Death and Taxes

I've always loved tax season; it's the business major in me. I love figuring numbers and calculating my refund. Refund? Oh yes, I remember those. This year is different. For some reason, Turbo Tax and H&R Block is calculating that we owe state taxes this year! Hey, Oregon, just put it on our tab.

In conclusion, there are actually three certainties in life: death, taxes, and surprises. But hey, at least life is interesting!

"I Dream" by Laura Howard-Drew

I dream

A yellow house with a porch and a view

Quietness and trees

I dream of children and laughter

Parks and bicycle rides.

I dream of sunsets and family visits

Snow and sun

But most of all

I dream of us

Watching age wiggle its way on our faces

Complaining about how tall the kids are getting

Wondering where time has gone.

Laughing and loving.

Most of all

I dream of you

You are my dream.

Full of Balloons!

Today my heart feels full of balloons and streamers and candy and cupcakes and tiny squeals of joy and delight. I am so excited, I could burst!

Food for Thought

"Wealth gathered hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it."

-Proverbs 13:11

Welcome to the World

My first little niece, Makayla Elizabeth

Help me find it!!

I had something cleaver to say. I thought about it all morning. "I am going to blog this!" I thought to myself. I waited for a lull in work to get online. I logged in. I positioned my hands at the keyboard. "This is going to be a good post." And then I promptly forgot everything I wanted to write about. I am not sure where my brain is today. It's not here. If you see, will you send it my way? I miss it terribly!

Mot Du Jour

I learned a new French word today! While completing my liste d'epicerie (grocery list), I learned the word for oatmeal: flocons d'avoine. I had never heard it before!

Can you see it?

Recently, Brenden and I had a lovely dinner date with his aunt and uncle. Amongst the conversation, we were given the idea of buying a motorcycle. I was surprised to learn that motorcycles are actually inexpensive. So the plan is (assuming no little kiddos surprise us within the next two years), we are getting a Harley! Yes, a Harley! You get what you pay for and we would rather buy top of the line; although a used one is way less expensive! Our cars will be paid off by early next year so we can pay cash for the bike! I am so excited!

Can you see me as a biker chick?

6 Months

Today is our 6 months anniversary! We've been married half a year! They say the first year of marriage is the hardest but we've been having such a blast. If this is hard, I'd like to see what "easy" is!

A Moment of Silence

My poor little Maggie has passed away. We will miss you!

Laura And Brenden have a secret...

...coming in July 2009

Home Sweet Home

Maybe because it's the first place Brenden and I have together but I just LOVE our apartment. It may be small in some eyes but it's just perfect for us. Since most of you won't get the chance to visit us, I thought I'd post some pictures of our first home together. I hope we won't move until we have to, or until we buy a house. Enjoy!

Our bedroom, where all the magic happens (but really, the magic happens everywhere in our apartment!! *hehe*)

I just LOVE this painting! Thanks to my mom-in-law for the gift card that bought it!!

Our kitchen!

The bar area in the dining room. We love our wine!

Dining room

Living room and Brenden playing Xbox

The fireplace is our favorite feature: