Good Times

ok, so it's definitely been a while since my last blog...it's already April 1st! (and i meant to have a good April fool's prank ready to go, but alas...it'll have to wait until next year). Here's a brief rundown of my last week and a half:
I turned 25 (damn!) last Friday. I'm officially a quarter of a century old. *sweet* I had a really good birthday- the weather was perfect and mom took me shopping (because our tastes are so different, she knows better than to actually buy me something) so that was fun. Then, i have to give props to my wonderful hubby who got me a really nice espresso machine!! Now we can make our own lattes and capuccinos and caramel macchiatos whenever we want. (ok, actually, jake has gotten pretty good at it- i'm usually stumbling around the kitchen in the morning half awake trying to figure out which knob to turn to steam the milk and which one gets the espresso in the cup and yada yada) It's a little complicated now, but i'll get the hang of it. Until then, i'll just go to Starbucks and let them do all of that for me. And one more thing about the espresso machine, and i promise i'll move on to other topics: it's definitely great and saves a lot of money, but it totally takes the fun out of custom ordering your drink when you actually go to Starbucks or some other coffee shop. Just picture me standing in my kitchen by myself saying, "yes, i'd like a double-tall, extra-hot, non-fat with whip caramel macchiato." * Then answers self, "ok, coming right up."* It's just not the same. I suppose i could put on the Starbucks apron i bought from their clearance shelf a couple of years ago when i make my own latte, but i know it would be just my luck that someone would show up at my door or something like that. And i'd be standing there all "Barista Kristin-like." That would be classic. Anyway, seriously though, that was the best gift. *does jake know me or what?*
And then there was the money i got from my grandparents and godparents which they know i use in a hot second to go shopping. (yes i'm an only child, and yes i do think i'm just a little spoiled...but as long as the money keeps coming, i'll keep the thank you notes coming too and keep my mouth shut). It's certainly not that i'm not grateful. But as it turned out, the money came in handy because we found out my car needed about $280 worth of work done on it...so happy birthday to me. (and my jetta). I still have about $200 to spend at Ann Taylor Loft though, when i work up enough nerve to go back into a mall again, which i actually did on my birthday for the first time in like, 5 months. Literally. It's a travesty, i know. But the whole panic/throwing up thing is slowly starting to get better...and there's no motivation like new clothes and shoes. =) On my birthday night, Jake and i decided to have a low-key dinner and order takeout from Outback (if that doesn't confuse you), but then on Sunday afternoon after church, the whole family did the birthday thing- Jake's parents and sister, my parents and my godparents. Good times, good food, good cake. =)
This past week was basically like any other week- more lessons and the usual routine. I had lots of errands to run and preparations to make for Becca's shower, but i had fun doing them. I felt like i was reliving my wedding planning from a year ago at this time and when people were giving me showers. I was excited to actually be able to throw one for someone else! My mom and i hosted her shower at my house yesterday and there were about 10 guests- it was really nice. (At least, I had a blast and i'm hoping everyone else did). Some of the best moments: Rebecca putting in the bubba teeth and wearing my veil (which she's borrowing for her wedding)...i think it was one of best pictures from yesterday. I also enjoyed watching everyone draw Becca on her wedding day with a book and piece of paper on top of their head (so they couldn't actually see what they were doing). Oddly enough, I was able to make out a veil and set of boobs in almost everyone's picture. It was hilarious. The best part was at the end, when i asked Kara to write down all of Becca's comments as she opened her gifts (but everyone thought she was writing down the gifts for thank you notes) and then Kara read them aloud to everyone as things that Becca was going to say on her wedding night. This was done to me at one of my showers and i knew i had to do it to her. Some of my favorite quotes were: "Wait, i'm confused....i had it upside down", "We're going to come over and make a big mess at Kristin's house," and "Look, it even has wheels on it so you can roll it on the floor." There were also a lot of "oh YES's!" and a "wait, i need to get it in there one more time." Freakin' hilarious...i almost peed myself. More good times.
*Annie, you're going to make a beautiul bride! I'm so excited for you! =) *
So that's pretty much a synopsis of my last week and a half...it's definitely been a good week. Still making progress on the whole panic thing and i think things are moving in the right direction *knocking on wood, lest i jinx myself* As always, there are plenty of opportunities to look at the negative things or be worried (and trust me, i'll find anything to worry about) but there's also a lot to celebrate: another (hopefully healthy) year for me, a brand new baby "neice" that i get to spoil (and another "adopted" neice/nephew on the way for Laura and Joe), a best friend who loves me and hasn't given up on me even though i've flaked out at the last minute so many times because of the whole panic thing (I love you kara!), a whole bunch of other wonderful friends who constantly encourage me, my Annie is getting married in a little over 3 months =), Jake (the love of my life!!)....i could go on and on. Oh yeah....and Spring Break is right around the corner. *sweet*
So here's to the beginning of another week of celebrating even the littlest things and trying as best as i can to "look on the bright side." That's all for now...=)