Picking Up Where We Left Off

Holy Cow it's been busy around here!  I turned 31, experienced my first professional hockey game, hosted our first guest to our new place (other than my parents), and experienced my first Duke Men's Basketball game.  Whew!  I'm tired.  All of those exciting adventures combined with a few others got me a cold and no voice.  I still sound like I work for a 1-900 # and if I would have known it was going to stick around for so long I probably would have applied.  I could have made some mad quick money.  Although I probably would have gotten fired pretty quickly when they realized I didn't have any idea what I was doing!  HA!  Can you imagine me on the other end of a 1-900 call???  Never mind don't imagine that.
Ok getting back on track.  Thankfulness...

Wednesday, November 13
Wednesday I was thankful for the reminder of how many great friends and family I have.  So many sweet birthday wishes were sent my way on Tuesday.  It's always nice to know people are thinking of you on your special day.  I was also thankful for my left-over cheesecake.  Tom kept asking what I wanted to do for my birthday and all I said was, "I don't care what we do.  I just want cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory for dessert."

So many choices!

We also went to the Carolina Hurricanes game.  My first professional hockey experience.  It was totally cool especially when the other team pulled their goalie at the end.  Also...they served coffee with Bailey's which was pretty delicious :) and kept me warm.

Thursday, November 14

Thursday I was thankful for lozenges.  My cold started with a sore throat Wednesday night and got fierce Thursday.  Lozenges were my best friend.

Friday, November 15

Friday...Friday I was thankful for a lot of things.  I was thankful for my brother.  Random I know, but I was thankful that he has such an awesome girlfriend.  Who just happened to come stay with us for a long weekend.  I was also thankful for her (Emily is her name) adventurous spirit.  And I was thankful for Billy.  Let me explain...

Emily came to stay with us for a long weekend.  Emily is a die hard UNC basketball fan.  

***sidenote: I did not know this before her arrival.*** 

 So on Thursday night when she said she was the biggest UNC fan I thought that Friday we could go check out the stadium.  She about peed her pants right in my living room just at the idea of going to see the stadium.  So Friday afternoon we drove over to UNC.  A few obstacles stood in our way that we were not prepared for.  One Vice-President Biden was on campus so security was incredibly tight.  Two it was game day and the stadium was not open to the public.  All doors locked no matter how many sad faces you pressed against them.  However, with our determination and Emily's no fear attitude and I quote, "Molly if we get arrested run I'll take one for the team!" we were not only in the stadium but on the court within an hour.

Pictures to prove it!

Thanks to a sweet old man Billy who told us we had 30 seconds and that if anyone asked us we knew him, we got to walk through the tunnel the team comes out of and stand on the court.  Emily thought she was going to throw up.  I even got excited and I could care less about UNC basketball.  It pretty much made Emily's year.

Saturday, November 16

Saturday I was thankful for another gorgeous fall day.  Emily and I planned on going to the Duke vs. Miami football game.  We never imagined we would go in short sleeve shirts and not need the hot chocolate and Rum Chata to stay warm!  It was damn near 75 degrees at kick off.  The game was awesome and Duke actually pulled out a win.  I shouldn't say actually, they are quite good this year.  I think it might have something to do with the Sports Medicine Fellow they have this year, but who knows! :)

Yes Emily did wear a Nebraska shirt to the game.  I offered her plenty of Duke gear but she was determined to get on TV wearing her Go Big Red shirt.  And no we didn't realize we both posed the exact same way!  We're losers.

Sunday, November 17
Sunday I was thankful for good conversation.  Emily and I stayed up waaaay past our bedtimes talking and I loved every minute of it.  As I said here I love Emily.  We get along so well.  She fits perfectly into our family.  I would probably disown my brother if they ever broke up (kidding Ben).

Monday, November 18
Monday I was thankful for Tom and free basketball tickets.  Tom has been working like a mad man lately.  Right now football and basketball are in season so it is quite crazy.  Last week he was in California for basketball and tomorrow he leaves for Alabama for football.  Needless to say he is exhausted.  But Monday he was such a trooper and took me to the Duke Men's Basketball game.  He may or may not have had to slam a whiskey coke just to stay awake before we left.  Late in the afternoon he got a text from someone saying there were two extra tickets for the game and did he want them.  He texted me to see if I wanted to go and of course I said YES!  Tickets are impossible to come by so when the opportunity presents itself for free ones you better jump on it quickly.  The seats were way at the tippity top of the stadium, but for the last 2 minutes Tom used his all access pass to get us where he gets to sit when he works the games.

 A pic of where our original seats were.  Yep!  WAAAAY up there!

 Ok, our new seats were pretty sweet.

After the game was over.

Tuesday, November 19

Tuesday I was thankful for a co-worker with keys.  I got myself locked out of work.  I had to sit and wait for an hour.  Thankfully my co-worker who was coming in to Train at 5:30 had keys.  I'm an idiot.  Pretty sure my boss is regretting the decision to hire me....hopefully not.

Wednesday, November 20

Yesterday!  Yay we are finally getting caught up!  Yesterday I was thankful for movie night.  Tom and I put everything else aside last night to just relax and watch a movie.  And let's be honest I didn't really have anything to put aside...it was all Tom putting his work aside for one night to spend it with me and an ok movie.  It was pretty nice snuggling on the couch.  I soaked in every moment knowing they are pretty rare this year.  Also he liked it when I used my 1-900 voice and whispered in his ear but we won't go into those details.  This is a PG-13 blog :)

Hugs and Kisses to you all!

XO XO,

Molly 

Reflections

I've learned quite a few things since starting 30 Before 30.  Some came from writing the posts, some came from hearing feedback from readers of the posts, and some just came for no reason other than to teach me a lesson.
So without further ado...
My lessons, realizations, reflections, and thoughts on turning 30

1. There is never a convenient time to have a messy house (you never know when your parents might just show up or your husband may decide that one tiny room that no one uses in your house is driving him bonkers and will freak out about it.)
2. I have a sick addiction to cookie dough (which leads into number 3)
3. There is never a convenient time to be...well..not fit.  When you have to crop out half your arm and three chins from a picture you know its time to lay off the cookie dough and hit the gym.
4.  When setting tables up for a group make sure the tables are level unless there are kids there to blame all the spilling on.
5. I love margaritas (I might have already known this but it was a good reminder)
6. My mom taught me some really good lessons growing up (like how to make donkey noises)
7. I can't hang with the big boys while playing dodgeball
8. I had a very long awkward stage while growing up
9.  Be happy in the moment and live in the moment...you never know what's in store for the future.
10.  Don't compare the past to the present...times change, people change, and fashion changes
11. My wedding really was beautiful (word of advice to those of you who are not yet married: have someone video record it...I was totally against having it recorded and now wish so badly that I had.  Oh and also spend the money for a good photographer...you don't want to end up with bulletin boards and garment bags in the background of pictures.)
12. I don't know what I would do without my puppies.  Not only do they save money on napkins, but they keep me warm when sleeping in the guest room.
13. I REALLY HAVE TO WORK ON NOT BEING SO DAMN LAZY.  I promise I am working on it.
14. I have an amazingly supportive and funny family and extended family and am so lucky to have married into Tom's family who is also amazingly supportive and funny.
15. My husband is the best thing that's ever happened to me.  He's made me a better person, he's taught me life lessons, he's by my side no matter what, and he makes me laugh daily.  I can't imagine life without him. (Side note: He doesn't read the blog because he says he lives it, so don't tell him about all the compliments and mushy crap ok???)

Thanks for taking this journey with me.  I still have a few stories that I didn't quite get to that will come out at some point.

Love to the cookie dough,
XO XO

What's Happening???

I couldn't sleep last night.  I couldn't wipe the smile off my face.  So much happened and half the time I didn't know what was happening.  It was the most perfect weekend / birthday EVER and it's all thanks to a few special people and one amazing husband.

Tom flew in late Friday night from interviews in North Carolina so we decided we would just lay low on Saturday.  And by lay low I mean Tom slept in until 12:30pm (this NEVER happens) and I didn't get out of my pj's until...well...I didn't get out of them.  Even the dogs enjoyed the day :)

Saturday night Tom told me that he had plans for us all day Sunday.  He said I needed to be up and ready to go at 8:30am in casual clothes.  He then started asking about plastic cutlery and went to the store.  When he came back he said something about the dogs going with us, so I started thinking we were going to have a picnic at the dog park (not really my cup of tea but whatevs).

Sunday morning Tom woke up extra early and came in and told me I could sleep later than 8:30 cuz it was snowing outside and things were getting a bit delayed.  So of course I took the opportunity to sleep in.  I woke up a little while later and went downstairs and started a bit of laundry.  Tom was like, "are you going to get ready?"  And I said, "do I need to be?  You haven't said anything."  So I went upstairs to get ready.  As I was standing in my bathroom in leggings and an old ragedy tank top the door bell rang.  I thought, "Who the F is ringing my doorbell on a Sunday morning?"  And didn't answer the door.  The dogs started barking and I figured they would scare whoever it was away.  Then the doorbell rang again and Tom yelled up from downstairs, "Is someone at the door?" And I yelled back, "I don't know I'm not dressed appropriately to answer the door!"  So Tom came upstairs and answered the door.  I didn't hear anything and then Tom said, "No one's here." So I thought, "Good job dogs...scared the stupid people away.  Who rings peoples doorbell at 9am on a Sunday morning anyway?"  Then all of a sudden I hear my Dad's voice say, "Happy Birthday Molly!"  I looked over and there were my Mom and Dad!  I couldn't believe it!  I had just been to see them the previous weekend and thought we had celebrated my birthday then.  They had driven all the way from Des Moines just to take me to brunch and hang out for the day.  My Mom tried to take pictures of my reaction but all she got was a hand over the camera because I was not dressed for a picture!

So Sunday we all went downtown for brunch.  That didn't come without it's drama, but that's a whole other story.  When we got back home from brunch we hung out downstairs and watched the football game and took naps.  It was super relaxing and wonderful.  Unfortunately my Dad had to work the next morning so they had to leave Sunday evening.  Even though it was just a few hours I got to spend it meant the world that they would surprise me and come up just for the day.

Then Monday rolled into town and I woke up 30.  I went to work like normal and was surprised by a beautiful flower bouquet from Ann and a crazy balloon bouquet from my parents.  Throughout the day Tom sent me some e-mails and texts telling me I needed to be dressed up and ready to go at 6:30pm.

*Side note: a few weeks previous to this Tom e-mailed me asking what I wanted for my birthday and I told him all I wanted was to go out to dinner with our friends.*

He said he had tried really hard to get everyone together, but because he had been traveling so much and because it was on a Monday it wasn't working out very well.  He said we were going to go to dinner at a Mexican restaurant I like with Eric & Kim and that Jake was probably going to meet us for drinks later.  Even though it wasn't everyone, I was still happy we were doing something.

At about 6:15pm Tom said Eric was still stuck at work and we might be leaving a bit later.  No problem I thought.  But then 5 minutes later the doorbell rang.  I thought, "gee that was quick for Eric to get off work get home and pick up Kim and get here!"  Tom answered the door and Ryan & Cristy walked in!!!  (Tom's brother and his wife).  I was like, "what are you guys going here?!?"  They said they were in the neighborhood (they live 45min. away from us) and knew it was my birthday and wanted to see me and give me my card.  I thought, how nice of them but was a bit confused as to why they would be in our neighborhood on a Monday night without their kids!  They asked what we were doing for the night and I told them we were going to dinner with Eric & Kim.  They sat down and chatted for a bit.

I got up to use the restroom and when I came out Tom said, "They're here are you ready?"  I had to put my shoes on and then was going to walk out the garage entrance.  Tom said, "Just go out the front door cuz Ryan & Cristy are gonna take off"  Ryan walked out first and Cristy & I walked out together and Tom followed.  As I walked out I saw Kim standing in our driveway with her camera and as I looked farther I saw a limo in the street!!!  I started asking Cristy what was happening and was the limo for us.  Ryan and Tom started laughing and then Ryan said, "Well I guess if you guys have a limo we can go to dinner with you!"  HAHA!  They were totally in on it the whole time!

I walked to the limo and the driver had laid out red carpet for us to walk on!  I felt like a celebrity.  When he opened the door and I poked my head inside Eric, Jake & Rachel were inside!  I pretty much started screaming and I'm sure said "Holy crap" about a thousand times.  They were all laughing at me because it was quite obvious I had NO IDEA!!!

*Another side note: Ryan & Cristy have a 5 year old and a 9 month old, and Jake & Rachel have a 2 year old and a 9 month old.  So they both had to get babysitters for this.  We never all are able to get together so this was a HUGE deal!*

As soon as I sat down in the limo Kim handed me a margarita and I'm pretty sure I had a margarita in my hand the rest of the night.  We went downtown to the Mexican restaurant I like and then the driver just drove us all around.  Kim made the most amazing cookie dough cake pops (I may or may not have had them for breakfast this morning) and we all had some. The entire night was amazing!  I'm still smiling from ear to ear just thinking about it.  It was absolutely the BEST birthday EVER!

Now, I want to take a moment to say Thank You.
Thank you to my wonderful parents who drove 7 hours in a day just to take me to brunch, watch me wipe out on the sidewalk, and take naps.  You guys are the BEST!
Thank you to Jake & Rachel for getting a babysitter and coming out.  Not that I wouldn't have been happy to just have Jake, but having Rachel there too really made it special.
Thank you to Ryan & Cristy for coming all the way from New Prauge and getting a babysitter.  You guys really had me going and I'm glad you weren't "just in the neighborhood".  I'm so lucky Ryan, to have you as my brother-in-law.  I know I can always count on you and I know that you truly think of me as your sister.  Cristy, I couldn't have asked for a better sister-in-law.  I know you're always there for me and will always take my side when Tom and Ryan are up to something :)  Oh, and thanks for making two of the cutest nephews in the world.  They make me so happy and are such a joy to be around.
Thank you to Eric & Kim probably our closest "couple" friends.  I know how much you, Kim,  helped Tom make this come together and I sincerely appreciate all you did.  Thank you for always making us laugh, Eric and for being appropriately inappropriate at all the right times :)  We love you guys!
And finally, thank you to my wonderful husband Tom.  You made this a birthday I will never forget (for multiple reasons) and I will cherish it forever.  I love you so much and can't wait to spend many more birthday's with you.

Love to you all,
30 year old Molly