August 31st, 2017

I've been working on my family tree more in-depth lately and I've really been enjoying learning more about my roots. Today I had the privilege of looking through some of my mom's old photos, where I found so many wonderful memories! Here's a few favorites. :)

August 30th, 2017

Today I came home to a wonderful meal prepared by my sweetheart! He made breaded chicken, loaded mashed potatoes, some noodles, and biscuits. It was delicious! I count myself lucky every day to have such a blessing of a man in my life. :)

After dinner we headed to dollar tree to buy some cute decorations for fall. Sure, it's a bit early...but shoot me. ;P We ended up finding a ton of adorable things, which of course I started to put up as soon as we got home. The whole apartment looks so seasonal now! It smells like apples and it just radiates fall. :) I love autumn, so having all the décor up just makes me so happy!

     

     

August 29th, 2017

     

My darling,

I am so proud of you! This job that you've been working at hasn't been an easy one, but you have powered through every single difficulty and obstacle that has come your way. And look at the results! I knew you could do it and you did. I think that basement bar is turning out so great. You inspire me. Truly you do. You still manage to amaze me every single day. Just when I think I have seen every thing that can possibly ever be seen from you... Wham! You do something even more incredible. You make me realize exactly how fortunate I am—not only to know someone like you, but to be with you.

The best part? You are going to continue to amaze me throughout the years. I so love that about you. Hopefully, I will do the same for you too. I will continue to be by your side through everything that life throws our way. I will always be here to give you all the love and support I possibly can. I want you to always know that you are loved. I have your back one-hundred percent—through thick and thin. You are my rock and I am yours.

I love you sweetheart, from now until eternity...and every second in between. ;) I am so proud of you, and I am so proud to be the one standing beside you. With every achievement I’ll always be there to cheer you on.

August 28th, 2017

"Become free like a bird and let God lead you in the right direction."

August 27th, 2017

The finale aired tonight!! It was amazing...I don't know how I'm going to survive a year(+) until it returns.

August 26th, 2017

Tonight we headed over to my parents because Mike wanted to watch the Mayweather vs. McGregor fight. We had a nice time playing games in the basement with my brothers and their friend Tommy for a bit, then it was time for the fight to start. Everyone really wanted McGregor to win. Though I had no real opinion on the match, I found myself super into it! I was very much on edge the whole time as I waited for one of the men to deliver the final "blow". In the end, Mayweather won. Mike, my dad, and brothers were all very disappointed. :( But—it was still a good time had with loved ones!

August 25th, 2017

"Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations."

August 24th, 2017

Happy 19th Birthday to my "little" brother Zack!!

We came over today to celebrate and get dinner with my family. When we carried the cake in, Zack just about flipped. He loved it!! He was so impressed and happy with how it turned out!

After cake and presents, we headed to Madison's Pub & Grill for dinner. We all got either steaks or pizza (they have delicious brick oven pizza!) and enjoyed being silly and laughing together. It wasn't anything fancy, but I think it was perfect. :)

August 23rd, 2017

So today Mike and I spent the evening making a cake for my brother's 19th birthday tomorrow! My brother didn't give much direction, he just said he wanted spades incorporated in his cake. My brothers (Zack especially) have this weird joke/obsession with the actor David Spade. Hence, the spade. Mike and I decided to change things up a bit and make the shape of the cake into a spade! It turned out better than I could've ever imagined...and it wasn't even that hard to do! I decorated the top of the cake with Zack's soundcloud logo (he's Z-barz...go give his page a listen sometime ;)) and then we frosted the edges to make it pop. Overall, we are so pleased with how it turned out and I can't wait for Zack to see it tomorrow!

August 22nd, 2017

"The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands."
—Proverbs 30:27

August 21st, 2017

"Don't worry, I'm wearing three pairs of sunglasses."

"You can't go into work, it's solar eclipse day!"

"It's a ONCE IN A LIFETIME opportunity!!"

"Alright, see ya again in 30 years."

August 20th, 2017

Wow, today was really nice! The day started off with some much needed R&R. In the evening, we headed to church. The Sunday evening mass is held in St. Patrick's (instead of at St. Cyril), but it's a nice change to be in the smaller church every now and then. Father Valdi was supposed to lead the 5PM service, but there was a last minute change and instead Father McQuaid was there. I was disappointed not to see Father Valdi at first, but then Father McQuaid began the mass...and, oh, was it a lovely mass. Our hymns and readings (as well as the homily) all focused on mercy and inclusion. It was a really powerful service and I found myself walking out of there with a smile on my lips and all kinds of thoughts in my head.

As we were getting into the car, Mike checked his phone to see a text from Rachael inviting us to IBC's service. She said that Mike Shrock was in town and would be speaking on Islam this evening. It was ten to 6PM (when their service starts), but we decided to race over to Bolingbrook anyways. We were about ten minutes late, but we still managed to arrive just in time for Mike Shrock's part. We slipped in a pew in the back and settled in to listen. He gave an informative presentation on Islam and Muslims, which was very interesting. A few parts weren't fully accurate, but it was still a nice presentation nonetheless! He's a very animated and loud type of speaker, which made for a fun speech.

After church we had plans to eat dinner and hang out at the Donelson's house. We picked up pizza from Little Caesar's before meeting Laura, Mike Sr, and Charlotte at the house. After we ate, we chatted for awhile about this and that—Charlotte leaving for school and other such topics. Later, we headed up to the media room where we watched one of my absolute favorite movies ever: Flipped! Everyone thought the movie was super cute too, so I was happy. :)

Scott and Patty went out of town today to visit with Scott's daughter and grandkids, as well as to see the eclipse tomorrow, so Mike and I agreed to care for the dogs again. We headed over to their home after leaving the Donelson's to check on them before bed and let them out one more time for the night. I love that Scarlett and Stanley remember us every time we visit and are always excited to see us!

Overall, it was a busy day (towards the evening, at least)...but it was a wonderful day.

August 19th, 2017

My sweetheart spoiled me tonight by painting my nails all pretty! :)

August 18th, 2017

Tonight Michael and I were bad and watched the leaked episode of Game Of Thrones... ;) BUT! Ahhhh! WHAT. AN. EPISODE. I'd elaborate but currently I'm still freaking out over how it ended and I also don't want to spoil it for anyone waiting until Sunday to watch. 

August 17th, 2017

"Life is a serious of thousands of tiny miracles. Notice them."

August 16th, 2017

Every day may not be good.

But there is something good in every day.

August 15th, 2017

Thanks to the girls at work, my newest addiction is cucumbers sprinkled with Tajín.

August 14th, 2017

Every day I find myself wondering if he's going to end up as more of a reader (like his mom) or as more of a fisher (like his dad). 📚🎣

August 13th, 2017

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."
—Matthew 28:19

August 12th, 2017

Today I ran a 5K with shin splints...and I am pretty proud of myself, tbh. 😊

And here's the "official" photos from the race:

August 11th, 2017

We were hired to make another cake! 🎂 I was SO delighted to have made this cake for sweet little Emma's Christening! My heart was so happy all evening while we made it. Emma, may God bless you with a wonderful and long lasting faith. On that special day, and always, may He look down on you, cherish you, and keep you safely in His care. 💗✝️💦

August 10th, 2017

Tonight we went out and saw Annabelle: Creation. It was creepy!! Seriously, so good. Definitely better than the first movie!

August 9th, 2017

The pen tats Mike gives me are not always very "girly", lol. 

August 8th, 2017

I finally figured out what to do with the open space at the bottom of my daily posts in my Bullet Journal! One half of the space will be for a "word of the day"...hopefully my vocabulary will grow because of it. ;) The other half is for a "quote of the day"...whether it be a random quote, a movie quote, a song lyric, etc.

August 7th, 2017

After work today, Mike and I headed over to the Donelson's place to see everyone! We hadn't seen his family since we got back from vacation, so we were very excited to be going over there! Once we arrived we sat down for a delicious dinner of steak, green beans, and mashed potatoes. Michael, Charlotte, Laura, Mike Sr, and I had some great conversation catching up and being our usual silly selves. Charlotte filled me in on all her school information, since she's going to Pensacola (Florida) in the fall instead of back to Wheaton. I am excited for her and all the opportunities...but I'm seriously going to miss her all throughout the fall season. :(

After dinner we decided impulsively to go to the driving range. Mike and Char loaded up their clubs and then we five headed off! Michael, Mike Sr, and Char all had fun swinging away while Laura and I sat watching and chatting. Eventually, the two of us took a few swings as well—I was awful (unsurprisingly). But it was all still good fun. We headed to Andy's afterward to get some ice cream custard. ;) The moon was so pretty tonight! We enjoyed gazing at it while we enjoyed our frozen treats.

   

When we got back to the house we decided, as per the usual, to pop in a movie! We choose Saving Mr. Banks, which I had never seen but always wanted to. It was so good. I honestly loved it so much. (Though, I love just about anything Disney! ;D) It was sad, but so beautiful and inspiring. I adored every minute of it.

All in all, another wonderful night had with all my favorite people. :)

August 6th, 2017

Mike did some drawing today!! I guess all my doodling lately has inspired him. ;) He spent all afternoon drawing this awesome dragon! It turned out so cool—I love it!! I have such a talented boyfriend! :)

August 5th, 2017

Somehow I drew the short end of the stick and ended up with a 12PM - 830PM shift at work today. It was long and the store was very busy...I was exhausted by the time I got home and stumbled in the door. However, as soon as I walked in I was greeted by a clean, spotless home! Mike had spent a good amount of time making the place tidy and neat. He did the dishes, put laundry away, vacuumed, and just overall straightened up. I was so surprised and immediately grateful. It was such a sweet gesture and it really meant a lot to me. I have such a wonderful man...I consider myself lucky every single day! :)

August 4th, 2017

Lazy day spent with this cute pup. :) We took a little nap together...just like old times.   

August 3rd, 2017

Cutie patootie! 😍