Dear Nephew- Your Nursery

Lovebug~

According to your mommy, there are four days to your official due date. I am beyond excited. Unfortunately, you must be pretty comfortable in there because she also told us that you probably will be late. It's okay, but I'm so anxious to see you:)

I got to see your parents this Easter Sunday. It was so blissful and they showed us your nursery. Your mom has been working hard to get all these diapers for you. You will probably be the driest baby on your block.


Mom and Dad still have a little work to getting everything arraigned but I think that when I come over to visit, this will be one of the hotspots!


Here's me, Aunt Hannah, Mommy, and you still hiding in there. (Look at your 'uncle' Chad peeking in the background.)


I love you both and your papa, and we all can't wait to see you!

Simple Weekend: Major Catchup

So how long has it been since I've updated my life? One year? Two years? Okay not that long but since it's been a couple weeks, I'll just give a pictorial spread of my weekends...

*Hannah's 14th birthday-Yes, these pictures date back to March 13th.


*My dad with his ticket to the Brewers/Twins game we're going to in May.


*And with his gluten-free cake. He does wear more than turtlenecks:)



*Went to Mogie's Pub with this guy. Sigh-those potato bites.


*We also got a chance to go to Infinitea to see our friends Jump the Wagon perform their first show ever! It was so intimate and the guys were so nervous. There were about 50 people in this little tea house. What is really cool is that Matt (the guy featured in the second to last picture playing the guitar) is my friend, Claire's fiancee. One of the other guys, Jon, used to work with Chad, so it was surprising to see all of them in one night!


*Aren't these charming?






*So bummed that this picture didn't really turn out-I guess it's because it was taken at 11 at night. I just wanted to show how charming this place was and how it was this deep eggplant color.

Well, that and so much more has been going on these last few weeks. Look in the next couple days for even more happenings!

Dear Nephew- Holy Organic Cuteness

Hi Lovey.

(You don't even know what the word 'organic' means...)
Are you having a good time? Your mom and dad just went to the doctor today. They found out that you will be in there for quite a while. How come? We are all so eager to see you, honey. Anyway, I can't believe I might have to wait until the 24th to see-seriously, that is just too long. While I'm waiting for you, I have been searching the web finding cuteness and serious deals all over the place. I'm so loving these (too bad they're in Canada and I have no idea if they take American money)

*According to the comment on this post, they do accept American money in the form of credit cards. Thanks Raspberry Kids!


This seems like something you could really love. Don't you want to play with it in your yard?


Can you please have mom buy you this backpack for preschool? It's all sorts of adorable.


Not only is this cute, but it's made with unbleached and unprocessed cotton filling.


Okay, okay, I know that mom has been folding and washing so many clothes for you, but I can't resist showing these. They're especially awesome since they're made from bamboo which protects from UV rays and it anti-bacterial. I'd really like these keeping those little toes warm, especially when I come over and nibble on them!


I can't wait to build forts and sand castles with you. And what's great about this is that it's made with 'advanced environmentally friendly materials, helping reduce fossil fuel use and CO2 emissions'.

Babycakes, so much is happening for you! You have such loving parents that are turning their guest bedroom in to your little baby suite. I love you!!

{These finds are all here. You should make momma go on this website because I could scour it forever. I know that your Grandma Hulke is so loving this site-she's so green:)
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.}

I have a little under four months until I turn 21. Is this the year I'm supposed to become an adult? I don't really feel anything like one. I still live with my parents. I do this because I don't feel the need to move out and spend money on rent and five bills every month. I have two bills-credit card and cell phone. I only put gas and my cell phone payment on my credit card. I don't feel like that's pathetic though. I feel like it's smart since Love and I will be married next year.

I just still don't feel like an adult. I don't know how much things cost...water, heat, cable, etc. I don't understand deductibles, insurance, mortgages (why do they even spell mortgages like morTgages?), CD's, any of that fancy "adult" stuff. I like feeling prepared when facing something. I like knowing what's going to happen and what I can do. I can't help it- I'm a planner.

Something I do have to remember is that "all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose". (I should really have this taped to the back of my hand.)

So all you people out there who are older than me-did you feel prepared when you became an adult? When did you even feel like an adult? Is it really as hard as it looks-living on your own?

Makes Me Laugh Monday: The National Anthem

It's true that the past couple of weeks the Makes Me Laugh Mondays have all been basically about what Chad thinks is funny. Well, sorry, here's another in honor of my love. If you don't know Chad that well (which is totally fine...), he likes to listen to sports radio. A certain sports radio station (sorry, babe, I can't remember which one it is) plays all these clips from past sports highlights. This clip featuring Carl Lewis is one of the Hulke favorites. (One time when playing Dominos together, we played it probably five or six times). See for yourself:



Is it making you laugh?

T-Minus One Week

Easter is next Sunday and I'm so excited. I love this celebration of Jesus and His power over death. It's so amazing to sit in church and hear and sing the powerful words of knowing our Redeemer lives. Reading the whole Easter account in the Bible is so nice to reflect on the love and power that God has.

On more of a secular level, I love Easter because it finally (and I do mean finally, since it was snowing today) feels like spring. It just feels warmer and sunnier after Easter comes and goes. I love the pastel colors and the Easter hats that little girls wear. I look forward to spending time with both sides of the family and going on an Easter basket hunt at Chad's parents house.

I am also fond of dying eggs which is why I was so excited to find this picture on dying eggs with natural foods. Isn't that so neat? You don't have to buy a dying kit, just finding things around the house to dye with is simple enough. Onions? Cabbage? Coffee? Perfect dying supplies. I would love to try this with my daycare kids, and in the future even my own children. I'll definitely have to consult Martha to make sure I'm doing everything in order. (BTW- is there anything crafty this woman doesn't know how to do?)

found: 3191 miles apart

Any Easter traditions you have that you absolutely look forward to doing?


I love this reminder of who I am. I would put this next to my bed to cheer me up every morning...

26!

Dear Chad,

It's your 26th birthday today and I can't wait to see you and give you 26 birthday hugs and kisses. I love you...always.

Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery


This makes me think of what is happening with us right now:)

Chad through the ages (and by ages, I mean the five years I've known him)

Dear Nephew: Music for you

Hi little guy,

Wednesday was an exciting day for us, your momma came to our house for Grandpa Hulke's birthday! It's probably the last time we'll see your mom before you get here. Your arrival date is fast approaching, honey. Laura was telling all of us how she and dad are preparing for you. They got a crib and all kinds of other furniture the other weekend. Your momma is being very patient waiting for you. It is sad that I don't get to see her for four or so weeks, but the good thing is hopefully you'll be here by then!

I was browsing the Internet the other day and saw this good gift idea for you. Your momma mentioned something like this when she was opening her gifts at the shower. I thought it was such a good idea, and I know that your 'Uncle' Chad would probably buy you this:


I can just imagine when you are trying to fall asleep and you are fussy, your mom will put these albums in and they'll be so soothing to you, you'll fall fast asleep. Doesn't that sound lovely, babe? Maybe your mom will play some music for you even before you get here!

Well, little guy, I will probably only write you a few more letters not using your given name:)
I can't wait to see you, love...

Recycling Again

As I've done before, I'm recycling a note that's been going around Facebook.

Here it is below~

(Here's some quotes from some of my favorite movies. Try to guess which one's they are!
No cheating:) Go to IMDB.com if you want to make a quote note yourself...)

1. For my best friend has won the best woman. I didn't buy you a gift. But this is on loan until you two find your song...

2. Sand is overrated. It's just tiny, little rocks.

3. Rick 'em, rack 'em, rock 'em, rake. Stick that sword into that snake!

4. Your fame is well deserved, Spaniard. I don't think there's ever been a gladiator to match you. As for this young man, he insists you are Hector reborn. Or was it Hercules? Why doesn't the hero reveal himself and tell us all your real name? You do have a name.

5. Ladies and gentlemen, stop that girl, that girl running up the aisle. Stop her! That's the girl whose voice you heard and loved tonight. She's the real star of the picture.

6. Here goes: I sped. I followed too closely. I ran a stop sign. I almost hit a Chevy. I sped some more. I failed to yield at a crosswalk. I changed lanes at the intersection. I changed lanes without signaling while running a red light and *speeding*!

7. I once had to judge a tighty-whitey contest for Lambda Kappa Pi. Trust me, I can handle anything.

8. *Po-tay-toes!* Boil 'em, mash 'em, stick 'em in a stew... Lovely big golden chips with a nice piece of fried fish.

9. So you're my Uncle Joey. Better get used to these bars, kid.

10. Is that what your little note says? It must be hard living your life off a couple of scraps of paper. You mix your laundry list with your grocery list you'll end up eating your underwear for breakfast.

11. Well, hello, beautiful. You must be Harvey's squeeze, hm? And you *are* beautiful.

12. Of course you can! Everything in this room is eatable, even *I'm* eatable! But that is called "cannibalism," my dear children, and is in fact frowned upon in most societies.

13. I'll be honest with you, I love his music, I do, I'm a Michael Bolton fan. For my money, I don't know if it gets any better than when he sings "When a Man Loves a Woman".

14. Well let me think...”Lizzie" for every day, "My Pearl" for Sundays, and...”Goddess Divine"... but only on *very* special occasions.

15. It's not a tumor!

16. Don't you realize what's happening? Oh man, this is beyond coincidence, this is beyond imagination! I only have a mother, and you only have a father... You've never seen your Mom, and I've never seen my Dad. You have one old picture of your Mom, I have one old picture of my Dad but at least yours is probably a whole picture.

17. Moisture is the essence of wetness, and wetness is the essence of beauty.

18. Oh my God, Karen, you can't just ask people why they're white.

19. When she first mentioned what's about to happen, I said, "Over my dead body." And she said, "No, Daniel, over mine... ”

20. I don't have to do anything. I've been in captivity for three months. There are two things I want to do. One, I want an American cheeseburger, and the other...

Spring has sprung.

This is what one of my teachers wrote on her assignment sheet for us. (Yes, we in the ECE program know we are cutesy-cutesy.)

That statement makes me think of this print by art+light.



Has all the things I love about this time of year. Plus, I love how Spring and Easter are the biggest parts:)

via bluemossgirls

Makes Me Laugh Monday: Jim.

With all the yucky weather and homework invading my Monday, I want to curl up in bed and watch this movie


How could I not with lines like these:

"Weight, 105. Yeah, in your bra!"

"Wow! That was a nice image...[makes typing noise]*Deleted*!"

(So many more, especially at the end credits.)

What's making you laugh today?

Music Purchase: The Harzards of Love

Last night while driving me home, Chad asked, "Have you gotten the new Decemberists album?" I replied with a "No honey, thanks for reminding me." (You get the point.)
Chad is definitely my reminder to get albums from iTunes and for that I am grateful since I still probably wouldn't have gotten it.
Today I am at work and my copy of the Decemberists "The Hazards of Love" is whirling away in the small cd player next to me. I'm also on this website looking at every single lyric. They will be in Milwaukee at the end of May, but unfortunately, we will be gone. Hopefully, they will decide to add some dates to the tour so we can see them.


If you've never heard the Decemberists, I seriously suggest it. "The Crane Wife" is their most recent album (besides THOL) and it's also one of my favorites. It's definitely a different type of music than what's on the radio. Their current album "The Hazards of Love" is considered rock-opera and all the songs are meant to be listened to in one sitting.







Seriously. They are so cool.

Photograph Envy

On first glance, the following pictures look professional. Oh no. They were all taken by my cousin, Michelle. She is stationed in England for the US Air Force and when she's not translating Arabic, she gets to travel Europe. I think she really likes where she is and I am so in love with the photos that she takes on her travels. Michelle, if you are reading this post, sorry if you're upset that I stole them all off your Facebook profile. I couldn't help myself-I love these photos (not and much as I love you!)

Sit back and be amazed:

{Paris}





{London}



{Scotland}



{Ireland}




Makes me kind of want to move even more than I already do.
Happy Friday! Take some inspiring pictures like these.

Jumbled thoughts

I can't write a new post every time a thought pops into my head. This is just some things that have been going on.
Disclaimer: This post is unorganized and has no concise order...enjoy!

*My longtime girlfriend, Jenny, got engaged on St. Patrick's Day to her boyfriend, Luke. She is so lovely and I am overjoyed that she is so happy. She came to visit not too long ago and we got to talk about boys and weddings. She told me and Danielle all about her plans. Can't wait to see Jenny soon and talk more!

*That got me thinking about how many people in my class have gotten engaged or married in the past couple years. I'm not just talking about ILC people, I'm talking about college too. I think in my program there are 11 girls engaged. That's out of a possible 50 give or take a couple. On top of that, I know 7 (or so) girls from high school that recently got engaged. This is just a matter of fact statistic, I don't want you to think that I'm whining about how it hasn't happened to me yet. I know that for me it will be sooner then I think and I'll be more elated then I am already. I'm just saying, there's an engaged couple born every week around here.

*On Thursday, I was pleasantly caught off guard at my center when my cooperating teacher told me that she was taking the day to do planning and that I'd be in charge along with an older student teacher. This might sound like not the biggest deal but it was so wonderful because I got a glimpse of what I'll be doing every day in about three years. The added bonus was that the other student teacher didn't really know our schedule or routine so I took over that part. It really reassured me that a) they trust me enough to handle a group of 10 preschoolers basically all by myself and b) that this is the field that God desires for me.

*Chad (and I) love making food. He's so much better at it than I am, and got so excited when it was nice earlier this week and he realized that it was grill season. He loves grilling. Like it's a deep part of his soul. We made burgers topped with avocado, Swiss cheese, and tomato. So yummy! Now, we have to find a way to eat half an avocado-any ideas?

*I just read this article. Seriously. This is actually news.

See. I told you this would be a mess.