Long time, no write!

Wow, I haven't posted a blog in forever and I suddenly have the urge to blog away! A lot has happened since my last entry...Cogsy is almost a year old now and naughty as ever. Our wedding is just 5 months away and instead of the stress rising, it has only lessened. We are at the point now where are just ready to be married and have the wedding part over with. Not that we aren't excited, but there are a lot of exciting things past that September 2nd date.

We took our first trip together to Disneyland and it was a dream. It was just a month and a half ago, but that is already feeling like years (we can't ever get enough Disney). I always heard Matt's family talking about how Disneyland was better...but of course, never believed it. Until I actually experienced it for myself. What a magical place! I don't know if it was because we had not been in so long or if it is because it is just that much better...but I love Disneyland. (Maybe even more than Disney World...shhhhh). Our 5 days together having no cares or worries was just what we needed!

My business has exploded (in a good way). I now have 135 children registered for our Spring Quarter. It's a bit overwhelming how quickly it has taken off, but now that we have so many children in the program, there are only small bits of room for more growth--hiring a ballet teacher and tap teacher, starting a performance team (which I am next weekend), and just opening more classes as the kids start growing older. I can't believe it has not even been a year yet, just 7 months! Imagine a year from now...oh boy.

Cogsworth has been taking up most of our time on the weekends now with his puppy classes. It has been nice to go out and do something as a little family. We took him to the Issaquah Highlands dog park yesterday and the result was a nice long bath for Cogsy :) He loved every second of it and it was great to see him running full speed tongue flapping in the wind.

Matts job has been keeping him busy. He is very comfortable with his co-workers. Going from working at Microsoft and Amazon to now working for a company with just 8 employees, Matt included, has been quite a change for him. A very good change. He really feels like part of the team and has gained so much knowledge in recruiting already. I am very proud of him! He is still enrolled in school and working hard to balance both school and his career.

On Matt's side of the family, we have some exciting new additions with our new niece and nephew. They are absolutely adorable. They have made me realize that I am a. very excited about marrying Matt and the idea of starting a family and b. not ready to give up being able to read my Kindle at Starbucks whenever I please... :) For now, my 135 dance kids are filling that void just fine! Oh, and lets not forget our baby, Cogsworth who is currently curled up at my feet.

It is a very exciting time in our lives right now and I'm doing my best to live in the moment and soak it all in. This has never been the easiest thing as I am constantly trying to plan my future. I'm slowly learning that planning is not always a good thing. Our life right now is both simple and chaotic and I'm enjoying our current blend. I have a very exciting trip up my sleeve to give Matt as his wedding gift (don't worry, if he reads this...he knows theres a trip but he's WAY off track on his assumptions). I'm looking forward to the beginning of our marriage. It will be exciting to find out what God has in store for us next on this journey. I've been looking into going back to school--Elementary teacher??...A good option for when I can no longer kick my own nose anymore ; ) I know that will be a reality one day and I have to be ready for it!

I should be working right now, but fortunately Matt has offered his time to do the daunting task of entering in all of my business receipts for me. I'm a pretty lucky girl...

ttfn.

"It's a Beautiful Day"

What a fabulous day. Started of with Zumba (which is the best work out I may have ever had...well, in my adult life). I freakin' love going to Zumba! Everytime I get out of that class I feel alive. It's wonderful. Our instructor did more Reggaetone than usual and I love love love that! To end class we did belly dancing and she called me out and made me wear a belly dancing skirt...boy was that fun lol. Zumba is a great outlet for me. It's a time when I can just dance and not worry about teaching or my technique and just let loose and have a good time. I need it.

After Zumba and Matt's work out we went grocery shopping and decided to grill out despite the crappy weather we are currently having. (seriously...it's summer. where is the sun?...just wondering.) Then..........we took Cogsworth out for a trip to a few pet stores for new toys and his first time to a dog park. There were no other dogs there today (which we were happy about because he is so young and has 2 sets of shots left to get) but boy did he love running free in the field! He is just a little ball of energy, he's hilarious. Cogsy discovered the joy of fetch this afternoon at home so we decided to purchase a chuck it to play with him at the park with only to find that even the smallest ball is still too big for him to grab lol...couple more weeks we're thinking. We put his leash on him for the first time (first time more than a couple minutes) and went on our first walk together as a little family. We loved every second of it. We've been talking about having a dog for months now for that exact purpose. To get us out of the house more and spend more time together doing simple things like just taking walks and exploring. It was great! I can't wait to go again...

*my boys*

Lucky? I think so!

Knock on wood...but I do believe that we are the luckiest puppy parents ever. For one, Cogsworth could not be any cuter. (really). He has been using his litter box like a champ--in the past week I'd say he had 4 or 5 accidents...that's pretty amazing for an 8 week old puppy *note: accidents in the kitchen are super easy to clean up, almost doesn't count*. We are going to get him into puppy classes within the next 2 weeks and I know he is going to do great. He had a lot of fun this week meeting so many new people and visiting a lot of new places; all the while greeting everyone with his kisses (and terrible pug puppy breath...so far the only flaw I have found in him lol). Matt said he can tell he's already getting a lot bigger than when we got him. I haven't noticed, but I think that's because I don't want to...

Brought him to the park and he played with all the preschool kids...aaannnd, he was out as soon as we got in the car on the way home...slept through two pet stores and an hour long commute home--in my arms. Loved every second of it. Pretty soon he'll be too big to just want to lay there like a baby...sad.)

Adorable.

The little man had his first of many, many, many days with my nanny kids today (I get to bring him with me to work everyday...amazing) and it was so much fun. The kids were loving the sillyness that came along with playing with Cogsworth. Can you tell?

He fell asleep about 10 minutes into the car ride home at 5pm and almost 3 hours later...he is still crashed in his little bed...it's going to be another looonngg night! (but kind of totally worth it)

summer time!

New Cabochon Hair Pins...so dainty and beautiful!
I have finally created a felt flower that I absolutely love and can't stop making...

New Items... http://jackandnorah.etsy.com/

San Juan Island

We fell in love with San Juan Island.

We needed this long vacation so bad and loved every second of it. We went to the island knowing we wanted to get married there, just didn't know where and we found it...the perfect location. Roche Harbor Resort.

It's a beautiful old resort town. Hotel de Haro is the main hotel that was built for Theodore Roosevelt. I will no longer have to try to accomplish a vintage feel at our wedding, it just will be. Our wedding is going to be the perfect mix of relaxation and fun.

While we were on the island for our long weekend with friends we explored as much as we could. This summer I'll be going back for 3 weeks with my nanny family and I'm counting down the days until I can enjoy the beauty and relaxation again. Here are some more pictures from our weekend. Just looking at them I feel more relaxed. *sigh* I can't wait until this man is my husband...he's everything that I could ever want and need. I can't wait for us to go back...

Cogsworth! (Day 1)

We are officially the proud owners of the most adorable pug puppy in the world. We finally got to pick up Cogsworth this afternoon after waiting four long weeks to bring him home. We have already learned that taking care of him is definitely not going to be an easy task. He is getting along great with our cat, Miley (1 years old)...although, Miley is not so sure of him yet. She is very stressed and has suddenly turned from kitten to cat all in one day. She likes to stare at him and study him from afar, but then as soon as he gets anywhere near her, she bolts. It's hilarious the way he runs...his little butt shakes from side to side with each little jog he takes. He isn't quite 8 weeks old yet so we know that potty training is definitely going to take some time. It's nice because his messes are quite small so far. He only had 3 today (1 while we were gone) so we're pretty proud. He even managed to use his litter box once today and Matt and I got so excited clapping and telling him what a good puppy he is : ). He did amazingly well on his long journey home, no messes there and he was very calm and patient. Matt already said, "it's exhausting," and it's just the first day with him...hehe. We tried to have one of us constantly watching him all night (taking turns at times) so that potty training and obedience training will be easier and shorter.

We're so happy and excited about our new addition and can't wait to see how this little guy turns out : ) We love him so much already!