monday, monday.

Hi friends!  I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend.  Ours was a lot of fun!

Hershey park was awesome - it rained a lot in the morning, but luckily during the thunderstorm I was enjoying my self at the spa in Hotel Hershey (so posh!).  I mentioned before that I was getting a 'Chocolate Bean Polish'.  OH MY WORD!  I have never, EVER been touched by a woman like that before.  Haha!  It was so sensual, and I couldn't help but laugh and ask the lady if she felt as akward as I did.  Of course she said no (it's just ME) and helped me relax and ultimately fall asleep.  Basically you get rubbed down in chocolate shavings and melted cocoa beans, then they use a warm shower head and rinse off all the chocolate, lay warm towels all over you to soak up the water and then use cocoa butter while they massage.  I met Robbie back at the hotel after he finished golfing and I was done with my woman-on-woman action and he looked at me said, "wow, it really DOES smell like chocolate everywhere!  You can even smell it in the rooms!"...to which I responded, "Nope, that's just me."  I seriously smelled like chocolate the whole rest of the day and night.  Robbie didn't mind!  I forgot to charge my camera battery and managed to leave without any pictures.  At the end of the night after we hit up some roller coasters, we went around and tried all of the impossible games they have.  The last game we hit was the basketball hoop that's a gazillion feet up in the air (yes, a gazillion) and lo and behold, my studly husband made TWO shots, 'swooshes' right down the middle.  I was so proud and SO bummed I coudn't take a picture.  I'm convinced now that if we have a son he will be a pro.                                        

All in all, It was a great weekend.  Now here's to a great week!  

bring on the chocolate.

I'm so excited for this weekend!  Tonight my sister Jena and I have a hot date to see SATC.  We rarely get to go on dates these days, so I'm really pumped.  D, I wish you could be with us too!

Tomorrow morning Robbie and I are off to Hershey Park for the rest of the weekend.  His company is having a "fun in the sun" weekend shindig for their employees and families - to start the day off, Rob is meeting all the guys for golf in the morning and I'm going to the Hershey Spa with the ladies.  I'm getting a Chocolate Bean Polish (sounds a little risque, but I'm still excited!), then we're spending the day at the park, having a BBQ at night and THEN we're all getting rooms at the Hershey Hotel for the night!  His company rocks!  Thanks, Rich!!  I am so excited.  God is good. 

Rob and I are in the middle of making an important decision right now, please keep us in your prayers!  We're already moving into our first home in July, which is a big enough thing in itself, so this other thing comes with funny timing - I'll definitely write all about it once we make a final decision.  But yes, prayers would be appreciated!

Before I end this, I have to make a super-special shout out to the soon-to-be Mrs. Napper - thanks for your patience!  I LOVE YOU!!!!!  

almost.

God is doing some awesome things in our life!  I can't wait to sit down and pour out everything that is going on.  We appreciate everyone's prayers and would like to ask you not to stop!  I also appreciate those who have asked to bring the blog back asap; it means so much to have people out there who care about us so much.  This blog is actually a stepping stone to a website in development.  I was going to wait until everything was complete before posting anything new, but I'll use this in the meantime as a temporary home.  I will post more SOON!!  Promise!  :o)

break.

Sorry gang, this blog is going on a hiatus.  Blessings to ALL!!!  Don't worry, we'll be back.  :o)

random.

I think today should be called "Great Friday".  It's really unbelievable what today means, and so often we forget to stop and think about it.  Naturally, on Sunday when we are sitting in church, we are reminded of what this weekend is all about, but today often gets overlooked.  Praise the Lord He died so He could rise!!!  I love Easter for what it symbolizes, and I also love it because it means it is SPRING!  I love that our wardrobes suddenly become brighter.  I love that no matter what the temperature is, I will still pull out my flip flops and sundresses.  Maybe I won't wear them, but atleast they will be out and ready!  On an entirely different note, I realized for the first time today that I have had the "comments" section of our blog turned off.  How lame is that?!  I always want to hear how everyone else is doing and here I had an instant means of communication turned off!  Alas, it is now turned on.  Tell us how you're doing!!  Last night, Rob and I were invited to watch the evening basketball games at another couple's place.  It was so fun!  We had wine, ate pizza and talked basketball.  Rob knows it's in both of our best interests to have me fill out a bracket for March Madness.  It gets me really into the games.  I never want to take the time, but then I always do and become an avid basketball fan overnight.  In fact, two years ago, our senior year of college, I WON!!!  I picked all of the winning teams strictly based on colors and if I had friends who went there.  Low and behold, I won the whole thing.  I'm not getting my hopes up for this year, but it would be nice to win again.  :o)  Should I be using paragraphs for all of these different thoughts I am writing about?  I probably should.  But I think this makes it more relaxed and informal.  I am one of the first to admit I am not the best writer in the world.  The way I can best express my thoughts and ideas is through images.  I wish every story I thought of could instantly be put into words on paper.  It's funny, my sister and I were in Barnes and Noble's the other day having coffee and doing work.  I was so frustrated about a project I was working on.  I was creating a logo and newsletter design for an assignment I had.  I spent so much time on the pictures and colors; I wanted it perfect.  That part was finished and I was pleased with the outcome.  Now, I was faced with actually writing the dang thing.  My sister grabbed my computer and started writing it.  In about ten minutes she had a whole rough draft done.  She hates the artistic part and loves the writing!  Do I sense a business partner in the making?  I THINK SO!!  Okay, this is getting long.  Now is when paragraphs would be better.  Next entry, I will use them.  Happy Great Friday!  Rob and I wish you all an amazing and happy Easter!!  GOD BLESS!!  xoxo   

okay.

I realize it has been about three weeks since my last post.  I found a quick second to write up a little St. Patty's day shout-out, and after I submitted it, I realized what a cop out it was!  I feel bad and obligated to write a little more.  Why is it so difficult for me to write more often?  Well, I know the answer to that, but still.  Life will always be busy.  And even so, I want to make sure I take time to "chill out" and write.  In fact, this is a slow time for me!  I have two weeks without conferences and trips.  I need to embrace this time. Today is St. Patty's Day, and while I certainly wouldn't mind being at some hole-in-the-wall pub celebrating the green in me, I am very much content with my current state.  Robbie had a HUGE surgery today and was nervous all weekend anticipating it.  I wasn't expecting him home until late, but he called and is able to be home a lot earlier.  I just put together a chicken parmesan dish and am waiting to put it in the oven.  I wasn't planning on cooking tonight, but now I'm excited I get to.  I'm excited to greet him with a glass of wine and have him sit down for dinner and tell me all about his day.  As a little girl, I dreamt about nights like this.  Maybe that's strange, but I always watched my mom and dad with awe.  I love being a wife, and more importantly, I love being Robbie's wife.  Of course there are the things I didn't dream of when I was little, like cleaning the bathroom sink after my husband shaves (ew).  But at the end of every day, I know life is too short to not appreciate everything on our plate.  God has given me a huge helping of blessings, and I truly intend to devour and enjoy every bit of it.  I know this is much easier said than done.  But I have to look around.  Two years ago today, I was sitting in a bar at State College drinking green beer, shaking a shamrock rattle and laughing 'til my stomach felt it could burst.  And all of this with the bestest of friends.  Time flies!  And those same people are still in my life and are still the bestest of friends.  What an awesome thing to have.  God blessed me then and He is blessing me now.  I can't wait to see what I am doing this time next year!

Lots of blessings and best 'o luck to all of you, today and always!  Happy Green!

oh to be Irish.

A St. Patrick's Day Wish For You

May your life be long

May your heart be true

May your path be clear

and your skies be blue.

May your soul be happy

and your spirit light

May you know deep joy

May your dreams take flight.

May God bless you on this special day and always.

Happy St. Patrick's Day! 

Love,

Rob and Anna