Back Home Again...In Indiana

A few weekends ago, Natalie and I made our very first trip home to Indianapolis to visit family.  Since Matt happened to be in Hong Kong for work, it was up to me to take command of the first long road trip with an infant.

And can I just brag on my little girl for a second and say that it went so well?  I mean, I woke her up at the butt crack of dawn, she was fussy for maybe 2 minutes in the car, and then she slept for 3 hours straight without making a sound.  She then got a little fussy...but as you might expect, the drive from Northeast Ohio to Central Indiana has some stretches of road where there is no civilization in sight.  Weird.  I know.  So we went about 10 more minutes and when I was about to pull over, Natalie fell back asleep.  Score!

I had about 40 minutes left in the drive before I had to stop to feed/change her.  Perfect.  She was not at all pleased when I put her back into the car seat for the remainder of the trip, but 20 minutes of screaming on a 5 hour trip I can handle.

We stayed at my parents' house that evening.  Natalie did beautifully in the pack 'n play and only woke up once during the night because she is freaking houdini and escaped from the baby straight jacket (aka:  sleep sack).  It was actually welcomed, though, as I had picked up Matt from the airport that evening so she got to see him sooner than expected.

Natalie with my brother!

The next day, we traveled to Bloomington for a wedding.  But beforehand, we were able to catch a quick bite with Miss Shaina and her husband.  The visit went so quickly and by the time I knew it we had to go.  We had the best time and I cannot wait to make it down to visit her again.  Plus, Natalie keeps asking me when she gets to see that pretty lady again....

The wedding was so beautiful!  It was outside at the bride's parents' house which was so gorgeous.  Unfortunately it rained that day...but the bridal party was so easy going about the whole event.  Check out my sweet friend Mallorey and her rain boots she sported for the ceremony.  So her.  Just perfect.

The next day I hosted a small get together for my friends and family to come over and meet Natalie.  It went so well and for the most part....Natalie was a peach.  I'm so proud of her.  She had a very full weekend and was really well behaved.  But you could tell on Monday she was happy to be home and in her own crib. 

The whole trip did leave me feeling very confident in our ability to travel together...and I cannot wait to make it back home again!

Another Year Down

Big thanks to all my lovely readers for the anniversary wishes!  Matt was actually out of town yesterday and got home around 9...so we just had a nice dinner in.  I made yummy crab legs, mashed potatoes, and this bread from Pioneer Woman.  Delicious!  We also celebrated with a DQ cake!  Yes.  I actually purchased a cake instead of making one.  Hey.  All of my cake supplies are packed.  Sue me.  It was YUM! 

On a side note, I went to the store to pick up some things for dinner and a card for my sweetie.  We decided against gifts this year seeing as we're, you know, buying a house in 6 days and having a child :)  Plus, since 3 years is "leather" I'm pushing for a new couch!  Anyways, back to the cards.  The cheapest one I found was $5.95 people!  Isn't that insane?  I just couldn't do it.  Plus, I didn't expect a card from Matt.  He has been traveling this week and isn't the best at planning ahead so I figured I was golden forgoing the card. 

Wrong.  Of course he got me one.  Oops.  Loser alert.

But did I mention I bought the cake?

Another highlight of my day...receiving this little beauty in the mail from one of my besties at home!

A sweet little headband for our little girl!!  Isn't is the cutest :)  I am completely smitten! 

Speaking of little girls, did y'all see that Lucy had her baby yesterday!?!  She is BEAUTIFUL!  Please give her a huge congratulations.  21 hours of labor.  She deserves it!

Bloggy Meet Up!

Hello friends! It feels like it's been forever! My week is a little screwy because I had Monday off...but this girl is not complaining. I could really get used to four day work weeks.

My weekend was pretty jam packed but it was a lot of fun. I spent Saturday morning volunteering with the Junior League at one of the local hospitals in the city. We participate in a program designed to assist young, pregnant women during and after the delivery. These women have the opportunity to participate in classes and earn points which they can then spend in the Stork's Nest. This shop is filled with all sorts of donated items such as car seats, bouncers, clothes, books, diapers...you name it. We were able to provide child care for the mothers during the lecture, assist in feeding the participants, and organize the "checking out" duties of the Stork's Nest. It's one of those projects you participate in that leaves you feeling like you really made a difference...but also that you are so, so blessed. The majority of the pregnant women were very young. Some as young as 14. I just cannot even imagine...

Sunday we headed to church and spent the remainder of the day cleaning the casa. Why were we cleaning you ask? (You know I don't just clean for the heck of it...right?)

Well....because Lindsay was coming!!!

Lindsay and her dear husband were able to stop in Cleveland on their way home from a wedding filled weekend Sunday evening for a visit. You have no idea how excited I was to meet this girl. I mean, wouldn't you be? She's just fantastic.

We hit up Houlihan's for dinner and then Cheesecake Factory for dessert. I was able to get my Red Velvet Cheesecake!! Yeah! It was heavenly.


Monday we spent the morning visiting and even played the Wii for a bit. Let's just say we need some practice...

Chick-fil-a was on the menu for lunch since my Canadian friends had never been. It was a hit! Obviously. Can't you tell how excited she was??


It was so wonderful having them and I cannot wait for our next bloggy meet up!!

*Pictures stolen from Lindsay. Ha!

Chi Town Bloggy Meet Up!

Good morning friends!! I hope your Monday was just fabulous! I have been a busy, busy girl the last few days and I am just now getting a chance to catch my breath! Work has been insane. I am in need of a serious vacation! Like one of those week long vacations you spend with your hubby on the beach somewhere with no cell phone reception? Yeah. One of those.

Anyway...

Oh what a weekend I had! As you may remember, I hit the streets of Chicago with Shaina, Jenn, and Lisa on Saturday. Shaina and Lisa were darling enough to pick me up from the train station in the morning and then we headed out for brunch. I had some seriously delicious french toast. Followed by a cupcake. German Chocolate to be exact. Yep. It was that kind of weekend.

We stopped over at Lisa's apartment, picked up Jenn, and headed out for more cupcakes! I had White Velvet this time...which was basically vanilla with white chocolate shavings on top...in case you didn't know....which I did not...but it looked awesome so I went with it. We wandered around different sections of the city and did some shopping. But let's be honest. We were really just wasting time until we could eat again.

We had dinner at a place called Hot Chocolate. Don't worry. They served actual food. I didn't just have chocolate for dinner. We scarfed down the garlic monkey bread for an appetizer and then I split a lamb sausage wrap and mac and cheese with Jenn. It was my first experience with lamb and it was so good! The brussel sprouts, however, were not my favorite. Ha! But I washed them down with some sort of chocolate dessert so all was right with the world.

By the way, I totally janked all of these pictures from this post by Shaina. For some reason I didn't take any pictures? Yeah. Stupid. But I think my camera was self conscious of the beauty of Shaina's pink camera so it wanted to stay hidden.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHAINA!!

This was us at nearly every meal. Why did we not just get separate checks? Lesson learned.

Jenn was generous enough to drive me back to my sister's house and I took the Megabus back home Sunday morning. It was a simply fabulous weekend with some lovely, lovely ladies that I wish everyday lived across the street from me.

Up next...Valentine's Day with my hubby!

BLF and Bloggy Road Trip!

Here it is! Another edition of BL Fridays!!

source

After a slight mishap last week, I rebounded this week and lost 3 pounds! Yeah!! That brings my grand total to 5 pounds in 4 weeks! I'll take it!

The week went pretty smoothly after our Super Bowl bash on Sunday where I consumed my weight in cheese. I decided to cut back a little on my points to make up for my indulgence on Sunday and it looks like that helped. I also hit the gym, did a few rounds of Taebo at home, and even dusted off my Wii Fit last night! Has anyone gotten the Wii Fit Plus yet?? What do you think? Worth the upgrade?

Today I am heading to Chicago! BUT, I am not going there to visit my sister (although I will get to see her face today!!). I am going to visit some other lovely ladies! Can you guess who?

No.

Well then I'll tell you!

I am going to be spending Saturday with Shaina, Jenn, and Lisa!! Our to do list includes such things as brunching, shopping, cupcaking, and dinnering. So pretty much shopping and eating. I could not imagine a better weekend! Well, maybe if this girl would be there. Next time for sure!

And I will be home Sunday afternoon to spend Valentine's Day with my forever Valentine!

Hope everyone has just the very best Valentine's Day weekend!! Can't wait to hear about your plans!

Birthday Wishes!

Happy Tuesday my friends!! Did everyone have a lovely weekend!?!

Our weekend was overshadowed by an awful Sunday involving car trouble on the way to church...leaving us stranded for approximately 3 hours at a Marathon gas station which I later learned was the same exact gas station where my co-worker's son was killed a few months ago. Yeah. I know.

And after we had our car towed the 20 miles to the shop by our house, we left without getting our garage door opener...leaving us locked out of our house. Good thing we rent and have landlords that are willing to come to our rescue on a Sunday afternoon. They could not have been more generous about the whole incident. Oh what a day!

So after leaving the house at 8:45 a.m. we returned at 3 p.m. with absolutely nothing accomplished. And then the Colts lost which makes my heart sad. But we did enjoy watching the Super Bowl with good friends and yummy food...so there was a glimmer of fun on our Sunday!

On a much happier note, I would like to take this opportunity to wish one of my bestest friends a very, very happy birthday!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHAINA!!

Shaina's one of those girls you have no choice but to love. She is undoubtedly hilarious but also incredibly kind and supportive. I am beyond lucky to call her my friend. Now head on over and wish this fabulous lady a happy birthday!!

2010: Here I Come!

I'm not big on making New Years Resolutions. I never have been. But this year I'd like to set some goals for myself in the new year. Call them resolutions if you will. I will, however, refer to them as Jenny's List of Ways to Improve Her Life-2010.

1. Attend church every Sunday (or at least on a regular basis)
The church we currently attend is approximately 45 minutes away from our house. Although I love it and think there are so many things there for us, it's just come to be too far for me. It's so easy to not go when the weather is bad or when we're tired and know we have to get up even earlier for services just to drive there. And I am not able to get involved the way I would like to because going there during the week just isn't possible. Which brings me to my next point:

2. Find a new church in close proximity to where I live and get involved!
I was raised Catholic and Matt is a Southern Baptist so we have quite different backgrounds when it comes to church settings. Although I've made the decision to follow a different path with my religion, the structure and history of the Catholic church is something in which I find comfort. But, I also love worship songs and live music and hearing preaching directly from the Bible. Clearly I have my work cut out for me!

3. Not worry so much about what the scale says
Aside from the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I live and breathe by the scale. There was a time when I weighed myself every single day. I was down to once a week before Thanksgiving, but I began to realize just how much that little (or big!) number was reflecting my mood. I want to pay more attention to how my clothes are fitting and how I feel instead of focusing so much on the pounds. I don't expect to give up the scale completely, but I'd like to limit myself to once a month if even that.

4. Eat healthier and cut back on sweets
Although I don't want the number on the scale to dictate whether I have a good day or not, that does not mean that I don't want to lose weight. I want to live a healthier life and put food into my body that reflects that. I'm also a HUGE sugar-holic and I'd love to see the packaged snack goods disappear from my diet (and my pantry!).

5. Be a better friend
I have a tendency to complain about not having any friends or that the friends I do have suck. Well, perhaps I am not as fabulous of a friend as I think. I want to make an effort to talk to my friends back home more often. I never call. I hate the phone. But I shouldn't expect them to always call me and take the initiative. I'm setting a goal of calling my BFF once a week. Also, I want to build better relationships with the women I have met here in Cleveland. I'm going to make more of an effort to plan things for us to do without our husbands. It's time I made some girlfriends. Period.

6. Formulate a workout schedule
Between being sick and the holiday season, I haven't been to the gym in a long time. I really long time. I'd like to get to the gym at least 4 times a week.

7. Run a 5K
I battled through a running program not that long ago so I'd like to dust that program off and really concentrate on following it through to completion. Plus, I'd like it to take me less than 45 minutes to run it :)

8. Have a baby
This is the year. The year we start trying to expand our little family. Although this is a goal in which I have very little control, I'm putting it out there as my prayer to God (who reads my blog...of this I am certain) that I am beyond ready for my little miracle.

So spill it...what is your "list of ways to improve your life??"

Finally...a Thanksgiving Recap!

Goodness gracious ladies...it has been a long time! I'm so sorry I have been gone for so long. Believe me...it was not intentional. I got a little sickly my last day in Colorado and have progressively gotten worse. It's just a cold...don't worry! No swine flue here...but I am exhausted, sinusy, and just plain old ick.

But I am determined to finally do my Thanksgiving recap! But first...my final day in Colorado! I spent the whole day with bro at work and he showed me around the campus. Too much fun!






My flight home was uneventful and I got to see my hubby so it had a happy ending. We (and when I say we...I mean I) spent Thanksgiving morning baking a pecan tart and pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving at my parents' house. Matt's parents joined us and we had a lovely time. Family game night + lots of food + wine=the best day ever in my book.

I stayed way too late and only got about 2 hours of sleep before getting up for Black Friday. It was not. fun. at. all. Especially when I didn't buy one single thing for myself. But I stuck it out to watch my husband get great deals on tools and electronics. Fun, huh? Yeah. I'm a great wife. Period.

I napped and then enjoyed meeting up with Sonja from For the Love of Stilettos! So exciting! She and her husband came up from Jacksonville and it was so fun meeting them. I think our husbands bonded over sports...shocking :)

I can't wait to have a meet up somewhere warmer!! Isn't she the cutest thing ever? Forgive my grossness. Two hours sleep people...two hours.


The rest of our days in Indy were spent with family and friends and included lots of yummy food. It makes me super excited for Christmas time and more quality hours with people back home.

Since being home...I have been able to put away all of the fall decor, on the inside of the house at least. We are going to get our tree this weekend and I am beyond thrilled! It is the most wonderful time of the year you know!

Leavin' On A Jetplane...

Well ladies...I'm off!

Today is my last day of work until after Thanksgiving!! I am so ridiculously excited about this...you do not even know. Things have been a little crazy around these parts and I sure could use a break. I am leaving for Colorado tomorrow afternoon to visit my brother for a few days...then it's back to Indianapolis for some precious time with the rest of my family for the holidays.

Unfortunately, my dear husband will not be joining me on my trip out west...so keep him in your prayers seeing as he is going to have to fend for himself for 4 whole days without me. I can already see the pizza boxes on my kitchen floor. I will miss him like crazy when I'm gone (in fact I already kind of miss him and I haven't even left yet....weird?) but I'm excited to be able to spend some quality time with my brother. Living across the country...we do not see each other nearly enough.

I am going to be taking my laptop and I plan on attempting to keep up on my blogging from afar...but alas, I cannot make any promises. So I will say ta ta and wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving!

But before I dash off, I wanted to give a shout out to a few of my bloggy friends! Since I started blogging many, many months ago I have won three giveaways. Yes, that's right. Three! And even though I won them all at different times, I got all of my packages within the last few days! How fun is that? One day, the only pieces of mail we had in our whole mailbox were from bloggers!

So what did I win??

I won this painted wooden letter in the color of my choice from A Journey Through the Waiting Game:


Isn't it lovely?? Please forgive the spot my flash made on the R. It is flawless in person. Maybe she could do two smaller letters for me to put on each side of the R and I could put our initials on our wall!?! Oh the wheels they are a turnin'...


I won this from Shaina:

It's some super delicious granola and a pedometer! Now we can be twins! Please ignore the fact that the granola is already 1/2 gone and I just got it yesterday.


And finally, very fitting, I won this from Dugout Daisy:


Just in time for New Moon...my very own Twilight coaster!


Thank you so much ladies!! You have no idea how special I felt carrying in all of those packages with my name on them! You rock my world :)

Thankful Thursday

I know a lot of y'all do Thankful Thursdays...but I borrowed (stole) this button from Jorden and Kristin so I'm giving her a shout out!

I am thankful for my husband and for how sweet he is to me. He is different with me than he is with anyone else and it makes me smile.

I am thankful for our home. Although we are in a city we do not want to be in, renting a home we would never buy, I am so happy to have it to share with my husband. The neighborhood is wonderful, our neighbors are quiet, and our landlords rake out leaves for us. What could be better? (Shoveling our snow. That's what could be better. But that's not what this post is about.)

I am thankful for my job. Even though I hate it more than any other job I have ever had, including sorting panties at Victoria's Secret, I am blessed not only to be working but to be able to work at all.

I am thankful that we started hiring more people here at work. It looks like the layoff period is behind us and I made it through. Thank goodness.

I am thankful for my family and the connection that I have with all of them.

I am thankful for the upcoming holidays and the promise of a very merry Christmas!

I am thankful for the wake up call I get every afternoon leaving work listening to Chris Fabry Live. Yesterday they were debating back and forth about the need for an organized church body vs. only attending a bible study group. One of the guest speakers advocating the organized church said something that spoke directly to me. When addressing the issue of a man who stopped going to church because he didn't get anything out of it....the guest speaker said something along these lines, "You don't go to church to get something out of it. It's not about what God can do for you. It's about what you can do for God. You go to church not for yourself but for others. To serve them and to serve God." Holy cow. I have literally said the words, "I didn't get much out of that service today." Point taken sir.

I am thankful for God's Word and for how much I have grown and learned reading it. But I am also thankful for how much further I have to go...and the fact that He will be there with me throughout my journey.

I am thankful for my bloggy friends who give me support and encouragement every day in every single aspect of my life. Who expected I would find some of the most amazing people I know on the Internet?? Not me.

Mostly I am thankful for true, honest bloggers who tell it like it is and who are not afraid to be who they are. You are my inspiration.

What about you?

Giddy Up Cowboy!

Our 2nd day in Nashville was even better than the 1st!

Our day started with breakfast at the Pancake Pantry. (Well, my day officially started with a cinnamon roll from the breakfast buffet at the hotel...but who really counts that?) This place is VERY popular...and we waited in line for quite some time before we got a table....but this turned out to be great because I got to visit with my new in real life friend Shaina and her travel partner Lisa!



We got the yummiest pancakes of all time! I had the pecan pancakes and Matt chose peach. I also splurged on the hash browns and they were buttery deliciousness! Although we were disappointed we weren't able to be served by the legendary Bea Arthur look alike...it was still a lovely time.




Want to know something totally crazy?? Shaina lives in Bloomington which is where Matt went to undergrad...and we discovered at breakfast that her and her husband live in the same apartment complex that Matt did! How weird?? It's like we were meant to be friends :)



After breakfast, Matt and I headed to downtown Nashville. Here are some highlights from our adventure...

football stadium for the Tennessee Titans

We may or may not have been trying to capture our picture, subtly mind you, with a shuttle for a strip club which just so happens to also be in Cleveland (who knew their were chain strip clubs??)...but Matt's big head kept blocking it. Use your imagination...

We did a drive by at the Country Music Hall of Fame

And now onto the best part of the afternoon...and maybe the trip! Matt and I kept stopping into all of these little shops and just about every one of them was selling cowboy boots. I've never really had any desire to own cowboy boots...and I really don't have anywhere to wear them...but my husband of all people was really into it! He tried on several pairs at different stores with no luck...but then he found a store that had a great selection and seemed to be a little less expensive than the others. AND...the boots there were buy one get TWO free! Well, I had to look then right??

Well, I found two of the most awesome boots ever! Now I just have to find an outfit and a place to wear them. I think line dancing lessons are in our future!

Hubs and I with our new boots in the store

Better shots!

Matt's boots!

Eek! Pink!

We toted our boots around for the rest of the afternoon and ended up carrying them onto the airplane with us! They were our little babies :)


Up next...the reason we actually went to Nashville...the wedding!!

I'm Back!

Hello friends! I feel like I've been gone for ages...but it's only been three days! I have so much to tell you about our trip to Nashville!! But...we didn't get back home until 11:30 p.m. last night...so I didn't have time to load my pictures. Sorry!

But...some highlights that you have to look forward to:

• great eats...including but not limited to cupcakes, pancakes, biscuits, and buffets!!
• Grand Ole Opry with 2nd row seats!
• a trip to Opry Mills
• sites of downtown Nashville
• wedding pics of the most beautiful bride ever
• family get togethers
• and last but not least....my new cowboy boots! Eek! I'm so excited about these!

I've got to get caught up on work today...and the billion and one blogs I missed...but I didn't want to leave you hanging any longer on my secret bloggy meet up!


On Saturday, Matt and I got to have breakfast with Shaina from Post Smith!!



We were able to meet up with her during her Southern road trip in Nashville. It was definitely a highlight of my trip. She was the cutest thing and just as funny in person as you would think by reading her blog. I'll share much more about our visit soon...but just know that this girl knows how to pick a restaurant...one of which employs a former Golden Girl who I thought was dead?? Too funny!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Monday! I'm going to try to drag myself through the day on 4 hours sleep...come on 3 p.m.