Enjoying...

These past two weeks I've been soaking up the things we enjoy and... appreciating. Every once in a while I feel it is so important to stop and take a look around. I feel like one of those tourists you always see at the beach walking around with a "life is good" shirt. Don't worry, I won't make that fashion faux pas. Sometimes we get wrapped up in the things that aren't perfect, we overlook all the things that make our days special. Lately, I just have a bug to stop and smell the roses.

Right now, I'm enjoying soaking up the last few weeks of summer.Going on walks with my pup, husband or neighbor. Drinking a nice cup of iced coffee on Saturday and Sunday mornings on my deck. Holding my husband's hand. My morning talks with Ma. How much I enjoy getting up and going to work. Making delicious meals with my hubs. Going to the park for a nice, peaceful run all while soaking up the beautiful scenery. I enjoy that I can get a phone call from one of my best friends all the way on the other side of the country- after not being able to catch up for a few months- and pick up right where we left off. I enjoy unwinding after a long day in my husbands arms. I appreciate the sweet notes my hubs sends during the day letting me know he is thinking about me. I appreciate how excited my pup is to see me when I walk in the door. I am thankful. Thankful for all of the blessings we have in our life. Thankful for our relationships with our family and friends. Thankful for our health. Thankful for our love.

I just asked my hubs "what are some of the things you enjoy about our life at this moment?" He said "This. Right now. Waking up in our beautiful home, spending time with our pup. Making a nice breakfast. Enjoying our days together." Very fitting. Well said, hubs. On that note, I'm off to enjoy the yummy breakfast hubs just made on our deck in the summer sunshine.

Happy weekend everyone!

Friday Letters

In just a few short hours it will be the freakin' weekend! While yes, I am excited to spend some QT with my cutie, I have MAJOR thesis writing to do, which sucks. I can't believe I said QT with my cutie. So lame.

This week actually flew by! I know, I keep talking about how much I love my job, but I really do! It's a true balance of dealing with real harassment/discrimination/EEOC issues and just plain crazies. The crazies are entertaining and make the week fly by while the true issues are challenging and allow me to develop my skills. Back to the crazies...my officemate and I often hang up the phone and look at eachother and say "WTF was that?". I think everyone in an employee relations jobs needs one of these bad boys:

Anyway, it's time for Friday Letters! I skipped the past few weeks but I'm back! Hop on over to Adventures of Newlyweds and join in on the fun!

Dear fall- I cannot wait till you come around. Don't get me wrong, I love me some summer but I'm over it. I love fall fashion, fall weather, pumpkins, crunching leaves and the start of the holidays.

Dear husband- I am loving you in glasses. I know you were unsure, but damn- lookin' good hott stuff!

Dear thesis- Get over your bad self. I have a bad case of senioritis and have no desire to write you. I'd rather concentrate on writing fun things, like blog posts! 

Bring on graduation already. 

Dear pup- you are so stinkin' cute and it rips my heart out when you turn your head to the side and look at me all sad before leaving in the morning. It's like kryptonite. Case and point:

On that adorable note, I'm out! I'm off to spend the weekend writing my thesis, spending time with my hubs and celebrating our annual "Christmas in July" (even though it's August).

Have a great weekend!
XoXo,
Caitlin



Movin' and Shakin'

Last week was busy. I was running around like a headless chicken completely calm, cool and collected. Monday through Thursday I had co-workers in from all over the country for our first complete team meeting. It was so wonderful meeting my co-workers face to face. We had some really productive meetings and awesome training. We went out to a few dinners and had a great time.

I can honestly say... I really love my job! 

This past weekend my parents came down to spend some time with us. We grilled on Friday, Dad and I kicked Hubs and Mom's butts at Kanasta, and spent quality time together. Saturday we did some home town exploring and headed down to a beach on the bay for the day right down the road. It was so beautiful and relaxing. We will definitely be doing that again! Saturday night we hosted Hubs's aunt and uncle for dinner.

Sunday we took my parents to our favorite little park for a stroll and to show them more of our area. I think they are starting to love it just as much as we do!

We said goodbye to my fam after our walk and did "homeowner things" in the afternoon. Hubs and I got to spend a nice romantic evening together last night making Sunday gravy, enjoying a movie and watching a storm roll in. While this week and weekend were busy, they were spent with some awesome people while having a really good time! Hope you guys had a great week too!!

XoXo,
Cait

Renewed, Refreshed, Revived!

We are back from vacay. Our week at the beach was perfect.



We enjoyed the scenery..

We played in the sand and the pool...

We dressed up for dinners... 

We enjoyed the beach...

We explored the new casino...

We enjoyed each other's company...

Overall, it was a great vacation with my family and friends! Looking forward to a relaxing August!

Hope everyone had as great of a week last week! Back to the grind this week- kickboxing, thesis writing and taking on new challenges at work.

Cheers!

Caitlin

P.S. Happy 5 year anniversary to my hubs! Even though we have a new anniversary, I still love to remember our first date. <3

Oh Hi, Vacay!

Today is the day we leave for vacation! I.cannot.freaking.wait! I miss my family and I am ready for 6 days on the beach- maxin' and relaxin'. I will full out admit, I live for vacations with my family. Don't get me wrong, I love those crazy beach vacations with my girls and the romantic one on one vacations with my hubs, but there is just something so inviting about a week at the beach with the people I love most- my family AND my husband! To top it off- some of our best friends, the Scotts, will be joining us for three days! YAY!  We'll lay on the beach, play games, have happy hour on the deck, explore the city, eat, drink and relax! I hope to come back recharged and ready to take on the world.
Now let's get on to those Friday Letters...

Dear Humidity- I'm gonna need you to lay low for a while. You are seriously making my not straight/not curly hair go nuts. Not pretty. Not Glamorous. Not Cool.

Dear Traffic- Please do not suck and cause me to be in the car for 3+ hours this evening. I have vacationing to get to. Greatly appreciated! -C

Dear Mama- Get ready to go for long beach runs every day this week. :) I know you'll love me for it!

Dear Husband- A whole week of fun ahead! Loves you! (Insert cheesy love song, I know.)

Dear Glass of wine waiting for me at my parents house- can't wait to meet you this evening!

Dear NJ Shore Seagulls- Be kind, back up off my picnics this week!

Dear Scott Family- Can't wait to see you Sunday! We miss you guys!

Cheers!

Caitlin

Egg Whites and Veggie Sausage?

Hope you all had a nice weekend! I know we sure did! We enjoyed spending some much needed QT with my BFF and her man (inside since it was 100+ degrees out) and spent some time with our family at our niece's birthday party. Despite the title, this post is not going to be about food. Well, not in the typical way you'd expect. This post is about my wonderful husband who remembers the little things.

My sweetie and I in front of our house

This past Friday, hubs came home from work after hitting up the grocery store. He went to get some food since we were cooking dinner for our friends that evening. While unpacking and putting things away I noticed he got egg whites (which he hates) and veggie "sausage" (which he tolerates). I asked why and he said "I knew you were out and you needed them babe". Such a sweetie. I know that sometimes my vegetarian ways can be a pain for my meat lovin' hubs, but he sure does try his best to embrace it. I know that egg whites and veggie sausage might not seem like a big deal, but it is so nice knowing that my hubs supports and encourages my healthy attempts.

Hubs, if you are reading this, thank you so much for being so sweet. I am truly blessed to have married such a wonderful man. How sweet it is to be loved by you!

xoxo
Caitlin

Where did this week go?

I am super excited that it is Friday already! I seriously have no idea where the heck this week went!

Girls weekend at the beach was awesome! So much fun boozing in a swamp the bay, getting all you can eat crabs, dancing and catching up. I love you girls!

With the fourth of July being right, smack in the center of the week- this week flew by! I think we should have off every Wednesday! It was nice to "recharge" in the middle of the week. Hubs and I didn't get to spend time together last weekend so we hung out all day Wednesday. We went for a walk at the lake and sweat our ever lovin' butts off, we lounged around and watched our new "series"- Breaking Bad, and grilled/sipped on some wine.

 "Grill Queen"

Deck Dog



:::Now onto Friday Letters::

Dear Blog: I am so sorry I neglected you this week. With the mid week day off, I was completely thrown off! I'll be back, don't you worry!

Dear Julie (BFF): you will be here in 3 hours! We cannot wait to spend the weekend with you. Don't worry, it's only going to be 110 here tomorrow. Holler. 

Dear July: slow down already! I am so not ready to blink and it be Labor Day! (#Notetoself: get ON that thesis writing.)

Dear family vacay: see you next weekend.

Dear Breaking Bad: you are seriously starting to replace my Sopranos addiction. Then again, you can only re-watch an entire series so many times. Seriously, you are good.

Dear Pup: you have got to stop doing that cute little side head turn look (?) when I leave for work in the morning. It kills me you cute little fuzz ball.

Dear dog owners: get your pups indoors this weekend! It's going to be a scorcher!

Happy weekend lovas!

xoxo

Caitlin