We're Engaged!!!

Per Jen Lallo, I am updating the long lost blog because she is sick of looking at a toilet every time she logs in. So, here it is!

The engagement happened while we were down in Red River closing the cabin for the season. Erik dressed the dogs in Halloween costumes and hid my ring in a huge bag of candy that was tied around Roscoe's neck. It was amazing and it was a TOTAL surprise!!!

We are in full wedding planning mode now. For those that don't know yet, the date is September 4, 2010.

Master bath on top, then kitchen, guest bath and guest bedroom. Come visit!

Denver House Photos

Sorry for the delay, but it is tougher than we thought to get adjusted to a new schedule. Erik and I are both in new teacher training every day and we have been pretty exhausted at the end of the day. I guess that's what happens when you take a few years off from the "real world." Here are some shots of the house - I did NOT clean before taking these, so look past the dust.

The Universe and Me

I think the Universe has an issue with me because my karma has been all out of whack. Last week, I had to go up to my district office to sign my contract and do paperwork. I was so nervous about the first encounter with my colleagues, I spent quite a bit of time the evening prior getting ready. I obsessively made sure EVERYTHING I needed was packed up and ready to go. Mostly, I was nervous about the drive - it was the first time I would be navigating Highway 25 by myself, with no idea of where I was going. So, in responsible fashion, I left myself an HOUR to get there. Turns out, it wasn't hard to get to the ad building, and because I left myself so much time, I arrived a half hour early. I park the car, congratulate myself, and turn to get my stuff... all of which I left sitting on the counter at home. Un-FU*K-ing believable! Ended up being over 20 minutes late after I hightailed it back home, then back again.

So that sucked. Then came yesterday. Yesterday was my first day of "training" so once again, I got OCD on my sh*t the night before. My mom told me to put my stuff right in front of the door, so I did, and I remembered it this time. Again, I left myself plenty of time to get to there. I was pulling up to the blinking light at the on-ramp, getting ready to take off out of the gate, when this dufus next to me starts making lewd gestures. (I was both disgusted and secretly flattered that I've "still got it" by the way). THEN I realize that he's telling me to roll down my window, which I do, to find out that I have a flat tire. Seriously?

Instant tears. Couldn't believe it. Thankfully, a tow truck driver just happened to be getting on the highway a few minutes later, and he changed my tire in literally about 3 minutes. I even showed up on time. Amazing. I have to think that means my luck is changing.

Carnage in the Back Yard

Photos will follow soon, but we are just about to truly finish off the major work on the house. We are picking up the final piece today (a massive bookshelf) and hope to avoid major bickering while we put together yet another piece of furniture. We are wrapping things up just in time as I start work tomorrow!

One other thing we have been battling are bees and wasps. We had one bee's nest in a bag of soil, and the wasps are busy building in the carport. While I am terrified of anything that stings, I secretly love having nests because it's always hilarious how you formulate a plan to get rid of them. Case in point, our conversation on Sunday evening about bee's nest eradication started with the idea of simply rolling up the top of the bag, sealing it off, and throwing it away. Ten minutes later, it's evolved into a master scheme to sneak up to the bag, cut the top off, pour in poison, run, check back, and light on fire if necessary. (FYI: I know, I know. Honey bees' numbers are dwindling and we shouldn't have killed them all. Well, we wouldn't have if the cost of being a responsible earth citizen were reasonable... they wanted $150 to come get them!)

We still have a lot of work to do on the yard, but our priority was the interior seeing as we already have an awesome guest calendar that keeps growing and growing. We can't wait to have visitors!!

The Going Away Festivities

As previously mentioned, my Mom and Mark threw us a fabulous going away party, and the neighbors hosted the entertainment - a 200 foot adult slip-n-slide lubed up with dawn dish soap and water. It started off innocently enough, but by the end of the night, brave souls were taking to the plastic run with anything they could find - cooler tops, garbage can lids, and even a full-size canoe. Thank God no one was injured!

While no one needed to bring presents, I certainly felt the love from my friends. Thanks, ladies! And a special thanks to Heather for getting me the lovely "I heart school" socks I am sporting in the top photo. Looking good as usual. :)

Babies, Babies Everywhere!

One of my best friends had a baby while I was home, and I got the opportunity to meet the little guy before we left. I also found out that another of my BFF's is pregnant with her first child. Craziness! I am so happy for them both!

A Little Catch-Up

With everything going on, I have not been updating the blog whatsoever! So, thought I would post a few photos of our time in Michigan, and I will post some shots of the Denver house as soon as we get things in good shape out here.

As I previously posted, we had an awesome time hanging out with family and friends while in Muskegon. The first weekend we arrived, my brother came into town with a couple of friends, and we spent a long, hazy weekend boating and having fun.

We're Heeeeere!

We arrived in Denver today and we are waiting for our moving truck to arrive - should be Friday. We have a LOT of work ahead of us, but we are excited to finally establish ourselves in a more permanent home for the next few years (yes, a few years is permanent for us). I start work on the 29th, so that leaves me very little time to get the house in order and explore our new hood.

Thanks to all who were able to make it to the going away party - what a blast! I will never forget the slip and slide, and yes, I will post some photos soon. Too bad I only got the "early" photos - none of the canoe loaded 8-deep with boys. The biggest thanks to my mom and Mark for planning, prepping, cooking, shopping, cleaning, etc etc etc..... what a fabulous time!

Woooooooooooooo Hooooooooooooo!!!

I am officially employed! I accepted a job offer on Monday teaching 7th and 8th grade social studies at Mapleton School District just north of Denver. I am sooooooo excited!

Erik and I are getting ready to head out for Muskegon tomorrow and we are looking forward to seeing all of our friends and family before the big move.

We have spent the past week at my Dad's house in South Carolina. We have had such an awesome time doing NOTHING! It's been wonderful!