Anxiety for a reason!

If any of you guys know me, you know the fear and anxiety I have towards DMV & the long lines, issues with getting your license/plates, etc.   After doing research online and having Ryan do lots of research on what is needed and where to go, I decided today would finally be the day to suck it up and get it all done.

I first had to go to the VIN Inspection Station.  Apparently in the 80's, Kansas was a big dumping ground for stolen vehicles.  Because of this, they made it law to have your VIN and your car inspected to ensure it's everything you say it is.  There wasn't really a wait and the guy who helped me was super nice.

After that, I had to go to the DMV to get my title & registration changed to Kansas.  I thought I could get my license done there too, but that wasn't the case.  The DMV looked insanely nice, and as soon as I got my electronic number (no line), my name was called.  Again, the lady there was incredibly nice and I was able to get my title & registration done in no time.

Proof of the insanely nice DMV:

I then had to drive to the Driver's License location.  Apparently I picked a bad week to do this since kids are out of school and everyone and their brother went to get their Learner's Permits and Licenses.  I had to wait outside for 10 minutes because the line was so long, and another 1 and a half inside.  Yet again, I had another super nice lady helping me, but she threw a grenade at me.

Even though I legally changed my name and it says so on my new Social Security card and my MD License, she told me I couldn't change my maiden name to my middle name unless I go to the court and request a name change.  The DL lady explained it's because of some new law that's supposed to be completely implemented by 2012.  I was annoyed, and now I don't even know my full name.

I called the Johnson County Court to see what they said, and they let me know that I needed to fill out a form, pay $173.50 for "start up" and then see the judge to see if he or she will let me change my middle name.  If the judge chooses, he/she can have me publish my name change in the paper, and I would be responsible for those fees as well.

So, I need your help.  What do you think I should do?  Should I drop my maiden name and keep my middle name so I don't have to go through the painful process & spend lots of money?  Is it really worth doing to just keep my maiden name?

Merry Christmas!

We hope everyone had a nice holiday break!! I can't believe Christmas is over already :(

I flew home to Richmond on Monday and Ryan was able to join me on Christmas Eve.

We were forced to cut our trip to Richmond short after snow in Richmond and horrible weather with our layover in Atlanta.  Ryan has to work tomorrow, so we ended up catching a flight to Kansas City yesterday afternoon.

I haven't uploaded pictures yet, but I will DEF post some soon.  I had a packed week in Richmond, and being there just confirmed that I think I have the best friends and family ever!  I really really miss them!

Also, I've learned I'm pretty horrible at updating this blog.  To be continued....tomorrow. :)

Spoiled

A couple pics of this spoiled dog of ours:

Can you spot Zoe?  We were snuggling on the couch watching a movie, and all of a sudden she decided she wanted to be the big spoon and lay behind me.  My hair must be a nice blanket! 

Before we go on a walk in this cold weather, she has to get her jacket on!  Her Auntie Paige got this for her a few years ago.   It's about 2 sizes too small (notice the velcro not together around her chest), but it keeps her warm & she feels pretty!  Thanks Auntie Paige! 

Jack came to visit!

This past weekend Ryan's fraternity brother, Jack, came to visit us from Texas.  He flew in Friday night and we went to Stroud's for our second time (Jack's first).  Since you probably aren't familiar with Stroud's, I suggest you check out this clip from Man Vs. Food:

http://www.stroudsrestaurant.com/mvf.html

It was delicious, yet again, and Jack gave the thumb's up.  We were in a food coma after leaving, so we just hung out until we passed out.

On Saturday, Ryan insisted that Jack tries his new favorite doughnut place, John's Space Age Donuts.  We saw Unstoppable later that afternoon, then went to Oklahoma Joe's for an early dinner.  That night, we checked out Kansas City's Power & Light District.  We really liked it and had fun!  Even though it was downtown, everything was super clean and so CUTE! We first went to a dualing piano bar and then checked out another bar that had women dancing on bars in Santa outfits.  I was a little skeptical, but this bar only played awesome Christmas music & boy bands! Heaven!! I'm talking Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas is You" and "Backstreet's Back".  I loved every second of it.

We had the Chiefs/Broncos game to go to on Sunday.  We were hoping it would warm up, but we were dead wrong.  Our seats were in the shade and facing the wind.  Add those two factors with an already 20 degree day and that does not equal fun.  We had fun at the game, but by the end of the 3rd quarter we were so miserable we had to leave.  I did get some good pictures:

At the dueling piano bar, Howl at the Moon

This guy thought it would be cute to propose to his girlfriend at the bar.  His proposal "We've been through a lot, babe, through the years.  I never had the chance to have a formal proposal, so will you marry me?" Ryan, I'm glad you didn't propose to me like this guy :) 

Huge cowgirls & cowboys in front of the KC skyline.  Coolest thing ever!

Freezing our booties off before the game.  

Arrowhead Stadium! KC has some hard core fans!

Jack, we had a lot of fun with you and hope we can see you again soon!  

On a side note, Ryan and I booked our flights to Richmond this morning! :) Since I won't start working until January, I'm going to be there an entire week.  Ryan has to work til the 23rd, so he's only going to be there for 2 days.  I'm glad we found the same flight back on Monday the 26th! I can't wait to spend Christmas in Richmond and see everyone I miss so much!! 

It feels like home...

Alright, I know I've been saying for a while I would post pics of the apartment.  I finally took the time to break out the camera so you guys can get a better idea of Home Sweet Home!  There's a lot of things I'd want to do with decorating, but since this isn't permanent, we'd rather save the money on decorating on a place that's ours! Without further ado, our humble abode:

The front door!  Once you walk in, there's an inside staircase that takes you upstairs to our apartment.

The living room. I can't wait to get rid of our mismatched furniture!

If you take a step away from the living room, you'll see this leads you directly into the dining room.  Hi Christmas tree & Zoe! 

Guest bathroom

Bad picture of the guest bedroom.  Yes, we desperately need a bedskirt. And a headboard/footboard :) 

Our little kitchen. The door next to the clock is the laundry room. Yes, those are sugar cookies cooling because I'm a good little stay at home wifey ;) To be honest, I get bored to death so baking kills the time! 

One side of our bedroom

Our closet was so big we put the dresser inside...holler

Our bathroom.  Yes, it desperately needs more color :)

The other side of our bedroom (closet & BR)

Our apartment building!  Don't be fooled - not everyone in the midwest is nice! Our neighbors are not friendly. Please note Miss Nellie (my car) at the bottom of this pic.  I can't wait to get a job and get rid of her.  Sorry, Miss Nellie!

So, there you have it.  Our Better Homes & Garden apartment isn't so Better Homes & Garden :)  It's definitely built nice, has really nice fixtures, and the apartment workers are by far the nicest & most reliable people we've ever worked with.  However, it's definitely a very small apartment and we don't see ourselves living here for more than a year.  After that, hopefully we'll have a HOUSE!  Zoe wants a backyard to do all of the squirrel and badger hunting she dreams about :) 

Thankful.

I know Thanksgiving is over, but that doesn't mean we should forget about what we're thankful for.

This is the forth Thanksgiving that Ryan and I have been together, but for some reason we've never been to his parents house.  We decided to take the 10 hr drive to TN for Thanksgiving this year, and we're definitely glad that we did!  We had a good time and since I'm currently home by myself during the day with no one around, I was very happy to see some familiar faces.

I was warned to come prepared if I hadn't experienced a Kim Hibbard Thanksgiving.  Kim (Ryan's mom) is a big believer that everything should be home made and she doesn't take cooking lightly.  We had multiple courses, 2 turkeys, and lots of dessert.  I wish I took pictures but I completely forgot!! It was  all soooo good!

Anyway, I few things that I'm thankful for this year:

- Ryan.  When our friend Jessica Williams said she wanted to introduce us at a party in 2007, we both took it pretty lightly.  Little did we know that after the first night we met, we would be married a little over 2 years later.  He's my biggest supporter, my best friend, and my life is much better with him in it.  I love you!
- Family.  This starts with my parents.  Since my brothers and I were born, they've sacrificed so, SO much to give us the best lives possible.  I've learned so much from them and I'm so thankful for everything they've done for me.  The same goes with my brothers.  Chris and I have always been very close and he always supports me with my decisions.  I'm also thankful he chose Emily as his wife & mother to his soon to be daughter :) Brandon has taught me a lot about life and I'm so glad he's in such a good spot in his life right now.  He has a loving wife and 2 beautiful kids that I don't get to see enough of!
- Friends.  Nikki and I have been close friends since we were little little bitties.  I always forget how long, but it's been more than 20 years and for this, I'm so thankful.  Her family is like my second family and we've been through SO much together, I know that I can count on her for anything and I hope she feels the same about me still.  I broke both of her hips and she's still by my side!  Also, I have so many other close friends that mean so much to me.  Ya'll know who you are, but just know I thank my lucky stars you're in my life.
- Zoe.  I love my little doggie and she makes Ryan and I so happy!  She's a b*tch to anybody else, including dogs (except Roxie!), but we love her! She has unconditional love.
- In laws.   I realize when you fall in love with someone and decide to spend the rest of your life with that person, you don't get to pick who they're related to.  Lucky for me, I have the best in laws.  Ron & Kim have welcomed me into their family as soon as I met them, and for this I'm so thankful.  Also, Randy & Alysa (Ryan's bro & sister in law) are awesome and have produced 2 of the cutest kids I've ever seen. Ryan's Aunts, Uncles & Grandparents are all so friendly & supportive, and I'm thankful for them, too!
- A break from work.  Even though staying at home all day by myself has been hard for me, I'm thankful I've had a break from work.  My last job had me away from home about 60 hours a week (including the commute) and my job before that took away a lot of my work/life balance.  The time off has allowed me to catch up on sleep and really remind me that I DO like to work and I don't feel as accomplished when I'm not doing something.  Because of this, I'm ready to enter the workforce again and I can't wait to get a job!!
- TV & Reading.  If I didn't have these 2 things right now, I would be one miserable soul.
- Blogger & Facebook.  Where would I be without it?
- Cooking & Baking.  Again, where would I be without it?

On a lighter note, I did manage to take a few pics while at my in laws house:

Randy and Charlotte, the pretty pretty princess

Ryan and Grandpa Levi

Isabella likes to feed her sister Char Char (notice hands on the hip)

Ryan and Ron

Ron's excellent camera work

Inside Opryland.  HUGE & SO beautiful for Christmas.

Family Christmas pic :) Zoe wasn't allowed inside :(