Week 1...In the books

Well it's Saturday which means my first week with Bright Horizons is officially done...and I'm still alive.  Even though I did feel exhausted by the time I got done working at Sylvan this afternoon, I feel more energized than ever in a way.

"If you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life." -Marc Anthony

I received a ton of information , but while doing so I had so much fun getting to know all my new co-workers and hearing about what my days to come will be filled with. I will be surrounded with more experience than I ever imagined.  I found myself thinking many times, how on Earth did I get this job?!  I'm counting down the days and will soon be counting down the hours till little ones bring their energy into my classroom.  It looks like Thursday and Friday will be open house time to meet some families!!  

While so much excitement happened in my life this week, my heart is also heavy for a family I call my own.  My mom's best friend, Shelley (aka my second mom), lost her sister Thursday evening to cancer.  A mother, a wife, a sister, a daughter, a coffee group lady that was taken so soon in our eyes.  As many of us prayed that Lori would experience peace as she went to be with her Father in Heaven, I now ask that you pray for peace and comfort to fill her loved ones left behind in a way that only Christ can make possible as they celebrate her life and say goodbyes over the next two days. You are loved Shelley and family, and we are always here for you!

Saint Patrick's Day Chicago Style

If you're a regular on following my blog, I do apologize for it being so long.  Nothing has been happening, well expect for me running around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to get done with all the paperwork for my new job.  Conclusions: I don't have TB, I'm not a criminal, and I'm sane enough to work with children.  I literally have spent the last month doing paperwork and running it into work, then more paperwork and running it into work.  It will make this job all the more sweet once I start...TOMORROW! (kinda) Training will all that will be in store for me the next two weeks, but i'm thankful for the ease into working full-time once again.

So it's Saint Patrick's Day, in case you were not aware.  I don't get into this holiday.  Maybe it has something to do with the day being centered around red hair, wearing green, being pale, and the name "Sullivan"...all of which I'm currently associated with (yes, even I pulled a green shirt out of the back of my closet). But there is a big deal that happens in Chicago if you weren't aware. Ready for this?

THEY TURN THE RIVER GREEN!

Knowing we aren't sure how much longer we'll be in Chicago, I wasn't going to pass this up.  No matter how stinkin cold it was today, I convinced myself this was a must.  So, after church we made our way to the river.  Was it worth it?  Well, see for yourself.

TOOT TOOT!  Hello Chicago visitors!

Please excuse the hair...it was quite windy as the waves show

My Vanna White moment.  Patrick decided to take it from far away to show off the boots.

Quite green! It was cloudy mostly but when the sun tried to peek through it made it look even greener.  So that was my excitement for today.  Hopefully I'll have some more blogs soon about my new job and maybe even some pics of my classroom too!! Until next time...cross your fingers for some warmer weather.  This girl is itching to pull back out those summer dresses and flip flops!!!

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