excited

Everyone in my family {minus Julia} will be traveling to Montgomery, AL this weekend to visit my brother Christopher! While we won't be getting to spend very much time down there, it will be great to see him and spend time with the family. Christopher is an aspiring actor, so we are going down to see two plays that he is currently in. Hopefully we'll have time to do a little shopping, too! 

Because I'm so excited to spend the weekend all together, I thought I'd share a picture of my brothers and I {plus 2 cousins} from when we were younger! 

Don't we look fabulous in those 90's outfits?!?!?!? Have a wonderful weekend!!! 

smitten for...kids

As you've heard before, I have absolutely adored children since the moment I can remember anything. And so, it is fitting that my profession of choice is teaching! There are so many reasons why I love being a teacher, I can't even begin to count. I thought today would be an appropriate day to talk about teaching since today was our very last day {of 2nd grade!!} 

There aren't many people in this world who look forward to going to work each and every day. Every day is a new adventure in the world of teaching...you never know what you'll hear, what problems you'll have to deal with, and the amazing things kids will learn each day. Every hug makes your heart melt, every argument makes you want to scream, but most importantly you fall asleep every night knowing you are making the difference in a child's life in some way.

This year has been a very special year but today has been a very bittersweet day. I have been teaching at my dream school all year, but they hired me on to take over two different maternity leaves {it is a private school so they can do this!} I taught 1st grade all first semester and 2nd grade all this semester. I have grown to love the people, kids, and everything in between about this school. The problem is, along with every other school in the city, we are struggling with money. Because I was hired for such a specific reason, they do not have a position open for me for next year. Also, really no other schools in the area are hiring {at least right now they aren't!} So currently I do not have a job for the fall....and right now things aren't looking good for next year. :( 

Today I have had to try and stay positive about things, but it's a hard thing for me to do. Hopefully I'll be able to report soon that I have a job in the fall and will be back into the swing of teaching little kiddos every day. As for now, I'll enjoy the beginning of summer with the bottle of wine that one of my kids gave to me today!! :)

relaxing

As the weekend approaches quickly, all I can think about is relaxing in the sun. Summer is finally here, and with it brings many weekend trips to Kurt's family's lake house! All I can think about right now is wearing my suit with a drink in my hand while my hair blows in the wind on the boat! {Hopefully we'll get out on the boat...kinda a touchy subject. Ugh!} 

(Bailey LOVES swimming...we have to put a doggie life vest on her in deep areas. She's been known to swim for hours at a time!)

We won't be taking Bailey with us this weekend, but I'm sure she'll have many wonderful weekends to swim this summer. Cooper always comes along too, but he's a grump and won't swim. Have a wonderful {long} weekend.  

smitten for...doggies

I L.O.V.E dogs!

If there is one thing in this world that I obsess over, it would have to be dogs. If you could hear me right now, you'd laugh as I sit here talking to the dogs in what many people refer to as my "Doggie Voice." I can't imagine living without a dog {in fact I doubt this will ever happen!} Kurt and I have joked with each other that if our kids our allergic to dogs that they will have to deal with getting the shot because we won't give up the doggies!! {I'm sure if the allergies were sever enough, we'd make new plans... I'm not an awful person!} When everyone {in my immediate family} gets together with the dogs, we have 10 people and 7 dogs!!!

I wish our furry friends were better around the camera, but unfortunately they aren't. I'm sure you'll be seeing plenty of pictures of the doggies around here!! So without further adieu, here they are...

(Harry - Andy, Quinn, and Julia's Cocker Spaniel)

(Maddie {black} and Morgan {yellow}, Patrick and Allison's crazy Labs)


(Bailey {she's "my" girl}, my parents Black Lab}


(Morrie {front} and Bailey {back}, Morrie is Christopher's mutt}


(It's My Coopter!!! Kurt and I rescued Cooper {a lab/beagle mix} while in college.)

(Of course I couldn't forget the "Elder Doggie," Belle. She's the family dog that we got when I was in 2nd grade...she's a trooper! Belle is on the left. This picture was taken before we added Morgan and Cooper to the list of dogs!!!)

(And of course, I couldn't leave you without a cute picture! Julia and Cooper gazing out the window...)

Have a wonderful afternoon!

monday :(

Happy Monday! 

It was a beautiful and hectic weekend here, and this week is going to be just as crazy. While I L.O.V.E. the sun, it makes me completely unmotivated to do anything {and I have a lot to get done this week!} 

I'm outta here so that I can try and get some things done for work tonight. Hopefully I'll be able to relax more the rest of the week and post some more interesting things. 

I do think I'm going to take a break from work things tonight and enjoy eating at a new favorite restaurant, Granite City. I'm sure it will even include some delicious beverages :) So, whatever your plans are for the evening, I hope you enjoy it!! 

lonely

I'll be honest - there have been evenings when Kurt has a meeting and I've been excited to come home and spend some alone time. I think I want to take back all of those nights I felt that way...

Because of his job, he has a very flexible schedule. He works when other people can meet with him, which normally ends up being in the evening. Also, because of the economy, he has decided to try and find a part-time job to help with some extra cash. He found a job opening at a company that would fit into his schedule...this means if he gets the job he'll be working nights {think 9pm-4am}. He was scheduled to have the interview today. When I texted him this afternoon while at work to see how the interview went, he told me that it wasn't at 11am, it's not until 11pm! So, not only did he have a meeting tonight, he'll be coming home to change/eat dinner and then be heading out again to his interview.

Don't get me wrong, some extra cash around here would be very nice! But, while I'm sitting here watching hockey and drinking a beer by myself, I'm starting to realize how much it's going to suck when he's gone every night.

Every vacation we go on, we always take a "sad face" picture before we leave {yes, we're dorks...I know!} This is how I feel right now...

(Julia joined us on being sad this time...)

dreaming...

Rain, rain, GO AWAY!! 

It's been raining alllll day. Yuck! 

I've been dreaming of laying out in the sun, preferably on the beach {but I'd take it anywhere.} The rain has left me completely unmotivated to do anything. 

smitten for...friends

(3 of my best friends in the world!)

I am a lucky girl; I have always had amazing friends. While I {unfortunately} do not keep in contact with many friends from when I was younger, I do still have one good friend {from 2nd Grade!!!}. I met many of my best friends through my sorority at IU. Another group of people I have grown close to are Kurt's friends from high school. It is awesome to have so many wonderful people in my life!

(Lauren, one of my best friends, and myself)

Even though I know I'm lucky, I'm going to throw myself a quick Pity Party! So many of my close girlfriends are moving WAY to far away. I know Indiana isn't the most exciting place in the world, but couldn't they have chosen somewhere somewhat close?!?! One of my best friends, Lauren, moved to San Francisco after we graduated. Another one of my best friends from college moved to D.C. Recently, I found out that my good friend from 2nd grade is moving to Miami. Good thing another best friend, Lauren, lives here. I've already told her that she is NOT allowed to move. period. :) Many of my other girlfriends from IU live somewhat close, but still, not close enough.... Good thing many of my friends I met through Kurt live fairly close!

(Kurt and I with some friends)

I know that I have many wonderful cities to visit, but I'd rather have my friends close. Who cares about where you are, it only matters who you're with. Guess they all didn't get the memo! {Just kidding!} No matter where they all end up, they'll always be just a phone call away. :)

(Just a few close friends from college)

smitten for...mini additions

I love traditions, especially family traditions. One of the best traditions my family has is Family Christmas. In 2005, my parent's time-share week fell over Christmas Day. Not everyone in the family was able to go to Cabo that year, so we decided to celebrate Christmas {the exact same way} the Sunday before. After we returned from church, we started making our normal {amazing} Christmas Brunch. I was in charge of making the mimosas for everyone :) Everyone decided to have one, except Quinn. I had a very short-lived thought pop in my mind, "maybe she's pregnant." I decided it would be better to not ask and we went along with our normal family routine.

We all sat around having an amazing time while we opened presents. After everyone was done opening, we started to clean up. Andy and Quinn looked around the room confused like they forgot a present for someone. Quinn asked Andy to check in the car and sure enough he came back with two big gift bags. He sat my parents down next to each other and told them that they had to open their present at the exact same time {while he video taped with his new camera}. Mom and dad each pulled out a bib. One said "Grandma Loves Me" and the other said "Grandpa Loves Me." We were all shocked and so excited. {I was MORE than ready to become an aunt!!} 

I have been utterly smitten for kids ever since I can remember. From playing with my baby dolls to taking care of friend's younger brothers and sisters, I have been obsessed with children forever. Ever since I was a little girl, my biggest dream in life is to become a {great} mom. :)

Although Quinn was already 3 months pregnant when they announced the pregnancy, it seemed like forever for the baby to arrive. I loved participating in the baby showers and excitedly helped paint and get the baby's room ready. They decided not to find out the sex of the baby. They also decided to not share the names they had picked out for a boy and girl.

Once July came around, it seemed like my phone would never leave my side. Every time my mom called, I was sure she was in labor. Finally, I got the phone call from my mom. She went into labor early in the morning, so I was to stay at work all day unless something changed. That day seemed like weeks. That afternoon when I got off work, I drove to meet my parents at their office and we drove to the hospital together. We were so excited that we got there way too early! We ended up sitting in the waiting room for hours. I finally saw my brother walking down the hallway to see us! We all asked how everything was and if it was a boy or girl. {We were all convinced they were having a boy.} He said he wouldn't tell us yet, but mommy and baby were doing fine. As we walked into the room, the curtain was closed. About 10 people squeezed in between the doorway and curtain while Andy turned on his video camera. Finally he tore back the curtain so we could see Quinn holding the baby and said, "It's a girl!" We were shocked!!!!

(Proud to be a new aunt!)

One of the most long awaited additions to the family arrived on July 13, 2006, Julia Margaret {Julia was Quinn's grandmother's name and Margaret was our grandmother's name}. She was perfect. We spent so much time in the hospital room before it was time for Julia to get cleaned up and Quinn to get some rest. At the time, Christopher was living in Chicago. When he heard that Quinn was in labor, he was able to leave his rehearsal early and drive home for the weekend. When he got into Indy, we drove and bought flowers for them and went to the hospital. I couldn't get enough of her!

Being an aunt is so awesome! It has been so much fun watching her grow. It's amazing how much Julia looks like me {especially in our baby pictures!} I love hearing all the new things she has to say each time I see her. It is such an amazing feeling when you walk into a room and her face lights up because you're there. It's so much fun to sit back and watch Kurt and Julia together {they love each other and it's SO cute!} I can't wait for the years to come...shopping trips, sleepovers with Aunt Kiki, and much much more.

(I am that girl who constantly takes pictures. It's impossible to only pick a few pictures...I'm sure I'll be sharing more of my favorite Julia pictures in the future!) 

(One of my favorite pictures, ever. My family (minus Christopher) in the Bahamas. Julia is on Papa's shoulders!)

(Having fun on vacation together!)

(Julia and Aunt Kiki!)

While it has been wonderful having Julia around, I'm ready for some new little ones around the family. I'm hoping for more nieces and {hopefully} some nephews VERY soon!!

cleaning night...

One thing I am completely *not* smitten for is cleaning. When Kurt and I moved in together, I decided that I would clean every Tuesday night. In the last couple of months, I have not stuck to my schedule as well as I should be. It's quite easy for me to come up with excuses of why I shouldn't clean! But, I always end up kicking myself the next Tuesday night when I have two weeks of cleaning instead of just one!!! Well needless to say, last Tuesday I did not clean. Last night was crazy and I wanted to get some things done for work. So, I decided that I would do it tonight. 

One thing is for certain  - when {or more importantly IF} I ever make more money than I am now, I will be graciously spending it on a cleaning lady once or twice a month! To me, that's money well spent and precious time I would have to spend doing something WAY more fun/productive. But for now, I don't have the money. Although I have many other worthwhile things to be doing, I will be spending my rainy Wednesday evening cleaning and {hopefully} relaxing after. Hope you have a more exciting evening than me! :)

smitten for...additions

Our family didn't stay that "big" family of six. It didn't take too long before it began growing....

Andy {technically} was the second to add any "addition" to our family. It was very exciting to hear that Andy was finally dating someone seriously. {At times I love living vicariously through my brothers and I was ready for a family wedding...not to mention ready for some nieces/nephews!} I remember one time Andy came over to my parent's house {where I was living at the time} and wanted to know why I didn't like Quinn. This was SO untrue. I thought she was great. At the time, it was harder for me to have conversations with her because we were at such different points in our lives. She is ten years older than me. When you're a junior in high school, it's hard to relate to a working woman! Anyways, one Friday evening in March, Andy and Quinn decided to come over. They called my parents and I in the kitchen so that my mom could read a note they had brought along with them. The note said something along the lines of, "When we go to dinner, we will no longer need to ask for a table of 6. We will now need a table for 7." Then she pulled her hand out of her pocket to show us the ring. We celebrated with them buy drinking a bottle of Dom Perignon and eating pizza! :) Andy and Quinn were married June 26, 2004. They had a beautiful {and fun} wedding. It was exciting for me to be able to be a bridesmaid and experience the first wedding in our family. It's always so much fun hanging out with them.

(Andy and Quinn's Rehearsal Dinner. The boys, Quinn, and I.)

Allison was the first "addition" to our family. Patrick and Allison met while both working as camp counselors during their summer away from IU. I believe I was going to be a sophomore in high school when they began dating. Although Allison and I are only 3 years apart {4 years in school}, we didn't have much in common when they started dating. Since then, we have grown much closer, even though we still have many differences. {I think we get along so well because I am so similar to Patrick.} We have so much fun together, no matter where we are. We both love sitting around, drinking good beer/wine/alcohol and having a great time. Allison felt like apart of the family for a very long time before they even got engaged. For many years while Kurt and I were still at IU, we would go to Patrick and Allison's apartment {then later their house} to party, hang out and have a place to sleep! {Finally} on Christmas Day Patrick proposed to Allison. That year, our time share week in Cabo happened to fall over Christmas Day. My parents had invited Allison's family to come along with us for the week. On Christmas night we decided to eat dinner at our resort. After dinner, we went back to our condo and decided to call it a night. Patrick would not give up the idea of him and Allison going for a walk on the beach. My parents and Kurt and I went to bed. About 45 minutes later, I woke up to the lights being turned on and Allison jumping on our bed screaming, "You're going to be my sister-in-law!" I couldn't believe it! She always said she didn't want him to propose on a holiday or on vacation {so many holidays and vacations went by without them getting engaged, that no one thought it would happen then!} Patrick and Allison were married on October 21,2006 {our parent's anniversary!}. Their wedding was beautiful and tons of fun!

(Patrick and Allison on their Wedding Day.)

Kurt and I {unfortunately} aren't engaged or married yet, but he is still considered apart of the family. It wasn't always this way, though. When we first started dating, Andy and Patrick did not like Kurt at all! They said that they didn't like him because he didn't shake their hand the first time they met him. My brothers got over this and they have loved Kurt every since. Kurt fits in so well with my entire family, it's crazy. If you didn't know us, you could probably mistake Kurt for just another brother in the family.

(Because I love him...)

Christopher is the only one in our family that doesn't have an "addition" yet. He is trying to make it as an actor {maybe he'll fall in love with someone famous...!} What fun he is to have around!! It's great when he comes and visits or when he comes on vacation with us.

(He loves his little sister. He loves to pick on her, too!)

smitten for...family

Imagine 1968. Senior Prom. She was in a yellow swiss dotted dress. He was in a naru jacket. Both had butterflies. They would later call themselves "high school sweethearts." This is when it all began....

Thinking back to how they describe themselves when they were younger, they might have been seen as an odd couple. He was the party boy; always having fun, probably always doing the wrong thing. She was not as daring, not one to get in trouble. My parents both graduated from IU. While in college, he was the "frat" boy. She was the one typing his papers for him at 3:00am the night before it was due. Christmas Eve of their Senior year in college, my dad proposed to my mom. They were married the fall after they graduated - October 21, 1972.  

(Unfortunately, I don't have an old picture of them. Spending Spring Break together!)

Both being raised Catholic, they decided to have a "big" family. Andy was born in October 1977, Patrick in November 1979, Christopher in December 1981, and {literally} surprisingly I was born in June of 1985. {If you didn't notice the pattern of almost exactly two years between all three boys. I decided to come along three and a half years later...not to mention in the summer!} 

My parents and my brothers are all amazing people. We had a wonderful childhood. My parents made it clear that they would give each of us the world, and that's exactly what they still continue doing each and every day. They were thankful for their Catholic education and wanted the same for us. They sacrificed a lot to send all four of us through 12 years of private education plus 4 years of college. My mom stayed at home with us while my dad worked {and still works} his butt off for us. 

I love my family. I love having three older brothers. I love how my parents are still in love after so many years together. I love how all of us would give the world to each other. It's unusual to go a week without seeing my family. {Unfortunately, Christopher lives in Alabama (soon to be NYC) trying to make it as an actor. We don't get to see him as often.} Because of my parents, we've been given so many wonderful opportunities. But, we've chosen to stay close. I know we'll be there for each other forever....that's what family's for!  

(The most recent picture of my brothers and I. We really do like each other...)

smitten for...love 4

It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The boy and I would talk on the phone about once a day. Most of the time we would talk for hours before I went to bed. I remember countless nights lying in my bed, exhausted, but not wanting to get off the phone with him. One of the first weekends he was at IU, he asked if I would come down to visit him. So I decided to drive down, but I was only allowed to go for the day. We had a lot of fun relaxing that day. At times, it was still quite awkward to be around the boy for long periods of time. I drove home that night thinking of how much fun we had sitting around all day just being with each other.

We continued to talk religiously on the phone each night until I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer. One Wednesday night {September 10}, the question "So, what are we?" was brought up. That night, I was no longer a single girl falling asleep in her bed dreaming about a boy. I was a giddy little girl who couldn't get her new boyfriend out of her mind.

{Almost} six years later, I still find myself in love with the amazing boy I stumbled upon during my amazing summer. We spent the first year of our relationship learning more than one could ever imagine because we spent hours talking every night. I wouldn't trade that year in for the world. Don't get me wrong, it sure was a great feeling when I finally became a freshman at IU and we lived in the same exciting and fun new world, together.

(Young and In Love - July 2004)

I met Kurt six years ago this June. I can't imagine my life without him in it. I used to dream of falling in love with someone, now I'm living my dream. He is funny, thoughtful, passionate and loving. He is a family man and loves dogs. He has big dreams for himself and our future. Sometimes I have images of our life in 50 years and all I can do is smile. I have loved being with him every day for the past six years and can't wait to enjoy the ride with him for many more years down the road.

(Still in Love - April 2009)

Fat Tire

"Fat Tire is now sold in Indiana!" -- The text message I received from a friend last Friday while at work.

Fat Tire is one of my favorite beers, but has never been sold east of the Mississippi...until NOW! I came home from work on Wednesday with a 12 pack of these waiting on the counter {wrapped} for me! Needless to say, I'll be spending my weekend enjoying some amazing beer. 

Have a great weekend!