Fresh.

Right when spring starts to come around, it always feels like a fresh start is right around the corner. Last year, I moved to Florida. The year before, I moved into a new condo in Iowa City. The prior year, I was graduating from college. And just four days from now, I'll be leaving Minnesota and moving to Montana for the summer. Three springs ago, when I graduated from MSU, I never could've imagined that my life would be so inconsistent, so unpredictable and so FUN. I would've never guessed that the love of my life was someone I'd already met in college and said goodbye to (only to say hello to again later). I couldn't have guessed his job would move us all over the country and that I would love every second of it. I honestly thought that I would be working at a job in Minneapolis that I didn't really love, making money that barely got me by and continuing to date guys that never kept me interested. Was I wrong. I have a life that every 20-something-year-old should experience. Not even that. Everyone should experience it. I will be moving to my fourth state in 14 months. I will be meeting new people, experiencing a whole new environment and learning even more about the country that I was born in and have so much yet to explore in.

I am so lucky. There is no other way to explain it. I couldn't ask for more. Life is good.

My vow to start blogging again...

Wow. I haven't looked at my blog for 8 months. I used to love blogging and I completely stopped keeping up with it. So, now that another move is two weeks away, I vow to once again begin the blog. Not sure if anyone still checks my blog out, but I guess I'll find out soon enough.

Lovebirds.

Could they be more in love?

The Florida Keys!

We decided to take a little 24 hour trip and spend our 4th of July weekend in the Keys! We drove down to Islamorada. It started out as 4 of us and by the time we left, we had 12 people! It was a blast and I can't wait to go back again someday. The drive was only 2 hours from our place...which could easily be a day trip. We stayed one night at the Holiday Isle resort. We snorkeled, visited with lots of people, listened to some live music and had a few "Bushwackers" (slushy Kahlua drinks...yummmm). I think next we go to the keys, we'll head all the way down to Key West! We've heard that it's definitely worth it to go there.

Some love from Florida...

Love and miss you all!!!
xoxoxo

Baby Delray

Meet our new addition to the family, Delray Apollo Benson Rada. (please, don't ask about the second name) Delray is 10 weeks old and he is a Maine Coon. Basically, this means that he will grow to be approximately triple the size of a normal cat. Maine Coons are very lovey, cuddly, smart cats. They are more like dogs than they are cats. The breeds nickname is "Gentle Giant". I never in my life thought I would own a cat, but I am definitely in love with this little guy. Him and Vayda get along great and he is so sweet. He has the softest fur ever and he doesn't shed! (Maine Coons usually never do) I still can't say I'm a cat lover (definitely not), but I am for sure a Maine Coon lover.

We hope the summer never ends...

I cannot believe that it's already June 25th. (Happy 32nd Anniversary, Mom & Dad!) I feel like we just moved to Florida two weeks ago. It's almost been 3 months already! I've met so many great people and have truly been the happiest that I've been in years. This whole experience has opened my eyes to what seems like a whole new life. New cultures, new environment, new job, more friends, etc. We had quite the scare this past Monday. Cory's company informed us that we were moving to either Fargo or Sioux Falls the following Friday. We were in shock and really didn't want to believe it. But nonetheless, we started making travel plans and phone calls letting people know we'd be back in the midwest in just a few days. Then as quickly as they informed us we'd be moving, APX told us we were staying in Florida. Thank god my work is understanding because within a 24 hour period, I'd put in a 5 day notice and then basically said, "Just Kidding! I'm staying!" It really all was quite an eye opener though. It was the first time I'd been upset in 3 months. It made me realize how much I love it here and how great my new friends are. We were supposed to have my "going away" party at work tonight. So instead...we're going to have a "yay! you're not leaving" party!

We have a few friends coming down here for the 4th of July and we still need to figure out exactly what our plan is for that weekend. Cory's cousin, Jeremy, had his girlfriend move down here about 3 weeks ago. Her name is Toni and we have become great friends. We instantly clicked and we have so much fun together! We all bought Incubus tickets for a show they're playing in Miami in August. A few of their friends from Minnesota are coming down for that as well! As far as travel plans go...I'm saving some bucks and hoping to go to New Hampshire in August to visit the Lemieux's. Cory and I are planning a trip to Minnesota to see our families in September/October. We're hoping to spend at least 2 weeks visiting everyone. Just in time for Dera's wedding, MSU Homecoming and Kristin's birthday!

An open invite still stands for anyone who needs an escape to South Florida. If no one comes before December, Christmas will be spent on the beach! ;-)

Angie in Florida + Meredith in Florida = Fun, Fun, Fun!

Me, Cory & Ang at our favorite club in Downtown Delray

Me, Toni & Ang...havin' a blast by the pool!

Angie and her fake boyfriend, my neighbor Cody.

Ang and Toni at my restaurant!

Angie loved these flowers and wanted to take the whole tree home with her.

Our first day at the beach. Angie fell in love.

About a week and a half after I got home from New York, Angie called and said she needed a vacation. Three days later, she landed in Palm Beach and we spent 6 nights and 5 sunny days together! The weather was perfect while she was here and my work schedule fit in great with everything Angie and I wanted to do. We spent three full days at the beach, some time at the pool, went out for food and drinks at some great places and I introduced Angie to all of my new friends. I was starting to think that she was going to cancel her ticket home and just stay here for the rest of the summer. That would've been fine with me! But instead...she headed back to New York...for now. :-)

New York, New York!

On Friday morning I flew to New York to spend an amazing weekend with my best friends. Me, Bri, Tasha, Angie and Nichole had quite the weekend full of sightseeing, lots of laughs, lunches, dinners and drinks and even a comedy club and some dancing. I'm not sure how we fit it all in but we did it and I think I may be exhausted for the entire week. We even spent Saturday night out with two other Mankato friends. A total of 7 Minnesotans out in the City! It was such a fun time!
It was so great to see Angie's life in New York. She lives right on Wall Street, directly across from the Trump Building (not the Trump Towers). She walks out her front door and sees Tiffany's every day. Pretty crazy. I don't think I could ever live in NYC but I will definitely be going back to visit sometime soon! Saying goodbye was way too hard and I am vowing to never go more than 3 months without seeing my best friend. :-)

Speedo Sunday

Well...we have a new little Sunday ritual in South Florida. The boys wear Speedos to the beach. Yes, it's true (and weird) but it seems to make them feel like they could take over the world when they have these little hot shorts on. There really is no explanation for it and nothing else to say. Other than...enjoy the pictures!