New Beginnings!

It is that time of year again!  School is starting and Hawkeye football is about to begin!  This is my favorite time of year!  I love the colors of fall, the warm smells, the cozy clothes and the fun filled activities. 

Something else exciting is happening now as well.  Monday was my mom's first day of college!!  After 35 years of working at Methode she is starting down a new path. It has been a big and scary transition for her, but now that everything is set and classes have started her confidence has grown and it is wonderful to see her excited about school! I am incredibly proud of her for her bravery in starting a new chapter in her life.

Ben and I have started a new chapter in our lives as well.  We have purchased our first home together and are settling into life in Cedar Rapids.  Ben started work last week and today has his first day with students! I'm looking forward to going to future performances and supporting him in his career.  I am currently still on the job hunt and actually have an interview this week! I have been enjoying the life of a Holly Housewife, but am SO ready to have a job and contribute to our income. Fingers crossed the interview goes well!!

(Pictures to follow when my computer stops being an idiot.)

Return

I am hoping that this post is my return to consistent blogging!  For the past month and a half we have been go, go, go and I am only just getting some time to sit out and put my thoughts together.  So much has happened in the month that I will divide it into different posts so that you don't have to read a novel to know what is going on in our lives.  

Our time in the States thus far has consisted of moving twice, trips to Minneapolis and Colorado, and trying to get our feet under us.  Since we have found a house (woot woot!), we are a bit more grounded than we were a week ago.  Thank goodness!  Ben has started working at the College Community School District in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  He will be teaching K-4 music and is very optimistic about the year to come.  I am currently on the job hunt and have a few possibilities that I am hoping pan out.  Fingers crossed!  Grover is adjusting to his new home beautifully and has laid claim to the yard.  His life is 'ruff'.  

In the next week or so, I hope to pump out a few posts about our trips and house hunting adventures.  I have fun Instagram photos to spice everything up since I now have an iPhone. I should basically be a famous photographer.  But isn't that the charm of Instagram?  This also depends on my computer to stop being an idiot.  Still working on that one.  

Coming Soon: POSTS!

Due to the crazy series events that happens to be our life, I have taken a brief break from blogging. Most of it has to due with the fact that we haven't had our computer and posting from the phone is tedious. 

That being said, I shall return with incredibly witty and mind blowing posts within the next week!!

Stay tuned!!

Country Strong

I have always taken great pride in my country which is why the 4th is one of my favorite holidays. I love seeing fellow Americans celebrate their country and the men and women who have made our celebrations possible. The National Anthem moves me to tears almost every time I hear it and I believe the most honorable job you can have is serving our country. I am so proud of my brother and friends Katie and Ashlie for their service and dedication to the US. :)

Happy 4th!!

No Rest for the Weary

Needless to say, the last couple of weeks have been insanely busy. Somehow I have managed to avoid falling into a zombie like exhaustion. The stress of packing up our lives in Dubai plus a 30 hour flight home plus packing up the condo so we can be out by the 2nd has left me physically and mentally drained. The busyness has been good for transitioning back to USA time, though. It has kept me awake and moving! I look forward to when our lives calm a bit and I can just veg out for like a month....

Grover has adjusted quite well. He has yet to get sick, no vomit or butt explosions, and as far as I can tell is on a regular eating/sleeping schedule. Ma was kind enough to pick up the pooch in Chicago on the 25th and has nothing shocking to report. When she met with the agent for pick up, he informed her that Grover had refused to come out of his cage so he could go potty. I can easily  imagine my growly little pooper posting up in the back of his cage, refusing to budge. He's so cute...  He definitely wasn't a grump when I saw him! :)

Now that we are packed up and out of the condo, we are hunting for a new house! We have viewed a few but haven't fallen in love with anything quite yet. We also have trips to Minnesota and Colorado in the next couple of weeks with hopes of squeezing in some quality time with family in Ft. Madison and Hamilton. Busy busy! 

On another note, today marks one year since Ben asked me to marry him. I said yes, obviously. Best decision ever. :)

P.s. Laundry time is significantly less here! Roughly 30 minutes compared to the 2 hours in Dubai. LOVING it!