.shoave...this is going to be mushy gushy.

Holy Cow!! Every year seems to just fly by, I can't believe that today Dave and I have been married for four years!(here is what we did our first three years) WHAT!?!? How did this happen? Being in any committed relationship (married or not) takes work, you have your good and your bad times. It's just how it is but it doesn't mean you love the person to your side any less! A relationship is all about accepting the others annoying habits, working through issues, supporting each other, laughing at inside jokes, and knowing what the other is thinking with just one look.

Our 3 year portrait (gansta style)

This last year has been one like no other..it's been kinda perfect. Dave and I have spent more time with each other this one year than probably any other period of time. We both quit our jobs to move to Australia and then when in Australia both of us only worked part time. Until a few months ago it was always just the two of us....literally. Every day we hung out together, either running errands,sitting at the beach, or going on adventures. And when we started to work in Australia we always had Thursday Date Nights because you know those 20 hours each week we didn't see each other were a long 20 hours!

.Visting Sydney for the first time.

.Great Ocean Road in Victoria.

I am so grateful to him for letting me talk him into moving across the world to have an adventure of a lifetime!! It's one of the things I love deeply about this man is that he wants to enjoy life to the fullest as much as I do and is willing to take risks with me. This year has been full adventures and the unknown, which we wouldn't have been able to do alone, we could only handle them together. He is there to push me forward, to calm me down, and to just plain out tell me when I am crazy. 

.WhitSundays.

.Valentines Day.

Now that we are back in the states, both working full time jobs, I find myself missing all the time we had together. We still see each other every night and probably more than other couples see each other, but it's not the same. I could spend every single day just hanging out with this kid and I miss being able to do so. Not everyone has the luck that we have, to randomly spot your other half in a bar when intoxicated! 

I hope that everyone has the ability to be with the one that balances them, that supports them, drives them crazy, kisses their forehead, holds their hand at movies, says "I love you" daily, accepts their oddities and weirdness, and willing to take on the world as a team. When you have this you have everything you need. 

.happy 4th.

Every 4th of July when I was a little kid my mom packed my sisters up into the car and we headed to Valleyfair, the only amusement park in MN. My first ride every year was to ride the ride the Merry Go Round, even when I was older I would head there out of tradition sake. We spent the blistering hot day riding rides, eating in the parking lot, splashing in the water park, and waiting for the fireworks. 

During the fireworks (and laser display) my favorite song was "Proud To Be An American" by Lee Greenwood. I would sing along and cheer when they mention the lakes of Minnesota, like any good little Minnesotan would do. Back then 4th of July was all about family, fun, and eating delicious cotton candy, fries, and funnel cake. Now as I have gotten older, I am able to appreciate and understand this wonderful holiday. I still watch fireworks and hang out with friends, but I now make sure I take time to think about all the people who have fought and laid their lives down for this country. How without their dedication, love, and pride in this country we could not be where we are today. 

.Enjoy the fireworks.  .Be Safe.  .Hydrate.

.Remember Our History. 

.june books.

I'm gonna be honest with ya...I just wasn't in the reading mood this month. I think it's because on my lunch breaks I run home to eat, chat with Dave, and do some errands instead of relaxing for the hour and reading. I may need to switch thing up a bit to get back into my reading groove. But without further ado, here are the books that I read in June (how is it already JULY!!!).

The Lucky One: Nicholas Sparks (did you see the movie?) If not, the book is about a Marine, Logan, who finds a picture of a pretty girl while in Iraq. The picture seems to be lucky because when his is in possession of the picture people around him get injured but he never does...always barely escaping. When he returns from duty he walks from Colorado to the east coast to find the girl in the picture. He keeps his secret, gets to know her, girl falls for boy...and so on. Girl has horrible ex-husband which adds to the relationship drama. It's a Nicholas Sparks book so you kind of know what to expect.

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I've Got Your Number: Sophie Kinsella  I love her books, they are always an easy delightful read about a silly girl who falls in love. The story is about a woman who loses her engagement ring (family heirloom) and then has her phone stolen. She finds a phone in the trash she takes and uses it as her own. It ends up being a company phone in which she "shares" the phone with the boss of the person who trashed it....and can you guess what happens next.  Yep, she finds the ring, her fiance is a douche, she doesn't get married, and the guy on the other end of the phone is mr. perfect. Even though it's predictable...I did cry and I did enjoy it lots!

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It Looked Different on the Model: Laurie Notaro I love Laurie Notaro, I own many of her books. She writes short little stories about her life which are hilarious and very relatable. I always feel like if I ever met her I would be friends with her. This book was filled with stories about someone stealing two trees from her porch, her mom forwarding stupid fwd. emails, and running past vans because a kidnapper can catch you.  Even though some of the stories were funny I don't find this to be as good as her other ones. It was decent..but I recommend reading some of her earlier books first. 

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The Genie and Joe Maloney: Anita Feagles This is a children's chapter book from the 60's. Since one of my 30 before 30 is to read all the books I own, I thought I would get a start and read a really easy one (plus I wanted to boast my reading number!).  This was a cute little book about Joe who lives with 3 sisters and has no boys around to play with. One day he finds a genie, who isn't the smartest, but grants him three wishes. The genie gets two of them a little bit off (magic lamp = lamp that turns on) but does find Joe a friend to play with, which was the most important wish. 

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Rune Like A Girl: How Strong Women Make Happy Lives : Mina Samuels The book started a little slow in the beginning and it took me awhile to get used to her style of writing. At first I felt like it was reading someone's research paper in college, which is not what I'm looking for in a book. However, I kept with it and it started to be pretty good. I found myself thinking about the things Samuels wrote about through out my day. Its inspiring and makes you want to get up and do something. Working out makes us balanced, healthy, happy, proud, teaches us to set goals, and I hope to be someone who continues to get out there in the world into my later years. 

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2012 Goal: 22/50 books

.Around the City: Lake Calhoun.

Last week I shared with you one of my favorite spots, Lake Harriet. Well not to far from Lake Harriet is the very (very) popular Lake Calhoun. Lake Calhoun is the biggest lake in Minneapolis and there are both walking and biking paths that connect the lakes, making it super easy to navigate and explore.

One of my favorite things about Lake Calhoun (besides people watching) is the great view of the city! I find it utterly amazing that we can have such great lakes, trails, and be part of nature within being a few mile(s) from the city. Where else can you find this?!?! I love how people come to the lake to walk, run, hang out with friends, swim, sail, and to just be seen! (if you are curious the walking path is about 3 miles around)

Around the lake their are three different beaches in which you can take a dip to cool off or work on your tan. If you aren't the swimming type you can always partake in other water sports such as renting a paddle boat, kayak, canoe, or taking a sailing lesson. Or if you are like me you can go sit on the dock, let you feet hit the water, and watch all the fish swim around. 

I think these two girls have the right idea, getting on a paddle boat and relaxing in great company. That is what the summer days are for, right? Not for working late in the office but for getting out into the summer and being with the people you love and make you happy (just remember to wear sunscreen!).  So if you are in Minneapolis grab your gear and head towards the lake for some sunshine, people watching, and good eating at the Tinfish food stand. I promise you wont' be disappointed!

Where do you like to go in the summer?

.WIW: antiquing and ice creaming it up.

Most of this outfit is new, so I was really excited to wear it. You know when you get new clothes and you are  itching to wear them as soon as possible, it was totally that moment! I think they lasted only a few days in my closet before they made it into rotation! 

This was the perfect outfit for walking around the neighborhood on a beautiful day. That day we went antiquing, ate ice-cream, and then walked over to the movie theatre (after already walking home). I am in L.O.V.E. with the vibrant green color of the skirt, it shouts SUMMER and WEAR ME!! Sooo, I will listen and wear this skirt over and over again this summer! 

.the details.

skirt & shirt: Target

sandels: Target // bag: TJ Maxx

.5 things I can't live without (right now).

A few months ago I read a book titled, " 5 Things I Can't Live Without" and it got me thinking. The book itself wasn't very good, just an easy read about dating and finding oneself, but the title...it's got something there! I have wanted to do this post for awhile but just never got around to sitting and thinking about what my 5 things would be. Soooo....finally here we go:

THESES ARE THE 5 THINGS I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT (right now): 

Dave's kisses: specifically the ones to the front of the forehead, those are always my favorite. They are so gentle, caring, and loving...sigh.

My running shoes: they bring me strength, clarity, happiness, inspiration and keep me pushing towards my goals.

Books: I love how you can grab a book, sit and relax, and the whole world disappears around you. All the problems, to do lists, and stress vanishes when I crack open a book. 

Old Family Photos: in May I got loads of old family photos from my grandma's house. I absolutely love looking at the photos from years ago, meet family members through the lens, and learning new stories and facts about family. 

On Demand: I know that this one sounds silly...but it's true, I do love our On Demand! Dave and I watch it almost every night catching up on shows that we don't get with basic cable while snuggling on the couch. Right now we are watching Homeland and ooooooooohhhhh it is sooooo good!!!

* family and friends were a given...so I didn't list them!! *

What is something you can't live without?

.Snapshot Sunday.

HAPPY TWIN CITIES PRIDE WEEK!!!!