Dad's 50th Birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD! I am so glad we were able to surprise you and make your 50th birthday!
It really was a Beautiful Day.

Lincoln Park Zoo

On a beautiful Saturday afternoon, Jeremy and I headed off to Chicago to meet Erin And Lily for a quick stroll through Lincoln Park Zoo and some lunch prior to m Dad's Surprise 50th.
No matter when we meet up with Erin and Lily we know that we are going to have a day full of smiles and laughter.
Plus there is nothing better than hearing Lily say Jeremy!
We arrived at 11am, the weather had just hit 72 and the sun was shining.
Here are some photos from our day at the Zoo. Following the Zoo we walked to Stanley's in Lincoln Park for a quick bite to eat. I'm not sure where our appetites came from but we sure enjoyed the Trailer Park Fries, Turkey Reuben, BLT and Turkey Club! If it weren't for Lily I'm pretty sure Jeremy and Erin would have actually eaten some bacon.

Thank you ladies for a great day!
Love you!

Dream On.

Chapters of my biography, titled Dream On.

1.) I'm a loser
2.) Baby Got Back
3.) So In Love
4.) Handshake Drugs
5.) Everyone knows this is nowhere
6.) Love Hurts
7.) Lets go Crazy
8.) Working Day & Night
9.) Travelin' Man
10.) Happenstance
11.) Runnin' Down a Dream
12.) Lullaby

People Change

Over the last few months I have been given a new glimpse of what life is all about.
I have recently married the most amazing man I have ever met who has turned my world around.
From the moment we met we shared an amazing chemistry and through our time together I began to look at myself in another light. I saw a more stronger, honest, loving, devoted and emotional me. I was proud to take on the days knowing that whatever I set my mind to I could accomplish. More importantly, aside from what I saw in me, I saw even more in the love of my life.
He endlessly tells me and shows me how much he loves me, he is willing to help out whenever and wherever possible, he is honest and true to all of his friends and family, and he is a driven and devoted career man. For the first time in my life I was able to look into my future and see more than myself. I was able to see us and a family.

While sharing these amazing moments in my life, tragedy had hit close to home. While I was beginning a journey with the one I loved my brother was ending a journey with the one he loved. My brother and I have been close all of our lives but it was only over the last month where i realized that each of us may be all the other one has. Of course we have our friends and our loved ones but it is your family that will never leave your side. My brother shared life with a women who was extremely selfish and always took him for granted. In the 10 years I knew her, I had never seen her do anything for anyone but herself. It was not a shock when she decided to end her marriage in a matter of 30 days, made by an overnight decision. The selfishness continued in fact when they moved into separate homes and she continued to call my brother when she was drunk or in an accident only to get the help and keep herself from embarrassment of the new people around her. It takes everything I have inside of me to be cordial to the thought of her.

Regardless of any religious beliefs, marriage is about the joining of two lives and making a commitment to be together through everything life throws at you. Marriage is about joining these two lives to create a family or a kinship. It is about finding your best friend in this life we are given. It is about going through ups and downs and good times and bad times but because of this marriage you work together to always get back to the place you started.

It breaks my heart when people give up so fast. Sure divorce is common nowadays but it should never be taken this lightly.
I remember how much getting married (for her mom before she passed) meant to her. Now all of that meaning has disappeared.

Happy Halloween 2009 Continued...

Happy Halloween 2009

(2) years in a row our group has snagged (2) local bar prizes!
This year Matt and Kelli won best costume at BayView Pub for Miss Piggy & Kermit and Jill Peterson came in 2nd for Chucky from Child's Play.
We are so happy for them all and look forward to winning again in 2010.

They are gracious enough to share their prize so expect to see us back at Bay Street Pub polishing off a 1/2 barrel!

Happy Halloween to all and to all a Fright Night!

Happy 1st Month Anniversary!

At this point in time, I am officially Tasha Young Via Passport, Drivers License and Utility Bills!
We have made it through the first month seamlessly and look forward to the many years to come.

10 Days TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

At this point I am counting down on two hands and approaching the single digits.
10 Days to the wedding!
Tomorrow we leave for Virginia Beach, I will be working and Jeremy will be relaxing on the Beach.
We return Labor Day Evening, I come back to work for a day and Wednesday wedding vacation begins!
Jeremy and I have our evening rituals of facial masks and teeth whitening!
We are so ridiculous but we cant wait to look our best for each other and everyone around us!

Thank you all for the continued love! We look forward to our celebration!

50 DAYS TIL THE BIG DAY!!!!

More Flying Pig Photos

More Cincinnati Photos

One Crazy Weekend in Cincinnati

It all began on May 1st as we began our road trip to Cincinnati, OH. We were headed to Cincinnati for our first Bridal Shower and I was also set to run the Flying Pig Marathon. Jeremy and I jumped in the Explorer, met my parents in Chicago and began the road trip to Cincinnati. Our time was good and we were set to arrive Cincinnati by 9pm when on Hwy 74, 2 deer ran into the highway. Jeremy swerved to avoid the deer when a third member of the family decided to jump in front of him. We ended up hitting a bulls eye with that deer. The deer slid across the highway and into the median and the Explorer's radiator blew, headlights blew and could barely drive to the shoulder of the road. Thank goodness everything was on our side, we were 50ft from the Rest stop and were able to drive the car to the stop to report the accident. Thank goodness we were all safe and only 50 miles out of Cincy. Jer's mom and sister drove in to pick us up while Jeremy and the Tow truck dropped the car off at the local Ford dealer.
Saturday began with tying up the loose ends. We secured the rental car, met the Body shop and submitted the claim with our insurance company. After that we still made time to hit Findlay Market in Over the Rhine prior to the Bridal Shower. There was no way this accident was ruining all of our plans! The Findlay Market was so great! Plenty of plants and fruits and vegetables all laid out over the bridge and side streets. We each stocked up on a few fun snacks and were on our way to the bridal shower.
The Bridal Shower was beautiful! Jeremy's family and friends were all in attendance making toasts, playing the newlywed game and opening the beautiful gifts! We couldn't have asked for a better gathering. We head back to the hotel to re-coop and ventured out for dinner to my favorite Cincy restaurant, The Silver Spring House! I love the chicken! We then called it an evening.
Bright and Early Sunday morning (4am) we awoke to prepare for the Flying Pig Marathon. After some light drizzling in the morning the race began and the day started to clear. The weather was beautiful for a marathon! 65 degrees and a mild overcast. I continued running the marathon climbing 17 miles of Cincinnati inclines. Thankfully my parents, Linda and Jeremy were there to cheer for me. Without their support I may have convinced myself to quit as this marathon proved to be more difficult than I anticipated. I stopped for a breather at mile 18 but pulled myself together and finished strong at 4:17:56. If only I would have known how close I was to beating my Chicago time when I took that breather! I am positive I could have killed that time if I could find the focus to continue. I guess I will just have to prove it to myself next time!

I want to give a special thanks to Jeremy's mom for being there on Friday to pick us up, pulling together an amazing Bridal Shower with the help of the rest of the aunts and for the extra support at the Marathon!
Thank you to my parents for supporting me throughout the weekend and being there for such a great and unique road trip!
Jeremy and I will never forget every one's love and generosity that we felt this past weekend! We are so grateful to have such amazing people in our lives!
Thank you to our friends and family! We look forward to sharing more moments with you all!

If you happen to be in Cincinnati on May 3rd....

COUNTDOWN IS AT 4 DAYS, 21 HOURS AND 19 MINUTES FROM WHEN THIS WAS POSTED!

Stop by the Flying PIG Marathon route to cheer me on! Every little bit helps and I always enjoy seeing friendly faces!


If you can't be there go to the link below to follow my progress on the run! Hopefully I wont disappoint!

WWW.FLYINGPIGMARATHON.COM

MARATHON #2 HERE I COME!!!!

18 DAYS TO GO!!!!!

Easter Weekend 2009

Jeremy and I spent our 2009 Easter weekend with The Lawrence's in Ottawa, IL.
We met at a half way point near Starved Rock for hiking, picnics, wineries and pubs!
Saturday we pulled a few lawn chairs up to the pavilions encrusted in dirt and began the picnic.
We nibbled on some cheese and crackers, drank a few champagne mixers and attempted a game of Koosh Ball.
Following the picnic we opted out of a hike due to the flooding that recently occurred and ventured on into the town of Utica.
We hit the Illinois Winery first.
Although there were a few decent wines the server didn't know what Sauvignon Blanc was which caused us a bit of a fright.
Following a few hot flashes at the bar we jumped back into the car and headed up the street. (It was a toasty little winery)
We had a few photo ops and stopped for a couple of apps at the local pub!
This is where we always find ourselves on Saturday afternoon with the Lawrences.
It is by far one of our favorite "regular" occurrences.
After an afternoon of the ladies drinking the day away it was time to head back to the hotel.
Erin and I put on the suits and went swimming with Lily while the guys went across the street to the local pub.
Lily had so much fun splashing around in the chlorine bath water!
By the time we got back to the room it was 8:30pm and we were awaiting the men to cook dinner.
Im not quite sure what happened over at Shakers Lounge but we seemed to have been neglected that evening.
Boys will be boys! ;)
We all ended up getting a full night sleep and awoke to an Easter Egg Hunt!
Jeremy and I went a little over board and "hid" 40 eggs for 1 little girl! I am sure she had a great time though!
It was a great weekend and we look forward to many more!!!

Thank you Lawrence Family!!!

Nikki's Bridal Shower

Jeremy and I spent last weekend with my brother and his wife. We enjoyed a couple of movies, few cocktails and great conversation. it makes me so happy to be spending time with the family since it is so limited!
On Saturday Jeremy and I parted for a few hours on a road trip to Peoria for Nikki and Rick's Bridal shower. We had such a great time. Jer slipped away with Mike to the local watering hole while I was able to enjoy some giggling and gossip with the girls!
This next weekend we will be heading to Starved Rock with The Lawrence's! It will be a fun filled weekend of hiking, wineries, swimming and Easter egg hunting! We are definitely looking forward to it!

Weekend in Peoria

Last weekend Jeremy and I spent a wonderful weekend in Peoria with the Lawrence's!
It was a weekend full of bluegrass, bonding, gossip, jokes and sword fighting!
We love every chance we get to spend with Erin, Mike and Lily and hope to see them real soon at Starved Rock!!!
We miss you guys already!
Lots of love!
XOXO

Bachelorette Party

As a quick teaser to all that are interested my girls threw me a Bachelorette Party this past weekend.
It was an unforgettable experience as well as a learning experience!
I learned that male strippers are humorous, dangerous, acrobatic and entertaining.
I also learned that I have the world's greatest friends!

Thank you all for a wonderful night! I love you and cant wait to share more moments with you!

Happy Valentines Day!

Valentine's 2009 we spent with The Stolls.
Our evening began with some sushi at Kiku, downtown Milwaukee.
Then we ventured over to the Milwaukee Theatre to experience the Amazingly weird and Church like show, Celtic Woman.
After we left the show early we had no other choice but to finish the evening with some Karaoke.
It was pretty amazing!

Engagement Announcement

Jeremy and I finally decided to announce to the world that we are getting married!
I am so happy to be sharing my life with this man!
I love you baby!!!!