Going Private and...

I know I don't update very often but I have decided to go private next week. So if I have any reader that would like to stay up-to-date with our growing family just email me at aessner (at) anglincpa (dot) com or just comment and I will add you.

The biggest reason for this is because of this...

I can't wait to share all of the details of my pregnancy (which has been wonderful so far) and journal all about our precious little one when he or she arrives. I am a little over 8 weeks along and God has blessed me with a wonderful pregnancy so far. Joel and I are excited beyond words. It has always been my dream to be a mommy and I can't believe that it is finally happening. Sometimes I have to take a step back and realize that this is my life.

Update...

Since it has officially almost been 2 months since my last post, I have a ton to update you on. WARNING...this post is full of pictures!!

Joel and I went to Chattanooga for our anniversary. We had an amazing time. It was so great to get away from everyday life and just spend time together. We stayed at the historic Sheraton Read House Hotel downtown, went to Rock City and the Aquarium (you would have to learn our love of animal exhibits...we love zoos of any kind), ate at our favorite rib place, and just spent time together. We paid for the basic room at our hotel but when we got there Joel told them that it was our first anniversary so they upgraded us for free to the Suite, but only after I had to assure the desk manager (which was a little "fruity") that I was still in love with my hubby. Here is some pictures of the amazing hotel (btw there was a Starbucks in the lobby, which made it even more desirable):

On Saturday we went to Rock City and then we decided to go to the Aquarium:

Saturday night we went to a wonderful restaurant in the art district. It was even worth the 3 mile walk including hills in my high heel shoes! Joel had a great idea to ride the trolley from our hotel, however we got off at the wrong place and ended up walking for what seemed like an enternity.

On our actual anniversary, October 13th, we invited our parents over to celebrate with us. Our parents cooked dinner and I supplied the dessert, our fabulous wedding cake topper. I am not kidding, it was fabulous!! I guess we did a good job wrapping it before it went in the freezer, it tasted just like I remember it tasting one year ago. After dessert we watched our wedding video and laughed at all the funny things that happened, like my dad giving Joel away instead of ME, my brother not motioning everyone to sit and our guests end up standing for the first 15 minutes of the ceremony, me repeating "With these WORDS I thee wed", my mom saying "Whoa, easy" when we are having a first kiss, and many more to even write. Seriously...but regardless we were married on that day and none of that matters now.

I guess Halloween is next...I was a fifties girl (so original, I know) and Joel was, well I am not really sure what Joel was but I do know that a MULLET was present in each of the outfits! I think I may have encouraged the mullet too much, I laughed so hard the first time he put it on that I almost peed my pants. It matched his real hair (or lack there of) perfectly!

We also went to a bed in breakfast in Guntersville a couple weeks ago. I didn't take any pictures, but I have to say it was the most fun, random thing we have done in a long time. As most of you know, Guntersville is only like 35 minutes from our house so it was kinda weird having to find something to do that night instead of going home after we ate dinner. We ended up driving to Boaz and going to the outlets and to see Fireproof.

I guess that is it for now. I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family and friends!

It's been a while...

Sorry I haven't posted in forever, but we have been really busy with "everyday stuff". I have been studying for the CPA exam again. I just took the Business section on Monday. I need prayers that the graders in Montgomery have mercy over me and just pass me when they realize that I have now taken and paid for that horrible section 3 times. I would say that we have all been healthy and out of the doctor's offices since I last posted but that would be a big ole lie. Joel's foot fungus/disease, whatever you want to call it, came back again. But I think we have it under control now and hopefully it won't come back to haunt us again.

I went to the beach with 16 of my best friends from church at the end of September. It was so relaxing and so much fun. We stayed up every night until about 2 or 3 laughing and talking just like a grown-up slumber party. I'll leave you with some beach pictures...

Joel and I are leaving on Friday to go Chattanooga to celebrate our 1st anniversary. This has been the most incredible year and God has blessed us in so many ways.

Birthday pictures...as promised

We are headed to Nashville this weekend to celebrate with our friends up there. Joel still says that he feels like he is in his 29's....I guess marrying a such youngin' is making him feel young!!!

SOMEONE'S THE BIG 3-0....

And that someone is my wonderful hubby Joel!

On Friday night I had a surprise party for him at his parent's house. It is so hard to surprise him because he can read me like a book. Everytime he would mentioned something about his birthday I would giggle like a little girl, but he said what tipped him off to the surprise is when I called my mom when we were almost there "just to see what they were doing". He said my phone call was WAY shorter than normal. Go figure! It was a lot of fun. We always enjoy weekends filled with family, friends, and food!! (Pictures to come later...I forgot my camera cord)

On Saturday we pretty much spent the day with Joel's family. His brother and sister-in-law were in town with my favorite (and only) nephew Jay. We stayed around the house just catching up. Our plan was to swim all afternoon, but the hail storm kinda put a damper on that! Saturday night Joel and I, along with our class at church put on an Elder's Appreciation Dinner at church. I think they really enjoyed it. We did a luau theme and played games like the "Not-so-newlywed game". It was such a special time to interact with Christian men and women that we look up to so much.

Well, that pretty much sums up our weekend. We always enjoy weekends filled with family, friends, and food!!

Congratulations!!

I just wanted to let everyone know how proud I am of my hubby. He has been studying so hard over the past several weeks for his arborist certification. (I learned just recently that he can be a nerd when he wants to!!) Anyways, he got his certificate in the mail yesterday...HE PASSED!! We just want to thank everyone for all their thoughts and prayers. God truly our answered prayers!

Have a great weekend!

Happy 25th to me!!

I know it is about 2 weeks late, but on June 20th I celebrated my 25th birthday. Joel makes a really big deal of birthdays (which is a great thing becauseI like to celebrate for at least a week). He planned a wonderful weekend in Nashville. On Friday night we stayed at the Loews Vanderbilt and went to eat of the Melting Pot. The hotel was so fancy. It was too fancy for Joel though, he could not understand why a cup of coffee in the room would cost him $1. He insisted that it be free after all we paid to stay there! Our dinner at the Melting Pot was AMAZING. We spent Saturday with our Nashville family and friends. And for the record don't let Joel tell you that he beat me at a friendly game of cornhole because that is so untrue!!

Thanks honey for making my birthday and everyday so special. I love you bunches!

I hope everyone has a wonderful, long, 4th of July weekend!