Tis the season..."Who have you been kissing?"

It has been a "cough drop, chicken soup, hot tea, orange juice, and cold medicine" couple of weeks at the Fennel household. And as terrified as I am to write this and jinx ourselves, I'm happy to admit that I think we may be on our way back to healthy. My fingers are crossed.

It started out as a simple sore throat for Matt that turned into congestion three days later. He called in sick one day - I called in sick two days later. His sore throat turned into congestion after two days and mine stuck around for an entire week. I slept for four days straight and still felt awful. So by day six, I was at the doctor's office getting tested for strep and mono -- I was told they both came back negative -- but that I "probably have mono anyways and I just haven't had it long enough for it to show up on the test."

"Typically it shows up after 14 days. You've only had seven days of symptoms, so your white blood cell count wasn't high enough to make the diagnoses positive. You probably have mono. There is no cure for it, though, because its a virus. Plan on feeling this way for 6-8 more weeks. Oh and get lots of rest and relaxation."

Gee, Thanks.

I called Matt after leaving to share the news with him. His response was, of course, WHO HAVE YOU BEEN KISSING, MISSY?

Luckily, I've started to feel better - I've regained an appetite -- and I have a little more energy than before. But today the trusty sore throat came back - yet again -- and I am hoping it was just from the dry air.

In attempt to beat this horrible illness-- or whatever it is -- and to be just overall healthier, Matt and I went on a vitamin frenzy. We were grocery shopping at Woodmans over the weekend and decided we should stop in the vitamin aisle before checking out. OMG! Add on 30+ dollars........

We bought: fish oil, vitamin D, vitamin B, a daily vitamin for men, a daily vitamin for women, and more.

Now vitamins are not cheap, but neither is medicine. I'm happy to report that Matt and I have been doing a great job taking them everyday and I hope within a couple of weeks, we will start to feel the positive effects of taking our vitamins. The ironic thing about this is that -- last year -- right around this time, I also got tested for strep and mono. Both came back negative, thank God. But my lymph nodes in my neck were so big, I looked like Frankenstein.

 I was so worried I had mono -- "the kissing disease" -- because only two weeks later, I'd be kissing my new husband at the alter. It was the day before my bachelorette party and there I was worried about mono and strep. Thank heavens, I started to feel better and my bachelorette party didn't falter one bit.

Yikes

I can't help but feel a little nostalgic around this time of year. I mean, exactly five years ago - as of yesterday - I reluctantly went to a bar -- even though I didn't feel up for it -- and ended up meeting my future husband.

(Matt in the background -- before we met)

Well -- I take that back. I saw him. And Matt saw me. He got my number from Heather. And texted me the next day (five years ago today). We made plans for dinner and went out on our first date the next weekend (the 28th of January). And while most of you won't believe me, I knew within three weeks that he was the one and that I'd end up marrying him one day.

(OMG! We're babies)

Fast forward to last year -- around this time -- and we were only weeks away from getting married. The ironic thing about it all is that I've heard "Pachelbel Cannon in D" (the song I walked down the aisle to) and "The Way You Look Tonight" (our first dance) so many times lately out of sheer chance that tears swell in eyes and my heart is instantly warmed just at the memory of seeing him at the end of the aisle waiting for............me.

I can't believe its almost been one year. At this time - last year - we had already applied for our marriage license and received (almost) all of our responses back in the mail. I remember only watching Four Weddings and Say Yes to the Dress and about how every single thought, second, minute, and day revolved around planning the wedding.

I sat in my spare bedroom closet for a good half hour today looking through my wedding planning binder and remembering how it felt to be a bride: the nerves, the anticipation, the stress, the poorness (LOL), and above all -- the love.  And now I sit here - almost a year later - so thankful and so happy for the amazing life I've been given. They say the first year of marriage -- or the first three months -- are the hardest. And while we've had our trying times and experienced more than we could ever imagine - we're only closer and even more in love than the day we said our vows.

Our one year anniversary vacation is just around the corner. Today I purchased tickets for the Cirque Du Soleil LOVE show and The Rat Pack is Back -- both equally -- exciting. We simply cant wait to go.... Is it February yet?

In other news, I am so over winter. I want it to be Spring now.

My best memory of last Spring is learning how to cook (with Matt as my assistant)

 and attempting to have a green thumb with gardening.

I can't wait to plant buy potted flowers and........... place them in front of my door. HAHA! No more planting or gardening -- just buying pre-potted flowers and placing them on my patio.

 What I'd like to call accessorizing.

Also, its MADISON'S RESTAURANT WEEK!!!!!! Tonight we're going to dinner at Mariners Inn (who has Food Network's award winning clam chowder) to eat the Surf and Turf with friends from work. Its our big, fancy night out which will result in Valentine's Day being a homecooked beef bourguignon meal -- from non other than -- Julia Child's cookbook.

This shall be interesting.....Wish me luck.

Happy Friday Everyone!!

"I vow to help you love life, to always hold you with tenderness and to have the patience that love demands, to speak when words are needed and to share the silence when they are not, to agree to disagree on red velvet cake, and to live within the warmth of your heart and always call it home."

-The Vow

My New Year's Resolution

....... I haven't even started yet, Nor do I think it will last long.

But we'll go with it now.

I'm sure you all have noticed in the sixty posts I wrote last year that I have been determined to live a healthier lifestyle, eat better, and get somewhat back into shape. I'm sure you all have also noticed that I failed epically at each one.

Diets/Fads I've tried:

Juicing

Gluten Free

Eating Vegetarian

(not shown and embarrassingly) Body by Vi

Workout regimens I've tried:

P90-x,

"Running" a 5K

Daily walks around our pond in the neighborhood

(my personal favorite): promising you all that I would *one day* run a marathon.

Oh my dear readers, I'm so sorry for the lies.

I'm so sorry for putting you through my fads, my hippie lifestyle, and my "loud talk" of getting healthier.

The truth of the matter is that I would love to have somewhat of a workout regimen. It helps me feel better about myself, it gives me more energy, and most importantly, it clears my mind. Because -- after all, clearing my mind is most important. I'm sure you all have also noticed (in my previous posts) that I'm a anxious person----

Yes, ladies and gentleman: Jaclyn has an anxiety disorder.

At first, around five years ago, I was very embarrassed about this and tried hiding it from everyone I knew. Now in my older age, I've learned to embrace my imperfections and learn from them. The optimistic person in me would say that my anxiety introduced me to writing this blog, journaling, and cooking. For all these things help me relax. My anxiety also keeps our house spotless -- as keeping my house clean is one of the only things I can control in life. And - we always have a plan! (See Christmas in Chicago) Even if they don't always go right....

My Type A personality and OCD (thanks to my highlighted planner) help the bills get paid on time, get meals planned for the next week, and keep our bank account on budget so "X amount" can go to savings and "Y amount” can go to tithing. Most importantly, through these tough times, I've learned more about myself, my husband, my friends, and just -- life in general. Although, I think these just come with age, too....

"I'm not afraid of storms for I'm learning how to sail my ship."

Up until two months ago, I did well relying on blogging, journaling, cooking, and cleaning to keep me calm (all while driving my husband and my mother bonkers). But it was in November that I swallowed my pride. I agreed to anxiety meds. Times has just gotten too tough -- as hypocritical as that feels after writing my last post.

How dare I say times are tough?

We are so blessed and have so much more than a lot of people. I have an amazing husband. A wonderful family. True friends that I could go to for anything. A great job and a beautiful home. But truth be told: times did get tough. Personal things that I can't even share with you (my readers) made the holidays very difficult at times. My faith, my husband, my family, and my friends got me through.

And I learned a lot of things. More than I could ever imagine.

I shocked myself at how strong I am, but even more with how strong my faith is. I've learned that my husband is the best person I've ever known and I'm reminded on a daily basis of how lucky I am. He is far better of a person than I am and his laid back view on life helps balance my crazy, hectic, MUST-GET-THINGS-DONE personality. Even more so, he is so in love with me. And he lets me know that every day. And damn, I've put him through the ringer. Taking my stress on life out on him, criticizing him, correcting him, and never just letting things go. And yet, his love for me never falters. He continues to remind me that I'm beautiful, that he'll always love me, be here for me, that things will work out, and that everything will be okay. He is my strength and my rock. And I need him just as much as I need air. At times I know I don't deserve such an amazing, intelligent, charming, and loving husband, but I'm so thankful I have him anyway.

I've been reminded that blood is thicker than water and that my family will always be there for us. My mom, dad, sister, and inlaws couldn't have done more for us this year. And I love them dearly.

My friends! My true friends. I've learned in the past year (more so than ever) that true friends are very hard to come by. And a true friend can be someone who lives 350 miles away, a friend you only talk to maybe once a month, or a friend who you grew up with, parted ways, and several years later is still there for you when no one else seems to be. Life gets busy and it takes a real effort to be a true friend -- to be there -- to comfort, to love, and to listen. For those who have, I'm forever grateful for you. I've been lucky to meet a ton great friends. I really have. But I'm truly blessed to have my true friends.

I've learned life is a gift and I'm an old soul. I couldn’t tell you the latest fashion trend, the most popular song on the radio, or what's going on with any celebrity at this point --and quite frankly -- I don't care. I'd rather listen to Frank all night long with a good glass of wine, my husband, a board game, and a couple of great friends than ever go out to any over packed bar. Maybe it’s Wisconsin and the simple life. Maybe its marriage and not seeing the point of these things anymore. But what I really think it is – is that I’ve learned (at a very young age) to not take anything for granted. Dreams, ideas, people, and things can be taken away so quickly and no one is entitled to anything. All of the superficial things in life don’t matter. I think (and hope) at one point, everyone realizes this. I feel that I realized it at a much earlier age than most. Maybe it’s certain things I’ve been through that made me learn this so quickly, but once I learned this – it was so liberating and life changing. I’ve learned to stop wanting more. To stop envying what other people have. To be happy and thankful for everything God has given me. And to never take one second or one blessing for granted. To be quite honest, I shouldn’t make plans. I have no idea what the future holds and it’s not up to me. The best I can do is have faith, pray, and hope for the best.

"Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not onto your own understanding"

Proverbs 3:5

I read an article a couple weeks ago -- 40 things I can do at 40 that I couldn't do at 20 -- and it was definitely, 100%, without a doubt, written for older women. But what the heck?! I act like old anyways…In all seriousness, I'm happy and proud to say that I can do a lot of these things at 27 and I'm excited to see what I will learn in 2014 and the several years the come.

So my New Year's Resolution???


Yoga at least three times a week.

What? You didn't get that from my sappy rant above? Sorry. It started out wanting to live a healthier lifestyle and doing something that will help clear my mind. What's better than yoga?!?


What I want to improve:
Counting my blessings
Appreciating and loving my husband more and more everyday
Being a better daughter, a better sister, and a better friend.

2013 -- Our Year in Review

Needless to say, 2013 was a huge year for us. After four years of dating, we got married, vacationed for the first time together (twice!), I saw the ocean for the first time, we bought a brand new car, a boat, got new counter tops, new carpet, and both new jobs. We were so blessed this year that it only makes me even more excited for 2014.

A quick view over our first year as a married couple:

January:

We celebrated New Years with the Esselman's then said goodbye that night as they moved back to Minneapolis :-(

We also got our marriage license in preparation for our wedding the next month!

And celebrated our dating anniversary on January 28th -- 4 years!

February:

I became Mrs. Matthew Thomas Fennel

We took our first vacation together

I saw the ocean for the first time ever

We stood on some of the most beautiful beaches

Went snorkeling

Swam with stingrays

and cuddled and kissed a dolphin

We learned that we love cruising

And realized that sunsets on an ocean are some of the prettiest sights.

March:

I started this blog!!

We bought our brand new car!

And I chopped my hair!

April:

I found my love of cooking with my supporting, helpful, and very patient husband

Thank you thefresh20.com!

May:

We attempted to be active..... for about a minute. HA.

(See: My New Year's Resolution --- my next post)

We spiced up our patio furniture

And I had my attempt at having a green thumb

June:

We road tripped to Washington DC

Then to The Outer Banks

visited The Lamanos and saw the true beauty of a driving through the mountains.

Matt worked super hard with the much appreciated help from my Dad

and put in our brand new countertops!

July:

We celebrated Mr and Mrs. Lubomyr Vladimyrovich Boris!

Love you two!

Did I spell your name right? Yikes.

And Carmelyn and Matthew got engaged!

August:

We busted our asses and worked into the wee hours of the night

so our brand new carpet could get installed the next day!

Matt's dream finally came true

and we became official boat owners!

We celebrated our six month anniversary in Galena, Illinois

Slept in a heart shaped bed

and found paradise in Illinois

September:

I accepted a job at American Family Headquarters

Had my first day

And passed my state licensing exams for Property and Casualty Insurance only two weeks later

We visited Courtney and Lubo in Indianapolis (their new home)

And Matt accepted his job promotion as a Quality and Training Analyst.

October:

After much anticipation, we went to Edwards Apple Orchard

Went to the World's Largest Cornmaze for some family fun

Dressed Ernie and Lulu for Halloween

And carved our 30 pound pumpkin

November:

I HOSTED MY FIRST THANKSGIVING!

December:

MATT TURNED 30!!!!!

We celebrated Christmas in Chicago 

 Shared yet another amazing Christmas together and started a new tradition

in front of our beautiful new tree.

After almost blogging for an entire year, I can officially say I'm obsessed. I loved going back and looking at Matt's and my past year. I hope you all have enjoyed it as much as I have and thank you all who have read along.

Love you all.

Happy New Year!

 Love this. Just kidding ya'll.