the office.

I've had a few jobs in my life, when I was in high school I worked at a trucking company and filed delivery receipts, that was a brief stint. I worked at a cookie bakery in high school, and got my fill of sugar for 4 years. And had a wonderful job in college working for NCU. But my job today, is probably one that I am most proud of, and excited every day to get up and work. Working at the Minnesota District Council has been the best thing for me since day 1 of taking the job. More and more every day I realize and know how very blessed that I am to be able to work there. I work among all these amazing leaders who have been in ministry for so long, and who have been so successful at it. It's been such an amazing experience to get to learn under some of the most talented and gifted people in the state of Minnesota! This job makes me excited to go to work, and so excited about the things that I am doing. For the first time in a long time I feel like the things I am doing are valuable, and that is a great feeling worth "working" for!
xoxo

Family Camp

Ahh...camp, the smell, the late nights, the bug spray, and we can't forget the food! I'm here for the next 10 days at MN Family Camp! With no family...I might add. Not as a camper, but as a worker. It's been a long time since I've been to camp. About 2 years since my last youth camp. Here's a few thoughts from the last 48 hours:

- camp work is sooo tiring but so fun.

- I was a lunch lady for about 35 minutes here at camp...PTL it wasn't longer!

- it's raining like cats & dogs all day long....where is the sun?? I hear it's supposed to be sunny and 80 on Monday.

- I've been working all day, and it's Saturday.... seriously?

- I had some amazing cheese curds earlier!

- I love my little cabin, it's so cute! it's home for the next 10 days.

- I can't wait for my Hubby to get here and share in the experience.

- late trip to Wal-Mart to get the things I forgot, check!

- laughing with my co-workers for about 2 hours today, so fun!

- late night dinner with co-workers...not so good on my figure...but so much fun!

Everyone Loves Free!

Free!! That's a word I love all to well, if I can't get it for free then please give me a good deal. I'm always looking for free stuff and entertaining tips! Here's a one stop place for both! You've heard me mention Sandy's blog 4 Reluctant Entertainers, it's sooo good. I love reading it, and her thoughts on everything.
She's giving away free stuff, go on over to her blog check it out. And enter to win this weeks free stuff. She's giving away this adorable apron... I have one myself actually and you can even personalize it! Mine says, "Mrs. Worley." Isn't that cute! There's a ton of over stuff including a cookbook and some chocolates! Mmmmm....seriously! Happy reading, and hopefully you'll win!
xoxo

Paige & Joe

Wedding season is officially here! This past weekend Paige & Joe got married, I had the privledge to help Paige and her Mother plan the wedding of a lifetime, I also took Paige and Joe's engagement pictures this past fall. It was an honor to be apart of the planning and big day! It was a beautiful day on Saturday, couldn't have asked for better weather for a wedding. It was so fun being with Paige, her Mom and their whole family all day long from doing hair in the moring, to helping her at the church, taking pictures, and seeing the cake get smashed in her face by her new hubby! It truly was a beautiful wedding, so looked so happy and so in love! Here's a few shots from the day;

The Newlyweds

Eunice & I at the reception

Eunice, Pam and myself.

Me and my Hubby!

To check out more pictures of Paige & Joe's big day, check out my website!

xoxo

In the News, part deux!

As I mentioned yesterday Angie was going to be on Twin Cities Live! If you'd like to see the video of Angie and her interview, click here. She's one busy gal, she's doing a great job already as our Miss MN. I can't wait to see what the year holds for her!
xoxo

In the News!

Doing my best to keep you updated on all things Miss MN and Miss Twin Cities, Angie made the news this past weekend. She did an interview on WCCO t.v. here in Minneapolis! If you are interested take a look at the interview here. She will be on Twin Cities Live this afternoon at 3pm on channel 5 here in the cities. Check out the Miss Minnesota website for more of Angie's appearances to come. She's going to be one busy gal! Plans to travel to Miss America are in full swing and I am excited! Miss America finals will be held January 24, 2009! I am so excited to be headed out to Vegas to attended Miss America next year. It sounds so silly but it's one of the things definitely on my list of to-dos in this lifetime!!
xoxo-

I think I'm in Love....

It's true, I've fallen in love..... of coarse my Hubby; but my new love is my friend Karen's new puppy. I've been wanting a puppy since we moved into the house, but I haven't quite gotten the approval from Hubby. Orion and I want different dogs, he wants a guard dog and I want a cute dog that I can carry around, and one that is cute and small, either that or a lab. Either way we don't agree, and Orion thinks we should wait. Meanwhile, I've fallen in love with this puppy. Roxy (Karen's pup) is so cute, I played with her a lot when I was at her house this week and decided that I really, really wanted a puppy now. I looked at the breeder site where they got her from, and I was warned that I would fall in love, and she was right; I did! I've been asking a lot of questions about breeds from different people who have dogs, and pet shop owners, and taking it all in. I hear that dogs are like having children or worse! I had one particular conversation with my Gramps about pound dogs vs. pet shop dogs, etc. I got a little nervous after that thinking that maybe our busy lives couldn't handle it....but I'm pretty confident that we'll make it work. Roxy, is a Maltese, Yorkie mix I would think that would look silly, but as you can see from the pictures...she's adorable! I love Maltese pups, and I think either one would make a perfect addition to the Worley house! We just have to convince Orion! (wink, wink!)

If you'd like to check out these adorable little pups too, you can go to Kountry Puppy and check them out!

Taking A Breath!

We've had a busy, busy weekend...but it was sooo much fun!!! Here's a little re-cap of the happenings! Friday night was the Preliminary night for the Miss Minnesota Competition. It was so fun seeing Angie on stage, she did a great job. And I am happy to announce that Angie took home the title of Miss Minnesota 2008!!! We couldn't be more happy for her! I'll be headed to Miss America in January to support her.

Early Saturday morning (about 5AM) Orion and I trekked it to Iowa for my Family Reunion! We have one every two years, and this year it was in Iowa. Which was nice, I haven't been to a reunion in like 4 years due to living to far away and not being able to afford to go. So I was excited and happy to see some of my family that I haven't seen for a long time. My Aunts, Uncles and cousins came from all over. From Mississippi, and Oregon. It was an exciting day of food, family, laughter, games, and lots and lots of pictures were taken. Orion got to meet the rest of my extended family for the first time. It was really good to see my Aunt & Uncle from Oregon, they weren't able to make it to our wedding last summer. I haven't seen them in 4 years. It always nice to know that even after so long, we're still family and it doesn't matter how long we all go with out seeing each other it all comes back, and I might be a little biased but I think my family is great! We all have our quirks which makes us family, and love each other all the more. Saturday night we all headed out to my Mom's house for more food, bon fires, and chatting.

Sunday, was my Mom's 50th Birthday party with all the family. For a year my brothers and my sister and I have been planning this bash. It was getting down to the wire last week, and I was concerned about all the little details, but they all came together. The party was so fun, right down to the cake! We read letters to my Mom us kids, telling her how much we loved her, her brothers and sister did a little presentation for her. It was a really fun day! I'm glad we were all able to pull it off. My Mom was really surprised, and impressed, and I know she felt loved by everyone there. I was so excited to have all my siblings there to share it all with them, and do something really great for our Mom who's given all of us so much. My brother Sam, who's joined the Air National Guard has been down in Des Moines helping with the flooding, and sand bagging efforts since last Thursday. There was a chance that he wouldn't be able to come, because of his duties. He made it though, and we were so happy to have him there. We're so proud of Sam, and what he's doing to serve the state of Iowa, and our country. If you think about it, pray for the families in Iowa who have lost everything due to flooding. It's still really bad, and they are doing everything they can to help stop the flow of water. It's all to familiar to my family, who was greatly effected by the floods of '93. But my parents house is safe today from flooding. But tons of fields, and homes around us are destroyed. Keep them all in your prayers!

After the party we all once again headed to my parents house to continue on the night of family fun. We finally came back to Iowa Monday afternoon. It was a nice mini vacation! My grandparents came up with us for the day to see our new house. I was happy to have them there to give them the grand tour and share that part of our life with them. After some coffee and chit chat they headed back on the road to Iowa. Here's a little picture of Orion and I at my Mom's birthday party! It was a fun little bash, and Orion and I matched! And below, a picture of Orion and I with my Grandparents. It was so good seeing them again. I'm blessed to have seen them two summers now in a row, since they live in Oregon now. In 3 years the family will join up again to celebrate Gramps 80th Birthday!! I can't wait to help him blow out the candles!This weekend was a blast, so fun being home and celebrating Angie's win! Next up a busy week with a wedding at the end of it. I'm getting all glitzed up in a dress & and heels to help celebrate Paige & Joe! Toodles!

Miss Twin Cities wins Miss Minnesota

Miss Twin Cities, takes the crown at Miss Minnesota 2008. As a committee we couldn't be more excited or happy to announce that Angela McDermott is the new Miss Minnesota. Angie was crowned Miss Twin Cities in December and this past weekend after much preparation and anticipation she took home the crown of Miss Minnesota! Friday night was the preliminary competition, Angie took home the award of Overall Talent winner. A huge win, and scholarship. Saturday was the finals, Angie made the Top 10, tied for Over all Interview Winner, and of coarse won the title. We're excited to see her take the Miss America stage. We're so proud of Angie and her acomplishment. It's been an exciting journey for us as her committee, I'm happy to have been there along the way! Best of luck Angie in this new adventure, Miss America, and all that your year holds!

Date Night!

Hubby, and I have decided to pick a night of the week for date night, and stick to it. We've been saying for a really long time that we want to do a date night, but sometimes life and laziness get s in the way of good ideas. We've done two weeks in a row now on Thursday nights (that's our designated night) and they have been so much fun. It's so nice to finally have some time set aside that you know is coming up to get excited for, and spend quality time together. We decided that we'd trade off weeks of planning date night. Two weeks ago, Hubby planned the first one, and then last week it was my turn.

It can be anything; cheap, easy, fancy, or doing nothing at all but hanging out at home with a movie and just being together is always a good thing! My votes are for cheap and easy. If you know me, you know I'm cheap and a bargain hunter. Now there are some things in life worth splurging for; like honeymoons! (guys; don't go cheap on this one) But when having a date night weekly sometimes that can get expensive, so think creative, think cheap & easy, but will say a lot.

So while I've been on my search for fun, cheap, easy dates it's been interesting to find all these free or cheap ideas around the Twin Cities. I thought I'd just pass them along to you, so you too can enjoy date night with your hubby or wife soon!

PS- if you don't live in Minneapolis, don't worry just "google" these same ideas in your hometown or city and I'm sure you'll come up with something.


Loring Park, Minneapolis. Located next to Hennipin Ave. This is a great park full of ton to do. There's art fairs in the summer, movies in the park too...all for free. It's also a great place to take a walk, enjoy the flowers, maybe play some basketball on the courts there. There's a small little lake there, and an observation deck to overlook. This is a perfect place for a picnic. There's also coffee shops right across the street where you can grap a latte' and go walking. Check out the site for a free schedule of the Movies in the Park, playing every Monday starting in July.

Lake Calhoun, Minneapolis. Famed for it's Lake, and walking trails...this is a perfect spot for swimming, walking, roller blading, and much more. Check out the site for a complete list of things this park has to offer.


Uptown is one of my favorite places to go. Right off of Hennipin Ave in Minneapolis. There's all kinds of great restaurants, coffee shops, and shopping to be had here. Some of my favorite stores are located here. It's always fun to make a night of it, and eat at a restaurant and then grab some coffee and start walking around to all the shops, bookstores and cute little furniture places to get ideas for your home. My picks; for dinner: Filios & Chino Latino. For dessert; Zenos Cafe'...they have the best desserts and coffee.

Cinema Grill in New Hope; this is fresh take on dinner & a movie. You actually go into the theatre sit down and eat at compfy tables, order dinner and watch the movie from there. Their movie ticket prices are cheaper than a regular theatre!

Minneapolis Sculpture Gardens, one of my favorites and one of Minneapolis' finer attractions. Take an afternoon, make a picnic, and enjoy the art. Bring a camera and take fun pictures with your lover!

Centennial Lakes; you can go here and take part in mini golf, paddle boats, and a ton of other fun activities. Download the summer schedule and enjoy free concerts, and movies in the park as well.

These are just a few of my favorite date night things to do. And just for added fun I've included some great little articles from The Nest enjoy these; happy planning and have love fest!
5 New Date Night Ideas
10 Ways to WOW on you Anniversary
Anniversary Plans for all Budgets
Romantic Ideas for Everyday

Take Me Out to the Ball Game!

Orion is playing slow pitch softball again this summer at church. They play Monday nights, and the past couple weeks have been rainy, and or I have not felt like going to a 8 o'clock game. But, last night I decided to go and support and cheer on my Hubby and the team. It was a beautiful night, and it's always a blast to sit with the other wives (last year I was just a finance') and everyone there. I'm more social when it comes to these kinds of events, I'm not to interested in the game as much as I am talking to the people around me!

They played two games last night (they usually do), and were really close both times, but ended up losing the two games. All in all it was so fun hanging out at the game and watching my Hubby play, he's #1 obviously. (no, seriously...that's his jersey number) While at the game of course I snapped some pictures. Here's a few of my faves from the night, Enjoy:

Eunice and I at the game

Orion up to bat!

Base hit!

Eunice and I chillin' at the game.

My cute Hubby!

He's #1

Me and Orion after the game Monday night.

So, if you're ever looking for us on a Monday night, or want something to do...come on over to the fields. I'll be there cheering on the team, along with the rest of the amazing peeps from HPC!!

Bragging Rights!

So I just have to brag a little about our girl Angie (Miss Twin Cities 2008) she's pretty great! She's at Miss Minnesota week right now, mingling with all the other girls vying for the title of Miss Minnesota 2008! She has a busy week ahead of her, they have some fun things planned for the girls too! We'll (miss twin cities committee) be catching up with her on Wednesday at the Saints game and get an updated on how the week is going.

Back to my bragging.... her hometown of Austin, MN did a great article on Angie. You can take a look and read the article here. This is her 2nd time competing for the Miss MN title, her first time she made Top 5, and placed 3rd Runner Up. This year we're taking the cake! We're a little biased, but it's ok. There seriously are some great girls running. You'll find me in the audience this Friday already having picked my TOP 10 by the opening number introductions!

If you'd like to read more about Angie's week at Miss MN go to the Miss Twin Cities website and read all about in under the Miss Minnesota week tab.

Little Bits....

We had a busy weekend in the Worley House once again, this time we were in Minnesota for all of it. Summer is one of those busy times of the year, there's so much going on, and so many things to do. Thus far, our summer has been busy, busy, and full of fun. Here are some highlights from the weekend:
- Friday night I shot Prom pictures for Broadway High School in Minneapolis. Orion came along and acted as my assistant for the night, such fun working together!

- Saturday morning I did mock interviews with Cornerstone Communication. I interviewed 5 hope fulls for the Miss Minnesota title. The Miss Minnesota pageant will be help this weekend.

- Saturday evening, Hubby and I prepared a wonderful meal and had our friend Jimmy over, we hoped to keep him company while Jessie is out of town. I made a Italian meal, that turned out to be wonderful. I hate cooking Italian when Jimmy comes over, (he's Italian and it's always intimidating) But, he liked it, and was amazed. I felt accomplished!

- Sunday, church rocked!! Courtney did a harmonica solo...seriously who knew! It was awesome. Pastor Tory preached an amazing sermon.

- Sunday afternoon we celebrated Pastor Tory's birthday with a fiesta!

- Sunday later afternoon, I trekked it to the hotel with the Miss Twin Cities committee to check Angie in for the week of Miss Minnesota! We're so excited for her, she's going to do awesome. I can't wait for the pageant.

-Sunday later afternoon, while I was gone Hubby cleaned the gutters, patio and built my desk. He's amazing!

- Sunday night, Hubby and I settled in. He watched the Lakers vs. Celtics game and I unpacked and organized my closet & office.

It was a busy, but so fun weekend! Next up; family reunion, and Miss Minnesota pageant all this coming weekend! I'm excited, if life ever slowed down I think I'd be bored!

Happy Donut Day!

Today is National Donut Day! I'm not sure who thinks up these crazy holidays, or how they even get started but I am sure there are sweet tooth's around the world thanking that person! Today is extra special, if you're like me and love free stuff, or can't get enough of these treats, stop on over to your local Krispy Kreme shop. All day long they will be giving away these treats in celebration of National Donut day! I will not be par taking of this special offer, as I am stuck in my office. But if you feel like stopping by and bringing me one, I won't turn it down! And if you're up for some reading today check out America's 13 Best Bake Shops for the 13 best sweet treat shops in the good ole' USA!

Old Married Lady

We're coming up on 11 months of marriage here in The Worley house! I can't believe how fast it's gone by, to think next month we'll be married a year! It's crazy to think! I remember going from the day thinking; "my wedding can't get here fast enough." To now thinking; "where has the time gone?" There are so many little lessons that I have learned about marriage, myself, and my husband in the last 11 months. Lesson #1: everything will change! I remember in pre-marital counseling our Pastors asking us what we thought would change in our relationship after we got married. We weren't naive to think things wouldn't change, but I can say in honesty that I didn't know "everything" would change. It's true, once you're married things change. Even things you thought were "strenghs" in your relationship somehow change, and you don't think you're as strong in an area as maybe you thought.

Lesson #2: everything old, is new again! Even though Orion and I dated for two and a half years, and I thought we knew each other pretty good. I didn't think that there was anything else that I could know or be surprised by. But once we were married, came back from our honeymoon and real life settled in. I realized how much I was getting to know Orion all over again as a man, a husband, and as my partner in life.

My friend always says; "marriage is the most rewarding hard work I've ever done." When she said that to me it summed up a lot of what I was feeling, and I have repeated that same phrase to many when they have asked me; "How's married life?" It's amazing, awesome, wonderful, eye-opening, and so much more! But, she's right..... it's hard at times, and sometimes you don't understand the other, and want to give up, and might now want to work it out right then. But when you do, it's so rewarding and you feel closer to your spouse each and every time you climbed over one hurdle to the next.

Even though we have many years of marriage ahead of us to come, I feel stronger, and more connect to Orion now at this point in life than I ever did in two and a half years of dating! I can't wait to the next 100 years of life together!

Countdown to Miss Minnesota!

Many of you have heard my stories and travels the past few months about Miss Twin Cities, and Miss Minnesota. Well, the countdown and crunch time has set in. In just one week all 15 girls who will be competing for the title of Miss Minnesota 2008 will be headed to check into their hotels, ready to start Miss MN week. This past weekend on Sunday, we had a gown showing & send off for Angie. A time for her to show off her Miss MN wardrobe, and talent selections for the pageant. Also, a time for family and friends to wish her best of luck during the week of Miss Minnesota. Kathy, Judy and I are all excited for her, she's come along way since being crowned Miss TC, back in December. We've had a lot of fun with her these past few months, and are so proud of her! She's going to do an amazing job representing the Twin Cities at Miss MN. She checks into the hotel for Miss Minnesota this coming Sunday. The Miss MN board has a fun filled week for all the girls, some events including a St. Paul Saints game, lunch at Le Cordon Bleu, and an appearance at Gillette Children's Hospital. All of us on the Miss Twin Cities board are looking forward to seeing Angie on stage at Miss MN. We know were totally biased but, we think she's the best! I wish I could show you pictures of Angie's gowns and everything else from yesterday but until next week, everything is TOP SECRET! If you are interested in coming to the Miss Minnesota pageant check out the Miss MN website for ticket ordering info. There you can also read up on all the contestants competing for the title of Miss Minnesota 2008. You can also check out the Miss Twin Cities website for more details and info on the pageant and Angie's year as Miss Twin Cities.

Busy, Busy, Bee!

This past weekend was busy as ever for us in the Worley House, we had our house warming party this past weekend. All week I was getting things ready for the party, while Hubby finished some "projects" around the house. We put shelves up in 2 rooms, built a dresser, put up the bed in the spare room, and cleaned the house and made food for the party. I was tired by Sunday afternoon! Friday, I had my best friend Sara, her adorable baby girl and her sister come all the way from Wisconsin to visit. It was so nice seeing them and having them here to see our house and share in our lives. Friday night the girls all got together and I made dinner for them, we chatted, laughed and it was as if no time had passed. We had a slumber party that night, it was good to have my girlfriends around for the night. Eunice and I stayed up way passed our bed time talking, just like we were in 512 again. I miss those days, even though I love being married there's nothing like a good ole' girl fest and sleep over! Saturday, was our house warming party. Finally here, and ready to show off the house. My family came up from Iowa Saturday afternoon. It was so good having them here, and showing the house off to them for the 1st time! I hope they come visit us often in the new house. My nieces were in toe, they were adorable. I love having them at my house to play, color pictures, and see life for the first time. It's so fun to watch them. They keep me and the family entertained. I'm so thankful for the family and friends that came out to share in this day with us, and celebrate being home owners. It was such a nice day out, and we couldn't have asked for anything better. Sunday, the whole family came to church with Orion and I. We love our church, and we love having our family to share in that with us. It was the first time my brother Shawn had ever been to our church, so it was nice to have him along. After church we came home and the family packed it up to head back home to Iowa. After they left I was off to a Miss Twin Cities event in St. Paul. The day just continued, and by the time I got home from the event I crashed! I was so tired, I just wanted a nap.... but laundry and picking up the house after family left was calling my name of soo loudly! Orion helped me pick up the house, and then we went on a walk around our neighborhood. A perfect ending to a very perfect weekend!