1 up up and away

 

There are a couple of reasons that this vacation ranks pretty high on my list of exciting things of 2012. One, it marks the start of a new adventure for Tim and work. When we return, he will have a few more days off and then he will begin a new challenge - one he's been waiting for, for quite some time. Two, we purchased our tickets right after we found out the last IUI didn't work. We both knew that we needed to get away...a little time to relax and just enjoy life. And three, it is, by far, the longest we've ever been away. Start to finish - 11 days. Who does that? Apparently the Sullentrup's do! If I've said it once, I've said it a million times...I am so ready for this trip!

In the mean time, I have a few friends who will be guest posting for me. Trust me, you will love getting to know them, hearing their stories, and seeing their style. For me? I might try to peek in with a picture or two, but there is a high probability that I will succumb to the "do nothing" approach of vacations.

So, I'm sending you off with a perfect view! Up up and away!

0 this little lady is hard to believe

Tim and I got to spend our evening with baby Charlie last night. We played, and sang, and changed poopy diapers - it was awesome! You're not even going to believe this...She is a whopping 7 weeks old and slept (in a basket) the ENTIRE night! Gotta love that little lady!

Then her daddy came to pick her up this morning and life was back to normal.

8 blogiversary - giveaway

In honor of our blogiversary, we are having our very first GIVEAWAY! Woo HOO! I bought these little books a few months ago and just LOVE them. They are full of completely relevant (although the books were published in 1913) marital advice. Here are few of my favorites...

Don't expect to understand every detail of the working of your wife's mind. A woman arrives at things by different ways, and it is useless to worry her with "Why" does she think this or that. 

Don't expect all the "give" to be on his side and all the "take" on yours. 

So true! So, here's how you can enter for some of your own little reads.

1. Between now and July 4th, LIKE The Stroller Coaster on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, follow me on Pinterest, subscribe to the blog via email, or add me to your google+/RSS feed. Your choice. 

 

2. Comment on this post, telling me which of the above things you did. The more you do, the more entries you get. 

 

3. The winner will be announced July 11th. 

5 blogiversary

happy 1st anniversary to the stroller coaster!

My very first blog post was this. As I read that post now, I am not sad and I am not angry, but I am filled with the exact same excitement I had over a year ago. Of course, there are a few minor details that have shifted. Like, instead of 12 months behind us, we're closer to 26 and the likelihood of me ever peeing on a stick and seeing a + is pretty close to none. At the time, I never would have imagined our journey would go down this road, but hey - it's a true adventure. I often feel like we've been hand picked to live a life different than everyone else. Like this is our blessing. I've noticed that a lot of what we've gone through in the last year has been erased from memory - the bad stuff, anyways. My heart and mind only remember the really good things - like how much Tim and I have grown together from this experience. With all of those hurdles we've crossed, I know that one day when we are pushing a stroller, or who knows, maybe our babies will be old enough to walk when they find us, either way, Tim and I will be more than blessed. And just as I'd predicted a year ago, I will cry out of complete happiness.

So, with 195 posts down, I'm looking forward to reaching 200 more during the next year! Thanks to all of my followers - your heartwarming comments truly helped me get through this last year! I'm looking forward to a great year two!

0 have a cool first weekend of summer!

It was a busy week around here! I'm not sure what ate away at our time, but it seemed we couldn't get to bed before 11pm every night.  We rushed around running errands, doing chores, and other no-fun things until we just collapsed into our pillows from exhaustion. Now it's time to slow down and head back to the lake. We're bringing Tim's parents with us - first time lakers. Should be a great way to spend this first weekend of summer!


Coming up.... next week marks a pretty exciting week - the blog turns ONE! I'm not sure how we should celebrate...any ideas? Also, we leave for our summer vacay to Colorado and Washington. Wooo HOO!

2 if not now, when?

Yes. That is a blow up mattress. And yes. That is where we slept last night. It was completely spur of the moment and totally perfect. One of those..."If not now, when?" moments. I was sure that we would get tired of the sirens and dogs barking and make our way inside at some point. To my surprise, I woke up wrapped up in Tim with the sun peaking over our house and little birds chirping above. While he jumped in the shower, I sat out there drinking my latte, counting the countless things that I'm thankful for. This moment being one of them.

2 to my dad -

These are two of my favorite pictures of us. One, because it was one of my favorite days ever! And also, because these were two really special moments for me. Do you remember how teary eyed I was when you walked me down the aisle. As soon as I saw you smile at me, I knew everything was getting real. I wasn't going to be your little girl anymore. And as much as you try to deny it, I know you were tearing up, too. And the second picture - I love it! You look so happy, and a little embarrassed. You picked the worlds shortest song to dance to. But I'll admit, it's one of my favorites because of that moment. When I got married, I had this weird fear that I was going to lose our close relationship - I had no idea it would only get better. The older I get, the more I see you in me. The way I am fully confident that I can tackle any project before me - that's you. The way I get really crabby if I don't get a full 9 hours of sleep a night - that's you. My need for perfection - that's you. The way my stomach hurts if I drink too much coffee - that's you, too! And all of those things make me so thankful that I have you as my dad. You truly made me, me. I love you, Dad! and Happy Father's Day!

Love,

Samantha

• Tim got a new job! Woot Woot! Woot Woot! (that's me raising the roof off this love nest!) I feel like a proud soccer mom, except that he's my husband and I don't know a lick about soccer. Regardless, I'm really ridiculously proud of him.
• I'm teaching 4th graders about energy and the best way to do that is to actually turn them into potential and kinetic energy! So, I spent three hours yesterday playing ENERGY TAG! Minds were blown.
• We have flowers galore growing outside. The early summer has forced everything to bloom at once, which might be a problem come August, but right now, it's awesome!
• There are only T-minus 14  days until I see the Avett Brothers in concert at Red Rocks. Which also means there are only 17 days until I see the beautiful faces of my best friends, the Lozanos.
• I have been getting a noticeable amount of compliments on how "fit" I look - which feels really good and is also a great motivator. I can definitely tell the difference in my body. It's gone from "thin, but soft to fit and toned". Operation Running Shoes = success. 
• We were sitting on the patio with friends on a beautiful 80º evening sharing goat cheese, shrimp and avocado paninis (and a few glasses of bubbly) when I realized that in less than a month those same friends will be living within a half mile of us. That's within walking distance, guys! That's huge!

0 you mean, this is what i've been missing?

I'm starting to realize my life is pretty boring without a constant roller coaster of emotions happening. Actually...scratch that...it's getting back to exactly what it should have been for the past two years. Everything just feels good - like everything is how it's supposed to be.

I have been thinking about THIS post and am finding the side effects of infertility slowly wearing off. I think they will always be a part of my life, but wow! I am like a million-bazillion times LESS emotional than I was in the last two years combined. And the best part of that? My brow hasn't been furrowed nearly as much and I think I am seeing a reversal in the wrinkles. Cha-ching!

0 a weekend in pictures

4 gotta have it

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

I'm headed to the lake this weekend! Finally! Today I'm sharing a few of my must-haves for a perfect lake trip.

I just recently put H&M on my list of FAVORITE STORES EVER - simply because they sell swimsuits in my size!! I was able to find this bikini in a 32A (gasp!!) and it fits me to a tee. I'm pretty sure I could do jumping jacks in that bad boy and it wouldn't budge. And I think I should mention that for a grand total of $25.00, it's the most flattering swimsuit I own. Love it!

Now you're probably wondering why I have fake lashes on my summer must-have list, and I don't blame you. I got my lashes done a few weeks ago and LOVED them. I didn't have to wear a lick of mascara when normally I look half asleep without any on. And truthfully, I felt really pretty and hardly wore any other make-up either. So, I went out and bought some more for myself. And I love them. They are prefect for the lake/beach/pool when you are in and out of the water and don't want raccoon eyes. It's my splurge on the list, but well worth it.

I hope you all have a great weekend! I'll be sure to soak up some sun for you!

2 i'm pretty sure that's how rumors get started

Yesterday, while scarfing down my banana and peanut butter, I heard a loud, boisterous "You pregnant?" Uhm..Me? I looked at my stomach. I looked at my food. And I glanced around the room to find myself alone with one person looking at me for an answer. "No," I said a little puzzled. "Oh, usually peanut butter is a dead giveaway that you's pregnant."

Are you serious? She must have missed the PC class that states "thou shall never ask a woman if she's pregnant unless thou knows for certain that she is."

PS. Peanut butter is amazing. No matter what the status of your uterus is!

(Also, I should note that I'm teaching summer school for a few weeks. This was NOT just a random person watching me eat. It was a co-worker.)

2 captain's log

To commemorate our glorious victory and new title of "Kansas City Kickball Champions," I'm going to post a letter from our Captain. This letter was received a few weeks ago and it pretty much sums up our entire season.

Captain’s Log:

 

Alright, squadron.  Great game last weekend.  For those who weren’t there, here’s the run down:  With the game moments away from starting, we only had 8 of the 10 players needed for a full team.  The other team was warming up, taking kicking practice and running very intimidating team drills.  To say our mood was solemn is an understatement.  We began questioning ourselves and doubting our abilities.  It was even suggested that perhaps we concede defeat or offer to settle the matter with paper/rock/scissors or leg wrestling or some other feat of strength that would allow us to save face and avoid a humiliating defeat at the hands of such an intimidating team. 

 

We huddled quietly.  Nervously looking about for additional players to show.  No one was in sight.  The official told us to take the field, so we slowly and aimlessly wandered out to the field to try and figure out how 8 people would fill 10 spots.  Through efficient placement and spacing, we were able to compensate for our shortcomings and mount an effective defense.  The first inning past and the teams were scoreless.  Slowly our confidence began to thaw.  Yes we were outnumbered, but we had hope and most dangerously – we had nothing to lose. 

 

Then, just as we were about to take the field again in the 2^nd or 3^rd inning, Jared and Lisa came strolling up to complete our team.  We were finally at full strength, and there was no looking back.  Finally we could blare our Van Halen’s “Right Now”, Kid Rock’s “Ba-Wit-da-ba” and for some odd reason setting repeat for LFO’s “Summer Girls” with pride!  Seriously though, Gerken.  Expect numerous complaints this week if LFO is still on your playlist. 

 

Long story longer, we won 6 -1 and now have a slight edge in the 3 way tie for 1^st place in our league!  Something else I noticed this past weekend, we play significantly more women than any other team (i.e., we often have at least double the number of women in the field than other teams).  We are about 50:50 men to women, and our women have stepped up huge this season.  Great job, ladies!  From advancing runners to scoring runs to fielding balls, our women have proven that we are a solid team all around, and I have to admit that I take a certain amount of satisfaction in beating guy-loaded teams, and we’re going to get that chance again this weekend.

 

Here’s the deal:  Games at 2 and 3 this weekend.  First up is the Jersey-shore team that beat us.  They’ve faltered lately in the standings, but are still in the 3-way tie for 1^st with us.  This game is crucial, because if they win then we cannot receive a top seed for playoffs.  I would love to see that mouthy punk shoot his lip again with Lisa and Jessica both on the field – oh, it’s already been broughten.  We then play the 2^nd place team, whom we have not played yet. 

As you begin carbohydrate loading and peak training in anticipation of this weekend’s games, just remember the Offspring lyric that inspired our team name.  Was it: “slightly under the influence of mild intoxicants and secretly desiring to innocently flirt?”  NO!  It’s: “Drunk Again and Lookin to Score!!”  Let’s do it again team!  4 weekends left until playoffs.  Now is the time for you to redeem yourself from all of those repressed nightmares from the grade school playground.  No longer will innocent bystanders inquire of you, “Is your name ‘Easy Out’ or is that an affectionate nickname from the opposing team?”  No, from this day forward, you are a fierce kickball warrior who has tested your mettle against the most daunting of challenges.  You pity the fool who dares pitches to you a slightly bouncy slow roller on the outside corner of the plate.  And most of all, you restore sportsmanship and winning/losing gracefully to its rightful place as the golden rule. 

 

Who’s with me, and who’s fired up?!?!

 

Yours in kickball,

Captain White

0 friday morning = dancing and singing

This morning Tim and I were dancing and singing around the house (because that's what you do on a Friday morning!) when something special happened. As we sat down for breakfast I began making a weird connection between the cardinal sitting on our patio and the blood that was coming from my leg earlier this week (I will spare you the details of that conversation) when Tim laughed at me and simply said, "I am so glad you don't have to take any medicine anymore." I interpreted that as..."I'm so glad you're back. All of your weird, happy, self."

And so I kissed him.