Just Because

I came home from school on Thursday and this is what I found waiting on the counter for me! A dozen beautiful pink roses!

What a sweet surprise from my hubby-to-be! I don't consider myself a "flower girl" because I'd much rather see money spent on other things, but who wouldn't want a dozen beautiful roses on her counter now and then? They are very springy and smell great too. I hope our kitties don't eat them up while we're gone!

Thanks honey :)

We've Adopted!!

Lately Rob and I have been feeling that it is time to expand our family. After days and days of extensive research, we've finally adopted............two kitties!! Please meet Macy and Elli - our two new loves! After a week or so of searching for just the right cat, Rob and I came across these two sisters at the Eau Claire Humane Association. These two four-year-old girls were surrendered to the humane association in February when their owner had to move. We impulsively filled out an online application for the cats and Rob received a phone call from ECHA the very next day. While I was at work on Thursday, Rob headed to Eau Claire to "check them out." After spending a couple hours in Eau Claire, he called to let me know he was heading back to Holmen empty handed because the ECHA required a one-night waiting period for taking the cats home. We had decided we'd head to Eau Claire on Saturday instead. I arrived home after school yesterday (Thursday) and Rob helped me carry in all of the kitty supplies I had bought in anticipation of our new family member (or two.) As we walked upstairs with the supplies, I noticed that the bathroom door was shut with the light on. I immediately suspected something was up. I peeked inside and sure enough, these two sweet girls were looking up at me! What a nice surprise!

Macy

Elli

Think they're enjoying their new home??

Rob and Macy - her first night home

Sleepy Elli

Macy lounging on the ottoman

We can't wait to get to know the personalities of these sweet girls as they become more and more comfortable in their new home!

Have a great weekend!!

7 Things

It's about time!!! Thanks to Tabitha for giving me the kick in the butt that I needed to get back into this blogging thing. I have recently become mildly obsessed with reading other's blogs, but my life always seems relatively lame compared to everyone elses exciting lives. SO.... I will make today a two-post day.

7 Things (in no particular order)

1. My hubby-t0-be: I truly cannot imagine not having Rob by my side each and every day. We are in such a great place in our lives right now, I couldn't have planned this road better if I tried.

2. My job: I am thankful every day for having a wonderful job, insurance, and amazing co-workers that support and encourage me daily.

3. Our Family: I am so thankful for the health of all the important people in my life. Our families have been truly blessed with good health and provide constant love and support in our journey.

4. Friends: I couldn't live without my amazingly supportive friends that make me laugh and smile on a regular basis!! You know who you are :)

5. Caffeine: Coffee and Diet Pepsi are my favorites!!

6. Naps: I LOVE afternoon naps (and morning naps, and night time naps!)

7. Clorox Wipes - LOVE them. I use these things ALL over the house!

Happy New Year!!

I can't believe the holidays are over! I had 17 days off from school (but who's counting, right?) I enjoyed every minute of it! I spent time reading, shopping, exercising, relaxing, and hanging out with family. Rob and I were able to spend quite a bit of time together and it was awesome. With our opposite work schedules we don't often get to eat meals together, watch movies, or just hang out. I really enjoyed the time we spent together.



I began my vacation a day early with a snow day. Boy, was it nice to stay in and drink coffee and watch the Today show. It's those little luxuries I miss ! I definitely took advantage of the bonus day, however, I will pay for it in June when I'm STILL in school :) I then headed to Eau Claire to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas day traveling between my family and Rob's family. We had the opportunity to play TV version of "The Newlywed Game" with Rob's dad and step-mom and his step-sister and her fiance. Although we are not "newlyweds" we still had a great time and lots of laughs were had! I highly recommend it!



I finished off the week by spending a day with my friend, Jenni. She and I met in Hudson and then spent the day shopping in the cities for bridal gowns and bridesmaid dresses for her wedding in November. It's so fun to be involved in planning someone else's wedding and so different from planning a June wedding :)



Rob and I spent New Year's Eve with our good friends Luke and Heather and Tim and Tessa. We joined them along with some other friends for dinner at a nice resort for a fabulous NYE buffet. After dinner we headed back to Tessa's parents house on Lake Wissota to hang out by the fireplace and chat, snack, and enjoy some champagne and each other's company. It was a fun, relaxing evening with friends!! A very successful New Year's Celebration!! Here's to a fresh start to a great new year!! Cheers!!

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 :)