Chi-Town

Ten years of marriage. So much has changed in ten years. When we got married, although we weren't young in society's eyes, I feel like we were immature in so many ways. I feel like a "real grown up" now. I am just thankful God has a plan for my life. I told Jeff I feel like a completely different person than what I was 10 years ago. A person who goes to Chicago for four days, and enjoyed sitting quietly by the river holding hands with her husband, reading a book in her hotel room, and sitting at a coffee shop just simply people watching.

On Thursday we went with the Lacey recommendation. We had dinner at Banderro's and enjoyed probably one of the favorite food items of the trip. The prime rib sandwich. It was delicious, and we seriously thought about going back a second time! But we were in Chicago, and so much to see - so many places to eat...so little time.

On the late night walk back to our hotel, we found out that they were going to be taping the Transformers 3 movie right outside our hotel. It was fun to watch them turn Michigan Avenue into a war zone. Crashed cars, explosions, sky divers...all for about 10 minutes of movie. We also visited the American Girl store and the Hershey's store. Oh my...I can't wait to bring the girls back to this store!




Day two we had tickets to the Cubs game. We headed out early in the morning with a quest to have breakfast via recommendation from Rachel Ray. Warning: The maps they give you in Chicago are deceiving. I - wanting to look cute - wore flip flops to the Cubs game. I had no idea the restaurant we were going to have breakfast at was 20 blocks away!! Perhaps I should have planned better. But we got to enjoy a llloooonnngggg walk around through some old neighborhoods. I loved seeing the old condo and houses. Some have "For Rent" signs, with 2 bedrooms for $1,400...wowser. Although living there while single would have been ideal, living their raising a family would be nearly impossible. After the game, we enjoyed a great dinner with Rich - Jeff's brother. He always has the best restaurant recommendations...I enjoyed a couple great Chardonnays and Lobster Mac and Cheese. Okay....roll me home to bed now!!




Saturday we had no plans. Imagine that folks - Micki...with no plans! We walked along the river and ended up on Navy Pier for awhile. We also went into some great trendy grocery stores (think Fresh Market on steroids). I can't imagine having all those food options right around the corner. Every time when turned the aisle, we were amazed with all the options...virgin oil, balsamic, honey, cheeses, olives...the list goes on and on....





My husband truly loves me. I know this because for our anniversary dinner he agreed to a Brazilian Sushi restaurant - Sushi Samba!! This restaurant was close to the theater district of Chicago, and albeit...I felt a little Ma and Pa Kettle there (as my mother in law would put it). The hostess and waitresses were dressed in 6" heels and dresses out of movies. And when we went to eat at 5:00p, we were still considered the "lunch crowd." I don't think the "dinner crowd" starts until 9:00p. Yes, we are getting old and I am okay with it! Jeff has a Brazilian rum drink, and I started with a grapefruit martini. The dinner was so good, even Jeff enjoyed it! But as Jeff pointed out later ... sushi does not stick with you long. So after watching a movie in our hotel room, around 9:30p, we ventured out for dessert. We came across a giant Brownie Sundae, which we joyfully ate at 10:00p at night. Yes, this is an anniversary I will remember.




I am going to start planning my 20 year anniversary....when I was thinking about that on the way home, I realized Carlie will be 18 years old...a senior in high school. Ummm...we won't be leaving her at home alone. No, she is my daughter...and I know what I would have done had my mom and dad left me. Maybe 20 years calls for a family vacation to Hawaii....or Ireland. Yes...I like that idea a bit more!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Today my best friend turned 40 years old. I may need to remind you that I come from a family that birthdays are not simply remembered, but celebrated ... with cards, gifts, dinners out and much more! Now Jeff's family is just as happy to let a birthday come and go without acknowledgement. Sorry honey, you married into the wrong family. Knowing I could never pull off a "surprise" anything...as my husband's intuition is uncanny. In the first year's of our relationship I would get frustrated and mad and even try to scheme better (is that saying?). Finally I have given up. I know when I have met my match. So now, I simply let him in on the planning and leave the surprising up to him (you might be surprised just how clueless I am when it comes to people planning things). Yesterday we kicked off Jeff's birthday with a dinner at Munchie's with his family. Today continued to celebration with the TinCaps game. Although it was hot, I was a smart mommy and packed swim suits for the TinCaps fountain. Jeff got to watch the end of the game from the outfield seats and my girls got to cool off. Jeff's birthday dinner tonight was Taco Bell...yes, my friends, he picked Taco Bell. That's my husband, never wanting anything fancy or attention drawn to himself. God probably knew that someday he'd have three needy women in his life, three women whom he loves to give attention to and dress fancy.

League Champs!!

At last, the season ends. We ended Carlie's regular season of softball last week, and this week began the single elimination league tournament. The girl's came together this week and brought home the championship. Carlie has found her niche in catching. She enjoys it, and quite frankly, is pretty good at it. I can't believe my "girlie girl" likes putting on that HOT equipment...but she does. Our team this year was made up of great families who cared about the kids more than the game. Don't get me wrong, we had a couple of "heated coach moments." But for the majority of the games, our coaches congratulated other players on good catches and hits, helped the other team in the outfield, and all in all showed great Christlike sportsmanship. Again, don't let me fool you - we WANTED to win...but ultimately the girls just liked to play the game and trade silly bands. Now...add a trophy to the win, and Carlie REALLY wanted to win!! Jeff now thinks he needs to retire from coaching. Winning league championship in Carlie's first year of instructional softball was just too much. Where can we go from here? So, I am going to by stock in sunscreen, bottled water and seat cushions, as I can predict many more hours spent on wood bleachers yelling at my girls to do their best.