Category Archives: Family

A Birthday and a House

Posted on by
33

It’s my daddy’s birthday today, and I found just the right card.

“Lessons from dad: With you on my side, I learned that no dream was too big, no problem too tough, no anything too anything because you’ve given me the confidence to try everything.”

And it’s true.  It’s actually become a bit of a joke between my brother and I because it’s a rare day that we don’t get a call or text from him just to say that he loves us, he’s proud of us, and he believes in us.  That must be the ticket to good parenting because frankly, Tanner and I both kick butt at life.

Then he put this picture on my Facebook:

dad

That is one of my mother’s famous sugar cookies.  He told me to eat my heart out.  It made me feel not quite so charitable towards him and now I’m considering not giving him his birthday gift that is actually not a gift certificate for once.

He might not even care about that, though, because he’s probably feeling like his real gift is the fact that our layover at their house shouldn’t be too long.  Becauuuusseeee….

We bought a house!

newhouse2

The inspection is on Monday, and if everything goes well we close on March 28.

newhouse1

And you guys?  I’m more excited about it than I thought I’d be!  So please pray for a clean inspection. 

Then leave my dad a nice birthday note because he actually does read all my nonsense.  :)

Share

#notimpressed

Posted on by
30

Growing up (all the way up until I was about 29) I didn’t think I wanted kids.  I just didn’t get it.  Why invite the chaos of the grubby little sticky little money burning dream eaters?  What’s the draw, exactly?

Then I met D and my ovaries exploded and I got it.  I can’t explain it… but I got it.

We have less than pleasant times, to be sure.  Take last night for example.  Junior was cruising around on his four-wheeler (if riding four-wheelers in the house is wrong, then I don’t wanna be right) when he noticed me close his bathroom door.  And screamed his bloody head off.  Or when he was in the tub and I shut the water off and he screamed his bloody head off.  Or when I poured him white milk instead of chocolate milk and he screamed his bloody head off.

Sidenote: It’s kind of no wonder I never wanted any rugrats.  Notice these are the typical stories shared amongst mothers?  Oh, the horror.

Anyway, for being so adverse to the idea of rearing little childrens.. I somehow still ended up with the coolest one ever. 

A picture from his first Christmas.

firstchristmas

#notimpressed

And a picture I received this morning of his second Christmas.

crankychristmas2

#stillnotimpressed

Slays.  Me.  If you find yourself on the fence about making babies, I say go for it.  They’re actually pretty cool.

In other news – cross your fingers for us.  The epic house hunt of 2013 begins tomorrow and we ride at dawn!  Actually we leave at 10:00am from a mutually agreed upon McDonalds parking lot.  But still… onward, ho!

Share

Grandma Got Runover by…. Gravity

Posted on by
15

Merry day after Christmas!  We haven’t stopped celebrating since Friday night, but are so thankful for all the family that kept us so busy.

My side came over to our place on Christmas Eve.  As my little 4’10″ grandma made her way up the stairs with both arms full of gifts, D went out to help her.

Her: You are such a sweet boy!

D: Not really.  I just don’t want the insurance claim when you fall.

Her: …..

Later, as D and I were talking over our holiday happenings he admitted that he doesn’t think grandma gets his sense of humor.  “Like I would just let her fall on her face and leave her there!  Unlike some people I know……” With a pointed look in my direction.

Which made me laugh.  Which was a terrible thing to do.

See, back when we first bought our land, we invited everyone over for a bonfire. 

The following is a re-creation of actual events.

land1

land2

land3

Isn’t that terrible?!

She’s a favorite of ours to pick on.

christmas2012 056

But only because that’s how my odd little family shows love.

christmas2012 057

And guess where we learned it?? 

I guess my point is, that that’s my favorite part of the holidays. Hanging with people who rather than hug you, put you into a full nelson and give you a noogie.  Who instead of throwing gift cards at you (like D and I are infamous for), make you memory books and hand sewn table runners.  Who gives your kid money for his savings account and a full years supply of beef jerky….

Ahhhh family.  I hope you enjoyed yours and much as we enjoyed ours.

(Dad – Will you help grandma read this on your internet machine?)

Share

Once Upon a Weekend…

Posted on by
26

Once upon a weekend approaching Christmas, a young, vivacious, and aesthetically pleasing mother took her precious little boy to meet Santa Claus.  On the trip in to meet him, the mother explained to the boy the magic of Santa; of how he could sit upon his jolly lap and describe toys of his wildest dreams, and if he is a good boy, Santa would be inclined to deliver such gifts on Christmas Eve.

The little boy was not impressed.

Then his uncle arrived to spread joy to all the holiday revelers lucky enough to gaze upon his glorious beard.

But it takes a lot to impress this little boy.

(A lot as in his mother dangling chocolate above the camera.)

Later that evening, the young and vivacious mother donned her finest evening wear for her strapping and stylish husband’s company Christmas party.

The wine flowed like beer (name that movie), the music, interestingly enough, took the couple back to the glory days of the mid 90′s, and the husbands toes were thoroughly pulverized under the rhythmically challenged wife’s heels.

‘Twas a fine evening indeed.

The Christmas spirit lived on into the next day where the happy family added more decorations to their abode under a 70 degree sky.

And where at least one family member is anxious for Santa’s arrival.

Share

A Happy Little Wreath

Posted on by
32

Thanksgiving was great and blah blah blah.  Food and family and blah.  No one cares now that it’s over, right?  Now we’re all like,

Know what’s sad?  D doesn’t find Will Ferrell as hilarious as I do. 

Him: I love you.

Me: I love lamp.

Him: Are you drunk?

Sad.

Anyway, now that we got the whole ‘being thankful for stuff’ out of the way, it’s time to celebrate little baby Jesus by acquiring more stuff to be thankful for next November.

I started by acquiring five little wreaths.

And affixing five little bows.

And cutting five little pieces of ribbon.

And scotch taping them to five little windows.

See those Santas?  My dad carved them and my mom painted them.  Don’t you think they should start an Etsy store to sell them??  They’d be rich!  Then by proxy, I’d be rich!  We’d be like Duck Dynasty: The Santa Edition, and the boys could grow their beards out while us girls just stood around looking fine.

Genius.

Share

These Buffalo Are Roaming

Posted on by
56

If I know one thing in life to be true, it is that things will never happen as you plan.

For instance: Building your dream home, living in it for six months, then moving out of it.

We’re moving.

It’s still hard to believe!

My D got a new job.  It’s with the same company, but he was offered the chance to be in a supervisory position.  It’s a big step for him, and one that he really deserved.  We could hardly say no.

His new position is in Kansas City, about an hour away from where we live right now, so that means a relocation.  My job is in Topeka, and I want to keep it, so we are moving to Lawrence, Kansas to split the commute.

Of course this decision comes with a bag of mixed feelings.  We chose our current spot very specifically; we are near both sets of our parents, we felt good about the school district, we’ve got land, and gosh darn it.. we bled, sweat, and cried over that house.

Yet in spite of all that, I find myself excited for the next step.  Another thing I know to be true: God would not have asked us to make this change if he didn’t have better things in store.

The appraisals are complete, the realtor has been chosen, D has a start date.

These buffalo are roaming.

Share

I’m Baaaack!

Posted on by
29

Did you even know I was gone?  I was in Colorado, yo!

I had a work conference, but took my boys with me to play.

Through the week, we stayed at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs.  Absolutely gorgeous.  This is the view from our room.

We lucked out with the weather and on the first day took Jr to one of my favorite spots on the planet – Garden of the Gods.

The next day was a full day of work for me, but D took Jr to the zoo.

That night we swam.  (BELLEH!!!)

On Friday, I was done by noon and this is the sight that greeted me when I got back to the room.

Let’s zoom in.

Bahahahaa!!

After that, we headed straight for the mountains, where my family has a cozy cabin they are nice enough to let us stay in.

It’s on a creek.

With a bridge.

And we had a great time.  :)

On the drive home, one of us (not me) had the brilliant idea of hosting Thanksgiving.  In 10 days.  I currently have one dining room chair.  And I’ve never made a turkey.  BUT, it’s the first big holiday in the new house, and all the family that is coming is bringing something delicious, plus D informed me he’ll be in charge of the turkey.  He was looking up recipes last night, the likes of which induced curse words about how amazing this turkey is going to be.  Apparently we are in for a real treat!  ;)

And now I’m off to find some tablescape inspiration.  (Have you ever watched Sweet Genius?  I cannot say “inspiration” without hearing him… “inspeeeeraaatiun”.)

Share

Happy Halloween!

Posted on by
24

Happy Halloween to everyone! 

We kicked off this “holiday season” on Friday with a great concert called Freaker’s Ball with four bands I really love (Red Line Chemistry, 10 Years, Saving Abel, and Chevelle).  D and I donned our wedding gear and went as day of the dead bride and groom.

My brother in law, Jack the Ripper, was there with his favorite dead hooker.

But today I toned it down.  It’s just cowgirl Amy and her trusty steed, Poncho.

This is my mom, Hobo Harry.

And my favorite little feller is a lion.  He’s been practicing saying “rawrrrr” all week, but unfortunately wasn’t too stoked about the hood.

Showing off his adorable little tail.

So much win!

Are you guys dressing up?  What about your little childrens?  Send pictures!!

Share

When Parents Purge

Posted on by
39

Don’t you love it when your parents decide it’s time to purge their crap pass down family heirlooms?

Such was the unexpected case this week as we were at their house to eat their food because we love them and enjoy spending time in their company.

Dad had Junior over to help him do some work in the garage, and while doing so, unearthed some treasures. 

First, let me just say that as far as talent, creativity, and artistic ability goes in my family… my dad and brother got it all.  All of it.  Mom and I are just over here tripping on things and falling down a lot.

Tanner (the brother) argues that it’s a fair trade because as the oldest child, when I came out I took both metabolisms.  Whateva.

Dad carves.

Neat, right?!  Loving the owl especially.

And as an added bonus, he sent home a whole tub of these things:

He makes the spools and clothes pins into things like santa clause faces.  But since I’m lacking in skills, I’m thinking a garland of some sort.

Then he gave me a tool box my brother made in high school.

I love that he signed it in Sharpie.

Me: Dad gave me the tool box you made.

Tanner: Oh real cool.  I see it was really near and dear to his heart.  :/

Me:

Ahhh, there’s nothing like sibling love.

Share

Framing More Memories

Posted on by
22

The older I get, the more sappy.

I blame Junior.  I was never quite so mushy and emotional before he came along.  I think part of that is the fact that he shows me every single day how quickly time passes.  I didn’t notice it before.  Probably because I wasn’t looking.  Every day he has been alive, he has grown, and he has changed, and I can’t begin to comprehend the pace.

And now he’s choosing a white pumpkin instead of the hundreds of orange, and fighting us about wearing hats.

He’s running around faster than we can keep up, and making Bill one exhausted doggie.

(But I think Bill likes it as much as we do.)

Anyway, a by product of my musings was the realization that not only is Junior getting older… We all are.

Makes me want to hold on to things, especially memories, a little tighter.  Thus, I framed another memory.  A memory made by my grandma, of her famous vegetable soup.  My favorite.

I love seeing her familiar hand writing.  I love the little cards she wrote on.  I love having this in the kitchen to see every day.

It’s really just for looks, because although the directions are right there… in reality all I have to do is call her up and tell her I’ve got a hankering for some soup. 

Because we all know a hearty dose of vegetable soup can cure any woe – even a case of the I’m-getting-old-and-have-eye-wrinkles-and-lip-hair-now blues. 

Especially the lip hair blues.

Share