Where Is That Kid's Mom?!

Doug left early for this thing at work, and I'm contemplating substituting freezer cooking in the place of actual adult interaction. I present Jamie Oliver's Bolognese Sauce. The last time I attempted this, it was a complete watered down fail...only topped off by my sharing it with a fellow Italian lover, and my lunch box quietly delivered back to me with no gushing ensuing. That meant, it sucked-and I shared it :/




The most patient pooch, or so I have decided after discovering Addie making a "receipt collar" for her. Today she had her wrapped in a hand towel in her baby stroller. Where is that kid's mom?!




As we're about a month (give or take) away from seeing what these CR pictures will be used for, I stopped in to get an idea. A hanging ad, like these? A store display in the window? Blasphemous. I still do not believe it, someone is yanking my chain.




Daddy bought Addie her very own fishing pole, and she actually casts and reels like a tiny professional fisher. SO cute seeing both of them off, father daughter time at the lake :) Lillian would rather cuddle goose poop and demand to be taken to the swings at a nearby park...strictly on the hip, NO walking mom!!

I finished Love The One You're With by Emily Giffin. Cute. You get to a point where you're ready to read a different style writer though, and that's where I'm at :)

If you have pictures with me, please upload them...my camera is now broken, and I need a new picture. Ha! Thank you in advance!! There's so much more going on lately, but it's summer-it's supposed to be that way, right?!

Keslyn

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

We're done.

Be weary, this is my first blog post from my phone app.

The funny thing about sharing your life in increments, is that there are often certain things that stand out. And then there are also things that SCAR you...

Its been nice having the warmer weather, so nice that it seems sun and water (and the beautiful smell of freshly applied sunscreen, which often brings its own euphoric feeling) go hand in hand. With nothing to do, and my current Father's Day purchase and Victorias Secret sale (3 bras for $65 is pretty heavenly to me) looming me towards free activities, I decided to bust out that magnificent 2-ring pool. We all know how luxurious the 3-ring pools are, but being afraid my children will become accustomed to the "spoiled" life, I opted not to travel that road just yet. (please tell me you are understanding my sarcastic ways of writing by now)

I filled it, showed Addie how to do it herself, then layed out on my hot pink mat, which only endorses that it is summer and it can commence full force. You'd never think such a silly activity as "laying out" could be SO luxurious (there's that word again) until you've had two kids...and have them with you, at the same time. Aside from them running around and Lillian occasionally coming to sit on me to let me know she still loved me, it was fairly easy going.





How cute are they?

I even decided lunch on a blanket in the shade would be just perfect for my little ladies. I carefully cut the summer sausage , the medium cheddar cheese, and grabbing the scrumptious ritz garden vegetable crackers, headed outside. Lil came and went, all to worried the pool would be lonely without her constant companionship. She's more of a grazer anyways. Suddenly, without any previous hints, our good times lose purchase and come to a complete halt.

It is at once nap time behavior, fighting and bossing, hysterical girl behavior such as crying at the whim because your sister won't eat the cracker and cheese sandwich you made her. Feeling rejected, you stomp off with your hands in firm fists beside your hips, arms stiff straight, teeth grit, deep growl. We're done.

Getting up, I calmly ask (or firmly yell) for her to dry off and go inside for nap time. Lillian is a dirty mess. As I'm lecturing on correct behavior, and stripping Lillian's wet clothes off, I discover she's also a STINKY, watery mess. What the heck?!? How long has THIS been going on?! I think back, it must have been when I was cutting the cheese (insert your dumb ironic crack here).

Disgusted, a thought came to me. She was in and out of the pool while eating, and she was sitting on me before that. As if my brain only needed a perpetual light bulb to signal correct synapses had taken place, I realize her cute but poopy butt was all over me!! NO!!!!! WHY?!?!? The pool! That means ADDIE is gross too!! EVERYBODY strip, NOW, and get in the tub!!!





Meelo was of course, of absolutely no help.

Leaving the mess outside, we all usher inside and shower. Have you ever had to shower with two little people before? Having been frustrated and a big baby just before having to? Everyone clean, changed, and in bed. Our shower towels in hand, I go outside to collect the towels out there and now dirty swimsuits to start them right away in the washer. I am suddenly and painfully aware I am in nothing but my birthday suit, wearing nothing but a scowl. Ahhhh!! My mind was elsewhere!! Funny how situations like that make you feel you are waiting for nothing less than a strange man to come out of the woods, and happening to carry a camera to photograph strange Arkansas birds, catch you in your most stupidly vulnerable moment. What a day.

In other news, I bought two-inch filet mignons (a new cut at your local walmart), ribeyes, and a beautiful whiskey decanter set for Doug for Father's Day. He's just a special guy like that, my plan to coo about how he's becoming a distinguished man.





Turns out, I can't read a calendar and am too ignorant to ask, so I gave it a week too early. In fact, I teased him he wouldn't know all that week what it was. "The Distinguished Gentleman married a dumb commoner" if it were being told in a book...and just so some of you know, I loathe it when dumb comments take over my fb. Or teasing back and forth dumb things on MY page. It's sort of what YOURS is for! That's a beacon for my "country and dont care" family members. Pretending to be dumb for show is NOT funny!! There. It's done.

I went to that ProScout deal, and got a call back saying I had "nice style" and "cool hair". When I opened my mouth to say thank you, a dumb redneck fell out. Literally, I turned all country under the pressure. I will not be participating in August at the New Orleans convention. Especially after learning he told my cousin she was pretty and could go commercial. Having no same confidence bestowed upon me, and learning I am technically "short and old", which would be harder unless I photographed well, I opt not to. Plus, it's $800, for a "maybe".

The Virgin's Lover by Philippa Gregory just got interesting. This one is about Queen Elizabeth. Not some trashy novel, as the title suggests ;) It's supposed to be true and embellished events. I also read Something Blue by Emily Giffin. Good book, easy read. I hear all of hers are like that, easy summer reads...here I come!

I promise promise to work on shortening these posts. Some things just require greater detail...otherwise, how would you understand how ridiculous my life moments are?!

Love to everyone,
Kes

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Addie has been praying for “bacon grease” for me.

I’ll start with the more fun side of this post!! Check this out, Charlotte Russe swag!!






I know it was just because the squeaky wheel gets the oil, but still…what girl doesn’t fall in love the moment you add “free” and “swag” together?!? I think, for the most part, the things in the FedEx Box were just a little prettier since they were FREE. Is that just me? Haha.

The CR Refuge jeans I had actually done the pictures in were too small, as CR jeans are going to even sizes only and I wear an odd. So they sent me the last pair of jeans they ordered from the warehouse a size larger than I normally wear and included “a few goodies”.

Yesterday was a more terrifying day, one of those mommy’s never forget, but never want to revisit either. I took the girls to the store to purchase more essentials just like any Monday, and it was 12:30 by the time we left there. As any mom can tell about their babies, their attitude started down hill REALLY fast because they were “starving”. (I only tsk tsk because they have never and will never know what real hunger is, not that I have known that myself, but I know everything could be a LOT worse in any case) We stopped by MacaDoodle’s GetItAndGo store for some quick burgers and fries. They have the most delicious fries, and they seem to get better every time I eat them. Their burgers are a hefty weight, and would satisfy hunger, but not exactly MY idea of perfect…but the fries, oh sweet lusty needs, they are amazing. What were we talking about again?

It did not take the cool 5 minutes I wanted it to. Maybe 20, which is longer than two babies under 30 lbs can handle when they’re hungry. Lillian wasn’t having it sitting down any longer, so I let her walk around and temporarily sport a goofy smile at getting her way. “64! To Go?” --YES, that us!! Bag of food in one hand, Lillian’s hand in the other, and barking to Addie to get her tush in the car so we can eat, Lillian decides to throw a FIT, drops ALL OF HER WEIGHT while I’m HOLDING HER HAND. Can you guess what happens next? More crying, and a dumb me who is utterly sure it’s a mixture of tantrum and exaggerated emotion about hunger pangs.

Not so the case. She favors her left arm, and cries hysterically. This is the same left hand that she sucks her fingers on, so in any event, the fact that she opts to let it rest instead of soothe herself with it is a big RED FLAG. She is feeding herself with her right hand, and still crying between bites, and mostly missing her mouth because quite obviously her left hand is more dominant. I rock her to sleep, then start testing where the pain is coming from by gently squeezing, starting from her shoulder and working my way down. No crying. And then, as if she knows in her sleep that I am even THINKING of touching her wrist, she yelps out in pain. That does it, its her wrist. I have broken her wrist.

It WAS her wrist, but it was not broken. After several calls to my SIL and friend, I have decided I should try to get an appt. with our doctor’s office. I must have done a good job of telling them how flipped out and rattled I was by this, because they squeezed us in for 35 minutes from the time I hung up. Momma knows how to fly too, because we made it from BV to Rogers in good time. More crying. Doctor comes in, I explain, he does SIMPLE exercise extending her arm and curling it in. Magically, she stops crying hysterically (partly because she does NOT like strangers touching her) and sucks on her LEFT two fingers. You’re kidding me?!? That was all it took? Nurse Maid’s Elbow, where a ligament was out of place and has to “pop” back into place. Holy crow!! My friend had even told me about it, suggesting I should try the exercise, but I hadn’t done it before and if her wrist was broken I didn’t want to make it worse. That was that, we saw him for 10 min, he fixed her, and we left. What a Monday. And, I had a whole 3 bites of my hamburger the whole time. Let the binge eating begin!!

I am continuously entertained by the things my girls say. Mostly because they are so honest, and mostly because you see the world through their little innocent eyes. Addie lately has been praying for “bacon grease” for me, and I cannot bring myself to correct her, its just that precious and funny!! Any guess as to what it is? That’s right, GRACE. I prayed ONE time on a disastrous day for an extra dose of grace while saying prayers with her….she heard “grease” and from there we have gone full blown “bacon grease”. Hahahahaha….I love her. Lillian has been telling Milo (our dog) “Good Girl”, followed by a sharp “Go!!”. Nice compliment, sharp command. She has the making of a great mommy. Ha! She lets me cuddle and love on her, which if this IS my last baby, I most definitely need. People keep asking if we plan to have another. Depending on the day, its no. Or yes. Or maybe. Doug has plenty of school left, and I can’t imagine 3 mostly by myself during the week, especially with kindergarten just around the corner. I predict NO sleep, and loss of days.

I've felt like a book hound lately. Not just because it sounds uncharacteristic of me, I NEVER read books before about a year ago, but that I FINISH them is a small victory to me. In the last 8 weeks, I've read quite the variety. The Glass Castle's prequel Half Broke Horses (which was a good and easy read, not as crazy as the first), Water For Elephants (great! Read it, and watch the movie!!), Olive Kitteridge (not so great), The Other Boleyn Girl (VERY long, wicked, but interesting. I have yet to see the movie), Something Blue (Emily Giffin, I like her style of writing and could see very easy summer reads coming my way. She also wrote "Something Borrowed", which was made into a movie recently), and currently The Virgin's Lover...which is an extention of The Other Boleyn Girl, which was about Queen Mary, this one about her daughter, the infamous Queen Elizabeth. She does remarkable research and elaborates into a fun tale. This one doesn't feel so heart felt, though. I have more on hold, and am pleased to be on a first name basis with our librarian, who insisted on putting me down for a new book she loves. It has the word "hedgehog" in it, hahah!! I hope its as good as she says!! And Love The One You're With, by Giffin, on hold...

My best friend is getting married!!!! I am so excited for her!!! People are either getting married, or having babies around me, and I contribute that to our age. Exciting times, my friends!! Please pray nothing "exciting" happens to me again before next post, haha. I'm not sure I could handle those events so close!!

Kes

Joplin and Charlotte Russe

After the F5 tornado hit Joplin on 5/21/11, we sat amazed and still yet afraid to call our area "safe" with more rounds of storms coming within the few days following. After seeing the outpour of media from Joplin's devastation, I, like so many other people in this area, felt like we wanted to do something. Talking off and on with a few friends, we decided to make a trip to bring supplies. I was amazed with the generosity!! We even had a friend who lives here but is in CA right now for her husband's work wire $100 for us to buy supplies! All I can say is, God is amazing and calls people from every situation to help others!! Rounding up the supplies and even shopping for the event was no simple task with two babies. I can say that staying at Doug's work 3 nights after the Joplin tornado was interesting. Another round of storms following the same path (this time leveling Dennington, AR and a good deal of Etna, AR, and I believe part of a town just outside of OKC) causing serious damage sent us running for cover at the ISD building in Bentonville, with 2 feet thick walls. Two babies, one dog, in a CUBICLE...7pm til 3am. Need I say more? haha, I am more than grateful for the safety. I was NOT taking chances!!




Friday we dropped off the supplies at The Alliance, which was set up in the Food4Less parking lot. 3 giant semi's were being filled and emptied at the same time as people poured in in need of various things. It took all of 2 minutes for them to unload everything we brought, everything that took me all week to round up. There were so many helpers, it was amazing!! People were using F4L shopping carts to fill with necessities. We took a wrong road trying to get back out of Joplin and ended up driving right past the damage off the Main road. I am in awe of the impressive power of Mother Nature, of the number of caring individuals pouring into Joplin and the relief being provided. All I can say is, I know God is there right now. This is the worst tornado in 60 years. God Bless those people.

Something else I thought I'd explain is the Charlotte Russe campaign this fall! This is very exciting for me, not just as a person but as a mom and someone who sometimes feels like a "filler" for the needs of others. I'm hoping to upload just a few of the pictures submitted. From what I have gathered, this is a nationwide campaign that will launch in August. The pictures we submitted are the actual pictures that will be used IN the campaign!

The Beginning: I am a fan of Charlotte Russe on fb. (this is where you go and "like" them on fb too!!) They posted a contest for a few new BFF denim competition. I figured, why not? The worst anyone can ever do is say NO. With that attitude, I sent in my "best" pictures and a short paragraph of who I am and what I am about. A reply came saying I was a finalist! No way! They requested my jeans size, and address, and which style jeans I prefered. I received the box in the mail with the jeans and more instructions...basically take pictures in good lighting on highest resolution setting. Send in full body shots.


Hahah...they DID say sassy.












We bought a Canon Ti3 the next day. Ha! We had been wanting a nice camera anyways, and it was the perfect opportunity (and excuse!) to buy one. The pictures were taken at our house, or down the road, and in Siloam (Siloam love!! The old buildings were perfect!). We submitted 9 total pictures by cut off, and after 11 LONG days of waiting...email announcing you were a winner sent out. Although this has felt a little disorganized, I am definitely pleased with the outcome. I feel this is more than an old momma deserves, but who can resist rooting for an under dog, right? Hahah. That's the story, for anyone who is interested in hearing it! One of 5 girls, who I might add are younger and taller than me. "One of these things are not like the others" to steal from a Sesame Street song :)

That's all I've got. We had an amazing few weeks, and Doug made straight A's again this last semester!! I am so proud of his achievements!! And, because I must give credit where credit is due, he also took the pictures for the CR campaign. He's a talented guy. Memorial Day at Devil's Den was awesome, rarely throughout the year do we get to see some of our extended family and it was so fun being outside now that the girls are old enough to enjoy it!! Lillian was such a ham!! Addie came home and the next day had a super swollen eye, of which we never knew the true reason for inflammation. It was big and puffy all around, with clear whites of her eyes? Idk. Its better today. I'm off to grab LilBil, who has been a bum sleeping in til now.

Thanks to everyone for the help, and for the support over these past few weeks!! :D

Kes