It has made our love so strong, and I knew way before we ever said our vows, what a supportive husband he would be when I went through the hardest time of my life.

I am so lucky to have a wonderful husband, someone that is my rock, my best friend, and who I know will take care of me the rest of my life. Luke, here is to many more years together!!!

Unfortunately, I was sick all weekend so we couldn't celebrate to much. Since I have been a little under the weather I will be celebrating our anniversary throughout the week. I hope everyone has a wonderful week!!!

***All pictures courtsey of Primoshots***

Back to the daily grind...

Well, I am back...and glad to be at that! I missed all of you!! Our vacation at the OBX was SO relaxing. I really needed that vacation believe it or not. My life has been a bit stressful between work, TTC, my Series 7, and just life in general. I posted a couple pictures to start, and hope to be adding more throughout the week.

The above picture is my neighbor and I down at Hatteras Cape. The waves here were unbelievable.

I was so excited to start decorating for Fall this year. Hard to believe my hubby and I will have been married for a year on October 4th, that is less than two weeks away! Anyone have any anniversary ideas for a couple on a budget? I decided to get a little crazy this year and decorate the front porch. I LOVE how it turned out!!

Hope everyone has a wonderful week!!!

SO. STRESSED. OUT.

Sorry for the lack of posts lately, but my life has been overcome by stress. Luckily I am leaving for a little R&R on Saturday. We are going to the OBX with our neighbors for the first time. So I promise I will become well rested and come back with posts filling you on in my life. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday weekend!!

The joys of employment

So this week has been a very strange week. First of all last week after being sick and doing too much thinking had me drained. What I could not talk about last week was my boss was leaving Friday for another firm. I work for a brokerage/financial firm as a Client Service Associate to Financial Advisers. In out industry it is not uncommon for a broker to "up and leave" with no notice to another firm, in fact this is how it is always done for the most part. My boss came over the Sunday before to my house to tell me he was leaving, and could not take me with him. Usually assistants go as well which means big signing bonuses and bargaining HR benefits. I have always known if he was to leave I would go with him...but he could not take me because the firm he was going to was very small and already had three sales assistants to eight brokers. I was really upset because he was the big reason I was staying there after I graduated last fall.

So now I have been looking everyday to find another job. Ughh, I am so unhappy with the toxic environment, but VERY grateful that I have job that so many in this time do not. Then to make matters even more stressful I have been having some strange symptoms that have me going crazy.

In the meantime I have my little sisters wedding this weekend, and a dress that suddenly is a little snug in some places. Oh the joys of being a bridesmaid! I will be extremely busy the nest two days with wedding festivities, but granted I am not too hungover on Sunday, I hope to share some pictures! Everyone have a great and blessed weekend!

A little under the weather

All of a sudden yesterday my glands were swollen, nose draining, and ear aching. I was sneezing every five seconds, and each hour I got worse. So today I am under my covers on the couch catching up with my friend DVR...with Tucker curled up by my feet. He knows I am sick, its amazing what animals know. I also have alot on my mind lately and am trying to sort things out. On Friday I will be able to share my feelings because right now I can't speak incase someone in my personal life reads my blog. So until then I hope everyone is healthy because this really stinks! Have a great Wednesday!

Kelly's Korner- Show Us Your Reception/Honeymoon

Well it's Friday again, which means Kelly's Korner!! I would like to apologize ahead of time because my pictures got uploaded out of order and I don't know how to fix it! Again, all pictures courtesy of Primoshots!



This first picture is of our first dance..."Better Together" by Jack Johnson. It became our song when Luke was in Iraq when we were first dating.

I thought that the photographer Mike got a great picture here of everyone dancing, and getting low!!

You can't have a fall wedding without some O-H-I-O...we are all huge fans in the bridal party as you can tell, plus my hubby was a little upset he was missing the game!

This picture is hilarious because it just so happens that my 10 year old brother caught the garter...and from the look on his face he was SO pumped about it. Thank goodness a little girl caught the throw away.

A honeymoon picture snuck in her ;0) Here we are on the beach in Rivera Maya, Mexico the week after...I wish I could have stayed there forever.

Here is our grand entrance to "Bittersweet Symphony" by the Verve, we were a little excited upon entrance.

We were nice cake eaters. I told him if anything got all over my face he was in trouble!

Here is one of my favorite pictures of the cake able. I was so proud of how it turned out. Everything was perfect, even the cake!

Below, my maid of honor Kelly is giving the speech...I think I may be on the verge of tears here, happy ones though.

And last but not least, our maid of honor and best man strutting into the reception hall...yes with coolers! They thought that they were so clever!

I wish I go do it all over again...then on second hand no need for all the stress!

Need help...

If you have noticed I have a new header, but the size is messed up. I made this on scrapblog.com, can anyone help to get this to fit in the header correctly? Thanks in advance!!

Finding the right words to say

A year ago August 1st, I did what I would have thought the un-thinkable: stand up and talk at my mom's funeral at 26 years old. I didn't think that I could do it, in fact my friend from work was sitting in the batters box waiting to come save me if I got out of control. But somehow I got AMAZING strength that day. I spoke from the heart, and hopefully made my mama and my family proud. Do you know we have HUGE building for a church and that it was packed, standing room only? You would have thought my mother was celebrity. I never knew she had touched so many lives; she did. She wanted me to speak that day so I did, and below is my words chosen ever so carefully. I would like to share them with you, since you have been such a great support system:

My mother wanted me to speak today because she told me she thought I was good with words. I find this one of the hardest writing assignments that I have ever had, not necessarily because of the situation, but because I don’t think I can put into words what she truly meant to all of us. She was amazing and inspiring, but even those I do not feel do her enough justice. What I do know is that she is incredible for fighting for so long and never being bitter to why it had to happen to her. She told me numerous times, “not to put a question mark where God put a period.” That is what she did; she never threw that question mark out there. She accepted what so many could not. Her strength was inspiring. I was blessed to have the opportunity to spend three weeks around the clock with her during Easter. It was at this time I saw another side of my mother. Any daughter would consider her mother wonderful and untouchable, but my awe extended past that when people I did not know came and visited my mom at the house. I heard stories of how she made an impact in their lives. I saw her in a new light, not as my mother, but instead the magnificent friend and role model she was to others. And as people came and went, there was one word which everyone used constantly: inspiring. I then realized they were right and she had been inspiring to her family and others her whole life. She truly felt God needed her early for a higher purpose, a spectacular, amazing purpose in heaven and that she would still be able to influence our lives from heaven. Whatever that higher purpose is, I know that she will give it all her heart, because that is what she did here on earth. I have never known someone who had so much love to give. That is the most important thing I have learned from my mother, is how to love others unconditionally, and because of her I have so much love to give. So today she would want us to celebrate the love she gave to so many of us. She told me she did not what this to be a somber occasion, but instead a celebration of the memories we shared with her. So while it may hurt to accept the fact that she is gone, look into your heart and feel the love she gave to each of you and remember that she is no longer suffering; instead she is fulfilling her higher purpose in heaven as I speak. As she is smiles down on us today, be thankful for the opportunity of knowing such an astounding person; cherish your memories and hold her in your heart forever. Sing loud today so that she can hear up above, she would love that. Though it will feel like eternity, we will see her once again at the heavenly gates. I am so fortunate to have such a wonderful mother and to be able to carry on her love, faithfulness, strength, and humbleness for generations to come.

Fab giveaway

One of my favorite blogs and blog friends is having the cutest giveaway! Kristen over at Kristen's Palace is giving away a "Bag Full of Blessings". She has one of the most inspirational blogs you will read. So if you want something new to read, and want to hear the words of a strong young women go check her out you won't be sorry!

Show Us Your Life: Wedding Party & Flowers

It's that time again, Kelly at Kelly's Corner is hosting show us your life, wedding edition! This makes me want to plan a wedding again. We got married on October 4, 2008...hard to believe the year has almost flown by! Fall is my FAVORITE season and we had a Fall theme (you will see more of that next week). This first picture is of lighting our unity candle. I made it myself, and the flower arrangement is fake flowers and the ones the church just happened to have. They went so well with everything. **All pictures courtesy of Primoshots Photography**


This next picture is one of the back of the bridesmaid dresses. They were bought at David's Bridal I loved them! They look so good on everyone, even my 8 month pregnant friend!

This is one of my favorite pictures with my girls.

This is my husband's favorite picture with the groomsmen...we went with chocolate brown tuxes, I was very nervous with this choice but it turned out great! The black tuxes looked horrible against the latte dresses.

This picture was before the wedding, such a different picture, it makes me smile.

Here is a good picture of the front of their dresses. This is my maid of honor Kelly. This is also the best pictures of my flowers. The girls had Torpedo Gerbera daisies, and Kelly's also had a yellow flower to make hers different from theirs. I had green button mums, circus roses, gerbera daisies, and lilies. It came out perfect and i was really happy with them. My mom was going to make them all but when she got sick that was out of the question.

Well that is my wedding party, I could show so many pictures!!! Have a great weekend!

My Wedding Dress

So Kelly over at Kelly's Korner is hosting "Show us your Wedding Dress" today. I had originally fallen in love with an A-line dress weeks before this one with a price tag of $1200. Eek! But being that my mom was days away from starting chemo she couldn't go very far. So if I wanted my mother to go dress shopping with me it was David's Bridal or nothing because of the distance. I tried on numerous dresses and finally really liked two of them. My mom was in love with this dress and I was in love with the $300 price tag! The real decision was my mom taking tons of pictures of me in it...I knew the chances were slim that she would be there for my big day so I wanted to make sure she saw me in the dress I was going to wear when my daddy gave me away. In the end, I was very happy with my dress knowing that my mom was able to see it before she went home with the Lord.

***Note to self: Make sure your dress can fir through the bathroom stall at the reception hall bathroom...I kinda had a problem with that!