Keeping Busy...

So, I realized that I haven't done an update blog on our lives in a very long time. To say the least, we've been keeping very busy around the Zaruba household! If you've read my post on "Life as an Admissions Counselor", you have an idea of what I've been doing. Honestly I haven't had much time for anything else.

AJ has been busy with school, getting ready for his fall concert - which is next week! - and preparing students for their All-State auditions, which are happening this weekend. He's also helping put together the All-School Talent Show which will take place in November. But they've been doing a lot of pre-planning and having auditions and interviews before hand. It's actually good that I've been gone so much because AJ has been working early mornings and late in the evenings with all these different activities! And whenever I am home, I like him to be home too, so it's good he's been keeping busy!

A couple of fun things that we've gotten to do this fall...

At the end of last month, we spent a weekend back home in Minnesota. My mom had managed to get tickets to the NDSU vs. U of M football game in the Twin Cities! With Dan being a freshman at NDSU and in the Marching Band, they were going to be at that game and perform during half time. So AJ and I went up along with my parents and we met my sister there. It was a blast! The game itself was awesome!! With NDSU winning! ;-) The people were a little crazy... it was my first Big 10 football game and I'm not sure I'd ever do it again... haha But the band performance at half time was awesome! It was so fun to watch! We even managed to find Dan with the binoculars we had brought and got to talk with him after the game for a little bit. It was a great time. 

 We were also able to go to a local apple orchard near my parents house and get some famous Minnesota apples and the best caramel there is! :) Definitely made the entire trip worth it! haha

Last weekend, AJ and I also got to head back to our old stomping grounds. We actually meet there because I was coming from Minnesota... but we were able to both head back for Homecoming at Wartburg! We even managed to make it back for the Wartburg Choir alumni reunion and open rehearsal.

For those of you that don't remember, it was actually through the Wartburg Choir that AJ and I met. And it was on our European Tour that we got engaged. The Wartburg Choir holds a very special place in both of our hearts. We learned about a special concert they want to do next year at Homecoming with about 5 or 6 pieces sung by an alumni choir! We really hope that we're going to be able to attend and be a part of that! At the rehearsal, it was great to listen to such an amazing group sing - even if it was just the practice! They've come along way with the new director and I think he's going to do some awesome things with the choir! Sometimes I hope that maybe someday down the road, that will be AJ conducting the Wartburg Choir! :) One of the greatest things that happened at the rehearsal was that Dr. Nelson actually invited all the alumni to join in and sing "Give Me Jesus". That song is a traditional song of the Wartburg Choir and is sung at the end of every concert. The choir actually circles the Chapel and holds hands. Being back in a large group of people like that, so passionate about music, was amazing. Even though it's been a couple years since I've sung that song, as soon as it began it all comes back. I wish I could describe what it felt like to be singing that song again with the Wartburg Choir, but I can't. I know for anyone else that was there singing it with us, they'd understand. But the feelings were so powerful. After the last note of the song, I think it either took your breath away or you were holding you breath in. That feelings of belong, unity, family, praise, meaning - it all hung in the air. It was unbelievable.

On Saturday, we spent the day walking around campus and meeting up with old friends! You couldn't even walk 10 steps without being stopped by someone you knew! It's an awesome feeling. Wartburg, I believe, will always feel like home to me. It's where AJ and I both meet some incredible people who we consider to be life-long friends. It's where we meet. It's where we got married. It's the place that's helped define us. It will also be home to us. I think that's another reason why I love to go back every year to Homecoming. Homecoming will always fall right around our anniversary, and since campus is where we got married, it's fun to be able to go back every year and not only celebrate homecoming and see all of our friends, but to also celebrate us and our marriage. 

Trying to recreate a wedding picture :)

On Saturday night, we drove down to Tipton to see AJ's parents! It had been a long time since we had seen them and so it was nice to be able to spend some time with them! AJ was able to stay the night and I unfortunately had to leave that night to drive down to St. Louis for work. But it was still great seeing them! They even got me a birthday cake that we were able to enjoy before I left! And I must admit, it was nice to just hang out there in front of the fireplace before I had to leave! :) We're looking forward to the next time we'll be able to make it back over there and spend some more time with them!

So, overall I think it's been a good fall. I think we're both looking forward to the upcoming holidays and things slowing down a little bit to enjoy each others' company and see some family. But until then, we'll just keep going along!