Fact

I'm pretty sure these are all facts.

Facts that, lets be honest everybody, make life better.

(Oh, and here's a pic of the fountain at city creek. cause thats pretty cute right?)

I believe cutting up an apple makes it taste better.

I believe new sheets can help you sleep better.

I believe watching my 2 yr old yell "Weee!" while going down 12 inches on the slide is what everyone needs to see before they die.

I believe in reading the book first. Its just better than the movie.

I believe seeing a newborn's sweet face is the closest i get in this life to seeing through the veil.

I believe in smiling, a lot.

I believe in using a blanket, even if you have to crank up some A/C.

I believe a new outfit instantly makes me lose 5 pounds.

I believe a woman should own her age. It gives her power.

I believe a day in sweats with a good book can be better than any vacation.

I believe in never relying on my memory.

I believe my car runs better when its clean.

I believe in play-doh, bubbles and chalk.

AND in saying "I love you" every single day, in the morning, at the end of every phone call, and at the end of every day.

Tis the season

I haven't been very good at updating the blog lately, so let me try to catch up a little bit.
We went to see Santa at the festival of trees. I was a little worried that Kenley wouldn't want anything to do with him so I warmed her up to the idea by showing her Santa on the computer and we practiced telling him that she wanted a Dolly.
She LOVED him!! She was all smiles and even giggled when she saw him.
When Santa asked her what she wanted she said "Dawee puhweez!" and when she was given a candy cane -"Dank-oo".
I was so proud!!
Then she proceeded to destroy said candy cane, as well as her white top. (Thank goodness for Shout)




She's growing up so fast! It's so much fun!
She's reaching her "Terrible twos" and is becoming more independent.
Sassy pants tells me "No!" and "Top!" (Stop) regularly.
She's a really good eater, i'm amazed at the amount of food this dainty girl can put away.
She rambles on and on with stories that must be amazing, i just cant understand her. (I think she's speaking Chinese, yep that must be it)
She's learned to open and start the dishwasher.
She'll throw her toys out of their basket only to sing the clean-up song and put them back. She bobs around singing "Mean-up, mean-up, mean-up".
Elmo is her most favorite thing. She will dance around excitedly when he's on TV and yell "EHMOO! EHMOO!"
I'm amazed when she recognizes that little monster character everywhere. Even in the most abstract displays of him!
She's in a "baby-loving" stage, she wants to hug and kiss all the babies she sees :) Which naturally prompts many a cheek smooch from me, she puts up with it.

I will be posting again soon about all the toys she will be spoiled with this christmas! We actually have to move around some furniture to make room for all of it!
Lucky girl :)

Love-fest

BJ has been kind enough to bring it to my attention that I am totally, completely and disgustingly in love with my baby girl.

But, how can you not be? I mean, look at this girl!! She's awesome!!

Haunted hay ride with creepy noises? No problem!

Ask me what a chicken says. I dare you. "Bawk bawk bawk!"

Then i'll giggle, cause I know i'm hilarious.

Lolli and Kenley, BFF's

A swing is called "Wwweeeee!!"

Touchdown!!

We're number 1!!

................

I rest my case.

Beyonce the metal chicken

For some reason, for the past week BJ has been irritating me more than he normally would.

I can't really put my finger on why every syllable he utters = nails on a chalk board.

A few things have just gotten under my skin more than they would normally.

Like those socks he tosses half-heartedly and lets lie next to the hamper.

Or yelling at the football/xbox game.

I promise i'm a really nice person and haven't snapped at him or been (very) irrational! And I can't be the only wife who (very rarely) feels like this???

But yesterday morning, after a week of feeling irritated, I had my boxing gloves ready for a fight, I just didn't know what it was about yet.

We were getting ready to head to a birthday party at chuck-E-cheese, and I had pulled out clothes for Kenley.

After her bath, to my delight, BJ dutifully took her to get dressed. I walked into the living room to find them in matching outfits, with the clothes I had set out still resting on the arm of the couch.

They were in matching football jerseys.

I promptly threw a fit and demanded she be changed into the clothes I had sanctioned acceptable for our outing.

To which BJ responded by smugly snapping the final button in place on her top.

So naturally, this propelled me into a rage.

(Because who wouldn't be pissed that a loving husband got their toddler in clean clothes that would probably only stay that way for another hour at best??)

I stomped away to finish getting myself dressed and fumed for a few minutes.

That's when I heard the shower.

It was my chance!

I rushed into the living room and coaxed Kenley to let me re-dress her.

When i was done, I hid the mini jersey.

Yep.... really did hide it like a little kid.

I all but stuck my tongue out at BJ when he saw what she was wearing.

I got the cold-shoulder all the way to chuck-e-cheese, and I sat silently listing reasons why I was right and justified in my behavior.

But I couldn't really come up with a good reason why to get into a fight over it. I suddenly felt really dumb, childish, and ridiculous!

And I actually started laughing! Cracking up that THIS was the biggest problem in my life right now, and I had created it!

BJ looked sideways at me, i'm sure wondering if his wife had completely lost it, and tightened his grip on the steering wheel.

I apologized and explained, and lost all feelings of irritation. (At least til my blood sugar dipped again)

I hope next time I wont be so bull-headedly stubborn and pick my battles a little better.

While thinking about picking my battles, I came across this story that made me pee-laugh cause it sounds like a fight we had a few months back about toilet paper :)

Hey, at least I didn't put a giant metal chicken in your way!

4 Years

4 years ago I made one of the biggest choices of my life. It was picking you BJ! And I will do it every day for the rest of forever. This year we were in Alabama for our 4th anniversary. BJ bought me these awesome running shoes, and surprised me with a night at the suite where we spent our wedding night.

Actually... I should specify that he dropped me off and left to go play basketball. It was glorious!

But before you think thats not as romantic as it actually was, let me tell you this: Since Kenley has come into our lives I have had ZERO minutes alone just by myself. I value my quiet time a lot more now. Also we'd been staying at BJ's parents who are extremely giving and loving people. But the house was packed, and the Driggers' consider everything in the house to be communal. Including space.

So I would be dead asleep and in walks someone wanting to watch TV in the room we're sleeping in. Or I will be in the bathroom and one of the boys will try to come in and be so upset that I lock the door, which I guess never happens.

Needless to say I was about to crack!

So letting me spend some time alone in a beautiful room with my good friend- midnight milky way- was a great way to celebrate four happy years of marriage. We stayed and slept in the huge bed until check out time at 1:30. Amazing.

I love you so much BJ and look forward to many many more happy years!!

Dearest Kindle,

I must admit to being a little shy and apprehensive when we first met. I would ask myself "Do I really need a Kindle in my life to be happy? Or should I learn to love myself first?" Those first few tentative weeks were full of "getting to know you" intrigue and excitement about what could be. I was amazed the first day you delved deep in your soul to show me the top 100 FREE books. That week was a turning point in our relationship, and we would stay up late at night reveling in murder mysteries and tales of magic. I realized my deep feelings for you when I couldn't imagine my future without you. But was it too much too soon? I was scaring myself with the admission!
But that was when you hooked me with a new series, and the joy grew.
The day we had our first fight was a memorable one. They say the first fight in a relationship can ruin it. I wanted you to stay in near-mint condition, and you wanted your face to be cracked. Such a sad day. Thank goodness we were able to mend our troubled relationship with the help of a warranty and some much needed time away.
Now we are inseparable! I ignore the ones who are jealous of us and want to tear us apart (BJ) Those glares and subtle "kindle hiding" aren't lost on me. Because the day came when I realized I wouldn't be the same without you. It was the day I looked in my archived content and noticed the number there.
36 books!
Could it really be? I have been changed and can't walk away from this unscathed any longer.
You have changed me forever with your never-ending supply of books.

I love you Kindle
Love,
ME