What a Crock....

So yesterday I woke up early to get the CrockPot Lasagna ready.  Boy were we EXCITED to have this for dinner.  I assembled everything and placed my wonderful looking Lasagna into my CrockPot.  Turned it on low and left for work. 

I dreamt all day about the smells that would fill the house, the taste of the Lasagna, and how perfect it would be to warm us up on a cool day.  On the way home from work, Ethan and I talked about having some garlic bread with our Lasagna or a salad on the side.  As we pulled into the parking lot, I was relieved that our house was still standing (forgot to tell you that I also had minor anxiety all day about whether our house would be burned down). 

I opened the door to the house and the smell was intoxicating.  I started getting really excited and I think I may have even done a little happy dance.  Ethan came in and said "It smells really good!"

I didn't even want to change into my comfy clothes...I just wanted to see what it looked like and dig in for dinner. 

This is what I found:

BURNT....



I looked at Ethan, deflated and so so so embarrassed.  I said "Looks like we have to go out to dinner.  It's ruined."  He was quick to put his arms around me and tell me that it was okay...that this was not the end of the world and that I did everything I could to make this meal amazing.  He then reminded me that we are trying to eat better and that we have plenty of food in the house to make a different dinner. 

I managed to salvage one serving from the very center of the CrockPot disaster.  I put it in a container and placed it in the fridge for a later day.  

Later that night I put the Lasagna in a plastic bag to be taken out to the trash.  It was a brick of hardened cheese, noodles, and italian sausage and about 50% lighter than when I put it all together...Some day we will try this dish again...maybe not while we are away at work though....

The "No Good, Very Bad Day"

Ethan and I have been having a GREAT summer.  In late July we were able to be a part of Ethan's cousins wedding.  What a great day that was.  I think one of my favorite parts of that day was the video that Lori put together for her groom.  I hope some day she shares that with everyone.  I know that we were not the only people in that room that thought it was spectacular. 

I surprised Ethan with a trip to Lambeau Field as well.  I did not know what I was in for when we embarked on our weekend trip with Sean.  I learned a lot about football that weekend, I became more of a Packers fan, and I am ready to go back.  We were one weekend shy of being up in Green Bay with the players....if only we had known.  

August was a busy work month for us.  We were preparing for the start of the Fall semester and it all commenced this week.  For as slow and mellow my first 3 months were at Concordia, this week was just the opposite.  Busy and overwhelmed with emails and phone calls from students who you would think never attended college before.  Luckily, Everest College prepared me well to deal with moronic behavior....

I have had a sight visit every night this week.  This has made my days seem short but the week seem intensely long.  Today was the worst day I have had since May 6th.

I woke up every day this week and went to the gym.  I love going to the gym before work.  It puts me in a great mood and I feel like I have accomplished something before stepping foot in the office.  Well, this morning I went to the gym as normal.  I had a great workout, showered up, and got dressed.  While getting dressed, I managed to rip apart the zipper on my pants.  Now, the irony is that I'm at the gym working my fat @$$ off, yet I'm busting open my pants.  As you can imagine, I panicked.  I managed to get them on, zipped up, and finished getting ready.  Before I left, I decided to use the bathroom one last time before heading to work.  B.a.d. i.d.e.a.....

This time, the unzipping would be permanent.  I frantically removed my pants and tried to fix the zipper.  I was  sweating (which doesn't take a lot for me to do) and I was starting to panic more because of this.  I had to be at work in 10 minutes and I needed these pants because driving 30 minutes home to get another pair was not an option today.  NOT DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF CLASSES!!!  I managed to get the zipper fixed again and resolved that today I would not use the bathroom until I got home...I knew I had a tough day ahead of me with that promise in mind. 

I quickly wiped the sweat from my head, neck, and arms and walked out to my car.  Just as I turned on to Harlem there it was.......a mother freakin' freight train.  Great.  8 minutes until I have to be at work and the worlds longest and slowest freight train has to go through.  I put my car in park and wait it out.  It felt like an eternity.

I got to work, parked my car and walked the 1/4 mile to the office.  I jacked up the A/C and sat there.  I collected my thoughts and was sure that the worst part was over.  I severely underestimated the effect my students can have.  By 10:00am I was ready for a beer.  By 10:30am I knew that the beer was not going to be strong enough.

I ended up making it through the day without having to use the bathroom.  Not drinking coffee and only drinking 1/2 of a can of diet coke seemed to work out just fine.  Luckily, today my site visit was 5 minutes from our house so I was able to stop home fast before returning to work.

I came home after my site visit and noticed that the air was still on from my "quick trip" home before the site visit.  That's an hour...a straight hour that the air was running.  Something was not right.  Sure enough, our air conditioner stopped forcing cool air.  This was not the first time, but this was definitely the most inconvenient time.  I ran downstairs and unplugged the condensation tank that pumps the water into the sink...sometimes this gets too full and "forgets" to run.  This did not work.  Ethan was not coming home before hockey tonight. By this time I am sweating like a running faucet and getting really aggravated that my already terrible day just won't end.  I tried the unplug method again and let it sit for a while.  When I plugged it back in it started working normally again.

I changed my clothes, made some 'dinner' (if you call Spaghetti-O's dinner) and just sat here.  I need that beer.  I will have that beer....or something else.  Cheers to the No Good, Very Bad Day...may I not see you for quite some time...

Mazel!

We had the unique opportunity to attend a wedding for one of my dearest friends that blended a Lutheran Ceremony with a Jewish Ceremony last month.  It was the most amazing and beautiful wedding I have ever been to.  The ceremony and reception were held at Architectural Artifacts in Chicago.  So eclectic and very beautiful. Here are just a couple photos I was able to snap of the Ceremony.

Bridget had her neice be a Wedding Fairy - CUTE IDEA!!

Simply Stunning

Back of her beautiful dress.

Tallit

Married!!!

Beautiful Cake!



I was also able to get a video of them performing the breaking of the glass.  This was so fun to be a part of.  Thanks for sharing your traditions, beliefs, and love Bridget and Ben!!!

MAZEL TOV!!!

"Built In Friends"

Well.  Summer is here.  She knocked a couple times but didn't fully enter.  Even now, I'm not sure she really wants to stay.  Rain rain rain...I feel like that's all we get.  However, this week is looking pretty darn good for 70-80 degree weather with sunshine!  Ethan and I can't say it enough, thank goodness for a new roof.

Tuesday night we were graced with one of Mother Nature's furious temper tantrums.  Ethan and I were watching television and heard the storm sirens go off about 8:15pm.  We checked the local weather and they had issued a tornado warning for our area.  I hate storms...no really...I HATE STORMS.  So, I ran upstairs to grab my purse and ran back downstairs and told Ethan that I was headed to the basement.  He was annoyed...I was over-reacting.  Whatever.  We went downstairs and I was glued to my phone for weather updates while Ethan watched some Netflix to pass the time.  At about 9:15pm we pretty much figured that the storm was over and were about to head upstairs when the power went out.  Great.  Ethan ran and grabbed a couple flashlights but hoped that the power would come back on soon.  I suggested a game and we agreed on just reading the trivia cards from Trivial Pursuit 90's edition.  I quickly learned that I do not store the kind of information that was on these cards, however, Ethan was a pro.  The amount of knowledge he had for such random questions was astounding to me!   After about an hour of no power, we headed up to bed in hopes that the electricity would soon return.    I woke up at 5am on Wednesday, still without power.  I couldn't fall back asleep so I headed out to drive around and see just what kind of damage this storm did. 

By one of the parks. 

Assuming that this caused the power outage.  Power line down across the road.

Ethan woke up about 530am and gave me a call to come and get him.  By this time, I had already woken my mom up with a frantic call about getting the food out of the freezer/fridge and getting on the road back to Iowa.  We went and picked up some Styrofoam coolers and ice, headed back to the house, and packed up the food as fast as we could.  We hopped in the car and were off to Iowa.

What a week we have had.  Unfortunately, Ethan's grandfather passed away a week ago.  He was 90 years old and had been battling some health issues for the last couple months.  What an amazing life he lead! 

Ethan comes from a VERY large family.  On his dads side, his grandparents had 11 kids (10 boys and 1 girl).  It's always so impressive when we get together to see how close these siblings are and how much camaraderie there is between them all.  It's also a great testament to their upbringing at how successful, humble, generous, and family oriented they are.  Grandpa and Grandma Muench were extremely blessed in terms of family - 11 Kids, 30 Grandkids (not to mention spouses), and 17 (and counting - 3 more due this year!) great grandkids!  What a treat it is for everyone to get together.  Likewise, Ethan's mom comes from a similarly large family.  9 kids (including Ethan's mom) made up the Blocker clan.  Ethan and his cousins (on both sides) always say that they had "Built In Friends" growing up.  They lived close enough and got to see each other enough that their family relationship turned into strong friendships.  I love being a part of this family...wouldn't trade it for the world.




So, while we traveled to Iowa with heavy hearts, we were reminded of the joy and excitement that comes with getting together with the whole family.  It was therapeutic to be around everyone and in some small way, Grandpa Muench gave us that blessing.



My roots have grown but I don't know where they are...

Have you heard!?  Chicago now has a new pizza place that is serving "QC Style" pizza.  I know, I know...what the hell is that.  Well...it's pretty much the best thing on Earth.  Ethan and I have been waiting for this place to open up and FINALLY we were able to go and taste our favorite style of pizza.   It's Harris and Wise Guys together and it hits on every memory we have of home.  Of course, we also tried the Mozzarella Sticks because Ethan loves them more than life.  After having them, I can honestly say that they will change your life.  Homemade Mozzarella and the best breading ever had...simply perfect!  We're hooked...and I'm sure it won't be long before we are meeting up with old QC friends for some reminiscing and good food.

On Monday I was fortunate enough to make it downtown to see one of my favorite bands play.  The Head and The Heart played at Millennium Park with Iron and Wine.  It was the perfect night (though a bit muggy) to sit outside and watch them do their thing.  This was my second time seeing them and, just like the first time, I sat there in awe and amazement.  I love when you can see that a band is doing EXACTLY what they want and love to do.  Their enthusiasm and joy is contagious. 

I left after their performance because I was already going to see them the next night up in Milwaukee and I wanted to get home at a decent time. I clearly underestimated how hard it would be to get out of Millennium Park. 

After begging a security guard to let me out, I made it past the barricaded entrance and on my way to the El.  I noticed, as I was crossing Michigan Ave. that more and more people were coming to the park.  Where were they going to sit?  What did they think they could see?  It didn't matter.  Apparently there were 15,000 people there that night...simply amazing.

I made it to the El and went to put money on my transit card.  The credit card loading machine was out of order and I didn't have any cash...because in 2011 who carries cash anymore?!  So, I crouched down in the 96 degree heat and dug through my purse frantically looking for change.  One dollar and 20 cents.  I walked down the stairs, sweaty and discouraged hoping that there was an ATM close by and I could get some money. Nothing.  So I walked to State/Lake - there had to be a credit card machine at this stop.  No.  So I walked down to the Red Line State/Lake stop.  I KNOW there is one at this stop.  Out of order.  Now I'm pissed, lonely, sweaty, and incredibly thirsty....

ATM...got some money and went back up to get a diet coke from Johnny Rockets to break the 20.  Line too long.  Walked next door to the cafe.  $2.21 - hand her my $20.  She literally asks me if I have 21cents.......  Back to diggin in my purse and I hand over some change.  She rings it up and some how presses $2021 as what I gave her thus messing up the change amount.  OMG.  She hands me 19 dollars back and my drink cup.  Now remember - I gave her my 20 dollar bill and 21 cents...she hands me 19 dollars back........I kindly told her that she only owed me 18 dollars and quickly grabbed my cup and filled up.  Walked back up the 3 flights of stairs to the Green line State/Lake stop and got on the next train.  To say that people looked at me funny would be an understatement.  The girl across from me stared unabashedly as I slurped down my drink and feverishly wiped my sweat from my head.

Tuesday night I had a site visit out in Rockford.  I then hopped in my car and drove to Milwaukee, WI to see The Head and The Heart and Iron and Wine perform at Turner Hall.  Amazing venue, by the way.  Got in with my brother and sister-in-law and waited for the magic to happen.  Was there any doubt that The Head and The Heart would be amazeballs?  No, there was not.  Then Iron and Wine came on.  Decent and entertaining and very good for the first portion of their set....not so much for the remainder.  "Jammy Jams", as my brother and I say, took over and they totally lost the focus and energy of the crowd.

No matter what, that drive and long day was worth every thing.  I had the chance to say hi to the band and listen to them talk to my brother about going to the DoeBay Fest this year.  He's an amazing writer and has an ear for music.  Always amazes me that he's deaf in one ear and is tone deaf and can still tell what good music is.  He's introduced me to some great bands and maybe he can do the same for you...

It's been a busy week.  Concerts, site visits, dinner with friends, and a dear friends wedding this weekend that I will surely blog about with pictures. 

"I only burn once a year..."

First and foremost - God is good.  I landed the job and have been working at Concordia University in their Graduate Advising Office for 2 weeks now.  There are so many things that are different here and I love it!!  Carpooling with Ethan to work is an added bonus.  :-)

Did you know that they actually have other departments on campus that are designed to make your job easier?  Take Print Services, for instance. You can send a print job to them and they will print on whatever color paper you want AND fold it however you want.  Amazeballs.  It's just a dream here and I know that God had this in his plan all along...just took some patience on my end.

Ethan and I celebrated our 1 year wedding anniversary this past weekend.  We went to a Brew and View and then stayed out in a "green" hotel in Naperville.  It was perfect.  Low key and just what we wanted.  We saw Bridesmaids that night - hysterical!!!  The next night we went to go and see The Hangover Part 2 - jackpot #2 for the weekend!!  Can't believe that we have been married for a year.  The time has flown by and I'm sure it will continue to fly by!! 

It was fun to reminisce about our honeymoon and the funny things that happened.  We definitely need to take another honeymoon!! 
We got to Riviera Maya on Monday afternoon and ended up falling asleep by 7pm in the room.  We were exhausted!!  Tuesday we didn't have anything planned so we got ready and went down to the pool.  Filled up our glasses once, then twice, then...whoops!  Luckily, I remembered and was willing to put more sunscreen on but Ethan had another agenda.  His "I only burn once a year" mentality was put to the test with the hot Mexican Sun....by 5pm...it was Mexican Sun 1pt - Ethan's skin 0pt.  He was crispy and in a ton of pain.  I ran to the convenient store located in our resort and coughed up 12 dollars for a bottle of Tylenol (note to self - bring Tylenol on next trip).  When I got back to the room I found Ethan cold and shivering on the bed...what a mess.  We still had 5 days of sun and fun left....

Wednesday morning I had to literally peel the bed sheets off of Ethan's skin.  We got dressed and we had to head to the Mayan ruins that day.  It was another hot one but we managed to make it through.  We even had the opportunity to jump off a cliff into a Cenote (sunken well).  It was SO amazing and the water was refreshing.  A 2 hour ride back to the resort and it was time for dinner.  Ethan was still very sore and sick so we ate fast and headed back to the room.  

That night I swore I got bit by a spider on my back.  I brought some anti-itch cream with just in case something like this happened and had Ethan put some on my back.  Can you imagine - Me slathering Ethan with Aloe about every 3 hours and him putting anti-itch stuff on my back twice a day.  I could barely put my pajama's on without irritating my back and not being able to sleep on my back.  Anything that touched it felt like needles!!

Thursday I think we went snorkeling.  I reminded Ethan that he should put sunscreen on his calves since they would be exposed...he didn't listen and Thursday night was fighting off yet another horrible sunburn.  But remember "he only burns once a year"..............

I was still fighting with the spider bite on my back but was trying to make the best of it.  Friday I let Ethan lay in the room while I tried to catch the most sun I could on our last full day in Mexico.

Saturday we hopped on a plane home - sick, tired, achy, sore, and very very irritable.  I couldn't sit still on the plane ride because my bra strap was rubbing against my so called spider bite - Ethan was hot as all get out because of the sun burn and was starting the first round of peeling.

We got to Atlanta and had a 2 hour layover that turned into a 6 hour layover.  We did not reach the Moline Airport until 1am-ish where Ev picked us up. 

Sunday morning I decided that I needed to get to a doctor.  Neither my parents or Ethan's parents were in town so I couldn't get a second opinion on my back before going....but by this time - it was starting to spread and I could barely take it.

First thing the doctor says "well, that's interesting...."

Not exactly the thing you want to hear after you have been in Mexico for a week AND you don't have your parents there to calm you down.....

Doctor confirmed that it was shingles.  SHINGLES!  I was 25 with shingles.  OyVey! Apparently it was a combination of stress of wedding planning and the heat of the Mexican sun....lovely.

Don't get me wrong - we had a blast in Mexico - but the next time we go it's sunscreen and no shingles for this girl!

Stand-By

Well, a LOT has gone on in the last couple of weeks.  On Friday, May 6th, my work decided that they were going to downsize due to declining enrollments and I was one of the unfortunate 5 that was let go.  As you can imagine, I was distraught.  We have bills to pay, things to do.  How was I going to get all of this done without an income?

I immediately called Ethan, crying of course, and informed him of the news.  He was as sweet as could be and asked if I would come to his work and meet him for lunch.  I started my trek down to Concordia, tears flowing and thoughts racing.

We talked a lot about what to do next.  File for unemployment. Cancel memberships to Weight Watchers and the Gym to save money.  Call my student loan processors and ask about my options.  Contact my old nanny family and see if they could use a couple hours  of work next week.  Through out this whole ordeal, Ethan remained calm (although he said he was freaking out inside).  His strength really helped me cope and realize that there were options and that there were bigger things for me. Then he said this one thing that changed my mindset from feeling helpless and like a failure to feeling comforted and taken care of...

He said: "Jenna, God knew this was going to happen 20 years ago.  He has your whole life planned and He knew that we were going to go through this for a reason."

WOW.

I sat there in awe.  He was right.  I needed God more than ever and I had forgotten about His plan in that moment.

I went home after lunch with Ethan and thanked God for my mini-vacation.  Luckily, I was already searching for a job and had a 2nd interview set up before I was laid off.  This was a blessing, not a curse, that God was giving me.  A mini-vacation before setting out on my next career move.

I spent the following weekend surrounded by family back in Iowa.  It was the most perfect way to spend the days after being laid off.  We returned to our home on Sunday night and I had received a call from my nanny family that they would need some help on Monday.  God was already working his magic.

That week I nannied on Monday, Thursday, and over the weekend.  I went to lunch with co-workers that I was unable to say goodbye to.  I prepared for my second interview.  And, I continued to lean on Ethan for strength.  I remember him coming home one night and telling me that this was the happiest that he's seen me in a while.  That I was enjoying being home because I wasn't stressed about going to my old place of work.  We talked about how, yes, I was enjoying the time off because it felt like a vacation, but that I was ready to return to work.

Another weekend had passed and I was gearing up for my interview.  Monday, May 16th came and I left for my interview as nervous as ever.  The interview was great.  I was able to talk to the two directors before meeting with the Dean of the Graduate School and calm my nerves down.  It just felt so natural, like I was meant to be there all along.  As I was leaving my interview, one of the Directors told me that she was going to recommend me for hiring and that we would just be waiting on HR to finish their end of it all.  I almost cried.  This was amazing.  I loved the people I was talking to and I loved the mission and values of the place that I was potentially going to work.  Again, God had this planned and was working very hard.

This time off has been great in a way I never thought possible.  I have taken the time to thoroughly clean our house and do some things that we just weren't able to do because of working so much.  I've gotten to spend great time with my old nanny family, my nephew, and best of all, my amazing and supportive husband.  I am generally happier which has been so beneficial to our marriage.  We are stronger than ever.

So, for now, I am just waiting on the official offer for the job and then I'll be back on track to doing something I love...

Strange Things Are Happening

We started out our marriage living in a 3rd floor apartment above a bar.  It was a perfect sized apartment for just starting out.  The summer was hot and we just happened to have gift cards.  Ethan went out and bought an air conditioner unit for our front room.  It was magical.  Just what we needed!

One morning I was making Ethan breakfast before work.  I saw this small flash out of the corner of my eye and I looked down and there was a mouse, staring up at me...probably hoping to get a taste of what I was making.  I froze, panicked.  Ethan was in the shower and I was being a HUGE wuss.

Finally Ethan came out and noticed that I was upset about something.  I told him that I had just seen a mouse to which he said "we don't have a mouse, Jenna."  I again told him that YES WE DID.  Ethan just couldn't understand how we would have a mouse in a 3rd story apartment above a bar...hard to believe right!?  ;-)Anyway.  I asked him to check around.  He did and didn't find anything. 

Right before he left, I asked him to take the trash down in hopes that it would scare the mouse away.  I also asked him about the large air conditioner box that was still sitting in our dining room (this must be a guy thing to want to keep all the boxes).  I had originally thought that it was being kept to neatly but the air conditioner back into.  Boy was I wrong.  It was, apparently, a "man cave trash can".  Yes, my darling husband had been throwing his wrappers from various food items in it.  I took one look and said "I'll bet you anything that the mouse is in there."  Again Ethan replied "We don't have a mouse, Jenna."

I told Ethan to hold open the back door and I was going to grab the box and run out to the dumpster.  As I was rushing down the 3 flights of stairs a little mouse jumped out of the side of the box and over the railing and SPLAT onto the pavement.  I yelped and Ethan asked what was wrong.  "The mouse that we didn't have just jumped out of the box and it is on the ground."

Still, he didn't believe me and peeked his head over the railing of our deck and I heard him say "Hmmm...I guess we really DID have a mouse."

Oh, how naive I was to think that this would be an isolated incident...

Fast forward to the fall.  It was November of 2010 and we had just had an AMAZING weekend with our family and friends at the Iowa/Northwestern game.  Ethan and I were cleaning up the apartment and putting things back in order from the hustle and bustle of the festivities.

About 3 days later Ethan was storming around the apartment in a mad dash.  I quietly sat on the couch, thinking it was better that I stay quiet and still than get in his way trying to "help".  Finally I asked him what he was looking for and he replied "my Zune, I realized I didn't have it when I was working out and I can't find it anywhere!"  I went through the usual 'Did you look here? Did you look there?' and it was no where to be found.  This panic went on for a couple days, each day getting more frustrating than the last.  One night Ethan was frantically searching again and exclaimed "SOMEONE IN THIS HOUSE IS STEALING STUFF!!!!" 

Now, you can imagine my surprise given that there are only two people living in 'THIS HOUSE'...

I burst out laughing, I couldn't help it! "Yes, dear, someone in this house must be stealing stuff..."

Eventually we DID find the Zune...in the pair of shorts that Ethan had worn the day of the Iowa/Northwestern game....right where he left it.  ;-)

These are just two of my favorite stories of overlooked or lost items.  I'm sure I'm not the only person with a husband like this, but  Ethan has a tendency to overlook certain things.  They aren't there because he doesn't see them.

Most recently, this was true with left over enchilada's.  ENCHILADA'S!

Ethan was going to take them for lunch and went to get them out of the fridge.  He opened the door and didn't see them right away so naturally he asked where they were.  I pointed out that they were in the fridge with the other left overs.  He still didn't see them.  Finally I replied "Well, I guess someone in this house is stealing stuff again...."

He gave me that look that only Ethan can give....that "I can't believe you really got me with that one" look.  Of course they were in the fridge...behind something....but they were there.  We laughed hysterically and "some one in this house is stealing stuff" has become our go-to whenever we think we have lost something.

Fresh Cut

This past weekend provided some really great weather (THANKS MOTHER NATURE)!!

Saturday I was able to go and hang out with my nephew and sister.  We did a little shopping and then went to eat at Pomegranate in Evanston.  AMAZING.  They had really great hummus and the food was really fresh.  Meghan and I both said that we would go back any time! 

Sunday was a day of cleaning and yard work.  Ethan brought out the new weed whacker and showed the grass who was boss.  Our yard is the size of a hot tub so there is no need to get a big mower.  The weed whacker worked just fine and I'm sure it didn't annoy our neighbors one bit! :-)

It's fun to watch Ethan take on this roll.  He finds such joy and ownership with our yard (no matter how small) and wants to make sure it looks the best.  I think he did a pretty fabulous job!!!

There are few things that I enjoy more than the smell of fresh cut grass.  It reminds me of summer, playing so hard that your shoes turned green, and watching my dad work in the yard.  Ethan and I both agreed that the smell of fresh cut grass is just one of those things that brings back really good memories. I was leaving the house this morning for my workout and the grass was just wet enough from the dew to emit this intoxicating aroma.  The smell literally stopped me in my tracks.  I stood on the deck for a couple minutes and just breathed in the freshness.

Title Page

Let me first thank you for taking a chance and opening up the blog.  I thought it might be nice to start a blog about our first year of marriage, the "funnies" that happened (and continue to happen), and the life that we love to live. 

The title - "You're welcome very little". 
Often times I will ask (never nag ;-) Ethan to complete a task or chore around the house.  These are generally chores that neither he, nor I, particularly want to do but they must get done.  We each have our own timeline that we like to work off - and they are definitely NOT the same timeline.  It was just another typical day for me and I was arriving home about 7pm to start dinner.  Ethan was sitting on the couch relaxing.  First thing I noticed were the dishes.  He had put them ALL away.  I thanked him for doing this, as I always do.  His response - "No problem! Did you notice anything else.........?????"  One of the things I love about Ethan is that he will do things for you and is so excited and proud of what he has done that he just can't help himself to ask if you noticed or if you liked it before you even had a chance to get your coat off.  I took a moment and looked around the kitchen.  He had cleaned out the coffee maker, made the coffee for the next day, and set the delay start.  I, again, thanked him for this small gesture...just one less thing to worry about at the end of the night. I kept looking around to see if I was missing anything else.  Surely the two things that he had done were MORE than enough after our long days at work.  Then there it was....the thing I was dreaming he would do for weeks!  I noticed that he had taken some of his shoes up to the bedroom from the 'shoe store' we keep by our backdoor.  I was so excited because I had been joking with him for weeks about how he has WAY more shoes than I do by the backdoor yet he is always the one complaining about tripping over them.  I exclaimed "Oh my goodness!  You cleaned up your shoes!  Thank you so much!!"  There was a slight pause and a deep breath coming from the living room...."You're welcome very little" he replied in a disgruntled tone.  I just giggled and went back to making dinner.  Ethan often says this after days/weeks/months of finally doing something that I have been asking him to do.  Each and every time it catches me off guard and I think "why don't I use that more"?  It's the perfect saying for letting some one know that you understand that they are grateful for what you did, but that you didn't exactly want to do it in the first place.

I know you'll thank me later for this little saying...to which I will reply "You're welcome very little."