Happy Holidays!

Where Does the Time Go?

So much has happened in the past month - I actually can't believe I haven't written in so long. I have a lot to catch up on. Originally I thought I would just give each event it's own post, but I honestly just can't see myself doing that right now. I will try to summarize what has gone on in the past month.

On June 10, Brian passed his final exams for his Ph.D.!!! Here he is all dressed up on his big day. I'm so proud of him for sticking with it and trying his best.

I hit 100,000 miles on my car. Go me!

We visited my great aunt Karen and uncle Tom in Ojai, CA and spent some time with her new horse Molly.

Our first Santa Barbara festival since moving up here was Summer Solstice, which is based off of Carnival in Brazil. Brian was a little overwhelmed with all the craziness, but overall we had a good time.

I had my dress fitting on July 3, where I spent approximately 40 minutes waiting for the seamstress, but only 10 minutes in my dress. Which I guess is a good things, since it fit perfectly.

We spent July 4th at my godparent's house and at Tim and Dorsie's new house in Lakewood.

We brought our cats up with us finally to our apartment. It has been a transition, with Cinder meowing pretty frequently when we leave the room. We are working on disciplining him with a spray water bottle.

July 9-11 was spent in the mountains of Santa Barbara at Engaged Encounter, which is a requirement for us to get married. Basically it's the Catholic Church's way of making sure you really want to get married, because no normal person would sign up for this. You show up at 7:30pm on Friday night and don't get to leave until 4:00pm on Sunday. You spend the whole time writing in a journal and listening to people cry.

Okay, so it wasn't all bad - but it was too corny for me. Because Brian and I had been dating for 4 years, we had already gone through a lot of this. Most of the couples we met had only been together for a year or two. I can see how it would have been helpful a year or two ago. What I really hated was that it felt like summer camp, sleeping in these little twin beds and sharing a bathroom between 20 women. I'm sure if we had brought binoculars we would have been able to see our apartment from where we were. It literally took us 8 minutes to get home.

So that's been my past month - and this next is going to be even more crazy with my company putting on it's annual forum. I'm looking forward to this coming Sunday, where I can finally relax!

Save the Date!

Sending out our Save the Date cards this week (Yes, I know they're a little late. Oops!) so look for them in the mail!

And here's an update picture of my office. Obviously I've got a lot more on my plate then I did before - but I like it. This Friday is the company picnic and I am very excited! I will get to meet everyone's family and Brian is coming as well.

Then we have gift registry shopping to do on Saturday at Macys...not sure how that's going to go. Seems like so much stuff to go over and no time to do it! I have no idea what I need, or what will fit in my little apartment! But all is going well...I can see the light at the end of the tunnel...


3 MORE MONTHS!

Parents Come To Visit

Now that I'm all grown up, I get to play hosts to my parents in our little apartment! My Mom came to visit on May 27th, and Dad came to visit June 5th. Ironically, though they came separately, I ended up taking them to mostly the same places!

I took them both to the Zoo, to El Torito Grill for lunch, and drove down State Street to show them Santa Barbara. I took my Dad to the Mission where we looked at chalk drawings that had been done the weekend before for an annual festival. I also cooked sweet Italian sausage in the slow cooker and had that with spaghetti for dinner. I had planned to do that for Mom too, but we ate too much at El Torito.

The Zoo pictures are from June 5th when I went with my Dad, since I forgot my camera when I went with Mom. See if you can spot the baby orange monkey!

Here are the pictures from the chalk drawings at the Santa Barbara Mission. They are all on the asphalt right outside the front steps.

And here is my favorite. It looked so real my Canon PowerShot actually recognized it as a face.

I had a great time with both my parents and can't wait for them to come back! The next time they come to visit Brian will have finished his exams, and he can have some fun too. :)

READ THIS BOOK

She is the most important person in medical history - and no one even knows her name. That needs to change. This should be required reading for every student in high school. I cannot think of anyone who has made a more important contribution to medical science than her - and she gave her life to do it.

READ THIS BOOK.

Where to Begin?

One week ago from today, I was thinking about starting a topic on my blog about what it's like to be unemployed. How your own apartment feels like a prison, you can't go outside because you don't want to spend money on your limited budget, or how everything on TV starts to look the same.

On Tuesday morning, at 9:30am, I got a call from a company I had had two phone interviews and a 3 hour interview with in person. I was so impressed with their dedication to their employees, their level of commitment to saving lives, and how truly happy all the employees were at the company. I thought I was in over my head to be honest; this was by far the best job I had interviewed for in 2 months of unemployment.

Dan said good morning, asked how I was, and wanted to speak to me about a job offer. Honestly, I would have accepted any offer they would have given me. I really wanted to work for them. But the job offer was amazing, the benefits are amazing. I feel so blessed. He asked if I could come in on Friday to get some paperwork started and meet all my coworkers. I was so excited I could hardly wait.

I met the CEO and Founder of the company, I met coworkers, etc. Everyone was so nice and welcoming. It was a very fun atmosphere, I wasn't scared to ask questions or get involved at all.

Tuesday will be my second day. Can't wait!



The saga of unemployment has come to an end - and I am so thankful!

Happy Mother's Day, Prayer Request

Happy Mother's Day to all the mommies out there! We know three mommies who are celebrating their first Mother's Day, and we think that is awesome. I hope to be joining your ranks in a few years! :) And Happy Mother's day to my mommy of course, who will hopefully come visit me this Tuesday. I have lots of fun things planned!

Sometimes though, Mother's Days aren't happy. My father's mother, my grandmother whom I call Meme (it's a southern thing), is in the hospital and is very sick. It came as a bit of a shock since she is only 70 and has always been in good health and active. We are all very upset and love her very much. My dad is flying out tomorrow at noon to Arkansas, and Aunty Lisa will fly out on Wednesday. Please keep her in your prayers. Thank you.

I Don't Run

But Brian's brother does! He ran the Santa Barbara Half Marathon on Saturday. He came up to visit us on Friday and we went out to lunch and visited a few hours. Then on Saturday morning we got up a little after 7 to drive up to Solvang and wait for Rob at the finish line. Here are some pictures from the event.

Brian and his brother are so different looking from one another it's hard to believe they have the same parents haha!





Afterwards Rob went back to the hotel to shower so Brian and I shopped around Solvang. We had come here before...it's a fun little Dutch town that has a lot of local shops and wine tasting rooms. We buy our favorite wine from here...but they were sold out! Ugh. We got put on the mailing list though, so now we have an excuse to come up again when they restock. I got a chocolate covered strawberry, and then we met up with Rob and his coworkers at a local Brewery in Buellton. The service was horrible, but the food and company were great. It was a nice little day trip, and we are so proud of Rob for running a half marathon in 2 hours and 36 minutes! Way to go!

My Friday Surprise

Brian is usually pretty good at surprising me as long as he doesn't get nervous...then I know he's up to something. But I had no idea what was going on when he woke me up at 9am and said he had a surprise for me and I had to get dressed. I was a little bit confused, probably because I hadn't gotten my eight hours of sleep, but the idea of a surprise woke me up pretty quick! So I took a quick shower and we got dressed, and left around 9:40.

I had a feeling...but as soon as we got off on the Milpas St. exit I knew for sure...we were going to the Zoo! Santa Barbara amazes me. It's a pretty small city, less than 100,000 people, but they have a HUGE zoo with hundreds of different types of animals. We had been once before and since we had moved back I had wanted to go again.






Giant anteater


Well, Brian had another surprise for me. He bought me a Individual Plus pass, a year's membership to the Zoo! I can go any day I want (except Christmas) and take one other person with me. And parking is free. I was so surprised and excited! What I love about the Santa Barbara Zoo is that it's not just a Zoo but it is also a botanical garden showcasing plants from around the world that grow well in Mediterranean climates. There are rolling hills where you can have picnics, ponds, fountains, plants and flowers, koi fish, etc. At the top of the Zoo (it's situated on hills) you can see the ocean. It's a truly beautiful place to spend the day! Now I just need to find more friends to come with me!


Baby Capybaras from the Amazon






So thank you darling for a wonderful day at the Zoo. I can't wait to go back again, and now I know for sure that we will!

P.S. I was going to post pictures of the otters, but...they're indecent. Let's just say the otters were feeling that spring step and enjoying the birds and the bees. And all the ladies gathered around the enclosure could not stop laughing when someone's kid said "Awww they're hugging." Yes, yes they are.

Santa Barbara Fair and Expo

I love fairs. I don't know why but I just think it is so much fun to go down to a fair and see all the products, animals, food, demonstrations, people, etc. So I was super excited for the SB Fair and Expo since it was only a couple of blocks away from where we live. Brian and I got up on Saturday and headed right over!

Of course, my favorite reasons for going to a fair are the animals. So it was off to the petting zoo!


Loving on the little pony.



I was so excited to pet the baby goats...and hmmmm....what is that little black thing in the corner?



OMGZ it's a baby piglet!!!! I almost died it was so CUTE. Brian said I couldn't keep it though. :(



But I felt a little better when I got to pet Thumper the rabbit. I am so naming my rabbit that...when I convince Brian to let me get a Netherland dwarf or a Holland Lop.


We saw lots of other animals in the barns as well, animals that were being or had been shown. There were goats, sheep, cows, pigs, turkeys, roosters, hens, ducks, etc. You name it they had it. I always forget how big cows are when I get to see them up close. We also saw alpacas and got to watch a lady spinning alpaca fur. Very interesting! Maybe I want one of those too!


One thing I'm absolutely sure I don't want on my future farm...a big fat pig.


I did like her babies though. It was lots of fun and I am so glad we got a chance to get out of the house and go eat some yummy food and celebrate Santa Barbara !