Life Updates

I was reminded yesterday of the fact that I created this blog for the purpose of keeping friends and family informed as to the happenings of the Irish family. I guess I've been on my soap box a bit too much lately because I really haven't been writing about us at all! I guess I think our lives are rather normal (and boring at times) and that my thoughts and opinions are much more fun to read. Well, in case you're sick of my rantings about orphans, cancer, and homeless men, you're in luck because today is simply an update day!

So, what have the Irish's been up to lately? The usual.

I'll start with me. It'll be a year next month since I started my job with the American Cancer Society. That means nearly a year of being out of school. I must admit, I'm still adjusting to this whole work all day thing. I miss the flexible lifestyle of a student more each month that I'm in the "real world". I'm starting to like my job a little more and have found that I'm good at working with the newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. I have an extra soft spot for working with the Hispanic, Spanish-speaking breast cancer patients - they always give me a challenge. Keeps me busy. I just finished teaching my first grief support group for children who have lost a parent. I really enjoyed it and it reminded me of how much I miss working with children. I'm continuing to follow God's call to care for orphans and will be attending the Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit at the end of April in Minnesota. Not only will I get to spend time with others who share a heart for orphans, I'll be learning more about how to start an Orphan Care/Foster Care/Adoption Ministry in our new church (more about that later).

As for Dave, he's still working with US Bancorp in the legal department. He recently got promoted and has suddenly been overwhelmed with work. He's been learning how to do things around the house (I'm talking renovations here people) with the help of my dad - I've got a honey-do list a mile long for him, afterall! Dave's itching for golf season to officially begin in Wisconsin and is looking forward to heading to Whistling Straights in August for the PGA event. He's even happy Tiger's back in action (while I on the other hand still plan to "boooo" him).

Together, we've been diving into those home projects we neglected for the past 9 months. We had been using the "we've been so busy with the wedding" excuse but that one doesn't work anymore. Then it was the "we just moved in" excuse but we'll have been there for a year in June so that one's out too. Our first project was the half-bathroom renovation downstairs. It's ALMOST done - this weekend we'll begin the painting process. We also recently decided it was time to get rid of the "red room", the second spare bedroom. It's all painted and in the process of being decorated by yours truly! I promise to post pictures of both soon. We plan to tackle the landscaping this Spring (if I can find the motivation to care about plants). Then onto the Dining Room/Kitchen area. On a different note, we think we finally have found our new home church. This will be another blog post when we officially become members this Spring but after months of searching, we've found a church that's perfect for us and we're already getting involved! Such a blessing!

And for those who don't live in the fabulous state of Wisconsin, the snow has finally melted and we're hoping to hit the 60-degree mark today. That's enough to make this girl happy. To bad I'm inside at work all day - again, missing the life of a student. Although, this is Wisconsin and snow is in the forecast for the weekend so we can't get too excited yet!

So there ya have it, the exciting life of the Irish's. Now do y'all see why I find it much more interesting to write random antics than to share what we've been up do?!