Be Present

This....

...to be present in every moment and to remember what is truly important in my daily life.  This quote came to me at the perfect time and has since stuck with me. It is almost like I have a little voice inside my head that reminds me to come back and appreciate what I have in front of me, when my mind starts to wonder and moves away from the present moment.

Life throws curve balls and sometimes they are easier to catch than others.  You aren't suppose to have life figured out, but rather take each day with an open mind, heart and arms.  Welcome the adventure.  This I know, but...

To be honest this is SO hard for me.  I want to be carefree (reasonably, of course) and trust that someone will catch me when I fall down, but I also want to be in control.  I know I can't have it both ways, but finding that harmony is proving to be more and more difficult.  Life can be so unfair and I just want to make it better.  Not even necessarily for me but for those I love and care for the most.  I would go without if I could make someone else's day brighter.    

I think this may be my quote for the year.  I want to love a little more, and remember that not everything is worth the argument.  I want to hug a little tighter, and never pass up the moment to see a friend.  Most of all, I want to be present and thankful for every moment given to me.  

Tomorrow is never guaranteed, but you are living today, so here is to making the best of the ups and downs in this thing called life!

Let's Sprinkle Love {and joy} everywhere we go.

xoxo

Day Date

Christmas had come and gone and we were gearing up for the New Year. 

Andrew and I were looking forward to some down time before 

our pajama-game night on New Year's Eve.  

We were quickly reminded that we are not in control and things wouldn't always go our way. 

The Saturday after Christmas we got a call asking us to stay with a family member that had just had back surgery.  We agreed to come over all day Sunday to help clean and then stay the night.  Of course this was not what we wanted to do (not to mention we were nervous because we aren't nurses) but we knew it was what we should do, because family come first, always!

It was a long day.  We dusted, vacuumed, scrubbed floors, cleaned bathrooms, cleaned the kitchen grocery shopped, and completed all laundry and dishes.  We both enjoy helping others so by the end of the day we were exhausted but our hearts were filled with joy.  

The next day we went home (my parent's house) and decided we wanted to take time this day for just us.  With all the Christmas hustle and bustle we hadn't had much us time, and we were missing it.

So... 

we went on a day date!

and...

It was just what we needed!

Pedicures for the win! Andrew LOVED it even though he fought me the whole way to the salon

Next we went for a beer and lunch at Brothers

Then we went to visit Notre Dame's campus

It was so cold but every time I visit the campus
I can't help but take a picture of the Golden Dome, it is beautiful

The Basilica of Sacred Heart

We finished our day date with coffee


In today's world there are so many distractions and always somewhere to be or something to do but it is important to take a step back (from time to time) and enjoy what and who is in front of you.  Appreciate and count your blessing everyday.

You will make plans and some days those plans will change.  That is ok.  Be patient and trust the process.  Good things come to those who wait.

xoxo

PS - By the end of the day Andrew was in bed because he wasn't feeling well.  He came down with a cold and was down for a few days.  He missed the pajama-game night...

Happy New Year

#madewithstudio

I can hardly believe another year has come and gone.  
Here we are 2015 and we are ready for you!

I can't describe to you how excited I am to share a FULL calendar year with Andrew.  We are going to experience all 4 seasons {so far I am convinced winter his is favorite, ok maybe you should as his opinion} together and celebrate all holidays side-by-side! 
Does it get any better?

We get to start our own traditions.  Figure out how we want to do things as a family.  Inspired from my friend, Tonya and her family, over at The Assignment, Andrew and I thought it was a great idea to make a list of things we want to do during the year.  Not resolutions but things to do as a couple where we can grow and become a stronger unity.  We each still have personal goals for the year but this list is about us!  Nothing is planned as of yet, but you can follow the list {here} throughout the year to see how we are doing and where we have gone!

Here is our 2015 List

1. Visit Myrtle Beach

2. Read The Five Love Languages or Love & Respect together

3. Visit the Exotic Feline Rescue Center

4. Try a new meal (at home) at least once a month

5. Make a budget 

6. Designate one day a week for date night (no exceptions)

7. Take a segway tour
8. Take more time to hand write notes to friends and family

Cheers to you and your family for a healthy and prosperous New Year!

#madewithstudio

First Christmas

Since Christmas of 2011 Andrew and I have spent and celebrated all holidays across the pond from one another.  This year was different.  This year Andrew and I were together.  

Making memories and starting traditions, doing things our way. 

Here is a look into our very first Christmas together.

We started celebrating and waving our holiday freak flag at the beginning of the month.  We sang along with the Zionsville high school students at the holiday concert, we visited Christmas at the Zoo, and downtown Indianapolis to see some of the best Christmas lights around, and made ugly sweaters for the party of the year.  

As December 25 quickly approached we ...

...built our first gingerbread house as husband and wife.

...took a picture with Santa at Memorial Hospital.

...made the best purchase of 2014

Basketball with snowballs, anyone?

Who doesn't want to wake up and be covered in snowballs?

...we went to Christmas Eve mass at St. Jude then to my aunts house for food, drinks, laughs and a visit from Santa.

...we then came back to my parent's home and had our family Christmas.  We tried something new this year, since Jesus was brought three gifts we each received three gifts from my mom and dad.

Here is a look at each of us opening a few of our gifts:

Mom and her new Keurig

Dad and his new winter hat

Matt and his Green Bay Packer Owner bobblehead

Anne and her pink "solo" cups

Andrew got new guitar picks

...we spent Christmas morning with my mom's side of the family.  The adults play a Chinese gift exchange and year after year it still proves to be a good time and really brings out our competitive side.  The kids search through all the wrapped gifts finding the ones with their names on it then wait patiently for the 'go ahead' from the right person.
Christmas morning is always busy and only the beginning of more celebrations to come. 

Ellie celebrated her first Christmas and met my favorite baby doll, Geoffery.

Isn't she just precious? She just loved Geoffery

Christmas morning is always busy and only the beginning of more celebrations to come so some get a nap in anyway they can.

Christmas afternoon we pack up and head to Grandma & Grandpa LaFree's for more gifts, family, food and endless laughs. {unfortunatly I didn't get any pictures from this Christmas}  

Christmas is always a full day, but I am so thankful all my family is able to get together and share this time together.  I love that Andrew was able to experience the crazy with me.  It was such a blessing, one that I didn't know I was missing in my life, when I was able to wake up next to my best friend on this day of celebration and family.  

Long distance is hard but the outcome truly proves to be worth the wait.

Our first Christmas is in the books and now it is time to get ready for our first full year living together, celebrating all holidays and seasons together and making memories of a lifetime.  

Making the most of what we have, where we are is exactly what we will do. 

We are blessed. 

Ellie sure thought the snowballs were lots of fun too!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Cheers to a happy 2015!

xoxo