Birthday Boy

It's this handsome guy's 25th today, he's three weeks younger than I am. :) As Kyle wrote to me in my birthday letter, this is going to be the last birthday that we're apart. Kyle, I love you the most.

- From the desk of Mrs. M

Quarter Century

I turned 25 back on the 22nd of July! I'm not super into my birthday (better than being disappointed), but considering the circumstances, this one was pretty good. It was very chill; I enjoyed the royal baby crazy going on through the day (I totally called ahead of time that it would be born on the 22nd!), and met up with a few friends for dinner at Megg's, after which we went to see The Conjuring. Scary movies make me laugh, and oh how this made me laugh. I ran some errands in the morning, and got myself some frozen yogurt in the afternoon, too. As I posted on facebook, here are some of my favorites from the day. Thanks for all the love- you make my world. :)

Favorite royal baby: Duh
Favorite email/letter: Kyle
Favorite text: tie between Matt who indulged my royal baby jokes and Durwesh who told me to "please do something!"
Favorite new experience: chicken and waffles for the first time. Still confused, but not bad.
Favorite thing that made me laugh: seeing The Conjuring with Olivia and Venee, and that girl who ran squealing out of the theater.

^^Venee brought What About Cupcakes for us to split/try!^^

^^the best! big bag of veggies from Olivia's garden! Now I don't have to grocery shop for a while!^^

^^I really enjoy the creativity of movie theater carpets^^

PS- Happy belated, HRH! I look forward to celebrating every year with you. 

- From the desk of Mrs. M

2nd Birthday

You're my favorite. Thanks for being awesome kitties.

- From the desk of Mrs. M

Singing Happy Birthday

Today, a little video of my family singing Happy Birthday to my brother for his 21st birthday...




- From the desk of Mrs. M

Birthday Cake

For Kyle's birthday I made him a carrot cake, using the same recipe as the one I made for Valentine's Day. I decided to just make one layer, though, so I cut the recipe in half. I planned out a little theme for the cake too, and decorated it accordingly. I'm not that talented so it's nothing fancy, but I'm pretty pleased. All that's missing is the Jurassic Park Jeep, and maybe some limbs strewn about. I can even hear Dr. Alan Grant saying "they do move in herds." 

Stage 1: baking and design prep

Stage 2: Ice and decorate. I used walnuts and green and blue decorating sugar to create a land/water look.

Stage 3: Add dinosaurs and candles. Yes I put on 24.

 And all lit up ready for the birthday boy! He really liked it. :)

- Mrs. M

Happy Birthday!

Today Kyle turns 24! We don't have big plans, but I'm going to make him his favorite peach whiskey bbq chicken for dinner, and a carrot cake for dessert. :)

I love you!
- Wife

Turning Twenty Four

My birthday was pretty low key. We went to IHOP for breakfast as we both got up really early. Then we came home and tried to figure out more about the situation with the dogs next door. There are 2 pups (less than a year old) that live next door; they were puppies right around when we moved in. They always bark and run to us when we take out the garbage, and they enjoy watching the cats when they're out back. They are friendly, obviously starved for attention and not trained. The last I saw of anyone being at the house was Thursday evening, and I hadn't seen the dogs food/water bowls filled, or a car at the house all weekend. The dogs got out a couple times and Kyle and I brought them back to their yard. Sunday morning I went to the door and knocked to no response, and noticed pamphlets and a door hanger still there that we got at our house a few days ago; clearly nobody had been there, and nobody was looking after the dogs. So I cried and was furious, and we gave them water. Later I went to the store and got them food and fed them and filled up their water again. I decided to Monday morning call the animal shelter (closed on Sunday) or police, but this morning there is no sign of the pups next door, and no sign of anyone at the house. The gates are closed, so I'm not sure what is going on, but did someone really come get them in the middle of the night? I hope they are somewhere being taken care of, though. :/ If they return I will proceed to look into their care. 

 as little pups months ago

Aside from that, Kyle and I went to see The Dark Knight Rises, which I enjoyed very much. We got to the mall shortly after 10, and apparently things don't open until 11 or 12, so we walked around, said hi to the security guard, noted the lady mall walking, and eventually got into the movie. Afterwards we went to get Kyle a new phone! He hasn't updated for five years (little flip phone), and was pretty resistant (scared) of getting a new one, but the long and boring gate guard shifts finally convinced him otherwise. Kyle fell asleep shortly after getting home and went to bed around 5, so I hung out with the cats for the evening and didn't really sleep. 

a couple gifts from husband. random picture of my feet and movie ticket!

one of the better meals I've had at IHOP

this exists. so that is awesome. 

made for much smaller people

empty mall. pet supplies

I asked Kyle to show me where all the crazy rules were in the Bible (via Kindle). behind the counter at Verizon

sleepy boys

Thank you for the birthday wishes!

-Mrs. M

Sunday Social: In My Bag

It's my birthday, and I've been half doing birthday things (movies, out for breakfast), and half taking care of the possibly abandoned and definitely neglected dogs next door, with a side of headache and stress, so it's has been quite the day. I'll post more about the pups and birthday later, but I found this Sunday Social linkup from Meghan, and it's really just what I need today. A carefree post about purses! :) 

Favorite handbag you've ever owned:
Hmm, I'm not sure! I really like the one I was using before my current one. I like bigger bags that fit over the shoulder (I don't understand carrying bags in your hand or around your forearm. not comfortable and I like having my hands free.). I also really grew to like the one from H&M that I got and used while in Finland (I didn't have room to bring it back with me). 


Dream handbag you lust over:
The one I got today for my birthday! I've been wanting it for months, for the start of grad school in August. It's the Kelly Moore Libby bag. (thanks husband!)

Daily essentials in your purse or work bag
iphone. wallet. chapstick. pen. notepad/paper. keys. tissues. 


What's in your purse(with pictures):
Today:

1. bag from spotted moth

2. Keys (yep that's a lego man keychain that has light up feet!)

3. wallet from urban outfitters

4. glasses

5. Marimekko notebook

6. tissues (just noticed they match my planner)

7. Kindle fire

8. Erin Condren planner

9. bag with: a couple chapsticks, lip gloss, lotion, medicine, bobby pins, hair tie, hand sanitizer, tide pen, mint strips

10. iphone 

also not pictured: pens!

For grad school: I haven't started yet, so this is really planning ahead; I'll probably do another post once school gets started!

1. notbooks, folders, papers, etc

2. bag with: a couple chapsticks, lip gloss, lotion, medicine, bobby pins, hair tie, hand sanitizer, tide pen, mint strips

3. keys

4. Erin Condren planner

5. Kindle Fire

6. Marimekko notepad and post-its

7. lots and lots of pens

8. wallet

9. water bottle

10. more matching tissues

11. iphone

12. glasses

also probably: a snack or lunch box, more school supplies, 5 hour energy

 One reason I love this bag is because of the movable organization on the inside. No more fumbling around looking for everything!

I hope everyone had a good weekend!


-Mrs. M

Day 4

What's your favorite childhood memory?

Times like these you really have to focus on the good in your life. My family at home is in an unexplained and sudden state of unwraveling, and I am just glad that I've got my brothers and sister, and my own little family started here to depend on and keep me sane. I don't think I have the emotions or energy to spare sorting through my childhood to come up with my favorite memory, but here is a picture of little ol' me, on my fourth birthday in July 1992. We had just moved from Canada to California not too long before, and we were celebrating my birthday in Sunnyvale.

I'm looking forward to tomorrows prompt, so I'll be back with a more substantial post then! I may have something wedding related for you later today, also. Happy Fourth of July, friends!  :) 

S.

Birthday List

I decided to take an interest in my birthday this year (turning the big 24 on July 22), in hopes that I won't forget how old I am again. Because that happened, and I could not remember if I was 22 or 23, and had to do a little simple math to figure it out. Not again thank you! Here are a few things on my wishlist, because we all want something.

1. Elf handmade leather Muse ballet flats. I found these via bleubird and I am in love. 

2. Kelly Moore Libby bag. Purses come and purses go, but I want one that is here to stay for awhile. This is actually a camera bag company, but I've had my heart set on this bag for grad school, as it would fit everything, and has some movable organization for the inside. Kyle thinks it is too huge, but he is a boy and they fit everything they need in their huge pockets, so what does he know. It is perfect. I want. In this color. And I'd order soon before it goes out of stock again. hinthinthusband. 

3. Bonlook Griffin glasses!  With my current glasses I can see the nose bridge/pads reflecting in the glass, which is not cool; it's like there is always a smudge I can't get out. I like these simple, large, black frames. They are sort of like my first pair of glasses from 10th grade that I quite liked, but with larger lenses; the better to see you with my dear (and I have a big head). 

Some pretty flowers would also be nice, though I never know about having any plant life in the house due to the cats and the fact that Huxley likes to eat and/or knock over anything. But really, I am just glad Kyle is around this year! Last year he was in Iraq and I asked for a letter for my birthday, which he sent, but never made its way to me, sadly. We may go to Austin for kayaking and dinner. May drink something fruity. May get a tattoo...? Fun Fact: Kyle's birthday is just three weeks after mine; both born in the hot hot summer of '88.

S.