words of wisdom(?) by madeline

q. why do girls go to the bathroom at the same time as each other?
a. because girls by nature don't like talking about the bathroom, so we wait for someone who is brave enough to mention it, and then we go with them.

q. what is the deal with "selfies" on instagram?
a. we're sexy and we know it.

q. how do i know if i'm dating the guy for me?
a. you always feel comfortable around him, he makes you smile, and he never makes you question yourself. oh, and he also cooks more often than you. that's good too.

q. what is the difference between a facebook status and twitter?
a. there is literally no difference. except on facebook you can write as much as you want about all your problems and nothing will stop you. Twitter will at least limit you to 140 characters. Also, twitter has an air of "class" about it that facebook severely lacks.


q. what would be the point of waking up to exercise and start eating healthy and all that jazz?
a. well, you'll be healthy. And you'll look better in your selfies.

q. i have a lot of good pictures of myself and can't choose a facebook profile picture, which one should i choose?
a. if someone is looking at your profile picture, they are stalking you, and they want to see your face close up. if you're cool with that, post a selfie. if you're less cool with that, post a picture of you with a group of friends, it also makes you look more popular and fun that way.

q. i find myself unable to use modern day abbreviations in conversation. am i a bad person?
a. no, you're the best person i know.

q. my husband leaves his clothes on the floor, and i don't know how to train him to put them away!
a. it's easy. you tell him that you will throw all his clothes in the hamper, dirty or clean, if he doesn't put them where they go. in the beginning, he'll laugh at you like you're oh so funny. In the middle, he'll put them away in the wrong places to tease you. In the end... well... i'll let you know.

a selfie for your viewing pleasure

p.s. i got my wedding pictures back! stay tuned for a gorgeous post of those babies.

vacation all i ever wanted

So, I'm at the library, right? Just sitting here, reading the bachelorette recap and minding my own business. Out of nowhere I hear this "flip, flop, flip, flop, flip, flop" noise, that only ever accompanies people who wear flip flops. Against my better judgment I turn to see who it is, and a man with a large stack of books nods at me. Then promptly says, "Man, it's quiet in here."

And I'm like... uncertain smile... thinking to myself - it's a library?

In other news, I have returned unwillingly from my vacation to the ocean. It was miles of fun that ended far too soon. But isn't that how vacation always feels?

^^^this was the first day of body surfing. the one where i sat by the side and watched them all enjoy themselves, hoping that i would get an invitation, but also being perfectly content to sit in the sand eating lemon drops.

^^^pirate daze! oh, pirate daze. i can't be the only one who lives for these kind of things, can i? I mean, the people! The pirates! the little booths with handmade goods! my dad fell for a balance bracelet, and my mom bought into some aloe lotion, and you better believe those are handmade cross bows those boys are holding. i could have stayed there all day.

^^^i feel like I deserve some recognition for winning the family bowling competition. and by winning I mean... we played three games and i got the high score on the third game so they gave me the trophy even though games one and two beat me by a mile. 

^^^and of course, some sappy love going on up there. 

oh, vacation! how i love thee.

p.s. i could seriously live by the beach for the rest of my life. get me outta this desert!

madeline and the ocean: a saga

just pretend this is me.

So, the swimming saga continues. I'll have you all know that yesterday at around lunchtime, four of my favorite people in the world walked into a shop together, and came out carrying boogie boards. They looked at me with sympathetic eyes, and then turned to each other, excited for the prospect of what was to come. I frowned inwardly at myself. Where was my sense of adventure? Where was my courage? Where was my natural human instinct telling me that swimming was fun???!?!? I decided that I too, would put on my swim suit and venture down to the beach. Making no promises of course. I would simply sit on a log and watch. Perhaps someone would invite me to TRY OUT A BOOGIE BOARD? I would sit there uncomfortably for a couple minutes, telling them that no, I didn't really want to use it and they should go have fun. They would most likely continue to try to drag me out there, after which I would eventually aquiesce.

This did not happen.

I sat on the log with my mother and sucked on far too many lemon drops until the motley crew finally joined us on the beach with thrilling tales and sea salt hair and the need for a dry towel. I kept my disappointed feelings to myself. These feelings had no business being in my water hating self anyway! Eventually my secret could not be contained. Someone with dark curly hair and blue eyes wrangled the information out of me, and after that it was gung ho! get Madeline in the water time!

So, before anyone saw it coming, I was in my swimsuit, wading out into the freezing water with a boogie board on my wrist. I looked to the left... to the right... down at my feet... up in the air... all around me, but it was definitely not a dream. I was in the water. Everyone was talking to me, trying to explain what I had to do. The boy with curly hair talked animatedly, waving his board and giving precise instructions. I turned from him to Olivia, telling me that it was ok, and I should just breathe in and out. (I have a history of panic attacks when in water... ok, one panic attack, but it was real.) Finally, my eyes found my not-so-little-anymore brother, and my ears attached themselves to his words. Before I could blink an eye, I was throwing myself on a wave, and flying across the beach!

To everyone's surprise, I was soon flying all over. Further than anyone in the family. My body was numb, but my legs said, keep going! Keep running in the waves! Keep jumping and flying and getting wet! The boy with curly hair demanded to know how I was doing what I was doing. My parents watched with open mouths and wide eyes. I was a natural.

I'm just telling all you people, this is a true story. And the weird part is, swimming still does not sound fun to me... I wonder if it will every end?

p.s. today we had the pleasure of dining at a place called Pig N' Pancake. That is all I have to say about that.

p.p.s. I let my mom wear my wedding ring at the beach today while I hit the waves. When I came to get it back from her, she DROPPED IT IN THE SAND AND IT SANK LIKE THE HEAVIEST THING IN THE WORLD. We all did double takes. The ring had disappeared. Luckily, my mom reached down and dug it up with no further issues. It was quite alarming at the time.

greetings from washington

Hello there! I'm in Washington. The state. We're staying in a lovely condo on the beach, so I can see the waves and hear them crashing right at this moment!

This is a picture from last year. I haven't really taken any good ones this year so.... I'm a blogging failure as usual. But I mean, that's what it looks like!

Washington has been extra fun and relaxing this year, because Alex got to come! Or "Boy Wonder" as my dad keeps calling him. (?) It's always more fun to show new people things that you love! You get to experience everything through new eyes.

But I have got some complaints from people about being too lovey and stuff on my blog, so I'll just skip talking about Alex more for now. 

The other night, we went to the pool with our little cousins. I may have mentioned before that I don't really like swimming? If I haven't, there it is. I'm the one person in the world that doesn't like swimming. I embrace it. Other people don't seem as comfortable with the idea. Especially little girls. Eventually their puppy dog eyes got the best of me, and I decided to wade in the pool and splash around with them a little bit. The weird thing is, before I knew it, I was diving UNDER the water, and actually doing a BACK STROKE. 

I guess I'm a sucker for little kids. Alex is super jealous... oh, did I just mention Alex? Sorry everyone.

(Not really sorry.)

p.s. isn't summer fabulous?

i need a hobby.

look at this random photo of me I just found! stunning. I know.

Hey friends. I stumbled into the library, yet again, because I can't seem to cure my need to be connected to the world with internet. (Something that we are totally in the process of getting... but have decided to not be stressed about by any means... I can't decide how I feel about it.)

Every day, I wake up with a list of things that I need to do. I used to be a pretty irresponsible/unmotivated person, especially when it came to lists, but I always thought to myself, self! When you get married, that's going to change. You'll have your own life. You'll be in charge. If you don't get it done, no one will!

And what do you know? I seem to have been right! I always get everything done. I'm kind of thinking this is probably just because it's summer and I don't have a whole lot else to be doing... but I'm just going to roll with it.

The problem is, I get it done really fast, and then I have to find other ways to be entertained.

You guys, I need a hobby.

My whole life I have gotten away with having zero hobbies! Sure, when people asked what I did in my free time, things got a little awkward. I mean, how can you explain to person after person that all you do is read, and expect them to understand? But I persevered through it. But now... it seems a little sad and pathetic that I honestly have NOTHING to do.

So if anyone has any hobbies they would like to recommend, I'm all ears. (or eyes, I guess since you would most likely leave a comment?)

Anyway, that's all for today folks. Peace.

p.s. summer is here and my house is HOT. just another reason to book it to the library.

lazy days

we drove to bear lake for our 1 month anniversary! burgers and shakes all the way. 

We had a whole list of things to do today. I mean a nice big list.
When we woke up this morning, Alex said, "Let's have a lazy day today, before I go to work, ok?"
And I said, "but what about...?"
And he said, "tomorrow. we'll do it tomorrow."
At first it shocked my ready-to-go-let's-get-it-all-done-with system. But a few moments slid by, and I relaxed.
You know, there's nothing wrong with a good old fashioned lazy day. Sometimes life gets so hectic, and you're bursting at the seams with all the things you have to do. I have to get those dishes done, I have to vacuum the front room, I have to go to the grocery store, I have to read those books, I have to set up a classroom, I have to make dinner, I have to be a good wife! But you know, those dishes will be fine in the sink. The vacuum will still be there later. You can survive on the food you already have. You have the rest of the summer to read and set up your classroom. Alex will probably make dinner. And he thinks you're a good wife all the time... so?
Lazy day it is.
So I'm not upset in the least that I finished my book this morning, and then cuddled with my handsome husband for the rest of the afternoon watching Friday Night Lights.

I mean, those Lions HAVE to beat the Panthers. We will not rest until they do. (No matter how much we want to.)

p.s. i'm heading to washington on friday!so get ready for some beautiful beach pictures and way too much family fun! 

I used to be an interior designer, did you know that?

So, it's a Saturday morning, and I'm at the library with my husband. I just looked over at him, and he's looking at pictures of gross bugs. It doesn't make much sense now, but I'm sure I'll hear all about it soon enough. We spent the whole day yesterday shopping till we dropped at Target with all the generous gift cards donated to us for our wedding. It was really fun to run around and grab everything you need/want and know that it wasn't really your money... just saying. I think everyone should have that experience at least once in their lives. It was kind of what I imagined winning a Sweepstakes would be like. Do they still have those? I remember wanting to enter those on the internet all the time a while back. Anyway, we got an ottoman that doubles as a blanket chest, a rug, and a lamp set. (And a whole bunch of other things, but those three are the most important.) Alex had to go straight to work when we went back, so I took it upon myself to get everything set up.

I unloaded the car - food first - and then had to take a little sit down break because it was so hot. I was very uncomfortable, and definitely taking a break on the couch would help. After sitting down, I decided to tackle everything else. The rug? Easy. Just lay it on the floor in front of the couch. The ottoman? Even easier. Place it on top of the rug. Oh, now I have to fill it with blankets. So I took another little rest on the couch. After a minute, I folded all the blankets and placed them inside. Then sat down and started reading a book. The lamp set was eyeing me longingly from the box. I finally scooted over and ripped open the box with a knife. Inside was... a block of styrofoam! I gingerly clawed at the edges of the foam, trying to pry it up, but all the happened was little pieces burst off and fell like snow all around me. I gazed at it somberly for a moment, and then went back to my couch to read.

But that styrofoam! How it glared at me! How it begged to be removed! So I decided maybe it would work if I cut it out piece by piece. I grabbed my knife again, and started removing small bits of styrofoam. The carpet was covered. I noted grimly that I would now also have to vacuum. After a bit of digging and cutting, I finally found the first part of the lamp! I ripped it out in all of its glory. There was no giving up now. Rip! Tear! Cut! Foam noise! The lamps were finally in my hands! I put them together like a master, and set them around the room, happily enjoying my handiwork. But, feeling hot again, I decided to give the couch another go until I was ready to do the clean up.

Anyway, everything worked out, and Alex came home to a clean house and an above average wife writing thousands of thank-you cards, having just finished watching Legally Blonde.

p.s. no word on the gross bug pictures yet.

i am a fan of black and white.

When we first got back from the honeymoon, it was straight back to school for me, and straight to... nothing for Alex. It was kind of hard. I mean, I was super jealous when I would wake up at 6:30 in the morning and he would lay there, sleeping so peacefully, not a care in the world! And now school is over for me. That was a pretty surreal thing right there. Just walking out of the school, knowing I wouldn't be back except to set up my own classroom for next year! Anyway, now Alex and I wake up together and try to find things to do to fill our time.

Alex has to work a lot of nights during the week, so I have to find ways to entertain myself - by myself. I got a library card! I went to the library, parked on the completely wrong side, walked all the way around the building, wandered in, filled out a form, and received the card. Then, I perused the shelves, feeling really out of place. The library used to be my home, way back when. But now, I haven't read a good book in like, five years. So it took some getting used to. On the way out, I encountered a man at the door with a double wide stroller. I waited patiently for him to come inside, and then started to go out, only to hear "MA'AM? MA'AM YOU CAN'T GO OUT THAT DOOR." It was the man with the stroller. Mortified, I tried to continue out the door anyway, It was open, and it was going where I needed to go... so... "MA'AM! YOU CAN'T GO OUT THAT WAY. YOU NEED TO USE THE OTHER DOOR." I figured the only way to get him to quit talking about it was to follow his instructions. The other patrons gave me pitying looks as I sidled on out of there.

Sometimes I make treats to cure boredom. This isn't really the healthiest thing to do, but it takes time. On my first endeavor, I was trying to make some blondies. I thought, oh! I'll put the dough in our fancy new blender that advertises blending cookie dough! I tried and tried, all the different blender attachments and buttons, but the blender seemed determined to thwart my efforts, and even had the nerve to slice my left pointer finger. Eventually I gave up and just used my handy dandy hand mixer. But believe you me... that blender and I will meet again.

One day, I thought, I should start watching Gilmore Girls when Alex is gone! That will be a fun thing to do, that I'm sure he wouldn't mind missing. Only, when he came home and sat down to finish an episode with me, he got hooked. And now I can't watch it without him, so I need to find yet another thing. I need some hobbies, eh?

Married life is definitely more fun when your husband is at home with you. And that's the moral of the story!

p.s. hopefully i'll write again soon? We'll see.

I somehow found my way to the internet...

When  I was planning out my bridals, those pictures up there? That was what I wanted the most. So I guess you could kind of say I forgot that the bridals are supposed to be mostly about me. But my mom didn't forget... It took her a while to come around to the fact of Alex seeing me before the wedding in my dress. She realized how worth it it all was after seeing these pictures though. I mean, did you see that third one? My Alex is quite the stoic, quiet, non-expressive guy. So that picture is pure gold to me!

Anyway, I thought I'd try my hand at this blogging business again, and entertain you all with scattered pictures of bridals and stories from my new married life. But oh... where to begin? Today is our one month anniversary, and I really can't believe it. I mean, I can't believe it's ONLY been one month. It feels like a lifetime already! And I mean that in the best possible way. I always heard that it was a tough adjustment learning to live with someone 24/7 and meshing your lives together and all that blah blah blah, but it's been the easiest. Mostly because of Alex, I think. He's really good at being married. I mean, he makes the bed like, EVERY day.

Now if you'll all excuse me... I just realized it's our one month anniversary and I love the kid like crazy, and I'd better tell him. So if you don't like mushy stuff... you better flip back to Facebook like, now.

Alex- This past month has been the absolute best. I always thought it would be the funnest to be married to you, and wake up to you every day, and this has far exceeded my expectations! You're the sweetest, gentlest (except for when you pulled the covers away last night??), smartest, funniest, best looking man I know. I love it when you smile at me, and kiss my cheek, and kiss my hair (even though you always deny it) while we're on the couch. I love how you make an effort to love things I love, and you always seem grateful when I make an effort to love what you love too. I think we're pretty good at this so far. (And the funniest thing is that I don't think we've taken any of the dumb advice from that class!) We are my favorite couple. I'm excited to have many more months with you!

Love love love,
your wife.

p.s. what? don't look at me that way. he's the coolest.