Momma's Got A New Ride!

Look what I'm drivin! Jeremy needed to get a bigger truck...one that could haul a lot more weight than the Tacoma. The biggest reason is that every time that Jer's company has to rent equipment, they are charged a $250 delivery fee. So, we bought a 2008 Dodge Ram 2500 that can now haul a bobcat or other equipment that is needed...essentially saving us money.

I love the Tacoma and am a little sad to see it go, but the new ride is really nice. Plus, it's a four door which will be nice down the road for kiddos. We have a friend who is working for Jeremy that wants to buy it. If he backs out though, we know we can get more than the loan we have if we sell it privately since Tacomas are great trucks and always in high demand.

Anywho, I'm pumped because I will actually be the one driving it most days. Since Jer has quite the commute, he'll take the small car and I will drive the truck just down the road to school. YAY! I'm thinking about going out driving tonight and practicing parking in an empty parking lot! haha...I had to have one of the salesmen at the dealership back it up today when I picked it up because I was not about to wreck my new truck! I'll letcha know how that goes!!

Marriage Survey

Marriage Survey
1. When is your "engagement" anniversary? I have no clue...some time in May (2006)
2. When is your "marriage" anniversary? August 12, 2007
3. How long have you known your spouse? since 2000 (8th grade)
4. How long did you date/court before you were engaged? 6 years
5. Where did you meet your spouse for the first time? uh, we knew of each other b/c we went to middle school together, but one of our first memories together is our 8th grade DC trip.
6. What is your spouse's full name? don't really want to put that out there on the internet...
7. Do you have any children? nope, just the puppies!
8. How many - boys/girls? n/a
9. Do you have any house pets? Toby and Bailey our two labs
10. Do you own a house or rent? We own our house and have another property that we rent out.
11. Do you live in the country or town/city? in town
12. What is one of your favorite activities together? Watching our tv shows together, just hanging out as there are very few opportunities where we're both home with nothing to do.
13. Do you have a favorite vacation spot? I feel like we haven't gone very many places so this answer is going to have to wait.
14. When did you first kiss? Christmas time 2000
15. What church do you attend? we don't have a church. it's been hard to find one that we both like. plus, jer works most sundays so it's very rare that we have a sunday where we can go. when we do, we're always trying new churches as we hope to find one we like.
16. Did you get married in a church? Where? Nope. At the beach.
17. What town is your current address at? not saying...you know, just in case there are any crazies reading this.
18. Do you work or stay at home? work
19. Where did you go on your honeymoon? Oahu, Hawaii
20. What was the funniest gift you gave when dating? I'm not a funny gift-giver...more of a sentimental type.
21. How long have you been together? Nine years in one month!
22. How long did you know each other before you started dating? couple months -ish
23. Who asked who out? He asked me out. :)
24. How old are each of you? 23
25. Where do you each work or go to school? He's in construction and training to be a firefighter. I'm a teacher.
26. Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple? Lack of time spent together. Jeremy works his butt off and I get lonely. But, we're hoping that the hard work now will pay off later!
27. Did you go to the same school? Yep. since middle school.
28. Are you from the same home town? I guess you could say so. Jer moved around a bit but was always in the area.
29. Who is smarter? Depends on what subject!
30. Who is more sensitive? Um, no doubt about it. ME!
31. Where do you eat out most as a couple? I don't know. It varies, but maybe cooperstown just b/c it's close.
32. Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple? Hawaii
33. Who has the craziest exes? I don't have any and I don't know if his count since he was in middle school at the time...ha!
34. Who has the worst temper? Probably me, but he can get angry too!
35. Who does the cooking? Cooking? What's that? When we actually cook, I do it.
36. Who is more social? Hmm, hard question. He gets along with everyone, but I'm the one who wants to spend time with friends.
37. Who is the neat-freak? I am FOR SURE. He could care less about how clean the house and car are. I freak out about that stuff!
38. Who is more stubborn? We're both pretty stubborn, but I'm probably more so.
39. Who hogs the bed? Definitely HIM! He's a big guy and flails in his sleep!
40. Who wakes up earlier? He does...has to drive 45 min. to work each morning.
41. Where was your first date? I don't know. It was too long ago! Maybe to the movies.
Not sure where 42 went. :)
43. Do you get flowers often? Nah...for special occasions :)
44. How do you spend the holidays? The holidays are crazy for us...we juggle both families.
45. Who is more jealous? neither of us.
46. How long did it take to get serious? Ummm probably three or four years. hard to say.
47. Who eats more? HIM!
48. Who does the laundry? For the most part me. He's not allowed to touch my clothes and I do his b/c he's never home to do his own. I'm awesome like that! ;)
49. Who’s better with the computer? He's kind of a computer geek ;)
50. Where do you see the two of you in ten years? He'll have a job as a firefighter and his construction business will be makin bank! I'll have a job as a middle school teacher. We'll have one or two kiddos and maybe live on some acreage by then!

That was fun! Copy and paste if you want to play!

Positive Thoughts

It can be depressing to be on the job-hunt. Especially for a teaching job. So, it's always nice to hear some encouraging words...especially when all the doors seem to be closing in your face. So, I'm writing this post mostly to myself, to remind myself about the positive words of affirmation I've heard the last three days.

There is nothing like having students that you adore begging you to be their full-time teacher this year.

There is nothing like getting those hugs, high-fives, and fist pounds.

There is nothing like being around students and having them turn toward you for answers.

There is nothing like having parents tell you how much their children enjoy having you for a sub.

There is nothing like being told you are appreciated.

And finally, there is nothing like being told that someone can tell I love my job and love my middle school students.

I know that perfect job for me is right around the corner, and until that day comes, I plan on making the most of my year ahead. I feel like I have an awesome opportunity to touch students' lives and I LOVE working at the same school and getting to know the kids.

I feel like just as I was really starting to get down, God gave me some positive affirmations that I am on the right path and I will be rewarded. What a learning experience this has been and I am back to positive thinking and looking forward to the beginning of the school year. Bring on September!

Makin' Memories

Jeremy had just left the house for the fire dept. tonight and I was left wondering what I should do with my free time. I decided to finally put together the shadow box that I had been planning for quite a while. So, here is my creation....full of memories from our wedding. :)

And up close. I put our invite, program, garter, hanky, diy coaster, the cork from the champagne we drank in our hotel room that night, my hair pin, a six pence, the box that my tiffany's necklace Jer bought me for the day came in, a swatch of ribbon from the bridesmaids' dresses, and a sand dollar that I found at cannon beach this year (whew!).

The plan is to hang it in our bedroom on the other side of the door from where it is in the first picture. I'm in love...we'll see what Jer says when he gets home! What do you think???

More Prayers Needed!

Good news! I made it down from over 100 applicants, to the preliminary interview, to the 2nd interview. So, I could use every good thought and prayer that you have that the interview goes well tomorrow and if it's meant to be, I could have a job as soon as Friday. I'll keep everyone updated! Thanks so much!!

House Tour

Last night we had a very successful house warming/open house/bbq. I thought I would do a little house tour on here for those of you that couldn't make it. Alright, let's get the tour started from the front door. This is the living room.

Another shot of the living room from the stairs.

This is the dining room all set up for the bbq...lots and lots of food! Also, let it be noted that the painting really is level...bad angle!

Our signature mats that my dad framed and hung for us! Also in the dining room.

Hallway from the living room to the family room/kitchen. This is the photo wall that we recently put up.

Kitchen from the family room. Accidently caught mom as she was helping us get ready for the party.

Pictures of the family room and fireplace and current mantel decorations.

Powder bath....the blue paint is a lot darker in person.

Now, going upstairs....the laundry room is at the top of the stairs.

Welcome to the organized chaos that is our office. Some day we are hoping to just be organized, no chaos!

Master bedroom. I have curtains...they hust have to be hung! :)

Master bath. We are currently working on the beadboard around the tub and then I will paint it white and finish the paint touch-ups in the rest of the room. You can see the walk-in closet to the right of the bathroom too.

Going down to the basement...this is the man cave or games room.

Last, but not least, the basement bathroom. I did not take pictures of our two spare rooms and the extra bath upstairs because they aren't decorated. My friend, Kristina, will be moving into the basement bedroom this week and will do her own decorating. And later on down the road when we start a family, I will show you the other bedroom and bath upstairs as I am not decorating either until that time.

Okay, hope you liked the tour. We wish you all could have come to the open house, but hopefully this makes up for it!

2nd Anniversary!

On Wednesday, Jer and I celebrated two years of marriage. We went out to dinner in Portland and witnessed a beautiful sunset.

To my husband,

Thank you for spending the last two years with me (ok really, the past 9 years...but who's counting, right?!). You were most definitely created just for me. There is no one else that I could imagine spending all of my time with. You are so kind and patient with me when I am a ball of stress (which happens more than either of us would like!!). And I know that without a doubt, you would do everything in your power to protect me and our family. You have the most amazing work ethic and you love me more than I could ever ask. I love being married to you and I look forward to what life has in store for us!

Love you,

your wife

In need of prayers...

I just turned in an application today for a high school social studies position that is open in a town nearby. If you have a moment, please pray that I get an interview! Good grief it's been a long dry spell and I NEED a job!!

Beach Weekend

This weekend we went to Pacific City with my family. We had a great time relaxing and it is always nice to get out of town!The husband and I are nearing our 2nd anniversary (on Wednesday!). So, we decided to celebrate for a week, starting with the beach trip. :)

We did a lot of walking...

And playing on the beach...


And hung out as a family...

And did a lot of laughing!
The beach is my favorite place to go and we had so much fun. Thanks to my parents for inviting us to go with you! Love you!

August 1st!

Holy Moly, it's August! I can't even believe it. This has been a really good, but busy summer. I'm gonna be honest though, I am really looking forward to the school year starting. I want to get back to work and see the kids and be back in the classroom.

Anywho, we have lots more planned in August. Today we had LD's wedding (Jeremy's step-brother). I forgot my camera, so no pictures. Then, we came home and Jeremy has been hard at work on organizing our garage. I hope to post pictures tomorrow or Monday of the finished product. We built shelves, with the help of my dad, and have been organizing all of Jeremy's things.

Next weekend we are going to the beach with my family. I am really looking forward to it! We will be staying in a rental house that my momma found online and we're bringing the puppies too. :)

We have some finishing up to do on the bedroom in the basement. Then, Kristina (a friend from PLU) will be moving in at some point in August.

August 12th brings our 2nd wedding anniversary. I can't believe it's 2 years already! We decided to just do a stay-cation and go out to eat somewhere nice downtown. We're really looking forward to celebrating 2 years!

AND on August 16th we are having our house warming open house. We still have lots of people who haven't seen the house and still others who haven't been over in so long and will see all the updates that we have done over the past few months. Alrighty, that about does it for this post. Here's to August being one of the best yet!