Struggling

Going home was awesome, but it made being here all the more difficult. When, oh when, is this going to get easier?

Visit from Dad

Nick's dad and step-mom (Ed and Rochelle) came and visited us last weekend. We had a great time with them. The weekend was very laid back and comfortable. We played games, went to the Stockyards, out to dinner, went shopping. It was so nice to spend time with them. The following are some pictures from the trip.

Nick and me out at dinner at Joe T's. It is THE place to go when you are here. The atmosphere is amazing! We sat out on the patio next to a big fountain under some pretty amazing trees. I really enjoyed it--Nick never took me there before this. He talked about it all the time, but with Dad and Rochelle here, he seemed like the perfect opportunity.

This is Ed and Rochelle at Joe T's. They both had a few drinks in them Joe T's is the most famous for their margaritas.

We took the picture of the boys with their dad at the Stockyards. We came to realize that with all the pictures we have plastered all over this house, we don't have one of Dad anywhere. So, it became really important that we get a good picture of them while he was here. I love this picture. It is perfect.

Just a silly Nick and Jen picture. We took it at the Stockyards. Nick says that I am too good at taking these pictures of us, but you can see my outstretched arm in his sunglasses. Pretty funny!

Finally, if I had a cow, this is what she would look like. Cute and happy and all dolled up. My sister, Stef, says I should call her Tootsie. It is a perfect name.

Lost Babies

What a day today was! I got up at eight to find a hole in the fence, the neighbors gate open, and my dogs gone. In panic mode, I called Nick and made him come home to help me look. We scoured the neighborhood, visited Animal Control, and went came home. I worked a half day, so I had to get ready for work. There was nothing we could do.

Right before I had to leave, I got a call from a lady who had Joey--but no Elway. So, I ran to pick her up then headed to sub. I still had heard nothing by the time I came home, so Joey and I went for a walk around our whole neighborhood. We didn't find Elway on our walk, and I felt pretty frustrated.

Right before Nick came home from work I got a phone call from a family who said that they thought they might have my dog. He was hiding from the world behind an AC unit, and he wouldn't come out to play. I went and picked him up, and he was so happy to see his mom!

Needless to say, I am exhausted! We took pictures of our rotted fence, and now will come the battle to get a new one from our landlord. This could get interesting.

Birthday Boy

Today is Nick's 29th birthday! Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband. He takes amazing care of me, and I couldn't live without him!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LOVE!!!!!!!!

Jack-o-lantern

We carved our pumpkins the other night, so I thought that I would post the pictures! We got the patterns to make them look great, and as you can see, they turned out pretty wonderful!

Nick looked super intense while working on his. He did a bunch of the design on his own because he got frustrated with the pattern. However, if you look at the picture below, you see that he did a fantastic job! His came out great. I think it kind of looks like Voldemort peaking out of the blinds.

This last one is my little monster. He is a cute one! Both of them look great in front of the house--even though Nick seems to think that the rest of the decorations outside look terrible. He is crazy though. They look great at night when it is dark and the skeleton lights are on.

Halloween

So, I actually do like Halloween. I like little children in costumes. I like passing out candy. I like watching It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. I just don't LOVE dressing up myself. I feel self-conscious and silly--two things that I absolutely cannot stand.

When we were invited to go to a Halloween party, I was actually excited. Even though I don't love costumes, the idea of finding one and dressing up with Nick made it better. The search for the perfect costume began...only to be halted by this: we can't go to the party due to the fact that it will put me in a socially akward and unacceptable situation that tends to put a lot of added stress on my marriage.

Maybe I am not loving Halloween as much as I thought I did.

I wonder...

I wonder if there is something that I can do just to lift my spirits a little. I wonder why I am so sad sometimes. Things are supposed to be going great! Remember? I am married to my best friend. We are finally together. We have Joey and Elway, and everything that goes along with his job is great right now. I just don't want to live vicariously through him anymore. He has work and friends and things to do and places to be. If I never wanted to leave this house, I would never have to. Unfortunately for us all, I hate being a home body. Granted, making a home with Nick is the most I have felt like I have a HOME since I lived in the Broomfield house. That place has been forever ruined for me though. I guess that as long as Nick and I are together, I should find things and ways to make myself happy. My social outlet is going to have to be church because I have nothing else right now. There are some really great people at church, and some wonderful women whom I already adore. I could make some good friends here. I just really miss my friends at home who I could yell at across the hall or run into their classroom. I miss driving over to A's house to play with her and the kiddo. I miss Old C's with my girls. I hate that I am missing K's belly grow! We were all supposed to be together for those things.

I guess that I really need to stop focusing on the things that feel so negative right now and build some positives. I love my husband. He is my world. I love our little family--even though our children are dogs. I am looking forward to building up our life together. It will be a great life.