Life Update

I had hoped to be able to write more on our blog after the first of the new year, however, that just hasn't happened yet! To be honest, Scott and I have found ways to fill up our new free time together. In the last few weeks we have filled up every weekend by trying to cross things off our every so long and growing "To Do" List. Who knew planning your life took so much time! :-)

After the first of the year Scott and I got really excited about our future. Not that we haven't been excited about until now, but we finally feel like we are at the point where we can start planning our next chapter. With school behind me, we are looking forward to our wedding, being married, buying a house and kids....hopefully in that order and not all at once! ;-) Since both of us are not from Colorado, neither one of us knows any of the surrounding towns and communities. I only know the Boulder and Fort Collins areas well, the rest of the Front Range is much of a mystery. So, after talking about the fact that neither one of us knows much about our options for a community to call "Home" one day, we have decided to take the time and go "Community" hunting. It's much like "House" hunting, but on a slightly larger scale. We figured, if we find a place we'd like to live one day, it might be easier to look for a house when that time comes.

So, we have been actively looking for the past couple of weeks at our options. We have both decided that most likely we will both be working in or around the Denver area for the next however many years, which helps and doesn't when it comes to looking for a place to settle down. Denver is a big place with lots of suburbs surrounding it. We have both agreed that raising our future children in the city isn't something we want to do. So that leaves us with the 'burbs! It's not my first choice....oh come on, does that really surprise you? Mrs. Architect here doesn't want live in a development that has the houses so close together and everyone's house looks the same it's just painted a different shade of bage? But, I will do it for the safety and better life style for my family! Besides, newer developments have much better architecture then the ones built in the 80's and 90's!

Okay, so a couple of weekends ago Scott and I headed straight East about 20 miles from where we currently live. We ended up in a town call Brighton. Friends of ours just bought a house there this summer, so we are slightly familiar with their neighborhood. We drove around and around...without a map...and eventually found the town. As much as we love where Jake and Melissa live, the actual town of Brighton didn't excite us. We headed home deciding to keep looking, but to revisit the neighborhood in the next year as they were starting construction on a new retail area which often leads to more development.

The following weekend we decided to head South West about 35 miles from here. At work I was given a project to research the town of Littleton and everything I read about it made me love it more and more. So, our next stop was Littleton, CO. Now, this town of roughly 45,000 people impressed us. It felt like home in the sense that besides the 360 view of the mountains, we could have easily been in Iowa, which is a nice feeling. The town has a ton of open space, multiple lakes, great schools and friendly people. We found a local pizza place to eat at for lunch and decided that we should keep Littleton on our short list.

So far, we have enjoyed our weekend adventures to different towns around the area. Maybe it's been the 50+ degree weather or the sun shine or just the excitement of our future together, or maybe a little bit of all that has made this a great experience. We aren't done yet! There's still plenty of neighborhoods for us to explore. I'll keep you posted as we continue our adventures.

The rest of our time has been spent thinking about wedding stuff. I can't believe it's 4 months away!!!! It just doesn't seem possible! I feel like we still have so much to do....yet, when I look at my list I realize how much we already have done. We will be busy these next couple of months getting the rest of the stuff accomplished, but so far, I am confident we won't have to be panicking the week before the wedding....at least that's what I'm praying for. :-)

The rest of my time has been spent looking and applying for jobs. My current internship ends in May, so the pressure is on to find something else before then. I am still praying that a job in an architecture firm opens up, however, I am being realistic in that fact that I am applying for other jobs. I'll work 3 jobs if I need to....but it would be nice to find something full time with benefits. Hopefully something good will come up soon. :-) I feel like that is the missing part in my life right now. I would like to know I have a steady, full time job by the time we get married. I can't imagine what it will be like to have us both working full time jobs!!!??? I will have to say though, that this experience has been very humbling. It has made me look at the big picture of life and realize that I (and we) are not as bad off as others. I have a roof over my head, food in the refrigerator, gas (barely) in my car and I do have a job I can go to every day. Scott and I may not have extra money to go shopping, buy a new flat screen TV or go on a vacation, but we have managed to save a lot of money for our wedding, pay every bill on time and still treat ourselves to Chinese take out once in a while. This situation has allowed us both to realize that we can live on (almost) nothing and still be happy. It's not the ideal situation, nor is it one that I'd like to stay in forever, but we've shown ourselves that we can make it through and come out the other side happy and still madly in love with each other. And for that, I have to thank God for showing us that we can get through anything as long as we have each other.

Well that's all for now. I should get to bed so that a new day can start tomorrow! I hope you are all staying warm, safe and healthy. We think about you all often and wish we could see everyone more!

Miss you all!

Love,
Heather

Happy New Year!

With 2009 behind us, we are in highest spirits around here! 2010 (twenty-ten is how we say it here in the Ludwig/Greenfield residence) has already been better then the whole year of 2009 was! 2009 was a tough year, probably the toughest year yet! But, I am happy to report that Scott and I (and our family and friends) managed to make it through!

However, the year did end well for us! Scott and I spent our first Christmas together here in Colorado. We decided not to travel over the holiday this year to save money, and it's a good thing we decided to stay put given the harsh weather that hit all over the country over Christmas...had we tried to travel we may have had to spend Christmas in a hotel somewhere in Nebraska! We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Fort Collins at my Mom's house. We all enjoyed our time together! It was a quite weekend, but just what we all needed! We ate a ton of food, watched movies and relaxed. New Years Eve was just as quite. Again, trying to save money, Scott and I decided to forgo the wild and crazy Denver New Years Eve scene. Instead, we went over to our friend Stephanie's house and hung out with her and her two little boys. We ate a great dinner, played yatzee and watched the ball drop in New York City from the comfort of Stephanie's couch.

And with that, we began what will be one of the best years of our lives! I know that is a big statement, but how can it not be one of the greatest years? Scott and I are getting married in 5 months!!! I think that right there proves that this will be a great year! :-) Now that the holidays are over and I am finally finished with grad school, we can devote the next 5 months to our upcoming wedding! I just ordered my bridesmaid's dresses yesterday, bought the programs for our wedding ceremony and have started finalizing the menu with the caterer. With all this free time I have now, I am in full "wedding mode"! :-) I love that I can now focus entirely on our wedding and enjoy the next 5 months! I know this time is going to fly by and then it will all be over, so I am going to make a point to enjoy every minute of it. I have really enjoyed having my Mom close by so that she can be a part of the planning and excitement too. It just wouldn't have been the same if she was still in Iowa and I was left to do this all my by myself. Who would have gone dress shopping with me? Or gone to Michaels and spent hours in the wedding section (folks, there are only 2 isles dedicated to weddings in the entire store...and yes, we tend to spend hours there...only a Mom would do that for her daughter!) and David's Bridal 100 times with me? Or gone to all those bridal showers? I have to think it was destiny that she moved out here just 4 months before I got engaged.

There are still plenty of things on my "Wedding To Do" list! But I look forward to checking them off one by one in the next few months!

Love,
Heather

Graduation Day!

Well, I finally did it! I graduated from Graduate School with a Masters in Architecture! I started this journey 2 years ago, and at the time, never thought I would make it to graduation day! The past 2 years sure did fly by! It hasn't sunk in yet that I am done with school, and I'm sure it won't for a few weeks, but it is a great feeling! :-) Here are a few pictures from graduation:

Before the Graduation Ceremony

My Mom and I

Scott and I after graduation

Love,
Heather

Life Update!

I know, I know...I didn't finish my list of the 100 things I am thankful for before Thanksgiving. I tried, I really did but life just got in the way! The last two weeks have flown by! The week of Thanksgiving was busy for Scott and I. Scott worked Monday-Wednesday while I stayed busy working on my final studio project. By Thursday, we were both ready for a much needed break! For Thanksgiving, we joined my Mom at the Silvandale Range in Loveland to have dinner. Since it was just going to be the 3 of us this year, we decided not to cook a big dinner and instead enjoy a home-cooked buffet provided by the Ranch. The food was amazing, but I think the best part of the day was that it was 65 degrees outside! Yes, I said 65 degrees and sunny!!! After being at the Ranch for dinner and desert, Scott and I went home and put up our Christmas tree! We spent the rest of the evening laying around and enjoying some down time.

On Friday, Scott worked from home in the morning and I went shopping to cash in on some Black Friday deals! I didn't get up at 5:00 am, but still managed to get some good deals at Target later that morning. I really didn't have an agenda, I just went to get into the holiday spirit. However, I did find some deals that were too good to pass up, and left the store with a large shopping bag! :-) That afternoon Scott, my Mom and I went up to Estes Park to enjoy the Lighted Holiday Parade! We ate at Village Pizza (yum!) and shopped downtown before the parade began. The weather was nice and warm that day, but cooled off after the sun went down! We enjoyed hot chocolate to stay warm!

On Saturday, Scott surprised me with tickets to the Nutcracker for that night as my birthday present! I love love the Nutcracker! We went out to dinner in Downtown Denver before the show and then went to a bar that is located on the 27th floor of the Hyatt hotel in downtown that has a spectacular view of the city afterwards for a drink. The night was wonderful and exactly what we needed! I have the worlds greatest Fiancee! Sunday, my actual birthday, we spent the afternoon in Fort Collins with my Mom. She made me triple chocolate cake and we ordered pizza for dinner. I had a wonderful birthday and I have to say, it feels really good to be 26! 25 wasn't my best year, so I have high hopes for 26! ;-)

This week was another busy busy week for me! I had my final studio presentation yesterday, so all week I was preparing for that. My presentation went really really well and it's such a relief to be done. I can't believe I am done with studio forever! For the 6 years I have been in school, studio was always my first priority! Stress, tears, blood and all-nighters were a part of my studio life and for it to all be over is a little bitter sweet for me. Some of my favorite memories from college are of pulling all-nighters with my friends, watching movies on a screen we rigged up, listening to music loud enough that I could be heard from outside the building and sleeping in the carpet garden for an hour every 32 hours. I know it sounds more like slave work then fun, and it was, but I always managed to make the most of it. Had it not been for all the hours I have spent in the studio, I would not have the life long friendships that I have today! And that's what has made it all worth it!

Anyways, studio is done and over with and I have one test to go before I am officially done with the semester! Graduation is next Saturday at 9:00 am....why do they do that!? My Mom and Scott will be there in the audience cheering me on as I walk across the stage! Afterwards, we are going to have lunch at the Walnut Brewery in Boulder. The first time my Mom and I ate at the brewery I told her that I was going to apply to CU Boulder, that was in September 2002. By September 2003 I was attending CU Boulder. After that first time, my Mom and I continued to eat at the Walnut Brewery each time she'd come out to visit. It only feels appropriate that we go there to celebrate an end to a journey that started 7 years ago.

My list continued......
61. My parents for allowing me to follow my dream of becoming an architect even when it meant supporting my decision to attend the University of Colorado
62. The Alabama Christmas Album
63. Scott for supporting me and loving me through this last year
64. Snow!
65. My Aunt Clare and Cousin Danielle for always buying me such cute clothes for my birthday
66. Coffee (I'm sure it's already made the list, but I really love coffee)
67. Being able to work in the same office as my friend Tiffany, I probably don't get as much work done but it makes each day at work more enjoyable
68. Having 5 great years with my MacBook before it died....it was a sad day!
69. Staying in touch with old Friends
70. Friends (the TV show)...so many life lessons can be learned from just watching an episode!
71. Christmas Cards...one of my favorite things about the holidays!
72. Graduating with a Masters of Architecture degree in a week!
73. Being able to spend the holidays with both my Mom and Scott this year
74. Dance!
75. Friday afternoons

Well, that's all for now! I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season and is remembering what this time of year is truly about!!!

Hugs & Kisses,
Heather

More...

36. Receiving cards in the mail from my Grandma just because she misses me
37. Cozy blankets
38. My heath, Scott's health and my family's health
39. Tim McGraw because: Tim McGraw+Krista Brittain+Me+4 past concerts+This coming summer's concert=Some of the best nights of my life!
40. BHS Cheerleading
41. Having a fiance who insists that I relax and spend the night watching all my favorite girl shows after I've had a long day at work/school
42. Living in a place where the sun shines 360 days a year
43. The ocean and how it makes all my problems disappear
44. Snowboarding and how that makes me feel free
45. My purple iPod
46. A fiance that does the laundry, cooks and cleans!
47. Girls-Day-Out with my Mom that include shopping, lunch and lots of girl talk
48. The Walnut Brewery in Boulder, CO
49. Wedding Planning
50. Sleep
51. My relationship with God
52. My involvement with the AIA (American Institute of Architects) because it's provided me with so many experiences and allowed me to meet incredible people who have become my mentors and friends over the past five years
53. Christmas Traditions
54. The Barbie ornaments that I get from my Dad every year on the Birthday
55. Scarves, hats, gloves and winter coats
56. Estes Park...there are so many memories in that town that go back to the time I was 10 years old
57. Mine and Scott's future together...I don't know what it will bring but I know it's going to be fun, exciting, challenging, rewarding and memorable
58. Body Lotion
59. Bubble baths
60. Gilmore Girls

Giving Thanks

With Thanksgiving less then 2 weeks a way and the end of the year less then 2 months away, I have been thinking about this past year a lot lately. To be honest, 2009 has not been the best year I've had. In fact, it's been one of the toughest years I've had in a long time. I'm ready to say good-bye to 2009 and hello to 2010, because I know next year is going to be much much better! As easy it would be for me to just move on, I know I should spend sometime reflecting on this past year, as I'm sure there are many life lessons I was suppose to learn. But I'm not quit ready to say good-bye to 2009 just yet. I am determined to end this year on a positive note. So, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I have decided to make a list of 100 things in my life I am thankful for and post them here between now and Thanksgiving day. This time of year, I think it is important to remember what is important to us, that we are blessed and that we should give thanks for everything in our lives. I hope my list encourages you to think about the things in your life you are thankful for and give thanks for them.

100 thing that I am Thankful for...

1 - Scott, my best friend

2 - My Mom's unconditional love and support

3 - Having the greatest girl friends who are always there for me when I need to talk, laugh or cry

4 - My faith

5 - Snow Days (especially the ones that come in October)

6 - My Father's love and understanding

7 - My close relationship with my Grandma

8 - Movies that I have seen over and over again, but still love to watch

9 - Coffee!

10 - My loving family

11 - Facebook (I love how it's brought me closer to my family and old/new friends)

12 - My passion for architecture

13 - New shoes (sometimes a girl just needs new shoes!)

14 - Being able to eat (and enjoy) cinnamon rolls with Scott on Sunday mornings

15 - Watching the snow fall outside my window

16 - My cat Joey

17 - Finding a new band that I just can't get enough of

18 - Being spontaneous

18 - Having the ability to still be spontaneous with Scott

19 - Candles

20 - Red Wine

21 - Books that I just can't put down

22 - My education

23 - Date nights in with Scott that result in Chinese food, wine and a movie

24 - Being broke..for now (yes, I really do mean that...I think it will give us a strong foundation to build our lives on)

25 - Creating long lasting relationships with new friends

26 - My memories of growing up in Iowa

27 - My "Niece" and "Nephews": Kate, Hunter, Alex, Aaron, Jordan and Jackson

28 - My future

29 - My Future-In-Laws (yes, I really do mean that!)

30 - Never giving up on my dream that I would someday marry my best friend and soul mate because in my heart they are the same person

31 - Living in Colorado

32 - The opportunity to travel to the places I have been

33 - Daydreams

34 - Hoodies and beanies

35 - Flip Flops (and even more so, being able to wear flip flops in November!)

Love,

Heather

Pictures!!!

So, I'm a little behind the times, but it just came to my attention that I can post pictures within our blog! This is something I've been wanting to do forever, but could never figure out how to do it...until now! So, here are just a few pictures of Scott and I. In the future, I'll try to post pictures within the blog! ;-) I hope you enjoy...

Us

Scott and I out in Denver

Scott and I in Estes Park

Us in California

Scott and I in front of a P-51 Mustang at the Chino Planes of Fame Museum

H&S