Classic Date December: Dinner and Lights

2014 was a year of change, but a different type of change than before. 2014 was filled with inner change, inner peace, and finding the joy in life.

Adam and I started this year off in a rough place. He had just returned from the Police Academy to a wife who couldn't find joy in her job and had no desire to be living in small town Iowa. We had somehow lost our ability to communicate with one another, let alone the ability to truly date one another. Dating your spouse sounds a little strange, but in my opinion, it is the best way to keep your relationship in a healthy place.

Twelve months later, Adam and I are in a better place than we have ever been. It fills my heart with felicity to know how far we have come. While it is not always easy, we both know that open communication is the cornerstone of our marriage, and no matter what may come our way, we will face it together.

Which brings me to our "classic" December date for the 12 Dates for Christmas. When Adam opened the last envelope of 2014, this is what he found.

DECEMBER

One year ago, I was missing you terribly. You were almost home from the Academy (still proud of you by the way), and all I could think of was how to celebrate having my husband back.  I hope this year of dates has been the wonderful gift of time I had imagined! Though right now, I bet you are giving me that scrunch faced, “Not so much” look just to tease me…but I’m not phased…I LOVE you!

We’re going to round this year off by going to one of your favorites for dinner, followed by Christmas light gazing. Here is to many more dates to come! 

Included with the note was a gift card for Biaggi's, a restaurant Adam loves, but is a little out of our everyday date night budget. He was pretty darn excited!

The food was delicious, and we even skipped sugar free and opted for dessert. Yum!  We decided to forgo big Christmas gifts this year (stockings only), and instead plan six months of dates for 2015. Therefore, we rounded the evening off by stopping at Target with a $30 spending limit to shop for stocking stuffers. I went over budget...oops! Adam made it with pennies to go. But it was for Christmas, so I couldn't help myself.

 We were so excited about our purchases that we immediately put on our footie pajamas when we were home and exchanged stockings. No one can say we are normal, but we sure do have fun!

Overall, these 12 dates have been the most incredible "gift of time" for our happy home. Cheers to continuing the tradition in 2015!

Love.

October Date

Talk about taking a hiatus from writing! Three weeks later, I have got to get back on track. That being said, is there a better way to get back on track than to write a post about the 12 Dates for Christmas? I certainly don't think so.

On October 1st, Adam opened the following date letter...

OCTOBER

Happy Halloween! We will challenge our 

creativity by carving some pumpkins into 

ghoulish (or superhero related) designs! Of 

course, we will have to get our pumpkins at 

the Harvest Barn, so we might as well make 

silly videos while dominating the corn maze!

Over the years, pumpkin carving has become a tradition in the Fitz house. No matter what the world is throwing our way, carving pumpkins in October is a must. Deep down, I realize Adam only goes along with it because traditions turn me into a giddy little girl, but I'm pretty sure he would be just as sad if the tradition fell away. 

Keeping with 12 date tradition, October's date became a two-parter (go figure!) because we couldn't find a day close enough to Halloween that would work for both the corn maze and carving.

So, without further adieu, the perfect fall date!

Part 1: Picture a beautiful 70 degree day with the sun shining and coffee in hand. Close those eyes tight. Can you see it? Does it feel like heaven? If it doesn't, you're crazy. If it does, we must be friends. Now, place yourself in a twisted corn maze with your favorite person in the whole wide world. Did heaven just get better? I am thinking so! Insert laughing, sefies, silly videos of people pretending to be scarecrows, and fall cheer all around. That is what part one was. It was a little slice of perfect heaven...at the Harvest Barn.

#20MOVEment

Part 2: Another beautiful day - shorts and a long sleeve t shirt kinda day - with the two of us competing with pictures of our previous year's pumpkins. There was laughter about the new idea to cut hole in the bottom of the pumpkin instead of the top. There were slimy high fives (we had just gutted pumpkins!) upon realizing that we actually own electric candles, and cracking up when our neighbors drove by honking because two people in their late 20's, with no kids, were still taking the time to carve pumpkins. Yep. We are awesome like that.

Halloween 2014: Adam's Jack and Molly's Cyclops 

Halloween 2012 

Halloween 2012

Only two more Christmas dates to go, and I think we may need to continue this date tradition for years to come. After all, how could Adam deny my love for traditions?

World Food Fest: A Day In Pictures

A few weeks ago, the stars aligned and my husband had a Saturday off. While this does happen occasionally, this day was special because it was his third day off. Why is the third day off important? Well, it means he was able to change his sleeping patterns the previous days...so that on Saturday, he was a fully functioning, completely awake, partner in life. There were no moments of guilt for making he be awake when he normally wouldn't be. There were no glimpses of sand in his eyes.

So, why not take advantage of this fairy tale day by enjoying the World Food and Music Festival in downtown Des Monies? I couldn't think of one reason!

It truly was a perfect day, and to top it all off, the weather was perfect: bright sun, light breeze, and happy people everywhere.

It is days like this that remind me how amazing life really is.

First bite of the delicious food! #sugarfree went out the window today...

Even the river looked inviting.

We spent quite a bit of time laying on the green grass and taking it all in. 

Once our tummies were full, we took a stroll up and down the river.

The evening ended on the patio of The Riverwalk Hub. Gorgeous!
Plus Ailey an James came to visit!
The night was perfection! 

September Date: Guns, Sushi, and Shopping

Each time I write a 12 dates of Christmas post, I start to get a little sad thinking about how this amazing 12 month dating adventure will soon come to a close. Nevertheless, we have fun every month on our date escapades, and this month was no different. Per usual, we went off course...a lot!

Here is what Adam opened on September 1! The letter was accompanied by $40 and a Junction Creamery gift certificate.

SEPTEMBER

This is the date you’ve been waiting for! You’re taking me to the shooting range! Unless something has changed in the last 9 months, I’m guessing I haven’t seen you and your shooting talent all the often, and I am looking forward to it! Nothing sexier than watching my man doing something he is passionate about! And since we both know I’ll need it after the hot steal in my hands, we’re going to the creamery to cool down after we tear that target apart! 

There were just two small problems with the date I had planned way back in December of 2013.

1. I had no idea we I would be sugar free nine months later, so the creamery wasn't the best date spot.
2. Apparently there isn't a shooting range anywhere close to where we live...oops! 

Never fear! As always, we tweaked a few things and went on our merry little way! Because of work schedules, we started this date on a Thursday evening, at my parents house, about 35 minutes from our home in the middle of the country. It is the perfect place to fire off a few rounds. 

Hanging out with the parentals doesn't sound like a date to you? Not exactly a romantic setting? 

Well, you're right. But we took care of the one-on-one date portion the following day. But on Thursday, we enjoyed some farm fresh air, my welcoming mom and dad, and the sweet smell of guns. Ha! 

Adam brought a target, his two guns, and earplugs. I brought a good attitude and the excitement to see my husband do something he truly enjoys. 

We got all set up and ready to go, but hadn't counted on one thing. It was a surprisingly chilly day for mid September! BANG! I got my first shot off, and all I could think was, "Ouch!" Icy hands and a gun I'm not used to were cause for a not so pleasant sting in my flanges! After the initial pain and switching back to the gun I prefer (when did I become a person who talks about preferred guns?!) I felt much better.

Though you never would have known from my almost untouched target. Oh well, guess I'll never be a sharp shooter! 

Adam's skill, however, has improved quite a bit since the last time we went out together! A few weeks earlier, his whole department had to re-certify. Stories about laying on his stomach, timing his shots, and using different stances had me intrigued. I wanted to see what the recertification "course" would be.  While initially refusing, peer pressure broke him down, and I got to see what he does while on duty.

I'm so proud of the path he has chosen for himself. 

Since we were at my parent's house, we stayed for dinner. It was great to hang out and catch up, but it wasn't quite the marriage building, fun, just the two of us date we had had in mind...so September Date Day Part II was born!

Part II: Friday night in Des Moines. Shopping, without buying, at Nike Outlet, Dicks, and the mall. Spur of the moment sushi at Samuri. Many laughs. So much love. TOTALLY date-worthy. Dating my husband is the best feeling in the whole world. 

Yea, I can palm a ball. 

Until next month!  

August Date: The Zoo!

As I started thinking about my date with Adam tonight, it dawned on me that I had forgotten to tell you about our August 12 Dates for Christmas! How foolish of me!

Never fear, I'm making up for it now...even if is a short rendition. After all, the date was a month and a half ago, so the details are slightly fuzzy.

What I do remember is that things were going to be a little hectic in August and this date had to happen on a Wednesday because of Zoo Brew. So I decided to let the hubs open both the July and the August envelopes in July. In the end, that was the best decision because we had our July "camping" date in August and our August zoo date in July!

Here is the August envelope Adam opened way back when...

AUGUST

Are you ready for a safari? Well, I couldn’t quite 

afford a trip to Africa, but I have planned the 

next best 2-part date...mini golf and the Zoo 

Brew! Do you remember the first time we did the 

same 2-part date a few years go? It was one of 

my favorite days with you, so why not go back 

for more?

We love mini golf! Looking back, we could have capped the date off with that, but who doesn't like a double feature of golf balls and exotic animals?

In my version of the day, I came out victorious after 18 mini holes! But like I mentioned, the date was a while ago, so I can't be positive...but I look pretty happy in the pictures.

Zoo Brew ended up being a packed house, so we didn't stay as long as we had thought. Neither of us like having to push our way through crowds. We stayed long enough to see all the animals and have a couple drinks.

Adam with a Bald Eagle...get it? ;-)

Just as we were walking out, another couple from home called to see if we were there. Sadly, once you leave, there is no reentry. Talk about bummer timing!

The Snap we sent the Millers when we found out we JUST missed them at the zoo.
We didn't make it to Adventureland either...

Have I mentioned lately how happy I am with my choice for Adam's Christmas present? Because it has literally been the best gift I have ever given...in my humble opinion... We have a third of the dates left, and I can't wait to see/remember all that is planned.

With Adam's wonky schedule, I cherish each and every date!

Great State Fair

Last week I made a public announcement that I was going to go refined sugar free! I was completely jazzed about the endeavor and felt like I might conquer the world. One week later, it is time for an update...

I'm still on board! Amazingly, I am still excited for the journey and believe this might finally be the change that my stomach has been begging for for years! While I continue to find hidden sugar in everything under the sun, it has been easier to stay on track than I had previously imagined.

However, in the interest of transparency, there was one little huge, though conscious, flub up this week.

Enter the amazing, the wonderful, the sugar packed Iowa State Fair! If you are from Iowa (or the Midwest for that matter), you have heard of the number three tourist attraction in America. You have most likely also heard of the nearly 200 food stands and close to 70 foods on a stick that are every turn of the ISF. I grew up going to the fair yearly, eating the food, and showing cattle. So nothing (an appendectomy, a new sugar free regime) was going to stop me from keeping this tradition alive!

That is why I went into the day fully aware that I would be breaking my new sugar free rule...and it was glorious! Here is a list of all the gooey, salty, sweet deliciousness that Adam and I consumed. I'm not embarrassed. I'm from 'Merica!

ISF Food (both stick and not stick variety)

• Footlong Corn Dog -  both of us
• Cookies in a Cup - we shared 
• Deep Fat Fried Snickers - Adam's baby, but I had a bite
• Chocolate Dipped Key-lime Pie on a Stick - Adam
• Chocolate Dipped Ice Cream Sandwich on a Stick - All Me! 
• Gyros - both of us
• Summer Shandy - one each...Large!
• Tootsie Rolls - Free! How can you say no?

Ok...maybe I'm a little embarrassed. And I paid the price when we got home. After sugar detoxing my body for a week and a half, there were some serious repercussions after that haul! I was sick until three the next afternoon! 

First beer post surgery! 

Nonetheless, we had a great night together. We signed up for free stuff at the Varied Industries Building, checked out the Butter Cow in the Agriculture building, commented on how funny dairy cattle are in the beef barn, found my name on the alumni wall, and enjoyed some of the best people watching of the year! I loved every minute of it! Plus, I got a night out with my handsome hubby. What's not to love?

We found my best friend, brother and myself on the ISU alumni wall! Silly Eduardo breaking us up...

Maybe next year I will pick ONE off diet delight at the Iowa State Fair. After all, Rodgers and Hammerstein let me know from a young age that, "Our state fair is a great state fair. Don't miss it. Don't even be late!"

 I wouldn't miss it for the world! 

July Date...In August

We have finally gotten to our July date! Below is what Adam found in his 12 Dates of Christmas envelope this month.

JULY

This month we are going to gaze at the stars and dream! First, I think it is time to buy that tent we’ve always talked about. Then I’ll pack some food, and we can enjoy nature. The beautiful nature trail right behind the house will give us plenty of places to set up camp. S’mores are calling your name!  While we’re out there, we can rekindle our connection with fun and games. 

Will you keep me warm out in the cold?

To be honest, this month has been a busy one. I would love to say we jumped right at the opportunity to go camping...but we simply didn't get to it! The first week of July was spent on vacation with my family. During the following two weeks, I was staying with Emily and working toward my TAG endorsement at the University of Iowa. We were rearing and ready to go when I returned...but then I decided to have an emergency appendectomy. 

What are you gonna do?

After all of the hubbub, we seriously considered skipping this month. But the thought of skipping a month made me all sorts of upset. We have gotten so much out of these monthly dates! We love them! So instead of skipping the whole thing, we improvised, tweaked, and made it our own. 

Did you expect anything less? 

While I'm feeling quite a bit better after loosing a useless and deadly organ, my core strength isn't top notch, and I still have incisions to keep clean. Taking all of that into account, being in the wonderful wild did not seem like the smartest of ideas. 

Introducing: the camping date in the sunroom! Adam pulled the futon mattress to the middle of the room, we made some not so good for you food, and stared at the stars (also known as Target bistro lights). 

I got to lay next to my wonderful husband, and P.P. was able to join the fun. And the major bonus? We were able to avoid any nasty mosquito bites! 

It was the perfect compromise, and I loved it.

June Date: Anniversary Trip

We made it! The first year of marriage is rough, but when I was writing the 12 dates for Christmas, I knew we would make it somehow.

June is our anniversary month, the month I am free from students, and the beginning of summer, so it was only fitting that our June date be a big one! It was so big that Adam opened his envelope a few weeks early.  Inside I placed a $200 Visa giftcard and the following note.

JUNE

Happy Anniversary my love! Can you believe it has already been one whole year? I am so blessed to get to call you the love of my life, my best friend, and my husband.

This month I want to spend a weekend ADVENTURE together, but lucky us, it is SUMMER so a weekend could be any day of the week! I didn’t fully prepay for this one, because I’m giving you a couple choices.

1) Run away with me to KC! We are going to the WWII museum, Worlds of Fun, and possibly a Pure Barre class for me…

2) We’re going to Adventureland! We can get a room, swim up bar, park during the day, Bass Pro Shop for you…

3) We can plan another vacation altogether!  I just want to get away and love on YOU!

I love watching him open these envelopes every month, but this one was especially wonderful.  For fear of ruining his Superman reputation, I'm not going to tell you how excited he was for our celebration trip or how thrilled I was when he swept me up in his arms and danced me around the kitchen...like I said, I don't want to ruin his rep...but it was pretty darn cute!

In true Christmas date fashion, we expanded upon the original plan. Shocking.  After much debate (and even booking and canceling a trip to Florida) we landed on a week in Myrtle Beach! Here are a few pictures from the week so far. Stay tuned for more to come!

#rhymeswithturtle

May Date: Farmers' Market Fun

I say it every month, and I will continue to say it: the 12 dates for Christmas is the BEST! I love the tradition. I am in love with the tradition. I will be so sad when this year is over.

MAY

Beep, beep, beep. Get ready to wake up and get moving! We are on our way to the Farmer’s Market this month. Let’s people watch, drink yummy coffee, and maybe buy ourselves some treats!

* As a disclaimer, if you are still on nights (boo if you are), we can reschedule this date for some fun evening activity…

While Adam IS still on nights part of the time, it worked out that this Saturday event landed after a 2-10 shift. Winning! 

This month was planned as a simple Saturday day date. We were going to the Des Moines Farmer's Market, doing a little people watching, and drinking expensive coffee. It was going to be relaxing and just the two of us...but we switched it up a bit!

My friend, Amy, is celebrating her golden birthday this year, and her loving boyfriend wanted to surprise her with a friend day starting at the farmer's market. Even though it was supposed to be a date day, we decided to seize the chance to catch up with friends we haven't seen since our wedding.

Happy birthday, Amy! 

To add a little fun to the day, we rented bikes and rode round the East Village. We had so much fun! There is something about being on a bike with a basket that brings you immediately back to childhood! Adam was trying to pop wheelies, I was zooming along, and the sun was shining.

Adam on a basket bike mission!

Note to the reader, read the instructions on Bcycle carefully! I thought I was paying $6.00 for a 24 hour bike pass. However, that was just the charge for the day membership. It was an additional $2.50 for every hour. That adds up over a nine hour period! 

After the Village, we sat out on the porch at Hessen Haus, a great German pub downtown. A few people in our group had never done a boot before, so Das Booooot had to happen. Then we rode over to Exile Brewery and were on our way home for some comfy couch time by 10:00 pm.

Hessen Haus 

Toward the end of the evening, Adam commented on how wonderful the date had been. I loved hearing him say it, though I had a feeling he had enjoyed himself. Throughout the day, I kept catching him gazing at me with that goofy/handsome/loving grin he used to get when we first started dating. Being loved by that guy is the best feeling in the world.

Cheers from the sunny patio!

A successful May date!

Up next, our one year anniversary date! I've got something extra special up my sleeve for this...