Where did 2010 go?

Of all nights to work overnight, it had to be tonight: New Years Eve! This makes two years in a row Justin and I are in separate places at the same time with no one to smooch at the strike of midnight. Things will get better, I have faith that one day we will have somewhat of the same schedule with at least one day off together. We make due and sacrifice sleep to be able to spend memorable moments together like to night. As I laid in bed, trying to take somewhat of a snooze my mind could not stop thinking about what a year 2010 has been and how fast it FLEW by.

We are so blessed to be able to experience this life we are living and all of the great opportunities that come along with it. Not to mention that I get to experience it with my best friend, my teammate, and my soon to be husband makes it even better.

Here is our year in photos

Justin took me on a hot air balloon ride

wished Matt a safe trip to Iraq in an out of this world suite at Red Rock

Our home being built from this...

to this...

and finally we were able to move in!

laughed hysterically at Andy and Nicole's 80s party

realized that I have some pretty sweet dance moves ha, NOT

Mackenzie Nichole was born on March 20, 2010

finally turned 21

Dad came to visit for my birthday along with Josh, Heather, and Lily

Justin also surprised me with Jason and Jeniece coming in town too!

Mike came home from Afghanistan

threw Ash a bridal shower and bachelorette party for her wedding

summer nights on Fremont Street after a 51s game

We got ENGAGED!

Visited Justin's family in Phoenix

Flew to Ohio for Dad's 50th Birthday, Josh and Lily came to visit

My munchkin playing in the sink with the traveler toothbrush container

walk into the kitchen and the next thing you know she is drenched and shirtless

learned how to shotgun a beer

the boys dancing to the beat of the truck radio at the Rebel game

attended the beautiful wedding of Chris and Christina Dowler

Justin and I were so happy to be apart of your special day

traditional group photo, only 2 more to go!

check out Nicole's baby belly =)

Went out for halloween with work friends!

we giggled at our momma's dancing at Val's birthday

Lily was the perfect helper for my Christmas decorations

First family photo with everyone in it =)

Can't forget about Tyson

Justin and I joined Mom and T for Christmas Eve at Central

Crazy to think that we will only have a couple more Christmas's alone

we enjoy every minute of it while we can =P

Welcome to the world Tristen, so glad the Uncle Justin and I were able to hold you when you were only 2 days old.

2011 has much more in store for us. A list full of life changing events that we will never forget.

Things to look forward too:

Our WEDDING

Graduation

Babies, lots of babies-

Nicole, Leah, Ashley, Keri, Lyndsey, and Lelia

Weddings to attend-

Luke and Katie & Mike and Erin

Official full time status

Another year of life

Surrounding ourselves with our family and friends

Goodbye Wisdom Teeth

Last Thursday, I went to the dentist to have my teeth cleaned and knew that it was finally time to have my wisdom teeth removed. They suggested it a while ago, but decided to ignore it since I absolutely hate the dentist and there was no way that work and school would allow me time off for the recovery. When I was asking questions about the procedure, I was making sure that they would put my completely under because lets face it, I have tears rolling down my face as my iPod is blasting when I get a cavity pulled. There is no way that I would ever be able to make it being awake to have teeth pulled that have not even hit the surface yet! My girlfriend Shilpa from work recently got hers removed and I remember her being knocked out. I called her immediately and she gave me her surgeons name. I called first thing Friday morning and next thing I knew I had an appointment Monday morning at 10am. After verifying my insurance she reminded me to have nothing to eat or drink after midnight. That's when it set in.

Monday morning rolls around and I wake up feeling so hungry. Just knowing that I couldn't eat or drink anything made it so much worse. Justin normally has Mondays off, but since he received his promotion he now works bankers hours and it was his first day in the office. T took off for the day and took me to my consultation and then immediately after that he took me directly back to have them removed. I was scared out of my mind. Last time I went under for surgery, I was in the 7th grade and they had to give me anxiety medicine because I was freaking out. This time I did much better. The fact that the surgeon was pretty good looking helped too, ha! As they were setting everything up, we began talking about our wedding and then next thing you know I'm waking up with gauze stuck in my mouth and not being able to feel my lips or chin.

The drive home was the fastest drive of my life. We were leaving the office, and then all of a sudden I hear T talking to the pharmacy thought the drive thru getting my medicine. Thank you for Vicodin and the strong 800mg Ibuprofen. I got the best part of the couch as Justin and I would call it and passed out! I woke up to T having to leave for basketball practice and then Shilpa and Lindsey from working coming in to take care of me until Justin got home.

I was wearing a scarf since it's always freezing in our house. It was perfect for when I iced my face. I just wrapped it up with bags of frozen corn and ta-da!

Don't mind the after surgery, no make-up, on a lot of pain med look

I though it might make you laugh!

Thank you everyone who helped me out during my chipmunk cheek days

you have no idea how much it means to me!

i need your address please

Its Christmas card time!

I'm not going to lie, I have been a little slacker these past couple of years when it comes time to send these bad boys out. With finals always the first couple of weeks of December, I tend to "forget" about sending out cards.

This year its different.

I am becoming a wife soon and this is just on the list of things that a wife takes care of. It's pretty sad that I still have an entire box of unopened Christmas cards in our holiday storage tote. Unfortunately those babies are staying in there because I found how adorable and convenient Shutterfly's Christmas Cards are. All it takes is a quick little photo upload, and ta-da instantly you have your customized photo cards. Then a couple days later they are in your mail box ready to be addressed, or Shutterfly will even send them directly to your loved ones for a little extra charge. That means all you have to do is upload your family address and they take care of all the dirty work and you enjoy the holidays with your loved ones! With it being that simple, I am pretty sure that I do not have any more excuses why our Christmas cards are late or nonexistent.

I'm pretty sure that I am hooked on this site now. I have tons of options when it comes to framing my house with new photos. I can even turn our photos into canvas to place on the walls as artwork. As you all know, I am in a huge canvas artsy phase right now. They also have fabulous calendar options to share with your family and friends for the entire year.

If you want to get on the fun you can too. CLICK HERE to see all of their wonderful stationary for this Holiday Season.

it finally matches

So remember these bad boys? Well after I hung them up in our dining room, Justin came home and asked why green. I didn't realized that it would come out LIME green. Justin wasn't a fan of the color and suggested that we move them into the guest bedroom and use the new can of spray paint which would match our place mats that I made earlier, but I kept delaying re-doing them. I thought it was finally time since we were having a bunch of people over for Justin's surprise birthday party and since I am kinda ocd about trying to have my house perfectly cutesy.

Meet my inspiration- Cost Plus World Market painting for $129

Absolutely not in our budget whatsoever, sooo I make my own =)

Well I started with stark white canvas's from Joann's which were 40% off. Used a little bit of Khaki spray paint (super cheap at Wal-Mart) to give it a little color since my walls are still stark white.

After letting them dry for a couple minutes, I brought them inside and began to paint my branches. I just used craft wood paint from Joann's that I already had which worked perfectly.

I continued to paint the branches on the second canvas so that it would flow together.

Then I just used the circle sponges and dotted the tops of the branches with various colors to match my table decor.

I know its not perfect, but it will due and its WAY less than I could ever afford for a painting.

Now I am a super happy camper. IT FINALLY MATCHES to my place mats that I made back in June!

oh ya, it matches my vase cover I made too! woohoo

happy happy day

now all that area needs is some paint to spruce it up and then we will be in good shape

peace, love, and painting!

the best day

Happy Birthday Mommma!
Thank for all that you do. I don't think that you nearly get enough credit for being such a great momma. When we were little you did everything to make sure that Josh and I were well taken care of. You spoiled us when you didn't have very much for yourself. You worked two, even three jobs to make sure we had a comfortable place to live, food on our table, and those new pair of Nike's for Josh's basketball team. Happy birthday to the woman who will always be my best friend, my cheerleader, my window shopper, my chef, my pedicure partner, my supporter, my comic relief, and most importantly, my mother.

(i know your going to kill me for this picture)

I know when I am with you, I always have the best day!

Happy Birthday Mom!

love your buggie

What I am thankful for...

Define: Thanksgiving

• the act of giving thanks; grateful acknowledgment of benefits or favors, especially to God
• an expression of thanks, especially to God.
• a public celebration in acknowledgment of divine favor or kindness.
• a day set apart for giving thanks to God.
  

In the mist of our everyday lives, we start to lose sight of what is really important to us. With all of the material items, social media networks, and reality TV these days, we tend to forget what our purpose is and who we are most thankful for. Thanksgiving is our time to come together and celebrate. This fourth Thursday of November has turned into a wonderful feast that brings together loved ones.

This year Justin and I are celebrating our first feast in our new home with my side of the family. Mom and T are taking a last minute flight from Henderson and Josh, Heather, and Lily have come in town for the entire week.

I am thankful for all the wonderful people and blessings in my life. There was an email going around at work, and never really put life into prospective like this before. I am thankful for this to open my eyes, and not sweat the small stuff anymore.

What I am thankful for:

• The mess to clean up after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends.
• The taxes I pay because it means that I'm employed.
• The clothes that fit a little too snug because it means I have enough to eat.
• My shadow who watches me work because it means I am out in the sunshine.
• The spot I find at the far end of the parking lot because it means I am capable of walking.
• All the complaining I hear about our government because it means we have freedom of speech.
• That lady behind me in church who sings off key because it means that I can hear.
• The piles of laundry and ironing because it means my loved ones are nearby.
• The lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need fixing because it means I have a home.
• My huge heating bill because it means that I am warm.
• Weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means that I have been productive.
• The alarm that goes off in the early morning hours because it means that I am alive.
  
  

I wish that everyone had a great fun filled Thanksgiving and enjoyed it with your loved ones.

Candles on top

Happy Birthday Babe!

today we celebrate 27 candles on top of your cake

We will have a fabulous night with our family and friends!

I love you with all of my heart and in 11 months we will be at the alter =)

Tristen is on his way...

Last weekend, I was able to drive to Arizona for my soon to be sister in law Jaclyn's baby shower. She and her husband, Shane, are expecting the arrival of Shane's first little squirt on January 4. I first arrived on Thursday night when Jeniece and I took Jason to dinner, and then made my way to Justin's moms house. Friday morning, my soon to be mother in law, Karen, had already went into work and I began my to-do list for the shower which constisted of sharpening new baby boy pencils, printing out baby bingo, and cutting and arranging the vegetable platter. After she got off work, we made a trip to Hobby Lobby (my newest favorite place!) to pick up some last minute items for the shower. I had happened to find the perfect size wooden letters, which was exactly what I needed to finish my wooden name board for Jaclyn's gift. I had already made a family photo frame for his room. All I did was purchase the craft wood at Joann's and spray paint the pieces. I applied a little bit of black ribbon for detail and ta-da! I just wrapped them in clear cellophane and tied a little bow on top.

Jaclyn - 8 Months

I am so blessed to be apart of your family.

Thank you for being so kind and making me feel like I've always belonged.

Love you all and can't wait until we visit again.

My Military Hero

Growing up, I always loved this holiday because that meant no school. I never truly understood the meaning of Veteran's Day, until I met Corporal Justin Toranzo. He served in the 1st Marine Division straight out of high school, and was one of the first platoons deployed oversees to Iraq after the war had broke out. I am so proud of all the sacrifices he made to make our home a better place. He put his life on hold to serve our country and better himself as a person. It is so special that he and his brother, Jason, were able to share the same experiences together.

Phil Mickelson

Justin, Pete, and Will

(who he still keeps in contact with)

On Veteran's Day I was able to have meals with the two closest people to me who have served in the Military. Mom, T and I took Justin to Applesbee's before he went to work Thursday morning. I then drove to Arizona for the weekend to be there for his sister Jaclyn's baby shower. That night, Justin's sister Jeniece and I were able to take Jason to Applebee's as well. Even though I made two rounds to Applebees in the same day, it was completely worth it. I felt honored to be able to share such a great day with the boys that mean the most to me.

I am so thankful for you babe and everything that you have accomplished. I know that whatever you decide to do in the future, I will always be by your side and support you. Thank you for supporting me in going to school, and in May it will be your turn. You deserve to use the hard earned GI Bill and receive the free education you worked so hard for.

To all of our friends in the Military, thank you and always remember that you are true heros to all of us back home.