snow day, part 2.

And another snow day!  I could get used to this...

Matthew and I both commented last night on how we love the way the trees look when they're covered with snow in our neighborhood.  I waited too long to take a picture today, because everything started melting with the sunshine!

A great part to having a snow day...meeting Matthew for lunch!  I love seeing him during the middle of our day!

I was also able to finish a wreath I had been working on.  It's very "wintery!"

crazy few weeks.

We...

*closed on our house.
*painted like crazy.
*trimmed branches.
*replaced locks.
*moved all of our stuff in.
*began arranging and organizing said stuff.
*took fishing trip to roaring river.
*started organizing stuff to take to my classroom.

Needless to say, it's been a little busy. I'm now in full swing of school mode (i.e. trying to figure out what I'm doing this year!) and am spending some time working in my classroom (I've got a ways to go...). Pictures coming soon of all that's been happening with us!

matthew.

This is how Matthew stays entertained at Hobby Lobby.

(rearranging the letters to spell "Deer")
Yep, that's my husband.

thankful.

I think sometimes we take for granted all of the things we should be thankful for and get caught up with life.

Today, I'm thankful for:

-hope
-Matthew, my rock and support, confidant, loving husband
-job possibilities
-my parents who have graciously taken us into their house
-a benign skin biopsy
-two adorable nieces who light up a room
-our loveable, often rowdy poocher who is sleeping beside me right now
-great families

''give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; his love endures forever." psalm 107:1

update.

We don't have a lot to write about...hmm, I wonder if that's a coincidence or merely the fact that we moved back to Kansas City.

Our lives don't seem all that exciting although we LOVE spending time with our families! It seems like we get home from work, eat dinner, spend a little time, and go to bed and repeat!

I continue to apply for teaching positions. Right now, I'm working as a para in a school district but I am only hired as a temp. until the end of the year which works out all right. I have an interview for a PreK position at a private school in a few weeks. But I'd really love to get into a school district. We know God answers our prayers though, in whatever way that may be!

We are starting to get involved with a few things though. We joined a small group through church, we're going to be volunteering in rezlife at church with the youth, and hoping to catch up with friends that live around here soon!

Matthew is busy busy working on his thesis and planning to defend in April or May so that will lead us on a trip back to Manhattan. So fun! I should start making a list of the places we must go....CocoBolo's, So Long Saloon, Willie's...oops, I guess it shouldn't just be restaurants!

We're still living at my parents and will probably be here for a couple more months. It's working out pretty well, except for the part where Hudson is a beast. Thankfully the weather is getting nicer and we're starting to go for a walk when I get home from school and that seems to calm him down quite a bit!

Our 2nd anniversary is coming up in June and we're thinking about making plans for that, too. We'd like to take a trip somewhere....suggestions, anyone? We're thinking Chicago (yes, we've been there many times but never as Mr. & Mrs. Thomas!), or Charleston, SC, or Florida, or Gulf Shores, Alabama or really anywhere! Just a weekend trip or so!

*sadly I don't have any pictures with this post. It seems as though my camera hasn't been used too much from our move. I should dig it out!

a look back at 2009.

2009 was a year of many changes for us!

2009
*visited family
*acted like kids and went sledding
*celebrated birthdays
*sold our first home
*drove a moving truck for the first time (& across the country)
*moved into an apartment
*celebrated Pittsburgh being Super Bowl Champions & Stanley Cup Champions
*experience our first "doggie parent" major fail
*baked and cooked a lot
*visited Maryland
*played a baby joke on Matthew (oh, I got him GOOD!)
*celebrated our 1st anniversary
*welcomed a niece into our family
*celebrated Hudson's 1st birthday
**drove that trip Pittsburgh to Kansas City and back...many times and worth every one!
*became an aunt and uncle for the 1st time
*ate at some amazing restaurants
*learned to sew (still working on it...)
*saw Kenny Chesney in concert and many other amazing country artists at Heinz Field
*healed Matthew's broken finger from softball
*bought a Honda Pilot
*went to the Demolition Derby and the fair
*worked on perfecting giving Matthew haircuts
*enjoyed the beautiful downtown Pittsburgh
*became Godparents
*spent time with family and friends although it never seemed to be enough
*took Hudson swimming for the first time
*went to Ann Arbor, MI for a hockey and football game (Go Blue!)
*learned more about each other
*cried and laughed
*fell in love even more
*experienced hard moments
*rejoiced in the blessings
*prayed for our future and dreams

We are thankful for this past year. We know that God was working in us, growing us, and preparing our hearts for the blessings He gives. We are grateful for everything we've experienced this past year, and although some was difficult, we love the journey. We hope and pray that 2010 is full of many blessings for our family.

phil & ted's

Have you seen these strollers? Matthew and I were at the Light Up night in Pittsburgh and a couple in front of us was pushing a Phil & Ted's stroller with two kiddos. Matthew was pretty much all over this stroller. He thought it was the most ingenuis thing...ever.
One kid, two kids...many different ways! So cool. While they are a bit pricey, it may be worth it when we have kids. (I'm documenting this for memory for our future). Plus, a good jogging stroller would almost be this expensive anyway and you can add a seat for just a little bit more.

public service announcement.

You should definitely have your diamond ring checked every six months!

I took mine in today to have it cleaned and inspected (prongs, etc.) and a few of my diamonds on the halo were loose. The best part of it all...it didn't cost a thing because my husband (the smart man that he is!) bought the extended service plan (which I usually never do).

While I was bare-fingered for about two hours, it's now shiny, set in stone, and back on my finger!

nothing. too. exciting.

We've just been hanging out around here, not. doing. too. much.

Since Matthew broke his finger, his softball days have ended for the summer. No more Monday/Thursday night games at the ballpark. We do have a picnic tonight so that should be fun, only if the rain holds off.

We've been taking Hudson to the park (although we don't dare say that word unless we are steps from heading out the door as he goes bonkers!) and enjoying the heat when it's not raining.

We enjoyed a delicious dinner at The Church Brew Works, one of our favorites restaurants, after we bought our new car last weekend. Love. that. place!

Of course, Matthew has been going to work and I've been hanging out at home with Hudson...just watching basic cable, updating this for the few of you who read it, scrapbooking, cleaning, organizing...nothing. too. exciting. Like I said! But at least, I've been in the wonderful habit of making the bed every day!

We joined WW together...so we have meetings every Tuesday night. Gotta get in shape! And we trekked our behinds back into the gym last night. Fun. Fun. Progress is being made...

This weekend, we celebrate (is that the right word? haha!) a year in Pittsburgh. At times it's gone by s-l-o-w and other times fast. As hard as it has been for us to be here, considering lots of factors, we are learning a lot...and definitely looking forward to this coming year.

And because, what's a post without a picture, here's our poocher man. If it's possible to love a dog as much as we love him, who knows what it will be like when we have kids?!

*now to explain this picture...Hudson was patiently waiting for M to get off the phone so he would play fetch with him and his football. What a good boy!

Spare Time

Do you think I have too much? Decorating the house, still unpacking (just garage stuff), painting, cleaning, and running errands. I finally got my car registered in PA today. That was a task that only took 2 trips.

The free time is really nice, especially when we have visitors and I have a laundry list of things to do. But occasionally I wish I didn't have so much. You see as it turns out, the state of Pennsylvania moves like molasses to get things done. I'm still waiting...and waiting...and waiting on my certification to teach. But until then the school district won't even talk to me about substituting...they must have an abundance of teachers around here or something. Whenever the day that certification comes in the mail, I will be rejoicing. I will get to start interacting during the day with people other than a cute dog.

We must say there are some pretty nutty laws here too and everybody moves in slow motion. And yes, I was told last week by someone..."You're not in Kansas anymore." I about jumped across the table and tackled her. Not really but I was thoroughly annoyed.

Random Tidbits

It's a good thing nobody came for the Key Lime Meltaways...they did not turn out very well. Maybe next time...
This is what happens when Matthew finds Hudson with my socks...he's disciplining him and giving him his duck to chew on instead. Matthew tells me not to leave my things laying around because one of these days I'm going to lose something (i.e. Hudson will chew it to pieces). In my defense, these socks were on a chair in the dining room. The little one is just growing too tall.
One of Matthew's co-workers is having a baby girl tomorrow. We bought this adorable Gymboree outfit for their little girl.
And now it's wrapped in adorable paper!
Hudson had shots yesterday...this is how he's spending his time all day today. He's pooped. Poor little guy.

Hard at Work

I used our mixer! It's wonderfully great...come visit if you'd like some Key Lime Meltaways. Yummy!
My wonderful hubby can put in lights (see picture of dining room chandelier to come) AND ceiling fans. He rocks my socks off!
This came in handy today...see post below about Hudson's run-in with my vase.

Tears

This happened today...it made me cry.
And he showed up with these...it made me cry too.