Another Christmas has come and gone. Christmas seems to fly by faster and faster the older we get. We went back home for 3 days and enjoyed every minute of it. In those 3 days, we managed to meet up with some friends for supper, went uptown to have some drinks with old high school friends, went to the Christmas Eve candlelight church service, celebrated 3 family Christmases, and ate A LOT of food!! Actually, I ate a lot less than I normally would have as I have not been feeling well since the 21st. For the past 5 days I have had flu-like symptoms on and off, which made for an undesirable Christmas.
Adam and I must have been on Santa's nice list this year because we got everything we wanted for Christmas. I got a lefse grill, along with the utensils to go with it, kitchen items, bath towels, iPod dock, clothes, perfume, money, and a few other things. Adam got a ball/club washer and cooler for his golf cart, golf balls, golf club covers, Celtics hats, Hawkeye stuff, money, and a few other things.
Although Christmas is over, we still have a lot of exciting events coming up. My 25th birthday is on Monday, which we are meeting our families for supper in Mason City. And then we are leaving for Vegas on the 30th to celebrate the New Year!!

Christmas Cards

We've enjoyed receiving everyone's holiday greeting cards this season. However, every time we get one, Adam always comments about how we didn't send one out! He is honestly bothered by this. I told him that he could've ordered Christmas cards, why do women always have to do it?! Ha Ha! At one point, I was planning on sending cards out, but my procrastination got in the way.;) I thought about using one of our wedding pictures, but decided not to since we technically have been married for 2 1/2 years. We don't have many recent pictures of us so I decided that we would skip Christmas cards this year and try again next year. Well, to make Adam happy, we will be sending out a New Years card. We hope to get a few good pictures of us while we're out in Vegas over NYE and use one of those. So, be checking your mailbox during the first week of January!

Grown Up Christmas List

The Christmas song that is playing on the blog this week is amazing! It's called "Grown Up Christmas List" by Michael Buble. I have 4 things on my grown-up Christmas list: 1. Full-time teaching job 2. Start a family soon 3. Money for house updates 4. Peace on Earth. Here are the lyrics. Enjoy!

Do you remember me?
I sat upon your knee
I wrote to you with childhood fantasies
Well, I'm all grown-up now
Can you still help somehow?
I'm not a child, but my heart still can dream
So here's my lifelong wish
My grown-up Christmas list
Not for myself, but for a world in need

Chorus:
No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
Every man would have a friend
That right would always win
And love would never end
This is my grown-up Christmas list

What is this illusion called
the innocence of youth?
Maybe only in that blind
belief can we ever find the truth

Repeat chorus

Easy Holiday Baking

If you're anything like me, you won't attempt a recipe if it has more that 5-7 ingredients. I easily get intimidated by the long list of ingredients and steps in a recipe before even reading it. I've found a few recipes for the holidays that are also very easy to make. Give them a try!

Pumpkin Spice Cookies

1 15 oz. can of pumpkin
1 spice cake mix

1. Mix ingredients - batter will be stiff/sticky (Do NOT add eggs or oil, just the pumpkin!)
2. Drop by tablespoons onto lightly greased cookie sheet
3. Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes
4. Let stand for 5 minutes before placing on cooling rack

These are delicious! VERY moist - a cross between a cookie and a muffin. Warning - cookie will turn out exactly the way dough appears on cookie sheet, so I smooth them out with the back of a spoon. Only 2 WW points!

Black Bean Brownies

1 15 oz. can of black beans
1 box brownie mix

1. Rinse black beans well - with beans back in the can, add enough water to cover beans
2. Put bans in blender or food processor and puree
3. Add puree to brownie mix, and then bake according to package directions.

You DO NOT add the eggs or oil that the recipe calls for, JUST the black bean puree! Makes 20 brownies-- 2 Weight Watcher Points each! Rich, moist, fudgey and full of protein and fiber! They sound gross, but I can promise you that no one will know the difference.

Holiday Pretzels

1 bag of holiday pretzels (the round ones)
1 bag of holiday m&m's
1 bag of rolo's

1. Place pretzels on baking sheet and place unwrapped rolo in the center of each pretzel
2. Bake at 250 for 4 minutes
3. Immediately place m&m in center of rolo when out of the oven
4. Cool in fridge before eating

I made these this morning. It took me less that 10 minutes to make 2 cookie sheets full. There are about 55 rolos in one bag, so you may need 3-4 bags to fill the pretzels. These went fast - I took them to work and everyone loved them. When I got home from work, Adam had the rest of them gone already! Very easy to make - thanks for the recipe mom! Here's another tip - instead of an m&m on top, use 1/2 of a pecan - then it tastes like a turtle candy. (thanks Jodi H)

Spinning Wheels

Do you remember when you were a kid and went rollerskating at the nearest roller rink? Ate pickles on a stick...attempted to do the limbo on skates....held hands with your boyfriend/girlfriend during the slow songs....sat around tables and gossiped with your friends? Well folks, I got to re-live those days and it was a BLAST! Except this time I was the one passing out the skates and taking the $10 that you spent at the concession stand! You heard it right, I am working part-time at Spinning Wheels, a roller rink here in Clarion.

It's actually not as pathetic as it may sound to you right now. The rink is only open on Friday and Saturday from 7 pm to 10 pm. Not your idea of a Friday or Saturday night? Well, it gives me something to do because Adam works majority of the weekends. I usually end up sitting at home by myself watching a movie, surfing the net, or cleaning. So why not get paid to listen to music and hang out with kids for a few hours? I had so much fun and can't wait until the owners need my help again! I met the owners because I have their 3 daughters in the after school program and they are always saying that they need help, so I gave them my name and number, and the rest is history!

PS - Adam is really proud to tell everyone that his wife works at a rollerskating rink! ;)

'tis the season

'Tis the season for school delays and cancellations! Today marked the first day of school cancellations, with many more to follow, I'm sure. I was scheduled to sub today in Belmond, but didn't have to due to the ice and inches and inches of snow. Last night I was glued to the TV waiting for Belmond-Klemme to scroll across the screen under school delays and cancellations. I think teachers are worse than kids when it comes to wanting school to be delayed or cancelled. I have a lot of college friends that are teachers and all of their facebook status' stated that they were praying for a snow day, or happy that school was cancelled. I was happy, yet a little disappointed because it was my only scheduled day of subbing this week.

Adam was a busy bee this morning and shoveled our drive way. Our front sidewalk was already done. We have no clue who cleared it, but hope it happens again. Adam already wants to buy a snow blower! It's going to be a long winter!

PS - the song playing is "Believe" by Josh Groban. It is from the best book, now turned into movie - The Polar Express. If you haven't watched it - you MUST - read the book first!

Christmas Party

We survived our first Christmas party of the season! This past weekend Adam had his National Guard Christmas party at the Kahler Hotel in Rochester, MN. The party started with a social hour, followed by a sit-down dinner, and ended with a speech from the unit's former Major General. Many toasts were made throughout the night to honor the National Guard, Freedom, the President and loved ones lost in combat. Toasts were made with their traditional "grog." A big kettle was filled with a mixture of alcohol and each soldier received a canteen cup full of the "grog." For example, long ago the unit stood fast to fight the Russians during the cold war, so Russian vodka was added, Saki was added for going to Japan during WWII, sand (brown sugar) for Iraq, etc. During a toast, all the soldiers had to stand, raise their cup, say their unit motto, and then drink...all of the up and down caused a button to pop off of Adam's uniform...haha....or maybe it was too much food and drinks...

We had a good time. I was honored to be in a room full of dedicated and brave soldiers. Although I hate the deployment aspect of the military, I really do enjoy everything else that comes with it. The haircuts, uniforms, manners, patriotism, stories, camaraderie, and closeness of families. I could definitely feel the love and pride being in a room full of 100+ soldiers and their families. There is nothing better you could give a military family for Christmas than for their solider to be home!

The "grog"

Adam and I after the party

Busy December

Sorry it has been so long since I've blogged, I just haven't been in the mood. I think the cold weather is bringing me down already! All I want to do is wrap myself in a blanket and watch a movie now-a-days. I'm still trying to catch up sleep from being back home for Thanksgiving. We had a wonderful time with our family and friends - maybe a little too much fun! Just ask Adam about that the next time you see him! :)

We do need to get out butts in gear though, because December is a busy month for us. This weekend we will be up in Rochester, MN for Adam's National Guard Christmas party. It should be a good time - I'm excited to go because I've never been to any of his Army "stuff" because it has always been in North Carolina. Adam has to wear his Class A's (the dress uniform) and I get to wear a dress too! Later in the month we have a wedding to go to, then we'll travel home for 3 days over Christmas, and then we leave for VEGAS on the 30th! The new year will be here before we know it!

Turkey Day

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! We hope you all enjoyed your day surrounded by good food, family, friends and football! We haven't actually celebrated yet because Adam is working tonite. We will be traveling to Northwood tomorrow and staying for the weekend. We will celebrate with Adam's family on Saturday and mine on Sunday. We are anxious to be home with our families to relax and catch up on life over some soul food!

The holidays truly are not the same without family. Today did not seem like Thanksgiving to us because we were alone. I did watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which made me feel a little more like I was at home. It's a tradition that I absolutely love, even though I usually miss the beginning of it because I can't get out of bed! Another Thanksgiving tradition that I look forward to every year is helping my dad make his homemade noodles. Every morning my brothers and I help him break the dough into noodles..no matter how old I get, I still love it! No noodles for me today, but I did make a ghetto-fabulous Thanksgiving meal consisting of a Jennie-O turkey roast, instant mashed potatoes, and boxed stuffing...And I made a delicious Oreo Fudge Peanut Butter Pie..it was heavenly!!! After lunch we watched about 2 plays of football and fell asleep on the couch - Thanksgiving just isn't the same without a nap!!!

We hope you all have much to be thankful for this year! We sure do - our marriage, health, home, family, friends, jobs, and our FREEDOM! We pray for all the soldiers around the world and their families. The holiday season is very lonely for military families - so be very thankful that you are able to celebrate with your family this holiday season!

O Christmas Tree

Being first time homeowners has made us realize all the piddly stuff that we DON'T have, but is essential to everyday living. Things such as utensils, curtains, lamps, washrags, rugs, garbage cans, etc. You get the picture...all these things are so simple, yet so important to life. Anyways, last weekend I was taking down our Halloween decorations (remember I'm a procrastinator) and putting up our Christmas decorations, and I realized that we don't own a Christmas tree. Another one of those "things" that is annoying to buy, yet essential for the holiday season.

So Adam and I weighed our options. Option #1: cut down the pine tree on the side of our garage (which will be removed next year to make room for a garden) Option #2: go to a local Christmas Tree farm with Adam's co-worker (they offered to haul it back for us in their truck) Option #3: buy a pre-lit tree during a Black Friday sale

Well, I decided on option #4: buy one at an auction, which was held at the bar! I mean, who doesn't buy their Christmas tree at a bar, and on auction?!?! Well, it's not as redneck as you are thinking right now! Every year, Clarion has a holiday auction the Monday before Thanksgiving. All of the proceeds are used to buy holiday fruit baskets for residents of the care center and other needy citizens of Clarion. Any left over money is used to create a scholarship for a graduating senior. All of the items at the auction are donated by the people of Clarion and surrounding areas. A lot of baked goods, crafts, athletic apparel, gift certificates and random odds and ends are auctioned off. The auction is held in a big party room in one of the local bar..tons of tables and folding chairs are set up. Everyone grabs a number and a drink and enjoys the show!!

I had been eyeing the tree since the beginning of the night. It was a pre-lit tree, about 6 1/2 ft tall. Not a slim-line tree, but not a big fat one either, just a cute - medium sized one. (Next year it will look really cute in our front porch or sunroom) Of course it was one of the last things to be sold..so six beers later, it was up for bid. Things were getting VERY cheap at this point in the night because the crowd was dwindling down. I ended up getting the tree for $60, which is a very good deal considering 2 dozen rolls and a snowman craft went for $200 at the beginning of the night!! However, I came to find out that a few guys sitting behind me were bidding against me as a joke because they knew how badly I wanted the tree! So to make up for their mean prank, they bought me a Christmas wreath, a few snowman figurines, and a HUGE bottle (think bottle of wine) of hot sauce!

Overall, it was a fun night and my $60 Christmas tree purchase helped buy a little old lady a fruit basket! It will make for a great story to tell our kids someday! Next year, we plan on getting a real one. [I don't think Adam was too thrilled about my purchase ;) ] Do you remember your first Christmas Tree?!

We Did It!!!

It's official - we're going to Vegas over New Years Eve!!!! We just got done booking our flight/hotel package and tickets to see The Blue Man Group! We are so excited!! We figured prices would go up over the weekend, but surprisingly they went down! We booked our trip for the lowest price we've seen in the past few weeks - maybe because gas prices are going down. We contemplated waiting a week longer to see if the prices would drop even more - but didn't want to risk everything booking up.

We're flying out of the Des Moines Airport - a first for me - on Allegiant Air. We're staying at the Excalibur Hotel and Casino - on the opposite end of the strip as Ashley and Ryan - the only downer of the trip. Anyways, thanks for the comments - they helped guide our decision. I know we're going to have a BLAST - we'll think of you all as we party in Sin City!!

VEGAS!!!

Adam and I are contemplating on whether or not to go to Vegas over New Years and it is such a hard decision! Do we NEED to go? No! Do we WANT to go? Yes! My best friend Ashley and her husband are going to be in Vegas over NYE for their honeymoon and "invited" us to meet up with them. I first told her no because we don't want to intrude on their honeymoon, but she insisted that she wouldn't have asked us to meet up with them if they didn't want us out there.

So after we got that awkward issue settled, Adam and I started looking around for prices. Normal prices for a round trip flight and 3 nights in Vegas is around $300. To go out over NYE is about $550 a person. So, we'd be getting ripped off because of the timing. However, I turn 25 on December 29th and Adam turns 30 on January 29th, so this trip would be our Christmas and Birthday present to each other. It's not every day that you celebrate these milestones - so we thought Vegas would be the perfect place to go!!

The next issue we are worried about is the lines, covers, etc. for shows, restaurants, and bars on New Years Eve. Because Vegas is such a party spot, we're hoping that prices and reservations won't be too ridiculous. Vegas is a big enough city that hopefully there won't be any issues. If all else fails, I guess we'll just have to get some beer and go back to our hotel room! (IF we go, we'll be staying in the same hotel as Ashley and Ryan - Stratosphere) The one show that we want to see is the Blue Man Group - tickets are still available...

We're only young once - we have no kids - Adam has 12/30 - 1/3 off, which is a MIRACLE - we have the money saved - we'll have friends out there - NYE in Vegas - need I say more =) - I think the ball is in our court!! What do you think? Should we go? Please leave a comment - I would love some input because if we're going to go - we need to book SOON!

Married Life

You always hear people say that your first year of marriage is always your toughest one. So far, I have to completely disagree with that statement! Well, technically our first year of marriage was spent with Adam being in Iraq, which was tough. But since he has returned and has been back in Iowa, things have been wonderful!!

Adam and I both agree that the main reason for our marriage running so smoothly is because of his time in the Army. We have been married for 29 months so far, and of those 29 months, we have spent 18 of them apart!! It's crazy to think that we've spent more time apart then together! As tough as it was, we learned many valuable lessons. Here are just a few:
~Never take each other for granted
~ Cherish every moment spent together - you never know when it's going to be your last
~ Always end your phone calls with "I Love You" - wouldn't you want those to be the last words you said to a loved one
~ Don't sweat the small stuff - there are WAY more important things to worry about in life

We still live by these lessons each and every day. We have not forgotten where we once were. We have learned to respect each other, listen to each other, and enjoy every moment spent together. Honestly, I don't think we've even had any "major" arguments. We take life as it is and make the most of it. We're just thankful that we are finally able to enjoy life as a married couple.

Here's the Scoop

Here's the 411 for those family and friends that maybe do not know the details about our lives...

Back in April 2008, Adam accepted a job with the Wright County Sheriff's office as a deputy. He loves his job, co-workers, and schedule. His schedule consists of work four nights in a row, and then four nights off. He usually works 6 p.m to 6 a.m. He covers all of Wright County, including the towns of Belmond, Clarion, Goldfield, Eagle Grove, and a few others. He has his own car, which stays at our house on his days off. The department takes care of their officers very well. Adam has become friends with all the officers and a few of the Clarion officers. Currently, he enjoys kicking all of their butts in their fantasy football league!! =)

I am a substitute teacher for the Clarion school district and the Belmond school district. I am also the 4th Grade Associate for Connections, the Clarion-Goldfield After School Program. Everyday from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. I work with a group of about 20 fourth graders. Our afternoon consists of a quick snack and recess, then a good hour or so of homework assistance, and then an hour or so of a group activity, such as a craft, game, etc. It is a very challenging, yet rewarding job! I have also become friends with a few of my co-workers.

With the big move to Clarion, we also became 1st time homeowners!! We bought an old 3 BR home with lots of nice woodwork throughout. It has a 2-stall garage, 1 1/2 baths, sunroom, partially finished basement and brick patio. We love it! We've been slowly making a few changes, such as painting. We eventually want to add a bath on the main level, get a new kitchen floor, and new carpet in the bedrooms. The best part about our house is that it is located right across from the school!! So all I have to do is walk out our front door! I seriously fill my car up with gas once a month! It's awesome! And actually, with Adam not having to drive to work, he rarely fills up his car as well!!

So there you have it - the basics of our everyday lives!

82nd Deploys Again

I know that I told you in the last blog that I would next update you on our personal lives, but we've already had a change of pace. Today I would like to take the time to talk about the 82nd Airborne Division.

As you know, Adam served 4 years in the Army with the 82nd ABN, located in Fort Bragg, NC. In those 4 years, Adam's Battalion was deployed to Afghanistan for 2 months and to Iraq for a LONG 15 months. Today, they are leaving again... They will be spending 12 months somewhere in Iraq. According to Adam, this is their 5th deployment in 6 years! WOW!! They truly are heros!

I am SO thankful that Adam is no longer in the Army. I CANNOT imagine going through another deployment!!! Until you personally know what it feels like to say good-bye to a loved one going off to war, you cannot possibly understand the pain, anxiety, and sadness that comes with a deployment. There is no way to mentally prepare a soldier and his/her family for something like this.

As you are reading this right now, in the comfort of your home, surrounded by your family, hundreds of other families had to say good-bye to their child, father/mother, sister/brother. Please be thankful for what you have. Do not take each other forgranted. Cherish every moment spent together.

So, today I am asking YOU to pray for our troops overseas. Pray for their families, pray for our world leaders, and pray for peace. I have been praying for the soldiers and families of the 82nd all day..often wondering what they are doing at the very moment, what they are feeling, how much time they have left with their soldier. It takes me back to a place where I hated being....a place that is indescribable...a place where I wish upon NOBODY...

Excited to Blog

Hey Everyone!

Welcome to our blog. My intentions for this blog are to inform our family and friends about things happening in our lives. Even though this is a blog for Adam and I, I will be doing all of the blogging, so most of the thoughts/opinions will be strictly mine. Apparently it's not "cool" for guys to blog?! Especially the macho, military/law enforcement ones!! =)

I never imagined myself becoming a blogger, but I have to admit that I am very excited to begin this new "adventure" in my life. A few of my friends started blogging, and I have been addicted to reading them!! So I thought that maybe I could bring some excitement to someone else! Okay, so maybe not excitement, but hopefully a smile or two! =)

I hope you continue to follow our blog. I have so many ideas running through my head right now about future blogs! I actually wrote them down on a piece of paper today so I don't forget them all!! I plan to blog every, or every other day for now. I'm sure as the excitement of blogging wears down, it will become a weekly occurrence. And if you know me at all, you are well aware that I am a HUGE procrastinator - so just be patient!!

Well, gonna go get ready for bed, watch the 10:00 news, and then watch Jay Leno. Tomorrow is Friday! Yay!!!!!!!!

We miss all of our family and friends dearly! We can't wait for the holidays so we can spend time with all of you! Check back in a few days for our next blog...an update on married life, jobs, our house, etc... If you have time, start a blog of your own. We would love to get an update on your lives as well!!