Baby Disclaimer

It will be posts like the one I'm about to post, the ones that will forever leave me feeling bitter sweet. I don't know if I've touched on this in the past but the hubs and I cannot have kids. This would be fine if we didn't want them but we want them, we want a lot of them, actually at one point we both had said 10.

When I was younger the though of giving birth grossed me out but as I grow older and see life differently, I think of it more and more as a miracle. Which I guess happens to all woman at some point in their lives but the timing of this all for me right now has been a little but of a struggle.

In the past month we've had 2 members from our bridal party add to their families and one announce that they are expecting. The first births of our closest friends is really exciting. On the other end of the spectrum we've had 2 different couples from our bridal party trying for quite some time now and they keep falling short. All of this news makes me incredibly happy and sad all at the same time. I feel for the couples who are struggling but am equally emotional towards the others.

My mindset is and continues to be that everything happens for a reason. If you're a believer in God or not, it's thinking about life like that which can help get you through those hard days. At least fro me anyway. And to that point...

So 3 years ago

I walked into Forever 21 the other day and spotted something I loved. In fact, so much, I already owned it. I think I purchased it about 3 years ago (if my Facebook dates are correct).

On the rack:

On me in 2008:

and in 2009:

shout out to girlfriend & sorority sister blogger friend on your left and another on your right. Love you girlies!

So now the questions is, did they love the dress so much they brought it back? Or was it rejected by everyone (except for me), so they threw it in storage and after the rough economy they decided to pull it out and try to sell it again?

I mean it's identical down to the stule number and all. However, I can't confirm prices. Thoughts?

Vday from a friend

Love my friends, especially this one. Thanks Jess

Note to self: Read this when down

I probably don't say it enough but being 26 and having a job, better yet, a job I really like, makes me feel really happy. Sure I work some weird hours and have to give up long weekends but when pieces of your life all just start to fit together perfectly...you just have to go with it. I mean how many people get to see this on a daily basis? 

Great job, wonderful husband, healthy family, great friends... right now, I'm really happy. That needs to be recorded so the next time I am not, I can at least look back at this and smile.

2011 Resolutions

My friend Jess reminded me that I needed to get on my resolutions for 2011. This year, unlike a year ago, I am working 1 job instead of 3. I think, and I am hoping this will give me more time to work towards keeping up my resolutions. So lets get going with 2011:

• To be a more active member of the Delta Gamma Alumni Association (this is something that meant so much to me in college and the last few years I have let is slip and some times I don't even pay my lifetime dues on time, shhh don't tell)
• Major cliche, but I want to get healthier by doing 2 things - keeping up with Paleo style eating ( I started towards the end of last year and it was amazing) and training for the Indy Mini

Bestie Alert From Germany

My bestie who moved to Germany just told me over GHhat that they just decided they are going to Paris for NYE. I guess when you live in Germany, you can make last minute plans like that.

XOXO
Jealous

Holiday Cheer

I know I have mentioned this before, but the holidays are always a bitter sweet for me. I love my job but it often involves me working over the holidays. Even before my current job I found myself working the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, the day after Christmas, NYE and New Years day even. Add in travel to these short stints of time I have off and well...theres only little bits of time to celebrate. Because of this I have started some of my own holiday traditions to keep my holiday spirits at a max throughout the month of December that I make time for around my ever so holiday hectic work schedule.

Some of my holiday traditions for the month of December and how I make the time to do them

• Watching Love Actually, Christmas Vacation, Elf, Santa Clause, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and Home Alone. The nice thing with movies is that you can watch them any time, any where. They are great on Chicago blizzard days or I can watch them over lunch at my desk or in between my regular work day and the game start time. It also helps that none of these movies are particularly long.
• Holiday dinners with friends. Yep, I said dinners with an (s). I have friends that live in the city (where I work) and friends that live in the suburbs (close to where I live) so I try to schedule two dinners. A city dinner and a suburb dinner. Because of my schedule, this year I had to do my city dinner inbetween my work day and tip off but it still gave me a great 1.5 hours with friends that I don't get on a normal basis. The suburb dinner is this Thursday, I can't wait.
• Making and addressing holiday cards and catching up with friends who are long distance - yes almost every one does cards, but for me it's "me time" where I can relax, address cards and make a list of every one who I haven't caught up with in awhile. I try to use the month of December to call every friend in my phone list. I try to look at the 2+ hour commutes both ways as a positive in the winter. It gives me time where all I can do is drive but thanks to the Blue tooth in my car, I can hands free wise talk to all of my friends (or at least leave them messages anyway).  
• watching Nutcracker if all else fails, at least listening to the Nutcracker music. I have always felt the need for the Nutracker around the holidays. I am not sure if it's because of all the toy figures that you see around the holidays or perhaps it's just part of a nostalgic feeling that won't go away. Either way the Nutcracker is a must. The last few years have been a bit challenging to get to but luckily I have a few different CDs with nutcracker music to keep my spirits boosted through December.
• Making peppermint almond bark with the hubs. Every year around December the husband tells me last minute that he needs a treat for work. Last year I told him he had to help if he wanted it made. He did and it was so much fun that I think we'll be doing it again together this year. I do love making holiday cookies but it's been harder and harder to find the time to do them. I think that's part of what makes the peppermint almond bark so fun. It's super quick and easy to do, it smells so yummy and you can always try to do little things to make it a little different.
• NO Shopping. My goal is to get it all done prior to December because let's face it...after reading my above schedule and thinking about working 10+ hours a day there just isn't time for it. Also, if I keep a goal of getting my holiday gift shopping done before December, my gifts (I feel anyway) tend to be more meaningful and aren't items that I just bought because I had to buy something.

Do you do any fun holiday traditions to get you through December?

Feels Like Home To Me

Right now we're not sure if we're going to close on our house or if we're going to have to back out from our contract. Either way, we're moving from our current place Friday. I am a "stick to the plan" kind of girl so you can only assume how much of a wreck I am. Right now my life is in boxes. I haven't been able to sleep in 2 days (and I have hardly had any caffeine). Severe case of insomnia, I think my husband and dog think I am crazy. With all this going on, I am not exactly sure if I have really felt at home recently.

On top of our current move, we've moved 6 times since I've graduated college, that's 6 times in 4 years! They (and by they I mean multiple studies and random websites) say moving is one of the most stressful things in a person's life. Yikes, no wonder why part of me just hasn't felt right at home.

Earlier today this little number started playing on my Pandora. Even with my life feeling like a mess this song brings back memories of my college home filled with all my amazing sisters. I am not sure if every sorority girl clings to this song as much as I felt like me and my DG sisters did, but when I hear this song it reminds me of a feeling that is almost impossible to explain. A feeling that only the girls in my house could help me feel. Girls that I could study with, shop with, make late night trips to McDonalds with. Girls that would make me laugh and smile and girls that would listen when I cried. When life felt like it was a mess and in boxes, I knew that coming home always felt like home. This song today reminded me that everything is going to be ok. Even though the hubs and I aren't quite home, today and always, I will have that feeling of home.

Happy Thanksgiving

A year ago today I woke up to find my car had been hit in my apartment parking lot. Today I got to wake up early and help my sisters and my mom cook Thanksgiving dinner. I don't think I have spent this much time with them all at once doing something productive, in a very long time. The results look pretty good don't you think?

I am keeping this post short because I want to capitalize on the time I have with people who mean so much to me. It's only a few more hours until we cut open the turkey and over indulge on pies and other goodies. Until then, we will be watching Christmas movies (my tradition but don't worry there is always time for some football), telling stories, eating cheeseball, admiring our Thanksgiving feast but most of all being thankful for the Whetsels in Indiana and to our family and friends in Florida, Door County, Minnesota, Arizona, Texas, Ohio, North Carolina, and Oklahoma ...you are missed! Happy Thanksgiving.

Minne Monday

It is Minne Monday, but I thought I'd give our little ham a break from all the camera flashes and share this blog with you. It's all about Boston Terriers, not sure why I didn't find it on my own but I am very thankful for my good pal Jessica, who always has my back! Thanks girlie!

Halloween How I Loath you

Yup, that's right, I may be one of millions of people in the country who don't like Halloween, but it's the truth.(in fact, of the 372 blog entries I had in my reader account, 365 of them were all about loving the wretched holiday, even the wedding blogs were about Halloween).

I don't like the holiday one bit. I don't like haunted houses, I don't like scary movies, I don't like most candy, I don't like scary things yet alone people dressed up as other scary people. In fact, sometimes scary things and movies make me physically ill and they turn me into a mental head case. Seriously, I get scared to go into rooms by myself, I get petrified walking my dog (I mean, Minne is ferocious but let's be honest she weighs less than 20 lbs). Moral of the story is, Halloween turns me into a crazy sick lunatic.

When I was little it was fun to dress up (not in scary outfits but you know the pretty ones with sparkles) but as I got older, I realized you can throw a themed party any time of the year and avoid all the creepy dirty stuff that comes along with Halloween. So I do just that. And on today's wicked little holiday I plan on treating it like any other day. I'll be doing laundry, catching up on some recorded TV and perhaps watching a holiday movie...you know, one that leaves you with warm fuzzies instead of creepy tingles....is it Christmas time yet?

 I should make a side note that some of my friends have special reasons for loving this icky holiday. One of my college besties and her hubby in particular. Halloween is the day he asked her to be his girlfriend and on this same holiday he proposed. For her, it's one of the best holidays a girl could ask for. So the only thing I will do to celebrate this icky day is to congratulate them on another special day.

PS...I don't judge you if you love Halloween, just know we all have our things.

Sunday = Chicago Marathon Day + Bears Football

Yup, that's what I am going to be doing, cheering on coworkers and friends running the marathon and watching some football in between with my very best friend who is moving to Germany in a few short weeks. These days make me happy and sad all at the same time. Just have to make the days count...well that's what I keep telling myself anyway.

Random but what do you think about these frenchies, probably besties huh? Hope whatever your doing this beautiful Sunday you are taking a few minutes to clown around with one of your buddies.

Via

Doc-Tober

Wow I am behind on my personal email....but since it's no surprise that my husband is a huge Phillies fan I thought this was worth a post. I'll let the email speak for itself.

Oh wait I should throw out that most of my college friends were from Indiana, Illinois or Ohio. With that being said they are either a Cubs fan (like myself), a Sox fan or a Reds fan since there is no Indiana major league team. For my Cincy friends, I am a tincy weency bit sorry that the no-no happened during the Phillies Reds math up...just a tincy weency...

Minne Monday

This past weekend we were uber busy but we got to see and host quite a bit of friends. Minne especially loves weekends like this with all the girls. She like following the girls around and helping them to pick out their outfits.

Minne also likes watching them get ready. I actually think she hopes that someone will put make up on her.

But I think Minne's favorite part about a weekend like this past, is when we all come home from a night out and give her a lot of attention. All eyes on Minne girl.

Hope you all have a great week, Happy Monday!

Quick Weekend Update

Quick recap, yesterday was spent with the cutest baby ever....

Today I am going to my baby's wedding (my DG baby that is)

Anchors aweigh!

Weekend Festivites

Whole busy but fun weekend ahead!

 Landon's HS friend, wife and Baby L will get in at 3pm on Thursday. They are thinking deep dish pizza for dinner. Genius, I mean we do live in Chicago :)


Friday will be spent in Chicago, sight seeing items like the bean in Millennium Park, Navy Pier and maybe the Hancock Center. In the evening we're going to check out the Yankees vs White Sox game as our friends are huge Yankees fans. Apparently our friend picking criteria is at an all time low, I mean the Yankees...come On - totally kidding but I am a Cubs fan and the hubs is a Phillie's fans so at least they aren't Mets fans :)
Post game, we'll pick up one of my college girl friend.

Saturday all of us will have breakfast. The HS friends will leave and we have 2 more of my sorority sister's joining us for a wedding of another DG sister, one of them you may already know.  We'll partake in a beautiful wedding ceremony and then dance the night away.
Sunday, breakfast with friends staying with us plus my girl friend who moved to North Carolina and her boyfriend.

This may be the best weekend of the summer. Finally, friend time :)

Best part? I get to drive everyone around in my new car.

Happy Birthday Jess!

Happy Birthday to one of my good college friends. Since living in the same hall Freshman year at Butler, we've shared some really fun times together and celebrated some great Birthdays together. You may recognize her from here, and if you do you know how totally awesome she is and you know a lot about her passion for calligraphy and all things wedding. She has always been a great late night McDonalds buddy and a friend that could always guarantee a fun night. With all the stresses of house hunting in the Chicago market and not seeing many friends lately, I am totally missing her right now.

Hall of Champions Pre-Party!

I Love July

Summer of 06 - 2 Birthday girls in the front

There are so many reasons why I love July but figured I should start with Birthdays!

One of my good friends and I have Birthdays less than 2 weeks apart in July, why not love the month you were born in right? Well, in college we used to come back the weekend in-between our birthdays and celebrate. It was a great tradition that would get us all back together in the middle of the summer before we would come back to school in September. We always had a good time in our school city which always included some Indians baseball (I do love baseball).

Summer of 04 I believe?

As you get older the summers pass quicker and quicker as they are full of wedding celebrations, graduations and well just family time. Last year we spent a weekend at the lake and as of now there's no plans for this July. I may need to work on that.  Miss these girls!

Goose Island & Melting Pot

Last night the hubs and I joined some of our local friends for a Goose Island Beer Tasting at Melting Pot. Great friends, food and drinks - what's not to like?

We learned a little about the Illinois roots of Goose Island and we got to learn quite about the beers them self. Every amazing fondue item paired exceptionally well with the Goose Island beverages. As you can see from above, we started with cheese and the Honker's Ale which went over pretty well. We followed up with a yummy salad and the standard 312.

All 3 of the couples there last night have all been married less than 2 years. In between bites and meals many stories we're exchanged and marriage conversations had. My girlfriend A managed to spout out "And you still married him/her" more than once during the night. Just imagine the show "Marriage Ref" with 6 couples at Melting Pot minus the ref. It got a little out of hand, but in a fun way of course.

And then the entree came. We had spicy shrimp, peanut butter chicken, some sort of summer sausage, steak and a BBQ pork. To accompany that we tried the Brown Nut Nut Brown (which we found out recently won an award and yet they are still discontinuing it - anyone else find this odd) and my personal favorite the Matilda.

We concluded the night with chocolate fondue paired with fruits, pound cake, rice crispy treats, brownies and more. I can't speak to how great everything was because I had a piece of cheesecake and the hubs polished off the rest of the desert plate to himself. The Goose Island beverage was the Pere Jacques, which was another one I really enjoyed.

I learned a lot that night:
1. I tend to like the Belgian style beers more.
2. The hubs really likes desert
3. The staff at the Melting Pot is extremely overly friendly
4. When you give people good food and beverages, they are more inclined to throw their significant other under the bus (I won't cite any examples here out of the kindness of my heart and...well...the fear of embarrassing myself and running my friendships)
5. Everything is apparently more awesome in Plainfield?!

Reunion & Mothers Day Recap

This weekend was quite the weekend. We did make it to Indiana so we could celebrate the reunion of my hubs and all his high school classmates of '99. The reunion itself was simple and not very many attendees. However, that didn't get my husband down. He was so excited to see everyone that was there and in the end that's what matters right?

As much fun as the reunion was, I think the hubs mostly enjoyed seeing his friends little ones.

Case in point, meet little L. She is the daughter of my husbands best girl friend from college. We've seen the hub's friend but this was our first meeting with little L. Looks like the hubs hit it off pretty well if I do say so myself:
He offered cookies with no luck, but the balloon grabbed Ls attention quickly!

After the reunion we made it to a little local Mexican place for margaritas and more social time with some of the hubs high school friends. Again, there was more bonding with little ones, but this time Landon may have been a bit too excited:


Don't worry the two ended up bonding just fine!


Isn't this little guy adorable?! You can see more on him here.


Little L and her mommy made it over to the restaurant too. Here she is trying on the new shades that the hubs hand picked out for her:


She is quite the ham and according to the hubs, she looks exactly like her mommy when she was a little girl. Adorable.


The hubs mom was dying to see how big little L was getting so we made our way back to their house for a little R&R:


NOT! This may look like a relaxing evening in bed but the hubs decided how to teach little miss L how to jump on the bed. After jumping a bunch of times she would fall and land on her but and then hide under the covers. This game went on for quite awhile. In fact, the dogs got a little bit jealous which is how this photo came into play.

Minne on the left, nephew buddy on the right

We woke up and prepared to make our journey back home, but first the hubs and his sis made their mom a breakfast just to her liking. Smile Beckers:


And that concludes the reunion & mothers day weekend!