Brian & I met at Miami University, a rather idealic place that we both hold dear to our heart. My parents thought it resembled "summer camp" but truth be told it was a very challenging academic school. Little did we know that after meeting so conveniently the day after spring break of Brian's senior year would lead us on a life time of adventures..I couldn't resist a man in camoflauge (we were both at our fraturnity/sorority date party - "Camando"! So after earning our respective degrees and growing up in Oxford, Ohio we embarked on like after college, the real world!
A lot has happened in the last couple years, we moved various times, I from Cincinnati to Columbus, Brian living his transiant life in Chicago & Minneapolis, me moving in with my "not-so" sister-in-law's house (Brian and I weren't married at the time..thank you Christy!) and then us rejoining eachother in East Lansing for Brian to again go back to college, in East Lansing. It has been a trip! We laugh now, because we feel like we are playing house! We are so blessed but sometimes it all feels very surreal, life moves at quick paces sometimes.
Which leads me to today. Buying out 2nd house in Traverse City has been quite a learning experience. Experts always talk about how they should "teach life skills" in college, life balancing your check book, etc, etc. But instead we learn as we go, as we have with homeownership & marriage! And with these, come lessons on love and life. Here are a few lessons I have learned (and maybe Brian too) that I didn't learn in college. This post is a result of Brian & I replacing our god aweful gold/brass light fixtures last night:)....ceiling fans are next-watch out!
Lessons:
#1: Owning an old house is like watching a scary movie...sometimes you just want to keep your eyes closed and be oblivious to what you are watching. Keeping that ugly wallpaper just might be worth it so you don't have to see the problems that lie beneath! Take everything in stride!
#2: After a couple "team" projects (ie. installing blinds, carrying christmas trees into your house, moving, etc.) you learn eachothers strengths and weakness and eventually learn to just laugh (at the situation, at eachother, yourself..whichever is more theraputic). Laughing is key to happiness.
#3: Finances & marriage enough said. But seriously, life is not about how much money you make or what possessions you have, but having without (struggling through law school , etc.) makes us very thankful for all we have now! Be thankful everyday.
#4: Comunication & Understanding: I know everyone always says communication is key and I think it is..but understanding is too. In marriage you won't always agree but to be able to come to an unstanding of the other person is just as important. Whether its about the simplest subjects, like what to eat for dinner or the most complex (imput your subject here)...being able to "agree to disagree", "hash it out" is important-expecially when you are married to a lawyer-I swear he took a class in law school-how to cross examine your wife :)....I swear! :) hehe just kidding babe!
#5: AND the most important one...marriage is AWESOME, because you wake up each morning next to your best friend, you get to share life experiences & adventures & the day to day with your biggest support & cheerleader, and even when things get hard you know it will only make your relationship stronger. Life has meaning because you give the person you love so much your love, commitment and support...and it makes life all worthwhile. And the best part is you get his love in return! I love you Brian!
And those things they don't teach you in a text book. ~Katie
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer!
Many people have passed this along to me, and I enjoyed it enough to pass it along to all of you. It is 50 life lessons as written by Regina Brett of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio. My favorite is number 20. My least favorite, at least professionally, is number 6. The reason behind this blog is summed up best by number 32. Give it a read and leave comments with your favorites.
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.
17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.
18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Overprepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
36. Growing old beats the alternative - dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
45. The best is yet to come.
46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
48. If you don't ask, you don't get.
49. Yield.
50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.
17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.
18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Overprepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
36. Growing old beats the alternative - dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
45. The best is yet to come.
46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
48. If you don't ask, you don't get.
49. Yield.
50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Webster Teaches More than Definitions
I grew up with one. My Aunts Char, Cindy, and Kimmy have one. My sister Christy has two. My cousin Pete has one. My buddies Schell, Slyder, and Bryej have one. Katie has been begging for one. What you ask? A dog.
We frequently dogsit our friend Annie's 10 year-old, well-behaved, and loyal lab Murphy. Katie could not believe how easy and fun a dog is. I will admit, I was starting to come around myself. Katie was even able to quickly forgot the nightmare of a dog she had growing up, Mocha. In fact, when Katie's parents recently bought a yellow lab puppy, her desire for a dog grew more than ever.
All of us went to the breeder to pick up this cute, fuzzy, and peaceful puppy. Katie's Mom named him Webster (after the dictionary). He was timid at first, then lazy, and ultimately began to warm up just in time for us to puppysit as Katie's Mom headed to Vegas.
How quickly cute, fuzzy, and peaceful has become work, work, and more work. More telling, it is funny how Katie's desire for a puppy was quickly replaced with a desire for a good night sleep, no need to clean up #1 or #2 on the floor, and no bite marks on her toes. Did I mention, it has only been three days.
Sure, we love Webster and he will no doubt become a great dog. One day, we may even get one of our own. However, now is not the time. I guess I should thank Webster for teaching Katie that we are not ready for a puppy. Hopefully after Katie's Dad has to watch Webster the next two nights he doesn't feel the same way!!!
We frequently dogsit our friend Annie's 10 year-old, well-behaved, and loyal lab Murphy. Katie could not believe how easy and fun a dog is. I will admit, I was starting to come around myself. Katie was even able to quickly forgot the nightmare of a dog she had growing up, Mocha. In fact, when Katie's parents recently bought a yellow lab puppy, her desire for a dog grew more than ever.
All of us went to the breeder to pick up this cute, fuzzy, and peaceful puppy. Katie's Mom named him Webster (after the dictionary). He was timid at first, then lazy, and ultimately began to warm up just in time for us to puppysit as Katie's Mom headed to Vegas.
How quickly cute, fuzzy, and peaceful has become work, work, and more work. More telling, it is funny how Katie's desire for a puppy was quickly replaced with a desire for a good night sleep, no need to clean up #1 or #2 on the floor, and no bite marks on her toes. Did I mention, it has only been three days.
Sure, we love Webster and he will no doubt become a great dog. One day, we may even get one of our own. However, now is not the time. I guess I should thank Webster for teaching Katie that we are not ready for a puppy. Hopefully after Katie's Dad has to watch Webster the next two nights he doesn't feel the same way!!!
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Brian and Katie Welcome You
Welcome to Brian and Katie's blog at hallfamlife.blogspot.com.
Since we have family and friends spread across the United States, and even overseas, we decided to create an easy way to stay in touch. We will chronicle our life through this blog.
Currently, we are DINKS living in Traverse City, Michigan. Katie is a financial advisor, Brian is an attorney, and we live downtown only a couple blocks from the bay.
So, stay tuned to see and hear about our adventures, careers, friends, family, and life together. It is what it is!
Since we have family and friends spread across the United States, and even overseas, we decided to create an easy way to stay in touch. We will chronicle our life through this blog.
Currently, we are DINKS living in Traverse City, Michigan. Katie is a financial advisor, Brian is an attorney, and we live downtown only a couple blocks from the bay.
So, stay tuned to see and hear about our adventures, careers, friends, family, and life together. It is what it is!
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