A Cheerful Attitude

Sometimes the day-to-day gets to be very frustrating. Traffic, pets, phones, co-workers, and even our spouse can be the source of stress. We've all been there. Whenever Dana or I see each other getting frustrated we know their tank is running low. We do whatever we can to show each other love and affection to keep each other going. Sometimes the stress just gets to be too much.
This morning I noticed Dana smiling through a typically frustrating morning. Instead of shutting down or blowing up, she smiled, joked, and chatted. When I mentioned it, she said, "I can either have lots of bad days with a few good days or have lots of good days with a few bad ones."

Love is... Folding Laundry

Yesterday, Michael and I celebrated 4 months of marriage. It feels like it has been so much longer than that in many ways. We constantly have to remind ourselves that we are still *so new* at this!

One thing that I think is awesome is over the last 4 months, Michael has continually stepped up how much he helps with chores and what not around the house. I look back to those first few weeks when I really felt like I was "doing everything" and I wonder how I even did it.

I depend on him. And I'm so thankful for his willingness to help and his faithfulness in doing so.

Michael jokes when he figures out how to do something new "oh, darn... guess I'll be doing that now!" Yep. Sure enough.

One chore that he does regularly is folding the laundry (and he's also started putting it away, score!). All I have to do when I leave for work in the morning is take the load of clothes out of the dryer and set them in a basket on the ottoman. I also put out another empty laundry basket.

Then, at some point during the day, Mr. Wonderful folds the clothes.

Yesterday, I came home to this folded load. You see the gLOVE?

I love you too, Babe.

What's For Dinner

Tonight we are having a repeat of what we had for dinner last night.

Brunswick Stew
(I started with a recipe from my Fix It & Forget It Crockpot cookbook, but I freestyled quite a bit, so this is essentially MY recipe, ha!)

Leftover Chicken, peeled from bone & separated (I probably had about a pound, it was what was left from the chicken I made on New Year's Day)
Chicken Broth (I used what came from the chicken itself, plus one can)
1 Large Can, Chopped Tomatoes
1 Can of Corn
1 Can of Lima Beans
1 Fresh Red Pepper, chopped
1 Fresh Green Pepper, chopped
1 Cup Fresh Carrots (chopped or baby carrots)
1 Cup Fresh Celery (chopped)
1 Can White Potatoes, sliced
1/2 Large Fresh Red Onion, chopped
1/4 cup Worchestershire Sauce
Salt, Pepper, to taste
Tobasco Sauce, to taste
2 Bay Leaves

I cooked it for 4 hours on low in the crock pot. Michael had it with crushed peppery crackers mixed in. I had it with a piece of Challah bread. It was good! Looking forward to more tonight!

For dessert, we had Warm Apple Crisp, which I totally did NOT make from scratch! I did peel, core and cut up the apples, though. We ate it with Vanilla Ice Cream. Mmmmm!! (confession: we may or may not have also eaten this for breakfast...)

Back to Work

I am back at work today, and for that, I'm grateful. This year, I am living a dream, working from and reporting about the White House.

So, that's my Project 365 pic for today, January 5th. I'm thankful this is where I work.

I'm also thankful for the man I have behind me who supports me, no matter what. I can't wait to leave this house every day to go home to him.

As for yesterday, I have to say I'm thankful for the phone the Hubs dug out and configured for me. It was FREE! Frugal points! He called himself "The Frugal Boy," haha! He even went the extra step and configured the bluetooth so I can literally drive my SUV and talk on the phone through the car. I think the system is called SYNC. Who knows? This is one of those things I would think is cool, but wouldn't ever take the time to set up.

Being married to The Geek Squad definitely has its advantages :)

Good Company on A Tough Day

This weekend we ran into one of those unexpected hurdles that comes with the whole paralysis gig. On top of that, Dana's phone died and we needed to go shopping. Now, we usually do pretty well keeping up with life's demands, but this box of monkey wrenches definitely clogged up our New Year. Even yesterday Dana ended up sticking around the house because the night before was miserable. Really cheery -- right?

A few days being pitiful in bed makes us both stir crazy. Monday we eventually got up and at 'em, dogs bathed, hooked up Mike's smart phone for Dana, and hit the shopping. A fresh episode of Brothers and Sisters and dinner w/ dessert and we hit the hay. When we finally settled into sleep Dana realized, "this is the most time we've spent together since our honeymoon."

It isn't the perfect little life, but the love we share and encouragement from family and friends that get us through the tough days.

Project 365: Gratitude

I'm borrowing a page out of the Kolette Hall playbook. I followed along last year on her blog as she took a picture each day of something she was grateful for. I do not know Kolette or her husband Jason personally, but we are internet friends, and Kolette has already been a shoulder for me to lean on because we are in somewhat similar situations. I enjoyed and was encouraged by her journey in 2009. So, I'm attempting to do the same this year. I'd like to share my pictures here, as I try this year to focus on just how much I do have to be thankful for.

January 1: I am thankful for the bottle of champagne that symbolizes our New Year's turning around. We saved the cork to keep as an "altar" to remember that turning point.

January 2: I am thankful for Skype. And for the conversation I was able to have early in the morning with my dear friend Ann, who is in Thailand. Her friendship is exceedingly special to me and her smile and voice are always an encouragement.

January 3: My couch cushions. I have never been so thankful for my couch cushions! I made breakfast burritos yesterday morning, and because of those two back couch cushions, we were able to enjoy breakfast in bed together.

What's for Dinner (New Year's Edition)

One thing I plan on blogging about frequently is what we eat! We do not eat anything special, or different than anyone else. I just love to cook and try new recipes and nothing puts a smile on my face faster than plopping a good, home cooked meal down in front of the Hubs for him to enjoy! So, I plan to share with you "What's For Dinner" on a regular basis. Please comment and share your tips and recipe ideas! I read several food blogs and get lots of recipes online - so bring 'em on!

Here's our wonderful New Year's meal: Roasted Maple-Walnut Glazed Chicken, Warm Spinach & Portabella Mushroom Salad (a favorite side around here) and The Frugal Girl's Homemade Challah bread.

Doesn't my bread look like it's shaped like an animal? Haha. I'm still learning how to braid bread dough!

*Side note: I met The Frugal Girl this week and she's awesome! What a thrill and a blessing!

Hello, 2010

We unfortunately ushered in 2010 with an, ahem, setback. I'll spare you the details, but what I will share is that this setback has led to Mike having to spend a lot of time in bed, healing. This is the first time we've faced anything like this together, and I am learning that I have a lot to learn! How fun, right?

I am such a routine addict. I love my routines and feel very uncomfortable whenever they're thrown off. Mr. I'm okay with anything and everything is fine, of course. While I was sobbing my eyes out thinking "this is the worst New Year's EVER!!!"

The truth is, with a little perspective (I'd happily give up what is apparently my new addiction... learning all about "perspective") it really wasn't that bad after all.

Here we are, January 3rd. Still standing (so to speak). Definitely closer than ever. And looking forward to all that 2010 has for us.

We were able to get out and about for a little "date night" last night. So glad we did.

Hey everyone! The Hubs and I are co-writing a new blog!! Please bookmark it and follow us! I don't know how much I'll be posting over here (I'll try... but honestly, I'm also starting a new White House Blog for work... and well... how much can one blonde really blog!?!?!)

www.lovelikethislife.blogspot.com

Christmas 2009

Our first married Christmas was a blast!  We road tripped it (in the snow - White Christmas!) down to NC to see M's family.  I always love seeing them because they are all so sweet and I'm just completely surrounded by that deep southern accent, and what doesn't sound sweeter through that accent, right?  

Michael and I exchanged presents Christmas Eve and read the Christmas story from the book of Luke, that's now our tradition and I love it!  Christmas morning, we packed the SUV, you should see all that we take with us when we travel for just one night, it's obscene.  Pretty much need a U-Haul trailer.  The "granny cart" is a total must when packing/unpacking the car.

We had an awesome dinner.  Tonja made these little green bean things wrapped in bacon that I'm drooling over just remembering.  And I finally got to taste that Dirt Cake and Butterfinger Delight, and boy am I glad for that!  Bonus - we got to take quite a bit home and enjoyed it all week.

M and I rocked the night away playing Rock Band with Caitlin and Shanhui Xu (their Chinese foreign exchange student - another cute, sweet accent!!).  It was such a blast!!  You know I loved playing the drums, even if I never advanced past the "beginner" level! Haha.  I loved hearing M sing and Caitlin was cracking me up, she's such a pro - she's got the rocker posture and everything!

Seeing the little ones, Marissa, Brody & Grey was awesome too.  Love those little people.

Here are a few pictures.. and I edited a video of our first Christmas Season (I know, totally yupped out but I have no shame.  I own like 8 scarves and I bought M one for Christmas, whatever!)  I hope y'all enjoy:

Love to all of you!

 No denying this family resemblance!

 Pops is a man after my own heart... devouring some of my homemade cinnamon bread :)  And this man almost always has a cup of coffee in his hand! Gotta love that!

 The girls rocking out!

 Get a load of this crooner!! This is now the wallpaper on my laptop, I don't even remember what he was singing but he was into it! :)

 And look at M's concentrating face here.  Haha.  I'm glad no one snapped a picture of me, I'm sure mine was worse!  It gave me such joy that M was able to fully participate in Rock Band.  Last year, we played Wii and he was just sitting back telling everyone else what to do, haha.  But thankfully, yours truly thought of sticking the drumsticks down in his gloves so he could "hold" them.  I think it was a pretty good workout too! :)  Haha.  FUN!

 Crystal always looks like a celebrity.  And Greyson, don't even get me started.  I love him, he's the cutest little chunk on the planet.  And you should hear his baby laugh!!! Aaaahh, nothing like the sound of a baby laughing!

 Marissa is so domestic.  

 Brody rocking out to the Chipmunks on his new walkman.

 We had an awesome first married Christmas!  I'm such a lucky girl.

Here's our cheesy, yuppy Christmas video:

 
 If you want to watch more videos like this, and read the latest from us.. check out OUR NEW BLOG!!  We'll be documenting our lives over the next year at: www.lovelikethislife.blogspot.com

Love you all.

Happy New Year!