Anniversary Trip - STL

We had an awesome time in St. Louis celebrating our anniversary. It was a spare of the moment trip, but we are so glad we went through with it. We needed the time together and had so much fun. We left Monday morning, of course, it was a little later than we had scheduled and of course there were many stops involved. Especially, when you leave without Matthew's shoes! The first place we hit up was the City Museum.

Arriving at the museum! Happy to be out of the car.

This museum is so much fun! I highly recommend it! Patrick put it best "it's a life size game of shoots and ladders!" If you haven't been GO and if you have been I know you agree with me! It would even be fun for a group of adults...hmmm...small group trip...I think so!

Matthew had a blast and so did we!

The entire museum is an old deserted building

and all of the building materials inside are recycled.

(Sorry for the not-so-great picture quality. The lighting inside wasn't ideal.)

Yes, this is an old plane and firetruck just literally hanging out!

Yes, this is wayyyyy past Matthew's nap!
There were several walls covered with old stamps.

There must of been 1,000,000 metal restaurant containers lining the walls.

Matthew on the train, of course!
Going down the slide!

Apparently, there is an entire roof to the museum with more things to do, like a Ferris Wheel. We did not venture out on the roof or see the World Aquarium but I have a feeling we will be going back soon.

We then went to check into our hotel. To be completely honest I was scared to death because we had booked it on Hotwire. I guess Patrick has always booked hotels through Hotwire but it is a little scary. When you search for hotels it doesn't actually tell you the name of the hotel you are looking at. Apparently, that is how they can get them for cheap, because you aren't buying the name. I was for sure we were going to end up at some dirty, scary place but it wasn't at all! We stayed at the Crown Plaza, downtown St. Louis, right across from the arch, and the pool was on the roof! I couldn't of asked for a better place to spend the night.

Our room was huge and had a great view.

We were on the 22nd floor and Matthew loved pushing all of the buttons on the elevator!

View out our window.

We enjoyed a great dinner with one of Patrick's good friends from Valpo, Al Clark.

She took us to an Irish Pub not too far from our hotel and we had a great time catching up with her. We will be seeing her, and many more Valpo friends very soon, when we take a long weekend vacation to the Dells in the beginning of August.

We went back to the hotel and enjoyed the rest of the night in the pool.

We were planning on hitting the Arch Tuesday morning before we headed back but it was just too hot. It was 105 with a heat advisory of 115. TOO HOT! So we went back to the pool and then got home just in time to eat dinner and take Matthew to VBS.

A little photo collage!

What a year (or two)!

Two-years-ago Monday, Patrick and I, celebrated our wedding day.

July 11, 2009, seems like yesterday yet at times seems like forever ago!

We had an awesome day, celebrated with great friends and family

and wonderful memories of the big day!

Wasn't he lookin' fine!?

I have to admit our first year was a lot easier than our second. I am hoping the third year is a little easier but welcome any challenges because I know we will overcome them!

Our life has changed so much in the last two years and I know there are more we will encounter.

I decided in recognition of my husband and our upcoming anniversary I would make a list of just some of the things I appreciate him for. Here goes...

10. I love how he can befriend anyone. He doesn't really care how awkward, embarrassing or strange it is. He will walk up to a complete stranger and have a 30 minute conversation about absolutely everything and nothing at all!

9. He is uber active. Almost to an annoyance but it keeps me going and I need that. I would hate to be married to a couch potato. He would much rather be swimming, taking walks, playing volleyball, golfing, taking Matthew to the park or grilling out than be glued to the tube or computer.

8. He can juggle school, work and a pretty demanding family. I am thankful that we are no longer dealing with that schedule, at least for the time being, but he did it.

Something I can say I could never do.

7. He allows me to spend time and money hitting up thrift stores and garage sales!

6. I think he is and will be an amazing RN. He cares so much about all of the patients he takes care of. It genuinely upsets him when he finds out they are not taking care of themselves.

5. Believe it or not he is a pretty amazing cook! He can grill like no other!

4. He supports me no matter what. Even if everyone else is telling me what I should be doing. He really listens to what I want and then assures me everything is going to be okay. And MOST of the time he says I am right!

3. He is an awesome father to our son. I couldn't of asked for a better dad for my children. I cannot wait to watch him at our children's school/church/sporting events.

He is and will be their biggest fan.

2. He will go to church, every single Sunday, with or without me. Even when I beg him to stay in bed he will say something like "you can stay here but I am going to see JP (our pastor)." Causing me to feel guilty and grudgingly get ready for church all to be so happy I did go in the end.

1. He chose me. Anyone that would do something that crazy must be crazy. I am such a handful. I can go from happy at one moment to so mad I can hardly talk the next. I expect a lot from him (with room for little to no error) and yet he still loves me.

Through the good, bad and the ugly mornings.

I am excited to celebrate many more anniversaries and see where the future takes us.

More of this and that...

I really need to get in a better habit of blogging because I am always thinking of good things to blog about and then when I finally get the opportunity to put it all together my mind turns to mush.

I will start with the visitor we recently had for the day, Matthew's cousin Brayden. Brayden and Matthew are the same person just 4-years apart. All I have to do it look at Brayden and I see what Matthew will be in the next few years. I think it is marvelous. Like Matthew, Brayden can be a handful, however, he is one of the most active, friendly, happy, adventurous and awesome kids I have ever met. He would much rather be exploring the world he lives in then sitting in front of the TV. I did get a few shots of both boys watching the tube, but that is just because I may have made them so that I could get things ready for the park and pool.

Do you see what I mean about their similarities?! They definitely have the very strong Kirby genes running through their little bodies!

They had so much fun together!

On to another topic: Matthew's bedroom

Here is a little timeline of his room.

Yes, it is a mess. You should probably get use to that at my house.

There is still a lot of work to be done in his room. I am so happy with the outcome though! Next item of business is to make him new curtains. It turned out looking exactly like the inspiration room from the Ikea website. And Matthew LOVES it!

The bathroom is still moving pretty slowely. My stepdad has agreed to build a vanity for the bathroom as I am having a hard time finding exactly what I want or breaking the bank doing so. Here is a vanity we will be trying to model with a few alterations.

(taken from ourhumbleabowed.wordpress.com)

We will see how it turns out!

You should check out their site.

They have a pretty awesome house

and her husband built pretty much all the awesome stuff in it.

I will leave you with a little Kirby summa time fun!

I almost forgot. Our Matthew is 100% potty trained! He stays dry at night and even woke up last night to use the restroom! No more diapers! Thank goodness!

Love Never Fails by Brandon Heath

Bathroom Update & some randoms...

I wanted to post a better photo of the bathroom that reflected the actual colors for you. Photos taken in natural light are always better. :)

...another bathroom update. Matthew has been in big boy underwear since Sunday. He did wear a diaper to bed Sunday night but last night we had him sleep in his underwear and he woke up dry! Way to go Matthew! Mommy is so proud!

As I was going through some of my photos there were a few I thought I would share.

Only my husband would make this face before being baptized! Oh Patricia!

A photo of Aimee and I only because I know she reads my blog!

This is from her bachelorette party in Chicago.

My sister, Cynthia. She is so pretty.

My brother, Ben. This was taken on our trip to Minnesota. I loved that trip!

And a shot of all three of us.

I promise, I love my little sister Claire.

I just do not take pictures of her. I will have to change that.

Also from Minnesota, almost a year ago, playing hard!

Fun in the Sun (& at Ikea)!

Last weekend, two of my good friends and I went on a little shopping trip to Chicago! We had such a great time! Kim introduced us to the world of Ikea! That place is amazing and took way to much of my money! I think I made some really great purchases though! Here are a few shots of the three of us and some of the items I came home with!

Eating lunch at Ikea! It was delicious!

Kim and Brittany being very excited!

And an action shot!

We also had fun dining at Lou Malnati's (where I had the best salad of my life!).

...and for some of the items I came home with...

This is a photo of the display from Ikea. I am waiting for the kitchen remodel before I find the perfect place to put them but I fell deeply in love with them.

This was probably my favorite purchase. It goes on Matthews bed, obviously, however, I could see how you might think Patrick would enjoy it! It is perfect because Matthew and I have been arguing about the color his room is going to be. Yes, Matthew the 3-year-old that lives here! He wants it green and I want it blue. SO....I bought green paint and I am going to paint two of the walls green and the ceiling blue with white clouds! The inspiration room is on the Ikea website! I hope it turns out looking just as good as it does on their site.

...a plant... my very wonderful friend Brittany has me hooked on succulence. I love them. So I bought one from Ikea! I bought many more things but I hate uploading photos on here. It is really a pain and I wish there was an easier way to do it! If there were I would post a lot more!

On to more fun!

Matthew's Aunt Katie and cousin Jacob (you may remember them from here)

are back and we headed to the pool this time!

Doesn't she look awesome in a swimsuit...

someday I hope to look half as amazing as she does!

Yet another hottie in a swimsuit! AND Tucker!

and last but most certainly not least...

not a great photo.

And now I will leave you with more random snapshots...

An Update: on the bathroom

Before

Progress

I'm sorry it is really bad lighting so the colors do not look great together. But hey, we have a toilet in there and that makes me happy! :)

Have a great week everyone!!!

P.S. Sorry for the poor photo quality. Most of the photos were taken on my phone.

I didn't forget you!

I know you were getting worried it was going to be another year before I updated my blog alas I am still here! A lot of stuff has been happenin'! Mostly good stuff and that is what we are going to dwell on today!

First things first. I want to redeem myself from the previous kitchen photo. It was a little messy and well embarrassing! So here is a cleaner version of the kitchen.

Before

Now

You can at least see the counter tops in this one. I am so excited to redo this room but we are still working on the bathroom. Speaking of the bathroom I also have a little photo update on that room as well.

Before

Now

I know it doesn't look a whole lot different but it is! The walls have been smoothed and one coat of paint has been applied. We did purchase a vanity and trim but sadly had to return them. Once we had them in the bathroom I hated them. So we are once again on a vanity search. I thought I wanted white trim but once we put one of the pieces in the room I hated it. It was too similar to the floor and walls. A bonus to oak wood trim is that it matches the rest of the house. So it isn't a big deal just EXPENSIVE!!!

On to another room you haven't seen yet: Matthew's room!!!

He loves it! And so do we! It fits all of his toys! We are getting ready to paint his room green. Not my first choice, but Matthew insisted. Thanks to the Huff Family for donating the funds for the paint!

We have a new addition to the family! His name is Geo! Matthew and Geo have become best friends! They are so cute together!

Geo's favorite place to hide is under Matthew's bed. When we lay Matthew down for his nap or at night Geo whines and waits at his bedroom door.

We just purchased a new bed and I am in love with it. Here is a picture (excuse the mess, you are lucky the bed is made!).

In other news, we have been trying to potty train with no luck but yesterday we had this surprise!

That's right I am the mom that takes a photo of her boy's 1st poop! And as you can tell it was a family affair: mom, dad, Matthew and Geo (and camera!). We were so excited! It only took about 40 minutes of sitting on the toilet and reading books! I was hoping he would be ready this spring so we could have a diaper free summer. I just don't think he is ready. :( And I don't want to make it a huge deal. Yes, diapers are pricey and I would rather not have the expense but one day I will miss those days...or not...

My grandparents gave me this cabinet and I am so excited to refinish it and find a good spot for it in the house!

I also have a bit of exciting news! I am going on a mission trip this summer to Belize! I am beyond happy about this opportunity. I am going with Carrie Webb who was my maid of honor in my wedding. I am hoping it is a great experience for both of us! We are going with a mission called International Servants. We will be going to the Stann Creek District and helping in schools with young children. Pray I don't kidnap one! In order to help with the funds we are having a garage sale at our home June 17 & 18. If you would like to donate some items or come out and purchase some both would be greatly appreciated!

Guess what?!?!? Patrick graduated! We don't know what to do with ourselves not having to work around his school schedule...oh that's right...the bathroom! Some of our very bestest friends came to support and celebrate the pinning!

This is the most random post ever!

I have to go vanity searching!

Thanks for stopping in and catching up with the Kirbys!