This weekend has been great. While Nathan was at work yesterday morning I decided that I was not going to allow myself on the computer until I had the entire house clean AND the laundry done. It was hard but I DID IT! All of the Christmas decorations are down and up in the attic, I finished all of the laundry AND vacuumed/dusted. If you can't tell I am pretty proud of myself. haha. I always dread doing it but love the way the house looks when its finished. :)
The plan was that once I got the house cleaned and Nathan came home we were go to head to the city to return a few things. However, looking @ the -12 windchill we decided to stay home and relax instead. I pulled out a book that I have been meaning to read for some time now and we both laid on the couch and read our books. It was so fun & relaxing- I realized just how much I miss reading. When my stomach started to growl, we noticed it was 7pm and decided that we probably should go get dinner before it got to late! After dinner we came back home, resumed our positions on the couch and finished our books before heading to bed. Those days are VERY far and few between so we gotta take advantage of those days when we can.
Nathan is at work right now tearing down the old store and getting ready to open the new one tomorrow. I am soooo proud of him! He is done such a wonderful job getting everything ready AND not bring the stress of it all home. The store looks AWESOME and I am confident that it will be a great opening tomorrow morning. If you live in NWI you really should check it out- its pretty sweet!
I go back to school tomorrow and basketball officially starts @ 4:59 with tryouts from 5-7. I am not looking forward to having to get up early tomorrow but it will be fun to see all of the kiddies and hear their Santa stories! I am also looking forward to getting this basketball season started- it will be hard not having the same 'dream' team as I have had for the past two years, but it will be a great new challenge. Gotta get the practice schedule ready and head to bed- its going to be an early morning.
Sunday, January 03, 2010
Friday, January 01, 2010
Happy New Year!
As I sat down to blog about the year it occurred to me just how fast this year went. Its hard to think that Nathan and I have been married for 2.5 years and have been in NWI for almost 4 years. Time really does fly when you are having fun!!!
This year was full of wonderful memories.
basketball team won the conference title.Nathan changed Aldi districts twice.we spent spring break in Punta Cana. Gavin graduated from Purdue University.celebrated Duane & Lindas retirement. we took a road trip to West Virgina and stayed in our first B&B.my best friend, Kelly, got married to her long-time love-Tim.spent time this summer @ Klinger Lake. Gavin got a great job & moved to Chicago. we hosted Easter & Christmas at our house. we ran in two mini-marathons. mom came and stayed with us for two weeks. we enjoyed many many fun memories with our small group friends. our great friends- Niki & Josh had their second child. brother and sister-in-law had a great boar sale @ state fair. family is all healthy. our track team won conference title. welcomed friends Hilary & Jonas baby girl. we went to a cubs game. spent 4th of july with grandparents from Las Vegas. volunteered to rake leaves for an elderely woman. Nathans best friend Shane got engaged to a great gal Jana. took a road trip to snowy Gatlinburg. Nathan agreed to help paint (2) walls in our house. Nathan played in a basketball league. went to indianapolis 500.started 721 photography.
WOW! What an awesome year. I know I have said it many times before but God really has blessed us and I am so thankful. I am also so thankful for our friends & family-without them, these wonderful memories would not be possible.
My wish is for health & happiness for all of you and I am looking forward to seeing what God has in store for 2010! Happy New Year!
This year was full of wonderful memories.
basketball team won the conference title.Nathan changed Aldi districts twice.we spent spring break in Punta Cana. Gavin graduated from Purdue University.celebrated Duane & Lindas retirement. we took a road trip to West Virgina and stayed in our first B&B.my best friend, Kelly, got married to her long-time love-Tim.spent time this summer @ Klinger Lake. Gavin got a great job & moved to Chicago. we hosted Easter & Christmas at our house. we ran in two mini-marathons. mom came and stayed with us for two weeks. we enjoyed many many fun memories with our small group friends. our great friends- Niki & Josh had their second child. brother and sister-in-law had a great boar sale @ state fair. family is all healthy. our track team won conference title. welcomed friends Hilary & Jonas baby girl. we went to a cubs game. spent 4th of july with grandparents from Las Vegas. volunteered to rake leaves for an elderely woman. Nathans best friend Shane got engaged to a great gal Jana. took a road trip to snowy Gatlinburg. Nathan agreed to help paint (2) walls in our house. Nathan played in a basketball league. went to indianapolis 500.started 721 photography.
WOW! What an awesome year. I know I have said it many times before but God really has blessed us and I am so thankful. I am also so thankful for our friends & family-without them, these wonderful memories would not be possible.
My wish is for health & happiness for all of you and I am looking forward to seeing what God has in store for 2010! Happy New Year!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
day @ home
what is a girl to do on her day off.... well play of course!!
I had so much fun editing and playing with these pictures. I might be a little biased but...the one of Nathan might just be one of the best pictures ever!!!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Thank you God!
This past weekend was one that showed us just how amazing God really is. On Saturday night Nathans brothers family was in an accident on their way home from a Christmas celebration. They were driving home on the snowy roads, lost control and hit a cement post totaling their van. The post hit just between the passenger side and Morgans(our niece) car-seat, missing Morgan by inches. Thankfully they all walked away unharmed. When you hear stories like this it is a wake-up call to remember just how amazing God really is!! We are so thankful that he was watching over them and keeping them safe in a time like this.
Unfortunately that was not the only wake-up call that we got this weekend. Around 12:30 on Sunday night we were woken up with a phone call from our sister-in-law Mandy. She called Nathan to tell him that his parents barn was on fire and all of the good sows(female pigs) were in that barn. Nathan and I just laid there in shock. We did not know the whole story, but we were hoping and praying that everyone was safe and the pigs were ok. We called his mom to get the whole story and unfortunately the the news was not good.
As Nathan's dad got home from Mark's house he saw flames in the window of the barn. Risking his life- he ran into the barn to try and get the pigs(whom they had just put in the barn about an hour before that) out. He was able to get to the first pin, get it open and the pig out. As he went back in to get the others he quickly realized it was to dangerous for him to be there and got out- having to the leave the pigs behind.
After talking to his brother on the phone Nathan was ready to jump in the car and drive home- however, after many prayers and a little discussion we decided that it was safer if we got a few hours of sleep and headed there in the morning. Monday morning as we drove back to his parents to be with our family as they faced emotional times and lots of clean-up
This experience was devastating to everyone. This was the barn that Nathan, his brother Mark, and his dad had spent many many hours of their life piggin' in. That barn is now used by Mark and his dad for their show pig business. Now I am sure many of you are thinking 'well Erin, its just pigs and an old barn- there are other pigs out there'. Well, its not just pigs. Not for the Taulman family. Its a HUGE part of their life and these animals are part of their family. There were 10 great pigs in that barn and ALOT of money and time had been spent on each one. It has been really hard trying to understand and comprehend all of this. Lots of tears have been shed and questions asked but thankfully everyone is safe, we have our faith and family to lean on and we know that God has a plan for everything.
Unfortunately that was not the only wake-up call that we got this weekend. Around 12:30 on Sunday night we were woken up with a phone call from our sister-in-law Mandy. She called Nathan to tell him that his parents barn was on fire and all of the good sows(female pigs) were in that barn. Nathan and I just laid there in shock. We did not know the whole story, but we were hoping and praying that everyone was safe and the pigs were ok. We called his mom to get the whole story and unfortunately the the news was not good.
As Nathan's dad got home from Mark's house he saw flames in the window of the barn. Risking his life- he ran into the barn to try and get the pigs(whom they had just put in the barn about an hour before that) out. He was able to get to the first pin, get it open and the pig out. As he went back in to get the others he quickly realized it was to dangerous for him to be there and got out- having to the leave the pigs behind.
After talking to his brother on the phone Nathan was ready to jump in the car and drive home- however, after many prayers and a little discussion we decided that it was safer if we got a few hours of sleep and headed there in the morning. Monday morning as we drove back to his parents to be with our family as they faced emotional times and lots of clean-up
This experience was devastating to everyone. This was the barn that Nathan, his brother Mark, and his dad had spent many many hours of their life piggin' in. That barn is now used by Mark and his dad for their show pig business. Now I am sure many of you are thinking 'well Erin, its just pigs and an old barn- there are other pigs out there'. Well, its not just pigs. Not for the Taulman family. Its a HUGE part of their life and these animals are part of their family. There were 10 great pigs in that barn and ALOT of money and time had been spent on each one. It has been really hard trying to understand and comprehend all of this. Lots of tears have been shed and questions asked but thankfully everyone is safe, we have our faith and family to lean on and we know that God has a plan for everything.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Christmas 2009
God is Good! He is really really good! This year we were blessed in more ways than we could imagine. It was a wonderful Christmas season full of family and love.
This year was the first year that Nathan and I did not travel on Christmas. The usual tradition is to be at my mom and dads house on Christmas Eve for our big party with my family and friends. After everyone is gone we head to mid-night Mass and then to bed to dream of Sugar Plums dancing in our heads while waiting for Santa! Christmas day we get up, open gifts and then make the drive to Nathan's family to spend a few days with them. Well...this year needed to be a little different. My brother now lives in Chicago and had to work on Christmas Eve and Nathans new store is opening soon and since he has had to work a lot, we decided to move Christmas to our house. I wasn't so sure about this to start with- but it turned out to be wonderful.
Christmas Eve we went to our Church for an awesome Christmas service with my mom, and Nathans parents. This was really cool and special for us- it would have been a perfect night if only dad, Gavin and Mark, Mandy, Morgan & Marek could have been there too! All of us in the pew together sigining wonderful Christmas songs and celebrating the reason for the season...the birth of Jesus was a memory I will always cherish. After church Nathan's parents headed home and we went back to our house to spend time with Mom & Gavin. We enjoyed each others company and shared many laughs.
Christmas day we woke up(well- Mom & Gav) woke us up and to our surprise Santa had visited! We enjoyed a morning full of opening stocking stuffed with goodies, eating a yummy breakfast and opening our presents that were under the tree! Santa was very good to all of us!
After enjoying present time, my moms brothers family and my grandpa drove over to spend the day. We had fun playing games and telling stories. Just as we were sitting down to eat the door bell rang and much to our surprise Nathan's parents made the effort and drive up to see us! It really meant alot to us and we were so thankful they came. We were all able to sit down and enjoy a huge feast together. After dinner and a few more games everyone headed home because the weather started getting bad. We were sad to see them go but SOOO thankful that we were all together.
mom & grandma working on the ham!
Once everyone had left we all enjoy a little R &R time. Gavin put together his new Lego(a tradition since he has been about 3), Nathan tested out his new stuff, and Mom and I watched a Christmas movie! Nathan and I went on a walk and braved the weather so I could test out my new coat too! We also enjoy a few games of euchre and ate leftovers before heading to bed.
The only thing missing this season was my dad. There is not a day that goes by that I don't miss him, however, the holidays make it even harder. I have so many wonderful memories of our Christmas mornings together as a family and I know how much he would love having all of us together. He had such an amazing faith and I know that he is smiling down on all of us while he celebrates in Heaven.
This year was the first year that Nathan and I did not travel on Christmas. The usual tradition is to be at my mom and dads house on Christmas Eve for our big party with my family and friends. After everyone is gone we head to mid-night Mass and then to bed to dream of Sugar Plums dancing in our heads while waiting for Santa! Christmas day we get up, open gifts and then make the drive to Nathan's family to spend a few days with them. Well...this year needed to be a little different. My brother now lives in Chicago and had to work on Christmas Eve and Nathans new store is opening soon and since he has had to work a lot, we decided to move Christmas to our house. I wasn't so sure about this to start with- but it turned out to be wonderful.
Christmas Eve we went to our Church for an awesome Christmas service with my mom, and Nathans parents. This was really cool and special for us- it would have been a perfect night if only dad, Gavin and Mark, Mandy, Morgan & Marek could have been there too! All of us in the pew together sigining wonderful Christmas songs and celebrating the reason for the season...the birth of Jesus was a memory I will always cherish. After church Nathan's parents headed home and we went back to our house to spend time with Mom & Gavin. We enjoyed each others company and shared many laughs.
Christmas day we woke up(well- Mom & Gav) woke us up and to our surprise Santa had visited! We enjoyed a morning full of opening stocking stuffed with goodies, eating a yummy breakfast and opening our presents that were under the tree! Santa was very good to all of us!
After enjoying present time, my moms brothers family and my grandpa drove over to spend the day. We had fun playing games and telling stories. Just as we were sitting down to eat the door bell rang and much to our surprise Nathan's parents made the effort and drive up to see us! It really meant alot to us and we were so thankful they came. We were all able to sit down and enjoy a huge feast together. After dinner and a few more games everyone headed home because the weather started getting bad. We were sad to see them go but SOOO thankful that we were all together.
mom & grandma working on the ham!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Christmas Eve & Nathans game
Last night Nathan had the first two games on his tourney. Lets just say... they were interesting. In the first game of the night we were stuck sitting next to a group of woman that were cheering on their 'boyz' all night long. When they started screaming out the F bomb it got a little much. Then our good friend Mike blew out his knee and when Bridgette(his wife) went out to make sure he was alright the woman continued to yell some not so nice things... Lets just say that its a good thing that Santa was watching. It took all I had not to say anything back!My mother so kindly reminded me that 'they are not worth it Erin!' :) thanks mom!
Between games all the wives(and mom) walked the track with the kiddies while the guys rested. Mike was giving Bridgette a hard time for coming out to check on him... she asked if I would do the same thing. I said 'no- I have seen lots of knee injuries and I know that Nathan would kill me if I did.' Well- open mouth insert foot....
The next game got ugly and a BIG FAT JERK gave Nathan a cheap shot to the chest and he went down...and didn't get up. When Mom stood up and said 'Erin this isn't good' and I saw Nathans face lose all color.. I went running out!!! He was not breathing and it was scary. After about a minute on him on the ground and his eyes rolling back in his head I was ready to beat the crap out of that guy! He finally got up and didn't look so good. Lets just say I was ready to take my husband home, cuddle up with him and not let him play again! (I know he would be shaking his head saying- Oh Erin, he if was reading this!) He rested for a bit and finished the game with a 32 point victory over the BIG FAT JERKS! sure glad that night is over!
Here a few pics from the night!
my stud!
look @ that perfect form...makes me sick!!! :)
Nathan & Mike....one bummed knee and one bummed lung!
such a beautiful little girl... I am sure Santa will be good to her!
I bet this was a great story time!
Between games all the wives(and mom) walked the track with the kiddies while the guys rested. Mike was giving Bridgette a hard time for coming out to check on him... she asked if I would do the same thing. I said 'no- I have seen lots of knee injuries and I know that Nathan would kill me if I did.' Well- open mouth insert foot....
The next game got ugly and a BIG FAT JERK gave Nathan a cheap shot to the chest and he went down...and didn't get up. When Mom stood up and said 'Erin this isn't good' and I saw Nathans face lose all color.. I went running out!!! He was not breathing and it was scary. After about a minute on him on the ground and his eyes rolling back in his head I was ready to beat the crap out of that guy! He finally got up and didn't look so good. Lets just say I was ready to take my husband home, cuddle up with him and not let him play again! (I know he would be shaking his head saying- Oh Erin, he if was reading this!) He rested for a bit and finished the game with a 32 point victory over the BIG FAT JERKS! sure glad that night is over!
Here a few pics from the night!
my stud!
look @ that perfect form...makes me sick!!! :)
look @ those big brown eyes!!! they will melt your heart!
such a beautiful little girl... I am sure Santa will be good to her! 
I bet this was a great story time! Today is Christmas Eve and I am so excited. My brother is on his way over and later in the day mom's family will be headed this way too. I wish everyone a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE! Don't forget to put out the cookies out for Santa! May God Bless you with a day full of family and love.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
mom's here!
My mom has been here since Sunday and it has been soooo much fun! I really wish that we lived closer...maybe someday! On Monday we went shopping with my good friend Vicky and enjoyed finishing up all of the names on my Christmas list. Not to worry we stopped @ Starbucks- TWICE, my mom really should buy stock. Yesterday we wrapped all of the gifts and then went grocery shopping for Christmas Eve and Day. I CAN'T WAIT!!! I get soo excited wrapping the gifts- I just can't wait for everyone to open them. I tried to talk Nathan into opening one last night but he said we better wait. :(
Today we had planned on heading to up to the city to visit our cousins however, the weather up here decided we better stay home. What we were hoping would be snow...came down as ice! YUCK! So instead we finished up our grocery list, came home and relaxed. Mom baked some yummy cookies too!
Nathan is now home and we are getting ready to go to his basketball games tonight. I am going to take my camera so I can finally get some good action shots of my basketball stud.
I really can't believe that tomorrow is Christmas Eve. Gavin, along with my mom's brothers family are heading over from Batavia tomorrow so I am praying that the weather will warm up a little and let the ice melt to make their trip a little safer.
side note: I have the post started from the Taulman family Christmas but wanted to post a few more pictures and I am on the wrong computer so it will have to wait!
Today we had planned on heading to up to the city to visit our cousins however, the weather up here decided we better stay home. What we were hoping would be snow...came down as ice! YUCK! So instead we finished up our grocery list, came home and relaxed. Mom baked some yummy cookies too!
Nathan is now home and we are getting ready to go to his basketball games tonight. I am going to take my camera so I can finally get some good action shots of my basketball stud.
I really can't believe that tomorrow is Christmas Eve. Gavin, along with my mom's brothers family are heading over from Batavia tomorrow so I am praying that the weather will warm up a little and let the ice melt to make their trip a little safer.
side note: I have the post started from the Taulman family Christmas but wanted to post a few more pictures and I am on the wrong computer so it will have to wait!
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