11.28.2012

Wedded Bliss Wednesdays


Sorry I'm a little late this week... I was too excited about installing Allie's new blog design last night to leave time for writing a post! So I am getting it now, while I should be working (whoops...) I have my FIRST SOLO home visit tonight and to say that I am nervous would be the understatement of the century... anyways... here we are for another WBW!

1. Grab the Button
2. Be sure to follow both Allie and I
3. Follow at least 1 other person
4. Link up your post! 


What is your husband's style?
Comfortable, classic, and masculine. John wear dress pants and a dress shirt to work everyday and looks GOOD in it :) He LOVES being able to get dressed up in a suit and tie whenever the opportunity presents itself and I love it! On the weekends? He's a jeans and t-shirt with tennis shoes kind of guy! Shoes are his thing... he's very fussy about his shoes, which I like. I have always had this theory... any guy can have an accidental "good outfit" but if his shoes are bad he has no style. The night I met John he had shoes that went perfectly with his outfit :)

What is your LEAST favorite piece(s) of his wardrobe? 
Two word. Puffy Vest (Allie TRULY understands this one...) 

If you have a picture show us!!

I know I have a picture of John in the puffy vest somewhere... but I decided not to dig for it (you should be thankful John!) This picture is a really good description of John's style. Nice shirt, Jeans, Sperry's... I mean, I think he looks good :) 

What would you love for your man to wear? 
Really, I think he dresses great on his own. One day when we have more expendable income I think he will go shopping more and expand his wardrobe :)








For the rest of the holiday season we will be doing themed questions!
(if you have any ideas, leave them! haha)
Next week is one question!
If money were not an option (say, you won the lottery) what would you buy your man? 
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11.27.2012

Transition.

Good morning!

If you are here from Becky's, you can learn more about me
here, here, here, & here.

I've been in a reflecting mood lately.
Blame it on the holidays or the end of the semester, but I can't help but count my blessings lately.
I also can't help but observe all the changes my life has made in two years.

Okay, okay, last year was the BIG year of change.
Graduated college.
Had a baby.
Married the love of my life...
It's hard not to feel like the current changes in my life are still being overshadowed by those three.

But the changes right now are just as real.
I never knew just how much returning to school was going to turn things upside down.

My mom told John and I this past week that we need to
pat ourselves on the back every once & a while.
But when people tell us how great of a job we are doing, or wonder "how are you doing it all?"
We just shrug our shoulders.
It doesn't feel like anything special, this is just "life".

And does the craziness ever stop?
Is being a working mom of one any different than being a grad student mama of one?
Yes, I know it will be different, but will it be "easier".
Are people still going to be in awe that we are "surviving"?

Maybe it's because we are young.
Although 23 is starting to feel older and older to me each day.
Maybe it's the circumstances.
We started out as a "non traditional" family (Although that stigma still makes me cringe).

I know that I am ranting but I just feel like life is in such a transitional phase right now.
And I cannot stop wanting more.

Another baby.
A house.
To be done with school.

I know I am incredibly ungrateful for thinking I have the right to "want" when my life is so full.

But it is hard to stay present when life is so fluid right now.
There isn't one thing that is concrete.
And more changes are coming.

It's hard not to let me mind wander to the "could be" and the "if" and the "when"
Sometimes I have to remind myself to stay in the moment.

I owe it to Jack.
To my ever-changing, ever-growing, beautiful little boy.
I will never get these days back with him.
He won't be this age forever...

I also owe it to my husband.
The guy that wakes up earlier than anyone should have to,
goes to work all day to be the SOLE provider for this family,
and comes home to cook dinner, do dishes, and be the BEST dad ever.
I know, I know, I married Superman. 
It's not fair of me to want more when he is working so hard for what we already have.

For now I just need to be grateful for this life. This WONDERFUL life.
I need to focus on my daily growth! I am ever-changing too...
I want to be the best wife. The best mom. The best social worker... so many things.

Sometimes I just need to take a moment (or 10) to remind myself of that.

11.26.2012

Two. More. Weeks.

We are home from our WONDERFUL trip to Indy and it went by way. too. fast.

Family. Red wine. Food. 
Nothing gets better than that. 
Nothing. 

I feel like I didn't get even close to enough sister time! 
Thank God CHRISTMAS is just around the corner...

Jack was thoroughly snuggled, kissed, chased, tickled, and loved. 
He's a wild one, that little boy of mine. 

I am officially the worst blogger ever. 
I did not touch a camera the entire time we were away. 
Not even Instagram. 

In fact, my phone was either dead, or in my suitcase the majority of the trip. 
It felt nice to unplug. 
I had everyone I needed within shouting distance. 
To me, that is heaven!

I will officially be bothering every member of my family
until I have enough pictures for a proper recap post. 
I even stalked everyone else's IG feeds for some sneak peak footage.
(THANKS MAGGIE FOR THIS WONDERFUL COLLAGE OF HAPPINESS!!)
In other news, it's the home stretch of the semester. 
I am a quiz, a paper, & a 20 page policy analysis away from a 4 week break!
"Two more weeks" will be on repeat in my head until it's over!


I also have this waiting for me at home. 
Cheers!
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11.22.2012

Give Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving!
I am thankful for so many things, 
but above all, I am thankful for family!

We are spending this week with family in Indy.
30+ Irish people. One house. LOTS of wine... and fun :) 
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11.21.2012

Wedded Bliss Wednesdays

Hi friends! 
You know the drill by now :) 
and if your new...
1. Grab the Button
2. Be sure to follow both Allie and I
3. Follow at least 1 other person
4. Link up your post! 

What are you most thankful for in your marriage?

This being a week of thanks and also the week of John and I's wedding anniversary, I am definitely feeling the love for my husband! What I am most thankful for in our marriage would have to be the room to grow and our ability to let one another change. 

I think/feel like a lot of people marry each other expecting to be married to that same person for the rest of their lives... but in reality. We never stop evolving as individuals, and therefore we never stop evolving as couples either! 

I am so grateful that John and I both realize that we both have a lot to learn, a lot of room for improvement, and that we are able to apply this to our marriage. We are constantly learning and growing with one another. 

This year has already been full of so many changes. Roles have shifted, responsibilities redistributed... we have taken most of it in stride, but there have still been bumps in this road. I'm changing, John is changing, Jack is ALWAYS changing... there isn't much that is set in stone in our commitment to each other and to our family. 

Most days I don't think we notice. Other days it feels like an adventure. Some day... it feels like things are falling apart. But really, at the end of the day, we have each other to hold onto. 

I love that we grow. I love that we expect each other to grow. 


Next week....
Let's talk MAN fashion!
What is your husband's style?
What is your LEAST favorite piece(s) of his wardrobe? 
If you have a picture show us!!
What would you love for your man to wear? 

We are looking for FUN questions!
If you have any questions, please leave them!!!

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11.19.2012

One.

On this day one year ago...

I woke up early, before anyone else. It was still dark outside.
I nursed Jack in the quiet silence in my parents living room.

It wasn't long before my mom came padding out of her bedroom,
whispering "goodmorning" and kissing the top of my head.

I felt so calm. I didn't expect to.
I also didn't expect the perfect & peaceful night sleep I had,
and was grateful for the rested feeling that had settled into my bones.

I handed Jack over to his grandma and slipped downstairs for a quick shower.
My sisters came busting into the bathroom mid leg-shave singing loudly,
"We're going to the chapel and we're gonna get marrrrrrrried!"

The day was here.

After many hours at the salon, nibbling on fruit, laughing with all of my favorite girls,
getting beautiful,
I sat as still as possible as my cousin created my dream wedding hair and perfected my lipstick.

I'll never forget the moment my veil was placed carefully on top of my head.
"Holy shit - I'm a bride!" was what ran through my head.
and we all started laughing to stop the tears that threatened to ruin my perfect mascara!
I arrived home with my sister ahead of everyone else.
I took a quiet moment to pump (so glamorous)
& rest for 20 minutes before the rest of the day came cascading down on me.

The early afternoon was a bustle of bridesmaids getting dressed
and anxiety building as my mom took 100 YEARS to get ready/come help me get my dress on.
I. was. ready.
We ended up in the storage room in my parents basement.
That is where we had been hiding the dress & for whatever reason we just stayed there.
It's a hilarious backdrop to one of the most precious moments shared between my mother & I.
I kissed Jack goodbye & snapped a quick picture with my daddy
before boarding the trolly waiting outside of the house.
I was excited, nervous, ready to go!!!
We waited outside of the church, a few family members coming in and out.
I had to ask everyone I saw how John was.
Was he nervous? Calm? Sweating like crazy???
I couldn't wait to see him!
When it was time to go in my stomach was in knots of anticipation.
The smile on my face was a permanent tattoo of bliss.
 
My dad kept taking off for some fresh air and a quick sob,
my aunt happily ushered off each bridesmaid, one by one.
I crouched behind a staircase and listened to the beautiful music serenading the perfection.

It was time.

My daddy took my arm and we made our way to the end of the aisle.

There may have been 150+ people staring at me, but all I saw was John.
The face I had pictured in my dreams.
The dreams I had had of my wedding day for as long as I can remember.
The vows - I will never forget.
I have never been more in a moment,
I have never felt the impact of my words resound so deeply into my being.
Each promise was a brand on my heart,
bonding me to the man I couldn't see one second of my life without.
The rest of the day was truly celebration.
I have never felt more blessed or alive.

One year later these memories are still so vibrant. 
I know that as each year passes they will become more fuzzy, 
less real and more dreamlike. 

I couldn't feel more blessed in my marriage. 
How lucky am I?
We are growing, we are learning, I hope we always will!

Honey, thank you for being there every morning and every night. Thank you for being my constant. I love you more than I did one year ago. Happy anniversary!
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Pictures in this post are a combination of the Keck Family Photography/Emily Zoladz

11.16.2012

Friday's Letters

Dear Readers, thanks for being patient with my sporadic blogging as of late. I am going to try and be more organized next week!

Dear Photoshop, we had a break through last night. I heart you. Check out my new design page & a couple of new blog designs I have made with you! 

Dear Blog Design, I could waste 1 million hours on you. But I think my husband would leave me. 

Dear Spartans, can we please finish our tailgating season with a win? I won't get my hopes up, but it would be really awesome if you would comply! 

Dear Tailgate, I cannot believe tomorrow is the grand finale of the year! Where did fall go?!

Dear Thanksgiving Break, HURRY UP! 
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11.15.2012

Hey You Guuuuuyssss

Appreciative of the Goonies inspired post title?
I though you would be :)
+ We are nearing the end of the semester. SURVIVAL MODE friends, survival mode. Oodles of papers, projects, and neglected readings. Almost there!!! I am done on the 10th of December and to say that I am counting down would be the understatement of the century.

+ Thanksgiving next week. Cannot wait. Cannot wait to see my sister's most of all. 

+ Jack brought home a little treat from daycare last week Tuesday. A little treat called the STOMACH FLU. We survived, but barely. I was up all night with my poor baby munchkin puker. Then he shared and I had the joy of sleeping hanging out in the bathroom all of Thursday night. One word: HELL. If I had any feelings of baby fever the large hand of reality slapped me in the face with a bit of the pukes. I can't do morning sickness right now. I just can't. 
+ We had Jack's 15 month well checkup this week. He's huge. Still 99th percentile for height. 
+ I feel like I have not had time to fully comprehend that next Friday is full on Christmas time!!! Although... my "Christmas List" board on Pinterest is quickly filling up with pretty things... :)

+ On Monday I will have been a married lady for a whole YEAR! Crazy how time flies... we have wedding cake thawing in the fridge.

+ I just purchased a years subscription to Photoshop. I've been playing around with my sister's blog design like a mad lady... but I feel like I design better with my free Paintbrush program.. SHHHH don't tell John. I am hoping to master Photoshop over Christmas break - anyone have pointers/tutorials that are musts for newbies?!
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11.14.2012

Wedded Bliss Wednesdays

Can we discuss that I haven't blogged since LAST week's WBW?! Blogger fail.. 
Life will be kinda cray cray until the end of my semester.. 
but I couldn't skip out on my fav blogging day of the week :)

You know the deal:
-Follow both Allie and I's blogs
-Grab the button 
-Visit at least one other blog that linked up!
1. What is your husband's best trait as a father?
His playfulness. John is (and will probably always be) Jack's favorite. I know it's because John gets down to the ground and rough houses with Jack. He reads stories, sings songs, the works! Jack loves to be around his daddy and play. 
2. What is your husband's favorite thing to do with the kids?
John loves Bubba snuggles. Lets get real, we all do. That child went a solid 8 months without snuggling unless sleeping, so John LOVES when Jack chills with him on the couch and they watch sports. You know, man stuff. 
3. How does your husband help out with the kids?
How DOESN'T John help with Jack? From day one John has changed diapers, given baths, done middle-of-the-night feedings, etc. Parenting in our house is TRULY a team effort and always has been. I am constantly being told how lucky I am.. in my opinion, things are as they should be! But I am lucky that John agrees parenting is a 50/50 deal! 
4. What do you hope your children learn from their dad?
His kindness. I hope Jack loves people and sees the good in things the way his dad does. 

Next week! 
ONE question:
What are you most thankful for in your marriage?

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