Fun surprises come in little blue boxes...

I can honestly say I am 100% surprised! Tim gave me my birthday present early today. He did excellent! I usually figure out what he gets me, or I just tell him. But, this time he covered his tracks well. Tim ordered it online and then locked me out of our bank account so I couldn't see where he spent the money. Changed email passwords, even came home from work to intercept the package.

Edit: I FORGOT THE BEST PART! To know my size he called the place where my engagement ring came from and asked them if they had record of my size and they did :)

Tonight he put the little blue box on the counter and I was shocked! But, on to the photos:

I knew right away what was inside this little blue box!

"Happy Birthday to my wonderful wife"

Ignore my ugly hands... :)

The ring is from the Paloma Picasso collection and I have the matching necklace that my brother and his wife gave me long ago. I wear the necklace all the time and now I have the matching ring. I feel blessed to have wonderful people in my life, and these little tokens of their love. THANK YOU!

Eleven in 11: Evaluating June

I am so sorry for the lack of June updates. I am a mad woman, truly. This month I not only began a 4 day work week at work (which means 10 hours days and a half lunch) I took on some additional responsibilities. I am teaching in the evenings twice a week, making the work day an additional 2 hours longer), plus I helped with an online class at another university. Whew! Lots of work, leaves me with not as much time to blog. Anywho, I'm here now and I have lots of ideas for future posts!

The breakdown:
1. Volunteer opportunity- I got my certificate in the mail recently and I'm so happy to belong to such a great organization and good cause. Sometimes people ask me "rape crisis? ew, why?" Well, it isn't "fun" work, but someone has to do it. I don't want to sit by idly and simply complain. I want to be part of the solution. Women (and I say women because they are the largest demographic of victims) need to be reminded that there is absolutely no reason for sexual assault. Nothing they did made them "deserve it." I feel like when it comes to this, I'm very good at not judging a person but being empathetic and supportive.
2. The weight loss one- I'm awful! I've actually gained about 3 lbs back. Because I was so busy in June I all but quit the gym. But, now that the online class is over I'm going to make myself go Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. I'm going to make it to my ultimate goal!!!
3. Plan and take honeymoon- We went to Amelia Island. Collectively, Tim and I decided that we simply didn't ever have a honeymoon. While the trip was a FABULOUS trip, it just wan't a honeymoon. We missed the boat 3 years ago, and it isn't something you can just have 3 years late. It's ok though, we still loved vacationing! You can see our recent trip photos from here and here.
4. Trying four new recipes- Well...I haven't hardly cooked since my brother and his family arrived, but I will get back on it. I did however make:

• Oreo Truffles
• Chocolate Cake Balls

5. Blog three times a week- I fail, I know, I know.

6. Student loan- Check!

7. Savings!- Check! 

8. Read 52 books- I think I'm giving up here...but I did just learn about a cool new website: www.goodreads.com

9. Facebook birthdays- This really is a good tool for reconnecting.

10. Visit 12 new restaurants- I'm not sure if we went somewhere new or not...

11. Etsy- Again...not sure when this will ever happen...

Is your summer fun? I hope so! Stay cool and stay safe!

Happy Birthday Tim!

Today is the anniversary of the day Mom S gave the world a great big present in the form of the hubs. Yay!

So I made this to celebrate

I love you, partner in crime.

She's Crafty: Necklace for a Princess

This past weekend we had the honor of attending a birthday party for a very cool three-year-old. I decided that it was time to break out the crafty-side of myself and make something. I whipped this up for the little princess (I love pink and purple, by the way).

Eh, a little blurry.

A wee bit bigger and you can see the different shades of the bicones.

The "pearls" have a pink coloring too them which I thought gave it a princess-touch. Now, the true test is if the crimpings that I used stand the wear of a three-year-old. The last piece I made for a youngen didn't last too long because my niece pulled on it. One of these days I'm going to get my etsy going (I've had the storename on reserve for over a year now).

Tim and I were very excited to attend the birthday party. We got to watch all the little kids running around with all their energy (avoid the jump-jump because those things are my new nightmare). Tim and I would love to have a perfect little version of the best of our qualities combined (look out world, superkid awaits), but now just isn't the time. House first, non-fur babies later. But, it was still nice to be around all the smiles, giggles and fun. Thank you for having us to party, BP :)

Sophie is 2

Yesterday, Tim and I went to visit the birthday girl Sophie. Sophie's parents are good friends from undergrad (and actually, some of high school too). Here are a selected few photos I took of the day:

Sophie playing with the Kinex we bought Jacob

She is very precise.

Jacob and his Kinex.

He's going to be an awesome engineer or something similar one day.

Tim got a call on the pink phone.

PRESENT! Notice the crazy green and purple ones...

Tim helped build the pony.

Sophie is waiting...

Jeez Tim! Get it together already!!

Finished!

Sophie opening our gift #1...

IT'S A TEA CUP PIGGIE!!!

AHHH PIGS!

Gift #2...

Still working on it..

Almost...it's a Paris Hilton style teacup piggie tote bag!

Win. She is carrying the pig. Never mind the babydoll.

Cakey cake indeed.

Had to throw this one in...

Overall, a fun day. My goal was to win the birthday (minus competing with the parents). I thought combing her interests of girly+princess+pigs = win with the teacup piggie and princess tote. Seriously, the pig is named princess...time will tell if tea cup pig wins out over babydoll and buzz.


Oh, and I only have slight baby fever for those wondering. It comes and goes. But, we still have the priority of house then kids.

Happy Birthday Kylie!

Today is our niece's birthday. Unfortunately, we're going on three years that we haven't been able to see her. Kylie lives in Japan, where her father (Kelly's brother) is in the US Navy.

So this post if for you, Kylie.

Happy Birthday!

Love,

Aunt Kelly and Uncle Tim