2009...Looking back on another GREAT year!

I don't know what's worse. That it has taken me SO long to post or that I've copied this from Haley to give me a little guidance! Oh, well. Here goes!


1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?

Had major shoulder surgery that rocked my world. Recovering from something like that with a toddler is not fun!

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I'm pretty predictable...work out more, eat better. Gave it a valiant effort but no exceptional results!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

YES! Several people. Most importantly was my sis-in-law (sister at this point!she's been in our family about as long as Kyle and I love her!) My beautiful neice Stella Rose was born October 20th and she is as Haley puts it YUMMY! Gavin absolutely adores her!

. Did anyone close to you die?

My Aunt Linda passed away last April,after a very hard life of diabetes and illness. She was a wonderful person and I know she is looking down on us all now. We miss her!

5. What countries did you visit?

Just the good ole US of A

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you didn't have in 2009?

Looks like the answer to that will be 2 kids instead of 1!

7. What dates from 2009 will be etched upon your memory, and why?

February 17-shoulder surgery
Mid February-found out I'm going to be an aunt!
October 20th – the day that my beautiful neice was born
October 23rd – the day we found out Gavin is going to be a big brother

8. What was your biggest achievement this year?

Definitely getting through my surgery and the rehab. Don't wish it on anyone. It was harder than recovering from a C-section after having a baby!

9. What was your biggest failure?

Not being a good enough friend. With a super demanding job, a toddler, husband, family...something's gotta give and that is unfortunately where I haven't had enough time or energy to do! I love you all for still being my friend even though I'm MIA a lot!

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Yuck. Yes. Shoulder...obviously. And then there was the miserable bout with the swine flu. Which led to bronchitis. And during that whole mess I found out I was pregnant. Which led to nausea...I think that's enough detail!

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Greg's new car. 2009 Buick Enclave. Love it!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

My lovely sis in law Annalise. We have become so close and I'm so glad to have her in our lives!

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Can't think of anyone.

14. Where did most your money go?

Bills, daycare, travel, food.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

The birth of my beautiful neice and finding out I was pregnant again.

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?

Big Green Tractor by Jason Aldean. My son is obsessed with it and I'm pretty sure we have watched the video on YouTube at least 3,459 times.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?

Happier
Fatter – I'm pregnant, so that's a pretty good reason.
Definitely richer in blessings...about to be poorer when baby #2 gets here!

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?

Time for myself and girl time. Like I said before, those are the things I sacrifice to get everything else in!

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?

Working. But that's not really an option!

20. How did you spend Christmas?

With family...in Rogers with Mom and Dad and Kyle, Haley, and Stella and MeMe Christmas eve and part of Christmas day and in the Fort for a couple days with Greg's family

21. Did you fall in love with 2009?

It was a great year. I'm excited for 2010 though!

22. What was your favorite TV program?

I have 2. Modern Family, which is so funny. And I've developed an obsession with the Duggars...18 Kids and Counting.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

Not a hater!

24. What was the best book you read?

Don't remember. I know I read a couple and they were by Sophie Kinsella/ Madeline Wickham.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Wiggles/Tractor videos on YouTube. Hours of entertainment for my little man.

26. What did you want and get?

I guess getting pregnant would be the answer to that one.

27. What did you want and not get?

A huge raise!

28. What was your favorite film of 2009?

Nothing in particular stands out. I'm kind of behind on movies.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

February 11 – 31 – I honestly don't remember what I did! Doesn't really matter anymore. Once you're a mom your birthday kind of disappears!

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Nothing! We had a great year that overall was pretty healthy! Gavin is a little rockstar and I have a wonderful hubby and family. Great job working with great people, and an overall great life! And about to add to our family...couldn't ask for much more!

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2009?

Not sure. Trying to stay a little trendy while being comfortable and chasing a toddler. Then there's the work wardrobe. Kind of a hodge podge of stuff!

32. What kept you sane?

Greg

33. What political issue stirred you the most?

I'd rather not go there.

34. Who did you miss?

My friends and family far away that I don't get to see often.

35. Who was the best new person you met?

Stella Rose! Can't wait to watch her grow up!

36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.

You can't do it all. And you don't have to! Life is too short to stress about the things that won't matter next week. Live in the moment and enjoy the present. You never know when it could all be taken away so make the most of every moment!

37. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

I'm copying Haley on this one, too. This is Gavin's favorite song and he can sing it all. I think God did that for a reason...

”Don’t worry ‘bout a thing, ‘cause every little things gonna be all right.” – Bob Marley

Happy 2010!

We're still here!

I'll be surprised if anyone reads this...I had just about given up on myself and the blog! But now that the weather is getting cooler and we'll be inside more, I'm going to try to get back into doing it again!

Wow...where to begin. First and foremost, I am ANXIOUSLY awaiting the arrival of Miss Stella Rose, Kyle and Haley's baby! She could be here anyday and we are SOOOO excited to meet her! Please keep them in your prayers for a happy, healthy baby and delivery! I can't wait to be Aunt KK and spoil our little girl!

As for my little guy, he's not so little anymore! He never ceases to amaze me. He has NO fear-I just walked into his room and he had taken his shirt off(random) and was crying because he jumped off his play table onto his little chair and scared himself- and told me exactly what he did! Here are a few new pics of the little man.

I'll be sure to add more soon. We've had lots of fun outings to share! Our next adventure will be a pumpkin patch this weekend. Can't wait!

Spring Pics

Long time, no post...I know. Too busy with the little man, work, and trying to be a great wife/daughter/friend/etc. Something's gotta give! I'll try to get better! In the meantime, here are a few new pics of our little superstar! He's talking (and singing) up a storm. His favorite songs are Pokerface, Boom Boom Pow, and anything by Sugarland. Wonder who he's in the car with the most...me maybe? He has an incredible vocabulary for 16 months, and repeats everything and can even use it in context. It's so much fun! We spend our evenings going to the park, riding tractors in the driveway, and watering plants so there is little time to play and post here lately. Hope all of you are happy and healthy and enjoying the warmer weather! Happy Spring!

What a week...

I guess I should say what a month, since it's been that long since I've taken the time to sit down and post anything. I've officially returned to work since my surgery, and it was a tough week! I had to go to Vegas for a National meeting/new product launch which was great...lots of work but got to play a little too! However, I'm about 40-50% with my shoulder so it wore me out. Really long uncomfortable days...probably should have stayed in at night to do my exercises and ice it but come on...it's VEGAS!!!!

Well, at least it was fun until Wednesday. I then got a call that one of my favorite relatives had passed away. My wonderful Aunt Linda Nicodemus, God rest her soul, left us to be in a better place. She was the kindest, most loving, most humble woman I think I've ever known. She lived a long life of illness and pain but not once did I ever hear her complain. I honestly don't know of anyone that went through what she did in her lifetime. As hard as it is to accept she is no longer here, I am so glad for her that she no longer has to suffer. God has a special place for her in heaven, and I truly believe she was an angel on earth, so I know she'll be an extra special one in heaven. Please keep my Uncle Nick, cousins David and Rachael, and the rest of her family in your thoughts and prayers.

Fun trip to the Park!

Just chose a new background...LOVING IT!

I had to choose a shamrock motif. For those of you who don't know...Greg and I got married on St. Patty's Day almost 3 years ago! Time flies soooo fast! We now have an extremely energetic and talkative 14 month old! Sorry it's been so long since I've blogged. Between work and my shoulder surgery a couple weeks ago, I've been out of commission. Lots to catch up on!

First and foremost...I'm so excited to be an aunt! I can't even express how excited I am to have another little one to love as much as I love Gavin! I see how much Kyle and Haley (aka Buddy and Hay-Hay) love him and it makes me so excited to meet my new neice/nephew! It's just as exciting as having your own! Get ready, Buddy and Hay-Hay, for love like you've never experienced, and love like you've never seen from your family.

I. CAN'T. WAIT.

SPOILED...

Speaking of spoiled...my little one isn't exactly hurting in the attention department. Since my surgery, he has pretty much had double attention most of the time. If I'm home, someone is here to help me. He loves it! His little vocabulary is out of control! We have a new word everyday. Today at daycare he learned to put his finger to his mouth and say "Shhhhh...."

Wow. I can't believe he is telling us to be quiet!

This weekend we went to the park with Nanny (Aunt Annalise) and had a ball! It was our first trip to our neighborhood park and he loved it! He is such a big boy. He went down slides, played in the sand, and walked and ran all over. He is my workout!

Checking out the scenery. I think I like this place...

Loving my Nanny taking me down the slide! Weeeee!

TO MY WIFE KARA, ON HER BIRTHDAY

The above picture is of us at the airport on our way to get married in Vegas. I consider this a fitting image of when my life started with my beautiful wife Kara. It's funny how you look back on your life before you met the one you were destined to spend forever with and details become difficult. Then they become easy. I'll never really know what it is that I said or did to make Kara fall in love with me. Whatever it was, I thank God that I did it right. I will never consider myself a failure in this world because marrying a woman like Kara has to be the greatest success any man could ever achieve. Speaking of details:

I remember everything in detail when it comes to her.

I remember how beautiful you were and what you were wearing when we first met. I mean truly met. I know you had a huge crush on me in Junior High but that was a long time ago.

I remember what you were wearing and how gorgeous you looked on our first official date. I pretty much knew by the end of that night by the way.

I remember how beautiful you were in your wedding dress. (Even Elvis thought so)

I remember where I was when my mom said she hit "reply all" on her email and told every Arbonne Lady in the tri-state area that we went on a date. I remember I told her not to worry about it cause I thought it was the beginning of something special.

I remember exactly where I was when you told me there was a little force of nature growing inside of you.

I remember how in awe I was how you handled bringing Gavin into this world. I swear you never even looked nervous. There are mothers, and then there is you.

I don't remember our first big yelling fight because we've never had one. Ever.

I would pat myself on the back for remembering these things, and a bunch of little things in between, but to be honest it's you that deserves the credit. It's easy to remember the wonderful things that you brought into my world. You always put other people before yourself, you are a perfect mother and wife. You're even an amazing cook and I'm an amazing eater. I mean how perfect is that, you can't make this stuff up. I love you more than I could ever put into words. Thank you for loving me back.

Your Husband,

Greg

And for all you lovers out there, Happy Valentine's Day!

What a fun Weekend!

After a CRAZY week stuck inside, we were all so ready to get out and enjoy some sunshine and fresh air! We headed out Saturday morning to visit Gigi and Papa Skippy at the ranch in Alma. We finally got to meet the new pet llamas! Here are some pics of Gavin enjoying our new furry friends...

From the farm we headed to Conway for more fun! We went to visit our friends Hank and Hollie and Connor, and had a blast! Gavin got a great new truck from Hank's mom which he LOVES and got to take a ride in Hank's 1928 John Deere Ford that his dad built. He had a blast!