Fresh Start

As I have said many a times before, I am bound and determined to get this blog back up and running so here we go...again. With summer break in full effect, now is the time to do it! Since I last blogged...oh, 6 months ago....a LOT has happened and changed in my life. Some good. Some stressful. Some less than desirable. Some fantastic. 

I contemplated for the last couple of days how I wanted to write my next blog post, hence why it hasn't happened before today. There's too much to update in a single post and I didn't know how to narrow it down or what to write about. So, instead of long drawn out posts about my mediocre and average adventures in Ft. Wayne, I decided to just make a list of the biggest changes and most exciting occurrences that took place in the last 6 months! The majority of readers already know all of these things...but I just figured it was a good place to get back on track. 

1. Most excitingly and most recently, Nick and I got engaged!!! We traveled down to Noblesville, IN to see Dave Matthews Band (shocker) and he popped the question at the exact spot where we met almost five years ago. I wrote a whole post last year about that ever fateful day, if you'd like to refresh your memory. 

2. Nick continues to do very well with his job with GFS...so much so that he was offered a promotion! Back in January, he was offered a route in Bowling Green, Ohio which meant a move was on the horizon. Because I was still in the middle of the school year, we couldn't exactly just pick up and move. This led to Nick commuting every day (not fun) with us planning to move as soon as school let out in early June. About a month ago, though, plans changed and he was offered a route back in Fort Wayne! Yippee! So...we are not moving and we are staying put right here where we want to be. I'm almost done unpacking the boxes we had started to pack up. ;)

3. Speaking of jobs...when we were slated to move, I went ahead and resigned from my position (a bit earlier than I wanted to) because of some circumstances going on at school. It wasn't until after we found out that we weren't moving that I had a decision to make. Ultimately, I won't be returning to my school in Kendallville next year. Nick's territory covers a lot of cities south of FW, so if we relocate and buy a house in that area, it would make my already 50 minute drive just too far. I'm grateful for the opportunity I had at my job and I'm glad to have a year under my belt!

4. Which means...job searching is back on. Last year, I planned on subbing in the area to get a feel for all of the schools before landing a full time position. Currently, that is my plan for this upcoming school year. I am applying for jobs as they become available, but I would truthfully prefer to substitute so that I hopefully find a school that is a good fit. Nick is on board and very supportive of this, so that's the plan...for now. 

5. While I am enjoying summer vaca so far, the best is yet to come! In two weeks, I'm traveling to California with my very best friend, Emily, for a much needed and long overdue reunion! We are heading to the Napa Valley/San Fran area and I cannot wait!!

6. After that...I'll fly back to Florida with her and spend a week in Naples. Nick will also be joining for part of that time and while he is there, my parents are throwing us an engagement party (!!) and then the next day we will head over to West Palm Beach with Jessica and Todd for another DMB show. 

7. But, before all that even happens...my mom is coming up to visit! Tomorrow! I can't wait to see her and perhaps even begin the wedding planning process...with a little "just for fun" dress shopping. 

8. I've officially lived in Fort Wayne for a year now and I couldn't be happier that I made the move. Some days it feels like yesterday I just got here, and other times it seems like I've been here forever. This first year has been QUITE eventful so I can only imagine what year 2 has in store. Stay tuned...

A few pictures...

Engaged!

Indy 500

Visit from Jody! 

Kentucky Derby. Lookin' classy

Maker's Mark...our homeland. 

Winter Wonderland

Many of you reading this are doing so while enjoying warm, tropical-like, Florida winter temperatures. And for that, I am incredibly jealous considering that I have been snowed in for the past 3 days and experiencing Arctic temperatures...thanks, Polar Vortex. It is with excitement that I can report the current temperature is 18 degrees and only feels like 10! Keep in mind, this is a VAST difference from the -40 wind chills we were experiencing earlier in the week. I never thought I would consider 20 degrees to be "warm" but I am starting to change my tune.

With the blizzard that we experienced, came what every teacher dreams of hearing....Snow Day! This was exponentially exciting for me since this was my first snow day (which turned into 4 days!) ever! 

The perfect time to update my blog :)

The city (and greater portion of the Midwest) was practically shut down Monday and Tuesday, which was great because it meant Nick got to stay home too! Even he said that this was one of the worst storms and coldest temperatures that he's ever experience, which makes me feel like I have a wee bit of room to complain about how cold I am ;) 

Back tracking to Sunday when the storm actually came through. Our friend Aaron spent the day with us at the house and we I had a whole lot of fun playing outside! Again, the temps on Sunday were relatively nice and in the 30s so it was actually bearable to be outside! We built snowmen, made forts, had snowball fights, and jumped into drifts. I really loved every minute of it! Also, the perfect time to snap some pictures of our very own winter wonderland!

Major picture upload happening....now!

Since our fun-filled day on Sunday, I've been trapped inside ever since. But don't worry, I am not complaining! I've loved every minute of this extra down time and have snuck in a few productive activities here and there. But...just a few :) A lot of time has been dedicated to far more important things...for instance, watching daytime talk shows (Bethenny, is my fave), catching up on the Real Housewives, watching way too much HGTV, and pinning elaborate wedding related items on Pinterest (that have no purpose at this point in time). I think painting my nails and catching up on my Us Weekly's are in store for tonight. 

I got the call that school is cancelled again for tomorrow...yippee!...just a little bit ago so I have one more day at home. We'll only have to make up two of the four days which makes the cancellations even sweeter. 

I've been told that if I can survive this winter, then I'll be golden so I am hoping they are all right! After all, I am still very much a Florida girl at heart....

Snow Gator!

Enjoy the warmth, Florida friends! Until next time :)