I'm a Mrs!

Finally the day arrived...I wish I could remember all of the details of this very special day, but it was such a whirlwind that really all I can remember is being very, very happy! Thanks to the hard work of my mom and friend Amy Newton everything went off without a hitch. It was truly a magical night. The off and on day of clouds and rain parted right on cue as the sun peeked out just in time to shine on me and my sweetie as we said our vows and became husband and wife. I was thrilled to have my other sweetie next to me (Alix) and was so proud when she shared a poem she wrote during the ceremony...truly she is one amazing kid! The night continued with a fun dinner and dance inside the pavillion. To get the festivities started Steve and I did a quick salsa for our first dance, Me and my dad spent a wonderful moment during our dance together and we capped off the ceremonies with Steve, Alix and me doing a family dance to 3s the Magic Number...a little cake cutting (no one smooshed cake on the other person...although don't think it didn't cross my mind)...a great slideshow (despite the technical difficulties of a burnt out bulb making things a little hard to see)...and a very moving toast by my sis started out the evening. Much to my happiness the night continued with people dancing as well as enjoying the great outdoor scenery. The photobooth also seemed to be a hit (I am still awaiting the posting of pictures so that I can enjoy everyone's messages). The thing I really remember though, is just looking around me no matter what I was doing and noticing that I was surrounded by people that I care about. What a great feeling...so many people taking time out of their busy lives to be part of my special day...I am truly grateful! Of course what is a wedding without the bride and groom hoofing it down the street after the reception was over to spend continued time with friends at the local bar. While perhaps not the classiest of moves, it was fun!! Sadly the evening had to come to an end, but not without priceless memories of family, friends and lots and lots of love!

Mr and Mrs!
Here comes the sun!
Steve walking in with his mom
The crew getting ready to pose for pictures before the ceremony
Kristin taking a moment to pause and think before the craziness begins

Spring Showers bring...wedding fun!

My future mother in law Sharron and Steve's dear cousin Deb were kind enough to through me a shower with the girls from the family. We had a great night celebrating the upcoming wedding at a local wine bar...Good Friends, Good Food, Good Wine...what more could a girl ask for?!

Another wonderful night full of family and friends came just a few nights later as Chad and Nicole Mc Guire hosted a wonderful couple's shower for us. Thankfully there are no pictures to share (nothing I hate more than taking pictures ;) but a good time was had by all and it was nice to see everyone one last time before the big day. It was also fun to meet new friends as the very pregnant, soon to be mom, Becky Leahy joined in the festivities. As far as I remember it was our first meeting (but my memory often fails me) and it was truly a pleasure! The night ended with a rousing game of Boy v Girl 80's Trivial pursuit in which the girls kicked the boys' asses (well, as far as I remember it anyway ;)

The crew at the wine bar...minus Susan who was taking the picture...thanks ladies!!

And the Diploma Please!

My cap is falling off, my hair is mussed, my flowers are all droopy...but I have my diploma in hand and can now call myself the holder of a master's degree!! At times I never thought this day would arrive...but thank god that it did ;) I've actually been done with classes for a couple of months now, but there was something very special about the day anyway...it wasn't the lame speaker that wasted 10 minutes of my precious weekend day, or the fact that I got to sit on a real comfy folding chair in the beautiful auditorium of the shrine center, or those crazy batwings of arms on my gown...but it WAS the one last time to see my cohort and appreciate the gifts each of them shared with me during our time together, it was the fact that my family was there to support me and cheer me on down the aisle (thanks mom, dad, amy and al!), it was hearing my name and seeing the hood be placed around my neck and knowing that all those nights I spent in front of the computer or reading some lame book was definitely worth the effort. When it comes right down to it...and I'm sure this will sound kind of full of myself... if I'm to be totally honest, I am quite proud of myself! Not for the academic stuff--I know I'm capable of doing well in that arena, but for finding the balance needed to complete the program while everything in life continued to go full speed ahead--changing jobs, being a single-mom, dating my future husband, training for a marathon, moving, etc. However, I won't pretend I did it by myself...it was actually due a great deal to the beautiful people you see below in my picture--my mom and dad! Without the support of them I never would have had the flexibility to keep the kind of schedule that allowed me to do all of the things that make me whole. It was nice to know that in a time of need Alix was in good hands and with people she loved, and who loved her! So, thank you mom and dad...thank you for your time, your support and your love! Now I am off to teach, but somehow I'm not sure much of what I learned in my master's program will come in handy on these last couple of days of school...perhaps I should have taken some type of survival courses instead ;)

My loving mom and dad celebrating with me on my big day!

My baby turns 10 today!

How can this be?! Just the other day she was toddling around the house making us laugh with her pigtails and big smile...now she is chatting on email about boys, worrying about what products to use in her hair, and making us laugh with her silly and sometimes dramatic manner. I can't believe how time flies...my kid is in the double digits...I am not ready! She has blessed my life in more ways than I can count and continues to do so each and every day. All my love to my little munchkin on this her special day!!

Pretty pics

Just a couple of pretty pics of the famly...springtime in MN is so beautiful! I can't believe I get to say family now...it really seems to have all come together. Although still a transition, espcecially for Alix (hard time of life to be getting a step-dad), I am so happy with the way everyone is doing their part to make it work. I feel truly blessed to have such a smart and beautiful daughter who has weathered many changes in her life, yet who has still come out as such a great kid. And I feel just as blessed to have such an amazing almost-husband who is so willing to learn and grow and work at becoming the best step-dad that he can be. I'm sure the road ahead will bring many challenges, but I also know it won't be anything we can't handle together!

33 more days until our family is official!

Damn...that is unfortunate

Now I come to find out...I guess I really always knew, so I must've just been in denial...that Sangria is really Spanish (duh! Exactly the reason I chose Spain as our honeymoon destination--just another reason to drink Sangria ;) and not Mexican. So, perhaps it was a poor choice for a Cinco de Mayo celebration...wait, is there really a wrong time for Sangria?! Now that it's tradition I guess I can get away with serving Sangria at every Cinco de Mayo and not feel the least bit bad. This worked out perfectly!

I wonder what else I am in denial about?! I'm sure you all have plenty of ideas ;)

She said, "Let there be sod, and there was sod!"

Instant gratification...what more needs to be said?! It is the American way of life (good or bad). A couple of hours on one beautiful Saturday morning and our lawn goes from weedy mess to lush green and gorgeous. It is a beautiful sight...now if we can just keep from killing it ;) Steve's dad and brother were kind enough to help and even I pitched in as we rolled the green carpet into its new home. It makes a huge difference and I couldn't be happier! Later during the weekend Steve braved the almost winter weather (brrrrrr....) to put some tomato and red pepper plants, along with a few herbs, into the garden and now the backyard is looking grand!

The transformation begins
Does the garden border go here...or here...or over here?
watering the lawn...this is way better than weeding it!
I am in love with our new green goddess!

Looking better already!!

A friend of mine writes her blog through the eyes of her dog...how clever. I, being not so clever and witty, have decided to try stealing her idea and writing my blog through the eyes of Steve...because I don't have a dog ;) and I'm bored. Here is the first installment...





Finally, the damn bobcat is coming and I can be done with this crappy yardwork. I have been weeding my weed infested backyard for days now and have made no progress. At least it gets me out of the house and away from the girls...girls are crazy sometimes...I didn't realize just how crazy until I moved in here... and now I am surrounded by them. Now that I think of it, how am I going to escape the crazy ladies of the house when there are no weeds to pull anymore?! Perhaps I need to sneak some weeds back into the yard while Kristin isn't looking so I have a reason to escape. Ha, I'm sneaky ;)

Here's one of those crazy girls now hammin' it up for the camera...she's right though, it DOES look better already!
I love this dirt...and look, no weeds! Now comes the sod laying next weekend...do you think Kristin will help with that? (no...types Krisitn ;)

How could I forget...

Alix and her friend rolling in the dough as they manage the garage sale with their superior selling style!!

A work in progress...

Ah, homeownership...what a joy ;) This past weekend was a crazy one spent trying to clear out the garage so we might again be able to park in it (merging 2 households means a lot of leftover stuff!) and digging up the yard as we give into the weeds (or is it that we are overpowering the weeds) and ready the yard to be plowed under. I managed a successful garage sale (just in time to use the funds to pay for my new brakes...argggghhhhhhhhh!) Steve kept busy transplanting flowers (which have since bit the dust, but it was a nice try) before the bobcat comes to plow under the yard in preparation for sod next weekend. A successful weekend through and through!

The yard (albeit a sideways view) in progress
Steve being a manly man as he works in the yard.
well, at least the front yard looks a little better...flowers in pots/flower boxes soon to come!
Now this is what I'm talking about...soon our whole yard will look as beautiful as this!! For now we settle for one bush looking grand!

Cinco De Mayo

We needed to Break the Penz/Bellus house in somehow and we thought what better way than to invite people over to celebrate a holiday we know virtually nothing about! All I know about Cinco De Mayo is that it's a mexican holiday...and our patio is red and green bricks (the mexican colors.) Mexico is hot with little grass, but lots of dirt/weeds due to the climate, and our backyard has little grass...just weeds and lots of dirt. So it seemed like a perfect fit...that and in my world Cinco De Mayo includes guacamole and sangria which in my eyes is all it needs to be worthy of a celebration!! We were a little worried when the rain started that morning and was accompanied by gusty winds, but it cleared up just in time to sit out by the fire--and although still a bit cold and windy, with a boatload of sangria it was mostly manageable. I had a great time with great people and we got to enjoy our first wedding gift--the firepit (yay for great wedding gifts!! thanks Joe and Becky!!) Here are the pix!

A couple of the Schloo girls enjoying the early festivities
Life by a fire is always a little bit better
Steve and Jen chillin' by the fire
The sign of a good party is a nap in the backyard...right Julie?
2 handsome men!

House becomes a home

Steve moved in on Saturday--Yea!! This is the final touch in making our house a home! I am very excited and a little nervous...waking up next ot the same person everyday for the rest of my life?!?! That will take some adjustment for both of us, especially this lady who has been doing her own thing for more than 34 years now. However, there's no one I'd rather go through this transition with and no face I'd rather kiss everyday for the next 80 years (I hope it's that long ;) than his, so I'm so glad that our life together has started!!

Winterpark Fun!

Michael's friend (Law) owns a great little restaurant in WP called Carver's. We ate there for dinner on Saturday and it was oh so yummy!

Kristin happy to have made it down the hill without major incident...sorry, you'll have to turn your head sideways until I figure out the whole picture rotating thing!

Alix posing.
Alix happy to be done with lessons
the crew enjoying a brew slopeside after a day of skiing
Amy and Alix introducing Baby Marek to the Bellus's favorite past time--eating!

The whole Bellus clan recently went out to WinterPark, CO to greet new Baby Marek and have a little slopeside fun! It was great to have the WHOLE family together again and have our first meeting with the newest member who arrived about 2 months ago. We spent plenty of time smothering the little one, a little time skiing, and Alix, Amy and I spent a day at a snowboard lesson. Alix said she had a great time, but it was A LOT of work. I braved making my way up the mountain and hitting some of the longer green runs. Steve joined me along the way so he could observe my wipe out...for which I am still suffering! The rest of the time was spent enjoying the company of family and some of us even went out on the town and apparently had a great time (although, I'm not sure they exactly remember that to be true...or remember it at all ;) I can hardly wait to see everyone again for the wedding in June!

Love

It's late here in MN and I'm just sitting here thinking...and I want the whole world to know it-- Kristin Bellus LOVES Steve Penz...SO much!! I am so lucky to have such a wonderful, adventuresome, kind-hearted, loving man in my life. A long time coming, but definitely worth the wait! OK, that is all...good night.

Kristin and Alix move in!! (March 16th)

Upstairs TV room...some decorating left to do, but this is one of my favorite rooms in the house...cozy and warm, sunny and bright.
Living Room...a great room. Love the color of paint we chose and the furniture looks great with it.
Dining room...Steve's furniture will look awesome once it's in, but for now we're making do with my mismatch assortment.

Alix's room...pretty in purple....and red, orange, maroon...never would have thought it'd all go together so perfectly. It's the perfect pre-teen room for her. Lots of character...and hey that paint on the knotty pine worked pretty well, didn't it?! Our AWESOME new kitchen is almost done...just the finishing touches left. Backsplash tile will be put in next week and the dishwasher went in last night (I haven't had a dishwasher for the past 5 years and I am in heaven now!) It is truly beautiful and uses every inch of the small space!
another kitchen view
my favorite...the beautiful woodwork!
Our room...a work in progress. The walls turned out a great bluey grey color, but we'll add some wardroble storage units on both sides of the bed to make the best use of the small space.
Upstairs there is a large...we're not sure what to call it....hallway? bonus area? whatever it is I sure do think it's cute with it's gas stove and sitting area.

Finally! A month and a half after closing, Kristin and Alix move into the new house. Everything is almost done, just a few final touches in the kitchen (dishwasher and tile backsplash), a few pictures to hang and some final decorating touches to accomplish. Of course the house is still missing the full-time presence of Steve, but he sold his place the same week I moved in which was a true blessing--no double mortgage payments, wooohooo! He will move in by mid-April and then the house will finally become a home (although I don't know where he's going to put his stuff b/c there's Alix and I have taken over the place. I guess it's lucky for him there's plenty of room in the garage ;)

are we done yet?

Taking down wallpaper in our bedroom uncovers some serious plaster cracks and damage. At least that means that we (meaning Steve, this was his project) don't have to do any more removal--lucky for us whicle fixing the plaster they can skimcoat right over the rest of the wallpaper!
Our yellow living room...it's beautiful and thankfully not as bright in person as it looks in the picture!
Everything is done being painted upstairs...now for the fun stuff--decorating!

The multi day, multifoot snowfall that slowed us down a bit.
Work is starting in the kitchen...I can already invision how amazing it will look in the end!

Not done yet, but getting there...the kitchen starts to be rebuilt, the bedroom gets replastered, rooms repainted and undaunted by a huge snowfall we are getting closer to moving in!

A little TLC...operation knotty pine disguise

Kristin working upstairs on the knotty pine
more knotty pine disguse
It's coming altogether in Alix's room
demolition in the kitchen...gampy working hard!




Let the games begin...we start with the upstairs and the process of painting tongue and groove that has been, for lack of a better word, lacquered. It was a LONG process of sanding, priming, painting EACH groove and then rolling on several coats of paint. At times we thought it would never end, but with help of gammy and lots of paint we were able to get it done. We continued with the kitchen...a complete overhaul, minus flooring and a few tiles on the wall. We also began take down some wallpaper in the bedroom...only to find a ton of damage to the walls that would need to be repaired. Then we painted everyroom except one and spent numerous hours unsnoverizing the place to the best of our, the electrician, the plumber, and the plaster's abilities.