Camping Trip: Rifle River Recreation Area

This past weekend we drove a couple of hours north with some friends and had a wonderful weekend in the woods with mother nature and s'mores. Lots of s'mores!

Disclaimer: All of these pictures are stolen by Abbie because she was the only responsible one of the bunch who remembered to bring her camera. 

We left after work Friday and after fighting every other southeast Michigan resident for space on the highway we made it to the campsite about an hour before sunset. We set up the tents quickly and started the fire for dinner. The hungry boys wasted no time with burgers and brats. Nothing too fancy, but definitely delicious!

After a failed attempt at renting canoes Saturday morning we decided to spent the day sitting in inner tubes on the lake. Minus a slight incident with some broken glass it was an enjoyable day in the sun!

We soaked up the sunrise on Saturday night and it was absolutely beautiful! We are so grateful for weekends spent with such wonderful and hilarious friends!

West Coast Road Trip: 2015 Edition

We just got back from a 10 day road trip through the west coast and despite the fact that the laundry basket is overflowing and we have no food in the fridge our hearts are so full and rejuvenated from such a wonderful trip.

OVERVIEW:
Our first stop was Seattle for the weekend. Then we spent a day Keeping Portland Weird while also celebrating our 2 year wedding anniversary. After that we drove along the Oregon Coast via Highway 101. We took that all the way through the Redwood Forest and into Napa, California. After stuffing our faces with delicious food and wine we headed towards the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco. We ended our trip stalking the tech companies in Silicon Valley before flying out of San Jose.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Catching up with and creating memories alongside our dear friends Matt and Melissa. Jameson seeing the Pacific Ocean for the first time. Crossing Oregon off my list of States to Visit. Experiencing possibly the best meals of our lives in Napa. And most of all spending quality time with my best friend and adventure partner for life!

I'm plan on dedicating a blog post to each state that way we don't forget any of the memories we made on our #LietzkeSummerRoadtrip

Recent Reads: Library Edition

One of my goals this year was to get a library card and I successfully completed that task a couple of months ago. Ever since I have been visiting the library on almost a weekly basis to drop off and pick up more books! Prior to getting this card I am pretty sure the last time I actually checked out a book from a library was around 2002 (give or take a couple of years). Needless to say I was pleasantly surprised when I learned about some of the newer "technologies" libraries have to offer these days. My local library allows you to create an online account where you can check out electronic books and then download them onto your e-reader device. I have found so far that almost every book I looked up to check out comes in a digital copy as well. But just because its digital does not mean that you can check it out immediately, there is still a waiting list for more popular books. I generally prefer reading the old fashioned physical copy but for those of you who are more technologically inclined this is a very nice feature. I have also been placing holds online for all my books and then just pop into the library when I get notified that they have been pulled for me. This eliminates the long searches around the bookshelves and allows me to be in and out in just a couple of minutes.Our library also had a large DVD and books on tape section which I haven't explored too much yet, but will in the near future.

Another thing I love about our library is it's location. It is right in the heart of our cities downtown area which makes it extremely convenient to visit before or after we go to dinner, get ice cream, coffee runs, or stop by the farmers market. I have even walked Milton there and just tied him up outside for a brief minute while I went it to check out my books. I cannot believe how much I have enjoyed using the library over the past 2 months and my bank account is very thankful as well!!

I am not the most adventurous reader in terms of genre and tend to stick mostly with fictional "girl" books but if that is what you like too then I have some great recent finds.

The Husband's Secret   ||  Family Pictures   ||  The Secrets of Midwives

All three of these books were light, quick reads that kept me engaged until the very end. I have a couple of more Liane Moriarty books already checked out so hopefully I will enjoy those just as much. Happy Reading folks!!

Dear Baby Wyatt

Wyatt Paul,
You entered into our lives last month and needless to say we are already so smitten with you! We were lucky enough to get to spend time with you and your parents your very first weekend at home and I will cherish those memories for years to come. (even you peeing on me while I was changing your diaper) Considering you are the first grandchild/nephew/baby in the family I know you will get your fair share of spoiling, but you will also be surrounded by so much love and laughter. I already miss cuddling with you and giving those squishy cheeks of your big ol' kisses. I look forward to watching you grow up and who knows maybe you will live up to your honorary nickname "Scooby" and be Penn State's next great linebacker. But no matter where life takes you I pray that you will always know your value comes from the Lord and that you are a perfect gift from God.

Love,                  

Your Auntie Val

Quirky Confessions

1. I absolutely LOVE yogurt. Mainly of the Greek variety but I won't discriminate. I eat it almost every day and if I skip a day it seems like I've gone forever without it.
2. My favorite food is anything I can eat with a spoon. Yogurt (see #1), applesauce, cereal, ice cream....I could just eat them all!!!!
3. I watch 19 Kids and Counting and love the Duggar family.  Occasionally I need to cleanse my reality TV pallet (I'm talking about you Bachelor and Real Housewives) with some more wholesome entertainment and the Duggar's do just that. Put me in a skirt and ship me off to Arkansas please!
4. Technology is not my thing. If the TV doesn't work when I turn it on I simply call Jameson to fix it. Input this, menu that....it's just way to many steps to remember. I also still proudly rock an iPhone 4s. I've thought about upgrading a couple of times but can't bring myself to pull the trigger yet considering my trusty old phone still gets the job done (with only occasional app failures).
5. I am a Starbucks snob. I love coffee but this girl likes it STRONG! Starbucks is the only place I've found that makes it strong enough for my liking. I also don't use cream or sugar, just a splash of milk and I'm good to go.
6.I've adjusted rather well to living up North but the one thing I miss the most about Georgia is Chick-fil-a. Give me a chicken biscuit or some waffle fries and I am one very happy camper.
7.My goal one day is to make it to all 50 States. I have about 30 marked off the list but I still have a ways to go.
8. I get motion sickness in the car rather easily so road trips for me consist of listening to lots of country music and looking out the window. I wish I could be one of those people who read or watch movies but unfortunately my stomach has other plans for me.
9. I only use the dishwasher for plates, bowls, cups (i.e. everyday stuff) but I cannot bring myself to use it for mixing bowls, pans, spatulas, measuring cups, etc. This results in more time spent at the sink but old habits sure are hard to break.
10. I prefer even numbers over odd, hence why this post has to end with 10 things and not 9 :)

Lietzke Letters: The Engagement Story

You can catch up on Part One: How We Met and Part Two: Our Dating Adventures

Jameson and I got engaged on June 15, 2012 and that day will always hold such special memories in my heart.

I had flown up to Michigan for the weekend to help Jameson move into his new apartment. He had just started working full time and had been living with a friend for a couple weeks until his apartment was available. His mom and dad also came up to bring some of this things from home and help with the whole moving process. Friday morning was move in day, so we were all so excited for Jameson to begin this next chapter in his life and I was taking in everything around me knowing that this place would soon be my home in just 6 short months after I graduated. We had an appointment with the leasing agent for the apartment in the morning where Jameson had to sign a bunch of things and then he got the keys. Let the moving begin! We started moving in a bunch of boxes that his parents had brought down. After about an hour or so his parents said they were going to run to the store to pick up some drinks and snacks so they left. Without thinking much of it Jameson pointed to a box in the corner and asked me to open it and start unpacking it's contents. So I went over to the box and opened it, only to find another box inside of it. That's silly I thought to myself, then I proceeded to move back to unpacking the plates and cups like I had been doing before. Jameson walked up to me, grabbed the cup from my hand and said "I'll work on these, you go back to that box."

So back over I went to open the box, only to find another box inside. At that moment I saw the words "YOU" written on the box in big black lettering. I then realized that there had been writing on the first box too. I looked back at it and the black letters "WILL" glared back at me, At that point I started freaking out a bit internally. I rushed to open the next box and found the words "MARRY" written on them. Queue the sweating and heart pounding. "Jameson" I said as I opened the next box. He slowly walked over while I was unpacking the box that said "ME". Inside of the final box was a ring box with a shiny silver "?" taped to it. At this point Jameson got down on one knee, picked up the ring box, and asked me to be his wife. I was in complete and total shock at this point because I had absolutely no idea that this would be happening.

I of course said "YES" as he slipped the most beautiful ring on my finger.

After the shock died down I called my parents, family, and friends to share with them the good news. Little did I know as I was talking to my mom and dad that they were actually at the airport on their way up to Michigan to celebrate with us. They surprised me that afternoon while walking through the apartment doors as I was taking a quick power nap. I was so excited to see them and incredibly thankful that they could be a part of the celebrations. We went out to dinner that night with both of our parents and it was the perfect ending to the most perfect day!

5 on Friday | Winter Favorites

This week definitely felt like winter up here in Michigan. So far *knock on wood* this winter hasn't been nearly as bad as last year, but we still have to deal with some snow and negative degree temperatures. Being that I was raised in the South I have had somewhat of a learning curve when it comes to surviving this season, but I finally feel like I have my go to favorites to staying warm!

 ONE | Scarves. Scarves. Scarves
I could not survive the winter without scarves. I love that they can easily add a pop of color or pattern to any outfit but more than anything I love that they keep me warm. During the cold months I pretty much wear one to work every. single. day. I recently bought 2 of these scarves and they are my new favorites. big and poofy + warm + infinity = my perfect scarf! I got it in grey and dark red.

TWO | EOS Lip Balm
My sister -in-law is going to celebrate at this because she has been a huge fan of this lip balm for years but I am just now jumping on the bandwagon. My mom got this for me for Christmas and it has turned into my go to for chapped lips. It's super moisturizing and the Sweet Mint flavor adds a subtle flavor but nothing too overpowering.

THREE | UGG Slippers
I have had the same pair of UGG slippers for 5 years and they are still going strong! My feet are always cold so I wear these around the house all the time. They are so cozy yet very durable. They have a thick sole so they can be worn outside some. I wouldn't run errands in them too often, but I will be the first to admit they have made more than one trip with me to the grocery store.

FOUR | Lightweight Down Puffer Coat
These lightweight down coats are the best of both worlds during the winter time! They provide a crazy amount of warmth considering how lightweight they are and you don't feel like a stuffed marshmallow while wearing it. They are significantly less bulky than all of my other winter coats and provide enough warmth for running errands and going to work during the bitter cold months.

FIVE | Good Books and TV
Most evenings it's too dark and cold to much outside so hibernating at home happens frequently. Most evenings Jameson and I settle down and read or watch an episode or two of our favorite TV shows. Right now I am reading Love Does by Bob Goff and am enjoying this encouraging read so far! My favorite HGTV show Fixer Upper has started Season 2 so this is a must watch! I have a massive couple crush on Chip and Joanna Gaines! They are so cute together and I love her eye for design. Jameson and I have debated moving to Waco, TX just so they could fix us up a house. (only kidding...kind of!)

Linking up with Christina  for 5 on Friday | Karli for Oh Hey Friday 

Lietzke Letters: The Dating Years

You can catch up on part one of our story here.

Jameson and I officially started dating in October of 2010. We were living over 700 miles apart. He was still at Penn State while I was at Georgia Tech, but thanks to Facetime and Skype we never felt too far away.

Because we were long distance I would say we got serious rather quickly because you don't just drop $300 on a flight for a guy you just kinda sorta like. Prior to dating we had a really solid friendship and communication was always something that came very naturally for both of us. I believe this has been the key to our success as husband and wife. We may not always agree about things but we can definitely talk our way through any problem that arises.

Our first official trip while dating was to Washtington D.C. to watch Penn State play Indiana at FedEx field. Jameson's sister and brother-in-law had just gotten married and it was a fun trip for me to get to know his family better.

Over the course of the next 2 years we traveled all over the east coast for visits. We tried alternating trips and usually didn't go more than 4-5 weeks between visits.

Jameson's first trip to Atlanta: January 2011 | GDS Anniversary Party: February 2011

Atlanta: Spring 2011 | Peachtree Road Race: July 2011

Disney World: April 2011 | Petoskey, Michigan: August 2011

My Sister's Wedding in Nashville, TN: May 2012 | Bahamas Cruise: May 2012

Up Next: The Engagement Story

Lietzke Letters: How We Met

One of my favorite parts of blogging is being able to document special moments. Big moments. Little moments. Any moment really. It is so special to look back on life and my desire is for this little blog help document all of those wonderful things. I figured it would only make sense to look back on how Jameson and I met and how we got to be where we are now.

It all goes back to Fall 2008. Jameson was one of the very first people I met freshman year at Penn State. I was a young 18 year old girl all the way from Atlanta. He was a "townie" who grew up only 20 minutes away from campus. Like many college freshman do we met through mutual friends. A girl on my floor was dating his roommate. So naturally one day we all got together to go to the dining hall for lunch. Afterwards a group of us went back to the dorm and Jameson ended up hanging out with my roommate and I while watching a football game. Here is all I remember about the first time we all hung out:
1. I impressed him with my football knowledge. We were watching Clemson play and as he says "I knew a lot about the game for a girl."
2. I could not pronounce his last name to save my life. To my defense Lietzke is pretty challenging. Who would have guessed 5 years later it would become my last name.
3. He was also majoring in Engineering. He was Mechanical. I was Industrial.

Fast forward a couple of weeks and my roommate and Jameson start hanging out more and more often.

Fall 2008. Freshman Year. Our first picture together.

Low and behold my roommate and Jameson start dating so we all hung out quite a bit. We also had a couple of similar classes so every so often we would compare Chemistry notes. But for the greater part of freshman year he was just my roommates boyfriend. And then after they broke up a couple months later he was then just my roommates ex-boyfriend.

Fast forward to Sophomore year and I returned to campus in the Fall of 2009 and find Jameson and I have a couple of classes together. As I walked into Computer Science on the first day of class I recognize the familiar face so we sat together with some mutual friends. Our CS lab was right before lunch every Tuesday and Thursday so we started going to the dining hall together after class those days. We would eat, watch SportsCenter, talk about class and daily happenings. Sometimes his roommate or other people would meet us too. To kill time I would head to his dorm on west campus (I lived in South campus) and we would hang out with his roommate before our next class and watch episodes of The Office. Oh the joys of college, the free time was glorious!

We continued hanging out and studying together. I carried his butt through Computer Science and he was the sole reason I passed Physics II. We ended the semester as really close friends but at the end of December I left Penn State and transferred to Georgia Tech to finish my degree closer to home.

Some Fun Facts:
1. The whole time I was at Penn State I had a boyfriend back home.
2.  Jameson was the last person I said goodbye to when leaving PSU. I held it together pretty good up until he stopped by the hotel I was staying at with my parents to say goodbye. After that I just lost it.
3.  Georgia Tech and Penn State are over 700 miles apart

Then comes Fall 2010 (Junior year of college). Jameson and I continued to stay in touch. (I even saw him on a trip up to State College that summer while I was visiting a close girlfriend). We texted back and forth every now and then and were still up to date on each others lives. That Fall,
after a lot of soul searching and many tears I ended the 2 year relationship I had with my boyfriend from home. I distinctly remember texting Jameson after we broke up to tell him the news. I wasn't quite sure what his reaction would be but I remember having a huge desire to let him know.

When you talked to Jameson about this moment he will tell you that his first thoughts when he read that text were "Oh boy. Here we go!" --- Underlying our friendship the entire time was a strong compatibility and unspoken attraction. It was never discussed or acted upon since I was dating someone else at the time. But I think we both knew when I sent him that text that "our" time to figure things out was about it begin.

Spoiler Alert: Things worked out pretty well!!

Up Next: Our long distance dating adventures

My Truth About the Motor City

When I tell people I live in Detroit I usually brace myself for their response because more times than not it is not a positive one.

Well what brought you from Atlanta to Detroit? - They say

To which I respond the auto industry. Well technically the auto industry brought my husband to Detroit and he brought me, but that just minor details.

Is it really as bad as I see on the news? - They ask

To which I response yes. and no.

January 1, 2015 marked my 2 year anniversary of living in southeastern Michigan. In those 2 years I have learned so many things about life in metro Detroit. I have learned how to drive in the snow. I have learned about the delicacy that is Tim Horton's. I have learned how to navigate the Michigan left hand turns. I have learned that most people spend their summer weekends at a lake Up North. But more so than anything I have learned about the spirit that is Detroit. As commercials sometimes remind us, Detroit has been to hell and back and will forever be changed because of it.

I spent most of my time during the worst of the recession sheltered in a safe college bubble in Atlanta, GA. I remained mostly unaffected by the loss and despair that accompanied the rapidly increasing unemployment rate. I went to class. I studied. I worked hard and was rewarded for my efforts. But since moving up to Detroit I have witnessed first hand the aftermath of a city brought to it's knees. A city who had no choice but to humble itself as it hit absolute rock bottom. A city who exposed it's imperfections to the world and now must slowly pick of the pieces of a shattered reputation.

Since filing for bankruptcy in March of 2013 Detroit leaders have taken significant steps towards acknowledging and finding solutions for the cities massive debt and crippling city services. Both public and private sectors have come together and started investing in the rebirth of this historic city. There are new restaurants, entertainment hot spots, rail lines to improve public transit, and a sports district to house the new Red Wings hockey arena. All of these changes are breathing fresh new life into a city that has remained stagnant for so long.

This past week President Obama was in town visiting a Ford plant and he discussed the resurgence of the auto industry which is the heart and soul of Detroit's economy. When speaking at Wayne Assembly Plant President Obama said "One thing is for sure. We may not all root for the Lions, but America is rooting for Detroit. We want the Motor City strong. And behind the stories of plants and cities and economic data it’s people. It’s all of you."

Regardless of your political beliefs I think the point he made is so important to remember. Behind all the pictures of abandoned buildings are people living in their shadows. Real. Life. People. Growing up I never in a million years thought I would be living in Detroit working for an auto company. But now I am one of those people. Jameson has such a passion for the revival of the American auto industry and the city that founded it, and I could not me more proud to stand by his side as we watch Detroit grow and evolve. I have learned to respect and appreciate the resilience of this city. I have learned to look for the good. To see the opportunity and light even when it might be covered by some dust.

Below are just a few of the unique local shops, people, and places Detroit has to offer. I know I am just one person and I cannot change the image and reputation of an entire city, but Detroit is now my home and I desire for others to see it in the same light I do. I may curse it from time to time when the snow is to my knees but nevertheless Jameson and I love exploring Detroit and making this place truly our home!

 Slows BBQ | Nicole Curtis: Rehab Addict | Two James Spirits

Better Life Bags | Shinola | Roasting Plant