Happy Mothers Day

Yesterday we had such a long day. In the morning we went to church where mothers were pointed out and thanked. I completely forgot that I can celebrate mothers day this year too since I am a step mother! Its so exciting to have Laney in my life and I can't wait to see her little face again!

After church we headed over to my folks house for lunch and I relaxed while Brad was working on finishing touches on my mom and dad's brand new shower that he installed. Brad and I gave my mom new sweat pants while she works out on her Wii. She loved it. We went straight from my folks house to my mother and father-in laws house for dinner. We had yummy enchiladas made by Jenn and Brian. Brad, Jenn, Brian and I gave Debbie a workout outfit for the gym which she had mentioned she really wanted. She loved her gift.

When we finally got home, we were both exhausted so we went to bed. As Brad was holding me and keeping me warm in bed, he started telling me really random jokes that he had read in a magazine that day. We were laughing in bed for like 10 minutes. He makes me laugh....the jokes weren't very funny, but Brad seems to surprise me everyday with something new. That's why I married him. Here's to the next 63 1/2 years....as Brad says :)

Who's Who

Yesterday I received a letter in the mail telling me that I was nominated for Cambridge Who's Who among Executive and Professional Women. This is a publication that comes out every year. I'm not sure who nominated me, but its an honor and it will be a great addition to my resume :) I was nominated once before and was published in Who's Who in American High School Students for my academic achievements. So I'm pretty excited about this book coming out. My work is going to buy one for our library :)

4/10 Work Week

I recently started working a 4/10 work week. My new shift is from 7:30am to 6:00pm. Moving to this new schedule is awesome. Every morning I get up early with Brad and get ready to go to the gym for an hour. Working out in the morning not only burns a ton of calories, but it really wakes me up, increases my energy level throughout the day, and I also have time to catch up on my magazines while I work out. When I get home from work I normally cook dinner, pack my gym bag, get my clothes ready for work the next day, and pack our lunches. Once that's done I get some couch time with my love. The only bad thing about working 4/10 work week is that I have to go to bed super early in order for me to get enough sleep and not be cranky in the morning. So bed time is now 10pm. I feel so old.

Working long days was hard at first, but I am adjusting. I am making meals for the week on Sundays, so Brad just preheats the oven during the week so that its ready when I get home. Thursday is my new Friday. On Fridays I can now catch up on my cleaning, run errands, go to appointments while Brad is at work. By the time he gets home I'll have everything done. Working four days instead of five would mean 20 percent fewer trips to and from work, reducing gasoline consumption not to mention more time with Brad and my family. By doing all of these things on Friday, I finally have my weekends back. Brad and I can do so much more together because I don't have to do laundry....it will be already done! I have also noticed that my productivity has also gone up. I am getting a ton of projects at work that I didn't have time to do done!

I really am loving my new schedule. I work to live not live to work :)

Happy Anniversary my Love

April 18 marked one year since Brad and I went on our first date. This year has been full of excitement and has definitely been the best year of my life thus far. Brad had made me the happiest girl in the world and I adore him for that. This is a picture of us falling in love on our 2nd date. I have learned many things about Brad over the past year:

• Brad likes to be the little spoon when we sleep
• I can clean while Brad is watching sports
• According to Brad, Tesch men like lots of cars and apparently motorcycles.
• He can eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich everyday for lunch and never gets sick of it
• Brad feels awful when he doesn't take his allergy medication, its my job to make sure that we always have it in stock at our house and make sure he takes it for my sanity.
• I actually like some of the shows that he watches and he likes mine, whoda thought?
• Brad always remembers everything, its great because I am pretty forgetful.
• Brad is an amazing father. He loves Laney so much. You should see the smile on his face every time he speaks to her.
• Brad makes the funniest faces I have ever seen. If I am mad at him, he'll make a stupid face so I'll laugh at him......I made the mistake of telling him that if I laugh when I'm mad that I won't be mad anymore.
• Brad likes clean socks and underwear....he told me he'd leave me if there aren't any in the drawer.
• He is a very hairy man....I love it
• He's very handy and can fix about anything, this past week he fixed me iPod.
• Brad is very stubborn.....and so am I, so if we disagree about something it takes forever for someone to give in.
• Brad and I are getting very good about saving money, budgeting, and communicating about our bills which is great when starting a marriage.
• Brad is 6'4 and takes up most of the bed...we NEED a king size bed.
• and last but definitely not least......he loves me and shows me everyday. I love that about him.

Here are some funny pictures from the day Brad and I met at Jeff Truex's Benefit concert. Notice where Brad is staring.....yep, at me. Notice where I am staring and who I am trying to look cute for....him :)

My Job

The past two weeks I haven't sat at my desk working. I've been out in the field doing some pretty cool stuff. I have a few different jobs that I do for the Samish. Each day I wear a different hat. The past two weeks I have been the photographer for our Newsletter, which I also manage, design, and produce. Two Weeks ago we collaborated with local law enforcement to do a SWAT Team Drill in one of the homes on one of our properties. It was really neat. Yes I have my own gun....and yes I am wearing stilletos.

Last weekend I was back at the same piece of property in a training exercise for the local fire department. The did spot burns on the house, let me walk through a house full of smoke, and finally caught the whole thing in flames. It was awesome and so amazing how fast it burnt to the ground.

The Cheif of the Anacortes Fire Department

I also put out press releases for the Tribe. Here is one I wrote for the Anacortes American and the Skagit Valley Herald.

http://www.goskagit.com/home/article/samish_donate_home_for_swat_fire_drills/

Lost Mouse Rufus

Laney called last night and I got to talk to her a little bit. She says the cutest things. She thinks her mouse Rufus may have gotten on the airplane with Daddy the last time he visited Kansas because she can't find him anywhere. She asked me to check our house for mouse holes because he may be hiding in them. She said he likes to take bubble baths and stick his tounge out at you. I've been looking :) Well to help little Laney Bug out I'll post this sign.

LOST MOUSE RUFUS

Lost Mouse on February 2009. His name is Rufus. He was last seen in Holcomb, Kansas but may have traveled on an airplane all the way to Washington State. Rufus is pink with a black tail and cuddly. He may be hiding in mouse holes. Rufus likes to take bubble baths and stick his tongue out. If found please contact Laney.

61 More Days....

till our big wedding day. There is still so much work that needs to be done and so many things that we still have to save up for and pay. Its stressing me out a little bit. I made my to do list and I'll cross things off one by one and I'll just breathe. Thats my plan.

Bridal Shower

This past Saturday my sister-in-laws Jenn and Anna threw me a beutiful bridal shower! There were so many guests including my mom, my sister from Texas, my best friends, my mother-in-law, Herman family friends, and Tesch family friends. It was so neat to finally meet the family friends on the Tesch side. Everyone was so nice and made me feel like such a princess. I received so many gifts! My mom bought me a mop that I have wanted forever (its a steam mop and cleans the floor really really well)....stop laughing at me I get excited about cleaning products. My mom also gave me a unity candle for our wedding ceremony, guest book pen, and Mr. and Mrs. Coffee mugs. My sister bought me a beautiful candle holder and blender. My sister-in-law Anna gave me the cutest little apron you have ever seen. I can't wait to cook in it! I also received 2 massages, handmade thank you cards that are so adorable, a rice cooker, picture frames, candles, romantic cds, cookbooks, a fondue pot, a pyrex gift set which I have already started using, glass bowls, wooden spoons, mirrors, how I met your mother season 1, and items off of our honeymoon registry. I am truly blessed to have such great family and friends. It was the best bridal shower!

Tesch Eagle Eye

When Brad and I went to Kansas Laney told me that Tesch's have eagle eyes and since I'm a Tesch I should have them too......well I do now. I was 20/200 vision and now I am 20/15 because of my fantastic lasik surgery. The surgery was awesome. I took two valium to relax and I was.....really relaxed. The surgery was easy and quick and I didn't feel a thing. After my surgery I waiting in the waiting room in a reciner while my mom had her surgery done. Afterwards my Dad drove both of us home. I slept the entire car ride home. My dad dropped me off at home to Brad so that he could take care of me. He apparently made me dinner and I ate 1/2 a pizza to myself......I don't recollect any of this by the way. Went to bed woke up every few hours to check on the baby......I actually came out to the living room asking Brad why the baby was crying, he told me that he was fine and he put him back to sleep so that I wouldn't be alarmed and I said okay and went straight back to bed. I also screamed from the bedroom that I wanted cheeseburgers. Later that night I woke up again and cleaned the kitchen floor. I don't remember doing it, but it was clean when I woke up. I thought Brad did it. Ha Ha Ha. I continued to toss and turn making all sorts of noises for the entire night. I have no idea what I was dreaming about. So there is my Lasik and Valium experience. Fun huh? Its so wonderful to be able to see. I'm still not 100% but we're getting there. Its incredible. Here is a photo of Brad making fun of my goggles. I don't remember taking this photo.

Sisters

This past week I traveled to Texas for a work meeting....luckily thats where my sister lives so we got a chance to visit together. I saw her adorable apartment, cute dog Kayla, her new car and her hot pink garage that she just painted, and had a wonderful pedicure together. We had such a great time. Luckily my trip overlapped her trip home so we actaully flew home together for her visit home for my Bridal Shower this coming up weekend. I am very excited. Here are a few pics from my trip.