Blog Face Lift!

You may have noticed a change in the last few hours, and days. I've been trying out new designs and I think I finally found one that I love, who knows it may change again.

Even though Hubby doesn't "write" on this blog I wanted to make it more, and more about us and our lives. You'll see the subtle updates throughout.

Our lives are really about our marriage, our ministry, friends, family and daily antics! Enjoy, thank you for going on this journey with us.

xoxo-
Andrea & Orion

565

It's been 565 days since Orion and I said "I do."

Can we really call ourselves Newlyweds?

When do you stop saying you're a newlywed?

We're coming up on two years this summer, and my how the time has flown! I can hardly believe it. I think after two years I'll stop referring to us as newlyweds.

A ton has happened in 565 days; here's just a few highlights:

- Orion celebrated 1 year at the bank

- I got a new job

- I started working with Miss Twin Cities

- I started my own photography business

- Orion got credentialed with the AG

- we celebrated our first anniversary

- We got a puppy

- we bought a house

- I lost my job

- We left HPC to pursue work with Master's Commission

- Orion celebrated 2 years at the bank

There's no telling what could or will happen in the next few months as we approach 2 years, one things for sure it better be good.

25 Things

So, I've been getting "tagged" a lot lately on Facebook to do this 25 Things. Here's the deal, you write down 25 Random Things about yourself and tag others in your note. Then those 25 people you tag write down 25 random things about themselves and tag you in the note. Just a fun way to learn new things about the people in your life. Ok, so here goes. Here's my 25 Things you may or may not know:

1. My sister and I are Irish Twins.
2. I have two swimsuits that have never, and will never touch water.
3. My Hubby and I met at church.
4. I still am a fan of Britney Spears.
5. One time a boyfriend in HS gave me a sweater for Christmas, and I ended up giving it to my Mom.
6. I secretly, want to move back to Arizona.
7. I want to have twins someday.
8. I still own all my pageant wardrobe, and sometimes wear it around the house.
9. In HS I was voted Most Talkative.
10. I wanted to be a Rockette, until I found out there's a height requirement.
11. I love Jon & Kate Plus 8.
12. I love finding the perfect greeting cards for people.
13. I hate doing most house work ie: dishes and laundry.
14. I used to be a band geek: playing both the baritone & alto sax.
15. When I was a kid I wanted to go into broadcasting.
16. My sister and I are 11 mo. apart, and for a month and a half we're the same age.
17. All the men in my family have been or are currently serving in the military.
18. I'm an Army & Air force brat :)
19. I am terribly clumsy at times.
20. I love to laugh.
21. I know all the words to "There she is, Miss America."
22. I have kept a journal for every year of my life since I was 10. Someday my kids will read them.
23. One day I want to direct my own local pageant in the MAO system.
24. I want to live in warmer weather.
25. Next year we'll start trying to have a baby.

There you have it, now go do your own!!!!

Viva Las Vegas- Part 3

This post is coming to you from my office at home, but I had to include the last few tid bits of my trip.

Sunday morning after Miss America, was like wow! I can't believe the week is already over, it went by so stinkin' fast. It was such a fun trip though! Hopefully one of our girls will make it there next year and we can go again!

Sunday morning we packed everything up as we had to check out of the hotel at 10 am, our flight didn't leave till 7 pm though! Kathy and I walked the strip, ate breakfast, had a Starbucks, and went shopping. Then we headed back to the hotel to relax, before leaving for the airport at 4 pm. We chilled out in the airport and ate dinner. This day was filled with tons of waiting around.

When we got to the airport, I had a most interesting time going through security. My suitcase weighed 57 lbs, and so I had to take stuff out of it. My laptop was raided, and I was asked to take my sweater off since they had to pat me down. It was so weird, and I just wanted to get on the plane.

We finally got into Minneapolis at 12:25 am, and after waiting a half and hour for our bags we finally got our luggage. During that half hour was filled with tons of laughing, and Judy was so annoyed with the teen sitting next to us tapping her cell on the counter. Maybe it was the lack of sleep, or maybe it was cause it was late.... but it sure was funny, and I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. It felt really good.

Now I'm back home, slept in this morning, watched all the Miss America interviews on all the talk shows this morning, and I am attempting to un pack my suit case. Here's a few photos from my last day in Vegas:

Miss America 2009....

........Is Katie Stam from Indiana! This is Indiana's first Miss America win! This has been a truly awesome experience to get to come to Miss America and see the pageant first hand, and get to be involved in so many activities. I have had a blast!! On to the pageant, it was an awesome night. I sat in the seat with my score cards in toe, and made my predictions. I picked 10 of the Top 15, then when they narrowed it down I picked 10 of the Top 12, and then again I picked 5 of the Top 7, and I picked the winner in the end.

A few hi lights: Miss Iowa!! So proud of my home state, what an amazing young lady.... and man can that girl tap!! I was so impressed, 2nd Runner up!! Congrats, Olivia. Getting to see Angie on the Miss America stage was so fun. She did such a good job, we're so proud of you!!

Just in case you missed it:

Earlier today, we went to the Miss America book signing party. That was so much fun to see all my favorite Miss America's and get my picture taken with them, like shameless groupie!

At the book signing, waiting in line.

Me with Miss America '06 & '07 Jennifer Berry, and Lauren Nelson...both from Oklahoma!

Miss America 1996 Shawntel Smith and myself...she's an Oklahoma girl too!

All of us on the final night.

Waiting for the show to begin. To see more of my pics from Miss America 2009 click here.

A side note: I picked 10 of the Top 15, 10 of the Top 12, and 5 of the Top 7, and I picked the winner! I should have made some bets on this! ;)

Viva Las Vegas- Part 2

Friday, morning my Aunt picked me up from my hotel and we headed out sight seeing. The first time I came to Vegas was to visit her when I was 14 with my Mom. I haven't been here since then, and I am now 26... you do the math! Anyway, first place we headed to was the famous Las Vegas sign. Where I ran into Miss Iowa's whole crew as they were taking pictures. We had a lovely chat, since we're all from Iowa.

Next up we headed back to The Strip, to tour hotels; Paris, The MGM Grand and see more sights. I caught the lovely water fountain show this afternoon in front of the Belagio Hotel, and another time tonight when it was all lit up. After that, we headed to this cute little place called Metro Pizza for lunch. Let me tell you what, I am sooo glad I am not competing this Saturday cause that pizza was good, and I had some of it. No swimsuits for me!

Later this afternoon after lunch we headed to my Aunt's house to meet up with her family. Which was a treat for me since I haven't seen my cousins, and Uncle Mark in years. We picked up my cousin Nicole from dance and she showed me around the studio, then we headed off to their house. We hung out, chatted, watched dance videos of Nicole, it was so fun and special that I was able to see her and her family.

Friday, night my Aunt surprised me with tickets to go see KA' Cirque Du Soleil at the MGM Grand Hotel. It was awesome, I'd never been to Cirque so it was a special treat for both of us. Big thanks to my Aunt for being my tour guide and treating me to a wonderful day! Plus tomorrow night she's coming to Miss America, it's going to be fun.

Log on tonight to TLC and vote for your favorite to make it into the TOP 15 at Miss America...you have till 5 AM Saturday morning to vote!! Click here to vote!

Viva Las Vegas- Part 1

I arrived in Las Vegas on Wednesday evening, my Aunt picked me up from the airport and took me to my hotel. It's been an awesome, fun filled past few days. Of coarse, the hi lights have been the evening nights at Miss America! Thursday, morning we tooled around Vegas and went to the Miss America trade show. This morning, my Aunt is picking me up and we are going to see Vegas. This has been an awesome vacation, the weather is awesome here!

bags packed, waiting at the train in Minneapolis to get to the airport.

New York, New York!

More pictures, and hi lights to come!