Fun through the eyes of a poor quality camera

Wow, what a busy past few days we have had.  I thought I would share some of the fun stuff we have been up to and a few (camera on my phone) pics.  Yes, they're sad quality because my camera goes through batteries so fast and I ran out! 

First up, V-Day.  Best part of the day was our fun dinner.  I had everything ready to go so we could eat when I got back from work.  The hubby surprised me though and dressed all fancy and had candles on the table and romantic music on the record player.

Fun, bubbly drinks!

Salad with heart shaped veggies!

Dessert, individual strawberry trifles!  So good!!!

Next up, Patrick's parents came to Chicago for the weekend to help celebrate Patrick's birthday and share with all my exciting news I have had to share.  Saturday we went to the Museum of Science and Industry.  Patrick and I could not believe this amazing place was just 4 blocks away from our quiet neighborhood.  Sunday we did a bunch of exploring in the loop downtown which involved showing off our sweet bus system.  

Scaled model of Seattle and Downtown Chicago at the museum.  SOOOO amazing.

I had heard about this chick hatchery at the museum from a sweet little 2 year old I know so it was a must see!  We didn't see one come out but we saw them poking their beaks through.  We didn't stay since it takes 4-6 hours.  

Ones that had already been hatched and moved to a different spot.  They would run like crazy then just drop down and fall asleep.

They had a special Charlie Brown exhibit we went to.  Hmm maybe I was his inspiration!

Sunday we went to the Hershey store.  I got a Hershey Mocha.  I was a little disappointed but it was still pretty good.

Sunday night we ate at the Sweetwater Tavern and Grille and Patrick got what I believe is one of the worlds tallest burgers.  He had to take off the onion rings just to get it in his mouth!

We have had such a busy past few days but filled with lots of new adventures and plenty of fun.  I even had fun in the very cold weather, but I can't lie I did keep thinking I wish it was warm I wish it was warm and then I would start calculating how much longer till the warm months would start.  So back to real life it is.  Lucky for me real life means I go start my paperwork for Bright Horizons tomorrow....never thought I'd be so (UNBELIEVABLY) excited to do paperwork!!!  Hope the start of your week is a good one.

Happy Birthday Babe

You are my everything.

You make me smile like no one else can.

You love me even when I'm in a bad mood.

You work so hard and never give up on the things that matter.

You have the world's cutest dimple.

You are extremely smart.

You have a very kind heart.

You never get sick of all the stories from my day.

You love kids just as much as I do.

You are the best snuggle buddy.

and

I'm so glad I married you.

Happy Birthday Sweetheart.  I hope you are able to enjoy this beautiful, warm, bright sunshine day and I hope you are able to see how much you are loved and cherished to so many today.

Drum Roll Please!!!!

I PASSED!!!

I showed the content subtest 3 (social studies and science) who's boss and kicked it's butt.  I got unofficial results after finishing the test, but I did want to throw it out there until it was true.  I have finally passed all the MN tests and can finally turn in all my paperwork (and of course money) and get a real MN teaching license! Of course this is only step one for getting a license in IL, but that's for another day.  I am so thankful for all of you that have helped pray me through this process and helped me not give up!  I'm thinking tonight is going to be a good night ;)

Here's the OFFICIAL proof!

Starting off February...

WITH A BANG!

Well boring January has ended and we started off our busy month of February full blown!  First up...Super Bowl!  We planned out our menu for some special treats, picked up the groceries, and I started my work in the kitchen.

First course: homemade pretzel bites and cheese sauce.  SOOO good and was totally worth all the work.

Second course: Little hot dogs wrapped in bacon and baked with brown sugar...Yes, I too am surprised we're still alive.

Side of chips please!

Guess good foodies come at a cost.  Oh my what I disaster I made.  I definitely can't wait for a bigger kitchen some day.

We had a pizza ready for course three in the freezer, but we couldn't even make it to course three because we got so full.  A very fun night filled with a good game (once the blackout happened) and good food.

This weekend Patrick's best friend Ross happened to be in Chicago and so Monday night he found his way to our apartment.  We gave him the best Chicago tour we could on Tuesday and then sent him on his way this morning.

This morning I kept our February full with the final step in the interview process with Bright Horizons.  The final step is going into a classroom for about an hour and jumping in right away so they can make sure they like the way you can interact with the kids.  I can't lie...I'm pretty sure I killed it.  The sweet 3 & 4 year olds flocked to me.  I learned how to make the letter J, dried a few tears, calmed an anxious heart, and shared secret smiles during a story.  It's interesting how easy each step of this interview process has felt even though their process is super intense and filled with steps.  Hopefully I feel that ease because I have finally found the right fit.  Everything has happened quite quickly so I'm sure I'll know by the end of this week or next week.

We have many more exciting things coming up!  A birthday, Valentine's day, and family visiting.  Cheers to the start of February and getting one month closer to warmer weather!

P.S.  Shout Out to my DEAR Friend Lauren! We've been through it all.  I can't believe we're 23!

Happy Birthday Girl!!!!!!

We Need YOUR Help!!

So the other day I saw this commercial...

"Are you Chicago's cutest couple?  If so you could win a trip for two and a Massage Envy gift card.  Enter now at WGN."

Okay, seriously I NEVER get into these contests.  Do I vote for my friend's cutest kid?  Sure.  But I never enter.  I can't lie though.  This one called screamed my name.  Yes Amanda, you are Chicago's cutest couple.  See you hear it too.  So, I entered.  With one click on the submit button, my competitive edge took over.

Now, I know you have to believe (since you are reading this) that we MUST be Chicago's cutest couple you know.  So, therefore you have to...err...get to vote for us!  This is how it works.  It started today at 2pm and goes through Feb 8th (Next Friday).  That's only 1 week of voting!  You can vote up to 100 times each day per device from what I understand.  

So for one week we ask beg you to click on your computer a few times for Chicago's sweetest most adorable CUTEST couple for the next week.  We just need to get in the top 10 of 1529 couples.  Pshh NO PROBLEM!  We got this!  We appreciate each vote so very very much!  

Link: (This should take you straight to our picture, but I believe we are #987)

http://wgntv.upickem.net/engine/Details.aspx?p=V&c=80450&s=30392468&i=1&sort=SORTORDER#SD

Qualified Part 2

Well I didn't come in my sweatpants, but I guess whatever vibe I gave off was good enough for a one-on-one interview.  So an interview was scheduled quite quickly today and I will be ironing my best sweats for 2:30 tomorrow (Tuesday).  Okay so maybe I'll pull out the black pants, but either way it's going down tomorrow afternoon.  I pray that God has His hand over my interview and all the other ones taking place, and I can be content with whatever the outcome may bring.  Thanks for your thoughts and prayers!!

Qualified?

Can you rock out the tight sweatpants such as this girl?

Then good news!  You're qualified to come to an invitation only event for those interested in working with Bright Horizons!

Confused yet?

Don't worry, Thursday night I was confused as well and was left wondering if I was at the right place.

Let me explain....

Thursday night I went to an invitation only event because they are opening a new Bright Horizons in my neighborhood!  Yes, if you were wondering I would desperately LOVE to get this job.  Although, I have found myself saying this about jobs before.  This event was to give out information about this new location and meet people/gather documents to start the selection process.  Aka step one of getting this job.  I'm about the 5th person to arrive out of almost 40, so I was able to sit, wait, and watch the fellow people I need to "beat out" (not that i'm competitive or anything).  As I watch I obviously am interested in how others are dressed to present themselves.  I was rocking out black pants and this pink sweater type shirt with a black collared shirt underneath.  I see some people dressed similar to myself.  Then I found myself taking a second glance.  There were people coming in with jeans on.  Ummm did I miss the casual memo?  I was surprised a little, but I think there always has to be one.  But then,  I found myself taking a second glance, rubbing my eyes, and taking a third and fourth glance.  Could it be?  Yes, a girl walks in with black tight sweatpants on and was obviously wearing a thong underneath...guess she had nothing to hide.  Where am I was all I could think. Only a week previously you could have found me basically crying and having a break down in New York & Company because I couldn't find anything I liked. I was having a serious emotional breakdown of how young I look.  And this girl was walking in with sweatpants?!!!!!!! May I please at least get to the next stage of callbacks?

As January finds this home pretty darn quiet, I have found myself with nothing to blog about.  I hope this story is fuel for a little laughter in your heart as it has now become the new running joke in our home when either of us puts on sweatpants.

P.S. I have something exciting to blog about but can't until it becomes official.  Look for a blog on Feb 8th at about 5:15. And no, I'm not pregnant.