House Hunters: Pittsburgh TAKE 1

Having rented for the last 6 years of our lives, the last thing Kory and I want to do is move to Pittsburgh only to rent, again.  When we made this decision, we had hopes of finding a charming little starter home in a quaint neighborhood.  Little did we know that the housing market in Pittsburgh failed to fall victim to the housing crash.  To our dismay, soon after our journey began, we found that the Pittsburgh market is still on the side of the sellers... one of the only US cities to be able to say this, today.

Our first reality check was around the difference of a home's online profile, and the real deal.  Wide angle lenses and brilliant lighting made the most unlivable homes appear closer to our dream homes than not.  Upon visiting these homes, the reality of what our budget will buy set in - not much.

As frustrating as house hunting from afar has been, we have had the utmost support from our families.  Both my parents and Kory's have spent countless hours by our sides giving opinions when asked and moral support when most needed.  Though we are still "homeless," we are hopeful that the "perfect" house awaits us. 

Thursday night, Kory's mom, Marilyn, invited us to stay in Pittsburgh with her, where she was visiting for a work convention.  It was no surprise that we had a great time with Kory's mom and stepdad.  The surprise came with our new acquaintances.  Several of Marilyn and Don's friends are well versed in home building and construction.  Not only did they lend their knowledge but their friendship.  We had the most amazing time getting to know our new friends and joking about what we may end up calling "home."   I couldn't have asked to meet more helpful or considerate people. :)  Al, one of our new favorites that we've promised to "adopt", was even kind enough to join us in our search and offer invaluable information about the homes we visited and their potential issues. 

We spent all of Friday with our team (a couple of ingenious moms, an electricity inclined dad, a home builder, a general contractor, a little brother and Inga - our real estate agent) of house hunters going from one house to another, only to find one that would strike our fancy.  To our horror, this was the one house that we would be unable to finance with a mortgage.  "Cash only," is not an option for these first time home buyers, and with that, we had to scratch that one off our list. 

Another Wild Week...

This last week ended up being an emotional roller coaster.  Knowing that it would be my last week of "baby duty" made it particularly tough.  It's been awe inspiring watching my sweet little niece, Chelsea, grow and change.  In the past 5 months I have watched her change from an eat/sleep infant who never opened her eyes to a crazy little critter with endless personality and a smile that lights up a room!  Without a planned visit in sight, I can only imagine what she will be doing or what she will look like the next time I get to see her.  I've concluded that there is nothing harder than living so far away from a baby you love so much...  thank goodness for skype!


 To celebrate the holiday weekend, Kory met me in New Mexico for a final visit before we move.  As I'd anticipated, our time with my sister and her sweet little family was amazing.  You'd think Kory had been around as long as I have - they love him and enjoy his company more than I could have ever dreamed.  Brooklyn and Chelsea loved having another person around to play with and pick on and seem to love the idea of him becoming a permanent fixture in their lives.  That boy is going to make a great daddy one day after having had so much practice with all of our nieces and nephews! :)

Saturday afternoon we slipped away from my family for the wedding of my longest time friend, Mika.  I was thrilled that Kory could be there with me and I could introduce him to some of the people have seen me through every single phase of life - from birth on.  As expected, Mika was a gorgeous bride and the Catholic ceremony (a first for both Kory and me) was wonderful!  It was hard not to imagine Mika and I as little rebellious girls spending our days playing barbies, swimming, and dreaming about going to Jr. High or even driving and it was even harder not to get all choked up with nostalgia.  Mika is a staple in some of the fondest memories I have of my childhood.   I am blessed to have gotten to be there on one of the biggest days of her life!
No photos from the wedding!  :(  Unfortunately my camera is still out of commission... so here's an oldie but a goodie from our days spent at Lake Powell... oh to be young again!  

We had scheduled an appointment for my parents to visit Pittsburgh on Sunday to look at a home that Kory and I spotted online and fell in love with.  The willing and helpful souls that they are, they agreed to meet with the selling agent and tour the house that looked like exactly what we've been hoping to find in our first home.  Despite some work that needs done and the cozy size, their verdict - Perfect home for us!!!   (If you know my dad, you know that he is possibly one of the world's pickiest when it comes to quality of homes... so this was a big deal for us to hear this from his lips! )  Kory and I will see the house in person later this month and decide what to do next... with my parents' seal of approval, we're very hopeful! 
While my mom and dad were acting as a second set of eyes for us, we were bidding my sister and her family farewell and heading back to Denver.

What a week... and what a year this could end up being for Kory and I!

177 Days until Brooklyn's  aunt is getting married! :)  I'm glad Kory and I aren't the only ones excited - see photo below (Brook's 1st Grade daily journal)

6 Months!

Today is May 24, 2010.  At this very moment 6 months from now, I will officially be Mrs. Blose!  : )
An awesome reminder showed up on the doorstep this afternoon... my wedding dress.  What a pleasant surprise and perfect timing!

...6 months
     ...or 26.285 weeks
           ...or 184 days

Soul Sisters

I was gone for 1 short week and baby Chelsea's Aunt Jazzie seemed to have fast forwarded time several months and sent her to baby boot camp. I left a cuddly angel that was barely rolling over and loved to be cuddled close and came back to a wild tot that wants nothing more than to scoot independently across the floor, suck on her tastey toes and crackle loud baby sounds all day long! I was shocked and saddened by the changes that occurred in my seven day absence! : / Unfortunately there is nothing I can do to slow time... and even more obviously saddening is the fact that the gaps in my visits will inevitably grow after I move farther away... only forcing me to miss out more of my sweet nieces' lives. The optimist that is inside begging to get out is trying remind me that this time I have is a blessing that I need to keep in perspective.

That being said, I am so thankful I got a little bit of time in with my sisters before Jazzie had to return to PA, though no matter how much we get, it is never enough. I was able to fly in the night before Jazzie's had to depart out of Albuquerque. While it was only a few extra hours, it was a pure delight to get to spend a little bit of time with both of my sisters, a priceless rarity these days. The thoughtful gal Kelly is, she planned a sweet little 'girls only' dinner in Durango... an amazing town set in the Rockies. Taste testing each others’ food and thinking nothing of our blatant honest... our time together was refreshing and enlightening. (see photo below) As always, we laughed the evening away - all 5 of us girls: Kelly, Jazzie, Brooklyn, Chelsea, and me.

There is something about my sisters that I just cannot get enough of. They are funny and witty and most of all unconditionally understanding and accepting. When the whole world seems to be turning upside down and inside out, Jazzie and Kelly know exactly what to say (or not to say) to make me feel like everything is going to be just fine. Conversely, the stars have aligned and everything is perfect, sharing our joys only makes life that much more amazing. I genuinely could not ask for more amazing women to be my sisters. They're awe inspiring individuals that I admire and deeply respect... and adore with all of my heart.

It is true that we are about as different as we could possibly get which we have managed to perceive as an invaluable asset. The unexpected perspectives, life experiences, and approaches to everyday tasks only make our relationships with one another more meaningful and robust. ..... I love my sisters and all the zest they add to my life, can you tell? We keep telling Brooklyn how blessed she is to have gotten the gift of a sister for herself in little Chelsea ... but of course it took seeing it and feeling it as young adults fo us to believe it, so her skepticism is to be expected! : )

Photo - (Left) Big sister, Kelly, and my oldest niece, Brooklyn. (Right) Little sister, Jazzie, and me holding Brooklyn's baby sister, Chelsea

"To have a loving relationship with a sister is not simply to have a buddy or a confident -- it is to have a soul mate for life."
               -V. Secunda

Hear Ye, Hear Ye!

Come one, come all...

Tonight I had the privelage of previewing our invitations for our wedding!  They were more "us" than I could have ever dreamt.  I love them and cannot wait to get my paws on them and start stuffing envelopes!  :)  My incredbily talented friend, Aaron, who is also going to be our wedding photographer is to blame for my enthusiasm!  She runs an awesome little design  business called Sweet Love Shop... and you're sure to be impressed with the versatile and chic custom art this gal creates!

Sweet Love (Facebook)
Sweet Love (Blog)

I'm dying to see the finished invitations... and even more excited to see how lovely she can make me look in our wedding photos!  Really... she works magic.  Just wait and see! :)

Your presence is requested in 188 days and counting...

Love Linguist

My big sister first introduced me to the concept of a "love language."  She explained to me that this abstract concept is simply pin pointing how we show love and what expression optimizes our feeling of being loved. 
There are 5 basic languages of love -
1. Words of Affirmation
2. Quality Times
3. Giving/Receiving Gifts
4. Acts of Service
5. Physical Touch

My sister recognized mine right away - #3 giving and receiving gifts.  And after some soul searching and attention to my outward expressions, I realized this is right on, most of the time.   When I feel the need to show my love or appreciation, my immediate response is to give the other person something tangible, whether that be a flower, note, giftcard, email... any token of my love.  And I feel most loved when I receive any token of love.  Interesting and enlightening. 

In hopes  of getting to know my future hubby a little better, I insisted that he take a few love language quizzes so we might have a better understanding of one another's needs and expressions of love.  It was quite eye opening, refreshing... and accurate.  

I highly recommend doing it for fun... it gives a very interesting insight into how you and the people you're surrounded by outwardly show their love and best receive it.   To my surprise, when I shared this concept with one of our favorite couples, they revealed that "love languages" were a key topic in their premarital counseling.  Good to know we're on the right track! :)

Love Language Quizzes
(Try the 30 Second Love Language Quiz as a starting point)

Update: Sam's Recovery (The Final Chapter)

Kory gets the "Dog Dad of the Year" Award for taking such good care of our little Sammie Sunshine.  I've been out of town for most of the last two months, which has been a big portion of our pup's recovery.  Yesterday was her final checkup and as usual, I'm out of town.  Luckily Kory is willing to relay all of the details in addition to answering my 200 questions about the 20 minute visit. :)

After her 12 week post surgical exam and a final set of x-rays,
The Diagnosis: Fully healed!

While we're still hesistant to take her back to the dog park (where she injured her leg) and let her run wild, we're excited to take her on long, exhausting walks/runs - for both her sake and ours!  With all of her hair grown back, you would never suspect that she had major surgery on her rear right leg. And four months ago when we started this journey, we never imagined our 'psycho' Sam would be such a good little patient and heal right on schedule.  It is truly an answered prayer and we're thankful to have our 'old' Samantha back. :)

Dog Dad of the Year... and the girl who has stolen his heart, Sammie Sunshine

Dress Success - Finally!

It's official, I finally found THE dress!  On Saturday, after trying on around 30 dresses, I slipped into the one that I'll walk down the sandy aisle in.  Completely overwhelmed by the pressure to "buy now," I walked out of the store empty handed.  While my sisters claim they knew right away, it took a little longer for me to share in their certainty.  After 2 days of consideration and one final trip to yet another bridal boutique, I realized that the search was over and my perfect dress was waiting for me back in Albuquerque!   I feel like a massive weight has been lifted off my shoulders... and while I thoroughly enjoyed the experience with my sisters, I am so glad it's over and I can move on with the rest of the details around our big day! : )

197 days until "Dum Dum da Dum..."

Pre Cruise Game Plan - Where to stay in Miami

The cruise bookings for the wedding are coming right along.  One question that we have been asked several times is, "Where should we stay the night before the cruise departure?"  After doing a little research of our own and talking with our trusty travel advisor, Kristi, we have decided to stay at the affordable, yet charming Colony Hotel, located in Miami's art deco district.  We've made Kristi aware of our selection, so when you book your cruise with her she will likely suggest this as the preferred hotel.  If you had another hotel in mind, please do not feel obligated  to change your plans on our behalf.  We've simply made this selection for the ease of our guests' travel booking. 

Colony Hotel Miami South Beach
The Colony Hotel Miami South Beach, recognized internationally for its style and design, sits in the heart of Miami’s Art Deco District across from beautiful South Beach on Ocean Drive. This hotel is the perfect spot for romance, excitement and fun in the sun. The Colony is close to fine and casual dining, clubs and shops, and is just 10 minutes from the Port of Miami, 15 minutes from Miami International Airport and within walking distance to the Miami Beach Convention Center.

Clilck Here to be redirected to The Colony's website

And if you would like a refresher on the cruise details: Wedding Logistics

Bridal Shop Hop

Sunday: Fly from Denver to Columbus
Thursday: Fly from Columbus to Denver
Friday: Fly from Denver to Durango
Saturday: Drive from Farmington to Albuquerque

                                    Can you say, frequent flier miles?

This is just a little taste of the pace my life has been on for the past couple of months... Go go go go go! And when I am not on my way to my next destination or planning for or booking the next trip, I'm squeezing in a few wedding details.

Tomorrow (Saturday) my sisters and I will set forth on our mission to finally locate and purchase the perfect wedding dress! I am driving to Albuquerque with my big sister (Matron of honor), Kelly, to pick up my little sister (Maid of honor), Jazmin. After we retrieve Jazzie from the airport, we'll head to several bridal boutiques in search of one white dress and two non-white dresses (color yet to be determined). We have had this mini "sisters getaway" planned for a few weeks - following our many failed attempts to find that 'perfect' wedding dress.

The fact that I have a "backup" dress on layaway in Denver takes a little bit of the pressure off, though somewhere inside of me, I think it would make for an especially wonderful day if we all came home with our dresses in tow at the end of our 'sister's only' adventure. My future mother in law gave me some words of wisdom that I am going to try to remind myself while hopping in and out of gowns - "You know it when you see it. You'll love everything about it ... you just won't want to take it off." So that is the goal - finding a dress for me that I cannot live without and one for each of my sisters that they feel comfortable and beautiful in (which inadvertently determines the color theme for the wedding).  If we can achieve that goal, I will be back on track with all of the wedding magazine/website planning schedules... at least temporarily. : )

200 Days until 'I Do'...

First Wedding Shoot

In hopes of getting a little more experience and doing a favor for a dear friend,  I shot my first wedding last weekend.  It was nerve wracking and exciting, all in one fowl swoop of emotions.  Here are a few of my favorites from the special day... Heidi and Ryan certainly do make an adorable couple!

My Other Mother

After being away from home for nearly 4 weeks (taking care of my niece and working in Columbus, Ohio), I was more than ready to get back to Denver.  In addition to being out of clean clothes and home sick, Kory's mom was in town for a visit - so I had even more to look forward to than usual.  As our only regular visitor, we always enjoy our time with mama Mare, and this was no exception. 

For those who know Marilyn and have been lucky enough to sample her kitchen creations, you know her cooking is legendary... and let me tell ya, I haven't eaten food so pleasing to my tastebuds in a long long time! (I'm salivating just thinking about it.)  In the meantime, when we weren't eating or talking about what we may get to eat, the four of us just relaxed and enjoyed our time together.

Sam was certainly not neglected in her Grammy's presence.  She never had to nudge twice - Mama Mare was a tug playin' queen and I'm certain little Sammie was just as sad as we were to see her leave.

But before her departure, I had one item on the agenda that had to be checked off - I was dying to show her my "potential" dress and get a mother's opinion.  When we walked into the bridal store, the women immediately assumed she was my own mother.  I thought it was adorable and fun to play along...   and felt no need to correct them.   And after trying on the dress and getting Marilyn's seal of approval, I was far more confident in my selection than before. 

Needless to say, it was an awesome weekend... and I cannot wait to move to Pennsylvania and schedule my first cooking lesson from my "other mother!" 


Kory's mama brings out the silly little boy in him...

7 Months

7 months / 213 days until the big day!!
I still haven't found THE dress, chosen a color for the wedding, figured out what the guys are going to be wearing, selected flowers, finished my vows, determined our song, and the list goes on and on and on.  

Luckily I have my big sister, Kelly, to keep me in line.  We're going to meet up with our other sister, Jazmin, to hunt down that perfect dress and determine colors the second week of May, in Albuquerque! :)  Then, the pieces should all start falling into place... or at least that is what I will continue to tell myself.

In the meantime, Kory's mama, Marilyn, is coming to see us this weekend!  We're soooo excited to see her! And I'm guessing she will be the last visitor we have as Colorado residents.  This move is seeming more and more surreal, the more I process it...

By the time we get married (7 months), we will have moved back across the country to PA, purchased a house, and Kory will have started his PhD.  Who knows what else is going to happen by then (maybe I'll run for senate and we'll finally get Sam that puppy she's been asking for! hehe)... Life is becoming one wild adventure... : )

Baby Bonding

Baby Chelsea and I have gotten along just amazingly!  We  successfully made it through our first work week together. Our days were full of sweet giggles, lots of cuddling and highlighted by learning how to roll over.  I never would have imagined that a tiny tot could make such good company... she listened so well! :)  We thoroughly enjoyed our first phase of priceless Aunt/Niece bonding time! :)

Already, I've managed to take hundreds of photos of this little one.  She hasn't seemed to have figured out where I go when I disappear behind my camera, but she always greets me with the sweetest smile when I reappear... which makes taking pics of her an absolute joy.  Nothing brightens your day more than that welcoming ear to ear, gummy baby smile, followed by a heart melting "coooo". 

 I never would have imagined how special and fulfilling it would be to be an aunt to 2 perfect little girls!

Sam's Road to Recovery

Tomorrow, it will have been 3 1/2 months since Sam's unfortunate injury and 3 months since her surgery. I have to say, the recovery has been a cinch compared to what Kory and I had prepared ourselves for. Somehow I expected her to rebel against us, destroy everything we own and worst of all, be in agonizing pain or never fully recover. To our relief and surprise, she is healing like a champ and has embraced the extra love (by demanding constant belly rubbin'), enjoyed us all being in a small confined area together (Sam sandwiches are her favorite), kept her destruction to a only a few 'not-so-special' items (socks, socks, and more socks), and had wonderful pain meds to keep her comfortable and sleepy in order for her leg to heal thoroughly.

Realistically, it has probably been harder on us than her. The worry that she will over do it and never be back to her old crazy self, or just simply be bored, kept us on our toes.  Though when not worrying, we'd find humor in personifying her new "needs" as she is surely coming the most spoiled dog-kid ever known to man!  If you have a free hand and you're not using it to massage or scratch her, she'd let you know with a nudge from a paw or her cold puppy nose!

Kory took Sam to get her final set of x-rays this week. Good news - she is healing wonderfully! (Thank God!) She will have to go back in 4 weeks to get her final checkup. At that time, we will expect to be given the "All Clear!" and for her to be released back into normal 'dogdom'... where she's welcome to go on long, exhausting walks and maybe even the occasional trip to the off-leash dog park (if Kory and I can put our fear of another accident aside long enough to get her through the gate).

This experience has made me realize how crazy in love we really are with our little fur-baby and that the sky is the limit when it comes to making sure she has the best life possible! 

There's nothing more adorable than a big, "tough" guy all cuddled up with his big, "tough" dog - and we've seen a whole lot of this thanks to this horrific event!  If we didn't know better, we might think that Sam wouldn't change things if she could... she's certainly become the center of our universe through this whole thing, if she wasn't already! :)

 

(Left) January, 2008  Baby Samantha all snuggled in Kory's lap while he studies for grad school exams

(Right) April, 2010  Big Baby Samantha resting her recovering limb, all snuggled under Kory's legs, just days before he received the news that he had been accepted into Pitt's PhD program. 

Pittsburgh, Here We Come!

After waiting and waiting and waiting and being teased here and there, we finally got the news: Kory has been accepted to the BioEngineering department at the University of Pittsburgh to get his PhD!  Repeat after me: "Dr. Kory Blose"  Pretty exciting stuff! 

If you're dying to hear more, here's a few links to the stuff groups in the department are working on ....

Medicine's Cutting Edge: Re-growing Organs

Growing Body Parts

This recent development means there is going to be a whole lot of change and adjustments in the very near future.  Obviously, the biggest - moving back across the country to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania!  Even though we've talked about it, again and again, it's hard to believe that it is really going to happen.  The program is set to start in late summer / early fall... so we only have a couple of months to get our final fill of Denver and all that Colorado has to offer... I don't even know where to begin!

Oh Baby!

If this image doesn't melt your heart, I don't know what would.   This is my three-month-old niece, Chelsea Rose.  I have not seen her since she was 3 weeks old... and Oh Baby, has she turned into quite the little ball of baby love.  She is the most wonderfully plump babe I've ever laid eyes on and the most pleasant little person I've ever met. 

During the weeks that I get to work from home, I am working from my sister's casa (aka. my second home) in New Mexico, so I can care for this sweet little thing while my sis ventures off to work.  We've only had one day together, but already, I am totally in love with this sweet little doll and feel like the luckiest gal alive to call her mine!  Who wouldn't love a baby that rarely cries and smiles every single time you look at her...

Home Sweet Home

I am thankful to have a job.  I am thankful that I have not fallen victim to the economy's  rollercoaster of changes as so many others have.  Ironically, when I started this job, I thought the travel would be exciting and glamorous.  I can't help but laugh when I think back to this naive idea!  While it's been a reliable gig (and as I've said, I'm thankful for  that), the sleeping in different hotels and eating restaurant food every single day gets old and quickly! 

I've never been one to get homesick... but these days, as soon as I'm leaving home for the airport, I'm looking forward to getting home to Kory and Sam.  What have they done to me?  I guess you could say, I am ready to have a job that allows me see my two fur balls everyday.   Until I am lucky enough to have a "normal" job, I suppose I'll have to take it one week at a time...

Home is the one place in all this world where hearts are sure of each other.

It is the place of confidence. It is the place where we tear off that mask of guarded
and suspicious coldness which the world forces us to wear in self-defense, and
where we pour out the unreserved communications of full and confiding
hearts. It is the spot where expressions of tenderness gush out without
 any sensation of awkwardness and without any dread of ridicule.

~F.W. Robertson

"Dream" Dress Success?

Have I found my dream dress?  That is the question I keep asking myself. 

After Heidi and I went dress shopping on Thursday, I think I may have found the dress that I will wear on my wedding day.  I had been eyeing up the white gown online and on the storefront mannequin for months.  When we got to the dress shop, I was devastated to hear that the dress had not only been discontinued, but the only one left was in a size smaller than I needed.  Though it is a bit more formal and traditional than I'd envisioned for our casual beach wedding, I've been convinced by my friends, family, and wedding consultants, that it would be better to wear a dress I am in love with than one that just fits the beach theme.  "You're the bride!  You want to look like a bride and feel like a bride, no matter how fancy or casual! "  In taking this advice, I let myself fall in love with this dress. So it goes without saying that after hearing the news about this "perfect" dresses'  limited availability, I was totally disappointed.

After trying on several flowing chiffon gowns and failing to LOVE any of them, the bridal consultant decided that we should just try the dress on, even though it was too small.  With no luck finding the right dress, I was willing to try anything.  She assured me that the seams could be let out if I were to decide that it is THE dress.  To my surprise and delight, the dress not only fit, but fit like it was made for me.  The twinkle in my consultant's eye said it all - she knew this was the dress I'd been searching for.  When I turned around and saw my reflection in the mirror, it was like deja vu - it was the dress I'd dreamed about and by some crazy  miracle, it actually fit!

Realizing she may have just matched a bride with her dream dress, the bridal consultant guided me to a pedestal in front of walls and walls of mirrors where she adorned me with a veil and necklace.  Immediately I felt the pressure - this is probably my only opportunity to get this dress.

The only thing that made me question whether or not it is THE dress, is the level of formality and the fact that my mom and sisters were not there to confirm/deny if it should be THE dress.  So with this in mind, I did the only thing that made sense.  I couldn't just hang the dress up and think about it for a couple of days, as this was the very last one in the entire United States and I just couldn't risk it.  So instead of buying the dress on a whim, I put it on layaway.  I have 60 days to decide if it is indeed the dress of my dreams... and to pay the remaining balance.  In the meantime, I will have to return to the the shop with a camera in hand in order to document and share the dress with the ladies in my life.

So have I found the dress of my dreams?  Maybe. Hopefully.
One thing is for sure, I will have to continue to eat healthily and work out if I plan to fit into it in November.  Otherwise I'll have the perfect wedding dress that only looks great on a mannequin and a hanger....

233 days to go...

Easter Weekend: Replacing & Embracing the Old

Happy Easter!!!

This weekend was the perfect Easter weekend and welcome to spring! Somehow, we managed to have something planned for the entire weekend...  and we thoroughly enjoyed every second. :)

Chapter 1 - Old Truck / New Car

On Friday we decided to go to a Toyota dealership and take a look at some cars, not to buy, but to lease.  Toyota has had some amazing lease deals in response to the whole 'Sticking Accelerator' issue.  With all of his commuting, our plans to relocate, and my inablitiy to drive a standard (pathetic, I agree) - we thought we might just look into it - we never planned to say adios to Kory's faithful truck and welcome a brand new, fuel efficient sedan into our lives... but that is exactly what happened.  The fuel savings alone was undeniably appealing!  In addition to having a new set of wheels, this is also the first "official" legally binding contract that Kory and I signed together.  We were hoping to wait until we were married to take the plunge, but the deal was too good to pass up.  And I have to say, it was kind of exciting to hop on the 'Togetherness' bandwagon. :)  

Photo:  Kory's final farewell glimpse of his 'dream' truck  (that served as his transportation not only to and from work but also home to Pennsylvania countless times) before he steps into the machine that is going to save him bookoo bucks for the next 36 months!  

After spending 5 hours with the Toyota salesman, we headed to church for an amazing Easter weekend service followed by dinner with our favorite double dating couple - Heidi and Ryan. :)  As usual, we were the last ones to leave the restaurant... a trend that we love!

Chapter 2 - Old Friend / Best Friend

Saturday, while Kory had a guys' night planned with our friend, Ryan, I had a sleepover planned with one of my oldest and dearest friends, Carrie, in Colorado Springs.  Carrie and I have been close friends since we were in 8th grade.  Though we don't get to see each other as often as we'd like, when we do, it is as if not a moment had passed since our last meeting. She is certainly a one of a kind, kind of friend.  I am so blessed to still, after all these years and all the miles between us, to call her one of my very best friends.  I can say without a doubt, she is one of those forever friends.

It was an emotional and enlightening reunion.  I'm amazed at how, even as maturing adults, we still have a magical chemistry and a comfort that is so rare to find in a person. After our sleepover at Carrie's sister's house in Colorado Springs, I returned to Denver with Carrie in tow. She had a flight out of Denver back to Albuquerque where she is going to medical school. The extra hour I got to spend catching up with my dearest Carrie was priceless. There is nothing more rejuvenating than spending hours with someone that just gets you and loves you unconditionally - for no apparent reason at all. That is a true friend. :) 

I cannot wait for Carrie and Kory to really get to know one another.  One of the coolest parts of being with Kory has been getting to know and appreciate his closest friends and I am certain that he will adore many of my friends in the same way.  :) 

Chapter 3 - Old Tradition / New Memories (Yum!)

When I got home from my visit with Carrie, Kory had a cute little surprise for me.  Since it was Easter Sunday, and he knew that my family traditionally hid baskets full of goodies for us, he surprised be by upholding the tradition and hid an Easter basket for me!  I have to admit, I thought this was absolutely adorable and quite comical.  "Find your Easter basket!"  He commanded, And without hesitation the search was on!  After just a few minutes of hunting, I discovered the cutest little basket full of all my favorite candies hiding in the oven.  I was floored by the variety - Kory even found my all time favorite - Cadbury Carmel Eggs!  (I fell in love with these while I studied abroad in England and have searched for them in the US ever since I returned.) 

We put our diets on the backburner and thoroughly enjoyed my sweet Easter treats! :)

We finished out the weekend by getting together, again, with the fabulous Ryan and Heidi for pizza, and of course, hours of chit chat - the perfect ending to an awesome Easter weekend!

A Dog's Life

Our Sam is definitely getting back to her old rambunctious self.  Her energy levels are back to the point where she could really use an hour walk, twice a day to wear her out.  Unfortunately she is still limited to 2 or 3 15 minute, slow-paced walks per day.  The only way we can keep her occupied and out of trouble is to rotate her resting area from the bedroom to the living room to the guest bedroom and occasionally we even allow her to play "Neighborhood watch."  Unfortunately several pairs of socks, Kory's brand new watch, and several other clothing articles have fallen victim to her boredom!  I never would have imagined how restless a dog could be!  We still have 2 weeks of rehabilitation before we get the verdict - fully recovered or not.  In the meantime we will continue to spoil her rotten and try to keep her happy and preoccupied! 

 

Between chewing socks and destroying expensive watch bands, Sam has been training us to rub her belly on demand.  Kory is still in training... I think I passed. :)

Do you think she might be sick of all the photos?  It must be hard being so loved!

When all else fails, we open the front door and let her relieve her crazy guard dog instincts while getting some fresh air.  Fortunately we have very understanding neighbors.  No one even flinches when they hear her deep irritated grumble of a bark.  How dare they walk in front of Sam's house?! haha  Luckily for us, when the front door is open, she is focussed on and tantalized by the action outside and we can rest assured that our socks are safe!

Wedding Website

Isn't a blog enough?  Not quite! :)  I went ahead and created a website on TheKnot.com - the information is much more concise.  We'll keep it updated as we get more info and the wedding draws nearer.
Feel free to RSVP via this website or sign our Guestbook.  We'd like to do as much electronically as possible.

www.theknot.com/ourwedding/SaraRosenberger&KoryBlose

Cozumel Safety Info

We've been contacted by several individuals concerning the safety of the destination at which we've chosen to say "I do."  With all the negativity Mexico has gotten in the media, I understand the fear and confusion. 

Instead of taking the time to explain why Cozumel is a very safe destination for our wedding, I've decided to leave it to the professionals who have actually been there. :)   Here are some articles about Cozumel that might put those worried at ease.  The first one contains lots of good info for everybody that is considering cruising with us.  The second is more about safety in general but would be a good read for all, as well. :)   If you would like to speak to someone who is  very knowledgable about travel and safety, I would recommend you contact our travel agent - Kristi Zeleski.  kristi@denvertravel.net 

Cozumel and Cruising - Great info for everyone cruising with us!
Cozumel Safety - Great for those concerned about the safety in Cozumel.
(Google search - Cozumel Safety for additional information)

For those of us that are visual learners, I've created a map.  The distance  alone should convince you that while Juarez is unsafe, Cozumel is not necessarily unsafe!  (Click on the image to see it in a larger view)

Kory and I would never select a location that would put us or our loved ones in danger.  Please feel free to contact us with additional concerns and we will do our best to get resolutions!

Wedding Dress Shopping... Attempt 1

My oh my... I never would have imagined the task at hand when it comes to wedding dress shopping!  Not only was it time consuming and exhausting, it was completely overwhelming!  All the time I searched online has proven to be a wasted effort.  The dresses I never took a second glance at are the ones that seemed to fit me and my body type best.  That was a surprise.  The prices of these 'one wear' outfits was an even bigger surprise! 

My new gal pal Heidi, who is also getting married this fall, and I decided that it was time to start the big search for that perfect dress.  In Denver, there is a little bridal shop called Amanda's Bridal that has an outstanding reputation - a logical starting point.   Without an appointment, we began our big hunt for that perfect white gown. 

When we arrived, the consultant instructed us to pick 5 dresses from their selection.  It was like an ocean of white!  There were so many dresses!  Both of us admitted to being completely overwhelmed!  How do you really decipher one from the next...  ? Heidi plans to have a traditional, elegant ceremony, so her dress options seemed to be endless. I, on the other hand, would like to have an understated dress that fits our casual, beachy wedding theme.  Within a matter of seconds of explaining to the dress consultant what I was looking for, I found that this style of dress is far and few between.  With the specification of - 1. No beading, 2. No lace, 3. No train... there were 2 dresses that fit my "needs" and somehow they were still nothing of what I'd envisioned myself in.  I quickly widened my search criteria, if only for the sake of not making Heidi feel uncomfortable.  By doing so, I at least found the style that seems to flatter my figure best - one I never would have tried on in any other circumstance - so the day was not lost... it was certainly an eye opening experience!

After finding several amazing gowns for Heidi, we decided to take note of them and move on to a bigger store - David's Bridal.  Our spontaneous shopping didn't work as well for them.  We were unable to get in.  We promised to call ahead for an appointment next time.  Instead of searching for more bridal boutiques, we called our boys to meet us and headed out for a relaxing and laughter filled dinner at Ruby Tuesday.  

8 Months

8 months from today is Thanksgiving!  How exciting!  I just love Thanksgiving! 

8 months from today, 243 days (to be exact),  I will be a married woman!  For that very reason, I cannot wait for Thanksgiving! :)

Reality TV Addicts

As with every critical phase of life, there seems to be a relevant reality TVshow.  When we were doing home improvements, our televisions never left HGTV and I am certain that if we ever decide to have kiddos, I'll be glued to the TV when the baby shows come on.  Now that we're planning a wedding, I am addicted to catching every episode of every wedding show out there.  Lucky for me, we have a DVR, so I can have marathons when I am in wedding mode. 

To my surprise, I'm not the only one who enjoys the wedding shows... so does my fiance!  I find Kory intrigued by Say Yes to the Dress and forming opinions I never imagined.  He will actually admit to liking Amazing Wedding Cakes, Rich Bride Poor Bride, and most of all - My Fair Wedding!

We agree that it would be amazing to be chosen to have our wedding made over by David Tutera (My Fair Wedding)... and dream about being casted.  Just for fun I checked the website to see if they were casting and if so, would they be willing to come to Mexico?  Unfortunately, no.  Though, we can hope that that changes! haha.  It would be great fun to have someone just do everything... with an unlimited budget! : )

Wedding Wish list

Kory and I decided that we would run out and do our wedding registries today.  While it seems odd to both of us to create "wish lists" for what we would like purchased for us, all of the wedding magazines and websites say it is rude not to.  Apparently people really stress about what to buy.  So we did as we were told... 
We did a quick little google search for stores that offer wedding registries.  The list was endless.  We ended up selecting Crate & Barrel and Target... for no particular reason other than we knew how to get to each place and they're stores we love!  
We started our registry rampage at Crate & Barrel.  We had so much fun!  Kory, of course, was in charge of the barcode scanner.  We registered for everything under the sun... and we both learned so much about things like glassware, cooking tools, and entertaining.  An hour later, when we'd made it through the entire store and scanned all the things our hearts would ever desire, we headed to the register to return our scanning gun.  The ladies that worked there were shocked that we were laughing and smiling.  "You're not fighting?" One of the employees asked.  Apparently most wedding registries end in battles over what to choose.  Luckily we did not fall into this trend.... we just made it a little adventure and had a wonderful time.

Before heading to our next registry destination we stopped at a little sushi restaurant for a snack.  All that walking and scanning must have been more demanding than we'd realized.  Little did we know, Crate & Barrel was nothing compared to our second store of choice.
We headed to Target.  Immediately we were overwhelmed by the selection.  We came up with a plan of how to attack the store.  Starting in the storage/cleaning section, we were off.  From decorations, luggage and camping supplies to bedding and cookware, we managed to get a little of everything.  After 4 exhausting hours of fantasizing about our future and scanning, scanning, scanning, we were finally heading to Customer Service to return out handy dandy scanner.  We agreed that this was a much more tiring experience than the one we'd had earlier in the day.  I never ever would have imagined the time it would take to get through a single store!
To finish off our mini adventure, we headed to Cold Stone Creamery for our grand finale... ice cream! :) 

Considering his overworked feet and a lack of interest in home decor, Kory was amazing!  Like the gals at Crate&Barrel, I was a bit concerned that this wedding task wouldn't be a smooth one.  I'd read tales of grooms-to-be throwing fit about having to spend hours walking up and down aisles of stores they may not ever enter otherwise.  I was relieved to find that Kory did nothing of the sort.  As always, he tried to make the day as fun and comical as he possibly could.  I actually think he enjoyed it.... well maybe just the fact that he got to use a nifty little barcode scanning gun!  It was challenging and exciting trying to envision what we will need going forward...

Our registries:
                       Target         Crate&Barrel



248 days to go...

Update: Sam's Recovery, Week 4

Today it has been 4 weeks since Sam had her knee surgery.  Considering the extreme lack of exercise and stimulation she is getting, she is doing amazingly well - thanks to the awesome drugs the vet has prescribed for her and the containment of our baby gates.  She is now allowed two 5-minute walks a day.  This obviously doesn't compare to the hour long walks and daily trips to the dog park, but she is clearly thrilled to get out of the house and get to sniff around the streets and parks near our home.  I think we're all longing for the day we can go on our lengthy excursions exploring the neighborhoods and parks in the warm Colorado sunshine ... for now we'll settle for our brief  'teaser' outtings.   She seems to be coping with the mundane days by choosing different places to nap.  One minute she might be on the bed, the next she is in the bathroom laying on a pile of dirty clothes Kory left behind.  Whatever makes her happy and keeps her calm and comfy...

Tomorrow Sam is scheduled to get her follow up x-rays to confirm that she is indeed healing properly and on track to a full recovery.  We're crossing our fingers and toes and praying that her bones are mending as they should.

Absence Makes the Heart..

homesick.

For the first time since Kory and I have been engaged, I had to hop on an airplane to get to work.  It doesn't matter that I've gotten to work from home the last several months... I still miss my boy and pup as if I'll be gone indefinitely!  (Sam must get this from me.)   What is the matter with me?   The state of Indiana surely won't miss me when I'm gone, and I will certainly return those sentiments.  Thursday cannot come soon enough...

3.6.2010: Kory turned 25

I've been trying to explain to Kory, for years now, that birthdays are something to be celebrated and enjoyed to the fullest capacity.  With his "It's just another day attitude," it has never been a priority to do anything exceptional.  So, in hopes of inspiring a new love of his day of birth,  we explored a delicious restaurant, had an amazing dessert at a new favorite spot, followed by delightful cocktails at an intimate hideaway overlooking Denver.

When Kory ventured off to baseball practice early Saturday morning, I pretended to be asleep until I heard his truck pull out of the driveway.  When the coast was clear I jumped out of bed and headed to the local grocery store for his all time favorite - carrot cake and vanilla ice cream.  When he got home we (Sam included) had a little "family" birthday party where I sang a sad rendition of Happy Birthday and Sam persistently tried to sneak a lick of the cream cheese icing.   We followed the morning shin-dig with a crazy long nap. 

In fact, it was so long that we nearly slept through our dinner reservations!  Thankfully, Kory woke up at 4:00, just enough time for us to get ready and be at our 5:00 dinner reservations.  Dinner was amazing.  We went to a Brazilian steakhouse downtown called Fogo de Chao.  The meal begins with a salad bar that is to die for.  When you've had your fair share of veggies, cheeses, and salads, you flip a little card to green.  Men carrying gigantic pieces of meat come to your table to offer you what option they have.  It was something else.  Kory flipped his card to green and it was as if their life's goal was to please him.  From filet mignon and sirloin, to chicken, pork, and sausage... the selection was vast and quite tasty!  Needless to say, we ate all we could possibly eat...  but it was incredible! 

After dinner, we rolled out of the restaurant and headed to a little cafe restaurant called The Market.  We met up with our friends, Ryan and Heidi for dessert.  We sat and talked for nearly an hour before Kory and I agreed we finally had room to share a dessert.  Instead of carrot cake, we opted for an oversized eclair...  by the time we'd finished our dessert, we were overstuffed yet again and ready for another long long nap!   Instead we headed to a little known bar/cafe that is hidden on the 27th floor of the Hyatt.  The views were breathtaking.  I could have sat there all night and just looked at the twinkling lights!  Kory, Heidi, Ryan, and I nestled into a little corner which is where we would remain content for several hours just enjoying each other's company! :)

When we finally got home it was around 11 pm.  Sam acted as if we'd been MIA for weeks.  Kory curled up with her in the bed to check his email... and to our delight there was an email from his mom awaiting him.  It was a little tale of Kory when he was a babe and a child.  It was the PERFECT ending to an awesome day!  It's so sweet to imagine my big teddy bear of a fiance as a chubby, helpless baby... 25 years later. :)

Happy Birthday, Kory!

Today is Kory's 25th Birthday! It's hard to believe he is another year older... it seems like just yesterday we started dating - when he was only 19...  At the same time, it feels like we've known eachother our entire lives!
I am so thankful for Kory and that I get to celebrate this milestone of a birthday with him.  What a blessing he has been in my life and the lives of so many others. 
To celebrate we're going to a Brazilian Steakhouse followed by the most delicious bakery for his favorite food of all - carrot cake! :) 
I look so forward to the day that we can have little family get togethers to celebrate... until then...

Happy Birthday, Kory!

I love you!

OPERATION: Vow to Wow - Day 1

With just under 9 months to go until our tropical wedding day, Kory and I have officially kicked off operation ' Vow to Wow ' and it was not an easy first day, let me tell ya.  On one hand you have the groom, Kory, who seems to be able to hop right back into a fitness routine - running miles at a time and lifting weights that I can't even scoot across the floor.  On the other hand, there is me.  Let's just say I didn't get off to the same easy start.  I decided a consultation with a personal trainer might be a better way to begin this journey, to avoid injury or missed goals.  (Keep in mind, I haven't exercised regularly since my second year of college). So that I did... and I would definitely say I got my money's worth!   I ended up twisting and moving my body in ways I didn't know possible and used the most unsuspecting exercise equipment to do so.  Marty, my secret key to swimsuit body success, had my heart pumping and the sweat flowing within 10 minutes of our meeting.  Needless to say, I was sold.  I will meet up with Marty every Friday that I am in town for that extra push...
It was an awesome start to this long journey... but now I am ready for a donut... or some pizza! : p

Details Details... Details!

We are finding out the hard way that it is not the big decisions that will drive you crazy when planning a wedding, but the minor ones, that could be easily overlooked!  To some they may seem like significant parts of a wedding, but to me, I just don't see the real importance.  I keep thinking, as long as I'm marrying the guy of my dreams and we're surrounded by our dearest family and friends, then nothing else will matter or make the day any more wonderful.  The ironic part is that I am having the hardest time making these "insignificant" decisions - whether it be what color to dress the chairs in or the type of flower the boutonnières should be made of - I just cannot decide!  Trust me, it doesn't make any sense to me either!

The good news, I believe we've gotten all the major decisions hammered down.  We know when and where we're getting married... and who we will invite and who will be photographing the big day.  Other than that, it is all still up in the air...
A wedding dress, a color, favors, food, drinks, cake flavors, first dance, flowers, gifts for attendants, invitations, registries... and then of course we have the hometown reception details to be concerned with... food, drinks, DJ, centerpieces, decorations, and of course, what to wear!
It seems like we have forever, but each time I look up another month has passed and we're still where we were...

265 days until November 24, 2010 ... and counting.

First Cruise Booking

Our travel agent informed me today that our very first guests booked their cruise today!  Our incredible friends, Jay and Jen were the very first!  For some reason, this little factoid totally melted my heart and grounded the fact that we are really going to do this... and there might be people there to witness it! :)

This is a photo of the 4 of us, taken on the eve of Jen & Jay's wedding day, last September!

Sweet Reminders

Kory and I have been so blessed to be surrounded by the most thoughtful and surprisingly creative people.  The number of sweet cards and homemade gifts we've received since our engagement has blown us away.   We received an ornament reflecting the date of our engagement from Kory's dad and stepmom.  I think this will end up being more of a year around decoration than one exclusive to Christmas! :)  And it even looks like us! I didn't even know things like this were available... I love a good personalized gift!

Most recently, we received a surprise package from Florida.  My distant relatives from Punxsy ("Bubbles" and Tom Steenburgen) picked up a seashell on their annual Florida getaway and personalized it for Kory and I! It certainly made our day! :)  We're going to have little reminders of our wedding and engagement all over the house and I love it!  Currently our refrigerator is covered from top to bottom  in cards from our friends and family... I don't know if it would be possible for us to be any more loved or fortunate when it comes to the kindness our awesome families and friends have shown us! :)  We're really so blessed...