Karen's Wedding!!

Once again, click the post title above for some enjoyment!

JJ's Wedding!!

Click on the title of this post to enjoy some fun pics!

Busy but happy

Wow, it has been so long since I've had a chance to hop on here and tell the world how I am doing. I've been so busy but happy. I spend most of my free time with Adam (is there any better way?) and just tend to forget about keeping up with the rest of the world.

May was the month of weddings. My little sister got married May 1st. She is happily enjoying married life and has been married for a month and a half now! Apparently this has also brought her wisdom as she suddenly has tons of good relationship advice for her big sister.

My best friend JJ also got married last month. I'm so happy for her. She has worked very hard to get where she is in life and deserves all the happiness in the world. She and Brandon seem to be doing well, but I hear from her less often now. Gee... I wonder why? Maybe in a couple months we'll get to see each other again.


JJ had a beautiful reception and Adam was kind enough to be my date. We had so much fun. Adam looked so handsome in his suit.


The only trouble is Adam has banned me from attending more weddings and holding babies. We've been hanging out with his best friend and his family (including a brand new baby girl!) and I guess I've gotten a little too excited... Oh well. That's what happens when you are super happy! You get excited about life and start making plans/daydreaming about the future!

Adam and I were also lucky enough to attend my cousin Nathan's high school graduation. I was so proud of Nathan and all he's accomplished. I was even more proud of his mother for keeping her tears pretty well hidden. She's done a great job as a mother and has created a fabulous young man who will do so much good for this world. Unfortunately I forgot my camera that night...

I am so happy and feel so blessed. I feel like I've won the lottery or something. I am so grateful for the wonderful people and blessings I have in my life right now.

Lost Keys!!

This morning I was ready to leave for work and went downstairs to where I usually hang my keys. They were not there. I wasn't too concerned because I often drop them in my purse and so I set my purse on the table and began digging. Still no keys. I wasn't worried about my keys, but I was getting close to the time I needed to leave for work. I dashed back upstairs thinking I had perhaps left them on my night stand or bookshelf. No keys. I checked the bathroom. I looked in my jewelry box since I have been known to accidentally drop them in there. Still, no keys. I texted my boss to tell him I couldn't find my keys and stopped to replay last night in my head. I remembered that Adam and I went to FHE together and he drove my car on the way home. (And then took me out for a quick ride on his motorcycle!!) I called Adam on the off chance he would remember where he put my keys. It turns out they were in his motorcycle jacket pocket-- and he was all the way across town at work! He volunteered to bring me my keys but let me know it would take at least an hour for him to get them to me. I called my boss to let him know where my keys were. He needed me at work right away so he sent someone to come get me. I called Adam back to let him know I had a ride to work and asked him how he would get my keys back to me. He had already talked to his boss, and got to bring them to me on his lunch break! So, with the gorgeous weather, Adam came up to the bank and took me home on his motorcycle (yipee!!) and then we got to go out to lunch together. So what have I learned from all this? Lost keys = sweet rides on the motorcycle + lunch with the best (and cutest) man in the world!

Wheat

I believe I forgot to mention that I am allergic to wheat. I've been struggling with my health a lot lately but wasn't really sure why. My stomach was hurting pretty much all the time and I was getting constant headaches. I've had frequent, severe headaches and stomach problems for years and just thought that was the way life was. Finally, I woke up one morning a couple of weeks ago to extreme pain in my left side. I felt like I was being stabbed and the knife was being twisted around and around. I went to my doctor (who I normally love), but his solution was no help. The pain kept getting worse. It was to the point that I couldn't keep anything down, and I was almost in tears. Within minutes of finishing a meal, my side would hurt, and not long after that I'd have to rush to the restroom. Adam kept insisting that I go see his brother Bryan. Bryan is a chiropractor, and if you grew up in my house, you would understand why I hesitated. I mean, how can a chiropractor fix your stomach? Well, let me tell you. I was at JJ's bachlorette (Mormon-style) party and had to leave early because the pain was at its worst. I drove straight to Adam's house and asked him to take me to Bryan. I was ready to try anything. Bryan laid me down on his chiropractic table and began a nutritional test on my body. I don't really understand everything, but Bryan is not only a chiropractor, but also a nutritionist. It was amazing. I couldn't take him seriously at first. I felt like an idiot lying on the table with him touching my nose. He was testing acupuncture points I think he said. Anyway, he tested all of my major organs and discovered a problem with my ears, heart, and colon. (We figured he'd find a problem with my colon... that's why I was there after all.) He was then able to discover what was affecting those organs. I have a virus causing an inner ear infection which he is trying to flush out. This caused some minor diet restrictions. The heart and colon problem it turned out was a food allergy. Wheat. That's right, the main staple of my diet, the one ingredient that is in everything I love (and almost everything else) is what was causing all that pain. I was so upset when Bryan told me. The first thing I said was, "but what about when I go to Aunt Mar's house? The next time she makes dinner rolls, I'm going to cry!" Bryan asked me if I thought eating one of Aunt Mar's dinner rolls was worth it. I told him he'd obviously never eaten her food before. I am struggling to find foods I can eat. I have to read the labels on everything. Plus, the virus in my ears is clearing up too slowly, so now I can't even have corn. No corn/corn products or wheat/wheat products, and absolutely no processed sugar. Oh yeah, and no grains either. Except rice. Bryan said he'd see how I do before taking me off rice. I've lost six pounds in the last week, so I guess it isn't all bad. And, my headaches are less frequent and my stomach feels better than it has in years. Bryan is a genius. I'm still a little bitter though about no more bread, pasta, birthday cake... Man, no more tortelloni!! But I'm grateful to have discovered how to feel healthy again. Well, assuming I can get over my sinus infection!

The Meeting of the Moms

Adam's dad had to go out of town this week for business, so I came up with a clever idea. I thought it would be cute to have Adam's mom meet mine. We all went to Texas Roadhouse in Lewisville/The Colony (it's close enough to the border so I'm not really sure where it is) because it was a good halfway point for all of us. Since we didn't get to celebrate Mom's birthday last week, I told the waiter it was my mom's birthday. They made her climb on a saddle and out "yeehaw" the crowded restaurant. She did a great job.


The food was good, and so was the company. I wasn't really feeling well though, so I left it to the others to keep up the conversation. Tonight I'm stuck at home sick. I miss Adam, but I don't want him to get sick too! Hopefully I'll be well enough to see him tomorrow. If not, I'll miss his dad's birthday!

At last, at last, an update!

So dear readers, I have left you neglected. I am so sorry. I have gotten a few complaints about my failure to keep you updated, so this is my attempt to make amends. An update-palooza!!

Adam and I spent a day in Dallas. We wandered downtown and found the cattle statues, the JFK memorial, the old West End Marketplace (which is now closed) and my dad! Adam took me to Spaghetti Warehouse where we got to sit in the caboose and have a fabulous lunch. After lunch, I got a text from Dad and realized he was working nearby so we walked over to go say hi. He was in his uniform and I should have gotten a picture. I'm still kicking myself. It was fun to see Dad though.

Adam also took me back to Las Colinas so I could get pictures of the mustangs in daylight and see the pavilion his dad built for the Omni hotel. We wanted to get pictures of the black swans, but they were out and about. We didn't even see them.

Last Friday, Adam and I got to go to Fort Worth for an evening with his friend Jared, Jared's wife Gwen, and their son Adam. We went to a Lebanese restaurant and saw a real belly dancer. We were sitting right next to the stage and I have to tell you, it was a little embarrassing. We had a lot of fun though. I got to hear all kinds of stories about the mischief Adam and Jared used to get themselves into. Unfortunately, after Adam left my house that night, he was rear-ended and smashed into the car in front of him while waiting at a stoplight. Adam is okay, just stiff and sore, but his car was totaled.

We did get to go to a Mavericks game last week. It was so much fun! Especially since we got to watch them cream the Utah Jazz! J/K... I have no quarrel with the Jazz...

Anyway, I have tons of pictures to share so I attached the above photo album. Enjoy!!

A Fabulous Date

Last night I enjoyed one of the best dates of my life. Adam took me down to Las Colinas to see this place that had mustang (as in the horse) statues. It was right off of the canal so we wandered around enjoying the beautiful night. It was a little windy, but the city lights reflecting on the water were so beautiful. I tried to get some pictures, but as I had no tripod they didn't turn out too well. As we wandered I realized we were in an area I knew fairly well. When you change positions in the bank, they send you to a special training class that can take 1-3 weeks in Las Colinas. I'd spent many lunch breaks wandering the canal. I was so excited to be back in a part of downtown that I knew and loved. We had a fabulous dinner at Jinbeh. Adam had never eaten at a Japanese hibachi restaurant before. The food was amazing as was the chef. I can't wait to take Adam to my favorite, Benihana's! After dinner, we walked down to the Omni hotel where Adam and his dad used to work. He walked me behind the hotel to show me a beautiful pavilion his father had built. I made Adam promise to take me back during daylight so I could get a good picture of it. Then he took me to the pen where they keep their black swans! I was maybe 5 feet away from them! They were so dark, I couldn't even see them until I noticed their bills and then could see the outlines of their bodies. I had such a great time with Adam, walking and talking. He's such a sweetheart, planning a night like that. Poor guy, I had no idea what was going on. I thought he was just taking me to see where he used to work. It took me a little while to realize I was on a romantic date. Isn't that a little backwards? Anyway, I do have a few pictures I can share. Enjoy:
The canal I walked near my bank's training center.
The view across the canal.
A little photoshop version of the mustangs.
I think there's a chance Adam and Karen have met in a previous life...
Adam's arms are longer than mine, so I made him take a picture of us. Every time I did, I'd cut off his head or the bottom half of my face. I think he did a great job.
I can't wait to go back in the daytime and get more photos. These statues are so beautiful and lifelike!
It looks like they're coming right at you.
Amazing detail. I was blown away. (Literally. The wind kept trying to throw me into the water...)

Spring is Here!!

Spring is here! Or almost, anyway... Several years a go a student gave my mom a hyacinth (at least that's what I think it is...) Mom planted it in the front yard and it died fairly quickly. We were sort of sad, since it was a pretty plant and we never thought we'd see it again. But the next year as spring rolled into Texas, we noticed a tiny hyacinth budding just where Mom had planted it the year before. Ever since, it has been the symbol of spring to me. I love to watch it appear and grow. (Especially since it is purple...)

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Also, new in the world of Marilyn and Adam: Adam met my dad today. Dad took us to Joe's Crab Shack for a very yummy dinner and Adam got to meet Dad, Tracey, and Fallon. We had a lot of fun. Dad mentioned his knife collection.... but other than that was very nice. Adam had a good time. I wish I could have spent more time with Fallon though. I'm sure it's not very much fun just listening to the grown-ups talk about motorcycles and helicopters. She was a good sport though. For once, I arrived at the restaurant before my dad and snapped a picture of me and Adam. I thought it turned out well, so here it is for your enjoyment. Isn't he sooooo cute??!!

Sleepless in Flower Mound

So, Adam and I have discovered that 7 hours of sleep is now too much sleep...

We've been hanging out everyday enjoying each other's company. Adam lives about 35-45 min away depending on traffic. We take turns making the trip after work to see each other. Sometimes we go out and sometimes we stay in, but we have so much fun, it's almost impossible to say good night and head home. But I've been so happy, I have barely noticed the lack of sleep.

Last weekend, Adam's sister Staci came into town with her new husband Andrew. They wanted to go with us to Six Flags, but I couldn't get the day off work. I did manage to get off an hour early, so Adam and I met Staci and Andrew around three. They'd been running around the park since it opened.

We had a lot of fun. I really liked Staci and Andrew, especially Staci. She's a lot of fun to talk to, and very adventurous. I brought my camera, but forgot to use it...

I did get a couple of pictures as we were walking out. Just remember we were very tired and hot after wandering around a very muggy (fun, but sticky) theme park.

The next day, we lost an hour of sleep due to Daylight Savings time :( and it seemed as if once church was over it was suddenly 9 pm and time to go home. But we were hanging out in Frisco, and were lucky enough to be invited to visit Aunt Mar and her family for a couple of hours. I certainly enjoyed myself, and I think Adam did too. The famous care-bear story came out... I love that story, and Adam thought it was really cute.

Monday, we had dinner with Adam's parents, who are super sweet. It's been a little overwhelming meeting all of Adam's family, but fun so far. I'm not used to being around so many people, but I'm adjusting.

Adam's been so patient with me. Poor guy has had to suffer a couple of Marilyn-style freak-outs, but so far he's still with me and I'm more comfortable with him every day. I feel so lucky to have found someone like him. He's so kind and supportive of me. It's amazing that a guy could be that nice and considerate to me.

Even when I look all disgusting after a (super fun) trip to Six Flags!