Heading South!!!

Well, we are headed south tomorrow afternoon to spend the holidays with our families! Very excited to see everyone and celebrate this Christmas with the people we love. We've got the truck loaded with presents and our luggage...now we just have to pack Ruby's things tomorrow and head out!

Oh my gosh! Finals week is finally here and is almost over! Tomorrow is my last day in this semester and I am SO glad. I will be in Jeff City tomorrow afternoon to celebrate Chad's 33rd birthday with him and some of our good friends! I can't wait for him to open his gift and I can't wait to see him and Ruby Doobie -- I've missed them so much! I am almost done with Christmas shopping and will finish this next week -- I guess it's about time since Christmas is only 8 days away!

End of the Semester Madness

Finally, the end of the semester is upon us at the University and the typical madness has ensued! We have two weeks of classes and then finals! At least 20 emails arrived from students this morning regarding end of the semester procedures, final projects and final exams. Wow -- these next 2 weeks should fly! The bad thing is...I haven't begun my Christmas shopping! Chad got sick over Thanksgiving so he left Ruby in Jackson. She is loving spending time with her "grandpa" and Grace. Grace has suddenly developed a fondness of stuffed toys :) especially Ruby's! Thanksgiving was great with all of Chad's huge family and then with my family...if only Chad had stayed healthy. `

Happy Thanksgiving!

Well, tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Chad just arrived with Ruby at about 8:30 p.m. and he needed a serious drink when he arrived lol. Ruby did not travel very well and whined a lot of the time. I think she has grown since I saw her on Sunday night! She and Grace are finally getting used to each other - they are both jealous of the other though -- it's funny. I'm so happy to have my future family -- Chad and Ruby Doobie -- here with me. I am so ready for the end of the semester so I can be with them the entire Christmas break!

Ruby is home!!!

Well, we brought Ruby home on Friday, November 20. She is so adorable and really is a very good puppy. She seems to be very independent and has really done well with crate-training and adjusting to her new home. Chad and I were a bit tired this weekend when we had to get up and take her out early in the morning...we are used to sleeping in! I had to leave this morning to come back to work and it was very hard...it's always hard when Chad and I have to leave each other but now I have to leave both of them :(. Fortunately, in a couple of weeks, I will be up in Jeff City for winter break from the University.

We picked out a puppy!

We went to see the puppies on Sunday, November 8 - they are 5 1/2 weeks old now and we picked out the one that is going home with us on November 20! I am posting the pictures and her name is going to be Ruby Gaylord.

Engaged!!!

On November 7, 2009, Chad suggested a nice bike ride and hike to an amazing spot near Hartsburg, Missouri then dinner at Flat Branch in Columbia. We set out at about 1:00 p.m. and about 1/4 mile down the Katy Trail, Chad's tube and side wall blew out on his bike. So, instead of foregoing the adventure, we hid the bikes and walked the rest of the 2 1/2 miles to the hiking spot. We then hiked up a large bluff to a wonderful overlook where we could see for at least 10 miles over the Missouri River. As I was engrossed in the beautiful view, I turned around to see where Chad was and he was on one knee holding the ring of my dreams! He proposed and of course, I said YES!!! What a wonderful day! I am so excited to be getting married to that wonderful man!

High Country Lodge

We have booked the lodge that we will be getting married and staying for the first part of our honeymoon. The website is www.highcountrylodge.com and is located in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Most of our family and friends have already booked their rooms and some have booked their flights! We are in the process of finding a pastor or minister to marry us at the lodge in an outdoor setting. I have already gotten my wedding dress (a very colorful sundress) and Chad knows that he is wearing shorts and a casual shirt. We want our wedding to be very casual and a celebration of our love and union with our family and close friends.

Puppies...

Chad and I are contemplating getting a puppy. We knew we wanted to after we got married but one of the ladies that Chad works with just had a litter. We are going to go look at them on Saturday -- I'm afraid we'll be sold at that point :) I will post pictures after Saturday.

It's moving time again!

Well, I'm moving once again (4th time in 2 years) and this will be my last (thank God). This is my last month in the Dexter apartment and all of my stuff (except clothes and jewelry) will be heading to Jefferson City. I will be moving permanently in mid-May...in the meantime, I will be splitting my time between my parents' house and Chad's dad's house. It has been exciting getting things moved as we are meshing our lives even more than they are. I began this blog to help keep my family and close friends apprised as to what's going on with us and they will also be able to follow us during our two week wedding/honeymoon trip to the west. I will try to post every so often to update everyone as to progress toward the BIG DAY -- June 19, 2010.