Before and After #2

I'm going to try my best not to make this blog a "house project" blog, but seeing as how that's pretty much all we're doing right now, I have no choice. Unless you want to hear about the 2 feet snow drift I shoveled for 30 minutes this morning in our driveway, or my annoyance with waiting in line for a treadmill at our new gym, it's all I got. Lo Siento Senorita.

Let's get right to it. This past weekend, my mom spent hours and hours scrapping (hideous) wallpaper from the old bathroom. It was little moons and stars, kinda like you'd put in a little boys room, except.... well it was on the first floor! It had definitely been on there for a while as we went through two bottles of Dif!

Then the boys changed out the (even worse) black blinds and now the bathroom looks refreshed also!

Below is a little recap of the changes as well as a before and 2 after pictures. We will have yet to tile the kitchen and that same tile will run into this bathroom.

New blinds

So the people before us had a major fascination with the colors silver and black, much unlike Dereks and my taste. Thankfully, with both of our dads help, we have replaced all black blinds in the house as well as 6 other windows that had ugly, plastic, small blinds. The new 2" plantation blinds really make the house look refreshed!

Week 2 in the House

More changes have been done and it's coming along quite well! This past weekend with my parents were about building pantry and closet shelves, renovating the guest bathroom (including removing walpaper!) and changing out all black blinds with white ones. Of course, there was more painting as well. Thanks again mom and dad!!

I'll make sure to post some better 'before and after' shots in the upcoming weeks!

My first NBA Game!

Although Derek has been to an NBA game before, I have not had the chance to enjoy the excitement and visual stimulation that comes from one. After my first game last week, I gotta say though, I'm HOOKED! Even though I love my jayhawks more than anything, I definitely enjoyed all the 'extras' that come with an NBA game. The music during the game, the audience participation, the fun 'video' events, half time, etc, etc, etc.

And who was the star of my first game? None other than Labron himself. And let me tell you... he is a GOD. Seriously the guy is just freakishly good and fun to watch play. He partakes in some shots and moves that probably wouldn't fly in college basketball, but they sure do at the Quicken Loans Arena! I also completely forgot (or might not have ever known) that Shaq is on this team too. I've always been a fan even if he does look like a GIANT on the floor. It was kinda funny to watch how slow he actually ran from one side to the other. That 350 pound beast is not the most graceful.

We will be watching for cheap tickets for the games to come so we can enjoy more of our new home town team. Go Cavs!

New Home Week 1

Well, we are officially Clevelanders! We've been here just over a week and I don't even know where to begin with the blogging. It's been nonstop work around the house with unpacking, projects and painting. I'm already back to work and Derek has knocked tons of things off my 'honey-do' list for him around the house. We're adjusting quite well and our house is already starting to become our 'home'.

 Below is another slide show of the work and changes over the past week! Derek's parents were in town last week to help around the house and my parents are coming in Thursday as well. We've got a couple larger changes to be made (ie: change out the hideous kitchen linoleum) but we'll have it just how we like it in no time. Meanwhile, the girls are loving the (daily) snow in the back yard and I'm loving being back with my husband!

Graduation and the Trek Home

I could go on and on about the record snow falls in DC and the 20 hour drive home, but wouldn't you rather just see some pictures?

Thought so.

Happy Birthday to my Brother!

Can't believe my little "Bean" (soon to be doctor!) is all grown up. We'll miss you in Cleveland and hope you come visit soon. So proud of you and all your accomplishments. Love you tons!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIKE!!

Follow the Yellow Brick Road

WE ARE OFF!

Bags are packed, dogs are loaded, and the driving has begun. Fingers crossed that the snow holds off for the most part for when we arrive in Ohio on Wednesday! More pics of our house to come later this week.

Bye Bye Kansas City!

Back from DC

What word would I use to describe the last 4 days? CRAZY.

Almost immediately upon arrival into DC, the "storm of the century" hit. Record snow falls completely shut down the entire city, including the airport. Luckily - we made it down to Derek's graduation, but they quickly kicked everyone out after the ceremony to get back to hotels safely.

I will do a more thorough blog later as well as post additional pics, but for now I'll leave you with this picture for a small glimpse into our weekend. Every museum was shut down, all flights cancelled and non-stop snow.

With everyone needing to get back into KC on Sunday for some reason or another, we had no choice but to rent a car and make the 16 hour drive. We seemed to forget until a couple of hours in, however, that with the weather, our drive would be more like 20 hours total. We lucked out getting the last SUV in town and piled in 6 people and 11 pieces of luggage to start the hike. Leaving Saturday night, we made a 5-hour 'rest stop' at a hotel and ended up making it into Kansas City about 10pm last night.... withOUT killing each other!

We're enjoying a lazy morning as we're soon off on a road trip basically from the same area we just came from. After this week, we'll have spent about 32+ hours in a car. Good times.

Puppy Pictures

I've known my fav photographer in the world, Jessica with Epaga Foto, forever. We grew up together, went to school together for over 12 years, and now she's an in-demand AMAZING photographer with a serious natural talent.

After showing my mom her website a while back, she fell in love too. So much so, that my dad and she surprised us with a doggie portrait session for Christmas! We were very excited as our two pups are our 'children'. Little did we know that we should have loaded them up on hydrocodone before attempting a one-hour, in-studio photo shoot. Bailey was going crazy at the huge light flashing in her face, Lacy was slobbering all over the mat and they both were so energized, it was almost impossible to catch any pictures with their tongues IN their mouth. Thankfully, Jessica worked her magic and caught some wonderful pictures that we'll cherishfor a lifetime.

Below is just a sneak preview of some of the pics she did....

Isn't she amazing? Well she comes highly recommended if you need a photographer!

Click Here for her Website

And thanks again Mom and Dad for the great gift idea!

5 Months

I feel like I'm about to meet my soul mate all over again. For the first time. Ever!

Although these past 5 months might have gone by fairly fast for you, it seems like it's been forever since I've lived with my husband. I'm beyond excitement!!This crazy experience has made me admire army/navy/marine spouses who raise a family and see their loved ones (maybe) once a year. I now have a new appreciation for their sacrifices. There were some positives though.... it wasn't ALL bad. Definitely had to learn some independence, like renting a car and driving around a new city I've never been to before! I also single handedly set up every utility for our new home as well as managed all documents and information needed for our home mortgage. (Previously, this was Derek's job so I had no CLUE what I was doing). Obviously, there's also the whole "absence makes the heart grow fonder" saying and BOY is that true. It just feels like our love has sprouted to new levels I never knew could exist.

I'm ready though. SO ready for this to end and in a few hours, I'll be in D.C. for the ceremonies and back with my other half.

I definitely couldn't have made it through this without my friends and family. From the tears, to the frustration, you have helped me through these past 5 months and I'm very grateful. But mostly, we're especially thankful for both of our parents. They have helped us in so many ways and we'll forever be in debt for their generosity. Love you all. Now let's CELEBRATE!!!!!!!!

Move #2

Well, our personal belongings have officially moved out of the 10x30 storage until and are now located in a GYNORMO moving truck!

Running in the Warmth

Indoor running? In the winter? Where it's warm?

Absolutely. My friend Morgan mentioned this indoor Groundhog 10K run to me a while back and I was SUPER excited. It's a 6.2 mile course that winds throughout the Kansas City caves. Temperatures there are maintained at 65-68 degrees year round and it was definitely warm (and in some parts stinky). The hardest part was simply figuring out how to get INSIDE the caves without your limbs freezing off in the 20 degree weather. Thankfully, my brother came to the rescue and picked us up from our parking spot and drove us right to the entrance. What a stud.

Overall it was a long, good run. I definitely don't run as much in the winter so my time wasn't a personal record by any means. The goal was to finish well and we both did! Thanks for the finish line cheers Mom!

The Final Countdown

For anyone who knows us, this clock has been looming lately as we prepare for these last couple of weeks...

Only this much time until.....

- Two halfs become one again

- Two four legged animals get their other parent back

- Falling asleep (and staying asleep) becomes a much easier task

- I can actually hug and touch the one who I vowed to live the rest of my life with!!

CAN.  NOT.  WAIT.

Favorite Pastime

When I was young, my brother and I would spend hours days on our Atari, then Nintendo, then 64, then Xbox, etc, etc etc. We would battle until our fingers couldn't move anymore. Come to think of it, that might even be where my hardcore "competitive side" was sprung.

Well for Christmas this year, Derek's sister got the new Mario Bros game for the Wii. I think I almost peed my pants with excitement as I couldn't wait to relive my youth through the eyes of a fire-spitting, short-person with a red hat.

That was December 25th.

This is January 14th.

Somehow, this little old school video game playing has officially turned into the "2010 Challenge to Beat The Game Before Matt Returns To School". Over the past couple of weeks Derek's brother and I developed this infatuation for the game and making sure we complete it in the next week. Are there endless free lives so you never really die? Yes. Are we pretty much dorks? Yes. Do we care? Nope.

So if I'm not picking up my phone, or responding to emails, I might just be on the last level fighting off the final big guy! Don't be jealous.

Midcourt Mayhem

Just amazing.

Baby Fun!

This weekend I was asked again by several people when Derek and I were going to start a family! Both at a baby shower on Saturday, and then visiting a friends baby on Sunday! (I honestly think God is now sending blatant signals.)

First was Kayla's baby shower on Saturday. Kayla and I used to work together a few years back before she moved on to another company. She is tiny, sweet and in love with the color pink. Madelyn Kay will be born late February and you can see how blessed she'll be with all the presents below!
On Sunday, my friend Brandy and I ventured up North to see our friend Allison's new baby who was born on December 17th. Little Levi is the cutest little boy !

Photo credit is Allison's sister Jenni

Fieldhouse Fun

This past Wednesday, I went with my little brother and dad to see KU barely beat Cornell! It was our birthday gift to my father and we sure did pick THE game to be at. It was too close the entire game and the Fieldhouse was CRAZY LOUD!

Happy Birthday again Dad!

We Have a House!

We signed our contract on our Cleveland home last week and the inspections are currently taking place! It was number one on our list after visiting there a few weeks ago and it's a great deal too. It's almost the same size as our old Kansas house, much cheaper and in a great area with young couples and families. It's open floor plan, basement, 2 fireplaces and fenced yard all enticed us, but there was one key factor that played a big part... the double sink! We looked at about 10-15 houses on our first visit and this is the only house with a double sink in the master. Because they were all built in the early 1900's up there, the bathrooms are very small and had limited counter space. Well not our new house! A double sink and plenty of counter space! Those who lived there before us were a bit eclectic so we'll have to get used to the black jetted master tub and the unusual tiles around the basement fireplace!

We close early February and are very excited to officially have a home for our next step in "the adventure" (otherwise known as our life!).



More pictures to come as soon as we move in!

Trip to DC!

This past week/weekend, we spent a few days in the DC area. We were able to spend NYE with some good friends (lasting until 4:30am!) and see many of the sites while there.


One of our favorite's was the Newseum where Derek enjoyed the FBI exhibit and I loved the Presidential dog portraits (of course!).







Seeing the Declaration and Constitution were also pretty neat.



But, to be quite honest, it wasn't the historical views, or the empowering tour of the Capitol, or even the amazing sights of the area at night that were my favorite parts. It was the gamers and sweets that made my weekend!

The "sweets" were the famous Georgetown Cupcakes that we indulged in throughout the weekend. I must say, they were by far the best I've ever tasted, even a notch up from the famous Magnolia Bakery in NYC.




And the "gamers" were those attending the Magfest convention held at our Hilton. They were up 24 hours a day in the meeting rooms playing their video games. Many dressed up and needless to say, it was the best people watching ever.