30 Day Blogs Challenge: Day 2

Day 2: Where would you like to be in 10 years?

In 10 years, I will be 34 years old. Steven will be 40.  Seeing as I still don't really know what I want to be when I grow up, I hope that by 34, I'll have figured that out.  I want a career that makes me happy.  I'd be thrilled if I could own my own business.

Maybe we will have moved into a new house. Maybe we will have a baby. Maybe we will pick up and move away. Maybe we won't do any of these things.

Mostly, I want us to be happy.

Yesterday, my (soon-to-be) sister got married. At the reception Steven and I snapped a few self-pics.

I think if we can keep this sense of humor, we'll be exactly where we need to be in 10 years.

30 Day Blogs Challenge: Day 1

It seems I have a severe case of writer's block.  I'm feeling more and more like myself everyday, but still have bad days.  Since I can't just write about horror stories at work, and I'm not pregnant or starting the re-do of the upstairs of my house (which I really hope I can afford soon!) I thought I would do a 30 day blog challenge and hope to jump start my creative juices.

I might not complete this in 30 consecutive days, and might through in a few real posts in between, but here goes nothing.

Day 1:
Talk about your current relationship.

I am currently a newlywed after getting married February 17 of this year. It sounds cliche, but the first time I met Steven, I just had a feeling about him.  I was a senior in college, about to move to Baltimore with some friends, and he was 28 and married.  It was a confusing feeling, and I did my best to ignore him and focus on school and life in Baltimore.

Although nothing inappropriate ever happened between Steven and I; a few months after that first meeting his wife left him and my plans to move away fell through.  Hanging out and flirting commenced, and soon we were absolutely inseparable. A little over 2 years later, he proposed at Camden Yards after an Orioles Victory during the Friday night fireworks show.

I have dated quite a bit, and never thought anyone would really "get" me.  Steven, however, loves that we are independent people with different interests and hobbies, but still enjoy our time together and support each other.  No other man could do the things I need, but leave unsaid. No other man would or has supported me during my bouts of depression, put up with my crazy family, or could have survived a week in a house at the Outer Banks with my girlfriends and their husbands/boyfriends for Jessica's wedding. No other man shares my sense of humor, which is probably the most important thing.

Plus, he comes with a pretty awesome family, which is definitely a perk for me.

I have the perfect amount of time alone, freedom to explore my own interests, spend time with friends, and of course, affection.

I believe that is what makes our relationship work.  We are best friends who love, respect and enjoy one another, but I don't feel like I have lost my individuality, which has often been the case in the past.  I feel like I've known Steven my whole life, and can't wait to spend the rest of it together.

Married Life

Today marks the 1 month Anniversary of my wedding.  That's right...I'M MARRIED.

I've been putting this blog off because I've been trying to think of something unique and profound to say about the whole event, but all I can say is the day was perfect for us.  I was nervous in the days leading up to the wedding, and the morning of went into full-blown panic mode.

But once I walked down the aisle and Steven grabbed my hand, everything fell into place.  He may have cried when he proposed, but I was a mess while he said he vows and I said mine.  He kept mouthing, "don't cry," but I could hear crying from the guests and Angela's tears behind me.  I'm shocked I held it together as well as I did.

The ceremony blew by, and I can hardly remember everything that happened.  In less than 12 minutes I became Mrs. Michelle Kramer, and I've never been happier.

Everyone had a blast and everything went off without a hitch. So, here's a few of my favorite pictures (which turned out better than I expected) of the big day:

My Wedding in 25 Photos or less...I felt great, and the only thing that could have made it better would have been to have all of the RHH there.  With the exception of Angela, the RHH were stuck on the East Coast tending to new jobs, school, family and babies...they stayed in touch all day texting and tweeting encouragement and assurance that my hair, makeup, dress, etc looked great, and a few days after Steven and I returned home, we all got to meet...

Noah Trimble! I'm already in love.

My First Blogger Tags!

So my friends Nicole and Kristin challenged some of their blogger friends to complete a questionnaire. Since I frequently struggle with topics to write about that aren't too long, involved and possibly boring to others, I decided to go ahead and fill them out. I have 11 Fun Facts, and answered 2 sets of 11 Questions. I was supposed to post 11 Questions for my other blog friends, but all my blogger friends have been tagged!  I think I need more blogger friends.

Here you go enjoy!

11 Fun Facts:

1. I am seriously addicted to Criminal Minds and I 100% believe I would be an amazing profiler/researcher for the BAU.
2. My biggest regret is not going far away to college...that is until I realize I never would have met some of the RHH if I had.
3. I love organizing and reorganizing every closet/drawer/shelf, etc. that I can get me hands on.
4. I cry when I'm angry.
5. I was bald until I was 2.
6. Two weeks from today at this time I will be a married woman.
7. I am a sucker for infomercials.  I own 2 snuggies, a dreamie, a pillow pet, a shake weight, Snookie slippers, a George Forman Grill, Sham-wows, a slap chop, Oxyclean...the list goes on and on.
8. I am also a sucker for reality shows.  Jersey Shore, Teen Mom, anything Kardashian, and any TLC special about obesity, midgets, pregnancy. I nearly cried when Steven informed me he didn't ask for a DVR with our cable company.
9. Whenever a website asks for me to set up a security question, I answer it as if I was Jessica, just in case someone is as hack savvy as I am ;)
10. I laugh at completely inappropriate things/times. Jessica's little bro farting in church? check. Jessica being so pregnant she can't tie her shoes or get in her car? check. Girl at Starbucks soda exploding all over the floor and everyone in the vicinity? check. (Although I was the only one who helped her clean it up) Me getting scared and peeing my own pants as an adult? check. Steven dropping the porkchops he was planning on having for dinner as they came out of the oven on the floor? most definitely.
11. I truly believe the RHH should have a reality show.  Maybe even Real World style with all our husbands, babies and animals.  Who wouldn't watch our fabulousness?

11 Answers from Kristin's Questions:

1. What is your biggest pet peeve? messiness and lateness
2. What is your favorite food? Italian
3. How old where you when you had your first kiss?12 or 13
4. What is your favorite hobby? decorating, scrapbooking, traveling and organizing
5. Whats is your favorite childhood memory? Weekends at my grandparents house with my little brother and cousin.
6. Cat/Dog/ or both? I like and am allergic to both
7. What is you idea of a perfect day?
8. Do believe in eating cranberry sauce from a can? No, I'm gagging just thinking about it.
9. Where is your family originally from? Dad's side is from New Jersey, Mother's side from Augusta County, VA
10. What's your favorite time of year? the Fall. Cool weather, comfy sweaters and football.
11. Would you do it all again if you could? yes with a few minor adjustments.

11 Answers from Nicole's Questions:

1.  Which is the celebrity or actor you would want to date?  Shemar Moore...or Jensen Ackles

2.  Describe yourself in a single sentence?  Get to know me, I'm awesome.
3.  What is your favorite song?  All for You by Sister Hazel
4.  If you were to be reborn who would you want to be born as?
5.  Name the one household chore you would never do again if you didn't have to.
6.  What is your favorite TV show? Criminal Minds!  But also many reality shows.
7.  What is the furthest you've traveled? Australia, and it changed my life.
8.  What is something you would do if you were more daring? Be an astronaut
9.  What is your idea of the perfect date? For Steven and me it's Vito's and then home to cuddle.
10. What is the grossest thing you've ever consumed? Pepperroo, Australia's take on pepperoni.
11. Do you have any weird obsessions? I was recently diagnosed with OCD...but the obsession that sticks out is having everything planned and organized and on a list.

Baby Fever!

I get married in 21 days! Not that I'm counting or anything...and I'm starting to get really excited about the adventures married life will bring.

I never thought I was the baby type, and Steven and I are pretty sure we are either not going to have kids or just have one.  But I'm going to admit it.  I have baby fever.

It happened in the months leading up to and immediately following my engagement.  Nicole got pregnant. Then Heather got pregnant. Then Jessica. Then Kristin. (All sisters/cousins). Then Shannon.

At first I was a little peeved at the little baby bumps.  Baby bumps that would prevent some of my besties from traveling to my destination wedding that had already been booked and paid for.  Then the babies started to come.

First there came Nicole's Broderick and seriously, this ladies man stole everyone's heart the moment we met him.

 

and a few months later, Heather's Quorra (pronounced Cora).

Cousin portraits borrowed from Nicole. 

And just like that, I had baby fever.  I guess I'm spoiled because I haven't had to deal with the late nights and have never seen more than a momentary tantrum from these two cuties.  I've gotten nothing but cute faces and playtime. And I've got more to look forward to with Brody and Quorra's cousins on the way and due in just a few weeks:

How cute are Jess and Kristin as moms-to-be?

And finishing up the sudden baby-boom, my friend Shannon is expecting baby Joshua at the end of March:

And although actual thought of giving birth still makes me cringe, and screaming tantrum throwing two year olds haunt my nightmares, how could I not be starting to think I can't resist being a mommy when I look back at pictures like this?

Help Us Celebrate More Birthdays

I wasn't sure how to start this post, but I took a peak at my teammate Jessica's blog and she took the words out of my mouth blog:


I could start this blog post by telling you that there are 1,638,910 new cases of cancer this year alone or that 1 out of 4 people will be diagnosed sometime in their life. Regardless of how many statistics I throw at you or what I say, it doesn't change the fact that you or someone you know has been affected by cancer. That's almost a guarantee.

This year, my friends and I (so lovingly coined "The RHH or Real Housewives of Harrisonburg") have decided to form a team to walk at our local Relay for Life event where we will help raise money and awareness for the American Cancer Society.

Each of us have been touched by cancer in one way or another and this is our way of giving back. Of telling our loved ones how much we care. Of telling the world that there should be more birthdays.

Our Relay Team

(and yes, the babies will be there too!)

So why do I walk?

 

Almost everyone has been touched by cancer, either through their own personal battle or through someone they love, including my family and friends. Last year, Steven's father was diagnosed with colon cancer.  I watched him in pain as he went through surgeries and treatment to fight back.  He was lucky enough that his cancer was caught early, and he is now cancer free and able to walk everyday to regain his strength, metal detect, enjoy beach vacations, attend sporting events and is even flying to Vegas for our upcoming wedding.  But many of my friends have family members that haven't been as lucky, and we are banding together to show our support for those we know that have been affected by cancer, and each other.

There's Greg, cancer free!

 

Every day, the American Cancer Society is helping us stay well by preventing cancer or finding it at its earliest, most treatable stages. They assist families in finding the best resources to help their friend or loved one deal with a diagnosis and their journey to get well. The American Cancer Society is also rallying communities (like ours!) through events like Relay For Life, to fight back and find cures for this disease.

 

Think about the ones you love that have been affected by cancer, and I can only hope you will donate to this amazing cause.  Currently our team goal is $1,500, but we hope to raise even more. But we can't do it alone. Click the link below to see who we walk for and our individual stories.

*Click here to visit our page, join our team, donate $1 or help us spread awareness*

 

 

One Month 'til I Do

So today marks the 31 day countdown until my wedding.  It's really starting to hit me that I will make a vow for better or worse and  from that point on be known as Mrs. Michelle Kramer.  It doesn't look that different from my maiden name, but it still feels weird.  I've tried the name on in the past few weeks when filling out things online and such and I'm not going to lie, I like it.

I know there is at least one person who has asked the rude question, "how does it feel to be the second Mrs. Michelle Kramer?" And I have to admit, I think it will feel pretty freaking awesome.  Even though we've been dating for 3 years and have lived together for 1, after February 17 we will be our own family.  We'll not only share a last name, we'll be legally bound to each other. 

I thought when the day came, I'd be freaking out about losing my freedom.  I couldn't just pack my bags and move to California, or go backpacking through Europe...not without Steven's agreement of course.  Instead, the thought of being married is comforting.  I'm thrilled to be Steven's wife and have him be my husband.  I know it won't always be easy, but I'd say we've already been through more together than the average couple.  We've both had enough life experience to know how lucky we are to have each other.  We can both be our own individuals, but are also great friends and love being together.  I still get excited to see him when he comes home from work, and always rush home when I know he's there.  I know he loves me unconditionally, through my craziness, despite my flaws and I love him just as he is. 

I'm also excited to be part of his family.  While I'm still getting used to my family dynamic changing with my parent's divorce and my dad's upcoming wedding, I'm super grateful to have Steven's family who have loved me like one of their own from day one.  His mother makes the absence of my own mother just a little easier to deal with, and I'm so lucky to have her.

Ok, I know that's a lot of mushy stuff, and those that know me IRL know I'm not like that at all.  But while I was sitting here thinking about how many other things in my life are unsure right now, I couldn't help but share how blessed I feel to have found my soul mate.