Catch-Up

Wow, it's been a while since I've posted anything. I've tried, but was having some trouble with my password, and then I just sort of gave up. But I'm back! And now it's time to catch-up. Let's see, here's the top 12 happenings of the last 2 months.....

1. Mike and I got all moved into our new place the end of August, and it definitely feels like home now!

2. We celebrated Grandma's 80th birthday with a big party! (and Mari discovered the joy of potato salad sandwiches) 3. Kristie & Jim celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary (congratulations!) It's hard to believe 25 years ago I was that cute little girl who had to be dragged up the aisle because I was afraid of all those people looking at me (some things never change - even if the cute littleness does) 4. Grandma had her hip replacement surgery, and although she's still homebound, she is recovering nicely (regardless of how much help and attention she pretends she still needs)

5. I took a WONDERFUL vacation with Lisa & Wendy to the North Shore. It was the best weekend I'd had in a long time! And the view wasn't bad either! (you can see all these trip pics at our Kodak gallery) 6. Work's been very busy this fall - with our celebration of International Day of Peace, our 11th annual Harvest for Hope celebration, our 3rd annual World Mission Rosary Day, and TWO delegations from our partner diocese of Maracay, Venezuela (the second of which is here right now). But I love my ministry! (even if my "job" leaves a lot to be desired at times) I also turned in my Lay Ecclesial Ministry portfolio for certification - I've been working on it for nearly two years now, so it felt good to turn it in to the review board, but at the same time is sad - it's like turning over a piece of my heart and soul! 7. Mike had his birthday (and now thinks he's "old" - if complaining about your age makes you old, then I guess he definitely is!) Happy birthday Mi Miguelito!

8. My high school 10 year class reunion took place, although I didn't go to the official one (since I was never officially invited since I'm not on Facebook....just another reason to despise the social/communal damage I believe it does :D). I did, however, spend the night before hanging out with some of our friends from high school, and it was great seeing folks again.

9. We saw "Willy Wonka," the first play that Jesi has helped costume in her new job with GREAT Theatre in St. Cloud. She did a fantastic job!! (and so did the actors - it was a fun show)

10. I finally got Mike to watch "Into the Woods," one of my favorite musicals that I've been telling him about (and singing/quoting from) for the past 4 years. I don't even care if he liked it or not at this point, I'm just so glad for the milestone of getting him to watch it finally!

11. We went to see the Titanic exhibit at the Science Museum of Minnesota. It was very interesting! But the pizza at Monticello's Pizza Factory on the way home was probably my favorite part (it apparently doesn't take a lot to impress me....well, unless you count a lot of cheesy-yumminess!)


And last, but certainly not least,
12. I had my birthday (and am back to being older than Mike....those 17 days are tough having to share my age). Happy birthday to me!

Can't wait to see what the next few months bring!

Moving

This past week and a half has been spent moving. And I'm exhausted! Not only from the physical work: all the packing, hauling, cleaning the old place, unpacking, arranging & re-arranging, transferring utilities, etc, etc, etc.... But it's also been emotionally draining. The apartment we just left was Mike and I's first home together, even though it started out as just mine. It's where we had our first date, our first kiss, where we first said "I love you," our first place to come home to after getting married, hosting our first Christmas and Mother's Day celebrations, our first "Mr. Twisty's" :) and so much more! It's hard to let go of all of that!

But at the same time it's exciting - now we're in our first home that is BOTH of ours TOGETHER right from the start! It's got a long ways to go before it feels as much like a home as our old place did (not to mention before I remember to drive the right way home!), but I think we'll get there.


In fact I'm giving a reflection at the Masses for a parish cluster in our diocese this weekend, and it focuses on the theme of Christ breaking bread (a.k.a. sharing life & community together) and breaking traditions (in order for that community and life to thrive). I didn't even realize it until today that that's what I've been doing these past several days - breaking away from the "tradition" of our old home, yet preparing to break bread and break the many possibilities of our life wide open together in new ways for our years to come!

So here's to the OLD - the amazing memories and a love that was begun.

Our old apartment (we were the two windows to the right of the door on the bottom)

Our old living room (hidden somewhere under the mess of boxes)

Our old (tiny) kitchen and dining room

Us in our empty apartment on our last day - good bye Auburn Cove!

And here's to the NEW- the anticipation of new memories and love growing ever stronger!

Our new living room - complete with patio, lots of natural light, and a welcome balloon from our new property managers!

Our new kitchen/dining room - look at all that space, all those cupboards, that fancy chandelier, the breakfast bar....and even the closet that hiding our own washer and dryer - wahoo!

More counter and cupboard (and mirror) space than we know what to do with in a bathroom!

And our bedroom, with a window that Mike loves because it lets in a cool breeze on his side of the bed for a change, and Lexi loves because she can do her kittie spying on whatever lurks outside :)


PS. Thank you to everyone who helped us with all the moving and cleaning this past week - we're so blessed to have the community of support we have! Thank you!!

Happy Birthday Lucy!

Today is my Goddaughter Lucy's birthday. I still remember when she was a baby - she's growing up too fast I say, but she's still adorable & a ton of fun!

I got to have a picnic lunch with her and her family today, and it was the perfect break in my work day. Thanks for the invitation, and great birthday celebration Lucy!

And HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Camping

Mike and I went camping this past weekend at Savanna Portage State Park near McGregor, MN. It was wonderful!! Here are a few highlights:

We went canoeing on Wolf Lake. We had the entire lake all to ourselves!! Not a cabin or resort in site, no other boaters, nothing but us and the lake plants!!

Until the wind and waves picked up and the sky turned gray....

We did lots of walking/hiking on the various trails and around the different lakes. Including the interpretive bog walk...

And around Beaver Pond (where we saw some beavers heading home!)

Our campsite had a view of, and private trail down to, Lake Shumway...and lovely sunsets

And on our way home we stopped at Sagamore Mine Lake in Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area. It was beautiful, with crystal-clear water

Overall it was a great weekend, and the best part was just relaxing with Mike for three whole days!!!

To see all our camping pictures, view our 2009 Photo Gallery (the camping pics are at the end of the slideshow).