Bellingham Wedding Expo

A few weeks ago, my classmate Amanda invited me along to the Bellingham Wedding Expo. No, she is not engaged yet but was asked to be a part of the fashion show! Nic proposed to me in February and thus I missed all the wedding expo's! (Side note: Can you believe we haven't been engaged for a year yet and we're already married for 5 months! Guess I was a little excited to get married so fast!) Therefore, I was kind of excited to see what these things are really all about while helping out a friend. My job, to help Amanda in and out of bridesmaid dresses. When I got there, Amanda was all ready done with hair and make up. We wondered around the expo for a little bit before the fashion show was to start. First run in....Drew Graham, DJ extraordinaire! He was definitely the light of my wedding! He knows how to throw a great party! We chatted for a bit and then I was off to see who else was here! As I made a turn around a corner, these two women were watching a TV that one of the vendors had set up. They looked up as I started laughing and turned a shade of red, when I realized it was my wedding video! Brian was at his FIRST wedding expo and I was his marketing tools! It was fun to show Amanda a peek at my wedding. Then we rushed to the dressing rooms to get things in order before the show. While the girls were getting a pep talk, I decided to go check out the stage where I found MORE vendors! I thought to myself, this would have been fairly helpful to plan a wedding... too bad I didn't have these tools while planning! Third run in.... Sarah Jane the most fantastic wedding coordinator out there! She was awesome from start to finish and after my wedding. She got married in September so I asked her how things were going and wow does she have a plethora of change going on! Four days after getting married she got pregnant. Her husband just got offered a new job in Alaska and he accepted! So, her last day as an amazing wedding coordinator is in February and she is moving to Alaska pregnant! Phew, I have to say that I am really glad my life didn't play out like that. I don't know if I could handle all those surprises at once! However, the best part of all of this, Mo, my go to gal for my wedding was offered Sarah Jane's job!!!!!!!!! CONGRATS MOMO!!! I made my way around the stage and found Andi my cake lady! If you didn't have cake at my wedding you sure did miss out big time! Andi just opened a store front in Bellingham, which is not good for me because now I can eat her cakes any time and get fat! It was so much fun to catch up with all the people who made my wedding the success it was! It was also fun to see the vendors that we interviewed that we didn't pick as well! Now on to the fashion show! Amanda rocked it and the dresses changes went smooth! I had a blast helping out and being back stage! There were gorgeous dresses and some AWFUL dresses! Thanks for putting me to work Amanda!

Amanda striking a pose....looks like a prom dress to me

Bein goofy in another bridesmaid dress

until next time.....

GULP...

I look at my left hand often. I admire my rings, not just because they blind people, but because of what they represent. "Crazy Love" that is what the inside of my wedding band says and that is us. We are one unit, one team, one family...togetherness. So why then, has it been so hard for me to take his last name? Why do we have this ritual? Why would I change my identity just because of these rings and vows? I will still honor and cherish him all the days of my life even if my last name is not the same as his. Carbonaro is Italian but what is Truscott? My name doesn't flow as Stefanie Nicole Truscott like it does as Stefanie Nicole Carbonaro and that could partially be my bias as well! I really have always been very proud to be 100% Italian. How many other people in our melting pot can says they are 100% anything?!?

We had been married for a few weeks and I had been thinking about how people wouldn't know I was Italian with the last name Truscott. I was at the gym taking a spin class from my friend Courtenay. The class was a mix of men and women and after class chatted with Court for a few minuets and left. The next day she said to me that one of the guys in there said  that I must have been Italian. I laughed when she told me and thought he just looked at me and knew that!?!? He didn't need to know my last name! People would still figure out I was Italian but seeing a different last name was still too weird for me. I just kept thinking that isn't ME! I don't know that name I don't know who that person is... I know who Stefanie Carbonaro is. As time has passed, I feel like I have my alter ego Stefanie Truscott. Who do I want to be today?

I have talked with multiple people about this matter. Many say you don't have to change it if you don't want to, while others, explain the family dynamic feel... one unit under the same name. I have felt this constant nagging inside me because of our upcoming trip to Vegas. I guess Nic had said I was changing my name and when plane tickets were bought they had my alter ego's name on them. At first I thought no big deal, I'll adjust to all of this by the time February comes and this name change business won't be a big deal. Heck, most of my friends thought it was the greatest thing to change this last name to their husbands. Clearly that is not me! I honestly think if I didn't have a plane ticket in my alter ego's name I wouldn't have changed my name until children came into the picture. I can't wrap my head around having a different last name than my children. And that is where the one unit one family aspect comes into play. I want that! I don't want my kids to ask why mommy has a different name than them or have someone not think they are MY kids because of our last names.

Therefore, I did it. Last week, I went to social security and officially became my alter ego, Stefanie Nicole Truscott! On Friday, I enjoyed my two hour stint at the DMV. I totally forgot to practice signing my new name but the guy assured me he had lots of paper to practice if I needed to! New bank cards are in my wallet and all that is left is my passport. Can I just say this whole new name process is a giant pain in the ass! I think the guy should have to go through some of the pain I endured in the many wasted hours if it be on the phone or in person with all these people who need my new name, license number, etc.

Here's the proof!

yes, blurry on purpose... no need to know my height, weight, sex, eye color, etc!

I like this team better than today's team....

After many holiday parties, driving the tour d'washington for Christmas, 2 and half hours to Whistler for New Years, I was really excited to spend the weekend of January 8th at home! Get the house back in order, bags unpacked for good, grocery food shopping to complete, decorations to take down, and so on, but that didn't happen! When I got to work the Wednesday after New Years, one of my bosses confessed he had tickets to the playoff game. I thought to myself wow wonder what those cost?!?! Then he continued with how guilty he felt if he took a 3rd Saturday off in a row (first was for Christmas, second for New Years). I listened and the wheels in my head were turning and waiting for him to say the words.... "I think I'm going to have to make the grown up choice this time and not go to the game." I asked a few questions before I put out there that we would gladly take them if he couldn't go and found out the tickets were only $53 bucks cause he bought them before the Seahawks had even qualified for playoffs! The rest is history... my husband loves me even more now and off we went to the greatest game in history....if only that team had played today against the Bears.

I would humbly go to every game and watch each weekend if all the games were as entertaining as this one was! The hawks kept us cheering and jumping up and down, so much so as to cause a small seismic tremor!

Here are some pictures of fans and us at the game!

 Gotta love these bald guys!



Nic took this one with his phone





 

 

WE WIN!

Whatever you are, be a good one

BRRRRRRR!

Can you tell from the picture (yes, my new fancy camera and I took this shot) just how cold it was in Whistler!? At the house we were at a blistery 9 degrees. This is the day Nic decided he would go skiing. Now, if it was 9 at the house I cannot even imagine what it was like at the top of the mountain! Therefore, I did not go up but instead went on an adventure with wilderness. Bill, Ali, Alex and I snagged our fancy cameras and gear, packed into the car, and went to explore the beauty of Whistler. We couldn't have asked for better weather (well maybe a little warmer) because the sun was shinning and the snow was glistening every day we were up there.

Here is what we saw along the way....

It is a magical peaceful world up there in Whistler! It was fun to get out and start messing with all the settings on the new camera. Honestly, I don't think you can take a bad picture with that camera! 

On to New Years Eve!! This was year NINE for me spending New Years in Whistler with my second family, The Norman's. We work on a puzzle every year and only once has it not gotten finished before we all had to leave and head home. We get a mat made and all sign it and then it gets framed and placed on a wall in the Whistler home. This year was no exception. Here we are putting in the last pieces!

Here is the group shot that will be framed next to the puzzle on the wall!

New Years Eve is all about eating and Bunko for us! Here is Nic slaving away in the kitchen starting the preparations for coconut shrimp. One of his most favorite things to make and they taste amazing!

I was too into playing the game of Bunko that I do not have any pictures of this spectacular event. Let's just say it gets a little loud and crazy during Bunko and it might be one of the top 5 things I look forward to doing every year! After we've exhausted ourselves with excitement from Bunko we turn our attention to the deck where this begins!

I was very impressed this year with everyone sabering! They all got it on the first try!!! This is Alex after her cork went flying! We made it back inside with 7 min to go until midnight! The champagne was poured the tv was on with the space needle fireworks about to go off and we toasted in the a new year with amazing friends and family surrounding us! The night continued with pool, laughter our annual photo shoot in fancy sparkly shirts! It wouldn't be New Years without some bling! We hope this year is a great one for you and your families!

CHEERS!

until next time...

The Continuing Whirlwind....

....Better known as the holidays! I always kind of dreaded getting married because of what the holidays would mean. Going to this house, driving to that house, seeing this family, running around to make sure we've covered all the bases...but forgetting to enjoy and soak it all in at the same time. Maybe I set myself up with this thinking, but our first holidays as a married couple were not a let down to my expectations.

DISCLAIMER: I REALLY DID HAVE A GREAT TIME AND LOVED SEEING EVERYONE...REMEMBER THIS STATEMENT AS I CONTINUE!

I've come to understand why Nic is so laid back and go with the flow. You have to be when you are a part of his family. One side of his family has a very and I mean VERY tough time making plans and sticking to them. This is problem number one for me. I will be working on being more flexible but for goodness sakes can't someone make a single plan that doesn't change! The plans changed for Christmas Eve as we were literally pulling into town the night of the 23rd...which did not start me in a very happy mood. I was quickly snapped back into reality, told myself to suck it up and dry the tears because we're here and there is no turning back! We stopped at Nic's aunt and uncle's to say hi and play a few games. I adore his Aunt and Uncle! They are a hoot and their kids are amazing. They feel like they have been my cousins forever! We headed to Kyle's, one of Nic's good friends, and then home to his mom's where we stayed that night.

I was slightly agitated because I wanted to start making our own traditions as a family, just Nic and I. I still wish we could have driven over to Wenatchee on Christmas Eve and drank hot chocolate and done our stockings at our place that morning. However, Becky and Bob each had to work Christmas Eve and so we had their house to ourselves that morning to share some alone time and give each other our stockings. We then spent some time with Ben and Jodi at their house. That girl can make a mean breakfast! I really wish they lived closer to us! A tasty Mexican lunch, with Becky and Bob was enjoyed next. Then a few errands and me picking my next battle.

I try to choose my battles. Is it really that important or can I let it go? I was trying to figure out how to mesh what Nic has known Christmas to be and what I know Christmas to be without stepping on too many toes. A few got crunched but that's life! I wanted two things....stocking alone time check and to go to church. Christmas mass was always my favorite! The small kids were so excited, the advent candles were all finally lit, you searched the crowd to find familiar faces, you dressed up and you were with your family. Nothing else mattered once I was there. Nic however does not do church on Christmas. Yes, I thought the same thing. How in the world do you go to church every week but not on Christmas. Very backwards to the norm and made me giggle a little inside! I am religious and it was Jesus birthday and I was going to church to remind myself what this whirlwind few days was really about. Nic realized it was important to me and we found a service that worked with what the plans were for the rest of the day. No, it wasn't the normal mass I am used to....BUT...it made me smile big and feel like it really was Christmas and not just another day. I actually saw ONE person we knew and the kids were antsy with excitement. The message was short and the holiday songs weren't the ones we always sing and I didn't care! My husband even wore his khaki's instead of jeans or carharts and he probably has no idea how much that meant to me as well. He looks so good dressed up and he doesn't know it.

We scurried over to his aunt and uncles with the rest of his dad's side of the family for the annual crab feed. After dinner we exchanged gifts, played games, and visited! I am currently wearing my new slippers, already used my scrapbook paper and new cricut cartridge to make a thank you card, and bought a new years shirt with the monetary gift! It was a really fun night!

As I went to bed that night, I thought about my family at home. I missed out on the Chinese food. Yes, dad has to have his Chinese food before mass...they are the only restaurant open on Christmas Eve. I missed father puffer cheeks boring gospel....I wish our old priest was still there to bring out the camel and fun Christmas stories! I wasn't there to hear the words at 9:30pm, "Okay Stef, get in your room cause Santa is coming!" He's an old guy now so he has to come early so he can go bed. It was a lot of fun to be around tons of family but I missed just having it be my mom dad and brother.

I still woke up at 5am on Christmas morning. I was excited but confused Christmas morning. I can't jump on the whole family and wake them up. I don't think Bob would have appreciated that very much. No one to tell me to go away and come back once the oven was turned on and coffee started. So I tried to go back to sleep. I woke up again at 6am. Should I call my parents house and wake them up now? No, that would be mean. At 6:45 I couldn't lay there anymore. I woke up Nic and at 7am called home. they thought they could get away from me but they were wrong!

We did a little skype, opened up our stockings, ate cinnamon rolls, drank mimosas, and enjoyed the morning. I was glad we woke up at his mom's house because she reminds me of my mom and I needed that! We were on the road again by 10:45am to journey over the pass and thru the woods to mommy and daddy's house we go! I was sooooo excited to get home and be in my element!

I asked them to not open ALL their presents before we got there...I was too late with my request to my brother so he had to sit and watch when we opened ours. I didn't want us to open ours and have everyone staring at us. That isn't fun and I like to see everyone's faces when they open their presents too! Spoiled as I say or privlaged as my dad says...choose whichever you feel fit, but Santa was good to us....guess that means we were good this year too! We have gift cards from extended family to go spend, I already started using my new coach purse from my grandparents, my flip camera is already getting me into trouble with my brother, the jewelry tree is already full (does that mean I have too many necklaces and earrings? just askin), already used my sephora gift card, cute clothes will be worn for new years, I did two workouts yesterday and used my new foam roller to stretch my muscles back out, and Nic will use the helmet camera to catch me falling on the mountain!

Year one down...a few glitches, new adjustments, smiles and laughs, quality family time, and a very Merry Christmas!

And we're off to Whistler tomorrow! I'll post some pics and flip video's on the next post!

Until next time...

A Common Problem

I have been married for 4 months. I have heard from multiple people that the first year is the worst or hardest rather. We haven't had any issues thus far. We are a pretty good team but I would have to believe that my friends who are all newlyweds as well... thought the same thing. So where did things go wrong for so many of them? One husband cheated, One couple separated, One is getting a divorce, and One almost separated. WHY?!?! All of these couples had been together for more than 5 years before they got married. AND three of them have infants now! I think we should go back to when our parents and grandparents got married and see how they did things. Because whatever we are doing now is not workin out so well! It breaks my heart to see my friends hurting and I pray everything works out for the best for all of them!

until next time....

Jamaica mon...no problem!

After many long hours spent in airports and airplanes... we made it to Montego Bay. As we arrived and made our way past customs, which was a breeze, we walked outside to find Kipson our driver holding a sign with "Nic" on it. We laughed and Nic said he always wanted someone to hold a sign with his name on it. They hurried us out the door and said wait here as they grabbed the van. Then another guy told Nic if you want a beer you can get one there and smoke too if you want it. That was just the first time we were offered what we later referred to as the vitamin G aka marijuana. I lost count how many times we were asked if we needed some vitamin G. We took our open red stripe (official jamaican beer) beers in the van and Kipson took us to the RUI resort, a whole 10 min from the airport!

We spent that evening exploring the resort and getting comfy. The next morning we talked to a nice lady about the different activities. We signed up for Dunnes river falls and put our name out there if anyone wanted to join us for fishing. We then went to the dive shop and tried to figure out a day to go out and dive. Nic has his certification but I didn't, so I had to sign up for the pool session before I could go out. I've gotten used to Mexican time where everything tends to run late and now I know what Jamaican time is. Where they say "yah mon maybe we do that tomorrow just depends mon." They are rather laid back and never give you answers and for a planner like me I got frustrated. The first part of the week had some wind so diving was up to the weather God's as well as fishing. But don't worry we managed to get both in!

We did our first dive, yes there was more than one, and I thought it was so much fun! We went down 30 feet and saw gorgeous coral, brightly colored fish, sting rays as they shook the sand off themselves and floated away, and I didn't panic once! I did get stung by a jelly fish but it only stung for a short bit. The dive master said I did so well that I should really think about getting certified. I didn't have enough time there to take the advanced course but I did get open water certified. I can go down to 40 feet with a dive master present! Our second dive was even better than the first because I remember to look around more and it was only Nic and I instead of a group. We swam throughout the coral and in between it, curious fish pop out of holes in the coral to check you out, we saw a lobster (he was dead), sand dollars, more sting rays and I passed my skills! Just as we had gotten back in the boat 2 dolphins swam up and it took everything in me not to jump back in the water!!

We decided to do a half day of bottom fishing instead of deep sea because I was afraid I would get sea sick again. When we were in Mexico two years ago I didn't fair too well in the 8 foot rolling sea. Nic, myself, and Colin, our new UK friend, set sail to find the big one. As we were going out, we were trolling...this is done in deep sea not bottom fishing... and I started to get a wee bit nervous that we were not going bottom fishing. Bottom fishing is less expensive than deep sea and we had already paid so I didn't fret too much until 20 min later we were heading out to open ocean...GULP! The captain had other plans in mind and he wanted to go deep sea fishing and so I gritted my teeth and didn't say anything. I did NOT get sick and we had so much fun! Here's a picture of our loot and a me fighting a fish...er he didn't really fight much so it was easy to smile big for the camera. I caught one mahi mahi, Nic caught two, and Colin caught one and a sailfish.

Our last activity was Dunnes River Falls, 900ft of cascading waterfalls that you can climb up. The boat took at least 50 people out snorkeling first. Visibility wasn't too great and the current could have washed you away if you weren't careful. Then we went to the falls. It was gorgeous and so much fun to climb them. I don't have any pictures yet to prove our journey but after I get the water camera developed I will post some. Then we got back on the boat for "party" as the Jamaicans call it. They love their party and rum. We met a couple from North Dakota at our resort that did this trip as well. We became friends with them and hit it off. While Jen was getting sea sick, Mitch her husband was bringing mine rum and punch by the two. They were quite happy by the end of the trip! Ask for the full story when you see us next! Nic is going to try and visit Mitch and Jen when he heads out to North Dakota for labs this summer. I wish they lived closer...they were lots of fun!

We also met two Jamaican guys, Kevine and Jermaine and their wife and girlfriend, Joyita and Char. On the Wednesday of our trip, the six of us had dinner at the Italian restaurant at the resort. Jermaine proposed to Char this night. It was pretty cute and we had lots of fun! Once again if you want the detailed version let me know...because this post is already too long!

Our honeymoon was a blast with lots of sun, giggles, drinks, finding shells (my most favorite thing to do at the beach and my husbands new addiction), new friends, sippin coconuts, gorgeous color filled sunsets, great sand, and a pact that we will go back on our 10th anniversary...so long as it is still as nice as when we went this time!

 The store in the lobby had a sale on black Friday hahahha

 The beach!

 Jermaine Char Nic Me Kevine Joyita

 Nic Me Jen Mitch

 The view from our room

 Rum and Punch

 The loot

Kissy kissy mister fishy

Red stripe!

Until next time...