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Saturday, May 31, 2014

Anniversary Recap & Misc. Summer {Five on...Saturday?}

So glad to see another weekend roll around!  A little late linking up my Friday Five with April and the girls, but better late than never!

{one} We had a wonderful, low key anniversary!  We try to follow the traditional anniversary gifts by year, with a creative twist.  O did quite well the leather gift this year, giving me this beautiful leather Pandora bracelet!

I got him a new fishing rod...we'll pretend that has some leather on it somewhere ;)

{two} The anniversary festivities continued last night at our favorite Japanese Steakhouse!  We've accidentally made it a tradition to go there & celebrate each year.  We did it the first two, may as well keep it up.  I ate my weight in Yum Yum Sauce, flying Shrimp & Onion Volcanoes.

Let's talk about summer...first, two good things:

{three} Freshly painted Coral toes.  I'll most likely have this on my toe nails all summer long.

{four} Bare legs.  Which, if you're me, isn't always a good thing.  But I secretly started using O's Shave Butter from The Dollar Shave club, and I'll never use anything else.  Guess the secret's out ;)

AND, a bad summer moment from the week:

{five}  I'm COVERED in mosquito bites!  Arms, elbow, thigh, foot.  You name it, I've got a bite.  And they've sticking around even a week later.  Any ideas on how to make these disappear...AND, stop itching?!

Enjoy the weekend, friends!

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Three Years

Three years ago today, on a record hot day in Loudoun County, Virginia, we stood under the 5:00 evening sun and said our "I do's"




Time flies when you're having fun--I can't wait to see what year three holds for us!  Love you, O!



Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Pineapple Craze

It must be true what they say about your taste buds changing every seven years..."they" do say that, right?  I've never been much of a pineapple girl {except when it's blended into a Pina Colada...} but I recently gave it another try and I CAN'T.GET.ENOUGH.

If you follow me on Instagram {@amparsons29}, you saw that I was having one heck of a time chopping that sucker up over the weekend.  I eventually got it all cut up...  I've been eating it diced up as a snack & even grilled.  But my latest pineapple obsession?  In the form of creamy Sorbet.

With the extra day this weekend & the amazing summer weather, I decided to dust off {literally...} the ice cream maker and turn my new favorite fruit into a healthy {??} dessert!


Pineapple Sorbet

2 cups fresh chunked pineapple
2 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup pineapple juice {or water, orange juice--any liquid!}

Put all ingredients in the blender or food processor, and blend until smooth.
Pour into ice cream maker* and blend for 7-12 minutes.  Pour into a freezer safe container &


The first time I made it, I attempted to make it a little healthier by using two tablespoons of honey in place of the simple syrup.  It was good, but there was a very noticeable honey after taste.  Which wasn't bad, but I was going for full on pineapple flavor.  The second try recipe, above, was the winner for me!

*We have the KitchenAid Ice Cream Attachment that fits our mixer & I LOVE it!  

Monday, May 26, 2014

Memorial Day Weekend

Talk about a relaxing, productive weekend!  I accomplished about 50% of the things I mentioned on Friday.  We did not make it to Taste of Cincinnati, I was off the hook for fishing {apparently, I talk too much...} and poor Iz still looks like a muppet.  But, we DID end up deep cleaning the whole house, grilling out, enjoying the weather & knocking out some DIY projects, which included:

Finishing up my latest door hanger,

We installed new lights on the deck,

AND we may have taken advantage of the Memorial Day Sale at Home Depot & bought a new fridge!!  This will finally finish up the kitchen & we'll have matching appliances for the first time since we've lived here!  I can't wait for it to be delivered next week.  I've already started thinking about how I'll organize it.  #nerdalert

I'm off to enjoy the last bit of sunshine on the deck, with freshly painted toe nails, a hot dog and a cold beverage ;)  Do we really have to go back to work tomorrow?!

Friday, May 23, 2014

Five on Friday

First, thank you to everyone who commented and emailed with kind words after my post yesterday :)  It's amazing the connections blogging will bring you, and more support from friends you've never actually met in person--y'all are the best!

NOW, let's talk about this three day weekend!  I am SO glad to have a few relaxing days off!  Linking up my low key weekend plans with April & the girls!

We might stroll downtown for the Taste of Cincinnati.

I plan to spend a lot of time on the deck, enjoying the gorgeous weather, and ONLY using our grill.  On the menu?  Grilled Flank Steak with Chimichurri Sauce


We're definitely getting a haircut for this fur ball, #baddogmom

Tackling a few DIY projects that have been lingering on my to-do list for far too long & doing a little belated spring cleaning.  I think this list should cover it...anything I should add?

And I may have promised to do a little fishing with the hubs....rewind to 2009, when I caught this big guy.
He might go alone...

I hope y'all have a wonderful LONG weekend!

Thursday, May 22, 2014

What's going on...

....ORRRRR what's not going on.  I've been a bad blogger these last few months, and I promise there's a reason.  It's not a good one.  In fact, it's a really crappy reason.  I hate to be a Debbie Downer, but I try to keep things real around here.  So here's the deal: for the past 17 months we've been trying to have a baby.  Without any success, obviously.  My free time has been spent at doctors appointments, general moping, way too much Googling and working a second, part-time job to help cover these medical expenses.  {Side note: don't get a part-time job at your favorite clothing retailer.  You'll spend all of your paycheck, and then some.}

But, really.  I've struggled for months if I wanted to share this not-so-fun detail of our life.  No one wants to read about that stuff.  Except for me.  And other women who might be walking that same, dark path.  This blog documents our life.  And whether I like it or not, this is a big part of our life right now.

At the beginning of 2013, we decided we wanted to start a family.  I didn't think it would happen immediately and I knew it could take some time.  After all, some of my best friends struggled with infertility, and I saw their difficult journey.  So we threw caution to the wind and said "what happens, happens."

Fast forward 10 months, I was at my yearly visit, and it was NOT happening.  I brought it up to my doctor and she decided to do some blood work.  Lo and behold, I wasn't ovulating.  She decided to start me on fertility medication.  To be honest, I was pretty excited.  Drugs to make me ovulate?  Surely I'll get pregnant now!  Two months of tears, mood swings and 8 million hot flashes later, I {we...} we over Clomid.  And STILL not pregnant.  My doctor referred us to a specialist at that iconic one year mark.

We went to see the specialist at the end of 2013, he ruled out a few more things and determined that the problem is me.  My body just can't get with the program, on a few levels.  So we start a different fertility medication, with less side effects {yay!} injections, and monthly monitoring via ultrasound. Now, THIS will definitely get me pregnant!  Three months of this routine, I officially felt like a science experiment, and STILL no baby.

That brings us to where we are today.  We're starting a new treatment plan, one that I hope will be the answer to our prayers.  I'm so incredibly thankful for an amazing doctor, who we trust.  Friends who listen to me cry, check in with me often and know exactly how I feel.  Supportive family members...my sweet momma who cries right along with me each month when I find out I'm not pregnant.  My husband!  Oh, this guy--he's come to every appointment, put up with my irrational mood swings and has become a master shot giver ;)

So why share all of this now?  I needed to get it off my chest!  I've prayed day in and day out for 500+ days for God to bless us with a miracle, and I have faith that He will.  It is most certainly in God's hands now.  Actually, it always has been.  If you're a prayin' kind of girl, would you keep us in your prayers?  Please?  We can use all we can get.  And if someone reading this is going through something similar, please know that I pray for you!  It's a very lonely feeling, but know you are SO strong.  Stronger than you think.  Everyone can use this reminder, no matter what season of life you're in.

Let's go ahead and file this one under: "things I never thought I'd blog about..." and let's get back to the fun stuff ;)

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Three Year Houseaversary

Three years ago today, on Friday the Thirteenth, we were sixteen days from getting married and full of SO much excitement as we closed on our first home.  On that day, I had no idea all our house would "see."



This little house has been through a lot with us these last three years.  We moved in engaged and returned as husband & wife.

Not only has our little house endured countless cosmetic updates, but has survived my many DIY and Pinterest fails.

It housed us for two-thirds of O's Law School career, which we surely wouldn't have lived through in our tiny apartment.  It's seen me through job changes and tears over things that are out of my control.

This was Izzie's first yard, and Shelby's only home.

We've spent summer nights grilling out on the deck, drinking and laughing uncontrollably with amazing friends.

All of these things have made our little house a home.  Here's to many more years in our little ranch, filled with even more happiness, if that's even possible.

Friday, May 9, 2014

Five on Friday

Forgive me for being a bad blogger these last few weeks.  I've finally come out of hibernation now that the weather is warm again ;)  My evenings after work have been spent on the deck, soaking up the sun with a cold beverage!  Speaking of cold beverages...is it 4pm yet?


{one}  
I might be late to the game, but has anyone else tried these Bud Light Beer-rita's?  
I tried the Strawberry last night, and I'm still trying to decide how I feel about it...

{two}  
I'm in the mood to redecorate.  SHOCKER, I know ;)  
I'm having a hard time deciding what room to tackle.  
Because, in all reality, I want to redecorate all of them.  It's a sickness.

{three}  
The outdoor pool at our gym opens this weekend; aka: the only reason I joined said gym.  
There's nothing quite like lounging at the pool.

{four}
I'm still watching Grey's...

{five}
We have a whole lotta nothing on our agenda this weekend.
Just the way I like it.


Monday, May 5, 2014

Cinco de Mayo Menu

We LOVE Mexican food!  So naturally, I go all out with my Cinco de Mayo menu.  Here's what we'll be eating tonight:


Chicken Fajitas, with homemade Fajita Seasoning

And my FAVORITE {easy!} Margarita recipe:
Into a blender, add:
1 can of frozen limeade, slightly defrosted.
Using the limeade can as a measuring cup, add in:
1 can of Tequila
1 can of Triple Sec
1 can of water

Fill the blender full of ice & pulse until slushy.  Enjoy!

Served up in these gorgeous glasses that were on our wedding registry.  
I specifically had Cinco de Mayo in mind when I was scanning away at Crate & Barrel.

Will you be having a festive dinner tonight?!

Friday, May 2, 2014

Five on {Derby} Friday

I apparently spoke too soon a few Friday's a go when I mentioned that I was "back."  Now that the sun is out & the winter jackets are put away, I'm finally out of hibernation.  I've been crossing house projects off the to-do list, planning weekend trips, and just enjoying the warm weather!  BUT, it's a big weekend here in Kentucky.  Tomorrow is the DERBY!


We'll be wearing our big hats {or fascinators!},


Sipping Mint Juleps,

Betting on horses {Uncle Sign is my pick...I love a long shot!}

Signing "My Old Kentucky Home" {I still don't know the words...}

Andddddd maybe winning a little money ;)

Will you all be watching the Derby?!  As my dad would say, "its the most exciting two minutes in sports."
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