Married Life Update

So it's been far too long since our last update. And it's not for a lack of things going on. Honestly... it's because I'd been waiting to take pictures. But too bad I can't find the camera cord for uploading. It apparently got lost during the move or something. Anyways, here are the highlights....

** All moved into the apartment. It is really nice looking inside. And we are so glad all our furniture looks so good in here. We were also able to spend a good chunk of our wedding gift cards buying new stuff for the place. Some of our new additions include: 2 end tables, bookshelf, entertainment center, a trunk, bathroom accessories, kitchen accessories, & lots of random odds-n-ends from Target & JcPennys.

** I finally finished all of my substitute "training". It's been a long process. It is honestly harder to become a substitute in Katyisd than it is to be a teacher in many districts. But anyways, I'll hopefully begin subbing at the end of this week or beginning of the next (still processing paperwork).

** I am on to book #2 (of my 10 before age 25)

** Josh and I are loving all of our new kitchen gadgets. And we've been having friends and family over as often as possible to enjoy it all. It's so nice to be able to use our own stuff again. We'd forgotten how nice it is to be able to cook dinner and clean "our" own way (not that anyone else's is bad...we just prefer our own).

** Josh is staying busy at work. Working long days. But hopefully a promotion & raise are in his near future. This week I think is when he gets certification in "state inspections". That's cool for him I guess =)

** Today we went to the Houston Auto Show. It was.... alright. We had a really good time. But the actual show was a bit small & didn't have the best quality of cars. We were able to meet up with my brother Joe for the show & he took us to a yummy burger place down near his place.

I think that's all for now. I promise I'll get pictures up as soon as possible! (as soon as I find the cable).

Keys Already

Wow! This apartment is moving very fast. We were planning on waiting till the start of the new month- but the apartment complex offered us free rent for the rest of the month. So we get our keys on Wednesday. During the week we will start moving over the "stuff" and our new furniture. And then over the weekend we'll get some help from our brothers to move over our bedroom furniture & couches. I can't wait to get it all set up.

Susie (Josh's Mom) & I were able to go into the actual apartment Josh are getting & it is SO nice. Almost like new. The carpet is awesome, vaulted ceilings, clean kitchen, & it smells good =) Our stuff is going to fit in their perfectly.

We do have LOTS of shopping to do over the next few days. Which will be LOTS of fun. Tonight Josh and I are going to get The Big Ass TV (which is really more like a normal size... but that's big to us), Living Room Furniture (TV stand, Bookshelf, 2 side tables, & trunk-coffee table). We also are getting some remaining items off our registry: kitchenaid utensil set, trashcan, a few bathroom items, & baskets! It's going to be really fun! I don't think we will have ever spent that much money in one day.Stay tuned for pictures! We'll hopefully get some loaded soon.

On a different note, I was able to get that application submitted yesterday & a letter into the principal. xx FINGERS CROSSED xx

And while we nailing down apartment details we (aka "I") had a chance to finish almost all of our Thank You Notes. So that's a major accomplishment. But we can't send them out yet- I'm waiting to get the disc of our wedding pictures, so I can print a few to put in peoples notes.

Last thought.... I hope you all continue to pray for the individuals effected by the Haiti earthquake. Not only the victims but all the rescuers that are working around the clock to help this country. Also, don't forget the victims in California who are dealing with massive mud slides.

Time for Change Already

Well Josh and I had been trying to decide what the best housing option for us would be. And over the weekend we found the most lovely apartment! Best news is... it's way below our budget, so we'll have lots of leftovers to play with =)

Our new home will be at the Lakemont apartments in Richmond. Although it's considered Richmond- we are literally 5 minutes from the Skalka's House & 15(tops) from the Huttenhoff's. It's at a perfect location.

Hopefully we'll be moving in sometime in the next week or 2. We should hear tomorrow when ours will be available. We can't wait to have you all over to visit!

Since we are moving- we figured, what a better time to buy some new furniture & electronics. I think that Josh has picked out a BIG ASS TV that is to his liking. And I've picked out some new living room furniture. We are still looking for a headboard that would compliment our antique bedroom set (silly me ruined the sets headboard while I was in middle school- who would have thought I'd be kicking myself over it all these years later). So we will stay on the hunt for that & also we are looking to find a cool trunk to use as a coffee table.

Here are some pictures of the Thomasville TV stand & bookshelf that we plan on getting

It was really fun today, Josh and I started going back through some of our stuff from our Tyler house as well as lots of our new stuff from the wedding. We can't wait to get it all unloaded. Now we just have to start making all our lists of what else we need.

Oh and I forgot to mention... there is an elementary school RIGHT across the street from our complex (literally walking distance) and there is currently an opening for an elementary life skills teacher. This would be a great job for me. So I'm going to get working on the application & keep my fingers crossed (you cross yours too!!)

That's all for now!

A Rainy Day (and weekend)

Well I'm sorta bummed... I didn't realize that the weather was going to be this crummy. I was really hoping that we could get to the Houston Zoo. We got a membership for Christmas from my mom and dad! We may be have a game night & cook something fun again!

Pizza night was really fun. Josh and I are pretty talented at making some kick butt grub.

We got all our pro pics in! If you want to check them out go here: www.juliewilhite.smugmug.com/weddings/AnnaandJosh
Password is: joshlovesanna

Over the last couple days I've started looking into ideas for my grandparents(s) 50th wedding anniversary parties! That's right, both sets of my grandparents will be celebrating 50 years of marriage this year. And actually on the same day! Right now we are planning for the Huttenhoff's party to be in Chicago during July, while the Walsh's will be sometime in June here in Katy. But we will see, we're still in the early planning stages. If you've got any suggestions I'd love to hear them!

Well that's all for now! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend

The Daily Grind

Well still no news on job offers. But, today I had to take my substitute "test" and had my interview. I should be able to start subbing in Katy in the next week or 2. They've got a very lengthy process to become a sub unfortunately. I also am starting to apply at some private pre-schools in the area. Hopefully I can find something soon... I'm kinda getting bored at home for now.

Today on facebook I noticed that our photographer Blogged more of our wedding day pictures. Woo Hoo!! They came out wonderfully. I cant wait to order prints & get our album set up!

On a down side, Boatis had a bad day. For some reason he decided that he was going to bark and chase down the cleaning lady. It appeared to be unprovoked. So I went ahead and put him in his kennel just to give him a break and a chance to calm down. Well 30 minutes when the lady started cleaning the room that his kennel is in, he went ape shit again!! Barking, growling, and ramming his sweet little self into the front of the kennel. I guess our precious dog is not cured of his hostile ways. He has been in "time out" for the rest of the afternoon. He is in serious need of an attitude adjustment! We may have to take him back to his trainer Malcom sooner than expected!!

Tonight Josh and I are having a stay-at-home date! We will be making pizza! Yummy. Hopefully it'll taste good!

Loving Life

Well we've got no complaints.Over the weekend we spent time just hanging out and having fun.

We did get a chance to start following one of our new years resolutions of supporting small business here in Katy. On Sat we ate a pizza place called Mazzei's. It was really good. They've just become a "sit-down" sorta place and we were really impressed with the quality of food. Definitely somewhere we'd go back to. Then on Sunday for lunch we went to another new place in Katy called Gator's Cajun Cafe. The food here was ok. It wasn't bad but nothing very impressive. Glad we tried it though.

Well I'm "officially" a Skalka. I got my name changed today! Thankfully the line at the DMV wasn't too long. I'm not really looking forward to tackling the Social Security office though. So I may put that off for awhile.

I did start my new book today. I've chosen for my first book of the year to be Against Medical Advice by James Patterson & Hal Friedman. It's a really nice read. I'm already 150pages in. haha. It would be some sort of record if I somehow finished by tomorrow. It's about a child's battle with Tourette's Syndrome. Very interesting & written in the child's point of view. Love IT!

And I can't help but shout-out to one of my dearest friends Keeley who announced her pregnancy to the world today!!!I couldn't be more excited for her and her wonderful husband. They will be the best parents. Love you both & wish I could jump on a plane to Germany to come give you a big hug!

I'll leave you all with another wonderful photo from the wedding

Highlights Video

Well today in the mail we got 2 wonderful surprises: 1 was our marriage license (now I can start changing my name and license and all that good stuff) and the other thing was our wedding video. It is just wonderful.
Here is a highlights video that is available online. It's by our wonderful videographer Rusty Bryce.

Enjoy!!

25 Before 25

Everyone has their life to do lists. But I am better at shorter term goals. So I've compiled a list of 25 things I really want to do by the time I'm 25. Just to make the goals clear for everyone, that gives me about 20 months. Many of these I hope to accomplish quickly- while others will require time, cooperation, and money!

1. Lose 50 pounds
2. Have a full time job
3. Buy a house
4. Become a long-term volunteer with an organization
5. Run in a 5k
6. Host a holiday!
7. Go to another country
8. Put together a "history" photobook for my dad of his scouting career
9. Go to a winery
10. Take a cooking class
11. Help put on a large event (gala, wedding, large party, etc)
12. Learn how to use photoshop (or similar program)
13. Finish a scrapbook
14. Make a quilt
15. Have seen all of my immediate aunts, uncles, and cousins
16. Go on a Cruise
17. Read at least 10 ENTIRE books (real books not childrens books) <0/10>
18. Learn how to change my own tire / basic maintenance on my car
19. Take a vacation with my mom
20. Refinish furniture
21. Learn how to use fondant (and have it look good) =)
22. An outside activity at least once a month (fishing, camping, hiking, etc.)
23. Not eat out for a full month
24. Spend a week with no computer access (by choice)
25. Stay Debt Free!

Just For Starters

One of my New Years Resolutions is to do a better job keeping in touch with family and friends. This has been difficult because currently we don't live near many of our extended family or friends. But the goal is to keep people in the loop of what I'm up to, new projects I'm working on, and my random life in general!

My biggest news, as all of you know, is that Josh and I finally got married. We got married in Katy at The Tuscany Villa. It was an absolutely wonderful day full of love, laughter, and lots of family and friends! Simply put... It was PERFECT! We looked Awesome, our best friends were there, the food was yummy, Cake was delicious, flowers were stunning, dancing was so fun, and at the end of the night we were husband and wife!

I've gotten some non-pro pictures so far from some friends (but I'll share some of those later). But in the mean time, if you've got some pictures to share please share them with us on our snapfish room. Let's see um PLEASE :)

But I do want to leave you with a teaser picture from our photographer Julie Wilhite