Doodle Bop

I sometimes miss how we used to be. But I've never gotten past the initial giddiness of relationships, so it's interesting to watch this one evolve. And even though this isn't new and we aren't new, I love you and need you more every day.

War

I'm watching Cupcake Wars, right? There are 3 people. They send one home. The final 2 each get a carpenter and team of 4 bakers to assist them in the final round. The camera pans to the 4 bakers. They smile and wave. I start to sob.

Nothing about 4 people smiling and waving is remarkable or moving. What is my issue?! I'm an absolute mess.

Lilly Ann

Lilly is here! Isn't she the cutest little thing? When Jared sent me this picture, I couldn't stop crying. I guess because I love babies and I'm overly emotional anyway. But there's something about the expression on his face that kills me. I've never seen him look so genuinely happy. And that makes me happy. Which makes me cry. I've also never seen him hold a baby before, so it makes me think about what it would be like to see him hold our baby for the first time. I don't want any babies for a while, but when I do, I hope he's the daddy.

Old

I know it's 1 1/3 years away, but for my 21st birthday, we're all going to Mohegan Sun. And gambling. And drinking. And going to Bobby Flay's Bar Americain. Let us rejoice at the prospect of grilled pizza and hatch green chile spoonbread.


Also, I love Jared.

See ya!

Oh dear.

I've been getting lost in The Pioneer Woman all day. I've visited her site a few times before, but lately I can't stop digging through the archives.

She has photography assignments from time to time, and these were from the "happiness" assignment. I mean, you just can't even live. I've been crying for at least an hour.


Can you imagine coming home from war to meet your 6 day old daughter for the first time?

I've noticed that many of the pictures feature children. I really don't think anything compares with the happiness one experiences as a child. I want a baby. But not really. Except that I do. Someday.

Aarti Paarti!

Normal, functioning members of society get excited about things like the World Series and the Superbowl. I get excited about the finale of Next Food Network Star. Especially because I found most of the contestants this time around so darn likable. I started out rooting for Aria, but then I realized how unspeakably lovely Aarti is. Week after week, Jared and I would watch together, hoping Aarti would win. But even before we knew who the winner was, I decided to throw my own little Aarti Paarti:





For the occasion, I made chocolate chip cookie dough cupcakes.


And fruit salad with a mint almond dressing.


Here are Jared and Dylan manning the grill.


We made grilled pizzas with pesto, broccoli and tomatoes. There was also some seriously delicious asparagus and bruschetta.


I made everyone pose with the food before I let us eat in peace.


I obviously had to have a picture with my best friend, too.


This adorable ladybug decided to join our dinner.


Awaiting the verdict...



I leave you with our ridiculous reaction to the big reveal. Hahah, we're all insane.

Willard

This pretty much sums up our trip to VA: