Real housewives of Syracuse anyone??

Just a quick update... Kev got the job in Syracuse! They offered it to him the day of the interview. Erin and her parents literally prepared Kev for the interview; they printed out his resume on resume paper, they washed and ironed his shirt and spot cleaned his suit! Thanks again E Spot, I won't forget all your kindness when Kev makes it big in the hearing aid business! :o) No, but seriously, you guys are the best.

Kev starts Monday and is going to stay with Megg and Eamon who live about an hour outside of Syracuse until we can get a place. I'm going to stay at Vanderheyden until the end of the month. I'm sad to leave to be honest. I had a lot of interesting experiences there definitely, but the kids and staff were kind of like my dysfunctional family when I worked residential. And my clinical co-workers all had good heads on their shoulders and were a lot of fun to work with.

I think I'm usually pretty good with change, I like to envision it more as an adventure than a loss. But to be honest, I feel like a Mom or big sister to a lot of my kids (I know, totally inappropriate attachment and also painfully cliché ). I guess I know when I am around I can keep them safe, for the most part. Even now in clinical I tend to step into crisis, and try to help maintain some order to their chaotic feelings. Something I have learned about myself that I am proud of is I will more often than not step in and stop something to keep a kid safe when other people will ignore it and hope the behavior stops. I know I contributed to a lot of those awful hours when I was the ROC because I followed through with all the kids who were in crisis, and that takes a long time. And you guys know that I am not really too thorough with much in my life so I think that is something to be proud of.

Anyway, sorry, I seem to be thinking out loud about all of this. No one really wants to talk about me leaving Vanderheyden, everyone's just happy for me and wants to leave it at that. My family always seems to want to avoid me mentioning work, mostly because I think they are unsure of what to say, it is such a strange situation most of the time I don't blame them. But, long story short I guess, it's bitter sweet. But I am very excited for Kev and proud of him, he finally gets to wear a suit all the time.

Lauren your wedding was a total blast and you were hands down THE most beautiful bride I have ever seen and I say that with all the sincerity I have. Congratulations again and I wish you many years of happiness and really hope that I will experience some of those happy times with you over our long friendship.

Love you all!

Maria R.

Thank You

Yesterday I was changing my name in all of the places I haven't yet and realized I needed to update on our blog as well.. I am waiting for my official wedding license to come in the mail so that I can finally go and update my SS card, driver's license and passport, but otherwise I am pretty much set to go! (Phew - so much work!) It'll be strange to introduce myself to new people that haven't known me as Peterson, and to now have to spell my name/help people pronounce it. I am sure it'll even be weird for the rest of you to see my new name on facebook, or change me in your phone contacts!

Anyways, I just wanted to send a quick note and say thank you to all of you for taking the time out of your busy schedules to come join us in Cincinnati this past weekend! Unfortunately, I didn't have the chance to spend as much time with everyone as I would like, but I am hoping that it was a great reunion for the rest of you! (What's next?)

It was so amazing to see all of you, along with our other friends, family, and coworkers in the same place for the same reason. This weekend definitely made Alex and I feel like the luckiest couple in the world! Thank you again for being part of it all and for being such supportive influences in my life.

Fall is now here, and so far Lexington is beautiful. We're working on our thank you cards today, so I'm relieving my hand of the pen to send this thank you to all of you.

PLEASE PLEASE write soon.... I want to find out what's been going on with all of you lately, and maybe even what was your favorite part of the wedding! The cake and food were delicious, all of the green accents, and especially the dancing and bubbly made me a elated. Karleya's speech and the video touched me to my soul and made me cry (by the way did anyone notice how I was not a complete wreck with tears the majority of the time - weird right?).

My most cherished moment of the night would have to be my first dance with Alex, that was one of those moments in my life where I felt utterly happy and in my own world with my new husband (you should all try it, right Mrs. Richards?)

After all the thank you cards are in the mail, it'll be time to pack for Costa Rica! Can't wait to share pictures with all of you.

LOVE,

LJ

I got a job!

Hi girls,

I just wanted to let you all know that I finally got a job! I am the new Donor Services Coordinator for the Greater Cincinnati Alzheimer's Association! I went in today to meet with the Executive Director and they offered me the position immediately following that meeting, which I was not expecting! To make things even crazier, I start TOMORROW and the first event is Saturday! I'm very excited but also nervous. This is by far their busiest time and I'm just going to have to hit the ground running. I'm sure it will be fine but also crazy stressful. Just wanted to quickly let you all know!! See you soon!

Amy

Best Martini Ever

Girls! Alex and I are in Lexington spending the weekend.. Just wanted to give you a quick update because I found my favorite martini ever. I know the majority of you are spending the weekend in Pitt so maybe you can make it together!!!!!!!

PIXIE STICK


vodka, triple sec, island blue pucker,

grape pucker, sweet and sour and Sierra Mist
 
 
LOVE YOU ALL!

LP

I miss you!

Hi!

I hope everyone is off enjoying their summers and SHARK WEEK! I miss everyone dearly. I want to let you all know that I passed my boards, so I'm officially an RN! I can't even tell you how good it feels to finally be able to say "I'm an nurse" rather than "I'm in nursing school (blah blah blah)"

Eric and I are moving to Memphis the 20th. We have yet to find a place to live. This is what happens when you leave a job for a man ; ). We are trying to buckle down and find a place tomorrow. I am really starting to get excited about the move. After living with our families this summer, I'm looking forward to some alone time, you know? I start school the 24th. I am looking forward to it, but in typical Maria (worry-wart) fashion, I am nervous about how I will do, as I have no experience in the work field. I have faith that everything will work out, it just might take some extra effort. I am still in therapy for my knee and am unable to run, so I really want to start doing yoga to get my strength up. Enrolling in a class at a gym is one of the first things I want to do when I get to Memphis. I will tell you this summer hasn't really felt like much of a summer though... from studying for boards to studying for grad school there really hasn't been a break. So to celebrate graduation (and obtaining a huge loan) from grad school, I want to plan a fun sun-filled vacation. Of course, you are all invited! Maybe we should take my new passport for a joy ride! Ideas? It's never too early to start planning ; )

I will get to see Amy on Saturday. Eric bought us two kayaks this summer (so I can get some exercise) and we are planning on taking them out at Ryland. And LC and LP will be meeting me at Fogata this Thursday. So, I am glad I get to see a few of you before I venture out into the real world (though a full 1806 reunion would be incredible). I really feel so lucky to have all 5 of you in my life. It feels so good to have solid friendships that I know will be life-long. Maria, where are you moving to? I have not heard much about what new events are taking place in your life. And Erin, how is the new job?!

I love you all. Please visit me (as soon as I find a place!)

Love, MJ

Hope All is Well!

Hope new jobs, house hunting, wedding planning, moving, vacations, and things in general are all going well! I am going to be wrapping up my internship in the next couple of weeks not before a 3-day basketball camp, trip to a baseball game and a trip down to the Bengals training camp (for the kids of course but I do get to go!). All will be lots of fun but I will not be winding down in terms of the amount of work before I leave- not that that’s a bad thing. I’ve really enjoyed it and learned a lot, mainly that this is what I want to do. I’m just starting to look for full time jobs. I’m also hoping to get a trip out to California in there before a new job might start.

John was just here for 5 days too. We had such a perfect visit. I can’t tell you how nice it was to have him home even for just a few days. My life is kind of crazy here and having him here was kind of calming. He stayed here and my parents were cool enough to pretend like him sleeping in my room wasn’t weird (minus a couple inevitable comments from my mother who just can’t resist being awkward). We really had so much fun, though. We went to a Reds game and out to a dueling piano bar with Brie and Drew which was a blast. He convinced me to play golf, we spent a lot of time with his family and mine, we took Sarah to Graeters, went to his favorite restaurants and hung out at the lake. Mostly we just spent a lot of time together. Taking him to the airport resulted in a 24 hour long depression but I'm so grateful he was able to be here just to visit me (and his family too, I guess). This roller coaster long distance stuff sure gets old as many of you can attest to. Hopefully next time it wont take as long to see each other. And trust me, I'm working on getting him back here for good (and so is he!).

As Laur said, I’d love to hear what’s going on in everyone else’s lives! Love to you all!

Amy

Long Time No Talk

Hey girls -

Time has been flying so much! Sounds like this year is a big year for moving with Maria R, Maria J, LC and myself all moving to new places! LC, I heard that you decided on a place, are you settled in yet or what is the date? Maria and I both seem to be playing a little bit of a waiting game. I am excited to finalize what city I'll be in at least! There are only 2.5 months til the wedding and with everything that's going on I am not sure how Alex and I will make time for house searching! I might have to leave it up to him....... yikes.

This weekend was my new roommate, Jenna's birthday. It was beautiful weather in Columbus, besides the freak storms that have been happening today! I am absolutely loving the summer weather, I only wish I could spend more of my time at the pool. This weekend, Karleya and I (and her friend Megan) will be driving down to South Carolina to visit her parents. I am very much looking forward to traveling to somewhere other than Cle, Cincy, or Louisville.

Does anyone else have any trips planned or anything fun coming up soon? Hopefully the answer to that question is YES!

Would love to hear what's going on with each of you!

<3 Laur