My First Blog Award!

This bloggie world has just been overwhelmingly nice, and Elizabeth from The Life of David, Elizabeth & Peyton is yet another example of why!

My friend of the same name gave me my very first blog award!  How exciting! She is too sweet!!!  Do yourself a favor and go check out her blog.  Her little fur-child is way more than just cute!

This award says I'm supposed to list seven random facts about me.  I'm sure I'll think of better stuff as soon as I hit publish, but anywho, here goes:

{1}

In May of 1999, Nick Lachey pulled me up onstage at a 98 Degrees concert and danced with me.  Jeff then got down on one knee and sang me a song.  Then ... do you know what I did??  My mind was in such a state of shock (remember ... I was a crazy fan) that when he got up I thought it was a good idea to pop a smooch on his cheek!  Oh my heavens ... he probably thought I was so weird.  But, he did have a lipstick mark on his cheek for the rest of the concert. ;-)  At the time, I called it "the highlight of my life."  Well, needless to say, the "highlight of my life" actually took place on May 28, 2005. :-)

{2}

My fingers are "double-jointed" and I can do some crazy moves with them.  In fact, I have to try REALLY hard to make my ring fingers straight.  They hyperextend just naturally. 

{3}

I was a gymnast for five years and a cheerleader for seven.  I still walk on my hands occasionally. ;-)

{4}

I used to want to be the next Katie Couric.  Well, obviously my aspirations changed.  I got the New York City part of it, but instead of Katie Couric, I just want to be a darn good dentist.  :-)

{5}

Unlike the rest of the planet, I have never seen Star Wars or Pretty Woman.  Apparently, I'm missing out?  Guess I'll have to put it on my summer to-do list.

{6}

I was the commencement speaker for my high school graduation.

{7}

My parent's house (the house where I grew up) is a red schoolhouse from the 1800s.  You can still ring the bell on the roof and, if you were to peel off the wallpaper, you would still see chalkboards on the walls.  I could go on forever about all its charm.  I LOVE that house and I always look forward to going home!

I'm thrilled to be able to pass this award to ...

Megan at Two Dogs and a Baby

Jamie at This Kind of Love

Kari at The Adventures of One Crazy Lady

Gabriella at Two Peeps and a Pooch

Pink Julep at Pink Julep Abroad

Thanks again, Elizabeth!!

How 'Bout Them Cats?!

After an exciting game last night, my alma mater {for undergrad} has moved on to the Elite 8!

Here's to hoping they can pull off another win tomorrow night!

GOOOOOO CATS!!!!!!

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

It's that time of week again -- a time to reflect on all the positives in life, even if it is just the small stuff! :-)

Thanks, Jamie, for another What I'm Loving Wednesday link up party!

I'M LOVING this little decorative setup I made in our bathroom!  It's simple, makes a statement, and goes well with the decor theme.  I found the Eiffel Tower in the dollar section at Target{!} and painted it black.  The votive candle and holder cost about two bucks.  The cake stand was a wedding gift.  The rose picture came from Picasa, and its frame was a cheap Pier 1 find.  Smiles for spending little moolah! :-D

I'M LOVING that we were actually able to get Sister Act Broadway tickets for when my mom, sis and sis-in-law are here {in a week-a-and-half}!  They really wanted to see it, so I'm glad we could find a decent discount. {Huge thanks, mom!!!}  This means I'll see the show two weekends in a row!  Yay!  I LOVE LOVE LOVE Broadway shows.  LOVE.

Source

I'M LOVING Satsuma scent from The Body Shop.  This scent has stayed at the top of my favorites list for quite some time.  It always brings fond memories of Springtime {even though we got SNOW today ... yuck}.

www.thebodyshop-usa.com

I'M LOVING this picture of my adorable niece, Gracie, and my bro and sis-in-law's dog, Riley.  It just melts my heart.  Ohmyword ... she is quite possibly the cutest little baby ever.

I'M LOVING this new Kellogg's cereal.  I MUST eat cereal {or oatmeal} every morning, and this really just seems to hit the spot.  The roasted nut and honey is my favorite.  Go try yourself some ... mmmmmm!

Source

Finally, I'M LOVING my hubby!  Even when I'm irritable, stressed and at my worst, he still loves and puts up with me!  I'm so grateful for him!!!

I'm also LOVING this little darling ...

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!!!

Oh Dear ...

As I rifled through a pile of papers during Spring Break, I came across a really random picture.  Immediately, I took a step back in time to 2001 or so -- in the midst of my crazy-obsessed boy band phase.

This picture didn't have too much to do with a boy band per se.  It did, however, feature Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson, and moi sandwiched in between them.  I'm fairly certain I was in celebrity heaven here.

I laughed, of course, then realized several things that I may or may not be embarrassed to admit:

{1}

I may have been really slightly bummed when Nick and Jessica split.  {No more episodes of Newlyweds?  Shoot.}

{2}

Newspaper print pants?  I suppose I thought they were stylish at the time?   By the way, this pic is from 2004, when my crazy-obsessions had gone away, for the most part. ;-)  I was an intern at a local radio station that hosted a "Birthday Bash" every year where popular singers came to perform.  Nick and Jess made an appearance this year. 

{3}

Derek took this picture, which means he actually went with me to this concert {and still hears about it from some of his friends ... haha}.  Major brownie points for this man.  We were engaged at the time, so I guess he felt he had to go.  ;-)

Oh dear ... it's funny to think back to times like these!

ONE

OUR

LITTLE



SUNSHINE

TURNED

ONE!

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY, TOOTSIE {ROLL}!

Are we ridiculous or what??  Hehe!  {Don't answer that.}

Happy Spring, too!

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

Hey all! :-)

I'm gonna continue all my Spring Break gloriousness by linking up with sweet Jamie for another What I'm Loving Wednesday!

First and foremost, I'M LOVING that Derek and I are both on ...

SPRING BREAK!!!

I really don't want it to end, so I'm trying to soak up every minute of every day in this grand ole city!

 I'M LOVING this St. Patrick's Day card my in-laws sent us:

And don't you know how appropriate it is!  Little Tootsie is a St. Patty's Day baby, so she'll be celebrating the big ONE tomorrow!  She has blessed us with her cuteness for one whole year (although we didn't bring her home 'til May 15th -- another day we'll be celebrating)!  And yes -- we'll be treating her as if she's a dog-human (doggie birthday treat and all)!  Just another regular day at the 3-T household.  ;-)

I'M LOVING that we're going to see the new Broadway musical Sister Act the second week of April! 

Source

I can't wait to see what they have in store for this one!  Those lively little Broadway nuns are sure to sing like no other!

I'M LOVING that Derek and I finally indulged in some Trader Joe's amazing-ness!  Since we moved we had not driven to our nearest Trader Joe's -- a different location from where we went before.  It's about 20-25 minutes away, but well worth the trek.  Now that we know how to get there, I'm certain we'll be indulging more often!  Two buck Chuck, anyone??
*Picture via findingrest.blogspot.com

I'M LOVING that I made my first ever blueberry muffins from scratch!  Derek was responsible for bringing in breakfast one morning to his clinic class.  So, I thought I'd whip out my Williams-Sonoma Muffins cookbook and give it a go.  I only got to try a little snippet, but YUM!  Success?  It was!

Speaking of breakfast, I'M LOVING that I made Peach French Toast Bake by Ellie Krieger for breakfast this morning (ah, the beauty of Spring Break and sleeping in).  I swear by this woman and her recipes.  Let's see: she's a nutritionist (with a Master's Degree from Columbia University), she uses a ton of fresh ingredients, and all her meals are guilt-free and so tasty! 

  

 I'M LOVING that my big sis got accepted to her doctorate program!  Plus, she's doing it all while taking care of three kiddos (along with her hubby, of course).  But still, sheesh!  Makes me tired just thinking about it.  She's one smart chica and I look up to her very much.  We have nine years between us!

I'M LOVING that my nieces (my sister's girls) did FANTASTIC at their dance competition this weekend!  It took place in my hometown of Louisville, KY.  The girls are so talented and earned many well-deserved honors!  Go Maggie and Mollie!!!

I'M LOVING that my mom, sis, and sis-in-law will be here in two-and-a-half weeks!  I'm so glad we can actually offer them a place to stay this time.  In the words of the hubs: "It's gonna be a lot of estrogen!"  Hahaha!  He's a trooper for putting up with all of us women.  (In all fairness, he's happy to see them, too! :-)  I can't wait!  This picture is old, but it's the only one I could find of all four of us.

Finally, as always, I'M LOVING my wonderful hubby.  I'm so lucky to have this man in my life! 
And, of course, I can't leave out the baby.  She, too, makes life 100% better!  So sweet, so innocent and soooooo adorable.

 Have a happy Wednesday!

I'll take another EXAM with that, please ...

Begrudgingly, that's how I believe I'm gonna feel over the next week-and-a-half.

And my blog posts may suffer.  Not that I always keep on top of it anyway ... ahem ... this dental girl tries her best. :-)

But, on a positive note ('cause we alway gotta look at the sunny side), our winter trimester is just about over, meaning Spring Break will be here next Friday!

Wahoooooo!

Hope to be back soon! <3