The hard work, heaps of paperwork, and months of waiting were all worth it...
Lucas is now an official permanent resident of the United States! He had previously received conditional permanent residency pending the success of our marriage, pretty much. I guess they've deemed us 'the real deal'. We didn't even have to go in for the standard 2 year interview. I'm giving myself a big ole' pat on the back, right now, for a job well done. So no more worries and no more paperwork...... for 7 months anyway, when we'll start a longer and undoubtedly more expensive path to citizenship. Congratulations, Lucas!
Some times I reminisce about the good ole' days of youth softball. I gave it up when I was about 12 for tennis ~ which I love and still play and it payed for my college, so I guess that was the right decision ~ but the team spirit and ponytails and victory meals and All Star games are hard to beat.
I tried to rekindle my old softball flame recently with a trip to the batting cages. It was so much fun! I think maybe after the baby comes I'll look for an adult softball league to join. Or.... I might have my hands full with a newborn. But it is nice to dream about putting on a jersey and hitting the field again!
Yes, apparently this is how he spends his days now. He just sent me this picture of all the work he was doing today. Golf fever has struck his work now and they made their own golf course. Yes, you heard that right. Lucas and his coworkers (and boss.... and general manager) have designed a 9-hole golf course complete with fairways and flags. I even designed them a course scorecard with course map. Pretty incredible. Such a hard life.
That's right. My husband has found the love of his life - GOLF. I once thought I might be the love of his life, but I am quickly reconsidering that notion.
It all started before his recent trip back home to Colombia. His plans were to play golf with his brothers when he got home and he was sure getting excited about it. He discussed these plans with our friend Chris, and they decided to go golfing before he left to give him some practice. This was Lucas's first time to play a round of golf. And the end of life as I had once known.
There was no stopping him now. Later the next night we just HAD to go to Dick's(Lucas's new favorite store). We were just going to "look," he said. Uh, huh. We walked out with a shiny, new set of golf clubs. He was genuinely thrilled. And so was I. I was so happy that he has found something new to be excited about!
Then, the next day we just had to go to Dick's again. This time we walked out with two sets of golf clubs for him to take to Colombia for his brothers. And that is only just the beginning. He is a golfer now so he certainly needs golf shirts, and golf shoes, and golf balls, and golf gloves, and on, and on, and on..... not to mention money for rounds of golf, food at the golf course, beer for the day......
It doesn't bother me that he spends money on golf - as long as it isn't in excess. But do you know what he told me last night? He said, "we're paying your tuition at the end of this month so we need to be really good about saving, okay?" ME? Okay, honey. When I go to the grocery store (THE ONLY PLACE I SHOP), I promise to save more. Problem is: I already buy cheap. We eat the generic brands and I stock up when there are sales. I couldn't get much cheaper. Unless...... that's it!! I'll stop buying the ice cream that he likes. And no more Milo (his favorite chocolate drink mix) from now on! How about all that cereal he goes through? I'll just stop buying it!Is that what he had in mind? I doubt it.
It made me really stop and reconsider my spending - or should I say -saving habits. Maybe from now on I'll loosen up a bit. Start shopping. Buy myself something nice every week.... like he does with golf. Dillards was having a great sale on purses. Maybe I should swing back and pick myself up that cute little purse I carried around but felt too guilty to buy.
Okay, so back to the golf part. It isn't even the money/saving/spending problem that has me worked up in a tizzy. You see. It is his level of excitement and enthusiasm that has me curious. He played golf before he went to Colombia. He went to Colombia and played golf 4 out of 7 days, plus had a golf lesson! Then, he comes back and plays more golf.
I am very happy to see him excited about something. But what if he were that excited to see me everyday?!? To cuddle up with me every night?!?!? At least be that excited about the upcoming arrival of our first child?!?!?!? I mean - really!!! I guess this makes him sound a little bad. He is very happy to be my husband and super excited to become a father. I know that. And I know he truly cares for us more than golf. But that excitement doesn't emanate from him like it does when you talk about golf. You should see his face. Really. A Kid in a candy store never looked so thrilled...
So, my husband noticed last night that I hadn't written about him on the blog lately. Sorry about that, dear. Better now? Hopefully he'll read this and learn to show a little more excitement over daily life with the wife. **hint**hint** Then maybe I won't have to be jealous of his new found love.
That is pretty much what the government is asking us to do. I am drowning in a sea of paper work right now to appease them. Couples with a spouse who receives residency within the first two years of marriage have to re-file paperwork two years later to show evidence that the couple is still together in order to maintain residency permanently.
This is their attempt at weeding out all of the illegal people who try to fraud the government by marrying only for a green card and make this process harder for the rest of us, law-biding citizens (and residents). I HATE those people! Seriously. HATE. If you are one of these people - I hate you. If you know one of these people - I hate them. Please tell them I said so.
Anyway, I'm busy organizing all the paperwork we need and gathering any 'evidence' I can. I happen to have a wonderful piece of evidence here at my fingertips.
So, say hello to the Dept. of Homeland Security on the comments b/c
I am submitting my blog as evidence.
The process only gets more fun. We'll be applying for citizenship in one year. Joy!
So that sounds a little dirty given the first half of this post is about our date night but just keep reading..... ;)
Lucas asked me out on a date last night. He has been traveling so much lately, and I think he feels a little bad leaving me and Rafa by ourselves so many nights. He told me to pick any place I wanted to eat - within reason. My mind was immediately made up - P.F. Chang's. I've heard rave reviews but never been. Last night was my night and it didn't disappoint.
We went all out with an appetizer of yummy lettuce wraps then had some spicy chicken and sweet and sour chicken for dinner (none of which bodes well for the weigh-in tomorrow). It was so good. And you know - it really isn't that expensive for a nice night out. It was under $50 with tip and all.
An after dinner pic at Bridge Street. This place is seriously nice.
I had on a pretty, black dress but you can't see it because I'm all bundled up in my warm coat!
Before we left the house, we took a few pictures with our favorite little puppy!
So after all that you can bet I'm in a pretty good mood. BUT - there's more.
I Got Lucky. Yes....... it is what you are thinking (as long as what you are thinking is that I won some giveaways!) ;)
Because I won not just one but TWO giveaways!
Check it out:
I won Sydney's giveaway with lots of cool things like a red 'green' shopping bag, a copy of Pride and Prejudice, and much more! My friend (not a real-life friend, a blog friend, but a really cool blogger, nevertheless) Bridgette over at The Not-So-Blog has been having a '4 You Birthday Bash' and I actually won over there, too!
I picked out this beautiful bracelet from Rare Designs Jewelry for myself and.... these cutie-pa-tootie baby shoes from See Kai Run. Don't worry. They aren't for me... yet. I'll tell you who they are for once I know for sure that I am allowed to write that she is pregnant. I am anxiously anticipating that post. Let me just tell you.... it's going to be the next best thing to having my own for sure. This lucky little baby (hopefully it will be a 'she' so she can wear these cute shoes or else we'll just have to save them until one of us pops out a girl) will be stylin'!
I think I may go buy a lottery ticket. Oh, wait. I live in Alabama. We can't have the lottery because it isn't 'moral'. Whatev....
First, I served him breakfast in bed - cereal..... I know - that took a lot of effort on my part.
To start the day off right I gave him his present - a Nautica watch (which he had picked out during our Thanksgiving shopping extravaganza). I forgot to get a picture - sorry!
I had a hair appointment at 9 a.m. That was Lucas's favorite part of the day! ***very sarcastic***
Then off to lunch at Grandmother and Granddaddy's with my parents. We had little birthday cupcakes!
My grandparents bought Lucas a nice sweater and my parents bought him a shop vac. Yay! Get to work, Lucas!!
Then we rushed over to Brandon's to meet friends and watch the SEC Championship game.
Lucas decided to wear orange - in honor of Florida - just because he likes to root against the group favorite. Here I am proudly sporting my red and white while we made Lucas zip up to hide that ugly orange!
Then the 4th quarter hit, Florida came back, and Lucas began showing off his orange a little more. Poor Alabama! We played well but lost... off to the Sugar Bowl. Oh, well.... it was still a great season. Alabama is, once again, a force to be reckoned with.
The happy birthday boy celebrated! Boooo!
We had wings and yummy cheese dip during the game but afterward it was time for cake!!!
SURPRISE!Her I am with a group of young men I affectionately refer to as 'my boys' and they refer to me as 'mom'. Sweet, huh? Well, someone needs to keep them in line.
How better to keep them in line than teaching them a nice drinking game called 'Clocks'. There isn't a lot involved in this. It is a game of giving and receiving..... drinks. On second thought, maybe this wasn't the best way to get started. It led to a whole lot of craziness!
Then throw in some cornhole.....
and a beer pong tournament...
let's just say it was a fun night!
Apparently I didn't get the weird face memo but - hey - I've still got my party hat on!
I am sure I am explaining something very in depth and thought provoking here.
'And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.'
-Abraham Lincoln
Happy Birthday, Lucas!
We've shared almost two years of our life together now as husband and wife. I can't wait to keep growing old with you (only maybe we can slow down the aging process a little).
You are so patient
and kind, humble, wise (beyond your many years),
loyal, faithful, honest, and patient (did I say that already? well he has to be really patient with me). I am so lucky to have you as my partner.
We are just beginning our life together and there is much more to come.....
hint! hint! (no ladies not yet but maybe one day soon)
Thank you for being so good to me. You are more than anyone could ever deserve. Really. I love you to the ends of the earth and back and so much more.
Love,
Your Favorite Wife ;)
P.S. Thank you for letting me get my hair done on your special day ;)
I had a wonderful, wonderful weekend with the husband. He has been traveling so much lately I feel like we haven't had much down time together. We didn't do anything particularly exciting or fast paced this weekend. We got to visit with some friends on Saturday night (Roll Tide!), raked leaves on Sunday (still much more of that to do), had dinner with my family last night (Yum! Lasagna)... all very regular things. But the regular is so extraordinary when life gets too hectic. I love my husband. I feel very lucky to have such a great relationship.
anything with lots of meat and cheese, bacon is a bonus - also likes grilled chicken sandwiches
PIZZA
Chocolate Krispies, although I don't let him get this very often
plaids, maybe. I got him this really cute pair of madras plaid shorts but he wasn't too amused with them.
49ers I think, but he likes the Colts, too. And Auburn just to drive me crazy.
He can't vote yet but you can bet when he does it will be for a Democrat - Oh, yea! :)
No clue... I could look it up but I'm lazy!
bite my nails (I know it's bad)
3 in the U.S. - 1 in Colombia
Colombian
He isn't a huge fan of cake but he loves icecream. I'd probably bake a plain vanilla or butter cake with lots of icing. But all the icing would be for me since he doesn't like it. I love birthday cake, icing, and ice cream. Yum!
Tennis, of course! And soccer I think.
watching television, working on the yard, staring at his beautiful wife. Haha!
car, I'm guessing. He needs one for sure.
Journey.
Hehe! Make my turkey noise - it's awful!
Yes, very well. I joke that my mom loves him more than me!
a Rolex or a big piece of land with a brand new house designed just the way he wants (he's somewhat picky about those things).
I keep forgetting to take a picture but Sunday night (after we bought the plane tickets) I was feeling a bit down about missing Christmas with my parents. Brandon came over to the house and I was cooking Lucas's favorite dinner, Chicken Carbonara. I realized I was out of our Egg Beaters and Lucas volunteered to go buy some (he'll do anything for this dinner, I swear). He and Brandon headed off to the grocery store and guess what he came back with? Roses! He's so sweet. Thank you, Lucas! I do love you even though you are taking me away from my parents on Christmas.
