Month: September 2019

This past weekend, we trekked up to the great north woods with our Starbucks and six of our friends. It was a great time with little sleep and lots of laughs. The clouds were threatening to downpour all Saturday but we still sat out under the trees during the mist and burned multiple logs in the process. I am exhausted and will probably be catching up on sleep the whole week.

Two things I want to remember —

• Daniel telling me not to hate him cause he’s beautiful, “Okay? Cause my hips don’t lie.”
• Trying to figure out what song he had heard and really liked that he didn’t remember any of the words or tune to, except that it was “probably Rihanna”. I must have played seven songs before he finally remembered two bars and we figured out it was FourFiveSeconds.

On the three hour drive back, we listened to the Packer game and cheered on a third consecutive win for our team. #GreenAndGold!

As much as I love being in the kitchen, I’ve had a hard time coming up with dinner ideas as of late. Daniel and I have been utilizing the WalMart grocery pick-up and it has been a game. changer. We love it. We tend to stick to a few staples, barely swaying from the same old list. To save my-future-self time, I figured I’d write down my meal plan for this week so I have something to look back on if I have a particularly busy day.

First thing in the morning will be my warm lemon water followed by black coffee or detox tea. I bought two flavors of Lara Bars to curb the mid-day cravings and my drink-one-gallon-of-water-challenge is back on. Starting now.

Creamy Balsamic Chicken + Brussel Sprouts – I found this recipe during my second round of Whole 30. My first round had been boring and bland – I didn’t do much research to see what I could/couldn’t eat. Then a lightbulb went off, I checked Pinterest and voilà.

Burgers + sweet potato fries. We’ll probably dress up the burgers with some guacamole (avocado, red onion, garlic powder, lime juice + cilantro). Daniel will add cheese to his.

Ranch Chicken Thighs + Veggies. I like to utilize the crockpot, especially if I have a long run after work. I’ll pre-cut carrots and potatoes and let the chicken thighs thaw overnight, then throw it all together the next morning and turn it on low while I’m at work. (This week, the 6-hour cook time works perfectly since I’ve been letting Oakley out in the afternoon anyway.)

Buffalo Chicken + Sweet Potatoes. Enough said.

Lastly, I’ll probably just whip together a large salad. Hard boiled eggs, beets and all. I have a few Primal Kitchen salad dressings to choose from. I may even steam a few carrots if I’m feeling crazy.

Today was a day like any other day. Nothing special, nothing crazy (aside from Oakley’s house-training slips but we won’t mention those). It’s mid September which means despite today’s 80° weather, fall is coming. White chicken chili is on the stove and the yummy smell mixed with our fall candle provide all the cozy, comforting feelings.

This weekend, we’re leaving all of our responsibilities behind and trekking up to our friends’ lake house for some much needed rest and relaxation. And outdoorsy-campy-goodness. I haven’t felt like the best version of myself lately, I’ve become pretty good at nagging and I’m quick to snap, so I’m hoping this weekend provides a nice reset for me. With everything that has been going on, one verse that has been stuck with me since Daniel read it on Monday is:

As our first year of marriage goes on, I am noticing more and more how self-pleasing I am. I tell myself I am putting my husband’s needs before my own (pure) but more often than not, I find myself wanting expecting something in return for doing so (check my motives). This cycle has prompted me to reflect on my why. It’s mostly internally that I struggle with this – on the outside, I am helpful and kind and a loving Mrs. But I know my heart, God knows my heart, and more often than not, my motives fall short. Christ’s crucifixion didn’t teach us an “if-then” version of love. He taught us selfless love, compassionate, true love. A no-strings-attached kind of love. More of that kind of love.

This weekend held another monumental change to our little family.

The Kerlin men participate in an annual Duck Flurry at a gun club in WI and this year, Daniel asked me to go with. I agreed since Starbucks was promised for the early morning drive. The Duck Flurry consisted of five different stations, five shooting rounds at each.

After the second time through all five stations, we sat down for lunch and were quickly interrupted by a text from Daniel’s dad. There was a litter of 7 week old puppies around the corner for sale. $700 for the males, $800 for females. If anyone knows Daniel, this man can eat. I mean two plates full of food and will still go back for more 20 minutes later. But I don’t think I have ever seen anyone scarf down a brat faster in my life. He got up from the table, spilling ketchup and onions on the chair as he did so. Chaos.

We found the litter and for Daniel, it was love at first sight. Without hesitation, he was drawn to a specific pup. He picked him up and couldn’t put him down. I, on the other hand, took a little more convincing. My family had dogs until I was in fifth grade and long story short, we had a horribly sad experience and haven’t had dogs since.

After a few more stations, three to be exact, I asked Daniel if he wanted a dog for his birthday. His face lit up, he nodded his head, and I handed him a check. We went back and he picked up the same pup from the litter.

And so world, meet Oakley, born July 19, 2019.