Slater Builders Inc

When I graduated Vanguard University in 2005, I didn't know what I wanted career-wise. I was working part time for a company called Slater Builders since the middle of 2003. Their a construction company that does smaller end commercial projects. I was assisting the CFO in the accounting department doing odd end jobs. I was offered a full time position when I graduated and since I didn't know what direction I wanted to go in, I took the job. Well, 6 1/2 years later I was still there. It was a great first time job but difficult at the same time. Being stuck in a small cubicle for 8-9 hours a day with little interaction with other people can get very old, and quickly. I am so used to being busy and being outside and working with people, that it was very difficult to do my job, especially something I wasn't passionate about. The people I worked with were great, very supportive and lots of fun. I was blessed to have that kind of support in the work place, the job itself, however, just wasn't something I wanted a career in.

Now that Levi and I have moved, I've obviously quit my job. It was a bitter sweet goodbye. Change is hard (for me anyways!) and this was my first 'real' job, and my life has been planned around if for so many years. But it is time for me to move on and experience new things. There are so many other things that I am passionate about that I am excited that I have the opportunity to explore those passions. I feel like the sky is the limit now and I can really start getting into the things I love. I can't wait to see what God has in store for me!

We want a dog! Or two...

Ok, so Levi and I both grew up with dogs in the family, ever since we were little. The first dog I remember my family having was an Old English Sheep dog named Kiley. Now my parents have a Boxer, Darby, who has been in the family for over 10 years now. She was originally my brother's dog until he went off to college and then she became the family dog. A few years or so ago my brother got a Boston Terrier named Gracie. Gracie and Darby are the dogs of the DeLoach house. Levi grew up with an Australian Shepherd mix named Keanu. Now the Luster's have a Lab named Mika and a Shih-tzu named Ty.

I don't have pictures of Mika or Ty, but here are some of the DeLoach family dogs:

Gracie

Darby

Clearly, dogs have been apart of our lives for a long time. We knew we would want a dog when we got married, but we are unfortunately unable to have one in our condo because our landlord put in new carpet. (Booo!) So, we are enjoying life without a dog until we live somewhere we can finally have one. The thing is.....we can't decide on a dog! We both want dogs that we grew up with. Levi wants a Shih-tzu and a lab and I want a boston and a boxer...oh no!

Well, recently, we have really had dog fever. Maybe its because we are moving so our chances of having a dog are quickly approaching?? The last couple of weeks we have looked at a bunch of dogs in the local pet stores and we finally found one that we both love! Wahoo!

Who could resist this face?!!

We LOVE a Cavalier King Charles! They are so cute! We reallly wanted this one, but couldn't buy it for many reasons. We were already picking names for her and everything :( But at least we know we like the same dog! We are thinking of getting 1 small dog and 1 big dog and getting them at the same time so they are never alone. We don't want to buy from a pet store, so we will have to find a breeder. Another dog we agree on is a chocolate lab, so that is in the running for our 'big' dog. But we just never know what we will like next or what will come our way....stay tuned!

Christmas Cards & Pictures

Levi and I had a friend take some pictures of us for our Christmas cards this year. It started out with a simple idea and Heidi (our photographer friend) turned it into an amazing little session :) We told her we were thinking of doing something along the lines of moving (since we are moving to Arizona in Jan) and Heidi took the idea and ran with it....literally. She got up at 6 AM on Saturday morning and went garage sale shopping to find some old luggage and look what she found! She even found an awesome trunk. The pictures turned out great! The colorings were really cool and fall looking. We were so happy with how they turned out. Thanks Heidi!

Fall around the Luster House

Levi got me flowers one day...they were beautiful fall colors

Some of our fall decorations

Our pumpkins! They didn't last long before they got moldy. Luckily we were able to use them on Halloween for the trick or treaters :)

Our 1st Anniversary

Levi and I headed up to Santa Barbara for our 1 year anniversary. We had a really great time, and loved everything we did. We stayed at Oceana Hotel which was right across from the beach. It was a small hotel with a lot of personality; the rooms were fun and bright. On our actually anniversary we went out to dinner at an italian restaurant called Ca Dario. After dinner we went through our "Make The Wish" cards from our wedding as well as eating our wedding cupcakes from Sprinkles. They were just as good as they were on our wedding day :)

After we celebrated our anniversary, we were able to really enjoy Santa Barbara. We walked downtown, went into some of our favorite stores and ate at some really great places including The Habit. Their burgers are one of our fav's! When we were in Urban Outfitters, we actually ran in a few famous people - Katy Perry and Russell Brand. We aren't really fans of either but I get slightly 'stockerish' when I see famous or semi-famous people. I never think I will but when I'm in the moment, I surprise myself. Levi was able to see this for the first time and couldn't help but laugh. He was able to take a picture of them walking out while I 'casually' acted like nothing was going on.

One of our favorite things we did was go horseback riding. We went to a place called Circle Bar B Ranch. We absolutely loved it. We plan on going back one day for a longer visit and being guests of the ranch for the full experience. The ranch is tucked away in the mountains and has some incredible views of the ocean along the property. It was very peaceful and relaxing. Our horses Wiley and Herman were great to us and we plan to take another ride with them in the near future.

1 year under our belts, and many more to come!

Evoke Photography

Micheal and Emi at Evoke Photography posted a few of our wedding pictures on their blog. You can check it out here if you'd like :)

Beach Days

This past weekend Levi and I heading down to the beach for a little R&R. We started the morning out by going to Laguna Beach/Crystal Cove area to have breakfast at the yummy Beachcomber Cafe. If you haven't been there, you should go, its a great experience. It's part of the Crystal Cove State Park Historic Distrct. There is a lot to do in this area. There are paths to walk or run on, right along the coast, you can go for a walk along the beach and there are even beach cottages you could stay in. I was reading up on the cottages and they were originally built in the 1930's & 40's. They have since been authentically restored to reflect that area of when Crystal Cove became a community. Some of them are kinda cute! It would be fun to stay in them for a night or two :)

Levi & I on our way to breakfast

An old photo from the 40's (look at the rolling hills in the background!)

The cottages

Beachcomber Cafe

Yum! Macadamia Nut Pancakes

After Levi and I have breakfast we headed towards a different part of the beach called 'the wedge' in Newport Beach known for its awesome waves. We found a great spot and enjoying relaxing, reading, and most of all people watching :) We were pretty entertained to say the least! Overall we had a great relaxing day and are once again thankful for being so close to the beach.

Milk + Honey

I am so blessed to have all the wonderful friends that I do. God has truely blessed me with great friends and friendships. This last week I was able to catch up with Cathleen! We have a few 'usual' spots where we meet but this week we decided to try something new. Its a little place in Costa Mesa called Milk + Honey. I love unique places like this. The sign alone is one of my favorite parts; I love the simplicity of it. My second favorite part is their 'business card'. I grabbed a couple of them when I was ordering. I love the uniqueness of it. Who says a business card has to be 2" x 3.5"? I love when people think outside the box. Not to mention their food & drinks are pretty good too :)

Cathleen caught in the act!

Yum!

Memorial Weekend

For Memorial Day Weekend Levi and I went up to Big Bear Lake with some of our friends for a little getaway. One of our friends has a cabin up there so we were able to stay there for free, which is always nice :) We had a great time; relaxing, playing games, going out to dinner, making dinner in, going sledding, and catching up with each other :)

Bike Riders

Once we moved to Irvine and I noticed its the perfect city for riding bikes, I knew I had to pursway Levi into getting a bike so we could go bike riding. There are paths all over the place! And since Irvine is sometimes like Mayberry, its just too perfect not to be outside enjoying the wonderful scenery. I could bike ride all day!

Well, Levi found a bike online about a couple of months ago, so I finally have a riding partner. Lately some of our bike rides have been a little more productive like riding to the grocery store, haha. Its a good thing I have a basket on my bike! On our last trip we went to Starbucks in the morning and then to the grocery store to get bacon for breakfast...Levi spotted the sale section in the store (who even knew there was one?!) and we found a great deal on a big pack of toilet paper. Soo needless to say my basket was quite full!

Baby Gianna Rose Watson is here!

Emily and Mark became proud parents yesterday when their daughter Gianna was finally born! The delivery was overall good for Emily, pushed for about 4 hours, but everything went well, which is a huge blessing. Gianna weighed 6 lbs 12 oz. and was 14 inches long...

Happy Easter everyone!

"You're Not Alone"

This morning I turned on my iPod before I got into the shower. The second song that came in was called "You're Not Alone" by Meredith Andrews. I've heard it before but for some reason it really moved me when I heard it this morning. It was so powerful; I was overwhelmed by the message she sang and the true simplicity of the words. It's sang so beautifully, I found myself standing there with my eyes closed, lost in the moment.

I search for love

When the night came and it closed in

I was alone

but you found me where I was hiding

and though I'll never ever be the same

It was the sweetest voice that called my name

singing

You're not alone

For I am here

let me wipe away every fear

My love I've never left your side

I have seen you through the darkest night

and I'm the one that's loved you all your life

All of your life

You cry yourself to sleep

because the hurt is real

and the pain cuts deep

All hope seems lost

With heartache your closest friend

and everyone else long gone

You've had to face the music on your own

but there is a sweeter song that calls you home

**sayin'

You're not alone

For I am here

let me wipe away your every tear

My love I've never left your side

I have seen you through the darkest nights

And I'm the one that's love you all your life

All your life

Faithful and true... Forever

For my love will carry you....

You're Not Alone @ Yahoo! Video

Weekend in Arizona

Next trip on the calendar: Arizona! One of my best friends, Emily, had her baby shower. She is pregnant with baby Gianna Rose and is due in three weeks, but the baby could come any time now! I am so excited for them! She is on bed rest so we got to hang out and I was able to help her family with some of the preparations for the baby shower. Her sister Megan and I took a short break to eat Sonic's while I was there....i love their cheesy tator-tots, yum!

Me & Em at her shower

Other then that Levi and I were able to spend time with his family. We had a wedding to go to, Levi's cousin was getting married, so it was fun to see some of his family again and hang out with them after the wedding. Besides that, we relaxed at home, went to the movies and saw I Love You, Man ("Slappin' the bass!!"), played games at Dave & Busters, and did a little fishing on the lake. We also went to The Good Egg for breakfast one morning. Everything we had was great!

Chelle & I having a 'mo' (You have to see I Love You, Man =)

Fishing on the lake