single in the city

Lately this place has been quiet. I've thought about posting, but then when I sit down to do it I just can't figure out what I want to say or share. 

October has been my favorite months for awhile. It always holds a fresh start (Fall) and lovely traditions. It also has a particular day that I look forward to every year in hope of something good occurring on it. (See here, here, here, and here.) But October has brought me only 2 things- one good and one terrible, horrible,  no good, very bad thing (I got that from this cute kid's book,fyi). 

Good- my little pup turned the big 1!! I can't believe she's not a puppy anymore!

Bad- Steven and I broke up. I'm still trying to put into words how I feel about this and I just can't seem to manage the appropriate ones. It's a difficult situation after a 3 1/2 year relationship. And while I am putting this factoid out there, I don't plan on discussing it here. But life will be extremely different and I guess that goes for this little blogger space too. 

Stay tuned......

-k

we are dancing machines!!

These were actually taken on my birthday (well, the night before when we went out with friends to celebrate). A friend posted them and I loved them so much I had to share. Plus these are the only pictures I have of Steven and I from my birthday weekend. Shameful, I know.

I'm also pretty sure that about 10 minutes prior to these photos, it turned midnight and I screamed across the patio bar "It's my birthday!!"

I never do anything like this, but for some reason, I channeled my inner Lilly (How I met Your Mother reference) and just let everyone know.

 Love this guy!!!

xo- kel

a very full weekend

This weekend is almost over sadly. But it was a good (and full one). I spent it catching up with family, sleeping in, dinners out, breakfast at our favorite spot, working, reading, a bridal shower for a very wonderful friend, a book club dinner (my first time meeting the group too), almost camping, and spending quality time with Steven and Chloe. I'm not really ready for Monday to come though..... I still have so much to do. I hate that feeling!!!!

xoxo
kelxa

a lovely weekend and my 1st put putting experience

 Great weekend (so far) even if my allergies are starting to bother the crap out of me again. Now I'm just crossing my fingers (and praying) for a good week. FCAT is closing in and that only ups the stress level right now.

 Love this guy. He took me on a great date yesterday, which included my first put putting adventure. 

-kel

love story//kellie and steven

 Here is mine and Steven's story. I figured it was perfect timing for Valentine's Day, eh?

Steven and I met three years ago this June.
At a bar.
But it's not like that.
I promise.
One night my good friend Brittany wanted to go to this bar to see her crush and his band. I didn't want to go. At all. But I knew how much she did, so her sister and I reluctantly went along.
Once we were there we found a place at the bar and we girls just hung out and talked, waiting for the band to go on. Then this guy came over and started talking to us (Steven's friend, (now our friend) Eric). Soon after, his friend came over (Steven), apologizing for his friend botherng us. Both guys stayed around and we all started talking. I'm pretty sure Steven and I talked about movies all night. He kept saying he'd seen almost every movie. I kept trying to point out one he hadn't. (I won with Princess Bride).

While I was also currently dating someone (which had been on and off again more times than I could count), there was just something about Steven. He seemed so interested in what I said and then when we girls left, he walked us to the car because it was late. He didn't make a move, he just hugged us all goodbye. I remember thinking then that even if I never saw this guy again, he had at least restored my faith in guys. He was a gentleman. I was afraid they were all gone.
I soon broke up for good with the boy that I had such a rocky relationship with.
And I did see Steven again, once I was single.

 

 Our first date was at a deli that is no longer open. And it lasted for over 12 hours. We saw A-team at the theatre, Red Sox game, ordered pizza, and had some of the best conversation. I remember not wanting it to be over.
It's now been about 2 and a half years since our first date, and we've spent almost every day together since.

 He is my best friend. 

My better half. 

The man who makes me laugh and smile more than I can count. 

He's opened my eyes to so many things I would have never of known about. 

He makes me feel loved and special.

He is one of the best men I've ever known and he for some reason has decided to be with me of all girls. 

 I am so incredibly lucky and blessed to have him in my life. And even though we've had our fair share of ups and downs, we've survived them. Our love has grown and become what it is today. 

I am a better person because of Steven and in a way, I think that's one of the best definitions of love. 

Happy Valentines Day/

kel

thankful list

photo found on pinterest

I am thankful for.....

my Savior, who died for me

my amazing mom, who would do anything for me

my dad, who taught me so much in our short time together

my boyfriend who is always trying to take care of me

my stepdad who always give his all

my soulmate Leigh, who loves me and gets me through all my craziness

for my amazing friend Jen, who is always there for me when I need it

for my sweet friend Erica, who reminds me how to be a good friend 

for my sister, who shares more with me than just blood

for my nieces and nephew, who always make me smile

my aunts, uncles, and cousins whom I'm so glad I've gotten close to again

for my friend Sarah, who is probably one of the sweetest women I've ever known

my friend Ashely, who gives me new addictions (Vampire Diaries) and is always there for me 

for my oldest friend, Kim, who has been my friend through the crappiest and best of times

my Riverside family, who not only gave me a job last year, but made me feel like i was home

the girlfriends at Riverside who I still consider to be some of my dearest friends and are there for me

my previous attorney bosses, who have always believed in me and gave me an undeserving job

 a roof over my head

my former church family that supported me

 my former youth kids, whom I love more than they know and who taught me so much

Steven's friends who have always welcomed me into their group

 my sweet car that may be getting older, but at least still takes me from point a to b

 my blogger friends, whom I'm so grateful to know

 my teaching job

having today off

my college education

all of my roommates, past and present that I've been fortune to find

the new friends I've made from school, who have made me feel so much more at ease

coffee

girls nights, that keep me sane

my guy friends who have taught me oh so much

 all of my new and old friends, that always remind me of who I am

my Pensacola family, who is the most loving group of people I've known

my Ft. Lauderdale family who stuck by my side through the worst of times

my Alabama family, who love me and my mom no matter what

my 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade teachers that made me want to choose this path

the study abroad trip that gave me wonderful experiences and amazing friendships

 the country I live in, despite all it's faults

the women and men who have died to make this country what it is

living in Florida- a gorgeous state

my first class, who still love me and write me notes

my current students who can be so sweet and caring

parents that care about their kids, my students and work with me to help them

coworkers that go out of their way for me

blogging, which always keeps me inspired

my pup, Aubre who always is so excited to see me

my past pups, Buttons and Coco who made me fall in love with dogs

that there are people out there that try to help each other, just because they want to

for my oh-so wonderful soft bed

my dad's love of history that somehow got passed onto me

the Bible, that continuously reminds me of God's love for me

the sunshine, that brightens up my day

a working ac

and a working heater

money in my account (even if it's not much)

helpful staff at the hospital that have been trying to help

doctors that are helpful and try to solve medical mysteries

comedies that make me laugh and cheer me up

pictures that help keep memories alive

my own classroom

my friend Joe, who has helped me tremendously in teaching

the upcoming Thanksgiving break that I have off from school and can visit family

books

technology

Starbucks, even if it is overpriced

shopping trips with girl friends

dresses

contacts

glasses

food

wine

gps that helps me always know where I'm going

cupcakes

the opportunities to travel

air fresheners that help my classroom not smell like complete crap

target and it's dollar section

fro yo samples

hair straighteners

makeup

forgiveness

love

the past 

the present

and the future

-kellie

lately

Life lately according to my iphone photos

over the weekend

This past weekend was full. And wonderful. Although, I didn't exactly get to do everything I wanted....like go to the pool with some girl friends or bike ride with some other friends..... (boo).

But we did celebrate a friends birthday. And we also took a short trip to St Augustine, one of my favorite cities!!

 And of course any time I get to spend with baby Keags is pretty awesome....
Saturday about 5/7's of us ended up wearing v-necks. I nicknamed us the v-neck crew and promptly decided we needed a picture.

 And Steven decided he wanted to stroll baby Keagan through the city. I have to say, watching Steven want to hold Keags and stroll him, and everything else was pretty awesome. One day that guy is gonna be a great dad.

I also got to try a new restaurant. It was amazing. Beyond amazing actually. And in Stellie points, it is a 8.5.

While wandering around St. Augustine I kept remembering past times I had been there. Like when we went on a pub ghost crawl (which was pretty amazing). Or when I went there for the first time in 6th grade on a field trip. Everything seemed so big and new and exciting then. And of course I also kept remembering the times I went in college with my good friends. Sometimes it's nice reliving sweet memories like that. And it's also nice making more there too.

-kel

my first Nascar experience

 This past weekend Steven and I met up with some friends in Daytona for the Coke Zero 400 Nascar race. (Phew, that was a mouth full).
We started the morning off at the beach, then pool, and then lunch. Then we tailgated. And tailgated some more. And then finally it was time for the race under the lights.

 It was a great day and a half vacation. But it was also a little bitter sweet. My dad was a huge Nascar fan. He went to the Daytona 500 just about every year. We had even talked about me going with him one year, I was just nervous about how loud it would be. It's been 11 years since he's died and I've never gone to a race even once, until this past weekend. The whole time I kept thinking about him and imagining what he would be doing if he were there with us. It was nice to finally experience one of his favorite things. I felt a little closer to him. And to make my heart melt a little more, during the first couple of laps, Steven could tell I was a little sad, so he leaned over and said maybe the sweetest things ever. He held up his drink and said "Let's cheers to John....and don't worry, he know's I'm going to take care of you."  Sometimes that guy just knows the perfect thing to say and do.

In the end, our guys (Jeff Gordon-,who I've had a crush on since I was 9, and Little E didn't end up winning). However, the big wreck of the night happened right in front of us on the last lap! No photos of that because my stupid phone died soon after the above photos were taken... But it was exciting, and since no one was hurt it was pretty awesome!

So until next year Nascar.......

-kel

4th of july

 This Independence Day was pretty laid back and fun. We spent the day at our friends house because it was cheaper and easier since they have a month old baby. We made tons of food, talked a lot, had a hot dog eating contest, drank some beers (summer shandy!!!!), and watched a little tv.
It was a perfect day.

And I think baby Keagan enjoyed his first Fourth of July.
-kel