the best surprise of my life

hmmm, how should I share this with you? I suppose I shall just tell you!

I'M PREGNANT!

I'M PREGNANT!

I'M PREGNANT!

can you tell I am SHOCKED, STUNNED, SURPRISED, ELATED?

I have been holding out since september 17th but I just can't take the secrecy anymore.

we are finally going to have a family! a little baby to bring home and love on and we get to be PARENTS!

it's an honor.

my first ultrasound is tomorrow. I am so excited. I am enjoying every moment of this. I am truly blessed to be carrying this baby. just as we were taking a few months off, my mind was rested and then...
IT HAPPENED.

I'm in my 6th week and I am loving it! all of my pregnancy bloodwork numbers are excellent (as of last week) and it's even more reason to celebrate!

a few of my favorite things: fall edition

I love to change out our pillows and bedding every few months with the seasons. I found this really great material at joann's and my mom was kind of enough to make me 6 pillow covers. I am in love with them



she also included some reusable napkins. they are my favorite. perfect size and I love the materials. I bought enough material for 70 napkins all for a total of $14!


I love homemade things!

indiana summers

one of my very favorite reasons for the beautiful indiana summers is FRESH PRODUCE. this is such a luxury to me because I have lived without gardens and farmers markets for the past 8 years. thanks to my aunt and brother/swil we have had lots of great produce! just look at the colors



and the fresh herbs are a favorite too

serious cuteness

coming to a tiny sprouts near you!

fall clothing

I'm ready for the cool air. I need clothes for it though! these are the finds I found while drinking chai and procrastinating packaging today.







it's really hard to find a vegan boot. I think these might pass



it's almost here, it's almost here...

I CAN'T WAIT!

this so makes me laugh

my husband is our housewife. he cleans, cooks and picks up after me. he was gone 8 days for a trip to florida and was home a day before he left again for chicago for a cubs game. I was happy he was able to do both things. on the home front though, our house was a little messy. I try to clean up but I am so messy and when he is not home to pick up after me, it looks like a disaster. I kindly made a list for him and found him in the kitchen doing this


and later this, and this is when I really laughed


poor guy was on the floor scrubbing it!

fall is near!

I can't begin to exclaim my excitement for fall this year. we are finally here! we get to enjoy seeing the leaves change & the crisp air for many more days than just a visit. I am really looking forward to it. that and going to this


college football is so much different than nfl. I don't understand either but I appreciate college much more. maybe because they don't make millions a year?
last week I spent a few days down south visiting my friend and mom. the drive was so peaceful.


I love being alone. I love time to reflect and just think. and to sing really loud by myself. I've been cooking and baking a lot lately. I find it very relaxing. this is my new favorite thing, spinach, artichoke, scallion & broccoli quiche


with homemade crust. delish!

sentimental reasons

erik, aka ek, is my brother in law. I have known him for almost 9 years and have grown to really love this guy. he treats my sister great and is a really great dad. there have been only a few moments that I have really been touched by him. I am not writing that to sound mean, he is just a reserved person and most times our talk is "tech" talk. the first time he made me cry was on my wedding night. my friend sent around a journal asking people to write a little note to me for good wishes or just their thoughts in general. nothing touched me like his. he wrote things he had never told me before and I was really emotional over the whole thing. I guess it is more emotional when a guy writes you things you never knew he thought about you.
the second time was last night. he was at moe's and there was a little grandma there by herself waiting in line. he stood in line with her and helped her order and then asked her to join their family for dinner. I just thought it was so sweet and such a great example for his kids to see. and just something I wanted to share!