Relief!

Saturday is the 1st & I haven't used up all of my vacation this year so I decided to take a personal day tomorrow....and I'm super excited! I have been working hard to get bits & pieces of my to-do list finished at night after work but I really just need a day to get things done. It's hard when I only have a few hours a night! Not only that but I need to catch up on sleep & add a little fun in there somewhere too =) So I thought it would be a perfect day since my sister & I will be able to spend the day together, and we'll get things done much faster together. Tonight my Mom comes home for a day & then leaves for Atlanta tomorrow so we are having dinner with her & Jay and off to Nelson's ice cream in Stillwater!! I know I will enjoy the day off tomorrow!

Late night fun

My sister is staying with us this week so my Mom can stay in Rochester & help my Grandma recover (her surgery went fantastic by the way, yay!). My Grandpa doesn't cook well & needs a little direction! He also still works full time so my Mom keeps Bunny company while Papa works during the days. Anyways, that makes me & Jay the lucky babysister-sitters for the week. Last night Al & Tyler made us yummy lettuce wraps & spicy green beans for dinner. It was so delicious! We also enjoyed her smore bars for dessert. It was nice not to have to cook dinner! It's just really nice to have her around.
My sister & I are both pretty big readers so we have been staying up late talking about the current books we are reading, swapping books, or shopping for new books on amazon. We've also been dreaming of our Europe trip next summer. It's so much fun to spend so much time with her but we are both getting really sleepy! It makes for some late nights & early mornings when the three of us are running around getting ready for work. Last night we watched the season finale of the Bachelorette...and our favorite bachelor, Ed won!

Good choice Jillian!! Kiptyn was a really nice guy but you could tell they didn't have enough in common. Ed and Jillian were really similar & really compatible with each other. AND he wasn't afraid to tell her his feelings!! I hope they continue to be happy together!Tonight Mr. Man is off to the Twins game & Al has practice so I don't know what I will do tonight, I need to come up with a more organized way to store all my cds of photos...I'll probably make a trip to office depot today & see what they have for me!! Nothing like getting really organized! My sister offered to help me organize anything I need help with, little does she know what she will get in to ;) I'm going to make a list of things that I need help with and see what we can come up with. She's got great ideas & she is a hard worker so hopefully by the end of the week I'll be set to go in the organizational area!!

Highlights

This week has been one of the highlights of our summer. I feel so alive in this moment! I feel so lucky that I am enjoying every part of my life so much right now. Things seem to keep falling right in place for us and we are SO thankful for that. What a lucky girl I am. A long with Jay's great news of getting a job, I also received a promotion & raise at work this week. I don't think anyone could wipe this perma-grin off my face. We are so energized! Our life is so simple, but so rewarding.
Tonight I made huge progress on my thousand-mile-long, ever pending list of things to do. I really wanted to figure out my external hard drive & archive all my photos...but I opened it up & took it out of it's box and it sat for hours staring at me like a foreign monster. It didn't install itself so I was lost =) I like the creative stuff, not the technology! Finally, with much determination I figured it out & I am incredibly happy to report that 98% of my pictures are all safely stored and burned on back-up cds (ok, I'm a little ocd). I just have a few more memory cards to empty tomorrow and I will be set. YES! You have no idea what a relief this is for me. Jay will be thrilled too because our computer will run much faster without all my photos on it. Next step: figuring out my darn dvd burner. Where is my husband when I need him?! I think I'll put him in charge of that project.

A little change of plans for the weekend...tomorrow morning Bunny is having hip replacement surgery so I'll be pre-occupied with that. I'm heading down there Saturday morning after a maternity session & I may take a few days off next week depending on if Papa needs extra help (my mom & sister are going down too). So I'll be nervous & praying my heart out for her tonight & tomorrow. I'm looking forward to seeing them and having a low-key weekend, and I'm glad I got a bunch of new books!

I'm now going to go wait impatiently for my hubby to get home so we can catch up. His baseball team is in the playoffs so they have late games everynight this week!

The Memory Keepers Daughter

This was an interesting book. I don't really know how to explain how I feel about it. It's about a doctor who has to deliver his own twin babies in the middle of a snow storm in 1964. His son was born perfect-but his daughter was born with down syndrome. He makes a split second decision to take her to an institution & gives her to the nurse to deliver her there, telling his wife she had died at birth. The nurse ends up keeping Phoebe (the baby) & raises her as her own. The doctor, his wife & son stuggle their entire lives over the missing girl. At parts the book was really long & depressing-the mother still so deeply affecting by her daughter's death 5, 10, even 20 years later. The marriage between David & Norah (doctor & wife) was really annoying to read through. There was a wall between them & they lived seperate, miserable lives, and yet they stayed together most of the story...even though Norah had numerous affairs that David was well aware of. It was exhausting to read. The ending really didn't bring closure for me, but it definetly kept me on the edge of my seat, waiting to see what would happen to the crazy family.

Thank GOd

...for answered prayers! Justin received a call yesterday & got the full time position for this year!! This was the best news we could have gotten & we were jumping around like little kids last night. The best part is that he is really happy. I am so proud of him! We were so excited to sit down & go over a new budget with his salary (after a lot of recent car problems & his school payments- we've been spending big chunks of moolah) so it was so nice to be able to know exactly what we'll be making & having TWO steady incomes to count on now. Amazing. We started planning so much for our future (travel, house, kids) & we were both really excited. God is so good.

Last weekend I got the entire house cleaned & organized & it feels so good to come home to a spotless house (for a few days at least). Even though it took all day, I didn't mind because the weather was crappy & I felt so accomplished afterwards. I did sneak out for some mid-morning errands & a lunch with Jenni too =) Justin had a good time golfing with his family. Saturday night we enjoyed a date night at the Mall of America for some yummy dinner & a little shopping for Las Vegas. Can't believe we leave in 2 weekends!

This week has been filled with homework (mr. man) & baseball (mr. man) he is quite busy! That leaves me with a lot of reading time & late late night cuddle sessions. Good thing he will be done for the summer soon! I had received a few barnes & noble gift cards from photography clients so I slipped off from work yesterday & got a bunch of new books. Last night was crazy! The thunderstorm/hail was wicked. We couldn't see the neighbors home across the street from us...it looked like a blizzard! It sounded so cool sitting in bed & hearing the hail hit the roof. I got off work early yesterday so I got some good reading in before we went out to celebrate. I still can't believe we are both fully employed...we are so blessed!!!!!!!!!

The Ugly Truth

Last night Jay & I headed to the California Pizza Kitchen with Al & Tyler and had a yummy dinner. After dinner we went to see a sneak peek of The Ugly Truth-soooo good & so funny! You should definetly go see it. It was a really cute movie & good entertainment. Today Jay's out golfing for the day & I have the whole day to do anything!! I need to start by cleaning...feels so good to have the house clean and I know it will take a few hours. Then depending on the time I may head out to Jay's brother's place for a bar-b-que (if I get everything done!!) It's rare for me to have an entire free day so I need to take full advantage =) I'm going to make a list so I am held accountable for checking everything off. Off I go!

-Bathroom

-Laundry (eeek!)

-Closet

-Vacuum

-Extra bedroom

Our little love seat

Last night my Dad & Jay went to pick up this little piece of goodness for my photography business. I scored it off of craigslist for free! I love it, it's even cuter in person. It's got an intricate vintage gold pattern on it. I am envisioning a really cute family session with this....so stay tuned to see what we do with it!

Thanks for picking it up for me babe!

Random Fact Friday

RFF: my dream job (if I could be really good at it) would be a college or pro football coach, or assistant coach, trainer, watergirl, or anything as long as it involves football...I would even be the person that picks up the sweat rags. I'd probably make more money doing that than I do now, maybe I should look into it =) Jay's would be coaching at the college or pro level for baseball. Someday I know he'll be a great leader & coach for a college team!!

Movie night.

Almost Friday!! Yesterday my Mom, sister & I went out to take Al's senior pictures....we couldn't have asked for a better evening! The sun was perfectly setting and the lighting was breathtaking-she looked so gorgeous! Check out my photography blog for a few sneak peaks. I can't believe she's so old & grown up. After wards we went out for dinner at Famous Daves & talked about our trip to Boston.

Tonight Jenni & I grabbed some dinner & then saw Harry Potter at the theatre. We are nerds!! I didn't think it was near as good as the books & didn't follow as closely as I would have liked but it was still entertaining. I can't believe we are already on to the 6th movie. Makes me feel old!!

Mr. Man called me at work today to tell me he was something planned for tomorrow night so I wouldn't make any plans...looking forward to seeing what that is!

Desperation.

Ok, I'm getting a little desperate. My fun filled days of playing travel agent are over. We are planning a trip to Spain & I'm getting so frusterated. It seems to be a lot harder to plan things in Spain...why you ask? No clue. I haven't found any great websites, I can't read the train website because it's entirely in spanish (Mon, help a sister out?!) & my resources are limited. SO-I'm hoping our span of readers (hah) include someone who has ventured to Spain. Someone? Anyone? We need some recommendations & planning advice. Please please please e-mail me if you have anything to share. THANK YOU!

I love rainy days!

So nice when it's rainy outside & I'm in the office. It makes me excited to get home & read a good book or cuddle up and watch a movie. I've got absolutely nothing planned for tonight & so happy about that. Finally a night to just relax. Last nights session with Jenny was so fun! Everyone cooperated fairly well (*cough* andrew & jay *cough*) and I hope we got some good pictures of all of us together. Before we left my Mom snapped a few of us since we were all dressed up. My husband is so handsome. and patient.

Can't wait to see what Jenny comes up with. I'm always amazed by her artistic ability. We're hoping to order some larger prints and/or canvas wraps-so fun! Thanks again Jenny :)

Observation day=opportunity!!

I almost forgot! Today is the day Jay will be observed & evaluated at the Inver Grove campus & possibly offered a full time job for the fall. Please say a prayer for him today!! We are really excited about the possibility of a job opportunity there. We'll find out sometime this week. Impress them with your kind heart, incredible teaching skills & love for kids....GO JAY GO! :)

Sleepy Monday

It's a good thing it's a sunny Monday, because man am I dragging my feet everywhere! This weekend was so much fun but that always means we got a little less sleep than normal ;) Friday night Jenni had to work late so she ended up coming over for a bonfire on our back porch. It was such a nice evening-perfect for good wine & great conversation. We talked for hours, and when it got dark it started to rain. It was so relaxing to listen to the thunder & be outside in the rain under the porch! It was a perfect start to the weekend.

Saturday's wedding went well & afterwards the party began! Our friends came over and we played bags outside until it was too dark to see. Then we continued inside with loaded questions-a favorite of the friends. It was so funny & fun to hear all the responses. Always a good laugh. I had gotten some fresh mint at the farmers market so we made some yummy mojitos-the perfect summer drink!

After everyone trailed home Jay & I stayed up really late talking. It was really fun except we had to get up early to get out on the boat Sunday! So we were really tired. We boated with our friends until about 3, and then headed to Andover for a family birthday celebration. It was a perfect day so we enjoyed it outside with games & drinks & a bar-b-que. We didn't want to leave early but Jay had to get home & get to work on some homework for his online summer classes he is taking...such a hard worker! It was nice for me though because I spent some time putting the final touches on my photography website & blog (which I had been putting off) and then I got a few good hours of reading in...the perfect ending to a great weekend! I feel so refreshed after a weekend full of friends & family.

Tonight we are headed to a park after work for a family session with Jenny Warnock (Bedard). My Mom's been wanting some good family pictures done so she's going to take some for us. I know they will turn out great!!

Happy Birthday Jay!

Happy Birthday to my Birthday Boy!!!!The best husband in the world. Love you babe!

Random Fact Friday

RFF: Jay & I loooove banana peppers. There is just something about that sweet & spicy goodness that is so delicous. We have some growing out in our garden right now & I can't wait to whip up a dish full of them. YUM!Happy Friday!!

It's gonna be a bright, bright sunshiny day.

I am so blessed. Can I ever say that enough? I don't think so. I say it too much & yet not enough.

Tonight Jay & I met with an insurance agent & financial advisor to get a better quote on our home & auto insurance, and also to investigate adding to our current retirement plans. (Talk about being old!!) We were happy to hear he can get us a lower price & we are excited to begin our stock market endeavor. We are so fortunate to even be able to have the money available to have that conversation. We just cracked open a bottle of wine brought home from Oregon & toasted to our future. We had a great conversation about happiness-and although we are not wealthy we are extremely happy, and that is not something everyone has. Money is the number one cause of a lot of evils. Even though it sounds boring, it was secretly a little exciting to hear where we could be 5, 10, 15 years from now. All I know is I'm investing in Heinz Ketchup! I mean come on, could the world ever stop eating Ketchup? I think not.

Tomorrow Jay is off to the Twins game with his highschool & college friends to celebrate his birthday, so I have a date with Jenni. I can't wait =) I think we might get some fried pickles & a burger at the groveland tap (our fav. spot) and then go from there. I'm really looking forward to this weekend. Ok, one more glass of wine & then we're off to bed!!

Time to sit & unwind

I can always tell when I'm stressed because I clean like crazy. I don't know why, because it's always when I have far less time on my hands than normal. We've been going going going for the past two weeks & it's finally catching up with me! I got a ton of items done on my to-do list today & yesterday and tonight it felt so good to just clean into oblivion. Our poor house has gotten so untidy because we've been traveling so much. Jay & I always wonder how it gets so messy when we are not even here much lately?? That's beside the point, it's getting a much needed scrub down. I'm about to call it quits for the night, take a hot shower & turn on a movie. Sounds glorious.

We had a nice dinner with Jay's dad & step mom last night and we are getting so excited for Las Vegas!! It's less than a month away now. For our Anniversary they are buying us tickets for the 4 of us to see a show when we visit...so nice! I think we are going to see Cirque Du Soleil. We are looking forward to it.

Jay's first week teaching went well & he found out he will be observed next week & they will let him know if they are going to offer him a job for the fall. Their school year starts mid August so he'll know soon...so that is exciting & it would be nice to have some options!! He's enjoying it so far and he says the kids are pretty cute. His birthday is this Saturday so we are going to have another busy weekend. He has two double-header games during the day, so I am shooting a wedding until the early evening. After his games we are going to meet up with our friends & have a bocce ball/darts tournament and hang out. Sunday we are going out on Jenni's boat, so I hope the weather is nice!

Wedding season is definetly upon me! I originally planned to only book 3 weddings a summer, because I didn't want to get into it full time & I really only wanted to photograph by referral of friends, etc....I must be crazy in the head. Seriously. I feel like I work two full time jobs. It's just so nice to have the extra money & it definetly pays off-so I just need to keep reminding myself of that. But it gets to be a lot sometimes. Next summer I'm sticking to only a few weddings, which was the original plan-do it as a part time job, because I enjoy it so much! The problem is I like it so much that I can't say no. Oh well, someday I'll learn. For now I'll work hard so I can play hard & travel the world with Jay ;)

Andrew

Have I ever told you my brother is a genius? That I love him more than all the drops of water in the sea? He makes my heart swell with pride. I just love this picture of him.He is a really, really genuine & unique person. Thank you Mom, for giving us Andrew to share life with. What a gift he is!

Independence Day

Happy 4th of July! We're a day late but we just got back into town. It was a great vacation with the family & now it's good to be home. My family is so fun. We are lucky! We are off to bed but here are a few of our favorite photos from the week:

my personal favorite :)Some recent good news: Jay got offered a summer teaching position for summer school, with the possibility of getting a full time position in the fall. He starts tomorrow so we hope & pray that will go well. He also got a call from the University of Minnesota Gopher baseball coach asking if he would coach a fall league for local highschool kids looking to play baseball in college. He had watched Jay coach during one of his tournaments this summer & (obviously) liked what he saw- and contacted him. What a cool opportunity & honor for him. Ulimately he would like to end up teaching at the college level & coaching so this will be a great opening for him & a huge networking contact. I'm so proud of him!