Monday, February 18, 2013

Marriage Monday: Husband vs Wife

Welcome to another Marriage Monday!  I think one of my favorite parts about being with the same guy for so long is to look back on where we've been.  Not to mention, I think reflection is a very healthy thing in a marriage.  I love to talk about the people we were when we first met, the things we spent our time on, and how different we are today; how did we get from there to here?  Sometimes I wonder if we'd still like each other as much if we only met today - it's a crazy thought and I'm so glad we did all that growing together.

So, thanks to another blog I follow, I found You. And. Me. Are. We. and so far I absolutely love her blog.  So I'm linking up to a post of hers which sounds like it will be a lot of fun as today's Marriage Monday entry!  Feel free to join in.

My answers will be in purple and Tony's will be in blue with any commentary from me in green.  We both filled these out separately before we swapped answers!




1. How long have you been married?
A year and a half.
1 yr 10 months
[Actual: A year & 9 months - so I guess neither of us are completely right, but you get the idea!]
2. Where was your first date?
Back Yard Burger & a movie.
First official date…. BYB baby! =)
3. Where was your first kiss?
Right outside the house I grew up in.  And it was so awkward!  We both leaned in for a hug and our faces met by mistake!  We still talk about it and laugh!
In front of her peppermill lane house
4. Who first said, "I love you"?
No clue.  That was at least 9 years ago.  Me?
hmm I’m not positive about this, but I would say me?
5. What were your wedding colors?
Black and Red.
Black and red, black and red, black and red (I'm assuming this answer is to the beat of the song "Black and Yellow" - haha)
6. What is her most commonly used phrase?
I'm sure he'll pick something embarrassing like, "You never be knowing." 
 “Omg tony, you have exceeded my expectations once again!!” or maybe “you know” lol
[He really is such a dork!  But I do say, "You know?" after almost everything I say.]
7. Who is her celebrity crush?
Robert Pattinson or Channing Tatum.  Or Tony Goldwyn, aka, Fitz from Scandal.  I'm sure he'll say one of my girl crushes though. 
Just one? Channing Tatum, The Rock, Ryan Gosling, Justin Timberlake, Sienna Miller, Sean Connery…just to name a few
[Wow, I'm not sure where Sean Connery came from (he does have a fantastic voice, though) but Tony created a really conclusive list!  Maybe I should spend a little less time talking about my celebrity crushes...]
8. If she was ordering drinks for both of you what would you each get? 
Non-alcoholic: I'd get myself a water & him a coke.  Alcoholic: I'd get myself a margarita and him a Bud Light on tap.
alcoholic- her a margarita, probably on the rocks or a Mojito. Me, a light beer. Non-alcoholic- she would get either a water, coke, or sweet tea half and half. I would get a coke or probably any of the three of hers.
[Very correct & thorough on that one!]
9. What is the best meal she has ever cooked you?
Anything I've made with corn tortillas.  He's so obsessed.
This really is a tough question because she is a great cook! Maybe corn tortilla lasagna? Or enchilada pasta, or baked spaghetti. 
[He's so sweet about anything I make - and very encouraging!  I think that is the reason I've become so much better of a cook over the years.]
10. What is the worst meal she has ever cooked you?
I'm sure he won't remember my failed meals, to be honest.  His outlook is so positive! :)
I would say she hasn’t really cooked anything BAD. But I know she really didn’t care for the buffalo chicken soup she made one time, but it was just a bad recipe, the cook was great! =)
[Ew, so true. That buffalo chicken soup was easily the worst thing I've ever made - and we were both SO excited about it.]
11. What is the most-played song on her iPod?
Something from Glee!  Or he might mention the Twilight Soundtracks I can listen to on repeat for weeks at a time.  Or he might say Disney music.  He'd be right with any of them!
Damn I should probably know this. Maybe the Paramore song from Twilight? I’m having a mental block, but I would almost guarantee it’s from a movie soundtrack (mamma mia, twilight, etc.)
12. What would she say is your most annoying habit?
Grinding. His. Teeth.  UGH!!  Oh, and not refilling the Brita filter.
Grinding my teeth at night! Because everything I do while I am awake, she adores! ;-)
13.  What is the last thing she does before she goes to bed?
Brush my teeth.  Check on Presley.  Check my phone.  Turn off the TV.
Checks on Presley, to make sure she is covered up and not sleeping with her feet hanging out the crib
14.  If you could throw out one item of her clothing what would it be?
My Old Navy sweatpants that I've had since middle school.  :)
I have no idea. Maybe some of her old sweat pants that she has had since she was 7 =)
15. What would you say is your favorite thing about her?
He'd probably choose my silliness/humor.  And maybe that I like sports. :)
Her heart. Because she really cares about me and Presley and it shows! And she has a nice butt =)
16. What's her go-to drink at Starbucks?
He'll definitely say the coffee frappuccino.  I'll be impressed if he remembers it's always "with whip"! 
Coffee frap! (Used to be sweet black tea lemonade)
17. What's her blog's name?!
I think he'll get this right.  Though he might say "Loving Life's Journey" which is what it used to be titled. 
Watching sun rays and dandelions, no that’s not it. Attacking stormtroopers and jedis.  Hmm, Flying airplanes and pigs. Snatchin' husbands and kids.  Chasing moonlight and roses? 


I love being married to such a wonderful man who thinks so much of me and who treats me like his true best friend.  He keeps surprising me throughout our time together and I can't wait to see how we answer these types of questions a year from now! :)  Happy Marriage Monday - I dare you to stop sometime today and just give your significant other a hug; it's surprising how much of an impact something so small yet meaningful can make!










If you would like to contribute to "Marriage Mondays" in any capacity, I welcome you to contact me at 20may2011{at}gmail{dot}com - whether you'd like to guest blog on a topic you feel passionate about, maybe you have a story from your own marriage you wouldn't mind sharing, or if you come across an article you think might be helpful to others... I would be grateful to hear from you!

Women Connect: Time to grow up..?

I'm joining in on a "Women Connect" link up from Becky's blog "From Mrs. to Mama"  - and thank GOD for this because I have been in dire need to get something off my chest!

I just don't understand how I got to where I am.  I mean, I completely understand the concept of aging, but I've honestly never given much thought to how it applies to me.  And don't fret, this isn't the beginning of a "quarter life crisis" rant... just realizing, perhaps for the first time, what it's like to be a 25-year-old mother and wife who is partially responsible for the best interest of our off-the-wall, little family and our every-changing needs.

I mean, is it really time for Tony and I to grow up?  Are we truly the ones who make the decisions around here?  And does the decision-making EVER slow down?

There are a few extra-large decisions on our horizon that loom over my head on a constant basis.  But the number one item is...
  1. WHERE are we going to raise our family?

For starters, Tony has a great job here in the town we currently live.  We've lived here going on 5 years and despite our best efforts against it, we have put down roots here in the form of things such as a wonderful church family and having made some truly spectacular friends whom we love and cherish.  Not to mention, we have family here.  We don't really see my family very often but we know that they are there if and when we should ever need them.

BUT, we have never really felt like this is home for us.  It could be home if we committed to it, I suppose, but I don't think we could ever stop missing Tennessee and our southern family members.  Having both grown up in Memphis, ideally, that would be a fantastic place to move considering there is a lot of family support there.  However, I don't always feel safe there (or even in neighboring communities) and therefore, Memphis is off the table.

We've pretty much got it into our heads that we'd like to move to Nashville; it's closer to my sisters and Tony's family are still within a relatively quick drive.  Yet, making that huge of a move now with a little one is incredibly daunting.  The biggest issue for us is HOW on earth (in this economy, especially) do you leave a great, steady job that offers enough to support a family?  It is more than terrifying to put ourselves out there and to be vulnerable while looking for a job.  Not to mention, logistically speaking, how in the world would job hunting work if we are 10 hours away?  I've been looking online for jobs for either of us, but how would interviewing work?  I realize we live in an incredibly virtual world these days, but would employers really conduct an interview via Skype?  (That would be a dream, if they did.)  Not to mention, house hunting... *sigh*

As you can likely tell, this has been weighing very heavy on my heart and mind.  I know that we could find ways to make this work - but I am looking for that nudge in the right direction or possibly insight from someone who has done this successfully before.  Because moving is difficult and moving from Illinois to Tennessee wouldn't be cheap, either, and we don't want to naively jump into this before methodically making things work beforehand.  At the same time, we don't want to wake up several years from now wishing we had taken more chances in order to move towards our overall happiness.

Like I said before, making these decisions are only for grown-ups, right?  They are tough and they can be painful throughout... but with it comes great rewards!

So if you have any insights/advice/encouragement/thoughts/prayers - my husband and I could certainly use them and would appreciate them greatly.

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Photo 365 (part one)

Since I'm off of Facebook for the rest of Lent, I'll be uploading my Photo 365 pictures on here every Sunday! 

Wednesday, February 13, 2013: Spaghetti for dinner, if you can't tell!

Thursday, February 14, 2013: Happy Valentine's Day to my tin

Friday, February 15, 2013: Trying on her birthday tutu the day before her big party!  And of course playing with her favorite toy!
Saturday, February 16, 2013: Having a blast at Presley's first birthday party with some great friends!  I can't believe how fast these kids have grown.

Sunday, February 17, 2013: She made sure to dig through ALL her party bags and get everything out on the floor! =)
It was a great week that really flew by for us!  I am so looking forward to this week with her upcoming first birthday!  At the same time, I am hoping it goes by slowly so I can savor the moments.  I have a feeling that after turning one, things will start to speed up for our little family.  And for that, we are lucky - there isn't more that you could ask for than a happy, healthy family.

Happy week, everybody.


Saturday, February 16, 2013

Birthday Party!

Wow.  First, let me start off by saying my family and I are so supremely blessed with family members who are friends and friends who are extended family members to us.  The gift of their time and love is better than anything and that was more evident tonight then ever before.  Second, we survived the party!  And we all had a fantastic time!  Until the end of the party, at least... right before we left, Presley really got upset because she was SO exhausted.  She skipped her nap today (must have been excited for the party!) and thus, her nighttime crash came a little sooner and was a bit stronger!  I felt so bad for her because we still had to pack up the car and go home before I could feed her and put her to bed.  She was such a trooper, though, and really went along well with everything today, whether it was running pre-party errands or the different aspects of her party, she did great!

I felt too busy occupied (if that makes sense?) at the party to really think about the implications of Presley turning one - and I don't think the reality of it all will hit me until her real birthday or maybe even after that.  I haven't even stopped to think about the fact that Wednesday will be my last "monthly" birthday update for Presley.  Just thinking about that makes me want to cry a little bit!  I have really enjoyed watching her grow so rapidly and can't believe on all the "lasts" that have just slipped right past us without realizing it would be our last.  (For example:  Last time she napped on me regularly... at the time I worried too much if she would ever be able to nap in her crib - so much so that I didn't soak up those little moments enough.  Last time I could set her down without her moving.  Last time she fell asleep while I was rocking her in church while at mass... etc.)  I will definitely have to find a way to keep documenting the new things she learns as time goes on.

Now, onto the party! 

We had her birthday party at a local pizza parlor and invited some of our friends and family members.

Presley's Invites from Shutterfly


Most of the guests lived in town but we also had a few from out of town - my cousin Breanne, her husband Dustin, and their son Emory (who we are going to spend Father's Day with this year) came from Milwaukee to party with Presley and my aunt Jill and uncle Chuck (who we love to visit every Easter/Thanksgiving) came from Huntley!  We felt so lucky to have them there with us.

I also got crafty and made a few decorations from ideas inspired from Pinterest!  What did parents do for fun and creative ideas before this website?!  I bought 3 packs of party hats on clearance at Jewel Osco a few weeks ago.  They had an okay design to start out with but I bought them so I could make Minnie/Mickey party hats.  This required spray painting them black, cutting circles & bows out of cardstock, adding ears and bows to the hats, and they went from this...

To this...
Awesome tutorial found here!
I also crafted together a "chalkboard" poster board full of Presley's stats.  It didn't turn out anything like what I initially envisioned, but I do like how it turned out (for the most part).  But I definitely had fun making it, that's for sure!  It was nice to just sit for a moment and think about the things Presley most enjoys.
Original inspiration for this found here

At the party, Presley had her first taste of pizza!  I think she liked it but it was hard to tell since she will pretty much eat anything we give her these days.  She also had her first real dessert and had it all to herself!  I say "dessert" since her cake turned out to be more like pudding than anything else!  I tried to make it as "healthy" as possible (bananas instead of eggs and apple juice concentrate instead of sugar) but it just didn't turn out so much like a cake after all.  Nonetheless, she seemed to really like it - which is no surprise because she has always loved bananas.  (Maybe we will have to make her a better cake for her actual birthday this Wednesday.)

Presley with my mom & her #1 balloon!


Presley and Jaime - a friend of mine from high school

Presley and Megan - another friend from high school!  Presley and I miss our weekly play dates with Megan and her nieces.

Beautiful smiles!
 
Presley and her daddy!  This is the only picture I got with Presley's party hat on - she didn't care for it.  You can also KIND of see the dirt cake cups I made for dessert for the party guests, idea from here.

Hat is gone!

Me and Presley!  She's also wearing the tutu I made for her. :)

Presley getting out of her cake-covered clothes

Dressing her in her back-up clothes... she looks pretty tired already!

We can never seem to get all six of us looking at the camera at once!  Almost!
L to R:  Megan with Alli, Me with Presley, and Erin with Molly.

We take turns looking away/looking at the camera!

Presley and Becca - a former work friend of mine from the YMCA who was also in our wedding party!

Presley and my best friend, Betsy, from high school.

Presley with Ashley & Jake - a great friend from high school and her fantastic husband.  They're expecting a baby boy this summer!  Couldn't be a more deserving couple.  :)


This is when we were saying goodbye to everyone and the long day started to hit Presley!

Presley with her Grammy - this picture is hilarious.

Presley with Jess - one of my very sweet friends!

And man, did Presley get some spectacular gifts - her friends really do know her well!  From adorable outfits to interactive toys (and several awesome Disney gifts!) she is going to be a busy and happy bee.  My cousin took video of Presley digging into her "cake" so I will need to cut it down a bit and then upload a portion to my blog.

Ending this hectic but very awesome days feeling so lucky.  Thank you to everybody who came out for our little baby girl's first birthday party - you guys make our lives so much happier and bless us with all you are!  And to everybody reading this, we certainly love you as well -  thanks for being such a special part of Presley's first year as a baby and our first year as parents!!!  Well... almost a complete year... still a few more days under that year mark. *sigh*  But like my friend Sean said... it's really just a drop in the bucket in the big scheme of things!























****update****

Here are a couple still shots from the cake video!


Her reaction just after the first bite!