Summer is ending :(

Grrr...summer is coming to an end here pretty soon. As summers always do it seems like it went way too fast, and yet at the same time things that happened already feel like forever ago. There hasn't been much to say as I've just been taking it easy. I have been very productive on the wedding front. I'm finally getting into it, which I think is because I know I have my contract back for this year so I could finally relax in knowing my job is back, and my income will be back! Having basic needs met sure does make a difference in your outlook! I totally get Maslow's Hierarchy... :) haha So we've got the caterer chosen and booked, we're having a tasting next week to pick out the entrees (I'm hungry just thinking about it), I've got my dress picked but I'm waiting a bit to buy it, bridesmaids dresses are picked (although those have been for awhile), shoes are narrowed down to a couple different pairs (and the color scheme for that), flowers/florist are chosen along with the centerpieces, favors have been picked out, Ivan's got a good idea what he wants for his ring, bartender's chosen, we had 1 cake tasting that went well so we have flavors and a look down, but are gonna check around a bit, invitations are picked I think. The big things we have left is the DJ, which I'm dreading choosing actually because the DJ can make or break things you know? And what the guys are gonna wear. We've been looking at a lot of different looks so we'll see...! Oh, and rounding up addresses for save-the-dates. But otherwise everything has been really easy & fun now that the wheels are finally turning. Looking at song choices, etc. I'm still not excited about standing up in front of a ton of people because I don't really like serious/emotional/touchy-feelie stuff, let alone with an audience...so I'm just gonna have to mentally prepare on that for the next 10 months. We're debating on who to have officiate. Ivan's going to talk to the Chaplin from IC as of course that would be meaningful since we met at IC and he had a good relationship with the Chaplin, but my old Pastor from my church back home happens to live out here now so we're also thinking about that too. So anyway, that's the wedding stuff.

I go back to work on August 10th. I'm pretty excited for a paycheck again!!! But as always, after having time off work I nearly totally forget what it is I do for a living, therapy what?! But I also like routine. I'm anxious to see what schools I have this year because although I'm heading back to the same district who knows what schools I'll have. And I always have mixed feelings about if I want the same ones or not. Of course the familiarity would be nice and I like the people I work with, but I always worry I'll get bored with the same school/kids/coworkers. I've never been at the same school before so I have no idea! Which is why it's good I don't get the choice, I'd rather just deal with whatever I get than make a decision for myself that I end up regretting!

You're probably wondering why you haven't heard anything about the house hunt in awhile, but I'm tired of all the false alarms. Quick recap: The very first one that went back & forth on forever is out of the picture, it was a short sale which are an animal of their own, 'nuff said. There was a second close call but we found out after the fact (our offer was accepted and we had inspections, even had someone design a pool for it) that the house didn't qualify for the FHA loan we'll be getting. Very upsetting. So the looking has continued, we've bid on more, and things are looking up but I'll let you know when I really know for sure! No matter what happens I am feeling more positive about it all. Each house has been more and more perfect for us I think, although all the close-calls have been great.

So I have about a week and a half left off work but it will be a good time. My friend Erin is flying in tomorrow for a visit. We're going up to the Grand Canyon and to Utah to volunteer at this place called Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. I guess it is on this show called Dogtown on National Geographic. I've seen it here & there but Erin is a big fan and set everything up. So that should be fun and as always it's nice to have visitors! After Erin leaves my friend Heather (from Scotland, who I met in Africa, and then spent a week in NYC with) is coming for a quick visit before she heads out of the U.S. I'm excited to have her come visit and we'll probably end up at the Grand Canyon as well. I'm sad that she's leaving the States though. It's been nice knowing she's in my country and I can text her and stuff.

So, then it'll be back to work for a couple weeks, and then we have a reunion camping trip up north with the River Rampage program, which will be so fun; to get the group of kids, sidekicks, and guides together again. A nice way to end the summer :)

Ta ta for now! I'm sure I'll have pics from Erin's visit to come soon.

Wedding Stuff

I haven't update in a long while but I haven't had a computer or much to say-- hopefully I will soon!

In the meantime, check out our wedding website for some info regarding the wedding. It will be small so don't take it personally if the save-the-date never comes :) But you can always check out the site:

http://www.theknot.com/ourwedding/ChelseySpaulding&IvanNicholson