My First Blog- Who are the Coker's?

After reading a number of your blogs, I have been inspired to begin blogging about my life, our life, work life, etc. To catch you all up on what is happening in my world, I will start from the past year and move to the present.

Work:
After leaving ClubCorp to pursue an opportunity with a recruiting firm, I quickly returned. I was gone for about a year and a half, and that was enough for me. My old boss, who is now my current boss, called me up and asked me to come back once a spot became vacant. Since being back, I have taken on quite a few roles. My title is Recruiting & Training Specialist but I really do so much more than just Recruiting and Training. My duties include, but are not limited to, recruiting, managing the job boards, facilitating and executing the relocation process, everything dealing with consumer reports (background checks), orientation, unemployment facilitation, coordinating all training, career fairs, managing all of our relationships with vendors, new employee set-up, employee relation calls (rarely), open enrollment "stuff", handbooks, compliance posters and anything else that our team needs.

Puppies:
My senior year of college my best friend was away, my parents were selling my house and I did not have any roommates. I got lonely at home (even though I was never home). So I decided to purchase a dog. I went to the closest pet store, and against my parent's advice, bought the most precious little pug.... or so I thought (just kidding). Brodie is his name. He is adorable, but I would advise everyone to really research the breed before you buy. I wouldn't give him up EVER, but, in a future blog, I will give you the "low down" on pugs. Once Matt and I bought our house, which I will get to, we picked out Miss Bailey, our schnauzer. As many of you know, I grew up with schnauzers and could not wait to get another one. She is precious, has the perfect temperament, excellent health, very lively and over all, a great dog. Brodie and Bailey are absolute inseparable. They walk together, sleep together, eat together, chew the stairs together (much to their dad's dismay) etc. We are very lucky to have two fabulous dogs who add so much to our crazy life.

Our House:

This is beflore (during renovation)

This is after :)

Matt and I were tired of apartment life. We lived next to a creepy guy in our apartment complex, the noise from upstairs was annoying, Brodie lived at Meme's, the kitchen was terrible and we were sick of throwing our money away. So.... the house hunting began. The very first house that we looked at was the one that we purchased. It was a good learning experience, but I must say, we should have done a little more research. We have updated a number of different things within the house, and honestly, it looks great, now... but for those of you who saw the before, I am sure you were thinking "what in the heck are they getting themselves in to." Luckily we have some amazing grandparents who have green thumbs, great friends who lend their handy-man talents for a small price and parents who have guided us through the entire process. For now, we are staying here in Grapevine, but when the time is right, we will not hesitate to make a move.
Engagement & Wedding:
2009 was MAGICAL! Many of you made our engagement/nuptials special. Let me just say this... for those of you who are not married (or who have not been through the year long process of getting married) you have no idea what it takes - It's life consuming (and well worth it)....Going forward, I will never miss a wedding shower, wedding party, ladies luncheon, bachelorette party or any other event having to do with weddings, babies or other celebrations EVER. All my parties were great, my bridesmaids and friends and co-workers and family were truly amazing! I felt like a princess each and every day. My couples shower was OFF THE HOOK! My bridal luncheon and all the events leading up to the big day were more than I could have ever imagined. Then the big day... let's just say my mother, father, step dad, step mom, grandparents, FRIENDS and family made my day special. I think everyone had a great time, and I can honestly say it was a day I will NEVER EVER forget. I know that's cliché but it is the only way to put it.

Now What?:
Matt and I are hard at work preparing for our honeymoon in Italy. We are putting in long weeks at work so that when March 28th rolls around, we don't even have to answer an email, pick up a phone call or even think about our work until April 14. Hard work and preparation will pay off (or at least I keep telling myself that!) Yes, 2 weeks in Italy/Paris is the plan. We will start in Rome, go up through Tuscany, fly out of Milan (Bergamo) into Paris and then back to Rome and we fly home to the USA. It may be a whirlwind, but we plan to sleep on our way home and when we get back. Judging by my past trips, I won't sleep much due to excitement and the urgency to go go go the whole time. Watch the blog; it should be updated in the evenings before bed (hopefully) while we are on the trip.
I am really excited to blog about our big life moments, small life moments and just our moments. If you don't like to travel now, I hope to make you want to explore and see new things. I hope to teach everyone a thing or two (or at least expand your knowledge) on things I am passionate about. But most of all, I want everyone to have some light reading to do on their Iphones while on a bus or train, while sitting in a meeting you may not want to be in or when you are sitting around with nothing else to do. Now let's all pray I keep this up!


Upcoming blogs:
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly about Pugs!
Good night!
-TLC