Happy May....er Happy June?!?

Oh my it's been awhile since I've blogged last, I can't believe that May is over!! We have been so busy, but have had a lot of fun stuff that has happened over the last few weeks. Going back to the first week in May, I headed to Duluth with some friends for our 2nd annual girls weekend!! It was so nice  to be able to relax and just hang out. 

Then the next weekend Brad and I headed down to Waukee, IA to help my sister and her husband start moving to their new home in Kansas City, MO. I'm not sure if I posted it before, but my sister found out she got a residency in Kansas City. I'm so proud of her she has worked so hard over the last 4 years!! We helped her pack up some stuff and on Saturday we finished packing up the moving van and off we went to Kansas City. She's got a cute new house they are renting for 4 years, we got to meet her neighbors who are super nice. That night they took Brad and I to Jack Stack BBQ. After dinner we took a walk around "The Plaza", of course none of the stores were open but it was fun to see what was down there. Brad and I headed home early on Sunday so we could make it back on time for dinner for Mothers Day. It was quite the long drive, I think we logged 8 1/2 hours in the car. Brad was up with me for about a 2 hours.. :-P

We also got some chances to hang out with my nieces after work a couple of nights. It's so amazing to watch them grow up and watch their personalities blossom!  Brad loved the one night we were over there and was playing "fort" with Lea while Jen and I were talking. It's funny I looked over and Brad was in Lea's fort, but the only thing inside was his head LOL. Then Lea told Brad "Don't pee on your zebra Brad." He just busted out laughing. Ahhhh to be in the mind of a child. :-) 

Then 3rd weekend in May was another busy one... My brother in law Scott graduated with his Masters in Education!! Yeah Scott! I wish I could have been there, but we had a lot going on that weekend. Brad and I made a day trip to Duluth to do some Wedding Planning!! It was very successful, we started the morning by meeting with the hotel to go over the weekend of the wedding and going over the details of the day and how things were going to play out.  We found our florast and our bakery for the cake. Before we headed home we met with Ken our officiant for the wedding, for what was a really great session of premarital counseling. According to Ken we are ready :-)

On Sunday, my friend Jennifer hosted a really lovely Bridal Shower for me. It was so much fun to see everyone and to hang out with all my friends and celebrate the Big day! Brad couldn't believe all the wonderful gifts we received.

The 4th weekend of May my sister Sara graduated!! What a great weekend, like I said before she has worked so hard. My sister is now Dr. Sara Ackermann... it's still so weird to say that. Then my parents and Brad and I started packing up the moving van once again. We woke up on Sunday and started packing and moving out the rest of her stuff. Once again Brad, Sara, Scott and I were leaving IA to go to their new home. That night Brad and I took Sara and Scott to Fogo De Chao in Kansas City. It was their first time at this restaurant, Brad was so excited to share this restaurant with them. 

Now this past weekend we were out of town once again, we were invited to a wedding out in Watson, MN for Mr. and Mrs. Chuck and Ashley Ellingson. Chuck is an old high school friend of Brad's. It was a good time, Brad had a good time catching up with people he hasn't seen in quite awhile. Being there it makes me so excited for our wedding, we are 76 days away!! WOW that's all I have to say.... 

Stay tuned for more in June, I promise I'll be better at keeping everything updated!!

We hope you had a wonderful May, have a better June!!

Love 

Amy

Tactical Strength Challenge

For most people that know me, know that I've been training with kettlebells for the last 7 or so months. I started mainly for weight loss due to the upcoming wedding, my friend Jen is also in the class. Brad was really excited about me starting, I just didn't know what to expect. Well 7 months later here I am in class at least 3 times a week and have now purchased my own kettlebells so I can work out at home. Needless to say I'm hooked and loving it, it's such a great workout! 

Anyway in the kettlebell world there is a thing called the Tactical Strength Challenge (TSC), Fawn a friend and instructor thought I should do it. The TSC  consists of deadlifts, pullups and kettlebell snatches. Brad, Jen's husband Jim and Jen were also on the list for people to do it  as well. Since 2009 started that was my goal to complete this challenge in April, it would be good progress marker. Fast forward to last Saturday, I was very nervous because I just wasn't sure how things would go. I had only learned how to deadlift a week prior to this day. 

Things got started and the deadlifts were first, now as I sit here and type I suddenly realize I'm not sure what all the in between attempts were. Brad basically set up my attempts for me which is part of the reason I don't remember and I guess the other reason I was so nervous. Anyway my first attempt was 225lbs, my fourth attempt was 280lbs. There are only supposed to be 3 but I guess you can take a 4th.  Then came the pullups, now I knew I wasn't going to be able to do even 1. I had to try, I got up and nothing that will be my goal for the September TSC. 

I was really thankful at this point to have a bit of rest time in between the deadlifts and the kettlebell snatches. Before this day I didn't have a chance to do the actual 5 minutes of snatches I had no idea what to expect. This time around I entered the novice division where I would be able to use a 12kg (approx 26lbs) kettlebell, but props to Fawn's hubby Aaron who almost convinced me to do the 16kg (next time around). Anyway Jen and I were the first two up to do the 5 minute test. Jen just kept going for the entire 5 minutes, which I found very impressive! I had  to take a couple of breaks, my goal was to get at least 100 reps. I was able to do just that, I got 115 reps I was happy. 

Brad and Jim started their 5 minute test they started out good, but you could see endurance/cardio is not their strong suit. They had a good time were able to complete the 5 minutes had good numbers themselves Brad -75, Jim at 76 reps. 

Other than that, we are just about 4 months until the wedding, scary!! Things are still moving along at a slow pace. I'm sure it will all come together at the end. I'm trying not to stress about everything and just take things one step at a time. I just have to get through the month of May, right now that is going to be the busiest months so far!! 

This weekend is Easter!! I hope everyone has a great Easter weekend!!

~Amy

Spring is almost here..... I think

On the drive to work this morning I was thinking about all the good things I could post and thinking that spring is almost here. Then I hear the forecast for tomorrow and they are saying we should get more snow.

Anyway well I have good news, Brad has officially started his new job this morning!! Yeah!

He works for a company called Old Republic Title in downtown Mpls. He and I will be carpooling to and from work now as his schedule allows it. He will probably have to take on the big bad public transportation at some point. We are just thrilled he has a job, he had 6 weeks of unemployment and sitting at home. Well he wasn't just sitting at home, but you know what I mean.

This weekend he went to the Arnold Sports Festival in Ohio, this was his 2nd year being asked to participate and due to our situation he felt very lucky he could go. It's one of those weekends that are the "guy's guy" weekends. There were several of his friends that were asked to go as well, which helped. They all competed on Friday, Brad ended up with first in the super heavy weight division and I think 2nd overall in the entire meet.

I know he was sad I couldn't be there, but I kind of was. Long story short, last year at the same competition one of the lifters had a bad knee injury. Brad had set up a fundraiser and had a goal amount he wanted to raise. He said if he could raise that much he would wear a pink singlet the next year. Well he either forgot about it or didnt' want to do it, so I had talked with the owner of Zubaz Dan and also he owns the gym we work out at. He special ordered me a pair of pink zubaz!! My friend Fawn also a competitor at the Arnold and my kettlebell instructor she delivered the package for me so it would be a surprise. Also my friend Jennifer is the one that gave me the idea for the pants, so there were a few of us involved.

I will post a pic of the zubaz as soon as I see one!

While Brad was gone, I had a good weekend of some downtime, some drama not too bad.
Friday night I was asked to watch my nieces for a couple of hours, they are so fun to watch and play with. Lea is 2 1/2 and Kamryn is a little over 1 they have a lot of energy. It was definitely a good time! Saturday morning I went to Chuck E Cheese with the girls and my sister in law and it was a good time had by all.
I was able to get some cleaning done, not as much as I would have liked but it was a good fair amount. It's amazing how much junk people can accrue.


That's all the news I have so far. I hope this snowstorm isn't as bad as they are talking.

Have a good week.

~Amy

Happy Belated Valentines!!

I hope everyone had a great Valentines Day, this year was a little different than most years. It was still a great day for Brad and I though. We spent most of the day together, I started out the day like most Saturdays and that is my kettlebell class. Brad had his anthropology class, after he got home we went to Best Buy to take our Xbox in that had stopped working. We again stumped the lady at the return desk. All ended well we ended up getting a $100 refund, which we didn't mind at all. Then for Valentines night we just stayed in watched the movie "A Night in Rodanthe".

Also it ended a very stressful week for Brad, he has been out of a job since January 31. This past week he had 2 interviews, both went so well he ended up being called in for a 2nd interview on both. Now comes the hard part the waiting, I'm hoping that something comes through for him. This is the longest he has been out of a job and it is stressful. I know he will find a job soon and then life can go back to normal.

However today I was with some friends of mine and I realized that the wedding is exactly 6 months from today. We sent out our Save the Dates a couple of weeks ago and I still have a couple of them to send out still, but those will go out this week. It just doesn't seem real that I'm actually the one getting married. I'm used to planning showers and parties and receptions it's a very strange feeling right now. I'm learning with each step of this process to enjoy it because it will be over before I know it.

So that's all for now, I hope everyone had a great Valentines Day.

Amy

End of January

Hi All-

I can't believe it's already the end of January and you know we have been busy our Christmas tree is still up. LOL

So anyway the last couple of weeks have been stressful to say the least. Brad had found out after a lot of back and forth that he his contract will end on January 30. He's been in a mad scramble to find a job, I suppose the upcoming prospects of the wedding and having kids soon adds some intensity as well. He has had some good leads with some different recruiting companies, so all we can do is cross our fingers and hope for something good to happen.

Brad on Sunday got real sick with some sort of viral infection, he got real dehydrated and was running to the bathroom every 10-15 minutes. We decided to take him to North Memorial and try that hospital out, since we have had awful stories of Methodist Hospital.
This time around we were in and out of the hospital in about 5 hours. I think that's a record for Brad. He stayed home from work for a couple of days, I got a mild case of whatever he had and ended up staying home for one day. I can tell you I've been wanting a day off of work, but not that kind of day off. :-)

In other news, I am in training! Yes you heard right, I am training for the Tactical Strength Challenge in April. What that consists of is deadlifting, pullups and the kettlebell snatches. Now I can tell you I won't be doing any pullups. I wasn't able to do them as a kid there is no way I will be able to do them now. I've been training in kettlebells since August, so about 6 months or so I'm up to 3 days a week. My kettlebell instructor Fawn has been very happy with my progress she even made a video of me overhead pressing a 20kg bell, which I think is 44lbs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4QA_mr2Rp4
Brad is excited that I am doing the TSC as it's called, he will be doing it too. Mostly for the deadlifting. More to come on that subject....

My niece Kamryn celebrated her 1st birthday this weekend. She's starting to get the whole walking thing. Yeah for Kamryn!!!

Grounds hog's day is around the corner I'm hoping that the Groundhog doesn't see his shadow and we get an early spring. I don't know about everyone else, but I am done with winter and want it to be spring.

Have a good week!!
~Amy

Happy New Year

I hope everyone had a great New Year, we have been pretty busy since the year started. On Christmas Eve went to Jeff Dunham at the Target Center. We had floor seats and we were in the 10th row, it was pretty cool to be that close. We got to see all of our favorites, Achmed the Dead Terroist, Walter and Peanut. If you don't know who Jeff Dunham is be sure to check him out on youtube, he is awesome. Then after the show we went and rung in the New Year with some friends of ours.

Then on another night we had dinner with Brad's parents, Grandma and Aunt from Canada. His Aunt wanted to hear about all the wedding plans. It was nice to be able to sit and get to know her we only get to see her once a year.

Today I had a fun girls day, I met Brad's sister's family at the dress shop because his nieces are my Jr. Bridesmaids so we got their dresses fitted and ordered. Then later on that morning the rest of my bridesmaids and flower girl came in. It was fun to have everyone together!!


This is my niece and sister in law at the dress shop. That's the dress Lea had picked out, the middle ribbon will be a hot pink color. She put on the dress and said "I look like a Princess."

I got my Save the Date Magnets the other day, this was the 2nd printing of them. They turned out better the 2nd time around. Now I get the fun job of finalizing the guest list and getting them sent out.

Have a great week!!

~Amy

Relax Time

Well now is the time of the year that is considered relax time!!
We had another great Christmas in the Roberts/Madvig Household. Christmas started with Christmas Eve w/Madvigs and relatives. It's always great to see the relatives that from out of town. This year we got to meet the newest cousin Sophie. She is such a cutie!! We were minus one family this year due to illness, but we will be meeting up with them here in the near future.

Christmas morning, Brad and I have been going to his parents house for breakfast and gift exchange between the four of us. It's always very nice to have some quiet, peaceful time during the busy season.

Later on Christmas Day we spend with my family, this year we were at my brother's house. My sister and brother in law were able to come in from out of town as well. My nieces are always the center of attention :-). They sure know how to keep everyone entertained. After everyone was full from dinner and the presents were opened we all gathered downstairs for some video game and board game fun.

Then Friday I had an unexpected day off, which was nice to be able to sleep in and run some errands. Although I have to say that the day after Christmas shoppers can be pretty crazy. Brad and I will normally do after Thanksgiving shopping, but it doesn't seem to be as crazy.

Well that's all for now, I hope everyone has a great New Year 2009 will definitely be something to look forward to!!