Co-Workers!!!!

It's official: Tim and I are not only husband and wife, but coworkers too!! I have accepted a position in part time membership/group fitness class instructor/fitness motivator @ the Gresham Cascade Athletic Club!! We had our first all club meeting last night and it was so cool to be Team Ludeman, lol. I'll have to post pictures of our matching shirts! I am excited to start this new chapter in my career as a trainer and look forward to when a position for PT opens up.

Tim started back up @ Multnomah this month. With the students back on campus, it's keeping him pretty busy. He does a great job working with the students and is becoming more involved in reaching out to new incoming students (even though some are typical freshman and forget their appointments). Tim's gearing up to really promote his private practice (http://www.lighthousecounselingpdx.com/) and work on some marketing. Go baby go!

We are looking forward to celebrating my birthday (the 28th) and our 6 month anniversary on the 4th of October. We are exctied to see what this fall season has in store for us!!

Whew!!!

This summer has gone by sooo fast!!! As we entered into our fifth month of marriage, we faced a lot of new changes and adventures. I took the NASM CPT exam and passed!! I am officially a certifed personal trainer! Woo hoo! I also recieved my CPR/AED certification this month as well. Tim has been such a great encouragement through this whole process- I coudln't have done it without him! I was also "Bar Certified" at Peet's, which means I am officially a Barista!
Today, I had my first interview for a personal training position at Cascade Athletic Club! I am waiting to hear back if I get a second interview- I'll keep you posted! Lastly, I am super excited to be running in this years Nike Hood to Coast relay! It's a week from today! The gala @ Peet's! It's been a blessing to work with such awesome people!

As for Tim, he started back @ Multnomah this week, getting ready for the start of the new school year. The counseling department has been going through some changes, and Tim is excited to see how this will play out with new students and staff. Tim and I have been doing Jillian Michael's 30 day Shred workout and diet plan. Tim is down ten pounds and doing amazing at working out. I couldn't be more proud!!

We have enjoyed spending a lot more time together, as his summer schedule was a little more flexible than during the school year. We used our new fire pit (thanks to Becky and Rian!!) for the first time! Soo fun! We've gone hiking with friends, learning to cook nutritious meals and spending lots of time in the gym!

We also went to our friend Kristin's wedding (well, the end of it actually, since I had to work). It was so fun to see our friends so happy. Tim and I hit the dance floor and had a great time!

Well, thats about it for now. I will keep you posted on the job and Hood to Coast!

Family Dinner!

Tim and I being silly, as usual.

The fam: Dave & Cindy, Vic & Carolyn, Rian & Becky, Victor & Jeanah, Beth and Tim & I.

A couple of weeks ago, we got the opportunity to spend some time with our family and have some sweet mexican @ Cha Cha Chas! After dinner, we went to Rian and Becky's new house for smores in the back yard! It was so fun! Tim got a fire pit from the Merrills for his birthday! Guess this means our house is next for a summer bbq!

Bye bye car....

This is what was left of my car. A week ago, a guy driving down the street hit it while it was parked outside the house. It rolled 250 and came to rest three houses down. The insurance company isn't giving us very much for it, so we are definitely on the look out for a good deal! Praise the Lord no one was hurt and that we have rental coverage.

House Hunting

Last week, we had the opportunity to sit down with a mortgage broker and talk shop. We talked through all things fiscal, financial and frightening. We are still waiting on a pre-approval, and are hopeful to start looking sometime this fall. We were slightly overwhelmed, but definitely excited to take this next step!

As neither of us have purchased anything bigger than a used car, we are a little apprehensive about diving into home owners debt. We would appreciate your prayers as we begin this journey toward home ownership. We want to be sure and follow the Lord's leading through all of this, evey step surrendered to Him.

We will keep you updated as we continue on in the fun!

Tim's 28th Birthday!!!

on July 2nd, Tim celebrated his 28th birthday!! I sent him to work with chocolate cupcakes for his co-workers @ Cascade (who eats a cupcake @ 9 am?? Should've made muffins....) Then, I made him a special birthday lunch (all his faves) and he opened his presents. He got a few new shirts and a sweet card from Aunt Sharon and Uncle Bruce. After lunch, we wandered down to Peet's on Hawthorne to do a little reading. Then it was off to Than Thai for dinner.

After dinner, we headed out to McMenamins Edgefield in Gresham for a birthday party with the other birthday boy, Brian Cheney. A lot of friends came out to celebrate and join in on a pint or two. I had made cakes for each of the guys, which created quite the plume of smoke once they were blown out! These guys are gettin old!

After pints and tots, we headed home. I'd say it was a pretty special day! Happy Birthday, Tim!

Reading and studying

So, our lates "date time" activity has been studying/reading in coffee shops. This is a most favorite pastime of Tim's, one which he has been missing as of late. So, when we have the morning or afternoon off together, we pack up our backpacks (don't worry, they're not matching) and drive to a coffee shop.

This has been a great way to get to know our neighborhood a little better and to branch out from Peet's & Starbucks. This is the Daily Cafe, famous for their child friendly atmosphere and great Stumptown brew.

We try not to spend all of our time loafing around on couches and chairs, but are finding this to be a great way for Tim to read and for me to study. Studying can sometimes be a little tough in a place with a louder atmosphere (note the face of struggle below). But, it provides us with an opportunity to grow in both book knowledge and a deeper understanding of each other.