"Wah-Ohh Wah-Ohh..."

I feel like I have missed out on SO much since the last post, seeing everyone's postings finally! Ugh, I guess if this house has to have one drawback...

I'd like to say that its been pretty uneventful here, but I think there are just so many things I've gotten used to so it just seems uneventful. Doug went on his first hunting trip to Colorado with the guys in the family...one of those rugged "grow out your hair everywhere" trips. He was gone a week, and wouldn't you know, the EXACT day he leaves, my phone starts messing up. Of course, without my electronics guru around things turn upside down!! No problem, I have a back-up bb on hand. Except, it doesn't even turn on. We run around for 3 hours finding a fix.Then the crankiness from the extremely busy week catches up on the girls, and all hell breaks loose. I'm emotional, things aren't going right, and I start crying. Wonderful. So later when I talk to him I say "My whole world just fell apart when you left!!" (just what every husband likes to hear, that they are needed and loved and valued, right?!)

Of course, things leading up to this point would explain: Addie's 4th birthday party. There's really nothing more stressful than trying to plan a kid's birthday party and hosting, one they "will never forget"...but of course do the second its over. I made a cake, it turned out pretty good. The marshmellow fondant wouldn't cooperate, and I had yet another meltdown from frustration. Who helps to save the day? Doug. How does a man know how to fix fondant? No idea. But he did, and I finally finished it a few hours before the party. All the silly stuff that never mattered in the first place faded, and my cheeseball and dip were a big hit!! It went smoothly, which is crazy. Then, two and a half hours later, it was over and it was just another night. One week's worth of stress for two and a half hours of fun. Dare I say it was worth it? Is that foolish? ha!!


Cake.

While Doug was gone, we took a trip to dad's to visit. We went horseback riding through the woods, Addie loved it! I went to Holiday Market event at the Fort Smith Convention Center, soooooo much fun. The girl's night section (of which I "acquired" a ticket to cause they were sold out, I got skilllls) was a blast. Holiday Market, for those that don't know, is an event where local businesses and shops can sell their items at booths just in time for Christmas. Free wine, good friends, fashion show, and shopping, that's an AWESOME night to a stay at home mom!!!!!! I was so thankful to be out and enjoying myself after a crazy few weeks, I reallllly needed that. Mojo's for a drink, for about half a second because the piano player was awful, then iHop. I won't even say what time I dragged my butt in, but it was probably the latest I've been out in a few years. I'm so thankful for the opportunity. I could never do it again and function right like the old days, another tell tale sign I'm too old for this. I'm kind of grateful though, I think we all know those that are still trying to kick that old ball around ;) Recognize, and embrace, right?

By the way, I found a super cute head wrap and made the other girls buy one too in different colors. While holding my new find, I saw some mittens with the fingertips cut out...so cute, so I flipped them over to see the palms, and spilled my wine all down the front of my shirt. RED wine. Ha!! Then we all wore the head wraps for a picture, of which I'm not allowed to post because apparently we all looked like cancer patients. hahah, thanks for the good times girls!

Shout out to my uncle, who makes some of the best burgers in his pressure cooker...

Thanksgiving was great, I mean, how could turkey and potatoes EVER be wrong?? My sister in law and mother in law are both catholic, and sometimes the priest joins us for holiday dinners. I think I've mentioned that before. This is the same one who graciously takes my joking, because I do this with everyone. I like to think he appreciates being treated like a normal person from time to time. He talks about how a black Thursday sale he found online for a peacock coat. I don't know why I couldn't. I knew I shouldn't. I did it anyways: "Black Thursday sale, is that like just a catholic thing? Why didn't I know about this!!" and then: "Peacock coat, what's that? Do you mean PEAcoat?! Ha." I think I have mixed emotions about this one. He laughed too. The catholic community now hates me. He is regarded as a very noble person in the catholic church. You do not do things like this. In my non-denominational world though, he is another person I will crack friendly jokes with. He actually jokes, maybe he gets me cause that's part of his personality too.

Upon Doug's return, and the night before Thanksgiving day, I noticed a rash on my face. What is it that flares up right before I have to see millions of people? Poison Ivy, but of course!!!! I have super sensitive skin, and in a matter of a few hours after noticing it walking out to the car from Gusano's, it is full blown itchy, red, and huge. 4 spots on my face. AWESSOOOOOOOMMMEE. Nowhere else. Just.The.Face. Sick. I hate stuff like this. The family on Thanksgiving had to endure the horrendous sight. The people on Black Friday early morning had to endure the horrendous sight (which actually worked to my advantage, nobody wants to fight with a looney with sores on her face!! HAHAHAH. The seas parted for me!!). The people who were at Shoguns, Cold Stone, and the movie theatre for our anniversary date night had to endure the horrendous sight. Thanks Cold Stone guy, for not even looking at me while talking and making it that much better. And finally, church-goers. I was so up and down, back and forth with my self-esteem. I now see just how big my pride is. Shame, lots of shame. I was convinced I could just embrace my problem and shrug it off, but seriously? My face? I keep thinking this is God's way of making me (literally) face one one of my problems, or bring attention to something I should be working on. A reminder? I think its from either horseback riding through the woods, or handling Doug's laundry after he's been all over the CO terrain. (They got one doe by the way!)

Ohhh, Addie can read!! She's been sounding out words on cards we have, I couldn't be more proud!! Also, Doug caught her singing the other day: "Wah-Ohh Wah-Ohh stuck like glue, you and me baby we're stuck like glue!" hahahahaha...I laughed and laughed. She also thanked God last night for "The dust on the bottle." Maaaaybe I've been listening to too much country lately. I didn't realize that till now, which is quite funny because I never really even used to like country. Its not the only thing I live on though :)

Lillian is finally standing and cruising, stubborn baby!! She's always done everything on her own time, but I'm honestly relieved. She'll even stand without holding on to the couch/coffee table, but then realize it and sit down. She's been bear crawling too, like its an alternative to crawling to give her knees a rest. Ha!!

I've had the best (and fastest) couple of months, and it will only get better!! I am so blessed, and have so much to be thankful for. With a little good humor, I can honestly say I feel my life is quite perfect. I've not been happier or more at peace with myself too. Woo!! We've got a toddler Christmas party, cookie swapping/gift wrapping party, white trash bash (I love costume parties!! I came back to edit out what I'm going as, it seems so inappropriate following the previous two ahaha), finals which also mean lots of family time afterwards, a baby shower, and of course Christmas coming up!!! Woo!

-Keslyn

A.W.E.S.O.M.E.

Alas, I've emerged from my blogger absence, once again. I feel like this takes so much more work than I intended...for instance, it took me a good 20 minutes to figure out why the tethering from my husband's phone to the computer wasn't working (his is the only one that can tether, so any usage from a real computer is only when he's at home and NOT on it, problem #1). Then another 5 minutes to make sure all hell doesn't break loose while I mess around on here, so snacks and drinks and everyone's gone potty and in good spirits. No cooperation from the kiddos=no fun. See how my life revolves around two little people, who together don't even amount to 50 lbs.?

The past month has been an adventure. There was always something...birthday parties, birthday parties, birthday parties. Lillian turned the big ONE!! I cannot explain how that week went about, or how I even survived it. I was sure to wait til the last 7 days to decide to plan a bigger party, duh! That makes life fun. It was a good spread, I stole a Dr. Seuss idea from someone who plans parties, but she did it for a baby shower. I just about peed my pants when I saw how wonderful it all was!!!!


This doesn't do the entire room justice, because there were Dr. Seuss books up on my windows and posters everywhere. Red and blue balloons. The cake alone took most of the afternoon and evening to make. It was fun, and I super enjoyed pushing my luck on trying new things.

The not so great part.
First 5 minutes of guests arriving, a little boy (who is apparently a second cousin of mine? I've never met him in my whole life, lest knew his existence either) bit Lillian on the mouth. Was he trying to give her kisses? I have absolutely NO idea. She's never been hurt before intentionally, and this hurt her feelings worse than anything I've ever seen. She'd be ok for a minute and someone would look at her and she burst out into tears again, shrieking and shaking. Awful, awful, awful. 30 minutes worth. How does mommy make it better? Well, by hurting her again in the same spot, of course!!!!!!!! Face your fears, right?!? (no, I'm not one of those moms, well I might be one day cause I just don't know, but this was NOT one of those intentional times. Put down the phone, stop dialing DHS. Please hear me out.) I was trying to re-arrange for a picture while holding her (wait wait, how awful does that sound? I hurt her while trying to pose nicely for a picture I'm in? Yes. And yes.) and leaned in too far, my brother raising his hand at the exact moment (the exact moment in time, of course. To the nano second.) and scraped her gums by accident where the bottom jaw caught in the bite. Awesome. More crying. More flaining. Short cake intro, followed by bed time, no opening of the presents. Yep, that's pretty much how it went down. Stresssssssss like you wouldn't believe. I felt horrible. Wretched. Relieved it was over. Glad she would sleep it off. It just brought back all the fear when she knocked her tooth in on an Applebee's table while teethi...nevermind. This is all you need to hear for right this minute on how much of a great mom I am!! :D

Doug has been here and there, and my schedule gone awry trying to adjust to include him when we can. That's, hard. And if you know me, you know a schedule and my expectations go hand in hand. Then there was my slum week where nothing was right. "Baaaahahahahaha, idiot, pretending things will be in perfect order!!!" That's what God booms to me. Followed by "Why don't you just let the professional handle this. Just shut up and sit down.".....................

I've read a little here and there. Well, not a little. The last Twilight book? Yeah, finished that in 2 days. Seven-hundred-and-fifty pages. That's right, my kids fended for themselves...put themselves to bed, ate whatever they could find out of the pantry with what little pre-Lucy-Like knowledge they have of opening anything, sprayed themselves with freshener so nobody would suspect they didn't bathe, and of course entertained each other. They're such dear little things. Mommy thanks you.

I'm reading Eat Pray Love (slowly, I lost motivation for a while) and its the BEST book so far. She is HILARIOUS. I feel I can relate to her humor. Sarcastic, slightly exaggerative. I'm afraid to watch the movie now, anything I've seen has sucked in al cinema--that's right, al cinema. Italian. Check yourself. That's whats up.

I've had lots of little faux pas here and there, nothing quite so drastic this time. I've also witnessed my little ray of sunshine leaving me a present in an unfilled tub. That was awesome, and makes 2/2 in keeping with a clearly new tradition. Ever had to fish one out of a tub? SO gross. And if you haven't yet, and you have little ones, I laugh evily the day it happens to you. Because it will. And then you'll have a disgusting story to share inappropriately with people at your church. Yep. Evily.

I started a pretty cool devotional (not to get all "I love Jesus" on everyone, it just reminds me). I bought the book. Then was told it was wrong, they meant the bible study version. So I took it back to Lifeway (those people are horrid, just so you know. Expect snobbiness and big noses that they look down on you with) and exchanged it. Then the person I'm doing it with brought me the book that was lastly the correct one, a devotional. No big deal, I'll just take it back, again. I took it back to promenade area, for the third time that week (well ok, one was for shopping with unexpected cash Doug surprised me with. He's awesome. I kind of like him more, now.) and put the book on the counter, recepit in it. The clerk takes the receipt, looks it over for about 30 seconds while I'm standing there with both girls, then sheepishly gives it back letting me know it wasn't the correct store receipt. It was from TJ Maxx, where I'd been the day before. Among the other contents listed, were two "LINGERIE" descriptions.

A.W.E.S.O.M.E.

I felt it starting in my feet, they turned into giant sandbags, failing to do an about face and run. Then I'm pretty sure I flushed slowly everywhere, much like an allergic reaction, spreading from where the heart pumps the hardest into the places with the biggest arteries, then slowly outward. Very much like the epic tale of red-tinted indians. Live, right there in Rogers, Arkansas, returning a bible study book with a lingerie receipt. Just to clarify, they weren't slinky lingerie. Staples, only. But it doesn't matter, the label still covered it all, including my pride. Then I got to stand there for 20 minutes while they figured out what to do next!!!!

I'm excited about a fall/halloween party we're going to. We're going to carve pumpkins and dress up. Here's the big reveal on what we're going to be this year: Addie is Lady Bug Girl, from Lady Bug Girl books. Lillian is a hysterical pirate that cries at any given notice. I'm the Sunmaid raisin girl (with even a grape basket! There will be a box of sunmaid raisins of course, so it makes it a little more obvious. First I have to buy a real box of Sunmaid raisins, mine just say Great Value for some reason). And Doug will be the man who has tons of homework and can't participate :/

Computer wants to die, guess that's all for now. Ciao, til next month?!
-Kesolyn

Flipped the coin.

Just when I think I've forgotten that I had ever blogged at any point in my life, I was reminded by someone today and I remembered how much I liked doing it. So much has been going on in our lives lately, its hard to sit and be. Or rather, to sit and be online. I like to think I have pride in the fact that I've been too busy to be involved with everyone's business online, I forget that sometimes this is the only way some people have to be in touch with what's going on in your life too!

The Pointers:
Lillian turns ONE, in two weeks.
Addie will be FOUR, in November.
Doug is going to school, starting this week.
I'm 25, which equals the age where you're supposed to be more serious and adult like.


I think in the process of everything, its finally occuring to me that its okay if not everything is done right...as long as the important things are done. Oddly enough, I've started reading for pleasure. I started (ahem) the twilight series, I cannot believe how girlish they make me feel! Like I'm crushing right NOW, the way she writes is awesome. I adore her writing. She knows how to put a hint of danger in there that makes me crazy want to know how its going to turn out. There. I've said it. I like twilight. I hate that I like twilight. At least, I've done it on my own terms...not when everyone else has gone with the big crowd. I'll always have that, I can say it was my choice. I also read The Last Song, you can go ahead and make fun of me for being a crazy crying baby about the ending. Not cool. The awful thing about this? I read Twilight in one day. I read The Last Song in two. Any mommies know what this means out there? That's right, my kids had to fend for themselves. Ha ahahah, lazy dinners and bed to early so mommy can finish her guilty pleasure. Can I blame that on summer?

I've started school again with Ad, I'm still amazed at how such a little time to grow can create such a change in her and the way she processes things. She's doing amazing. Dare I push her to read? Maybe. I won't go into detail so that I won't be held to that publicly. Sneaky mom secret #1.

I've been overwhelmed with whininess. (sp?) I mean, full throttle whining. Nothing is right, she falls apart if we're at home and not busy. She never feels good, mini-tantrums, and teasing is even too much any more. I really hope this is a phase, or that its just the heat. Its starting to show that its wearing on me too. It makes me snappy. I wish I could find a way to punch that attitude (my own attitude in handling it, not her ahah!) in the face.

Doug is going back to school.
I'm so proud.
I'm SO proud...
I'm so...jealous.

I need that forward feeling too. You can tell me how important my job is all you want, but until I have that feeling that I'm doing so much growing and to my full extent of brainpower that I flop face forward into my bed (much like that mattress commerical) of exhaustion, I'm not sure I'll feel fulfilled. Its, selfish. I want it so bad, but the kids need. The kids need, me. What was that? Its a delicious chocolate mousse pie, that I can either make, or eat, but not at the same time?

I think I can compromise. A couple classes in the spring, after we figure out how this goes with Doug and works for us. In the mean time, I may possibly pick up a library card from springdale and do some online learning of a romantic language. That's right, I'll just learn to charm the pants off you with my horrible skills in another language. I'll make you appreciate the english language that much more. There are so many other things I'd also like to do, or to learn to do, but that would involve time away from the girls. And since I have this silly nagging hateful feeling towards letting someone else do my job besides Doug, and Doug will be much too busy for me to ask, I'll figure it out where I can learn while being here. Boo yah. BOO, YAHHHHHH. In your face, hard currents. Suck a lem...too much? I have tension that comes out in angry spurts, I apologize!

Foot in Mouth Moments:

I told a certain YOUNG man today, when guessing his age, prompted by him of course, that I thought he was 49. He cold stone, possibly hurt but not showing it, that he's 36. I may have even messed up his actual age, because as soon as I heard "Thirty-something..." just that THIRTY part sent off an "OH CRAP" feeling that hazed everything else out. Could someone have accidently pummeled me to the ground, or pinched my girls so that they cried and I had to go instantly? Not a chance. We were at church. Bummer, big bummer. Thought I was doing good lately.

Lots of awkward endings to conversations.

I booked a room on hotels.com for the first time, and I was pretty amazed with myself at how quickly I was able to do everything for our random first family trip. It was going to be great. GPS got all screwy, and though we decided to be easy going and just roll with the punches as far as just doing what we wanted and eating when the girls wanted, it was already pretty late and we hadn't eaten dinner when we arrived at the hotel. I won't share what time it was, because I've learned that in making judgements about whats right in parenting and being snappy in how others parent (as far as timings, schedules, etc) that there are no hopes in changing others' ways, and being accepting is...more acceptable. Maybe some people and their children normally eat when I consider late, is what I'm saying. I've also been that person under extraordinary circumstances that has their young child at walmart at 9:30 at night. (who does that?) Maybe in scrutenizing them, I knew what other respectable people thought of me carrying around my child too. Where were we? Right. I scheduled it for beginning of September, not August when exactly the day we were there. &^#$#!$$*&. Not cool with two young kids to NOT plan, it really puts you two steps back!! So we inevitably paid more for the NOW treatment. "Damnit, Keslyn." I think was the collective thought.

I did however schmooze the guy who seats you, which I didn't think I still could do, being twenty-five and all. Like he KNEW I wasn't technically a young hatchling any more. We were waived in quickly, more so than those were were waiting. OH yeah, sucks for you. Hahah, kidding. I was so grateful though...Lillian wasn't holding out much longer.

I also went out with my momma friends for my belated birthday celebration, and made too many comments on how old 25 felt. Turns out, I'm the youngest in the group. That's direct foot to mouth in a group like mine.

Its funny how these things never matter til you have a family, and the things you took for granted start to "go"...so now I get to be in that awkward stage of transition. I've decided that there are things I will never let go of, like my girliness. At my age, wearing pretty things and makeup, or even attempting to make myself look decent is out of the ordinary for my situation. But I like being girly, and while others might assume that means I'm a giant FAKE, I'll just dust that dirt off my shouldas. I still like stupid girly books and movies, so that must mean there's a girl still in there somewhere, right? Whatever.

I guess that's my life right about now. Its like I flipped a coin this summer, while its more fun to live in la-la land I guess there's also a time to be more serious and shake things up outside of your comfort zone. Genius. Who left us in charge of our lives?!?

Keslyn

Yikes.

Addie saw a man on crutches with a missing leg knee down and said "MOM, look (pointing) that's pretty weird." I was paying the cashier, and holding Lillian. I covered her mouth, then quit to sign the receipt. More loudly and shaking my pants leg, "MOM, look. (Pointing again) That's pretty weird!!."

We had a big talk once in the car.

He did however tell another man he was drunk and how it happened, so maybe he didn't hear!

Spring is when all the weirdos come out.

I typed in Clogger instead of blogger into the search bar, not so great when it makes you think of baby seals. I hate when people post videos of that, saying "look at the poor things, how could someone DO something like that?" and its almost just as bad posting it. Seriously?

This past week has been busy, just like any other spring week. We're happy to be out and doing since its nice, I need to learn moderation. We bought man furniture, for the man room, and painted in man colors. I say man man man so that Doug feels like he's really got something. Funny how a few toys can make a man chlostrophobic. They're big babies themselves, they just have cooler more expensive toys. Right now its a dark brown, and he's cutting trim to put up. The bronzed overlay color didn't work out so well as a specialty paint, it just made it look moldy...and for a "finished basement", that's bad. So, new plan.

We went to an early morning SURPRISE wedding on Saturday, at the beautiful glass church in Eureka Springs. I know a lot of people wondered how a surprise wedding could even happen, but it did. It was a surprise to the groom. They had planned on getting married, but as far as he knew it was just going to be her/him/the kids. She had invited both families and his friends. It was really sweet. Birthday dinner that night for my SIL, its always a good time when we all get together. The kids play, and we separate into guys/girls groups and do our thang. I ran around with the kids playing graveyard, I can't wait til the girls are that age to run and play with!! I took off my shoes and ran like lightning!! My body hated me for two days after that, hahah.

Sunday was another great day, I love going to Northwest. As soon as service ends, we're swarmed with women coming to see the girls. This super sweet girl Sarah told me that we should do something sometime, and I agreed...she said "Will and I would love to have dinner with you all!" and of course I was like "Come on out to the house!". Then I tried to think of which one Will was. Turns out, its the pastor. Ha!! So I'm cleaning like a mad woman in case she calls soon to cash in on that dinner offer. Biscuits & gravy at grandma's (YUM), then baby shower. I loooooooove baby showers and weddings. It reminds me of all that is good in this world. I'm awful at inviting people over, but I think we're starting off on the right foot getting through that.

Weekly Mess Ups:

Slammed my elbow into the truck door and I thought I chipped the end off. It hurt, SO BAD. Then continued to hit both elbows the two days following. Errrrrr.

Checked the mail, dropped a letter. Opened car door to reach down and grab said letter, took foot off brake while stretching to reach, car rolls forward, door starts closing on me. Slammed on brake. Neck hurts. NEVERRRRR do that, EVER. You are warned!! Thinking about what would've happened if I had hit the gas instead of brakes freaks me out still yet.

Dropped tv. (Doug still doesn't know, hoping its okay and I wont have to tell him what happened) Moving furniture back into place after painting, I put the heavy tv back onto makeshift nightstand/tv stand, then moved whole thing. Cord got stuck, the more I pulled back, the further forward it edged til eventually falling on face. YIKES.

Feeding Lillian at grandma's she throws herself back hitting head on chair. Grandma has a different seat than ours, and Lillian isn't used to it. I looked at her and said "Well, what did you think was going to happen??" (in a sweet motherly tone of course) and Grandma's jaw dropped. AHAHAHAHAHAHA. Now I'm branded as the smart aleck mom who lets her children fall or hurt themselves to teach them a lesson. Which in some aspects, I am, but not extensively. I then realized I was talking to the wrong kid, and still have yet to live that down.

I also tried waxing my underarms. SWEET GOODNESS that was a baaaaaaad idea. That kind of beauty is NOT worth the pain. Nor the initial growth process where you have to wear anything but tank tops in 80 degree weather. BLAH.

I still wonder why Doug thinks I should stay away from his things. Ahahahah. I think he wonders why he hasn't hired someone to surpervise me.

I don't know that I would be labeled as socially awkward, I think I just say things at the wrong time, a LOT. Or go too far with jokes. They're funny in my head, and I have a hard time stopping myself. They have a phrase for that, "Word Vomit". Its like I can't keep the bad jokes down, they just fall out of my mouth uncontrollably.

My positives are like every week, cleaning, cleaning, cleaning. Painted. Found new preschool book. Bought stencils to paint and make things fun in Lillian's room. Thinking of re-doing the girls' bathroom. Its just NOT working for me any more. This guy wants to trade a concealed weapon carry class for our training collar, AHAHAHAHAHAHA....only in Arkansas!!

That's all I've got.
Kes

So, its Sunday.

I watched Julie & Julia last night, such a fun girl movie. I was really able to connect with it on the blogging part, and feel like I'm writing to "whoever you are" also. Sending my thoughts out into the fast paced world hoping they won't be swept up and consumed.

My weekly screw ups consisted of:

Placing foot abruptly in mouth as I asked Father (as in Catholic Church Father) if he colored his hair while guessing his age. Why? And then obviously not realizing he was trying to waive my question aside, asked more loudly and clearly, AGAIN.

Letting Lillian cry it out.

Laughing and making a face at a guy riding shirtless on his bicycyle in Fayetteville as he passed, just as his friend who was also going for a ride was coming up on me as well. Facing me.

Sleeping in through my alarm, on a day when the girls slept til 10, missing church.

Almost slicing my finger off, while cutting TOWARDS myself.

Making a diaper carrier and taking pictures of it, the girl who believes she came up with the idea was furious and instead of messaging me, decided to blast me on fb taking it publicly where I was (namelessly) taken shots at. Then she copyrighted the idea. I had no idea for about 2 hours til I had finished a few more.

I also facebooked too much. Way too much.

My weekly positives:

Finishing a preschool book with Ad. She also now knows 8 sight words.

Letting Lillian cry it out. (yes, this is on both lists)

Cleaning the entire house, just short of spring cleaning. Even the window sills.

Demanding and taking hold of an afternoon just for myself. I called it Taking It With Force. I think there are also a few dads who are now scared because they believe I have corrupted their wives into thinking of doing the same.

I wore HEELS when I was by myself.

I found TWO Charlotte Russe dresses, for $6 each.

Tried new wine. Watched 3 new movies, while eating stove popcorn. You haven't had popcorn til you've had stove popcorn.

Cut back on facebooking for two days. I still don't know how I felt about it. Moderation folks, moderation.

Found clothes in random bins in storage that fit the girls, it was like Christmas, for me.


That's all I've got.
Kes

She thinks she's something funny.

What a week, it feels like since spring has come in full time we've been just as busy as we wanted to be!! I would say the biggest thing that happened (at least that involved me) was cooking for a meal swap Wednesday. I've never felt more humble as a homemaker than making food for 5 other families. I've decided I'm definitely NOT short order cook material, hahah. I attempted to use my blender to chop onions, it pureed the ones on bottom. Stupid me opened the top and shoved my face in to look, onion fumes burned my eyeballs and I cried for a good 5 minutes. The potato pot boiled over, creating a giant mess. I almost chopped my finger off 3 times. Good news was, it was well worth it!! I made turkey shepard pie, we ate ours the next night and it was great comfort food. The second meal I didn't do exactly right, but since I'm new to this meal swap, I got newbie slack ;) Doug said "It wouldn't have taken so long if you wouldn't have goofed off taking pictures too." He's probably right. Ahahah, I hadn't done anything like this before, I wanted to document it!! I'm sending the pictures to Chelsea Lately...maybe a few were staged, but it was fun nontheless.

We did a seed planting project too this week, Addie is excited and keeps running out to check if they've grown yet. She picked out sunflowers, and I picked out some scarlet running beans. They're going to be HUGE!! Both are supposed to reach 10 ft. Can't wait to see them grown!!

Ok so funny story from the past: The first day I worked at Abercrombie, I wore wranglers. AHAHAHAHA...I hadn't done laundry and tried to wear a longer shirt to cover up the jeans I swiped from my dad's closet. Yes, I said my dad. Why did I feel the need to mention this? Because in the service today he was talking about what we do to blend in. How we conform. How others can make us feel unworthy. I did get called out on it, and to this day I still laugh about it. I have no shame. I wear pretty much anything from anywhere, if its cute and a good deal. In fact, I have several Miley shirts from walmart, because they were a steal at $3 each. You work with what you've got, right? I think taking a step back and looking from a different perspective makes me feel like I've got my heart in the right place. I would rather focus on my pride in my kids and my home than WHO I'm wearing. So BOOYAH A&F, BOOYAH.

Addie told me the other day "Bumpa dum pum pum, STINKY MOMMY!!" (Handy Manny tune). Ahahahaha...she thinks she's something funny. We joke and tease each other a lot in this house. Its all in fun and love. We say things like "Look at that bum" when Addie's watching tv in her jammies still, or when Lillian just laying on the floor with tummy time almost falling asleep. Or "Bumpa dum pum pum, stinky Addie!!" when its time to take a shower and she's protesting slightly. She laughs hysterically, and has started firing back with her own jokes. Its pretty comical around here. Its all in good nature, and I think only WE could tease each other like that. Cause that would hurt my feelings if Doug's mom said I was stinky...its like pointing out greasy foreheads, dirty hair, a bat in the cave, and death breath--you gotta be close to poke fun about that ;)

There's a wine tasting today at MacaDoodle's, I'm sad I won't be going. They say at a tasting, its perfectly normal to spit after trying one, to keep from getting drunk. Dude, I'll spit if everyone condones it. With my pinky up and everything. I've tried a semi-sweet red wine, surprisingly I didn't gag. I think this stepping down thing is working.

We've got two teeth now, and hoping that she'll feel better about it now. This past week was super trying, even when she was doped up. (HA, sarcasm) Thursday was the worst, because we spent the whole day out. Between teething, and not having her own bed, she was a BEAR. I think some days, I understand why some species of animals eat their young. AHAHAHA, kidding...that was just for shock value :)

I'm still laughing at my own joke. And I don't have a good sign out phrase yet, so we'll just end it HERE.

-Kes

"Look, look with your special eyes"

So the kids went for the first time together to grandma's, OVERNIGHT. So weird without them. We ended up going out to Shogun's and hit up Dickson with my best friend Lindsey. That was the night I (and we) realized we totally don't belong out like that, that scene is far behind. Not necessarily that we felt out of place, but after like 10 all the drunkards came out and it was insane. I think we're too old for that stuff now, nice thing is, we don't even miss it. I cannot believe how much sushi is, I'm a hibachi girl myself, but the three of us racked up a triple digit bill. Say what?! My body let me know that that was definitely no bueno the next day. I'm not made for this any more.

Funniest picture of the night:

I have NEVER seen that face on her before, its the funniest picture I have seen in a loooong time!! Ahahah, I don't even know how she made her mouth look that big.

We've been changing the garden area. Put down whole new weed barriers, and filled it with red rock. Moved the bushes from the side of the driveway to the front, and my rose bush is filling in!! Working on a planting project later with Addie, we're going to learn about planting and taking care of seeds to grow some pretty flowers we'll later put in the front.

Lillian's "stink face" (sorry Cat, I had to steal it). I wish the head on pictures would've turned out better so you could see the wrinkles in her nose!! This is a new development.

Maybe this was the reason for the stink face. Any mom knows what this one means :)

The girls all in their dresses just before trying a new church. Pretty sure its going to be a great place for us to plant our feet, its only their 7th service and starting small. Everyone was so welcoming, and I think its going to work out. Such a blessing to find one, I'd say finally but I suppose I hadn't been looking too hard. Just long enough to feel slightly discouraged.

Ahh, also Lillian is teething!! We have our first official tooth, which HAS broken through!! The bottom right looks soon to follow. I know I've said twice before I thought she was teething, but this is the real deal. She bit my finger and momma definitely discovered a piranha like bite!! She'll getcha now guys!!

Ha ha ha!! I just think it hilarious that she sticks her tongue out when she's seriously drawing anything!!!

Ahaha, she thought I needed to be a headband pirate. And yes I did post this, even though I look gross. All of a sudden I realized that I truly don't care what other people think about me. I'm happy with myself, and the people that mean the most to me like me for who I am. I've decided people who judge are missing out on so much fun, because they don't think they can let loose and be comfortable in their own skin. Do silly things. I like stupid stuff, laugh at corny jokes,

and love cheesy movies. And the greatest thing is, I don't care if anyone wants to pass judement on me any more. I think when you let go of that care, life is tons better, and I wonder why I wasted so much time covering up how AWESOME I am!! hahahahah...just saying my water isn't muddy any more :) That doesn't mean I won't dress up when I feel girly, or even when I don't, it just means I'm not on my toes worried about what other people think. I love it.

Its been so awesome outside, I almost can't stand staying in...I just wanna go and do after being cooped up all winter!! Looking forward to an awesome spring with the girls!!

-Kes

The inventor of Reese's is a genius.

What an insane week. Most everything I planned was a GO and we were awesomely busy!! We're talking Park lunches, playdates, Easter party, bbq's, and Easter dinner!! Even my dinners from Jamie Oliver's new book turned out great. Love it all. I finally unloaded pictures from my camera, what a freaking mess that was to do. Like 500+ pictures and everything was just about as difficult as possible. Posting this past week in pictures!! My butt is permanently parked on the couch today...

Baby feet in the sand for the first time!! She just thought we were getting her down to jump. Never seen a baby use a doorway jumper as much as she does!!

Addie's finally leaving her hair alone after I fix it. (don't laugh at my car, I have it set up mini van style on the inside!! haha)

Look at that fussy face. We're becoming slightly more pouty lately. She was a good two, therefore a "terrible three". Ugh.

"Miss Weefuh" (POSSIBLY my favorite cousin, haha. She comes for dinner since she's going to U of A and needs food that doesn't have to be microwaved at least once a week) as Addie calls her, and Mr. Bobby (the BF) came to see us. Awesome BBQ night, aweful picture. Too much wine makes me an energetically happy camper. I made him play the same song over and over!!

She's found her feet and started sucking on them :) She's officially 7 months, which means she's: Trying rice puffs, biter biscuits, sitting up, rolling front to back (and visa versa), exploring vocal cords, 'swimming" (balancing on belly and flailing limbs), using a raking movement to pick things up, transfer objects from hand to hand, and her vision has almost fully matured. She can also see in color now.

Toddler Easter egg party. It was a blast!! Miss Leslie is so good at finding things for the kids to do :) They dyed eggs, went on an easter egg hunt, and we all had lunch. This was the morning I was late, I didn't take a benadryl and ended up waking up 3 hours later, just to stay awake 2.5 hours for no reason. Happens if I don't take something, so aggravating. So maybe 5 hours of broken sleep, but I made myself go cause it wasn't for me...it was for the kids!! Doug helped out majorly by making my filled crescent rolls to share. Pretty sure I got an earful about how I run late because I don't plan well too. hahaha, grr.

All the grandkids on Doug's side. We're supposed to round it off by coming up with a third. hahahaha...yeah.

Somehow found the time to watch Orphan, good movie. A little freaky, but suspenseful nonetheless. Watch it if you can. Trying different churches in Bella Vista has been harder than I thought to find one we like, I've never seen so many backcombs, wheelchairs, glasses, collared shirts, or oxygen tanks...ever. I know its mostly known as a retirement community, but WHERE are all the young people going?? Geez, and they're snobby old people that are mostly unexcited to see adorable little girls. Hoping for a date sometime soon. Should be a greaaat week full of sun, YEAAAAAAAAH!!!!! =)

Kes

"spring break week"

So, I decided to tell Addie it was spring break week and we did nothing but fun things. She asked me a few times if we could do school, I love that she likes doing it. I still don't know if this is a homeschool thing that will carry on, as my sister-in-law says (who does homeschool) "We'll do it as long as we like it and it suits us." We did playdates, went to see the Super Why team (kids show) at the Jones Center, and had lazy days as we did a little house work. Well, while DOUG did a little bit of house work ;) Jones Center was insane, I have no idea how many people were there but apparently everyone had forgotten how to take turns and wait patiently. So we went into self preservation mode, put a little elbow grease on, facepaint, and fought for project pieces and a chance for our kids to get a picture with the characters. It was worth it, the kids were happy...I think!! When Doug tells me which computer I can use to import pictures off of (yes, sadly I do have to ask or I mess things up. See first post.) I'll post some. hahahah.

I'm sad to report I think I'm losing the battle for plans for the downstairs room. I'm so hard headed, and Doug is too, so its like clash of the titans. And mean. But the way I see it, if the only thing in my life that's upsetting at the moment is "What to do with the downstairs", then I don't really have problems. He wants it to be a man cave. Why every man needs a man cave, I have no idea. He wants to put a bar down there, with man furniture, and gold funky plaster two tone on the walls. I have never thought our taste was on opposite ends til we bought a house and HAD to work together to pick things out. Maybe I'm not getting the concept, I think I used the word FUGLY in my head a bunch of times while I was being closed off to the idea. I laugh when I use that word. Trying to be more understanding, and I guess now I'm in charge of creating a man cave. That's the beauty of marriage people, maybe not necessarily understanding the other person but respecting enough to give a little. Took me a loooong time to get that. I just feel bad for the people at Lowe's that were uncomfortable while standing there with us when we were talking about it. hahahaha...

Addie's recent funnies: "I need money mom." (WTH?? She's 3. I thought that was supposed to be a teenage thing.) She shook her blue piggie bank that holds the random change she finds around the house. We also traded roles as she told me to hold her babies (a bunny and fuschia colored bear) while she got the kiddie stroller ready. Then she told me to hold onto a part of the stroller, exactly how I make her do it with ours. Then we had to walk around, and she told me to hurry up, slow down, and ran me into walls and clipping my shoulder. Do I do that?? hahahah. I suppose I do. Especially when holding onto the cart at the store. I clip her head forgetting to add space for a little person when taking corners. She's getting back at me.


In anticipation of Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution show, I bought his book and am planning to cook healthier. Not that we eat bad, I would just like to change eating habits in myself. I make great lunches and snacks for Addie, but I don't eat them myself. I looooove processed foods too much. If I could, I would eat bean and cheese burritos in the yellow package all the time. And pizza rolls. And pretzels with processed cheese. Its simply that everything is so much more convenient in the gross foods world. Ever notice how healthier foods are more expensive at the store? Stupid. They take so much more time to prepare too. But, I feel I am somewhat more commited to making a change and hope to keep in my way of thinking. We already have done better, I don't really buy chips as a snack. I buy better crackers, I don't keep my secret chewy chips ahoy packages around, fiber bars and granolas are a must, fruit is always around, yogurt sans high fructose corn syrup, whole wheat breads. And still yet, sometimes I find myself dumping chocolate chips by the handful in my mouth. I eat my frustrations.

We've started the ball rolling on getting things done for the house. New garage door opener installed, contractor called for making the steps and fixing the flashing, new window sash checked upon, inspiration rooms for the downstairs sought out. Plans for re-doing the garden are being worked on too. Stupid dog. Doug found a great spray to re-do the front rails that have chipped and are making the house look ghetto. Doug is awesome. He's such a Mr. Fix-It, and I'm so grateful I married a guy that CAN DO. He figures everything out, and does it right. Most of the stuff I've said "we" to in this paragraph are really him. Aside from being a great handy man, he also has taken up woodworking. He made a desk for his computer. We were using an old dresser, it was pretty much falling apart. It worked. It was intricute (sp?), there were plans drawn, measurements taken, and things carefully put together. I don't have the patience for things like that.

Lillian is doing awesome. I can't believe we've come this far. Suddenly the apnea machine and constant vomitting seem so far away. I've seen a friend's pictures of her little boy (who was born super early, he only weighs less than 2 lbs. Pray for him) and he was under bili lights (blue lights). I had so much more emotion about it than I knew I had left. I remember being in the hospital having only slept 2 hours within like a 48 hour period and thinking she had choked again and was blue several times. Calling the nurse for help. I'm SOOO thankful. She's working on sitting up, turns in place, and is rolling both ways. 3 regular meals a day with us, and a bottle at night. She sleeps from like 7pm til 8:30 in the morning when her internal alarm goes off. I've always had good babies who slept a looot. Addie wakes up at 7am every morning, and I usually get up with her and have coffee while she watches a cartoon. Then she eats and I feed Lillian. Life is good.

On that note, the babe is taking her morning snooze and Addie is being a bum today watching another cartoon...momma feels like a skank and craves a long hot shower.
Kes

p.s. I still haven't figured out how to follow blogs. I think I did for two. Could someone explain in layman's terms how to do it? Pretty sure I sent friend requests, which are not the same as following?

Excited.

The safari was EXCELLENT. The funniest part was when we were in the giant monkey barn. As in, a large barn with lots of monkeys. I said that and one of the kids thought there was going to be giant monkeys in the barn, hahaha....anyways, Addie dropped something and bent over to pick it up, a little capuchin monkey reached out and snatched her bow out of her hair!! Bahahaha, I had no idea til I saw the other mommies laughing and pointed me to look at her. By the time I finally caught on that something happened, Addie realized herself what happened and started crying. She screamed at the monkey "Give my bow back!!" and tears started rolling. It wasn't even that she loved the bow, it was that someone took something of hers. I laughed and then looked for someone to get it back. A lady showing the snake off went in to get it, she told that monkey to get over to her and give it up. Then the monkeys started going crazy, and she remembered that she had a snake on and felt it might not have been a good idea any more to be in there. I grabbed Addie up and we left. I can't stop laughing, it was her face. I, for the first time, used my third row seating. We threw all four toddlers in the back row for the safari drive through. DEFINITELY a little entertaining. I think we skipped out of a couple of loops trying to shorten it, and Addie learned that when animals are sleeping on the ground, they might be "dead'. hahahah...aye yi yi. Boys are different, she's learning to be tough.

In a couple of weeks I'm hoping to host our first dinner party. I guess you could call it that. We watched man vs. food and this place in Amarillo, TX makes They have jalapenos, cayenne pepper, and some other kind of hot sauce. My stomach churned watching it, Doug was excited. What's exciting about eating something so sickeningly hot? That you CAN DO IT. Its a man thing I guess. Attempting to dress it up with wine. How bout them apples?

We've been doing little house projects, its weirdly nice to take care of your house and make it better. I repainted the girls' bathroom with leftover paint. Its the same color as the living room, but I tried making colorful circles to make it a little more fun. Doug says they're awkward circles on a refried bean colored wall. Hahahaha...grr. I punched him and give him a dirty look. So I have to fix it. It works for now...

We watched the second Boondock Saints last night, kind of disappointing. I think because it did a lot of referring to the first. A friend told me it was better in the end, she was right. Just before that we watched a ghost hunting show, WHY??? This guy was a joke. The whole thing was. He was totally just on tv to be on tv, he gel'd his hair and wore a muscle shirt that showed off his arms that he was SO proud of. Then he wore a gay italian's hat while he was trying to be serious talking with a couple of men who were reviewing the film, hahahahaha. I don't know why I couldn't look away. It was like roadkill for me. Even though I know its gross, I can't look away...I keep staring at it trying to decide what it was and how bad it was hit. Until I'm right up on it and see it up close, then I shudder and a chill goes down my back. Sick. I won't even tell you how long the turkey bones sat on the counter til I was ballsy enough to throw it away, siiiiiiiiiiiick. And I had to peel the skin off the roaster sheet. *^&^&$%^&%$(. That's how I felt. I kept hoping Doug would do it. I have pagophobia. Its real, not in my head. Punch you in the nose if you say otherwise. I have another phobia where I imagine terrible car wrecks and things that *might* happen to me on the road. Its saved me twice where what I imagined happening, a stupid driver actually did and I called it foresight. The other hundreds of thousands of times are just illogical craziness. But those TWO times it was normal, and smart. Look at me, making you have phobias you didn't even know of. Imagine the insanely weird benadryl-sleep filled dreams I had that night. Like my hands being so dry they've cracked and starting to dust. Yeah.

Doug is making a desk for the computer. He's doing a great job, I'm impressed. But then again, he's one of those perfectionists that measures everything right and his projects turn out exact. Completely opposite of me, and he gets credit for that. Still thinking about that turkey. Very thankful because it was free to me, but idk that I could ever be okay with roasting a turkey. The bumps. Pagophobia. Pagophobia. Pago....

I vacuumed the carpets, and I can't tell you how happy I was becoming knowing with each cleared path I knew there would be no more dog hair...

Doug rolls his eyes when I answer that I'm blogging again. On that note, I'll end my exciting entry ;) I love my life.

p.s. I have no idea how to follow blogs. I'll figure this out a little more.

First stab at blogging

Not that this is super new to me, in fact this reminds me a LOT of Xanga. If any of you were Glam Girls, hello again ;) YOU know what I'm talking about. I feel its important that if you haven't already read my About Me, you should. This is different than the Facebook version I put out, because I'll be talking to you like a close friend. Here goes.

My daughter decided to run around naked a couple of days ago, which is new to me. I asked her what she was doing, and she said she was a puppy (which is NOT new either) and that since puppies are naked, she should be naked. Which would be fine, except we're not potty trained 100% yet. It was cute and funny, then like waiting for a ticking time bomb. And I am NOT cleaning poop off the floor...any more. YES, I did say any more. I don't even know how many times I've had to clean the carpets because of this potty training deal, pretty sure we keep Tuff Stuff in company. Hence the steam cleaner. This is gross. Can't tell you how often I lay both girls side by side to change poopy diapers, its like they're on the same clock.

We finally talked more seriously and decided to sell the dog. Aside from the fact that I despised her being near me, I was pretty much done with her. I don't consider myself a cat person, and not so sure about being a dog person after this. She was SOOOO needy, had to be touching me all the time, had to follow me around, had to be in the same frickin room. Which is cute, but super irritating. After having a baby, for me at least, it seems I become a clean freak. You just have to. There was hair, everrrrrywhere. Sick. I couldn't walk around naked without a cold nose on my butt, which is DOUBLE sick. I am NOT a person that likes to be touched unless its of my own decision, and I am not a lay all over each other person. So I felt smothered. And I broke up with her. hahahaha. I know it sounds sad, but I wasn't the least bit sad to say goodbye. Yeah, I have a weird detachment to animals, I've never boohoo'd about never seeing one again. On the other hand, my husband is not this way...and it was hard for him. So I try hard to hide my relief. We poured I dont' know how much into that dog, at least two grand, and its like an investment to me. If its not shelling out a good return (which she wasn't), then sell it. And I did. I don't even know how much she tore up would total, garden is a mess, paw prints everywhere. Yard has a "my dog just crapped" smell to it. Sick, again. I think I just threw up in my mouth a little. Its done, and I'm happy. Still not really talking much to Addie about it, and she's only asked once. Daddy said she went to play with other puppies. She understood.

Yesterday evening I was sorting laundry, which seems never ending, and heard Addie laughing. Turns out she found someone else to torture since Piper was nowhere to be found. Lillian. Yikes. She was in her Jenny Jump Up (girl version of Johnny Jump Up, doorway jumper) and Addie was laughing hysterically as she spun her around and around as fast as she could. It pretty much mortified me!! When she was still, her eyes kept rolling right to left, then left to right. This was slightly funny when I was playing with her doing it, but that was just once when Addie was hiding in her room pooping her pants. Its one of those things that's funny if you do it, but not when your daughter does!! Have to watch out for that again.

Taking the girls to the Wild Animal Safari tomorrow, I love going and doing with them. This will be Lillian's first time going, Addie's 4th. Hoping some of the other mom's will be able to go with us, its always so much fun!! Last time there was a capuchian monkey out who climbed all over me, which slightly made me want throw him off when I felt his little weirdo hands hahaha...but it was a cool experience.

I had so much more to talk about earlier. This was before I couldn't figure out how to tether my phone to the computer. Damnit it made me so mad. I felt like Ben Stiller jumping up onto the desk slapping the computer and howling like a monkey raging mad at it (Zoolander). We don't have internet service on our road, because there are only 3 houses and to do so WE would have to pay like 10k just to set up a new line to us. Not happening. So we use it through our phones, which have to be plugged into the computer. Slightly aggravating, but it works...most of the time. Doug is genius with computers, and I know nothing. He told me how to turn tethering on on his phone, and I felt like I had just opened Pandora's Box. It was great knowing something and making it work. Not usually the case with me, I'm like the dumbass that keeps running through the woods getting splinters and scratches instead of just stopping to figure out a way around it. Same with electronics, I'll break them before I figure it out because I don't stop messing with them til they are finito. Which is why Doug tells me I'm not allowed to touch his things, hahahah. Note taken babe.

Doug found a different wine for me to try, I'm excited. If anyone wants to help me drink this other box of wine he brought home, get on it...seriouslyy. By boat, by plane, I don't care how you come just get here. Just make sure its at a decent time. I'm getting old, and I feel it. I've started noticing things about my body that have changed, so not cool. In the words of David Blane's remake: "What the EFF??" (hahah, type in David Blane on youtube, its the gay guys one. Hilarious.) I know I've had two kids, but I was supposed to be young forever. I keep looking at the stretch mark coming up from my belly button, and though its not necessarily huge, I proclaim it as my battle wound. There's skin under my neck I can pinch and pull down, a leftover from a plump face I'm sure. SO not cool. But then again, nobody will ever be happy with themselves, take a look at Heidi Montag...that B is scary. WTH was she thinking? Guh-ROSSSS. That reminds me that Doug thinks I'm that girl in that Cheetos commercial, who says "I must be on the ugly side of town, because everyone here is GUH-ROSSSSSSS." I laugh. I'm really not fake. He just thought I had that valley girl thing going when he met me. It was called the bait and switch, he thought I had money. BAHAHAHAHAH. He thought I was a super classy goody-goody, AHAHAHAHAHA............I didn't let him meet my crazy extended family til after he put a ring on it. That's how we do. Ya heard?? He couldn't help himself. Good thing we were right for each other and could grow together.

That's all I've got. Follow me, I like to lead. With my big head. ((that's what she said, hahaha, Lindsey)) I have no idea what I'm doing, but I'm glad to have good friends to do it with!!!!!!!

-kes