Friday, October 15, 2010

Eating Old Cake

Old cake? Huh?

There's only one good reason to eat year-old cake, that's right folks, it's our one-year anniversary! I can hardly believe it myself, time flew. Is it just me or does time seem to pass faster and faster as we get older, and the happier we are?

A lot has happened for Matt and I during our first year of marriage. Matt flew around the country interviewing for jobs. Matt landed a sweet gig at California State University, Sacramento. We tried to smoke a turkey for Thanksgiving and learned that we stink at smoking turkeys. We got our very first Christmas tree together. We flew to San Diego to celebrate New Year's and a wonderful friend's wedding. We learned to use a crock pot. We got our sweet puppy, Bounce--the cutest Wheaten Terrier you've ever seen. We snuck away to Asheville. We celebrated my grandparents 69th wedding anniversary and Pappy's 90th birthday in Pennsylvania. Matt successfully defending his dissertation, making us Dr. and Mrs. Hoag! Tried to sell a house (without luck but it's now rented thankfully). I quit my job. I un-quit my job and agreed to telecommute. We went to the Dominican Republic (the DR to celebrate DR Hoag)! Drove 2,500+ miles, through 10 states to move to California's capitol. Moved into a new rental house in Sacramento that we'd never seen in person until we got there. We left Bounce with Grandma Hoag to gallivant around San Fran (rather, I gallivanted, Matt attending an uber-exciting accounting conference). I got a new job--the only one I had my eyes on! I quit my old job, again. Matt started his new job as Professor Hoag! We hosted our wonderful friends Brian and Jen in our nearly empty house before they took off to live in Brussels for 3 years. I got to stand beside one of my BFFs at her wedding in Seattle. We became kick ball players (we need lots of practice). We attended my 10-year high school reunion. We went to Vegas and saw one of the best concerts we've ever seen--we love you Garth Brooks!

I'm sure I've left many things out, but you get the idea. We were BUSY. And really, our lives became a little insane as soon as Matt defended. Before that we had a crazy puppy but we pretty much stayed low key. Probably because Matt had a huge feat in front of him. And that really was a big part of our year. I'm so proud of him for all the hard work he put in and the diligence it took to finish the PhD program. He had countless late nights, many all-nighters and a few cranky moments (can you blame him?), but he did it. Amazes me! It wasn't easy on either of us, but it got us to where we are today. And today we couldn't be happier!

Sacramento is suiting both of us very well. We both enjoy our new jobs. We're getting used to the weather, with very little complaints. We absolutely love being closer to our family and friends in the PNW. It overjoys us to be able to see the people we love more often. But as lovely as our new life is, it too isn't easy. We haven't found our routine just yet and are still working on making our house a home. It's just been too crazy for any of that practical stuff! We have the month of November reserved for that!

So off we go this weekend to Napa, California to celebrate our first year of marriage. Bounce is joining us for the fun, after all, he is part of our little family. We'll be toasting all of our blessings and I'll be telling Matt over and over again how very blessed I am to have him as my husband. Seriously - how did I get so lucky!?

As yes, we really are going to eat our cake topper! Thanks to Mike and Mary who took it home after the wedding, froze it and let it occupy precious freezer space for an entire year. And then mailed it to us overnight* so we can enjoy it on time. Thank you thank you! We'll let you know how it tastes!
*Matt gets the credit for the mailing, he facilitated the whole thing to surprise me. Too bad for him, I'm curious and don't let surprises get past me! Surprise or not, I'm sooo excited we get to take part in this tradition, as silly as it is.
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