Our Wedding Story

On an early April morning in southeast Alaska, my fiancé became my husband.  Cody and I had been engaged for almost three years when we finally decided to get married.  The ceremony, dress, and everything else were haphazardly planned within ten days of the ceremony occurring.  Despite the quick planning, the ceremony was perfect.  The rain held off for the duration of the day and we were married in the shadow of the mountains and a breathtaking glacier.  Low clouds hanging over the beach created the perfect wedding atmosphere. Words can't describe how wonderful it was, but I think the pictures do a pretty good job at conveying the mood of the day.

Our witnesses and best friends, Claudia and Suzette. 

Cody holding the bouquet.

Claudia and I trying to figure out how to work my new camera. 

Danel, our good friend, marrying us at Skater's Cabin.

Listening to the officiant.

It's official and Claudia is excited!

Standing with my bouquet of flowers. 

Suzette, Cody, and Claudia goofing around.  Glacier in the background. 

Cody, Danel, and I after the ceremony. 

Mr. and Mrs. Middleton! 

Matching XtraTuff boots on the beach. 

Boots on the beach and low clouds on the mountains. 

I had to bring a big sweater to keep warm before and after the ceremony. 

We're married! 

Your turn…Where did you get married at?
Currently listening to…Home - Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

I'm Back!

Wow! It has been three months since my last blog post.  I've been blogging for (almost) five years and I don't believe that I've ever taken such a hiatus.  Honestly, there were many reasons for the break.  For starters, Cody and I got married in April and then I was in Alaska for a week-long trip.  It was a very hectic couple of weeks leading up to the wedding and the trip.

The island finally beginning to look a little summer-y. 

After I got back, a series and of events led us down the path of deciding to stay in the Midwest again this year.  We were initially so excited to be moving back to Alaska and we both had jobs (Cody had already started his). It just seemed right to stay here though, in the end, and spend time with our families and friends.

Taking the ferry away from the island.  New adventures ahead!

School ended (woooo) for the summer and Cody and I are now just enjoying kicking around at my dad's lake house in southern Michigan.  The weather has been stellar, which makes looking for new jobs a wee bit difficult.  What can I say, I'm a beach bum at heart.  Time will tell how things play out over the next year, but it is safe to say that we will be hanging around SW Michigan for awhile.

Reunited and ready to lounge for the summer.

I'm hoping to rededicate myself to the blog heavily and do some fun posts over the next couple of weeks.  Stay tuned for some new topics!

Your turn…Have you ever changed your moving plans last minute?
Currently listening to…Kick Drum Heart - The Avett Brothers

Why We Decided to Get Married

Almost three years ago, Cody drove me out to Pine Hills in Southern Illinois and purposed to me.  I accepted almost before he got the words out of his mouth.  Pine Hills was the perfect place and I was there with the perfect person.  

View from the top of a bluff in Pine Hills.

Fast forward, after such a long engagement we were getting a bit antsy about finally tying the knot.  We had tried to plan a wedding a few different times, each attempt was more unsuccessful than the last.  Time, money, location, lack of vacation days saved up at work.  Take your pick and we've probably dealt with it. 

Hiking trail near the top of the bluff.

Two weeks before I flew up to see Cody I was chatting with my grandmother.  We started talking about the wedding, or lack thereof, and she suggested we just go the courthouse route.  Save the money and put it towards a big reception that we could plan at a much more leisurely pace.  That night, when I talked to Cody on the phone, I put the suggestion to him.  He took to the idea wonderfully.  

Revisiting the spot where we got engaged!

The planning started ASAP.  I didn't have anything.  No marriage license. No dress, No shoes. No minister.  No witnesses.  It all came together in the end.  The license, minister, and witnesses all fell into place.  Our minister was a good friend of ours and two of our BFF's agreed to be the witnesses/paparazzi. The dress ended up being a $40 cutes-y number (that I fell in love with) from Urban Outfitters.  I wore my Xtratuff rainboots as footwear.  It was perfect. 

Your turn...How much planning went into your wedding?

Currently listening to...Dearly Departed- Shakey Graves feat. Esme Patterson

Surprise!

So, I have been on a little blogging hiatus the last week or so.  Partly because I was in Alaska visiting Cody and partly because...

We got married!! Cody and I finally (after almost three years of being engaged) tied the knot in a small, intimate ceremony in Alaska.  I plan to do a full write-up about it this week.  I am also planning a few great posts about my trip.  Stay tuned for the scoop! :)

Reviewing My 2013 Resolutions

In 2013 I made some lofty New Year's Resolutions.  Maybe a bit too lofty?  You can check out the link  here and see exactly what my reasonings were behind choosing these specific goals.  Since it is June, the halfway point, I wanted to review my goals and evaluate if I had/had not completed any of them. So, here is the list.

1.) Re-Start Couch to 5k: I have been doing this program again!  However, I have been doing it only about 2x per week, which isn't how the program was intended.  I am doing it with a mix of yoga, hiking, and walking though so I feel like my exercising goal is happening, just in a different way.

Cooling down after a jog on the beach. 

2.) Recycle: Check! Cody and I are now recycling glass, cardboard, and aluminum (basically Cody's soda cans and our group effort collection of adult beverages).  Our next goal will be to take on plastic and paper :)

Our new bins! 

3.) Plant a Garden: Check! Well, sort of.  It snowed until the beginning of May this year so my garden got started a little bit later than intended and is much smaller than my original plan.  But, it did get started! Pictures to come at a later date :)

4.) Give Back To The Community: FAIL! I haven't done much giving back to my community.  During Family Night's at my school I was on standby for childcare, which really is part of my job, so I don't think it counts but at least it is something (kind of).

5.) Plan My Wedding: Umm…I think we decided on July 2014 as opposed to June 2014. Does that count? I did find a couple dresses that I liked and looked at a couple venues too.  But, not much progress has occurred. Then again, I am not much of a wedding person.

6.) Spend More Quality Time With Cody: Check! Ever since Cody switched jobs we have spent a lot of real quality (out having fun/one-on-one) time together! Since we both work in the school district and work the same schedule/hours this has naturally improved without a ton of effort on our part. Basically, we have tons of time to goof off and do things like this….

Umm….need a little help? 

7.) Write Letters to My Family: I have sent TWO rounds of postcards.  Not a huge amount of progress but at least I have made the effort.  I probably would have sent more but my mail gets returned to me all them time and it is a huge hassle.  The Alaska mail system totally blows.

So, there you have it! A wrap-up of my goals for 2013.  Not a huge amount of triumph but I have at least made some progress. I think I have decided that instead of doing yearly goals I am going to switch to doing monthly goals for myself.  I got the idea from the blog Peace Love & Oats (check it out!).  Doing monthly goals is just WAY more realistic.  I am more of a short-term planner and year-long goals never seem to pan out for me. Check in on July 1st for my first set of monthly goals!

Questions: 
Do you make yearly goals? 
If so, do you stick with them? 
If not, do you make monthly goals?

2013 Resolutions

In 2013 my goals are…

1.) Re-start the Couch to 5k running program and complete my first 5k!

• Back in Illinois I had started the Couch to 5K program (follow the link to check it out).  Then, we moved to Alaska and I totally ignored the progress I had made.  This year my goal is to start running again and hopefully make it to a 5k.  

2.) Recycle! 

• Again, in Illinois we had a beautiful drive-in recycling center.  Here, the recycling place is open at odd days and at odd hours.  I have been VERY lazy about recycling so I need to regain my love of giving back to the planet. 

3.) Plant a garden! 

• When spring rolls around you will find me planting veggies, herbs, etc.  So happy to finally have an apartment where we can garden :) 

4.)  Give back to the community! 

• Find a local volunteer program and volunteer at least once per month.  Currently, I am looking into Big Brothers Big Sisters. 

5.) Plan my wedding! 

• Date is tentatively set for June 2014.  We haven't gotten much farther than that yet but we are trying (kind of, ha ha.) 

6.)  Spend more quality time with Cody! 

• Coordinating time together with our crazy work schedules is tough.  Heres to hoping we can find more time for one another this year. 

7.) Write letters to my family! 

• Calls are great, but who doesn't love getting awesome mail?? Plus, I miss all of my wonderful family back home. 

There you have it folks! These are my plans for 2013.  In 2012, I graduated college, got engaged, adopted a puppy, and moved to Alaska. Let's face it, I was SPOILED in 2012.  I hope I can keep the wonderful-ness going in the upcoming year.  What are your resolutions for 2013??

As a parting gift for reading my blog today, here are some lovely pictures.  Last weekend Cody, myself, and our neighbors hiked out to the beach in North Douglas.  There was fantastic sea lion and whale watching as well as fantastic scenery.  Enjoy the pictures! 

Cody at the beach in North Douglas. 

Winter waves. 

Views on the beach. 

Me & Specks, posing before trekking over the rocks. 

Beautiful rock formation. 

Spending the day chasing birds and running in the ocean. 

Driving back home.