Happily Ever After

Time for a serious update...

2011-09-09T15:02:00.002-05:00

Wow. Really, I haven't written a thing in 6 months and the only reason I got on here was to look at my talented friend, Monica's creations on her blog. I envy her creativity. I decided to look at my blog and looks like it's been 6 months and Baker was still bald in our main picture. Shame on me, I'm really upset because I started this blog to keep up with my pregnancy and Baker as he grew, thinking it was a great way for my family to keep up-to-date and for me to remember it all. Turns out, I haven't written anything at all and I can't remember when he got his last teeth, his latest words, things he was doing. They are all forgotten on dates. SHAME ON ME.

At 18 months, I've got a little boy that thinks he's superman. He is not scared of much and doesn't learn lessons from something that hurts him.

He is saying so much these days. Can't possibly begin to list it all, but these are his main words. -daddy, momma, bite, ball, bat (because he loves baseball), dog, boozer, Poppa, CiCi, YaYa, Nanny (his great-grandma), Uh-Oh, NO, okay, milk, Hi, bye-bye, pretty, E-I-E-I-O, outside, I love you, shoe, sock, Thank you, one two three, A-B-C-E-F-G (in that order), fish, truck, Choo-Choo, apple...

His favorite things these days are TRAINS TRAINS TRAINS. Each time we see one in a book or on the road or on television he screams CHOO CHOO CHOO CHOO!! He even throws in the little up and down arm motion for the horn. He loves baseball and to hit is ball with the bat, he thinks he's really good and will do it all day and if you quit watching he gets mad. He loves TRUCKS. As he should, his dad is a truck driver of sorts and runs a trucking business :) Of course, Nate is proud. Each time we see a truck and this is A LOT, he will say in the sweetest little voice, twuuuuuck. Melts my heart.

These days he throws a fit quite often and I have been told by numerous people that he is already in his terrible two's. WHAT? No way. This basically comes from my family because he will literally throw these huge fits when he doesn't get his way! LIke especailly in walmart because he already knows where the toy isle is! You can't miss it either. They do that on purpose. They ought to have all of that fun stuff locked up in it's own room with a sign that reads "Enter at your own risk"

I get told NO about 50 times a day.

He got into the habit of hitting me and I knocked that out real quick. NOT even putting up with that.

He's still going to mothers day out twice a week from 9-3 at the church. He LOVES it. I am told there that he's the boss of the class. I was told that in his nursery class too. Wow. I asked them if that was a good thing or if he was being bad, and they said of course it was a good thing they love him to pieces. Makes me feel better. Especially after the day that I walked in and he was picking a girl up by her shirt and kicking her off of her riding toy....I was not impressed and I was not happy. Not sure how to get that through to him that he's not the only person in this world. Pretty sure this is the same girl that bit him when he kissed her, so I suppose he is sending mixed signals and he derserved it. Boys will be boys. I'm not too worried because I know Baker is the sweetest little boy I know and he melts my heart on a day to day basis, even when he's being a little toot in between. He is just the light of my life! Love that boy so much.

We are teaching him to brush his teeth and he climbed up on our bed one night and turned his toothbrush on, yes it's a vibrating one, and so I let him just sit there and chew on it when all of the sudden he just spit in the bed. I guess he does understand, just need to make him understand that goes in the sink!

Lately he has been getting into the habit of climbing into our bed in the evening and wathcing Blue's Clues and making himself quite comfortable. He has never been interested in our room or bed until recently. It's like now that he can get up there it's his. He throws a HUGE fit when I put him in his bed. He's still in a crib, he will be caged as long as I possibly can keep him in there.

Anything I do, he has to help. He likes to sweep and mop and wipe down the table. I can't wait until he's really good at it.

He plays really well by himself, he always has, he can entertain himself and play well with others. I like this, it's always good to have some independence.

I've missed so much time that there are so many stories and things we have done that I missed writing about and now are just memories...I want to be better at this!!!

The Little King Turns ONE!!!

2011-02-25T13:32:00.007-06:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BAKER!!!

A year has come and gone since Baker was born and my did it go by in a blink. I mean at this point it's perfectly reasonable to start on baby #2....for SOME people. Ha! Not this girl. Tricked ya. Not even going there yet. Not even ready yet! But when Baker is two, I might consider it, and if I do, that means only one more year and I know it will go by faster than the last. Time really does go by quicker the older you get. Here today gone tomorrow.

Can I just say without the help of many people, I would have been in a frenzy. I was actually really calm and the day was PERFECT.

Baker's actual birthday was Saturday, February 19, but on Friday, my dear sweet cousin Meagan flew into town that morning and we were in a mad dash from the start to get a ton of stuff done. Last minute cupcake order, decorations, food ideas, etc. My mother-in-law kept Baker all day so that really helped us go full force with no issues, and with Baker, there are always issues, haha! I say it in the sweetest way possible, but he is BUSY and he is very high strung. This world is his and we are all just living in it. Anyway, we stayed up so late cleaning, decorating, blowing up balloons (thanks Meagan) and just getting it all done. Meagan probably blew up a million balloons and Nate thought they would look good outside so he put them out in the backyard and within seconds they had all popped. HAHA. All that work down the drain. I still need to go pick them all up before Boozer gets sick, because I'm sure he's been eating the pieces of them.

Saturday arrives and we go to Walmart first thing! Me, Baker and Meagan. Bright and early looking for some good coffee from McDonald's in there and well...we just didn't get it. It was awful. Baker had been acting up that morning and I was really scared he wasn't going to act nice for his party. I FINALLY get him to take a nap at 11 and he slept until 1:30 and his party started at 2. It could not have worked out ANY better than that. He was well rested and did such a great job. He had so much fun and seriously did not fuss at all. Okay well except for when I gave him his smash cake. He loved all of his toys (a million of them) and had a blast digging them all out. Even today, a week later he's still finding new stuff he hasn't seen yet. Super blessed. Anyway, we bring his cake out and sing happy birthday and this totally freaks him out. I give him his cake and he is sort of touching it but not really knowing what to do. Nate and I both agreed that he would DIG right in and just have a hay-day. We were so wrong. That's what we get for thinking. You would have thought someone had shot him. He screamed bloody murder and then started crying. Would not have anything to do with his cake. Which by the way, let me tell you it took me like 3 days to find someone who could make a lion "king" cake for him to dig into. 3 days people. Mom had to pick it up from Lubbock and she said it's head bobbled the entire way. SCARY! Anyway, it was okay though and it was cute. I got a good picture of it and it's a memory. :)

I would just like to say thank you to everyone who made his first birthday party so special. We had about 35 people show up and it was so special to Nate, myself and Baker. Life is busy and hectic and you came anyway and just really blessed our day so thank you!

Here are a few pictures of the special day, I know Baker won't remember it, but hopefully the pictures will remind him one day that he is so loved and God has blessed hiim so much in his little life. I can't wait to see what the future holds for Baker and to see God work in him and just lead him to a path of total happiness!

We love you, Baker!

Pictures, Video, Update...

2010-12-22T08:25:00.004-06:00

Okay so I was finally able to get Baker walking. He usually sees the phone recording and will do nothing but just want the phone. He is so funny! He's really getting good! I can't believe he starting doing all this mess in his 9th month, I really thought I would be good until he was 11 or 12 months :) He still likes to crawl though, if he needs somewhere really fast, he will crawl. He knows he's good at that one! So here is the video. Don't mind Nate and I talking in the background. He is 10 months to the day in this actual video.

-Besides walking around, he is saying Momma (as he should) and sometimes I think he says UhOh and Owwww. Haha. I don't think he knows what they mean but he randomly says them.
-Pointing at everything
-Clapping (you can say clap your hands and he will)
-Touchdown!! You say this and he puts his hands up in the air...only when he feels like it of course.
-Kisses
-Waving bye bye
-Throwing the biggest fits I have ever seen! I don't like one bit, I thought about spanking his bottom one day, but I didn't. He tested me to my very wits end!
-I see the very tip of his 7th tooth coming through. He is about to cut his 7th and 8th tooth and this has been ROUGH! Enough said!

Baker is into EVERYTHING! I turn my back for 30 seconds and he's into something. For instance, I went to the restroom last week and he got into Vicks Vapor rub and opened the lid and tasted it and got it all over his hands...I FREAKED out and called poison control and they said he should be fine since he didn't get that much of a taste. Any more than a tablespoon and we would have been in the ER. Very next day, I go to the restroom and I have the door open and this event takes 20 seconds, he has gotten into the shower and taken a bite of soap. OMG! Guess I will have to start taking him with me and holding him, which I have had to do before because sometimes he can't stand for me to not hold him. Mommyhood is so interesting but FUN!

I will throw in a few pictures of our Anniversary trip to Aspen. Nate and I went for our FOUR year anniversary and had a great time! I loved it there just as much as I thought I would. It's beautiful and wonderful and small and I LOVE IT!!! Can't beleive Nate and I have been together for 7 years total. I never thought I was capable of doing this. Those who know me well know I could never put up with a guy for more than a week because they always did something to drive me nuts, and Nate drives me nuts ALL the time but he's so worth it! I love him so much! Often I go back to the first time we met and think of the first few months together and I remember just exactly why I fell in love with him. He's the same old Nate. A fun jokester kind of guy, giving, caring, understanding, and still cute even if he is worried about losing his hair :) Love you Nate Dogg.

I can't wait for Baker to have his first Christmas, I let him open this present up to see how he would fair unwrapping all the presents and he did JUST fine. Ripped it all to shreds! I look forward to all God has blessed me with, not presents because I couldn't care less about that, but my family and friends. I am so blessed and being with my family is enough.

My Grandma (dads mom) had a heart scare two days ago and was rushed to the hospital in Lubbock. They are waiting on test results for today, but she is just fine otherwise and seems to be her Thyroid levels off. Needs new medicine. I am so thankful she is going to be okay. She is the glue that holds our family together and we all love her so much! She is such a jokester all the time and dad said she said "Welllll, guess I can make it through Christmas anyway" :) Silly woman.

We have been staying plenty busy lately! Lot's going on during the Holiday season and I really do love this time of year. Christmas is my favorite time of the year but it seems like the last two years I haven't been able to take the time to soak it all in. I think people get too caught up in shopping and stressing and they forget to just sit back and take it in and to be thankful and just remember what the season is about! JESUS! I am trying to forget the fact I have no presents wrapped and I am still not done shopping. OH WELL I am just going to do what I can. Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!!

Houston, we have a walker...

2010-12-06T13:59:00.002-06:00

Okay so he's not walking all around the house BUT he's taking up to like 7 steps now! He's got it down but after about 7 steps he will look down at his feet and I think it scares him so he will sit down. Seriously, I can't believe we are at this point! He just started his 3rd week of his 9th month today. I have a video, I need to figure out how to upload it, it won't play on here. I know nothing about computers so I'll have to work on it. Yay for Baker! Pictures and more to post when I get home to my personal computer!

A follow up with pictures...

2010-10-21T19:39:00.007-05:00

This is going to be random! Just the latest pictures and really, the professional ones, by Lezlie Andrew here in Amarillo were for his 6 month pictures! So two months has gone by since then!

Here we have Baker enclosed. Yes it was necessary, I couldn't even get ready for anything or do laundry without him getting into something. So he LOVES this little play yard as they call it and that Nate proclaimed we MUST have. He loves crawling all around it and walking himself around it holding on. He also has quite a few toys to keep him occupied!

Baker's 6 month pictures by Lezlie Andrew....

Happy Fall Ya'll....

Had to throw this off and post a picture from New York. Not sure what was wrong with me, but I only got like three pictures. So unlike me! However, this was at the top of Rockefeller Center and it was pretty amazing!! I went with Savannah and we had a great time! We probably seriously walked about 20 miles over the weekend and you think I'm kidding. We did it all! Fun times!! I have STILL got to get there to see the Christmas Tree, it's like once I see that I will be complete. I mean come on, we all know Home Alone is my favorite movie and I was so jealous the second movie that he got "stuck" in New York! LUCKY kid!

Baker got on a magazine that's all over the Panhandle, called Kidz Digest, he won cutest baby in the month of October! Go Baker go!!

5 months too late...

2010-10-21T13:08:00.003-05:00

Well...I talked to Savannah this morning and she mentioned she was going to post some exciting news that she had just told me about on her blog. It got me to thinking perhaps I should start this up again...It's been 5 months since my last blog update and seriously I haven't had the time. When I do have free time I am cleaning the house. Real free. :)

Obviously a lot has gone on since my last post. Baker man is 8 months old. That's right. 8 months old! Where does the time go? It's like just yesterday he was just being born and I remember it like it was yesterday. He has grown up so much and he is just really such a joy! Each month gets better and even more fun than the last. I have to say this stage is so much fun! What babies learn is so interesting and they learn fast! It's like overnight they can do something new and it makes you wonder how they did that!

Baker is up to all sorts of stuff these days.
-He is on the move and has been since his 6th month. Crawling ALL over the place and pulling up on every last thing and yanking stuff down and really being a mess! :) Of course we had to baby-proof stuff and that's a whole different issue, I put the plugs in the outlets and I can't even get them out! Anyway, he's on the move and he's quick. In the blink of an eye he is clear across the room and into something new.
-He is standing up holding onto stuff and will walk himself along holding on to whatever it is, like the couch. He will stand for a few seconds on his own, but I ususally don't let him explore that option too much because I don't want him walking yet! Not that he would, but crawling is a big milestone that I want him to experience for a while. He can start walking later! Plus, I'm not ready for all that jazz! :)
-He understands the word no. You can say no and he will pull back from what he's trying to get and stop. I am positive this won't last long and soon I'll be saying no while he laughs at me.
-He is starting to give kisses. You can say give me kiss and he will open his mouth and lean forward to you! MELTS MY HEART!
-He is saying "DaDa" "BaBa" and every now and then a "MaMa" will slip out! Not often, he is really fond of dada and baba.
-He has the best laugh ever! It's a big deep belly laugh and he is really intense with it! I have to be honest and say I am his favorite person to laugh with.
-I also have to be honest and say I am his favorite person. When I walk into the room he lights up and just goes nuts!!!
-He recognizes theme songs like from Baby Einstein and Yo Gabba Gabba (awful torture show) and when they are on tv he will stop what he is doing to look up and see. Let's not forget the Mickey Mouse show. LOVES that one! I may be awful to let him look up and watch the tv, but hey. He likes the colors and I don't see anything wrong with it, especially since they are learning shows.
-He has several tricks. He will spit, make an indian sound, make an errrrrrreba sound. Make a horse like sound. CRACKS me up. He is seriously the funniest little baby, I can sit and watch him and just laugh! We always crack up together.
-He's got 6 teeth at the moment. 4 on top and 2 on the bottom but you can see where the other two are about to pop through which will make it a an even 8. I think when little babies start getting their teeth it's precious!
-He is getting better about being in the car, but not much. Last weekend we went to Lubbock because it was moms birthday and we stopped by Monica's baby shower to give her a present and he cried the entire way to Lubbock just about. We pulled into Plainview and he cried from there to Monica's moms house. 45 minutes too much I'll say that much. Then I opened the door and he laughed. Like seriously, nothing wrong with him. He plays me for a fool and he wins every single time.
-Goes to bed at about 7:30 at night and sleeps the entire night until about 7 the next morning. MOMMY LOVES this! However, naps are for wusses in his world and he doesn't need one. I only pretend he's ready for a nap and he refuses to take one...He will just play in his crib and laugh and talk and bounce around in it. Yep, no naps for him!

I am at work so I don't have pictures to post, but I will post some pictures when I get home MAYBE....He had some really cute ones from his 6 month photo shoot and some I took for the fall with some pumpkins. We are having a great time with Baker and I just thank God every single day that he is mine. He is just too precious for me to even put into words.

Three months...

2010-05-25T20:31:00.003-05:00

Well a little over three months has gone by since Baker man blessed us with his presence into this world. I don't have enough time in my day to keep up with this blog. I am constantly either cleaing, working, tending to Baker, feeding Baker, sleeping when he does, or working some more. He usually goes to sleep around 10 and I literally go to sleep as he does. I miss my sleep more than anything and I miss being able to take a nap when I want to. Usually if I do try and take a nap with him he will only sleep 20 minutes. Oh well! Baker is growing up so fast and is seriously the light of my life. His smile is just the most heart-warming thing ever! His laugh is priceless! When he squeals I have to squeal with him because it's impossible not to! He is so much fun! He is going to have quite the personality I can already tell. I can also tell he is going to be very strong-willed. He is definitely his dads little boy. I am in for it if he acts like Nate did I am told. :-0 Boys boys boys. I know I haven't even gotten a dose of it yet either. I just know when that kid wants something or doesn't want something he is very vocal about it and I think when he cries the neighbors can hear. Sometime I think I will ask. Talk about something that eirks me. Crying. I have never liked the sound of crying and it was my biggest thing about becoming a parent. Crying and whining. It's part of what babies and kids do, they can't help it. I have gotten better but it's taken me every bit of three months to try and get used to it. It's HARD!

Stork Vision is moving right along and business is good. Amy and I are busy! If it's not one thing it's another. We are still trying to get our name out there to people! We are shooting our commercial next week so that should help us a lot!

Nate is staying busy at work as well. Summer is a busy time for the trucking business so let the fun begin!

Next week we leave for MEXICO for Tish and Cory's wedding! I cannot wait! I will miss my Baker boy so very much though. I am mentally preparing myself for five days away from him. In another country at that! Nate and I do need a good ole break though and Mexico will be fantastic! Sun and sleep! Along with some fun ;)

Here are a few pictures from Bakers three month photo shoot! Amberlee Altman, my cousin, took them last week! He had been feeling a little cruddy, runny nose and cough, but he did great! Such a little stud muffin! I love my little man! klickitphotography.com is the link to Amberlee's website and she has a facebook page as well. She brought my other cousin along with her, Lindsey and we all had a great day! It was nice to have them over and to visit with them! Can't wait until the next photo op! Thanks Amberlee and Linds!

Wrapping up month 2...

2010-05-05T16:10:00.007-05:00

Well we are almost on the third month! A little sad to be honest. Baker is getting so big!

In this second month Baker can...

-Get his head up 90 degrees easily on his stomach.

-Has a big ole belly laugh

-Stands up

-Can sit up in my lap

-Can hold my hands and pull himself up

-Sleeps through the night! Yes! Goes to bed at 10pm and wakes up at 7am. Makes life so much better during the day! Except napping is not something we do. He may take a couple of cat naps, but as for a good nap, forget it.

-Still sleeps on his stomach. Won't even sleep in the nap nanny anymore. Doctor told us it was fine for him to sleep on stomach because he had perfect head control and knows how to move it. Baker is still in our room, I just cannot get him in his room. It's too sad.

-He's a flirt. He will look at you and bat his eyes and it's so dang cute!

-Wearing 3-6 month size clothes

-Roll over on accident (he did it one time and I caught it)

-He is a MOMMAS BOY! Ask anyone close to us. They will tell you. Nate number one hates it when I always win.

Meagan came to visit us this past weekend and boy did we LOVE it! Baker never got put down once. We stayed in our pajamas all weekend long and didn't do a thing! The three stooges! :-) We love you Meagie.

Baker finally got to meet my MeMe. His MeMe too now. It was so sweet! MeMe couldn't wait to get her hands on him. She also held him as tight as she could soaking as much up of him as she could. She cried when she left and so did I. I just hate she doesn't live closer. I love my MeMe so much. She's a rare gem to me. I have the best grandmas, thank you God for them in my life. It pained me a little because my PaPa would have just eaten Baker up! I just kept thinking how much fun he would have had with Baker. I cried over that too. It's not fair. I have really been upset these past couple of days. I really really miss my PaPa. I just wish one time he could have met Baker. Just once. Life is not fair this way. I know he is in Heaven and is well taken care of, but my selfishness wants him here with us. MeMe told me Pa would have been very proud of me and mom told me the same. That makes me feel good. I was blessed with the two best men for grandpa's and while they aren't here to meet Baker, I think perhaps they had a hand in Baker being given to me :-)

Taylor's Wedding...

2010-04-21T17:16:00.004-05:00

FINALLY the big Mullins-Griffin Wedding rolled around! It was SO much fun and seriously the prettiest wedding! It was totally Taylor and just perfect! I was so blessed to be apart of this big day and to stand next to Taylor as she said I DO! I think David is a great guy and him and Taylor make the cutest couple! They are just precious together and you can really tell he adores her! I think it's so cute! The weekend was FILLED with stuff to do every minute of the day and it really helped because it sort of helps with the nerves when you have stuff to do.

This was my first weekend away from Baker. However dad and Nellie and Judd brought him to the wedding and reception so I DID get to see him a little bit Saturday night. Big thanks to them for taking good care of him while I had a great girl weekend! I did really good! Like I said, I was so busy I didn't have time to cry over it, but when they first took him (they picked him up from Amarillo early Friday morning) I was really sad and I texted them like every HOUR! :-) Then I realized he was in great hands and no bad news was really good news! It's good in my opinion for Baker to get attention from other people besides just me and I think it's healthy for him to get used to being socalized in other areas such as HOME. It will help him later in life I really do think.

Every picture has a story...

2010-04-13T17:38:00.004-05:00

Before I tell picture stories here are some of the things Baker is doing!

Baker is 7 weeks old and will be TWO months old on the 19th!

He has been cooing since he was about a month old no lie. Smiling too.
He has started laughing more
He is reaching for toys on his little play mat deal that hang over him
He looks like he is riding an air bike when I lay him down. He really gets after it
His hair is growing A LOT in the back. Still not on the top. HAHA
His eyes are still baby blue
He likes to hold my hand
He's following voices more than he was and making really good eye contact
He loves the car rides and always goes to sleep in there
Starting to eat 5 ounces about every 2-4 hours depending on his naps and mood
He usually eates late in the night about 10 or later and will sleep until either about 2 or 4 to eat again. Then like clock work wakes up at 7 when Nate leaves to eat again and then sleeps until about 9. Sometimes. He is by no means on any sort of a schedule at all!
He is still sleeping in a Nap Nappy in between Nate and I in the bed. My goal is to get him moved to the crib
The kid loves to sleep on his belly. We took a two hour nap today and he slept on his belly. I am scared to do this but it's how he likes to sleep so I let him take naps this way so I can watch him!
Long gone are the 0-3 month clothes, they just don't fit
He is such a chunky monkey and I love him

We all got to meet Presley on Easter Sunday and she is the most precious little thing! She seemed SO tiny next to Baker. Baker wasn't in the mood for pictures and Presley was just more interested in sleeping :-)

Easter Sunday in his pearl snap. He is so stinking cute

First Family Easter

We adore Baker. He is just such a blessing to our lives. He really is growing up fast and doing new stuff all the time! I just can't believe it!

Laugh of the day...

2010-03-30T13:47:00.003-05:00

Well this picture I am about to post has nothing to do with me but I HAD to show it off. It's the funniest thing I have ever seen. Actually you sort of have to know our friend in the middle. He is always the life of the party and just the funniest most outgoing guy around. He is always up for a good time and just crazy! He may or may not have had a couple of drinks on the airplane before this picture was taken. He is Nathan and Aaron's good friend from college and he flew to Amarillo for Aaron's 30th birthday party. Well Amy and her friend Holly picked him up from the airport and on both sides of him are Brylee and Jenner, Amy and Holly's kids. You can guess from this picture what they thought about him once he got in the car...

Another week gone by...

2010-03-27T18:15:00.004-05:00

Well I am trying to keep up with the pictures I take and I only have a couple and not much to report. Well I always say I have nothing to report and I always write a book.

Baker is giggling and smiling all the time now! He is so happy and just doing so much better! Seems as if switching to formula really was the best cure for him even though it really upset me. My milk has just about dried up and while this might be TMI, it was really worse than going through labor if you ask me. It HURT so bad and I could barely hold Baker as I was going through this. Ran a 102 fever and was just miserable! I ran a high fever when my milk came in and when I let them dry up. Women go through so much that men don't even understand! If a man had to go through one single thing a woman did they wouldn't make it five minutes. Anyway, I cried when my milk was gone because it really meant there was no turning back even though I couldn't breastfeed Baker that way anymore whether I wanted to or not. I still have NOT gotten his results back! It's been almost 2 weeks I am running out of patience for the results. Hopefully this next week will bring GOOD news!

I am going to have to shop for all new clothes for Baker because he cannot wear newborn obviously anymore and he rarely will fit into a 0-3 month. He is more in the 3 month size and 3-6. He is only 5 weeks old. Big boy!

I have had so much help and support from my family and I am so thankful. Mom has been wonderful! She is always coming up on the weekends and taking over the night shift and boy does it help! She is so great! Nellie and Judd came a week ago to help out and they spent the night as well and took the night shift! Thanks to them too because they also kept him all day and I got to run errands! Dad of course comes during his weekly visit and just holds Baker just about the entire time he is here and that also helps because I can get laundry done and anything else I need. Cindy also comes over to rock Baker and feed him during some mornings and that has been wonderful. See what I mean? Wonderful family!

This past week was Taylor's big bachelorette party and lingerie shower here in Amarillo. We had the shower at my house and then a limo came and took 20 of us girls out on the town for just a little bit. We really had a great time and it was good to be with my best girls! It's been almost a year since the 4 of us where together and we had a great time being reunited! It was a little weird being without Baker and I cried when Nate went over to him mom's house with him to hang out. I basically had a meltdown and worried about him until I got him back but he was just fine of course. I just had separation anxiety! I need to get used to being without him because in a couple of months we will be in MEXICO for FIVE days for a wedding I am in! I cannnot wait for this fun wedding but it will be verrrry hard on me! Good thing I know he will be well taken care of.

My little man...

We have just become the best of friends :-)

Catching up...

2010-03-22T20:38:00.004-05:00

I am falling behind! Lately things are getting a lot better around this house! Baker is a MONTH old! I seriously can't believe this. Before I know it he will be ONE and I won't know what to do with myself. He is just as precious as can be and he is finally starting to be that happy baby that he was when we first brought him home! Poor Baker has had some issues for the past three weeks of screaming his head off and just being seriously unhappy and most of all hurting. I thought he had develped Colic and that I would just have to tough it out seeing as there is no cure for this. However, I got a call from his Pediatrician saying his PKU heel stick test came back slightly abnormal in the Galactosemia test. Meaning...I don't know yet. I should have word tomorrow about this but I had to stop breastfeeding and put him on formula because basically this all has to do with him not being able to digest the sugars and protein in lactose. Being as how he can't digest these, they turn into toxins in his body and can cause a lot of harm to him. This is all genetic. He apparantly was showing in his blood test that he had a slightly abnormal gene inhereited from either Nate or I one. Not sure who because we have no issues with lactose. Anyway, to have a serious problem he would have had to inhereted TWO abnormal genes, one from Nate and one from me. We think he only got one, which means we would have to make changes to his diet and he may never be able to take milk products. I will hear soon from the latest round of blood tests to see for sure what is going on. He has done well on the formula so far. His tummy still gets to hurting and he will draw up and scream still but it's a work in progress and we will figure it out! I am just glad we caught this and thank GOD for the PKU tests they give because we would have never known there was an issue. I am believing for great results on the test and that there will be NOTHING wrong and that it was just a false positive! That's what I believe and I know God will take care of it all no matter what! I just want Baker to feel okay. Lately he has. He still have evening issues but seriously he was LAUGHING yesterday. Music to a mothers ears! Sweet baby melts my heart!

Things Baker loves...
1. ME of course
2. George Strait and Adam Carroll
3. His swing
4. Kicking and waving his arms
5. Eating
6. Moving his head all around. He is so strong and he can hold his head up for the longest time!
7. As of late, sleeping better in the night. He wakes up 2-3 times which is better than the usual 6 or 7. PRAISE THE LORD here!
8. Smiling and laughing
9. Lights
10. Riding in the car

He is doing more stuff everyday and I seriously think he is about to start rolling over and he's only a month old. He may or may not be advnaced :-)

Baker and his Honey. Thank you mother for all your help! I live for the weekends when you come into town!

JD boots from Poppa. It's really cute how my dad has fallen in love with Baker. Turned him into a big softie!

Help my eyes are crossing! :-) Still trying to get that focus!

First St. Patricks Day outfit from Aunt Amy!

Colic Calm drops are BLACK and do make a mess!

ONE month old!

Newborn pictures...

2010-03-16T21:15:00.003-05:00

I have the best family ever and once again I got the pleasure of spending an entire weekend with my cousin Leaha and my aunt Tusi! It was just wonderful! They came into town to see Baker and so Leaha could take his newborn pictures! It really was such a blessing to have them here with us! Perfect weekend that was so special to me! Leaha is nothing short of amazing and Baker's newborn pictures were PERFECT. She was born to do this! She is a girl of many talents and photography is at the top of them! Thank you Leaha for this and for giving me the best pictures! Baker did very well for her and I got to take like three baths that day and sleep and just do what I wanted. He was a week old in these pictures and it was nice for me to get some much needed ME time! Ya'll come back anytime! :) Here they are! Well just a few! Oh and I need to say congrats to Leaha as well she is expecting her second baby come October! She is a great momma and I am happy that our babies will be close in age!! Congrats again Leaha and Jeff and Madison too! And Tusi and Mickey!!

Popography.com for those of you in the Dallas area!

And I'm back...

2010-03-03T14:45:00.007-06:00

Well obviously I gave birth so it's been a while! Baker is sleeping so thought this would be a good time. Usually I am sleeping with him but today I can't keep my eyes shut. I think I am too tired to sleep. Make sense? :)

Little Baker Dee King was born February 19, 2010 @ 2:51pm weighing in at 8lbs 5oz and 20.5 inches long! Big ole boy! It wasn't easy getting him out either. I pushed for two hours and FINALLY he arrived! Just when I thought I couldn't go on! I was very proud of myself for not complaining once during this even when I could feel half of what was going on. Pretty much my left side had feeling in it and so therefore I COULD feel what was going on, just not the whole shabang! Thankfully. Basically words can't explain how I felt when I saw him for the first time. I was feeling about 50 different emotions but LOVE was the biggest of them all. Nate and I just looked at each other and smiled. We didn't need words. We just knew we both were in love and so proud. Nate was a great coach! Even if we did have the golf tournament on in the room so he could watch in between contractions and pushing. That's my husband! My doctor even turned back to look now and again. HAHA. I wouldn't have had it any other way, apparantly I feel asleep a couple of time and had to wake back up to push. Exhausting...They put Nate to work and I got to hold Baker for a few minutes before they whisked him off! Nate was such a proud daddy! I was proud for him. After a long 40 weeks of me having Baker and experiencing everything, Nate finally got to take control. I know he was so proud walking him to the nursery! I saw some pictures and his smile said it all. I had the BEST nurse ever, Katie, and I will be forever thankful to her as well. I cried when her shift was over. I think about her still everyday.

Our trip home was interesting. Savannah got to come up for the day on Sunday when we got released and that was special because she got to go on our very first ride with us. Just us four! I don't need to explain how much she means to me because I think we all know :-) I of course didn't get all of his going home outfit on because I was terrified to dress him! Heck, the first diaper Nate and I changed took us 20 minutes and 50 diaper wipes. THEN I sat it on the bed and Nate sat in it! Great start! Anyway, we got the basics on and then it took us all another 30 minutes to get him in the car seat without me freaking out that he was too smooshed and could not breathe. We FINALLY made it to the car and it took another long while to get the car seat in it's base because it was harder than it looks. HAHA. I sat in the back and kept a close eye on him and panicked the entire way home. Everything Nate did scared me. I was seriously terrified but we made it safe! Walked into a clean house that smelled of the best soup ever that momma made for us.

Thank God for my mom. A quick shout out to her for saving my life the first whole week. She would stay up with Baker while we slept, she cleaned, she cooked, she went to the store like daily, she did it all. Thank you mother, I hope to be half the mother you are and I LOVE YOU!

After the first couple of days I got some baby blues as they say. Nothing major but I would resort to my closet daily and cry in the floor. Yep. Don't know why but I did. I blame it on hormones and newness. Then when mom left I cried so hard I got sick. It was terrible. But life goes on and I have my own baby to be strong for. But it seems like as soon as mom left things fell apart. Baker didn't want to sleep and he wanted to eat every 30 minutes. I am not kidding for TWO days straight he would eat, poop, I would change him, then burp him and rock him and lay him down and then have 5 minutes before he was crying to eat again. Then repeat. For two days. I feel apart and lost control. Nate had to come home Monday and Tuesday to just be there even though he couldn't do anything because like he says, he has no boobs. I wish he did. Anyway we got through it and it appears that Baker had just hit a growth spurt and needed to EAT. I found this out at the doctor today that said I was doing just fine and that Baker would hit spurts where he would be out of sorts because he was growing. They said I could look forward to the next one at 6 weeks. Anyway I thought my milk supply was gone and that's why he was so fussy and hungry but nope. I was not starving my baby after all. He now weighs 8lbs and 6 oz which is an ounce over his birth weight because he did lose weight of course in the hospital which is normal.

I am so thankful to have a healthy baby. While it's been tough at times these past two weeks, I have to say that if he's just fussy to eat, then my problems are little. I do hope for sleep again soon, but until then I will enjoy him being my little baby! They don't stay that way for long and I am aware of this. Sweet little boy! He smiles and grunts and I love these two things! Nate wasn't sure about the grunting and was certain something was wrong BUT I told him it was okay. I also told him crossing of the eyes was normal too. :) They just can't focus well yet.

Nate story...He called the pacifier a mouth piece. Hilarious! He also said "THATA BOY" when Baker passes gas. Like father like son. Between Boozer and Baker and Nate I am doomed. Speaking of Boozer he is not taking this well. He has been replaced and I cried about that too. Hopefully when Baker is bigger he can come inside again from time to time. Baker is just TOO small right now. Accidents happen too fast with a 150lb dog.

We have had many visitors and we love all of them. I do feel the need to cater to everyone and I just finally had to give it up. So if you come over and ask where something is and I point you to it, I am not being rude, I am just tired :-)

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers! They worked! I love my little man a ton and he is just well as can be!

It's finally D-day!

2010-02-17T13:43:00.002-06:00

Well as most of us know, I am being induced tomorrow evening at 6pm. That would be the 18th of February making Baker's due date most likely February 19th, his origial due date! Not many babies are born on their actual due date! Nate has said all along it would be the 19th or I would go to 42 weeks. :-) I sure am glad it's the 19th. We went in Tuesday for our weekly appointment and I went in there this time thinking okay nothing has happened, he's not going to talk of inducing me, don't get your hopes up, just go in there and get this done and you'll be back next week. Nate thought the same thing. We go in week after week hearing better luck next week and so this time we were like okay whatever! Well. Much to our suprise, we get in there and first of all my blood pressure is high. They check it a few times and my doctor is finally like okay I don't like seeing high blood pressure. After he checked he said I was at 2cm so my body really was TRYING. :-) He then starts talking out loud to himself and I heard him say, "So is Friday good for you?" I was like what? You are going to induce? Seriously are you kidding? I told him Friday was great and Nate and I were just all grins! He said that since my body was trying and that by looking at me I was all baby he didn't mind inducing on my due date. I really am all baby in my stomach! It is HUGE. I mean it's measuring right on target with my weeks now, but I don't know if it's because I am shorter and have a small torso, but this belly just look unreal on me.

Well we get to the car and I immediately start freaking out. All of the sudden I am shaking all over and I feel really weird. Nate of course has to tell me to calm down because of my blood pressure and that I need to get control of myself, haha! He takes me to eat lunch and I can't even keep the hot sauce on my chips because I am shaking so much! Spill my water. It was so weird! I just had a freakout moment and realized that I would be holding Baker in no time and that I was about to be in LABOR. Of course I am ready as can be, but being in labor really is freaking me out. I am really nervous about this. I hope my blood pressure goes down and doesn't give us problems!

I will go in Thursday night at 6 and be put on Cervidil. I have heard mixed reviews on this. Then if it doesn't send me into labor, doc will come in Friday morning and break my water and put me on Pitocin. Also heard stuff about Pitocin but truly it's really what your body produces anyway so I'm not worried about that. Then hopefully an epidural and then game time!

It's been a long 40 weeks for me and Nate. However, it's been great. He has been one wonderful coach and companion through all of this. He always makes me laugh and I just love that we are getting to do this! He will be such a great dad and thinking of it makes my heart sing! Thank you Lord for this amazing blessing. I just can't say it enough. Thank you!!

I will post pictures as soon as I can. :-)

I think I forgot I had a blog...

2010-02-08T14:03:00.002-06:00

Well this could be lengthy. I really forgot I had a blog. Or maybe I was thinking people didn't read it so it was okay, haha! I am 38.5 weeks pregnant now and I seriously thought I was going to have my baby a week ago. No lie. After being told time and time again that Baker was measuring big, I was so sure that I was a further week or more along and that he would have already made his entrance! While I want the little guy to grow and thrive as much as he can in the womb, I am seriously over a few things. I am over heartburn that might as well kill me, pinched nerve, numb fingers, ankles so swollen I might as well have kankles, a rib out of place, and having to literally run to the bathroom every 30 minutes. Okay so I can't really run but I try, its more of a fast paced waddle. Being pregnant has been the biggest blessing I just can't explain how blessed I feel to be able to carry life inside of me! I know there are many that don't have the opporunity and I should embrace it all, even the bad! I really am thankful, I just have to vent every now and then. I have been very fortunate not to have had any serious problems.

The past couple of doctors appointments Baker's fundal height has been spot on with my weeks. So basically my doctor is not rushing to get him out when he is fine. My doctor has told me though that he didn't want me going out of town or traveling for sure because we just weren't sure! So I have done plenty of stuff around the house and around town. Not to mention all the stuff we have been doing for Stork Vision, which is coming along just wonderfully!! :-)

I have a doctors appointment tomorrow (Tuesday) morning at 10 and we will see what's going on! I have been stuck at 1cm for going on three weeks now so it's time for some bigger numbers! I have been having plenty of coontractions so I really think he will be giving me some good news! Fingers crossed! COME ON! The closest my contractions have come are 30 minutes apart and until they are at 5 for an hour, I just have to wait! :-)

I did get Baker's crib in and it looks fantastic! I just need my bedding now! It's always something! :-) Otherwise we have things in the best order we know how and we will just have to figure it out as we go. Things will fall into place I have been told so hopefully that is truly the case. I want to be a good mom and I don't want to mess anything up! Good thing I will have plenty of help to get us started!

I will try to get some recent pictures up soon! I don't want to put up pictures of Baker's room until his bedding is in and it's complete! So until then...Happy waiting!

Stork Vision Amarillo...

2010-01-14T16:13:00.001-06:00

Just wanted to post this new business venture my sister-in-law and I are taking on!! Please let everyone know about this!! We are set to open in March!
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Many of you are expecting moms and dads or know of someone who is! One of the most wonderful experiences of being pregnant is getting to interact and bond with your unborn baby as well as share this with your family and friends! Advances in ultrasonography allow expectant parents and their families/friends to see their baby smile, yawn, suck their fingers or toes, open and close their eyes, or even throw up the peace sign during the 3D ultrasound or 4D live motion ultrasound.
Amy and Kenley King of Amarillo, Texas are excited to report that they are bringing a Stork Vision® Ultrasound Imaging Center to the Amarillo area! What is Stork Vision® you ask?

Stork Vision® Ultrasound Imaging Centers provide you and your family/friends with the opportunity to interact and share in this once-in-a lifetime experience through the eyes of ultrasound. We provide you and your family with a comfortable home theatre environment to enjoy your 2D baby sonogram, 3D baby sonogram, or 4D baby sonogram session, while pampering the expectant family. The experience we provide is a culmination of a beautiful facility, the best equipment, and an endearing, knowledgeable staff. Our 2D Ultrasounds, 3D Ultrasounds, and 4D Ultrasounds are heart-to-heart encounters for you and your family to enjoy.

Stork Vision® Sonographers will capture this memorable experience with baby images on a DVD, CD-ROM, and still pictures. The CD-ROM allows the expectant mother to make additional baby photos as well as email baby pictures to loved ones that aren’t close enough to share in the ultrasound experience. Stork Visions® 2D fetal ultrasound imaging, 3D fetal ultrasound imaging and 4D fetal ultrasound imaging provides a clear window into an unborn baby’s world in the womb and is a wonderful way to document your pregnancy.

Amy and Kenley hope to have Stork Vision® Amarillo up and running the first of March. We wanted to share with all of you this big news in hopes that when you get ready, you will visit us in Amarillo for a really fun experience! We also hope you will help us to spread the word so that as many people as possible can hear about this service! You certainly do NOT have to live in Amarillo to enjoy this experience! While we are just in the pre-opening phase, things will be up and running very soon! We invite you to view the website http://www.storkvision.com in the meantime to get a better feel for what we offer by looking at pictures and reviewing more information! We really look forward to seeing you!!

Stork Vision® Amarillo
storkvisionamarillo@gmail.com
Kenley King 806-290-5028
Amy King 806-290-8083

2010-01-06T09:18:00.003-06:00

Well since New Years it seems like a lot has been going on! Mom came and stayed through the New Year and she stayed for 4 whole day! It was very nice to have her here with us! We didn't want her to leave! We had Christmas with her and even rang in the New Year with her. Okay well so Nate and I went to bed before 12, but still. I think I went to sleep at 10:15 because I could not keep my eyes open! Nate went to bed even earlier than that! While mom was here we didn't do much of anything which was nice. For once we didn't have to worry about a bunch of stuff even though there was plenty to be done. We were still on "vacation". She will be back in a couple of weeks to help with last minute stuff and to hang stuff up in Baker's room. She does a much better job than I do! :-) We did do some shopping and I have to say the curb-side service she gave me was wonderful! I got dropped off and picked up at each place! Thanks mom!

A couple of days after mom left dad called and said him and the family (Nellie and Judd) were on their way to bring us a glider chair for the nursery! They made their way over and really helped us out! When they got here dad and Nate put the chair together while Nellie, Judd and I watched. Then I surprised them with more stuff to do! I busted out the high chair and had them put that together too and I have to say that part was the hardest! Actually, the pack n play might have been! I got a really cool pack n play that has a bassinet and changing table on top that you have to attach and it took ALL of us to figure that one out! I think I have decided I will not be taking the bassinet part or the changing table part when we go places. It was way too much work for something that is supposed to be so simple! But we got it all figured out just in case. Then I had dad and Nate and Judd take down my tree. :-) It was the only thing left and I had taken the decorations off, but the tree was still there. They each got a piece and got it all put up in the attic! YAY! Dad even vacuumed my floor and took a bed frame I had so he could have it painted. Turns out he got it home and decided to do it himself and it's all done! The bed frame sat in my garage for the better part of 6 months to be painted and he got it done in two days. I am so blessed to have such wonderful family! Every last one of them are so wonderful and so helpful! SO thanks mom, dad, nellie, and judd! They are all so good to us!

January 5 was a BUSY day! First we had a sonogram at 9:45 that morning and the actual doctor's appointment right after. The sonogram was to check to see why I am measuring so big! The amniotic fluid looked good, but we saw that I have a big baby in my belly! He is already 6 pounds! However, I know not to put too much trust into an ultrasound. It's just a guesstimation and by no means does it mean it's 100% correct. However it should be close. I know it sure does feel like Baker is big. He is in the head down position and ready to rock n roll! Basically I am measuring to be more along the lines of 35.5 weeks instead of 33.5 weeks. That is 2 weeks further along that I thought! So we have to be careful in case my dates really are off. I was told to get ready and be prepared just in case. As well as get up to the hospital to pre-admit so I am ready! I go back to the doctor in 2 weeks to get an actual exam to see if I am dialated or effaced at all. My doctor said if I am still pregnant in a month he will do one more sonogram to check the weight and we would go from there on whether to continue to let nature take it's course to to induce. Basically for now, we are letting nature take her course! If I have an 8 pound baby that will be fine! I mean don't get me wrong it does freak me out because I hope I can do it, but I have had a couple of friends assure me I can! :-) We got a few pictures to go home with, but really only one was good enough to view. He was squished up against my stomach/uterus and was face down so it was hard! He also had his face burried in his hands which made it harder. His nose and lips looks big because he was just smashed in against the "wall" haha! At least he is warm and toasty in there!

Nate asked after we left the doctor if we needed to reserve our room at the hospital. I said what do you mean like a hotel? He was like well we have to go get our room right? I said oh Nate. It's not like we get to call in and request ocean front suite. We just get what we get! :-) It was so funny!

At 2 this same day we went on to view our maternity pictures and got some really good ones! We actually are doing a book starting off from pregnancy-newborn pics-6 months-9months-year old pics. It will sort of tell a story so to speak.

After this we had to go get a rocking chair we got for the living room and then by the time we messed with all of that it was time to get ready for CHILDBIRTH class! :-) The class went really well and was not bad. We actually just sat in our chairs the entire time and listened to the teacher and watched the infamous video made in 1970! We did learn a lot. I did get a little freaked out and I think next week I may be a little more freaked out. Just because we are going to talk about the pain and epidurals. I am definitely getting (or plan to) get an epidural but still the whole idea is scary!! The guys had to speak on their favorite part of being pregnant and Nate said his favorite thing about me being pregnant was watching me grow and change and seeing/feeling Baker move! One couple in there was really taking things serious and the husband was taking a book of notes and asking ONE MILLION questions! When we got in the car Nate was like really why was he asking all of that? I guessed he was just really concerned and excited and not everyone can be as laid back as Nate. Nate practiced in the car on the way home of telling me to "JUST BREATHE". :-) I guess he thinks that's all he needs to say is just breathe and things will be A-okay! He will be a good coach though!

I just feel more blessed every single day! In no time Baker will be here and I just have such wonderful family and friends! Thank you Lord for everyone in my life including the one living inside of me!!

Christmas...

2009-12-27T19:47:00.005-06:00

Well I have to say I don't have much to report and I especially don't have many pictures because I am finding myself hard to look at these days!! :-) I know it's probably hormones, but here lately I when I try to get dressed or get dolled up, I find myself in an awful mood. However, I know it's totally worth it and I can handle it for a couple of more months. Actually about 7 more weeks! Or less!
5th
First I want to report that when I went in on the 21st of December for my check-up, my fundal height was measuring 35cm and I was only 31 weeks then. That's 4cm bigger than it should be. So Dr. Hopkins said that on January 5th he wanted me to come back for a sonogram so that he could check the weight and amniotic fluid. Basically this could mean not much, or it could mean my dates are off, or it could mean Baker is getting on up there in his weight/height. I might possibly just have Baker early for this reason. Obviously not be induced TOO early if that should happen, because we want to make sure his lungs are developed and he has plenty of time to get ready, BUT a sonogram will tell us more! I am very anxious for this appointment! :-0 I decided I would let you all know just how BIG this belly is and how much I am feeling it! I have been in constant pain lately in my back area and my legs.

This Christmas I just felt overwhelmingly blessed! I feel like that every Christmas, but this Christmas I got to carry little Baker around with me! I stayed swollen the ENTIRE time, but it was great to see all of our family! Or most of them anyway! We spent Wednesday with dad and them in Muleshoe and spent all day Christmas Eve with them! Then that night we headed on to Friona to have Christmas with the King's. Then Christmas morning we woke up LATE and both commented on the fact that never again would we be able to sleep until 10:30 on Christmas morning because this is our last year without kids! :-) For lunch we headed over to Nate's parents house and stayed most of the day! Mom and Kaleb went to the lake and we will be seeing them sometime this week! Actually we may only get to see mom. Kaleb will have to stay in Muleshoe and work! He is in the real world now! So we get to have one more get together with mom and then we will be done! I can't wait to see her!!
WHITE Christmas

Jenner rocking out on the guitar I got him...Aaron and Amy will love me I am sure!

I love Christmas Trees!!

Stocking that I never got around to filling :-(

Last but not least. I hit my 32 week mark on Christmas day! Whew!

Maybe I had more to report than I thought! :-) Hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas Holiday! It always creeps right around and then it's gone in a flash! I can't believe how quick it all goes by these days! Seems like in grade school that it lasted for so long! Now that I am grown up it just FLIES by!

Merry Christmas...

2009-12-18T10:26:00.002-06:00

I can't believe Christmas is almost here! One week to be exact! It always creeps right around and then in a FLASH it's gone. It never lasts long enough! I love this time of year!! I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas! I am usually sick this time of year and this year in no different. I got sick during Thanksgiving (the day after) and now I find myself much sicker right before Christmas. Usually it's always strep-throat, but this year who knows what's going on! I was pretty sure it felt like a bad sinus infection at first, then I was sure it turned into Pneumonia or something awful because I got up Wednesday morning and when I stood up my chest felt like it was being squished and my throat tightened up all the way to the bottom of my chest. I wasn't sure what that meant, but I could hardly breathe and my breaths were catching. I had no voice so I texted Nate and he called my doctor. Doctor said to get to labor and delivery asap and he would meet us there. Well I get there and they hook my stomach up to monitor to make sure Baker was okay. We then find out I am having contractions. GREEEEAT! So they hook me up to an IV and start dumping fluids and medicine in me. Then I get sick to my stomach. LOOOOVELY! So I have to be treated for nausea too. Well after figuring out that my temp was just at 100 and my lungs sounded okay, they ruled out Pneumonia and gave me a breathing treatment for asthma. It helped me out a lot. I finally felt like my lungs weren't being so squished. I have had asthma since I was younger, but I haven't had a problem with it in years. Pregnancy has a funny way of bringing up old stuff and introducing new stuff as well. Finally got my contractions to quit, my lungs felt better, I was able to breathe again, and I was completely hydrated. Felt a little better as I left there from being in there ALL day. Nate was more worn out than I was, poor thing. Anyway, I got some meds to help me sleep and to help my cough, which is hurting my rib that I still think is whacked out! However, I am alive and well and Baker is doing great so I can't complain! Everyday is a little better and I am hoping and praying that we will be well for Christmas and well into his birthday! I can't wait to meet him! Not too much longer and I have a lot to do like put up all his stuff. It's all piled in his room waiting to be tended to! I got sick right after the shower so I haven't even left my bed. :-( I am anxious to get it all put up and washed and all that fun stuff! I also haven't gotten ANY of his furniture in yet! NOTHING! I always have this type of luck but I am seriously getting upset. It better arrive SOON! Or else! :-)

Hopefully my card makes it out SOON! Yikes!

Baker's Baby Shower...

2009-12-14T08:54:00.006-06:00

What a HIT the shower was! I have to be bias again and say it was the BEST ever! It's only fair for every girl to think her showers are the best and that's how it should be! I was so blessed to have such a great group of hostesses who loved me so much and put together such a beautiful shower! I had quite a few hostesses, one being because this was my only shower, I am having no more! We had a packed house I have to say. This is one reason I chose to do it at my mom's house, which might be a little non-traditional but we needed room and of course she had it looking cute as can be. I am so so so thankful for all my girl, my mom, my family and my friends who showed up and spoiled Baker and I. What a humbling experience. The entire time I was just thanking God for everyone there. It was fantastic I could go on all day! I'll just post pictures now and have a story-book. :-)
NELLIE AND ZONA

FUTURE KING BOOTIES

BAKER'S BASSINET FROM MY HOSTESSES

MY DAD SNOOPING AROUND...HE COULDN'T STAND TO BE AWAY HE IS THE MOST EXCITED GRANDPA TO BE AND IT'S SO CUTE! BAKER IS SO BLESSED TO HAVE THIS MAN AS HIS GRANDPA. HE IS IN FOR A LOT OF FISHING, CANDY, DR PEPPER, HUNTING, HORSE RIDING, ETC.

WE DECIDED BAKER DIDN'T GET ENOUGH STUFF...I AM KIDDING OF COURSE

MY AUNT SHARITA TALKING TO BAKER AND GIVING HIM A KISS. I LOVE THIS WOMAN SO MUCH.

NATES SWEET GRANDMA'S THAT I CONSIDER MY OWN

MY SWEET GRANDMA'S THAT I ADORE! I HAVE LEARNED A LOT FROM THESE WOMEN.

THE MOMS. BAKER IS BLESSED TO HAVE BOTH OF THESE WOMEN IN HIS LIFE AS WELL. TALK ABOUT TWO EXCITED WOMEN. MY BABY WILL ALWAYS BE IN PERFECT HANDS WITH THESE TWO. I AM ESPECIALLY EXCITED FOR MY MOM, THIS IS HER FIRST GRANDBABY AND I KNOW BAKER IS A LITTLE PIECE OF HEAVEN FOR HER.

SOME OF MY WONDERFUL HOSTESSES! WE ARE MISSING A FEW. TISH WAS SICK BLESS HER HEART, AMANDA HARD AT WORK IN THE KITCHEN, A COUPLE OTHERS HAD LEFT, AND ERICA AND DANIELLE WE MISSED YOU. THANK YOU FOR HELPING FROM AFAR! YOUR PARTICIPATION DID NOT GO UNNOTICED BY ME!

MY SWEET NATE. HE CAME TO LBK AFTER THE SHOWER, LOADED UP, AND WE HEADED STRAIGHT BACK HOME BECAUSE I WAS SO TIRED AND HE WASN'T FEELING THE BEST. WHAT A GUY! HE WAS LIKE WHERE ARE WE GOING TO PUT ALL OF THIS. I AM STILL TRYING TO FIGURE THAT OUT.

MY BEST FRIEND AND LEADER OF THE PACK. THANK YOU X ETERNITY. I REALLY CAN'T FIND WORDS FOR YOU BUT YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU AND APPRECIATE YOU.

DON'T THINK THIS CAKE COULD HAVE GOTTEN ANY MORE PERFECT!

BABYMUM FOR MY HOSPITAL DOOR FROM AUDRA DEE. MY INSPIRATION TO MAKE ALL MY GIRLFRIENDS THE CUTEST DOOR DECORATION FOR THEIR HOSPITAL STAY

PERFECTION! I LOVE MY TABLE!

I NEED TO SAY ONE MORE THING. I HAVEN'T GOTTEN THE PICTURE OF ALL THE BOOKS I GOT FROM MY HOSTESSES BUT THEY WERE ALL PILED ON TOP OF EACH OTHER AND TIED TOGETHER BY RIBBON. I HAD NO IDEA THEY HAD MESSAGES INSIDE OF THEM UNTIL I GOT HOME. I READ EACH ONE AND CRIED THE ENTIRE TIME. NATE WAS LIKE HERE WE GO AGAIN. BUT I TOLD HIM TO READ TOO BECAUSE IT WAS ALSO TO HIM. IT WAS SPECIAL BECAUSE HE FELT INCLUDED AND AS HE SHOULD! THIS MIGHT HAVE BEEN ONE OF THE MOST SPECIAL GIFTS OF THE DAY BECAUSE IT WAS SO PERSONAL. THAT ALONG WITH THE SCRAPBOOK AMY MADE ME. SHE MADE ME A SCRAPBOOK OF MY ENTIRE PREGNANCY THUS FAR AND HAS RECORDED EVERYTHING PERFECTLY SO I WON'T FORGET. IT'S VERY SPECIAL TO ME.

So as we can all see, the shower was a success and I thank you ALL again and again for making it wonderful. Even to those who couldn't show up but wanted to be there I thank you. This is a busy time of year and I am just thankful for everyone who could make it! :-) I am a very blessed girl. Baker is a very blessed baby. Nate is a very blessed daddy. God is GOOD and let's not forget it!

THIRD anniversary...

2009-12-09T11:34:00.007-06:00

Well back on December 2, Nate and I celebrated our third anniversary as a married couple! I can't believe I have been married for THREE whole years! It's hard to believe! Just three years ago we were getting started and have done so much in that amount of time! We have been through so much, but I am so HAPPY to be with Nate and to call him my own! When things get tough and I think I have had enough of him, I just think back to the very first time I met him. Then I let my mind take me back through the dating years and all the reasons I fell in love with him in the first place! Never in a million years would I have thought back then that he would be my husband and that I would be having babies with him!! I mean never! God sure knows what He is doing! Right? I know I can't be the only one who feels like this.

This year we obviously didn't do much and that was A-okay with me! We were going to go to this place called BL BIstro here in Amarillo to eat because it's SO good, but the guys at work talked Nate into going to this place called Marty's Steakhouse. Well, Nate makes reservations and we get all dressed up. When we get there we walk in and it smells like a Vegas casino. Then we notice we are the ONLY people in this place. So the lady is going to seat us and Nate says, "Oh we have a reservation." I died laughing! I mean really, we were the only people there! So she's like um, okay. She takes us to the back of the place and sits us down and I mean basically we are like what is this place? So things start out good with the bread. We eat like 10 pieces each and then get our salad which was also good, but something I can totally make at home. Our steaks come out and I got a filet and Nate got the NY strip. Well Nate's steak is gray. Not even kidding. It looks disgusting! He was like should I eat this? So we are both laughing and he is taking a picture of it on his cell phone! We are so mature I know. It was just hilarious! His steak was indeed disgusting and things go downhill from there. Not so great. We basically went to eat bread and salad. It makes for a good story though! On our way home we both develop stomach aches and complain the whole way home. Typical us. :-) Next year we will NOT be going there. So thanks guys at work for setting that up!!

Blurry picture and it's hard doing it yourself...This was the best I could do!

Nate got me a LV for my gift...Basically I am speechless. He is the best gift giver of all times. This is also my Christmas present I was informed. :-) I can totally handle that!

Anyway, happy anniversary to us and may there be many more for our happily ever after!

Third trimester...

2009-12-03T17:27:00.002-06:00

Well I cannot believe I am already a week into my third trimester. I never thought I would get here. Time is flying by SO fast. It's almost Christmas and my shower is a week away! By then I'll be 30 weeks!!! 30 whole weeks!! AHHHH! That means only 10 more weeks of being pregnant. Give or take a couple. Which means it could be like 7 more weeks! That to me is just crazy! I am going to be giving birth (let's not go there about how freaked out I am) and then holding my sweet little Baker in my arms! I might not be able to let him go! :-) Love that little guy so much and he already makes me laugh! I already have laughter spells where I can't stop laughing for no apparent reason, but he just makes me laugh! He is very very active! I had an appointment today and his heart-rate was in the 150's which doctor said was good. His heart rate has always been fast, he likes to get after it in there. He has been moving like crazy lately and I can now tell where his head, back, and booty are. I every so gently can press on my stomach and I know just where he is and sometimes he will even nudge me either to say what's up or to say stop doing that. The doctor today was amazed at how much he was kicking and squirming because he was running the doppler over my belly to get the heartbeat and we were just laughing because he was making my stomach look like an ocean. It was so crazy! Finally we got him to be still so we could find his heartbeat. My belly measurement is on schedule expect for instead of 29 I am more 30. Which means it's about an inch bigger. I've already been told that he's measuring about a week bigger than "normal". Which is totally fine and that means I feed my baby GOOD. He is growing growing growing! Great reports! I'll see the doctor I think two or three more times and then it's time to see him every single week until birthday time! :-0

I am finally just about over the sickness of what I think was a sinus infection. I never had to go into the doctor he gave called in a Z-Pack over the phone. I took that medicine as quick as I could get my hands on it because I was MISERABLE! I am talking sick! My tonsils were bleeding and the left one was HUGE! All I have now is a cough which likes to get crazy at night time of course but I'll take it over a sore throat any day. It just takes time. I am pretty sure my rib on the right side has misplaced itself just a tad. I can hear it clicking and catching to where I have to really readjust myself often because it feels jammed. Doctor said that happens a lot and it will be okay as long as I am not in awful pain. It's more of just a discomfort.

That's the update on the start of the third trimester. Small rough start but I can't complain. I am very blessed!

A Great Time For Thanks...

2009-11-29T13:00:00.008-06:00

What a Thanksgiving! Not that we did much this year, but seriously I am surrounded by such awesome blessings I just can't contain it! I have SO much to be thankful for! This year of course we went to good ole Morton, Texas on Thanksgiving day to be with the Bakers. This is one my most favorite days of the year! I think my family is awesome! We are all so tight knit and have always been this way! We always all keep in touch and have all been the best of friends! My aunts ShaRita and Tusi were most excited to see the belly as well as my cousins! They just all thought it was something else to see their little Kenley Jill pregnant! Baker got to hear the voices of the people that are going to just love him to pieces and spoil him rotten. I left with gifts galore for the little guy from Leaha and Tusi already.
The girls in my family loving their baby kicks...

My cousin Leaha is a FABULOUS photographer and I always envy her photography and work she does but she lives in Dallas so of course that makes things difficult. Well bless her sweet heart, we spent the majority of Thanksgiving Day having a photo shoot. Her day of rest and relaxation was turned into work. But I have to say it was fun work! Leaha, myself, Meagan, and Lacy all packed up her photography gear and headed to Lacy's house for a maternity photo shoot! We had a BLAST! It was just us girls all together again laughing and having a good ole time. I am having my pictures made into a book for our purposes. I don't really think too many people want to see pictures of my belly but for Nate and I it's really special so this book will be a momento for us both, especially me. If you are in the Dallas area and looking for an upbeat and wonderful photographer, please consider Leaha and tell her I sent you! www.popography.org She also had a blog click HERE. Anyway, here is a small sneak peak of a picture that made all of us cry. GIRLS will be girls!

She also got a good shot of Nate and I for our Christmas card and my 28 week belly. HELLO THIRD TRIMESTER!
I can't get the picture to work so I will post it later!

My third trimester finds me sick. I did well through Thanksgiving and then Friday night I had an allergy attack. A serious one! Ever since then things have gone down hill and I am now diagnosing myself with a sinus infection because I am no stranger to these and I am almost positive that's what it is. Going to the doctor tomorrow so we shall see. I am about ready to rip my tonsils out, they hurt SO bad and I can't talk, eat, or sleep! Not cool. I hate taking medicine but obviously desperate times cause for desperate measures. Tylenol and Benedryl have been my friends. Not that they help any. I need pain pills! That's out of the question though so it's time to tough it out! Hope everyone had a great holiday!

Holiday Happening and Invitations...

2009-11-20T14:30:00.007-06:00

I am having a two for one blog here. First thing is first...

MY INVITATIONS ARE THE CUTEST THINGS EVER! Am I being bias, maybe but probably not. My great, great friend Monica made the invitations for my baby shower and I have to say they fit me to a "T". She had all my colors in there with a fabulous background and topped it all off with a CROWN my most favorite thing! When I saw what they looked like and read what they said I started crying! The wording was so sweet and it was just so precious! I could go on all day about these! It also is making everything so much more real. I just can't believe I am having a baby shower! I thought the same thing about all my wedding showers, but now it's a whole new ball game! I am pumped! So Monica, thank you for being awesome! To everyone reading this, if you need invitations made or know of someone who does, she's your gal! Monica I stole your pictures because you already had some info blacked out so yes, these are your pictures, thanks for that too :-)

Secondly...Holiday Happening! One of my most favorite days of the year! Amy and I went on Wednesday the opening night to see what we could get ourselves into! I have to say last year we did a lot more damage than this year, but we still made it home with some wonderful stuff! My plan was to get others on my Christmas list some great items, but looks like I only made it out with stuff for me and Baker. Ooops! For those that are having girls, this place is like shopping heaven because around every corner there is a TuTu or something else for a girl. However, I found Baker some really cute Tech stuff and baby stuff! I know people think that having girls can get you in a lot of trouble but I have to say, shopping for little boys is JUST AS FUN! Anyway, the event lasted from 6-9 that night and we met my mom, Liz, and Taylor up there to shop! It's our tradition! I think we might could have used 4 hours, but 3 was enough! I was exhausted and tired by the end of this and was ready to get to bed. However, Amy and I drove back to Amarillo after it was all over and got home at about 11:30. We were so tired and my feet were begging for rest! In the picture below you can see my swollen puffy feet! Yikes!

Anemic...

2009-11-16T17:07:00.002-06:00

Well the doctor called today to let me know that my gestational diabetes test came back good so I don't have to worry with that, however I am now anemic. I have always had a bit of an iron deficiency and used to take pills for it but haven't in a couple of years. Now being pregnant, I am of course having issues. So he put me on medicine to take from here on out and hopefully it will help me out! I have been dragging and feeling so yuck lately. Tired and weak! It's a good excuse to take it easy and just rest!

However, rest will have to come any day except Wednesday because that is the big grand opening for Holiday Happening and I for one will be there with bells on! Amy and I are headed to Lubbock to do some damage again! Hopefully we will find a lot of cute things. No doubt we will. We only have 3 hours to pack it all in! We are pretty good at getting it done!

Not much else has been going on. They still haven't shipped my crib or wall piece so I am getting nervous. As long as I have it before January I will be okay. I am such a planner and have to have things all set up and ready to go, even though at the same time I am world's biggest procrastinator as well as forgetter! My memory is awful! Pregnancy has not helped it one bit. But I just am ready to get the furniture in place so I can not worry with that anymore!

My shower is just around the corner and I can't! I am most excited to see my friends! It's a great excuse for a get together :-) I can't believe I am getting so close! I am almost in my third trimester and 7th month! Crazy!

Nate and I were going to take a little baby moon, BUT looks like we are going to skip out. Things are so hectic and busy with us lately and I don't know when in the world we would find time. Plus I am not big on traveling now especially in a car! I am already starting to swell by the end of the day and I just feel as if I will fall down if I don't get in bed by 8pm. That's about all I know. I am getting really bad about blogging. I just thought of about 5 things I should have blogged about but I am just going to have to skip it. :-/ Until next time!

Baker couture...

2009-11-02T17:02:00.003-06:00

Baker Couture is what we like to call Baker's room! Haha! Mom came this past Wednesday and was here until today, Monday! 6 days of hard work and it was all worth it, she will even say so! It look AWESOME! She did such a good job! I wanted harlequin diamond patterns and so we went and picked out all this metallic paint and already knew it would be so cute! Mom is very precise and I have to say the lines were straight as a board and every point matched up just right! The girl is good!
BEFORE...

AFTER...

BOOZER WAS EVEN THRILLED ABOUT BEING IN HIS BROTHER'S ROOM...

MOM!!!

If you are looking for someone who does awesome work or know someone who is, my mom is wonderful at what she does! She would love to help you out! She also does faux painting and that looks amazing as well!! Just let me know!!

24 weeks!

It's been a long past few days! I have been fighting hard not to get sick! I was treated for the flu, but wasn't given a flu test. When you are pregnant they just put you on Tamiflu just to be on the safe side! I hate that medicine, I took one pill and quit. It made me feel awful and I have heard a lot of stories of children becoming belligerent on this medication as well as having nightmares that they think are real. UGH! Being pregnant is hard enough, but during flu season it's scary! I try so hard to put my trust in God because I trust him more than anyone and anything, but sometimes my mind gets the best of me. I have also opted against the swine flu shot after I have been saying I would get it. I just don't think enough testing has been done to say what it can do to pregnant women and the fetus. It just came out and it's so new. I just don't know! Even the FDA approved it but still said they weren't sure of the affects it could have on you if you were pregnant. I mean that is weird to me! My doctor said get it, but at the end of the day, I believe God will take care of me! I also believe he would take care of me if I got the shot. So I just had to choose one way or the other...No shot for me...Anyone else have thoughts on this?

The baby furniture should all be here sooner than later. The room will really start to come together then! Mom designed the bedding as well and we are just waiting on a quote from the people making it! That scares me a little bit! Whew! We went in last Thursday and I have still not gotten word about how much it would be. That's never a good sign. I have a feeling I may be taking some stuff off the bedding to make it cheaper, however mom and Cindy are paying for it. But still. Gotta be rational just a little bit! :-) I like to tell myself that I am. I try to be!

Savannah time...

2009-10-25T22:35:00.005-05:00

FINALLY! I got some good ole quality Savannah time! I hadn't seen her since June and it was about time! We had a GREAT time and basically all we did was eat, shop, eat, sleep, shop, eat, shop, eat, and sleep. I wouldn't have it any other way and I don't think she would either!

Best highlights of this trip...

♥Savannah hauled my very LARGE and heavy suitcase where I needed it. She hauled it up the stairs and down the stairs and EVEN walked me into the airport and hauled it through the line to check it in! I mean what better friend!

♥She made me coffee, hot chocolate, and monkey bread for breakfast for two mornings!

♥She remembered every single place I love to shop and even found me a most wonderful maternity store to do some damage in!

♥She spoiled Baker and I all weekend. She first of all wouldn't let me pay for my big huge meals! :-) AND she bought me some good ole' products that are just for moms-to-be as well as some freaking cute clothes for Baker! She bought him his very first Juicy Couture outfit and that makes her forever cool in my book!

Before I flew out we went to this maternity store and they had the fake belly in the dressing room so while she was watching me play dress up she tried on the belly! It said it was a 7 month belly! Looks like my almost 6 month is BIGGER! :-) Thought this picture was hilarious!

I am so thankful for such a great friend! :-) Thanks Savannah!

Baker snapshot...

2009-10-16T14:05:00.002-05:00

Well we went this morning for our sonogram to make sure all was well with the limbs, heart, brain, etc. Everything was perfect! YAY! Baker weighs a pound and 3 ounces! They said that's bigger than average so my boy is growing! :-) He wasn't wanting to take very good pictures this morning. He decided to "party" all night long and this morning he was not wanting to be bothered. We did get a couple of good ones though and he is really get fat on him now! I can't wait until we can actually see more of who he looks like, I can't really tell right now! I just know he's adorable and I love him! Nate kept thinking we would go in and they would say it's a girl. I was like oh no! I am way too attached to my little Baker! But of course we already saw his goods once and there was no mistaking it! He is a boy!

One thing I just can't get over is that when I was talking to mom she was saying well you can picture how big Baker is by how big Kaleb was when he was born. Kaleb was TINY TINY and very premature. Poor baby! He easily fit in dad's hand and that's about how Baker would be now. He is about 10 inches head to foot. It's hard to tell because their legs are always bent, but just an average. I can't imagine having Baker in a few weeks like Kaleb. However, Kaleb was and is a survivor and definitely a miracle! All babies are miracles, but Kaleb was really something special. Along with all other premature babies fighting to make it!

In other news, got the crib ordered...Got the furniture ordered...Just have to get the bedding and I am done with the necessity of the room.

Anyway, here are a few pictures of the mister...

Half-way done and focus room...

2009-10-05T09:13:00.004-05:00

I can finally say I am half-way done! Oh my gosh! Freak mode! In 4 months Baker will be here and I just can't even imagine the thought of a baby in this house! YAY! The best part so far has been feeling him move! It feels like popcorn and it's way cool! I just can't help but hold my breath and then start laughing! That by far has been my favorite part so far!

With just a few more months to go, mom and I have been thinking, "FOCUS ROOM". The color scheme I have picked out is champagne and either light blue or chocolate brown. Or both? I have the bedding picked out, I have the crib picked out, I have the furniture picked out...Now all there is to do is just buy it. Nate about had a heart-attack when I totaled it ALL up! :-) He was like Baker is going to have more luxury than we do. But of course he will! For the one wall behind the crib, mom is doing this really cool faux paint scheme deal and I will leave that up to a surprise! This is a start though, we just need to get on it!

I have another doctors appointment on October 16, which is mom's birthday, and we get to see little Baker one more time! This time he should have more fat on him and we can really see what he looks like. It will be cool to see how much he changes in just one month! They go through so much dramatic change! I can't believe he is already 10 inches long head to heel. Whoa! Can't wait to see him!

Here is my 5 month picture...

A fathers hand...

2009-09-28T17:24:00.002-05:00

A few things have progressed since the last post. I have been pretty bad about keeping up with my blog, I need to get on it so I can remember stuff!

First of all, we have a name! BAKER DEE KING! I picked out Baker of course because I think it's so sweet and of course my dad was so proud! He said his daddy would have been proud too if he were still with us. So I left Nate to the middle name. He came up with Dee which is his dad's name! So we have the best of our dad's in our son's name and I think it's perfect! My little Baker!

Secondly, Baker is moving moving moving! I think I probably felt very light movements in week 17, but for sure the day I turned 18 weeks and on Nate's birthday, I felt him thump me! It was undeniable! Since then I have felt flutters like a butterfly and sort of like popcorn popping. Well last night I was at dad's and Nellie's house for the night and I wasn't feeling much out of him all day yesterday. It was getting later and I texted Nate and we were just "talking" and I told Nate Baker wasn't moving all day. Nate wrote back and said, "he needs to feel the touch of a fathers hand." Of course I started crying small tears. So sweet to me! Well before I went to bed I asked Baker to move around for a minute to make me feel better and he did. I just started laughing! It makes me laugh! So all day today he has been moving all about making sure I know he's fine. I have to say it has been much stronger today and I have started to giggle every time he moves! It's wonderful! I will be glad when the kicks get stronger and Nate and can feel them from the outside!

Lastly, I had been to a funeral today in Muleshoe for Nellie's (my step-moms) grandmother, Argilee. I wasn't close to her, but she was such a wonderful lady from what I had known of her. She was about to make her mark of being 90 years old. She got to experience being a great-grandmother to us as well as a great-great grandmother! What a blessing! I know these past few years have been hard because she has suffered from dementia and wasn't really sure of who people were or what was going on. I know she has 4 daughters and a son and didn't even know who they were. She would tell Nellie's mom she had no daughters. I have been thinking about this all my way home from Muleshoe today. Time really is a thief. The preacher was talking about how his own mother and Argilee were great friends for years and then they were in the nursing home together and had no idea who each other was. I teared up and just felt awful. He reminded of us to make sure that with the time we have right now, to make sure our friends and loved ones know how much we love them. Time does fly by and you think you have all the time in the world to make things right and to let others know how you feel about them, but truth is, sometimes it doesn't happen this way. When I left, my dad bought me a Dr. Pepper and waved me off at the store and I just started bawling. I always cry, but this time was even more so because I couldn't stand the thought of my dad or mom not knowing who I was and forgetting all of the past. Time is a thief. Don't let it steal the time you have left to make things right with someone or to just tell them that you love them.

Things are going well on the King front! I am sure there will be much more to tell later!

It's a BOY!!!

2009-09-21T09:03:00.005-05:00

Officially! I am so thrilled! I cannot believe I am going to have a SON! I am so so happy! What a blessing! I will have three boys in my life! Nate, Boozer, and our baby! I just want to scream! Of course Nate is beyond excited!

So to start the story, I have to say that when I went in to have my monthly doctors visit, he told me the sonogram ladies were being crazy and putting their foots down. They instructed ALL doctors in the office to not be sending women to have sonograms until they are 22 weeks along to check for the gender and to make sure all was well. 22 weeks...Are you kidding me? My doctor is awesome and he was like I can probably get you back there sooner but you can't tell anyone and he said 20 weeks was probably the very best he could do. He doesn't schedule the appointments so it was between me and the sonogram secretary! Dangit. Still 20 weeks felt way too long for me. The only reason you get to go in for more sonograms and early would be if something was wrong. Well I thank the Lord nothing is wrong so I decided I would do 22 weeks like all the other women and that sonogram will come October 16 (my mom's birthday)!

Anyway, we went to Vegas this past weekend for Nathan's birthday. We had some free flights just waiting to be used and I figured this was a great time to go do something because I have been feeling wonderful! So Meagan and Curtis decided to go with us and we just booked it up! I got the bright idea that I would just have my sonogram in Vegas because I was going to do this in Dallas anyway way later in my pregnancy to see what the baby looked like! Like 30 weeks along. Anyway, the place I found in Dallas has a location in Vegas and so I called them and made an appointment for the weekend we were there! They guarantee they can find the gender from 16 weeks on or it's FREE! They just have a little location in Vegas in a very nice building and it's decorated so so cute! You go into a room and can bring everyone with you and they sit on a couch and can watch the baby on a big screen TV. So cool. So off we all go! The lady found the gender within like 2 seconds but she kept us waiting and waiting until she told us. My heart was beating so fast I thought it was going to bust! I was so antsy! Of course I was crying and so was Meagan. Meagan was just as nervous as me and she said she felt like she was the one having a baby! That's how close we are. She would feel like that! HAHA! I was so glad she was along with me for this experience! She made it so exciting for me and her concern and excitement meant a lot to me!

The night before the sonogram we all made bets on what we thought the gender was. We had 3 saying boy and 3 saying girl. Me and Cindy and Curtis all said BOY and Nate and Meagan and Dee all said GIRL. Well I thought it was a girl up until a week before this trip and all the sudden I just knew it was a boy. Well Nate bet a girl because he said his luck in Vegas was not going too well so if he bet on a girl it would really be a boy. He didn't tell us this until after we found out it was a boy. Then he let us in on his secret! However, he was getting used to the idea of having a girl and said he thought it would be cool. Two Kenley's! He said he would take 10 of me! Brave man. Anyway, mom and dad back at home had their bets wagered too. Dad said boy ALL along. Of course we all know mom was saying girl and already had a nickname for her! "Bunny" We will just save all that girl stuff people bought me for the next little one that comes along. Girl or boy I don't even care, I just love being pregnant and I love my baby! He is quite the character I need to add. He was doing a longhorn sign and a peace sign and hiding his face! He is so funny! I know it was all random, the signs he was throwing up, but still, he is so much FUN!

Everyone keeps asking me what I will do with a boy. I am not kidding about 7 people have asked me ohhhh Kenley. What will you do with a boy? Answer is...I don't know but I will figure it out! I know one thing, my baby boy will be stylin and profilin. And my baby boy will always know how much I love him! I think he might be spoiled!

I guess Nate's luck wasn't all he hoped it would be in Vegas even though that guy always has the best of luck. I don't know what it is with him but he is always lucky! Well as we were about to board the plane on the way back to Amarillo he said he rubbed my belly (which I don't remember because he does this every two seconds) and then went and played Wheel of Fortune. Well he won 400 bucks! I was like well good gosh! Who does that? SO he cashed it out and we went and got on the plane! He said it was because he rubbed the belly. I thought that was so cute! I am so glad Nate is going to be a daddy and can't wait to see what the future holds for all of us! Thank you Lord!

Here are some pictures of our little prince!

HE SHOWED US A LONGHORN SIGN FIRST THING. WE GOT THE PICTURE JUST IN TIME!

SWEET BOY!

PEACE SIGN!

4 months and counting...

2009-09-04T22:18:00.003-05:00

Well it is official, I reached my fourth month and five more to go! I am almost half way there and when I look at it that way, it seems a little stressful because up until now I haven't done much and in two weeks when I find out the gender things are going to get hectic. We have a lot to be getting done! Plus with the holiday's smack dab in the middle, time is going to fly!

I have been feeling GOOD! I still however have the heartburn and indegestion like no other. Occasional nosebleed. Other than that I don't even feel pregnant except for my little belly.

Mom and Kaleb came last week and REALLY helped me out around the house! They did anything I needed and more! They are wonderful and for the first time in like ever, my brother was more than willing to do what I told him. HAHA! He would be right on it! I think since I am pregnant he wants me to take extra care of myself. He said, "sister you don't need to be moving ANYTHING." I like his style. I wish he could tell Nathan a little more about that. Maybe Nate thinks I am a lot tougher than that! Anyway, we got the nursery cleared out and it's ALL ready for when we get ready to buy furniture and clothes! Oh wait not clothes...Mine and Nate's clothes have spilled over into every spare closet we have. We even tried to get rid of a bunch of stuff and we had a garage sale back in March and we still can't get rid of it all because we actually think we are still going to wear stuff that I know we won't. My gosh! I am going to have to figure something out because we are scrunched on the closet space. If only I had a closet like Carrie Bradshaw off of SATC. Big really hooked her up! Mom did some decorating and re-did a lot of stuff which I was glad about! I will have to take some pictures of her work! Of course I can't wait to see what she comes up with for the nursery! She no doubt will pull out all the stops. Thanks mom and brother for all the help!

That's about all the big news that's been going on around here! I can't believe I am saying this but I am looking forward to the fall for the first time in my life!

Here is a little picture for the start of my fourth month (16 weeks)...

Hello second trimester...

2009-08-21T14:09:00.002-05:00

I finally found you! I am thanking the good Lord above! I made it! I feel wonderful and I am full of energy! However, the emotions are taking a toll on Nate and I both. I have cried every single day this week just about. I won't go into too much detail but Nate keeps asking what is wrong (even when he is the one triggering my upsets half the time) and I keep reminding him I am pregnant and I don't know what's wrong. I wondered when I would start getting super moody and emotional. Now is the time. Good thing Nate is pretty patient with me. But really, is it too much to ask to help me clean the garage? I don't think so.

Here I am 14 weeks and the first day of my second trimester. We will see how this belly grows within the next month.

A big change...

2009-08-18T08:57:00.005-05:00

Well this post, as well as most of the others, is for me to look back on. Like this one, not many people are going to care that I chopped my hair off, but I DO! This was a huge thing for me because I haven't had my hair short since about junior high! I have heard when women get pregnant they do crazy things, and this was it for me. I went in to get my hair trimmed and I left with about a ton of inches cut off of it. Heather, that does my hair, was like Kenley I don't know if I can do this. She knows how much my hair means to me and she said she would cry if I hated it. Well I told her my hair was growing especially fast and that it would be okay a little past the shoulders. Well we ended up going a bit shorter than that but I really love it. I was so happy when I left and I felt like a new woman! She does such an awesome job and the good thing was with all that hair cut off my hair is especially healthy and shiny now! Cutting off all the dead can do some good!

Anyway, I get home and Nate doesn't even say anything. I sort of swing it around a couple of times and he said, "Your hair smells good." Really, it smells good. Then he said, "Oh yea you got it cut today huh?" Haha! Nate is usually SO SO SO observant and notices anything! He can even tell if I have a new shirt on. He will ask if it's new or it it's been in my closet for a year with the tags on it and I've finally decided to wear it? I don't make a big deal out of this hair thing and I go in the backyard and sit in my chair to read my book before going out to eat. When he gets outside he finally is like whoa you really chopped your hair off huh? He finally noticed I guess when the light was right. :-) Maybe he just figured my hair looked the same because I always do the same thing and he has never seen me with short hair!! Long story short, he liked it and said it made me look older. Being only 26 I can't get mad at that comment yet. I said THANKS!

I will post a little before and after picture! Just so I can remember that on that day, I chopped my hair off when I was pregnant and my baby book specifically told me not to. Why it said don't chop your hair off while pregnant I will have no idea. It just said not too because many women think it's a great idea and then they freak out! As if they don't have enough to worry about. Speaking of babies, I am doing great and in 3 days I will have finished out my first trimester and I am SO excited! It's like hello energy and feeling good! Finally!! I find out on September 18 boy or girl! YAY! Anybody want to take a guess? For my baby book it asks for what my friends guessed. It's cool we get to find out on Nate's birthday! What a present! We got to see the baby on mine and find out the sex on his! God has really blessed us this year! Thanks God! Hope all of you having to go back to school are ready and have a great year! Summer flew by way too fast!

The back...

The front...

12 weeks and an awesome dad...

2009-08-11T11:03:00.007-05:00

Well. This past Friday I marked my 12th week of pregnancy. Time seems to be flying yet going to slow. Sometimes I start to freak out and think oh my gosh it's almost September, but then another part of me is like come on! I need all the time I have though to get things in order! I am actually taking a little break from cleaning, organizing, etc. I hate housework! I HATE it! However, I am blessed to be able to work from my very own house when I want to. I can't complain!

Things are going wonderful at the moment! However this past weekend I was walking in fear because my stomach was cramping so bad I wondered what in the world was going on! I cramped from day one but they tapered off as I got to my 10th week so I stopped worrying. Well the cramps came back and were all over my stomach and into my back. They started coming and going and I wondered if I was having contractions because I felt first hand what those felt like when I had a miscarriage. I let my mind take a dangerous way of thinking and I had to tell myself to stop. I got in bed and propped my feet up and chalked it up to doing too much at once. I took it easy and just told God I was done worrying about what the cramps meant and my trust was in Him. After two days I was fine! It all went away and I feel great now! Pregnancy sure does throw some curve balls and makes you wonder! It's amazing what's going on with my and I am hardly showing! Heartburn, indegestion, cramps, nose bleeds...These are still my symptoms. Sometimes not so fun, but reminds me I am growing a baby! SO who cares!!

My dad came this past Sunday and sat down beside me and pulled this purple cloth out of his shirt pocket. I said, "Oh what is this?" I had no idea! He said it's a prayer cloth for you and the baby. He said when I was worried or wasn't feeling well to lay the cloth on my stomach and let my faith in God be restored, that He was in control. He said the cloth had been prayed over and that it would "act" in the same way as if someone was praying for me. I know my dad prayed but I have this feeling he took it to Cowboy Church and I have many many prayers surrounding me! I just took the cloth and put it on my belly and said Amen. I think this might be the most special gift I have ever received. It means the most to me. My dad is such a great man of God and it's does my heart good to watch him grow in the Lord and pass this down to me. What a great man! I love you dad! You will never know what my prayer cloth means to me. You are going to be the best grandpa!

Just a little picture of dad and I doing what we do best...

Prayer cloth from dad...

12 week belly...

It's a GIRL???

2009-08-01T10:52:00.002-05:00

Okay don't freak out just yet. I only took a gender predictor test that Nate and I went and got at Walgreen's. It may or may not be sad when this is the highlight of our day. I got it home and it came with a cup, a syringe, and a bottle of powder. I read the instructions and it said to use only first thing in the morning so we had to wait!! First thing this morning at like 6:30am Nate was like go pee in that cup! Haha! TMI sorry! So I went and did the deal and we waited for 10 minutes! I went into the bathroom and tried to read what I thought it said. The color was leaning more toward the girl sticker but then I saw some of the powder floating in the cup still and so I decided to give it another swirl and then it really all clouded up and looked the color of the boy sticker. Well I got the directions back out and of course it said, "DO NOT DISTURB THE CUP ONCE YOU HAVE LET IT SIT". So I thought well great, now I messed it up! I let it sit for another few minutes and it turned the color of the girl sticker again. SO, I guess it looks more like a girl but then again this test is only 90% accurate and when an idiot is operating the whole thing the evidence might just get construed. I would go back and test again but the test was not that cheap and I don't feel the need to be wasting all my money on little tests. I spent enough on pregnancy tests alone! HAHA!

I have known a couple of people to take this test and for some it was right and for some it was wrong. Just a fun little thing to do on my Saturday morning!

If it is a girl we are set because like I said my mom has gotten "her bunny" a cute pink coat with fur and my aunt "Tusi" sent me baby's first pink blanket with a ladybug on it as well as three rubber duckies that are so cute! One even has on a pearl necklace! Not real of course! Danielle got me the cutest little baby wipe cover that is pink and brown. Actually it can be for both of us. I have been using it so far but if I have a boy it can just be mine. Nate would die if his boy had a pink wipe case! :-)

We will see in October if this gender test really did work!

Quick trip to L.A.

2009-07-27T16:09:00.003-05:00

Nate and I made a flying trip to L.A. this past weekend and it was SO MUCH FUN! For my birthday Nate told me he would take me anywhere I wanted to go as long as it was in the United States. Haha! He probably thought I would say Vegas because I love shopping there, but I actually said I wanted to go to L.A. because I love it there and now Danielle and Ty live there! SO it was like friends, great scenery, and shopping all in one! I made sure Danielle and Ty would be in town and then I booked it. The total flight time was only 4 hours so it's really not a bad flight!

Friday we got in California at 11am so we had ALL day to shop and eat and sleep of course! I have to take a nap everyday now that I am pregnant and tired all the time! We went shopping on Friday as soon as we got there at the 3rd Street Promanade. It's like three whole blocks of shopping! This was in Santa Monica. Then Saturday Danielle and Ty picked us up and we hung out with them all day and had a wonderful dinner with them right on the ocean that night! It was so much fun! We had a blast! Thanks Danielle and Ty for showing us a great time and Ty for being our wonderful driver! We had to leave early on Sunday so we missed out on the Sunday beach festivities! :-( Next time we go back we will be staying more like 3 or 4 days!

I had some major flashbacks during this trip because I had been to L.A. two times before that! I went on a mission trip and we were able to see EVERYTHING! We went to Santa Monica, downtown L.A., Venice Beach, Hollywood, Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills (I think), and just everywhere!! It was so awesome to be back at some of the same spots I was at years ago in high school!

I think I may have to win the lottery and buy me a beach house! I think I will!

Danielle still has her cheer moves :-)

WEEEEE!

We love the ocean!

We all wore white!

Perfection...

First Sonogram...

2009-07-23T09:08:00.002-05:00

Well I don't have much to say except...I SAW MY BABY! I SAW MY BABY! I SAW MY BABY! I mean no big deal. I can't even put into words what today has been like for me! I never thought I would react this way. I knew there was a baby inside of me, but like Monica said, it will become so real when you see it! As soon as I caught eye of that precious baby I almost has a melt down. I mean I was like shaking and laughing and crying. I was bombarded with like 50 emotions all at once! Nate of course went with me and we were both just in AWE!

We took several pictures and heard the heart beat and saw the heart beat! 185 BPM which was wonderful! Our little baby was just waving, clapping, kicking it's legs, and squirming all around. I told Nate I might be eating too many sweet-tarts but my baby LOVES them! We also got to see some 4D pictures which thrilled me to death! These are really close up and while they just look like mush sometimes, it's so crazy! We also got a GREAT shot of it's fingers! They of course are very tiny and still webbed together but you could see all of his/her fingers! It was waving, I know it was!

I am so grateful and blessed! The good Lord has just blessed my life beyond measure and this is just one more thing He has done for me that makes me scratch my head and wonder how in the world this is my life! Thank you Lord for loving me so much! I thank you so so much!

Nate and I are very excited and I just get so excited when I start thinking of Nate as a daddy. Nothing melts my heart more than that! Except for seeing my baby of course! My heart has been wanting to bust all day long!

I am 9.5 weeks and each Friday I hit a new week. The baby is growing just as he/she should and I will get to see the sweet thing again in October! Then we will find out PINK or BLUE!

We saw the FINGERS!

My little gummy bear...

My favorite! Little snuggle bunny...

Sympathy pains...

2009-07-19T20:14:00.002-05:00

I really do think Nathan is having sympathy pains for me. He cracks me up. It appears that he is gaining weight and has acquired a much bigger appetite lately. He thinks that he needs to go on a diet, but just can't because food is so good to him. He has also been feeling a little nausea and stomach problems. Along with this, he has just been so exhausted and cannot get enough sleep. Even 9 hours isn't enough at night for us. Indigestion is also a new problem for Nate. Is this not hilarious? I told him he was either having sympathy pains, or he just wanted to be like me.

Yesterday I ate and got sick and also tonight. I thought I was getting better and over the whole running to the toilet with the urge to "lose it" but guess not? I texted Nate and told him I got sick and that I thought I was over the sickness and to my surprise he said, "No honey not until a couple of more weeks." HAHA! I just died laughing! This guy cracks me up! How did he know that? I don't really tell him anything that I read except I tell him what our baby is supposed to be doing each week. I will say well this week it's heart will start beating or this week it's the size of a blueberry. He knows just what is going on apparently! Way to go Nate! I am proud of you!

Baby King...

2009-07-15T10:00:00.004-05:00

Well now that the world knows of the news I guess I can start blogging about it. I am 8 weeks and 5 days pregnant today! At first we had talked about not telling anyone except for our parents but then Nate had a hard time. He played in a golf tournament a couple of weekends ago and all of the sudden I started getting phone calls congratulating me. I was like Nathan what did you do? I thought it was sweet though and he could not help but be excited and just want to tell his friends. I think it's adorable. I know most people like to get our of their first trimester and all of that and especially with us having a miscarriage in our past we wanted to wait, but for sure I think we have decided that the support of your family and friends is the best. The more people praying the better! :-)

Things are going quite well though and this time I think it "stuck". Haha! I am about 2 weeks further than I was last time I miscarried and I am having way more symptoms which I was told was a GOOD sign even if it made me feel awful. So far I have had hiccups, indigestion, nose bleeds, boobs killing me, and NAUSEA! Yippeee! However I am not complaining of this because it means something much more wonderful is happening inside of me! Some days I feel better than others but it seems like things are getting better these past few days.

I go to the doctor again on July 22 and I will then get my sonogram and see the little heartbeat! YAY! I can't even imagine what this will be like! Seems to me this will be the perfect birthday present!

This pregnancy is sometimes bitter-sweet and I say that because I was told at my Papa's funeral that when God takes one he gives us another. When my cousin said that he pointed to my stomach. Not too long after that I found out I was pregnant. I am so thrilled that God has given me this gift, this miracle. I told God that I was on his timing and when He was ready for me to have a baby I would. Until then I was going to enjoy the company of my wonderful husband that I love so much! Nate and I have just really grown closer these past like 5 months. He has really just swept me off my feet a couple of times. Anyway, I can't help but think of my Papa and how I am still so saddened by his sudden death. I am not sure I have really dealt with this sometimes because I don't really feel he is gone. They live five hours away so it doesn't really hit me that he is still gone unless I talk to my Meme or I visit. I know he would just be so thrilled about this and if he were here I could hear him now, "Well Kenley Jill you aren't old enough to be having babies, you are still our little girl." That would be the part he was kidding about. He would be serious when he said he was proud of me and that he knew I would be the best mom and if I ever needed anything I could still come to him and he would help me. I can't help but cry because I wish he could meet my babies. I want my babies to have my Papa in their life. I will just have to tell a lot of stories! Perhaps he has already met the baby I lost. Anyway, bitter-sweet but still so very exciting!!

People keep asking if I have a hunch about what I will have...I seriously have NO idea. I have no clue! It's a mystery! Mom thinks it must be a girl because she has already bought her a coat that has fake fur on it. She is so cute.

Not much else to report. Things have been uneventful around here seeing as how I haven't felt up to doing much. Hopefully I will get my energy back SOON, I feel tired all the time 24/7.

I have a question to close this out...Did any of you mommies drink a Dr.Pepper from time to time? I have had a couple from time to time but not more than one a day and they make me feel so much better! I LOVE them!

Baby bump!

I would say this many positives means there is a baby on the way!

My Sisters Keeper...

2009-06-26T18:33:00.002-05:00

I was SO excited when I saw this movie was coming out! I read the book a while back (Jodi Picoult is amazing by the way) and I LOVED it. I think it read it in like two days. So Sheree and I went today and saw the movie and cried the entire time! If you go see this movie, take the kleenex and lot's of it. One will NOT be enough. This movie just really made me so much more thankful for my health and blessings! Everyone should go see this movie, the girls at least. I went without Nathan because I knew it wasn't the type of movie he would like. He doesn't like sad movies period, much less about little kids having cancer. He can't really stomach the idea of kids being sick. I can't either but I really did enjoy the movie, because I don't just see it as the girl being sick, but I get other things out of the movie as well. SO, go see it! You will love it! There will most likely be no dry eyes in the place!

While I am talking about the movies, Sheree and I went last week to see the movie "UP" and I cried through the entire cartoon as well. I just could NOT believe they made a cartoon so sad for little kids to watch. I won't start pointing it all out, but just the situations in the movie were so sad! :-( It might have a little bit to do with the fact Papa passed away not too long ago and I think of my grandparents, but STILL! So so so sad!

Not much else to report. I have taken up tennis again, my long lost sport from the 90's. Haven't seriously picked up a racquet since junior high was over. I might have played a couple of times in college, but nothing serious. I must say, I am doing pretty good. Sort of like riding a bike, just got to keep practicing! Certainly a wonderful workout! Can't wait to challenge Nate on the court. He sure does think he is better than me...Typical!

The Golden Girls...

2009-06-15T13:33:00.005-05:00

I know we don't look like the Golden Girls (yet...) but we are! Rose, Blanche, Dorothy, & Sophia. Of course I am Sophia! Anyway, this past weekend we had our first girls weekend in like FOREVER! Kelsey, Laura, Taylor, and myself all got together in Lubbock and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! I really can't remember the last time we were all together! We all went to ASU together and had some pretty wild times! Over the weekend we all realized that we are getting older and that laying in bed all day Saturday was just fine with us. Friday night we all went to eat and then went out for some fun! Saturday we seriously all just lied around ALL day long! I stayed in my pajamas the entire day! So relaxing! It was still fun to just hang out and talk and laugh. I love these girls and they mean so much to me! I know we will be the old ladies, just like the Golden Girls that are always there for each other and still having slumber parties! Yay for girl time!

Not much else has been going on, I have hardly been home here lately and I think Nate is finally glad I don't have plans for a while without him. He asked me yesterday when I got home if I had any more plans and I said NOOOO I am all yours now! Think he might like that! Poor guy! I am catching up on laundry, cleaning, organizing, etc so the poor guy doesn't have to dig for stuff. Bless his heart!

Livin La Vida Lake-A...

2009-06-08T09:19:00.004-05:00

Well it finally got here. The girls trip to the lake we had all been waiting on to get here since February! It was the most relaxing but fun weekend ever! I flew into Austin last Wednesday and Meagan got onto my connecting flight in Dallas. We didn't do much that night because we were SO tired, but Thursday to Sunday was nothing but fun in the sun! We would get up early each morning and all try out our skills on the lake and then head back in for lunch, then some of us would take a nap and some of us would read our books out by the lake. Then it was off for a boat ride. Then back to the lake house for more random fun. Then back on the boat to the Sandy Beach most days, or to look at the monster houses. Then back for dinner. Then just sitting around and having fun the rest of the night. I have to say my allergies were killer on this trip. I couldn't go five minutes without sneezing! Stupid allergies might be the death of me. Anyway for some, having 11 girls, Savannah, Shonnah, Me, Meagan, Sarah, Cindy, Audra, Brandy, Christy, Barbara, and J'mae- would be drama, but yea right. Not us. It was SO SO SO much fun! Got to give a big pat on the back to Savannah for being the best boat driver ever on this trip. Shonnah too. They were great! Seth (Savannah and Shonnah's brother) came on Friday to stay so we added one boy to the 11 girls. He fared just fine! Go Seth! I had too much fun on this trip but was surprisingly still rested up when I got home. I think Nate might have missed me a little bit. Bless his heart had to fend for himself for five days. I think he's tired of me going out of town but I have to do it one more time this weekend for my girls weekend with Taylor, Kelsey, and Laura. At least that one is only for the weekend. As always, here are the pictures to prove what fun we had!

BabyMum for Amanda Shelton...

2009-05-31T16:48:00.003-05:00

Thought I would share the latest BabyMum I just made for Amanda Shelton and her little soon-to-be in the world, JACOB RYAN! Her theme was total boy....CAMO! How cute! He's going to have camo stuff and then the oversized stuffed animals. Jacob has been diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, please keep this family in your prayers. This has really got me to thinking about getting genetic testing done. Never thought about it before, but the father and mother both have to be carriers to pass this along to their child. Amanda and Phillip both were carriers and had no idea because these tests usually aren't done without a request. I cannot wait until Jacob comes into the world and I pray that when he arrives he will be healthy and have NO CF. God knows what he is doing and I can't wait to meet Jacob. Anyway, just thought I would share this bit of news and ask for prayers for the family as well as showing off her BabyMum. I might add a few more things here and there, but for the most part, this baby is done! Congrats Amanda!

Crazy 8's...From Lori...

2009-05-29T14:12:00.002-05:00

I tag everyone who reads this to do it!!

8 things I am looking forward to...
1. My 5 day lake trip with Savannah, Meagan, Shonnah, Audra, Cindy, Sarah, Christie, Brandy, etc!
2. Having kids
3. Going to the pool today
4. Yard work with Nate tomorrow
5. Getting a new dining room set
6. Taylor's wedding festivities
7. My birthday #26
8. Growing my relationship with the Lord...It can never be too strong!

8 things I did yesterday...
1. Cleaned like a mad woman
2. Did like 5 loads of laundry
3. Watered my flowers and flower bed
4. Went to the pool
5. Made our first house payment and almost cried
6. Went to Dillard's and didn't get a thing
7. Booked my flight to Austin
8. Hung up more stuff in my house

8 things I wish I could do.....
1. Be in Cabo ALL summer long just one time
2. Own a beach house
3. Sing or play the guitar really well
4. Win the lottery...but I would need to play first
5. Own my own boutique full of way cute girly stuff
6. See my Papa one more time
7. Have an unlimited amount of money shopping spree for just one weekend
8. Control my emotions

8 shows I watch.....
1. Real Housewives of Orange County
2. One Tree Hill
3. Dancing with the Stars
4. 90210..the old series
5. Two and a half Men
6. Big Bang Theory
7. Bachelor/Bachelorette
8. The Hills...so stupid

Jamaica...

2009-05-26T16:19:00.003-05:00

Well I wanted to post about our trip to Montego Bay after we got home, but we were home just a day and then Papa passed away. I am just now getting back into the grove of things. I had 8 loads of laundry to do these past couple days and for that I was NOT happy! I ended up going back to stay with Meme for 4 days after we got home from the funeral so my house was a wreck and Nate was running out of clothes. For an update on that, Meme is doing okay, she is just still in shock I think. We all sort of just think Pa will be back, that he's just out of town or something. Our hearts are just going to hurt for a really long time. However, God is good and I will not question why...He knows what He's doing!
--
So as for the trip...We went with the Kendrick's (Matthew & Tara) and we had A BLAST! Oh my gosh everytime we get around Matthew and Tara all we do is just laugh! They are such a blast to be around! So we meet them in Houston the day we leave and we all find out we are sitting first class? Actually, I was sitting on the front row of first class. Like the best row of the plane! Nathan of course was trying to get me to switch seats with him. For some reason when we fly Continental Nate and I never get to sit by each other. Well of course I wasn't giving this seat up! But when everyone got on the plane I look back and Nate, Matthew, and Tara are ALL sitting on the last row of first class and I am all by myself. So this lady switched seats with me and we were all wondering what was going to go wrong since we somehow got so lucky to sit in first class. My first time EVER and there is no other way to fly after that! Had to tell that story! And somehow we got to sit first class going home too! HA! Yesss!

We arrive in Jamaica and wait in a line like an hour long and I thought for sure I was being infected with swine flu. I was literally holding my shirt over my nose! It was so scary! and HOT! and packed! It still grosses me out to think about it! However, I didn't get the swine flu! None of us did! :-) I think perhaps people got a little too excited! But still...

We stayed at Sandal's Resort and I am not going to lie, I didn't think it was that great. The service was really crappy. When you're in Mexico they fall over each other to get you stuff, but here...Not so much! I felt so sorry for the people of Jamaica, this place is so poor and I just felt so sad! The people at the resort only make $2,000 a year. A YEAR! God bless them! Anyway we made great friends with the workers there. Or actually Matthew and Nate did. They knew them by name! They would all get really excited when we walked up and they would say "HEYYYY NATE DOGG" "HEYYYY MATT" in their cute little accents! It was hilarious!

We stayed four days and it was just wonderful. The weather was HOT and HUMID but I soaked it all in! I was so depressed to leave, it was so sad!

A few of the likes:
-Jamaican accents..Most likely you will be saying "mon" even after you get home.
-The ocean was perfect! We would just sit in it and we would sit there ALL day! It wasn't even cold and the waves were...well they don't have waves there so don't expect to go surfing.
-There are no worries in Jamaica..."No worries mon"
-Jerk chicken=really really really GOOD
-Jamaican's are nice...Well atleast the ones on the resort. However, would NOT go off the resort, Jamaica is dangerous and the crime is high!
-WONDERFUL places to eat on location! Yummo!
-Good tanning weather!
-Photographers come and take your picture which is cool because you have a great pictures of the whole group. Then later you can go pick out which pictures you want and they put them on a cd.
-Flight is only 3 hours to a really fun place.

A few of the dislikes:
-Sand fleas...Yes I said fleas and yes I got them! They come from the sand and they bite you and they are clear! You can't see them, but you can sure feel them. Talk about itching! If you ever get them, just treat them like chiggers.
-Appleton. Don't drink this...It's awful!
-The service=not so great
-The hamburgers...This meat is grey...I don't know but it's not really hamburger meat! UGH! Don't eat it!
-It stinks...Every now and then I would catch a wiff of something and it was gross! It was just in the air.
-They beg you for tips. I have never been begged for a tip, BUT they are excited about even a dollar!
-Be prepared to wait...It seemed like all we did was wait for a lot of things.
-Be careful who you give your luggage to at the airport...They will run with it!
-People openly smoke weed here. It was just really weird for me to be seeing people doing this right beside us on the beach. The "Rostepharians" will come along the ocean with fanny packs under their shirts and try and get you to buy weed. And they will ask you every single time you see them! It was just crazy! But nobody bothered anybody, they just did it. Oh well.

All in all this was a fun fun trip! However, don't think we will be going back. Had Matthew and Tara not been with us, it would not have been the same. But if I had to go back, you wouldn't have to twist my arm to go! :-) I really did love it!

I love you Papa...

2009-05-18T09:35:00.002-05:00

Wow. This past Friday, early morning, at about 2am I got a call from my uncle telling me my Papa had suffered a heart-attack and him and my Meme were following the ambulance to the hospital, but it wasn't looking good. In total shock I screamed to Nate what had happened and that we had to go get mom. I was under strict instructions to not let mom know until I was close to Lubbock because she would have gotten in her car and drove like a maniac all upset and either gotten in a wreck or hit a deer. It's big time deer country where my Meme and Papa lived so it's dangerous at night time. SO Nate insists on driving because he said I also didn't need to be driving upset. So as we are getting ready to leave, I get another call from my uncle saying it was over. Papa had died. Writing these words don't make sense. My Papa can't die, surely. I never dreamed of the day he might pass on. He was healthy and never had any problems that scared us. I seriously thought he would live to be 100.

All day Thursday I guess he had been feeling bad and sort of just complaining of his arms hurting. My Meme wanted him to go to the hospital, but being a man, he said no. He later said he maybe would go but he just couldn't quite make his mind up. He had problems with his left shoulder before so he thought it might be his rotator messed up. Later on he complained some more and decided to take some Aspirin. After he took them he said he was feeling better and would just lay down. So him and Meme went to bed and Meme said he woke up up by just grabbing her arm and saying, "Oh babe". Those were his last words, he was gone right after. They could never get a response out of him after that.

Nate and I drove all the way to Lubbock and got there at about 4:30am and had to wake my mom up and tell her the news. THIS WAS SO HARD! I had to tell my mom her daddy died. She hung her head and kept saying, "What" and "No" and "Daddy". Shock was still set in all of us and none of us could figure this out. Out of the blue, this just happened. So Nate and I drive back to Amarillo after telling mom and her seeming to be well enough to drive since it was almost light outside and my brother was going to be with her. We get back to Amarillo and pack and start our journey to Voss, where they lived. About a 5 hour drive. We were SO tired. God bless Nate, what a good man. I can't imagine going through this without him, he is so good to me and my family. He is reminding me of my Pa more and more everyday through this.

The funeral went well and we all got through. This has been the saddest thing I have ever had to pull myself through. I have never in my life felt like this. My Papa was a wonderful wonderful man. It's hard to imagine life without him now. I can't even think of life without him. Him and my Meme were just one person and so I just pray for my Meme and the days to come. She is still in slight shock and I know her hardest days haven't hit yet. After 52 years with someone, it's hard to say goodbye. My Meme is so strong though and her faith in the Lord is something I admire her and always have. She knows Pa is in Heaven having a great time, whatever he's doing at the moment. No telling what he's getting into up there! No doubt though he is with Jesus and that makes me smile. Who better to be with than Jesus and our Maker? I can't help but smile when I think of my Papa up in Heaven. As Christians we all know that it's very hard to fill that empty spot that makes us so sad for so long, but we know that there is nothing to worry about, God has a plan and this was part of it. None of us are promised tomorrow, but we are promised eternal life if we are believers. So until I see my Pa again (FOREVER), I will just hold on dear to his memory and what he left me with.

Some of my favorite memories of Papa were:
-Taking trips to Ruidoso with him and Meme. They always took me if I wanted to go and I remember so much about those trips!
-Him singing happy birthday to me for as long as I can remember! If he wasn't with me, he was calling me on the phone just a singing. I will miss that come July and I don't get a call from him. I bet he will be in Heaven singing it. I sure hope so!
-Me ironing his shirts when I was little because I LOVED ironing. I would iron ever shirt he had and he would insist I be payed a quarter for each one!
-The games he came to watch me cheer at
-Him coming to San Angelo when I was in college to take me to eat and buy me groceries because he knew I had to be hungry
-Him coming to San Angelo to mow our yard for us when the grass got too tall
-Him always making sure I had extra change in my pocket in case I needed a new pair of shoes, he understood what it was like to love shoes. I must have gotten it from him.
-He was my shopping buddy. Him and Meme would take me to San Marcos and we would spend the entire weekend just shopping away and eating at Cracker Barrel.
-Him telling me what a pretty young lady I was.
-When he ended his phone call he would say "Mmm bye". Not sure but he would but the Mmmm in front of the bye.
-When I last talked to him on the phone, he said, "I love you a whole bunch". So those were his last words to me, and how sweet that is.
-Our candy obsession. My Papa LOVED candy and anytime we hit the candy isle, we would have more than enough. Then our stomachs would hurt and Meme would say, "Well you two ate all that candy and that's why!"
-Watching a Christmas Story with him EVERY single year during Christmas! He loved that movie!!

I could go on all day. I was so close to my Papa and I feel very blessed to have had him in my life. He was the best grandpa I could have ever wanted, plus more! He was perfect in my eyes. I will miss him so much! I wish he could have known the kids I have one day, it hurts me to think of him not getting to meet them, but I will sure pass on his memories! My kids will all know what a great man he was and how much he would have loved them! I love you Papa and I miss you.

HELP me!

2009-05-07T19:34:00.002-05:00

Okay so I have yet to figure out all the "kinks" in this blog. Why do I have little "tools" on the right side of my blog when you view it? Nobody else does except for me! How do I get them off?

Secondly, how do I write a little thing under the small picture of Nate and I, a little about me so-to-speak. Wait a minute, I think maybe I know, but tell me anyway.

Lastly, (for now), how do I get a big picture up at the top that goes all the way across with my title on it? LIke Amber and Monica? Why am I so challenged? I don't get it!!

Update...

2009-04-24T11:51:00.004-05:00

I sort of forgot I had a blog for a little while because I got so busy. Things have been crazy around here, just like they do this time of year, every year! Summer seems to fly by and before I know it I get really sad because it's gone and I feel like I can't savor it like I used to. I know it's not summer yet, but the weather we have been having lately reminds me that it's just around the corner and I can't WAIT! I sort of slowed down this week so I planted some flowers in the pots I had from last year and now I am obsessed. I have been to Lowe's, Home Depot, Walmart, etc. on a flower seeking extravaganza! I love flower season! I am really excited for mom to get here again, when we both feel well, so she can plant in my actual flower bed. She has a lot of work to do with this house as well. :-) Denae has inspired me to finally post a couple of pictures of the house. Like her, I haven't quite gotten it all figured out yet, but she has done a lot more than I have. For one thing, she has a kitchen table, and I DO NOT. We have been married for over two years and still no kitchen table. Oh well, who cares right? I will get around to it. I about have a heart attack when I find one I like and then see the price tag. Plus, after just getting into this house, I need to slowly get things in place. Maybe with that big tax return I can treat myself to some new piece of furniture! I haven't gotten any of the bedrooms in any sort of order...Not even mine...So I will post a pictures of the kitchen and the dining room and living room, which are all open to each other, just like I like it. Other than trying to give my house TLC, nothing new but work and more work.

ACM Awards...

2009-04-07T12:05:00.007-05:00

AHHHH I can't believe I got to go to this! It was SO much fun! I will never forget how awesome the show was! I had chills for the majority of the event! We all know that I LOVE George Strait and how my dreams would come true if I could just meet him one time! If I could meet anyone in this world, it would be George. Hands down no competition. Love him! I was a little upset that I lost half of my pictures, including those of George close up. This sort of thing happens to me often. I could have cried, but I pulled myself together. Still though, I have my memories and a few other pictures!

Not much else has been going on lately, just busy working before this quarter ends. I always get stressed right about NOW.

We had our house warming party last night, the day we got back from Vegas and I am SO tired! I was just running around like a mad woman ALL day yesterday and will be cleaning and doing laundry for the rest of my day after work. Totally worth it though! We had a great turnout for the breaking in of Longleaf Ln. and I for one, had a great time with all my Amarillo peeps.

GEORGE

Matthew and Reba

I ♥ NJK

Carrie and her awesome dress

I want a love like Johnny and June

Opening act...Brooks and Dunn, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, etc.

SNOW STORM...

2009-03-29T10:10:00.005-05:00

OH my gosh we got a load of snow Friday! I have never seen so much snow in my life. Unless I was skiing of course. But here in Texas, WOW! It was awesome! Saturday, the snow melted off the roads so we FINALLY got to go see Cole & Lezli St. Clair and their baby boy, Brock Matthew. He was the most precious little guy ever! He was 6 pounds and so so little! I loved him!

BROCK MATTHEW ST.CLAIR...

LOOKING OUT THE FRONT PORCH...

PRETTY...

ME AND BOOZER...

NATE AND BOOZER...THE SNOW WENT ABOVE NATE'S KNEES AND COVERED BOOZER UP...

Fun at Aunt Kenley's...

2009-03-27T13:49:00.004-05:00

Well I kept Jenner a couple of days ago and thought I would post a few pictures of his adventures around my house.

A few of Jenner's favorite things:

♥Getting ice from the ice maker every couple of minutes.
♥Walking in and out over and over and over and showing me he could shut the door by himself. However, I was hovering because the last thing I wanted was for him to slam his finger in the door and never want to come back.
♥Being OUTSIDE! He would grab my finger and we would walk all around the sidewalk and then he would get tired and reach for me to pick him up. So I would get him and walk inside and he would start wimpering...So we would go back out again and start all over.
♥My mom! My mom was at the house when Jenner came over and he loved her! At first he wasn't too sure about her because she picked him up and he immediately reached for his favorite person...me. But when she left to go home he started crying because she got in the car and we waved "bye-bye" to her. It was so sad/cute. I almost cried with him cause I miss my momma.
♥The valentine's day life-size bear Nate got me last year. This bear is bigger than I am but it's so so cute! I have sort of just kept it in the spare bedroom but I brought it out for Jenner. He LOVED this bear. As soon as I set the bear out he went and gave it a kiss. He even kissed it's foot. He also tried to feed him his toys.
♥Yogurt. I didn't get a picture of this because it was total chaos but one thing I need at my house is a high chair to BUCKLE him in! Since I am cool, I let him just take a bite and then walk around and come back for more. And since I am even cooler, I let him try and feed himself with a big people spoon. That's right. What was I thinking? He got purple yogurt ALL over his shirt and his pants and my sweater and the floor and his hair. Sorry Amy!
♥Chewing his baby football up! He just walks around with the end of it in his mouth chewing away! Little stinker!
♥His Aunt Kenley! Of course!

Here are some pictures!
YUMMY FOOTBALL

A KISS FOR MR BEAR

WOW

WOULD YOU LIKE TO EAT MY TOYS MR BEAR?

A sneak peak...

2009-03-26T09:33:00.005-05:00

At Longleaf Ln. I will post some more pictures when I actually have things in order and cleaned up. Mom was here these past few days and go figure, we got nothing done. I hadn't seen my momma in like three months so we just did what we wanted and didn't even care about fixing the house just yet. She will be back in two weeks with things "on paper" and then she can get to work! I am super excited to have her make my house look even better with her amazing talent! She makes anything look better! Here is a picture of the outside (as best I could) when it snowed two weeks ago. Good thing I did it then because it seems as if the 8-10 inches we are getting tomorrow won't allow me much walking room outside. :-) I LOVE SNOW!

SNOW...

The new house...

Looks crooked...I obviously don't take good pictures! Unless it's really uneven :-0

Back to school...

2009-03-11T15:24:00.002-05:00

The word school really makes me cringe. I never did like school. I liked all the activities that went along with it, but as far as making myself study and do well, I was never really inspired and sort of just floated on by. I don't know why I am like this. My mom was little miss study hard and make sure you got it to a "T". Dad graduated high school and was done with it, he hated school too. Must be like him in that way. School is not for everyone though. Many successful people don't even have a college degree, even though, I must say it's wonderful to have. It seems like the thing to do these days, like there is no decision, you just do it.

Anyway, I have my bachelor's degree and when I finished with that I hooped and hollered and said these words, "Thank goodness I am done with school I will NEVER go to school again." Which leads me to this next phrase, "NEVER SAY NEVER!"

That's right. I am going to be gearing up to take the GRE and will be headed to Grad school as soon as I make the grade. I am going to get my Masters in Psychology and my hope is to become a Psychologist in Psychotherapy. Let me just say I have always wanted to be a Psychiatrist and thought when I first went to college I would think seriously about it. Well you know that includes med school and as cool as being Dr. Kenley Baker sounded, I just knew I wasn't really to apply myself that hard. When you do something like that you have to be all in or nothing. I wasn't ready for that. Now that I am 25 going on 26 I must say I have grown up since the days of being 18. Haven't we all? SO while I would LOVE to go to med school and become a Psychiatrist, I am a married woman who wants babies soon, so really, no need for me to put Nate through that. He definitely thinks it would be cool to say my wife is a Doctor, but I definitely think it's much cooler to remember I married Nate and vowed to take good care of him and already we are planning for kids. I won't break that. SO, next best choice, Psychologist.

My mom has already agreed to be my first basket case and Audra said she would be my second. So with that said, here in a few years, feel free to be my basket case as well. You may all say a little prayer for me as I start this journey, it's going to be hard, but well worth it in the end.

All moved in...

2009-03-05T19:33:00.002-06:00

FINALLY! Well I say we are all moved in when really all our stuff is in the garage just waiting to be put up! Let me tell you, this has been a chore. I think Nate was afraid he might break a nail, so I had to tough it out and put my big girl panties on. I packed the entire house and loaded up an entire trailer full of STUFF! Then I made about 8 trips back and forth from the old house to the new one and then one more trailer load all in one day! Whew!

Then of course I had some drama along the way. I hired movers to get the big stuff like the living room furniture, bedroom furniture, spare bedrooms, and fridge. Well, they left the washer in the old house and claimed it was because they can't move front loader washers without these big long screws to keep the balancer from going off. Then, I they left the master bed in pieces all over the floor of the new house and apparantly thought they didn't have to put it together. The also knocked a big part of our wall on the corner and little pieces of it are just laying in the floor. UGH. SO I had to have good ole dad come this past Sunday with his flatbed to get the washer they left, the grill, some firewood, etc. Thank goodness for dad's is all I have to say. And of course Nellie and Judd helped A LOT! It goes so much faster with 5 people! And Audra Dee helped me ALL day Friday, bless you Audra. And Curtis, our handy man and good friend, thank you!

I am loving Longleaf Ln and have a feeling we are going just feel right at home in no time. As of right now, this is just a house, it takes a little time to make it home. I did cry when I pulled away from Cortona Dr for the last time. I loved that home and I will truly miss it.

I will post pictures when I find my cord that helps with that process...It's lost!

I have come to the conclusion that I have way too many shoes, jeans, and purses. Just saying, I have a problem

BabyMums

2009-02-20T12:30:00.004-06:00

Well I have finally done it. I have decide to sale what I like to call BabyMums! I created another blog site specifically for this reason. Here is the link, and please, pass it on!

http://kenleyjking.blogspot.com

When I get things more figured out, I will start up a website and hopefully get help from Audra, my sister-in-law, because she has great ideas! Also, my wonderfully talented mom has created all sorts of stuff you can decorate your house with and I plan on adding her to the website as well. She makes pieces worth buying!!

Vegas...

2009-02-03T13:10:00.006-06:00

So we went to Vegas for the annual Treasure Island Superbowl party and spent four days in that city. Four days is exhausting there and it's really hard for me to get back on track when I get home. I love Vegas and to some it's all about partying and behaving badly and then using the quote "Vegas made me do it" or "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas". Me, not so much. I go to bed when I want and I wake up when I want and I don't leave Texas time. This time it felt like we were literally doing something every second of the day. Meagan went with us this trip and I always love when she goes, my other half time is the best time. For those who don't understand why I call her my other half I will give the details as of why. Every since we were little we have pretty much been soul mates as far as just really being in tune with each other. I spent most of my summers before I turned 16 at her house in Decatur and we would say the same thing at the same time all the time. It was freakishly weird because we would say RANDOM things at the exact same time that left people around us wondering what our problem was or saying we planned it. As we grew older and we would be at my grandma's together we would be sitting beside each other and out of nowhere just cross our legs at the same time or lean forward at the same time or reach for something at the same time or ask for something at the same time. I can't tell you how weird this is. Then now, even though she lives in Dallas we will be doing something in our day and then happen to text the other and they will be doing the SAME exact thing. We both wonder if we recorded ourselves and played the tape at the same time how close it would be to exactly the same. We are each others other half and she is just very much a part of me. I love you Meagan and you are one of the biggest blessings of my life. I watched her when she was getting ready one day and just thought of us as little girls and almost started crying. Time goes by way too fast, so take in every moment of life and savor it. I would give anything to just go back into time for one day when we were little. Don't know which day I would go back to, but we sure did have fun. I look forward to our trip to Australia.

Josh and Jennifer also went on this trip and stayed at New York New York, but we spent the whole weekend with them anyway. Always have a blast with these two, Josh and Nate are like two peas in a pod. They are just kids when they get together.

Through the four days we fit in the usual...nap time on the first day because Meagan and I had been up since 4am and could barely walk to our room when we got there because we were so tired and had about 10 suitcases...Got a good ole massage but I was ticked because the guy that did mine talked the entire time, so no thanks to him. Meagan was happy though because her guy was cute..Shopped for what seemed like forever but yet didn't get much of anything...Superbowl Party at the TI=fun but the teams I didn't so much care about...Stopped by the Wax Museum and had a ball! Went to the Palms and met Chuck Liddell and for those of you who aren't into UFC fights, he is a fighter. He was a good sport and took his picture with every adoring fan including us. Nate even arm wrestled him...For pretend of course, he would have ripped Nate's arm off. So here are some fun picture of a great weekend that I won't need again until next year because I am turning into "grandma". Nate likes to call me Aunt Bee...

Us girls

Me and my boot

I took a shot at Vegas Idol...Ryan liked me

Taking pointers from Tiger to pass on over to Nate

Aunt Bee and Nate

4th Picture-I got tagged...

2009-01-21T10:01:00.005-06:00

Denae tagged me, here's how it works:

1. Choose the 4th folder where you store your pictures on the computer.
2. Select the 4th picture in the folder.
3. Explain the picture.
4. Tag 4 people to do the same
5. No cheating. (cropping, editing, etc)

Well...Boy am I glad I got tagged for this because this might be the best picture to share. This was from summer 08' and we were at one of Nathan's best friends weddings in Santa Fe. He was a groomsman and they gave him these suspenders to wear an we have never dealt with this sort of thing before. Here's how it went down. I was getting ready way to late and Nate came running in the hotel room screaming and yelling that he was about to get left and I needed to help him get ALL the cuff links on his suit. So he gets his suit on and I help with the MILLION cuff links. Then we get to the suspenders and they are all tangled up. I was like Nate, I don't know what to do with these. I was trying to twist them and turn them and get them straightened out and I could NOT do it. So he says FINE I will just do it myself because I was throwing a fit that I didn't have enough time to finish curling my hair. So he was out the door and I never looked at him when he left. Total chaos. SO...I get to the wedding and then when it's all over we are at reception and Nate takes off his jacket to hit the dance floor and that is what his suspenders looked like! Haha! OH my gosh! He forgot about it and everyone was like Nate Dogg what did you do to yourself? It was the funniest thing I have ever seen. He played it off and sported them for a while. He needed them because his pants were too big or else he would have done without. Just one of the things that Nate does that just makes me smile from ear to ear. I love him! (Oh yea, he did blame this on me. I think he said something along the lines of, "well my wife doesn't know how to do this")...Of course...

I tag Monica, Danielle, and Amber!

Back to reality...

2009-01-19T16:31:00.002-06:00

I finally finished the Twilight series books and now I am back to life, back to reality. Sort of. I can't stop thinking about the whole stupid thing and I am quite sure I have a problem. I am just glad to be done with it so I can FOCUS.

In the past week, many things have happened. We basically SOLD our house. OH my GOSH it came right out of nowhere! It's been on the market since July and I was pretty sure it would never sale but that's was okay because I absolutely love love love the house we are in right now. It's really sad to think that we started off in this house and now only a short three years later we are out of here: Assuming everything goes through with the people buying it, but they were approved for their loan so not much else should go wrong. We are moving because we rushed into buying a house when we moved to Amarillo and didn't think about the fact that Nate would have to drive 30 minutes to work and 30 minutes back. Not a big deal to some people commuting, but seriously, we don't live in Dallas, there is no excuse for this nonsense especially when he drives a freaking Ford F350 big ole huge diesel truck that chugs all his gas and not to mention costs and arm and a leg. Thank goodness it has been going down though. I still don't understand how diesel is more expensive than gasoline, it's a bi-product. Hmmm. Who knows. Anyway, we need to be on the north side of town and it's seems that will be the case assuming we can find a house. Or else I will be starting a blog titled "Homeless". But we found one that caught our eye and we just need to narrow them down. Fingers crossed. This next house will be the house we are in for a good long time. The house we raise our kids in. Exciting but still very sad to leave Cortona Dr.

Three things I WONT miss about living on this street:
1-Our NOSY neighbors! OH my gosh could they get any nosier! Nate and I have to play paper, rock, scissor if we need something out of the mailbox or need to put something in because they come running out. Otherwise we just go when it's about 11 at night hoping they are sleeping!!
2-TUMBLEWEEDS! I am sick to death of these stupid pointless things in our yard and tangled up in our trees! It's so disgusting and I am sick of it!
3-I can cross my fingers that the next house we move to won't have a dog right next door that is in heat all the time. Boozer does not like this. He smells this dog through the fence and just barks and whines and growls and then tries to hump anything that looks appealing to him. All because of that dog next door. Or wait, my bad, three dogs. Please, please, please, let our next neighbor dogs be fixed...I know I can go get Boozer snipped, but Nathan is highly against this idea...He thinks Boozer will feel like less of a man...Could someone please agree with me in saying "Are you kidding me?"

Twilight Zone

2009-01-11T15:29:00.003-06:00

Okay I am in the Twilight zone...As usual, Savannah has got me hooked on yet another book series. First it was Harry Potter and I didn't think I would like it that much but once I read the first book I had all 7 of them read in two weeks (keep in mind these are like 700 page books). Don't get me wrong, I don't believe in magic no I don't think there are witches and wizards flying around in the air and putting spells on people. It's just a little make believe story and it's just a story of good vs evil. It sort of takes you into a little make believe world.

Anyway, this is about Twilight. When I was at her house her and Shonnah and Sarah were all ranting and raving over it so of course I had to go get it too. COULD not put the book down for the life of me. Nathan hates when I get in a book series like this because it means that laundry, cooking, and cleaning go on the back burner until I am done. Haha! So needless to say, here lately he is like, "When are you going to be done with this?" Two books down and two to go.

I am not into vampires and at first I was like no, I won't like that stuff BUT you just never know. I LOVE this book series and it's just captivating! AHH. So after I read the first book I immediately made Nathan take me to see the movie. The entire time I was just glued to the screen and wishing it would never end. Nathan even loved it. I told him I might even trade him for Edward if that could ever even happen. Do I care if he's a vampire, NO way! But let's get real, vampires are not real and no, I don't believe they are, it's just another make believe little story I get caught up in. SO anyway, you should just try out the first book, Twilight and I am willing to bet you $20 bucks you will love it. Then go watch the movie...This movie has been out for a while and Nathan tried to get me to go watch it when everyone was raving about it, but of course I said, "I am not into vampires, no." Haha. I made Sheree go watch this movie with me because she said the same thing, that was last night and we are going again today. Too much time on our hands, maybe. Just in love with a fake vampire, you bet. OR weird, yea that too.
PS-Soundtrack=Awesome

Flashing back

2009-01-09T09:46:00.003-06:00

Well, I feel behind on my writing...Last weekend I finally got to have Christmas with my dad and my grandma. Yes I realize Christmas is December 25, but when you have divorced parents and then you get married you end up having about 10 Christmases. Going to Cabo didn't help with the schedule either it just pushed it back further and my sweet daddy waited to see us last. Well that Friday I decided I would make a pit stop in Lazbuddie and spend the night with my best friend! She was also in town having Christmas with her family and I hadn't seen her in 5 whole months! Too long for me! I flashed back into time and all of our fun times together. Savannah and I built the best sort of friendship together and we lived an hour and a half away from each other all those years. All through the rest of elementary, all of junior high, and high school we just made it work; our long distance relationship haha! It's sort of rare to be able to do that but we did. Then after I graduated we lived 4 and a half hours away! Still, the best of friends. Finding a friendship like I found in Savannah does not happen often and I don't think we have ever been in one single fight...Ever...Girls when they are young quarrel all the time but we never did. Anyway, being back at her house and spending the night just sent me into flashbacks. I think it sent her mom into flashbacks as well because she LOVED it that me and Savannah and Shonnah and her were all back under the same roof.

Top 5 memories:
1-Playing in the mud when it rained just enough for us slide around in it and throw it at each other
2-Riding horses and posting the colors every Monday night in the summer time and at the local rodeos
3-Austin trip with Savannah's mom and Christie...I don't need to explain
4-Sleeping in the middle of her living room floor and watching movies all night long...Well me and Shonnah did, Savannah never stays awake...
5-Red River trip with my family/Arizona with hers

We just added a new memory to our list and that would be playing Wii with her mom and Shonnah...I literally could NOT move my arms for three days. Need a workout, grab for the Wii. SO much fun! Sarah takes the prize for being most entertaining, Shonnah for being the best (except in Tennis, I get that one), and Savannah being the best rocker. I love you best friend...

Now I just want to say I finally made it to my dad's and as always he greets me with the biggest smile and squeezes me like he hasn't seen me in years. I could have seen him the day before and he would have done the same. My dad has been through heck in his life and for a while he was a very stern, very hard man to deal with. The day he quit farming was when he got his heart back. It was like a whole new man emerged. Farming takes a tole on a person and it sure did take a toll on him, however, farming is a huge part of who he is. A very huge part. I can now thank him for waking me up at 5am to make me hoe cotton or spray cotton. At the time I hated him but he told me it would build character and it did. Thanks dad. Anyway, I LOVE spending time with my dad and every single time I leave he stand out in the yard and waves me off and will wave until I am completely out of sight. He has done this since I could drive. I can't remember a time he didn't do it. Even Nate noticed this and was like, "Your dad always stands out there and waves you/us off" So of course this time was no different but this time we left from Morton, my grandma's house and we had my grandma standing at the front door crying and dad in the yard, both of them just waving away. I wonder if he might get that from her?

We talked about my Pa (my dad's dad) a lot this Christmas meeting at my grandma's and I would like to close this blog out with a quote by him. "If you can ever get it half done, then you know how to do the rest."

Happy New Year

2009-01-02T12:42:00.005-06:00

Hello 2009! My how 2008 flew. I know it's going to take me a good month to get used to writing 2009 on everything. Happens every single time. 2008 was a year full of UPS and downs. I wrote a little blog on my myspace about mine and Nate's first year together as a married couple and since our anniversary was just a few weeks ago, I figured I would reflect on year TWO. We actually went skiing for the first time together along with the Kute's and Sean and Lea. What a great time except for the fact I had Strep throat and a sinus infection at the same time. I did the first ski day doped up on meds and had to skip the second day because I felt as if I might die. Still, great memories in Taos with great friends. Of course, we had a couple of Vegas trips which I always enjoy. It never gets old. We went for the Superbowl party with his parents and my mom and then again in April with the Kendrick's. Actually, they weren't Kendrick just yet, but they were only two months off. Had the best time in Vegas I ever had in my life! We only attended one out of town wedding in 2008 which was weird considering weddings consume much of our summer life. Clint got married in Santa Fe and we had a ball! We enjoyed mine and Meagan's second annual birthday bash in Dallas and I loved every second. Oh yea, we became Uncle Nate and Aunt Kenley in February of 2008 as well to little Jenner. He is almost ONE, oh my gosh! Kaleb turned 21 this year, another oh my gosh because my little miracle brother is growing up! AH! Weird to think that 21 years ago everyone held on to hope for Kaleb's life and didn't know what would become, but by the grace of God, he is one of the greatest joys of my life, still 21 years later. Kaleb is very original and our world needs a few more like him. Anyway, for that trip we went to Lake Ivy to be with him and it was a fishing blowout! Him, Nate, and my dad stayed in the boat fishing the entire weekend. Tech had a great football season in 2008 and what a joy that was for Nate. Some of my favorite memories with Nate are Tech games and tailgates. It's where our love bloomed. Haha! Got baptized this year...Yea, 25 years old and just getting baptized, wouldn't have changed a thing. I think it was the best time for me because I truly understood what it meant and it was very special for me. God is so good in my life! Nate and I had a good run and even found out I was pregnant. What a high that was! It was a shock to us, we weren't really planning for that, but it happened and we were THRILLED beyond measure! Anyway, we pretty much told everyone because we were so excited and my mom and dad REALLY told everyone! They got the reward for being most excited! So cute. We were on cloud 9 for about two months when I had a miscarriage. This marks the biggest event of 2008 for us as a couple because it was awful and I have never felt sadness of this sort before. However, God pulled me through this as well as all my wonderful friends and family and their words of prayer! Wow, all the love. It was really amazing the love I was shown. Reminds me of how much I have to be thankful for and how blessed I am. I have this wonderful life and all the events in our lives are just part of a much bigger plan. For whatever reason, this miscarriage happened, just like God knew it would, but He also knew that I would be just fine. I am finally able to talk about this and just really see that it's all going to be okay. It's been almost a month now and really, I am okay. I look to the future and I see only great blessings. I will never forget this event, it's just stuck with me, I had to throw away the shirt I wore when all this started because it makes me sad. When I pulled it out of the dryer I started crying and knew that it needed to go to the trash. It was cute too, bummer. Anyway a few short days after the miscarriage, I booked a trip to Cabo leaving on Christmas Eve. We spent our Christmas in Cabo, our first away from home during this holiday. I didn't want to deal with anything during this time, I had my reasons and Nate was on board 100%. We got to get away and just have Nate and Kenley time which was just what we needed and Nate and Kenley time is my favorite time! Also, anytime I get to see the ocean, my heart swells with happiness because it amazes me! Just a reminder of God's many amazing creations! So we ended the year with a great trip! Actually, we ended the year at home in bed because we didn't do a SINGLE thing for New Year's Ever and I wouldn't have it any other way!! SO goodbye 2008, you were good to me! I thank you God for my blessed life! I know great things are in store for all of us in 2009! Happy New Year friends! And now a few pictures of our holiday fun; my favorites...

My very first blog...

2009-01-02T12:32:00.002-06:00

SO I decided I would follow in the footsteps of my dear friend Amber and join the world of blogging. I mean why wouldn't I? I love writing and I have kept a journal since I could write so what better way to track my life starting with 2009 here and being able to share new memories and look back and reflect on what I write. Basically, to anyone who will read my blog, they may do so yawning, but for the most part this blog is for me and may just help me when I write my book one day. I have several other friends on this blog and it's a great way to keep track of their lives and their kids! Here I go though, I will try and make this good!