happy hearts day!

<3

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a dream.

I've always dreamed of raising my little children in a big home in the suburbs of some cute and quaint city, where people are out in their yards and children are playing in the streets, much like the neighborhood I grew up in. Friends would come over to play with my children, and leave a pile of shoes at the door. We would go on family bike rides, and, as a housewife and stay-at-home mother, I would make dinner for my family in the evenings. There would be colorful flowers in our front yard, and I would take dinner to those in need. My many children would know how much I love them, and how wonderful it was to be in love with someone by the way my husband and I acted with each other. We would be silly, and throw parties for no reason, except that it was a wonderful day. My children would watch out the window for their dad to come home from work, and he would greet them with hugs and tickles and laughs.

That's been probably my biggest dream ever since before I was a teenager. I would daydream about this on a weekly, maybe even daily basis. It's where my heart wanted to be, and I yearned for it so badly; I was excited to grow up and have that.

And today, all these years later, I still want exactly that. I want to be a stay-at-home mother and do house work and cook for my family. I want a big house where my children and I can laugh and play and work and make memories. And in a world where this dream might seem too old-fashioned, or seem to lack ambition, I believe that it's the most honorable thing a woman can do in this world. The ability to slow things down, and sit down on the floor with a child that you've created and teach them to read, or play cars with them. To find the beauty in the little things, instead of constantly being busy. 

I want my children to have siblings to play with, to fight with, and to love. I want them to have a mother and a father who are in love, and show that love every single day. I want to be there with my children when they take their first steps, or loose their first tooth, or have a bad day at school. I want them to have opportunities, and to learn about what makes me the happiest, and where they can get that happiness. I want them to know that I am their mother, and I would do anything for them.

That is my dream. 

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f is for fish & chips.

I can't believe we're already to F! For this week's date, we went to Skippers for some fish & chips. And they were really, really good. Of course, Zac and I shared a meal, like we always do (it saves money, and keeps you from overeating; it's genius, really).

When we got home, we had planned to make chocolate fondue while doing family history, until my stomach decided that it hated me. So instead, we spent the rest of the night in bed, in our pajamas, watching the latest episode of the oFFice (2 F's!), and eating ice cream, so it wasn't all that bad.

And to all those who are wondering: I got food poisoning, because I ate an old sandwich that was sitting in our fridge for lunch. And I am feeling just dandy today!

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an escape.

Last night, Zac said, "Let's go for a drive." It was much needed, so we hopped in the car and drove to Kneaders for a hot cocoa (which turned into us getting a french dip and a double fudge brownie, because we were both hungry). We talked and sat by the fireplace when we were done eating. It was really nice.

 

Afterward, neither of us wanted to go home just yet, so we drove to Target and walked around. We found these "Magic Milk Flavoring Straws" that supposedly turn regular milk into chocolate milk, so we bought them, and went home to try out the magic. They barely worked, and the chocolate inside was gross, but we drank our milk until it was gone.

 

It was such a good night, just me and Zac out on the town. It's good to be reminded of why I love him.

 

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grilled chicken sandwich.

via.

 

Today, I have 5 more hours of work left, and I am craving a grilled chicken sandwich from Chili's. Not just craving; my mind is going insane without a grilled chicken sandwich. I need it. Apparently I need more protein. And if I didn't know any better (trust me, I know better), I'd think I was pregnant.

I may have to go to Chili's today before the day is through.

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groundhog day.

Yesterday was Groundhog Day, and it's official: Spring is on its way! And I am so excited, because this winter weather has been brutal.

Another happening yesterday: Erica and Wes invited us over for a soda-tasting party to celebrate the groundhog. When we arrived, Erica and Rachel were in the laptop looking up groundhog desserts and groundhog songs to sing. We found quite a few good ones.

Erica and Wes had bought 10 gourmet sodas for all of us to taste in rounds of about three: orange soda, huckleberry, creamy lime, gingerale (with real pieces of ginger), pig iron cola, cucumber, peach, chocolate, bubble up (the original 7-up), and a raspberry soda that they made themselves! My favorite was the peach, but all of them were so good. Even the chocolate one (I thought it was going to be disgusting).

While we were tasting the pig iron cola, Wes reached for his smart glasses and gave us a lecture of how the cola came about. 

In between soda-tasting rounds, we played Liar's Dice and Blurt. Playing games with these people is so intense! The best group for board games. And while we sat there around their table in their 70's apartment, playing with dice and plastic cups, listening to records, I felt like I was in That 70's Show for just a minute. 

Cheers to a good party!

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e is for engagement & eat.

We had this week's ABC date early, and drove up to the beautiful Sundance Ski Resort last night for dinner at the Foundry Grill. This date was special, because it marked two years to the day that Zac proposed to me.

We had planned to go to the Tree Room last night, since that was the actual place where he proposed that night, but after we made reservations, they called to tell us that the entire restaurant was booked, and they had forgotten about it. To make up for it, they offered to pay for our entire dinner at the Foundry Grill, and we were like, "Mmmm... okay!"

Zac got a steak (of course), and got an entire Margherita pizza to myself (although I did share one slice with Zac). If there is anything better than regular pizza, it's fire-grilled pizza. For dessert, I got apple pie with caramel gelado (!!!), and Zac got the chocolate decadence (side note: when Zac asked our waiter what the "chocolate decadence" was, the waiter told him it was a very dense chocolate cake, and Zac's eyes just about popped out of his head).

It was such a good night, and a special one, too. These two years have flown by, and before we know it, we'll be headed back up there again for next's years January 31st date.

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