We're alive!

Just so you're aware, we are still fully intact and doing well.

Patrick started his own business in the middle of July. He is focusing mainly on British motorcycle repair and custom work. He, of course, is also doing anything needed on any kinds of motorcycles, as well as vehicle repair. He has remained busy from the very start! I love how happy Patrick is as his own boss. :)  My friends really enjoy having a good connection to get their vehicles in working order, too.  

In August, I was promoted to Assistant Manager at Thaifoon. The last few months have FLOWN by!!!  It has been very rewarding and full of opportunities for growth.  I'm learning a lot and having fun doing it.  

We signed another 12-month lease at our apartment in September, so we'll be here for awhile.

The kitties are also doing well.  We haven't had any kitties climbing in swamp coolers, sneaking out in the rain, etc., so it's been quiet for the most part.  They are getting along better and better, and keeping us entertained with their playing.  Lunch is infatuated with dumping water out of their bowl.  It doesn't matter what kind of container we use, she insists that the kitchen floor be wet.  Mopping it up with her fur didn't do anything... She's adorable, though, so I forgive her.

I hope you all are doing very well!!!

Happy Anniversary

Today is our 2 year anniversary. In some ways, it has gone so incredibly fast! In other ways, it seems like it's been 5 years. :) We spent the day working at our jobs, doing side jobs, working on Mary Kay, making banana bread, doing laundry, and the night is still young. It hasn't been the most romantic day, yet it has been full of love and gratitude. How I love hearing my hubby tell me how much he loves me and that I make his heart beat kind of funny!

Here is our list of the top 10 things we've experienced, learned, etc. in the past 2 years of marriage:

1. "They" were right...LOVE DOES CONQUER ALL!!!
2. When God is involved, life is so much easier, and love is so much better.
3. Having 3 kitties really is like having 2 kids. Sometimes 1...sometimes 4. Depends on the day.
4. Sometimes the littlest things make the biggest difference.
5. Patrick makes the BEST biscuits and gravy. Ever.
6. If you need something fixed, something heavy picked up, or a wise-crack, just call Patrick.
7. Alison can communicate with ducks via fart. And she gets Patrick. Both very rare skills.
8. We love Redbox.
9. Dreams keep you moving. We both have big dreams, and truly support each other in reaching those dreams.
10. Two years is just the beginning. We're looking forward to the rest of our lives and eternity together.

We want to thank our family and friends for their support over the last almost 3 years of knowing each other. Through thick and thin, your support has helped us to grow, and for that we are grateful!

$10 Gift Card Giveaway for Emergency Essentials

Just add one of their buttons to you blog/website and they'll send you a $10 gift card. Easy.

The deadline is Sept. 30th, this Wednesday, so don't delay!!!

Here's the LINK.

Triumph

Patrick started a new job last week as a Pool Technician for Captain Chemical. Yeah for new jobs!!! It's a part time job with great pay, so we're exited about it.

The other night, Patrick was telling me that he is thinking about getting a Triumph bike, something newer and more reliable.

Keeping in mind that he already has 4 other bikes and a hot rod to build, as well as knowing that he wants to build the hot rod before we start a family, this just frustrated the hell out of me. We had a great conversation about "here and now" things vs. "eternal" things, and I think we finally got on the same page. I'm ready to start a family, damnit! :) I honestly feel that no one is "ready" to start a family, or financially prepared. But, when the time comes, you have to be willing to make that choice to further your purpose in life. There are so many great things in store for us as a family, and I hate putting it off.

So, we're still looking into a Truimph, but Patrick knows that he needs a reliable job with steady income for that to be a possibility. He's also looking into getting a job with benefits. Wow, that would be amazing!

I was looking at Health Insurance online last night, and some companies require a waiting period before you get pregnant. What kind of crap is that??? I hate insurance companies.

Anyway, progress on the homefront...we're on the same page as far as eternal vs. temporal progress, which means we're on the same page on starting a family sometime soon.

I'm working on getting on the "get a Triumph bike" page, but pending a few prerequisites, I'll get there.

I just want a cute little baby Largin. Can you blame me?? Our kids are going to be adorable!!!

Update on moving

Today Patrick and I went and looked at the inside of Shay's apartment and through the windows into our future (I hope!) apartment. It looks wonderful! The only bad thing about it is that the stove is electric and not gas. Gas is sooooo much better. Oh well. It's a sacrifice worth making. Hopefully we'll get together with the landlord in the next day or so to seal the deal, then we'll move as soon as we can. We don't want to leave our current apartment complex hanging, so it may be a few weeks, but I'm sooooo ready to move tomorrow. This new place has a lot of character. We can really see ourselves living here for a couple years.

One of our One Year Anniversaries

January 30th is our One Year Anniversary of our First Date. So, it is only appropriate that I share how we met.

Patrick and I met on Hotornot.com. Yep...on that superficial dating website. Haha! He clicked on my picture to send me a message that he wanted to meet or send messages via the website. I checked out his profile and gave the go-ahead. He seemed like a fairly normal guy. He had pictures on his profile with his cats, which I thought was a little odd, and odd appealed to me. Gotta keep it mixed up, right?

So, we talked online for a couple days and decided to meet in person. I invited Patrick to my apartment to watch a movie with my roommate and me. We hit it off right from the start. We were so comfortable around each other and the conversation flowed naturally.

Since we were so comfortable together, our relationship progressed very quickly, though we both resisted settling down into a serious commitment. Life has a funny way of pushing you along, though. In April we moved in together, and in July we got engaged.

I'm so glad I met Patrick. I've found the greatest guy for me. I know he feels the same.

Now we need to figure out what we are doing for our anniversary. :)

The Beginning

I'll post our story of meeting, dating, engagement, and wedding at another time, but for now, here is our wedding picture.

Mr. & Mrs. Largin

December 22nd was a special day for us! Now we are married and extremely excited about our future together!