What Is Christmas? Sit down, I'll tell you...

Depending on your culture, family heritage, childhood environment, beliefs and religious convictions, the holidays mean different things to different people. Being interfaith, my family is no different.

But for me personally, Christmas (or, in my case Yule) is about the festivities, the joys (whatever those are for myself), the hope the season brings for the new year ahead, the miracle that is the cycle of the seasons, mother Earth, the God and Goddess, the sun's rebirth, the beauty and wonder of the season. But if you were to ask me what I want for Yule every year, my answer never changes: I want memories.

The holidays for me are mental photographs and videos of great memories with my family. For some reason, I live off of them all year long. I remember them and anticipate with joy and contentment the exciting holidays to come each year, the anticipation at the memories I know will form, the contentment of my heart and the peace in my soul every holiday, doing everything I love: Giving, cooking, hosting and laughing. And, yes, I am one of those rare gems that likes to discuss politics (even if you don't agree with me) over dinner. Life is filled with wonder and beauty and joy and good and the holidays are the perfect time I take to slow down mentally and physically to just absorb it all, to remember it second for second.

I hear some people complain about the holidays. And all I can think is, they are just doing it wrong. The reason for this must be guilt, for one, and fear, for two, then obligation for three. But it is also stressful because of those things, you feel you have to go broke to please family 9you don't) you think you have to make every celebration event (you don't) and you think you have to fear what others will think of you if you do what is right and take the holiday to appreciate it and embrace it for what is best for you. You don't HAVE to do any of those things, and that is the beauty of holidays.

The market has capitalized on holidays like Christmas and birthdays. What would change this is people spending less money on stuff and spending more time (something money cannot buy) with their loved ones, without shame or fear or guilt. And the family, they have to accept this lifestyle and in turn appreciate the time they get with their loved ones minus the materials and gifts and "stuff".

I am in no way saying gifts are wrong or bad. As you likely already know, I shower my kids and my husband with gifts and my husband showers me with gifts as well. But we don't only do this during the holidays, we do it just because,m we do it on anniversaries, or when a loved one is ill, we do loving things because we want to, not because we have to.
That said, I do believe gifts are actually a big part of the holiday.... For YOUR family. For my family, it is outside immediate family members such as in-laws. We keep it all between the four of us, because that's what we want.

It's also very hard for me to mingle with my in laws and celebrate the holidays since I celebrate them in an entirely different aspect than they do. They celebrate Jesus, his sacrifice, gift giving, materials and the commercialized aspect of it.

I celebrate it with spells, incantations, devotions, dancing, fire, nature, the sun, the moon, the animals, and the gifts are just a bonus because I truly enjoy giving to my kids and my husband, especially during the holidays. This is my time of year where I can spend as much as I want on gifts and get them each something they've always wanted. Would Yule be over if we stopped doing gifts? Not at all! There is the volunteering, the giving, the charities. There is the holiday meal, the spiritual observance of it. There is the time with my family, but most of all there are the MEMORIES.

I love spoiling my kids. I also love teaching them about giving back and kindness and loving others and compassion. I love teaching them about family values and the joys of the season, what makes the holiday really great: Memories.

Ahhhh so excited!!! Less than one week!! The big day is coming up FAST! :D

I don't know where the time went, but I am so happy with the date we planned for our wedding celebration! I love it because it is right before the holidays, and it's also my favorite time of year. I love when the weather gets cold, snow is on the way, and the beauty comes with colored leaves and crystal snow.

I am not sure when I can blog again, but I will need to soon! :)

Our Anniversary 2015!

Well, today my mom and dad came to stay with us for the weekend and babysit the kids so Tim and I could go out for our Anniversary. I can't believe it's been 4 years already! It actually feels like it's been about 8, because so much has happened in these 4 years we have been together. We found our dream home, we had our beautiful kids, and we have finally decorated our home and gotten some other things accomplished as well.

Tim took me to one of my favorite restaurants for a delicious dinner and some yummy wine, but, of course, being out of our normal daily routine, we missed the kids haha. It was still ncie to get out and enjoy time to ourselves though!

I had a delicious Steak toscano dinner and Tim had a steak alfredo dish that looked yummy! Afterward, we had one of my favorite desserts....

BLACK SILK TIE PIE!! :)

Tim got me gorgeous flowers and a sweet card, I love them so much! He is always doing romantic things like this, even for no reason. He is such a sweet, thoughtful person and I am so lucky he is my husband :).

100 things I love about Tim

100 Things I Love About Tim

1. I love that Tim treats me as though I am his whole world.
2. I love what a great example and fatherly figure he is to Lukas.
3. I love that he is consistently doing things to make me happy; big or small.
4. I love his charm, he is thee sweetest guy.
5. OF COURSE, I LOVE HOW SEXY HE IS! I can't believe I married a guy as handsome as him!
6. I love that he is my best friend.
7. I love that I can talk to him about anything and he knows everything there is to know.
8. I love how hard of a worker he is and how he provides for our family.
9. I love how spontaneous he is and his sense of adventure. Makes life exciting!
10. I love his sense of humor and how he can so easily make me laugh.
11. I love his outlook on life.
12. I love that he takes the good out of any given situation.
13. I love how laid back he is, never stressing over the little things.
14. I love that everyone he comes in contact with automatically loves him.
15. I love that he is the type of person that is always giving to other people and never expects anything in return.
16. I love how smart he is and the fact that goals and a future are both very important to him.
17. I love his hugs more than anything, since our first date there has been something about the way he hugs me.
18. I love his famous puns, even if I do roll my eyes whenever he says them ;).
19. I love knowing that there is nothing he wouldn't do for me, family or friends.
20. I love that he is a family oriented guy.
21. I love that he pushes me each and every day to strive to be a better person.
22. I love that he is athletic.
23. I love that he is a nerd at heart.
24. I love that he loves to try new things.
25. I love how protective he is over me and our kids.
26. I love how good of a listener he is.
27. I love that he would get me a kitten, even though he doesn't like cats!
28. I love his romantic side.
29. I love the fact that he never gives up, on anything.
30. I love that he is goal oriented and always striving to better himself.
31. I love his sense of style.
32. I love that he watches girly shows with me (AKA Say Yes To The Dress)
33. I love that he tickles me.
34. I love that he is very affectionate no matter where we are, who we are with or what we are doing.
35. I love that after a hard day at work he comes home and works even harder helping me with our home life.
36. I love that he is a peacemaker.
37. I love that he can take a joke and sarcasm but also dish it back.
38. I love that he is old fashioned.
39. I love that he puts our family first.
40. I love that he wants to grow our family and prepares for it.
41. I love that he always plays with my hair.
42. I love that he loves to cuddle.
43. I love that he tells me I am beautiful each and everyday, even though I don't always believe him.
44. I love that he is such an outdoors guy.
45. I love that he also loves to dress up and go out.
46. I love that he is my best friend.
47. I love that he never speaks negatively about anyone.
48. I love that he loves his job and has a passion for it.
49. I love his body, and anywhere I go I'm with the hottest guy there!
50. I love his smile.
51. I love how he holds my hand, everywhere.
52. I love that he gets me flowers all the time, even for no occasion or reason.
53. I love that he supports me in every way and in everything I do.
54. I love that we call and text each other during the day.
55. I love the way he carries himself.
56. I love his crazy/silly side.
57. I love how well he does with not only Lukas and Haylie, but all kids.
58. I love his sincerity.
59. I love that in any situation he will always do the right thing, even if it doesn't benefit himself.
60. I love that he doesn't care what people think.
61. I love that he gave me a nickname (Sweets) and when he calls me pet names.
62. I love that he is consistently telling and showing me that he loves me.
63. I love how thoughtful he is.
64. I love what a committed person he is.
65. I love that he spoils me.
66. I love that he notices the little things.
67. I love that he does the little things.
68. I love his encouragement.
69. I love that he is always introducing me to new things.
70. I love that he is always making time for us, even with a crazy busy schedule.
71. I love that he is forgiving.
72. I love that he is a "people-person" and can carry on a conversation with anyone he meets.
73. I love his sense of confidence.
74. I love that he tries to remember everything I say haha :).
75. I love when he tells me stories, even though he has told me them a time or two.
76. I love that he is always warming me up cause I'm always cold.
77. I love how strong of a person he is, even when things are hard.
78. I love that he is always faithful and I will never have to worry.
79. I love that he is very intuitive about not only my needs, but people around him.
80. I love his honesty.
81. I love his dance moves and that he will drop what he is doing to dance with Lukas.
82. I love that he does things with me even though he could be doing something else.
83. I love that he kisses me good-bye every time he leaves.
84. I love that he cares what I think and values my opinion.
85. I love the way he teaches Lukas new things each and everyday.
86. I love that he is raising Lukas to be a good man someday.
87. I love that he picked me over every other girl.
88. I love that loving him comes easy.
89. I love that he always is including me and wanting me to go with him places.
90. I love our talks.
91. I love everything about his personality, all of the little things that make him, him.
92. I love his ideas, he has always got one.
93. I love that he does things I ask, even little stupid things that I could do myself.
94. I love that he writes "I love You, Sweets," on everything.
95. I love that I married the man of my dreams.
96. I love that I get to spend the rest of my life with the man of my dreams.
97. I love that I get to raise a family with the man of my dreams.
98. I love the person he is.
99. I love the person he makes me.
100. I love that he loves me more than I thought anyone ever could!

I LOVE YOU SO MUCH TIMOTHY LAWRENCE KLICH! AND I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE BEST HUSBAND EVER!!!

♥

Date Night :)

So Saturday Tim took me out to Red Lobster for dinner and drinks :). It was nice getting out of the house and having some time to ourselves.

I have never been to Red Lobster before so this was special! I finally got to try lobster for the first time! It was so delicious. I absolutely LOVE seafood, aside from Mexican, it is my number one favorite food! 

I had a yummy Malibu Breeze with dinner and it was perfect ;). 

Their cheddar biscuits are so good, too. I'm glad we got to try this place! :)

Wedding Flowers

I am absolutely ecstatic! My wedding flowers arrived today and they are GORGEOUS!!!! I am so happy with them! I got most of them from Sam's Club (if you need a great price for bulk flowers, go to Sam's Club!!) and the rest through Bulk Wholesale Floral. Both companies were awesome to work with. :)

I will post pictures of our wedding with these beauties all put together in bouquets when the day comes! I still can't believe it's almost here!! Only 3 more days and I'll be Mrs. Timothy Klich! Can't you tell I'm excited?! Haha

Okay, so on a more serious note, I really had a hard time deciding what I needed for flowers. It's very exhausting to do all of the wedding stuff yourself, but so worth it. I feel like everything was done the correct way, and regardless of how much work it took, this day is going to be exactly what Tim and I have been envisioning, so all of that hard work paid off and is making our big day absolutely perfect!

We plan to have a very simple, small, intimate wedding, with only close friends and family. We just decided we didn't want anything really big, because this day means so much to us and we want to share it with our loved ones most of all.  

Our wedding colors are teal and green, with a little bit of purple here and there (but not much). Our cake should be done the morning of our wedding, and I will pick that up on the 17th. I cannot wait to see how that turned out either! We also have cupcakes, because our whole family are sweetaholics so they can totally take home whatever cake is left! ;)

Well, I am going to store the flowers for the big day and hopefully get on here again before then, if not I will definitely update afterward! :)

Our Happily Ever After

I am SO incredibly happy today!!!!! I married my best friend, and our wedding day was absolutely gorgeous! I will definitely get more pictures posted when I get a chance, but these were two of my favorite candids from our special day.

We got our wedding cake and cupcakes locally through our favorite grocery store. I was in tears when I saw the cake. We had brought in a photo when we ordered it, but when I saw the actual cake from the bakery I was filled with so much joy. It looked ten times better than the photo idea we showed the cake decorator! It was exactly what we had envisioned, our day turned out beautiful and everything about it memorable.

Our photographer was so incredibly awesome. He went right along with every single crazy idea I came up with for portraits and was so great to work with. If anyone is in the Madison area, or surrounding, looking for a really awesome photographer, get in touch with Robert Salbreiter Photography! He has a great eye for finding beautiful locations for creating gorgeous pictures. He found places we had not even known about for pictures, he really went above and beyond for us and for capturing the memories of our big day and we were so blessed to have him there!

To contact Robert Salbreiter, click any of the links below and check out his galleries! :)

Robert Salbreiter Photography on Facebook

Salbreiter Photography Official Website

Found our wedding venues!!

I am so excited! We have been searching and searching and finally found both our ceremony and wedding reception venues! :)

It will be outdoors, of course! The wedding date is set for October 8th. I am so incredibly happy! We are doing our svae-the-date pictures next weekend. I will post them when I get a chance!

Have a great weekend everyone!

I'm ENGAGED!!

Most of you have already heard the GREAT news but if you haven't..... I'M ENGAGED!!!!

Here is our proposal story:

It was December 24th, Christmas Eve. We were together at our home with our family, (who knew exactly what was going on) while I was totally oblivious! We had Christmas dinner, and we had sat down beside the big, beautifully lit up Christmas tree in a big comfy chair, with the best Riesling I have ever had. Tim stood beside me as I opened my gifts when it came my turn. I opened my gifts and got to the last one, and inside the box was a pair of socks. I thought it was a gag because I was always saying I was cold in the winter haha. 

Inside one of the socks was a note, and I read it, it said: "Marry me," and all I remember saying was, "Are you being serious?" When I looked at Tim, and he looked me right in the eyes, got down on his knee, and gave me my engagement ring, and said, "Yes, will you marry me?"

I took the ring and we kissed, me smiling the whole time, excited and melting all at once! It was the most perfect, most romantic proposal ever! My favorite season is winter, my favorite holiday Yule. And right under the beautiful tree, among family, on Christmas Eve, it was PERFECT! :)

My goofy aunt told everybody, "I told Tim if she said no, I'd say yes!" Lol Good old aunt Becky! ;) Never a dull moment! And of course because I only kissed Tim right when I took the ring from him and said "yes!" Nobody heard me because they were all cheering and clapping, so Becky asked, "Is that a yes?" :-P

"What do you think?" I said, laughing. Then I rambled on about how confused I was with the socks and then seeing a note and not knowing what was going on, why socks? Lol

Then Tim was showing me a picture of my mom, his sister in-law, him and his mom shopping for rings. Sneaky!

I am so excited!! I have never been happier in my entire life! I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with this man! :)  

We set our wedding date for October of next year!! :-D