New years countdown

It's almost a new year...a new year full of promise!

only minutes to go...

See you all next year ;)

Until next time,

The Love Birds

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!!!! :)

It's almost three here in Bluffton, Indiana and I am crashing fast...Me and Derek were up till two last night and then I got up at 7:30 am to wash my hair ( if pictures are going to be taken I will definitely get up early to shower) I am feeling the effects of the late night and early morning now though...good thing it's Christmas so I can just lay around today and play around with all my amazing gifts!

We celebrated with my family last night and had a really great time going to see a movie and opening presents. Then this morning Derek and I got up and opened our presents to each other and then headed over to his parents, which is where we are now. We have everything cleaned up, breakfast has been eaten and every one has sorta scattered...I'm laying on my mother-in-laws floor right now listening to a cd Derek got me (Glee cd, in case you wondered) Thinking I need to take a nap though!

Overall this was a very merry and successful Holiday season...still have New Years to go...I need to catch up on my sleep for the next week so I can be in prime new years celebrating mood.

Until next time,

The Love Birds

Motivation

I watched Julie/Julia today with my very pregnant sister-in-law and my mother-in-law, and was very inspired by the whole story, not necessarily to start cooking French food (which what the movie was somewhat about) but to be more creative in the kitchen. I never would have thought when I got married that I would be the type of person to enjoy being in the kitchen and to actually look forward to making a new dessert or bringing food to family gatherings, but I do...I'm not going to lie, there are some days where I don't enjoy to even go in my kitchen but on most days I do look forward to it,

I not big on meals, you can't get much enjoyment out of a pot roast in my opinion, but a good chocolate cake or pumpkin roll, or anything with strawberries on top of it, yum, I start getting really excited when I think of those desserts. I make my grocery list out with a smile on my face thinking of making the recipe and who I will be making it for and how much everyone will like it. I discovered that about myself this past year, I have always loved people and desserts, but never thought the two went together, but they do. My inner hostess came out when I moved into our home, having Chris and Jo here really helped that along, I had people to make things for, and I loved it. I still do...I think about Christmas and all I can focus on is what I am going to bring for dessert at all our gatherings. Looking up recipes and getting out my favorites from last year...there are so many I'm thinking of extending the season just to get them all in. :)

I went through a dry spell a couple months ago were I wasn't motivated to do anything creative...I didn't blog, I didn't make really many desserts for us or for family...which I was always bringing people something I had made just for fun, I wasn't trying new meals, or didn't really decorate my house much...I was sad that I wasn't but I couldn't get myself to get into it...I decided that all had to stop. I loved doing all that stuff and I was depriving myself of something that really made me happy! So my goal has been to pull myself out of this slump and to stop being lazy and go make some cookies when I feel like it and not talking myself out of it! Which is also why I started working out...If I'm going to be making desserts more I need to make sure I don't get fat!!! So far I'm doing good, the movie today really helped me stay motivated, to realize again how much of myself I put into the stuff I do and that it something I can't just let go other wise I will look back and regret it.

Until next time,

The Love Birds

Christmas is coming

Aww the first snow...how delightful. The first freezing rain and sleet...not so delightful!

It seemed perfect on Monday, the beginning of the week, the start of my official Christmas shopping, and snow. Me and Derek planned on going to Fort Wayne Monday morning and getting some Christmas shopping done, see a movie and then go out to eat, pretty much spend the whole day together, so much fun, I was thrilled to wake up and look out our window and see snow of the ground, it was beautiful. What a perfect day to be buying presents and celebrating the season, I promptly went back to our bedroom and woke Derek up informing him of this delight...he nodded and mumbled something and went back to sleep! :)

The day was great, we got so much accomplished. Derek even took me to see Twilight's New Moon even though he hated having to sit there and watch it, he did it for me, I love him! My joy of the day was soon gone though when the next morning all my snow was gone and it was just plain cold and wet. Oh well, gives us something to look forward to in the coming winter.

Our dear friend Chris is coming to stay with us tomorrow. He will be here for almost two weeks, it will be nice to see him and his girlfriend Jo, but I will need some extra date nights with my hubby while they are here, house full of people just doesn't allow for much quality time. They are really good about going out too, should all work itself out!

Until next time,

The Love Birds

Monday night football

No, I'm not a football fan all of a sudden....I don't have predictions on who will win nor do I really care but I have against my will become a Monday night football watcher, come to think of it, a Sunday watcher too!!!! I love doing things with my husband, even if it means sitting through a four hour long game, okay so I don't usually actually watch the whole thing, I usually have the computer out and will catch up on my girlie tv shows that Derek can't bear to watch, or write on my blog like tonight. But I do try to at least stay in the room, if any thing to appear interested! Any thing for my husband. Maybe one day I will be a fan... I will confess that slowly I am warming up to certain parts of football....like the tight pants! Just kidding.

Once you start watching it enough you start to figure out what's going on and where the heck the ball goes when they throw it. I like knowing the players, makes it more personally...I know, I'm such a girl, making football personal...hey I went to the Ohio State game, I saw a grown man cry, don't tell me it's not personal for some people! (and no Derek wasn't crying, some random dude) I do admire the fans devotion, how they will stick with a team through a ten year losing streak, or like the patriots even though they are cheating sissies! I think us women just have to accept the fact that guys aren't like us, they don't get upset about missing a big sale but will huff and puff for days about their team losing a game...the mysteries of life.

Game is starting, Tonight the Saints and Patriots are playing...in case you were wondering, my prediction; The Saints will win....winning streaks shouldn't be messed with...just ask the Colts! :) See I'm catching on to this whole sports thing!

Until time next,

The Love Birds

Recovering

Sweet, sweet bliss...no more turkey..no more pies...just me, my husband and our darling little home, a day filled with togetherness and much needed rest...not to mention a birthday celebration for my sweetie pie!! Derek turned 22 today!

I just want to say how thankful I am for online shopping! Derek had a list of items he wanted to buy today on black Friday, and was planning on going to Walmart at the butt crack of dawn to get everything, but some genius out there decided to make the deals easier to get to...I love this genius!! :) We stayed up till 3 last night waiting for the deals to start, but we were in our house..in bed, actually, instead of with hoards of people in the cold or packed into the store..we ordered our items, turned off the lights, kissed and went to sleep!! :) We slept in this morning and I made birthday breakfast for Derek, then we got ready for the day, bought a Christmas tree and I put my Christmas decorations up! I love days like today, relaxing but so much got done.

Overall Thanksgiving this year was a success, we enjoyed seeing everyone and spending the day reflecting on the many things we have to be thankful for! :)

I hope everyone had a good holiday! Excited to get ready for the next one...time to do some serious Christmas shopping.

Until next time,

The Love Birds

Plans for tomorrow

Two days before Thanksgiving and I'm counting my blessings that both our families live in the same town and that both of the moms in my life make delicious meals!!

We are celebrating with Derek's family on Thursday afternoon and then going to my parents that evening for supper and going to see a movie, a family tradition. Don't really have much to make for thanksgiving...Tracie (my mother-in-law) makes things days in advance because she has so many people over so she had everything covered for her meal, and my mom isn't making a ton since it should be just us kids and my parents so she didn't really need help with the food...Betsy was going to make pumpkin pie but I felt like I should helped out with something so I offered to make the pumpkin pies for Betsy...I would much rather make a dessert than food any ways, and I started realizing that I like to feel like I have something to do, and that I'm helping out...so I jumped at making the pies. :)

So tomorrow will be pie day for me, not to bad, I work in the afternoon and Derek is going to Fort Wayne in the morning with his dad so I will have the house to myself, which is always good when I need to get stuff done! If they turn out pretty I will try to remember to take pictures so I can brag about them here.

Until next time,

The Love Birds

Sunday afternoon at the Smith household, not much going on. Colts are playing so Derek is glue into his man chair watching it, I have laundry going and got some christmas shopping done, I love the internet! :)

I can't believe Christmas is coming so soon. I've told myself not to think about it to much until after thanksgiving...I just have to make it through this week then I can stress out! I have it a little easier this year, both our families are trying to save money and with a lot of the guys out of jobs we all decided we need to cut back this year on presents. So we are drawing names for our families, so instead of 12 presents I only have to buy 6...so nice!! Of course me being a gift person I already found 6 other people that I would like to buy presents for...so we are buying about the same amount still...hopefully less money though! I'm trying really hard to stay in budget or under, making a lot of cookies for people's presents, I would love to get candy so I figure everyone else will...I really hope so!

I will start making my buckeyes and different candies the beginning of December, Derek's friend Chris is coming for his annual stay the second weekend of December and will be here till the day before Christmas eve, so I want to try to get as much as possible done before I have somewhat of a house full. I like to visit with Chris and his lovely girlfriend Jo, so I don't want feel trapped in the kitchen!

Should probably start thinking about thanksgiving this week though...I have two dinners on Thursday, probably should see what I'm bringing and then make a grocery list...ugh I hate groceries. but most likely I will be making desserts so that is always fun, wish we could live off desserts! :)

Until next time,

The Love Birds

Skokie, Illinois, new friends and the Pioneer Woman

It's been awhile...I know, I know! My new blogger friends would be ashamed. (more about them later) I have very good excuses! ;) Any who I wanted to catch you all up the best day of my young life...except of course my marriage to my cutie pie of a husband, but definitely up there...

For the past year I have religiously been reading the Pioneer woman blog, pretty sure I have told you all about her when I did some recipes of her's...yum that strawberry cake was good...well she wrote a cook book and has been doing a book tour of america, when I found this out I went right away to see if she would be any where near our small little town, and to my happiness she was coming to Chicago, which is four hours away from Bluffton, I was so excited, I would be seeing my two favorite things, Chicago and the pioneer woman! I immediately told my mom to clear her schedule we were going to Chicago, just had to wait for the time and place to be announced...well weeks later it was posted and the first thing I saw was the place wasn't in Chicago but a town called Skokie..."Skokie, Illinois, where the heck is that" pretty sure were my exact words! I wasn't swayed though, I just said "oh well, been to Chicago, never meet the pioneer woman..she wins!" It was so worth it.

My mom and I left after work on Thursday at like 12:30 and headed up to Skokie, the book signing was at 7:30 and we wanted to be there early to get a good place in line, we were there three hours early and ended up 91st in line, not bad considering there was over 250 people there. Ree (the pioneer woman) was going to give a short Q/A presentation before the signing so they set up chairs on a first come first serve basis at like 5. and then after the Q/A they would line us all up to get our books signed.

While waiting we had the opportunity to meet some fellow bloggers and pioneer woman fans/stalkers. We had so much fun with these ladies, We were all excited to be sitting in the front row, we swapped stories and exchanged blog addresses. It was a new experience for me...never would have classified myself as a blogger, but now I would proudly own that title! :)

The whole night was something to look back at and smile about, we laughed a lot and were so thrilled to be a part of the experience!

With all that though I am happy to be home. I missed my husband, I couldn't wait to come home and share everything with him...especially this picture of the pioneer womans husband..he reminded me a lot of Derek, sweet, charming and overall a really handsome guy! :)

Until next time,

The Love Birds

Sitting here in my living room, which is the only room in the house that isn't 40 degrees, and watching the Dark Knight with Derek and John-Thomas. Micah is here also, I love having my nephew here! :) He is the cutest.


I did lunch with my dad today, we went to Dairy Queen and got the pumpkin blizzard, my favorite blizzard, I wait all year for it!! :) If you haven't tried it yet you should go out right now and get one, you won't regret it! I'll get off so you can go do that! :)

Until next time,

The Love Birds

cold weather and warm apple pie

I hate cold weather...ok so I enjoy moderately cold weather, like 70 and light breeze, jeans, socks, sweater kind of weather, NOT winter boots, two long sleeves shirts and a jackets...and still cold..I couldn't feel my toes earlier today! With this oncoming cold front I have been partaking in cold weather activities. Such as cuddling up on the couch with a blanket, big socks (Derek's socks are the best) warm apple cider and hot chocolate, standing in front of the fireplace at my parents until my back side is nice and toasty. Along with these is the need to make warm desserts such as apple pie...I am a big fan of apple pie, I really don't care for many pies that don't involve chocolate or peanut butter but apple pie is one of my favorites!

We went to my parents tonight for tacos and the colts game, I usually try to bring dessert since that is my specialty and I have been craving pie, I was crashed on the couch all afternoon under a blanket, alternating between sleeping and watching golf and football with Derek, I slept alot! :) I almost gave in to my lazy side and didn't get up to make the pie but decided I wanted it to much to let myself off the hook, so I pulled myself up and headed to the kitchen to try my hand at a recipe I had found online, I am so glad I did! Not only was the result delicious but also very cute! :) I made sure to take pictures to share with you all...my dear followers! :)


Until next time,

The Love Birds

First year of my marriage!

Derek and I celebrated our one year anniversary this past weekend! :) Derek got us a cabin for a couple nights a couple hours south of here, we had such a great time I thought I would share some pictures with you all!







Derek really liked his present from me, it was a basket with goodies and the dvd series 'How I met your mother' and something extra special to celebrate our anniversary. :)





We left on Sunday afternoon after church so we ate our 1 year lunch at McDonald's.





This was our kitchen at the cabin, very nice...





The living room, as you can tell it was very comfortable, derek was already relaxing






Our bedroom in the cabin, it was so nice, fireplace and everything! So jealous.




I brought along some candles and stuff so I could decorate the table for our anniversary dinner, it turned out to be really romantic. Supper was good too, we had Chicken Parmesan and garlic bread.



I just love this man, he is the sweetest and most adoring man I have ever met, I am astounded by his love for me!
We brought the top of our cake from our wedding to eat, it froze really well, and it was delicious.

One year!!!!

A year ago on this date I was preparing for my wedding!!! I was hours away from marrying the man of my dreams and being Mrs. Lana Smith! What an exciting time, decorating the church, running through the ceremony, having dinner with all the people we love the most, having them being there to support us and to witness our love. A year ago I was a girl in love with a boy who was about to make me his wife...while I was nervous, I knew that I was making the best decision for myself, I had never wanted anything more than to be standing there with Derek, declaring my love and wearing that ring for all to see that I was his and he was mine!! :)


Today I look back to that day and the past year and smile, I couldn't have asked for a better year. Getting to know Derek has not always been easy but it has always been rewarding, there is so much to love about him. To celebrate making it through this year Derek is taking me away to a cabin in Brown County, Indiana. We are leaving tomorrow after church and staying till Tuesday morning, The cabin is in a secluded spot, is fully equipped with a kitchen, t.v and master bedroom with a fireplace, and a hot tub on the back porch! It's going to be a great couple days! :)


I, for good reasons, will not be on my blog till after we get back, but I will make sure to update you all on how it was and share pictures. Also I will at some point be putting pictures up from Akron and the marathon! just haven't gotten around to it, will soon though!

Enjoy your weekend and the beginning of next week...I know I will!!


Until next time,

The Love Birds

Street Fair

It's that time of year, when every child starts to get giddy and every parent starts to dread, Street Fair is in town!!

Little known fact about Street fair is that our fair is the largest FREE fair around, We are very proud of that fact, us blufftonians....not sure if that is how that's spelled, you all know what I meant though!! :)

I've found with most people that you either hate the fair or you love it, me personally I love it...I like the food and the atmosphere, now that I'm driving and live in town I do cringe at the thought of having to drive around for ten extra minutes to get out of Bluffton...going to walmart becomes an Olympic event, but overall I enjoy this time of year! And partly because everything good happens around this time, two years ago I started talking to Derek on facebook, last year we were getting married, this year we are married and about to celebrate our One year anniversary...not to mention that my birthday is coming up and Derek's and my favorite time of year...Christmas!!!! :) I just really enjoy this and the coming seasons!


My dad is taking me to lunch today, we usually both worked the fair so we would meet for lunch, this year neither one of us works but decided lunch needed to stay! :) It should be fun.


Until next time,

The Love Birds

Bundles of Joy

I don't have much to say and actually not that much time either..we are going to Fort Wayne here in a the next hour or so to do a movie and dinner with the Zolls. :) It should be really fun. I had to work this morning...I know working on a Saturday sucks! I didn't even take a shower I was so tired and didn't want to get up....so I still have to do that...

But any ways, What I wanted to tell everyone is that I found out today what my lovely sister-in-law Lindsay twins are....I am going to be an aunt to a precious little boy and adorable little GIRL!! Not that I'm not overly excited about another boy but it will be so much fun to have a little niece! My life as an aunt just got bigger and more important! :) I love having Micah as my nephew and can't wait to meet these new additions! :) The next couple months will be hard to wait, but fun to help Lindsay get ready! We totally need to go shopping now! ;)



Until next time,

The Love Birds

Day off...

I love days off that I didn't plan on, a lady at work needed to switch so I'm working tomorrow morning instead of today, I've definitely taken advantage of the day, I made breakfast for Derek and I, watched some tv, cleaned the house, threw the football around the backyard with Derek, yes I said football... :) Now I'm trying to get motivated to get stuff out for supper...now I know that it shouldn't be hard but I know once I sit something out I'm committed to making it.

I really need to go get my pictures taken for my passport book, I have to get it updated because my named changed. With me and Derek's anniversary coming up I want to have it all ready if we go somewhere that I need it...the $75 is really hard to give up for that though!


Until Next Time,

The Love Birds

Football, Football and more Football

This past weekend and the beginning of this week pretty much can be summed up in one word...Football.

While the weekend held more than just that, like Derek buying me my very own car, my father-in-law being done at the company he has worked at for the last ten years, and my plans in doing a rehearsal dinner becoming next to nothing. While those all were involved in the past weekend the big parts of the days were spent with 200 pound men running around with a pig skin ball and pushing each other around, as I have yet to see the draw to this sport I don't have really anything good to say about the game...except for the fact that my husband loves it. I just don't understand how something that brings you joy one moment can make you madder than a hornet the next...must be a guy thing.


I have a car...my own car...it's mine...my very first! :) It's used and a little old but it runs, I can drive it and most importantly it has air conditioning. It's a 1992 Honda Accord, which really means nothing to me, but for all of you who do you can oh and aw over that. I just wanted to know what color it was when we went to look at it. In case your wondering it's a light grayish purple color, not to bad! Derek's pretty excited about it too...he doesn't have to get up to take me to work in the mornings now, Derek likes his sleep!


I know I didn't write much about the rehearsal dinner I was doing but I am no longer doing it...the bride decided she didn't want much in decorations (which I was going to do) and so I sort of got out of a job...I'm not to heart broken, I understand if they are trying to save money, and it wasn't anything personal. Just didn't work out. I figure now I have everything ready for the next party I get to do! :)


Well as I speak we are watching football...ok so Derek's watching football, I'm just in the same room...which should count, don't you think? I'm hoping to go to bed soon, I work tomorrow morning, I need to get a lot of rest the next couple nights because Micah is coming over on Wednesday and he usually takes a lot of my energy, I can't wait to have him here and being able to watch him for Lindsay and John-Thomas, They are finding out the sex of the twins!!!!! I am more than happy to volunteer. :)



Until Next Time,

The Love Birds

Oh Blog

Blog, Blog oh so dear, what should this lazy housewife do?

Should I clean my fridge today, with all it's mold and food,

I think not today...

Should I do laundry so we have clothes to wear and save our neighbors from our naked state?

I think not today...

Should I vacuum my dirty floors where crumbs do fall?

I think not today...

Should I plant my behind on my couch I love so much and bless the world with my ramblings?

Oh Yes, that I will do today.

-Lana Smith

Okay so as you can tell the poet in me was coming out...and it wasn't a pretty entry into this world! :) I think I will stick to just plain old writing! No rhymes and verses for me.


Week one of my husband being jobless and moods are high in the Smith household. We are enjoying the much needed rest and time together! What a great time for me to start my new schedule. I'm able to be home four afternoons out of the week with Derek and so we are get a lot down during the day and can just enjoy our evenings together! :) So far this week we have laid around, went to a labor day party, watched a couple movies, did a bible study, visited my parents, went to Fort Wayne to get wings and see a movie, clean the living room, add a new chair to our hodge podge of furniture, and I actually am doing laundry today. Not much going on this weekend, I'll do some garage sales tomorrow and then I have a baby shower on Saturday, possible going to Fort Wayne on Sunday to buy things for the Wedding Rehearsal dinner I'm doing for a friend! It's nice knowing we have so much time to do stuff...I like being able to just sit and know I have time, no rush....what a sweet life! :)


Until next time,

The Love Birds

Parlor City Trot 2009

This morning was the annual Parlor City Trot in Bluffton, this being our first year in the running world Derek decided to go out and run it, it is a half marathon (13miles), the guys had to run 20 miles today for their training so they went out at the crack of dawn and ran four miles, then ran the race and finished the last three after the race! Since they were leaving at like 6 this morning I opted to just meet them at the start at 730...I might be used to the running world but I will never like getting up early,..ugh!!! Well after all that running, derek just skipped the award ceremony and went home to rest and watch football...I ended up walking 3 miles around Bluffton...no not on purpose, I went to a garage sale and then had to walk home. Well when I got home Angel txted me and informed us of some great news...

Derek won 1st place in his age group!!!!!!!

Again I forgot my camera and I wasn't there! Derek and I were both shocked but excited....he gets a plaque and everything...and no he wasn't the only one in his age group...there was a second and third place winner also, pretty much my husband is awesome!!! :)

Until next time,

The Love Birds

Floating on a cloud of pink and brown

projects

So I'm laying on my couch trying to find the energy to get up and clean my house...it seems like every room I walk into is its own little disaster area that needs a S.W.A.P team to come in and assess the damage! I kept saying all weekend that Monday I would clean it all up, I wouldn't let it bother me until today because I knew I would have time to clean it all then..now I wish I had time to just sit and look at my already clean house and do nothing! :) *sigh* Being a housewife sucks...lol Ok so I don't really mean that but it was sort of fulfilling to say.

The blessed baby shower is over...no more pink and brown, no more baking, no more last minute runs to Fort Wayne...All in all it turned out to be a huge success, everyone had a good time and love the decorations and food and most importantly Laurissa really appreciated and enjoyed the day. I really did enjoy planning it all, but now it's time to move on to bigger and better things...how about a wedding dinner rehearsal?!? :) Oh wait I already am planning one...more on that later...


Derek is going up to Fort Wayne today to look at IPFW for schooling. He's not sure how long he will be kept employed at Crown so he figured he should get a head start on school. It sorta works out nice because the school will pay for 100% of your schooling if your laid off. Perks like that make it easier to be out of a job...at least for a little bit! :) It will be funny though to be the only one working...I keep teasing that I'm wonder woman providing for my husband while he goes to school. I'm happy to do it, Derek does so much for me the least I can do is let him have this opportunity to advance in knowledge and then later on in job options. He is so worth it.



Well I've dilly dallied enough for now, I should start in on my house...shouldn't take to long, I'll put some music on and just not look at a clock until it's all done! :) Secret strategy right there for housewives, hope every one was paying attention! :)



Until next time,

The Love Birds

So I'm at work writing this...haven't had the chance to do that since the reading program ended. I'm watching the children's room desk while one of the ladies goes to supper, she should be back soon but I thought I would just write a quick update. :)

I start my new work schedule next week!!!! YAH!! I'm so excited, I will definitely enjoy having four day weekends and pretty much four afternoons to myself...just a reminder I will be working Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8-12 and then Wednesday afternoon from 1-5. Perfect schedule!!


Got to go,

Until next time,

The Love Birds

The Countdown begins

Hello to all my faithful readers,


Quick note:

Thank you all for reading my ramblings. It means a lot to me to know that people care and are interested and what I write! :)

Okay now....


I went to Fort Wayne this morning/afternoon with my mom, had a really good time. We just did a quick trip but we got everything we needed and had a great time talking and catching up. I have a week and two days before Laurissa's baby shower on the 29th, plans are coming along nicely. I have really enjoyed planning the shower and getting to hang out with Angel Zoll. I live for a good party ;) I don't think I have written much about it, not much to say, we are doing a pink and brown color theme, which is uber cute, and just really doing simple things for decorations, like mason jars filled with coffee beans and a pink candle on each table, we are doing a baby clothes line above the gift table and a diaper cake for the gift table, we are doing a luncheon, with sandwiches and such for food with cupcakes and desserts. Everything is almost done, we will make the food a couple days before the shower, I finished the centerpeices today and started the diaper cake, really the hard part is putting it all together the day of...and really for me thats fun!!! :)


I love planning these kind of things, I get all giddy when I go into the party store and look at all their decorations and plates and cute stuff. I would love one day to get paid to do this! Who knows maybe.....I guess I just need to keep doing it and decide if its something I am well good at and then if I really want to do it full time. If anything I enjoy it as a hobby.


Derek is working tonight, a part is going out so the guys have to get it all wrapped up and ready to ship tomorrow...derek was telling me that it is going over seas and will be on a ship for like a month. How crazy is that!! :) Might have my sisters out though to watch a movie, thought it would be a good chance to do a girls night since derek would be gone and I didn't feel like being by myself. Normally I don't mind, I get to catch up on my One Tree Hill addiction but I figured I have already watch like three episodes today so I should take a break!

My husband comes home soon to eat and see me so I should get off the couch and look productive!! :)




Until next time,

The Love Birds

I love this man! <3

My wonderful husband...that smile I love so much, those eyes that make me go weak in the knees when they are looking at me. I love this man, the one who tells me I'm beautiful when I have no makeup on and my hair is going every where, the one who comes up and puts his arms around me and holds me, who kisses me, even when other people are around, laughs at my silly ideas and crazy notions! I'm so proud of the man he is and becoming. I'm glad that I get to be the woman that stands beside him and supports him in every thing. Every thing being racing right now, I love watching him trying this new adventure, pushing himself to his very best, even when the only prize for it is me waiting at home to give him a kiss when he comes in all sweaty, but now his hard work gets a reward, Derek ran a 3 mile race in Van Buren and came second in his age group, for winning Derek got his favorite snack ever...popcorn! A whole years worth of popcorn, he was so excited and he had the greatest fans, Me, the Zolls and the Dalrymples were cheering him on when he went to claim his prize, he even acted all bashful, but don't be fooled, he was proud of himself. Rightly so. I love this man, he brings joy to my life every single day, and every single day I thank God for bringing him in my life!




Until next time,

The Love Birds

Big event!

We are back to a house of two...Chris left this afternoon and now everything is quiet....a good quiet though!! :) I enjoy having people over but I'm always glad when it's just me and Derek!

In other news Derek ran a race in Van Buren on Saturday, it was the 35th annual Kernel Race...it was a 3 mile race with about 20o people with the prizes being big bags of popcorn!! I was so excited because Derek won 2nd place!!!!!!! :) Of course the day I don't bring my camera is the day Derek wins! But luckily Lanette was there and brought her big ass camera and so I'll be getting the pictures from her! I'll put them up as soon as possible!


Might go swimming today, it's wicked hot out. :) We'll see though it feels really good in my house right now! I wouldn't mind just sitting in the air conditioning.


Until next time,

The Love Birds

Babysitting Micah....sorta

So I'm at the Roseberry household watching my favorite nephew, micah....sleep! :)

Lindsay and John-Thomas needed to run up to Fort Wayne and Tracie wasn't going to be able to get off work right away so I volunteered to come and sit at the house while micah napped! :) Anything for micah!

We have a house guest this week! Chris Leo is over for his annual visit to see lovely girlfriend Jocelyn. Chris came rolling in on Saturday and will be here till this coming Saturday! We have enjoyed having them as usual..actual felt like I haven't been home much to actual see them! Went back to my normal work schedule only to end up working all day Monday for one of the ladies and I've been gone all day today..hopefully I'll be home more the rest of this week!!

Fun, Fun, the boy just woke up!!!!! I should go,...I get to play with micah!!


Until next time,

The Love Bird

And the winner is....

I finally made a decisions....I finally decided on...drumroll....

Lanette Stringer

Congratulations Lanette and enjoy your candy and the vase! :)


Here is the winning entry for every one to enjoy.

I do not have a house quite yet but I do have a room that is filled with memories of Landon, Lane, and Betsy spending hours talking/gossiping about people or how we have nothing to do but to go on facebook, they come in and sit on my big queen size bed for a chat with me.

My bed was found in the attic of the old part of our house under some insulation. It was always too big for any of our rooms until we added on and me and Landon got the new and bigger rooms! So while we were discussing about if I would keep my bunk beds or not... I thought of the ideal to bring the old metal bed down for my new room!

So my bed is my favorite part of my room... It brings all of my siblings together for a moment. No facebook, No ipods… Just us comfy and happy together!

This story reminded me of home...my room used to be the gathering place for my family...parents included! It wouldn't be odd at one point or another that everyone was in there sitting on the bed, my window seat or just leaning against the wall! Some of my favorite conversations with my siblings were ones we had in my room late at night! Thanks Lanette for bringing back those very good memories!



Until next time,

The Love Birds

Decisions

So I promise I haven't forgotten every one...I'm having a hard time deciding who to bestow my awesome gift on! :) Every one did such a good job, and I love all the stories! But I will decide, I will!!!!


I'm running to walmart to get some food and toilet paper for the weekend..you know the essentials! First I need to feed my husband though! :) We slept in till about 10 and I made French Toast for breakfast but besides that we haven't done much so we are just now eating lunch at 3, I love Saturdays!!



Until next time,

The Love Birds

Chicago and house gift!

I'm back from Chicago and while I loved visiting my favorite city I'm glad to be home! Every thing about Chicago to me is amazing, the buildings, the shops, the people, the fact that at one point the air smelled like chocolate! (major points in my book) I had a great time being tour guide with my mom, between my various trips to Chicago and her love of maps and directions we never got lost...a little turned around but not lost! :) I did end up coming back with some stuff...sunglasses, which you can see in the pictures I posted yesterday, a couple shirts and a sweater for this winter, no purse but that's ok. I did get Cheesecake, which made up for the lack of a purse, wish I could have brought the cheesecake home with me but I doubt it would have made it through a four hour trip of train and van! Over all a good trip, but I did miss my husband GREATLY!!! I realized I don't like doing things without him and while he wouldn't have been happy in Chicago I still wish I could of had him there with me.


While in Chicago we stopped into on of the coolest stores call Crate and Barrel...its a home furnishing store, its three stories of everything for your kithchen, living room, dining room, and bathroom. My mom and I love this store...its cute but practical stuff that we both wish we had in our houses. but it made me think of the things I have that I absolutely love in my home....some that I got for .50 cents or less at garage sales...while I'm a big fan of new things, I'm always a bigger fan of great finds of old and previously used items, I have one object that comes to mind and thats this cute little glass container I bought at the bargain hut, it has a lid and everything....I loved it right away and came home and put on this table I have by the front door and of course filled it with candy! It was my favorite thing in the house until one day I came home and it was broke......











now I won't talk to badly about my husband because I do love him, but lets just say he doesn't do well when he starts losing in a video game...so when pillows start flying things are usually going to be broken.....so while I huffed and puffed about my broken vase for days, derek kept assuring me that I would find another vase just like it and love it..I of course assured him that no I wouldn't and that was the only vase out there like that and I loved that one....Weeeeelllll since God has a sense of humor wouldn't you know it I did happen to find not only one but two of the almost the same vase as I had before....So I've decided to spread the joy that this little vase has given me and pass it on to someone else. I would love to hear about your favorite house hold item (new or old) and maybe the story behind it. I will give the vase to whoever's story I like best, basically because it's my blog and I can do whatever I want with it! :) I will give everyone till let's say Friday at 11 a.m. I will annouce the winner over the weekend!! :)

Have fun writing and I can't wait to hear your stories!! Below is a picture of what you will be winning...isn't it cute!!





Until next time,

The Love Birds