So much catching up to do and so little time........

So, we have had a TON going on this year and I just haven't had much free time to sit down and update. Every time I start to something comes up. Amazingly I have managed to keep up my snapshot blog with a picture posted every single day since January 1, 2011!  I had really not planned to keep it up this year but it sort of just ended up that way.  Of course, the quality has probably not been as great since we have been so busy.  None the less.....

The wedding was in October and aside from being very cold out (which of course never bothered me for some reason lol) it went off without a hitch. We were so thankful to the family and close friends that were able to attend. We were able to work it out so we could livestream the ceremony to family in England which was perfect. It was so important to us that we be able to have them be part of our day. PERFECT.

Now just for the record I started on this blog a while back and clearly didn't make it too far. LoL

We honeymooned up the coast of California making our way up the PCH from San Diego to San Francisco. We hit the zoos, safaris, state parks, Malibu, the Hollywood Hills and even Alcatraz. I can't say I would trade a single moment. We had a blast exploring and sharing in new adventures together. It's what we do. Tons of photos we have yet to find the time to sit down, sort and post. lol. We will eventually get to them, promise. I am still posting my daily snapshot blog so there was at least a photo or two posted from every day.

After making our way back home we had a nice reception here with those we were not able to have at the ceremony. We had Starla's birthday, Thanksgiving (one of my favs), Starla's surgery, Chris's first birthday with the family, Gracie turned 8 (and is so cute and spoiled) and then Christmas very quickly snuck up on us.

Christmas has been wonderful. The entire family had a wonderful day, lots of yummy food and I think everyone was happy with what Santa brought them but more than anything happy that we were together. John and I came home in between stops to Skype with family in the UK and then we were on to another meal. Ha ha ha

I surpassed my 1 year with UHC back in October as well. It was been a great year+ and I am happy and thankful to say that each and every day I can say "I'm Blessed".

The world did not end last week (YAY) so I am looking forward to 2013, a trip to spend time with family in England and all of the new adventures life has in store for us and our loved ones. I just know it is going to be another great one!

So, with hopes of things being a little less hectic this year as well I truly do intend on updating you more on here.

In 2013 I will continue posting my photos even if no one sees them, I will continue with the same resolution I had for the two previous years; do something new, go somewhere new, be open (it's worked great for me so why fix what's not broken?) and I will remind myself daily to not take those I love for granted, the little things in life and to always work at improving myself.


“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; But often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us.”

- Helen Keller

So here we are 37 days from "The Day". Gosh it seems as though it has just flown by. Still some things to finish up but things have really started to progress. That sure makes me feel better! I'm so excited to see the bridesmaid dresses this coming week. That will be one more thing we can mark off the "to-do" list. We went back over all of the wedding and honeymoon budget last night and that all seems to be sorted and on track as well. That helps me relax a little more for sure!! We are getting ready to start planning the reception for when we get back home. I think everything with that will move along smoothly. Of course I do worry about everything. That's just me. John says I'll worry until we are home from the honeymoon at least. LMAO! I'm sure he's right. 

My aunts held a shower for me this past weekend. It was really nice of them and they did a fantastic job. I've been do busy for months it was good to just chill and visit with everyone as well. 

Work has been super busy but still going well. I still enjoy it as well as my teammates. It really has been a great change in my life. 

Jeramy is a SENIOR! I can't believe it. Starla is a freshman a d so far loves it. Still can't believe it. They are both doing well, growing and changing every day!

I really do hope to blog better in the coming year. With everything going on I have definitely been a slacker this year. Sorry!

I have unbelievably managed to still post a picture every day! I have for sure surprised myself on that one. :o)

Anyhoo, thought I'd take a moment and do a little update real quick. I hope everyone has a safe and happy long holiday weekend!!

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams"

~Eleanor Roosevelt

YIKES!

I figure when John informs me it has been too long since I have updated my blog it has clearly been WAY TOO LONG.  ha ha ha  I am not real sure where to start.  So much has been going on since March.  Things are moving along.  I go to Atlanta the 14th to pick up my dress.  Nervous and excited all at the same time.  Haven't seen it since January not to mention the one I tried on wasn't even white so its going to be interesting.  It took a little more effort than we would have liked but we did find a photographer for the wedding and got that all booked and sorted.  They did a 2nd engagement shoot for us (we were not so pleased with the first guy) and we were very happy with them.  They knew what they were doing, where the best shots were and best of all they shoot at Biltmore several times a month so they are very familiar with the layout there and what works.  There are some photos on my FB page for those of you on there and if not here are a couple.

Our little family begins......
(Photos by Two Ring Studios Asheville, NC)

We are quickly checking items off of the "To-Do" list that has been haunting me in my sleep!  lol  Ceremony, Cake, Photographer, Dinner after, Bouquets, Makeup for myself, the girls and my mother, favors (purchased but not put together) are all complete and marked off the list.  Still more to do but I feel much better seeing things marked off.   I wanted to do the nice custom hangers but just refused to pay $20-$40 each for them online.  So I started investigating, went to Hobby Lobby and put John to work!  I think so far he has done a great job!

LOL - For real, I have tried like 20 times and this keeps posting upside down!
Hopefully you can still see he did a WONDERFUL job!!

Work is going GREAT!  I absolutely love my job.  I think about everything going on in my life and everything going on around me.  I think about those around me, where they are and  where I was a year ago.  I can honestly say that everyday I sit down to work I realize how completely BLESSED I am to have the job I have now.  The ways this job has blessed my life are just endless.  I am SO THANKFUL!  A couple weeks ago I went to Nashville for some training with 35 members of my team and then we went to Nurses for Newborns for a Community Outreach Project.  I love that UHC works so hard throughout the entire company to encourage these sorts of projects all over the US.  They also work very hard to promote healthy living for their customers as well as every employee.  My team is wonderful and every one is so nice and so helpful.  There is never a concern when needing to reach out as you are always met with one or more willing to help you however they can.  I said on the way home from that long work day to those in the van I was riding in - I have worked in small offices with a few people and I have worked in an office with 100+ office employees sitting all around you and I have never felt such a sense of TEAM as I do now.  Odd since we each work from home and don't see one another daily but it is the truth.  It truly is a wonderful blessing I am forever grateful for.


I am positive there are a million more things I could write about and update on but I am thinking for the sake of everyone's time I will simply try and do a better job of keeping up.


Hope everyone has a wonderful remainder of the week!

The way to gain a good reputation, 

is to endeavor to be

what you desire to appear. 

~Socrates

From yesterday's blog.     http://rens2011dailysnapshot.blogspot.com/
I can't believe I haven't missed a photo post since I stated 1/1/2011!

Oh my goodness......It has been way too long!

So, I just don't know where to start.  I haven't written since December, shame on me!  Anyway as always there has been A LOT going on.  The new job is still going well.  I enjoy being home, I enjoy sleeping better and less stress!!  YAY!!  I have learned lately from questions from various people that there is a huge misconception about my job.  Yes, I work at home.  Yes, I can work in my pjs.  BUT I do way more work!  I am busy all day long.  I don't get much free time at all.  It is OK though, I enjoy it.  I would rather be sitting here at 3:45 and realize that I should have quit working at 3:30 rather than to be sitting there at 1:45 watching the clock and waiting for the day to end.  The job is very detail oriented.  You are dealing with claims, medical coverage and all so everything has to be entered in correctly.  I work for a great organization and one that has this telecommuter thing down to a science.  Everyone assumes that you can just do as you wish and nobody will know....HA!  No, they monitor everything (Wouldn't you?  I would!)  Of course, I have the mind set that if you are doing your job and doing what you are supposed to do then who cares?  I don't.  Of course after explaining all of this to my nephew yesterday he decided it was a bit too much for him that he was not cut out for working from home.  Truth.....not everyone can work from home.  You can't be distracted by everything else around you.  It takes a lot of self discipline and self motivating.  It works great for me but again, no, it isn't for everyone.  I am very happy with it though.


The kids are doing well.  Starla starts high school next year and JD will be a senior......CRAZY!  They are both so amazing though!  


Wedding plans are moving along.  We will be getting married on the hill at Diana at Biltmore on October 7th.  My dress was ordered in Jan.....good lord, I can't believe it takes 4-6 months to get a dress....craziness.  Working with a photographer on our Engagement photos and so long as all goes well we will have him booked for the wedding as well.  So location - booked, music - booked, Cake - tasting is the 21st...YUM, Shoes - purchased and are safely packed away, I am doing my own flowers and have started working on those.  Mom and I are going in the morning to choose fabric for the bridesmaid dresses.  I am working on favor bags and looking at some different options.  So......it is still a work in progress but things are moving along and a decent pace.

I went to school with this designer, check her out!
http://annrothshoes.com/

Gracie is GREAT and spoiled as ever!  How can you not love a face like that.....she is my baby!  John is like her little buddy which is HILARIOUS since everyone knew him to "not be a dog person".  They go on little hikes together and everything.  Ha ha see.....you can't help by love her.

SNAPSHOTS......Well I am still doing this.  Can you believe it?  Since Jan 1, 2011 I haven't missed a single day. I have posted a picture every day.  I am working on my 2011 coffee table book but some of my photos were not uploading the other day....gotta figure out what is up with that.

JEEP!  Yep, got a new Jeep.  Well John traded the C7 and got the Jeep so he could "play" on weekends and I could drive it and he drive my car to work now.  I am good with that because I LOVE the Jeep!

So.......I guess there is a quick run down.  LOL  I will have to get better at this updating for sure!

Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the spring weather!

" People are often unreasonable and self-centered.

Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. 

If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway. 

If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway. 

The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. 

Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. 

Give your best anyway. 

For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. 

It was never between you and them anyway.” 

~ Mother Teresa