Sunday, Monday, Happy days..

Hello, blog friends! I hope you are all enjoying a relaxing and cozy Sunday afternoon. Mother nature in my neck of the woods decided to play a prank and make it an extremely chilly April day, for which I was not exactly thankful...

It was another one of those busy weeks in our life, but a fun one! We were blessed with quite a few fun nights and a lot of time to spend together. Lucky for you, this means a lengthy photo section! Your lucky day! Let's get to it. 

Monday night was a dinner with my coworkers at Landry's downtown. We had a blast, and I got to introduce Charles to a few new people he hadn't gotten to meet yet. 

Nothing better than a glass of wine, a hot grill, and sunshine..

So excited that we got to mow the yard for the first time {and by we, I mean Charles...} I have a strong love of the smell of freshly mowed grass, especially since I haven't smelled it in so long! 

I discovered these Odwalla bars at the store the other day. I haven't been getting enough protein in my diet, especially after a workout. These are a delicious way to get your protein in. 

An absolutely amazing couple overheard that we were newlyweds and had the staff bring us these as a gift to bless our marriage. So sweet! We felt so loved. 

Even Cholla had to look out on the beautiful Saturday we had!

We took advantage of the beautiful day and sat on an enclosed patio drinking mojitos! Can't beat it!

We also took a short trip to the Fort Smith amphitheater to watch the pretty, albeit a bit cloudy, sunset! If you haven't gotten a chance to go, I highly suggest going!

It was a big day for Charles today, so I surprised him with breakfast in bed!

Getting ready to be blessed and welcomed into the Catholic Church. Two more weeks until he becomes Catholic!

All in all, we had a beautiful week and weekend. I hope you've enjoyed the same!

Next weekend, we will be fortunate enough to go to Derby day and spent another lake weekend with the family. I can't wait to share all of our adventures with you!

"Everyone wants some magical solution for their problems, and everyone refuses to believe in magic"

Where to begin..

Happy Sunday, friends!

We had a pretty eventful, yet uneventful week {if that even makes sense..} Although it was mainly spent working, going to the gym, and cleaning house, we had a few events that made the week quite interesting! 

The biggest take away from the week was the fact that my wonderful and sweet husband got accepted into the RCIA program at a local Catholic church. Yes, friends, he is converting! I'm so thrilled for him, and cannot wait to be a part of this journey with him. He has asked that I be his sponsor, and I couldn't be more thankful and feel so special. Congratulations to Charles!

The weekend was mainly where all the fun began, so let's start there, shall we?!

Friday night we had homemade sushi night at our house. We usually do this once a year {on a Friday during Lent} but we are thinking about having a "fall version" this year. We had too much fun. I did not have as much fun on Saturday morning, however, as I think we managed to use every last dish that we own and I had loads upon loads of dishes to do! 

Saturday was fairly uneventful -- gym, took a nap {ahh it was wonderful}, and out to dinner with my lovey and to pub crawl! I had never been to our local pub crawl, so we decided to go out this year. We really didn't get to "crawl" though, because it was a rainy, windy, cold mess! We went to one bar and stayed put. It was PACKED as can be, but we had a blast. It was a much needed night out. We were tucked into bed safe and sound by 11:30, and fell asleep with the window open, listening to the pouring rain and smelling the cold air and the rain. Needless to say, I slept peacefully last night. 

Today Charles and I went to introduce him to the priest who will be guiding him through the RCIA process, and then we took my brother to lunch. After some cleaning around the house, I decided to get a little "blogging" in before I head to the gym and then to my parents for family dinner. Honestly, all I want is a nap...hmm..maybe I can sneak in a half hour or so before the gym...we shall see!


Pictures, pictures, pictures..

Friday was "pi" day {{3/14}} so I brought some friends at work little mini pie's! I'm nerdy and I know it. 

Part of our "sushi bar"

Doesn't it look amazing? It tasted that way as well

A few of our guests for sushi night

The brother in law creating his sushi!

My sister and my husband creeping in the background

"make your own sushi creation"

My sister even made homemade lo mein to go with the sushi!

I wanted to make individual cups of spicy mayo for the guests, and decided to have a little photo fun while I was working on it!

My sweet, handsome husband and I at dinner on Saturday

Sorry for the bluriness! We were in the dark

Just a view of the bar we went to, all decked out for pub crawl!

Some photo fun with my honey!

We didn't even notice the photobomber in the background

Before we went out!

My handsome all dressed up to meet the priest. What a stud muffin. 

This week should be a pretty tame one, at work and otherwise. I'm rather looking forward to that, and looking forward to getting a little extra time in at the gym. Lake season is in two months people, let's put a little bit of pep in our step and get into lake shape. Not only will you look better, but you will feel better as well, I can personally guarantee that. Just get motivated to make a personal lifestyle change.

"If you change nothing, nothing will change"

The case of the sick slacker

Phew.

Made it through this week! Sadly, it's Sunday {already?!} and I have to get back to the grind tomorrow. 

This week was a bit of an odd one. On Monday, Charles stayed home sick, which is rare, and on Wednesday, I stayed home sick {even more rare..I can't even remember the last time I stayed home sick...I hate the feeling of having to make up work..I even did in school}. I slept practically all day. Thursday and Friday were spent still half sick and in a busy fog of events. I still don't feel fully recovered, but I'm working on it. 

I hope all of you have had a beautiful spring tease of a week like we have had here. I have to admit, I got spoiled by the gorgeous weather. I'm ready for thunderstorms, cookouts, floating the river, ahh. 

Friday marked 5 months since Charles and I got married. Holy gracious, where did the time go? We have started tossing out ideas on how to spend our first anniversary {I know, still quite a ways off, but it's never too early for a planner to plan..}

Remember last week, when I told you that last Sunday I spent lazily watching movies and cuddling with Charles instead of catching up on laundry and dishes and cleaning that I didn't get to do since we were out of town last weekend? Well I had planned to catch up on all of that during the week a little bit at a time...then the sickness happened...for both of us. Which meant a lack of energy...and no cleaning. Needless to say our house was a bit of an absolute utter disaster. Suffice it to say I don't need to explain what my Saturday consisted of. 

Today, Charles and I had a few of our friends over and we learned how to make homemade eggrolls {my oh my were they delicious} and Charles made his famous avocado crab salad, which is insanely good. We also hadn't seen these friends in quite awhile, so it was great to play catch up and have a fun time trying new things. Completely delightful Sunday. 

Another hearty photo segment to make up for being so absent lately..{In no particular order..}

New fave candle "Flannel" by B&B Works! I don't know if a candle can really smell "cozy," but if cozy had a smell, it would be this candle. 

Before and after of my favorite handy man with a green thumbs hard work on Saturday. Removed the obnoxious bushes! We also bought some new pots and are going to add some new landscaping here in a few weeks :) 

Charles and I thought it would be fun to rewatch our old favorite show, Entourage, from the start! We've had a blast cuddling and watching the old episodes. 

My Saturday in a nutshell {after I was done cleaning, of course...} Tried a new beer, cut up and marinaded some veggies for the grill, and busted out the chacos! {sound the trumpets}

On top of being sick, I got to be "super wife" and make Charles food for his work potluck. He told me about it the night before, per usual. Pizza balls it is! 

We were so exhausted by the time Friday came around that we didn't even want to think about cooking, and we found our way to Marketplace! Flaming queso, get in my stomach. 

My handsome hard worker! 

I told him it was a bad idea, but not a soul was to be found at Lowe's, and of course the one thing we wanted was on the top shelf. 

My Saturday morning view before I started cleaning...oh happy day. 

Eggroll fun! Such a blast. 

Now I'm sitting here, a cup of afternoon coffee in hand {mental note, go to Sweet Bay and pick up a few packets of chocolate chai mix...}, and a loaf of banana bread baking in the oven. I may or may not have added in chocolate chips as a treat for Charles, but shh..don't tell him. In a few hours we will be headed to a local Catholic church to pick up our to go orders of food. It's their Spaghetti Supper fundraiser for their elementary school, and we love to go through their "drive thru" and pick up our orders! We get spaghetti, a salad, bread, and ice cream all for ten dollars, and we support a great school! Win win. 

I know I talk a lot about "mushy" things, and about how much I enjoy spending time with my husband. Some might call it the honeymoon phase, but I don't see it that way. 

I've had a lot of friends come and go the past few years, but my husband is someone who has always been there for me the past few years. Yes, I do have a handful of quality friends that have always and will always be there for me, and vice versa, and I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Everyone has the story of a friend who stopped hanging out with them because they had a career change, got into a relationship, stopped wanting to go out or go to parties {or host parties...}, or went through a hard time. 

I've gone through plenty of hard times, even when I've been quiet about it. I've had friends who couldn't deal because of it. But there a some people who have always been there for me, and I won't forget them because of it. To have quality friends, you have to be quality friends. I'm extremely blessed with some great people in my life, and wouldn't trade them for the world. That being said, I also won't forget those who weren't there when I needed them the most. 

I hope this week you all take the time to reach out to your friends, new or old, and let them know that you value them. 

"If you're absent during my struggle, don't expect to be present during my success"