Happy Valentine's day!

Happy Valentines day! I was never REALLY into the day... and still it just seems like another day. As Clint would put it "Do you really need a day or reason to show your husband or wife that you love them?" So today hasn't consisted of much... we bought Kierstyn's birthday present! She's getting the grow with me kitchen and I'm so excited about it! (I'm contemplating putting it in the real kitchen so she can cook with us) and then we went to dinner with our good friend Ryon. Now the boys are out back just relaxing and smoking cigars. So it's been a pretty good day!

Friday the 13th...

I don't know why... but Friday the 13th has never been a good day for me. This year was no exception only this year it was more hitting an emotional wall. It just seemed that everything that has been building up in my life finally fell over right on top of me. I cried and screamed and yelled and swore that I was going to go and yell at people responsible (only to realize that would inevitably make things worse. So after I talked to my wonderful friend Jess, I let it go. Then I opened my Bible and read Matthew 6:34

"So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself.Each day has enough trouble of it's own."

And I immediately felt better. I was so busy worrying about the things that will happen in the upcoming tomorrows that I stopped giving my worries to the one person strong enough to handle them. He's answered so many of my prayers lately I feel guilty for not immediately thinking to stop and pray.

25 things...

well first post of the new year! Wow I've been slacking lol this one isn't super profound... but I thought I'd start the new year off with some fun (Stole this from facebook btw lol)! So feel free to do it yourself once you've read mine!

25 Things...
1.) I had my first taste of alcohol at 14... black velvet whiskey and zimas and sangria (not mixed together) and surprisingly, I didn't puke.
2.) Whenever I broke up with a serious boyfriend, I moved out of the state.
3.) I drink milk like it's going out of style
4.) I have a serious addiction with all things Twilight related
5.) I read at an average of 75 pages per hour (yes I realize I'm a nerd for knowing that lol)
6.) I bought my wedding dress 1 week before I found out I was pregnant.
7.) I always told myself I would get married barefoot... so I got married barefoot in my living room
8.) I dance around my house like a little kid just to see my daughter laugh
9.) I cry at little things like songs, commercials and movies
10.) I don't like feeling out of control of a situation.
11.) I have only dyed my hair twice in my life (once black, once red)
12.) I'm REALLY bad at remembering people's names... but I'm VERY good at remembering voices and most of the time faces.
13.) One of my long term goals is to learn how to play the piano
14.) I never was able to get along with a roommate until I got married.
15.) I have broken 3 apartment leases, and only finished 2.
16.) I let Kierstyn play in her "food" cabinet even though I know it drives Clint nuts
17.) I have a daughter that is extremely well behaved and only cries when she needs something
18.) My sister is one of my best friends
19.) Red wine gives me a migraine
20.) I have serious issues with crowded places, I hyperventilate when there are too many people
21.) I didn't get my license until 5 days b4 I turned 17 simply b/c I was lazy...but I wanted to say I got my license at 16
22.) I won't erase Another Cinderella Story off my DVR b/c I think it's adorable
23.) I wake up in a good mood everyday b/c I know I get to spend the day playing with my baby
24.) Before I go someplace new I familiarize myself for 2 days so I know step by step where to go and what to do
25.) I was terrified of heights until I jumped out of an airplane.

Goodbye 2008!

This year has gone by unbelievably fast...

Gosh! I can't even explain it... it's like having a baby speeds time up unbelievably! I feel like Clint just got home from this last deployment... but in reality he's getting ready to go on another one early this coming year. I think it has been by far the best year of my life.

Christmas at our house was phenomenal! Of the 3 Christmas' Clint and I have been together it was the first one that we actually spent with each other. So it was extremely special! I have the best husband in the world... only he would notice how badly I wanted new clothes even though I never said a word. He just said I deserved it b/c I was always putting what I wanted to the side. It made me cry.

Tag you're it! Christmas Edition!

Tag You're It - Christmas Edition
I was tagged by Jr. Mint for a little get-to-know-you-better Christmas fun. I'm tagging Marissa (Love, Loyalty,Friendship ), Leah (Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication) and Tara (They Call me T). Have fun with it.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Wrapping paper! I love to use ribbon!

2. Real tree or artificial?
Artificial... knowing me I'd start a fire with a real one lol

3. When do you put up the tree?
We put it up last weekend...though this is the first Christmas we've spent actually together so who knows what we'll make as a tradition.

4. When do you take the tree down?
Probably right after New Years....

5. Do you like eggnog?
yes! It's yummy

6. Favorite gift as a child?
sigh... I don't know... there were a lot

7. Hardest person to buy for?
def. my dad

8. Easiest person to buy for?
My daughter... everything amuses her lol

9. Do you have a nativity scene?
OMG I DO!!!! my grandmother gave it to me and I TOTALLY forgot I had it!

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Definitely mail, there is nothing personal about an email card

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
hmmm.... i've liked all the gifts I remember

12. Favorite Christmas movie?
White Christmas

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
After Thanksgiving and usually don't finish up until Christmas Eve

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
probably... but I suck at remembering gifts lol

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
grandma helen's sugar cookies!

16. Lights on the tree?
Yes, the clear white ones. I think there is something so classic and beautiful about white tree lights.

17. Favorite Christmas song?
My grown-up Christmas list by Amy Grant actually... that and White Christmas

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
We will be staying her b/c Clint has to work

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
yes but I'm not going to

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
A star...though I grew up with an angel on the top

21. When do you open presents?
My family usually does one on Christmas Eve and the rest on Christmas day. Who knows what we'll do this year.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
Traffic is insane this time of year and the crowds SUCK!

23. Favorite ornament theme or color?
Red, silver and green

24. Favorite Christmas dinner?
Chinese lol yeah don't laugh

25. What do you want for Christmas this year?
The Twilight series...but hubby REFUSES to get it for me lol

26. What was the first gift of Christmas?
Getting to spend it with my husband and daughter together FINALLY

This is a hard one...

On November 14th, 2008 my sister lost her "rock" so to speak. Charley was someone who kept her sane and stable... he was her shoulder and her ear and she was his. I'd venture to say that they were soul mates... they were good for each other.

Over the past month my sister has introduced me to who Charley was and the more I learn, the more I admire him for the person that he was. Charley was 17 when he died and was more mature than most adults. He had life figured out.... he knew what was important and he treasured that. In talking to Tara, reading the comments to Charley, to his parents... it's shown me how truly loved one person can be.

As a parent hearing the story of a young man that had such a bright future, is heartbreaking. I get teary eyed just thinking about the agony that his parents must be going through. I couldn't bear my life without my daughter. It makes you question a lot of things... why God would let something like this happen, what would have happened if he had survived the car crash... and so many more. But then you have to stop questioning and realize that the life he lived was full and he touched more lives than I think he even knew. His story touched my heart... and I wish I had had the pleasure of knowing him.

So in the words of Charley "We Fight Through No Matter What Hardships We Face."

My thoughts and prayers are with your family and loved ones.

Well one holiday down... one to go. Thanksgiving went well, it was nice to see my mom and grandparents... and my sister of course. Clint got frustrated for no reason at all... the worry wart that he is, dinner was of course perfect. I FINALLY learned how to make my mom's pumpkin pie... and mmmmmmm yep made another one on monday... and it might be gone. It's my favorite thing in the world and Kierstyn has taken a liking to it as well. She's learned that when I have a piece she can come get bites of it. Then she mooches for more until it's gone. It's unbeilivably adorable.

This week has been relaxing, very much needed. We've decided that we're not going to plan anything this weekend. Just kind of go with the flow. Hopefully nothing too exciting happens. I'm longing for a weekend off.

Jess, Laura and I had girls night last night. Spinach dip and talking for 3 hours... now that's a great time. I missed Jess over the holidays lol I think I was going through withdraw. Kierstyn has started to refuse to eat baby food and only eat adult food... since she got a taste of a real Thanksgiving dinner. Oh well, I suppose now I'll have to make mac and cheese and jelly sandwiches. She really does love her crackers though.

I've been reading the O'Mally series again by Dee Henderson...I'd forgotten how great the books are! They're predictable and the story is the same with different details in each book...but they keep your attention and have great Bible versus in them!