Sunny Phoenix? Well, finally!!

So this past weekend I met my mom and sister in Phoenix (well technically Scottsdale), just for a fun girls trip! We were so excited to just lay by the pool, get some sun and relax.  Well, if you can believe it Phoenix had record lows and was rainy and cold for part of our trip, but we made the most of it and still ended up having a wonderful time.  Omaha was actually warmer than Phoenix, can you believe that!?!

We got lucky and found out that Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West was not far from our resort at all, so ended up going to tour it on our rainy day.  It was so cool and had amazing views of the McDowell Mountains!  Taliesin West was huge. It housed Lloyd’s private residence. Where he actually lived until he passed away. Also, the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture is in session for 6 months out of the year here as well.  The drafting house, as they call it, really took me back to the good ole days of studio at K-State. Oh the memories, trace paper everywhere, thorn up models, and empty coffee and pop cans everywhere you looked! Haha!  Since it was cold for 3 of the days we did much more shopping than expected! But, that’s ok, we weren’t complaining too much.  =) On our last day though we got pretty lucky weather wise and were able to lay by the pool as we had hoped all along! It was beautiful and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky!  We all got to relax, have a cocktail and get some rays! All in all, we had a very memorable trip.  We had some much needed girl time and I don’t know what it is about moms, but you always feel so much better after being with them.  I miss my mom and sister so much already but we’re already talking about where we should hit up next year! I think it’s official-- we’ll be making this an annual trip. Yay!

Going Local!

 

So, you’ve heard about our juicing extravaganza, well if you can believe it, we’ve continued, and each have at least one juice a day if not more.  If any of you have tried it, you know first hand it can get pretty expensive because you need all fresh produce and of course our goal was to have mostly organic and as local as possible.  Well, you all know my husband! Ha-ha! He was wanting to shop at Wal-Mart, while I was opting for the Whole Foods route…so we decided to meet in the middle…and our local farmer’s market it was!  And to be honest, first of the year I really started to read labels and realized that these organic cherry tomatoes I’ve been buying for months, were actually a product of Mexico, then certified organic in California, distributed in Ohio and then sent to my local grocery store where I bought them in Dallas. I was baffled when I read this! How can this be good! This was another reason the farmer’s market was on our “must do” list for 2012!

 

So, we decided to make this our Saturday morning routine….just grab a coffee and take a stroll down to the market.  It’s actually really fun, especially since the weathers been so nice out and it really does feel good to support the local market.  And Brian gets to use his charming personality to bargain with the farmers, we save money and it’s a great time just for the two of us to hangout and talk after a stressful work week.  I’ll have to let you know how long we last on this new routine…I’m hoping we’ll keep it up, and am all about going local this year! Woohoo =) 

Burleys take State!

Last weekend Brian and I headed up to Wichita to cheer on his brothers at the State-wrestling tournament! It was a very exciting weekend that started out really early for us on Friday morning. And when I say early good ole Brian had us up at 4:00AM to get dressed and out the door so we could make it for the first round. (And did I mention Brian isn’t a morning person? So this was amazing that HE was the one waking ME up and saying, come on, let’s go…I’ll drive first shift. This is normally me…total role reversal! haha!)  He was so excited for his brothers and had been talking about this all week.  It was really sad though, because we unfortunately missed Chris’s first match by minutes….after all that. =(  So sad! But, long story short we reached Wichita around 10:45 and were able to run in, grab a seat and catch Greg’s first match.  And our wrestling weekend began!

Chris and Greg had quite the fan club! There were some GB high schoolers of course, then Brian and I drove up from Dallas and Uncle Bob, Jackie and Lisa made the road trip from Omaha as well! The trip was fast and furious but it was great seeing everyone as well!

Ok, and just had to add in this pic of all the boys together…it was just too good not to! It’s hard to get them all in the same place let alone for a picture. So cute!

Greg is a sophomore, making him a two time state placer.  He ended up placing 3^rd in the 132 pound weight class!  All his matches were so exciting to watch. He ended up going into double overtime in the consolation semi-finals and won! He had us jumping out of our seats and I told Gui I’m not sure how she does this every weekend! It’s so stressful at times; you just can’t even sit still! 

Chris is a junior and a three time state placer.  This year Chris took 2^nd in the 120 pound weight class.  He won in overtime in the semi-finals match, which took him to the State finals for the second year in a row! (woot woot!) Chris is so fun to watch and always keeps you on your toes! (which isn’t a surprise if you know Chris at all!)  He did an awesome job and even the students in the stands were chanting “Chris Burley”....fun atmosphere for sure!   

Brian and I are so very proud of both Greg and Chris.  It’s such a huge accomplishment to just make it to State let alone place and then to come home with 2^nd and 3^rd is just amazing!  Chris and Greg both not only excel in athletics but academically as well.  They are outstanding students and Brian and I just love hearing about all the various clubs and groups they participate in, in addition to the various sports they are involved in at GB. They are such well-rounded men and it’s been so fun watching them go through their high school years so far.  I already can’t wait for next year and our annual road trip to Wichita to cheer on the boys! Congratulations again Greg and Chris! We love you! 

Cousin Matt hits the Big D!

We are so lucky! My cousin Matt came in town to visit us for a long weekend. It was so much fun and was much needed for both parties. =)  Right after I graduated, I moved to Kansas City where Matt lived and needless to say we hung-out alot! And of course, that meant that Brian and Matt hung-out alot too! Haha! The three of us have many many good memories.  Some of those include calling our Grandma Greene, I guess you could say a little tipsy,  on Saturday afternoons while we were enjoying the awesome roof deck patio at O'Dowds on the Plaza or just having movie night and hanging low key on the weekends (did I mention they both like the Notebook!? I was so lucky and didn't have to argue much about the movie choices!)  

 It was great having Matt in town.  We did some shopping (I mean we do live in Dallas..gotta get your shopping in while you're in town), worked in a mini pub-crawl in Uptown and then of course did our share of movie watching!  Overall, we had a great weekend and it made me miss my cousin lots. We've both moved on from Kansas City- Brian and I in Dallas and Matt in Des Moines but those couple years in KC really were special and created a friendship that I'll cherish forever! 

 Matt can you move to Dallas please? 

YAY to the happy couple! =)

This past weekend we had so much fun helping Lindsay and Brandon celebrate at their engagement party! (pictures above courtesy of the wonderful photographer Mrs. Erin Hughes--isn't she so talented!!) We hadn’t seen very many of our Dallas friends for quite a while and it was so refreshing, and much needed! 

It was definitely a night of catching up, good times and many cheers to the happy couple! AND, Brian and I couldn’t really complain…the party was literally down the street so no DD was needed this night! Haha! Only a short walk and we made it home safe and sound! =) 

Our Reboot!

Have you guys heard of this documentary? Well we sure as heck hadn't until one of my cousins over Christmas started telling us about it and filled us in on Joe Cross and his juice cleansing 'Reboot' across America!  It really is inspiring to watch and really makes you think about what you put in your body.  Long story short, he was sick, overweight and had a rare medical condition and decide to do a juice fast for 60 days and got incredible results.  After Brian and I watched the movie we were totally in, went out and bought our first juicer and our 'Reboot' began...

So, first off I just have to say we did not do this to loose weight, promise! (I had to explain this to my mom a million times!) We did this as a detox and just thought it would be a good way to start off the new year! It's suppose to help retrain your taste buds and give your body a break and instead of working on digesting all the food we eat it can help go and heal other parts of your body that need a little extra help. =)

I have to admit...we both were a little scared at first, but in all honest it really wasn't that bad at all. We did our fast for 6 days and both said we would definitely do it again! I have to say the hardest part is actually making the juice. It is SO much work! (and is sort of expense too!) But, one night we made a date night of it and went to Whole Food's juice bar for a little change of scenery.  

Our favorite juice ended up being the Green Juice that they drink in the movie lots and lots...but it really is pretty good...swear!

Green Juice

6 leaves Kale
2 cups Spinach
1/2 Cucumber
4 Stalks Celery
2 Green Apples
1 Ginger Root
1/2 Lemon 

So we both admit, we're not so sure about doing it for much longer than 6 days...it was a great experience but we were definitely ready to eat whole food again. I have never been more excited for dinner before in my life! And our sushi meal was amazing! =)  

Next on the agenda.....P90X! (I'm scared!!)

Thank You

We just wanted to say thank you for all the love and support you all have given us.  All the beautiful flowers, thoughtful cards, loving messages and food that was dropped off were all much more than we expected and meant more to us than you'll ever know.   

This has been a very difficult time for Brian and I.  It all came so unexpected and the past several months have just been an emotional rollercoaster to be honest.  We have learned a lot about ourselves as individuals, but more importantly as a couple.  This whole situation has made me realize just how lucky I am to have found Brian.  He truly is my best friend and I just can't image my life without him.  Its really confirmed just how real our love for each other is and has only made us grow closer and stronger as a couple, which I thank God for every night.  

Everyone keeps telling me only time will heal this hurt we're feeling and I think deep down I know it's true.  I wish there was something that could make it go away quicker, but I know we need to be patient.  I know Brian and I will get through this and we keep hanging onto our faith and the hope that God has something wonderful instore for us.  Losing Landon has change us forever, and we pray everyday it’s for the better and we come out of this becoming better people.  Landon is our little angel and we've learned so much from him already.  I just know we will continue to learn more and more as the days, weeks and years go on.  We have a new appreciation for life and it really does make you want to live everyday as if it's your last and not take for granted what God has already so graciously blessed us with. 

Two of my really good friends gave me a book with this verse in it and I keep reading it- almost everyday. 

“Let your hope make you glad.  Be patient in times of trouble and never stop praying.” Romans 12:12

Each day is getting a little bit brighter and we just wanted to say thanks again for all your love, hugs and support. We love you all so much and are so very thankful to have each of you in our lives. xoxo