Happy Birthday RJ

I wanted to take a moment to wish my nephew RJ a very Happy Birthday! Dameone and I love you and miss you very much.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to ME!

Ok, so that title sounds bit conceited, but the more you read you'll understand why I'm so excited. You see, about 2 months ago, Dameone and I decided that it might be time to grow up and settle down. By that, I mean WE'RE BUILDING A HOUSE!!

The whole thing really came about so fast and unexpectedly. A good friend of ours just finished building her house and recommended that we come out and take a look at the new builds in her area. The area that she is building in is somewhat near an area where we had once lived - an area we were 200% certain we would never return to. Much to our surprise, though this area shares a common street name, it is nothing like the other place. In fact, it kind of reminds me of Tucson.

Anyway, after several failed attempts at declining her suggestions, we took the marketing materials she so kindly picked up for us and realized that this could become a reality for us. We glanced at the floor plans that were offered and selected a nice-sized 3br 2 1/2 ba 2-story patio home (For those of you who don't know, a patio home is a stand-alone home in a planned community that does not have a full yard...only a patio). We really feel that this will be the perfect transition for us out of apartment living and into our own home.

Ok, so why "happy birthday to me", you ask? Welllll....they broke ground on our new home today! So, it's one day after my birthday. Close enough.

Here are some pics from the day we signed our contract...enjoy! More updates to follow as the build progresses...

Good Food, Great Friends

So, as most of you know (or should know) my birthday is coming up this weekend. Since I work like a maniac, some of my friends decided to treat me to an early birthday celebration by taking me out to lunch/cocktails at this local eatery called Shabu Fondue. Now, I've never been to The Melting Pot (mostly because I've heard that it costs an arm and a leg and if I'm going to give up that kind of money on a meal, it better have been moo-ing in Japanese before it got to my plate) but I hear this place is quite similar in concept just geared toward a more budget conscious crowd.








The fondue dining experience definitely promotes conversation and, most of all, portion control. We decided that we were only mildly hungry, so the three of us split 2 kinds of cheese fondue, then of course the dessert fondue. This particular place serves a variety of carb-laden goodies to choose for dipping. With the cheese course you get rye bread, tortilla chips, soft pretzel sticks, and something else that escapes my memory.






Then out comes the super-yummy chocolate fondue and with it, another selection of tid bits to feed your carb over-dose. They brought out graham crackers, marshmallows, cheesecake, cherries, strawberries, and pineapple (which we decided to pass on). I can hardly imagine how we didn't eat the bowl the chocolate come out in. I think the only thing that stopped if from devouring it was the threat of scalding our mouths!







After lunch, we sat and talked for a while then I opened my presents. I got a huge stack of home decorating magazines and....drum roll please....A NEW PAIR OF SHOES!!! I must say that I have some of the most fantastic friends on the face of this earth. Thank you guys!!!

Welcome Ada Morgan!

I would like to wish a warm loving welcome to the newest member of the Czaja family - Ada Morgan who entered this world at 5:10pm on August 26th. She weighed in at 7lbs 8oz and is 19" long.

My prayers and thoughts go out to mom Gretchen and dad Nick. Good luck and let's hope she doesn't learn "The Czaja Look" too soon!! I love you!

Happy Birthday Jen-nay!!

So, for those of you who don't know, today is my "little" big sister Jenny's birthday!! YAY!! I got to talk with her on the phone a little bit earlier today which was such a nice treat. I wish I could be there to celebrate with her but we all know how that goes. (I'm sure she'll say the same thing when my birthday rolls around which, in case you're counting, would be 38 days from now.) I got to listen to the cutest card that her daughter Maddy picked out for her. I swear her kids are the cutest EVER!!




And, while we're on the topic of KIDS...here's a little flashback from Miss Jenny's childhood...

Today was a nice calming day for me. I got to spend some quality alone time out by the pool which I've been unable to do since the wedding. Ahhh how I cherish my pool time! Sitting there alone at the pool today gave me some time to reflect on my life as it is today and how I got to this place. I honestly have to say that I have quite possibly the BEST family in the entire world and I miss you all more and more everyday. And that means EVERYONE...aunts, uncles, and cousins alike.


Since today was such a laid back day, it may come as a surprise to many that my shoes today are NOT of the high-heeled variety but rather a nice flat pair of green havaianas flip-flops.