Recent Happenings

As you might have probably seen on facebook,


We got a new car!!

It's a green, 2011 Kia Soul.


I love it. 


It so much more comfortable and safe then the Mazda, and lets face it, the Mazda was losing it's luster and starting to give us unexpected expenses. It was only worth about $500, but our sales guy let us trade it in for $800 which was nice. We are actually just leasing it for 3 years, and after that time is up we can either give it back and see what's new, refinance to purchase it, or try to sell it.


My dream car right now is the Kia Sorento, but that is a TON of space for just us and the dogs so we figured  the soul would best fit our needs right now and we can upgrade once babies start coming into the mix. So we're leasing what we need for now, instead of buying what we could grow into, it was better for us financially. 


I get great gas mileage, about 34.4 MPG on the freeway, which is perfect since I've moved to a different location at work and now my drive is about 20 minutes on the freeway instead of 5  in town.


It has an awesome stereo system, Aux, USB and ipod capability.  And the speakers light up and change colors. Woo!


Super fun. Very exciting, my first new car.


*sigh*


Happiness.


In other news,


Ryan has been offered a IT position in a developing business plan. Due to the upcoming Obama health plan, all medical facilities will need to back up the last 7 years of their patient information and go all electronic. Ryan will be the IT guy to help make that happen. It will be about 6 months-a year until we start see some actual profit, but we're both pretty excited about it. The guy that is getting this started already has his own business and can do taxes, accounting, HR, and payroll so it should be smooth sailing. Ryan is definitely a planner and a thinker, he doesn't just jump in to things so the fact that they are just going in blindly and are making plans and ironing out all the details makes him more comfortable and super excited about it.


School will be starting up for him next week which I'm sure he's dreading, but the sooner it starts the sooner it's over is my opinion. He'll be taking a database course this semester so that will actually be really helpful for the IT medical job.


I also will be going back to school next week.


Not quite in the way you're thinking though, I'll just be taking another "community education" class like I did in the spring, last time it was belly dancing (which is SUPER fun, I totally recommend this to any one) this term it's going to be...


*drum roll please*

Guitar Lessons!

I'll be taking them with Caitlin every Wednesday for the next couple of months, I'm pretty excited about it. 

Ryan was all confused why I wouldn't want him to teach me and I said, "because if I get mad at my teacher, then I'm not mad at you" haha.

Anyways, hope you are all doing well enjoying the beginning of fall.

I'm LOVING it!!

Raining, Cats & Dogs.

Yes yes, I know.It rains a lot in Oregon. Approx 36.3 inches per year.
I was born in Oregon, I was raised in Oregon, I grew up in Oregon, my parents were even so gracious enough to inform me I was conceived in Oregon.

I'm used to the rain. I even like it.

I've missed the cold, the fireplaces, the boots, scarves and jackets, hot cocoa and the desire to bake because it warms my house and doesn't over heat it.

I'm excited for fall/winter.

I was worried that Artie would be a little stinker about the rain, its the first time he's ever seen it ya know. I was afraid he wouldn't want to go into the grass to do his business, but last night when we went on out walk he was running as fast as ever after Benson and both of them got completely SOAKED, but he did fine. He was rather playful when I was drying him off, he kept trying to play tug-o-war. He's so funny. He's gotten so big too!

Artie and Benson have gotten SO much better with each other, they play together when Artie gets in "rabbit mode" (he's a little speed demon running around on the grass) and it's just awesome to see them getting along.
Sometimes Artie still tries to bug Benson when he is definitely not in the mood to play, but Benson lets him know when he has enough.

Mally has gotten more used to Artie too, meaning he doesn't get within 2 feet of him unless he's sleeping or else he'll be attacked and Artie will walk away triumphantly with a small tuft of his fur. On the plus side, the faster Artie gets, the faster Mally runs so he's getting some good exercise.

One night we had all three of the animals on the bed, well, once both the older boys knew Artie was asleep.
I don't know what I'd do with out my boys. They make life more of an adventure, and I know some of the time Ryan is cursing under his breath. But when you wake up to puppy kisses and see big brown eyes staring at you and he's curled up against your chest.. it just makes it all worth it some how.

Wanted

Things I want to Make:

• Baby blankets
• Baby burp clothes
• Button Pins
• “Coach Wecker’s Wife” shirt and/or sweatshirt
• A Quilt
• BIG Red & Black fleece blanket for track meets and football games.
• Rice bags, for both hot and cold purposes. I’ve made a couple already and I’m a believer.

Things I want to decorate/organize the home with:

• A big vinyl letter sign, dark aqua blue with cream writing that says

“You are the music in Me” in a pretty font

• Fall faux flower arrangement with Spanish moss for my dining room table
• Large hook like things to hang Ryan’s PVC pipe small hurtles in the garage
• Fire wood rack/shelving device so it’s not all spread through our entire garage on a tarp all fall & winter
•  A new awesome desk system for Ryan and all his computer gear
• A hallway rug runner thing to match the one in the living room
• A new entertainment center and DVD stands to better utilize our living room space.

Things I want to clean with, weird I know

• A new vacuum. I know we’ve only had ours for just over a year but it’s so hard to push and it squeaks and stinks and ugh. I want a new one.
• A washer and dryer, IN MY APARTMENT. I dream of this day
• Swiffer broom/vacuum. Would be so nice for the kitchen floor, for in the middle of the week cleaning.
• Shark steam cleaner. I don’t know if it really works… but if it does… I want it
• Rug Cleaner. Like, the Rug doctor, but easier and more effective, having animals takes a toll on our carpet!
• Garbage disposal Plink things. Those little yellow lemon scented balls you’re supposed to be able to just “plink” into your disposal and let it be demolished and make it smell good.
• Air purifier. We have a lot of dander in our home.. I feel a purifier would definitely help with that and making the air feel fresher, which will be much needed this winter when we won’t want to open the windows!

Mini Vacations I want to take:

• Cabin on the mountain
• Camping in a tent
• Spirit mountain casino
• Garrett & Erin’s Wedding
• Ian, Shannon & The Boys
• Vegas!

Things I want

• BUTTONS!
• Piggy Bank (preferably the pig from toy story, just like Ivy's)
• Disney Re-usable bags

California-cation

That's right! I'm currently in California. Palmdale to be exact, visiting my Aunt Teri & Uncle Mike and all the family that goes with 'em.

About a month or so ago I was talking to Grandma and she mentioned she wished I could come with her. She would be driving 12 hours by herself and I just thought that wasn't too cool. I talked to Ryan to make sure it was okay with him, talked to my bosses and I got the time off!

I flew to Medford on Wednesday morning where Grandma picked me up and we immediately hit the road. Gram hand been planning on making it a two day trip but I said lets go for it and get there grandma! We of course stopped in Redding, CA where the first one of these babies was available...

***Cue the Ferris Buhler's Day Off Music saying "oh-oh-yeah"***

Yum. I'm not exageratting when I say I haven't had an in-n-out buger in 5 years, that was the last time I've been down here was Todd & Jenni's wedding! Way too long!

Anyways, then while we were driving Grandma saw a sign for a casino and she thought "oh Bob and I always wanted to take a look at that Casino but... oh hey wait Aly, you're 21 now right?"

hehehehehe

"yes..."

How many people do you know that can say their Grandmother took them to their first casino after they turned 21. Well now you can officially say 1.

It was fun. Grandma won probably about 35-40 bucks, I got about $40. We wanted to stay longer (ryan told me, "win next months rent babe!") but if we wanted to make it down to Palmdale in one day, we really needed to get back on the road.

We made it down there safe and sound with no speeding tickets much to Grandma's dismay... I only went 80 twice for like 10 seconds to get around a truck, other then that I stuck to 77 the whole way.

The real reason we came down here was for my Cousin-in-laws baby shower! Jenny is pregnant and due October 18th. She looked awesome and it was super exciting to see her. They're having a boy and decided to name him Anthony Michael. But don't call him Tony, it's Anthony. Jenn spent 3 hours opening presents. 3 HOURS. Holy cow she got alot of (adorable!) stuff but man, did she kit the jackpot. There were about 50-55 people there.

The staircase loaded with unopened gifts!

It was nuts, but she had the cutest cake!

Obviously the shower was Jungle themed. It was a really good cake too, had a banana layer of goodness in the middle.

Here's a photo of the "Williams side" that were all able to come.

I had to add this photo because of Aunt Teri Photo-Bombing it. It's her new favorite hobby. hehe

Happy little Brooke. She's such a good baby.

Jenn dressed up in the memory smock. She walks through the room, you write down as many as you can remember after she leaves.

Mama & Grandma Teri!

We were all trying to feel baby Anthony kick. We could feel him, just not him moving.

Later that night all us girls (and eventually Preston) hopped into the spa with some popcorn and beverages. Don't worry, I had cream soda. :)

It's been a fun week, I head home Wednesday night and then I get back to work.

I miss Ryan and my pupps but it's been a good lesson in appreciation for one another.

Hope you're having a good week!

More

I've been thinking lately of what I want to do/have/be more of. My only problem is, I have the desire to do things... but I just don't have the motivation... or I might do something twice and have a complete falling out of the routine/goal I set for myself. 

*sigh*

I depress myself. It's a vicious cycle. How do you motivate your self to get motivated?
Granted, some of these are just what I want more of. heh.

Anyways, here's a list of these I want to do/have more of!

-READ! Scriptures, magazines, Shannon Hale, American Classics, any other amazing books that every person or female should. I want to read more.

-Ride my bike. I have an awesome, comfortable bike, I don't know why I don't ride it more often, it's one of the few physical activities that doesn't hurt me or burn me out too quickly


-Eat more fruits and veggies. I need to eat healthier in general


-Watch our budget, something probably everyone needs to do more of.


-Sew. I want to learn to be better... I kinda already know how, but I'm not very good.


-Have/wear more dresses & skirts


-Organize 


-Be grateful.

-Become more educated. 


-Drink more water


-Stretch. I really need to be more flexible. 


-Happiness! I'm pretty happy with my life. I have a wonderful husband, a decent job, fun pets, a roof over my head. I need to realize how fortunate I am, and just be more happy about life! 

What does your life need more of?

Update!

It's been FOREVER since I've blogged. (I know I say that every time, but this one was pretty bad) So I'll just do quick one-liners of what's been going on for the past month and a half

-I had my 21st birthday **party sounds and streamers**

(this was the awesome crown I got from work, woo woo)

-Ryan got me a pink digital camera for my birthday (the cool taylor swift panoramic one)
-For my birthday, Caitlin and Laurel took me on a scavenger hunt, re-living/commemorating the last 21 years of my life. One of the things was chewing and blowing bubbles with gum. We had a contest. I dominated.

-We had a "dip party" at my parents house, friends and family were invited. It was perfect weather and good food!
-Ryan celebrated his 29th birthday this year!
-We went to the beach to celebrate his birthday
-I got him a ukulele, he plays "hey soul sister" often and I sing along

 

-Benson LOVED the beach.

-We celebrated the 4th of July at The Weckers, my parents came too. It was a very laid back celebration in good company.

The Wecker Kids on 4th of July

Hayden (2) Jordan (8) Aubree (5) Ethan (6)

-From Left to Right-

-Ryan competed in the state games of Oregon and got 3rd place in Long Jump and 1st place in Javelin

Ryan & his fellow student & friend Jordan Gray 

(Jordan got 1st in Long Jump)

My Stud of a Husband Throwing Javelin

-We saw Knight & Day and thought it was pretty cute.
-We made rhodes rolls and had honey butter with them. YUM
-I have had Sciatica in my toes, balls of my feet and occasionally tips of my fingers for over a month now.
-It got very hot, very quickly for about 2 weeks. It's cooler now and the pets are a lot happier.
-Yesterday (sat the 17th) we went on a hike with Jake and Catherine up in Boring with both Pepper, and Benson (parents are in Hawaii and Pepper needed some extra lovin) It was fun, but I was reminded of how out of shape I am. heh.
-We got a puppy! It was unexpected and not what we were planning, but it just happened.
Meet Artie! He's a miniature long haired daschund. He's the cutest thing you've ever seen and about 8 weeks old.

Ode to Debbie

I had an interesting experience during the week of Mother's Day. I was able to work in a floral shop that was a little short handed.

**Looks around to see if any shop florists are near by**

I didn't like it.

The lady in charge seemed so stressed and loathing of everything, every flower, every day, and every arrangement. It wasn't fun for her. She's been doing this for 20 years, and she doesn't seem to love flowers, love learning new things, or love her job.

I don't want that.

It made me even so much more grateful to be able to work with my friend Debbie Chase.

We do special events and weddings, get to pick and chose who and when we work, and we keep our love of flowers alive! Every wedding is a learning experience. Whether or not we try to find new ways of getting arrangement precariously from her house to the wedding site, or discovering that iris’s make for delicate boutonnières.

It’s a lot of fun working with Debbie. She’s much more then just a friend to me, she’s seriously my role model. She works 40+ hours a week, and still comes home and works in her garden, feeds all her animals (cows, chickens, and goats) and her dream is to expound and work on her farm and to find something that ‘makes her heart sing.’

You would never know she’s in jeans and rubber boots covered in mud on the weekends, up to her elbows in dirt.

She’s cares so much about her work and her reputation. She is open minded to every one and everything, I know I could ask her advice about any problem I have, and she would understand completely how I’m feeling and totally put my mind at ease.

I tease her all the time about being glamorous. (Cause she really is, she just denies it)

But she’s more than that. Debbie has taught me that you can do everything, and anything you want and love. The nicest person I’ve ever met, and I’m so lucky to call her my friend!

Here are some pictures of Debbie’s work! I say Debbie’s work cause honest to goodness, she does the designing, I clip and clean and hand off and make the boutonnieres and corsages, but when it comes to the heavy lifting, Debbie takes the wheel. I’m mostly there for comedic stress relief.

  

 

Numbers

105: Minutes long the movie "Letters to Juliet" was. It was cute, predictable, but awesome scenery. I totally want to go to Europe.

40: Current number of "people like this" on the Chase Your Dreams Floral Design Fan page I made on facebook, if you haven't yet, like it here!

 http://www.facebook.com/pages/Portland-OR/Chase-Your-Dreams-Floral-Design/121842691170114?ref=ts

20: Days since I've blogged. Sorry. 


16: Probably the number of times I've played mario kart since we borrowed it from my parents.

13: Boutonnieres I'll be making this weekend for this huge, awesome, beautiful wedding Debbie and I are doing this weekend!


15: Minutes early I was to work on Friday (that was a freaking miracle)


10: Toes that need a pedicure!


9: Days till my birthday!


7: Nights (within in the last 20) that I've had vivid crazy dreams. 2 which involved me driving a car off a cliff or bridge and free falling. Creepy. I lived both times though. Which is good.


6: Loads of laundry I did today. (yeah, that's right SIX)


5: I think the number of times it rained while Debbie and I tried (and eventually succeeded) planting pumpkin seeds on Saturday. It was super fun! I haven't gardened or played/worked in the mud and dirt for a long time. It was kind of invigorating.


4: muddy paws I had to rinse off because a certain favorite k9 of mine was LOVING running around in the mud while Debbie and I worked outside.


3: how many bouquets Debbie made on Thursday/Friday that were Tuscan themed and absolutely gorgeous

2: Days I worked last week.


1: Beloved family member lost this week, Kevin Wecker, (Ryan's Cousin) survived cancer last year, and was seemingly cancer free at Christmas. He was the life of the party, so fun, so caring and genuine. He loves acting, and making people laugh! He was a complete joy to have around. Unfortunately, in mid February, they discovered he had cancer once again, in his throat, and jaw. I was able to go with Ryan's siblings and father to bring his family a meal, and say goodbye. Ryan had to be at a districts track meet, and sadly couldn't go. Sunday evening, around 3, we received a phone call from Ken, saying Kevin had passed away a few hours ago. Kevin has a wonderful, strong, amazing wife and 3 beautiful children. Please, keep the Wecker Family in your  prayers.

Having a moment of wanting to "carpe diem." Life is short and there's still so many things I and counting on doing in my life, on my own for myself, and with Ryan. 


I count on being happy, going on adventures, having countless romantic evenings with Ryan, and a billion moments of laughter and fun, and probably even more pictures taken.


I feel like this post is a little scatterbrained, I have so many thoughts and don't know how to put them into words.


I'm so grateful for all I have, and I'm counting on having so much more to be thankful for in my future. But it's all up to me, to provide the numbers to add up.

What are you counting on?

Random Questions... Answered

What were you like when you were a kid? Hyper and physical

If you had a billion dollars, what would you do with it? See previous blog post haha.

If you could change something about yourself, what would it be & why? Biting my nails and patience

Where’s Waldo? Somewhere in her maybe? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_who_disappeared_mysteriously

Do you dream often? Yes. They’re psycho weird dreams too.

Describe your fighting style: drunken master or angry monkey? Probably more of a drunken monkey on sleeping pills

What last made you laugh? Ryan

Spontaneity or stability? both

Do you like kids? Yes.

Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Receiving.

What is your favorite word? sexy

What is your least favorite word? Crusty **shudder**

What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?

Color, music, craft warehouse.

Have any nick names? If so, what? Aly, Al, Squirt, Leysie, Babe, Sweetie, Love, Darling, Littelfoot

Name a couple of T.V. shows you watch a lot? Castle, Glee, the office, white collar, lie to me & big bang theory

Name a movie or movies you can watch over and over? Dirty Dancing

What is/was your worst subject in school? Math. Ugh.

Do you like to dance? LOVE IT!!

Name your 2 favorite colors and why? Yellow, it’s a happy color. Pink, It’s a fun color.

Ever had an imaginary friend as a child? Yes, her name was Jessica, and she always wore her hair in a pony tail.

Did/Do you enjoy high school for the most part? I think the  only people who really enjoyed high school were the ones who made it miserable for the rest of us.

Name 5 of the most important things in your life? Ryan, Family, Happiness, safety, & Laughter

Do you have any phobias? Arachibutyrophobia (seriously ;) )

Favorite animal to have as a pet? If I could, I would totally have a squirrel, elephant, hippo, lion and a duck

Which is the song that makes you cry? Anything really powerful and beautiful, sometimes defying gravity if I’m feeling uber emotional.

What are your 3 favorite drinks? Cream soda, strawberry watermelon cremosa, strawberry kiwi langers juice

If you don't recognize the number on your caller ID, do you answer? YES it bugs the crap out of me when Ryan doesn’t. hello? Your phone is ringing, someone new is trying to talk to you, answer it!

What did you dress up as last Halloween? Nothing. We were lame. We wanted to be elephants, it didn’t work out.

What brand of shampoo and conditioner do you use?

Pantene Pro V

Who was the last person you said "I love you" to? Benson haha

Do you keep a journal or maintain a blog?

I need a fairy godmother to grant all my wants and wishes.

So my birthday is in less then a month, and I've been dreaming about what I would want if money 

or defying science was not a problem. Heh. Yeah... Right.

-Beautiful house

-Floral shop

-Flourishing floral and vegetable garden

-Recording studio for ryan

-Craft room for me

-White kitchen with red accessories

-A library-with tons of childrens’ books and American classic novels. Emilee would help me fill the shelves and organize them correctly ;)

-A Comforable pair of white heels ( I can’t find them ANYWHERE)

-A red kitchen aid mixer

-My wedding dress cleaned and put into one of those special boxes

-Every (good) Disney movie on DVD, including the pixar shorts.

-A puppy

-A new car

-A massage

-Real simple magazine subscription for the rest of my life

-$10,000 shopping spree

-Teleporting abilites

-A pink vespa, with an attatchable seat thing for benson to ride in

-A golf cart

-Ukuele

-Mac Desktop Computer

-Mac Laptop for Ryan

-Macbook for me

-A beach house

-Trip to Vegas

-one of those automatic cat litter box cleaners, or better yet, train Mally to use the toilet, like in meet the parents

-Glee CD's

-All of our wedding photos printed and put into a photo album

-A professional decorator to make my home look totally awesome, but totally us.

-A time machine

-endless supply of cream soda, and sweet tomatoes strawberry lemonade.

-vacation to italy

-buttons

-pool

-trampoline

-super mario brothers for Wii

-a guitar

-private jet for Ryan to fly us anywhere

-a magical fairy to do my dishes and clean my house

What's on your ultimate wish list?