Spoiled

Happy love week! 
Before John, I was never a big Valentine's Day person. 
My parents were really good about emphasizing the extra opportunity to show love to those around you. Growing up there was always a box of chocolates and a little gift waiting for us on the kitchen table in the morning before school. But as I got older, it was usually a day to be disappointed by lack of a boyfriend or lack of effort by any current boyfriend. 
But with John? Somehow, Valentine's Day always manages to be pretty great for us. I wouldn't necessarily describe my husband as the romantic type, but homeboy does just fine for himself on February 14th. 
2 years ago, he put a ring on it. Enough said. 
Last year, I deemed it The Best Valentine's Day EVER. It was simple and inexpensive. Homemade gifts and dinner at home. 
This year? It's not even Valentine's Day yet and we are off to great start. 
For one, I am currently writing to you from my new baby:

Hello lover. 
On Friday I mentioned one of my February goals to be organizing the basement and making a functional study space. Well, ask and you shall receive. My husband bought me a BEAUTIFUL Ikea desk and just happened to set this pretty little computer right on top of it!
Oh, and you might remember when I put a certain Michael Kors watch on my Christmas list... well  Santa didn't put it under the tree, but my husband put it on my wrist last week!

Maybe these gifts are coming a tad early, but they are all in the name of dear old Saint Valentine! And let me tell you, I feel spoiled!
Of course it isn't all about the material things, but just the fact that I am able to sit and blog to you from my very own (pretty and organized) space, has me feeling so very loved by my Mr. 
I'm also pretty excited for our hot date on Thursday night to a restaurant we have been dying to try! 
How are you celebrating Valentine's Day this year? 
Happy Monday!

The Best Valentine's Day EVER

This is going to be a long post - but after having the BEST Valentine's Day ever, it's worthy of sharing all the details! Yesterday I tried to get the house spotless, grocery shop, and have everything perfect for when the hubs arrived home. ESPN was on the TV, I was baking a pie... I'd say that is a housewife success :)

What the table looked like when John got home

I also finished John's gift! I really got my cheese on. That is something that's not easy for me.. John loves it, and I am BAD at it. But he deserves it, and although it's not craft perfection, it's something that we will have forever!

Once upon a time...

 In a faraway land called East Lansing (Home of MSU)

There was a lonely Princess (I was Sleeping Beauty Halloween 2010)

 She had many friends...

 And attended MANY "Balls" (more like bars)

 But she never found what her heart desired MOST. Her one TRUE love.

 Little did she know... there was a handsome prince searching for the same thing (in ALL the WRONG places).... (John was a "king" Halloween 2007)

 One ::magical:: night there was a party in the Princess' castle. She wandered into the dungeon and there he was!!! They danced & laughed. The Princess put on the Prince's hat, it had magical powers that made the 2 inseparable! (You can't see these pictures very well.. but it's us on the night we met, me dancing in his hat & the two of us in the background of someone else's picture looking like we are in love)

 They fell in love INSTANTLY!

 Then... A MIRACLE happened!!

 Many obstacles were thrown in their way...

 But the Prince & Princess were brave

 FINALLY they were rewarded for ALL of their struggles

 Their marriage was celebrated

 Throughout the land. They were KING & QUEEN of their castle

 The King, The Queen, and their little Prince...

Lived happily ever after!

I wrote John a note on the last page. He seemed to really love it so it was worth all of the hard work! Lucky for us Jack decided to go down for a nap around 6.. I usually don't like to let him nap so late but it was a special occasion so I didn't argue with it! John decided to give me the rest of his surprise. This requires a little bit of a background story: 

Bubba puked on my computer about 2 months ago so I have had to use John's (Which is on it's LAST LEG) I accidentally came across a powerpoint his high school girlfriend's little sister had made about the couple. I fake got all huffy with John about why WE didn't have a powerpoint documenting our love story.

So when John finally got me to walk away from the kitchen and sit down on the couch he had his computer open to a powerpoint he had made about us. It was funny and cute and made me smile from ear to ear. He ended the powerpoint by singing me a song with the guitar (MY FAVORITE!). He has such a beautiful voice but will hardly ever play for me. He changed around the words to the song The Show by Lenka to be about us and it was funny and sweet. I wanted to make him play it over and over! 

Once presents were done it was time to get started on dinner. Our original menu was Cedar Plank Salmon, Creamy Orzo with Asparagus, a side salad, & Upside Down Apple Pie for dessert. Well - the grocery store didn't have cedar planks. This is usually the ONLY way I like salmon so I was a little dissapointed- BUT, we were able to make our own recipe and it turned out delicious!

Lemon Garlic Baked Salmon

INGREDIENTS:

Salmon Filet

Garlic

Pearl Onions

Lemon Garlic Seasoning

Lemon Juice

Olive Oil

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees

2. On a piece of tinfoil put a tablespoon of olive oil & 3/4 c. chopped pearl onions

3. place salmon filet on top of the onions & brush with olive oil

4. Brush Salmon with 1/2T of lemon juice

5. Rub 1T of lemon garlic rub onto salmon

6. Top salmon filet with 1/4 cup chopped garlic

7. Bake for 40 min or until the fish flakes off easily with a fork

8. ENJOY!

Creamy Orzo with Asparagus & Parmesan

I found this recipe on pinterest. You can find it here!

 It was SO yummy - will definitely make it again! 

We also made a side salad with pearl onion, tomatoes, shitake mushroom, crumbled feta, and a blue cheese vinaigrette.

Our table ended up looking so beautiful! I put on a dress and heals, John threw on a tie and sport coat, and our kitchen was transformed into a fancy restaurant. We enjoyed our food, drank some wine, & it was romantic and fun and PERFECT. 

It was fun to use our wedding presents - beautiful candle holders and serving platters. ALL the wonderful kitchen appliances that made cooking this dinner a breeze. Getting married is the best for SO many reasons:) 

After dinner was done, we woke up Da Bubba, cleaned up the kitchen, and fed him a dinner of bananas and rice cereal. We changed into sweats and ate pie on the couch. Jack was HYPER. We didn't get to go to sleep until later than normal because Bubba was jumping around in his saucer and yelling out just to hear his own voice. When he finally went down, we snuggled into bed (I just washed the sheets - is there anything better than going to sleep in fresh sheets?!). We both agreed it was the best Valentine's Day ever. I am more in love with John this year than I was a year ago. A song on the guitar was more precious to me than a diamond (I know, I know - crazy right?). Making dinner was more romantic than an elaborate (and expensive) gourmet meal. And snuggling with Bubba on the couch as a family was more fun than a wild night out. Oh how things have changed! 

I know I left out one very IMPORTANT recipe - and that is the Upside Down Apple Pie. This is a SPECIAL pie that deserves it's own post.. so stay tuned :) I hope everyone had wonderful Valentine's Days. It's always nice to make the people we love every day feel EXTRA loved one special day a year! 

Things I ::LOVE:: Today

Fresh, pink tulips - delivered to the house with a note from my husband! (Can't wait until they bloom!)

New Shoes :)

Bubba eating Avocado

Matching slippers.

When my husband plays his guitar & sings.. especially when he changes the words to a song to fit us :)

Happy Valentine's Day! 

Friday Randoms

I have been craving sushi like CAH-RAZY, but the new "frugal" K & J cannot go out for a big DELICIOUS sushi dinner. It makes me sad... luckily there's a really great little Japanese market near our old apartment. John stopped there on his way home from work and picked us up a delicious feast (For 1/2 the cost).

Bubba is still being uncharacteristically fussy. Sometimes the only way to keep him calm is to sit him in front of the full length mirror at the bottom of our staircase and make silly faces.

Today after we were 30 minutes late for library time, we went to the craft store to pick up things for John's valentine's day gift. I am making him a fairy tale book of "our story". It's pretty hilarious because our story is, umm, untraditional. I am a creative person and love the idea of crafting in theory... but when it comes down to it, I do not have the patience. The book will be cute, but nothing Martha Stewart would touch with a ten foot pole. 

Also, because we were running late, I didn't have time to load Bubba's stroller into the car. Therefore, I had to strap my 20+ pound baby onto my chest with the baby bjorn. This has resulted in a back strain of monstrous proportions. 

Also, remember that acne I mentioned? I woke up with MORE this morning.. I was blessed throughout my teen years and all of college to barely ever get zits, and when I did, it was ONE. Now I have little groupings all over my chin :( WHAT IS THIS?! I will now be on the search for a face wash that will make this GO AWAY!

This weekend we are laying low. My sister is coming to hang out with us tomorrow afternoon so it will be nice to have some company while John goes and watches the MSU basketball with some friends. We will most likely rent the latest Twilight movie and drink a bottle of wine, and honestly- that sounds PERFECT. 

Happy Friday :) 

Meltdown Moment of the Week

With a moody Mama, a teething almost 6 month old (AHHHH), and a perma tired (and stressed) Daddy.. I'm sad to say there are many a meltdown in this household, and not all of them are Bubba's. Because I am being HONEST in this blog, and not painting my life like it's perfect... I am fessing up that this weeks "Meltdown Moment" belongs to yours truly. 

Last night. John came home, the house was relatively clean and Bubba was relatively calm, I was EXHAUSTED (we woke up at 6 am yesterday..). John took Bubba, played with him, made dinner, cleaned it up, fed Bubba, put him to bed. I didn't lift a finger. It was great. You're wondering, "what's the problem?", ME, I'm the problem. I felt annoyed that he didn't come home and communicate with me that he was going to take care of everything, that he didn't want to act like a team, that we weren't setting up a system beforehand so that when he wanted to go to bed at 10 pm before Jack's last feeding that it was okay with me. Was this a reasonable reason to get upset? Not at all. Was I anyway? YES. I mean tears and sobs and angry upset. Goodness gracious. What it boils down to is that I don't have this "stay at home mom" thing figured out yet. I don't keep the house perfectly clean, I don't organize our life to make it easier.. sigh. I want to though - does that count? I felt like him "giving me the night off" and not talking to me about it was a comment on the way I "run our household". It wasn't. 

I just really want to get back to being that crazy organized, neat freak, color coded woman - and I honestly think the main reason I am having trouble with it is because John wants that too. How stupid/messed up is that? I am a strong willed person, I ALWAYS have been (it made for a hellacious teen experience for my parents). I am stubborn to my own detriment and this is a perfect example of it. John wants me to keep our house clean and be organized and productive. Obviously he wants this, it makes our lives easier and more manageable. But I know, deep down, he mostly just wants it because he knows that it will make me happy. AH-HA MOMENT. Meltdowns are good for something sometimes right?!

Because my husband has put up with SO many meltdowns, loves me anyways, and even thinks I'm pretty despite the constant absence of makeup on my face (and the really STUPID acne I've started developing on my chin post-bubba) this post is dedicated to him. I am "linking up" (Oh blogging and the crazy lingo, html coding, & other things I had no idea about 6 weeks ago) with this amazing Mama Blogger to tell John and I's Story (even though I already do it here... I am going to do it again because this is my blog and I can!) 

1. How long have you and your significant other been together?

16 months. I usually don't like to call attention to this. If you don't know us, it seems like OMG they already have a 6 month old and are married?! I've mentioned that I don't like people thinking that we only got married because of Da Bubba. And well, if you just went based off the age of our relationship you would think that that is so.. but in all honesty. We knew from the moment we met (At least I DID) that we were going to be together forever.. so things were a bit, um, accelerated.

2. How did you meet? {What's your "love" story?}

We met at a party my roommates and I were throwing at our house after a football game. John came with my sorority sister's boyfriend (they were roommates in college). He was playing beer pong in my basement. I was down there hanging out and when he introduced himself he shook my hand.. then he taught me how to "Dougie". The song started playing and he started "Dougie-ing" with his friend. I didn't know the dance, so I asked them "how you do it". John took one look at his friend, looked back at me and said, "So, you want me to 'teach you how to dougie'?". It was so cheesy, SO John, and I will never forget it. He did indeed, "Teach Me How to Dougie". I then found my friend (The one he came with) and asked her for "the stats", age, availability, "is he a douche-bag". We ended up talking ALL night and after he left I texted my sister at 3 am "I just met the man I am going to marry!".. while John was texting me cheesy things like, "Start of something good? I hope so :)". We got together the next weekend, and we have been inseparable since!

When we first started dating.. we went out.. a lot

3. If married, how long have you been married? If not, is this the guy you hope to marry? {do tell}

Our 3 months of marriage anniversary will be this month on the 19th.

4. If you are married, where did you get married at? Big or small wedding?  If not, where would you like to get married? And will it be big or small?

We got married in my hometown of Grand Rapids. Our ceremony was in my FAVORITE catholic church. It's small and old and ABSOLUTELY beautiful. My great uncle is a priest. He married my grandparents, my parents, and all of my aunts and uncles. He married us, and that was the most special thing to me in the world! Our day was magic. I have never felt as happy in my entire life as I did when I rounded the corner and saw John (CRYING) at the end of the aisle. I had the most GIGANTIC smile plastered on my face.

*Photos by the amazingly talented Emily Zoladz

When we said our vows, there was so much meaning in them. We have already lived a lifetime together. I could promise to stay by John's side through it all, no matter what, FAITHFULLY, knowing that there was no truer statement in the world. FINALLY we were husband and wife

Our wedding was relatively large... just under 200 guests. We are lucky to have the BEST family and friends on the planet and they celebrated with us like no one else could have. John and I had our first dance to the song "Let's Stay Together" by Al Green. We sang to each other, smiled, & laughed. Towards the end, we had the DJ cut off the song and start playing.. what else?

Teach Me How to Dougie :)

5. Do you have any nick-names that you call one another? Do share!

Babe. Yup, we're boring. John also calls me "Kakes" which is my family nickname. No idea where it came from or why it started. 

6. Name 3 things you love most about your honey.

1. He's hard working

2. He's the BEST DADDY EVER

3. He's passionate

7. Tell us how he proposed? Or your ideal proposal?

John was commuting to me every weekend last winter. I waited alllllll week to be with him. One weekend (just about a year ago) he told me he wasn't going to come until Saturday because he was going to go to a birthday party for one of his friends. Initially I said it was fine. As the week wore on I decided it wasn't. By Friday I was PISSED. I whined and complained (I would deserve a Meltdown Moment of the Week x100). I made him stay on the phone with me for 2 hours. I was supposed to go and get dinner with one of my roommates and I put off getting ready. Finally I let John off of the phone. I decided to pamper myself getting ready. Take a LONG hot shower. Do my hair and makeup at a slow pace, even give myself a pedicure. We went to dinner about an hour later than scheduled. I resigned myself to a night of movies and magazines and decided to head to blockbuster after dropping my roommate back off at home. She kept trying to get me to come inside but I just didn't want to get out of the car. Finally she said really sternly, "Kayla, I REALLY think you should come inside." Lightbulb moment. When I walked through the door my house was covered in roses and candles. John was standing in the middle of our living room. We just hugged for a while (I was so happy to see him after a long week!). Then he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. It was the best! 

Celebrating our engagement with friends!

The ring :)

8. Is he a flowers and teddy bear kind of guy for v-day, or strawberries, champagne, and rose petals?

Flowers and teddy bear. We'll see what he has cooked up. Last year the engagement kind of took the cake as BEST valentine's day ever...

9. Are you a sunset dinner on the beach kind of girl, or pop a movie in and relax on the couch?

Movies on the couch. We love movies!

10. Tell us one thing you'd like to do with your significant one day. If you could do anything? Go anywhere?

Travel. We both want to go so many places. We want to explore Europe, explore the U.S., heck explore MI. We have lots of places we want to go (With and without kids). 

11. Tell us what you plan on doing on this Valentine's Day.

We are just going to make dinner together at home. We are both having fun getting better in the kitchen so we are just going to enjoy having the space to cook together. 

12. Are you asking for anything this Valentine's day?

Nope.

13. Give us one piece of advice of keeping a relationship strong and full of love.

Communication. Remembering to put each other first. Communication. And always, the little things. 

14.  Show us a picture of what love means to you.