Thankfulness

It has been a rough couple of weeks, really most of a month, for me. I haven't felt like doing much thanks to a rough allergy season which turned into bronchitis. Or something about my asthma...all I really remember about the visit to the Dr. was that is isn't contagious(So I could still work even though I sound awful). I'm one of those flaky people who have a million questions walking in to the office visit and then can't remember to ask any of them and can't remember what the Dr. said. That's why I bring back up(poor Matt had to hold my purse). So basically this is just one of those crappy illnesses that I just have to be patient and wait it out. I haven't been a very happy camper lately as a result. I just want to take a magic pill and make it all go away. Thanks to my health conscious mother and amazing chiropractor, I know better than that. But still, very little sleep at night thanks to coughing makes for a very grumpy, even less motivated Katie. My loving husband has been very patient with me, and even more patient with getting less sleep than me and still going to work the next day.

So while I could just whine and complain about feeling crappy(and I'm sure Matt has had more than enough of that lately)...I do want to say that I am so very thankful to have the family and friends that I do. I obviously have a great husband to take care of me and encourage me to hang in there. I have some great friends like my best friend Sammy who regularly does fun things with me to get me out of my funk and Calian who always puts a smile on my face even if only texting me from Flagstaff(and makes me thankful for beautiful sunny days down here). I'm thankful for our crazy ridiculous dog who is always demanding attention in the most adorable way. I'm thankful for this house because it's a learning experience and I get to paint! I can't say that I mind having a long list of projects. And last but not least I'm just very thankful for where our lives have brought us and I'm excited for all the big things in our future.

Easter

This week we had our first holiday in our new home, which also happened to be the first holiday we've hosted ourselves. It was a great time and I enjoyed all the set up and decorating but it was quite an undertaking. All the extra space we thought we gained moving to this house seemed to disappear. The logistics of having 20 people over is confusing to say the least. I have so much respect for my mom doing this on a regular basis. That said, we were very happy to share our new home with our family and best friends for Easter. It was a very laid back day, we ate amazing food and sat on the patio. Thankfully it cooled down later in the day, it just happened to be the first weekend we had over 90 degree temperatures.

Sammy made adorable mini desserts & cupcakes

Tim in touch with his pretty side

Mama Schmitt

The kiddos were so cute, they didn't care that our backyard grass isn't growing yet. They just ran around hiding eggs in the dirt. Later we walked down to the park so they could run around, London came along and was so happy with all the attention she got the whole day. As a side note...we have also discovered that while she has many characteristics of a Husky like "talking" and digging, she is more German Shepard in her loyalty and does not take off if someone leaves the door open. We had her at the park and let go of her leash a few times, she just ran around getting attention from everyone.  Not that we're just going to let her roam around but it's nice to know that if someone let's her out on accident she won't take off and get lost as we have been warned.

Unfortunately this week hasn't been all sunshine and rainbows, I have bronchitis pretty bad. Thankfully the asthma and allergy kind not the contagious kind but I have not been a happy camper the past couple weeks. So if I've been rambling, I blame it on the cough syrup.

What a Week

 Once in awhile, it pays off to review. When I am looking for something, whether it be a restaurant or salon, I always visit Yelp first for recommendations. It comes in especially handy when we're traveling and I don't know the area. A few weeks back my best friend and I planned a girls night to see Wicked and had a less than stellar experience with a town car company. After posting a review on Yelp, I was contacted by the owner of the company with an apology and an offer to make it up to us. He definitely went above and beyond, finding us tickets to a Giants Spring Training game and giving us a ride there.

So Matt and I had a day date, which is pretty much our first weekend in a long time where we haven't had to do work on the house or other not so fun errands. It was a beautiful 80 degree day, nice and sunny. A little too sunny but we had fun. We had amazing seats, a few rows above the Giants dug out. Awesome.

This Sunday the girls all went to the Renaissance Festival. Thank goodness it was only 75 degrees since it was over 90 degrees Saturday. Sammy and I took my sister and her friend, and of course three of us had to dress up like weirdos, poor Sammy. We all got a bit of sun and met a very strange Jack Sparrow(wrong time period methinks). 

Charity & Emily

Getting sunburn

In sadder news, this week our family also had to say goodbye to the family dog. Gizmo has been a part of our family for 11 years, since I was in Jr. High. I still remember the day we got him. It seems so strange that he could get old because he's always been my puppy, even while I was busy growing up. He was my baby, always happy to see whoever walked in the door(he was a terrible watch dog), and the best snuggler. He was happiest being held like a baby or perched on the back of the couch where he could see everybody. It was so sad when he started getting sick, but I'm glad he died peacefully in his sleep and didn't have to be put down the next day. We all got a chance to snuggle him the night before, kiss his little head, and say goodbye. I'll miss my little guy, it is still strange to go to my parents and not hear him come tapping his paws down the hall to see me. Love you Gizmo(aka gizmotron, gizzy, and gismof the incredible)!

Gizmo-Halloween 2009

St. Patrick's Day

There was much fun to be had at the Ellis house this year for St. Patty's Day. We had some great friends over and Matt's family for dinner. We made corned beef sliders, green deviled eggs(NOT my idea, I could barely bring myself to eat them the green weirded me out), and corned beef & cabbage. I'm quite proud of my own cooking/baking projects. I made Concannon (from this recipe)for the first time, it turned out very yummy if I do say so myself. It was very easy, I look forward to making it again and adding some bacon. I also made rainbow cupcakes from a Pinterest idea. I have since eaten way more cupcakes then is good for me.

Pot O' Gold cupcakes

So much potatoes!

We headed out to downtown Chandler for the Irish Republic's St. Patty's Day festival. I love Irish Republic(formally Murphy's Law) but the festival ended up being too many people and not too much to do. The crazy wind didn't help. Plus I never really enjoy paying admission and then having to buy drink and food tickets on top of that. So we headed back home to watch movies and of course to take some pictures since we never remember to.

Sammy & I

Lacey & Rob with their Sears shirts

Getting sleepy, when did 11 PM get late?

Of course Matt & I didn't happen to be in any pictures together, we need to change that. Oh and that green wall was my project for the week. Didn't mean for it to get painted green in honor of St. Patty's Day, it just worked out that way! Our Irish flag has since found a new home in our outdoor bar area in progress. All our outdoor projects have been put on hold since our wonderful Arizona weather decided to turn cold and rainy for a few days. I can't wait for it to be back up to 80 degrees and sunny that's for sure.

New House!

Finally a post with actual pictures as promised. Welcome to our new house!  We have a lot of (mostly fun) work ahead of us, I look forward to looking back to these pictures as the "before".

The front of the house- We'll be doing a lot of planting and add some window coverings.

Our entry and (messy) living room area, still unpacking and rearranging. Ignore the fact I was watching Little House on the Prairie.

Our beautiful kitchen, before we moved in and had a chance to use up all the counter space.

Exciting picture of the hallway. Toward the guest bathroom, Master & guest room. Still looking for the box with all our photo "boards" to add to that wall. Our canvas made it only because I'm ridiculously protective of it. That wall is soon to be painted.

Matt's man cave, my craft room is the guest room(which is still full of boxes).

London taking up half the hallway, she does that.

Our pool! Can't wait to spend all summer right here in the sun.

Our "winter" has been wonderful, 75 degrees and sunny in February!

One more, London's favorite spot in the house.

Well there you go, our little house. I have to admit, I'm pretty in love with it already. There is a lot on our project list but I've never been happier to have so much to do. Today I'm painting! It's been so long since I've been able to paint. I grew up painting the house with my mom, every year we were painting and repainting. I think my childhood room has been five different colors. I will just have to control myself now. I'm blessed to have a husband who lets me make all the paint decisions as long as I don't make him paint. Fingers crossed it turns out alright so he doesn't take away my painting privileges.

New & Improved

As you can see, changed things up a bit! New name(cheesy just like me) and layout to celebrate this great month of March. Anyone who knows me will be familiar with my love for all things Irish so it should be no surprise that St. Patrick's Day is one of my favorite holidays and I look forward to it all month. Hooray for more craft projects!

Making some changes

It is quick blog post time. Big things happening here, we are now proud homeowners! While moving and getting settled in has been a huge crazy adventure, it is so great to know that we'll be here long term. It seems so silly to be this excited to put nails in the wall or pick out paint colors. But it's been a long time coming and it's an exciting change.

Next post will be pics of the new house, I promise. In other news...

I believe it's about time to change the name of this blog. It occurred to me recently that we aren't exactly newlyweds anymore. Now we're the comfortably married couple. When did that happen? It seems so strange to be making 2nd anniversary plans already. My blog direction(when I do remember to blog) isn't what I intended originally, it's become mostly updates on our family life. Now that we have a house with a list of projects (and a very healthy Pinterest addiction), it seems right to have a blog name that reflects this new stage.

Expect a change, and more of a commitment to posting regularly, very soon. The new name is to be decided, gotta get my creative juices flowing(and organize my art cave) first. More to come soon.