Change is in the air...still!! :)

Dear Friends and Family,

It's come to my attention that I have been neglecting this blog and a lot of people want an update.  So here it is...  :)

So change is definitely the main theme of our lives in Nebraska.  We're constantly changing and every day I learn something new about myself or about Burdette.  It's been interesting and it's all definitely for the better.  A couple of weeks ago I had a huge change.  I decided to quit my job.  Many of you know that I haven't been adjusting to Nebraska as well I thought I would be.  Now I'll admit that most of that has to do with my attitude, but I think the rest of it had to do with my job.  It's been a roller coaster ride and it's finally come to an end.  I did not have a position lined up, but I wasn't too worried.  I'm thankful to have a wonderful support system.  :)  I had been interviewing at a few places and then yesterday it happened....two job offers!!!  Not only two offers, but two companies that I would love to work for.  What a wonderful problem to have!  This morning I accepted one of the offers.  I'll be the Assistant Manager at two apartment complexes, one in Bellevue and one in Papillion.  This drops my commute down to 6 miles roundtrip...way better than the 34 miles I had before.  Needless to say, I am thrilled and ready for the change.  I start working on Monday.

So enough about work.  There's something else still going on.  Wedding planning!  It's getting SOOOO close and we're getting more and more excited.  I flew back to Alabama for a quick trip to have my bridal shower. When we first got engaged I really wasn't planning to have a shower.  My closest friends live down south and I just figured it wouldn't happen, but it did and it was awesome!  It was my first view of how things will be at the wedding.  So many people coming together to celebrate one thing...our marriage.  I am grateful to have so many amazing people in my life.  This was just my shower...I know it will feel a million times better at the wedding, but that is so hard to imagine because everything has been so great so far.  Here are a few pics from the weekend.  It was awesome and I had a blast!

Part of my bridal party.  :)

Wonderful women who hosted my shower. 

Mom and Daughter

Awesome friends!

Family!

So as you can tell a lot has been going on.  Enough to keep me busy at least. To everyone at SP who may be reading this...it's been an interesting time and I hope we can stay in touch.  :)  As always, thanks for stopping in.

Love,

Shannon

6 Month Update

Dear Friends & Family,

Six months ago this week we made the move to Omaha.  The only thing I know for sure is that it has been one heck of a transition.  I know people are shocked when they hear that I sincerely miss Cheyenne.  I think I had a different experience than most who travel through there.  I met some pretty incredible people and made lifelong friendships that I will cherish forever.  Now I'm not saying that definitely won't happen in Omaha.  I have met a few people that would fit into that category, but in general the move has been different.  Different in a good or bad way is still questionable.  It has been a learning experience and I am looking forward to seeing what the future has in store for me.  I'm also looking forward to warmer weather and exploring more...at least I can finally get around without always using the GPS.  I try to appreciate little things like that.  In the meantime, I am trying to keep a positive attitude and hope for the best.  I also have several trips planned over the next 5 months, so that is a nice distraction.

Wedding preparation is well under way.  I made a trip to San Antonio last weekend and am finalizing a lot of things.  So far the planning has been relatively easy, I can't deny that I have had one or two "bridezilla" moments, but I'm sure everyone does.  I'm thankful for an understanding support system.  Burdette and I are getting pretty excited and are looking forward to married life.  Did I mention that we are going to the Dominican Republic for our honeymoon?  I'm definitely excited about that!  It'll be a nice way for us to unwind after all the wedtivities.

That is the most current update.  Burdette is still enjoying his job and staying active in his sports.  I am spending a lot of time with wedding stuff and trying to add new craft projects, thanks to the addictive Pinterest.  As always, thanks for stopping in.

Love,

Shannon

Bring on 2012

Dear Friends and Family,

It's almost a new year and we are definitely looking forward to 2012.  Now I'm not complaining about 2011, it was pretty awesome, but I know there are better things to come.  I'm looking forward to a year of less goodbyes, less change, and a more "normal" way of living, if there is such a thing.  I'm looking forward to a year already half full of travel, family, friends, and a big pretty big event...our wedding day.  I'm looking forward to adding a husband, 2 parents, 4 brothers, 4 sisters, 5 nephews, and 1 pretty cool niece to my family.  That's 17 more people to call family...that's pretty awesome.

I'm pretty sure I spend more time reflecting and being thankful at New Years than I do at any other time of year. Here are few things I have been thankful for this year....

Challenges.

Family.

True friendship. 

Happiness.

Love.

Trust.

Fun.

Memories.

Relaxation.

New adventures.

Cuddling.

Now these are just a few of things and if you didn't make a picture...don't worry I'm thankful and grateful for you also.  It would take me entirely too long to put up all the things I am thankful for.

I'm not going to make any resolutions for 2012...most of the time those end in disappointment.  But I am going to strive to be a better person...a better friend.  I'm going to smile and laugh and cry...a lot.  I'm going to give a lot more hugs.  Those all are all definitely doable.   

Thanks for stopping in....and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!  

Love,

Shannon

Wedding Venue

Dear Friends & Family,

Well, we've been engaged a little over 3 weeks and I've already gotten so much accomplished.  So far, everything has gone very smoothly.  I flew down to San Antonio last weekend and booked the venue. Feel free to check it out at http://www.sunset-station.com/.  It's Depot 1 under the Venues tab.  It's an old train depot that has so much character and charm.  It seemed like the perfect fit for us.  Did I mention the woman helping us is a rockstar?  She's been so helpful and truly understands how hard it can be to plan a wedding from a distance.  Here are a couple photos of the venue...I'm so in love with it! 


Reception Area



Staircase where the ceremony will take place

I feel like now that I have booked the venue, everything else will kind of fall into place.  So far that theory is working for me.  :)

Right now, I'm looking forward to the holidays and trying not to let wedding planning rule my life.  I think I've done a pretty good job so far.  My family is coming to town for Thanksgiving and that is always a great time.  We'll be headed to Cheyenne in December for a wedding and a Christmas party, so we are extremely excited about that. 



Stay tuned for more information to come regarding wedding details.  Save the Dates are going out very soon!!

Love,

Shannon

We're Engaged!!!

Dear Friends & Family,

So I promised I'd try my best to keep this blog up as long as there was something to talk about, well now we have something to talk about.  I figured I could start a wedding website, but then I would be stuck trying to manage 2 websites, so I'm not going to do that.  I'm going to keep it simple and sweet.  That's how I like things.  :)

How He Did It:  Burdette and I went to Kansas City to celebrate our 2 year anniversary.  We basically decided that Saturday was going to be the day we'd celebrate, since our anniversary was on a Monday.  We had a beauitful dinner at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse and then headed to the Kansas City Improv for a comedy show.  It was a pretty awesome day.  We got back to our hotel late and I was tired, but we got to talking about the last 2 years, then Burdette said, well I got you a present!  I said, you did?  Next thing you know he's knealing next to the bed and asking me to marry him!!  It was perfect. 

When and Where:  We are definitely planning a San Antonio wedding.  It's the perfect spot for us.  Burdette was born and raised in Texas and I spent several years there as a child.  Plus, we just love Texas.  We know that's where we'll end up one day.  When is still undecided.  It will definitely be this summer and we're leaning towards May 26th.  It's Memorial Day weekend, so if people wanted they could spend an extra day in SA and enjoy the town.  I have a trip planned next weekend to visit some venues and hopefully find one that I love and pick a date. 

That is all I really know right now.  There is definitely more to come, so keep checking back.  We're extremely excited and feeling truly lucky right now.  Everyone has been so supportive and we're grateful to have such an awesome group of family and friends.  We love you all so much!!!!

Love,

Shannon

3 Month Update

Dear Friends & Family,

This past Monday marked our 3 month anniversary as Nebraska residents!  Not much has changed since the last post, but I figured I would check in anyway.  We made a short trip back to Cheyenne in September for a friend's wedding.  It was a much needed trip for me.  It was so great to see friends and just be in Cheyenne.  Sometimes you need a reminder that it's okay for things to change.  I've needed a lot of those reminders during this transition.  It was a good feeling knowing that the time I spent in Cheyenne mattered to some.  If you are in Cheyenne and wondering when we'll be back, don't worry I have another trip planned for December.  There is a Christmas party that I just can't miss!  :)

Burdette has settled into his job nicely.  He seems to really enjoy it.  It doesn't hurt that he works with a pretty great group of people. It has taken me a little while to adjust to my job, but a new position and a couple of tweaks here and there have made all the difference.  I'm grateful to have met some pretty awesome people there too.  They make the biggest difference in my day. 

We have a big day coming up soon.  Our TWO year anniversary.  If you know me at all, you know this is a pretty big deal.  It's crazy how quickly the time goes by, but I'm grateful for every second of it.  We will be celebrating with a weekend getaway to Kansas City.  I have no clue what we are going to do there, but we're excited and plan on making the best of it. 

The boys are still doing great!  Walter has a doctor's appointment this Saturday.  Nothing is wrong, he's just getting slower and I'm a little concerned.  I just want to make sure he's comfortable and it's giving me an opportunity to check out a new vet.  I'll keep you posted on that one.  I'm going to end it with some pictures of them...they always make me smile.  :)


Love,

Shannon

Frank snuggling with his mommy!

Wally on my lap-this never happens, so of course I snapped a picture! 

Snuggling again with me, he's so spoiled!

Nap time on the couch!  :)

Updates

Dear Friends & Family,

So I feel bad because I haven't written anything in quite some time, but honestly not much is going on and I'm trying to enjoy it a little bit.  :)  Things have been going well.  The house is coming together and I finally put something on the walls, but it was in the guest bedroom, so I'm not sure if that really counts.  I'm taking it slow, I want it to be exactly the way I want it.  My mom and Ryan came over for a visit during Labor Day.  That was awesome!  It's so nice to have family visit us.  I wish we could see them more.  We also finally got grass.  It's crazy how something like grass makes things feel complete.  We didn't know it was coming and then last Tuesday, it was there.  Awesome!  Then we decided to do a little outside work...very little.  Burdette put up a shed to store his man toys and I started working on the landscaping, but most of that work will wait until Spring!

Here is the most recent pictures of the outside of our beautiful new home!

We haven't really done much.  Put some rocks in, a flag, a couple plants..that's pretty much it!  :)

We'll be making a trip west in less than 2 weeks.  If you are in Cheyenne on the 23rd, we're going to try to see some friends then, and then we have a wedding on Saturday.  I can't wait for our first trip back.  It's crazy how much I miss that place!!

Anyway, as always, I hope you enjoy!

Love,

Shannon