The Natural Birth Control: First Annual Kids' Retreat

One of the things I looked most forward to in marrying Kory is officially becoming his nieces and nephews' "Aunt Sara."  This marriage added 5 fabulous kiddos to my niece/nephew count, making me the proud aunt of 7 amazing children.  

I was beyond excited about our first big sleepover.  We ambitiously invited all 5 kids over for a 2 day extravaganza.

The line up:

When we'd tell anyone of our plans for a 2-day, kid themed adventure, most people, including their parents, would shrug us off with a, "You're nuts!"

Our shin dig started the day after Christmas.  The first challenge was how to transport 5 kids, 2 adults, and a dog from Punxsutawney to Pittsburgh.  Kassy generously offered to trade us vehicles for the 2 days required.  Allowing the use of her minivan solved our first problem.  We ran into our second issue when we tried to convince our terrified dog to lay at the feet of several kids she barely knows.  There was no convincing our 100lb pup to stay in the back of the van.  She forced her way onto my lap in the front seat.... where she would remain for the 2 hour drive.

As we drove down the highway, Kory and I laughed at the chaotic sounds coming from the rear of the van.  Lexi, Aramy, and Emma sat in the far rear, talking about games, Christmas gifts, and school, while Ethan and Trevin were buckled into the middle row singing and screaming in excitement!  We were tickled by their enthusiasm and amused by the craziness.  2 hours of yelling kids and a massive dog on your lap makes you especially anxious to get home.

That night we created our "play" room by removing the mattresses from the spare beds and filling an entire room.  Before we could blink, the room became a trampoline room!  And of course came our first casualty... and our second.  Then we retreated to the dining room for a snack then to the living room for a relaxing movie.  One by one, they fell asleep.  At 1 am, we finally carried everyone to the "trampoline room" and tucked them in.

Kory had to make a quick trip to school that morning.  He was up and out by 7:30.  At 7:35  am the troops started to come to life.  Sam and I looked at each other ... somehow I could feel her pain.  I rolled out of bed to find Ethan and Emma sitting patiently on the couch.  "Good morning Aunt Sara!  Where's Uncle Kory?"  When I explained that he had to leave for a little while Ethan got so terribly upset.  You'd think I told him that he would never return.  Quickly my mind went to how to preoccupy him.  I turned on the TV, grabbed some food, and toys and in minutes, you'd never known he was ever upset.  Crisis averted. 
For breakfast we had a variety of eggs, fried potatoes, and Lucky Charms.  Everyone was encouraged to eat lots so as to have energy to go see Yogi Bear in 3D!  Bribery... initially I was ashamed, then I realized, they just need a little extra motivation! : )  We upped the enthusiasm by making up chants and songs about how kids that eat get goodies at their their theater seat.

After breakfast, a few wanted to shower, a couple wanted to watch the Chipmunks Movie.  Perfect.  One by one I got each kid dressed, hair brushed, and ready for the day.  Before I knew it, it was lunch time.  Ravioli!  With the awareness of how messy tomato sauce can get, I insisted that everyone under the age of 8 take off their shirts to eat!  The chants and songs started immediately!  "Yogi Yogi here we come... but not until we eat - yum yum!"  One by one the bowls were emptied...

When Kory got home, we loaded up the van to head across town for the much anticipated Yogi Bear in 3D.  We strategically put the adults at each end of the line up.  I was nearest to the exit so I was the snack runner and pee break person.  The movie theater employees got a kick out of our frequent trips to the "potty" and concession stand (thank goodness for free refills)!  Luckily it was not a movie I had any intention of actually watching! :)
Stylin' their 3D Glasses...

When the movie was over, we latched on to our kiddos and headed to the van.  The rest of the day was full of movies, naps, coloring, fighting, and food!  Kory and I laughed, almost hysterically, about the chaos.  "It's no wonder Jon and Kate divorced!"
Kory endearingly lined up the kids to mark their heights in our basement door jam... then we separated boys and girls to paint toe nails and play the Wii.  In this little stint of time, Sam fell in love with Lexi and Emma.  I couldn't believe the change we saw in her - in just over an hour.  The girls were so gentle and sweet to her.   She went from being terrified of all of them, to insisting on spending time with each kiddo. And seeming to actually trust them. 

That night, we started with the youngest and put them each to bed much earlier.  Kory and I were shocked at how easy it was.  "Time for bed..." and next thing we knew they were all snuggled into their spots in the "trampoline room," eyes heavy.  Awesome.

The next morning started around  9 am.  Kory was in charge of getting breakfast ready while I started getting the kiddos and their stuff ready to go home.  Somehow Kory had misplaced the Lucky Charms.  He literally searched the house, top to bottom, including the garbage.  Ethan insisted that he'd eaten the whole box! haha

They ate, and ate well.  Today's motivation came in the fact that we were stopping at a store called 5Below (where everything is under $5) for "prizes" on our way home!  Though they'd never been there, the kids were mighty excited about the possibility of getting to choose any one thing they wanted from the store. 

We loaded up the van and all the kids' stuff.  With Sam's new friendships with our nieces and nephews, we hoped that she would be more comfortable sitting in the back with them.  Nope.  In fact, she wouldn't even entertain the idea.  I ended up squeezing in between Ethan and Trevin and giving up my seat to our terrified dog instead of opting to hold her the entire way.
Our shopping trip ended up being quite the adventure.  Ethan's item of choice was wrapping paper.  Eventually Kory was able to convince him to forgo the paper for a set of cars.  Somehow, when we got to the register each kid had at least 2 items.  Instead of bothering to insist that our original rule of 1 per kid, we embraced the opportunity to get to spoil them a little and bought everything in our basket.

As soon as we hit the road, a couple of kids realized they needed to pee, and a couple found they might be a bit hungry... and I desperately needed a cup of coffee.  Low and behold, there was a McDonalds right ahead.  So of course we stopped.  Pee breaks and happy meals for all... and a gigantic coffee for me!  When Kory didn't order anything, I was concerned that he wasn't well.  Kory is always willing to have a bite to eat.  When each kid only ate half their food (with the exception of Lexi), I understood... Kory gobbled down each of the half eaten burgers and fries.  Brilliant! 

5 minutes after we loaded up the car, I had a sleeping boy on each of my arms.  The rest of the trip home was almost relaxing. 
To our surprise, the 2 day kid-venture was easier than we'd expected, thanks to Lexi's help with her younger cousins.  But as much as we love each of them individually, all together, it is just a little bit too much for this kidless couple.  We've decided to do next year's kid's retreat in phases.  Never again will we knowingly have a situation where the number of kids we're responsible for outnumber the number of adult hands available for holding... never ever.  

Though, as far as birth control goes, if we had some guarantee that our children would be as amazing as any one of our nieces or nephews, we'd feel blessed beyond words.  Fortunately, this experience only confirmed that we already know, we're not ready for kiddos, and likely never ready for 5 kiddos! : ) 


Some of our favorites...

Wedding Post : Our Week Long Wedding Adventure

Our wedding week... day by day...

Saturday we flew to Fort Lauderdale from Pittsburgh.  It was 38 degrees in Pittsburgh and 79 degrees at our destination.  My sweater and boots left me sweaty and uncomfortable.  As Kory and I drove from Fort Lauderdale to Miami in our rental car, we listened to the Christmas radio station, and marveled at the palm trees and temperature gauge on the dash. 

Miami is a wild and entertaining place, unlike any I have ever visited.  The Hispanic influence is undeniable.  The streets were literally filled with couples salsa dancing, moving to the beat of the blaring music.  "Hola!" was a far more common greeting than "Hi!" or "Hello!" Equally interesting, in the same scene, million dollar yahts line the horizon while beggars line the sidewalks.  The Christmas season and summer months climate didn't seem as surprising after that outing.

Sunday afternoon the guests began to trickle in.  Kory and I spent the morning running last minute errands before heading to the local airports to start retrieving our guests.  (The hotel is in a prime location, directly across the street from the Port of Miami.  Getting to the hotel was the tricky part... or so we thought.) That evening we met up with a few our our friends at the hotel bar, before retreating to our gender specific hotel rooms to get a good night's sleep before we set sail the following afternoon. 

Monday morning was impressively chaotic.   Jera and Jazzie were passing out our wedding themed tshirts while Kory was taxing people around the city so they could collect items left behind.  I was trying to coordinate the luggage transportation to the port. The plan was for our guests to walk across the street, to the port while Kory drove everyone's luggage in the rental car.  To my dismay, the hotel matridee revealed that while the port is only 1/4 mile away, a sidewalkless 8 lane highway is a part of the trek.  Somehow we'd received incorrect information.  Luckily the hotel was able to provide a shuttle for a small fee.  We were happy to pay $5 per person to ensure that they got to the port safely.  The driver was happy to double charge each guest and collect that $5 a second time.  This was a bit disheartening. 

There was all kind of drama as our guests boarded.  Kory had forgotten our passports in a backpack that he directed Marc to check in.  Luckily, Marc was able to hunt down the backpack.  Crisis overted. 
I would find out later, that my dad and aunt, with their Scottish birth certificates, nearly didn't make it onto the ship. 
Once we were all on the ship I could almost literally see the weight lifting off Kory's shoulders.  I have never, ever seen him so stressed out in my life.  We laughed about the stress - and how we would never try to plan a vacation or transportation for 60 people again.  As we discussed our relief, we ran into our friends and family one small cluster at a time. 

That evening Kory and I had dinner separately with different groups of our friends and family.  That evening, my sisters spoiled me rotten.  They rubbed my feet, painted my toenails, etc.  It was incredible to have some time with my 2 sisters - how rare it is that the 3 of us are together.  It is such a treat.

Tuesday morning, the ship docked in Key West.  While I wondered around the ship aimlessly until I finally attached myself to Aaron and Brandis' group, Kory spent the day with Marc.  Key West is one charming little town with lots of fun boutiques and shops.  We found out that the formal, dress up night was actually that evening. 

When we all got on the ship, we headed to our rooms to primp and prep ourselves for the fancy affair.  While Jazzie straightened my hair, Carrie did my makeup.  I felt like royalty.  They were amazing.  Then my prince charming showed up at my door with a perfect red rose. 

Dinner was awesome!  After our meal, my maid and matron of honors (my sisters) had planned a sweet little lingerie party.  Jazzie had even managed to sneak some sweet homemade treats onto the ship!  All of the ladies in our group gathered in our tiny suite with their hand picked lingerie in tow. 

During the party, I noticed Jazzie started to look as though something was wrong.  When all the guests left, she went into full out sick mode.  Instead of joining us at the comedy club, she stayed behind.  When we returned, I found my poor little sister more ill than I'd ever seen her.  My immediate response was to go find our mom.  Our conclusion was that she must have eaten something that just didn't sit well with her. 

Wednesday, Jazzie and I woke up early to a sunshine attack.  We were both dripping in sweat.  I went out on our balcony to find temperatures far warmer than we'd expected.  At 8 am, I would guess that it was nearing 90 degrees.  In the shining sun, I would say it was creeping near 100 degrees.  Needless to say, it was going to be a HOT day!   When I returned to the room, I found my poor baby sister still feeling terrible.  She apologized relentlessly for "ruining" our wedding day.  I assured her, that she didn't ruin anything.  I would never walk down the aisle with any of my siblings absent... we'd line the aisle with "vomit bags" if we had to.   Slowly we saw her spirit lift. 

After breakfast with Carrie and Aaron, we retreated to the suite where Carrie would spend hours and hours curling each strand of my hair and Aaron would snap photo after photo!  As 1 pm approached,  I could feel my stomach start to flip and flop more vigorously.  I gathered my dress and other bridal items and headed to the debarking area of the ship.  As we were leaving, I saw my big sister and her family coming back on the ship.  "There has been some confusion - it is just noon in Cozumel.  The cars won't be there until 1 pm."   My stomach dropped.  The ship had remained on Florida (Eastern) time, while Mexico is, of course, on Central time.  Somehow this detail had been overlooked.  Most of our guests had gotten off the ship and spent an hour in the hot sun waiting for the cars!  With all the planning and attention to detail that goes into a wedding, moments like these make you feel, momentarily, like the whole thing has failed.  Luckily, that moment was fleeting.  My awesome matron of honor (and big sister, Kelly), went into  ultra optimist mode and made me realize that it really wasn't a big deal.  But still, as the time drew nearer, I could feel my stress levels grow higher and higher.

 When it was finally the correct time and the vans finally arrived, we were on our way to the beautiful venue.  I don't think I spoke.  I was more nervous than ever before.  I could not rationalize why.  I was not hesitant to marry Kory.  I was fully prepared.  I had all of my closest friends and family with me.  I could not talk myself out of the anxiety. 

When we arrived at the hotel, we were escorted to a room where we would finish getting ready while the guests enjoyed a cocktail hour in doors at the resorts bar.  Carrie was there to catch me when I had my notorious "bridal meltdown!"  When the nerves and stress finally surfaced, I was so thankful to have Carrie there with me to talk me through it all and to lend a shoulder. 

I put on my dress.  The girls got ready and we were off.  I got to present the parents with their gifts, and next thing I knew, the door opened and the violinist had started my song - the song I had chosen to walk down the aisle to.  My dad grabbed my hand, "You ready?"  Before I knew it, we were down the aisle and my dad was hugging me while Kory tugged at my hand.  It was a blur.  One of the images that I recall is that all the men were absolutely dripping in sweat.  Next thing I remember is, "You may kiss your bride..."  and we were headed back down the sandy aisle, hand in hand, feeling as though a massive weight had been lifted off our shoulders. 

Our ceremony was officiated by one of Kory's best friends - Marc.  He did an amazing job making the ceremony personal, sentimental, and of course, funny.  Marc's participation in our special day meant the world to us.  It was especially meaningful because he had to leave Angela, his pregnant wife, to be with us.  We missed Angela, terribly.  And we will be forever grateful for their selflessness and love.  

The rest of the day, we ate, danced, took pictures, visited with our guests... in the most beautiful setting.  It was wonderful to get to keep our reception outdoors, on the beach.   Shortly after the ceremony, there was a brief drizzle of rain.  Somehow I found this unexpected precipitation so charming.  We've all heard that rain on a wedding day is good luck  - and luckily it happened after the ceremony, when I was in a relaxed state of mind to find the humor and sweetness in it all. 

Kory and I had learned to foxtrot.  Our dance floor turned out to be on the beach, on a hill.  And my dress had not yet been bustled.  Let's just say... it was not the graceful dance we'd hoped for... but a clumsy, hilarious mess.  

At 8:00 pm, the vans returned to transport us back to the ship.  It was over.  We were married.  Married and happy.  As we walked from the van to the ship, Kory gave me a gift.  He had found a ring that was very similar to my promise ring that he'd given me years earlier.  (Unfortunately, the original was lost/stolen when I was at work a few years back.)  It was the PERFECT wedding gift.  And the perfect end to what I will remember (thanks to the videos) as an amazing day!

Thursday was Thanksgiving.  Kory and I sported matching Cozumel t shirts.  We spent the day mingling with our dearest friends and family and enjoying our new married status.  When we returned to our room to change, we found a "Happy Honeymoon!" heart shaped cake.  It was the sweetest surprise.  And delicious!   (We found out later that Kory's mom had ordered the cake for us. )  When we were done enjoying our edible surprise, we headed to a Carnival cocktail hour followed by a somewhat traditional Thanksgiving dinner.  YUM! 
That night we said goodbye to many of our guests that had early flights the following day.

Friday we returned to Miami.  We were fortunate to run into many of our other guests before we left the ship and have the opportunity to thank them for being a part of our week long wedding celebration.    When we'd finally all gotten off the ship, we headed back to the Holiday Inn, where we'd stayed earlier in the week.  We met my big sister and her family there - before heading out on our Alligator Adventure. 

The week was better than we could have ever dreamt.  We are so thankful that so many people put for the effort and money required to be with us!  We will cherish the time we got to spend and memories that were made for the rest of our lives. 

Tech Tips - All Wrapped Up

I LOVE teaching people how to do things - especially little tidbits on how to make their lives easier or more efficient.  Google has done one better... and packaged it up as a Christmas Gift!  I wish I'd thought of it first, but I'm glad someone did!

http://www.teachparentstech.org/watch

Virtual Christmas Card

In an effort to be earth-friendly and economical, we've decided to save the paper, ink, and stamps and go virtual with our Christmas cards this year.  

We love you all and wish everyone a safe and wonderful Christmas! 

PS. Do you think Samantha is hoping we get a kitten or a gerbil for next year's Christmas card? :)

3 Years of Craziness!

Our little devil is turning 3 tomorrow! 

When Sam was a puppy (3-9 months) and destroying everything, all of the "experts" would say, "Oh, when she turns one, she will be a good dog!  She will stop chewing and listen much better."  When December 10, 2008 came and went and the only thing that changed was her age and weight, I was a little suspicious that we were doing something wrong.  When we would explain our situations to the "experts" we encountered during this period of time, they would conveniently explain that dog's don't fully mature until two years of age.  We often heard the promise, "When she turns two, you'll notice a huge difference!" 

A year later, December 10, 2009 came and went.  We had a two-year-old that chewed like she was teething, listened like she was deaf, and liked so few people, strangers must have wondered if we abused her.  Neither one of us had a pair of socks without holes.  We'd spent hundreds of dollars replacing dog beds.  Our friends preferred to avoid our house if possible.  But somehow, we found ourselves adoring this black beast as if she were Lassie.  We stopped asking for advice.  Occasionally I would find myself explaining away why my dog was being so bad.  You know what the response was?  You guessed it... "When she turns three, she will really mature!"  We humored these confident statements and are still hoping those people are right!  What else could we do with 100 lb monster that never seemed to sit down (my mother compares her to a toddler with ADHD).   I started doing my own research.  I was dying to know if there really was any reason to hope or if we'd just ended up with a very... bad dog. 

Believe it or not, giant breed dogs are not supposed to reach psychological maturity at 3!  There is hope for us after all!  Tomorrow Sam will be three!  We have made it through the terrible twos.... with only a couple disasters.... now it will be all downhill.  At this very moment she is chewing a hole in her bed.  Could this be the last hole she ever chews?  One can hope.

Oh, and Sam just recently found her voice.  I thought it would be fun to teach her to "talk."  That backfired.  Ask Kory.  She won't do it on command, but when she wants something, she'll certainly tell you all about it!

Happy Birthday Samantha!  You've added more craziness and joy to our lives than we could have ever dreamt possible! 

Baby Sam

First video of our Sammie

2 Weeks!!

2 weeks down, a lifetime to go. As time goes on, my secret, well hidden, Type A personality is peaking through my disorganized facade. Now that the wedding is over, I desperately need something to count down. For the last year and a half, I've been counting down to this one day, naturally there is a void now that it is over, right?
If I counted the weeks we survive married life, would that be weird? It would be hilarious if someone asked how long we've been married and I answered, "Sixty-one weeks!" instead of "A little over a year." Oh the speculation that would follow that response! (If no one else finds this humorous, I know my little sister will.)
This brief but significant moment in our lives feels like a distant dream... vague and wonderful. My mother swears this was the first time she ever saw Kory and I kiss. How cool are those couples who experience their first kiss on their wedding day? (Kory ruined that option for us 8 years ago... )
The kiss that sealed the deal...

Thankful.

I've been married for 1 week and 5 days and I have never felt more blessed or content, ever.  A coincidence?  Maybe.  It feels as though my life is in this perfect rhythm.  The song Rhythm of Love by The Plain White T's (our first dance, runner up song) comes to mind.  It's an overwhelmingly wonderful feeling.

This job and the solitary confinement it provides due to the 'nature of the business', gives me plenty of time to reflect on life's many blessings.  I'm finding that taking a little time to acknowledge those things that are going "right" really helps to keep a great perspective on life!  I'm really so fortunate.  We all are.  We just have to take the time to recognize it. 

Congrats... etc.

Coming back to work after getting married...

First you get, "Congratulations!" 

Then comes some rhetorical questions that are only intended to show interest...

"How does it feel to be married?"
"What's it like to be off the market?"

And finally, the personal tales of humor and horror around their wedding or the weddings they have attended...

"My wife's father stepped on her dress as they started down the aisle.  She fell.  When her dad lifted her off the ground, not realizing he was still standing on the dress, he ripped the skirt right off!"

"My first [husband] never came to the wedding.  I never saw him again."

"When asked how long I had been married, I gave the sum of all my marriages.  My current wife of a year wasn't too thrilled with my response of  'twenty two years.'  We only made it to a year and a half." 

"My wedding was perfect.  I woke up drunk and went to bed drunk."

"We accidentally put the wrong address on our invitations.  We had 200 guests waiting patiently for us at the church on the street over.  That was before cell phones.  We had our pastor, bridal party and our parents with us.  All of our guests assumed we'd gotten scared and ran for the hills." 

"We spent our wedding night in the hospital.  I thought it would be funny if I took the less gentlemanly road with the cake... I smashed the buttercream icing in her face.  All over her face.  I forgot that she has a severe allergy to milk and we were supposed to exchange bites of the pie sitting next to the cake.  She broke out in hive and the icing that got into her eyes made them swell up like she'd been attacked in a dark ally.  I sure looked like a jerk." 

It's amazing what people remember... and more amazing what they choose to share!

A Moment in Time

We are so lucky to have some VERY talented friends.  At one point, I may have been open to the idea that we are just biased.  It is easy to think the world of someone when you adore them.  Our wedding proved to me that I adore my friends more than I ever knew and they are just are brilliantly gifted.  Proof?  The photo below is one that Jen, one of our BFFs, snapped while we were posing for another photo.  When I saw this photo I got butterflies in my stomach.  This image depicts everything I dreamed of in a wedding day from the naturally breathtaking setting, the adoring groom, and the undeniable joy that is us.  Maybe that is why I am crazy about this image.  It doesn't hurt that I've admired this friend for years.  Jen is one of the most amazingly gifted photographers I've ever met.  Thanks to her skilled photography and willingness to share, I will be able to remember our wedding day, as the dream come true that it was. 

Jen's Photos

Puppy Love

Kory and I went to great lengths to find a kennel in Pittsburgh that we felt confident would take wonderful care of our ornery Sammie while we were getting married in paradise.  We settled on a facility equipped with a massive dog run, couches, oversized kennels, and of course sweet people to love on our girl.  As wonderful as our time was on our cruise and in Mexico, Kory and I were undeniably excited to get home to our furbaby.  And she seemed pretty thrilled and probably quite relieved to see us again! As the above photo might reveal, it didn't take Sammie Sunshine long to steal Kory's heart back and take over our bed.  Lucky for us, she was as worn out as we were!

It's Official

We all know that your relationship status doesn't REALLY count until you've made it official on Facebook.  Of course. that is ridiculous, but as expected, I had to change my status from "Engaged" to "Married" as soon as my fingers hit the keyboard! :) And stand over Kory as he "confirmed" he is infact married to me!  So now it's official, we're married... even on Facebook!

Wedding Photo Highlights

Our dear friend, Jera, took lots of photos the entire week.  Here are a few of our favorites...

We cannot express how thankful we are that so many of our friends and family were able to share this priceless week with us!

Just Married!

After one of the best weeks of our lives which ended in our marriage and Thanksgiving with our dearest friends and family, we are finally home trying to come to terms with reality and the fact that we are now Mr. and Mrs. Blose! 

1 WEEK

Boy!  We are REALLY getting down to the wire!  I must be in denial.  Though last night when we picked my grandmother (affectionately also known as "nan") up from the airport, the reality began to set in.  She is here because I am getting married.  The incredible family eirlooms she passed on to me as wedding gifts were amazing.  This too made the reality of the upcoming events seem more real.  Mexico, here we come! : )

1 week
... 7 days
.... 168 hours
   .... 10080 minutes

Thanksgiving Thursday

Thursday will be a full day at sea which will include a formal night.  We do not have anything planned for the group on this day.  Because of the size of our group, the cruise ship and our travel agency have arranged a complimentary cocktail hour for our group from 4:30 - 5:30 pm in the Xanadu Lounge.

When we booked our cruises, Kristi made it possible for our group to opt for early or late dinner each day. Kory and I plan to partake in late dinner. Feel free to join us or do your own thing! 

The only day we have plans for the whole group is Wednesday (see previous post for details). 

PS.  I've been told elastic pants and loose tops are a must on this Thanksgiving at sea! :)

Wedding Wednesday

Wedding Day Details & Agenda

Wednesday - November 24, 2010

Guests should get dressed and ready for the festivities on the ship before disembarking. 
Restroom facilities will be available at the resort.

Since we have chosen to do this wedding in an obscure location, these are all the details we have.  If anyone recognizes any gaps, please let us know!  We are trying our hardest to cover every necessary area! :) 

Future Family... :)

This last weekend was full of family fun.  As soon as I got home from my week in California, Kory and I headed to Punxsy for Kory's nephew's 7th birthday party, my brother's 17th birthday party, and Kory's family Thanksgiving celebration.... and all of this in an 8 hour period. 

I remember the first holiday I spent with Kory and his family.  I was beyond terrified.  I couldn't help but be worried that Kory's big sisters and mom wouldn't find me worthy of their brother and son's love.  It is kind of funny looking back and remembering the fear, and today, I cannot imagine life without them! 

After all of the festivities, Kory and I spent the evening with Kristi and John, my future sister and brother in law.  We played card games (all of which I was the proud loser) and got to know their newest addition, a 4-month old pup.  I can't tell you the last time I laughed so hard! And there is something about spending time with a couple that has such a genuine love!  I left that night, counting my blessings once again and looking so forward to my future with Kory and his family!

1 week until we all set sail from Miami! :)

2 Weeks!

It's 12:30 am in Pittsburgh /  9:30 am in Santa Barbara.  Since Cozumel is in the Central Time Zone, technically our wedding is still 2 weeks from today.  2 weeks!  That just seems unreal!  I am ecstatic and nervous and just so excited! 

Backup Plan

The company I work for has their corporate office in Santa Barbara, California.  The office is on a cliff overlooking the Pacific ocean... which has an incredible view.   I have become great freinds with one of co workers - Anu.  While we were walking around the property Anu and I were talking about how we should have planned to get married at the corporate office... the scenery is amazing.

3 Weeks!

I received an email from Jen, one of my dearest friends, today - "subject: Twenty-One Days!"
The real countdown has officially begun!  I am still in complete shock that my wedding day is just around the corner!

I had my final dress fitting on Friday.  It was surreal.  I went alone, unaware that this is something you never dare go to alone.  The bridal consultant looked around when I came in.  Puzzled, she asked, "Where's everyone else?"  My confusion must have clued her in that no one else was coming.  She explained that most gals bring in at least one trusted confidant for the final fitting.  I guess everyone is in for a surprise! :)

No time to talk, got to pack... only 17 days to tie up the loose ends and prepare ourselves for an amazing vacation!
 

Co Worker Countdown

When I arrived at work this morning, my client team surprised me when they exclaimed in unison, "4 weeks!"  as I walked into our designated conference room.  Eye brows raised awe, I couldn't help but laugh.  First of all, I couldn't believe that they even remembered... second, I was stunned by their level of enthusiasm!  You'd think they were counting down the days to their retirement or lottery win- all 4 guys! :P  The cherry on top was when they all genuinely inquired as to whether or not they could help with anything! 
...sometimes I feel like the luckiest gal in the world.  Just when I think I am so stressed out, 4 of the most happily married men remind me what this process is really supposed to be about - love, happiness, and my future with Mr. Right! :)

4 weeks...
   ...  28 days...
    ... 672 hours...
woah.

1 MONTH!

Holy cow!  Where did the last 13 months go?  I imagined the time would fly, but I guess there is really no way to know how quickly it seems to pass until you realize there is a single month between you and your wedding day!  If you're wondering how it feels... it is terrifying, exciting, stressful, and most of all, unbelievable!  I still accidentally slip up and introduce Kory as "my boyfriend" on occasion.  What is going to happen when I introduce my husband as my boyfriend?  Good indication that this part of my brain is slower to transition than the part that is eagerly moving into the next phase... and the next phase! :)

So there is 1 month until we actually tie the knot but there is only 26 days until Kory and I fly down to Florida to begin our wedding adventure.  That means, technically speaking, I have 25 days to tie up all the loose ends!!! 

It goes without saying that I have a whole new appreciation for every wedding that I have ever gone to and will ever attend in the future - - specifically the bride, behind the wedding!  The fact that 1 individual, typically a young girl who has no background in party planning, or vacation planning, or major gatherings in general, is expected to put together a 'once in a lifetime' event for all of her friends and family, is quite the daunting feat.  More impressively, most of them generally turn out seemingly perfect and you'd never know that bride had a stressful moment!  How do you do it, ladies? 

Here's to keeping it together over the next month... prayers welcome!

Yes I’ll Marry You

In my search for wedding stuff, I ran across this adorable poem by Pam Ayres that reminded me so much of myself.  :)

Yes, I’ll marry you, my dear,

And here’s the reason why;

So I can push you out of bed

When the baby starts to cry

And I hear a knocking

And it’s creepy and it’s late

I hand you the torch you see

And you investigate

Yes I’ll marry you my dear

And you may not apprehend it

But when the tumble dryer goes

It’s you that has to mend it

You have to face the neighbour

Should our roggie cat attack him

And if a drunkard fondles me

It’s you that has to whack him

Yes I’ll marry you

You’re virile and you’re lean

Your house is like a pigsty

I’ll help you keep it clean

That sexy little dinner

Which you served by candle night

As I do the chappatis you can cook it every night

It’s you who has to work the drill

And put up curtain track

And when I’ve got a migraine its you who gets the flack

I do see great advantages

But none of them for you

And so before you see the light

I do I do I do I do

Oh the Anticipation!

I don't know about you, but I am ready to get my bags packed and head to Florida to wait for our ship!  Come on, it's only a little over a month early!  When I was a kid, I would start getting ready for vacations as soon as the idea of getting away was conceived, sometimes several months premature and I think I have a good excuse to anticipate this little getaway... I hear the food is to die for!  (haha, Just kidding, Kory!)

In preparation for our group vacation, I requested a few tips from Kristi and she responded with some very useful links for the novice cruiser in me...   here are the questions and responses:

1. What kind of entertainment should we expect? 
Response: Entertainment Link

2. Is there anything special I need to make sure I bring?
Response: What to Bring
Oh and I even found websites that provide checklists!  I found this site to be the most helpful: List

3. Any tips for a first time cruiser?
Response: Carnival Tips

If you have run across anything helpful, or if you've cruised before and have some personal tips, do tell!! 

37 days until the wedding... 35 days until our ship will sail!

Man Bling

With a month and a week to spare before our wedding day, I thought it was time that I drag Kory to a jeweler to pick out his wedding band.  We headed to the area with the greatest concentration of jewelry stores - the mall.  With Kory's specific desires in a ring, I thought we would likely visit every option the mall had to offer.  So when he found a ring that fit all of his "unusual" criteria at our first stop, I was completely shocked.  He insisted on ending the search, obviously because he'd found what he was looking for and more importantly, he hates the mall.  The shopper in me wanted to "shop around."  Fortunately for Kory, he was the appointed "boss" for this endeavor.  We ordered the ring, and headed home to watch his darling Steelers. 

This my friends, was the quickest successful trip I have ever made to the mall ... my future hubby will be clearly marked as T-A-K-E-N, in style! :)

Lap Dog

In celebration of her human grandparents' anniversary, Samantha felt a need to share my mom's chair with her at the dinner table.  One foot at a time she worked her way up onto her lap.  The dinner table is no place for a dog... but my mom brings out the baby in Sam, as you can see.  What a dog!  She simply has no idea how big she really is.  She is a teacup poodle in a giant's body!

Happy Anniversary to my Darling Parents!

Last weekend we had the pleasure of having my little sister and her boyfriend hang out with us for the weekend.  To add to the festivities, my parents came to Pittsburgh with my little brother to celebrate their anniversary!  They were so excited to have 3/4 of their kids together - but of course we all missed my sis, Kelly and her sweet kiddos.

I think everyone had a great time!  On our way to dinner, we stopped at a men's suit shop to have my dad and brother fitted for a suit to wear on the cruise.  I never knew it would be so fun dressing them up!  After my dad and Mikey had tried on what seemed like every suit in the place, they met with the seamstress on we headed down the road to dinner. 

Of course dinner was full of lots of laughter and comical conversation!  It was amazing to look around and think that this group of people is really all due to the love of one couple.  : )

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!  We love you so very much!! : )

The 3 couples while we were waiting for our table to be prepared (taken by Mikey)

Rosenberger Love.

The boys!

No family affair would be complete without some silliness... and this gathering was no exception.... :)

Later in the evening, we had the joy of hanging out with a long time family friend, Derek.  We are excited that Derek has agreed to control our video camera for our wedding! 

After a weekend with most of my family and some special additions, I am so thankful we made the decision to transplant ourselves to the other side of the country!  I can't believe what we would have missed out on!  Here's to more wonderful times with our nearest and dearest! :)

Recipe for your own Fairytale Love

Though the underlying lessons of this article are awesome, the inspiration from which it was written, creating your own fairytale romance) totally cracks me up!  I can't help but think of the Disney princesses and their perfect princes! Maybe I'm crazy for reading this kind of stuff, but if it's out there, and it works, why not learn my lessons through someone else's experiences?  I know, the author is probably a boyfriendless PhD student... but the attempt to link fairytales to reality is impressive! 

(Original Article)

Leave no doubt of your affection.
In romances you'll notice how the main pursuer is usually always up front about their feelings. Never do they let them believe otherwise. Take a look at your relationship (or past ones). Does your partner really know exactly how you feel? When was the last time you told them why you loved them or showered them with unexpected attention for no reason? If it's been awhile… do it now!

Value your relationship.
Most fairy tales involve the characters going through a tremendous obstacle to actually be able to be together. Overcoming those obstacles teach the couple how valuable the relationship and each other are. In real life it is easy to forget how important your relationship actually is. It may not seem like you've overcome great feats to be together, but if you think about it you could be alone still searching for someone. Think about how you would feel or what you would do if for some reason you would never see your partner again after today. How would that affect you? Make an effort to show your partner how much you value them and your relationship.
Defend and respect your partner.
When watching or reading a romance you'll notice how the characters never disrespect each other. Also, if some injustice has occurred towards their partner they are the first to stand up for them. There is something in doing those two things that completely changes the dynamics of a relationship. Imagine how you would feel if you witnessed your partner defending you or speaking highly of you to someone else. Make it a point to be there for your partner when they need it most and to show how much you respect them.

Don't evaluate or criticize your partner.
If a character in a romance overly criticized or tried to change the other character, the romance would never take place. Why? Because no one wants to be reminded of their faults or shortcomings, especially from someone who is supposed to love them unconditionally. A relationship is a place where each partner can feel completely and totally free with each other without judgment. It should be a haven where you go when outside forces close in. The next time you feel the urge to say something that isn't positive towards your partner… don't. Accept them for who they are… completely.

Don't let outside sources influence your relationship.
The number one antagonist in a fairy tale is a third party trying to destroy a relationship. Many times it's not even intentional. Outside influences are one of the largest causes of strife in a relationship. Take a look at your relationship now. Is there anything you both frequently argue about? Chances are it's been caused by an outside influence. The next time you feel the need to criticize, judge or argue with your partner make sure it's actually something that originated from you. If someone tells you something about your partner, first check the validity of the source and then confront your partner in an adult manner. Don't first assume what the person said was true. This is trait is especially important when it comes to family members.

Last, but definitely not least, don't do anything to cause a lack of affection from your partner.
Not all fairy tales have a happy ending. When they don't it's almost always because one of the characters did something to make the other fall out of love with them. Your partner can only love you as much as you give reason for them to love you. Don't jeopardize your relationship by doing something you know will cause them to lose their trust, faith and/or love in you. It's not worth it… ever.

6 years ago...

Kory and I are coming up on our 6 year anniversary!  Well, really, we don't have a technical anniversary.  We started dating casually, then seeing each other more regularly, moved across the country together, and next thing you know we are engaged and planning a wedding.  There was never a single day that we made it "official" that we were exclusively dating one another.

Though to me, there is a date, so I call this our "I Love You" Anniversary.  It was the day that I knew, irrefutably, that I never wanted to live another day without Kory by my side, and so I decided to express this to him with 3 little words - I love you.  This was only 3 years after the first time he "said" them to me on ICQ! haha! 

So with our anniversary just around the corner, my little romancer surprised me with a super cute Pittsburgh Penguins shirt (not the romantic part... but super cute, and much loved) and tickets to the opera!  Now I know he must love me to willingly buy those tickets! :P

Love on Mount Washington

Last night Kory and I had our first double date with Phillip ("Bear") and Ann, Kory's cousin and his fiance.  To our delight, they brought along their crazy cute little boy, Lucas.  We started out the night at a Hibachi grill for dinner.  Our chef was entertaining and fun ... and the food was delicious!  We had an awesome time getting to know Phillip, Ann, and sweet Lucas. 

After dinner Phillip and Ann kindly offered to take us up to Mount Washington - a place I'd somehow never heard of and they insisted was worth our time. 
Oh my goodness... If you've never been there, GO!  It is amazing.  It is on top of this hill overlooking Pittsburgh - it is amazing!  (oops... I think I already said that... but it deserves 2x amazing!)  I'd certainly never seen this perspective of Pittsburgh.  The twinkling city lights from the skyline at night were breathtaking and so very romantic. 
So romantic that Kory, Ann, Phillip, Lucas, and I all has the privilege of witnessing a marriage proposal.  We were hanging out on one of the scenic overlooks taking pictures, in no hurry at all.  I noticed a very well dressed couple (he was in a suit and she was in a silver cocktail dress)  hanging back patiently waiting for their turn to take a look.  This didn't seem out of the ordinary until we saw a photographer standing behind them, silently attempting to shoo us away.  When we all finally got the hint, we stepped aside and watched the magic happen.  The couple moved forward to take in the incredible view. They spoke a few words, not legible to our ears.  Then he pulled the ring out of his coat pocket, and got down on one knee.  In one swift movement he was back on his feet and they were kissing and hugging.  All the while the photographer was capturing this life changing moment in one of the most incredible spots I think I have ever been to!  It was perfect... so much so that I let out a loud cheer followed by a clapping precession.  Maybe inappropriate but well deserved. 
Phillip had mentioned that people get engaged up there all the time, but I just never would have imagined that on that Thursday night, we would be privy to witness such a thing! :)  It was such a fun night...  and I am so thankful we will get to hang out with them again... and again!

Time Flies...

I'm told that time flies when you're having fun... I'm finding that it flies particularly fast when you work 80 hour weeks and have a construction zone at home to tend to on the weekends.  Excuses aside, Kory and I have 49 days left until all of this (or lack there of) planning comes to fruition and we seal the deal in front of most of our closest friends and family.  This realization of how little time actually remains makes my stomach drop and flip flop with anxiety - not, of course, because of cold feet, but because I know I am forgetting to do something important!  With more substantially planning required than the wedding, the hometown celebration in January is also beginning to creep up on us.  When I actually get a little free time to think about it, I begin to wonder what I was thinking when I agreed to complicate this all so much.  Fortunately those opportunities to think about past decisions are scarce! : p

49 days until we officially merge our lives on the sandy beaches in Cozumel...

2 Months!

It is hard to believe that a year has passed since Kory and I got engaged... which means there are only 2 short months until that proposal comes to fruition!  I cannot believe how quickly the time has passed... and how easily distracted we have been related to the focus on planning our wedding.  From moving, school/work, and our first house, we have had very little spare time to stress about the wedding... which I hear is very unusual.  I suppose most couples take more of a "one challenge at a time" approach while Kory and I seem to have chosen to do it all at once... which may be a blessing in disguise. :)

Our Comic Relief & Her Red Bone

Sam is lucky that we find her undeniably, heart meltingly adorable because she is a terror that I'm certain most people would get fed up with or give up on.  It's not enough that she chews holes in our socks and scares away our visitors (both welcome and unwelcome), we end up with black eyelash looking hair all over every surface and she leaves slime marks on our clothes that must make people wonder if we own a washing machine!  Thank goodness we have a heart for animals and a sense of humor to go along with it - otherwise our "baby" would have likely found herself at an animal shelter instead of in our bed, stretched out to the max.

We have discovered one thing that keeps our little devil occupied and out of trouble - her red Kong bone.  Made of truly indestructible rubber, we are able to stuff it full of the most delectable scented treats and leave her with the challenge of how to get those treats from within the tight rubber holes.  All I can say is, Thank God for Kong!  We never could have guessed that the $15 we invested in that dog toy would be the best $15 we would ever spend. 

When she's finally maneuvered the treat out of the bone, she will cover it with slime and offer one of us an end in order to play tug.   Because we love her, and we find her persistence so darn cute, we humor her... even Grammy Marilyn has been known to give in to those dreamy puppy eyes and take hold of the slimy red bone for a good game of tug-o'-war!

Recently, I spent a couple of days working from home.  One day Sam was particularly energized while I was trying to do my job at my laptop.  Instead of stuffing the bone with a goodie and sending her off with something to do, I just shooed her away and continued what I was doing.  When I got up to grab a snack, this is what I came back to... 

...maybe a reminder of where Sam thinks my priorities should lie? Or maybe a very direct request for a little something special in the empty toy...

In the end, she got a turkey stuffed bone and I got a much needed laugh. Sometimes I think she might be a little smarter than we realize.  Dumb or brilliant, she certainly adds an invaluable comic spice to our lives!

World's most durable dog toys... KONG WEBSITE

If you know a dog owner with an unruly pup... send them the link,

you'll help them preserve their sanity and their possessions!

Project Update

Remember, this is where the wall was when "we" started:

And this is where we are today, after many long hours of hard work and a few early discoveries that will end up saving up big bucks!

This photo shows you the specific addition that was made to support the dining room / living room ceiling, which had been dangling since the previous own ignorantly removed too much of the wall.

This was never meant to be a blog with an underlying HGTV theme, but I am just so proud of the work Kory and my dad have done, and SO thankful for their able hands and awesome attitudes! :)    Of course, there is still lots of work to be done to complete this mini renovation... mudding, sanding, painting, etc.  But frankly, at this phase in the game, I'm just happy to have a structurally sound roof over my head!