I'm a bad blogger....

I know it's been a while since I've updated our blog, but believe it or not, I've been busy! :-) I'm not sure where the time has gone, but all I know is that I'm 4 weeks away from being done with school (for the semester at least) and 13 months away from our wedding! Wedding excitement is starting to take over, and it's beginning to be a challenge to focus on anything but wedding details. I don't know where the last 6 months have gone, but I remember thinking that we had all the time in the world to plan our wedding...well, now we only have 13 months! But, before I go in too much more detail about my excitement, let's go back a few months and get you all caught up on what Scott and I have been doing...

In March we headed back to Iowa for a long weekend. It was the first time Scott had been back to Iowa since he moved to Colorado last fall. It was a much needed home visit for the both of us. We were busy, spending time with family and friends, but it was a nice break from our busy lives out here. We enjoyed spending time with Scott's Mom, Step-Dad and Sister, as well as my Dad and the rest of my family. We also got to spend some much needed time with our Iowa friends! Overall the weekend was a blast! We are sorry that we didn't get a chance to see everyone...but there's always next time.

Since we got back, life has escalated past busy to hectic! I started a new job in April at the Colorado Center for Community Development. I am a student design intern there and have been working about 20 hours a week. I am also still working at the pool in Boulder as a Manager and TAing for an undergrad class...oh, and let's not forget school. With everything going on, I have barley had time to sleep! But it will all be over soon! :-) I have 4 weeks left of classes and am looking forward to relaxing in May.

So, back to wedding excitement! I am starting to realize that the next 12 months will go by very fast! This summer we will be looking for caterers, cake bakers and rental places...just to name a few! We are hoping that most of the details will be figured out by the time fall semester starts. With that being said, I can guarantee that there will be more blogs starting as I want to keep you all in the loop of our wedding adventures.

I hope all is well in your life! Please keep in touch, we'd love to hear from you!

Love,

Heather

It's been a while....

It's been awhile since I've sat down to write anything.  To be honest, I just haven't felt like there is anything to "blog" about.  Life for Scott and I has been a bit boring lately, not that boring is a bad thing, but I just haven't felt that there is anything worth writing about.  Then, the other night Scott and I were talking about my lack of "blogging" and he made me realize that it's okay to blog about nothing.  So here I am....

I still don't have a "real" job.  I'm teaching swim lessons and lifeguarding at the City of Boulder aquatics center to have some kind of income coming in.  I'm also a teaching assistant for an undergrad class at CU Boulder.  Both keep me busy, however, I don't consider either one a "real" job.  (For anyone who doesn't think that times are tough, talk to me.)  I visit craigslist.com on a daily basis, looking for anything, but the truth is unless you have a degree in nursing or accounting there's just nothing out there.  I'm trying to stay positive and just get by right now, but a positive attitude is hard to keep when it just seems like there is no hope. I'm not the type of person to give up, so I'm not going to, but I am a realistic person.  I'm realizing that for the next 6-12 months I may have to have 3 different jobs, not relating to architecture, just to get by.  I have to be thankful though for Scott and my parents.  They are cheering me on and offering advice and support.  Without them I just don't know where I would be.  Hopefully something will come around sooner than later.  But until then, I'm just trying to stay positive and keep a smile on my face.  Things could be worst.....

On a more positive note, Scott and I are busy planning our wedding.  Even though it's still 15 months away, I have been brainstorming and planning for our big day.  My Mom and I spend most of our conversations talking about the wedding and even my Dad is always wanting to be updated every time I talk to him.  It seems like they are more excited, at times, then we are!  They have really stepped up in offering to help Scott and I with the wedding costs.  I don't know how I will ever repay them or thank them for everything they are doing.  I have been blessed with the most amazing parents a girl could ask for!!!  In order to keep costs down, I have been doing my reading on "recession weddings".  It seems that Scott and I are not the only ones trying to plan a wedding during the worst economic times in 50 years.  I think what this has taught me is that it's all about Scott and I and our family and friends.  We want everyone to enjoy themselves while they are a part of the biggest day of our lives.  We look forward to seeing everyone there!!!

Scott and I will be back in Iowa in March.  My Grandmother is turning 80 years old so we are going back to celebrate with her and the rest of the family.  We will only be back for a few days, but have every intention to make the rounds and see everyone.  We will keep you all updated on our plans as the time gets closer.  

I hope everyone is doing well.  We miss you all!!!

Love,

H&S

Engagement Pictures

Hello everyone!!!  Last Tuesday Scott and I got our engagement pictures taken in Estes Park.  We wanted to get our pictures done in Estes since that is where Scott proposed and we are getting married.  Any normal person would have waited until the weather was nice and warm, but I rarely do what normal people would do anyway! :-)  I had my mind set on having snowy engagement pictures since sweaters, scarves and hats are my favorite things to wear.  Well, we definitely had on our sweaters, scarves and hats but there was no snow.  The weather was freezing cold and the wind was blowing but we decided to get our pictures taken anyway.  Melissa and her assistant Megan braved the weather with us as we walked all around the town.  By the end our lips were blue and we could barely feel our fingers, but it was well worth it.  Scott and I could not be happier with our pictures.  We will get all the proofs soon, but until then Melissa posted a few of her favorites on her website.  Please feel free to go take a look at them and give us feedback on your favorites!  There are plenty more to come, so we will need all the help we can get to pick a favorite.  

www.melissabeckphotography.blogspot.com

Love,

Heather and Scott

Happy New Year!!!!

Welcome 2009!!! I can't believe another year has passed! I feel like the older I get the faster the years go by. 2008 was a big year for both Scott and I. It was a year full of changes, adventures, struggles and excitement...I went back to grad school in January, Scott graduated from college in May, my Mom moved to Fort Collins in August, Scott moved to Denver in September, Scott and I got engaged in October and I got laid off in November....what a year! Through the good and the bad, I don't think I would change any of the events of this past year. Overall it was a good year and one we both will remember (and talk about) for years to come.

But now it's time to move forward and focus on the future. I don't know what 2009 will hold for us but I think both Scott and I are hoping for a little less eventful year! :-) We'll continue to plan for the wedding and I'll graduate in December, but beyond that I think we'll just enjoy our life in Colorado. We are excited to go snowboarding before the weather gets warm, go camping once the weather is nice and attend a few CU Football games when fall comes around. I'm not one to set New Years Resolutions, but if I had to make one it would be to live a happy and fulfilled life this coming year. If 2008 taught me one thing, it was that life is unpredictable and if you plan too far in advance you lose out on enjoying the present moments. This year, I hope to enjoy each and every moment.

I hope 2009 is a good you for you and your family too! We hope to see you all in the coming year!!!

Love,
H&S

Counting down the days 'till Christmas...

It's been a while since I've written, but be honest nothing too exciting has been going on.  We're just enjoying the Holiday season (our first together) out here in Colorado.  We've been trying to get into the Holiday spirit by lighting up our Christmas trees at night, laying by the fire and watching Christmas movies.  The snow on the ground definitely helps put us in the Christmas mood!  In just a few days my Mom and I will be heading back to Iowa for Christmas and Scott will be flying to California to visit his family.  It will be hard spending this holiday apart from each other...our first Christmas together will be spent in two different states.  I guess that just goes to show how fast life can change.  I don't think either of us thought, when we were planning our holiday trips, that we'd actually be engaged to each other this Christmas!  Our engagement was a surprise to many people and some might even say it happened too fast, but when I look at Scott or laugh at another one of his silly jokes, I just couldn't imagine being with anyone else!  I am so in love with Scott and I feel so blessed that we finally figured out that we were meant to be together (it took us long enough)!  It makes this Christmas even more special!  2008 has been a year for the record books...and it's not even over yet.  I'm looking forward to these last few weeks of the year, it's my favorite time of the year!

I can't wait to head back to Iowa and see my family.  I have a new baby cousin, Hunter, to meet and lots of hugs to give.  I hope you and your families have a wonderful Christmas!  Please remember to enjoy this time of year and not get all caught up in the craziness of the season. Remember that you all are blessed and loved!  We wish we could spend the holidays with every one, but just know that we will be thinking of all of you!!!  

With Love,

H&S

A Colorado Thanksgiving

I apologize for not writing lately.  The days and weeks have just flown by...it would be nice if life could slow down a bit for the rest of the year!!!  We've had a lot of fun and memorable moments these last few weeks, everything from a surprise birthday party to Thanksgiving in Fort Collins...

Friday, November 21: SURPRISE!!!!  After a pretty crummy week, I was ready to celebrate my 25th birthday (a little early) with Scott.  He told me that he had a whole night out planned for us. Of course, I took that as a great excuse to buy a new dress! :-) When we got to the restaurant in Denver I was shocked to see a group of my friends sitting at our table....I was even more shocked to see my best friend Krista sitting in the chair next to mine (reminder: she lives in Kansas City)!  I was so happy and so surprised that I almost started crying...almost!  I couldn't believe that Scott and Krista had been planning a surprise birthday party for me for months!  After having bad luck at work this week, having my closest friends gather for my birthday was one of the greatest things that could have happened to me.  I was reminded of what really matters in life!  Thank you all for coming out and helping me celebrate!!!  I love you all!

Thursday, November 27: THANKSGIVING!  This year we spent Thanksgiving in Fort Collins, Colorado!  It was Scott's and my first Thanksgiving together and our first one spent in Colorado.  The day couldn't have been better.  Scott and I drove up to my Mom's house in the morning and helped her prepare dinner.  We had all the traditional Thanksgiving goodies....turkey, masked potatoes, pickle-wraps, green bean casserole and Mom's fresh apple pie!  My cousin Jason and his friend Tucker joined us for dinner as well.  It was a quite day filled with laughter and full tummies!  Though this year wasn't at all like what we are use to, it was nice to start our own family tradition.  Of course we missed those family members who were not here with us!  Maybe in the future we can have more visitors for our Colorado Thanksgiving!  

Friday, November 28: Black Friday!!!  6:00 AM...we were out the door and on our way to Target!  (My Mom found out first hand just how much of a morning person Scott is!)  $3.99 movies were what we were after!  Nothing says "Happy Holidays" like pushing through the crowds on the Friday after Thanksgiving.  :-)  After Target we headed down the street to Best Buy...for more great deals!  By 7:30 we were all shopped out!  My Mom headed to work and Scott and I headed back to bed!  By noon we were ready to go again!  Scott, Mom and I headed up the canyon to Estes Park.  That evening we stood on Main Street, in the snow, and watched the Estes Park Holiday Lighted Parade!  What a sight to see!  There were more people lining the streets than there are at Boone's Pufferbilly Days!!!  Little kids waited patiently to see Santa at the end of the parade!  We had a great time!  I think it put all of us in the Christmas mood!!!   By the end of the night, we were all exhausted...a full day of Holiday fun!  

Saturday, November 29: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!  I turned 25 years old at 8:10 am!  My Mom and I celebrated my birthday by going to the Nutcracker in Denver.  It was wonderful and I am so happy that my Mom was here to share the experience with me.  We decided that we would like to continue this tradition every year!  That evening Scott and I went to dinner and enjoyed the rest of the night alone.  We built a fire and put up my Christmas tree!  What a perfect way to end a wonderful weekend!

This is my favorite time of year!  I love the lights, the trees, the snow, the music and the stillness of the air that always seems to fill the room when only the Christmas tree lights are shinning.  I look forward to the weeks to come as we count down to the new year!  They will be filled with holiday parades and dinners, cookie baking and decorating, family and friends.  I hope this finds you all well and enjoying the holiday season.  We miss you all!!!!

Love,

H&S

All good things must come to an end.....

It's funny how unpredictable life can be sometimes.  Take this past year for example.  I could never have predicted that my Mom would be living in Fort Collins, that Scott would be living in Denver, that I'd be engaged, that I would be back in school working on my masters....and I definitely would not have predicted that I would no longer be working at The Neenan Company!  :-(  The "recession" has finally hit home.  Being an architect in today's world is much like being a fisherman in the desert.  All over the country construction jobs are being shut down and architecture jobs are being put on hold.  For these reasons, and others I'm sure, architects are losing their jobs.  I lost mine Monday morning.  I was pretty down this past weekend, knowing that this was a possiblity, and truly scared to face the reality of unemployment.  All I could think about was why it was happening to me and what I was going to do!  Luckily, I have an amazing fiance and parents.  They all helped me talk through my pending situation and realize it could be worse.  Things could be worse and I had to keep reminding myself of that yesterday after I got my "news".  I sat on my patio in the afternoon, enjoying the 70-degree weather, and thought about the things that are blessing my life right now.  I've decided to share them with you...

- Scott, my best friend and fiance

- My Mom and Dad....for being the best parents a girl could ask for

- My family...I miss them everyday, but their pictures around my apartment light up my heart

- My amazing friends...far and near

- The Gergte family....for always treating me like the little sister

- 70 degree weather in November

- Joey (my cat)

- My health

- My parent's health

- Music...it's what fills the silence of my room while I write this

- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough icecream

During these hard times, I think it is important for everyone to remember what matters to them most and that they are blessed everyday.  I hope as you are reading this blog, you are able to think about those things that bring joy to your life.  If you are having a hard time finding them, look into your child's eyes, give someone a hug, step outside and breath in the fresh air or take a walk with someone you love.  Things will get better, even when they seem like they can only get worse.  For me, the next step is to finish my degree and start looking for my next adventure.  Life is full of surprises, so embrace them!

LUVS!