Just a Tiny Speck of Life...

February 5, 2012 :) :) :) :)

It’s funny how much emotion can be conjured up from one little blue line on a stick.  It’s quite the “magic stick” though.. for in this "stick" lies our future.  A little window into what's going on inside my body at that very moment.  In less than one, single, solitary minute, our lives would change forever and our thoughts would instantly switch to you.  A speck.  Cells merging, converging.. creating life.  It’s hard to even begin to understand this miracle.  But in one instance… we knew you were there.  And in one instance, I knew you were meant to be mine.  I knew you were meant to be OURS.  

For the longest time I feared that I would never be able to have you.  Would my body cooperate?  Would we spend months trying?  Would you be ready for me, when I was ready for you?  So much time spent planning.. waiting for the right moment to bring you into this world.. Would God deem me worthy to even have you?? 

Your dad and I have loved you since before you were even created.  We've talked about you… thought about what you might become and even had a name picked out for you long before you were even a "speck" in my belly.  We can’t wait to hold you.  I have to admit though that even though I'm sooooooo incredibly excited to meet you... I’m nervous.  Will I be a good parent?  Will you come with a manual?!? ;)  I know there will be a lot of times where I'll second guess what I'm doing.. how I'm doing it and what I should do next.  But one thing will always be true.  I will love you all the days of my life.  WE will always love you.. Much more than I could ever begin to explain.  You were MEANT for us.  And we were meant for you. 

I can't wait to show you all the amazing things in this world.. All the beautiful places we will take you and all the adventures we will go on as one happy family.  BUT for now.. You and I have A LOT of work to do.  We BOTH have VERY important jobs to take care of..You keep growing, I'll keep protecting you in my growing belly and we'll see you in a few months!  :) 

Love,
Your Mom and Dad

And just to be sure you were REALLY, REALLY there.. we tested again, a week later.  ;) 

Oh and we also checked the EPT website OVER and OVER AND OVER again.. JUST to be SURE we were reading the stick right.. ;) 

Spring has SPRUNG :)

Spring has SPRUNG here in Dallas, Texas and I absolutely LOVE. IT.  Birds are chirping, flowers are blooming everywhere and once barren trees are starting to bud with gorgeousness.  After a VERY unusually mild winter (no complaints here by the way.. I HATE being cold..or HOT for that matter ;)  we are welcoming spring with WIDE open arms.  My fear is that this mild winter will only lead us into another blisteringly HOT summer.. YUCK!  Fingers crossed that this Spring lasts a LOOOOONGGGG time.  ;) 

Not sure what this tree is outside our window but it's GLORIOUS!!  :) 

The new, very eco-friendly water tower up in Addison.  :)

Sunset from our back patio.. :) 

Santiago Calatrava's Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge - Grand Opening Festivities

On a BEAUTIFUL Saturday morning a few weeks ago.. (I know, BAD, BAD BLOGGER for waiting so long to post!!) Chad and I took advantage of the gorgeous, over-cast but still glorious day to celebrate the grand opening of the new Calatrava Bridge near downtown Dallas.  Among hundreds.. dare I say... THOUSANDS??... of Dallas locals, we trekked our way over the bridge (which was lined with carnival type attractions, foodie trucks selling their goods and a band set up to entertain the crowd).  It was more than a bit chaotic at times.. when the hoards of people trying to pass through a two lane sized street decided to just STOP to hear the band.  Claustrophobia nearly setting in, we finally made it through unscathed. Whew!! (I was literally TWO SECONDS away from throwing some elbows just to get through..!!)   :) 

It was a great day none-the-less and we couldn't be more proud to have our very own Calatrava bridge gracing our city's skyline.  :) 

Part of the festivities included a "Parade of Giants".. honoring local Dallas legends.. :)

Bonnie Parker

(Bonnie of "Bonnie and Clyde")

Chef Chad Kelley STILL a hit at the Meddlesome Moth

He may no longer be present daily at the Meddlesome Moth, but Chef Chad Kelley's yummy creations still live fondly in the hearts of Dallas locals, as the Moth gets voted as one of the Best Brunch Spots in Dallas.  :)  His brunch specials, unchanged since his departure, are still getting rave reviews! :)

D Magazine.com - 2012 March - The Best Brunch Spots in Dallas

My Sweet Valentine :)

Throughout the entire time that Chad and I have been together… I can probably count on ONE hand, the number of times we’ve spent a holiday together.. on the ACTUAL HOLI-DAY itself. Especially Valentine’s Day. The day when the normally frugal decide it’s time to splurge… the day when most restaurants are to capacity and my chef is working like mad to make every celebrating couple’s dining experience special. This year.. having my husband all to myself… on this once-in-a-blue-moon-probably-never-EVER-going-to-happen-again occasion… I’m sure one would’ve expected a fancy dinner at a five star, Chef Chad Kelley rated, fine dining establishment. ;) Right?? Hehehe..

How’s sausage & banana peppers, thin crust, extra crispy Domino’s Pizza, with a side of cheesy breadsticks while we picnic on the living room floor for extra ooey, gooey romance?? ;) BEST. NIGHT. EVER. Oh.. and there was a movie too ;) and a card that made me cry, big fat ugly faced tears… and two of the sweetest, most thoughtful gifts that I’ve ever received… (but.. more on that, later… ;) It took all of TWO SECONDS to decide that we would NOT be joining the masses by going out on this day.  Celebrating with my ALL-TIME favorite food, (recently been banned since starting our New Year's diet), was the best way I could think of to enjoy this quiet night at home.  ;)  I couldn't have been happier.  :) :) 

I love my husband. I think that’s been established on this blog before. He’s pretty damn great and I really can’t say that enough. Or mean it more, even if I say it a million more times. The greatest thing about him is that he’s NOT your typical macho male. He’s sweet and kind and romantical (yeah I probably just made up that last word.. I know;)… EVERY single day of the year. Not just on the day it’s expected. When every other man is buying last minute flowers and cards at the grocery store.. my sweet husband is bringing me mini babybel’s, peanut butter and nuts to work because I ran out of afternoon snacks. When every other man is picking out a cheesy, run of the mill, generic cards to just sign… my love has, in one sentence, captured my heart all over again (and produced those big, fat ugly faced tears). I don’t know what I did before him… but I do know that my life hasn’t ever been the same since.

There's so much to look forward to this year. Our lives are about to run on overdrive with so many fantastic things happening all around us.. I can't wait to see this year unfold. 

Lovey dovey enough for you?  ;)  Hope your Valentine's Day was as fabulous as mine was! 

Happy 4th Birthday Kenzie :)

Last Sunday (February 5th...for those keeping track ;) Chad and I took a mental break from all things restaurant to head up to Plano to partake in our niece Kenzie's, 4th birthday... which ALSO just so happened to be on Super Bowl Sunday!  No need for more excuses to get together and party.. Let the games begin!  :) 

On special request from the birthday girl herself... Uncle Chad spent the morning perfecting the most Pinkalicious "cupcake cake" anyone has ever seen :) 

Strawberry cake with strawberry frosting.. topped with strawberry malted whoppers and a cake ball to act as the cherry on top :) He even tinted some cream cheese frosting to make the loop-di-loops...All. By. Himself.  What a man!  :) 

Surprising the little one.. :)  Who actually isn't so little anymore!

Ready to Eat

Playing dress up with her friend Hayley :)

Daily Distractions & Pinterest

So many times during the chaos of my day, I sneak a few seconds on my phone to peruse the All-Distracting-Where-Have-You-Been-All-My-Life-Awesomeness...that is, Pinterest.  It's such an easy escape from reality.  A stress reliever of sorts as I easily get lost in the endlessness of inspiration and creativity.  I'm not quite sure how I lived without it actually.  So many milestones and events in my life where I could've used Pinterest.  Buying the house, getting married, DIY projects to last for days and days...

As our minds reel with endless possibilities about how our restaurant might look one day, Pinterest and I have become quite chummy as I scour its goodness for unique and interesting design ideas.  :) 

Here's a looksie at all the wonderful restaurant-ness I've been drooling over..

http://www.chictip.com/

Love the stools, love the counter, love the backwall.. love it all :)

http://www.trendir.com/

Seriously?!  How cool is this light fixture?!?!.. made of plastic forks!! 

MUST. TRY. TO. RECREATE.

http://www.restorationhardware.com/

Lovin' this old school barstool... too bad it's $355! 

designtraveller.blogspot.com

What a great wall of texture :)

designstamped.com

Awesome communal table, awesome bar stools..

love the feeling of this place

designstamped.com

Great facade..

http://www.busyboo.com/

Spoondeliers make me smile :) :) :)

Restaurant Bid-ness :)

I have to say that even though I've had a million and ONE things swirling in my head lately, I'm actually kinda surprised that I've drawn such a BLANK when it comes to actually BLOGGING about something.  I"m totally dropping the ball I know, since it's still January and I technically shouldn't be putting my New Year's resolution to blog more on the back burner already... but life's been calling me away lately...at least mentally it has....

With restaurant planning hitting an ALL time high... at SUPER warp speed no less...my brain is literally MUSH right now.  Nervousness and excitement all rolled into one as our dream of owning our own restaurant nears.  Eeeeekkkkk!!! 

Without giving too much away... at least until we have more things finalized and set in stone, here's a quick peek at some of the things that've been happening in our lives these last few days..  

Like a kid in a candy store..

Lighting Inspiration

Textured wall perhaps??..

Thinking we may need to take this drive again to see what kinds of deals they have in the South Texas..

Or... maybe the 9 hour trek can wait.. ;)

Dreaming of Blacks BBQ in Lockhart, Tx

And eating amazing Thai food at the cute Coconut Grill place by our house.. :)

One must properly refuel to plan restaurants... right??  ;) 

More later.. must. keep. planning. dreaming. creating...NOT sleeping...stressing.. ;) 

South Padre Island, Texas

The last time I made this incredibly LOOOOONNNGGG 9 hour journey (in a car) from the valley to Dallas, I was in a U-Haul packed full of all my things ready to start a brand new life in a brand new city.  Nearly 5 and a half years later, I remember why I always fly.  ;) 

The first leg of our trip wasn't so bad actually.  Cutting the trip in half, Chad and I made it into San Antonio on Thursday, just in time to crash my sweet friend Melinda's pad for the night.  With not nearly enough time to catch up, we hit the hay soon after and woke up bright eyed and bushy tailed the next morning...ready to take on the next four hours to the south Texas.  :) 

Driving in around noon on Friday, we made our rounds, meeting up with friends (and potential restaurant investors ;) and spent the afternoon with little Miss Addison and sweet baby Andrew.  :)  On Saturday, we headed to South Padre Island to enjoy some good old family time with my parents and Miss Addison (who surprisingly wanted to come along for the overnight stay, even without Omar and Christi!)  Luckily, we entertained her enough to keep any potential freak-outs at bay... Thank goodness for Mexican Bingo to liven up the party!!  ;) 

But first, a little driving tour of the island to show Chad the sights.  :)  Not QUITE like the beaches of southern California where Chad grew up...but beautiful none the less.. at least for our little neck of the woods.  :)