To the best.

  {from yesterday} Today is Justin's birthday! And while he doesn't keep up with this blog and may not even see this post until next month, I feel like I have to write it. He works so hard for our family and gives endlessly of himself so Caleb and I have what we need. He can make anyone laugh and I'm convinced most of my friends like him better than me. He's really the best. Happy birthday baby!

Caleb's {birth} story.

  I kind of debated whether I would blog about Caleb's birth story. It just seems so intensely personal, doesn't it? But when I sat down to write it out in his baby book and realized the space was so small, I would have to skips some little details, I knew I wanted to have it fully written down somewhere. I want to be able to come back and read it years from now, because the tiny details of what happened and how I felt are getting harder to remember, even now. And if there is one thing I love, it is an unedited personal story- not written for anyone else or any other reason but to document life.

{Read more after the break}

Just because.

  because I'm the worst at moving from behind to in front of the camera.
  because we have so few recent photos together.
  because getting out for our anniversary {sans baby} was so wonderful and deserved to be {somewhat} documented.
  because you're so freaking handsome, I can barely stand it!
  and, because to be honest, I just like this picture.
 

5.

 

  5 years ago today, I married my best friend. Every anniversary that goes by, I understand more and more why people say it just gets better with time. I embrace that cliche whole heartedly. I am extra sentimental this year about being able to do life with Justin. This month two years ago, we were learning to grieve together as we miscarried our first baby. Today, we're learning to parent our new son together. Such different experiences, but both have drawn us immeasurably closer. If there are two moments that I have felt my heart swell with love for my husband more than any other, they would be when he held me after losing our first baby and seeing him first hold our son. During the best and worst parts of life, I am so glad he is by my side.

My better half.

  Happy birthday to my favorite person in the world and the best dad-to-be I know! I have a feeling 27 is going to be your best year yet! xoxo

ps. Birthday boy {26, 25, 24}

New York, New York.

   Justin and I are feeling all sorts of love after sharing our exciting news yesterday {here and here}. A lot of time, joy, heartache, waiting, and trusting went into the whole thing. I'm sure I'll get around to sharing all the fun updates and pregnancy stuff that goes along with, well, having a baby. But, not today! Let's chat about NYC instead, mkay? 
  Early this Fall, we were feeling about restless about the whole baby thing and decided to treat ourselves. We made a short list of fun winter vacation spots, but kept coming back to NYC. If you've ever been there at Christmas, you know how magical it is. To be clear, I'm not a big city girl and much prefer open spaces, gravel roads, and fresh air. But there's nothing like the energy of the city. So, we booked our trip and planned in some extra time to spend with my brother and sister-in-law {who live outside the city in Jersey}. 
  Basically, the pictures speak for themselves. We loved our hotel {and 2-block view of the Chrysler Building!}, saw the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, ate at our all time favorite pizza place, saw Letterman, had my ring cleaned at the world's largest Tiffany's, saw all of the Christmas windows and had so much fun just being away together and taking in all the Christmas-y fun. I've never been to NYC outside of winter, so its on our bucket list to head back when there are warmer temps. And when my stomach can handle more than pizza crust and soup! On our list for next time is the High Line, Peter Luger's, the Chelsea Market, and visiting Ellis Island. 

ps. Don't forget to get working on your Taking Stock 2013 post and come back and link up! 

<center> <a href="http://jkrush.blogspot.com/search/label/Taking%20Stock%202013" target="_blank"><img alt="Tomorrow With a Smile" src="http://i1258.photobucket.com/albums/ii521/krush_717/TakingStock2_zpscbbb9780.jpg"/></a></center>

Christmas in the city.

   For Christmas this year, Justin and I decided to take a trip. We don't vacation much or do crazy trips outside of weddings and family get-togethers and we've been feeling the need to just get away lately. So, sometime in October we started planning a trip for December. We threw around a bunch of places, but kept coming back to NYC. There's just no other place like it around Christmas! Five years ago, I surprised J with a trip to stay with my sister and BIL and spend a few days in the city. It was my first time and Justin's first time as a real tourist. We can't wait to get back there! I'm sure we'll do it completely differently this time and we're both excited to get back to the East coast for a few days and spend some time with J's brother and SIL. 

  So far, we have a lot of food on our list. Our favorite pizza in the world, Peter Luger's, and Katz Deli. We're also trying to score tickets to Live with Kelly & Michael and Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular. Of course, we'll make the rounds to see all of the famous windows and the tree. 

  But what else? I know we're missing some great sights and eats- so do share your NYC must-do's!

Football and family.

  Remember when I mentioned having a weekend full of people-time? That happened. Including two bedtimes after 1am. Guys, that's a big deal. I don't stay up until 11:30pm even. Unless GossipGirl is on. That show is so freaking addictive. 
  So anyways, this weekend was filled to the brim with people-time. And I didn't hate it! In fact, it was kind of awesome. We drove up to the Notre Dame vs. Michigan State game on Saturday to support Justin's cousin {Go Green!} and were able to hang out all day {and Sunday, too!} with his other cousin and his girlfriend. It always bothers me that we don't see J's family often, so its extra special to go to MSU games with them once in a while. Also, his cousin's girlfriend loves Gossip Girl, too. So we connected over that. And, I'm watching GG right now. Clearly I'm obsessed. 
   Moral of the story, people-time isn't the worst, especially when family is involved! Also, Gossip Girl!! How's was your weekend? 

Best of my days. {23}

   Hellooooo, Friday!!! I haven't been this ready for a weekend in a long time. I think I will really love my new job, but sitting for 8 hours straight listening to someone talk at me {also known as training} is seriously starting to drag. Hooray for being at my school today! And tomorrow being Saturday! And fun house projects this weekend! And a nice big glass of wine somewhere in there!

271. hitting all the green lights on the way home from work
272. rain
273. a new picture with the hubs that I love
274. babysitting my bff overnight
275. new notecards
276. packages in the mail (!!!)
277. hillsong in the mornings
278. suppers with Justin
279. SYTYCD finale (and my favs winning!)
280. old school burnt cds

Symphony on the Prairie.

   One of our unofficial summer goals has been to explore Indy a bit more. Months ago, we talked about going to Symphony on the Prairie for Motown night with some friends. On Friday, we all met up at Conner Prairie, armed with enough snacks for 10 people and plenty of beer and wine. We were totally put to shame by the Symphony pros who brought full size picnic tables and tablecloths and citronella candles. Next time, we'll be far more prepared. Even with our hodge podge picnic, we had a blast listing to some throwbacks and helping the Contours relive their glory days. Tons of fun! I even saw a local celebrity {that no one else in our group had heard of...} But we'll probably be sticking with our {cheaper and closer} park concerts. Either way, live music and byob? Yes, please. 
 In other news, I'm in denial that summer is almost over. Not. Fair. 

Best of my days. {22}

{follow me on instagram: @krush_717}

   One of the first things I said to Justin this morning, before I was even out of bed, was how glad I am that it's Friday. Holy heck, this has been a long week. Why is the week after vacation always So. Long.??? I'm glad that, besides my niece's birthday party, we're laying low this weekend. As in, barely leave the house, low. Laundry, cleaning, sleeping, eating. That may be all we do these next two days. And it sounds like an absolute dream! What are you up to this weekend? 

251. a whole week of rest
252. fresh garden veggies, despite not being watered for a week!
253. fall-like weather
254. tan lines
255. books in the mail
256. finding others to wait with
257. a vacation souvenir 
258. chats with our new neighbor
259. a clean kitchen all week
260. J making dinner

4.

  This week, J and I celebrated our 4 year anniversary. Gosh, that's crazy to think about. It feels like 4 months and 40 years all at the same time, you know? In all the best ways. I love the simple life we're building. If you would have asked us on our wedding day four years ago, I'm certain we couldn't have predicted where life would take us. 
  So, here's to year 5 and even more joys and challenges than we couldn't dream up if we tried. There is absolutely no one else I'd rather go through life with than you, Justin! 

ps. our 3 year anniversary
pps. our 2 year anniversary
ppps. our engagement story here and here

251. finding ways to love Justin
252. having a love to celebrate
253. extra time with Justin this week
254. surprises
255. a whole evening together
256. sharing our my favorite pizza
257. walks around the neighborhood
258. vacation excitement
259. 4 years ago I married my best friend
260. dunkin donuts 

Fort Ben.

  Justin and I both had Friday off last week, and we decided to try out some local hiking. Our favorite state park is over an hour away, and we really weren't feeling like a whole day of hiking. So we loaded up the pups and made the twenty minute drive to Fort Benjamin Harrison. Its so much smaller to where we're used to hiking, but it was perfect for a late morning trek. The park was so quiet and empty, we felt like we had it all to ourselves. 

  Even thought we live in Indiana and there aren't any mountains or oceans or life-changing places to hike, we've really started to love trying out different state parks and trails with the pups. Now, if only I could convince him to go camping with me...