Return From the Abyss

Nearly 7 months later...I'm back.

Now that I'm settling into this new life - new home, new job, new husband - I figure it's time for me to revive the 'ole blog. When I posted my last entry, I definitely didn't expect for it to be so long before I'd write again. Planning a wedding, moving across state lines, becoming a wife, and taking on all things new takes quite a lot out of a person. However, I'm religiously reading blogs again (every day at work, I "allow" myself reading time) and so I've been itching to get back at it again.

It's been so long, and we're all so proficient at social networking that I really don't think it's necessary for me to spend a great deal of time bringing everyone up to speed. It would be nice to document everything over the last few months, but at this point the memories have faded and it would take so much time that I've convinced myself to spare you all the boredom. Instead, I'll make a list and try my best to not ramble...

In the last 7 months:
-We survived the wedding planning, everything fell into place, and Alex and I thoroughly enjoyed celebrating with many of our closest family and friends.
-Our honeymoon cruise to Honduras, Belize, and Mexico was all that we imagined, with a little extra "in sickness and in health" thrown in the mix. Looking back, I'm thankful we cruised BEFORE the 'ish' with Carnival began...
-I changed my name, got a new driver's license and social security number, and unpacked at the home Alex and I now share.
-I began work as the 4-H agent for a small program in northeast Louisiana. As with all new jobs, there are times where the work is hard and the payoff little, but with time I'm sure it will be a very rewarding experience.
-My grandfather passed away in early March, the day before my grandmother's birthday. One of the fondest memories of him I'll always carry is from the day I modeled my wedding dress for him before the wedding. He shed tears of joy despite my Nanna's insistance that he stop crying, but that's okay because it's the last time I got to see him as himself before he became hospitalized and eventually deteriorated completely.
-I turned 26 - no turning back now, I'll never again be eligible to receive health insurance through my parents' coverage. Guess I have to be a real grown up now.
-Alex and I adopted two kittens from the local humane society. Days after we brought them home, they required twice a day medication (antibiotics & a supplement) to fight respiratory infections. Now about a month later, we've begun introducing them to the dog and the outdoors. It's our hope that in not too long (sooner rather than later), they'll be sufficient indoor/outdoor cats. In the mean time, the little furballs of energy are growing like weeds and keeping us busy.

And now, summer is upon us. Work is picking up for me, yet settling down for Alex. I can't wait for him to come home tonight (even if it will be 1 a.m. or later) because FINALLY the travel part of baseball season is d.o.n.e. Soon, we'll get to go home to visit my family, then Alex's mom will be here in a few weeks, and we'll get to make the trip out to North Carolina later in July. In between all of that, I'll have a week at 4-H Camp, and a week at LSU too. Before I know it, it'll be August and football season (*cough*more traveling*cough*) will be around the corner again.

In any case, I'll try to be more regular in posting again. Without a real smart phone, it's hard to post pictures or share the latest news and gossip. I miss all of you out there, so give me a call sometime. And you know, snail mail never hurt either. ;-)

Until next time,
Lauren

P.S. The kittens desparately want to meet all of you as evidenced by their inability to patiently let me type this while sitting in "their" room supervising...seeing as how they can't be left alone without destroying everything in sight.