Love.

I know I gave you a photo overload earlier today, but I don't care. While Kevin and I were at Gray's Lake yesterday just hanging out, I of course had to pester him with a photo opportunity. Let's just say it got a little out of hand and this is what happened.

I Love Love.

It's no secret that I love proposals and I love sharing them! I saw this sweet one today on Green Wedding Shoes and thought everyone needed to see it. I love proposals even more now that I've been proposed to because I know exactly what the lucky lady is feeling and it makes me sentimental about my own engagement :).

Anywho, enough of the jibber jabber, enjoy this sweet sweet proposal!

Patrick and Kimberly (The Proposal) from Shutter Life Productions on Vimeo.

Hope you all had a great Monday (as great as Mondays can go!) I started my long-term sub job today and am so so happy about it! I love the school and the staff and the students. It's the perfect place for me and I can't wait to go back tomorrow! :)

P.S. If you're new here or just curious and want to read my own engagement, you can do so here! :)

currently.

Working On: Applications, applications, applications, applications. I filled out applications to all the large districts in the area months ago, and now I'm branching out to the smaller districts. Many districts haven't opened any jobs yet and I know I shouldn't be worrying, but I am. I put a lot of pressure on myself to succeed and right now I just don't feel like I'm succeeding. I feel like I'm in limbo and I hate that feeling. I just have a lot of anxiety about finding a job, and I'm trying to be proactive about my situation. Not having a (full time non-sub) job secured for the fall is the one thing in my life that isn't working for me. I am having control issues, I'll admit it.

Loving: The lack of responsibilities in my life. When school's over, I have the whole night to myself. No papers to grade, no homework to do, nobody to cook for. Ok, nobody that I HAVE to cook for. I can do whatever I want. I can workout without having to think about a bajillion other things I should be doing. I can craft to my heart's desire. Even though I am a little anxious, I need to relax and enjoy this time of no responsibilities. I am also loving boot camp. I know I talk about it all the time, but I am down 4% body fat and I feel great!

Thinking About: Ok, to be honest, I'm always thinking about finding a job. But we already covered that. To get my mind off that, I'm thinking about all the fun events that are happening this summer! First, I'm getting my tattoo! I'm hoping to get it drawn up this weekend and then inked in the next month or two. I am so excited! Then, our trip to San Diego with Kevin's sister Heather. I am SO excited about that! It's been almost 2 years since I left for Italy, and I'm feeling an itch to travel. When I return, I'll start my summer job nannying for the best girls I know. This was my job last summer, too, and it was the best summer job EVER! Polly Pockets, crafts, and the pool. Repeat. I'm also excited for Tonia's wedding! My dress is being altered and I'm collecting material for my maid of honor speech. It'll be here before we know it! I'm also looking forward to spending quality time with my boy, grilling out, soaking up the sunshine, reading many books, and going to many local farmer's markets.

Listening To: Fantasy Factory. Man do I love that Rob Dyrdek! If I weren't watching TV, I'd be listening to Brand New. I have been listening to them nonstop since hearing they are coming to see me in the midwest.

Eating: Nothing. But I'm hungry. I think I may have a popsicle. Dole Fruit Bars are the best thing ever. I think there are only 60 calories in 1. Of course there is no nutritional value, but I have a sweet tooth and it satisfies my cravings!

Wishing: It were the weekend. My parents AND grandparents are coming to town this weekend. We are going to do the JDRF Juvenile Diabetes walk downtown to raise money for my sis! I'm also going to get my tattoo drawn up. The weather is supposed to be rainy but luckily I will have lots of people around and lots of activities to do! Oh...we're also going wedding dress shopping :) I'm very excited!! The first time I went with my mom and I wasn't too into it. This time I am PUMPED! I feel like I could even make a purchase. Ok, that's probably not true.

Feeling: Lucky. I know that I am "worried" about my lack of job for the fall, but I realize there is so much to feel thankful for. I am in a profession that allows me to always have a job subbing. I have a job RIGHT NOW. I have a job for the SUMMER. I need to relax and just let it be. It will all work out. I am thankful to have a loving partner who is supportive of my dreams and wants me to do what makes me happy. I also have family and friends who believe in me and my talents. Life is good.

(To read other "currently." posts, you can read Katie's, Allison's, and Danielle's.)

A Sweet Proposal

I'm an avid Green Wedding Shoes reader and you probably know, and I found this proposal there today. I am a sucker for a proposal story, especially a proposal caught on tape. Seeing and hearing about couples getting engaged gets me sentimental and thinking about my own engagement.

I'm pretty sappy, and this proposal brought tears to my eyes. So thoughtful and sweet. This couple turned their proposal caught on tape into their save the date! What a sweet idea. You can read all about their proposal and their video on GWS here.

{ charlene & johan } save the date. from Chennergy on Vimeo.

I'm home sick today with a bad cold and maybe the flu? Who knows. I have a feeling being out of the classroom for a week and then coming back, I caught some germs I wasn't used to. I also think being a sub makes me more suseptible to colds, as I go from school to school and classroom to classroom. Lots of exposure. Yech. I hate feeling icky. Hopefully a day of rest will make me all better. Kevin does a good job of taking care of me when I'm sick. Sometimes you just need a little extra love when you're sick.

An Odd Anniversary

Yesterday was our 2 year anniversary. Tonia sent me a text at 10:30 last night saying, "Happy anniversary!" I turned to Kevin and said, "Honey, do you know what today is?" And he thought for a minute. Then it hit him. "Oh crap. It's our anniversary! Are you mad at me? I can't believe I forgot!" This is typical. Was I mad? No. You know why? I FORGOT, TOO!!!! I mean, what kind of a female am I, not remembering an anniversary? It's not like I had a lot on my mind, fresh off spring break, not a care in the world. I have actually been looking forward to it for a few months now!

This was our first photo ever taken together, probably a week or two after we started dating. 
Clearly, I am enamored ;)

I should have played it off like, "Of course I remembered! You have a lot of ass-kissing to do, buddy!" But instead, I was mature and admitted that I failed, too, and he was off the hook. It's surprising, because our anniversary is something he's actually very good at remembering. He can't remember my birthday, but he can always tell me the date we began dating. Being the master-celebrater-of-everything I am, I am honestly very VERY sad that I forgot. Now I have to wait a whole 'nother year for our next anniversary. Hmph.

Anyway, we know it was coming up but it just slipped our minds this week. We even had plans to celebrate it this weekend. We are going to Cedar Falls, mainly to celebrate my brothers turning 21, but also to celebrate the place we met and fell in love (warning: I'm going to start getting mushy in here). We have so many great memories in Cedar Falls of the beginning of our relationship, so I'm looking forward to revisiting those old places and being nostalgic. We're also going to go look at our wedding venues again!

I have a lot of thoughts about being together for two years. When I think about it, it doesn't seem like that long (that's a good thing, right?) I feel like I have known Kevin my whole life, it's hard to believe that it's only been 2 years! It's also weird for me to think that we're getting MARRIED and we only went on our first date 2 years ago. It's not weird in a scary way, but weird in a cool and reassuring way. It's totally true what they say, "When ya know, ya know!"

I feel so lucky that I get to spend all the days for the rest of my life with my best friend. How did I come to love this kid so much? I feel so happy and loved everyday. It's the best feeling in the world. I'm looking forward to many many more anniversaries spent with my boy. After next year, we'll have to start over with our anniversaries. Hopefully June 22nd will be a little easier to remember :)

A Homemade, Heartfelt Valentine

You didn't think I'd make it through a holiday without a craft, did you?

What I don't like about Valentine's Day is of course the commercialized aspect of it. I perused the Valentine aisle at Target yesterday just for the heck of it and didn't like what I saw. Who really wants a random teddy bear that says I love you? Or a $5 heart-shaped container of M&Ms? Valentine's Day shouldn't be a stressful holiday of trying to figure out what to get your significant other. My outlook is this: make your loved one feel loved by doing that one special thing you know he or she will appreciate. Whether it's their favorite candy, a back rub, cooking dinner, cleaning the house, taking time to go on a date, sending that extra text, or finding an excuse to write down exactly why you love them. I truly believe it's the meaning behind the gesture that makes Valentine's Day so special.

Kevin enjoys seeing the crafts I come up with so I knew he'd appreciate one I made just for him. This is by no means an original idea. It's been floating around Pinterest for awhile and I pinned it forever ago. Any excuse to be sappy and romantic is something I'm on board with. Here is my take on the idea.

(I'll give you a minute in case you need to throw up)

I also want to note that if you're looking for a last minute gift idea, this is NOT it. Maybe a last few hours gift idea you'd be ok. It was a little time consuming. Now to complete my thoughtfulness, I think I'll clean the apartment and cook dinner. Unfortunately Kevin is in the middle of busy season and won't be home until late so a romantic date is not in our future. Looks like it's chef Allie tonight! :)

Happy Valentine's Day! 

Happy Anniversary!

Today is my parents' 24th wedding anniversary! I just wanted to take a moment to congratulate them today. My dad proposed after 7 months of dating. Further, he proposed at his Christmas in front of his entire family-- the first time Mom met his whole family.

I hope I can only be as lucky to be in a long and loving relationship like my parents.

Happy Thanksgiving!

This year for Thanksgiving I will be headed back home with my fiancé to celebrate with his family, since I just saw my entire extended family a few weeks ago. Thanksgiving is at my best friend's house, which happens to be his cousin. Isn't that fun?

In the spirit of giving thanks, here is what I'm thankful for this year:

Being engaged to my best friend! I have always known I wanted to spend my life with him, and now everyone else knows it, too. I don't think I could have found a better match for me if I tried. I am thankful he makes me laugh uncontrollably everyday, tells me I'm pretty, cuddles me until I fall asleep, takes me on dates, let's me decorate the apartment with my crafts, and tells me he loves me more than anyone ever needs to hear. This week I am especially thankful he has the week off of work and has a BEARD! (He can't have one at work.)

I am thankful to be so close with my mom and talk to her nearly everyday. I am thankful she allows me to be who I am and takes an interest in my life. I am thankful she is a woman who had a career and successfully (though it can be argued my brothers were a success) raised 4 kids.

I am thankful for my dad who tells me I need a cover for the furnace and a carbon monoxide detector, and asks me how my car is running. I am thankful he raised me to be a competitor and to always do my best.

 I am thankful for my 3 siblings. I love being in a big family and having lots of people around at holidays. I look forward to a time when we all have kids and go to "grandma's" (MOM'S!) for the holidays. I am thankful to be the oldest sibling, which pushed me to always set a good example and pursue my dreams.

I am thankful for my very loving grandparents who have set a great example in love for 50 years. I am thankful for phone calls from grandma to check in and see how I'm doing. I'm thankful for zuccini bread, mashed potatoes, peas, and meat loaf. I'm thankful for grandma's catch phrases, such as "Oh for Pete's sake," "You stinker!" and "For $2 tomatoes we'll have to eat the stem and all!" I am so thankful to have 2 very supporting grandparents who came to all my athletic events, invested in my education, sent care packages when I was in college, came to visit every place I ever lived, and made me genuinely happy to be around them.

I am thankful for all the friends I made in college. I'm thankful that we stay in touch and make efforts to see each other. I am thankful for girl talks, karaoke, dancing, sleepovers, fort building, race-running, shopping, movie watching, Italy-traveling, and concert going. Special thanks to my girls Tonia Tessum, Andrea Hrubes, Erin Schmidt, Maddy Strauss, Heather Clark, Rachel Lewis, Stephanie Ewing, Jamie Rathjen, Emily Scholtes, Kristina Strong, and Hannah Peterson

I am thankful to be living in a nicer apartment than I could have imagined, with rent that's cheaper than any of my crappy college apartments

I'm thankful to be living in a new city, with lots of things to do and lots of culture to keep me occupied

I'm thankful for the gift of creativity and the motivation to create new things each week

I'm thankful to be a teacher. I am thankful for every little mind I mold, especially the naughty ones. I am so thankful to be in such a rewarding profession.

I am thankful to have 3 weeks left until I'm an official college graduate!

I am thankful for my health and the health of my family. It's something that I often take for granted, and it's important to realize I'm very fortunate

I am thankful to live in a country where I'm free to believe what I want to believe

I am thankful to be an open-minded, free-thinking individual, accepting of many different walks of life

I am thankful to be celebrating my 23rd birthday in 4 days :)

I am thankful for being cuddled up with my fiancé on the couch, fire burning, about to watch a movie, pop some popcorn, and drink some wine. Life is good.

What are you thankful for?

P.S. I always get a bunch of people on Facebook telling me they like my blog! Some people who I never thought would click my link. I am getting an especially high amount of traffic after posting our engagement. I'm sure there are others out there who frequent my blog and are not telling me :) And that's ok! I'm trying to gauge who my audience is-- if you are a follower, be sure to click the "Join this Site" link at the top left hand corner. That would really make me happy :)