September 30th, 2016

White Lake Free Weekend: Day 1

Since we rented our own cabin this year (instead of just splitting it with Sue's family), we qualified for the "fall free weekend" deal! That means basically what it sounds like: we get to come back to the resort for the weekend for free!

The place was next to empty the whole weekend (since only the "free weekenders" get to come up), so it was real nice to basically have the whole place to ourselves. Even though we couldn't swim and enjoy the beach this time, we all still had lots of fun cooped up together enjoying one another's company! :)

September 29th, 2016

We went shopping at the Fox Valley Mall this evening! Right before the mall closed, we hurried over to the carousel for the last ride of the night!

We were the only two people on and the lady let us ride it extra long! I was a very, very happy girl. :)

September 28th, 2016

September 27th, 2016

After yet another long day at work, I came home to this adorable little set-up!

Mike made us a cozy little bonfire to enjoy, along with smores and some of our favorite snacks!

It was a very romantic evening. He is always surprising me with lovely things like this!!

:) I love him so much!

September 26th, 2016

There's something so real about holding hands. Some kind of complex simplicity, saying so much by doing so little.

September 25th, 2016

In honor of autumn's arrival this week, we took a trip to the world's largest corn maze! 😁🌽

After we conquered the maze, we ended up getting to ride this adorable little carousel all by ourselves (talk about #lifegoals)...and then suddenly it started to downpour! Stuck hiding out from the rain underneath a carousel? Best experience ever. 🎠💗🙌🏼

On the way home we decided to make an impromptu stop at Gameworks! :)

September 24th, 2016

Today I met up with Emillie at Blueberry Hill for a breakfast date. It was super nice to finally get out with her and just get to talk for awhile. We talked about, well, just about everything really! It was wonderful sharing interests and finding out more about one another. We really do have a lot in common, which is really cool. :)

September 23rd, 2016

September 22nd, 2016

"You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams."

September 21st, 2016

September 20th, 2016

September 19th, 2016

September 18th, 2016

Today Michael, Charlotte, Jacob, and I (or the "Fearsome Foursome", as we so affectionately call ourselves) headed to Holes and Knolls for some mini golfing! It was a wonderful time had by all...but that's not a surprise. :)

Charlotte and Jacob both got a hole-in-one on the same hole! :D

Char and I were our usual, goofy selves. As we always are whenever we're paired up together. ;)

September 17th, 2016

September 16th, 2016

This morning Mike sent me this photo, followed by, "This keeps me going. ❤️"

It truly is the simplest things in life that have the most meaning and impact. Everyday I am so very thankful for this sweet, compassionate, generous man and the "little things" he constantly does for me. ☺️

September 15th, 2016

Haircut date ⇢ followed by dinner date ⇢ followed by cutely holding hands & strolling around the promenade. 💏

September 14th, 2016

When I'm completely congested and practically dying from my terrible allergies, he entertains me with spontaneous stories to help keep my mind off my throbbing head, stuffed nose, and sore throat. ☺️ Then he collapses in a heap on the floor. 😂

September 13th, 2016

No long sappy message this time—just something plain and simple: Michael makes me so proud every single day with all that he does. I love it when he sends me in-progress photos like this one during his workday. Because, when he finally finishes the job, I get to look at the masterpiece and compare it in awe back to what it took to get there. :)

September 12th, 2016

Michael worked a very long day today, leaving at dawn and not getting home until dark. When he walked in, he had this for me.

Any man can stop at a jeweler and pick something up. And he could have just as easily done that on the drive home from work. But this is far more special than any store bought item. Despite working practically 14 hours, he found time during his day to make this for me. He used his lunch break to assemble a cute little makeshift box for the homemade ring he had made me. I was speechless as he so sweetly held it out to me, bashfully saying, "It's nothing special." Oh, but it WAS so special! So thoughtful. So sweet. A gesture full of nothing but love. Love for none other than little old me. I couldn't be any more thankful, blessed, and just overall happy. 💍

Every great love starts with a great story. I still remember the first moment I looked at you and realized that somehow the rest of the world seemed to vanish when I was with you. Love isn't a constant; it is forever blooming. Each day I think that I couldn't possibly love you any more than I already do...and then tomorrow comes, and I'm proven wrong once again.

WE are my favorite love story, Michael Richard. You are my everything. My one and only. My walking slice of heaven on this Earth. Each day with you is nothing less than a blessing. I love you, always and forever. ❤️🐊☝🏼️

September 11th, 2016

Happy National Grandparents Day!! 💝

Today Mike and I took Grama to breakfast for National Grandparents Day!! ❤ We bought her the new sequel to An Ember In The Ashes, a book I had gifted her just months prior that she loved. She had no clue about today's holiday, so she was super honored and thrilled. It was an overall lovely time, though it always is whenever I'm with her. :)

September 10th, 2016

Today some of the White Lake crew came over for a little party! We had fun solving an escape room together from our board game before things got intense during some Mario Kart!

Me, Mike, Kevin, Rory, & Jax

Not featured: Mitch, James, Harlee, & Sam

Kev and Charlie ;)   

September 9th, 2016

This past week Mike spent most of his time under that 90 degree sun putting together this beautiful fence for the Lezza's. I know I say it all the time, but this amazing guy just never ceases to impress me with all that he can do! He just works so hard and always makes me so very proud. Besides, you can never post "too many" admiration photos about someone. And how can I not when he's constantly doing these incredible things? 🛠💗

September 8th, 2016

Because what else should you do when you're sick besides watching episodes of House all day? 🤧😷🤒🤕

September 7th, 2016

September 6th, 2016

Family photo ❤

September 5th, 2016

Happy Labor Day!! 🇺🇸



The annual Labor Day IBC picnic was abuncha fun! I had a very lovely time hanging out with my favorite Donelson Duo. 😊💕