Let's Recap

Our night out on Friday to celebrate our anniversary was quite lovely. We left the boys in the extremely capable hands of our sweet neighbors (a grandparent-like couple) and I knew it when she took Baby K right out of Tim's hands and started to coo over her. Not that anyone in their right mind wouldn't do that but still, it made me feel so comfortable. And that was worth SO very much.


And the boys, well they were all set for bed and were apparently perfect angels. That's it - I'm getting a babysitter every night.

But back to our evening.

We had dinner at Ruth's Chris, probably the best steak place in town. And before we even ordered our food I noticed Tim getting a little nervous. Like the same nervous he did the night he proposed. And before I could decide on my salad selection the waitress brought a little black box to the table that was surrounded by the chef's fancy creation of spun sugar and sliced strawberries.

And inside?

A beautiful, gorgeous "what-I've-always-wanted" ring. I tweeted and facedbook-ed about it on Saturday because I couldn't keep it to myself. Although, it's NEVER coming off of my finger, so I AM keeping it to myself!

It's absolutely beautiful AND means so very much to me.

Now, I'll be honest, I kinda knew something like this was coming because we did talk about it a little do to the fact that rings cost money and as I mentioned in my anniversary post, that's sort of a big deal in a marriage when you are not millionaires or anything (which we are not, by the way...)

However, I didn't know what it was going to look like and how much effort my wonderful husband would put into getting the perfect ring for me. And it IS perfect.

After our dinner (where I couldn't take my eyes off of my left hand or my husband) we went downtown and hung out for a little while with a co-worker of Tim's and her boyfriend, at a... BAR. I hadn't been to a full-fledged bar in quite a while. Like it had smoke and everything (gag.) {p.s. wound't have typed 'gag' 10 years ago} [would have tried to bum one instead].

I mean, This was a bar in the middle of a college town. Although probably not the oldest people there, we were certainly the most over-dressed.

We came home to a good report from our neighbors and he was holding Baby K and she was unloading my dishwasher. They are SO hired!! (and yes, we paid them, in wine).

It was a fabulous evening!

On Saturday Tim didn't feel very well but we still made a trip to Target as a family where we purchased the boys a little bowling set in the toy section and they proceeded to spend the rest of the weekend making strikes and spares. Best $9.99 we've spent in perhaps, our life.

And then Tim grilled on the the new grill I gave him for his anniversary gift.

Then on Sunday we made it to church all together.

And while there (and feeling most unwelcome - yeah, we still haven't found a church...) an elderly lady that did actually speak to us, asked if Baby K was a boy or a girl while she was dressed in this:

Yeah, this woman was pretty old, but I'm pretty sure she could see and REALLY LADY, IS THERE ANY QUESTION??? Because if someone is dressing their boy in this, well, I just don't see it happening.

Anyway, for dinner Tim grilled (again!) burgers and did quite a few chores around the house so he could go out and watch the Cowboy game. Hey, I can't complain. He did dishes and laundry.

Yep, I think I'll keep him for at least another 10 years...

A Decade

Today, Friday November 6th 2009 marks mine and Tim's 10th wedding anniversary. An entire decade of wedded bliss.

Did I just say bliss?

Okay, I know what y'all are thinking, certainly it hasn't ALL been that fantastic. And of course you are right. Marriage is wonderful but it's hard and challenging and even though I love the man to bits it doesn't mean there haven't been days that I've wanted to smack him. And hard.

But the good days have certainly out-weighed the not-so-good ones and honestly, I wouldn't change a thing...

Anyway, I thought I would list 10 things that I've learned about marriage - one per year, get it? I am SO original! And then I'll get all mushy, K?

Alrighty, here's my list (with past pictures of us...)

1. You have to be willing to give and take. Some days you'll give more and some days you'll take more. That's just how it goes.


2. Sick husbands can be uh... 'challenging'. But you still take care of them because you love them (and you know they would do the same for you, at least mine does!)


3. Trust is paramount. If you don't have that, you don't really have a good foundation for a relationship, at least in my humble opinion.


4. The person you marry MUST have a good sense of humor. 'Cause if you can't laugh together, all bets are off.
5. Make sure you know who is supposed to take out the trash (it's HIM by the way...)


6. After kids make sure you still spend quality time together ALONE. Yes, they'll miss you when you're gone - although you may miss them more. But they will appreciate you more when you arrive back home and you will appreciate each other more as a couple as well.


7. When your significant other tells you that you are probably moving to Louisiana because he has a good job offer there, go ahead and cry it out, it's okay. But then remember that wherever you are with him is HOME.


8. When he says he'll fold the towels, let him, even if he folds them WRONG (and you have to go back and re-do them...)


9. There will be fights and issues about money because that's just the way the world works but DON'T let it get between the two of you because that's just STUPID.


10. When you marry someone named Tim that turns out to be the love of your life (of course you already knew that because that's why you married him in the first place!), you are lucky, LUCKY, LUCKY!!!


I always say that I felt something between Tim and I from our very first meeting.

Ten years ago, during one of the VERY best days of my life, I told him that I would be his forever and he did the same for me.

We were surrounded by our family and friends and we had a great party afterward and a wonderful honeymoon to follow. The memories are with me always. But what really mattered the most is that at the end of the day I was married to him, the man I always wanted and needed in my life. My Tim.


Happy 10th Anniversary my Love. You are my heart and soul.

And by the way, this song makes me think of you and OUR love every time I hear it...

Playing "House" (forgive me if it's a little rambly...)

Do you remember when we were little girls and we used to play "house?" (well except for the few men that may read my blog, you probably were busy playing G.I. Joe or some crap...but us girls, we played 'house.')

Looking back now, I kinda wish I'd played something else more. Like what I'm not sure, but if I'd had ANY idea then that I'd be playing REAL HOUSE for many, many years, later in life, I probably woulda put down my pretend iron and ironing board (yeah, like I've touched a REAL one of those in a while. HA!) and picked up a jump rope or something. Okay, maybe not a jump rope because that was probably a little too strenuous for me, but still, you get my point right?

It's not that I don't like REAL HOUSE (although some days it would be nice to have to take a 'personal' day) it's just that when I was a kid I could put the baby doll down and she would not cry, like EVER. And my mother cooked. Every. Night. For reals. And it was good. Not that my cooking isn't good, but I didn't have to do it back then.

AND! And, I only had one, sweet, non-crying child that ate when I wanted her to and slept all night in her baby bed and never spit up on her beautiful dress that she wore ALL. THE. TIME. And if I ignored her for a little while or didn't take her somewhere with me, she was cool with it.

Yeah, and there was none of this toddler business when I played house as a kid. No tantrums or constant nose picking (okay, maybe I dug for gold every now and again myself, but certainly NOT my 'baby').

Oh and groceries were abundant and free. AND, I didn't even have to leave the house to buy them. Sweet.

The house was ALWAYS clean too, although I do remember doing a little pretend 'dusting'. But I could quit when I wanted to and go take a nap. Even sweeter. And I never had to do ANY laundry. It was all magically done and folded and put away. Pure bliss.

Also, my baby NEVER got sick or refused to eat something that I gave her and then proceeded to toss it across the room. She never even learned to crawl and get into things. Yeah, she was an awesome baby doll.

What I'm trying to get at here is, don't you think that it's kinda funny that we spent a ton of time 'playing house' as little girls only to be catapulted into the REAL thing in our adult life? (not all of us women, but many...)

And have you seen the toys out there now for little girls to play 'house?' It's like they have the doll version of everything I've spent HUNDREDS of dollars on to keep my babies happy and secure. Strollers, swings, car seats, pack n' plays, bassinets, and on and on.

When I got the mail the other day there was an American Girl doll catalog and because I do have a girl now I thought I'd flip through and have a little preview. That is until I almost choked on my piece of Halloween candy as I saw the dollar signs. Let's just say I hope my girl doesn't want to play 'house' with those dolls or this REAL house will end up in the POOR house. Get me?

And who knows, maybe girls don't play 'house' these days as much as I did when I was kid. I wouldn't really know since this is my first foray into girl stuff, "the next generation." And being that she's only a month old, obviously we have a ways to go until we know what her pretend play interests will eventually consist of. But I must ask, would I be a bad mother if I tried to steer her in a different direction? G.I. Joe perhaps?Hey, he's kinda cute...

WW - The "Look Who's Talking" Version

Here are some of the things I think she might have said when this picture was taken, if she could talk of course:

"Um, Lady, I don't actually sit up yet, so quit trying to prop me up like I can. Geez, give it time and me a break."

"And in that same vein, can you at least take a picture of me that doesn't make me look like I'm eating my shirt?"

"Oh and speaking of the shirt, onesie, whatever. Could you change it please? I spit up on it like three times already. Any day now..."

"I admit, I do like the bow. It makes me look quite cute. Good call on that one Mommy."

"Thanks for rolling the waste band on my pants and making me look like a baby dork."

"Did you hear that?!?" (trying to divert my attention from taking any more pictures...)

"Hey Mommy! Guess what?! I got a present in my diaper for you!!!"


Anything else YOU think she may be saying? If so, let me know.


More WordFUL Wednesday at Seven Clown Circus

How Random Can I Be? Let's See, Shall We?

Last week I met with Ben's teacher for my very first parent/teacher conference and... I don't think he could have gotten a better report. Except that he did not know the color purple. Well, he's a boy, I mean why does he have to know THAT color. Obviously I'm kidding. She did say his behavior is fabulous (can we have a little of that wonderfull-ness up in here please? - actually he is a pretty good boy...) and that his work is pristine. Well except for those backwards Zs. No biggie, he'll get it before he graduates. Anyway, it was SO nice to leave there as a proud mother after she had nothing but good things to say about my Kindergarten boy. I was so full of pride and told him as much when I returned home.

I went out shopping for a bit on Sunday (BY MYSELF!!) and visited the local Old Navy. I was on my cell phone talking at first and it wasn't until I got to the middle of the store that I realized that they had changed the layout and design of the store. I hadn't been drinking THAT much - (oh just kidding!) so I knew it wasn't just me. And while still on the phone with my friend I also realized- that store is for teeny boppers. I did manage to find a couple of cute cheap things but really, I think I'm past being able to wear most of those clothes. And I hate that. Loathe it. Deteste...

Tim got the Louisiana plates for our cars last week and yes it took forever but I'm so glad he did that and not me because hey! I'd rather have a root canal that deal with that kinda stuff. Somehow that makes it more official to me that we REALLY live here now. And that? Kinda makes me want to go back 'home...'

On Sunday we cleaned the house like crazy. Toys went away, huge living room floors were mopped, a certain five year-old helped dust, papers got recycled and ditched. It was BEAUTIFUL. And just FYI, this always happens after I have a baby. About 4-6 weeks after I go stir crazy with the lack of cleanliness and tidyness in the house and HAVE TO HAVE IT CLEANED NOW OR ELSE. So, I feel better now, how 'bout you? (many kudos to my WONDERFUL, MAGNIFICENT husband who did all the mopping and much of the work...)

Oh and I don't think I'd mentioned yet that we sold our house in Texas and closed a couple of weeks ago. SO crazy happy about that little (HUGE) transaction. I mean there were some mixed emotions since it was our first house but two house/rent payments = no love. So bye, bye house, it was a good run!

The Boppy pillow really is one of the coolest inventions ever. Just thought I'd throw that in...

We are hosting some good friends here for Thanksgiving this year (hey Clarks!) and I'm excited to plan the menu and stuff. Although it's probably just going to be turkey and stuffing and potatoes and bread and LOTS of pie. Or maybe JUST lots of pie. I'm sure they'd be down with that. (lemme know y'all, k?) I tease... sorta.

The weather has been quite nice here lately. All I know is that the God-awful humidity is mostly gone and that is an absolutely wonderful thing. Halloween night was perfect weather and that made it all the more enjoyable. So let me just say to the weather Gods (although I don't believe in that sort of thing...) "Please keep it coming. This weather is just perfect and wonderful. Thank you."

Tim and I are MOST excited to go to dinner JUST THE 2 OF US on Friday night to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. Our neighbors have agreed to babysit. It will be the first time we've ever used anyone besides family to watch the children. But you know what WHO CARES, it's dinner ALONE baby! Happy Anniversary to us. And there may be a side trip to a martini bar but don't tell, k?

Happy Tuesday to all...