Celebrating...

4 years with my hunka hunka burnin' love.....

Ah, life is good! 4 years ago today I married the man of my dreams and finally ended the 5 year courtship that was spent 4 years a state apart. The weather was perfect that day. Everything (minus a last minute tux delivery and a needle prick resulting in a nasty blood blister) went perfectly. Surrounded by family and friends we pledged our love for one another. It was one of the best days of my life- I was so happy I bounced.

The last four years haven't been the easiest, or the worst. We have had our ups and downs- but our highs are getting higher and our passion grows as we learn to live with one another- and with the unexpected blessings (like little Izzy) God sends our way.

Happy Anniversary my love. I can't wait to see what God sends us next, because I know we will be facing it together!

Vacation

Paul and I had a wonderful vacation. It was a belated honeymoon if you will. We spent 7 days at the all inclusive resort Catalonia Royal Tulum in the Riviera Maya of Mexico, about an hour south of Cancun.We enjoyed all of the alone time, conversation, reading, relaxing, and caring only for each other. It was kind of crappy weather- rain, clouds, wind. We rarely saw the sun, but we made the best of it.

We also visited the Mayan Ruins in Tulum. It was a great experience. We took public transportation called a collectivo (you basically stand on the side of the highway and wait for one that has room to pick you up. big vans with locals on their way to work and such). The views off the cliffs were incredible. Tulum was a port city built on a cliff by the ocean. It was also interesting to see the similarities between their culture/religion and those of other world cultures/religions. Their temple had a temple within the temple- inner and outer- just like the Jewish temple with the Holy of Holies.

Isabelle did wonderfully at Paul's parent's house. We were thankful they kept her busy for the week!It is nice to be home, and Isabelle is loving her own room and toys, but I do miss my palapa with my virgin Miami Vice.

Tulum Ruins and the Ocean

Paul's antics in the Mayan "porta potty" as he named it

One of the views off tulum

Yet another storm cloud rolling in- but you can see the beautiful stretch of beach. It went an equal distance in the other direction.

Our pool and palapa heaven

Parade, Grease Stains, and Pina Colada's

How's that for a random title post?

Parade of Homes is over for the fall. Fall parade was much slower than the spring, but we kind of expected that. We still had a little over 200 people through the spec model. Hey- if each person told one person, just think of the word of mouth publicity! Haha. Yesterday I most certaintly did not forget to set my alarm for church, therefore we all slept in past the first service and past the point of being able to get out the door before the second service. I would never do that! Ha! Because that series of unfortunate events, we were blessed with a little extra time to tear down all the decor and furniture in the parade model and move it back to Paul's office/sales model and other furnished condos currently for sale. The tear down went great, Izzy watched Elmo on a 56 inch plasma tv screen while we loaded our pacifica with all the goods. 4 trips later, it was done, or at least half way done.

We took a short break to have lunch with family who just came home from their vacation in Mexico, and then for Izzy to come back and have an afternoon nap. After only an hour, she awoke, much to my dismay, but again, it blessed us with more time to finish setting up the sales model again.

Much to our horror, when we arrived back at the sales model, we realized that a black, greasy substance had been tracked all over the carpet. (alas, it was from the bottom of my shoe, but we still do not know the source!) Enter state of panic and frazzle as we figure out how to solve the grease stain dillema. Mom Spica came to our rescue and took Izzy off our hands as we got on our hands and knees using my Mom's miracle product Greased Lightning. It took the spots right up! (I also use this stuff when normal stain removers don't work and it gets spots right out!). A few hours later, the sales model is furnished and cleaned, and we're off to drop our Pacifica off to the car doctor. Its getting new brakes while we're away.

Now, we hit the waiting game before I get to sip my first Pina colada of my vacation. Bags are packed, house is cleaned, list of things to buy before we leave is made, and we wait! Sometime around noon Paul and I will drop off Izzy (already choking up!) and then make our way to Detroit to fly out really early Wednesday morning. And get this (I do have the greatest husband in the world!), PAUL suggested we stop at the outlet mall in Howell on our way!!!! Whoot!!!! Bargain shopping will help hurry the wait for that first glorious sip of pineapple coconut goodness.

So, if I fail to find internet or find other things to do :) Have a great week, and hopefully I'll be back tanner and not too much heavier than when I left.

xoxoxoxoxox
Peace out yo!

Alone

We are ALONE! My parents were itching for some Izzy time, so they picked her up last night and have her until Tuesday afternoon. Mondays also just happen to be Paul's only day off. We have an entire day alone!!! No working!!! Just us. A preview for our vacation in a few weeks. This will help us get through the final push through Fall Parade of Homes. Paul's been working 7 days a week for the past 3 or 4 weeks and has to work 7 days a week from now until October 14 when we leave. We are going to treasure this day! But, as we sit in the living room in our PJ's we just wonder what to do! What do we do today? Any suggestions?

We're Going on Vacation!!!!

After many bumps in the road, Paul and I are finally able to go on vacation- ALONE!!! We've booked a 7 night all inclusive resort in Xpuha, Mexico called Catalonia Royal Tulum! We fly out of Detroit on October 15th and come back the 22nd! We are soooo beyond excited, elated, thrilled. The good deal we got helps too! We need this getaway. Our marriage needs this getaway. My mothering ability needs this getaway. I don't know if Izzy needs us to get away, but she'll reap many benefits, not to mention a whole week and Grandpa and Grandma's house!

We are so blessed and thankful that we will be able to take this trip!!!

Off topic, but here is my new favorite picture of my two very favorite people in this world.

A list

So much has happened, is going on, and is about to come forth that I decided to make this post a list to make my life (and your reading) a lot easier!

• My car is officially sick and not worth us fixing, thus we are now shopping for a new vehicle.
• Unplanned purchase of new vehicle this year may have to cancel plans to take a vacation with my hubby- this makes me very sad.
• Potty training is going well- accidents occur once every few days, she still only really goes when I tell her its time. She has told me in Meijer and TJMaxx that she has to go potty though.
• My sister got a job teaching 1st grade in Indiana. The didn't even do a second interview and she had two elementaries fighting over her! She ended up in the best elementary in the district!
• My sister also gets married on Saturday! This is super exciting and has made life quite busy. I've been making lots of trips up north to help out. All three of us are in the wedding party- boy, does that get expensive!
• I have an opportunity to maybe go on a missions trip to Bangladesh in November!!!!
• I may officially have the baby bug- but maybe only a slight case....I'll try to ease my axiousness for baby number two by enjoying other people's babies!

Maybe there will be more to come- I have to go give my hubby a hair cut.

• Izzy and I spent 5 days up at Paul's parent's cottage on Silver Lake while some out of state cousins were vacationing. We had a great time. I'll try and post pictures another day.
• I have not spent more than like 4 or 5 days in one place all month. I'm getting really tired of living out of suitcase and only coming home long enough to do laundry and repack.
• I REALLY want to go on vacation with Paul- we never really had a honeymoon- we need this...hopefully some good deals will come up.
• Praise the Lord for 3 condos closing in the next two weeks!
• Is anyone else having a hard time (near impossible) sticking to your grocery budget? Yikes!
• Is July 4 really right around the corner? Isn't that like the halfway through summer point? Can't be possible- I'm just getting used to this weather!

Well thats all for now- enjoy your day- for it is one the Lord has made! Rejoice in it!

Wedded Bliss

Three years ago today....



I got all dressed up. Smiled a lot for pictures. Saw a lot of people. Said hello to the man I loved without having to say goodbye (we had spent 4 years apart). Cried a lot. Laughed even more. Married my best friend.

Highlights of our wedding day:

• Saying hello
• Pictures on the beach
• Being married by my dad
• Our moms singing a duet
• Family
• Friends
• Stinkin' hot groom
• I looked pretty good myself :)
• Having his dad cut in on our dance
• Chasing each other with frosting
• Not saying goodbye at the end of the night :)

In the past three years of wedded bliss we have:

• Finished building a condo
• Traveled to Mackinac Island twice
• Traveled to Traverse City twice
• Vacationed in Mexico with his family
• Picnicked in the park
• Stayed up really really late having pillow talk
• Had a baby
• Found a church home
• Fallen in love more and more
• Fought over toothpaste and toothbrush placement
• Changed jobs
• Been in sickness and health
• Been in plenty and in want
• Spent the night in front of the fireplace
• Dreamed
• Cried
• Laughed
• Tickled each other silly
• Never had to say goodbye (for too long anyways)
  

Happy Anniversary my love. XOXOXOXOX