You know, sometimes I'm just not good at keeping up with regular blog posts. Not that it really matters because I don't know who really reads these. But I feel like sometimes I have so much to say that I'll have like three blog posts I'll want to put up all within like three days. Other times, like now, I have nothing to say for a month. Oh well, such is life I suppose. We don't always have blog-worthy events going on at home!
But since it has been a month, I figured I better update you all on our life! January was a good month for us. Nothing too big or exciting but I would say a pretty good start to the new year. AJ got quickly back into the swing of things at school, preparing for upcoming solo/ensemble contest and then large group contest later down the road. Although I think I speak for AJ and probably all the kids at school, that because of the mild winter we've been having, they're a little disappointed that they haven't had any snow days yet this year! But who knows, winter could definitely still come and surprise us! We'll just have to wait and see.
AJ did get some exciting news a couple of weeks ago though about a possible summer job! There is a community theater in Macedonia, which is just about 10 minutes down the road from Oakland and part of the school district. They are putting on a summer production of "Annie" and want AJ to be the musical director! It should be a great gig for him too! The performances would be at the end of June so he'd be able to get some extra cash and still have the month of July to relax and enjoy his summer vacation. Plus, AJ is is exciting for the experience, to meet some new people, network and to get in some practice before he has to put on another musical next fall at the high school.
AJ also got some other news a couple of weeks ago, although I'm not sure this one is as exciting. AJ has to get his wisdom teeth removed. They've been bothering him for a while and I think he's ready to have them out! So we go in this Friday for the procedure. And then I will get to spend all weekend taking care of him! :) I'm a little excited to see if he swells up and looks like a cute chipmunk! haha But in all seriousness, your thoughts and prayers would be greatly appreciated that the procedure goes well and for a fast recovery! We all know how much AJ loves to talk so hopefully he'll be back up and talking again shortly afterwards! :)
Things at my job are going great right now as well. It's starting to pick up and get busy again. I'll be visiting high schools here starting next month and doing some college fairs in March. While the spring is definitely quieter than my fall travel season, I'll still be plenty busy. Another great thing about my job is that I still have my job! When I first started, a year ago as of January 18th (woot!), it was only for a one year temporary position. Thankfully it was extended for another year and hopefully I'll even be hired on in a full time position - at least that's what we're working on! :) I also have to say that I've been very thankful for the mild winter so far. With my drive being a lot longer than AJ's into work, I'm glad we haven't really had any nasty weather. It's made my commute much more easier!
AJ and I are also trying to get a head of our finances. Even after two years of marriage, there are still things that surprise us, or that we argue about when it comes to finances. I think it's probably a struggle for a lot of people. So we're taking some financial planning courses. Maybe you've heard of Dave Rasmey, but he has these Financial Peace University courses that are taught all over the country. And there's actually a class taking place at the church in Oakland that we attend. So starting tomorrow, Feb. 1st, we'll be attending a 13-week course. It should be pretty interesting and hopefully we'll learn a lot and get a lot out of it. Maybe we'll even figure out how to do our taxes! I have to say that when this time comes every year it makes me nervous. I hate filing taxes. You never know what to expect. And this year is even more difficult with me working in one state and living in another. I think the whole process is entirely too difficult for the average person to understand. So I think AJ and I might just bite the bullet and meet with someone to help us this year.
Well, that's about it. That's all we've been up to recently. More to come as soon as more happens. :)
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Happy New Year!
Well, as quickly as they came, the holidays are now gone. But I think I speak for both Austin and I when I say that we had a great holiday season this year.
Last year over the holidays, I was unemployed. As such, we were able to spend more time with family since AJ has a bigger break over the holidays off from school and so it worked out very nicely! But then of course I got this job. Come to find out, the university shuts down the week between Christmas and the New Year so we were able to enjoy just as much of a relaxing break this year with our families!
We started out in Tipton, spending the actual holidays with Austin's family. We had a blast - as we always do! :) We played board games, Wii games, ate A LOT of food and of course, had our traditional scavenger hunt! AJ's parents would always make a scavenger hunt for the kids growing up and it's something they continue to do, only now Matt and I get to join in on the fun as well! But this year, I decided to mix it up a little bit - we created a scavenger hunt for them! It was fun to see them "run" around the house and yard looking for their clues to find their present this year! Although, I'm not sure we'll make them do it every year... :) We even had time to make some awesome gingerbread houses... and one boat. haha Overall, it was great to be back in Tipton and spend some much needed time together with the family! It had been way too long! Here are some pictures from our time there!
After spending some time in Tipton, we headed up to Minnesota to see my family. I think they were eager for us to get there because they were waiting on us to open presents! :) Again, we enjoyed being able to just spend some relaxing time with family and seeing old friends while we were there. We also enjoyed watching an old video that we made last Christmas while our parents were away... it was quite funny. :) We even got some snow while we were there - very little!! - but enough to make it feel a little bit more like Christmas. Otherwise it was a very brown Christmas - everywhere (home in Oakland, Tipton and Minnesota!). And I mean brown, no snow whatsoever. Not even piles in the ditch. It was very sad. But anyway, we did get a light dusting in Minnesota just in time to celebrate the Reedstrom family Christmas. We had a houseful and it was so much fun! We always have a great time!
We did celebrate Mom's birthday while we were around on Friday night before we all had to leave as well! We decided to drive back home on the 31st so that we could spend a relaxing New Year's Eve at our house - really just being a boring old couple. :) But it was good to be home after being gone for so long. We really wish the rest of our family would just decide to move so that they would all be closer to us! ;-) And it was nice to have a relaxing day on Sunday before AJ had to go back to work on Monday. AJ had a professional development day on Monday, so no kids yet and then he even got the afternoon off. But that meant he was stuck at home with me cleaning the house, putting away Christmas decorations and re-organizing all of his clothes! :) I would say it was a very productive day!
Over break, AJ did have some excitement when it comes to his high school choir! They were featured on a local radio station that was featuring local talent singing Christmas songs! The recording he sent in is absolutely great (if you haven't heard it already!) and the radio even did a little bit of a back story!! You can listen to it here and you really should!!
And now it's back to the old routine of things, but in a new year. I love the start of a new year. It's a new beginning, a fresh start. A time for resolutions, although who really ever keeps those... haha The new year is a time to make new commitments. New ideas. A time for new adventures. And that's really what AJ and I are hoping for this year. We have some new ideas, some new plans and hopefully some new adventures in the works!
But, at the same time, you have to stay somewhat down to earth. You have to also realize that things don't always work out. Resolutions aren't always kept. Plans don't always go accordingly. But that's okay too. Because in one year, there will be a chance for another fresh start.
Last year over the holidays, I was unemployed. As such, we were able to spend more time with family since AJ has a bigger break over the holidays off from school and so it worked out very nicely! But then of course I got this job. Come to find out, the university shuts down the week between Christmas and the New Year so we were able to enjoy just as much of a relaxing break this year with our families!
We started out in Tipton, spending the actual holidays with Austin's family. We had a blast - as we always do! :) We played board games, Wii games, ate A LOT of food and of course, had our traditional scavenger hunt! AJ's parents would always make a scavenger hunt for the kids growing up and it's something they continue to do, only now Matt and I get to join in on the fun as well! But this year, I decided to mix it up a little bit - we created a scavenger hunt for them! It was fun to see them "run" around the house and yard looking for their clues to find their present this year! Although, I'm not sure we'll make them do it every year... :) We even had time to make some awesome gingerbread houses... and one boat. haha Overall, it was great to be back in Tipton and spend some much needed time together with the family! It had been way too long! Here are some pictures from our time there!
After spending some time in Tipton, we headed up to Minnesota to see my family. I think they were eager for us to get there because they were waiting on us to open presents! :) Again, we enjoyed being able to just spend some relaxing time with family and seeing old friends while we were there. We also enjoyed watching an old video that we made last Christmas while our parents were away... it was quite funny. :) We even got some snow while we were there - very little!! - but enough to make it feel a little bit more like Christmas. Otherwise it was a very brown Christmas - everywhere (home in Oakland, Tipton and Minnesota!). And I mean brown, no snow whatsoever. Not even piles in the ditch. It was very sad. But anyway, we did get a light dusting in Minnesota just in time to celebrate the Reedstrom family Christmas. We had a houseful and it was so much fun! We always have a great time!
Over break, AJ did have some excitement when it comes to his high school choir! They were featured on a local radio station that was featuring local talent singing Christmas songs! The recording he sent in is absolutely great (if you haven't heard it already!) and the radio even did a little bit of a back story!! You can listen to it here and you really should!!
And now it's back to the old routine of things, but in a new year. I love the start of a new year. It's a new beginning, a fresh start. A time for resolutions, although who really ever keeps those... haha The new year is a time to make new commitments. New ideas. A time for new adventures. And that's really what AJ and I are hoping for this year. We have some new ideas, some new plans and hopefully some new adventures in the works!
But, at the same time, you have to stay somewhat down to earth. You have to also realize that things don't always work out. Resolutions aren't always kept. Plans don't always go accordingly. But that's okay too. Because in one year, there will be a chance for another fresh start.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)