Happy Monday...Back to the Real World

Happy Monday and what a typical Monday it was at that!

Jason and I were able to escape out of town for the weekend and have a mini vacation to Chicago so of course coming back to the reality of a 12 hour school day AND two art exams was not so joyful.

We left Friday morning for our weekend adventure and chose to drive to Chicago, honestly I have only taken the train to Chicago but since train prices have jumped to about $200 for the both of us OBVIOUSLY driving was the better choice since it only cost about $100 in fuel. It was quite an experience to try and drive around a city that we have no idea how to drive in and try to find our hotel among crazy drivers and one way streets but we managed and once we got there everything was smooth sailing. 

We had beautiful weather the whole weekend and I loved being able to experience new things for the both of us together. We were able to walked around Michigan Ave a few times exploring all of the different shops making sure we got a little something for everyone. 

Shedd Aquarium was next on our list of things to do and we had tons of fun getting to see all the different animals and species they have to offer (Note to anyone going: get the $8 ticket its not listed on the ticket prices so they talk you into the $40 ticket making you think that without it you wont get to see as much, honestly the only difference with the $40 ticket is you get a 4-D movie which we didnt go to see, stingray touch which I did but Jason didnt even touch them, and admission to the show which was only about 15-20 minutes and was kinda cool but not amazing)

Next on our list was Navy Pier in which we ate & had some cocktails at Margaritaville and boy was it good! We also were able to do some shopping and got some great buys! We created a photo with Jason's last name its called "alphabet photography" they all look amazing if your ever interested! We also made a teddy bear for Bailey to take back home and gave him a Chicago shirt. Navy pier is amazing to look at in itself but its just beautiful to walk along and view at night time with all of the lights and the skyline.

Bailey loves her "Cuddles"

Millennium Park was our other big visit, I had been here before but this was Jason's first time and I think its amazing to be in a huge city and be in such a beautiful park at the same time. The "big bean" is  located in Millennium Park and it is so amazing to see it is such a big piece of artwork that millions of people come to see it still amazes me. I also love viewing all of the other art pieces located in the park since the Chicago Institute of Art is located right next door.

All in all I'd say we had a great trip and while I love visiting the big city I very much appreciate coming home to the peace and quite and where my feet dont kill from walking miles and miles. 

So here we are back to reality of working, school, homework, and exams which is pretty much what my life will consume of this week I already have two exams under my belt and a ton of homework waiting on me and I can hear it calling my name so Im off!

Horray For the Weekend!

Here's my recap for my weekend:

1. Uncle Doug you were such a great man and loved by so many. It was amazing to see how many people made the time to come to your funeral service to remember you, amazing doesn't even quite describe it, more like surreal. You were a great husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, and firefighter. You will be greatly missed but never forgotten, RIP uncle Doug.

2. Go Hawks! I was able to go down to MSU yesterday with my brother to watch his cross country invitational, Heritage's team did phenomenal to say the least. I love to watch my brother run and see him strive to beat his personal records and improve as a runner each and every race. They boys varsity team took 4th place and their JV team took 1st place! For having hundreds of schools and over 6,000 runners I think they did pretty darn good, way to go Ethan!

3. Bailey started gym jesters and I was so excited for her :) it was interesting to say the least but I know it will get better, she started out very excited and quickly turned as we started and she realized she had to actually interact with the other kids and the instructor. Unfortunately Jason wasn't able to go with us this week but he'll be able to do it with her next week which Im really looking forward to. She loved walking on the balance beams, bouncing on the trampoline with me, and jumping into the foam pit but everything else she had no interest in. 

4. Horray for being an employee at Victoria's Secret! I accepted the position this weekend and I started training today, Im so excited to start this position and see what it has to offer me.

5. Since Jason had to work this weekend Bailey and I got to spend the day together and we went shopping! We headed out to Birch Run to hit up the outlets and get some clothes for our upcoming family photos. Afterwards we went over to my parents house so she could run around outside and play with the dogs. 

Dear Bailey...

I started this blog partially because of you. You have helped to open my eyes and its so amazing how such a little girl can have such a strong hold on my heart. I wanted for you to have memories, to be able to look back on our journey through life with you. I know that I am not your mom and I never will be (however one day I will be your step mom), I am not here to take her place and I hope you know that but what I can offer to you is lots of love, someone to talk to, and turn to when you have troubles. I want to be able to be that person for you, to spend time with whether we go shopping or you let me do your hair. Always know that I love you <3 

the beginning...

I am 23 years old and over time I thought I saw points in my life where I knew where I would be and could see what I would be doing have everything mapped out in life but like I said the key word was thought. Who knew that where Im at now and what Im doing now would be the happiest I have probably ever been, for once I am content. I may not have everything or know all the answers or be able to tell the future but Im content and Im happy and for me thats coming a long ways. If you would have asked me three years ago about my life I probably would have told you that it was great I was on the road to success I had everything that I ever could have wanted but I wasn't looking at the bigger picture I was only looking at what Audrey wanted and what she wanted right now. I've gone away to college and managed to put myself into great debt doing so only to get sidetracked give up on it all and move back home (truth is I was always homesick) but somewhere along the way I figured out my true passions for cosmetology and photography and I have found a way to pursue both. I have been married had the perfect house ready for the perfect family only to find out that every thing is not as perfect as it looks it's all material items and once all of those things run out then what is next? You cant buy love and happiness forever. Material items don't make you happy, they may distract you for a while but for things to work there actually needs to be true love and happiness. So at the ripe age of 23 I have also been divorced, that I could not have planned. I could not have predicted that I would be engaged at 20, married at 21 (almost 22) and divorced at 23 but that's how it worked out and you know what I'm ok with it. The truth is Im the one who has to deal with it not you or anyone else I'm the one who has to deal with what people think about me and I have come to terms with it.

Now I find myself one of the happiest girls in the world (so cliche I know...its true!). I have met the guy for me, my best friend, the one who laughs at me when I am being ridiculous, who doesn't always let me get my way because he knows what is best, things may not always be perfect but their perfect when we are together. And with him comes the most amazing little girl I have ever met. I never pictured myself dating someone who has kids but with Bailey it just comes naturally somehow I have all the patience in the world when it comes to her, I want to be with her all of the time and include her in all of the things we do.

I am creating this blog in order to be able to look back on important memories in life, to actually have things written down. I am writing so Bailey & Jason both have something to read and look back on and see how our family has grown. I am excited to get into the routine of writing this....let the writing begin!