In other news: I believe we have found a church!

We continued out church search today. This has been an ongoing process since we moved here that was interrupted by my overtime work at my job for turnover. Today, we decided to go to the contemporary service that one of the ACD's Jen said a friend of her's goes to and really likes. Zion Lutheran is in Clarence Center, not too far from the horse barn actually. The service was wonderful, the theme was "who do you say I am" speaking of the moment when Jesus asked Simon Peter this question and he answered "you are the Messiah".

The church is not too big but a growing and healthy church, meaning one that has people of all ages and generations, not a dying church. We met Nate, he's not a pastor, but was leading the service. He is like an intern at the church and is concentrating on doing different types of services that are, as he termed it, "organic worship for people our ages who may not relate to the traditional Lutheran worship". I felt so welcomed there and felt like God was telling me I was home. It was super emotional for me after being without a home church for 3 years and I started crying half way through the service.

It felt good to be home.

A very Irish weekend

So Kyle and I spent Friday watching a very anticipated movie that came from Netflix. Since the night of the Oscars when I heard Glen and Marketa sing Falling Slowly (and win an Oscar for it), I have been dying to see "Once". Because of all the moving and such, I really have not had time to even rent a movie so once we signed up for Netflix, I knew it had to be at the top of the list.

What a beautiful Irish movie shot in Dublin. The simplicity of the movie allows you to not only get to know the characters, but fall in love with them and their music. And the ending is perfect, not some cliche, happy ending, but a very real picture of a point in your life where something is so real but yet is impossible all at the same time. I really loved the movie...and the music even more.

I think I relate to falling slowly so much because it reminds me of when I met my husband. 3 hours have never flown by so fast as they did that first meeting in the coffee shop. But the feelings I had, I was never sure he felt the same way until the day before I left for school, when he first kissed me in the car after we had been soaked by a freak rain storm. And through our relationship, me thinking that I wasn't good enough for him and sometimes trying to make issues to make there be a reason for us not to be together. But he has always been so patient with me. Understanding my hurt and my pain and loving me in a way no one ever has. Letting me be independent but still calling me out when I get carried away. He gets me...which is an amazing feeling.

So...back to the Irish weekend. Today we went to the Buffalo Irish fest. It was so awesome! Kyle drank some Guinness, we listened to a lot of Irish music, found my family's name on the map of Ireland and watched some Irish dancers who were amazing. They were super cute kids who were extremely talented:I, of course, had to wear green:

The Wilshire Twins

Brenda is my best friend from High School. She is an amazing person, probably the nicest person I know. She and her awesome husband John have been trying to get pregnant for about two years and we found out about 8 months ago that she was having twins! Braelyn and Jewel were born July 31st and I have been anxiously awaiting pictures - so here they are!!

Me not being the type to get all googly over babies....you have to admit that they are awfully cute!


They also have the biggest, most beautiful eyes. It sucks that they live in Texas so I think we are going to have to plan a trip so that I can meet these two! I am excited for Brenda to be able to start her family. She is wonderful with children and loves them so much. She is a full-time nanny and John is going to school to be a kindergarten teacher so I know they are going to be great parents and Braelyn and Jewel will grow up to be very smart and wonderful!

P.S. I've got a new stepmom

So my mom just told me that Leo (my father) got married again. I've got a new step mom! (Insert rolled eyes here.) I have never met the woman but she was apparently at our wedding. I think I saw the back of her...the bleach blonde hair and tattoo covered arms. My mom met her at my sisters baby shower... she's a trashy biker chick who wears clothes about 20 years to young for her. Lovely.

So we shall see how long wife number 5 lasts. I swear...he has a complex about being alone.

D-I-S-F-U-N-C-T-I-O-N-A-L

My new job

I never dreamed that this job would be so hard. I feel like I am doing a good job but I am working my ass off.

Friday started turnover...I have 13 days to turnover 150 apartments. This could include replacing the carpet, painting, cleaning, carpet cleaning, and all maintenance issues. Almost a completely impossible task right? Nope. It will get done. I may not sleep, I may go crazy...but it will get done.

UB is the only school in the US who runs their apartments the way we do. We are the flagship for customer service and our apartment program...other schools wish to run their apartments the ways we do. No only are our budgets separate from the rest of the University budget, but we actually make money that is put at certain percentages into our researve replacements. This money allows us to keep our apartments up to date and in great condition compared to other schools' apartment programs. It's amazing the way that it all works (I'm still learning it all).

So here we go...