Opa! Vacation!

In a few short months we'll fly here....

Then a ferry ride to here....

and here.

We are so excited about this opportunity! Also pretty overwhelmed.

It's a little out of the comfort zone. But something we decided we wanted to check off our list before babies and houses and general adult responsibilities take over.

We're excited about planning this trip together over the next couple months and hoping it will be full of great memories for many years to come.

Opa!

A Goal is a Dream with a Plan and a Deadline

Don't you love a good quote? This oldie but goodie came to mind when I started writing this post. I'm jumping on the bandwagon and sharing some of our goals for this year in hopes of being more accountable and more transparent.

Another tradition we began this year was our Goal Lunch. You can imagine how thrilled my Type B husband was when I put this on the books, but he always goes along with my requests. I like to think all the talk of good balance in pre-marital counseling has something to do with it.

We had loosely talked about some of the things we wanted to accomplish in 2011, but something about commiting to them on paper makes a big difference to me. I thought we would make this a little more festive, so we made a date of it at one of our favorite restaurants.

Here's a sneak peak of what we are aiming for this new year. I left a few of the more personal things off. No, those don't include a bambino. Yes, we broke them into categories.

Physical

1. Sub 2 hour half marathon

2. Run Statue to Statue 15k- main goal is to survive the mountainous climbs

3. Run two 10ks - time goal TBD

Spiritual - We've been visiting a church for a while now and we both feel this is where we want to be and want to further our involvement.

1. Find a Sunday School and become involved

2. Join the church. We are looking forward to this process and having a church home.

3. Continue devotional time together. We started this a few weeks ago and its something I really look forward to. Having a specific time to talk about our relationship and praying together can be a little awkward at first but I believe the benefits to this time together will be priceless. After finding this on a favorite blog this morning, I was even more inspired to spend this time investing in Matt.

Financial - This was the easiest category for me. If you've been reading this blog for any amount of time, you know I'm nerdy about the budget. It is refreshing this year to have a partner in budget goals. 2010 mainly went towards paying off the car and a wedding, so this year we're playing a bit of catch up in some other areas and trying to find some balance and enjoy life. Sorry Dave, I just can't get on the rice and beans plan.

1. Triple emergency fund savings.

2. Begin saving for a house downpayment - I got seriously burned in the housing market crash and I will never, ever again buy without a good e-fund and a down payment. One of my bigger regrets. Although, it is what fueled me to be more responsible with money. See, always an upside if you look for it....

3. Pay cash for travel. This is one of the things I'm most excited about this year. I'm really looking forward to doing some traveling with MS. We are already enjoying throwing around ideas for potential destinations.

That's what 2011, hopefully, looks like for the Searsons.

After all, "A goal properly set is halfway reached."

*I'll be changing blog addresses, since we are no longer 'soon to be'. I'll keep you posted!*

Over the Moon

Ok, so I'm skipping the whole wedding day post. At least until I get some pictures back. A post is always better with pictures - and only the best for the Shuffle readers.

We stayed at our new place the night of the wedding, and it was a great decision. Our flight didn't leave until 3:30, so we got to sleep in, make a Wal-Mart run to assemble a cruise medicine kit, drink mimosas and pack at our leisure. It was such a great morning - we were finally married and headed on vacation. Blissful.

We got to the airport and through security just in time to have a cold beer. An $8 cold beer. Don't judge. It was vacation.

We spent Sunday night in Orlando and got up bright and early Monday morning to head towards the cruise ship.

Me - excited.

Pulling up to the cruise ship!

Wish someone would have told us about the 45 minute emergency drill before we ordered drinks.

My sweet husband. Who got extremely blonde on this trip. For free.

Quite a few of my favorite things in one picture. Can you name them all?

And we're off!

Some friends from Matt's work had some nice cruise gear sent to the room.


Gin Martini - you were too much for this girl.

On the ferry ride to Paradise Island, Bahamas.

After spending the morning shopping (Micheal Kors Jet Set...where are you?!?), we found the public beach near the Atlantis. This was our favorite day, by far. There were locals making pina coladas in freshly carved coconuts. They got my host with the most award.

Aren't they precious? And empty, I might add.

A picture for the twins. I do believe this is "What are you wearing?" - OPI.

We made it back to the cruise ship in time for sunset with a drink.

The Searsons at the honeymoon reception. Cheesy, but I don't turn down free cake.

Playing a little song trivia. Matt, the human jukebox as his dad has lovingly named him, almost secured a victory for our team.

That was about all she wrote. At the risk of being cheesy, I was just as excited to return home and begin our lives together. We are loving every minute of being married, and we sure were glad to get home to this guy.