Marriage Prep & A Photo Sesh!

Marriage Preparation...it just sounds fun, doesn't it?! ;) Well, if you spoke to either of us a few months ago about the whole "marriage prep" situation, we would have been honest and told you that some of the things we have to do seemed a bit ridiculous and that we just didn't have a great vibe from it all. After leaving another meeting with our priest tonight, we both walked out of there saying how this has been a complete 180. We felt good leaving tonight (as we did last meeting as well), and it feels great to know we kept up with it and it's turned into a positive for us. We feel welcomed and embraced by our church now, and actually understand why we're going through the things we are - for the most part! It's taught us where our differences are, our strong points, and how to really think as a unit of "one" together. While we still have much more to go through, I'm happy we feel this way about it now and it makes the process of preparing for marriage seem a lot less stressful..whew, it feels nice to say that!

And today.....our engagement photos finally came in :) Here are a few...

We had a lot of fun taking these pictures in West Palm's Clematis Street / City Place area with Sean Michael - who will be the photographer on our wedding day, so most of you will meet him :) It also served as a great trial run for us so we could see what it's like being in the spot light and things we need to work on for photos! For me - it's trying to keep my eyes open and not blink so much - For him, well I'll let him tell you :)

This week is the dreaded test week. I'm actually not so sure whether or not to call it "dreaded", because at least J knows that he's this much closer to getting the chance to relax for a day or two, and I know I'm this much closer to spending time with him. However we look at it, let's just pray he does well! This Friday will mark the end of his second term in medical school...that means 1 more term to go and he is done with his first year. I'm proud :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hope everyone had a very Happy Valentine's Day <3

Us almost 9 years ago

This year marked our 9 year anniversary, and our last one before getting married! So everyone keeps telling me it all starts over next year - but I think instead of saying "we've been married a year", I'll have to say "we've been together 10 years!" - It makes a difference (to us, at least!) We got a cute card in the mail from the DiSalvo's for our anniversary, a card from J's grandparents, and a delicious package from J's parents for Valentine's Day (our favorite popcorn from the Boardwalk in Ocean City) - Thank you all!!

J and I bought our wedding bands this weekend - how exciting - so we said no gifts for Valentine's Day. Of course, we had to do a little something though..cause that's just how we are...

My beautiful roses from J

My little package for him

Grizz was treated to a bath at Petsmart, which wore him out

J and I went out for dinner - PF Chang's, yummy! We absolutely love that restaurant and we had a gift card, so that worked out nicely! We ate dessert at home, and then went to bed early - a night of no studying for J - and it was nice for both of us :)

We had a Valentine's Day party at school for the kids - it was fun watching them do the "Valentine exchange" for their first time as Pre-K'ers, and I know they enjoyed it! Speaking of the kids, they have all been sick lately with this weather, which means I have been sick as well. Twice in the past 3 weeks, and it's no fun. We had even more snow last week..

Hoping that was the last of the year!

At least we'll be heading to South Florida next month, it can't come soon enough! And J will have a whole week off of school for his spring break. I'm sure he'll spend most days out on his mountain bike (he loves all the trails around here) - so another reason to hope for warm weather.

I've been able to check a few more things off the wedding list, which feels great, as we are only 4 months away! Visit our site: