Finished!

I'm finished with all my courses for my Master's!  Whoo hoo!  It's been a long journey, but I'm finally done.  I finished all my classes with a 4.0.  I'm so proud that I stuck it out and did it well.  I have this less than desirable trait when things get tough, I give up.  I guess I wasn't born with the intestinal fortitude some people have naturally.  And some of my classes, ahem statistics, were tough.  Along with planning a wedding, moving and living in Mexico, moving back, living with parents, moving across the country, losing my job, finding a job, and maintaining my sanity; I got through my Master's!  All I have left is an internship and I start on Monday.  I can't wait to start at KU.  I get to work along side a beautiful woman inside and out and in a wonderful program.  Albeit, not my alma mater, it was my first choice! 

I celebrated my accomplishment today with a long run.  It felt so good.  I used mapmyrun.com to see how far I went.  ( I ran a little different route than usual).  Turns out, I was feeling pretty good because I ran 7.62 miles in 65 minutes!  Ya!  Go me!  I ran with my ipod tonight and I listened to Incredible Machine by Sugarland.  What a great album.  I recommend picking it up asap. 




The run felt great and I needed it!  I feel like I finally ran off those 3 bottles of wine we consumed Monday when my dad got to spend an extra day with us.  My best friend's wedding is Saturday, and I hope I can fit into my dress.  I put on a few "winter" pounds.  Agh!   I guess if I rip my dress, no one will be looking at me anyway.  They'll be watching the beautiful bride.  Love you Manda!


What do you do to get rid of a few extra "winter" pounds that tend to stick around till spring?

Never enough time!

I've wanted to blog so many times in these last few weeks.  I never seem to have enough time in the day.  I mean, a girl has got to sleep!  The reason I've been so busy is because I have one more week of school!  Yay!  Then I will have my Master's!  I will definitely sit down and write after this weekend.  Until then... I'll be studying.

If anyone has any ideas on how to reduce pre-test anxiety, let me know.  

"Bridezilla"

If any of you knew me during my wedding planning you knew that I wasn't thrilled with the idea of planning a wedding.  Don't get me wrong, I love weddings, flowers, beautiful dresses, I just wasn't excited to plan my own wedding.  I'm a daughter of divorced parents and almost everyone I know over the age of 30 has been divorced at least once, so I was apprehensive about marriage and lifelong commitments.  But when I met Jade and we fell in love, I knew I wanted to marry him.  When we decided to get married, I was excited to run away and elope with a handful of people in a beautiful destination.  Slowly, our visions of a simple ceremony began evolving.  Every bride knows that when you get married, you aren't throwing a party for you and your husband to celebrate your love, you throw a party for your parents.  My small dream wedding of 8 people turned into a guest list of 80 and an ever expanding budget.  All the little costs kept adding up, and the stress began to mount.  Suddenly when the venue wanted to charge me extra for a huppah that I wanted as my alter, the tears started flowing and I began stomping my feet like a child...no, a Bridezilla.  When did this change in me occur?  What happened to my simple wedding of running away with my husband and family?  Was I really a Bridezilla?  People warned me that wedding planning could be stressful, but my anxiety began to build.  I ended up deciding the few hundred dollars extra wasn't important and moved on.  I started to relax about seating charts, music, and flowers and let the coordinator worry about the details.  After the wedding I forgot about the pain and stress that came before, and as the cliche goes, it was the best day of my life.  My family and loved ones stood by me and made the trip to see me marry the love of my life, and it was a beautiful ceremony and vacation for everyone.

A picture of our beautiful ceremony.

Jade and I completing our sand ceremony.

All of our guests (minus Amanda) that could make it.  Love you Manda!

Spring Cleaning

This weekend I did a little Spring cleaning.  I say a little, but I really cleaned for about 6 or 7 hours. I thought I would share one of my little secrets to cleaning with all of you. (All three of you.)

If you are like me and have OCD about the cleanliness of your kitchen and bathrooms you have to try this trick my mother-in-law taught me.  It really has saved me time in the long run, but it takes a little longer the first time you do it. 

This stuff is amazing. It's car wax called ICE. I know it sounds crazy to use car wax in your kitchen and bathroom, but it really works. I put it every where. I apply it all over my shower, my counters, my sinks, and my stainless steel appliances. It's really easy to apply and really easy to buff off. Plus, it gives you nice arm muscles from all the circular "wax on, wax off" motions. I apply it every where once a month. And that's about all the bathroom cleaning I have to do. ICE keeps my glass shower door free from those annoying water spots and mildew. I apply it to my sink in my kitchen more often because I wash some dishes by hand everyday and I am OCD (the serious kind) about having a clean kitchen. Seriously, the OCD scares the hubby.

Try ICE next time you clean and you will be able to enjoy a sparkling bathroom and kitchen for up to a month. Let me know what you think.

My new Love, Amour

I am proud to announce my first niece is here. Amour Devaunna Easton was born March 21, 2011. She's the most perfect baby girl ever. I love everything about her. I couldn't imagine the love I would have for her if she were my own. Although Grandma Lane calls her, "my baby."

 I was fortunate to spend the afternoon with her yesterday. She mostly slept, but I was able to capture a few moments of her awake.

Her favorite auntie got to be there the morning after she was born.  I was so happy that labor and delivery went great for mom and baby... she just took a little longer than anyone wanted.

Uncle Jade got to hold her too. 

We are so happy Amour is a happy and healthy baby.  She's been good for her hardworking Mommy and Daddy. 

Sometimes she gives you her "mean face", but it's just as cute.