September Already?!?

Okay, so I just realized how ridiculously long it's been since I've posted anything on here....and I know ya'll aren't hanging on my every words or anything, but I feel bad for not updating!! Lots has changed!

 Random picture I took & really like :)

First of all, after I lost my job, I was lucky enough to receive unemployment for the approx. 3 weeks that I was without a job. I felt so bad about doing so; low for receiving "free" money without having to "work" for it. But, it was a blessing, and really helped us out when we needed it. You have to drop off/email/apply to 5 places for week and put in the info about it on their website in order to receive your money. And I worked my tail off dropping off applications. I dropped 5 off on a Wednesday, and by Friday I had an interview. I went in, chatted it up, and got the job!! I have been working there since the 16th, and I LOVE it! You have no idea how much better it is than my other job. I have half a mind to call my other boss and thank him for giving me the opportunity to work here. FOR REAL. :) I'm so blessed with a job that I love, and where I get to actually get to do all the things I have been trained to do. It's amazing!

So, I've been happily working at my new job, and Kyle is pretty happy at his as well. I have also been taking classes for my Bachelor's Degree, and they have been going well. SO much easier than 8 classes...this is the easiest semester of school I have been through thus far. It's wonderful to be working, doing school, and being married and being able to juggle it all. And the plus side?? Hardly any stress. It's lovely!

Also, our fish tank is doing wonderfully! Everyone is still alive (even with Kyle's pessimistic thoughts!) and thriving! We now have a piece of coral that even the guy at the Aquarium shop didn't know what it was! So, we were able to haggle a good price and get a really awesome piece of coral!! And it is HUGE. Kinda looks like a tree...

And it LOVES light and gets really big when we leave the light on for it :) Ours is a little bigger than this, and has 2 smaller ones next to it (they're all attached to a small rock/piece of coral) We also got a clown fish or "Ocellaris" clown fish-he's orange, black, and white. And AWESOME :) Kyle named him (of course :) and his name is Zeus! He kinda looks like this....

Pretty cool, huh? He likes to hang out in the corner. Kinda looks retarded. But what other kind could we have? ;) Our theory is that he likes to see his reflection in the corner of the tank, so he chills there :) We also got a few new crabs, and what's called a "turbo snail" to keep the algae down in the tank.


All of our creatures are doing well, and are happy! Kyle & I also went on a trip to Ohio with my parents about a week ago for my cousin's wedding. I haven't been up there in 9 years (since my grandma's funeral.) We went to many of the same places we went the last time I was there (the church, cemetery, fire house, etc) and at first, bad memories came back. I pictured things as they were the last time I was there, and it was depressing. I finally decided that I was going to try to forget theses memories, and make some new and happy ones in the same places. I know that's what my grandparents would've wanted. And they would've been so happy to see everyone together and getting along. It was such a wonderful few days with my family that I hardly ever get to see! We remembered old times and had many laughs together. And they all got to meet Kyle which was great! They loved him (or at least I think so ;) And he couldn't stop talking about how funny and great they are. What a wonderful feeling :) My 2 cousins that got married ended up coming to Florida for their honeymoon, so we got to spend some one-on-one time with them :) Dinner, a movie, ice cream, and even lunch the next day! They're so much like us, wish they lived closer so we could see them more!!

 Beautiful Ohio :)

I'm feeling so blessed with all the friends God has given us, and our wonderful families :) Everything is going well right now, and we are praying it continues this way. Please continue to pray for us and our families who are both going through financial issues right now, and for my sister who just hasn't been able to catch a break since she moved and started her job! She deserves to have a good week without incidence! Kyle and I have some unspoken prayer requests right now as well, so please keep us in your prayers. Hopefully it won't take me so long to write another post! Hope ya'll enjoyed it :)


Lauren!

Mom's Birthday Surprise :)

As I begin to think about what I should write about today, I wonder how in the world I'm going to fit it all on the page!! As the weekend approached, activities began to fill every hour, of every minute, of every day! But, I must say, it was certainly worth it :)

A few weeks ago, my sister called me with an idea of what we could do for our mom for her birthday (which is still about a month away) :) Her idea was to get the photographer that did my engagement & wedding photos come out and take "Sister Pictures" and family pictures as a surprise for my mom. She had been talking about doing this since the wedding (it's been almost a year already!) but the photographer (who is AMAZING by the way) moved earlier this year. So, the hopes of her taking our pictures went out the window. When my sister came up with this idea first thing was first-call the photographer and see how much it is & if she would travel for our shoot. Luckily, she was in our town for a wedding the same weekend!! Oh how perfectly the plan was coming along :)

Picture day quickly approached, and I got to spend the day with my mom and sister antique shopping. And my mom hit the motherload!! (no pun intended :) & we were very excited. So, we loaded up her car (and mine!) and headed back to my parents house. My mom hadn't slept well the night before & after all the shopping-literally dropped! She was exhausted. And, when asked if she was going to dinner, said no. It was a giant dent in our plan. Going to dinner was how my sister & I were going to get my mom to the picture location! So, as my mom laid on the couch my sister & I secretly (and quietly) got ready for our pictures. Finally, we decided we had to tell her our plans. Or she wouldn't go. And the surprise was for her, so it was kind of important for her to be there ;)

She had NO idea what was going on. It was great! My sister and I walked up to my mom and explained the plan. She started crying. We were ecstatic! It was her dream come true-exactly what she wanted & my sister and I had planned it ourselves. And worked together. Without fighting about it. It truly was a miracle :) So, everything went perfectly. Mom was happy. And we had memories that will last a lifetime!

Here is the link to our pictures!:
http://hardtle.wordpress.com/2011/08/01/wiseman-family-melbourne-florida/

As I've gotten older, I have begun to realize how important family really is. And now that I live farther away & don't get to see them everyday, it's even more special when I get to see them. This may be the last time we will all be together for awhile & we have great memories of it. I love to see my mom happy. I don't think any other present in the world would've made her happier. Finally a family picture-the last one taken was 9 years ago (when I had a giant space between my teeth, a lisp, & awful hair. It clearly wasn't my year....) And my parents got pictures together. They smiled, laughed, played around & got to be romantic with each other. It was so wonderful to see :) I know my dad's not keen on pictures, but he was a good sport & made mom very happy. I can't wait to see the smiles & laughs caught on camera!! (I promise to post some when I see them :)

Families are the best. And I must say, I couldn't of asked for a better one. Getting our pictures together made me realize just how blessed I am to have them :) I miss them & think about them everyday. Love you guys!!! <3

"When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses." ~Joyce Brothers

"You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them." ~Desmond Tutu