We put an offer on a house!!!!

I mean could we have any more exciting news?

Between us getting married, Steve and Susie expecting their first child and Nik and Erin getting married in June 2012, I didn't think we could, but we DO!  Sam and I put an offer on a house and they accepted it!!!  But wait there's a catch....keep reading!

Sam and I had started the house hunt a few weeks back and we were having fun with it, but also having a hard time finding a house that was even close to our wishes.  Wish #1 was a two car garage, Wish #2 was a walk-in closet, Wish #3 a big backyard for Cora.   In one week we saw 8 houses,  most of the houses we saw, were just strange,  one house we went and looked at, you had to walk through the bathroom to get to the bedroom.  Worst part about it, it didn't have a door to the "water closet," that just grossed and freaked me out!

So the search continued house 9,10, realtor change, 11, 12...

It's funny because Sam and I are in love with the television show Property Virgins, and one thing that she always tells the first time home buyer is that sometimes you have to lower your expectations.  We felt that we had low expectations, and we wouldn't mind finding a house that we had to do a little work to, we even asked for some from my parents contractor!  There was one house that we went to that I was interested in but Sam was not. It's in a great neighborhood and the house was a good size.  After he went through the entire house and the total amount to just "fix" things up averaged to be about $40,000, I was over it! W finally said, "we are willing to add glamour to a house, but not a new roof."

So we went onto the next house...

This house was different, I had a "feeling" it could have been the fact that I grew up about 1 block away, and have a ton of memories walking down that street to get to Swope Middle School, but it was more than that, the pictures showed a bright, cheery, warm house!  It was new on the market and it was priced SO right!  So we drove up and walked to the front door, I looked at Sam and said, "Oh man, I really hope the house doesn't bum me out, because so far, I'm really liking this house."  Cautiously we walked into a nice open space of the kitchen and family room, the backyard was huge!  We walked around the house, Wish list item #1 check, wish list item #2 check, wish list item #3 check and check!  It was too good to be true!  Sam and I both looked at each other and whispered, "I really like this house."  That in of itself was a feat because Sam and I weren't really seeing eye to eye with the other houses we looked at.  George our realtor could sense that we were excited and told us that this house wouldn't stay on the market for very long and if we wanted to make an offer, he suggested we do it that night!  Sam and I freaked out a little bit, WHAT A HUGE COMMITMENT!  We had talked very clearly about our plan before, if we liked a house and it was priced right, why wait?!  So we put in an offer!  We asked for full price (because we didn't want to loose the offer) and 3% closing, George wasn't sure that was a good idea, but Sam and I felt that since we were giving them full price, they had to give us a little "kick back". We were told that we would hear by 6pm the next day.  I didn't sleep a wink that night, tossing and turning, wondering if they would accept the offer.  All morning I kept thinking about it and by noon, I had an email from George saying the sellers ACCEPTED the offer!

Now, the hard part, waiting!!!

Because its a short sale, things are a little different.  First difference, we have to wait 50 days until we get a response from the bank. There are two loans on the house so one may get approved but the other one may not.  So there is a risk that we might not even get the house!  If both loans (which are from the same bank (and NOT from Bank of America)) get approved then we close escrow which can be a 21 or 30 day close.  Our goal is to be in the house in the middle of February so we are able to replace carpet and paint before we have to move out of Wesley.  We haven't told our landlords yet, simply because we don't know for sure if we have gotten the house.  So keep your fingers and toes crossed for us!

We are cautiously excited just in case it doesn't work out!  (IT WILL!) We can't wait to throw a great house warming party!  Maybe just in time for spring!

Wedding Fest 9.10.11!

So I thought it was appropriate to write something a month after the, "I dos".

First off, a HUGE thank you to everyone that came out to the wedding!  It made it so unbelievably special to have so much love and support from all that were able to come.  To those that couldn't make it, you missed on hell of a party! And you were greatly missed!

The day of the wedding was amazing, I started out waking very quietly and soundly!  Now if anyone knows me, they know I generally do not sleep well, but that night before, I slept like a "baby".  I got up and took a walk with my maid of honor Lydia.  It was wonderful to take a few minutes and share a moment with her.  The rest of the girls came to the room shortly after that and we watched the HORRIBLE game that Nevada played against the Oregon Ducks!  Courtney Forster went to UofO so it was fun to have  a little back and forth with her about who was going to win.  Really, I knew that the Ducks were going smash the Pack, but it was a fun thing to watch.

The remainder of the time we snacked and laughed while we all got our make-up and hair done!  The photographer came to take still life shots of the dress, shoes and us getting ready, once she did that, we jumped in the limo and went down to Edgewood to take pictures of the bridal party.  We had such an amazing opportunity to take pictures there even though we weren't getting married there.  Sometimes it does pay to have a Judge for a dad!  :)

As we were coming back from the golf course Lydia called Sam to get an eta of their location.  All day we had been dodging each other in hopes that we would be able to see each other for the first time when I walked down the aisle.  When she asked where they were, all I heard her say was, "well we are almost there, so you better leave right now!"  A few minutes later, we arrive, get out of the limo and start to head for the lobby, when all of a sudden, the girls turn to me and say, "JUMP BACK INTO THE LIMO, SAM IS IN THE LOBBY."  Quick on my feet I turn and leap back into the limo and luckily so does my mom and Lydia!  We drive around for a bit until we thought it was safe and go back to the hotel.

We head back to the hotel room to refresh ourselves with bubbly and as it was almost time to go when I looked out the window and saw that it was pouring rain!  The girls tried to convince me that it wasn't rain and I laughed and said, "Guess Sam and I are getting married in the rain, hope you don't mind getting wet."

We had a few issues with the shuttle not picking Sam's family, but luckily Sam took charge of that one and kept me stress free!  As we headed down to the Beach I couldn't help but think how awesome of a time this all had been, and that I couldn't wait to say "I Do" to Sam.  I also think that  carefree attitude that helped make the wedding day go so smoothly!

The ceremony was amazing!  The smell of fresh rain and the sound of the water really helped make the mood of our wedding!  The sunset, well let's just say, my grandfathers had something to do with that.  Nothing but bright oranges, pinks and purples!  There was a pesky bumble bee that got so close to Sam's face, I could have sworn it was someone who wanted to be apart of the wedding!

The reception was a total dance fest!  Exactly what we wanted.  Our DJ did the most amazing job and the photographer was wonderful to take all the requested photos!  She even got the dance off between my brother Nik and Jeff Conner!

At the end of the wedding, I didn't want to stop hanging out with friends so Sam and I decided to go to Vex nightclub after.  It was funny when we got to the door of the club they asked me for id, still in my wedding dress I laughed and said, "well where would I have put it?"  They wouldn't let me in without my id so luckily Nik and Erin brought it to us.  We went into the club and about 10 mins later we left the club!  We were starving!  So we stopped at the Fatburger, Sam and I split a cheeseburger while Nik took pictures of us eating it!  It was a funny site I have to admit!  But MAN was it GOOD!!!

It was such a blessed day!  A day Sam and I will never forget!  At one point of Sam's speech you could just feel the love oozing out of everyone!  It was the most amazing feeling in the world!

Pictures will be posted once I have them!  Can't wait to see them myself!

Wedding Advice to the outside world looking in!

So after a few months of being engaged as well as wedding planning I have been able to observe a few things, these things I would like to share with you...

Now please keep in mind that if you feel that I'm directly talking to you or at you, trust me I'm not, because you I guarantee are not the only one that has done this...  :)

1) Never ask a just engaged couple when the "big day" is, let them enjoy the engagement.  Asking them when they are getting married just adds stress to something that should be fun, loved and EXPERIENCED. Trust me, they will pick a date when it's the right time for them.

2)With that said, when they finally pick a date, do not tell them that you can't come because that weekend is already planned out.  It isn't fair nor is it polite.  Maybe they picked that date so you wouldn't be there.  Don't tell them not to plan it on a certain date either!  That's just as bad!

3) Never ever assume you are in the wedding.  You will get hurt when you aren't OR you may wish you weren't!  I love being in weddings, but I also love watching the weddings from the side lines.  Weddings cost a lot of money, stress and time.  If you aren't in the wedding, just enjoy being able to be apart of it some how.

4) BUT also, NEVER assume you're invited.  This is a tough one to swallow, I know.  But you don't know where the couple is financially, (and you shouldn't ask either).  Yes, maybe their parents are helping, but maybe just maybe they don't want to be gold-diggers and take advantage of that.  Maybe they want to have a small wedding.  Maybe they have a HUGE family and can't invite a lot of friends, by you not being there, will it seriously ruin your friendship?  If the answer is yes, maybe you should reevaluate your friendship!

5)Let the couple do whatever they damn well please!  If they want to throw a bachelor/bachelorette party!  LET THEM, and keep your opinions to yourself!  Yes, ok some may think they are lame and pointless.  But some actually want to spend quality time with their friends.  Some of them may want to have one last weekend celebrating single-hood.  Some of them may want to just have a reason to get together and party! Not to mention there are people out there that want to celebrate with the bride and groom.  If you don't believe in them, that's fine, but don't tell the person who is getting married what you think of the tradition, its rude, selfish and down right WRONG!

6) Let the Bride and Groom do what they want to do at their Bach. party.  If they want to hang out and drink all weekend on a boat.  Do it...there aren't too many times in life where you get to do EXACTLY what you want to do.  It may not seem fun to you, but if the groom is happy, then you should be happy!

7) RSVP for the events.  I cannot tell you how annoying this is, do you really think I want to spend my day calling you to see if you are coming to the wedding or not?  It's so easy these days, you can send an email, a text, leave a voice mail OR return the card that is pre-stamped and addressed!  We have to give a final head count right before the wedding, so if you RSVP yes, and then don't show up, you just made the Bride and Groom throw a lot of money out the window!  Of course things happen, but if you are just being lazy and not wanting to go, then you should have passed!  Same goes for the no's that now want to go, its wonderful that you can go now because you were able to find a cat sitter, but call the Bride and Groom BEFORE the wedding...Don't just show up!

8)Don't put your two cents on what you think the couple should do at their wedding.  It's not your wedding!  If they want to have a juggling clown, let them.  Don't tell them what you think they should register for unless they ask for your opinion!  Don't tell them that they should have open bar!  Don't tell them they should do traditional things like bouquet tossing or that guarder tossing thing!

9) Don't just assume the bride is going to be a bridezilla.  And don't call them that either.  I have a strong personality, it may come across that I'm a "bridezilla" but that is so off scope!  There is so much pressure to having an amazing wedding that sometimes the bride may get a little carried away.  Instead of throwing insults at her, ask her if you can help with something!

10) Be loving, respectful and most importantly be supportive!  I adore my friends and family that get a big smile on their face when I talk to them about the wedding!  They may not think what I'm doing is fun or something they would do, but they don't care, they see that we are happy!  Marriage is a big deal, and it certainly is not about just one day!  It's about a lot of days!  If the couple knows you are supportive of their marriage/wedding, then they will know that the people at the wedding are surrounding them with love and it will help the marriage through the tough times!

Maybe if we stopped treating a wedding as a big spectacle and allowed ourselves to understand what a wedding is REALLY about, there wouldn't be such a high divorce rate!  

Our Wedding Website

TheKnot

Starting up with a startup!!!

So it has been awhile since I have kept you posted!  Since returning home it's been nice to get back into the flow of having Sam and Cora around, being able to be home and relax!  The only thing that I have missed from the Philippines is the warmth!  Of course I miss the people I worked with BUT I'm so happy to be home!
Since I have been home a few changes have occurred.  After moving to the other side of the world and really dropping everything to go and experience something "different" the company I worked for, had let me go in Feburary.  At first is was a big blow to both the ego and nerves, BUT I was not going to allow one hiccup ruin anything and everything I have worked so hard to become.  From the moment I was told they were not going to sign me on as a full time employee, I hit the ground running, looking every where for a Project Manager job.  It was a very nerve racking process which consisted of well over 150 job applications, 6 call backs and 6 interviews!
My goal was by March I would find a job that would allow me to be creative, continue to work as a Project Manager and that would make me happy.  Those were my main focuses, those were the requests when I prayed to God for a little help.  And sure enough on March 27th, I accepted a job with a start up company called Joingo.
Joingo is a mobile company that specializes with casino and hotels customer relations through mobile devices.  So basically they (casinos) keep their customers in the loop through applications (like iPhone apps.).  Customers are able to see their player card information, get promotions and see what is going on with the casinos.
So far it's been a great start!  I'm so excited to be working for a company that is a lot smaller.  It allows me to be more vocal with my creativity and it also gives me a great opportunity to learn a lot more since they are a smaller company.  I also get to work from home!
Sam has been so supportive throughout the entire process and I'm so lucky to have him and my family by my side while I experienced this slight hiccup!

Until next time!

We're getting MARRIED!!!!

So I have decided to make it official on Facebook and on my Blog, but Sam proposed to me on the 23rd of December!  And of course I said YES!  We are so excited!  It felt like a long time coming, but I'm so happy he asked me when I was home and able to share the great news with my family and friends!  It was also a great welcome home present!  After 5 months of skype, email and long distance phone calls, its nice to know that distance really does make the heart grow fonder! 
He said some very loving and amazing words before he "popped" the question and presented me with his Grandma MacGregor's engagement ring!  I love it and it is right up my alley in style!  I have to touch it every few minutes to make sure I haven't lost it! 
We are getting married in September (10th hopefully) we just have to tie up so loose ends on the venue and we will tell you the exact date! 
I can't wait to start this exciting adventure with Sam, he is a blessing to me and I thank god every day that he was brought into my life. 
Thank you all who have been so supportive of us and the crazy changes that have come our way, you have really helped both of us so much! 

Updates to come as they come.  :) 

Happy New Year!!!!!