Goin' to the Chapel of Love

Thursday we were among the lucky few invited to our dear friends Cassandra and Fonz's intimate chapel wedding. We have been friends with them for nearly five years now, and were so excited to see them celebrate their love and devotion for one another! Congratulations Ojeda family! We love you all so much!!

The beautiful and happy couple.

Mama bride and ring-bearer son.

Maevey and her daddy had coordinating outfits for the wedding. She was very well behaved and only (happily) squawked during one prayer.

At Five Weeks

At five weeks our little Maeve is still a lot of mystery. She's helping us navigate the night time hours and discover what bedtime for an infant is like. Ever the cuddlebug, we're working to teach her it's ok not to be held all the time. Last night was big for us in that we went to church for the first time since she was born! We had plenty of volunteer baby snugglers, I got to see friends I've missed since September, and Miss Maeve got to meet her little friend Miss Alice, just a few months older than her! Next week we'll all be welcoming the Reagan twins into the world, and there will be two more baby friends to love! What a year! Six babies will born to our circle of friends between June and February. We couldn't be more excited!

Our weekend in pictures:

After successfully nursing in the Target parking lot, Maeve passed out burping.

My sweet, sleepy girl.

Arms crossed, holding her head as she sleeps.

After church Adam and Maeve took the dogs out and then sat down to rest "just a sec".

Whirlwind Trip

The weekend before last Adam and I made a whirlwind, last minute trip to DFW for varying reasons and were able to cram in almost all our friends. Having three different social groups there, this is no feat! The time with our friends we left behind when coming to Amarillo was a reminder of how blessed and loved we really are.

Two of our closest friends, and mentors, are moving at the end of the summer to Midland and were determining what was going, what was staying and what was selling. They thought of us as they were sorting through their baby treasures and were kind enough to gift us their "miracle swing", their SnugRider Graco stroller, an extra Graco car seat and base for Adam's car, a bumpo, tummy mat, portable bed for a wee babe, and a Leapster play-table! We were, and are, so grateful and felt so lucky to have our "luxury" items for baby complete!! By the time we left DFW the Fit was filled to every nook and cranny with baby things! Another friend of ours who is in cosmetics gave us a beautiful diaper bag from an organic baby care line filled with goodies! The bag itself is 100% organic cotton and beautiful (pictures to follow) and he really filled it with everything we could think to want, including a rose refresher spray for baby, lol!

We were able to enjoy down time with Adam's sister and her family who we always enjoy seeing and make us a laugh a lot. Sunday I had the chance to surprise friends at a baby shower for a friend from our church. It wasn't until I was hugging the millionth person that I realized just how badly I've missed them. We've been 'campaigning' for a move to somewhere (preferably DC or DFW) since early April, though we were talking about it back in January. Being there feels so right, and so comfortable it seems impossible it's not where we'll end up again. However, I hate to focus in too close and end up disappointing myself...

Our prayers have been set towards certain jobs, but also the broad statement "Save Us." I'm sure it sounds dramatic to some, but the first time we were praying about it, that's what Adam felt compelled to pray, I think it's what we need to ask for. So, if you get a moment and can sneak us in your prayers, please ask that God will take us back to the place we feel so at home and that the doors we're knocking on may open.

Brandon's Birthday

November 7th, a fabulous holiday because it's 8MS's birthday. Brandon, unlike the rest of us as our birthdays passed, announced that rather then go out he wanted to get alot of people together and make pizzas and drink good beer.

And, being Brandon, he meant HE wanted to make all the pizzas...and if there is one thing you don't turn down, it's 8MS's pizza. YUM!

We had a great night and were able to hangout with some friends passing through town that we hardly see.

Happy Birthday Brandon!

Anniversary Surprise

Our best friends, Cydney and Brandon McCullough, are our family. They cross the boundaries of friendship and have worked into a rhythm of life with us like only family can. We eat dinner with them weekly at our homes, in the summer there were long bike rides with snocones as the end prize, and there's always time for movies with them. When their anniversary came around in September, Adam and I dropped off a surprise gift them; some champagne, chimay (for non-beer people, it's an incredible, single bottled beer), and left them a note. Easy to do since we have keys to each others homes. (Like I said, family.) When we came home from our date Monday night, celebrating our anniversary, we were met with this:

The note on our log read, "Happy Anniversary! We love you both so much. PS: Share the wood and follow the trail. Love Cyd & B". We did just that and followed the cut wood throughout our home until it led us to the back door. Outside, waiting for us and our new yard, was a beautiful chiminea. I had to wait until the next day to get a good picture, but it was one of the sweetest gifts we've received, and we can't wait to share it with them, or anyone else who cares for a visit!

Also, just for fun, I've included a couple pictures of some of our "babies"....

Here you have Marzapan, basking in the sun and enjoying her new found freedom as an indoor-outdoor cat. Unfortunately Adam was attempting to build at the time, and her perch was his lumber!

And ofcourse, last but not least, Kitri, posing in all the bush we had trimmed over the weekend, smiling for the camera!

Wedding Magic

This past weekend has been a flurry of activity, with one of my childhood friends finally getting married to her military man. They have waited several years, and after their wedding and honeymoon, will have to wait 6 more months before they get the chance to live together as a real family, so keep them in your prayers. Bright fall colors, beckoning a break from the heat, a beautiful bundle of girls, and a night of dancing made a gorgeous Saturday! Weddings in Amarillo, or in any smaller town, are always a treat because there are so many people you know, and from so many circles! Always someone to talk to in line, someone to dance with when your spouse needs a break, and someone to laugh with while certain people (read, Brandon and Adam) show their dance moves. Adam, Brandon, Cydney and I were among the last to leave, the dance floor's call was just too strong. At one point I was literally dancing all alone on the floor, I believe it was Lady Gaga, calling my name! I give you now, proof of a wonderful wedding....

Adam, Donald, Sally & Me

Adam & I Show How It's Done, Opening Up the Floor for the Twist

Our Family of Friends

Have I Mentioned Before How Much I Love This Man?

An American Holiday

The 4th of July has become one of Adam and my favorite holidays, next of course to Christmas and Halloween. (We are very big on the Christmas decorations and love love love dressing up for Halloween!)We were so excited to be back together again after the 2 weeks and 6 hours apart, that Adam surprised me with a romantic weekend trip to Santa Fe, one of our favorite cities!

It was a wonderful, sweet surprise and we had a fabulous time. We stayed at a hotel down the street from the square, and ate at our favorite and most amazing restaurant ever, Cafe Pasquals. YUM!

We spent the weekend walking around looking at art, eating from street vendors, and socializing our dogs. We brought both Dutchess and Kitri, and they were incredibly popular! We spent about 20min one day talking with an older couple there with three of their five shelties! One of which was so old, and with such terrible arthritis that he was being pushed around in a "doggie carriage!"

We also stopped by one of our favorite grocery stores that we miss here in Amarillo, Whole Foods. On our way back to the hotel we saw a Thrift Store with a vintage bike out front. Most of you know, we've been searching for bikes for us for some time. Of course we HAD to stop! I know, I know, we're dorks. Most people come back from Santa Fe with some turquoise or art, we come back with groceries and a bicycle! That's right, we bought her! A 1974 Free Spirit bike that I impulsively named Charmaine, and now no one will give me a 'do-over.' (pictures coming soon!!) :) We made it back to Amarillo the evening of the 4th in time to buy some fireworks and head over to Cydney & Brandon's to shoot some off and celebrate with our friend-family!

We had a wonderful weekend, and a great holiday!

Happy 4th of July to all of you!!!

New Year, New Traditions

This New Years was also a little different for us. Normally my family is aflutter with candy making, the kitchen is full and constantly sending out wonderful food of one kind or another, Christmas music is still playing, and we can't stop talking. Things are generally a little different at the Owens' house...except for this year. This year, they hosted a New Years dinner, which included all of us, and some of our friends. Homesick, I made my mom's 3 signature Christmas time dishes, Carrot Casserole, Spinach Soufflé, and Mushroom Stuffing! This was huge since...I don't cook. But, I have to say, it turned out pretty well, and made me want to try cooking more often! (you'll have to ask Adam whether that is a good thing or not...) We played some games, and even made it to midnight!!! (I crashed at about 1:30am...)

We also spent a lot of time hanging out with Mitchell, Jessica, Cydney & Brandon, playing Wii (I so, so want one!), Balderdash, and hanging out in the hot tub!!
Being with them always makes me laugh, and reminds me how lucky Adam and I am to have friends who are so awesome!!!

3-2-1 Happy 2010!!! Here's to the next year!!!

Ghosts, and Goblins, and Trick-or-Treaters Oh My

Halloween--easily one of Adam's favorite holidays, and who can argue with that? You get to dress up, act ridiculous, dance around and be silly---people expect it of you! We had grand plans for this years costumes, but they turned out to be a bit too grand, so we stepped it down a notch and went with our backups. The week before Halloween, every year, our friends the Leslies have a big blow out bash in honor of Matt's birthday. The only rule, you MUST dress up. (Let me remind you, that within our circle of friends, we tend to be the youngest, these are our heroes, people in their 30s committed to dressing up for Halloween)This year Adam and I went as Bunnicula and Raggedy Anne--a total success! Adam even went so far as to wear prosthetic vampire teeth! On the way to the Leslies, we were stopped at a stoplight when a car next to us motioned for us to roll down the window so that they might take our picture. It took me a minute to figure out why, I had forgotten for a moment that I was wearing yarn hair in pigtails and Adam was sporting some bunny ears as we made our way down Seminary.

The party was great, as it always was, dancing, a fire in the backyard, and as many taquitos as you could possibly want, haha. Of our friends who attended, we had, Super Woman after 3 kids, Michael Jackson (obviously my favorite), Wall St, Lady Gaga, Rosie the Riveter, and Marla via Fightclub.

Though there is no telling where we will be for Halloween next year, our costume plans are already forming and we will only be going for bigger and better!

Birthday

Happy Birthday to Me! :) Today was wonderful. Although I feel like there is nothing glamorous about turning 23, Adam made it a wonderful and special weekend. We spent the morning in Corinth at Cynthia & Mark's (his sister and brother-in-law) hanging out and eating lunch. For as close as we live, we never get to see each other-which is especially lame since we always have fun when we get together with them. At 2pm, we went to see the Broadway Tour of Mamma Mia--Adam's birthday surprise for me. Do gifts get any better then that?! No, they don't! Afterwards was dinner at....Piranhas (we're so predictable!) and an August birthdays party at the Reagans. We ended the night with a treat--live Mariachi music down the street. I am so not kidding, this guy was using a keyboard, microphone and speakers (facing out to the street)at 3am. Yes. So, we danced and hung out with the Mariachis. Good Day.

Quitting

I could cry. Well, more accurately, I want to go back to crying again...like I was earlier tonight, but I will act like a grown-up, I will...I will... We've come to an interesting intersection for us. I have been working at PM for almost 3 years now, and I have LOVED it! My boss is the kind of boss you spend all your time wishing you had, thinking about while you secretly curse your evil manager when he's not looking. My boss actually cares about me, is incredibly generous with time off, and insanely fair in the work place. The problem is...I've reached the point in our work-employee relationship that PM is no longer the place for me. Not only no longer the place, but it is actually starting to make me an anxious, irritated mess. Not exactly what I need. AND, I was just given a revised job offer, originally meant to be part-time my new job offer is for a full-time position...one that actually pertains to what I want to do after I have a Masters, mastered. Not just a job either, but one I really REALLY wanted! The problem is that while the employee is ready to quit and leave, I harbor major guilt over abandoning my friends and boss. I've discovered that's the problem about having a job you love, you can't just nonchalantly walk to the back and tell em "thanks, but I believe I'm done here". I have actually shed big, sad, crocodile tears at the mere thought of having to tell them "these next two weeks will need to be my last two". I feel guilty, ungrateful, irresponsible, and half-crazy. *sigh* But I am writing it out here, hoping for some kind of release. Maybe if I write this I will not cry half as much tomorrow when I try to explain my thought process and needs to his confused and worried face.

Or maybe I'll get lucky, and find out I don't mean half as much to him. Maybe he'll just say "alright. two weeks", turn and go on about his business. Then I could move on about mine.

...........except I think that would be much, much worse.......

Post-Mongolia

So....since making it through the 30+ hours of travel back from Mongolia, I have had no luck beating the jet-lag blues. Perhaps some Ambien would have been a good thing...I have been using the 'NyQuil' approach, but am having trouble staying asleep through the night. Today I couldn't fall asleep until 8am (yes) and woke up at 4pm. Blerg!

Sadly enough...I find myself missing Mongolia. Or our experience there. I feel a little hollow and purpose-less without a daily agenda and 15 other people to share it with. *shrug* Odd. I really, really want to go back and make it some semi-regular part of my life. Somehow.

I've been a lot quieter since getting back. (this is truly shocking) I've felt like blogging, and reading, and journaling....sitting in silence and thinking. I finally called my mother today, but other than that the only person I've felt like talking to is Adam. Maybe because I don't want to break the trip's spell?

My house in little Mexico has never seemed so glamorous and inviting as after this venture to Mongolia---with tiny hard beds, bad water, lack of plumbing, lack of electricity, and no Adam! My bed has been a wondrous hideaway for my aching, confused body these past days...trying to figure out "what time is it?" and "where am I?".

I am happy to be home. Very happy. But, I miss Mongolia.

Don't tell.
PK

Superbowl Weekend

To those of you who enjoy football---We hope you enjoyed your religious holiday that is the Superbowl. If you know us at all, you know that Adam enjoys watching a game with friends but doesn't ever follow sports and Kaitlin choose teams based on their color coordination. It's a very scientific process. That said, we went to the annual Varnell's Superbowl party on Sunday and had a blast. Adam stayed outside most of the time on the freezing deck with the guys and Kaitlin stayed inside talking with the ladies--catching commercials and of course, Bruce Springsteen! Below are some pictures from our day--including one of Adam and our friend Andrew showing the convenience of the 'slanket' and the ridiculous amount of food we had!

Halloween

I LOOOOVE Halloween! Not as much as I love (obsess?) over Christmas, but Halloween makes a very good second. However, it is by far Adam's favorite holiday. Last year was a blast because we took Nick trick or treating with Pat and Jenn, but this year we stuck to our non-apartment neighborhood and decided to watch scary movies and hand out candy. I even splurged at Walmart for some foam tombstones, cobwebs, and orange lights to decorate with! I set out our creepy pumpkins (I wish I had thought to take a picture) that we carved a couple days ago got our huge bowl of candy and sat to wait....and wait..........and wait. Finally, around 8 we could hear little giggles coming up our walk and opened the door to some vampires, princesses and a little pumpkin, while the screams of "Nightmare on Elm Street" filled the house. *sigh* How I love holiday traditions! Once the children quit making it to the house, we feasted on the leftover candy and watched scary movies until about 3am! Then came the fun part....attempting to sleep....I fear I won't be doing a lot of sleeping for awhile. I am such a baby...I even made Adam find a nightlight for our bedroom.