Milestones: Moving Day

Shortly after Tom got his residency (read like a week), we met up with a realtor to look for our own house. It has been something that we have consciously put money aside for since we got married. We were thinking we would get a townhouse. Tom and I are not big into yard work and liked the idea of just a small patio. We also thought we couldn't afford a house, or at least a big enough one. We had a very small list of "needs":

1. three bedrooms
2. 1 and 1/2 bathrooms
3. open-ish concept
4. a garage (Calgary gets massive hail storms)

From everyone that we talked to, it didn't seem like a lot to ask for. We also had areas of the city picked out e.g. a map with highlighted areas (yes i'm a dork). So we met with Stewart Chyz. He's an awesome realtor and I couldn't recommend him more. He talked to us frankly and said "yes you can afford a house". So we trusted him. He sent us a TON of listings that night and agreed to meet up with us the next day to look at our top 5 picks. Well we went out and the third house we saw, we just knew it was the one. It had everything on our list. In fact it was bigger than we thought we could afford! Oh, and the backyard is all patio so really you are only cutting the teeny tiny front lawn! We can handle that.

With the help of some awesome friends and a trusty U-Haul, we moved in the 30th of July. Here are some pictures of the move:

And finally, the reason we bought a house with a garage (and literally what came down our first night we moved in):

Definitely more updates as we figure out this whole "Home Owner" thing!

Milestones: 5 Long Years

It finally happened! May 12th, 2016 is a new favourite date! The above picture has nothing to do with this, but it shows my little family all snug and together (and now forever).

Tom finally got his permanent residency and now we are established here in Canada and can finally settle down. The whole process took around 5 years. Some people have been asking how it all panned out so here is how it worked FOR US:

2011-2014: Tom was living in Liverpool, finishing school and applying for Work Visas.
February 2014: Tom got a one year work permit and moved to Canada.
October 2014: We got married and applied for a residency.
February 2015: Tom got a new work permit.
March 2016: Tom was contacted for his medical for his residency.
May 12th, 2016: We were told of the appointment about a week before, went to immigration and signed his papers!

Milestones: Decking the Halls for the First Time

So this year I finally broke down/convinced Tom to buy a "real" tree. We got a pre-lit 6.5 foot lovely, and I promptly went Christmas crazy. I want to remember these first decorations forever:

p.s. I made that ^ and it's perty!

Milestones: Wedding Part 4

The reception was a HOOT! I'm going to post separate for the DIY's I did. Here is the just the pure shenanigans of the night.

My step-mom made our cake. She's talented like that! The cake-toppers are birds from Michael's. She made a delicious marshmallow fondant three-tiered cake. Quite delicious!

We made a kissing game: instead of the clinking glasses we made our guests sing Queen lyrics. Our Pastor got us started off with a rendition of "We Are the Champions".

Even though everyone does it we played the shoe game.

We had these beautiful giant windows along one wall. It made a fabulous backdrop for the head table.

We did a father-daughter dance to "Cinderella" by Steven-Curtis Chapman. I pretty much cried the whole time.

Then Tom and I had our first dance to "Inevitable" by Anberlin. It was perfect!

 

Tom and his Mom danced to "Dancing Queen" ABBA and Tom and his Dad rocked out to "Sweet Child of Mine" by Guns N' Roses. I dedicated "This Will Be" by Aretha Franklin to my Mom and "Ballroom Blitz" by The Sweet to my step-mom Tracey. We tried to make it as about family as we could. Our DJ was great, although quite grumpy. I think there was only one song I didn't feel like dancing to. I don't think I would have changed a SINGLE thing about our day. It was pretty magical!

Milestones: Wedding Part 3

We honestly could not have had better weather for October! The leaves were still on the trees (for the most part) and the whole world was reds, oranges, and yellows. We had a small park behind our venue where we went and took all of our pictures between ceremony and reception. It was quite relaxing as we knew we didn't have to drive anywhere to get to our reception. Here are some of my favourites:

Tom and the boys: his father, brother, and my two brothers.

Me and the girls: Krista, Kara, Katie and Chantel

Why not throw leaves?

What did I tell you about the colours! We look pretty good too.

This is my favourite picture of all the ones taken. It's just... us. I've had a few people comment on how young Tom looks... He's got the cutest smile.

Our photographer has the best eye! Plus I have to add how beautiful our flowers were. We got all our florals done by Best of Buds including boutonnières and bouquets.

Milestones: Wedding Part 2

Here are some highlights from the ceremony

Dad walking me up the aisle. Like most poised brides I was focused on seeing the groom... and not slipping on the floor.

My ladies dresses were just GORGEOUS!

 We had a lot of goofy grins back and forth, and just looking at him kept me calm.

Milestones: Wedding Part 1

I'll start my wedding photo dump with pictures of us getting ready. All photos are taken by the incredibly talented Eunice Photography

Hair by Crown Jewels Calgary and Makeup by Trinity Hair and Makeup

All of our dresses are from David's Bridal. I let the girls pick whatever dresses they wanted but they had to be chiffon fabric and Oasis colour. I love that they are all different silhouettes but they go well together. Highly recommend this to any bride who wants to have happy bridesmaids.

And a photo of the boys:

2014: The One That Got Away

So remember that time I said I was going to post regularly... and then a whole year happened. Funny huh! I've decided that the day Tom proposed, we hit the ground running and didn't stop. And we haven't stopped. Life is slowing down a bit though! I thought I would "catch-up" by going over some of the highlights:

• Tom arrived in Calgary safe and sound, lived with my Dad and step-mom for a bit (awkward eh?), got a job, got a car, and moved into our first apartment.
• I got a full-time teaching gig at a super awesome school.
• I planned a wedding. People helped because they're awesome, but I was the one who stressed and stewed over it every moment of every day.
• I got married and started adjusting to the whole wifey thing.
• We went on some fun day trips
• We went on a short Honeymoon, a mini-moon if you will, to Vancouver.
• And I worked, worked, worked because teaching is NOT easy!

I'm going to post some detailed posts on some of these points, but for now I say HELLO and I'm BACK! (I mean it this time)

Long Distance Relationships

So in a few hours it's over. The relationship that I know will be done. For two and a half years we have cultivated this thing. Grew to know each other through email, text messages, Skype and good old fashioned paper letters. We poured out our hearts to computer screens. We went sometimes up to 12 months without actual physical contact. And it will be done in the blink of an eye. It all ends when I pick him up at the airport tomorrow. When I finally get to see him face to face everyday. What I'm trying to say is I wouldn't have traded these two and a half years for anything. I'm getting to keep my soul mate.

Now I'm sure a lot of you are rolling your eyes. Saying "Brittany you don't even really know this guy!" Well, the truth is I do. I think I probably know him better than anyone. We have had to reinvent communication while apart. He's bared his soul in typed letters, and I have reciprocated. I'm not saying that my relationship is superior to yours. Not even close. All I know is that we have had to remove the physicality of a relationship and have ended up with something so much more. He's my best friend. He's my fancy pen pal.

Now I'm not saying that long distance relationships are ideal for everyone. Not by far. They are flippin' hard. Sometimes the pain of not getting to hug that person can be excruciating. Sometimes it seems like you can't even type one more email or send one more text message as it's just too hard. Maybe it would be easier to you call it off. But for this special of a person I decided to stick it out. We decided to stick it out. Perhaps it's easier for us as we are very comfortable with writing down our feelings, but I'm not sold on that answer.

But like I said: it's over. Tomorrow I will pick him up at the airport and I will never ever drop him off again (unless he's going to visit his parents). He's stuck with me for good. In fact, in 7-ish months he will be legally stuck with me. I'm going to marry this guy and never look back.

So if you're feeling like there may be a special someone in your life that you'd want to be more than friends with, but lives far away, know this: if it's worth it it will work out.

Who know, maybe you'll end up with your own Liverpudlian!

 

Saying Yes

This is my first blog post of 2014, and I think it's because of all the changes in my life. Tom landed in Calgary on the 20th of December and it is like we've been running ever since. He'd already done the tourist thing last time, and the meeting of the family, so this was a bit more relaxing. Things got a bit interesting as Christmas crept up on us. We went with my Dad, stepmom, brothers (and brothers girlfriend) and aunt and uncle up to Canmore for some mountain time. We had scheduled a sleigh ride for Christmas Day (something we have done quite a few times now). Tracey broke the news to me that they would only let 7 people on the sleigh at a time (wink wink), so they had decided Tom and I should go alone. Little romanic interlude if you will. Like most girls in this situation I thought to myself "this would be a perfect time for him to propose but if he doesn't don't be disappointed." He was quiet the entire sleigh ride (which doesn't happen for him much), and I wasn't sure what was up. They took use to a special clearing and told us to get out and take pictures. I was staring at the pretty mountain, not paying attention, when suddenly:

It was cold, so I commend him for getting on one knee in the snow. Of course I said yes! I don't remember much more, other than champagne toasts as we got back to the fire to meet the rest of the family. Then the phone calls to make sure everyone knew our news. It was pretty magical, and I'm quite proud of my guy for the thought he put into it. It was a very wonderful way to end off 2013!

Now comes wedding planning madness...

 

Doctor Who 50th

One of the greatest things I've ever seen on tv. I think it was how beautiful the graphics were, how cute Tennant and Smith were together, and how vulnerable the Doctor was. I just started blubbering throughout. Oh and Tom got the following texts:

"David Tennant is yelling at a rabbit"

And This unforgettable quote: "Great men are forged in fire. It is the job of the lesser men to light the flame"

Brilliant! Fantastic! Geronimo!

And a final: allons-y!

Milestones: Dad's Birthday

Happy 51st Dad-o!

 

Happy End O' 2012

I may have some wrap up things to do but for now it's all about tonight's countdown!

Milestones: 25th Birthday

Yesterday I turned 25. So for all insurance purposes I'm legally an adult! Woohoo! I'm also a quarter century old.Yep. As with anything I thought it would be huge defining moment. I'd be all "wow I feel different today". Not so much. My mom asked me what I wanted to do as I'm down visiting her in Windsor. I said shopping in Michigan and Mexican food. So over the Ambassador bridge we went for $10 Liz Claibourne purses, cherry coke and stores we don't have over here.

The we hit up Mexicantown Restaurant with some family for Enchilatas, Maragritas and flaming ice cream. ¡Ole!

Pretty solid day of I say so myself!

Milestones: 12/12/12

Just another day...

Milestones: 100th Post!

Isn't it rather funny that my 1 year anniversary is proceeded by my 100th post. So really I did 99 Posts over a blog year. I didn't even plan it that way! I'm just THAT FANCY! Here's a little sketch of Sofia to celebrate. With that I included more sketches on the blog... perhaps something to look forward for the next 100!

Milestones: One Year Anniversary (Oh Bother)

OH MY GOODNESS! I'm a silly girl. I had planned out that I'd really pay tribute to the One Year Anniversary of this blog... Yeah that happened on the 2nd. I forgot to check and assumed it was in November. Nope. So here is a hip-hip-horray and no pomp and circumstance. One year on the interweb. And shoddy at posting/picking random times to post. Hopefully next time this year I'll have the ol' act together!