Feeling Fortunate

I'm feeling extremely lucky, blessed, fortunate, thankful whatever you want to call it this week and wanted to put it in writing. This way the next time I don't feel this way, I will have something to remind me - ha!

Sunday I was able to spend Father's Day with my Dad, my husband and kiddos, and the rest of my family. We had a great brunch and everyone is happy and healthy - what more is there in life ;-)

Monday I got to play in a charity golf tournament with 3 of my work colleagues. It was followed by a dinner, door prizes and donations. I won a brand new office chair. Most people may think this is a silly gift, but when you sit at your desk all day, a good chair makes you happy ;-) The charity event was awesome and you always leave with a feeling that you did something for someone less fortunate.

Tuesday I was awarded over $700,000 worth of work. Praise God! Needless to say it has been a slow year, so I am super excited to have some construction projects to manage.

Wednesday I got to see Lisa, Sharon and Baby Jonah. It was a great dinner and so enjoyed seeing the Jonah - he is super cute!

Today, Chris comes home from the east coast. I believe he feels like it is starting to be his second home. I am super exicted to see him and enjoy your weekend together. He has been extremely busy at work, so I will take care of him this weekend so he can relax.

Tomorrow I get to sleep in a litte because I don't have to be anywhere until 9:00. We are also having a BBQ at work so that will be fun. The evening will be dinner with my former trainer Julia and her boyfriend. I miss her and am excited to see her!

Aside from those great things, I also got to chat with my mom yesterday and I went for a jog today in the sun.

Oh happy days, oh happy days..................

Follow Up on New Years Resolutions

Back in January I had two New Years' resolutions I set out to obtain. One was to exercise more and get more healthy, and the second one was to practice patience. One out of two isn't bad I guess - ha!

Actually, I've discovered the first one affects the second. I have consistently (since November) worked out at least 4 times a week and most weeks 5 or 6 times. My goal is weight training 2 hours a week and 4-5 hours of cardio. I feel like I'm finally in this adictive mode - not bad, but last week I had Friday off and I went to a Cardio Burn class at 6:00 a.m. I have to give two peole credit, my husband and my personal trainer. Chris is always willing to go workout with me and Julia is always willing to give me a good ass kicking in my training session. She doesn't let me get to lazy, which is exactly what I need.

So the question is, have I lost any weight................................only 5 pounds, but I feel great, and I still eat great food and drink my share of wine. I have become a little more discplined the past couple weeks to try and up the anti. We'll see how it goes, but so far, so good.

Chris is right along with me when I want to work out. I think he has started to enjoy to run. I've done 5Ks for years, but it so much fun to do them with him. We are doing one this Sunday at Green Lake. It is fun to cross the finish line with him cheering for me (he finishes before me). We've also decided that we need to go back to more hiking, like we did the first year we met. We will do our first hike of the season on Saturday - just Little Si, but this is always a great hike with a great view at the top.

This leads to the second resolution about patience........................why is this so hard? I don't feel like I'm the most impatient person (thanks to my husband) but I could stand to relax a little. Of course I'm striving for perfection here, which means this will take to the end of time - ha!

In summary, I feel great, and feel good about working on the resolutions or character flaws or whatever you want to call them. If I work out, I feel good, I feel like I look good, I am not stressed (therefore I have more patience) - the benefits are endless. I hope I can keep this up and when December 31st comes around, I'm have new resolutions to strive for.

Life is great.....................live, laugh (uncontrollably hard on the floor), love!

Michael Buble Concert

This weekend was so fun. Friday night we went to Red Hook with Jake and Heather for Happy Hour to unwind after a long week. Saturday morning was spent lounging and finally got a work out in late morning. We headed downtown Seattle to watch the basketball game, had dinner at T.S. McCughs and went to see the Michael Buble concert at the Key. This was my Christmas prepent from Chris and probably the best present I've gotten, (next to my wedding ring - ha! The concert was amazing - the opening act was Naturally 7. They don't use any instruments to perform, which is the amazing part. Michael Buble put on a great show - he sang for almost 2 hours. Sunday we had Easter brunch at my parents. It was great to see them - it had been a long time since we've seen them so it was great. Thanks Babe for the great gift and another fabulous weekend!

1st Anniversary!

I am shocked at how time flies. I feel like I was just in the middle of planning a wedding and now Chris and I have been married for a year. How sweet it is!

We were lucky enough to be able to spend a weekend away at Alderbrook Resort on the Hood Canal. This place forced us to do nothing for a whole weekend. It was very relaxing and we felt like we were on our Honeymoon. We enjoyed the spa, a good work out at their gym, great food and wine and even caught the UW Basektball game.

I am so excited for another year of great adventures with Chris. He makes everything fun.

A New Year!

This is a great time of year - everyone is planning resolutions and starting out the year fresh - better ideas, better attitudes, improvements galore. Sometimes we even bite off more than we can chew ;-) but the intentions are always good.

My resolutions this year are two fold. I will be healthier - more exercise, less eating out, more exercise. I have already visited the doctor, and have hired a personal trainer (for the last couple months). I will tap dance on Tuesday for exercise and get at least 1 or 2 more days of cardio in on top of that.

The second part is to learn to practice patience better. This has always been a struggle for me, as my Mom has all the patience in our family and I received zero :-( I don't have an exact plan on this resolution yet, but will develop some little things to help with this over the next couple weeks. It may be as simple as counting to 10 sometime when you want something done "right now."

So let's see how far I get on these. Anyone feel free to email me in May and ask how I am doing - ha!

Oh, The Sweetness of Fridays........

Sometimes I feel like I wish my life away, because about Wednesday I find myself saying "I can't wait until Friday." Kind of silly since I like my job, my life and everyone in it. Life just is a little sweeter on the weekends. Chris is home, we have the kids this weekend, I get to spend time with my sister, see my Mom and Dad - what else is there!

I started personal training this week (two days a week) and I love it. I'm hoping it will motivate me :-) Last night when I came home after my workout, Chris had a bouquet of roses, bottle of champagne, dinner, music. What a way to start the weekend a little early! Chris has had a stint of travel - trying to get things done before the Holidays so it was great to have some QT before the weekend with the kids.

Italian Honeymoon!

Our honeymoon in Italy was the most amazing experience. It was filled with planes, trains, boats, busses, sunshine, hiking, pizza, pasta, vino, gelato, walking, stairs, laughs, more laughs, museums, churches, shopping, history, enjoying, observing, relaxing and just loving our time together. Everyone needs to go to Italy!

Getting Back to Blogging

It has been many months since I have blogged. I think part of it was my digital camera broke and so I've been taking fewer photos. Blogs are much more fun with photos.

The countdown to our official honeymoon is in full swing with only 7 days until we leave for Italy. I'm am getting so excited, it is hard to concentrate on anything else. Neither Chris nor I have ever been to Europe.

We have the girls this weekend and after that, I will start the packing process and making the decisions on what to wear. This really could take 7 days - ha!

I hope to have great photos and stories to post on my blog when we get back.

Daydreaming

I find myself sitting and daydreaming about our wedding day. It was the best time of my life. This is another favorite photo. Oh, life is good!

Wedding Pictures

I am SO excited to have our wedding pictures. I had to share a couple. Oh - what a perfect day. We have over 900 photos and it was just relaxing to look at each one and remember that each moment during that day. Oh happy day............oh happy day :-)

Saturday Chris and I ventured on a the Boulder River hike up past Darrington. We hiked about 6.5 miles along the Boulder River through mud and snow, climbing under and over trees. The veiws were beautiful and the amount of water falling was amazing. The hike was followed by dinner on the deck and watching the Detroit Red Wings win - yahoo!

Sunday we went over to Bainbridge Island to watch Morgan in a dance recital. It was a beautiful day to take a ferry ride. After getting back to Seattle, we had a great dinner at Purple Wine Bar.

Officially Mrs. Walters!

For anyone who reads this and dreams about their wedding, it is by far the best and sweetest day of your life! To have all the people you love in one room celebrating is awesome.

Needless to say the wedding went off without a hitch. Chris and I had a wonderful time. We also spent a few days on the Oregon coast, which was very relaxing.

Thank you to everyone who pitched in to help, our family, and friends. We couldn't have done this without all of you by our sides!

Pictures to follow :-)

A good time was had by all, especially the Bride!

Karin, Staci, Mary, Chelsea, Jill, Lisa, Sharon, Sheri, Rose, Danielle, and Angie (not pictured) helped me celebrate my upcoming wedding. Last Saturday night my sister hosted an awesome shower for me at the Alexis Hotel. The festivities started in the suite she reserved with snacks, drinks and many wonderful gifts, then off to the W Hotel for a cocktail (which I didn't need) and we followed it up by closing down the Owl n' Thistle.

Thank you everyone for celebrating with me! Thank you Mary for everything you continue to do for me.

Oscar Meyer Weinermobile?

I think I am the only one in the world that didn't know there was an actual Oscar Meyer Weinermobile. Last Saturday Heather and I stopped by QFC so we could continue tasting more wine for the wedding and happened upon the Weinermobile. We couldn't resist getting a photo, and they handed out little Oscar Meyer Whistles. How funny is that?

It was a fun day followed by a great dinner at Spazzo's Italian Grill with Chris' family and Aunt Leanne from Vancouver.

We must celebrate the accomplishments

Congratulations Chris on a successful, but yet very stressful week! I am so proud of you and everything you stand for. IVC is lucky to have someone as intelligent and passionate as you.

Chris has been in Dallas all week at a huge convention(s). This includes a Carpet One convention (so Carpet Ones from all over the country). Out of all of the vendors Carpet One deals with, IVC received the Vendor of the Year Award! This is a great honor and makes all the hard work seem worth while! Since we typically don't toot our own horn, that is what I'm doing for Chris! Way to go!

Chris - I hope you have safe travels home. We will celebrate when you get back! Love you tons!

Happy Birthday to My Mom!

Mom,

Happy Birthday to you! What a great day to be born - a definite time for celebration.

I'm so lucky to have you in my life as my mother and my friend. Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do for me. I love you with all my heart!

80 Days to Mrs. Walters!

It's only 80 days until the wedding! I know that sounds like a lot but it's gone by SO fast. I've never been so excited for something in my life. We are going to have a great time. I am anxious to get the mail every day to see who has sent in their RSVP cards.

After the Holidays, we have a few things to button up as far as the plans go. Other than those few things, I feel like we are ready!

Today is a snow day and the office is closed. I've been at home working a bit and watching it snow - we have about 7". Chris has been in Atlanta all week and will fly in at midnight tonight. I hope his drive home is safe.

Tomorrow we get the girls and will have them until the afternoon on Christmas Eve. I'm very excited for Christams. It will be a nice time to see family and hang out with them.

Just wanted to post an update - not much going on. Just getting ready for the Holidays and the weekend. All is well in our world - really well, really blessed.

O Tree Event

Chris and I were invited to the charity O Tree Event for all of Providence. It was a beautiful event with silent and live auction at the Westin. I've been fortunate this year to have done some construction work for Providence. It has been amazing to see many of the properties they have and all of the services they provide to the elderly. Providence raised over a million dollars that night - WOW!

The Chrysalis Inn!

Six of us girls (Lisa, Laura, Sharon, Sara, Karin and me) headed up to Bellingham on Saturday morning to stay at the Chrysalis Inn for a "Spajama" party! Wow - this was SO much fun! We had plenty of laughs, wine, good eats, did I mention wine and many more laughs. What a great getaway for the night. Sharon - thank you for finding this and planning, etc.

The purpose of the trip was to celebrate Lisa's birthday - Happy Birthday Lisa. So glad we could all celebrate with you. It was a great time!

Thanksgiving 2008

I can't believe Thanksgiving is over and it's almost Christmas. I can't seem to keep up with everything - ha!

We all had a great Thanksgiving - lots of Turkey, family and fun. Thursday was at my parents house with Dad's famous dinner. It was great - relaxing and fun to see everyone. We missed Mary and Adam. Their tradition is to visit his family on the East Coast for Thanksgiving.

Friday we had the Walter's Thanksgiving. This was also very fun and delicious. There were about 20 of us. It's always fun to see Chris' family.

By Friday night when we got home, we we had our fill of turkey and all the trimmings. Saturday and Sunday were spent bumming around, putting up decorations and relaxing.

It was another nice Holiday with Chris, the girls, my family and his.