Hello Eldridge

To breakdown the complex and yet ultimately simple compound known as "us", we'd have to admit to you that although we have many complimenting strengths...somewhere along the line God omitted the "ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS PICK UP THE CELL PHONE AND CALL" gene when He paired us together. Oops! Unfortunately, neither of us are very good at keeping in touch via the phone (you already knew? how?), so this is our attempt to keep everyone "online". Haha!

Well, hopefully we've done a good job and you all know we're in Eldridge, Iowa now. Heath had his first paid day as a 6th grade science teacher today - hurray - and he'll be teaching his first class Monday so we've been decorating his classroom - which was distinctly feminine when we got there, but now has a much more masculine feel. We got rid of all the sunflowers and cute pictures!

I (Stephanie) have been at home cleaning and putting things away...I'm back to searching for jobs online and in the newspapers, but on a good note, our wedding photographer is based here in Eldridge (literally 4 blocks away) and there is a good chance that I will be able to work for him this spring! Meanwhile, my goal is to find a job that will keep me busy. :)

Sam is back to his normal self - his 70lb normal self! Apparently, rat poisen isn't just attractive for rats! Sam helped himself to a whole container our neighbors had put out and it made for a very interesting "moving day". Let's just say his blood was a little thinner, I had our own version of a "baby" throwing up in my car on the drive, and a "baby" with a very upset little tummy when we got to our new home.

But! We made it and we're absolutely loving our new home! We even have a basement, huge closets, and room for a car in the garage! We'll try to post a video and pictures when we have them!

We made one of our first large investments the other day. We now officially have our own version of a "weight room"...and we're loving it! We decided against getting a fitness membership in town and after Heath saw the set he liked, no more than 24 hours passed and it was set up in our basement. :)

Oh! And I'm so excited...my brother is engaged! He and Alex are getting married next January (brrr). Story has it that he bought the ring a few days before Christmas, but couldn't hold on to it that long and just had to ask. :) One of my best friends is also engaged!

Okay, so I think that's all for now. Heath is home and he's hungry!

We'll be posting off and on so hopefully you enjoy your updates. :) Happy New Year everyone!