Our First Ultrasound!

Here's our very first ultrasound! Check out the heartbeat! Our bean is 6 weeks and 5 days old!



Steve's first comment was that the baby looked like a monster! Nice. He's also started calling me "BBC" or 'Baby Bean Carrier'. He later edited that to be BBC Mach I. I thought he was implying that I am as big as a space shuttle or some other space vehicle. He later explained that no, I'm carrying a baby, and when I carry our next one (NEXT?? Can we make it through this one first?!), I'll be called BBC Mach II.

I think we're going to have to talk about this one.

March 2007

It looks like we may have found a house. Holy Happiness of America! We'll have to wait and see how far we go in pursuing this one though. I love the house and it's a great size for us (and our potential future family). It needs a bit of work, but it's nothing that must be done immediately. We'll have the luxury of taking our time and doing things the way we want them done. There are lots of things which we could look forward to with this house.

In other news, we're both working. My (Heather) client was purchased by another company so my team will be without a job. However, I was hired by a different client so I'll still have a job. I'll start working with the new team some time in May. It's relieving to know I have a job though!

Heather's youngest brother, Scott, and Steve's step mother, Jill, will both celebrate birthdays this month. Happy Birthday to You.... BOTH! :)

February 2007

Ahhh the month of looooove! It stinks when Valentines Day falls on a weekday. Well, it does for us anyway. Trying to arrange anything with both of our crazy work schedules makes it nearly impossible. We ended up going out to dinner the weekend before. SO very glad we did! We didn't have to struggle with any crowds and were able to just enjoy our meal and each other.

It looks like the construction on the projects they're doing here on Marshall Creek Road are going to be getting underway rather quickly. Great. That means we need to quickly decide what our course of action and plan is going to be. Are we going to stay in our current home (and likely stay here for a very long time) and deal with the masses of traffic on our street - or will we look for a house in a new location? Hard decisions.

Personally, I was in the "staying for a long time" mode. That is, until it took me nearly 20 minutes to back out of our driveway one morning and go to work. It can be SO crazy at times. I can only imagine what traffic will be like when the elementary school expansion is finished, the high school, stadium, and athletic complex are finished, and the additional housing development is completed.

You see, currently we have about 2,500 cars a day which travel our street (thank goodness for traffic surveys). They're mostly parents taking their children to and from elementary school, people trying to get in or out of Trophy Club, or folks wanting to get to Wal-Mart. Our street is one of three ways to get in or out of Trophy Club. It also has Wal-Mart on one end, and an elementary school on the other.

They are prediciting traffic to increase to at least 5,500 cars a day... ON our street. It possibly wouldn't be so bad if we didn's live on the street, and perhaps on a street that connects to it. But, if it's busy now, it's going to be a royal nightmare later.

We've been house hunting (I honestly think it's a hobby of Steves) on and off for quite a while. We've found houses we liked, didn't like, HATED, and loved. But, the time was never right for us to do anything about them, or we just couldn't make up our minds.

I guess we'll just wait and see what happens.

In other news, I (Heather) started working part-time at a scrapbook store in Colleyville, called The Scrapbook Pad. I'm planning to work only a few days a week. It's a GREAT store, with incredible new owners. Jeanie's vision for the store is very inspiring and I can't wait to be part of it. One of the plans for me is to be the the Friday night Crop Hostess. I think I can swing it. :)

January 2007

December 2006

November 2006

Another Quarterly Update (and then some....)

Here I am again... almost November without an update to our family blog. Here's what I can remember happening!

July 2006

The first weekend of the month had I (Heather) traveled to McAllen, Texas to visit my sister and her family. I came back with a 3rd degree sunburn. Talk about suffering. The following week was purely miserable!

Later in the month we (Steve and I) had another of our "dentist dates". We've actually ended up seeing the dentist on the same date, only a few minutes away from each other for all of our recent appointment. We don't even try to schedule it that way - it just happens!

I had an eye exam, and got new glasses in July too!

The last weekend of the month had Heather traveling out to Salt Lake City for a short Rowley family reunion. Steve had to work, so he stayed home! :)

August 2006

We (Steve and I) traveled to Ohio to visit with friends. I wanted to show Steve the places, foods, and things i had grown to love in Ohio. Boy... we ate a LOT of food! It's a good thing I don't live there anymore, I would never have lost any weight!

September 2006

October 2006

2006 - 3rd Quarter Update

It's amazing how much working in the corporate world impacts my life. Where else would I refer to the last 3 months of our life as the 3rd Quarter? Too funny!

Anyway... onto the updates!

June 2006

Continued...

I forgot to mention that we finally settled on interior paint colors for the kitchen, living room, and entry way. It's an open floorplan so they all had to be the same colors. We went with a light caramel/hot chocolate. It's a really light warm neutral color. Steve and Thomas worked together and got it finished. I must admit - it looks great!

July 2006

August 2006

Went to Ohio

September 2006

Another Quarterly Update...

Seriously, I have GOT to get better at this! I told Bekki that she needed to set up a Blog so I could keep up with the kids (Ainsley is JUST about to start walking!!!), and their new house (they're building!) - and I can't even keep up with mine!

Okay, so here's the update from where I left off last (March 2006)...

April 2006

At last update, I was hot on the employment search. I located a position with First American, and started my time with them in April. There really wasn't anything earth shattering or terribly exciting that happened during the rest of the month. April was pretty much loaded with setting (and resettting) budgets, getting used to the commute to my new job (90 minutes EACH way... on a good traffic round), and figuring out how everything was going to work for us.

May 2006

Steve turned 33 on the 3rd. A small group of us (Steve, Tom, my friend Daryl, and myself) went to dinner at Salt Grass (yum!) and celebrated both Steve & Tom's birthday (Tom's day was 4/28). I also had a small BBQ at the house for him on the 7th with his friends and their families.

My darling niece, Arissa, turned 5 on the 15th.

Steve and I went with a group of friends to see David Copperfield perform on the 16th. Great show. Incredible tricks (illusions.. whatever), Awesome seats. Would I do it again? Maybe if we had another fun group to go with, but not just for us (we're not really into magic shows, KWIM?).

My office relocated to Westlake, TX on the 26th. YAY! It turned my commute into about 6 minutes each way. LOVE it! I've turned my commute time into overtime for the most part. Definitely more financially beneficial!

Steve's granfather, Fred, turned 85 during the month and the family had a big birthday bash for him. Unfortunately, due to Steve's work schedule we weren't able to attend. I didn't want to go without him, so I went to the Rowley family reunion in Utah over Memorial Day weekend instead. I had a GREAT time catching up with the family who came on my mother's side. I also got to hang out with my bro, Rob and his friends. GREAT time. can't wait to head back out to UT and have another fun weekend with Rob. He's such a super stud - and his roommate is pretty dang happenin' too!

June 2006

Wow... June was LOADED with activities from beginning to end!

Sheri (my birthmom) turned 50 on the 12th - Can you believe it?? She looks ubertastic! I wasn't able to attend her party because it was the very same weekend as Chris & Cara's wedding.

Talk about a busy weekend! Between attending GASC (Great American Scrapbook Convention) in Arlington, and the wedding on Saturday - I was so exhausted! Monday came way too soon! The Sarlo/Claiborne wedding was beautiful though!

The following weekend, we traveled to California to attend Kimberlee's high school graduation and to bring her back with us. We were able to stop in and visit with Grandma Joyce and Grandmpa Fred - and bring them WAY past due wedding photos! We spent a few minutes at Glass Beach, and had dinner at Round Table Pizza (Tom & Steve's favorite pizza place - or so I hear). Kim graduated on Saturday, June 17th. It was a LONG graduation, but her class was lots larger than mine. After graduation, we all loaded into the Explorer and Russ (their dad) drove us to San Francisco to the airport. By an amazing feat (and huge miracle) we were all able to land seats on that flight and get home in one shot.

Since then, it's been going full force getting Kim settled in and ready for school. Actually, it's a matter of getting her testing done so she can get into a school. So between that, the normal relocation adjustments, shopping for girl stuff, and getting Texi-fied, I've been running around like crazy.

Steve and I celebrated our 8 Monthiversary on the 22nd. We didn't do anything special except spend time together.

I think that's about it from Casa Ales. I'll try to update more often!

Love,
Heather & Steve

Catching Up.... (aka a short review of 2006)

I realized that it has been almost 2 months since I last posted to our family blog! YIKES! Here's a quick catch-up and I'll try to be more dilligent about posting more often.

JANUARY 2006

January came and left without a hitch. We celebrated our first New Years Eve together at home. We also celebrated the 2nd anniversary of my 29th birthday on the 14th with Thomas (Steve's brother).

FEBRUARY 2006

In February we watched the Super Bowl at the home of our friends, the Penders. I traveled (without Steve) to Las Vegas to attend the Craft and Hobby Association (CHA) winter tradeshow. I was set to travel to Fort Smith, Arkansas to attend a crop (it's a scrapbooking thing), but my flight was cancelled due to the ice storms we had. We celebrated Valentines day together, and had a lovely time. Steve and I also had our first dental date together on the 21st. Steve was scheduled to have the post for his implant put in, and I was scheduled to have a double root canal (talk about FUN date!). Due to complications (tooth roots) Steve didn't end up having the post put in, and will instead wear a permanent bridge. Steve isn't thrilled with the situation, but it's the next best possible solution. February also brought Steve changing his work schedule hours. Instead of working the 10pm - 830am shift, he switched to the 8pm - 630am shift. What kind of impact does this have overall? Not much in the grand scheme. But, for me, it means that Steve needs to leave the house by 730pm each night, so I need to have dinner on the table no later than 630pm (sometimes as late as 7pm) each night. It sometimes poses a problem because I don't get off from work until 530pm. Another interesting piece of his work schedule is that when he's coming home I'm trying to get ready for work. But, as with most of our challenges, we rise to the occasion and work it out.

MARCH 2006

Not much has happened in March; we're only 6 days in. however, we managed to make a quick trip to visit family. Thomas came along too. It was a great visit, and we're glad we were able to make it. It was awesome to see Donna and her new son, Alexander.

March also bring some not so happy news. My department at First Horizon Home Loan Corporation is being decentralized. As a result, my last day here will be March 15th. The good news (there has to be a silver lining somewhere, right?) is that I did receive a nice severance package. I'm hot on the job search trail, but am going to enjoy however long the break from working is. Steve and I have been talking about painting various rooms in the house, in addition to getting the garage cleaned out. So, I'll have some time to get all of that accomplished. I also have at least one closet full of clothes that I'd like to sell on eBay, and I'll be using my off time to get that done too... because.....

Steve's sister Kimberlee will be moving to Texas to join our family in June! So, the closet in what will be her room has to be cleared out. :)

I think thats our 2006 in a nutshell so far. I'll work on getting some photos posted for you to enjoy. We're working out the adjustments that being a newly married couple brings. We're also really enjoying spending the time we have together.

Love,
~heather and steve

Talk about taking forever to post...

I can't believe how long it's been since I posted. Things have been going well, nothing earth shattering to report or share. Our Christmas was very sweet - the perfect Christmas for a newlywed couple. We spent Christmas Day hanging out, and then had a bunch of people over for dinner. It was nice to have a houseful of people, just like I would have had if I was home with my family.

It was strange not being with my parents and at least one sibling for Christmas. It was my first Christmas away from 'home'. Kind of sad actually. But, I got through it, and kept myself busy.

We received a LOT of awesome gifts this year. Something new for me, was gift baskets from Harry David. COLOR me in LOVE. OH.MY.GOSH! The Moose Munch popcorn is my all-time favorite thing. Actually, it's a tie between the popcorn and pears. They were SO good! I decided I HAD to find out how to make caramel popcorn like Harry David. I made a batch - and it was mighty tasty. It wasn't the same as Harry David, but it was good. Steve ate plenty. I ate plenty. My office ate plenty. Steve's co-workers ate plenty. It's good stuff, but definitely make once a year stuff. TOOO good to have all the time.

New Years was spent at home. We don't know a lot of people yet, so we stayed in together. It was sweet, and I was asleep (I know you're shocked) by 11:30. Steve was wonderful and woke me up at midnight to kiss me and then put me back to bed. He's such a stud!

Hmmm other than that, there's not a whole lot to chat about. I celebrated the "anniversary of my 29th" birthday on the 14th. As my gift, Steve's helping me pay for a trip to CHA-Las Vegas at the end of the month. It's a HUGE hobby and craft tradeshow. It's THE show to go to each year (although they have another one in the summer) and all of the manufacturers release their latest and greatest products in hopes that retailers will buy them to sell in their stores. I can't wait. It is SO much fun - and I get to see the girls I get to design with. It is a BLAST!!! I can't believe that in 14 days - I'll be in VEGAS!!!

I managed to get a Texas drivers license with my new married name. Man, that is a HUGE major MONDO deal. Who knew that getting a Texas license was such a big deal and that changing your name would make it an even bigger deal. Butm after the DNA test, background check, and promisig our first born child - I now own a Texas State Drivers Permit. A permit you ask?? Yes, in Texas you don't get your actual license at the BMV (or DMV, or DPS... whatever). They have to MAIL it to you. Yes, mail it to you. So, in 3-4 weeks, I'll have it in my hands and will find out how stupid and silly my license photo turned out. Thrilling isn't it?

We're not getting any rain in Texas. In California, it's ALL rain. Steve's Dad's house got flooded - it's pretty much a total disaster. They have water damage in every room, and the new wood floors are warped beyond repair. Man, that sucks. Why can't we get rain here?? I'd love that!

Some of you have emailed asking where you can find some of my design work. I have a seperate blog (www.heatherales.blogspot.com) where I post and ramble about my creative work, projects, and other garbage. You're more than welcome to check it out, if you're interested.

I think thats all for now. We're doing well. We're trying to eat healthier. We're trying to not eat too much sugar (we'd be better if I would stop making cookies, and other fun sweet treats). We're trying to not eat out so much (we're doing great there), and keep the house clean (not doing so well there - but we're getting better!!!). Ahhh lots of things to work on!! :)

All our Love,
Heather (& Steve)

2005 in Review

Loved this idea when another friend posted it on her blog... and she borrowed it from a different friends blog too. Looks like a great way to wrap up 2005!

JANUARY
1. Did you have a new year's resolution this year?: I had several - job, art, personal - and I managed to fulfill most of them.
2. Who kissed you at midnight?: No one... I was actually at home with my roommate (Steve had to work!).
3. Did it snow where you live?: I can't remember - I think it was cold though.
4. Have you ever been to Times Square to watch the ball drop?: No, but it's officially become one of my "dreams".

FEBRUARY
1. Who was your valentine?: Steve!
2. What did your valentine get you?: Nada! Well, he did take me to dinner, I guess that will have to count. (He has been instructed that going forward, SOME sign of preparation and valentine-y action IS required)
3. When you were little, did you buy valentines for your whole class?: Yep... but I think they required us to give one to everyone!

MARCH
1. Are you Irish? I think I am partially!
2. Did you wear green on St. Patty's Day?: Of course! I bruise way too easily to worry about getting pinched!
3. What did you do for St. Patty's Day?: I don't think I did anything special.

APRIL
1. Do you like the rain?: If I have someone fun to stay indoors with!
2. Did you play an April Fool's joke on anyone this year?: Hmmm I don't think so. If anything it would probably have been a prank on my mother.
3. Did you get tons of candy on Easter?: No... I ate lots of sugar free jello though!

MAY
1. What's your favorite kind of flower?: Pink Stargazer Lilies (but I love almost all flowers!)
2. Do you like the spring? Loooooove it! There's just something about everything starting new, flowers popping up, everything coming out green - gives me major mojo and SERIOUS energy!
3. Finish the phrase: "April showers bring...": seasonal allergies. (Thank you - Thank you very much!)
4. What would you think of as a spring color?: Pinks, Yellows, Blues

JUNE
1. What year did you graduate from school?: 1993 for High School.
2. Did you go on any vacations last June?: I think thats when Steve took me to California. I also went to a few scrapbooking conventions to teach at... not really vacation but definitely not work either

JULY
1. What did you do on the 4th of july? Went with Steve to JoAnne & Ken's house for a cookout with friends.
2. Did you go on any vacations during this month?: A few scrapbooking conventions to teach at... not really vacation but definitely not work either.

AUGUST
1. Did you do anything special to end off your summer?: Nope!
2. What was your favorite summer memory of '05?: Spending time with Steve and losing weight.
3. Did you go swimming a lot in the summer?: Not once!
4. Did you go to the beach a lot?: Ummmm I went to the beach in California, but it wasn't the typical beach! It was COLD!

SEPTEMBER
1. Did you attend school/college in '05?: Nope. Not unless you count CKU-A!
2. Who is/was your favorite teacher?: Loved my high school english/literature teacher Mr. Rubberneck Roberts. He taught me so much and was very influential.
3. Did you like fall better than summer?: Yes... I HATE summer. It's freakin' hot in Texas!

OCTOBER
1. What was your favorite halloween costume ever?: All the cool ones my mom would make for me.
2. What's your favorite candy?: Sweedish Fish and Haribo Gummy Bears
3. What did you dress up like this year? Nothing! Wait! I went to work as a hockey fan (any excuse to wear jeans on a non-Friday!)

NOVEMBER
1. Whose house did you go to for Thanksgiving?: No where! I stayed home and cooked an entire Thankgiving meal for our guests!
2. Do you like stuffing?: Mmmmm... YES!
3. What are you thankful for?: My health, my family, my friends, HUSBAND!!

DECEMBER
1. Do you celebrate Christmas?: YES!!! Christmas Day though is always very low-key. It's a casual day, focus is on comfort, family, and the reason for Christmas!
2. Have you ever been kissed under mistletoe?: Yes.
3. What did you want this year for christmas?: :-) Lets just say Santa delivered!4. What's the best present you ever got for christmas?: My husband, Steve!
5. Do you like cold weather?: It's better than HOT weather, but it seems like I'm ALWAYS cold! ALWAYS!
6. How would you rate your year on a scale of 1-10?: Started out with my birthday as about a 6, wrapping up as a perfect 10.

Two Months Down.... Eternity to Go!

I can’t believe we’ve only been married for two months! It seems like so much longer! Maybe it’s because I’ve been SO busy. I don’t know. Wow... two months though! Here are a few of the lessons I’ve already learned.

• Although Steve can manage to put the remote control in the same place when he’s finished watching TV, he can’t remember that the bowls do not go with the pots and pans.
• If I need Steve to fill my gas tank, make him drive when I know the “get gas” light goes on. That’s my signal that I need gas. His signal is when it gets to a ¼ tank.
• It’s easier to procrastinate when there are two of you.
• While I love the snooze button, Steve hates it.
• It’s not always a bad thing when the bed frame breaks (see yesterday’s post). I actually like having the bed not on a frame at all (Steve does too)!
• He may tease me incessantly about it, but Steve loves my woobie too.
• If I’m freezing (95% of the time) Steve is comfortable. If I’m hot – I must be sleeping.
• Brussels sprouts (Steve’s favorite vegi) aren’t so bad.
• PMS is not a good thing. I really have been getting MOODY!
• My idea of organized is totally different from Steve’s.
• Steve’s idea of budgeting is totally different from mine (but we’re working on it)!
  

I’m sure there are lots of other things I’ve learned over the last 60 or so days. But, for some reason, I can’t remember them.

Steve is a fantastic man! Each day, I realize something else that I love about him. He’s just so darn fantastic! I’m a lucky girl!

Love,
Heather (& Steve)

Newlyweds, Beds, and Temper Tantrums

It happened. It finally freaking happened. Steve broke our bed.

I know what you’re thinking.

Dang newlyweds. Don’t be hatin’. You were there once too.

But, no.

It didn’t break during a wild, passionate, torrid, sweaty night of horizontal monkey jumbo.

It didn’t even happen during a WWE wrestling match.

It happened when my husband, in the fit of a temper tantrum because I didn’t want to fix waffles, eggs benedict, hickory smoked imported bacon, and freshly squeezed orange juice for dinner. I know it’s hard to imagine that I wouldn’t have the zing of energy come to me when he suggested this BASIC meal for dinner.

Apparently, homemade waffles and eggs (easy side up for Steve) just isn’t enough.

So, he thrust himself upon our bed with such gusto that the middle arm of the steel bed frame folded like a pocket knife.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen our bed is broken. Guess what we're getting for Christmas? Let the laughter begin…

Love,
~heather (and Steve too…)

P.S. The whole temper tantrum thing is a made up story. I don’t think either of us have ever had eggs benedict, or imported bacon. If he had the nerve to request such a meal after me working – we would MOST definitely be having a WWE wrestling throwdown. I doubt he would win.

But, the bed is broken. Steve was being silly and ….. the rest of the story is right.

32 Years to Celebrate!

Countless disagreements
Moves - 26+
Automobiles (not including kid cars) - 18
Years of living overseas (15 of living in the US) - 17
Kids (Heather, Bekki, Robert & Scott + Donna & Cindy) - 6
Grandchildren (Arissa, Dylan, Michael, Rose, Alex & Ainsley) - 6
Son-in-Laws (Steve, Wes, Shaun & another Steve) - 4
32 Years of incredible happiness…… Priceless.

Today marks my parent’s 32nd wedding anniversary. Wouldn’t you know it’s on the 14th (my all-time favorite number)? Sadly, in our society, that’s a REALLY long time. From my view, my parents have on heck of a fantastic marriage. I know there have been times they didn’t get along, and that they didn’t want to be around each other (for a few hours anyway), but they’ve always been a team. They’re partners. They don’t make big changes without discussing it amongst themselves. The set the example for each other (sometimes that’s a good thing). They are each others support system. They each have their own roles, and independent duties, but they realize and recognize that each of them is half of their relationship. It doesn’t work if one is missing, you need both halves to have a whole - and that's how it should be. They really do love and respect each other. I think that's the key - Love & Respect.

I’m so grateful for my parents. Seriously grateful. As a teenager, I really despised my parents at times. When I matured, I realized that I was being stupid – my mom and dad rock. I am so blessed that they chose to add me to their family (I was the miracle child! Mom suddenly got pregnant after adopting me! Ha ha ha), and have treated me as one of their own. I was never treated any differently than any of the other kids (well, unless I deserved to be punished – and boy did I ever deserve it at times). I count my parents among my very best friends. If our (Steve &I) marriage is half as good as my parents – we’ll be incredibly happy and enormously successful.

Congratulations Mom & Dad! I love you both more than I can possibly share!

Love,
Heather (& Steve)

Christmas Time....

I love Christmas time! I love the lights, the decorations, the general all around great holiday spirit. I love doing Secret Santa's for those in need, and Secret Santa Exchanges with friends and coworkers. I love putting up the Christmas Tree, watching Christmas movies (Love Actually, A Christmas Carol, etc, etc, etc) and listening to Christmas music! I love holiday baking, and the fun of holiday eating! I LOVE Christmas shopping for my family and friends - and I absolutely love making handmade gifts (but am absolutely wretched at actually finishing/mailing them out). I love making my own Christmas cards each year, and I love getting cards in return (they don't have to be handmade.

Here are a few glimpses of the Christmas spirit at our home. The three stockings hung on our mantel belong to (in order of appearance.. and age... ha ha ha) Steve, Heather, and Thomas (Steve's brother).

A little about our tree... When I lived in Ohio, a friend of mine had spent a Christmas (or two) decorating trees at Elder Beermans (department store like Dillards). He taught all about stringing lights onto each section of each branch so that there was LOTS of light all throughout the tree. He also taught me about filling in the tree with various other stuffers (we used grapevines, natural fronds, scrolly vines, and other natural stuff), and about putting ornaments into the middle of branches so that the tree looks more dimensional. Well, his analness definitely rubbed off on me. I LOVE my Christmas tree! It's loaded with stars of every kind and all sorts of other natural decorations. There are glass balls in red, gold, white, and clear - which are the colors of the tree. I love the various stars - and especially the straw ones. They remind me of the many, MANY Christmases we spent in Germany.

You'll notice that our tree doesn't have a topper. Thats because the one I had broke, and I know what I want, but haven't managed to find it yet. I've been to almost every local store, to every local craft store, and to all of the local home repair shoppes looking for it. Once I find it - I'll share that glorious news with you all. It's driving me crazy!

A few of my friends have shared their favorite tree ornaments. So, following in their footsteps, here are three of mine.

The first one is our "Our First Christmas" Ornament. My grandmother Linette gave it to us. It's beautiful!

The second one is actually two! It's two snowmen that Steve and I found found at a local gardening store. There's actually a third one that has Thomas's name on it, but I couldn't find it on our tree.

The third one is one of my favorite straw stars. I'll post later about why I love stars so much. Needless to say, the tree is loaded with ALL kinds of stars! Check out the fourth picture to catch a glimpse of what I'm talking about!

Here's hoping your home is starting to feel the holiday season!

Love,
Heather (& Steve)

All About Heather...

So many of you have told us how you read our blog, and how you've gotten to know me through it, that I thought it would be fun to post this little questionnaire with my answers. I hope you all enjoy this glimpse into my reality... (or lack of). I'll adjust the questions and try to get Steve to share his information too...

All About Heather

Name: Legal: Heather Lynette Beste Ales. What I use: Heather Lynette Ales
Nicknames/Names you normally go by: Heather, HeatherBear (Steve ONLY!), SweetPea (Mom’s nick name for me), Happy Girl, PrincessDallas

Occupation: By Day: Auditor for Mortgage Company. By Night: Creative Designer / Scrapbooker.
Birth Date: January 14
Height: 5’4”
Weight: Wouldn’t you like to know?? J
Hair Style: Varies! Currently, it’s shorter than I’ve had it for years, and I usually wear it flipped up!
Hair Color: Varies (currently it’s a reddish brown hue). Naturally it’s a dark blonde
Eye Color: Blue and Gold
2 Favorite Colors: Red & Sage Green
2 Parts of your heritage: Biological: German/French/Irish Adopted: German, English, French.
2 Things that scare you: Being homeless, & being alone
2 of your everyday essentials: Burts Bees Lip Balm, Secret Platinum Deodorant!
2 Things that you are wearing right now: Cream Tights & a vintage 1972 skirt (Yeah for eBay!)
2 of your favorite bands or musical artists (at the moment): Bon Jovi (HOTTIE!!) & Allison Krauss (always a favorite!)
2 Favorite Songs at the Moment: “Have a Nice Day” (Bon Jovi) & “Since You Been Gone” (Kelly Clarkson)
2 Things you want in a relationship (other than true love): 1. Honesty 2. Respect
2 Truths: 1. I don’t take very good care of my body. 2. I’m blessed beyond belief.
2 Physical Things that appeal to you (in the opposite sex): Eyes & Smile
2 of your Favorite Hobbies: Paper crafts & cooking
2 Things you want really badly: Nikon D50 SLR Digital Camera & a good health guarantee for everyone I know (and for good measure - to be a better person.)
2 places you want to go on vacation: A tropical Island somewhere, anywhere visiting with family.
2 things you want to do before you die: Live my life as fully as possible & have my family realize how much I love them – and how important they are to me.
2 ways that you are stereotypically a chick: My love of all things sparkly and I love Chick Flicks!
2 Things that you are thinking about now: Man, I am so boring! AND what do I want to do this weekend?
2 Stores you Shop at: Target & Triple X Sex World....(HA! got ya!)
2 Favorite Magazines: Other than paper crafting ones… hmmm Oprah & Martha Stewart Living (or People magazine – I’m such an entertainment whore!)
2 Favorite Food Genres: Mexican and Oriental
2 Favorite Beverages: Water & Grape Isopure Protein
2 Favorite Desserts: Pumpkin Pie Custard from Sheridan’s & Brownies
2 Favorite ways to be Pampered: Pedicures and Massages
2 Favorite Movies: Love Actually and Sweet Home Alabama (told you I loved Chick Flicks!)

For these things I give thanks...

(Third post - let's see if my post shows up this time!)

In the United States, we celebrate Thanksgiving Day today. It is a day set aside to give thanks for the blessings and things we have in our lives. It began hundreds of years ago with the Pilgrims who first came to our great country - having a feast with their new friends, the Amerian Indians, and giving thanks for their new home, community, religious freedoms and the opportunities now available to them.

I have so many things to give thanks for this season (and everyday for that matter). Here is a short list..

• I have Steve. He is my husband. I am his wife. We are in love - and though it is new, it is ours.
• Steve and I both have our health. While we both have our medical challenges, we are both healthy, mobile, and mentally coherent.
• We have the freedom to choose our religious beliefs.
• Steve and I both have fruitful jobs. Our employers may present challenges from time to time, but currently we are both gainfully employed.
• We have a beautiful comfortable home (though the spare room is still loaded with boxes) that gives us shelter from the outside world.
• We have all of our "needs" taken care of.
• We live in a country which grants us so many freedoms.
• We have LOTS and LOTS of family - who all love and support us in everything we do! They really do!
• We have great friends who we enjoy spending time with - and who are there for us when/if an immediate need arises.
• I'm thankful for the people I've met all over the world as I pursue my papercrafting love. I'm grateful for all of the students and now friends I've met over the course!
• I'm grateful for a Father in Heaven who loves me (and Steve) despite my faults.
• I'm SOOOOO thankful that my mother is such an incredible cook, and that she shared this talent and skill with me (see Mom, I did cook Thanksgiving Dinner this year! I have the photo to prove it!). I'm thankful that my family ate (normally) my creative concoctions - and that they continued to encourage me. I'm also VERY grateful that my parents allowed me the choice to take the years of cooking classes - and supported me financially through it.
• I'm thankful for my mind (although crazed at times), body (although gravity has started to take effect... YIKES!), and strength (even though Steve can out strength me ... grrr).

I have SO much to be thankful for. I am a blessed girl, a girl who loves her husband, a girl who loves who loves her life...I will sleep well tonight.If you are reading this I hope your day was filled with gratitude.

Love,
~ heather (& Steve)

Our One Month-aversary

I can't believe it's already here! Today marks the first month that we've been married. WOW! Time has seriously flown by! Steve was a SUPER stud and had flowers waiting for me when I got home from work - AND sweedish fish too (they're my addiction)! Here's a quick photo of my lovely suprise!

I'm SO glad I kept one of the silver vases we used as decorations for the open house! It was THE perfect size to arrange my flowers into.

Being married is an adjustment - but there's no one else I'd rather spend my time adjusting to! He's a great guy and he does sweet little things (that I sometimes fail to immediately notice) for me. For instance - I am ALWAYS cold (or so it seems). He set the heat in the house to turn up an hour before I get up in the morning so that the house would be warm when I am getting ready for work. He brings me a quilt when I'm watching TV - before I even think of getting up to get one for myself. He's SUCH a great guy!

Love,
Heather (& Steve)

It's the most edible time of the year....

Ooooooh Thanksgiving is only a few days away! Wahoo! It's a FANTASTIC day, set aside for being a complete glutton - and enjoying every moment (and not counting the thousands of calories that you're ingesting) of it! This year, as Steve and I celebrate our first Thanksgiving as a married couple, we're having a few friends join us. Tom and his girlfriend, Stephanie, will be there. Melissa, Tim, and their daughter Phoebe will also join us. We might have a few more friends with us - and there will be PLENTY of food! There's going to be SO much food - I don't know how we're going to be able to handle ourselves! Here's a sneak peek at our menu...

20lb. Fresh Turkey

Homemade Stuffing

Mashed Potatoes with Homemade Turkey Gravy

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Green Bean Casserole

Homemade Cream Style Corn

Homemade Sweet Potato Casserole

Homemade Rolls

Frog Eye Salad (Beste Family Tradition)

Homemade Pumpkin Pie

Homemade Pecan Pie (a Stephanie request)

Homemade Apple Pie

Homemade Choco Choco Chocolate Graham Pie (a Tom request)

Beste Christmas Cherry Bread (another Beste tradition)

Homemade Boysenberry Pie (a Steve request)

Oh the food will be delightfully plentiful! How do you store your leftovers? Are you a Food Saver user (we are!!)? Are you a use up your leftovers until everyone is sick of them family (we are too)?

Love,
Heather (& Steve)