Thursday, December 26, 2013

Coming to a close.

Well, the holidays are almost over and we had a nice time. We had Christmas Eve in Rockford at my aunt and uncle's house with my side of the family, my favorite day of the year. For a few hours, the world slips away and everything is just perfect. It's really tough for me sometimes not living near my family - we are about 3 hours away - so Christmas Eve is even more important to me now that we live in Pontiac.

Christmas Day was spent with Mark's parents and a few of her siblings. We had a great dinner, and just relaxed for the most part in front of the fireplace.

I am excited for Mark's present to me... He is going to take me out to a fancy dinner & an activity (ice skating or something cool), an entire date day! Things have been so tight we haven't been able to do much this year, so I am really looking forward to being treated by my husband. :)

This Saturday is another holiday party with my family in Ann Arbor, at my great aunt & uncle's house. Looking forward to more food and family, especially seeing some of my out-of-staters!

I have been working at Target over the holidays, and the hours have been all over the place - both in the amount of hours and the times I'm scheduled - and I am very happy to say I will be starting in a new position with the American Cancer Society in January! I will be a Relay for Life Specialist for Eastern Macomb County; my job is essentially to support, encourage, recruit and supervise the volunteer teams for Harrison Township, Clinton Township and New Baltimore, and then to attend and support the actual events. My college and career experiences working with volunteer organizations and teams has prepared me well for this position, and I am beyond excited to be doing such fulfilling work which helps save and improve lives every day.  Mark & I have a lot of changes coming up in the new year, and we are so excited to see where this year takes us!

In other news, my Etsy shop hasn't been super lucrative, but my ledger is still in the green and I've had a few orders per month since I re-launched my shop September 16th. My shop facebook page has 188 likes, and I'm hoping to break 200 in the next few weeks! I'm currently running a 25% off after-Christmas clearance sale (with coupon code CHRISTMASCLEARANCE) so I'm hoping I can clear out a little inventory, make a few sales to tie me over until I start the new job, and make some new customers. :) I just love sharing my work with the world!

Also, my Drake will be 7 next month! He is starting to have a few old dog tendencies, but is still very energetic and ridiculous. Love my big baby boy.
Baby Drakers, the day I brought him home (he is 3 months old here), 5-4-07
Spring 2009 at WMU, age 2
Summer 2011, age 4
His birthday, 1-7-13

So that's what's going on right now. I'm very hopeful, especially with this new career path, that this year will be our best year yet.... once we get through this tough after-Christmas expense time first.

Love to you & yours, & happy holidays!

Emily

Movie suggestion: The Wolverine; great movie for fans of the comics and pop culture of the X-Men alike. This film explores Logan's time in Japan after the loss of Jean Grey and Professor X. Very good! And of course, Hugh Jackman looks amazing.

Saturday, November 23, 2013

The Hitching Post

Here's my wedding post! First, I had two amazing bridal showers, one thrown by my mom and some of her army of female friends, and another thrown by my second family The Hachigians & some of my MIL's closest friends.

Cinco de Mayo Holland Shower Pics:
Cutting the cake!


Mommy and Me


Rachel and I Tulip-Timing


Mom and Dad


My girls! Blondie, Stephie, Alyssa, Me, Rach, Katie, Alex, Maddy and Liz :D

My seeesters XOXO
Tulips!
'50s Themed West Bloomfield Shower Pics:


Bride and Groom to be!
The Cake and the '50s Decor


Rachel, Me and Katie
ALL the Hachigian Girls! :) Me, Alex, Mom, Kahlan, Rach and Katie #armobyassociation
The Westacres Women! Susan, Jacqueline, Geneva (MIL), Selma, Me,  Marie, and Maggie
My Armenian Mom and my Real Mom...
...and my Mom in Law!


Opening presents.


Mom and Dad.
And on to the wedding!


Date: Saturday, June 22, 2013
Time: 2pm-ish
Ceremony performed by: Alan Terlep, cousin of the bride
Attendants: Madelon Mokma, cousin of the bride, and Jacob Love, friend of the groom
Readers: Liz Schaefer, cousin of the bride; Katie Mokma, cousin of the bride; Sarah Avery, friend of the couple; Stephanie Archer, friend of the couple
Food: Steak, chicken and shrimp kabobs with fresh vegetables from the Holland Farmer's Market, and lots of amazing sides!

Pre-Wedding
Rehearsal Dinner
Rehearsal Drinks
Rehearsal Drinks


The Ceremony
We did it!

Maddy, Me, Alan, Mark & Jake

Family...
Cousins Liz & Jacob
Cousins Liz, Maddy & Katie
The Kleinjans
The Mokmas
The Apple Kids


My Parents
My brothers Michael & Ferman
Mark's Parents
...Friends...




... and Us!







Cutting the Cake



After-Party


Wedding crasher from the neighbor's yard!





Brunch and Presents




It was an amazing weekend!

Emily

Music suggestion: "ABC" by the Jackson Five - it's "our song" and was our first (and only) dance at our wedding!

Movie suggestion: This video from the wedding of Mark losing his composure during our vows. :) Click this link: Wedding Vows