Beyond Blessed

So it's been a long while, about 5 weeks, since our last post and I know all of you felt like a piece of your heart was missing...well, we're back to catch you up on the Horan life in the Lowcountry.

Our jobs have been treating us well, given the busyness. Rita Jo's work is going well, so well that a team from Oklahoma City, who was in town recently, wants her to make a trip to replicate her program at their site. She has been very blessed to have many different managers across the country that seem to want her to work on their teams.

Chris' work has allowed him to begin learning from the company's security team in order to further his career aspirations. Thankfully, his manager has been very supportive of his desire to learn more in this field as it continues to be a significant skill needed across all industries. Coupled with his course at Boston U, his daily work will hopefully begin to flourish and produce great results for the team, the project and the company.




January 19th was the Charleston half marathon and Shrimp & Grits 5K. Chris ran with a buddy from work. Chris' leg injury held him back a bit but he pushed through, finishing in 2:02, knocking 27 minutes off of his Indianapolis Mini time from May 2012. Rita Jo and two of our other friends ran the 5K.



The 49ers and Ravens gave us a reason to host a small gathering at our place - our neighbors downstairs came up and three Boeing friends joined us. We dined on Jo's white chicken chili, beer bread muffins and a crowd-pleasing feta/tomato/onion dip.

On St. Valentine's Day, the Horans celebrated their first together married. We enjoyed a lovely dinner in together. Jo made one of Chris' favorite - red beans and rice, coupled with french brie, a french baguette, and a glass of Mark West Pinot Noir. Our wonderful Aunts Cathy and Sharon Dirnberger gave us a wedding gift of a box of candles for different occasions as a married couple - "Pink candles set the mood and pave the way for your first married Valentine's Day." After dinner, we watched our Wedding Mass DVD for the first time; it's so special to have the sacrament captured on DVD. Chris was more nervous watching than he was on the actual wedding day!

We are looking forward to a busy, but exciting year with many weddings, trips and visits by friends and family!

Our upcoming guests will be Chris's St. Louis family, Ali Martin & Matt Ferrell, and Justin Miller - Book your weekend today!! Our one guest bedroom is filling up quick! Did we mention we have a beach 10 min from us???

We miss you all and send our love to the homeland!

Christmas Break and 2013 Beginnings

And we're back...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Horans!

For the Christmas break from work, we left for Cape Girardeau on 20 December - an approximately 800 mile trek south through Atlanta, up through Chattanooga, TN and Louisville, KY.

We had the fine pleasure of spending time with the Dirnbergers and Mansells amongst three get togethers. After enjoying the warm weather of the 'winter' into December in Charleston, nearly 6 inches of snow fell in Cape, leading to snowball fights, snowmen construction and sledding. We spent six days there including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and got to check out the new casino for a drink with some of friends.

I've Had The Time of My Life

We departed for Indianapolis on the morning of the 27th to spend a few days with Chris' mom and his STL family was there as well so we were able to see both sides of the family. We spent a few hours playing Just Dance 4 with the Horan family which Chris' cousins got for Xbox for Christmas. It was quite the work out and may actually be a good way to learn how to dance!

We made our way back (nearly 2000 miles) to the Lowcountry on the 30th to get settled before going back to work on the 2nd. Our NYE plans for dinner out were changed into a delicious dinner at home - maple-lemon glaze salmon with butternut squash vegetable medley. Much cheaper, healthier and more relaxing than going out!

New Years Day, we attended Mass at the Cathedral for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. We continued getting settled in our new home by cleaning up the guest room...enough so our guests can now utilize the bed and walk around in the room (hint hint..come visit us...).

Just over a week until the Charleston Half Marathon for Chris. He's currently going through some pain - tibialis posterior issues. Just gonna have to suck it up and fight through the pain...

We have both begun our spring courses for the semester. Chris plans to fully transfer to Boston University to begin his Masters in IT Security and use credits taken at Washington University in St. Louis to get an Information Management certificate as opposed to the degree.

On Tuesday, we had our 4th month anniversary but it came and went with the busyness of work and school. I suppose we're already so old and into our marriage that we didn't recognize it...not even on Facebook. My fault (Chris) for not saying something to my beautiful wife!

Peace be with all of you! We love you and miss you and can't wait for you to visit!