What makes me happy...........................

If you live anywhere in Williamson County, IL you know of Polar Whip. This fine establishment is known for their cheeseburgers, french fries, and a cherry coke that is "to die for". Being a year and a half into vegetarianism, I hadn't thought about Polar Whip. That was until I became pregnant. This place is all I can think about some days. One day I finally caved. I went in and asked for a cheeseburger with pickle and onion(they are so strong they could kill a donkey) but hold the burger. The person behind the counter thought I was crazy. I couldn't wait to get that greasy sack home that full of my sandwich, fries, and EXTRA large cherry coke.

I have to admit, I was one of those that said, "When I'm pregnant, I am going to eat super healthy, all organic, and no soda!" We'll I have learned that when you are sick (yes, still sick) you eat what you don't think you'll puke up 15 mins later. As far as soda goes I have a Sprite now and then but I give in to those damn Cherry Cokes at Polar Whip every time! Now when I walk in the door (at least once a week) they don't even raise an eyebrow when I order my burgerless burger. Ahhh....the little things that make me happy!

So Proud!!

Check out this amazing press release for my Aunt Pat. The release illustrates the incredible work she has done in the past 40 years in higher education. My Aunt Barb drove her to the airport for her to fly out to attend the ceremony. Sadly, she was so sick with the flu, she decided at the last moment that she was just too sick to fly!! I'm so sad for her that she wasn't there when they awarded her this honor! We are so proud of you!

Student Affairs Association Recognizes Patricia Fabiano of WWU with National Award

Patricia Fabiano

BELLINGHAM – A leading education association has recognized Patricia Fabiano, faculty member at Western Washington University, with its prestigious national Outstanding Contribution to Higher Education Award.

The award, announced at the NASPA annual conference March 9 in Chicago, recognizes those who have rendered outstanding service in programs, policies, or research that has made a national impact, and who has contributed to the broad reach of higher education. Previous honorees included U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy, former NCAA president Myles Brand, U.S. Sen. Claiborne Pell and The Chronicle of Higher Education.

“For more than 40 years, Patricia Fabiano has contributed research, programs and insights that have informed the role of student affairs in higher education today," said NASPA Executive Director Gwendolyn Jordan Dungy. “She has been in the forefront of addressing important issues such as drinking and drug abuse on college campuses, violence prevention, health and wellness education, and student empowerment.”

With over 11,000 members at 1,400 campuses, and representing 29 countries, NASPA is a professional association for student affairs administrators, faculty, and graduate and undergraduate students.

“I am grateful to every student and colleague, who together, made my life’s work in higher education so rich and satisfying,” said Fabiano.

Fabiano is a faculty member in the Student Affairs Administration program at Western’s Woodring College of Education. She has been at WWU for 20 years and served as the Student Affairs director of Prevention and Wellness Services, where she developed a model college health promotion program. While at WWU, Fabiano developed the Lifestyle Advisor Program, a nationally recognized peer health education program, and brought in nearly $4 million in federal and state grants on reducing high-risk alcohol consumption and violence prevention. She has published in the area of social justice and men’s role in the prevention of violence.

“She encourages students to explore the student affairs profession and challenges them to think critically about the current issues facing administrators today,” wrote Tina Wang in her letter nominating Fabiano for the award. Wang, who serves as assistant director for Westside Student Affairs at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Wash., was a student of Fabiano’s at WWU.

In 2005, Fabiano was selected as one of the recipients of the Northwest Regional Women’s Hall of Fame Award.

She previously served as the NASPA national co-chair of the Health in Higher Education Knowledge Community and served as the Region V Board of Directors representative for Women in Student Affairs from 2007-2010. She teaches assessment and research in the Student Affairs Administration Program, as well as courses on collaboration and cultural pluralism. Together with WWU Professor Larry Estrada and Susan Mancuso, program director for Student Affairs Administration at Western, Fabiano developed the new undergraduate minor in Diversity in Higher Education, which is designed for students considering careers and/or graduate school in higher education or in student affairs administration. She also provides consultation and professional development education to the WWU Division of Student Affairs and Academic Support Services’ DART—Division Assessment Resource Team

Attention TWLIGHT FANS!!!

Here is the OFFICIAL trailer to ECLIPSE!! It was just released this morning. Does this make you all want to read Eclipse again? I want to start on it tonight!! June 30th can't get here soon enough!

For all of you that think the Twilight phenomenon is crazy, believe me I was right there with you. I challenge you to read it and NOT get hooked. If you are looking for some spring reading, start with Twilight. Do NOT watch the movies first. Go straight to the books!

Our first glimpse........

This is our first picture!! I have to admit, this really hasn't been real to me. That was until we had our first sonogram. Reality then smacked me in the face! It was indescribable to see the monitor with this little person moving around like crazy and even sticking it's tongue out. We were simply amazed!

Alright already........

Sorry everyone for the blog hiatus. I have been so sick I have taken a break from the internet which means ALOT from me! It seems to be getting better. I have a free moment so I thought I would post some fun pictures. These are from when we told our parents. I promise I will upload the videos as well!

We had to trick my parents and say we were bringing something over for their upcoming vacation. When they opened up the gift they saw the frame. For Ryan's parents we told them we had a gift for their kitchen makeover.

I have always had these ideas of grandeur as to how I would reveal it to our parents. When it came down to it, we ran out of time and I threw this frame together. We video taped it when we told everyone. I'm so glad we did because we will never be able to re-live the moment ever again!

My parent's were shocked! My mom said that after we left they just walked around in circles saying, "Oh my gosh", over and over again.

Ryan's parents were hilarious. Angie of course went crazy and cried. Dave on the other hand was so shocked that he just sat there and shook his head. Note his face in the picture.

Some tips from the reject........

On Sunday, I decided to cook a fabulous dinner for my husband for Valentines day. I started cooking at noon and didn't sit down until 5. So with all that time in the kitchen, you would think that the dinner was a four star meal. Think again....

Here are some tips that I learned on Sunday.

Mashed Potatoes: NEVER EVER let your potatoes cool before mashing them. I had to make my buttercream twice because I failed miserably the first time. My Kitchen Aid was tied up so the potatoes sat in the pot (drained of course) for over 45 mins. I went ahead and started the mashed process adding the milk and butter. All of a sudden I noticed that the consistency turned quickly to glue. I researched it and found that the gluten relaxes turning the potatoes into a sticky bubble gum consistency. I could have literally wallpapered my house with the gunk.

Buttercream Frosting: I made a lemon curd filled, lemon cake, with lemon buttercream. I wanted to add some raspberry preserves to the frosting to add color and a little sweetness to the tart cake. Tip NEVER EVER add preserves/jam to your frosting until the very end. I added it at the beginning and the frosting turned hard and un-mixable! I threw it out and started over. I added it once the frosting was light and fluffy. (2 tablespoons will suffice for 4 cups of powdered sugar)

Halving your 8 inch cakes: This cake was 4 layers. I had to halve my cakes with my handy wire cake slicer thingy. Make sure you remove your "halves" with a large pancake spatula and not your hands! I completely turned the 4 halves into 100 pieces of crumbled mess. After working on this damn cake for four hours, you bet your but that I pieced the thing together and served it like nothing was wrong! Surprisingly, it cut really well once placed in the fridge.

The top layer...Ridiculous.

3 weeks ago..

So here is another bi-weekly stomach post. I started taking these really early on to remind myself that there is hope after 9 months!!! I remember this day because it was the first time in days I spent more than 2 mins on getting myself ready for the day. This was also the week I fell down the two freaking CARPETED stairs I have in my house! I fell and landed on my right foot. It is still really sore. I broke my pinky toe and the one beside it. Last week I fell at my mom's house. Ryan has always called me Grace. I have been really living up to it this past month.

This week the morning sickness is starting to transition from 24/7 to just at night. I usually go to bed by 7:30 because I'd rather sleep it off!

I look like a 7 week pregnant tranny. The hair could
easily pass for a Miss America contest. I've noticed the more weight I gain, the larger my hair gets and the heavier my make up gets. Look out Dolly,
I'll give you a run for your money in 7 months.

My husband

I have to take a moment to commend my husband on being, "The best man to have around when you are pregnant". When I have asked for things (food, it's always food), he has ran out and purchased them. When I have complained for the 92nd time in the same day, that I feel like death, he has comforted me. When I had nervous breakdowns over, well let's keep those nameless, he has tolerated me.

We spent Friday night and Saturday in St. Louis. Before we left I asked him if we could exchange cards on the trip since our gifts were going to be bought while up there. He gave me my card in a homemade envelope made from a file folder. Inside was this.......

I am ashamed to say I bought a crappy Hallmark card, one with a generic saying. This was by far, the coolest card I had ever received. I am amazed at how Ryan becomes sweeter and sweeter as the years go by.

I thought this was hilarious (mainly because of the pictures he chose) and endearing. I can only imagine the time it took him to make this. I loved it. It was a perfect start to our awesome trip to St. Louis.

It's a Boy!!!!!!!!

Did I fool you? I'm 2 1/2 months today, so..... no, we don't know what it is yet. Although Ryan begs to differ. Katie came over and did the pencil test. This was a test that my girlfriend Tobey did on Katie very early on and it was right. It was a boy! But seriously, there is a 50/50 chance! So we did the test and time after time it turned out to be a boy. Ryan was ecstatic and continues to tell people that "we are having a boy". My husband, a University of Illinois graduate, from the College of Engineering, who is a man of science (I'm told frequently), believes that a pencil can detect the fate of our first born. I asked him to explain to me the "science" behind it. He failed to come up with a decent hypothesis. So...for now, I will appease him and allow him to revile in the glory for another 10 weeks until we find out that it's really a girl! : )

After Katie did it, Ryan of course had to try it. Once again, it was a boy.

Ryan was anxiously awaiting the results

Let's revisit January 9th for starters.......

Alright, let me explain to you all why I have been MIA lately........

This was me 5 weeks ago.....

By now I think all of our family knows about our little secret. We found out on January 9th that we are expecting our first on September 10th!
The picture is a wonderful memory of what it feels like to feel GOOD. For the past 5 weeks, I have been sick, sick, and sick. I haven't cooked, cleaned, or got off the couch on the weekend since this picture was taken! Well, that's how I feel anyway. So there's my excuse as to why I haven't posted!! Do any of you have any idea's as to how I can kick or curb my 24 hour a day sickness? I did try Zofran. It worked amazingly well the first day I took it. After that, the damn morning sickness invited itself back! I'm still taking it with hopes that some magic happens!!

I have many more posts to come! I have been snapping pictures throughout the past month. We also have videos of our families when we told them that I am going to post!! Stay tuned. Please let me know if you have any pointers for my nausea. Thanks for sticking with me through my hiatus!!

I'm still here I swear!!

Hello everyone! (if anyone is still coming to this boring site!!) I swear I have an excuse as to why I'm not posting!! I have several really fun posts coming up! Don't give up on me! More to come......SOON!!!

Sound of Music | Central Station Antwerp (Belgium)

I know we have all seen the Flash Mob's in Grand Central Station in NY. Check this one out that takes place in Belgium. It's so super cute. These damn things always make me cry! Another one from my Aunt Barb! Thanks : )

Copy Cat

This morning at work Shadow, the boy kitty, was missing. We looked everywhere. Our office manager went to the copy machine to fix an error and she found this. Outside they were shoveling the snow and the loud noise freaked him out. This is his "special place" when there are loud noises, the bug man comes to spray, or when there are strangers in the building. How hilarious is that?

Four years ago today...........

In front of the Rockefeller Tree on January 3rd

Four years ago today we were on a plane to New York and Ryan asked me to marry him. I wish I could have gotten a picture of when it happened. I would have loved to have seen my expression! What a wonderful surprise! I love you Ry!!

Redo Number 2!!

This was a dresser that was also given to us by Ryan's grandma. I love the way it turned out. I desperately need a dresser but I like the way it looks in my sunroom. If you look closely you can see all the whitewashing remnants on the carpet. By now I thought I would have new carpet! We are now getting the house ready for our guests who are coming to spend New Years weekend with us. No more projects for a couple of days! But several more are in the making!!

Before, beautiful but not really our style


After.......I hope Grandma P likes what I did to it!

A New Year of Projects!!!!

Here is my first project of 2010 (well..almost). This table was given to us by Ryan's grandmother. No one seemed to want it and I saw huge potential in it! I have always wanted Pottery Barn's white Pedestal table for my sunroom. This one was free! I bought a new spray gun to attach to our air compressor and I did this in about an hour. I love it! I am on the search in antique stores to find my 4th chair. I love when all the chairs are different. Stay tuned. I am about to start on my next redo!! It's going to be super cute!!


Before

After!!

Awesome "Mash Up" of all of 2009's Top Hits!

You have to listen to this!! Great way to remember 2009's awesome chart toppers!!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas. I have uploaded a few of my favorite shots of the weekend. It's so sad when it's all over with. The house seems a little less magical doesn't? I refuse to put up my decorations until after New Years. We are having out of town guests over for New Years Eve and that weekend. Then I will begrudgingly take the decor down.

Me, Mom, Poppy, Nick, Ryan

Mom, Nick, and Me

Sami and I
A couple of years ago, we used to look identical. Now, we are barely looking like sisters!! She can always pull off a fun hair color. Too bad I'm not that brave.

Ryan carving the 3 turkeys he cooked!

Christmas morning, I got a wonderful Vegetarian cookbook! Loved it! I also got a new digital camera for "my blogging", Ryan said.

Ryan loves to pose.

Dave, Angie, Kyle, Me, and Ryan on Christmas Eve right after Mass. We went to the 5:30 mass and it was so packed that we had to sit behind the alter. We couldn't see anything but we could still hear. The music was amazing!!!!

The night before Christmas Eve. We went out to see some out of town friends.

Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas to all of my friends, family, and blog family! I hope that you all have a wonderful day filled with magic that Christmas brings. Lots of posts to come. Boy I sure do have a lot to catch up on!! Can't wait to see all of your Christmas posts!!!

The reason why I am M.I.A.

Here is the reason why I haven't blogged, cleaned, been eating (lost 4 lbs this week), paying attention to my wonderful husband, and staying up way to late. Alright, so I am a year late in joining this bandwagon. But when a close friend practically begged me to start reading this series I decided, "What the hell". Everyone else in the world has, I'll give it a chance.

Hello, my name is Melissa Farley and I am addicted to the Twilight series like a heroin addict is addicted to heroin. I literally can't hold a conversation with my husband or close friends without pleading with them to read it. I am on book 3 of 4. I've watched both the movies this week, which are FANTASTIC by the way, and now I have started the countdown until June 30th when the 3rd movie is released. I even bought the soundtrack and I listen to it while in the car, in the office, at home, and now with the downloaded ring tone, on my phone!! Me and my "close friend", ( I won't reveal her identity) are coming to grips that very soon we will be in mourning when we finish book 4. Has anyone been through this crazy addiction? Let me tell you, I was a HUGE skeptic. I said, "what is the freaking fuss all about with these damn books". We'll read a couple of pages and you will be HOOKED!! Please stick with me while I read book 3 and 4. After that, I will proceed in the blogging world.

I hope you all are staying warm and are finding extra warm fuzzies during this Holiday Season.

Pink Glove Dance

My Aunt Barb is the best at sending the most AMAZING videos. This is a MUST WATCH!! See what St. Vincent's hospital in Portland is doing to show their support for the cure for cancer. Simply heartwarming and a good laugh all in one. The older gentleman who is the custodian is the best, make sure to watch for him! Thanks Aunt Barb!!

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Happy Birthday Ryan!!

(Ryan three weeks before his second birthday)
Monday was Ryan's 29th birthday! We celebrated last weekend due to the gift I got him having to be delivered early. He got out of work last Friday with a note taped to his windshield letting him know he was on a scavenger hunt. The several clues led him to our favorite restaurant where I was waiting. All the clues had letters on the back that spelled out a word that would tell him what his gift was. He was thrilled about his Bears tickets and went to the game this past Sunday. Although they didn't win, again, I think he still enjoyed the game. I love you Ry! I hope you had a wonderful birthday!!

Thanksgiving came a little early this year. Since a bunch of Ryan's side is traveling to Pennsylvania for the real Thanksgiving, we decided to have a mock dinner to celebrate all together. I ran for 2 hours this morning just so I could eat a little more.

The porch was decorated so beautifully, I just had to get a quick photo.
The annual "holiday" shot.
Dave, Kyle, Angie, Me, Ryan

The annual Dave asleep 2 minutes after dinner shot. He never fails to disappoint!

Trip to U of I.........

Last weekend our friends Andy and Brooke asked us to come to the Michigan vs. Illinois game. We were so exicted to go. With Andy being a huge Michigan, Ryan an Illini graduate, and this being a HUGE rivalry game, we knew we couldn't miss it. We stopped at Jupiter's for pizza and some pre-game drinks. Illinois beat the yellow pants off Michigan by a landslide! If you have never attended a U of I football game, you must. The environment is amazing! The fans have the most amazing team spirit. We had a blast!

Love our Muck Fichigan shirts?

Boring.................

This kid has obviously read my blog this week! Talk about boring........sorry for zero posts this week. I promise some are on their way....HAPPY FRIDAY!! Doesn't it seem like the past two weeks have been dragging by? Hope you all have fantastic plans!