Monday, April 1, 2013
Friday, March 29, 2013
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Thirty Thursday's {30}
Thirty weeks (plus a few extra) have flown by very quickly! This is the final Thirty Thursday post and I think Alex is happy that he will be taking a step back from blogging :). Without further ado:
List three things you hope to do within the next year.
Abby:
I have a lot of big idea's for myself. I always have and hopefully always will so, within the next year I hope to:
1. Run in some kind of race. I don't care if it's a 5K, half marathon or full marathon I just want to run for a finish line and have a goal (and hopefully a ribbon or trophy..or t-shirt).
2. I'd like to go on another road trip with Alex and continue our quest to see all 50 states!
3. Develop a new hobby, other than blogging and Pinterest, like knitting or painting. Something I can do on my own and feel some sort of gratification.
Alex:
Within the next year, I'd like to:
1. Get a membership to the YMCA so I could maybe run in whatever race Abby's thinking about.
2. Play a whole song very well on my guitar (which I've been playing more often lately).
3. Continue to grow the agency and be successful.
List three things you hope to do within the next year.
Abby:
I have a lot of big idea's for myself. I always have and hopefully always will so, within the next year I hope to:
1. Run in some kind of race. I don't care if it's a 5K, half marathon or full marathon I just want to run for a finish line and have a goal (and hopefully a ribbon or trophy..or t-shirt).
2. I'd like to go on another road trip with Alex and continue our quest to see all 50 states!
3. Develop a new hobby, other than blogging and Pinterest, like knitting or painting. Something I can do on my own and feel some sort of gratification.
Alex:
Within the next year, I'd like to:
1. Get a membership to the YMCA so I could maybe run in whatever race Abby's thinking about.
2. Play a whole song very well on my guitar (which I've been playing more often lately).
3. Continue to grow the agency and be successful.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
hump day humor
I stumbled upon this video on YouTube and thought it was quite funny. Enjoy!
Happy Wednesday!
Monday, March 25, 2013
My grown-up snow day!
I haven't had a snow day since high school and this morning I got a wonderful phone call, our patients for the day were being rescheduled and we had a snow day! Yesterday I did five loads of laundry, cleaned up from our wonderful weekend of house guests and completed the rest of my to do list!
So, today I get to relax and enjoy the snow! Moose loves the snow. I have to drag him inside, otherwise he'd stay and turn into an icesickle! Alex is taking a snow morning and may get some work done this afternoon!
Did you get a snow day?
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Thirty Thursday's {29}
We only have two weeks left!! Time has flown by and that means I'm going to have to come up with a new blog series soon...yikes!
Here we go, week number twenty nine....
What is one superficial benefit to being married?
Abby-
One superficial benefit to being married, for me, I've never had to take our trash to the road. Ever. It's great, every Thursday morning Alex wheels it out and when I come home from work, we're the only house in our neighborhood who has wheeled their trashcan back to it's resting place!
Alex-
Clean laundry. Abby accuses me of believing in a 'laundry fairy' because I put my clothes down the laundry shoot and on Friday afternoon's they're back in my closet all clean. It's great. I haven't done my own laundry for a very, very long time.
Here we go, week number twenty nine....
What is one superficial benefit to being married?
Abby-
One superficial benefit to being married, for me, I've never had to take our trash to the road. Ever. It's great, every Thursday morning Alex wheels it out and when I come home from work, we're the only house in our neighborhood who has wheeled their trashcan back to it's resting place!
Alex-
Clean laundry. Abby accuses me of believing in a 'laundry fairy' because I put my clothes down the laundry shoot and on Friday afternoon's they're back in my closet all clean. It's great. I haven't done my own laundry for a very, very long time.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Let me be transparent for a minute...
I have a wonderful home, it's new, exciting and sometimes it still smells like fresh paint. I have absolutely loved decorating and I have gotten, pretty much everything how I want it. Yes, there are definitely some projects left. I'd like new counter tops, a back splash and new kitchen appliances, I'd love a yellow bathroom and a barn door separating the finished and unfinished portions of the basement, I'd like white shutters and a different colored front door, this list could go on and on. But, I'll spare you my honey-do list. In due time, everything will come together as it should.
But, then I get on Pinterest and start browsing through the "home decor" section and I see all of these beautiful homes that are much more grand or differently decorated. They have all the latest design ideas and are taste-makers. There are too many great ideas for things we could have done in our home.
That's when I should put the iPad away and be happy. But, I don't. I keep going. Growing more and more discontent. I keep thinking that we should have done this or that instead of whatever we did do. This is a problem. Alex brings me back down to earth, a lot. He tells me that our house design doesn't allow for open shelving in the kitchen or a slide to the basement, which helps. However, I shouldn't have these problems. I'm being discontent, not appreciating what I do have because I'm lusting over what I don't have.
So, I'm going to go a week without Pinterest and hopefully, that will help. Here goes!
1 Timothy 6:6-8 {esv}
Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.
Philippians 4:11 {esv}
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned whatever situation I am in to be content.
But, then I get on Pinterest and start browsing through the "home decor" section and I see all of these beautiful homes that are much more grand or differently decorated. They have all the latest design ideas and are taste-makers. There are too many great ideas for things we could have done in our home.
That's when I should put the iPad away and be happy. But, I don't. I keep going. Growing more and more discontent. I keep thinking that we should have done this or that instead of whatever we did do. This is a problem. Alex brings me back down to earth, a lot. He tells me that our house design doesn't allow for open shelving in the kitchen or a slide to the basement, which helps. However, I shouldn't have these problems. I'm being discontent, not appreciating what I do have because I'm lusting over what I don't have.
So, I'm going to go a week without Pinterest and hopefully, that will help. Here goes!
1 Timothy 6:6-8 {esv}
Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.
Philippians 4:11 {esv}
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned whatever situation I am in to be content.
Friday, March 15, 2013
Happy Happy Birthday Moose!!
Moose Man Magoo is turning one today!!
We got him a few weeks old, so there is no actual birthday picture, just pictures of when we brought him home. He's the best puppy we've ever had...so he's the only puppy we've ever had, but he's pretty great. Yes, he is a tad bit wild and excited, he doesn't have the best manners when meeting house guests, he has no understanding of personal space, he chases every leaf he can, every sock is a new opportunity to play and he loves to dig and roll in the dirt/mud/snow/rain/laundry/rug/bed/couch. But, he's our little fur baby. I never thought I'd be one of "those people" who love their pet so much, but I am and I'm pretty sure Alex is too. Happy first birthday little pup!
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Thirty Thursday's {28}
We received two copies, from two different people of "The Five Love Languages" as wedding gifts. So it must be good right? It's a book about how to express your self and understand your spouse's expression's through each other's different love languages. It's written by Gary Chapman and I highly suggest it. In the book Chapman outlines five different love languages and they are:
Abby's Love Language:
My love language is quality time. I never realized how much attention I needed until I read the book/got married. I need a lot of attention and to know that when I'm talking to Alex, that he's paying attention to me and not watching tv out of the corner of his eye.
Alex's Love Language:
My love language is words of affirmation. I didn't really know that affirmation was what I was seeking until we read the book, but it clicked instantly. I need support and words of affirmation make me feel comforted and reassured. By hearing the words, I feel better and more affirmed and prefer verbal confirmation opposed to written, expressed or any other type of communication.
1. Words of Affirmation
2. Quality Time
3. Receiving Gifts
4. Acts of Service
5. Physical Touch
Abby's Love Language:
My love language is quality time. I never realized how much attention I needed until I read the book/got married. I need a lot of attention and to know that when I'm talking to Alex, that he's paying attention to me and not watching tv out of the corner of his eye.
Alex's Love Language:
My love language is words of affirmation. I didn't really know that affirmation was what I was seeking until we read the book, but it clicked instantly. I need support and words of affirmation make me feel comforted and reassured. By hearing the words, I feel better and more affirmed and prefer verbal confirmation opposed to written, expressed or any other type of communication.
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
My Favorite Things- Home Edition
I have never made a list of my favorite things, but there is a first time for everything! These are all products I own, use and love on a regular basis. Here goes!
2. I'm slowly learning to like coffee. It's taking a long time, but now I can order from Starbucks the most dressed up coffee and enjoy it. But, at home my drink of choice is hot cocoa. You can find it here.
3. Becky -my sister- got me this J.R. Watkins lotion for my birthday and I love using it! It smells so good and my skin feels so soft and smooth. You can find it at Target.
4. When we lived in Pinckneyville in our teeny tiny apartment, I began surrounding myself with a lot of little things to make the space a little more bearable. I found these little salt and pepper shakers and love using them still. You can find them here.
5. I love candles, especially vanilla flavored candles. We always have a candle lit while we're home, it makes everything smell so much better! You can find great candles here or here or here.
6. I love Anthropologie, but that's a whole other post in and of itself. But, these little berry bowls are my favorites! I use them all over our house for everything. I do use them for berries too, but where's the surprise in that? You can find them at Anthropologie or some cute knock off's at Michael's and Target.
7. In our house we have music. Always. It's not always loud or even audible, but I like music. For Christmas in my family's "Rob Your Neighbor" gift exchange, Alex scored this awesome Bluetooth speaker for any Bluetooth compatible device. After a bit of searching, I found that you can buy them almost anywhere but for a specific location, you can shop at Staples.
1. This throw is so warm and fuzzy, I could honestly stay wrapped up in it for a very long time. You can find it at Target.
2. I'm slowly learning to like coffee. It's taking a long time, but now I can order from Starbucks the most dressed up coffee and enjoy it. But, at home my drink of choice is hot cocoa. You can find it here.
3. Becky -my sister- got me this J.R. Watkins lotion for my birthday and I love using it! It smells so good and my skin feels so soft and smooth. You can find it at Target.
4. When we lived in Pinckneyville in our teeny tiny apartment, I began surrounding myself with a lot of little things to make the space a little more bearable. I found these little salt and pepper shakers and love using them still. You can find them here.
5. I love candles, especially vanilla flavored candles. We always have a candle lit while we're home, it makes everything smell so much better! You can find great candles here or here or here.
6. I love Anthropologie, but that's a whole other post in and of itself. But, these little berry bowls are my favorites! I use them all over our house for everything. I do use them for berries too, but where's the surprise in that? You can find them at Anthropologie or some cute knock off's at Michael's and Target.
7. In our house we have music. Always. It's not always loud or even audible, but I like music. For Christmas in my family's "Rob Your Neighbor" gift exchange, Alex scored this awesome Bluetooth speaker for any Bluetooth compatible device. After a bit of searching, I found that you can buy them almost anywhere but for a specific location, you can shop at Staples.
Friday, March 8, 2013
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Thirty Thursday's {27}
What is your favorite classic Disney movie?
Abby:
My favorite is Beauty and the Beast. I love the music, that they're in France and the story line. I love it all! Christmas 2011 Alex took me to the Fabulous Fox to see Beauty and the Beast in real life and it did not dissapoint. Favorite Disney movie of all time, hands down.
Alex:
Here we gooooo, third star to the right and straight on til morning. Off to Neverland....
Peter Pan is my favorite Disney Classic. He's a boy forever, he could fly and has no rules. What little boy could resist that?! Sadly, Abby has never seen the Disney version of Peter Pan...what a sheltered life.
Abby:
My favorite is Beauty and the Beast. I love the music, that they're in France and the story line. I love it all! Christmas 2011 Alex took me to the Fabulous Fox to see Beauty and the Beast in real life and it did not dissapoint. Favorite Disney movie of all time, hands down.
Alex:
Here we gooooo, third star to the right and straight on til morning. Off to Neverland....
Peter Pan is my favorite Disney Classic. He's a boy forever, he could fly and has no rules. What little boy could resist that?! Sadly, Abby has never seen the Disney version of Peter Pan...what a sheltered life.
 |
| Disney through the years |
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Thirty Thursday's {26}
Describe your other half in three words...go!
Abby says:
Alex is...Witty. Determined. Compassionate.
Alex says:
Abby is... Beautiful. Smart. Playful.
Abby says:
Alex is...Witty. Determined. Compassionate.
Alex says:
Abby is... Beautiful. Smart. Playful.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Friday, February 22, 2013
Let me be transparent for a minute...
"God will provide." This is my mantra and how I get through a lot of my days. I guess I will start at the beginning...or just November and catch you up in case you're not familiar with this chapter of our story.
November 30- We became home owners!! It was (and is) very exciting. We went from being forever renters, to thinking that maybe we should save to buy a house someday, to looking, to signing the papers to become first time home buyers within about three weeks.
December 5- We began renovating our new house! So far we have removed a wall, changed bathroom vanities, painted, layed new flooring, decorated, changed light fixtures, etc. It's a work in progress and I'm learning that it will never be done.
December 15- Alex said his good bye's at State Farm in order to start his own independant insurance agency, AW Insurance.
December 16- Alex signed a lease for an office space and began the grueling process of becoming a small business owner.
February 5- Alex's contracts all became effective so he could really begin selling insurance!!
Somewhere in there was Christmas... I believe on the 25th of December. Oh, and we went to Ikea and I became the sole provider for our family of 2 + Moose. Scary.
I know that we are living with plenty and that we are beyond blessed. We are more than making ends meet and as I write this my problems seem insignificant compared to the people in this world who live on less than $2 per day.
I'm a journaler and as I read through what I've written in the past, most of the content is about what's causing me to stress: the wedding, school, boards, finding a job, buying a house and now it's about growing up. But, one thing that remains constant throughout my journal entries is somewhere among the complaints/concerns/stresses/praises I've written "God will provide" which He has, abundantly.
November 30- We became home owners!! It was (and is) very exciting. We went from being forever renters, to thinking that maybe we should save to buy a house someday, to looking, to signing the papers to become first time home buyers within about three weeks.
December 5- We began renovating our new house! So far we have removed a wall, changed bathroom vanities, painted, layed new flooring, decorated, changed light fixtures, etc. It's a work in progress and I'm learning that it will never be done.
December 15- Alex said his good bye's at State Farm in order to start his own independant insurance agency, AW Insurance.
December 16- Alex signed a lease for an office space and began the grueling process of becoming a small business owner.
February 5- Alex's contracts all became effective so he could really begin selling insurance!!
Somewhere in there was Christmas... I believe on the 25th of December. Oh, and we went to Ikea and I became the sole provider for our family of 2 + Moose. Scary.
I know that we are living with plenty and that we are beyond blessed. We are more than making ends meet and as I write this my problems seem insignificant compared to the people in this world who live on less than $2 per day.
I'm a journaler and as I read through what I've written in the past, most of the content is about what's causing me to stress: the wedding, school, boards, finding a job, buying a house and now it's about growing up. But, one thing that remains constant throughout my journal entries is somewhere among the complaints/concerns/stresses/praises I've written "God will provide" which He has, abundantly.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Thirty Thursday's {25}
If you could have dinner with anyone in history, who would it be with?
Abby:
I would have dinner with Noah- of Noah and the Ark. Why? Because, he's Noah and he found favor with God and wasn't flooded like everyone else on Earth! And he built a ginormous boat for all of the animals that we see and know of today! I'd ask him a lot of questions, like: What did all of his peers say about him? What did the ark smell like? Were the lions nice? How long did it take to get back to "normal"? What about the dinosaurs? What did his wife think about everything and did she understand what he was doing? I'd ask him a lot of other things too...but, I'm not sure what right now, since I've got a little time until I get to meet him.
Alex:
I would have dinner with George Lucas. I am a geek at heart and love Star Wars and Indiana Jones. I choose Lucas because he has extraordinary vision in both film and business. He is experienced in Hollywood and could impart some knowledge regarding many things: movies, stories, graphics, business, fame and much more.
Abby:
I would have dinner with Noah- of Noah and the Ark. Why? Because, he's Noah and he found favor with God and wasn't flooded like everyone else on Earth! And he built a ginormous boat for all of the animals that we see and know of today! I'd ask him a lot of questions, like: What did all of his peers say about him? What did the ark smell like? Were the lions nice? How long did it take to get back to "normal"? What about the dinosaurs? What did his wife think about everything and did she understand what he was doing? I'd ask him a lot of other things too...but, I'm not sure what right now, since I've got a little time until I get to meet him.
Alex:
I would have dinner with George Lucas. I am a geek at heart and love Star Wars and Indiana Jones. I choose Lucas because he has extraordinary vision in both film and business. He is experienced in Hollywood and could impart some knowledge regarding many things: movies, stories, graphics, business, fame and much more.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Riggs goes to the dentist...
I'm famous!! I'm kidding, I'm really not. But, I was on the local St. Louis morning show, "Great Day St. Louis." One of the anchor's brought her son into the office where I work to do an interactive interview for a child's first dental visit and what you need to know as a parent. It went well and the little boy, Riggs, did great. I'll add a few of my own tips, because I work with a lot of kids for their first visit and do most of the leg work.
1. Use good associative words when discussing the dentist. Even if you're reassuring them that it "won't hurt," the word "hurt" is in their mind and they then think that there is a possibility that it could hurt.
2. Bring your child with you to one of your routine dental visits. Even if they don't have an appointment, it's important that they see the dental office and can go into the room with you to see what the hygienist and dentist do. It will give them a better understanding for when it's their turn to get their teeth cleaned. (Please ask the dental office if this is ok before doing so, some offices have strict rules)
3. Let your child brush their own teeth. Tell them how good they've done and then follow behind them to make sure the plaque is all brushed away.
4. Prevention, Prevention, Prevention! Every parent wants what is best for their child so, if you can prevent a child from having a cavity with fluoride or sealants, do it. It's in the child's best interest!
5. Be nice to your hygienist and be on time to your appointments...we're type A and OCD :)
1. Use good associative words when discussing the dentist. Even if you're reassuring them that it "won't hurt," the word "hurt" is in their mind and they then think that there is a possibility that it could hurt.
2. Bring your child with you to one of your routine dental visits. Even if they don't have an appointment, it's important that they see the dental office and can go into the room with you to see what the hygienist and dentist do. It will give them a better understanding for when it's their turn to get their teeth cleaned. (Please ask the dental office if this is ok before doing so, some offices have strict rules)
3. Let your child brush their own teeth. Tell them how good they've done and then follow behind them to make sure the plaque is all brushed away.
4. Prevention, Prevention, Prevention! Every parent wants what is best for their child so, if you can prevent a child from having a cavity with fluoride or sealants, do it. It's in the child's best interest!
5. Be nice to your hygienist and be on time to your appointments...we're type A and OCD :)
Monday, February 18, 2013
Friday, February 15, 2013
Socializing with Social Media
Social media has become one of the ultimate means for communication and to keep up with news and happenings around the world. We find information at the click of a button or swipe of a finger.
Although our happenings are not necessarily news worthy I thought it was time to add a button for you to see what is happening in our lives via Instagram. Click the button to the right (with the little camera) and you can see our (usually steady) stream of pictures. I also added a Pinterest button so you can see what I'm pinning! Happy socializing.
Although our happenings are not necessarily news worthy I thought it was time to add a button for you to see what is happening in our lives via Instagram. Click the button to the right (with the little camera) and you can see our (usually steady) stream of pictures. I also added a Pinterest button so you can see what I'm pinning! Happy socializing.
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