New Year's Recap

New Year's was wonderful! For the first time in our relationship, M and I spent the evening with just each other. Usually we hang out with a group and go out the bars or a party. This year, he surprised me with a romantic dinner at an amazing Italian restaurant in the city! I didn't know where we were going until we got there. He really has been too sweet :)

When we arrived at the restaurant

The bottle of wine we ordered. It was delicious.

The name is hilarious though - The Ratbag - haha!

Our dinner was delicious - M ordered Penne with vodka sauce and grilled chicken and I ordered Fettuccine Alfredo with grilled chicken. It also came with house salads and warm bread. Yum!

After dinner, we came back to my house to watch the fireworks on TV and celebrate with some more wine and noise makers :)

haha

 I am in love with this picture :)

looking a little glossy eyed huh Britt? haha

first kiss of the New Year!

The next day, Jan 1st, was my dad's 50th birthday. My stepmom invited family over for dinner and cake. My dad didn't want anything big because he didn't want to turn 50 haha. But who would!?

getting ready to blow out the candles

Happy birthday dad!!

notice his age isn't on there? lol

I think I look a lot like him?

I hope everyone celebrated the new year in a fun way!

What are some of your resolutions?

Some of mine include:
- Get healthy and stick to it!! I turn the big 2-5 this year so it's time.

- Continue to stay on the Dean's List

- Blog more! (as much as school allows)
- Continue to have a close relationship with friends & family

- Continue to have a fun and healthy relationship with M

P.S - I have had this blog for one year on 1/1/11!! I never thought that would happen. Thank you ALL for following and becoming friends of mine. I appreciate you all and think you're great! I can't wait for another year :)

Christmas Recap

Is it just me, or did Christmas come and go faster than you can blink?? I know I spent time shopping and wrapping gifts, but I can't believe it's already January!

Christmas this year was great. On Christmas Eve, I went over my dad's to visit and watch It's a Wonderful Life with him and my step mom. I've never seen the movie but I actually liked it.

On Christmas morning, my brother D and I always go to my dad's to open presents early, about 7:30 AM because our brother B is still young and wakes up early. Plus, he still believes in Santa so he is always excited to see what Santa has brought him. We've had this routine since B was born. Doesn't make my mom too happy though because she doesn't see us until 10 AM in the morning on Christmas.

Dad's tree - an artificial tree that has been

around since I was young, probably 4 or 5 years old.

lots of presents

Buster loves to open presents!

My dad and step mom gave me some great presents:

- Columbia rain jacket

- Columbia fleece zip up (I'm over The North Face)

- gift cards galore

- money

- jewelry

A $10 gift card to Starbucks to the FIRST person who can tell me this:

- name of the movie on the TV

- the little boy's name

- what is going on in that scene

- what the little boy is saying

(This is my ALL TIME favorite movie in the world.

I could recite it word for word haha)

My brother and I got to my mom's around 9:30. (This is why I went to my dad's on Christmas Eve so that I could spend more time with them since I knew I would be leaving early Christmas morning.) She was ready and waiting for us to open our gifts. My mom and her fiance spoil us to pieces but I am more than grateful and she knows that. I always tell her to stop buying me so much though! haha.

Mom's Tree - small compared to what we usually buy!

some of the presents

Snugs also loves opening her presents

haha, look at the paper in her teeth



Mom and her fiance also gave me amazing presents:

- new laptop

- clothes

- money

- Vera Bradley bag for school.
I'm in love with the pattern!

I went over M's house around 1 that afternoon. This was the first time in our relationship I have been to his house on Christmas. Crazy, I know, but usually he comes over my house. It was nice going there though. His mom had a ton of food and I enjoyed spending time with his family. I also was able to give them the gifts I had bought for them. M was so sweet and got me an beautiful Coach watch. I am in love with it! He has great taste :)

Overall, my Christmas was wonderful. I got to spend time with all of my family and that's what matters most to me. Seeing them smile when opening the gifts I gave them is what makes me happy. Not the gifts I receive. I always tell my mom I'd be happy with one gift, and that's the absolute truth. In NO WAY, am I boasting or bragging about what I received. I just want to remember for the future. I hope that everyone was able to spend time with their family over the holiday and that Santa did give you a little something :)

Wow, I'm REALLY back this time!

I swear I'm not lying. First, I want to say that I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

I know I posted like a month ago that I was going to give an update, but I swear that life gets in the way. Oh yea, if you EVER plan on taking a break from blogging, take my word for it and DON'T DO IT! It is so hard to get back into it. I made a promise to myself to post what I've been up to, not only for you ladies who care about what I've been doing, but also for myself so I can remember what I did. Soo, where do I even start?!

By the way, I plan on clearing out my reader and starting from tomorrow because there is no way in the world to read everyone's posts from the months of November and December - I would go insane! I apologize and hope you ladies had great things happening then.

I finished my first semester of the Elementary Education Program with 3 A's and 2 B's. I was proud of myself :-) When the semester was over, the girls in my cohort had a little Christmas party and played secret Santa. There were only about 12 of us there but we had a blast.

Also in December, I went with my family (minus my 2 other brothers) to see the lighting of the community Christmas tree. It's literally 2 minutes down the street and afterwards, they serve cookies and hot chocolate in a restored home. It's cute and my little brother enjoys watching it light up.

Matt and I went to his aunt's mom's 60th birthday. We only planned on staying for about an hour, but we made a night out of it and had a blast hanging out with the oldies :) haha. The food was amazing and the music was fun to dance to. A random but fun night.

so he is cheesin' way too hard and

my face looks like I swallowed an elephant.

I could really use a tan as well.

Whatever.

I've also gotten back into the gym, not that I ever stopped but I have stepped my game up, haha. I gained about 3 lbs. during the semester. I know it was from stress and I'm determined to get it off. I even bought some cute new workout clothes today to get me going :-) Folled over yoga pants and tanks from Old Navy. I love their workout clothes.

My old phone, the LG Dare, died on me about a month ago and I finally became a big girl and got myself a smart phone :) The Droid Incredible. Basically, the same thing as an iPhone except from Verizon. (so my brother says who has the iPhone) I love it and all of the free apps :) Oh, and it didn't hurt that I got it for FREE when Best Buy was having a special. Thanks BB!!

That's what happened for the most part in December.. Then Christmas Came...

Oh Hey!

Only 3 weeks of school left!

Thank the high heavens :-)

I am jumping with joy.

However, I have quite a few BIG assignments

left so I can't celebrate just yet.

It's looking like I should be getting all A's in each class :)

On Saturday, M & I went with some friends to Delaware park
which is a casino about 1 1/2 hours away. I've never been
before but we had so much fun! Didn't end up loosing too much
money even after being there for 7 hours! I'm sure we'll be
going again sometime in the future! Sorry no pictures :(

Yesterday I celebrated my grandpop's 75th birthday!

My family all went to his house for dinner and cake.
He was so happy to have everyone there. He lives

by himself so he gets quite lonely sometimes.

I kid you not, my pop looks the same as he did

20 some years ago! I hope I age just as gracefully :)

I've really been in to painting my nails lately.
I'm a big time nail biter so having them painted

helps me to stop :) Ulta was having a deal on nail polish;

buy 1 get on free. So I got 4 polishes for $10! :)
Can't beat that and I think they're just as good as Essie.

Right now I'm wearing Chocolate Bliss

I think it's really pretty :)

Anyways, I just wanted to check in with you ladies!
I hope you're all doing well and as soon as school is over,

I will be back in the blogging world :)

Have a wonderful rest of the week!

24.

So turning 24 last Thursday, 9/16, was a tad difficult for me. I'm far from being on the same path as other 24 year olds. Some are living on their own, engaged, married, mommies, working in their field they chose in college, etc.

Me? I still live at home because lets be honest, I can't afford not to while going to school. I'm not engaged although I do have a boyfriend. I'm a mommy to a dog, not a baby but that's okay with me because I don't want kids ANY time soon. I'm still in college. It's actually tough for me to type these things out. I feel like I "bloomed" much later than others.

After high school, I worked for 2 years. I wasn't sure what direction I wanted to go in and my parents really didn't have the money for me to go away to school and waste it on my confusion. So when I was 20, I decided to attend community college with my mind heading towards being a nurse. I started taking all of my gen. ed. classes. After doing that for 2 semesters, my younger brother cut his finger pretty bad at work (cleaning the meat slicer at a local grocery store) and I saw the blood and almost passed out. We went to the hospital and I knew at that time there would be no way for me to survive nursing school if I can't handle seeing blood. I decided to switch to early childhood education. Did that for a semester then switched to elementary because there are more grades you are able to teach. When you switch majors, the gen. ed classes switch so I had to take different classes. That leads us to today. I'm finally at a university in a screened program on my way to becoming a teacher. 3 more semesters to go and I'll be certified. I feel like the moment will never come.

I guess not every one who is the same age is at the same spot in life. I should give myself a break. At least I am going to college to pursue a degree, I work, I have a loving bf, an extremely supportive family, caring friends and a loving home.

Okay, now that I got that off my chest.. I didn't do much for my birthday.  Thursday was my birthday. It was raining and just plain crappy out. I had class all day. My mom is too cute though and just had to bring home balloons and cake and have a family dinner.

Ice cream cake - my fav.!

After dinner, mom and I went to get manicures and pedicures.

Very relaxing :)

I got the deluxe spa pedicure - way better than a normal one!

On Friday, M took me to dinner at Bahama Breeze. I didn't want anything fancy and this was perfect. Dinner was delicious and so was my glass of Sangria :) I don't know why I didn't take any pictures. Terrible. After dinner, we went shopping for me then spent the night with just the two of us. Perfect birthday present :)

Something special that happened during my birthday weekend was that my amazing grandparents celebrated being married for 50 years :) It's so cute too because my pop is the ONLY man my grand-mom has ever been with! I just love them. My whole family (M and brother's gf too), including aunt, uncles, cousin, my grandpop's two brother and their wives, went to a nice, Italian restaurant to celebrate. They were so happy to have everyone there.

 The guest's of honor :)

I just love my mom-mom's facial expression in this pic.

She was opening personalized wine glasses :)

Sunday, my dad and step-mom had a joint birthday for me and my little brother B. He turned 8 a day after me.

me & M before going in.

He is a die hard Skins fan so I had to support my boy :)

birthday boy - he didn't have a cake because he had a cake on Friday for his real birthday and one the night before for his Chuck E Cheese birthday party.

another ice cream cake for me :)

Luckily everyone there ate it and I had nothing to take home.

B, B & M being silly :-P

Overall, I had a great weekend and as of right now, I don't feel any older but I'm sure after the new year, I'll start feeling it because I know my 25th will be on it's way :(

Thanks again for the birthday wishes!

Just a little update

Wow, when's the last time I blogged? A week ago? Pathetic. Life gets in the way though, I'm sure you understand.

I haven't been up to anything crazy or fun though so don't worry, I'm not leaving you out by not updating! Monday, Tuesday & Thursday, I'm at school and Wednesday and Friday, I'm working, so nothing spectacular goes on then.

This past weekend M & I went to two baseball games. Saturday night we went with people on our football team and had a blast. We went to the local bars afterward. On Sunday, we went to the afternoon game. The weather was amazing both times. However, this day was a tad different because Felix Pie decided to throw the ball to the fans in the stand and instead of someone catching it, it bounced out of their hands and hit me in the head! and then rolled down and a little boy stole it from me. Too bad ESPN didn't catch it on TV. I had a headache for the rest of the night. Go figure. We had fun regardless.

Today is Labor Day. For some reason, no one in my family is having a cookout! What a disappointment. That's okay though because I have a lot of school work to get done for classes tomorrow.

The next two weeks are going to be pretty busy..

I have a ton of work to get done.

This weekend is our first co-ed football game. I don't even know if M will be able to go because he may have to work :(

Then next Thursday is my birthday and I start my internship.

Friday is my little brothers birthday; he turns 8.

Saturday is my grandparent's 50th anniversary. That day I have a football game at 4 but can't go because of my grandparents' anniversary dinner at 3. My brother's birthday party is at 5 at Chuck E Cheese's but I'm not sure if I'll be able to make it :( That night I think M is taking me out for my birthday.

Then Sunday my dad and step-mom are having a combined family party for my brother & I. Ahhh so busy!

Hope everyone is doing great! So glad fall is making it's way here! Some leaves are already changing :) The weather has been beautiful as well.

Have a great week!

Soccer Game on a Football Field kind of weekend.

This weekend, M&T Bank Stadium, where the Ravens usually play football, hosted an international soccer game. Over 70,000 people were expected to attend. This was great for Baltimore because it brought in a lot of money. 

We were cheering for Inter Milan

 We were tailgating right in front of the stadium :)

The people we were with came prepared with a

beer pong table and the corn hole game. So fun.

My parents took us there because they didn't want anyone drinking and driving and of course, Snuggles came. My brother thought it would be funny to put her in a seat belt to keep her safe. She didn't seem to mind it at all haha.

 me and brother's gf, L. She's so sweet!

brother D and L;

how cute that they match wearing their Inter Milan shirts.

me and M

me and my not so little anymore brother.
Do we look alike at all?

the 4 of us

Why does M have a redskins koozie thing when clearly,

we're at Raven's stadium?!

 playing my vuvuzela!

They were selling them for $5

Sadly, I lost it :(

M couldn't get it to work for the life of him lol

so he was pretending :)

now everyone play :)

we were so high up in the stands!

Sunday, M and I were lazy and did nothing but go to the diner for brunch then came home and stayed in bed all day watching the movies "Are We There Yet?" and "Are We Done Yet?". Both kind of stupid but funny at the same time. Then we went back to his house for the night and watched Big Brother.

I hope you ladies had a fun weekend as well! ♥