Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree!

Since Thanksgiving, I've been itching to put up a Christmas tree. I just love the sights and sounds of Christmas and couldn't wait to begin decorating our house! At first, Rob and I put up a 4 1/2 foot prelit tree, the same tree we have used for the last 3 years. It's cute and all, but this year we decided that the tree needed upgrading. I was set on having a REAL tree this year! I envisioned Rob and I taking a nice drive out to a tree farm in the country and taking a walk in the snow to find the perfect tree (while singing Christmas carols, of course)! Then, Rob would cut the tree down as I took pictures to document the wonderful experience. Then I thought about how we'd have to drive out to a tree farm in the country, take a walk in the wet, cold snow, cut down the tree with a saw, and tie the tree to the top of my Saturn. Then we'd have to drag it into our house all while sprinkling pine needles ALL over, and then water it and vacuum up needles daily. After a brief debate we decided, Maybe next year!! An artificial tree sounded like a much better idea. Part of me feels guilty that it somewhat goes against my family values and beliefs, as I grew up with a Grandma and Grandpa that owned a tree farm. It was like a crime to own an artificial tree in our family. However, due to the availability and convenience of prelit artificial trees, many of my family members have made the jump. (Not including my Grandma and Grandpa) Real trees are traditional, beautiful, and smell great, but are also messy, messy, and messy! So, an artificial tree it is! On Sunday afternoon we decided to tackle the tree. Luckily it had a great diagram to follow and we had it put together in no time. Then it was time to fluff the branches, light the tree, and perfectly place each ornament. By the time the Packer game was finished, our tree was complete and beautiful. It is PERFECT! I love lounging on the couch sitting next to it. I think we might have to keep it up all year :) So beautiful!

Life Since Graduation

I am a newbie to this whole blogging thing, but thought I would give it a chance with all of the new, exciting things happening in our lives. There is so much new in our lives that we want to share with friends and family that I don't even know where to begin. Please keep checking back for any updates!
Here's the latest:
I graduated in May from UW-L and I am teaching Kindergarten in Onalaska, WI. I have a beautiful classroom with all the resources a first year teacher could ask for and a team of 9 other kindergarten teachers to collaborate with. It is a completely exhausting job and I work way too many hours, but I love it. I make it through each day by knowing that every year will get a little bit easier, and with the support of my co-workers of course! I have 22 children in my classroom from a variety of backgrounds; It's a really neat mix of children. I recently read a quote from a Chicken Soup for the Teacher's Soul book that made me laugh and perfectly decribed teaching kindergarten. "Teaching kindergarten is like trying to keep a room full of ping pong balls all underwater at the same time." - Suzanne Boyce
Rob works as an officer at the Jackson Correctional Institution in Black River Falls, WI. He has almost an hour commute to and from work each day, but fortunately has found a coworker he can carpool with. Rob continues to work part-time at Best Buy here in Onalaska.
We currently live in Holmen, WI in a brand new 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom townhome. It is just perfect for us and only about 15 minutes from my work. We've definitely made it our home.
We're getting very excited that our wedding is now only 6 months away. I can't believe how quickly it is coming. Everything seems to be coming together so nice. Rob has done such an amazing job with wedding planning and decision making, as I am the most indecisive person EVER. It's great that he can make a quick decision and isn't afraid to get involved in the planning! I can't wait for us to plan all the final details.
At times it seems completely surreal that I have such an amazing job and fiance and a wedding only months away. This is definitely a new phase in my life and I wouldn't trade it for anything :)