Happy Birthday my Darling...

Erik,

You have been such an amazing part of my life for the past 10 years. Every time I say that number, I still can't believe it. We have grown so much since our first little date and you are a wonderful man today. You make me laugh every single day and you always know exactly when to tell me to stop worrying. Our lives have been up and down over the past year and I have the feeling that there are more hills to come, but just know that I am always on your side and support everything you do, and will walk every hill by your side. I miss you when you're gone, and I love being next to you. I hope that this year brings you many fun experiences and happy memories. Happy Birthday.

I love you, 

Chris

© The Simple Wife

Happy Birthday!

To my Wonderful Mom. You have given, Tony, Becky, Dad and I the most amazing life we could have asked for. When I was little I remember staying up late with you while you worked on projects like your dollhouses, helping you with Girl Scout duties and running from practice to football games in our van. We have had countless, memorable family dinners in which I left with a stomach ache, not because I ate too much, but because I laughed too much! Now I rely on you for cooking tips and advice on how to deal with stress at work. 

Being silly and having fun has always been the Inglese way, and I couldn't imagine it any different. Times have been pretty rough lately but you have managed to weather it all.  Family is our strong-suit and you have done an amazing job of keeping it together. I love you and I hope that you have an amazing birthday!

© The Simple Wife

My First Subject

{I'm ready for my close-up}

Doc was a willing and eager model for my new camera. My family got me a Cannon PowerShot SD1100 Digital Elph 8mp for my birthday. I LOVE this camera. It has a huge viewfinder ( my main reason for wanting a new camera), a great zoom and awesome clarity. I also like that you can easily switch from Macro to Auto settings- great for close-ups! but the coolest thing is that when you are viewing your pictures on the camera if you turn the camera it will turn the picture too! Amazing what they can do with technology.

All Good Things must come to an End

I must say, this has been one of the best birthdays EVER. I got a romantic date with Mr. Grubbs, a fun night out with my best 'people', a great Italian family dinner and lots of love. I couldn't ask for a better family. They are always first to be by my side and the last to leave. They are amazing in that they always remind me how good I have it. My wonderful mom, dad, sister Becky, brother Tony and his wife Ashley all chipped in and bought me the Cannon digital camera I was wishing for- even more and better pictures for posting! My sister-in-law Ashley and her husband Scott gave me an Ikea giftcard which could help purchase the filing cabinet I also wished for. And finally my mother-in-law Anita and her husband Hugh went for my manual labor hopes and gave me a ticket for a freshly painted bathroom. I'm so excited! Everything I could have ever wanted and needed! These are amazing people who do amazing things for me and all I can say is:

 THANK YOU a million times over and over!!! I am grateful for every moment I have with each of them and can never express how much they mean to me. Family is what makes my world revolve and without it everything would stop. I love you ALL.

{My Family- mom being photographer}

So far So good...

I survived my first hair coloring! My lighlights are a different shade but a nice change for fall I guess. My birthday was wonderful. I had several students sing to me and a couple made me wonderful cards. Kids always have a way of making you feel good without knowing it. Mr. Grubbs surprised me with a very romantic and delicious dinner at Blackstone's. We had my brother's rehearsal dinner there and it was amazing so I have been wanting to go back ever since, but it is a really nice place so it had to be a special occasion. He then topped off dinner with a trip to the famous Marietta Diner, which is know for their gi-normous pieces of cake. We went with the peanut butter cup, chocolate cake which we took home. We enjoyed our cake while watching one of our favorite shows The Office. He also surprised me with the adorable Rocket Dog shoes that I had on my wish list. 

It was a great day.

My Birthday Wishes

I love celebrating birthdays, especially since you get an excuse to eat cake- I'll take any excuse I can! Mine is coming up soon, and the enviable question is looming over: What do you want?? This is the part I hate. I never know what to say- do I say what I REALLY want or need, or what I think people will buy or what I don't want to buy for myself. Way too much pressure. The husband and I are going to have a nice, romantic dinner together on my birthday and then I am going to celebrate with friends and family on the weekend following. So I have been racking my brain as to what I WANT, so here is a list of what I would like to have (some can be purchased but some are just things I wish others could do for me :) )

1. A new pair of brown casual shoes: Marshmallow in brown by Rocket Dog.

2. A new digital camera: Cannon Digital Elf -8 @ Best Buy

3. Filing Cabinet: Erik (hehe) from Ikea in Green

Now on to my "I wish someone would do for me" List

• Stain my front porch a dark espresso brown
• Finish the construction on the retaining wall on my side yard
• Repaint my master bathroom a neutral brown- I can't look at the Celadon green any longer!!

There seems to be much "To Do" at the Grubbs house so in lieu of gifts I would lovingly accept manual labor. But I really would just like to take some R & R to hang out and have fun!