Ducks in Our Road...

Life's tough. The goal of this blog is to share our journey in life with family and friends from afar. I also want this blog to be a source of inspiration. However, when we're in the thick of a trial or our demons are out to get us, how do we share our pain and grief without sounding like Debbie Downer or saying too much. Because let's face it, people over share online. I'm trying to find the happy medium because the last thing I want is for someone to leave our life here online feeling worse about themselves.... whether it's because you think our life is so blissfully perfect or because I'm complaining.

So let's play catch up, shall we? On New Year's Day we celebrated the new year coming in AND our 6th month anniversary of being in New England. Although it's been one of the most trying situations in our life, it's been the most rewarding. Most exciting news...

1.) Cony destroyed by Le Creuset dutch oven by turning on the wrong burner to boil eggs. With it being one of my most prized possessions I'm surprisingly not that upset.

2.) I guess I was trying to get back at him when I tried to drive our car down some stairs Jason Bourne style. Fortunately after about 30 minutes we were able to angle the car and get it unstuck with no major damage. It's a long story of how it happened but just know that it could have happened to anyone under the circumstances.

3.) Just when I felt like the theme song of my life was 'She's Ready to Blow'... Cony found out he was awarded an assistantship. Which means we no longer have to pay for OUT-of-state tuition AND he gets a small stipend each month. The tuition was the biggest concern of ours because it was A lot of dough.

4.) The day after we found out the great news for Cony, I had an interview on campus for a full time job and I got it! It's temporary but I have a feeling it will open more doors when the time is right. It all happened so quickly... Wednesday- friend Brenna called me to send her my resume, Thursday- the Director called for an interview, Friday- had interview and was hired on the spot.

Now that all these great things are happening we have a feeling of apprehension because we've been fighting for air for so long, it's nice to breath but still have our guards up. Does that make sense or am I blowing smoke?

Before putting Christmas away, I took some photos of our most favorite gifts we received this year. Sorry mom, I didn't take a picture of the CD. That was by far our favorite gift.

Getting holiday cards in the mail is such a treat and I hoped there was one in our mailbox everyday.

Cony's gift to me. Now my craft boxes are out and I'm making messes!!

Homemade gifts are the best! Thanks Gina!

What can I say? Drawings from my favorite Jordan just melts my heart.

Every time I went into the post office, I secretly wanted someone to send me something in this mailer. And my wish came true..

A friend from crew who actually reads this blog saw this spork and sent it to us (in the above mailer) AND drew us a card. It's the small things that make you feel the most loved.

Cony picked this little guy out for our new holiday decoration of 2010. Sometimes that man surprises me.

This weekend it snowed and I didn't have to work! The beautiful kind of snow where there isn't a 50 mph gust of wind that blows it all to one spot. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for my Georgia peeps that y'all can get the snow that's expected tonight so ya can experience what we did. Clean house, fridge full of food, and a crock pot cooking dinner all day long. That's heaven my friends.

Went walking on water for the first time. Neither one of us has ever lived where all the surrounding bodies of water freeze over. Have you ever been able to walk from one end to the other on a frozen lake?

I couldn't resist taking a photo of this tree that's still lit up for Christmas. Imagine it at night with a fresh coat of snow on the branches...

Didn't think we actually had ducks in our road, did ya? We followed this little husband and wife duo for a few minutes so they wouldn't get killed. Ironically they got me thinking about our life. We may have road blocks in our path, but sometimes those blocks can help us slow down, re-evaluate and come out stronger in the end... with a smile on our face.

If you've made it to the end, pat yourself on the back for reading our novel. I have a feeling 2011 is going to be a great year and hope all y'alls deepest desires come true and quietist prayers are answered.

Cony's first..

There's a first time for everything and we've had a lot of first in just the past week...

First time without family at Christmas.

First blizzard-which are called 'Nor'asters' in New England.(I've been in a few blizzards but I've just learned this was Cony's first- it's like he grew up in Mississippi or something...).

Not only did Cony get to go caroling for the first time over the weekend, but he was also able to go sledding! It may be have a bunny hill but it was still a blast! Clearly my poor husband had a deprived childhood and we have a lot of catching up to do.

Our First New England Christmas

Hope everyone has had a wonderful Christmas weekend. I've been on edge and I'm not sure if it's because we are away from family, we didn't have a white Christmas or it's just plain ol' hormones. Seriously, can someone explain to me why and how it snowed in Georgia for the first time on Christmas day in over 120 years when we are in New England...where we were expecting to have a white Christmas and it did not deliver? (I'm typing this while we're in the middle of a blizzard... go figure!).

Friday we spent the evening with 2 of our favorite families eating and caroling. I almost forgot that we were caroling and completely forgot to mention that tiny fact to Cony. He'd never been and was not happy about walking around in the cold and singing... but he had a change of heart like I knew he would.

Here we come a wassailing..

Our hut by the tree to keep an eye out for Santa...

Christmas day we spent the entire day with our other favorite family.. the Rice's!

Doing a little Wii...

a little barbie time...

and crafting.

Also spent the entire day in pj's. Cony represented our new home and I represented our old home. You can't see, but Cony's bottoms are Husky attire.

Here's a little sneak of our home during the holiday...

LOVE this nativity set given to me by Chay Chay for my 30th.

Happy Christmas!

Big Plans, Big Plans I say!

Luck would have it, that we stumbled upon this children's book called 'Big Plans'. It was on sale at the campus bookstore and we are in love with it. So much so, we went back and got all the copies they had. We've been trying to decide who to give them to as gifts for 2 days and the jury's still out.

What's my point? I don't really know. However, this book has gotten me thinking about my plans in life. School, house, babies, more school and what the heck do I want to do with my life? I've narrowed it down to 3 things I am either good at or love doing.

1. Kids

2. Design

3. Photography

I would love, LOVE!, to design kids rooms and take pictures of said kids and their rooms. I've been finding inspiration from this lady, who's been a source of so much more than inspiration... but understanding and love. If you are a photographer-you should be running to her blog. I've never met her in person, but she sure knows how to motivate me into action.

I may be in a slight crisis trying to find my place in this world... but Cony has found his new calling in life. Let me introduce you to the new and improved Santa Claus.....

The Big Willi Frog Bridge gets dolled up for the holidays...

My favorite view of the Big Willi...

Our river is freezing over which means we no longer have our windows open and our lovely (free) noise machine we slept to is gone and we instead get to hear our neighbors. It hasn't been an easy transition so we downloaded a noise machine app to our phone and now sleep like babies.

better than you know..

This week we celebrated 3 years of marriage! We have our certain traditions that we like to do... like, watch 'Love Actually' and buying a Christmas ornament. We've been trying to figure out another meaningful tradition besides attending the temple and I finally found it. I was in Anthro doing a little Christmas shopping (in the sale department) and found this plate.

If you didn't know already, Cony has a HUGE tattoo on his left shoulder of an octopus (don't judge, he was in the Navy). I figured we could find something each year, that represents us, for our home. Good idea uh?

Here are a few things I love about my man...

*He surprises me often by having the house clean or laundry done.

*While we are grocery shopping or at the laundry mat, he holds me and we break out in a little dance.

*Whenever we are watching a movie and the actors start kissing, he pauses the movie and we make out for a few seconds.

*He loves my family. At one time he was living with all 3 Tompkins women. NO easy feat.

*He loves the gospel.

*He's super smart and humble.

*He likes the way I smell.

*He likes the outdoors and working out with me.

*He's goofy. For example: He's been baking cookies all day for our weekend activities and he's at the counter shaking his booty while looking back at me to see if I'm looking. I know. You had to be here.

*When we fight/argue, we get over it within minutes and he doesn't hold things against me. At least most of the time.

*He wants babies with me.

*I love him even when he flies his toy helicopter above me and it lands in my hair.

I consider myself very lucky and blessed that I have nice things to say about my husband. Because there was a time in my life when I wasn't so lucky.

New England Clam Chowder rocks. We finally found a pizza place we like! It has won National awards for their Red Potato Pizza and Seafood Pizza. Come visit us, and we'll take you. Trust us, it's worth the trip.

And I'm pleased to show you my new treasure. My pouf bag that I thought was sold out everywhere in the US, but to my sweet surprise Cony tracked one down somewhere in Texas. Isn't it delightful??

Accusations and Memories

Working retail has it's rewards but it definitely has it's draw backs. One of those draw backs being rude customers. There was a customer in the store yesterday looking for Hanukkah napkin rings and my co-worker asked how to spell Hanukkah and I proceeded to tell her. For some reason I but a U at the end without thinking and this customer got so upset she had to walk away. And when she came back to the counter she proceeds to tell us how upset she is that we don't know anything about Hanukkah and know everything about Christmas. (She was not saying this politely or nicely, to describe her as rude is a true understatement.) I quickly shot back and said "Actually I know a lot about Hanukkah..". I only got a really disgusted look from her and a lecture about putting a U at the end would it HanukkU. Well, I know how to spell it and she has NO idea that some of my favorite families that I hold dear to my heart are Jewish and I've had the opportunity to celebrate Hanukkah with them, nor (and most importantly) does she know what Christmas means to me.

I had to take a 5 minute break in the stock room because my blood was boiling. My #1 pet peeve is someone telling ME what I don't know or do know, what I believe or don't believe. can. not. stand. it.. This experience really bothered me all day long. However, this morning as I was sitting in church I was filled with so much joy and contentment my heart (and eyes) were over flowing. I'm thankful for this customer because I've had the opportunity to sit back and remember what Christmas really does mean to me. It's not the presents, shopping or parties. It's the memories I have as a child with my family singing around the piano, or sitting under the tree just staring at the lights in amazement. Also listening to my dad and moms favorite Christmas songs ('Messiah' and the 'Alabama Christmas' CD) but most importantly remembering how important our Saviors birth was for all of us. I was able to remember that because of His birth we all can have a family and know that miracles do happen.

I had a wonderful childhood and so thankful I have those memories and thrilled I have someone I want to make new memories with.... our favorite being Elf on the Shelf.

On another note.. I spent the day with a friend from our ward making cheese and crafting. Sound like heaven to you? It was! I mean, how many women do you know that make their own cheese? All the farms and talented women are my favorite thing about living in New England. Fresh milk, eggs, meat and maple syrup are very accessible and it only fuels my juices to have land with a small farm one day.

The mozzarella didn't turn out because I stirred it too vigorously but we were able to salvage it to make... get this- bacon, apple, caramelized onion and blue cheese pizza. Yes, the dough was from scratch.

She introduced me to my new favorite food blog... and we were inspired to make these wreaths.