Family time

This was the first weekend Corey & I were home--and we got our first houseguests! Friday night my sisters & their families, plus my parents came over for a (rainy) BBQ. I was excited when I saw everyone sitting around the table in the dining room--it was for real. The Despins stayed with us for the weekend, and even Lambeau was excited because he had his own fenced in area in the backyard. The dogs and kids are very plentiful in our neighborhood--in this case, I'll certainly take convention. Saturday we took a train ride and I spent most of the time taking pictures with Krista's fancy camera--on my Christmas wish list already. We went to my cousin's h.s. grad party (much cooler because adults get to drink beer while all of the kids have to have soda); and topped off the weekend with some more family dining. Kim came over to take pictures of Sydney--I can't wait to see them.

Autopilot

The number of times Corey & I have driven to our old house without realizing: 4

We're here...under the boxes

The closing came and went and everything's official now! Since we finished all the paperwork early on Wednesday, we had lots of time to unpack the truck, load up the garage, and start to find essentials like toothbrushes and hair products. That afternoon we sat in our living room, kind of bewildered. Although we had only moved 1 mile down the road, it felt like we were in a new state! Everything's kinda foreign in a new place. Luckily we had packed a separate suitcase with some essentials--you open boxes that were well-intentioned for accurate labeling and you find swimsuits with your pots and pans.

Updated baby niece pics

I couldn't resist this picture of Tom and Nathan wheeling Sydney, plus another one of her because she's such a cute little butterball!

Can't do math

Calculating the different types of loans we can lock in on for our house requires the greatest stretch of my math skills. Thankfully, last night, we came to an agreement. Corey then asked me, "Isn't it fun when we write everything down and balance our budget every month?" Stressful: yes. Important: yes yes. I suppose that is fun. The fact that we're doing it together is fun. Contrary to the questions of many, we are just starting to pack tonight. It always works out. I think we've passed "organize and throw out what you don't want" and are now living in "throw everything into a box." Some more pictures for motivation (organization).

Salamati, Carrie & Shandiz!

(Which means "Cheers" in Farsi).Thank goodness the weather was wonderful on Saturday--despite cold and downpours most of the week. I opened the shades Saturday morning and it was glorious! Carrie & Shandiz's wedding was absolutely lovely and very unique. It was probably the smallest wedding I have ever been to. She was the epitome of gorgeous--straight out of a magazine. Everything about it was intimate and about the small details. We took some wonderful pictures at the Lakewalk and saw another, rowdier wedding group (aka Kolquist wedding, incl. my husband). They tried to incorporate some Persian traditions with the Sofreh table, along with us learning some basic Persian dance moves (think screwing in a lightbulb), and saw a few mash potatoeing who were actually around when the mash potato came out. Overall, very wonderful day for my very dear friend.

We're changing addresses!

Well, a lot happened in the 2 weeks I was gone--first of all, we finalized the offer on our new place! I had to sign some power of attorney docs so Corey could take care of things himself, and thank goodness I did. We're closing & moving June 18th--a whirlwind but wonderful! He did great taking care of everything so I didn't have to worry while I was gone. Second, Corey is going back to his previous school within the district. He's really excited although he'll of course be leaving wonderful people behind. And obviously, the new wee little one named Sydney...This weekend is CR & Shandiz's wedding, and Kenny & Rikki's, so we'll be doing split duty. I've got quite a few tasks to do for the weddings along with laundry, which is pretty urgent. Thank goodness there's a mani & pedi waiting for the bridal party on Friday...

Comin' to america

I got home from my trip on Monday night. Trying to explain the travels home is confusing when you are jumping so many time zones. It's so much easier coming back, because even if you get to the airport at the ball crack of dawn, it's daylight when you depart and also when you arrive. The plane from Dublin had personalized TVs, so I caught up on 3 new movies and 2 episodes of Friends to while away the hours. I was reminded of how loud americans can be when we got to the airport in Newark. Ah, the subtlety of the Irish...Corey picked me up: it was the longest we've been apart since we've been married! We immediately headed to get groceries, because I think my husband managed to eat nearly everything in the house and still not buy one single item in the 15 days I was gone. Frankly, it was wierd to be back in my own house! I had become rather accustomed to sleeping in different places (and no longer waking up and not knowing where I was); it was actually really wierd to sleep in my own bed. I only made it until 8:00 pm that night. The trip was: amazing, wonderful, thought-provoking, relaxing, fun; all of these things. Spending time with Jane was the absolute best part. I was so lucky to spend almost an entire week with her, meet her family & boyfriend, and to travel the landscape with a native. I'm hoping I'll have a wonderful excuse to return in a few years if she & Ken get married...She sends her best to all of you ladies! Also, traveling with faculty and students reminded me how important studying abroad is. I know it was probably the best decision I ever made in college. I am hoping perhaps this experience could be replicated in future years, seeing that I could contribute to the trip's goals. I told the travelers that within a week they'll want to find a new desitination!