Most recently I moved from Indianapolis where the entire city circles around and supports the Colts.  On game days you can’t go anywhere without seeing the blue worn proudly by its fans!  Today we are hosting a 2010 Superbowl Party which includes Blue Rice Krispie treats, blue jello jigglers and cookies in the shape of footballs are among a few of the blue accessories we have pulled together for this festive night.

Read about the importance of keeping your romance alive even after the honeymoon on my guest blog post at Onewed’s Blog!

Even though the honeymoon may be over, who says you can’t relive the excitement and passion every year?  Plan either a weekend getaway or a week long adventure with you and your husband to remember why you fell in love in the beginning.  Laugh about your ups and downs and dream about the exciting memories you have yet to come!

Source: Onewed

A year a half ago my sister wrote me a letter before my wedding and posted it on her blog.  This is her way of expressing herself and it was her speech to me and everyone who will read it, of what she would want me to know before I married Josh that day (We both ended up marrying Josh’s).  Today is her birthday and I want to celebrate all sisters, especially mine!  As a sister you are there no matter what to love and support the other, no matter how different you are or what the situation may be.  I have learned that is the funny thing about family, you stop asking why or how and you love blindly and unconditionally.  My sister was lucky to find her Josh who I know loves her and takes care of her every day.  Her hobbies and interests couldn’t be further from mine which makes them all the more interesting to me.  She is able to manipulate coupons to save money and harvest, can and cook with her own vegetables from her garden.  She will be programming a computer during the day and go home and cook a 4 course meal without any recipes.   I still have a lot to learn from her but am happy to be celebrating with her today! Happy 26th!

Speaking in front of a crowd is always nerve wrecking – if your sister’s or brother’s wedding is coming up make it personal and write them a letter… Mine Did!

Dear Caroline,

Four days.

In four days, you’ll be married. A lot will happen between now and then. Your friends and family will arrive in town. You’ll be whisked from place to place for all the dinners and luncheons leading up to the Big Day. Much giggling and anticipation and primping will go on, and this day you’ve waited years and years for will finally arrive, and you and Josh will be married.

Two years ago today, June 3rd, 2006, I married my Josh. The event was very different than all you have planned- but we’ve always known we are different. Our events reflect ourselves and the relationship we’re celebrating. I wouldn’t have changed one thing about our day, and I’m sure you’ll feel the same about yours! (Well, unless it rains.)

I challenge you for a moment, in the midst of the chaos and social events and preparations, to think of what YOUR next two years will look like. You’ve watched Josh and I, and we both know you and your Josh will have different adventures over the next two years. We moved to the suburbs less than half an hour from both our parents- you guys are headed to the Big City a few hours away, living the high life in a high rise. We chose to settle down in our psuedo-farm, and you guys will be jet-setting all over the country. Our lives will continue to be different, as they always have been.

As different as our circumstances will look, however, you will face many of the same things we have over the last two years. You’ll have to figure out how to manage your newfound salaries. You’ll have to learn to pay bills, deal with insurance, and make spending decisions together. You’ll have to decide what church to attend in the new area. You’ll have to decide together how to decorate the new place. You’ll have to cook. You’ll have to both figure out how to balance Couple Time with New Job time. You’ll have to figure out what chores each of you are good at or don’t mind doing and share responsibility in the home. These are all experiences every new couple has, and you guys will get comfortable with your own “groove”.

Figuring out who takes out the trash or who cooks dinner or who sends the check to the electric company will all fall into place- as long as you guys communicate often and well. Communication, frequently and respectfully, has been the biggest part of making us a Team. When we listen to each other, feelings don’t get hurt, no one gets misunderstood, and problems get solved better and faster. It will be especially critical for you guys, if Josh ends up traveling a good part of the time. Keeping up with each other, taking time each evening to reflect on your day and be a part of each other’s lives each evening after the rush and stress of work will be so important.

This morning Josh said to me, “I need you. That’s what I’ve learned over the past two years.” I can wholeheartedly agree. At my first anniversary, I looked back and saw that Josh had allowed me to blossom- to become more of who I am. This year, I look back and see how we’ve spent the last two years becoming one. We’re more a team today than we ever have been, and I know we will continue this mystical becoming-one, team-making process for the rest of our lives. We need each other more than ever before. We work together and alongside each other to get mutual and individual goals accomplished, and it is a joy to serve one another. On your wedding day, Caroline, you’ll be starry-eyed, head-over-heels in love with your Josh, absolutely certain the two of you could never be more in love. And then! After the wedding day! During the following months, you’ll be amazed (as I was) how you can become even more in love than you are right now. 

Marriage is great. I highly recommend it. I’m excited for you.

Love, 
Your big sister

The note you write your sister/brother won’t be forgotten, it will be saved and re-read later on.

Happy Birthday Joanna!

2009 took me

… through my first year of marriage

… on a cruise in the middle of a swine flu scare

… All over Manhattan

… On an exciting adventure with Bubbly Bride Blog

… Supporting my husband through his CPA degree

… Only two trips to the emergency room (all for the husband)

… Rocked out in the Rock and Roll Mini Marathon

… On a rigorous attempt to get healthy with much more cooking and many more lunges

… To seven friends weddings.. all uniquely fabulous

… Found my dream apartment looking over the Chicago River & Wrigley Building

… Started my Project 365 – taking a photo a day and documenting my year

… Successfully hosted my 2nd Family Thankgiving and proudly did not burn the turkey

… Upgraded our TV to a 50 inch… Now I can never go back!

… Created a bucket list which left a lot of exciting thing to cross off

… Reaching over 100% of my sales goals in a down economy

These are only 15 of the amazing memories I have from 2009… BRING ON 2010!!

When you and your boyfriend are trying to come up with a fun date idea here is a suggestion that won’t take long and will be a fun start to the night.

Head to the closest Target, Walmart, Meijer or even Macy’s.  The more upscale the store, the more of a challenge you will have staying within your budget.  Give each other a $10 limit to spend and a 25 – 30 minute time frame.  Split up and spend time shopping for a small gift for the other person.  You will be surprised with a small budget how creative you can get with a gift, and who doesn’t love getting gifts:).  My boyfriend and I have done this and end up laughing so hard sometimes at what we end up with!  You can create rules around the gift such as it has to begin with a certain letter or be in the others favorite color-  or you can just let loose in the store and see what the other person ends up with.

Many guys have the same first reaction ‘I hate shopping, what kind of fun date is that’?  My two responses to that are 1. You will love the smile on your girlfriends/wife’s face when you bring her back even the smallest of gift and 2. This isn’t just shopping, this is shopping with a mission!  You have one goal to accomplish and it is to find something that will surprise, excite and make your girl smile!

One suggestion is set the rule that the $10 gift has to be something that you ‘can do together for the evening’.  You would be surprised how many things under $10 you can find at Target.. I wont leave you with any hints but you can go in many directions with this

What are other budget dates you and yours have been on?!