Adventures of the Andersons

Well, 9 months into marriage I can say that it has definitely been an adventure so far! This first year of marriage has been one of the most exciting, happy, carefree times of my life, and I so many big things have happened this past year, not to mention having the most amazing husband ever!  We've been focused on traveling, setting up and improving our home, adjusting to living together, and loving life together as newlyweds.

I fully moved into Joel's house after our wedding last year, although it didn't take me long to feel right at home. Although, it did need a few feminine touches to bring the once bachelor pad to life! Joel's family has often commented to us that it wasn't really a "home" until we changed it together, and it was very important to me to really make it our home and a place we can retreat and relax and be a reflection of us as a couple. It started with throwing out the old, bringing in the new, and generally organizing. Since then, we've ripped up the flooring and with the amazing help of my parents we have laid tile in our kitchen, hallway, and bathrooms. It's been 3 months so far, and we're almost done! It's been hard work but fun having my parents help, and my mom especially loves the "quality time" with Joel! Even my niece Raelyn wanted to get in on the action.

Over the past few months we have seriously considered moving to a bigger house and a neighborhood with a little more character and closer to work for both of us. Despite being "work neighbors", poor Joel's schedule is so varied with the late nights, early mornings, and overnight shifts that we can't carpool and are really feeling the need to be a little closer. One of our favorite neighborhoods is the Ridgecrest, Nob Hill, or Country Club area, but with that comes older homes that need repairs. After all the work on our house it's hard to swallow moving somewhere that will need so much work! So that brought us to some of the newer homes in the Bosque/Oxbow area, then we think if we're looking there we might as well look at the North Valley or Corrales…I go back and forth.

After much discussion, calculating, and looking, we've decided to go back to our original plan and stay in Albuquerque and stay in our same house for a few more years. I have about another year until I can sit for the exam for the clinical social work license, which has been my goal since graduating. We know our dream house is out there and just have to be patient and snatch it up when the time is right!