If You Really Knew Me...

1. You'd know that I met Heath when I was 16, moved in with him when I was 18, got married at 19 and honestly think that's the best choice I could have ever made for myself.

2. I call my best friend Buddy. I have ever since our colorguard days. She calls me this too. Some of her family may possibly not even know my real name, because thats all she has ever called me.

3. I absolutely can NOT decide where we are going to eat if the car is moving. The husband knows to just pull over. I feel rushed and I shut down and just can't decide. Its bad, I know.

4. If I'm upset, I talk myself into circles. I can literally go from point A to point F back to point B in the same sentence. The more upset, the more I jump around.

5. I sniff every cup that comes out of our cabinet before I pour a drink into it. Our dishes are clean, our cabinets are clean, but I'm weird about the way a cup smells. If it smells even remotely funny, I stick it back in the sink to be washed.

6. I only really love to drink Aquafina water and I prefer it in the older bottles that don't have the lines in them. For a very long time, I swore the water tasted differently in the new bottles and wouldn't buy that kind. Now, I don't have a choice so I feel like my taste has adjusted to the bottles with a line in it.

7. When I sleep in our bed, I have to be straight. For some crazy reason, I feel dizzy if I'm more to one side than another. I don't pretend not to be neurotic,lol.

8. At 26 and a half, I STILL don't know what I want to be when I grow up.

9. I don't really love sweets. I'd pick something salty (read carby) any day of the week.

10. We tried for exactly one month before getting pregnant with B. Thats after telling my husband, we could try for a year! But then, first month and I'm pregnant.

11. I RUINED Heath's first proposal to me. It's a long story for a whole different post, but I ruined it, he didn't propose and then made me wait another month until he did it again.

12. When I was pregnant all I would eat the first trimester was fried bologna and scrambled eggs. Every single night the Husband cooked it lovingly. I also had a coke icee most mornings. And the smell of my nasty dog was the only smell that didn't make me nauseous. I would smell her fur just to settle my stomach.

13. I didn't ride on my first airplane until I was 22.

14. I had lasik in 2011. Before that, I literally couldn't see but about two feet in front of my face without my glasses/contacts.

15. I dated another guy named Heath. They lived on the same road. The similarities pretty much stop there, but what a coincidence.

16. I overanalyze decisions concerning Bentlee. And normally only the small decisions. Big ones I know without a doubt and  I don't bat an eye. But something small and insignificant, I may ponder for days on end sometimes making myself feel a little sick.

17. For two years probably- Heath didn't know the color of my eyes. He was asked one day and stumbled for the answer. If you know me well, you will understand why this is so shocking.

18. I love 90210. The old ones and the new ones. I'm a little obsessed.

19. I can't dance. Pretty much at all. Or sing for that matter although I try.

20. My secret dream job- is to be a wrecker girl. Obviously I wouldn't probably ever. But i'm sickingly obsessed with bad wrecks and Heath knows he better turn around if its real bad. Its not the people, its really not. I pray hard for each and every one of them. Its more that metal can twist and bend and look like that after a wreck!

21. I don't really like kids. I mean, the kids I'm used to, sure. My kid, of course. But just in general, no. They smell and are germy.

22. I would take in every stray dog if I could. Sometimes, I like dogs more than I like people. I can't help it.

23. I'm pretty sure I cracked my elbow in the 11th grade doing a toss on colorguard. It still hurts sometimes.

24. I bought my first call all alone. And paid cash for it.

25. I don't love to shop. I know I'm the only girl that can say this, but I don't love it. Unless I have tons of money to spend which never happens,lol. So pretty much, malls make me tired and frustrated.

Thats all I can think about right now. How many of these did you know?

What My Toddler Has Taught Me

1. Honesty. When you make a promise to a toddler. You better do it. They don't forget. And they need to trust you. Its so important for them.

2. Pick your battles. Its ok to wear rainboots to Walmart. People may look at you, but it's probably because they understand. They have been there.

3. Popsicles. Keep them on hand at all times. This is such an easy fix for a sad heart at the age of two.

4. Hugs. When they offer them, you take them. No matter what time of the day it is, no matter what you are doing. You stop and you hug and you kiss.

5. Chores can wait. Really. They will still be there waiting for you the next day and really, thats ok.

6. Booboo's. Kiss them always. No matter how big or small. Always be there to kiss the booboo's.

7. Germs are sometimes ok. Mud is ok. Kissing the dog is ok.

8. Let them help you. Even if it means refolding the laudry or rewashing a dish. They need independence and its how they learn.

9. Pray for them. Pray with them. Pray a hedge of protection all around them.

10. Thank God for them every single day.

11. Multi-tasking. I have learned how to cook, talk on the phone and mop the floor all at the same time that I hold my 25 lb toddler.

12. There is no such thing as alone time anymore. I will never be able to talk on the phone, take a bath or pee anymore without an audience.

My Bucket List

My bucket list:

1. Be in Las Vegas on New Years Eve.

2. See Kenny Chesney in concert. It's sad that this is on here and sad that it hasn't happened so far.

3. Go explore Italy.

4. Eat ice cream with my love when we are old.

5. See my girl ride a bike, graduate and get married.

6. Have a walk-in closet.

7. Do something I'm passionate about as a career.

8. Witness something amazing.  This one I crossed off the day I watched one of my best friends Katy deliver her daughter Maggie Blake. It was one of the top five most amazing moments of my entire life.

9. Watch the sun come up over the beach.

10. Teach Bentlee something useful. Not school lessons but a life lesson. How to be a lady. How to apply make-up without looking like a floozy. How to be a great friend.

11. Rock a grandbaby to sleep.

12. Visit all 50 states.

13. Own my own home outright. With no mortgage to pay.

14. Drive a very fast car very fast.

15. Renew our wedding vows in Vegas with the cheesiest Elvis impersonator we can find.

16. Cook Christmas dinner and use fancy dishes. (easy, yes, but we always go somewhere else!)

17. Watch my girl get baptized.

18. Get a tattoo.

19. Get a puppy as a gift wrapped in a box on Christmas. And I want it to be a total surprise.

I know there are so many more. I just can't think of them all right now, so I may have to add to this list later :)

The clue to our marriage

As the husband and I have just celebrated our 7th anniversary, I'm feeling like I know a few things. Do I have it all figured out? Of course not, but this is how we have made our 7 years of marriage work all while staying mainly happy. I figure I can make myself a list now and again when we've been married 57 years and see if things are the same :)

1. In our marriage, the age old concept of "don't go to bed mad" is out the window. That's dumb people. Well, maybe not dumb to some, but in our marriage, it just doesn't work. Sometimes I am MAD. So mad that I need to sleep on it and think through what I want to say before I say things I don't mean simply because I'm to mad to think rationally. Plus, when/if the fight doesn't start till say 8:00, ok then, you can't stay up all night trying to figure out a solution/decide who is right. Sometimes I just have to go to bed and wake up with a clear head and I may even see things differently.

2. You will say harsh, ugly things. I'm not proud of it. But sometimes, they just come out. You will stoop to the lowest of lows and the harshest of the harsh before you even realize you've done it no matter how good of a person you are. You will feel guilty. You will get over it. And so will they. Hence why in our marriage the term- fight fair- doesnt really apply either. Sometimes you just won't fight fair.

3. Always be excited to see your spouse when you return home from work. If you aren't, this is a problem. No matter if we are fussing, after 9 hours of not seeing his face, I just have to see it. I miss it.

4. In conjunction with that, always kiss your spouse when you return home after work. Its simple, its sweet, and it lets me know you missed me all day. Its important. Back in the day- WAY back in the day- when my parents were still married, I seriously remember being a little girl and seeing my dad kiss my mom when he got home from work and thinking how sweet it was.

5. Before children, take a few years. Again, maybe this isn't for everybody, I'm speaking strictly for my marriage. But children change things. Greatly. Children make things rocky. And if you didn't already have a strong, steady foundation, then you will fall.

6. ALWAYS say I love you. This is probably my strictest rule in my marriage. No matter how mad I am at him, I always love him. I never stop. Not when I'm mad, not when he is mad, not when we don't see eye to eye. Why would you not tell your spouse out of spite? I always love him. I always will.

7. Be gentle with the truth. You should tell the truth. But at the same time, be gentle and use your words wisely.

8. No matter how many times you tell them, they will NOT put their socks in the basket. It doesn't mean I stop telling him, it just means that he will never learn.

9. Guys- just let her choose the movie/show. It won't hurt you and it makes her happy. Does he "enjoy" watching 90210 and Teen Mom every single week when they are on? Secretly, I say yes.

10. Girls- when it's a very important decision- always obey your husband. As a VERY opinionated, strong willed individual this has probably been the hardest one for me. However, the Bible clearly states that the man is supposed to lead the family. When I need an answer to something, I pray about it, then I ask Heath and will normally follow what he tells me. There have been very few times that Heath has actually all out disagreed with what I have wanted or even not wanted, but when he does, I try to obey.

11. Children will change your love for each other. You will love your spouse in a way that you thought was impossible. When I see the husband playing with our baby girl, sometimes I don't think I could love him anymore than I do in that minute. It is unimaginable.

12. Guys- girls will change their minds. A lot. Get over it and go with it. Recently, the husband has went to party city with me FOUR times to exchange B's party stuff, FOUR times, all while being a good sport before he had to bow out gracefully and tell me I was on my on. Before he strangled me. Or divorced me. But he did it.

13. You should think your spouse is hot. Everybody else may not, but you should. Mine is. The hottest man ever.

14. Men- don't compare your wife to your mother. It will never end well. It doesn't matter how well of a cook/cleaner/caretaker your mom is- never ever compare. I will say- for fairness on my blog- the husband doesn't typically do this to me. Except that one time when he was sick and she didn't want to come take care of him and get his germies. I guess she figured, he has a wife now, let her do it. From then on, I will do when he is sick.

15. LISTEN. With a capital L. What they are saying may not be interesting. In fact, you may not give two cents what they are saying and think it is very unimportant. However, trust me on this, if they are saying it at all, it is important to them. Do you think I care about the alarms he installs or the way this motor works on this vehicle? No, not at all. But he wants to tell me, which means I want to listen. And at the same time, you may learn something that could be useful later without even realizing it. My husband has educated me on so many things that I may never need but that I am glad I know now. All things that were important to him.

16. Men- put the toilet seat down. Enough said. I'm fortunate that the husband has never had a problem remembering this.

17. For the love- just scratch my back, brush my hair, rub my feet- WHENEVER I ask. ;)

18. Men- always eat the dinner your wife cooks. Rather you like it or not. Rather you are hungry or not. Trust me on this- it will hurt her feelings if you don't. And it better be a big, heaping helping also.

19. Tell her she is pretty. Often.

20. Husbands- Protect her. Even if she doesn't need to be protected. She likes it. Trust me.

Little Letters

So, clearly although I love the thought of having a blog was great, I haven't done the best about keeping it up. I forget how much of my time is split between a million other things. So, with that one said, this will be quick as well, but I have a few thoughts.

Dear Crazy Toddler- Please stop breaking my stuff. For real. Mommy only has a few things that I consider to be "nice" and you are steadily declining that small list. Plus, that picture frame was from our honeymoon and is irreplacable. I still love you even though you make me mutter very bad words under my breath sometimes.

Dear Christian Grey- As much as America loved you and as much as I did- I'm kind of over you. You are still sexy, but geez, I actually got a little bored with the sex scenes by the third book. And the vocabulary was so repetitive... Heady and chastely... over and over and over.

Dear Beach- I miss you. I can't WAIT to see you and right now you are consuming my thoughts. So much so that I've already booked my NEXT beach trip after my one coming up. Its literally all I can think about. 38 days and I will roll around in your wonderfulness.

Dear Diet- I hate you and I can't do it. Some days are better, but most days, I loathe you and just want to eat everything. If I didn't want my daughter growing up thinking its ok to be fat, I'd tell you where you can go.

Dear Kady- I know you miss Nikki. We miss her too. But the sad fact is, she's not coming back. PLEASE got to sleep at night and please eat your food. I have done everything I can think of and you are wearing me out with the whining at night.

Dear Husband- I love your attentiveness lately. And what you are doing is working. When you do nice things for me, it makes me want to do nice things right back at ya. So, heres to a nice dinner of kraut, weiners and mac n cheese. Your fave :)

Dear Weather- I'm falling back in love with my newly bronzed skin. Please stay warm, sunny and beautiful. Although I don't really think its fair that my toddler has better tan lines than me.

Dear Bank Account- Please continue to grow. When I try to swipe that little plastic card- just speak up and tell me no. Again, we have lost our heads and are going on FOUR vacays this year.

Dear Vegas- We will meet again. In October to be exact. I miss the way you smell, I miss your fountains, I miss practically everything about you.

and last, Dear Best Friends- I'm so glad ya'll are back from the beach.  I was dripping with jealously anxiousness and ready for ya'll to be back so we can count down to our next vacay. That is for the exact same week in different locations. But at least one won't suffer while the other is away. That is all.

To Sell or To Stay

To sell or not to sell has been the question on my brain for a long time now. The husband and I bought our house in 2006. We stumbled upon it while just riding around looking and I almost immediately knew it had to be mine. We got lucky and it was a foreclosure that had only been on the market for six days. We put a contract on it and got work within a week that they had accepted our offer. That was it. No negotiating. No going back and forth. It was just ours! Like it was meant to be. We started out the process of getting it ready to move in. We did something to almost every room. We've painted all the rooms at least three times, we've upgraded and added and gutted out. I added my jacuzzi tub and painted the cabinets a perfect color.  The only problem is, we are simply outgrowing it. At three bedrooms and one bathroom, I just need a little more space. The toys and the Toddler are overtaking the house. And considering it was a foreclosure and we got a REALLY good deal on it, we hope to make a substantial amount of money off of it. But here is the problem.

We celebrated our first anniversary in this house. We found out we were pregnant in this house. We brought our child home to this house. We saw Bentlee take her first steps right in our living room. We watched Bentlee blow out her candles and celebrate her very first birthday in this house.

So, our house has been lived in. We don't just sleep there. We have made memories, we have loved, laughed and argued in this house. I realize that these are things everybody has to leave behind when buying/selling  home. I get it. But that doesn't make it any easier. And then our neighbors. We have some wonderful neighbors. If we move, who will I borrow eggs from. Who will I borrow Elmer's glue from at 8:00 at night?

With all that said and all the wonderful things- the facts are still the same. We are outgrowing it. So our options are- we sell and buy something else or we borrow against the house and add on. Adding on would be fine and it would fix almost all the space issues, but then I feel kind of like I am cheating us out of ever knowing what we could have potentially profitted off the house. So I'm kind of at a loss and feel like I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. I also feel like what if I put it on the market and it sells quickly and then I can't find the exact house I want or that I love as much as this one? Then we've just messed up.

Geez. See, how I talk myself around in circles? One minute we should sell and one minute we should stay...

The fancy yard

The husband and I have started trying to salvage our dead, crappy looking weeded yard. I seriously think we can kill any plant no matter how hard. For the first year since we moved in, we have actually taken the initiative to get outside "before" the 85 degree weather. Well, hello, 85 degrees. So apparently starting in March even can be to late. This is our plan of action.

First, I am SO tired of the reason our yard looks like crap is because The Husband doesn't have "the right tools." So, I thought I'd fix that. I marched him into Sears and told him to buy whatever it is that he needs. After looking at me like I was crazy for about ten minutes, he got really excited and started picking things out. You see, my friends, I think the "man brain" took over and the excitement of new toys kicked in and he forgot about the fact that once we buy these things, they will be used. Two hundred dollars later, we are cramming everything into the Corolla. Don't worry, thats just a chainsaw beside B's carseat. But in a box! Anyways, so we're on our way and the entire ride home, I'm giving him "The List."

As soon as we got home, he just has to "cut something!" So he starts on the side yard. The next day, I got out and started pulling weeds while he was cutting things again. Meanwhile, Bentlee was playing in the street. Kidding, of course. Anyways, so now that we have the beds almost all cleaned out, I have decided that we may as well go ahead and paint the foundation of our house. The people before had painted it some odd color and now it's faded to a pink color. So then I decided that if we were going to paint the foundation, we may as well paint the shutters and our front door to match. THEN I decided that if I was going to do that we should buy a whole new screen door since I've been wanting an all glass one anyways. And since I was already thinking about paint colors, I may as well pick a cute new color for the kitchen since I want to replace the kitchen counters and the backsplash. And while we're at it, we may as well stain the back deck to get it looking really good. None of this has been done of course, and may not get done, but right now, Hubby needs to nap even when I start talking about it from his head spinning so fast.

You should have just done the yard work Husband. Without the fancy tools.