A First Time for Anything

If you’re like me, you took a look at your calendar this morning and realized you have something almost every night from now until after the New Year. Our calendar is full of fun, family, and work events, as well as some “us” time scheduled in, which I am grateful for. It seems like every January we seem to look back on December and realize we saw each other less than we saw everyone else. *PLUS* This is our first “real-life” Christmas. Many couples count their events after their wedding as their “first Easter” or “first Thanksgiving” but we count everything as our “first real-life” event because these are the first events we have with both of us out of school and in the work force (that may not sound like much, but if you’ve ever had a spouse in graduate/law/medical school, I know you understand). So this year, instead of watching Tay study for finals, we get to do fun GROWN-UP stuff – or fun stuff that makes these almost-grown-ups feel like little kids again!

Here are some of the fun “first real-life” events we get to experience this year:

• First Thanksgiving with Taylor not leaving dinner early to work on outlines for class
• First 2 weeks of December where I actually get to see Taylor in the evenings, for longer than the 30 minutes he took out of studying to eat dinner with me
• First December in Oklahoma City
• First December where there isn’t already ice/snow on the ground
• First time we are going snow tubing at the Bricktown Ballpark!
• First time we BOTH have work Christmas parties
• First time I wasn’t so busy helping him study/stay sane that I actually have Christmas shopping done, presents wrapped, and cards sent out before December 24th
• First time we both have to request off work to visit the in-laws and friends
• First Christmas we won’t see Tay’s sister (we are SO sad!!)
• First Christmas we have put up a tree, decorations, and lights because it’s the…
• First Christmas we will be home to enjoy them!

The great thing about Christmas is that it’s always a great time for new beginnings, and for us as a newly married couple, it’s fun coming up with our own traditions.

WHAT ARE SOME FIRSTS FOR YOU THIS HOLIDAY SEASON?

-C-

I’m Thankful For…

If you follow me on Twitter (@ladycatie) or on Facebook, you probably know that this month, I try to post something every day that I am grateful for. Well, I didn’t necessarily feel that I had enough time/space to list the many things I am thankful for, and what better place to do that than my blog? So here is my list. Leave me some comments on what you’re thankful for!

*health*happiness*my loving husband*my wonderful dogs that put a smile on my face every single day*my job and the fact that i love it*comforts that some take for granted such as heat, food and shelter (not to mention a nice one at that)*ice cream*my iPhone (yes, i said it)*being able to work from home*living in a city i love*my amazing friends, near and far*living in close proximity to said friends (3 hours by car!)*warm fuzzy socks*cuddling*Thanksgiving break*pie!*my awesome family that’s so crazy and i love them*wonderful in-laws*wine*dessert*the fact that my husband tries everything i cook – and pretends to love it*that my grandmother is still here and healthy*that my brother and i are closer than ever*Facebook*GChat*the fact that somehow, we always make it through*health*happiness*feel-good movies, even if they are super-cheesy*anything that makes me laugh*Diet Dr. Pepper*cable*Twitter*social networking in general (without which i wouldn’t have a job – see ‘iPhone’ above)*brownies*snail mail*coasters (i live in humidity)*health insurance*comfy pants*post-its*candles that smell like cinnamon or fresh laundry*

I could go on forever, but know that I am also thankful for you. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Yes, I know, where am I?

Hello loyal readers – please let me just start by apologizing. I know I told you I would be around more this summer, especially after Taylor graduated. And I’ll be honest, I just haven’t lived up to my word. Things have been crazy busy – he took the bar, I almost went crazy because it was so quiet around our house, and then we have spent the past week recovering from 2 months without seeing each other (don’t let your mind go there, we’re married). Basically Taylor hadn’t absorbed anything outside of the bar exam material for two months, so I spent a week recapping everything that has happened this summer.

ALSO, and this is the BIG stuff: Taylor had a job interview with a wonderful firm last Friday. I can’t go into too many details until we know the outcome, but it would be a great firm to work for and it’s a job he really wants. He would be really good at it, too, since he’s already familiar with the type of law they practice. We are supposed to find out “pretty soon” if they are going to make him an offer, and I really hope they do. It would be such a great opportunity for him (us) and I am excited to see him putting his skills to use. So if you could say a little prayer, cross your fingers, meditate on it, or whatever you choose, please take a little second to do that for him (again: us). I will keep you all posted.

ALSO: after we find that out, I will try to resume a normal blogging schedule, including product reviews, celeb gossip, recipes and charities. Let me know if you have a product you want me to try, a recipe you are looking for, or anything in particular you want me to blog about. Thanks for reading!

- C -

The First Day of the Rest of My Life

Pray for my soul. There are more things wrought by prayer than this world dreams of.

Taylor takes the bar exam today and tomorrow, and honestly, I’m just as ready as he is for it to be over. Everyone said this would be one of the hardest things we go through together, but it really hasn’t been that hard. I’m lucky that I went through a year of law school and realize all the time, energy and effort that is required. It definitely helped around finals time and it gave me strength this summer.

I have confidence in Taylor and I have my faith, and there is a peace in my heart about all of this. I am actually excited, because after tomorrow, we can begin our real life together, facing the Real World.

Thank you all for your prayers and support this summer. I am so lucky to have you all in my life. I will keep you all posted!

-Catie-

Our Kickball League Made the news!!

For those of you who don’t know, every spring and fall for the past 2 years, Taylor and I have played on an adult kickball league. The league is sponsored by WAKA, or the World Adult Kickball Association. This was our second season as captains of That One Team, and although we haven’t won many games this season, we have a blast! Last week, Channel 8 News was at the fields, filming a bit of every game. The story aired last night, and I invite all of you to watch it:

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE CHANNEL 8 SEGMENT ON THE WAKA OK STORM KICKBALL LEAGUE!

Sorry for not posting the video on here, but WordPress wants me to install a new widget, and since I am at work, I don’t have the time right now. Go to the WAKA website to find a kickball league in your area!

Snapshots!

Just a few pics from the first half of 2009 to show everyone and remind me that my life is absolutely amazing!

Fiiiiiiive - for Clint & the Village Idiots

 

The K(C)atherines

 

At law prom, I found a dare from my bachelorette party in my purse!

 

While in Raleigh for work, I saw my BFF from middle school

 

This guy looked like Perez, so I made him take a pic with me.

 

Katherine & Me at Shawna's Wedding (she was my date)

 

Me & My Amazing Mama

 

In NYC for business, I hung out with my old friend Tim

 

This guy is from Oklahoma but lives in Brooklyn. I loved his tattoo!

Isn’t my life great??

It Could Have Been Me

So for those of you who don’t know, Taylor and I met on the first day of law school at the University of Tulsa – August 11, 2006. We were both first-year law students, and quickly realized we were meant to be together. Long story short: Before the end of our first year, I had withdrawn from law school and Taylor and I were moving in together. Now, almost 3 years have passed, we are married, and last Saturday, May 9, 2009, Taylor graduated from law school. I realized while sitting in the stands that I could have been there, too, and I immediately realized how relieved I was to be a bystander, not a participant. I am so proud of you, Tay!!

B. Taylor Clark, Esq.