Christmas 2009
Our First Christmas together as a married couple.
Hannah turned 9 in November and Charlie will be 3 in April.

Oh what a weekend! After a year and forty-three days of waiting…it finally happened! Saturday morning (November 15th) Patrick and I woke up early to get ready for Little Lachlin’s baptism. After the baptism, we were on a mission to find curtains at Pottery Barn for the basement…maybe I should say I was on a mission. I spent about an hour at the store trying to make what they had in stock work for the house. When that wouldn’t work I started calling around the US to find the perfect fit. Just when I thought I was going to get a nap before dinner and Mamma Mia…I spent too much time on the phone. As I was standing in the bathroom with curlers in my hair…Patrick was at the door saying “we have to go”. Normally, he tells me to take my time and we will get there when we get there. But for some reason, he was edgy all day.

We left the house and headed to dinner at Amerigo’ s (where we had our first date) to meet Chris and Natalie for dinner. After dinner we went downtown to the Kentucky Center for the Arts to see “Mamma Mia”. When it was over, we went to Barrett Bar to hangout for a while. After one drink (I feel so old…one drink!), we were all yawning and ready to head home for the night. I spent most of the drive home trying to get my ipod to work then I located…scissor sisters “Don’t feel like dancing”. As I busted into my best car dance moves and lip singing, Patrick watched until he began to bust a move with me. As he snapped his fingers and nodded his head along with the song, I started to laugh (as I usually do when he starts to dance..lol). He asked to me…”are you laughing at my dancing?” with a smile on my face I stated…”No, You make me happy!” About that time, he asks me to get a piece of paper out of his wallet so he can throw it way when we get home. In an effort to play along, I picked up the wallet. He tells me it is behind his license and I see a wadded up piece of green paper (what turns out to be his fishing license). As I tried to get the paper out of his wallet…a ring rolls out into my lap. In disbelief, I ask him “are you seriously doing this in the car?”. I don’t remember what all was said the rest of the way home until we parked the car. He asked and I said yes!

Last Weekend in Akron, OH

This past weekend was my last weekend in Akron, OH. What I refer to as the calm before the storm. On Friday night, I stayed home for some much needed rest and relaxation. On Saturday, Patrick flew in for the last time (while visiting me). I wish I could say it was bittersweet but it wasn’t. We are both too excited for the changes to come. No more…”Is the plane full?”, “Are you going to make it on?”, “What time will you get here?” Things will be more relaxing now.




As for the weekend, we had no plans other than just running a few errands and having fun. It was a beautiful day and as we were driving around all the highway signs pointed us to the Akron Zoo. It was not crowded since it is Halloween season and most people have been attending the evening event...Boo at the Zoo. So, we were able to enjoy the time wondering around from animal to animal at our own pace. If you can not tell from the pictures, I was quite excited about the penguins. Patrick was a good sport about getting in the children’s penguin photo op with me.

















After the phot, we got a little show from the penguins.

Later that day, we went shopping for our Halloween costumes (you’ll have to stay tuned for those photos). We finished the weekend off with Martini’s at the Double Olive with Christine. I have to say that out of everyone I have met in Ohio…I will miss Christine the most.

Christine - Thanks for being such a great friend!!!

October News

Since I was little, October has always been my favorite month! This year it remains the same but it seems as the years go by it only gets better. On October 3rd, Patrick and I celebrated our first anniversary in Chicago, IL. I was scheduled to speak at the 2008 ASSE Leadership Conference and we decided to make road trip weekend out of it. (If you are wondering what's going on with the picture of the pumpkin I will tell you the story...On (I think it was) our third date, Patrick was on a trip in Cleveland. After dinner, I brought a gutted pumpkin up to the hotel room for us to carve together. On this trip, Patrick brought along the pumpkin in the picture to surprise me.)

Continuing on with why this October means so much...On October 17th, I will be closing on a house in Sellersburg, IN. The house is amazing. There is plenty of room to grow and the dogs get a huge backyard. After 7 years, Hannah will get her own backyard (but she will have to share with her brother - Charlie). I decided to buy a house in Sellersburg, IN because I have taken a new job. On paper, this is my dream job. I will be working for Cummins out of Seymour, IN as the Site Safety Leader (Manager) for a facility of 300 employees with four direct reports. After a year of being in the Oil & Gas field, I definitely know I belong in the manufacturing industry with a global company...and this is it!!! I will be living 30 minutes from my family, a few minutes from downtown Louisville, I have a great job, a new house and get to see Patrick more often...could life get any better!?!

Below are pictures of the front of the house and backyard.

Charlie and Hannah enjoying one of their last 5 1/2 hour trips from Akron, OH to Louisville, KY.

Welcome to our Blog!

While Patrick and I were on vacation, we began thinking of ways to keep in touch and share our lives with family and friends – near and far!

It has almost been a year since our first date. And even though we live over 5 hours apart we manage to see each other once a week. This year has brought many changes to both of us, both personally and professionally. And I have a feeling there are many more to come.

So, make sure you check back for updates!