Mack Sleeps

Mack is crazy energetic. As is the case for all boxers, but I just feel like he is more so than his canine friends. He can run for hours without so much as a cat nap and will not dare shut an eye if we are doing any sort of fun activity without him. There are rare occasions when he has a fun filled weekend that he sleeps. Albeit, he sleeps with one eye open and will pop up at the slightest inclination Nick or I is leaving the room. He is a cute sleeper, and that is one of the only times I can get a good picture of him because he is calm and still. His goofy boxer personality certainly comes out when he crashes, as you will see. This brings me to my series of pictures proving that my little love certainly does sleep. Proof.

Woof.

All the New Things

There are so many new things going on in my life it's hard to even begin. 
First of all... blogging. Actually blogging regularly. That is the goal at least. 
Second, we bought a house last summer. We have currently been in our "new" old house for about four months. Four months of construction, dust, paint and stress. It's a beautiful farmhouse on about 2 acres of land that badly needed some updating. Good bones, bad taste. The first floor is pretty close to being done. Our goal was to finish before Christmas so we could actually enjoy the holidays. Knock on wood I think that might actually happen! Then comes the second floor. Ay. The right is just a preview of what we have been living with and doing. 

  Third, I'm pregnant! We are expecting the first of the Kitzman clan to show up around mid May. Talk about good timing. I'll have all summer off with little bean baby. We find out the gender December 29th and I CAN NOT WAIT. Being in the second trimester, I'm still waiting for my blast of energy everyone keeps telling me about. Right now I could literally sleep about 14 hours a night and still take a nap. Other than that, no complaints. Just waiting for the bump to show so I don't look like I ate too many tacos on Tuesday.   

Last, Mack is still Mack. Living in seventh heaven with all his yard to run in, pigeons to chase, and smells to sniff out. He has remained my constant source of humor throughout these crazy few months. 

Until next time...

Back Again

Back again with a new and profound plan to dedicate myself to actually writing on my blog. There are so many amazing blogs that I read each day and I always think, "I can do that!" so here we are. 

Here's a general update so I can continue on in the future without confusion...
1. Happily married for 9 months! Oh.my.goodness. NINE MONTHS! Can't believe it. Here...I even have proof: 

What joy that day was...
1a. Honeymoon. Playa del Carmen. Take me back. 

2. Still truckin' away at the old teaching gig. Four years in and I think I may be doing some things right.
3. Taking many grad classes to advance aforementioned career which leads to homework and many a Saturday spent at school. It will all be worth it in the end. Right?
4. House for sale, check. New house to live in, nope. Still working on that but it sure is fun having the house EXTREMELY clean pretty much all the time so we are always ready for a showing! If any one knows of this exact house in our exact location desired at our exact price point..hit me up. Ha. Oh yes and N requests it be on 5 acres. And a goose that lays golden eggs.
Thank you Pinterest for the completely unrealistic expectations I now have. 
5. Mack. Just...Mack. Still as crazy as ever. 

                                              

6. I have ventured into making Mack homemade dog treats. After the first attempt was left on the counter and he ate every single one in .2 seconds I would say they were a success. So much the I would make them all the time, not so much. 

                                     

7. Nick and I's search for the best bloody continues on. This one we found in Milwaukee had AAAAAmazing condiments...the actual bloody wasn't so hot. Just my opinion. It sure looks awesome though! 

                                               

8. I have been totally Netflix binge-ing on Friends lately. It is truly just as funny the 10th time you see an episode as the 1st...especially because usually I finally realize what happened and why, much to the entertainment of my expert Friends quoting sister.

8 Is my favorite number, so I am going to stop there so I possibly have some future material. 

Toodaloo...

Beating the Blues

I know everyone is thinking this...but when is summer coming?!?!?

This has honestly been the endless winter. N and I were just discussing why we put up with this snow, drizzle, frigid, wintry mix crap every year. We still have no idea. Anyways, like most of the country I'm really feeling the blues this time of year. SO ready for some warm sunny weather that should be here...but isn't. In order to combat these signs of sadness I've been immersing myself in all new sorts of things to keep me busy and keep my mind on something other than my heating bill. 

1. Marriage prep class, FOCUS couples, wedding bands, invitations, check, check, check. This one is a no brainer. Obviously we have tons of wedding oriented items to keep us busy this time of year. We are now under 3 months away. Yipeeeeee!!!

                                            

These shirts were from our 8 hour marriage prep class. Long day, but worth it, and who doesn't love a free t-shirt??

2. Making homemade cleaners. Definitely something I never thought I would try. I'm a more of the easy way out kind of gal. My wallet has been arguing about that and I decided to pick up a load of supplies that would help me make cleaners should I feel the need. I pretty much just Google what I want to clean and some sort of homemade recipe comes up. So far I would not suggest cleaning your floors with this mixture down below...no good. Streaky, stinky, not worth your time. As far as the dishwasher soap goes...I'm still up in the air about that one. 

I really hope this starts to pan out in my favor, because what on earth am I going to do with all of this stuff!!! This is probably half of my inventory. 

                                                       

3. Thinking of new and exciting ways to exhaust Mack. So far we've done runs in the rain, runs in the sleet, runs in the snow, dog park skating rink, and day care. This is after his favorite, doggy day care. It's like he's in a coma after day care! It's crazy! And of course he has to lay in this chair because it's in the room N has dubbed "mine" and I'm the favorite (: 

                                                      

4. Cooking. Something I am definitely not the best at but enjoy doing. Some people say cooking can be relaxing, which I really disagree with. I find it kind of stressful, but fun stressful. I usually do something wrong, but it still comes out edible. I made these ridiculously easy BBQ Joes I found from the Mix and Match Mama for dinner last week. N of course loved them because he loves anything meaty and saucy. Mine look really sad compared to hers so I'm not going to show you a picture. BUT I will show you what I hope to try next from her. These! I can only pray that mine come out looking like this...but anything that involves a slow cooker, I'm in. We (Nick and I) also love anything with a Mexican flair.

And because you can't end a list at number 4...

5. Staying positive. Choosing joy.

Angel or Devil?

I love my baby Mack, really I do. He's a good kid. He likes to snuggle me when N isn't home, he's a great workout buddy, and he's always there to listen to my wonderful voice belting it out to Defying Gravity. But sometimes I'm not sure if he's more of an angel or devil. 

For one thing...

N came home to this after his very first (and now only) day out of his normal kitchen quarantine. What a little devil. He only managed to defluff one pillow...but if that would've been the couch. Oh boy. Look at him sit there and try to look all innocent and cute like. 

But then...

He snuggles up with me after a long day of doggy day care and I can't help but love his little floppy angel face. 

It's hard to decide when he does the things he does, but the good obviously outweighs the naughty. In the end, I love that big goon to death and he really has completed our happy little family. It's like he's our child. If you know anyone out there with a boxer, or have one yourself...I'm sure you can completely relate. Don't we even look alike??

                                                    

Just call me the crazy dog lady. I leave you with this...now tell met his doesn't just make your Friday better...

                                                             

Think Spring everyone.

Choose Joy

I am an optimist. Like the annoying, sunshine coming out of your butt optimist. Just ask N...he'll tell ya. When he's having the worst of worst days I somehow manage to tell him something good he overlooked. This annoys him to no end-but to me I've always found it a valuable personal trait.
The problem is that lately I have not been optimistic. In fact I've been a downright C-R-A-B. At school, home, to N, to my precious Mack-a-doodle. And look at his cute little face! I just die.

Wedding planning is SO incredibly fun...but stressful too. Taking care of a hyperactive boxer is quite possibly one of my life callings...but exhausting. And keeping up a house and happy hubby-to-be is one of my favorite things...but not at the end of a 10 hour day. 
Today though...I decided to change, because today I choose joy. Every day after this I will try my absolute darndest to choose joy. Because life is certainly far too short not to be happy. I truly believe that any situation is what you make of it. So when I wake up in the morning and before I roll out of bed and watch Mack take over my warm spot, I will choose joy. Before I think a bad thought or feel bad for myself for one more second, I will choose joy. In lieu of complaints I will let you in on five small things that are trying to take my joy and find a silver lining. Here we go...

1. I can NOT wash whites for the life of me. Every SINGLE time something comes out with this weirdly shaped tan-ish stain. I have no idea what is going on. Even my mother (the queen of housekeeping) knows what I am doing wrong. 
BUT...that is just a great reason to go shopping for my 97th white v-neck. 
Because who doesn't love this look...
2. It is nearly impossible to find a veil that I like. Really...no big deal, but I thought I was such an excellent decision maker. Now all this bird cage, cathedral, fingertip length lingo is stuck in my brain all day and I'm feeling more confused than ever!!
BUT...when I get to try on my gorgeous dress in two weeks I can try them all on to my hearts content and see what looks best with it! 
OMG....sooooooo love this...or do I....
3. Why does it always seem like there is not enough time in the day to work out. I love it. Really I do, I'm not just saying that there is no better feeling than a good sore bod in the morning, but it is so darn hard to fit those babies in when there are so many other things to get done.
BUT...this gives me a great reason to try out my new bow flex weights I got for Christmas!! There's gotta be some sort of 10 minutes workout for those puppies.
New workout gear couldn't hurt either...
4. Hair appointments take so long. Like...so long that I would rather let my dirty brown roots grow in for three weeks than go. Like I'm doing now.
BUT...if I bring my new Nook from N I can have an excuse to actually read and relax while those chemicals seep into my brain and turn me blonde for two hours. 
If you don't have one...shame. Seriously the best gift I have ever gotten. 
5. This is odd, but it really annoys me to no end when I sneeze and nobody says "bless you." Yes I know it sounds Catholic-esque or whatever but really, it's JUST POLITE! 
BUT...this is just a great opportunity to post this picture of Will Ferrell because I love it. And it reminds me of my college roomie who sneezed 25 times in a row.
I guess there is one exception.

Alright everyone...let's choose joy. Shall we?