Somethin' to Talk About

{LOVE}

2012-02-15T11:16:00.008-06:00

My Valentine's Day was nice.

I got flowers at work.

{I love that they aren't the typicl red roses.}

And cooked a yummy, homemade dinner of chicken and pesto pasta with the girls.

We cuddled up and watched Dance Moms and I drank wine.

Perfect Valentine's Day, if you ask me.

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So, a couple weeks ago I bought some new shampoo and conditioner, which I LOVE, by the way!!

And attached to it as a little, freebie giveaway was this jewel.

Great marketing tactic, Tigi. I will buy your Dumb Blonde lip gloss for the rest of my days. Those of you who know me or have followed my blog for any length of time know that I have had a monogamous relationship with Philosphy lip gloss for years, but times they are a changin'. There's a new ~~Sheriff~~ lip gloss in town! This stuff is uh. maz. ing.

Also, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I might enjoy The Voice slightly more than American Idol.

I swear if it were not for my girl crush on J-Lo I really don't know if I'd watch American Idol. Of course, my crush on Blake Shelton and Adam Levine don't hurt my love for The Voice any.

And one last thing...can Courtney from The Bachelor just croak already!? I can't stand her. She is terrible. And truthfully, model or not, I am not blown away by her looks. I swore I wouldn't, but I read Reality Steve's blog and since I know (or at least I think I know) who he picks in the end I'm just ready to get this shenanigan over with so I can watch Emily (speaking of girl crushes) as The Bachelorette. Ben's not even that cute. The girls are just so-so (besides Kasey B...love her) and if I have to look at or listen to Courtney for one more week I will die.

I'm over this season.

Girls Just Wanna Have..a Nervous Breakdown??

2012-02-10T08:00:00.001-06:00

Sometimes I read someone's blog, who I think totally has their stuff together and I am shocked to see that their life is not always roses. It's so refreshing. So often, on Facebook and our blogs, we present the version of our lives that we want people to see, but the fact of the matter is...it's not always roses. For anyone. Life is hard sometimes. And I'm here to talk about a situation that has been hard for me lately. Maybe someone else is going through the same thing and it will make them feel better to read it or maybe it will just be good to be real. With you...and myself.

Cutting to the chase...being a parent is hard. Being a single parent is harder. I've been both. I know.

I am in no way having a pity party. I am beyond blessed to have my children and I am often brought to tears just by looking at them while they sleep, thanking God for trusting me with their lives.

That being said, I am worn out. The girls have really been testing me lately. I opened up to my mom about my feelings and she told me that she thought that when Matt and I split up I started over compensating out of guilt. She's right. I have babied them, catered to them, given them everything they've wanted. Including all of myself. I push myself every day to be the best mom I can and in the process I have run myself down. I have not had them help me with any chores because I feel like...well, I don't know what I feel like about that. I guess I just feel like I should do everything. I work all day. Lexi dances 3 (sometimes 4) nights a week, often until 8:00 at night. I get home. I cook. I clean. I do laundry. I pack lunches. I clean up dog piss. I help with homework. I try to squeeze in love and hugs and quality time. Kelsey's softball season is about to start, which will require two practices a week and games on the road. Lexi's dance competition season starts in March and we will be on the road one weekend a month through June. Kelsey sleeps in my bed every night because, once again, I feel guilty. So, I don't ever enjoy my room. I can't lay in bed and watch TV or read. I can't take a bath in MY bathroom and drink a glass of wine and listen to my music. I mean, maybe I could, but I don't. Because something about having a child asleep in the same room just doesn't scream relaxation. To me, anyway.

As a result of my constant bending over backwards to please the girls, I have begun to see them act ungrateful and entitled. They don't mind me. They don't listen. And they talk to me like dirt. Not always, but it happens more often than I'd like to admit. I feel unappreciated and tired and honestly, a little pissed off.

They are kids. I don't want or expect them to understand the sacrifices parents make for their children. They will learn that later. But, I do want them to understand that all of these luxuries that they have in their lives do not come easy. I want them to be grateful. I want them to be compassionate. I want them to realize that being a mom doesn't mean you don't have feelings. I want them to help me around the house. I want them to see how much I love them and that I try for them everyday.

I feel like in the process of trying to be the perfect mom I have made things harder on myself and quite frankly, induced some real shitty behavior from my kids.

We had a "Come to Jesus" meeting last night. I told them how I felt. I even shed some tears. I think it's important for kids to know that even parents have rough days. It seems like we got somewhere...like maybe some of the stuff I said hit home with them. I wasn't angry. I didn't raise my voice. I just basically told them everything I just typed in this blog post...only I said it in kid terms.

Trust me when I say I am thankful for my children. I can't imagine my life without them and I sincerely hope I have not offended anyone by venting. I know there are people who want kids and can't have them, people who are trying really hard to have a baby, people whose children are in heaven (including me), people who would give anything to have my daughters on their shittiest day.

I love them so very much. It just took me a little rough patch to realize that there is no such thing as a perfect mom. Or perfect kids. All any of us can do is try our best and love each other like there's no tomorrow.

Crowns Don't Make the Princess

2012-02-08T15:42:00.010-06:00

Here I am with the pageant update from this weekend...

Friday night Kelsey competed in the Madison County Sweetheart Pageant. She looked ADORABLE!

I love how she wanted to rock her Chuck Taylors with her pageant dress. Not every pageant girl has to wear heels. :)

She didn't win, but she got Miss Photogenic and she was happy with that. She might as well have been crowned Miss Arkansas...she wouldn't have been anymore excited. I'm proud of her and I love her low maintenance, chill outlook on life. She really enjoyed herself and looked darling. Perfect first pageant experience.

Saturday night Lexi competed in the Miss Madison County Pageant, which is actually a preliminary pageant for the Miss Arkansas Pageant. Not for Lexi's age group, but for the older girls. It was a pretty big deal and really neat to watch, actually. Lexi had to compete in Casual Wear...

And Evening Gown...

As well as answer and on-stage question and introduce herself. She did an amazing job. I was really proud. Alas, she did not win the crown, but she won Miss Photogenic just like her sister.

{This can mean only one thing...I've got really beautiful kids.}

Anyway, she was disappointed, but hey! You cannot and will not win every pageant you enter, every game you play, every race you run. And if you did, there would be no fun in competing. She looked beautiful and did an amazing job. She exuded the upmost class during and after the pageant. Her Facebook status the day after the pageant said, "You can't always win. So, you have to hold your head up and be happy for those that do." Amen, sister. I could not be more proud.

{I need to quit using my iPhone to take pictures of my kids. I have a digital camera that I never use.}

Also...guess what. My brother, Caleb, is meeting one of the ladies who responded to my "wanna date my brother" post this Friday night. I'm excited! I hope it goes well. He is now referring to me as the "Digital Pimp". Ha! With their permission, I will blog about it. {or with HER permission I will blog about it. I don't need his. I'm his big sister. He's not the boss of me.}

Birthday Girl

2012-02-06T10:09:00.004-06:00

Guess who is ten years old today...

This little girl is the biggest ray of sunshine I have ever known. She really, truly is. I am so blessed to be her mother. She is a challenge {to put it mildly}, but she is worth every second of it. Her wit, her sense of humor, her love, her affection...it's not something you see in a child everyday. I'm so glad God let me raise her. :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MONKEY! You are your Momma's pride and joy.

{Coming tomorrow: pageant update :)}

Topping the List of Things I Swore I'd Never Do...

2012-02-01T10:37:00.003-06:00

Put my kids in pageants. But, fate (or Lexi's preference) would have it otherwise. And here we are.

This weekend, not one, but both of my daughters are competing in pageants. Kelsey's is on Friday night and Lexi's is on Saturday night. Anyone who knows Kelsey knows that her being in a pageant is about as shocking as me shaving my legs. I couldn't believe she wanted to do it and honestly, I'm a little skeptical. She's not exactly the pageant type. Although I must admit, she looks pretty damn cute {and girly} in her beaded, poofy pageant dress. The pageant Kelsey is in is a lot less involved than the one that Lexi is in, which is probably a good thing since she's never done it before. She's getting her hair done, putting on a pretty dress and walking across the stage. Easy enough. I just hope she doesn't break out in some funky dance on stage. :)

This is the first pageant Lexi has been in that has more than one category. She'll have to, of course, wear a pageant dress. She'll also have to compete in a "casual wear" category and answer an interview question. She also has to learn an opening number to do with the other contestants and introduce herself on stage instead of the announcer doing it for her. I. am. nervous.

She doesn't seem to be too concerned. You see, she won the last pageant she was in which was The Madison County Fair Pageant. Her title is Madsion County Fair Teen Princess.

So, in light of this last win, I feel like she might be thinking that she just wins pageants. Like, every pageant. {The kid has no confidence issues.} I actually asked her if she would feel bad about herself if she didn't win. It didn't take two seconds for her to say..."yes." And that is why I don't want my kids in pageants. I hate that part.

I know that no matter what my girls are great and smart and beautiful, but young girls don't always know those things about themselves. Or if they know them, it's easy to doubt them.

I guess we'll see how it goes. I just want the girls to feel pretty and loved and confident no matter what. I will be proud of them if they get first place...or last.

Home Sweet {New} Home

2012-01-27T09:38:00.018-06:00

I really wish I had taken some before and after pictures of our house. It has really come a long way. I've had to be patient and just do things as I can...when I have the time and the money. :)

Last weekend we got new throw pillows, curtains, a few decorative items for the living room and the CUTEST zebra chair. While we were at TJ Maxx they were putting it out on the floor and I snatched before anyone else could. :)

A few days ago, we came home to our amazing chevron rug on the front porch. I found it on Amazon for a STEAL!! This dude is HUGE. I guess I never thought about how by 8x11 feet is!! I love how it ties the room together.

When we moved in the sliding glass door had vertical blinds. Ugh. Those things are the absolute worst. I could hardly stand them being there, but I had to wait until we got curtains.

MUCH BETTER!

Also, this past week we had the inside of the house painted. All the walls (everything except the girls rooms and bathroom) are Avenue Tan from Sherwin Williams.

LOVE this color. It's got a hint of olive green to it.

The girls rooms are ~~pepto bismol~~ hot pink and celery green.

They turned out very cute. Bright as heck, but cute. :)

{P.S. Kelsey's bedding set did not come with a dust ruffle. Anyone know where I can buy a dust ruffle all by itself??}

The next thing I will work on is my room. It has gotten zero attention since we moved in. I think I will ask for new bedding and such for my birthday. I also need to get some stuff for the living rooms walls. I also need to do some touch up work on the front porch colums and I'd like to paint the front door navy blue.

Here are the only pictures I have of the house...right before and right after we moved in.

All tha Single Ladies...

2012-01-25T10:01:00.017-06:00

Ok, so it seems that the general consensus is that my brother is hot. He is also single and unfortunately he keeps dating girls that ~~get on my nerves~~ for one reason or another, don't work out.

Sooooooo...I was thinking I might do a little Kelly's Korner spinoff and play matchmaker.

Here's what you need to know about Caleb:

He's 5'11". He works out constantly. He loves his dog, Garth, more than most people love their children.

He likes to camp and fish and hike and float rivers.

His idea of a cute outfit involves khaki shorts, a t-shirt and Chacos. He's also been known to wear Big Smith overalls...in public.

He likes to hunt. And ride dirt bikes. And drink beer. And drink whiskey. And drink beer.

He is also very responsible. He has a good job that he values and is dedicated to.

He is also THE funniest human being I've ever met.

He loves kids...especially his nieces, who happen to be my adorable children. :)

If you would be interested in a possible date with Caleb, send an email to bethanygillham@hotmail.com and I will put on my best Chuck Woolery face and see what I can do.

DON'T BE SHY!!

(Note: We live in Northwest Arkansas)

Dixie

2012-01-24T20:29:00.007-06:00

Many years ago (approximately twenty-four) I used to dress a cute, little blue-eyed boy up in a blue dress and call him Dixie.

He couldn't say his R's and I took great delight in hearing him sing the "root, root, root" part of Take Me Out to the Ballgame.

We spent countless hours fishing, skipping rocks and catching crawdads.

If I ever had a bad dream or my boyfriend and I got in a fight or if it was just because I wanted to...I could always go get in bed with him in the middle of the night. And he'd always wake up and make me laugh.

He's been my best friend since I was six years old. He'll kick your ass if you mess with me. I never laugh harder or longer or louder around anyone else.

He's my little brother...my best friend...my Dixie.

Happy 26th Birthday, to my baby brother, Caleb!!

Yay Friday!!

2012-01-20T15:38:00.002-06:00

This afternoon I will be answering a few questions. Not, that anyone asked me. I found them on another blog and I'm tired of working today so...here we go.

{what do your kids or husband do that drives you crazy?}

Lexi's mood swings drive me crazy. She can be SO insanely hateful. I try to remind myself that she will be thirteen in March and teenagers are assholes. But, still. It gets old. It also drives me crazy that she will rarely eat a meal. Instead she "grazes" all night. Last night for dinner she had half a bagel and cream cheese, some apples dipped in caramel, some pickles, some crackers and hummus and some ice cream. Let's just hope her metabolism never slows down. :) I guess as long as she is dancing four days a week she can eat whatever she wants. I rememeber those days.

Kelsey drives me nuts because she is the enternal procrastinator! She waits til the last minute for EVERYTHING!! She is also the slowest human being on the face of the earth. And it's also and act of God to get her to clean her room or put up her laundry.

(I feel bad. Like, I just talked crap about my kids. I love those little turds more than anything.)

And since I don't have a husband, I don't need to answer that part of the question. I'm ok with that. :)

{what are your favorite winter family activities?}

I pretty much loathe winter. So the words "favorite" and "winter" in the same sentence just doesn't seem right to me. If I had to choose a favorite winter activity I would say curling up with the girls on a cold night with popocorn and a movie. I just hope it doesn't snow. I do not even pretend to be the kind of mom who enjoys sledding and snowman building. I will do it, but not because I want to. Blah.

{what would you do with $1,000 dollars?}

Right now I would by all the stuff for my house that I want. Curtains, rugs, stuff for the walls, new bedding for me, etc. It would be gone before you could say TJ Max.

{what is your absolute favorite meal?}

Ugh. So hard to decide. I guess I would say some edemame and a plate of sushi...different kinds of rolls. And wine. A close second would be Jason's Deli salad bar. :)

{If you had a do-over what would it be?}

Wow. That'll make ya think. Ummmm...I'm actually gonna say that I'm glad I don't get a do-over. Everything that's happened to me, every choice I've made has lead me to where I am right now. And I am happy with that. Of course, I've made some shitty choices. And some crappy things have happened to me that I wish hadn't, but it's life. You live, you learn and you take notes so you'll do better next time.

Happy weekend!!

My Life is Complete

2012-01-18T12:41:00.006-06:00

US Weekly has just announced that Emily Maynard is the new Bachelorette!!

The level of excitement that I am feeling about this is verging on pathetic.

I love her.

Her clothes. Her voice. Her daughter. Her hair. Her convictions. Her clothes. (I know already said that, but I reeeeeally love her clothes.)

I just can't wait.

No She Didn't

2012-01-17T08:00:00.001-06:00

Gotta love red carpet fashion. I thought that there was no in between when it came to the dresses at the Golden Globes. They were either stunning or tragic. Here's what I think...

{BEST DRESSED}

I can't figure out why, because the dress is not my favorite, but I think Michelle Williams looked stunning. That dress looks amazing on her. I wouldn't choose it, but she pulled it off perfectly.

This was my favorite dress of the night...

Love. This. Dress. Don't know the girl from Adam, but I loooove her dress.

{WORST DRESSED}

Angelina, friend, you look like Cruella DeVille. When you told your baby daddy, Brad, that he was prettier than you on the red carpet, you were right.

What is this mess?? Who wears a short dress to the Golden Globes? No one. That's who. Well, no one and this girl.

Two words came to mind when I saw Kelly Osburn. Holy and shit. In that order.

Am I the only person on the face of the earth that is not impressed with Jessica Biel? Because I'm not. And I'm not impressed with this dress either.

Love the girl. Hate the dress.

I'm really kind of at a loss for words with this one. I'm not sure at what point she looked in the mirror and thought this was ok.

I can't wait to hear what the fashion critics say.

Diet or Depression

2012-01-16T10:14:00.006-06:00

A few people have recently made comments about my weight. I think people assume that because I've dealt with some pretty heavy stuff of late, that I became depressed and didn't eat, resulting in shedding a lot of weight.

Truth is, a while back I got on the scale and weighed, to the exact pound, what I weighed when I was nine months pregnant with Jack. Four years ago. Not okay. So, I started cutting back my portions (still eating what I wanted). I tried to walk/jog a few times a week. I did a lot of crunches. I gave up cokes completely and started drinking unsweet tea for caffine. I refuse to give up beer and wine. So, I continued to drink those...just not as much. I tried really hard to drink a lot of water, but if you know me or have followed my blog for any length of time then you know that the only thing I hate more than shaving my legs is drinking water.

So, anyway. That's it. I am 5'1" and I weighed 132 lbs. It did not look good on me. And it's not about the the weight as much as it is feeling comfortable in your own skin. And I wasn't...so I fixed it.

The picture on the left is me at 132 lbs and the picture on the left is me now.

So, just to clear things up. I do not have a depression induced eating disorder. I wasn't happy with my body so I made the effort to change it. It just happened to coincide with some stressful things occuring in my life. Thank you, sweethearts, for your concern. Perhaps having a meaningful life of one's own would make them care less about the size of my ass. :)

Whole Lotta Nothin'

2012-01-13T09:03:00.009-06:00

Well, I started off the new year by getting bucked off a horse.

I was at my mom's on New Year's Eve. We were drinking beer by a big bonfire when my mom and I decided to go visit her miniature ponies. We hung out with the ponies a while and then decided it would be fun for me to ride her mare bareback. In the dark.

{incase your parents never told you, you tend to make poor decisions under the infulence of alcohol}

So, as soon as my butt hits this horses back she starts bucking like crazy. Once I realized she wasn't calming down anytime soon I kind of rolled off her back to the side so I wouldn't land weird and break a wrist or my tailbone or something. I landed on my stomach, got the wind knocked out of me, hurt my shoulder and pulled a lower abdominal muscle I didn't know was there. While I was still laying on the ground my ~~drunk~~ mother ran over to me and said, "Oh, no! Are you dirty?"

Why yes, Mom. Yes, I am. But, more importantly, I'm NOT DEAD!!

Anyway, I thought it was kind of fitting to end the year that way. Symbolic, if you will. I ended 2011 getting bucked off a horse and I started 2012 by getting up, dusting myself off and laughing.

My mom swears I stayed on eight seconds. :)

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How crazy is it that my cousin, who I am very close to, and my best friend both had twin baby girls within three weeks of each other?

Emma Kate and Lila Grace...

Arianna Jaymes and Kennedy Elizabeth...

These four peanuts have stolen my heart. How darling are they??

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How have I lived thirty two years without discovering Thirty One??

One of my friends got me this make-up bag for Christmas and now I'm obsessed. I want everything.

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Guess who got a phone...

Yes, she's too young. I don't know what I'm thinking. Lex didn't get a phone til she was twelve. But, so far she's handling it really well. She knows she has to turn it off and put it on the kitchen table every night at 8:00 and she does it without being told. I like it because it gives me leverage. "Put up your laundry or you'll lose your phone for a day." "Quit fighting with your sister or you'll lose your phone for a day." ~~"Rub my back or you'll lose your phone for a day."~~ It's a great parenting tool, really. :)

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Look what I ordered for our front door...

I had a razorback added to the zebra heart. I should get it in a couple days and I can't wait.

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Have a blessed weekend, friends. :)

Every New Beginning...

2011-12-30T10:20:00.003-06:00

Comes from some other beginning's end.

I'm not gonna lie. This year has sucked. Not all of it, but a big enough part that when I look back on 2011 I will not recall it fondly.

{"Every day is a new beginning. Treat it that way. Stay away from what might have been and look and what can be."}

Starting in July (when the "thing" I'm not supposed to talk about publicly happened) things have been rough. And they got rougher. (Is rougher a word? Probably not.) And they're not over yet.

{"This is a new year, a new begining and things will change."}

I'm not naive enough to think that 2012 will be flawless, but I hope and pray that it's a year of overcoming, and joy, and peacefullness in my heart. I hope that I'm able to leave some things behind and move forward the best way I know how.

{"Live a life you're proud of and if you need to, have the courage to start all over again."}

I want joy. True joy. Not the kind of joy where something is always in the back of your mind. And I believe I'll have it. I"m ready.

So, here's to new beginnings and happiness and joy and peace. As long as I have these two by my side I know I will be just fine.

Topping the List of Things I Hate...

2011-12-29T11:30:00.004-06:00

Clearly, I don't have a degree in medicine. But, did you know that adults can get ear infections? ~~You did? Ya, most people do. Just not me, apparently.~~ And did you know that they hurt like hell? Oh, yes. Yes, they do.

I went to bed on Tuesday night with absolutely no ailments, whatsoever. By 5:00am I was singin' a different tune. I woke up to the worst pain I have ever had in my life. Well...besides three natural childbirths, but that's a whole other post in itself. I am pretty proud of that though. And no, I'm not an advocate of natural childbrith, unless of course you are ~~an idiot~~ into that kind of thing. I just wasn't lucky enough to be the recipent of an epidural for various reasons. The girls came too fast and with Jack I got one, but it didn't work. Good times.

Anyway. Wow. I got off track.

So, have you ever shoved a q-tip too far down in your ear? Hurts like hell, yes? That's what this felt like. Only it didn't stop. I was crying and I am NOT a baby (See above paragraph). Long story short, I got some antibiotics and some ear drops and started feeling better. Still can't hear a damn thing, but I will take that anyday over having a meat thermometer shoved in my ear canal.

I think next time I come across a voodoo doll I will poke it in the ear. And to think I always went for the ~~penis~~ stomach before. (I've really never seen a voodoo doll in person, but if they work, I think they are a divine idea.)

Here's hoping none of you ever get an ear infection. :)

Tis the Season

2011-12-27T09:03:00.010-06:00

The girls and I had a nice Christmas full of fun, family and lots of gifts we didn't need. We are blessed.

{Christmas Eve Eve} My brother and I went to see a really fun band called Big Smith.

{Christmas Eve} We always go to my Mom's house on Christmas Eve. She makes a yummy dinner, including my personal favorite...homemade twice baked potatoes. Between me and my step-sisters, we have eight kids. So, needless to say it is VERY loud and chaotic!! But, I love it. We have lots of fun.

Then the girls and I came home and settled in for the night. We layed in my bed, drank hot chocolate, watched Diary of a Wimpy Kid and read The Night Before Christmas.

{Christmas Morning} The girls and I woke up, opened presents, had pancackes and watched The Grinch for a little while before we had to get ready to head over to my uncle's house for lunch. I am so bad at taking pictures these days. I didn't take any Christmas morning. Lex took one of all her Hello Kitty loot. The kid is obsessed.

Kelsey cracked me up...of all the things she opened Christmas morning her favorite thing was a Crest Spinbrush that came with stickers so you can decorate it yourself. She immediately got it out and started decorating it. I guess it's good that she is easy to please.

{Christmas Day} We headed over to my uncle's house for a yummy lunch with my dad's side of the family. They had this cajun soup called "Brew" and it was seriously THE best thing I've ever eaten in. my. life. Seriously. Besides the great food, we hung out with family and enjoyed each other's company. Especially this guy...

Our sweet Pappy. Unless there is some miracle, this will be his last Christmas. I sat my him, held his hand and thanked God for that day with him.

Here's a picture of Lexi and her Uncle Caleb...

I've always thought they look alike. Maybe it's because she looks like me and I look like him?? :)

{Christmas Night} I took the girls to Joplin to meet their dad. So, I came home and ~~cried~~ enjoyed a night to myself. Well, me and Mollie.

I hope all of you had a very blessed Christmas. I'm so thankful for my girls, our family and all of our blessings.

Randompalooza

2011-12-08T14:05:00.010-06:00

The other day I put a pot of brown beans in the crockpot before I left for work. I soaked them the night before, added some chopped bacon and turned them on low to cook before I left. I planned on coming home and having a yummy dinner of beans and corn bread. The girls were excited, too. Yummmmmm, right??

Wrong.

Ummmm...I'm not sure what happened. But, let's just say that we had mac n' cheese for dinner instead. That was probably my first and last attempt at cooking a pot of beans.

In other disasterous news...when the girls and I moved out I had to buy a new vacuum. The second time I vacuumed I sucked up my iPhone charger cord. (Not a good idea, by the way.) I turned it off as quickly as I could and promplty removed the cord. When I turned it back on it didn't smell very good and the brushes weren't turning. After some investigation it was discovered that the belt was broken. So, I went to the store and bought a new belt. How hard can it be, right?? HA! The answer to that question is: VERY!! It is very, very hard to put a new belt on a vacuum. But, have no fear...

I am not to be deterred by a challenge! I have actually turned into quite the handy-man lately.

Here's a picture of my absolute most favorite thing in the new house...

How sweet. How true. I love my daughters.

When we moved in this bathroom was plain white and boring.

Peace out blah bathroom! Cute, huh? I'm really looking forward to painting and making our new home our own.

(All these pics were taken on my phone...not the greatest quality, but oh well.)

Here's to new beginnings!!

Kelsey is Still Kelsey

2011-12-06T08:00:00.000-06:00

...And she's still hilarious.

The other morning we were getting ready in my bathroom...

Kels: Oh, wow. I'm having deja vu.
Me: Weird.
Kels: Is deja vu Japanese?
Me: No, it's French.
Kels: Hmmmm...seems Japanese to me.
Me: Why is that?
Kels: Because, you know, Japanese people think they're legends.

I'm still not sure what any of that means or what her basis behind it is. It's just part of being her, I guess.

A couple of weeks ago we were checking out at Wal-Mart when I told Lexi she couldn't have this lip gloss she wanted because she was acting like a turd. We argued about it for a minute and finally I told her enough was enough and to cool it before I took her phone away for having a bad attitude. She then rolled her eyes and sighed. Unbenounced to me the cashier had been observing the whole thing. Kelsey looked at her, smiled and said, "Just ignore her. She's hormonal."

About her name...

Kels: I kind of like my name, but I sort of wish it was Brittany.
Me: Why?? I love your name!
Kels: Because Kelsey rhymes with Smelsey.
Me: Smelsey is not a word.
Kels: Ya, but if it was?? Nothing rhymes with Brittany. It's safer.

I give up.

Greatest Man

2011-12-05T09:34:00.005-06:00

You may remember my precious, hilarious Pappy from this post. He is seriously (and I may be biased) the greatest man alive. Hard wording, funny, caring, loving, full of life...and as of July 18th, battling pancreatic cancer.

They gave him 3 - 6 months to live 4 1/2 months ago. He is decling, but his spirits are high. He knows he doesn't have a lot of time left, but is making the best of it.

And just to tell you the kind of man he is...a few days after his dagnosis I was sitting visiting with him when I asked him if he was scared. His response floored me and I still think about it all the time.

"You know how I look at it, Bethie Jane? When you're in your momma's belly, you're warm and safe and comfortable and happy...it's all you've ever known. So, if someone came along and said 'Hey! You wanna get out of here? I promise that big ol' world outside has a lot to offer!' You'd say, 'Hell no! I like it in here.' But, you don't have a choice. You're born. And what do ya know? It is pretty great afterall. Well, that's the way I feel about dying. I'm happy here. I love this life. I really don't want to go anywhere. But, I don't have a choice. And I'm sure that what's on the other side of heaven is way more amazing than this."

I still can't repeat that story without crying. My amazing, sweet, precious Pappy.

It's That Time of Year Again

2011-12-03T08:00:00.001-06:00

I'm way late this year! I normally have my Christmas cards in the mail by now, but this year...well...I've had a LOT going on. Anyway, I need help deciding which ones to order. I've narrowed them down as much as I can and just can't choose. Help!

Fill in the Blank Friday

2011-12-02T08:00:00.001-06:00

1. The most selfless thing I ever did was...be a mom. Mom's are selfless all day, every day, 365 days a year. It's in the job description. :)

2. When it comes to working out...I'd rather get hit by a bus. Or be fat. I so wish I ~~looked like Gisele in a bathing suit~~ liked working out, but I don't. At all.

3. A woman should always...respect herself. No matter what.

4. I wish I could...fast forward to six months down the road when all this hard stuff is over.

5. A best friend is...someone who loves you no. matter. what.

6. I can't get enough of...summertime. Too bad it's winter. Blah.

7. This weekend I'm...painting the new house and hanging out with my two favorite people in the world.

Five Things

2011-12-01T08:00:00.004-06:00

What better way to get back into blogging than to take part in Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop??

Every week you’re invited to join me in Writer’s Workshop by responding to one of the provided writing prompts posted each Tuesday. The directions are simple:

Choose a writing prompt from the list provided that inspires you most.
Write.
Come back this Thursday and paste the URL from your post into the list of links that will be displayed…this way anyone can click on your post thumbnail and head over to your place to see what you wrote.
To view more detailed instructions on how this weekly meme works, check out the Writer’s Workshop FAQs.

Writing Prompts:
1.) What did you go through in order to get out? “The best way out is always through” (Inspired by Shatterboxx and some dude named Robert Frost)

2.) Five Things. List 5 things we don’t know about you, 5 things you’re knowledgeable about, 5 things you know nothing about, and 5 things you believe. (inspired by LouLou’s Views)

3.) The first of December is upon us! Describe an Advent Calendar or a special way you count down days until Christmas (past or present). (Inspired by Classy Chaos)

4. Kids say the darndest things…describe a time a child’s honesty made you think. (Inspired by Ashley’s Closet)

5.) Tell us the story of how your pet came to be a member of your family. (Inspired by Busy Day Blog)

I chose prompt 2.

Five things you don't know about me:

1. I'm 5'1". I haven't grown since the eighth grade. Not my height, my feet, my boobs...nothing. Except my butt. I'd gladly trade bigger boobs for a smaller butt. Like, who wouldn't?

2. I hate white socks. I'm not sure I own any, matter of fact. Argyle are my favorite.

3. I can't stand to drink red wine unless I'm having a meal with it. Pinot Grigio, on the other hand, I can drink whenever and wherever.

4. I really want another baby.

5. I have a new obsession with yellow and grey together.

Five things I'm knowledgeable about:

1. Airplanes. I know way more than any girl (who's not a pilot) should know. I love airplanes, what can I say?

2. Pre-teen girl attitudes. Unfortuanely, this is something I've learned a lot about lately.

3. Kenny Chesney.

4. Hanging pictures without measuring, leveling, etc. It's a gift. I hang them perfectly every time.

5. Loving two little girls more than anything.

Five things I know nothing about:

1. Desperate Housewives

2. Grey's Anatomy

3. Sex in the City

4. Real Housewives of _________.

5. Or any other show that normal women watch.

Five things I believe:

1. I believe that sometimes moving on is the best thing you can do.

2. I believe that no one can make you feel inferior without your consent. (Thanks, Elanor.)

3. I believe that God has a plan. And He knows what He's doing.

4. I believe that a glass of wine fixes a LOT of things.

5. I believe that my girls are my saving grace.

Makes Me Smile

2011-11-30T15:28:00.004-06:00

Occasionally I take a screen shot of a text conversation that I find particulary amusing or sweet...

{FYI - Caleb is my brother, Morgan is my cousin, Robin is my best guy friend, Alicia is a funny girlfriend of mine, Shannon is one of my besties. Lexi and Mom are pretty self-explanatory.}

Old Comfy Sweatshirt

2011-11-30T09:10:00.002-06:00

You know how your oldest, softest, grey hoodie feels when you put it on? Like WAY better than your cute, new hoodie. Well, that's how I feel about this blog. I don't HAVE to start a new blog just because I'm getting a divorce, right?

I have a tendency to want a clean break. To completely start over in every aspect. But, the fact of the matter is that the last few years of my life existed. I was married to Matt. We were a family. And I don't need to pretend we weren't.

So, I'm moving on, but I'm not moving blogs. I think I'll just stay here in my old, comfy, grey hoodie. :)

New Blog. New Beginning.

2011-11-28T21:31:00.002-06:00

This may come as a shock to a lot of people, but after several years of marriage Matt and I are getting a divorce. I am not going to elaborate other than to say that we had some great moments together over the years. We went through a lot of really hard crap. First and foremost, the death of our son. I am not going to bash him. And I’m not going to defend myself either. Bottom line is…it didn’t work out. I hope that just because I’m not telling my side of what happened and why things ended that people don’t forget that there are two sides to every story. Or even three. Out of respect for his family and the fact that we live in a VERY small town, I will not elaborate. I expect judgement. I’m aware that it will and is already happening. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t care what people think of me, but what can I do? Like I said, there is much (MUCH) more to the story than I am willing to share here. I will just have to be ok with what people think. Right or wrong.

All that being said, I feel like this is the very best move for me and the girls and I feel that we will all three be happier in the long run. We have a new home and are trucking on. I will not pretend that this is easy. It’s not. It’s hard and it sucks. But it’s best and I know that in my heart.

So, here’s to new beginnings…and a new blog.

Follow me and the girls as we start a new adventure. It’s sure to be a wild (and mildly hilarious) ride.

Proud Momma Moment

2011-03-17T12:02:00.003-05:00

I know I just posted about Lexi's competition, BUT I'm not done yet. Lexi's dance teacher sent me this picture of Lexi at the competition taken by a professional photographer. (We weren't allowed to take pictures or video of the kids on stage.) And all I can say is...WOW!!

I am SO proud of this girl!! I love it that she loves dance. She makes me proud.

Shakin' What Her Momma Gave Her

2011-03-14T20:09:00.007-05:00

This past weekend, Lexi and I headed to Oklahoma City for a dance competition with her team, Express Dance Company!

We had so much fun and the girls did sooooogood! I was so proud of Lexi that I cried after her first dance. I tried to dry it up before I got backstage, but she saw me and goes, “Awwww, Mom! Why are you crying??” Normally, she gets really embarrassed when I cry (which is a LOT) but this time she seemed to be flattered that I got so emotional over her dancing.

Here is a picture of Lex with her amazing dance teacher, Miss Patty. Truly a saint.

Here are a couple pictures of our dressing room. Each dance company is assigned a dressing room. You are in a dressing room with several other dance companies and it is MADNESS…

Sheer madness. Never seen so much glitter in all.my. life.

It is quite the experience. Getting Lex ready is no easy feat. It requires full make-up, fake eyelashes, the perfect hair bump and LOTS of glitter. Every girl in each dance has to look exactly the same…down to the earrings and ponytail holder or they could get counted off. The tricky part was changing into the second costume in under thirty minutes…new costume, new hair, new make-up. It’s enough to make a momma need a glass of wine!!

I spent a lot of time just looking around, soaking it all in. Like I said, it was crazy. But, Lex loved it and she really has a natural gift for dancing. I am so proud of her.

Can’t wait til the next one!!

A Memorable Date...Or Lack Thereof

2011-02-17T20:16:00.003-06:00

Today I am taking part in Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop.

The Prompts:

1.) A vacation to remember.
2.) Finding the balance. How do you manage?
3.) Husbands. A post that hopefully will not get you in trouble.
4.) A memorable date.
5.) How’s that New Years Resolution treating you?

I chose #4...

Once upon a time (before I met my husband) my mom decided to set me up with a guy she knew. He was, according to her, a “Greek God”…dark hair, beautiful smile, dark features, successful. What’s not to love, right?

Wrong.

I reluctantly agreed. I had never been on a blind date, but something about a blind date just screamed disaster to me. The thought of being in an awkward situation with a total stranger for an indefinite period of time with whom I potentially have nothing in common just does not sound appealing to me. But, I hadn’t been on a date in a loooong time, so I agreed.

We talked on the phone first and I thought he may have had a faint lisp, which would actually turn out to be the least of my worries. But, anyway, we decided he’d pick me up the next evening and we would go to dinner. I got all fixed up. I think I even bought a new outfit. I spent the afternoon hoping I wouldn’t be a disappointment to this “Greek God” who was about to take me to dinner.

As six o’clock drew near I was going from checking my appearance in the bathroom mirror to peeking out my living room window watching for Prince Charming’s arrival. About 5:55pm a ten year-old, turquoise Ford Escort pulls up in front of my house.

I thought to myself, “Don’t be materialistic. Don’t be materialistic.”

And then he steps out of the car.

He was my height. I’m 5’1”. He was fat. He had a tuft of jet black chest hair sticking out of the top of his shirt that was unbuttoned down to his diaphragm. He had on more than one gold necklace. And a gold nugget pinky ring. And white patent leather loafers. The lisp that seemed “faint” over the phone would undoubtedly have called for speech therapy in elementary school.

I tried to hide my disdain for the situation that was my date for the night. My mom was right about one thing. He did have dark hair. Saying I was pissed at my mother would have been the understatement of the year.

“Well, you ready?” he says as he looks at the door.

I suddenly see my window of opportunity.

“Sure,” I said. “You go ahead. I’ll be right there. I have to use the restroom.”

And then I did the bitchiest thing I’ve ever done in my life. I let the poor bastard sit in his car in front of my house until he was a 110% sure that I wasn’t dealing with a bad case of diarrhea. And then he drove away. Dateless. And I’m sure feeling a level of rejection that few people know.

I called my mom.

Mom: Hey! What are you doing?? Aren’t you going on your date tonight??
Me: No. I am not going on my date tonight. That guy, Mother, was…a disaster.
Mom: Disaster??!! Are you crazy?? He’s a hunk!!

It was then that I realized my mom had the standards of a blind prostitute.

Mom: So, what happened??
Me: I told him I had to pee and he sat in his car for twenty-five minutes and then left.
Mom: OH!! MY!! GOSH!! Bethany, you are such a bitch!!
Me: Mom, I feel like I kind of did the guy a favor.
Mom: A FAVOR?? How??

This is how I see it. If a guy who I had never gone out with before was not interested in me I would rather him ~~let me sit in my car for thirty minutes in his driveway while he watched me out the window praying for me to leave~~ blow me off than I would him say, “Look, I could kill my mother right now. You are NOTHING like what she told me and truth be told I’d rather sit on my couch alone and watch reruns of Forensic Files until I fall asleep than I would get in your turquoise roller skate and pretend I’m enjoying myself for the next three hours and then dodge your phone calls for the next three weeks until you figure out that I’m not interested.”

My mom did not agree and continued to insist that I was the biggest bitch on the planet, never taking responsibility for the fact that she tried to set me up with Danny DeVito. So, I heated up a Lean Cuisine, poured a glass of wine, turned on Forensic Files and never once regretted my decision.

Cabin Fever Questions

2011-02-02T16:47:00.003-06:00

It's FREEZING cold here and there are several inches of snow on the ground. I had the flu last week so I was stuck in the house then, too. So, basically, I haven't left my house enough in the last week to keep anyone sane. I'm about to lose it. I thought blogging might help.

I found this on my girl, Lacey's, blog.

{one} what was your favorite sitcom growing up?

Full House. Hands down. I used to want to be D.J. Tanner so bad I couldn't stand it. If only I could've achieved the height of her glorious bangs. Uncle Jessie wasn't so bad either..."Have Mercy!" :)

{two} what song always makes you happy when you hear it?

"Caught Up In You" by .38 Special was the first song that came to mind. There's just something about it, I guess.

{three} do you still have your wisdom teeth?

Yes. And my tonsils. I'm like a thirty-one year old phenomenon.

{four} what is your go to way to relax?

The winter really screws with my favorite relaxation technique, which is the main reason why I stay continually pissed off from December - February. But anyway, my favorite way to relax is to put my kids to bed (because who can relax with their kids around??) and head to my back deck with a ~~bottle~~ glass of wine or a couple of Bud Light Limes and sit there for hours. There is nothing in the world that relxes me more.

{five} do you play any instruments?

I play a mean air guitar. But seriously, no I do not. I wish I played piano. But, my mom let me quit piano lessons when I was little, which is really out of character for my mom, come to think of it. It must've been because she was sick of hearing me practice "I Dropped My Dolly In the Dirt."

{six} nude beaches: yes or no?

If I can spare anyone the pain of seeing me naked I will gladly do so. You're welcome.

{seven} do you chew your pens/pencils?

I one time caught myself chewing on a pen from the bank drive-thru. I could've puked.

{eight} can you change the oil in your car?

I don't think I could do this to save my own life.

{nine} can you curl your tongue?

I can. But, I can't whistle. Like, what adult can't whistle?? Embarassing.

{ten} can you knit or crochet?

Matt's Granny tried to teach me to crochet when I was on bedrest with Jack. We didn't get very far. I learned how to crochet a "chain" which I am told is the building block for crocheting other things. But, that's as far as I got. Not interested.

How Bethany Got Her Groove Back

2011-01-09T21:06:00.002-06:00

I'm back! I decided to UN-private (is that a word??) my blog. The reason why I decided to make private in the first place is a long story...one that I may or may not tell in the future.

Anyway, I may not have been posting, but I've been reading your blogs. Never fear...there aint no mountain high enough to keep me from reading my favorite blogs!!

I'm glad to be back and I'll be posting soon.

I Must Confess...

2010-11-11T16:30:00.005-06:00

Well, once again I have been absent from the blogging world for a while. But, today I am taking part in Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop. You can always count on Mama Kat to get my wheels turning. Anyway, here's the deal...

Choose a prompt, post it on your blog, and come back to add your name to the link list below. Be sure to sign up with the actual post URL and not just your basic blog URL (click on the title of your post for that URL). For good comment karma try to comment on the three blogs above your name!!

The Prompts:

1.) Describe a moment when you ignored your intuition. What happened.

2.) What are your confessions?(inspired by Usher)

3.) A time when you stuck up for a friend.

4.) Something you wish you hadn’t put off til the last minute.5.) Sarah Silverman once gave an interview where she described her childhood depression as feeling homesick while at home. How would you describe it?

I chose prompt #2...

"These are my confessions..."

I love being a mom and ~~almost~~ all that that entails, but I HATE packing school lunches with an ever lovin’ passion!! I don’t know what it is. Am I missing some maternal chip? I don’t know. But, I can’t help it. I hate packing lunches. Like, I’d rather roll my ankle.

There was a time when I went three weeks without shaving my legs. And if my husband hadn’t started making remarks about it I probably would’ve gone four. In addition to packing lunches, I also hate shaving my legs.

I have a slight obsession with cardigans. I sort-of knew this all along, but we recently moved into a house with a much bigger closet so I get to have all my clothes organized by sections. (I guess another confession could be that I have borderline OCD when it comes to organization.) So anyway, as I was organizing my closet the cardigan section kept growing…and growing…and growing. I didn’t realize I had so many until I put them all in the same place. It’s sort of a problem.

I also have an obsession with Toms and nail polish and iTunes and Sharpie pens and Philosophy lip gloss and sugar-free Red Bull and maybe different kinds of fabric softener.

I know I should, but I don’t drink water. I know it’s like, a really big deal, but I hate water. Only if I’m extremely ~~hung-over~~ thirsty do I ever drink water. Sometimes days go by and I realize I haven’t had a sip of water. I drink red wine…so, I figure since it’s good for my heart then it’s pretty much the same thing. Right?

I don’t like to exercise. At this point in my life, I’d rather be a little chubby than physically exhaust myself on a daily basis. I keep telling myself that I’m going to start working out, that I have an elliptical in my bedroom that is just waiting for me to utilize, that if I had a walking partner I would walk everyday after work…but it’s all lies. I’m not going to work out. Ever. So, between that and my disdain for water I’m about as healthy as Roseanne Barr.

The other day, Kelsey came to me crying about a little girl that has been bullying her on the playground. I offered her advice on several mature ways to deal with the situation. Ignore her, walk away from her, tell on her, ask her to stop, etc. Apparently, she had tried all these tactics and was still being bullied. So, I did what any ~~redneck~~ parent would do…I told her to whip her ass. I sort of feel like after you’ve tried to be the bigger person and it’s not working, there’s nothing left to do. Right? Ok, maybe not. But, that’s why it’s a confession.

I have a new crush on Jason Aldean. Shhhhh...don't tell ~~Kenny~~ Matt! It's not his looks that are attractive to me...it's his voice and his attitude. He's so chilled out and laid back. And once I heard him sing Heaven by Bryan Adams I was sold to the cowboy in the second row. (You should listen to it...you will love it!!)

I also have a crush on Miranda Lambert and her fiance...but, that's a whole other post.

My Baby Girl In Boots

2010-10-08T09:46:00.003-05:00

I've been terrible about documenting the girls' lives on my blog. I love being able to look back at past blog posts and see how much they've grown, funny stuff they've said, etc.

So, anyway. Here are some pictures of my Lexi-girl at the County Fair this year with her show cattle. She's so cute in her cowgirl clothes and she truly is good at what she does. I'm proud of her.

You Know You Wanna Live In the Country

2010-10-06T15:41:00.006-05:00

First things first. Here are some precious pictures of my precious family.

We had them done last weekend and these are the only two we've seen so far, but I love them so much!! FYI: The little, red football was Jack's. He had it with him his whole life. :)

------------------------------------------------------------

And in other news...

I need you to buy our house. You see, we made the best financial decision of all time and bought a new house before we sold the one with live in now. Great idea, right?

Anyway, long story short, our house is for sale. Maybe (just MAYBE) you or someone you know is looking for a cute, little house in the sticks of Madison County, AR. Then again, maybe not. But, it's worth a shot.

Here are a few pictures of our house...

And here's the 411 about it: 1,600 sq. feet, built in 2007, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, ceramic tile, granite counter-tops, Frigidare appliances, ceiling fans in all bedrooms and living room, custom blinds, 2 car garage, deck, walk-in closets in all the bedrooms, jacuzzi tub and shower in master bedroom, shop built in 2009 + 3 acres

Sooooo...if you're interested, drop me a line. If not, well you can still drop me a line if you wanna chat. :)

Coming Soon to a Bookshelf Near You

2010-09-22T10:03:00.002-05:00

Last weekend my little fam and I (Minus Lexi…she had a dance team workshop, if you care.) went to an out of town wedding. While Kelsey was snoring in the backseat and Matt was cussing out our GPS (We refer to our GPS as JoJo because Kelsey thinks she sounds like Super Nanny, if you care.) I was entertaining myself with my favorite trashy magazine, Cosmo. I love that magazine. I can’t help it. And it didn’t hurt that it had Lauren Conrad on the cover. I ~~want to date~~ love her!!

Anyway, there was an article about this guy named Justin Halpern, who has written a book called Sh*t My Dad Says about funny stuff his dad has said throughout his life. It had several quotes from the book and they were stinkin’ hilarious.

I was laughing out loud. Much like I was laughing out loud reading Chelsea, Chelsea, Bang, Bang on the way to Florida. Matt would yell at me every time I would have an outburst of laughter because, according to him, it would startle him and could possibly cause him to wreck. I mean, I know my laugh is ~~obnoxious~~ louder than most, but gosh, who doesn’t like to hear their loved ones laughter?? My husband, that’s who. He’d rather drive around listening to ESPN radio, ignoring me and occasionally calling Jojo a whore.

Anyway, I’ve gotten off track. My point is, this guy’s dad reminds me of my Granddad. I totally had a “Why didn’t I think of that?” moment. I could’ve have been rich and famous. I could have ~~bought an unlimited supply of Bud Light Lime~~ been set for life. Oh well. No such luck.

Here are some funny things my Granddad has said over the last few years…

“You make me proud, Bethie Jane. For a while there, I was afraid you were gonna be a real screw up, but you’re not and I’m proud of ya.”

“When Grandma and I were your age we couldn’t have given two bits to watch a piss ant eat a bale of hay.”

“I hope to hell that’s not a tattoo. That shit’s not gonna come off, you know.”

“Obama’s a bloomin’ idiot. I can’t see how anyone with half a brain could have voted for that ignorant S.O.B. You didn’t vote for him, did ya? Nevermind. I don’t wanna know if you did. It would change my opinion of you.”

“Your Grandma and I have been married so long at this point that we might as well stay together. Besides she’s a really good cook and I have no idea what pills I take.”

“You’ve done a really good job with your girls, Bethie Jane. They’re really good girls. When your cousin brings her hell raisin’ brat over here I go find somethin’ else to do. I can’t stand that kid.”

“I’m old, stove up, pissed off and tired, but it’s a hell of a lot better than the alternative.”

You get my point. The man’s hilarious. Most definitely a bright spot in my life. I’m thinking of writing a book called “Sh*t My Granddad says” and then suing Justin Halpern on the grounds that I thought of the idea first.

How NOT to talk to your kids about sex.

2010-09-16T10:18:00.007-05:00

I'm taking part in Mama Kat's Thursday gig. Head on over and join in.

I chose to write about a really awkward conversation that I have recently had. I can't think of anything more awkward than this...

There comes a time in every parent’s life where you must talk to your kids about the “birds and the bees.” As most of you know, I have two girls. Lexi is eleven and I was recently feeling like it was time for “the talk.”

One Sunday evening the girls and I were laying in my bed watching Life (super-cool series on Discovery Channel documenting nature, animals, birds, sea life, etc.) when it’s showed two rhinos mating.

Kelsey: WHAT are they doing??
Me: They’re mating. That’s how animals get pregnant.

Silence. Wheels turning.

Kelsey: Oh. But, how? HOW do they get pregnant?
Me: Well, the male puts his penis in the females vagina and…
Lexi: I’m leaving! This is DISGUSTING!!

Now, remember, this conversation wasn’t geared toward my nosey, over-analytical eight year old in the first place. I wanted Lexi to be the educated one. All of the sudden she’s trying leave. This was NOT going as planned.

Me: Lex, don’t go. It’s important that you learn about this stuff.

She stays (reluctantly), but only if I promise not to use the word penis in her presence again.

Me: So, anyway…the male produces something called sperm, which meets an egg inside the female and it makes a baby.
Kelsey: Does Daddy do that to you when you mate?
Me: Does Daddy do what to me, honey?
Kelsey: Do you give him a piggy-back ride?

~~Only once and it did not go well.~~

Me: No, Kels. I don’t give Dad a piggy-back ride.
Kels: So, how DO you do it?

By now, Lex is reading a book. Not even paying attention. This conversation has achieved NOTHING except for scare Lexi to death, provoke inappropriate thoughts in my eight year old and embarrass the hell out of me.

Me: Kels, honey. It’s complicated and it’s something that we can talk more about when you’re older. I think we’ve talked about it enough for tonight.
Lex: Thank, God.

We go back to watching the show. By this point the rhinos are done with their hanky panky and it’s moved on the mating rituals of Dart Frogs, which (Thank, God!) does not involve a penis or a vagina. After a few minutes of welcomed silence Kelsey says, “Ewwww. You’ve mated three times.”

Lex left the room without saying a word while I chugged the remainder of my glass of wine.

Later that night I was telling my husband about the debacle that ensued earlier in the evening, when he said, “Nobody talked to me about sex. I figured out what to do by watching Cinemax at Charlie’s”

What to DO?? WHAT TO DO?? My wreck of an attempt at Sex Ed. was hardly intended to teach my kids how to give a killer hand job!! Gee, maybe if I let our children watch soft porn I won’t have to explain a thing. Great idea, babe. Why didn’t I think of that??

Between Lexi’s modesty, Kelsey's over-inquisitive nature and Matt’s complete ignorance of the situation…I’m screwed. No pun intended.

Life is Short, But Sweet for Certain

2010-08-12T15:11:00.003-05:00

I know I've posted once today, but when I heard this news I had to post again...

One of my VERY favorite blog friends passed away. I never met her in person, but her personality just instantly drew you in. Such a fun, caring, sweet spirited lady. Just breaks my heart.

This is just proof that life is short and you never know what tomorrow holds. So, live life to the fullest. That's what she did.

Rest in peace, Lisa. I know heaven has a special swing just for you.

Baby Blue

2010-08-12T08:00:00.000-05:00

Today I am taking part in Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop.

Writing prompt directions: You can learn more about Writer’s Workshop here….it’s never too late to jump in!! Here is what you must do:

-Choose a prompt that inspires you most.
-Write.
-Come back this Thursday and paste the URL from your actual post (do this by clicking the title of your post after you hit publish, an extended URL will come up in the address bar. That’s the URL you want to use) into the Mister Linky that will be up…this way anyone can click on your name and head over to your place to see what you wrote.
Feel free to write on more than one prompt if you so desire. I do it all the time, but it’s my game…and I don’t know how to shut-up…so it should be expected. And remember the more comment love you give, the more comment love you get so comment comment away.

The Prompts:
1.) Lou Holtz (don’t ask me who that is) once said, “life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you respond to it.” Do you believe this? Describe a time when you feel like you could have responded a different way and produced a different outcome.
2.) I miss the friend you used to be. (The Myth Of You And Me)
3.) The most unbelievable blue eyes you’ve ever seen…
4.) The craziest reason I ever got in trouble as a child.(inspired by Audreya…
5.) What would you ask forgiveness for?

I chose prompt # 3. I decided to copy and paste a journal entry about the day Jack went to heaven. Usually when I do Writer's Workshop the posts are really lighthearted, but when I saw the prompt about beautiful blue eyes I knew I had to share this...

Sunday - August 26, 2007

Things were so crazy last week, but I've had something I wanted to share and did not have the time to do it...or maybe I wasn't ready, but either way, here it is.I know that alot of people had been praying for a miracle. A miracle being that Jack would heal and we would leave ACH with the baby we loved so much. Ofcourse this is what we all wanted and it would have been a miracle. In the end, we didn't get that miracle, but we got one indeed.

The day that Jack passed away Matt and I had met with the doctor and told him of our decision to remove life support. After that we went into Jack's room. (Remember that we had been told that Jack had brain damage so severe that he would never recognize us. Three different doctors assured us of that.) We were standing on each side of his bed telling him we loved him, telling him we were sorry, telling him that it would all be okay. I leaned down and kissed him on the forehead and he opened his eyes. Not one eye, but both eyes. He looked at me and then at Matt. He shifted his eyes back and forth from me to him and back again. His eyes were open for several minutes...atleast five. He focused on each one of us, unlike ever before. After a few minutes he closed his eyes again.

That would be the last time we saw those pretty blue eyes, but my point is this...we know those doctors were right. We believe that he had severe brain damage or we would not have made the decision that we made, but he recognized us that day. He looked at both of us as if he knew we were his parents...he knew we loved him. We witnessed a miracle that day. I believe God gave us that gift. He allowed, if even for just a few minutes, for Jack to look at us. I truly belive that with all my heart and so does Matt. The first few days after he died I just kept saying to Matt, "I'm just so thankful that he got to open his eyes and see us. That was so awesome. I think he recognized us. Do you?" And he told me that he felt the same way.

There might not be a doctor in the world that would believe us, but I know it. We might not have gotten the miracle we were praying for, but we got one. And I will be thankful for those few minutes until the day that I die. He had never opened his eyes for that long and he had never looked around like that and focused...never one time until that day. Just wanted to share that with you. I hope you're all doing well. We have had another busy weekend, but it's been fun. We took the girls to the cemetery this afternoon. They were sweet. They stood there and told their little brother that they love him and I know they do. They always will...just like the rest of us. Have a great week! We love you and are so thankful for you and all that you've done and all that you are.

Love, Matt, Beth, Lex, Kels and our angel, Jack

Pretty heavy stuff, I know. But, those were, by far, the most beautiful blue eyes I have ever seen.

We Drove Until the Map Turned Blue

2010-08-11T09:49:00.005-05:00

Once again, I have neglected my blog. I love this blog...I really do. I just don't make time for it these days. I went back and read some posts from last year and I loved reading about what was going on and the funny things the girls were saying and doing. I need to do better.

Anyway, lots has been going on since last time I posted...

First of all, we went to the beach. No kids. It was so nice. We missed the girls, but...

As you can see, we had a great time doing absolutely NOTHING!!

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Here's a picture I took of the girls last sunday before church...

They are getting SO big!!

Lex is starting MIDDLE SCHOOL!! I cannot believe it. She is growing up so fast. And I'm guessing she is starting to "develop" (if you will) if her dead bolting the bathroom door everytime she's in the shower is any indication. She is so modest! Don't know where she gets THAT!

Other than needing a training bra and deodorant, she is dancing a BUNCH and getting her show calves ready for the County Fair. She is, seriously, the busiest kid I know. She goes non-stop, but she loves it and so does Matt. Which is a good thing, because Kelsey and I much prefer our downtime.

Speaking of Kels, she is funny as ever. The other night she referred to me as a midget, (I'm only 5'1") but then followed it up by saying, "At least you can ride rides at theme parks." Well, at least I have that going for me.

She also said to me last night, as she laid beside me rubbing my cheek, "Daddy's a lucky man." I swear, you never know what she's gonna say and 95% of the time it's hilarious!

Life is good with The Gillham Family.

Sometimes I Wonder...

2010-07-06T10:35:00.007-05:00

...who you'd be today.

My sweet Jack was born three years ago today. I can't imagine what life would be like with a little, three year-old boy running around. And today, on his third birthday, I can't help but wonder who he would be if he were here...would he still look JUST like his Daddy, would he have blonde hair, would he have been a Momma's boy, would he love getting into his big sisters' stuff, what would he like to play with...the list goes on and on.

Needless to say, today is a tough one for our family...as we remember our sweet boy on his birthday.

Happy Birthday, Buddy! You are SO loved and SO very missed!!

Any Man of Mine...

2010-06-24T13:53:00.003-05:00

Today I am taking part in Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop.

You know the drill...

• Choose a prompt that inspires you most.
• Write.
• Come back this Thursday and paste the URL from your actual post (do this by clicking the title of your post after you hit publish, an extended URL will come up in the address bar. That’s the URL you want to use) into the Mister Linky that will be up…this way anyone can click on your name and head over to your place to see what you wrote.

The Prompts:
1.) The Love List. Write a list of 50 things you look for in a man.
2.) Write a poem about a picture.
3.) What does your child do that reminds you most of yourself? How does it make you feel?
4.) Write a letter to whatever is stopping you from losing the extra weight you’d like to lose.
5.) What summer means to your family.

I chose prompt # 1…50 things I look for in a man.

I almost chose # 3, but I really don’t want to face the music. Every. single. thing. that Lexi does that drives me crazy she got from yours truly. Of course, I see a lot of good things that she’s gotten from me, too…like her super long legs and killer tan. Oh wait…never mind.

On with the show. I’m going to be bluntly honest…and maybe slightly petty, but hey! At least I’m honest.

1. Sense of humor. I could never be with a man that didn’t make me laugh.
2. Music lover. No, he doesn’t have to play the tuba, but it would be nice if he appreciated the Rolling Stones.
3. Must have a little meat on his bones. I do NOT like skinny men. I don’t really want a fat one either, but there’s just something about a skinny man that is a big turn off to me.
4. I like pretty feet.
5. Must be financially responsible. I am NOT, so I need a man who is. (Lucky for me, my husband is not above dumpster diving to save a few bucks. At the rate we’re saving money, we should be able to retire by the time we’re 41.)
6. I like a guy who will hold your hand in public.
7. Must love kids.
8. And dogs.
9. And hate cats.
10. Must be a good designated driver…because if my girlfriends and I go out for a drink, we will likely need a ride home.
11. Must not have any bad habits...like smoking or gambling or illegal drug use. Hey, a girl’s gotta have standards.
12. Must not eat meat on a bone in my presence…or preferably, not at all.
13. Must love vacations to the beach.
14. And giving me back rubs.
15. Fun loving.
16. Honest.
17. Faithful…I’ve had a man who couldn’t keep it in his pants before. Trust me, it really takes its toll on a relationship.
18. Must be sweet…this is a broad one, but even though my husband can be a GINORMOUS turd, he has a very sweet spirit. You can spot a sweet spirit very early on and they’re few a far between.
19. Must allow me to swoon over Kenny Chesney and continue to plan my wedding to him without being offended. Hey, Kenny was here first!!
20. Christian. There is nothing sweeter than a Christian man who loves the Lord.
21. Must have pretty teeth.
22. And good breath.
23. Must be close to his parents and grandparents…although, I have found that there is a fine line between being “close” to your momma and being a titty baby. NOT a big fan of titty babies.
24. Must have a nice car. Hey, I’m just being honest! I actually have a funny story about being picked up for a date by a guy in a mint-green Ford Escort, but that’s a whole other post in itself!
25. Must be willing to give me my space without getting their feelings hurt. It took Matt a while to believe that I actually liked him because I just really like my space. He thought I was playing hard to get. I wasn’t. I just didn’t want him to come over because I wanted to eat a Lean Cuisine for dinner and watch Forensic File re-runs. Alone.
26. Must like to camp and fish and hike and ride four-wheelers and float rivers…all that dirty, manly stuff.
27. Must have never (in his whole entire life) had a manicure or a pedicure. Metro sexual men make me wanna run. Men should be…well…manly.
28. Must love sports. Ever tried to date a guy that doesn’t like sports?? I just can’t do it.
29. Must be kind to strangers.
30. Must own tools and know how to use them. I dated a guy once that didn’t own ONE tool. I had more tools than he did. Not cool.
31. Must be willing go shopping with me…without complaining.
32. Must love airplanes. Sound strange? Too bad. I love aviation and I want a man who will sit in the hot sun with me all day at an air show waiting to see the Blue Angels fly for 10 minutes and be just as thrilled about it as I am.
33. Must think my dad, my grandma and my little brother are just as cool as I think they are.
34. Must get a long with my friends. I dated a guy once (the same one that didn’t own any tools…should have known) that did not like my friends and they did not like him. It was a loooong nine months. He was also REALLY hairy! Did I mention I was on the rebound??
35. Must think I’m cute…and smart…and funny.
36. Must be willing to drive. All the time. I hate driving and I get lost all the time.
37. I like a man who can go with the flow.
38. I could never date a man who ordered a fruity drink at a bar. A man ordering a glass of wine is pushing it, in my opinion.
39. Must be tidy. Long story short…I’m slightly OCD about cleanliness. I could not be with a messy man.
40. Must not wear jewelry. Period. Besides a wedding ring. Of course, that would be after he married ME. I don’t go looking for men wearing wedding rings…just to clarify. But really, a man wearing a necklace? Gag. Or a pinky ring?? Ever seen one of those?? No sir.
41. Must not be lazy. Lazy people, in general, really get on my nerves.
42. Must give me butterflies…in the beginning…and even years down the road.
43. Must have his own hobbies and his own friends. I don’t think it’s good for couples to do everything together all the time.
44. Must trust me as much as I trust him.
45. Must be okay with calling two hot dogs, one cold beer and a baseball game a date.
46. Must have the same core beliefs as me.
47. Must think Lexi and Kelsey hung the moon. Matt totally thought they hung the moon the first time he met them…which made me think he hung the moon even more.
48. Must be willing to dance with me. Anywhere. A wedding reception…the kitchen…wherever.
49. Must make a big deal of my birthday. Of course, I will make a big deal of his, too. But, certain people just don’t think birthdays are a big deal. I think they are a HUGE deal!! (My husband would like to thank my parents for going overboard on my birthday every year of my life so that now if he doesn’t I am extremely let down…and pissed off.)
50. Must make me feel “that” way. You know, the feeling when you can’t wait to see him and when you do see him you don’t want him to leave. The feeling that you want to look pretty and smell good and shave your legs (If you know me, you know that WANTING to shave my legs for someone is H-U-G-E!!) when you know he’s coming over. It’s the feeling when your head fits perfectly on his chest when you’re laying there watching a movie. It’s the “when you know, you know” feeling. And although, I don’t always try to look pretty for him anymore and Lord knows I don’t shave my legs very often, he still gives me “that” feeling. I still look forward to seeing him everyday.

Blowing $300 at Target Would Have Been WAY More Fun!!

2010-06-17T16:28:00.005-05:00

My little girl reached a big milestone this week. She headed to her first summer camp.

We were all so excited for her to go! We knew we would miss each other, but she couldn't wait to get there and make friends and do all kinds of fun stuff. Plus, it was only for five days.

On Sunday, my MIL and I made the 4 hour trip to drop her off. It is the coolest place!! It really surpassed my expectations and I felt ~~halfway decent~~ great about leaving her there. So, we got her settled in, watched her pass her swimming test, talked to the nurse about her asthma medicine and then told her goodbye. When I left her she was rushing back down to the water with a big smile on her face.

So, she’s having the time of her life, right?

Wrong.

They have a phone at camp that is to be used for emergencies only, so while I was REALLY missing her and seriously considered calling, I was not going to be “that” mom, so I fought the urge. ~~Ok, my husband made me pinky swear that I wouldn’t and told me that if I did Lexi would be ridiculed for the rest of the week for being a wuss.~~ Turns out, I didn’t have to call Lexi…she called me.

I was at work on Tuesday afternoon when the frantic call came in. I spent the first 30 seconds of our conversation thinking she had been bitten by a poisonous snake. She was wailing. I couldn’t understand a word she was saying. When I finally got her to calm down I was able to make out a few things like, “PLEASE come get me, Momma! PLEASE!!” and “The ONLY thing that will make me feel better is if I get to hug you!!” and “Mom, I’m miserable!! All I can do is think of you!!”

Oh, dear. I thought she might be homesick, but that was BAD.

So, the camp counselor and I talked and decided that I would call back at 9:30 that night and we would see how she was doing. She insinuated that if she wasn’t better that I come get her the next day…

Camp Lady: So, how far away are you?

Me: Four hours.

Camp Lady: Wow. Well, we really want the kids to be happy and enjoy their time here.

Me: Well, I want her to be happy to, but at the same time, life isn’t always roses. Sometimes things are hard and Momma can’t always fix it. She’ll be fine. She’s being well taken care of and if she makes up her mind to, she can have an amazing week. I’ll call her at 9:30 tonight.

Then I hung up and cried. I really miss my girl and I hate it that she’s sad, but I just can’t go rushing every time she has a hard day. What would I be teaching her if I did?

Anyway, we talked again at 9:30 that night and she was much better. I called her again at 9:30 last night and she was back in just-got-bitten-by-a-poisonous-snake mode. I’m at a loss. I’m not going to get her early. Camp ends at 10:30 Friday morning. Surely, she can make it ONE more day…even though she’s sure she won’t live another 24 hours if she doesn’t get to see me. Bless her heart.

Needless to say, we won’t be doing this again. Basically, we paid $300 for Lexi to have the worst week of her life four hours away from home, while I sit around and worry myself sick. Good times.

Soundtrack of My Life

2010-06-10T10:45:00.005-05:00

Good news, friends. I'm not dead.

Today I am taking part in Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop.

You know the rules!

Choose a prompt, post it on your blog, and come back and sign Mr. Linky. Be sure to sign up with the actual post URL and not just your basic blog URL (click on the title of your post for that URL). For good comment karma try to comment on the three blogs above your name!!

The Prompts:

1.) Soundtrack of your life: Pick 10 songs that you would have on a soundtrack for your life, pick a line from each that you most identify with and write a short statement of why this song made it.
2.) Before I was a mom…
3.) What would it take? Write an imaginary scene where someone you are still angry with finally deserves to be forgiven.
4.) 30 things you vow to do this summer.
5.) The ultimate honey-do list. If your spouse agreed to do any ten things you asked, what would they be?

I chose prompt # 1. Here's the soundtrack to my life...

1. Save A Place For Me by Matthew West

“I have asked the question why, but I guess the answer’s for another time. So instead I’ll pray with every tear and be thankful for the time I held you here. Save a place for me. I’ll be there soon.”

I love this song for obvious reasons. It makes me think of my sweet, little Jack and how I know he’s waiting for me in heaven. What a sweet day that will be!

2. In My Daughter’s Eyes by Martina McBride

“But, the truth is plain to see. She was sent to rescue me. I find reason to believe in my daughter’s eyes.”

Every time this song comes on Lex looks at me and says, “Don’t cry, Mom.” That line of this song perfectly describes Lexi coming into my life. I was young and dumb and selfish and she saved me from my immature self. Love my girl.

3. Feet Don’t Touch The Ground by Stoney LaRue

“If you’d have told me a few years back that I’d be livin’ here in this place I’m at I’d say you’re livin’ in a dream, but I’ll be here forever. We got moonlight, all night. Lord I pray on the next star I see tonight we never lose this thing we found. With you by my side I can do without the city life. I fly so high when you’re around that my feet don’t touch the ground.”

When I met Matt I didn’t even know where the town was that he grew up in. Now, I live in it and I love it. Can’t imagine ever leaving. There’s a lot to be said for living in a small town in the country with the man you love.

4. Livin’ On A Prayer by Bon Jovi

“We gotta hold on to what we got. It doesn’t make a difference if we make it or not. We’ve got each other and that’s a lot.”

This song was our motto when Jack was in the hospital. Matt and I were tired and stressed and literally "livin’ on a prayer" but we had each other and that was always enough.

5. The Hard Way by Mary Chapin-Carpenter

“We’ve got two lives. One we’re given and the other one we make.”

This is my ALL TIME favorite quote. So true.

6. People Are Crazy by Billy Currington

“God is great. Beer is good. And people are crazy.”

I mean, like, how true is THAT?? Couldn’t have said it better myself.

7. What I’m For by Pat Green

“You don’t have to guess what I’m against if you know what I’m for.”

If you know me, you know that I am pretty opinionated. I will always stand up for what I believe….even if I’m standing alone.

8. Three Little Birds by Bob Marley

“Don’t worry about a thing. Cause every little thing is gonna be alright.”

One time my husband and I were at the bookstore when I pointed out the book “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” to him and told him he needed to read it. He said, “Ya, this coming from the person who doesn’t even sweat the big stuff.” I’ve found that stressing about things really doesn’t help much, so what’s the point? I get tired. I get in bad moods. But, rarely do I worry about much.

9. Alcohol by Brad Paisely

“You had some of the best times you’ll never remember with me, alcohol.”

This may seem like a sad choice to some, but I tell ya what. It’s true. When I look back on some of the absolute best, most fun times of my life I can hardly remember them. The nights out with my best girlfriends, dancing like nobody’s watching, singing at the top of my lungs at a Kenny concert, making a complete fool of myself and not caring one bit who saw…those were great times. I’m not gonna lie.

10. Aint Back Yet by Kenny Chesney

"The laughs, the smiles, the trials the tears. It's hard to hate what got me here."

Because what list of mine would be complete without a song by my man? :) And it's so true to boot...I have been through a lot of ups and downs, but all of it got me where I am today and if that's what I had to go through to get here then by all means, it was worth it!

Stuck With You

2010-05-11T15:39:00.005-05:00

This past weekend Kelsey and I were folding laundry (Actually, I was folding laundry. She was griping about not wanting to fold laundry.) with my iPod docked in the stereo set on "shuffle" mode. Stuck With You by Huey Lewis came on and Kels ran over and cranked up the volume.

She sang along with, "Yes, it's true. I'm happy to be to stuck with you." as she pointed at me and smiled. She thought about it for a minute and said, "Because, literally, I AM stuck with you."

I said, "Yep, you sure are, sister."

Then, she smiled and said, "I am happy to be stuck with you. I love you."

She's too funny! :)

Is This Thing On??

2010-05-05T15:26:00.008-05:00

Anyone listening?? Anyone even bother reading my blog anymore??

Well, just incase...let me explain myself.

I see that it has now been OVER a month since I updated my blog. It might seem as if I'm a slacker, but the truth is, if she's not doing this...

Then she is doing this...

Seriously. Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and sometimes Fridays we are either practicing or playing softball. I say "we" because Matt and I are coaching her team. Well, he is coaching. I attempt to keep them in their batting order in the dugout, while occasionally refereeing a scuffle and trying to make sure at least half of them know where their gloves are, but anyway. Like I was saying, we play A LOT of softball. I do love it, though. I really, really do.

On Tuesdays Lexi has dance. Of course, she also has a sporadic rehearsal thrown in on a weeknight or Saturday morning. Sprinkle in a few evenings a week of working with her show cattle and long story short, it leads to a lot of this...

I really do love this time of year. I love watching my girls do things they love to do. I love coaching softball with my husband. I just love my family. And that's a good thing because lately they have kept me VERY busy!! :)

Here's a few cute, recent pictures of our fam...

I'll try to be better about updating, but you know how that goes. I'm the Queen of
Empty Promises when it comes to this blog. :)

I Drink Too Much

2010-04-02T08:00:00.001-05:00

Ok,so maybe that's not entirely true, but I have partied like a rock star the last two weekends. And miraculously enough I ~~barely~~ lived to tell about it.

The weekend before last some of our good friends got married so being the responsible adults that we are, we decided to get a room so we could ~~get totally shit faced~~ have a few drinks and not drive home.

The girls went with us to the wedding, but they went home early with Matt's parents. You can tell by the pictures when they left.

And they're gone...

And yes, if you're wondering, I did ~~contemplate suicide~~ feel like crap the next day.

But I had a whole week to rest up and since this past Sunday was my birthday my husband planned a get together with some of our family and closest friends last Saturday night. We started at a Mexican restaurant...that gives complementary birthday tequila shots, btw.

But, we didn't stop there. Oh, no. Only ~~responsible adults~~ wussies would go home before midnight. So, we headed to the piano bar.

And no, I'm not 25. That's how many years we've been friends.

Did I mention we're not huge Texas Longhorn fans??

Oh, dear. I think we headed home shortly after that. Thank goodness.

I had a great time the past couple weekends, but I'm definitely not what I used to be. I think it'll be a while before I do that again.

I'm sure my liver would appreciate it.

And So it Begins...

2010-04-01T08:00:00.001-05:00

As of March 23rd I became the mother of a tween.

She's 11 and she's packin' a mean attitude.

I'm not sure how I will make it through the next eight years without ~~committing homicide~~ pulling my hair out.

But, she really can be sweet. And overall she's a good girl. She just can't help it...she's a tween.

So, for her birthday I took the day off of work and took her and her "bestie" to lunch and a movie.

Then that evening we had a family get together at a local restaurant with cake and gifts.

She was a little ~~pissed off~~ upset that she didn't get an iPod Touch, but are you kidding me?? What is the world coming to?? Kids don't need that crap. Get a boom box and some D batteries. I survived.

So, she settled for some new sheets, a bathing suit, some clothes,a sewing machine, a movie, a necklace and some matching pajamas for her and her American Girl doll.

See she's not ALL grown up yet! :)

We're having her birthday party with her friends in a couple of weeks. She originally wanted to be transported around town in a limo from a nail salon to a restaurant to Build-A-Bear and then back to a hotel suite to spend the night with five of her closest friends. I quickly reminded her that she was not Miley Cyrus, so she settled on a sleepover at home with pizza, cake and a chick flick with her five besties.

Perhaps the only thing scarier than one tween is SIX tweens!!

Raising Awareness

2010-03-31T08:00:00.000-05:00

Today is Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) Awareness Day.

CDH is as common as Spina Bifida, yet no one's ever really heard of it. I hadn't. That's is, until we were told when I was 20 weeks pregnant that this little lover would be born with it.

CDH ulitimatley took his life. So, raising awareness is SUPER important to our family! Awareness = research. Research = less babies who will die from this terrible birth defect.

Please join me today in raising CDH Awareness. Here's a link you can visit to learn more about CDH.

Tell your friends, your husband, your co-workers...anyone who will listen. We've got babies to save!!

A Funny Girl and a Not-So-Smart Man

2010-03-30T13:47:00.009-05:00

I guess my youngest daughter’s best quality would be that even if she drives me crazy she always makes me laugh.

A few days ago I went in her room to find her dancing to Eye of the Tiger when she had been told to clean. I said, “Kelsey! I told you to clean this room. Put up your laundry. Pick up your toys. Make your bed!”

Her response? “Geez, Mom, I can only do one thing at a time. I’m not an octopus!”

Then the other night she was sitting on the couch (in my lap, of course) staring at me lovingly, rubbing my cheeks. She looked at me and said, “Momma, everything about you is perfect…well, except for some of your anger issues.”

Yesterday afternoon I had asked Lex to clean her room. She said she did, but when I went in to check it out it was NOT clean. I told her to really clean it and I’d be back in a little while to see the progress. A few minutes later Lex came out and told me that she had really cleaned it this time. So, I said, “Hey, Kels, go look at Sister’s room and tell me if it’s clean.” She said, “Why me?? I’m not Judge Joe Brown.”

I swear. This kid always keeps us laughing. She is definitely our family’s ray of sunshine.

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And on another note…

It’s not a secret (or maybe it is) that I am not a huge Obama fan. I’m also not a Republican, necessarily, but I just don’t like the guy. Didn’t vote for him. I won’t go into why, but let’s just say that I’m not one bit surprised that our country is even more in the crapper than it was when George W. was President. And who even thought that was possible???

I’ve been told that you aren’t supposed to discuss politics or religion, but this is my blog and I can if I want to. I love Jesus and I don’t love Obama. I hope we can still be friends.

Anyway, I stole this from a friend’s blog who stole it from her friend, but I think its genius so I had to share.

We just passed a health care plan written by a committee whose chairman says he doesn't understand it...and who [allegedly] showed up drunk on the Senate floor to debate health care reform.

Passed by a Congress that exempts themselves from it...

Signed by a President who smokes...

With funding administered by a treasury chief who didn't pay his taxes...

All to be overseen by an overweight Surgeon General...

And financed by a country that's broke.

Ummmmm...amen, much??

Being a Celebrity

2010-03-16T12:50:00.006-05:00

Lindsay Lohan needs to get a grip. Or a life. Or both.

If you don’t know what I’m talking about, click here.

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This lady’s parents are the reason that people ask me how to spell my name.

It’s Bethany. Pretty simple.

Why do people have to mess with the spelling of names?? Bethenny?? REALLY??

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Heidi Montag-Pratt was just cast in a movie with the likes of Jennifer Anniston, Adam Sandler and Nicole Kidman.

Someone, please tell me what this world is coming to.

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Is it just me or is the season of American Idol kinda lame. It's kind of hard to watch half the time. But anyway, these two are my favorites.

Tonight they're all singing songs by the Rolling Stones. I can't wait. I LOVE the Stones.

Teen Development 101 by Kelsey

2010-03-12T09:51:00.002-06:00

A few nights ago I saw the ever-so-modest Lexi without a shirt on for the first time in a while. I couldn’t help but notice the beginning of some boobies. I shrieked, “Oh my gosh, Lex, you’re getting little boobies!! I can’t believe it. Oh my gosh!”

She blushed, covered herself up and told me that I was embarassing her.

So, I did what any mother of a budding preteen would do. I told my husband, who told me he didn’t wanna hear crap like that. And then I called my mother, who asked me, “What do you expect?? She’s almost eleven.”

~~I expect her to stay a boob-less little girl who needs her Mommy and hates boys and facebook and cell phones!!~~

Fast forward to last night…

Kels and I were in the shower when she asked, “How old were you when you got hair on your private?”

Me: About twelve, I guess.
Kels: Oh, well how old were you when you got boobies?
Me: I think about twelve.
Kels: How old were you when you started shaving?
Me: Twelve.
Kels: Why did everything happen when you were TWELVE??

So, I proceed to tell her about puberty and how it’s the time in a kid’s life where they start to develop into adults. Thus, getting boobies and hair in strange places. She listened intently and didn’t ask anymore questions. I could tell she was really thinking things over.

After we got out of the shower, she dried off and quickly went into Lexi’s room, shutting the door behind her. I hear her say, in a very serious voice, “Lex, I think you’ve got PUVERTY!!”

Lex: What?? I’ve got what??
Kels: PUVERTY!! You’re getting boobies! You’ve got puverty!

At that point, I made myself quit laughing long enough to tell the girls that puberty is not something you catch. It’s a natural process that all kids go through and it’s perfectly normal. To which Kelsey replies, “Well, I hope I don’t get puverty! That’s gross.”

Stand By Your Man

2010-03-03T13:10:00.004-06:00

I’m answering the final question from my “Ask Me Anything” post. I had lots of fun answering your questions!! We will have to do it again sometime!

Krystie asked, “What do you cherish most about your husband? And what drives you nuts about him?”

I will tell you the one thing that I cherish most about Matthew Gillham, above all else, is the dad that he is to the girls when he doesn’t have to be. Legally, he is not their dad, but where it counts he is everything a daddy should be. He helps with homework. He coaches softball and basketball. He’s yet to miss a parent/teacher conference. He wrestles. He threatens to beat up boys. He cooks dinner. He brushes hair. I’ve even seen him in a wig and a tiara. He’s just a great dad. The love that he and the girls have for each other is the sweetest thing. Perhaps, made even sweeter by the fact that it was not a given. They had to learn to love each other. It wasn’t an instantaneous love that you have when you lay eyes on your biological child for the first time. Matter of fact, Lexi hated him for the first six months. And he stuck around and she changed her mind. They are truly proud of each other. He is proud to be their dad and they are proud to be his girls. I will never ever take the dad Matt is to the girls for granted and I know one day when they’re older they will realize how blessed they are.

Another thing I cherish about Matt is how funny he is and how much we laugh together. We laugh a lot and I love that about us. He’s also really good about letting me be me. He rolls his eyes a lot, but he lets me be me.

And last but not least, I cherish Matt because he is Jack’s daddy. Together we made the most beautiful, strongest, bravest little man I have ever known. And he looked JUST like his daddy.

I cherish him because, together, we walked through the worst days of our lives and we made it to the other side. I could not have gone through losing Jack without him by my side.

The things about him that drive me nuts are really petty compared to the things that I cherish, but since you asked I will tell ya!

He keeps the thermostat in our house set on 65 in the Winter (Brrrrrr much?) and 72 in the Summer. Like, what's up with THAT?? If I turn the heat up a degree it takes him approximately 45.6 seconds to say, "Did you turn up the heat?" I tell him that I pay the bills too and that I don't want to freeze (and/or sweat) in my own home! You think he cares?? No. He doesn't.

Another thing he does that halfway drives me nuts and halfway makes me laugh is that he has to put his two cents in on everything. We (the girls and I) call him Sally. It's short for "Two Cents Sally." He will get up and walk from the other end of the house to put his two cents in. If he hears me discipling the girls he will come in the room and stand behind me throwing in the occasional "Ya!" or "Don't talk to your mother like that." I'm like, "Do you even know what we're talking about??" Like I said, it's kind of funny.

And then of course you all know he's a MAJOR tightwad!! If you don't believe me, just read this!

Me + Shelly = Love??

2010-03-02T12:08:00.003-06:00

I’m back to answer another question from my “Ask Me Anything” post. I had to give this one a little more thought. Krystie, yours is coming tomorrow.

Bumpkin said, “I would personally love to know the story of the woman you had to threaten regarding touching your husband.”

I must say, Bumpkin, you have proven your loyalty to my blog. I posted about that ages ago and you remembered. I’m flattered.

Anyway, it’s a long story dating back several years.

The first time Matt and I took the girls out to dinner together this lady…we’ll call her Shelly, as in Shelly the Barracuda (anyone seen First Wives Club??) came up to our table. She was tacky, let me tell ya. Bleach blonde hair, dark rooks, dressed like a teenager, etc. Anyway, she starts chatting with Matt like the girls and I aren’t even there. After a while he says, “This is Bethany. And that’s Lexi and that’s Kelsey.”

Shelly: Awwww, (looks at me) are you babysitting?

Me: Ummm…no.

Shelly: Oh my gosh, Matthew, you don’t seem like the type to date a girl with kids!!

WHAT???? Could you BE any bigger of a bitch???

Matt: Well, they are very sweet girls!

Shelly: Hmmm. Well, I’ll see you around Matt! It was nice to meet you, Brittany.

It’s Bethany, you heifer. Oh and by the way, I can see your thong hanging out the top of your low rise jeans! Aren’t you, like, 50 or something??

Fast forward a few years down the road. Matt decided to marry the slut with the two ~~illegitimate~~ kids and we’re sitting together at a basketball game in a neighboring town. The train wreck herself walks in with an equally disastrous friend and parks her lovely self a couple of rows in front of us. (And just for entertainment’s sake, let me tell you what she had on…torn up jeans with leopard tights underneath, a Tootsie Roll Pop baby tee and a peace sign scarf. Did I mention she’s 50??) So, Shelly and her counterpart proceed to look over their shoulders directly at me while they giggle and whisper amongst their trashy selves. After a few minutes I had had enough.

Me: Excuse me. Do you have something to say?

Shelly was very caught off guard. We were, after all, on her home turf and I was the new kid in town. How dare I speak to her that way in front of a gym full of people??

Shelly: What??

Me: Do you have something to say?

Shelly: Ummmm….

Me: I mean you keep staring back here. It’s quite obvious you’re talking about me. So, why don’t you say it to my face?

Shelly: I don’t have anything to say to you.

Me: Then be quiet and turn around.

My husband could have died. And Shelly might have felt a little defeated, herself. She wasn’t gonna make me feel low anymore and she knew it. Or so I thought.

Fast forward a couple more years. Matt and I are at a wedding reception for one of his good friends. And guess who’s there looking tacky as ever? Oh, yes. Shelly the Barracuda.

Apparently, she had one too many drinks and started to get VERY friendly with my husband. I mean, I guess I shouldn’t have taken it personally. No one with a penis was safe from her wrath that night. But, still. Matt is my husband and I was getting mighty tired of watching her use him to prop her drunk ass up.

Matt is way too nice of a guy, you see. He will avoid confrontation at all cost. Good thing he married me. I don’t mind it one bit. But anyway, I knew that Matt would not appreciate me causing a scene (again) so I told him, “Okay look, either you tell Shelly to leave you the hell alone or I will.” His version of telling Shelly to leave him alone was avoiding her like the German Plague for the remainder of the night. But, she’s not easily deterred, that Shelly. Matt and I were on the dance floor together when she came up and tried to bump butts with him. We move. She follows. So, when his method didn’t work I shoved her. I tried to be discreet about it, but I don’t think I’m famous for my discretion so I’m pretty sure everyone knew it was NOT an accident, but she got the hint when she staggered and her cup of keg beer drenched the front of her dress, that I’m willing to bet she got at Wet Seal. She moved on to ~~other penises~~ greener pastures for the remainder of the evening.

Fast forward a few months. Our family was at a little pot-luck get together and guess who was there. Shelly in all her glory. We knew ahead of time that she would be and Matt ~~bribed me with new shoes~~ asked me to PLEASE be nice to her.

I obliged. I must ~~have really wanted those shoes~~ love him. But as fate would have it I took a bite of the best homemade mac and cheese I have ever eaten in. my. life. and I said, “Oh my gosh! This mac and cheese is amazing!! Who made it??”

Shelly looks at me with a smile and says, “I did.”

I thought about spitting it back onto my plate like a small child who was forced to try broccoli, but just couldn’t stomach it. Instead I smiled back and said, “Well, it’s really good.” She smiled and said, “Thanks. I’ll get you the recipe sometime.”

And that, my friends, was the end of the war between myself and Shelly. It was fun while it lasted.

You Ask...I Answer

2010-03-01T19:18:00.003-06:00

Well, thanks guys for taking part in my “Ask Me Anything” post. I am here to answer (most of) your questions. I’ll answer the other ones in a day or so.

Shannon asked, “What facial cleanser do you use?”

Well, I use two different ones. I use good old fashioned Cetaphil on a daily basis and once or twice a week I use Olay exfoliating cleanser. I love them both, but I think Cetaphil is the best face wash ever. It does make your face just a little dry though so I have to slather on the moisturizer. Speaking of moisturizer, I use Olay Complete. Just incase you were wondering.

Aleta asked “What childhood dream did you have that you didn’t fulfill and could you still fulfill it now?”

Hmmm…that is a good one. My childhood dream was to be a pilot. Particularly, a Blue Angel pilot. I highly doubt that will ever happen, but I might get my pilot’s license someday. I mean, if Angelina can do it then so can I! Other than a pilot, I wanted to be a mommy when I grew up. Got that covered.

There is one thing though. When I was little my Granddad and would talk and talk about how we would go to Australia someday…just the two of us. We had big plans! But, life happens and we never went. He’s 80 now. I told him last week that I had my passport ready to go to Australia if he ever wanted to. I doubt we ever will. And I regret that because we were SOOOOO excited about it when I was little.

Lisa asked, “If you could be any character from a book who would it be and why?”

My first reaction was to say Ali from The Notebook just because that was hands down THE best love story I have ever read. And who wouldn’t want to make out with Ryan Gosling in the pouring down rain??

Lisa also asked, “What prompted you to start blogging?”

Well, I really don’t know to tell you the truth. I started reading blogs and then I guess I decided I needed one too. More than anything I thought it would be fun. And I was right.

Lisa also asked, “What’s the most inaccurate assumption people have made of you when they first met you?”

People, at first meeting, think I am a goody two-shoes. They think I don’t drink or cuss or do drugs. I’m kidding. I DON’T do drugs, but I do drink and cuss and for some reason that has shocked people more than once. I worked with a guy for a month or so and some of my work friends and I were talking about going to have a beer after work sometime and he said, “YOU drink??” ~~Like a fish, buddy.~~

I am saving the questions that required the most thought for another day soon. Thanks again for asking!

And Bumpkin, I will tell you all about the heifer that couldn’t keep her paws of my husband. I aint skeered!

Love This Place

2010-02-26T18:58:00.006-06:00

One of my MOST favorite stores in the universe is having a contest!!

The store is called Riffraff and it is FULL of treasures...home decor, jewelry, stationary and MUCH more!!

Anyway, the rules of the contest are to blog about how you have decorated your home with things you have purchased from Riffraff. The winner gets a $200 gift certificate.

HECK YA!!

Soooo...ya'll may remember Lexi's room make-over a while back. And you may not, but anyway. We went from plain jane to sassy pants and I must say her new room suits her much better.

At Riffraff we purchased some lime green tulle-ish stuff and mixed it up with a hot pink feather boa to make Lex's curtains super cute!!!

Lex found this treasure at Riffraff...

I think it's supposed to be hung on the wall, but we threaded some ribbon through the hole and hung in on her bed. It's now where she stores her remote, flashlight and other things a girl doesn't want to get out of bed to fetch. :)

Lex also needed a place to store her jewelry. So, one trip to Riffraff later and wah-lah...

Too cute.

And not only is Riffraff a great place to shop, they are also a supporter of The Jack Ryan Gillham Foundation. They have partnered with us for our latest fundraiser! So, I suggest you get your tush in there and spend some moo-lah! :)

So, wish us luck. Lex would FAINT if we won!!!

Fire Away

2010-02-26T08:00:00.000-06:00

I've seen a few people do this on their blogs lately. Of course, they all have, like 9,496 followers. But, oh well.

Is there anything you want to ask me? Anything you want to know?

If so, now's your chance.

I'd love to answer your questions.

Mixed Nuts

2010-02-25T11:37:00.006-06:00

Look out! There is a post full of randomness comin' right at ya!

First of all...Rozlyn on The Bachelor??

Wow. I think Paris Hilton (who I actually like, btw) has more class than Rozlyn. And it's not that I'm trashing Paris, she's just not famous for her class is all.

Anyway, she was awful. I was embarassed for her. She needs to just say, "Ok, I did it." I mean, not that it was cool to hook up with a producer on The Bachelor when you were there for...well...the bachelor, but it's also not a crime. If she would just admit it then all of this would go away in a week or two, but not now. Oh no, not now.

The new rumor is that a sex tape of ol' Roz is floating around.

(Note to self: Never sign up for a reality show. Everything you've ever done will come back to haunt you.)

And wasn't Chris Harrison in rare form? I like him. I think he handled Rozlyn and all her trashy, shady antics quite well. ESPECIALLY when she brought up him hitting on Producer Dude's wife! How low can you go?? He said he wasn't going to dignify that with a response, which is exactly what he should've done. I bet it crawled all over her that he didn't stoop to her level.

And P.S. Did she just say Producer Dude's WIFE???? Maybe he's recently divorced, but that just made her look even MORE trashy!!

She is just somethin' else.

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Moving on.

I must've been living in the dark, because apparently everyone else had heard of this guy, but I had not. Until recently.

Stoney LaRue.

I love his music...espcially a song called Feet Don't Touch the Ground.

It is goooood stuff. You should check him out.

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And speaking of music...

I just, and I mean just figured out iTunes. As in, two weeks ago. And I am hooked. It is so addicting. I have a list that I keep in my wallet of songs I want to download and as I download them I cross them off the list.

It might be becoming a problem, actually.

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Did you know that Olympian Shaun White was born with CDH (Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia) like Jack was??

How cool is THAT?? I mean, not that it's cool to be born with a birth defect, but you know what I mean! There is virtually no awareness of this birth defect and it chaps my butt!! I wish Shaun White would join some CDH awareness campaign. But anyway, I am even more proud of him (Shaun) now that I know that.

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One more thing...

Big changes are coming to my blog. I enlisted my sweet friend, Jessica, to help me with a blog makeover. I mean, I LOVE my blog design now. Love it. But, it has been around a while. So, it's out with the old and in with the new.

I can't wait to see the new design. Coming soon!

Here's Your Sign

2010-02-18T08:00:00.000-06:00

Have you ever seen the Bill Engvall bit where he makes fun of stupid people doing stupid things and he always ends by saying, “Here’s your sign.”
Well, we had a "here’s your sign" moment at our house last weekend.

The girls were arguing over who had to take a shower first. Because for some strange reason, hygiene is not something my children practice without having ~~their lives threatened~~ to be told. At least twice. Anyway, they argued back and forth for a few minutes before I said, “Why don’t you do paper, rock, scissors and the winner gets to take a shower last.”

At which point Kelsey shouts out, “I call scissors!”

Needless to say, Lexi chose rock.

Lent is Not for Wussies

2010-02-17T10:03:00.003-06:00

Today is Ash Wednesday. And you know what that means...

It's the beginning of the longest, hardest 40 days of the year. Otherwise know as, Lent.

This year I have given up Cokes (which also includes Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, Mt. Dew, Sprite, etc...I just refuse to say "soda pop") and complaining.

Yep, you heard me right. Cokes and complaining. I'm not screwin' around, am I?

I know it won't be easy...especially the not complaining part. I mean, good grief, I'm only a few hours into day one and they are pumping SOMETHING out of the ground RIGHT outside my office door!!

Everyone is going "Oh my gosh!!! What is THAT??? It smells like shit!!" But, me? I'm just sitting here ~~dry heaving~~ not saying a word.

But, really. I think it will be a nice change. And they say it only takes 21 days to make or break a habit, so maybe 40 days from now I will no longer be a complainer. Wishful thinking? Maybe.

If you'd like to give up complaining check out this website for some motivation.

Wish me luck. I'm gonna need it!

White Star Blues

2010-02-12T08:00:00.001-06:00

I had an experience the other day that really got me thinking.

You see, Matt and I are the coaches of Kelsey’s Upward basketball team. If you don’t know about Upward, it’s a Christian based program where kids play basketball or do cheerleading, with an emphasis on Christianity and fellowship.

They focus as little as possible on winning and who’s the best player. We learn a weekly bible verse and the children are rewarded for memorizing it. The kids get a small green star at every practice for remembering their verse that can be ironed onto the sleeve of their uniform shirt. At every game the kids are given another color star (red, green, yellow, blue, grey, etc.) in recognition for what they did best in that game. There’s one for best offense, best defense, best effort…you get the concept. All of those stars are awesome, but there is one very special star that I didn’t mention. The white star. The “Christ-like” star.

I am in charge of handing out the stars so I watch the kids really closely while they play. I watch to see who scores the most points, who blocks the most shots, who tries the hardest. But, I watch REALLY closely to see who is acting the most “Christ-like.” I would never give it to the ball hog or to the kid that gripes the whole time about having to sit out for their six minutes. I take that white star very seriously.

So, last Saturday we had a game. I handed out the stars and as I handed them out I explained to the kids what each one was for. As I handed the white star to the last little girl I said, “I’m giving you the white star today because I think you acted the most Christ-like of anyone on our team.”

And what did she do? She ran crying to her mom who said, “Its okay. I’m sure you’ll get different star next week.”

WHAT?????

When in Lord’s name (literally) did it become an insult to be compared to Christ??? It was all I could do to stop myself from asking for it back and giving the little shit (so much for Christ-like) the best defense star. I mean, who cares, kid??? Truth be told, I don’t really pay that much attention to who is the best defensive player. I pay A LOT of attention to who is the most Christ-like, but oh well. It’s not her fault. She’s obviously not raised in a home where people talk about how darn cool Jesus was. Or how much God blesses us.

I’ve been praying for that little girl and for her parents. I’ve been praying that in the few weeks I have to be her coach that I will somehow instill in her just how great Christ really is and how insignificant a red star is compared to a white one. Or how insignificant what kind of defense you play is in comparison what kind of relationship you have with the Lord.

I know I’m not perfect and I don’t claim to be, but I do love the Lord and I do stand amazed at all the He is and all that He does for me and my family. And not that I am a perfect parent, because I am surely not, but I promise you that my kids would think it was WAY cooler to get a white star than a red one.

Celebrate Eight!

2010-02-11T08:00:00.000-06:00

Last Saturday my baby girl turned eight!!

Holy crap, you say?? Holy crap is right!!

I can hardly believe it myself.

Anyway, she had a fun birthday party full of bowling and laser tag, cake and punch, friends and gifts. Who could ask for more???

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On another note, my Granny passed away one year ago on February 9th.

She was so funny. So loving. So sarcastic. So giving. So witty. So herself.

I still miss her everyday.

Dress Dilema

2010-02-10T12:37:00.006-06:00

I need help. Like, you didn’t already know that, but seriously. I am going to a wedding in a few weeks and I can’t decide which dress to order.

So, which one do you like?

Number one…

Or number two?

I like them both, which is why I am asking you!

If you’d like to shop for either of these (or MANY OTHER) adorable dresses you can click here.

Thanks for your input!!!

White Weekend

2010-02-01T14:41:00.012-06:00

This past weekend we had some awesome snow around here! We had tons of fun playing it in all. weekend. long. Now I'm sore like the old, out of shape lady that I am. But, it was well worth it.

Of course, after a while Kelsey got cold and started whining...

We told her that she'd be alright and that if she started having fun again then she would forget about being cold. For a while things started looking up.

Then she fell off the sled. Face first. In the snow.

So, Daddy picked her up, put her on the four-wheeler and carried her home.

Which means, Lex and I were left with no transportation out in the middle of a field, a long way from home. And we girls know...when you gotta go, you gotta go.

After a quick potty break she was ready to rock and roll!

P.S. Watch out for yellow snow! :)

Life's a Bach

2010-01-30T17:27:00.003-06:00

I will start off by saying that I think Jake is probably the most sincere, heartfelt bachelor in the history of the show. He is going to be an absolute wreck when it comes down between two women.

Anyway, I am no longer a fan of Ali. She was once my favorite, but now she’s just mean. She seems to get along well with most of the girls, but for some reason she HATES Vienna! I truly think it’s because she sees Vienna as her biggest competition, but who knows? Maybe Vienna has done something we haven’t seen.

Which brings me to this…I don’t really like her anymore either. Girls who have no girlfriends worry me. You can trust those little suckers. Plus, I can hardly stand to look at her because of her awful hair. I’m beginning to sound like Ali, but really! She claims her daddy has all this money, but he’s quite obviously not spending it on his baby girl’s weave.

I still love Tenley. I mean, how could you not? She’s cute. She’s classy. She’s always in a good mood. And Jake loves her. I want him to choose her and I sort of think he will…except for SOMEONE says he doesn’t! (P.S. Don’t read that if you don’t want to know the outcome of the show…he may or may not be right. He’s already been wrong about some stuff this season. Who knows??)

Other than that, I am starting to like Gia, although I don’t think see her and Jake together forever. I was sad to see Ella go, but I had to commend Jake for letting her go and letting her get back to her son. Katherine, I didn’t really care about either way. She didn’t make a big impression on me. I was so glad Jesse left. I mean, who was she? Last night was the first time I’ve seen her and Jake hang out at all. I like Ashleigh. She seemed like she’d be really fun friend. I liked what she said at the end after she got the boot…”Spare me.” I liked her. Oh well. Guess Jake didn’t.

Anyway, I can’t wait to see what happens next week. This season is goooood, is it not??

Desperate Times Call for Desperate Women

2010-01-05T10:24:00.002-06:00

And thus, a new season of The Bachelor is upon us.

Is it just me or is ABC scrapin’ the bottom of the bachelorette barrel? These women are crazy! With the exception of a handful of ladies they all seem emotionally unstable and quite desperate. Plus, they’re not half as cute as they used to be.

Even The Bachelor himself is verging on desperation, if you ask me. He seems hard up. He said he’s had A LOT of first dates! What’s wrong with him? He’s a super-hot pilot with what appears to be a great life with tons to offer. Why don’t girls want a second date with him?

I think he gives off the desperate vibe and chicks don’t dig it.

It shouldn't bother Michelle any. Michelle is the token crazy girl that we all love to hate. Crying on the first night is NEVER a good sign. All jokes aside, she needs medication. And if she’s already taking some, it’s not working.

And let’s not forget Ella. The single mom that keeps declaring herself Jake’s future wife. I don’t like her. At all. She’s got a screw loose.

Those two scare me. If I was sharing the bachelorette pad with them I would sleep with one eye open.

And why don’t guys (or girls, for that matter) on this show ever listen to warnings about the crazies?? They always ALWAYS turn out to be true.

Anyway, it would take me all day to discuss all the crazy acts of desperation that took place last night, so instead I shall reveal to you my favorites.

There’s Ali. The peppy, outgoing girl. I like her. She’s a straight shooter, with great fashion sense. Love her personality. LOVED her yellow dress. Perhaps her only downfall is that she hates flying. But, she’ll get over that, I betcha!

Then there’s Tenley. She’s a little emotional, as well. Just not in a scary, desperate kind of way. She’s beautiful and seems very sincere. She got the first impression rose, so Jake’s diggin’ on her, too.

Only problem is…she’s been married before. That might be a tough pill for Mr. Traditional to swallow.

Regardless, I’m callin’ it. Ali and Tenley will be in the final two. Or maybe the final five, but one of them will be Jake’s co-pilot in the end. (I was so sick of hearing the whole “co-pilot” thing the other night that I could’ve thrown up in my mouth.) I may be wrong, but I’ve got a pretty good record at predicting these types of things.

This is going to be a great season to watch! I can’t wait! There’s apparently some MAJOR drama that goes down and I don’t plan to miss a minute of it.
I’m pathetic, I know. But, there comes a point in life where you have to live vicariously through others because your life is monotonous and boring.

Not that I don’t love my monotonous, boring life. It's just that there's not usually a ton of excitement.

P.S. The ABC website will no longer let you right click and save pictures of the contestants, therefore I can't put their pictures on my blog! What is up with THAT???

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And by the way...

The winner of the lipgloss giveaway is Jessica at This, That and My Blog. Yay, Jess! You will LOVE it! Just shoot me an email with your address and I will send it to ya!

Thanks, everyone, for entering!

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And last, but certainly not least...

My little angel man was featured in a local magazine. You can click here to read the story.

I'm so proud of him. :)

New Year...Same Me

2010-01-01T08:00:00.000-06:00

So, raise your hand if you’ve ever made a New Year’s Resolution and stuck to it?

Anyone?

Me either.

Sure, I’d love to get skinny, workout everyday, save money, complain less, etc. Is it gonna happen? ~~Hell no.~~ Probably not.

Plus resolutions, in my opinion, are just a way of setting yourself up for failure and disappointment. And who needs THAT???

In reality, I’m pretty happy with myself. My life. My butt.

(Ok, I’m not happy with my butt.)

So, for the year 2010 I am aspiring to be happy. To love life and not take anything for granted. To count my blessings every day. And I think I pretty much do that already.

Ever since I laid eyes on this little life changer…

I just don’t sweat the small stuff like I used to. Life it too short. And you really don’t know if you’ll have tomorrow.

If you want it buy it. If you’re craving it eat it. If you’re too tired to work out don’t. Hug your kids. Love your husband. Cherish your friends. Do things you love. Take chances. Screw up. Fix it. Forgive. Forget. Move forward. Don’t look back.

“We’ve got two lives. One we’re given and the other one we make.”
~Mary Chapin-Carpenter

HAPPY NEW YEAR, FRIENDS!!!

NYE Giveaway

2009-12-31T08:00:00.001-06:00

I am hosting a giveaway for three reasons...

1. It's New Year's Eve!
2. I now have (drumroll, please) 100 followers!!
3. I loooove Philosophy lipgloss and I think everyone should have some.

Soooo, here's what I'm giving away...

Like I said, you will LOVE it!!!

It would be really REALLY hard for me to live without Philosophy lipgloss.

To enter the giveaway just leave a comment on this post. You don't have to follow me or blog about it or anything. (I'm really not into bribery.)

I will choose a winner on Monday (1/4/10) so you have until Sunday night to enter.

Good luck and Happy New Year!!! Hope it's the best darn year you ever had!

How Renee Stole Christmas

2009-12-30T11:50:00.008-06:00

Before I get to the Christmas pictures I have to get something off my chest.

What is it with Renee Zellwegger and MY men??

It’s no secret that Kenny and I were in a relationship when she whisked him off to the Virgin Islands and married him. Only to dump him a month later for reasons we may never know. (I refuse to believe he is gay so don’t even bring it up!!!)

Then, while watching He’s Just Not That into You, I fell hard for Bradley Cooper’s baby blues and ~~hotter than hell upper body~~ fantastic smile. And maybe I’ve been living under a rock, but I was blindsided when I saw a picture of him and Renee on the US Weekly website.

In my opinion, Kenny Chesney and Bradley Cooper are two of THE hottest men alive. I mean, just see for yourself.

And Renee? Well, she’s just not that cute. I mean, sure, I’d kill for her huge, perky boobs and her tiny waist, but when it comes to the face department….

I’m not impressed. How she’s scoring with ~~my old boyfriends~~ these super hot guys, I will never know.

Anyway, on to the pictures! We had a great Christmas. It was full of blessings. I could not ask for more.

Of course, there were two very special people missing from all of our Christmas celebrations...

But, I have a feeling their Christmas was WAY more awesome than ours was. :)

Oh, and by the way. Remember Lexi's little boyfriend?? Well, Casanova stepped it up a notch and went to Jared.

He had better watch it! :)

Sweet Girl

2009-12-02T19:54:00.003-06:00

I wish I could say I have no idea what they’re going through, but I do.

I wish I could make it easy for them somehow, but I can’t.

I wish parents never had to bury their children, but they do.

I wish I understood, but I don’t.

Please, pray for this family. Pray for peace in their hearts. Pray for some tiny shred of understanding.

I’ve said this before in regards to losing Jack. The only thing harder than losing a child is being the one that calls the shots. The one that signs on the dotted line. The one that gives permission to turn off all the machines that are keeping your child alive and watch them die. I can’t think of anything worse. And, unfortunately, I’ve been there.

My prayer for them is not to carry the burden of making that choice. It’s really not their choice at all. Just like it wasn’t ours. If it was in God’s plan for Jack to live then he would be here. If it’s in His plan for Hannah to live, then live she will.

This just hits very very close to home with me. And I’m asking you to stop and pray for this family.

You can read their story here.

Christmas Lists and Cowboys

2009-11-30T20:50:00.007-06:00

So, aside from the fact that I was sick as a dog all week last week, I’ve been doing just peachy.

I don’t have anything super exciting to report (shocking), but as usual, I have a few little random things to talk about.

Anyway, last week I had the girls make a Christmas list so that ~~their tightwad of a dad~~ Santa and I would know what to get them. Lexi’s list was pretty basic. Kelsey’s, however, was downright hilarious. I guess I should commend the kid. She knows what she wants and she’s not afraid to ask for it.

I wish I had a scanner so you could see it in her cute, little writing.

Kelsey’s Christmas List 2009:

New wall color – purple please.

New bed stuff (I’m guessing this means comforter and sheets??)

New bed

New house we looked at. (Me too, Kels!)

Cat

The shitty part is, she is probably not getting a thing on her list. Well, besides maybe the new bed stuff. That, I can handle.

She might get the new house for her birthday.

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The girls and I LOVE this song we’ve been hearing on the radio called “A Little More Country Than That.” It’s a great song and the guy that sings it has a great voice. He sounds like an old, rugged cowboy. Like someone with long hair and leathery skin.

That voice most certainly doesn’t sound like it’s coming from him…

Holy dreamboat! He. is. cute. I was shocked when I saw his picture in People Magazine. Great name, too. Easton Corbin. Grrrr.

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As I previously mentioned, I have fallen in love with Etsy. I actually did a lot of my Christmas shopping there. Overall, I have been THRILLED with everything I purchased. It was all reasonably priced and it was all shipped to me in a timely manner. I was beginning to think Etsy was perfection. Until...

I ordered Kelsey two monogrammed headbands (Lexi’s too old for such childish accessories) and I was super excited about them!! One was zebra with her name in hot pink and one was leopard with her name in red.

I was checking my mail day after day in anticipation of their arrival. One sunny afternoon I opened my mail box to find a padded, manila envelope.

They had arrived.

Unfortunately, my excitement was quickly halted. Monogrammed on top each headband in the cutest, little font…

Kelsy

Kelsy??? I know there are variations in spelling and all, but Kelsy???

I looked back over my order to make sure I hadn’t misspelled my own child’s name and I had not. So, I sent the lady a message and she quickly refunded my money. She was really nice and said she felt like an idiot. I told her ~~I would too if I had screwed up something so simple~~ it was okay and not to worry about it.

Guess nobody’s perfect. Not even Etsy.

No More Mr. Nice Guy

2009-11-19T21:02:00.002-06:00

I was preparing a heartfelt post about how Lexi and I had a great talk last night, and while I hate punishing my kids, I knew it was in Lexi’s best interest. I couldn’t wait to tell all of you how sweet she was about the whole thing.

Me: Lex, if I ask you a question will you tell me the truth?
Lex: Yes.
Me: No matter what?
Lexi: Yes.
Me: Have you gotten on Facebook since last time we talked about it?

She lowered her head in shame.

Lex: Ya…once.

Long story short, she got spanked for making a bad choice when she knew it was wrong. She lost her Nintendo DS and her T.V. for an indefinite period of time. She was sad, but she knew she messed up so she took it like a champ. When I tucked her in last night I told her I was proud of her no matter what and that tomorrow is a new day and a clean start and that I loved her very much.

Overall, I felt really good about things. She seemed to understand. We got our point across. Voila!

Or so I thought…

Tonight I asked her to log into her Facebook account so that we could delete it. She did, reluctantly. And I was floored when I saw her profile! This kid has (had) friends…LOTS of friends!! She had an aquarium…whatever that is, but it looked like it required a lot of time! She had written on people’s walls. They had written on hers. She had status updates.

“Lexi can’t wait to see smokin’ hot Jacob in New Moon!”

Excuse me????

“Lexi is going out with Casanova!”

Gag me with a spoon.

“Lexi is soooooo cold and just turned up the heat!”

You better not have touched that thermostat, you little pipsqueak!

Basically, I’ve been foiled.

Once?? She got on there once??? Ha!!! More like once a day!

She didn’t get on there at home, this I know. We have a lap top and if either of the girls use it they have to be with us. My guess is she got on there at my mom’s or my MIL’s. They let her get on the computer to do things like play on Webkinz and Go Girls Games…or so they thought, anyway.

Last night I was sad. I felt bad. I felt like I was being too hard on her.

Tonight, I’m pissed.

I’m not going to punish her any more than I already have, but my opinion has DEFINITELY changed about the situation. She is no longer my sweet, innocent baby. She is a tween. She is quickly becoming teenager and all that that entails. So, I figure with the rare exception she and I will hate each other for the next 8 years.
Let the good times roll!

P.S. Did I mention she was “friends” with her teacher??? I am so embarrassed.

Déjà Vu All Over Again

2009-11-18T20:14:00.005-06:00

Remember Lexi’s little Facebook incident?

We talked about it. Dealt with it. She got punished for it. We moved on.

Well, well, well. When I checked my phone this morning I had a text message from my mom around 10:30 last night.

“Lexi was on Facebook today. Is that ok?”

(The girls go to my mom’s after school two days a week)

At first, I thought she was kidding. My mom can be a jokester. She likes to see what reaction she will get from me because she thinks I’m a drama queen. So, I asked her if she was serious.

She was. That little ~~shit~~ girl got on Facebook AGAIN!!! I can’t believe it.

After being punished. After our big talk about honesty. After talking about how it’s super important to be a trustworthy, honest Christian. After EVERYTHING.

So, long story short, it’s really a good thing that 9 hours will pass from the time I found out to the time I see her ~~shady~~ sweet, little face. She is in deep trouble. And all jokes aside, I am sad. I’m very disappointed in her. And silly as it may seem, I’m hurt that she would go behind my back and do that…again.

Anyway, she is in for a surprise when she gets home. I’m not sure what to do yet, but I know that this sneaky behavior will not be tolerated. I mean, in the grand scheme of things Facebook is not that big of a deal, but before too long she will be faced with things that are a big deal…drinking, drugs, sex, etc. And regardless of how good of a parent you are, the harsh reality is that you can’t protect your kids from the world. All you can do, as a parent, is instill in them what is right and what is wrong and pray to God that when the time comes they will make the right choice.

I had a funny conversation with my Granddad a couple weeks ago right after Lexi’s first go-round with Facebook and he told me I was being too hard on her. He said it took a lot of guts to tell me the truth and that if I was hard on her and that I was going to make her afraid to talk to me about things.

I admit, he has a point. But, my response to his point of view reminded me eerily of my dad.

Granddad: I mean, don’t you want her to feel like she can tell you anything?
Me: Actually, I’d rather her not screw up in the first place.

Now, I know my children are not perfect and I am by NO means perfect, but just because you come and tell your mom that you did something behind her back that she (for a very good reason) forbid you to do, does not erase the fact that you did it.

You make bad choices and there are consequences. When you’re a kid and when you’re all grown up, too. I just want to emphasize the importance of making good choices. If I can make her life any easier...if I can make her a better, stronger, more responsible, honest person…that is what I want to do. That’s my goal in life…to raise awesome adults.

I am stepping off my soap box now. I’ll let you know tomorrow how much she hates me.

Lotsa Pictures Post

2009-11-14T20:49:00.015-06:00

We set out today to capture the perfect picture for our Christmas card...

I can't WAIT to see our Christmas cards this year!! If you're looking for some precious Christmas cards (or cards for any occasion, actually) at a VERY resaonable price you should visit my friend, Marcy. She'll hook you up! :)

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Last night we went to the first Razorback basketball game of the season.

Doesn't Lexi look cute in her Hog nose?? Don't I look out of place in my blue dress? :)

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Last weekend Matt and I went to Little Rock to deliver the JRG Foundation donations to Arkansas Children's Hospital and Ronald McDonald House.

We also went to Quinton's 2nd Birthday Party. Quinton had CDH (like Jack) and according to several medical professionals, wasn't supposed to live.

What do they know???

While we were there we got to spend time with some really great friends.

Life is good. :)

So, Anyway...

2009-11-14T19:51:00.006-06:00

My car has recently been making a “chirping” sound. Sometimes you can hear it and sometimes not, but since ~~my husband was freaking out about it~~ my car is fairly new and under WARRANTY I decided I would have it checked out.

This morning I dropped my car off and an hour or so later I get a phone call…

Honda Guy: I’ve got good news and bad news.
Me: Okay?
Honda Guy: The good news is we found the problem.
Me: Good deal.
Honda Guy: The bad news is it’s not covered by your warranty.
Me: Why not??
Honda Guy: It’s your drive belt and it’s rubber.
Me: Uhhhhh…
Honda Guy: The warranty doesn’t cover rubber, glass or plastic.

Awkward silence.

Honda Guy: It also doesn’t cover anything electrical.

~~That’s a helluva a warranty, Mister!~~

Me: So, how much is it?
Honda Guy: It’s only $69.99. Want us to go ahead and fix it?
Me: Guess so.

Click.

So, here’s my question. What the hell DOES an extended warranty cover??? And why did I pay for it???? Next time I buy a car I’m going to ask what my warranty DOESN’T cover.

Jerks.

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I’m going to buy this book today.

Have you seen the previews for this movie? How good does it look??? And it’s a true story!! I love stories like this. I can’t WAIT to see it! Matt’s excited, too. I see a date night in our near future.

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My daughter has a boyfriend.

Remember this little dweeb. Well, he’s back in the picture. Did she not learn her lesson the first time??? He dropped her like a newborn giraffe.

And then he prank called our house, the little punk!

My husband found a note from him last night…

Dear Lexi,

You’re cute. I love your curls.

Love,
Casanova

Gag me. It’s too early for this to be happening.

P.S. I typed this post on Thursday, but I just got around to posting it. Better late than never, right?

Random is My Middle Name

2009-11-09T20:04:00.008-06:00

Ok, not really. It's Jane. But, anyway...

I need to upload some pictures from the weekend, but I don't know where my USB cable is and truth be told, I'm too lazy to look tonight. So, instead I will just do what I do best and be completely random.

I have had "I'm Here for the Party" by Gretchen Wilson stuck in my head for the last 72 hours. I don't even like that song.
I am in love with Etsy. I have been buying stuff left and right. For Christmas, of course. (Or at least that's what I tell my husband.) If you're looking for some great Etsy shops...try this one and this one and this one. You will LOVE them!!!
We found a house we LOVE and I really hope we get it. This was totally not in our plan, but who likes plans anyway, right?
Even though I swear it off after every season...I can't WAIT for The Bachelor to start!
I don't love The Hills without L.C.
I do love Glee.
I'm on a MAJOR Billy Joel kick lately. I love him. And I love to hear my girls sing Uptown Girl at the top of their little lungs!
I'm really having to restrain myself when it comes to putting up my Christmas tree!! My husband wants me to wait. The girls and I want to put it up early. Wonder who will win that battle? One man...three women. He's so out-numbered that it's not even funny!
I signed up for a health nut/motivational/weight loss website last week and the email updates are annoying the crap out of me. I haven't logged in once since I signed up. I don't like pressure.
I need a walking partner.
I said walking not running.
I think my ten year-old just shaved my seven year-old's legs.

And by the way, thank you, sweeties, for your words of encouragement on my last post. It truly means a lot to me.

What a Day.

2009-11-06T22:05:00.007-06:00

Today I spent the majority of the morning with Lexi at her school. I hung out in her class for a while and then went to the awards assembly in the cafeteria. She got an Honor Roll Award, a Student of the Month Award and I even got to see her best-darn-essay-in-the-whole fifth-grade displayed proudly in the hallway.

We had fun. It was nice. I was so proud of my girl.

I left Lexi’s school and headed to a funeral across the street. My BFF’s Grandma died Monday night and her funeral was today. Kortney (my BFF) was very close to her Gram. They had a relationship that you might only have with one person during your whole life. Needless to say, Kortney is crushed. And because I love her so much I am crushed for her. I wouldn’t have missed the funeral for the world.

Even though the last time I was at that funeral home was the day I buried my son.

I thought I was prepared. I knew it wouldn’t be easy to walk through those doors, but I had NO idea just how hard it would be.

I walked in, took a breath and as I breathed in that smell the memories came rushing back and I felt like someone was standing on my chest. I walked right back out the door, pulled my phone out of my purse and called my mom. I often call her when I’m having a bad day and she somehow always makes things better.

Well, today she didn’t answer. (Guess she was working or something. Psh.) So, I had to convince myself I was going to be okay. After a few seconds I decided I could do it and turned around and walked back in the door.

I made it a little farther this time. I got my funeral program and signed the guestbook. But, as I entered the chapel area and saw the casket I couldn’t make myself take another step. That’s where his casket sat two summers ago. That’s where I stood and looked at my baby for the very last time. That was the worst day of my life. And it felt like I was facing it all over again.

So, guess what I did. I turned around and walked out. I wanted so badly to leave. I knew Kortney would understand. But, I also knew that I owed it to her to be there. So, once again I walked back inside. This time I found a seat next to a total stranger, who I would have let hug me, if she had tried. I sat there waiting for the service to start…begging my tears not to spill over. And somehow I made it.

That is, until I heard the all too familiar words…

I know your life
On earth was troubled
And only you could know the pain
You weren't afraid to face the devil
You were no stranger to the rain

Go rest high on that mountain
Son, you work on earth is done
Go to heaven a shoutin'
Love for the Father and Son

Oh, how we cried the day you left us
We gathered round your grave to grieve
I wish I could see the angels faces
When they hear your sweet voice sing

Go rest high on that mountain
Son, you work on earth is done
Go to heaven a shoutin'
Love for the Father and Son

And the tears came without asking.

As soon as the service ended, I made a bee line for the door. I ran to my car. Ran. I felt like Forrest Gump…like I could just keep on running for years for no reason at all, but instead a sat in my car and did the “ugly cry.” You know? The kind of cry where if anyone saw you, you would be embarrassed? Well, that was me for about 20 minutes.

Gosh, I just didn’t know it would be so rough. I was very caught off guard. Being in that place really brought up a lot of past emotions for me. This has been the hardest “Jack day” I’ve had since I can remember.

Anyway, I managed to pull it together so I could deliver Subway to my girls for lunch. The secretary at the front desk of Kelsey’s school tried to get me to leave her lunch in the office so she could pick it up on the way to the cafeteria, which would have made a lot more sense than interrupting her class, but I looked at her desperately and said, “I really need to see her.” She probably thought I was nuts, but she allowed me to take the lunch to Kelsey’s classroom. I peeked my head in to let the teacher know I was there and as soon as I saw Kels, I burst into tears. I told her I was having a hard day. That I really missed Jack and that I really loved her. And she totally got it.

I’ve got really cool kids. All three of them.

Anyway, I know time heals, but I also know that there will be a hole in my heart for the rest of my life. Until the day I see Jack again, there will always be things, and places and memories that take the wind out of my sails. And I guess that’s just part of the journey I’m on. I’ll always miss my boy, but I also have soooooo much to be thankful for.

Today was just a really, really hard day.

Friends In (Very) Low Places

2009-11-05T19:46:00.008-06:00

Since I’m back in business I figured I would partake in one of my old, favorite bloggy things to do.

Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop. Play along if you so choose.

This week’s prompts are:

1.) Describe something you're proud of.

2.) Tell me your most humorous wedding experience

3.) 10 reasons why you can't sleep at night

4.) Describe an experience that you wish you could shake from your memory.

5.) Write a love letter to the object of your affection

This week, number four tickled my fancy.

This isn’t a memory that I necessarily wish I could erase from my memory. It was actually one of the most fun nights of my life, what I can recall of it anyway. It’s not that I don’t love reminiscing about this night…the great music, the excessive drinking, the bed of some strange man’s truck, waking up and not knowing where you’ve left your vehicle. It’s just that when I do think back on this night I feel instantly ashamed of myself. I feel like I should hide my face in shame. Like I should try to make up some great excuse for why I felt like it was okay to cruise down that Dallas interstate in the back of a truck going Lord knows where with Lord knows who.

Anyway, here’s the deal.

I’m a HUGE Kenny Chesney fan (as most of you have probably gathered) and for several years in a row me and my faithful sidekick, Rachael, went to a Kenny concert twice each summer. This was something that I looked forward to ALLLLLL year long! We had fun. A LOT of fun. Sometimes more fun than others…

Many years ago, before I met my loving husband, Rach and I got tickets to see Kenny in Frisco, Texas. We stopped about 10 miles out of town for me to get a cold six pack of Bud Light, which I consumed before we made it to our hotel. In my defense, it took us over five hours to get there, but anyway.

I had arranged our hotel accommodations (Rach leaned toward the $39.99 a night type of places), so we had some really fancy digs. Including, a REALLY cute bell boy/valet guy. He asked us where we were from and what we were doing in town and then he gave us his number and told us if we were looking for something to do after the concert to give him a call. And thank God he did. Oh, thank God he did.

Needless to say, by the time we arrived at the concert I was ~~wasted~~ feeling a little tipsy. I should have quit drinking, but they had Blue Moon on tap, so I couldn’t. I mean how often does THAT happen???

Anyway, the concert was great, as usual and when it ended we were actually thinking about heading back to the hotel to call it a night. That was until we got to the car and Dierks Bentley’s cousin and his buddies were tailgating next us.

DBC: Hey, Ladies! What cha up to tonight??
Us: Oh, not much. Think we’re gonna head back to the hotel.
DBC: Why would you want to do that when you could hang out with us???

~~Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because I’m trying to scrounge up the last little bit of good sense that I have left.~~

Us: What’s your name?
DBC: I’m Tyler. I’m Dierk’s Bentley’s cousin. What’s your name, cutie?
Us: I’m ~~a drunk idiot~~ Beth and this is Rachael.
DBC: Well, Beth and Rachael, we’re taking you out.
Us: Oh, we’re not sure about that.
DBC: C’mon, why not??

(DBC = Dierks Bentley’s Cousin)

Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because we don’t even KNOW you!! Maybe because you could rape us and leave us for dead!!! Maybe because I’m already having trouble walking a straight line and another drink would surely put me over the edge.

Us: Ok, why not.
DBC: Sweet! Climb in! (As he motions toward the bed of his truck.)

Rachael and I exchange the “what the hell are we thinking, but he is REALLY cute and you only live once look” and like the ~~freaking morons~~ fun-loving gals that we were, we climbed in.

And there we were…cruising down the Texas interstate. Destination unknown. In the bed of some stranger’s truck. (In hindsight, why the HECK didn’t these jerks offer to let us sit INSIDE the truck???)

So, we end up at a bar. I was having a great time. But, somewhere along the way one of DBC’s buddies got the wrong idea about Rach. He started trying to hug her and kiss her, all the while whispering sweet nothings in her ear. I, however, was having a great time ~~making out~~ dancing with DBC when Rachael comes tearing through the crowded dance floor. She grabs my arm and starts pulling me toward the door.

Rach: WE are leaving!!!
Me: But…
Rach: WE are LEAVING!!! That asshole won’t leave me alone!!!
Me: Who? Him? He’s cute.
Rach: We are leaving!!! He’s an asshole.

I had to give up on my new found dreams of marrying into the Bentley family and bid farewell to my new boyfriend. And there we went. Out the door. Into the humid, Texas night.

Rach: Shit! We don’t have a car.
Me: Let’s go back inside.
Rach: No WAY!!!
Me: Well, then. What are we going to do??? Call a taxi?
Rach: No, let’s call Oscar. (Oscar = bell hop/valet dude)

~~Oh, yes. Great idea!!! Why in the world wouldn’t we call another strange man to come pick us up and rescue us of from the strange men we are currently running from???~~

Me: Ok, good idea.
Rach: You call him. I’m too embarrassed.

Leave it to me. I quite obviously have no shame.

Oscar: Hello?
Me: Hey, it’s Beth.
Oscar: Who?

Oh, crap. He doesn’t even remember us.

Oscar: Oh, yeah! Beth…and Rachael. What are ya’ll up to??
Me: Oh, not much. Hey, wanna meet us for a drink?
Rach: What??? What are you doing?? I want to go to bed!!!
Oscar: Sure, where are you?
Me: I don’t know.
Oscar: What do you mean you don’t know??

~~It’s amazing how hard it is to see where you’re going when you’re laying in the bed of a truck.~~

Me: Well, the name of the place is… (I honestly don’t remember.)
Oscar: I know where that is. I’ll be there in an hour or so.

Hour?? HOUR????!!! Heaven help us.

Long story short, Oscar took us back to the hotel like the true ~~Mexican~~ Southern gentleman he was. Bless his heart.

The next morning we woke up, showered, packed up and got ready to head back to Arkansas.

Rach: Shit! We don’t have a car.

Where have I heard that before??

Rach: Call Oscar.

Don’t you know, that sweetheart got out of bed, came and got us, took us to lunch and then to get our car?? He was the sweetest thing. I mean, what kind of guy does that?? Once. Let alone, twice.

So, there you have it. I’m still alive. I’m ashamed as hell, but I’m alive.

P.S. I never knew for sure if DBC was REALLY Dierk's Bentley's Cousin, but that's what I'm choosing to believe because it makes my story cooler.

You're Still Around??

2009-11-04T12:06:00.007-06:00

Seriously, I really can’t believe there are people that still read my blog. I mean, I’ve hardly been the Queen of Good Reading Material lately.

Like I said, I’ve been busy. My new position it work is a LOT more demanding than my old one. And truth be told, that’s where I used to do the majority of my blogging.

Long story short, I got busy. I got out of the habit. But, I missed it. So, I’m back ~~bitches~~ friends! I’m re-prioritizing my life…God, family, blogging, my job, eating, sleeping and so on and so forth. I am jumping back on the bloggy bandwagon.

You’re tired of my empty promises, aren’t you?

Anwyay, moving on.

It would take from now ‘til Christmas to catch you up on all that has been going on in my life lately, so I won’t even try. Basically, I’m as blessed as I always was. My kids are still funny. My husband is still ~~driving me to drink~~ sweet as he can be. Life is good.

How bout some cute pictures of my girls?

That was Halloween. Just incase you ~~are an idiot and couldn't figure that out~~ were wondering.

Kelsey was supposed to be Hannah Montana, but she decided about 6 minutes before we left to trick-or-treat that she hated the wig. Who says blondes have more fun, right?? :) Sooooo, we got out the crimp iron and called her an "80's Rock Star" instead. It quite fits her personality, don't you think?

Lexi wanted to be a "Snow Princess...you know, like the kind of dresses at the end of Narnia." I guess we achieved her vision because she was super happy with her costume, up-do and make-up. I was thinking to myself as I was getting her ready for trick-or-treating, "Dear Lord, what is Prom going to be like???"

The Truth Shall Set You Free

2009-11-03T19:44:00.005-06:00

Here’s the deal. I’m not trying to offend anybody, but I don’t agree with letting your ten year-old daughter have a Facebook account. I mean, what’s the point?? I get that it’s cool and all and maybe I’m old school, but you’re ten!! Go read a book or play outside or make something crafty or watch some TV. These kids have the rest of their lives to have a Facebook account. Plus, I am ~~borderline nuerotic~~ moderately concerned about pedophiles. Everytime a man that I don’t know looks/smiles at my children I think he is Lester the Molester. And there are pedophiles on Facebook. Trust me.

Anyway, long story short, Lexi’s pissed. She wants Facebook. We said no. She doesn’t get it. We really don’t care.

So, this past weekend Lexi goes to a sleep-over with some girlfriends. She had a great time. Well, except for the fact that all her little buddies have their own Facebook and she’s the only one ~~whose parents give a damn~~ who doesn’t have one.

Fast forward to last night…we were laying in Lexi’s bed doing her nightly devotional, which you can find here, by the way. Great devotional for young girls. I highly recommend it. Anyway, that’s beside the point.

So, we went through the devotional, which happened to be about trustworthiness. (Coincidence? I think not.) Then, we turned out the lights and said our prayers. I told her goodnight and started to walk out the door.

Lexi: Momma! Come back!!!
Me: What is it, babe???

She wraps her arms around my neck and cries into my shoulder.

Lexi: I want to be trustworthy!!!
Me: Okay?
Lexi: I have to tell you something…I made a Facebook page when I was at G’s house.

This is the part where I stop, take a deep breath and try to think of the smart, rational thing to say.

Me: Lex, first of all, I want you to know that I appreciate your honesty. I really do.
Lexi: You do?
Me: Yes, I do. But, I’m still really disappointed in the choice you made.
Lexi: I’m sorry, Momma!!! Please don’t hate me.
Me: I would never hate you, but there are going to be consequences.
Lexi: Like, what?
Me: Like, it will be a LONG while before you go to another sleepover.
Lexi: Moooooommmm, why???
Me: You know why. It’s going to take a while to build my trust in you back up.
Lexi: Ok…I love you, Momma. Thank you for not being mad at me.

~~I didn’t say I wasn’t mad at you, you sneaky little shit.~~

Me: I love you too, Lex. Being mad wouldn’t help the situation any.

It’s quiet again. I lay there and play with her hair…looking at what used to be my tiny, little blue-eyed girl who could do no wrong. Wondering what the hell has happened to my sweet Lexi in the last six months. I was on the verge of tears when suddenly, my deep thought was interrupted.

“So, mom…when CAN I get a Facebook?”

Lord help me.

I've Got Sunshine...

2009-10-08T10:00:00.008-05:00

On a cloudy day.

When it's cold outside...

I've got the month of May.

I guess, you'd say...

What can make me feel this way?

My girls. :)

I'm on a Roll Tonight

2009-09-16T19:52:00.004-05:00

Since I am in the blogging spirit this evening I figured, "What tha heck??" Why not take part in Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop.

You know the drill. Chose a prompt. Blog about it.

1.) If You Give A Mom A Moment...

2.) What's the message you would craft?

3.) Your Fall favorites.

4.) If your pet could talk, what would you want to know?

5.)If you could only focus on three things in life and pursue them fully, leaving everything else, what would they be and why?

I chose number one.

If you give mom a moment...

She might take a bath and shave her legs at night instead of flat ironing her 10 year-old's naturally wavy hair every other night. Since she just HAD to have a stacked bob like her little friend with straight hair, whose mom, I'm SURE never has to spend 45 minutes flat ironing her daughter's hair when she could be shaving her legs.

She might read the book on her nightstand that she has finished two chapters of since last month instead of being so tired when her head hits the pillow that she can't keep her eyes open.

She might catch up on all the shows she has on DVR...starting with Tori and Dean.

She might paint her own darn toenails instead of paying someone to do them for her.

She might have a girl's night out with her friends filled with mexican food, cold beer and lots of laughing.

She might make a normal dinner that doesn't consist of bagels and cereal.

She might go grocery shopping without two little rugrats throwing stuff they'll never eat in the cart everytime she turns around.

And if she's feeling REALLY lucky, she might even poop all alone. With the door closed. But, I doubt it.

It's a Miracle

2009-09-16T19:34:00.002-05:00

I've only lost one follower.

I'm not dead. Thanks to several of you for checking.

I was sicker than a dog for a week. We were up to our eyeballs in Lexi's cow showing gig. And last but not least, I got a promotion at work that has taken up a LOT of my time!!! No more blogging at work. WAY too busy for that.

But, no worries. I've kept reading my favorite blogs. I just haven't had the time or energy to update my own.

I promise lots of pictures and more frequent updates. Right now I have to go help with 5th grade math homework. Joy.

3 for the Price of 1

2009-08-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

Last week, Kelsey wrecked her bike, resulting in a pretty bad scrape on her ankle. We were about to go swimming on Saturday when she asked for a band-aid.

Me: Let's not put a band-aid on it right now.
Kels: Why not?
Me: Because the pool water might help it heal.
Kels: Ya, I heard chlorine is good for consussions.

She always keeps me laughing.

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Just incase taking care of your children's needs is not iniative enough...

The Washington County Sheriff Department has added a "Dead Beat Moms and Dads" page to their website featuring parents who are in arrears on their child support.

Perhaps the only thing more embarassing than a picture of you wearing only a bra at a frat party in college being leaked on the internet is this.

Oh, snap.

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My BFF, Kortney, did this on Facebook, and I thought it was really cute. So, I stole it. Play along, why don't ya? Maybe I'll do some tagging.

Here are the rules:

1. Choose ONE singer/band.
2. Answer all the questions below using song titles by that artist.

The artist I choose is Kenny Chesney.

Oh, my. Is he not scrumptious??

Anyway, on with the show.

1. Are you male or female? Woman With You

2. Describe yourself: French Kissing Life

3. How do you feel about yourself? No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem

4. Describe where you currently live: Somewhere in the Sun

5. If you could go anywhere, where would you go? Beer in Mexico

6. Your best friend is: She's Got it All

7. Your favorite color is: Old Blue Chair

8. You know that: Life is Good

9. What's the weather like? Flip-Flop Summer

10. If your life was a TV show, what would it be called? Good Stuff

11. What is life to you? Livin' in Fast Forward

12. What is the best advice you have to give? Be as You Are

13. If you could change your name what would it be? Sherry's Livin' In Paradise
(While I'm not particularly fond of the name Sherry, Brandi was my only other option. No offense, if your name is Brandi...or Sherry, for that matter.)

I tag...

Christy @ The Dugger Family

Tracy @ Sweet Spot

Lenora @ Confessions of a Marine Wife

April @ Life of Me Plus Three

Megan @ Harris Happenings

Suzanne @ Grab a Drink

Jennifer @ The Tschepis

Somethin' to Say

2009-08-13T16:18:00.006-05:00

It's my 2nd post of the day. I'm lame, what can I say??

So, I am taking part in Mama Kat's Thursday Gig.

(Everybody's doing it.)

Choose a prompt, post it on your blog, and come back and sign Mr. Linky. For good comment karma try to comment on the three blogs above your name!!

The Prompts:
1.) Your trip to the ER...spill it.

2.) "Why are American's obsessed with weight? Why are we always fighting or complaining about what is natural for our bodies?"

3.) Describe one of your 'God Moments'.

4.) List ten things you would say to ten different people in your life...if you had the hutzpah.

5.) Why is your kid in time out?

I choose #4. I'm assuming that "hutzpah" is a fancy term for "balls".

Anyway, here goes nothing.

1. Kenny, I love you. I waited for you for many years, but you never called. Was it the "Mrs. Chesney" shirts I wore to your concerts? I wasn't trying to pressure you. Oh, well. I'm married now. It's too late for us. But, that doesn't mean I can't lust after you in your tight Levis.

I do. And I will. Always.

2. Jay and Brock, where did you go?? I used to listen to your radio show everyday on my way to work. I turned it on one Thursday morning and you were gone. You left without saying goodbye.

3. Kim, sister friend, I'm not sure who told you it was cool to dress like a teenager. You are, infact, in your late forties. That black eye liner? Went out years ago. You live in Huntsville, not L.A. You don't have to try so hard, you diva you. I'm not your friend and you are not mine. Let us not pretend at social gatherings. Whadda ya say? P.S. If you ever touch my husband again...it will be embarassing. For both of us probably.

4. Mrs. Brummer, answer me this...why are you still teaching? It's quite apparent that you loathe children. My daughter never felt as low in her life as she did when she was in your class. You made her feel dumb and afraid to ask questions. She cried at night and said she wasn't smart anymore. She's brilliant, incase you didn't notice and luckily, you didn't scar her for life. Head my advice, sister...quit your job. Stay as far away from children as humanly possible.

5. Man who gave me his email address at the Mexican restaurant where my friend and I ate lunch today, thank you for the flattery, but seriously. Do I look like your type?? Pardon me for noticing that you declined chips and salsa because you didn't have the necessary tools to chew them up. Like, teeth. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that you probably haven't bathed since August 1st. And that cut off t-shirt...I'm not sure it has the effect on women that you hoped it would. More than your stares while I was eating my tortilla soup freaked me out, is the fact that you thought I might really be interested in striking up a cyber conversation with you. You won't be hearing from me.

6. Dear Blue Angel Pilot Chick, I want to be you when I grow up. You may possibly be the coolest person I have ever met. Well, we haven't technically "met" but I feel like we have. Girls who are pilots make me want to be a lesbian. I hope that doesn't freak you out. Anyway, just wanted you to know that the fact that you fly jets at mach speeds along side all males gives me goosebumps. I love you.

7. People who bring their screaming kids in my office day after day after ever lovin' day, I can offer you some advice. It's good. It works. The one thing all well behaved children have in common is that they get their butts whipped once in a while. It's quite apparent that "counting to three" does not work in your favor. Get a spatula. Use it once. See what happens.

8. To the person I always seem to get behind on my way to work that goes 5 miles an hour UNDER the speed limit, are you aware, Mr. Dump Truck Driver, that I have a 40 minute comute to work each morning...most of it on a curvy, two-lane highway? Are you aware that I am not a generally puntucal person? Are you aware that certain mornings when my 7 year-old has screamed for thirty minutes about not liking her outfit, I am liable to rear end you just to release some tension?? Speed up, please. Or pull over. If I could pass you, I would, but I can't because 9 times out of 10 there is a chicken truck coming in the opposite direction. If you could go just a LITTLE faster me (and my boss) would appreciate it.

9. To the lady that gave us our poodle (mutt) Mollie, let's be honest. "Precious" did not come from a loving home. While I drove her to our house she rode in my lap quivering while fleas jumped off her back into my car. And while ear mites don't always point to neglect, they are hardly a sign of cleanliness and care. It took a good 6 months for her to not cower when we got within 10 feet of her and house trained?? I that what you call a dog that pisses on the carpet more than she pisses outside? Thanks for that, by the way. We love Mollie and are so thankful that you gave her to us, but next time just be honest. P.S. We changed her name. Hope you're ok with that.

10. Dear makers of Bud Light Lime, you are geniuses. And I love you. That's all I have to say.

Wordless Thursday

2009-08-13T09:00:00.000-05:00

Because "Wordless Wednesday" was yesterday...

These are my grandparents. As of February 6, 2009 they were married for 55 years.

They are the epitome of sticking it out. When the going got rough they didn't quit. They've had good times. Bad times. Down right shitty times. But, they stuck it out. Because they love each other. They really, truly love each other. When it comes to marriage, they are my guide.

And besides all that, how darn cute are they???

Far Behind

2009-08-12T13:51:00.009-05:00

I have neglected by blog lately. Much like I have neglected my house chores. It's the last week of Summer. I feel lazy. What can I say???

Last Friday, Kelly featured "Show Us Your Wedding Reception" on her blog.

Well, I'm late, but I'm posting it anyway. Because I want to.

What a great, great day. I love that day.

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Secondly, I am taking part in Jenna's "I Don't Wednesday" again. This week it's a special edition. Sounds snazzy, huh?

Well anyway, this week you start each sentence with, "I don't believe..."

Here goes...

- I don't beleive that money can buy happiness.

- I don't believe it matters where you buy your clothes or how much they cost.

- I don't believe anything in the world matters more than being a good mother.

- I don't believe that abortion is a good choice.

- I don't believe I would know what to do without my Momma and Daddy.

- I don't believe I could go a day without talking to Kortney.

- I don't believe you have to be a saint to be a Christian.

- I don't believe it's my place to judge people for the choices they have made.

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In other excting, yet slightly alarming, news...

Pee Wee Herman is making a comeback.

Yes, siree, he is. For one week. In Hollywood. Get your tickets now. They're goin' like hot cakes.

I'm joking. About the tickets going like hot cakes. Not about Pee Wee making a comeback.

I don't...

2009-08-05T14:36:00.003-05:00

It's time for some Wednesday fun...

Hop on on over to Jenna's blog and play along. Here goes...

I don't like loud music in stores, like Forever 21, for instance. It makes me want to leave. Abercrombie is the same way, but I really don't shop there. I don't think I could...I'd have a nervous break down.

I don't wear sexy panties. They get on my nerves. They're not comfortable. Maybe I'm old. I'm ok with that.

I don't see why people buy their kids such expensive clothes when they're just going to grow out of them in a couple months. My girls wear clothes from Target and Old Navy and they don't even know the difference.

I don't enjoy pedicures when they people rubbing my feet are chattering in another language. I think if they're not going to speak English then they should be quiet while they do my nails. I know they're talking about my hairy legs, which brings me to this...

I don't like shaving my legs. At all. I try to buy new razors and shaving cream to entice myself. It doesn't work.

I don't feel like working today, but I guess I better.

Little Spies

2009-08-04T15:18:00.005-05:00

Yesterday evening when we got home the girls decided to get out their walkie-talkies and play "spies" outside around the yard.

Matt was doing yard work and I was cleaning up the deck. Every once in a while I would hear one of them say, "Mom's over here...run!!" or "Dad's over here...hide!!" It was very cute and I really enjoyed watching them play together because it rarely (if ever) happens without a fight breaking out!

Anyway, they came in and took showers and the spy game continued.

I walked into Kelsey's room to see her art kit and papers sprawled all over the floor.

Lexi: MOM!!! You can't see this stuff!!
Kels: Ya, it's our spy codes!!
Me: I won't look. I promise. I'll just lay on your bed and watch you play.
Kels: We're spies and we're roomates.
Lexi: We're grown-ups.
Kels: Ya, my name's Brittany. I'm 25 and I just got my college diploma.
Me: Wow! That's great. What did you get your degree in?
Kels: Spying...duh.

She cracks me up!!!

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And is this not the sweetest face you ever saw????

We love our Lola girl!!!

It's a Rainy Jack Day

2009-07-30T15:02:00.003-05:00

I don't have a lot to say today.

I'm having a "Jack" day...a day where he's just heavy on my mind and my heart. I'm not sad. Just thoughtful. I miss my boy.

I like days like this, though. I like days when I can't get him off my mind. I feel close to him today.

Maybe it's the rain. Maybe it's that August 17th is quickly approaching. As of that day it will be two whole years since I laid eyes on my sweet Jack. I can't believe it.

But, no matter what, I'm glad I knew him. I wouldn't trade a day of his 42 days of life for anything. Those were the best and the worst six weeks of my life.

Love you, Jack. But, you already know that. :)

I Don't!

2009-07-29T15:36:00.004-05:00

Today I am taking part in Jenna's new Wednesday gig.

It's fun. You should try it.

I don't watch Grey's Anatomy or Desperate Housewives or any other show that is not reality TV. I am often left out of conversation between my friends about Dr. McDreamy and Meredith, but I'm okay with that. If you want to know what Dateline was about last night...just ask me.

I don't like Diet Coke or drinking water or working out or low fat salad dressing. I wish I did. It would make my life a lot easier. Or my butt a lot smaller. Or both.

I don't use my iPod. Maybe I just got it so I would feel cool.

I don't sleep well without heavy covers...even in the Summer.

I don't like Starbuck's Iced Vanilla Latte' as much as McDonald's.

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And in other news...

I was glad (in the end) that Jillian picked Ed. And I could be TOTALLY wrong, but it seems to me like they may be in it for the long haul. I'd be surprised if they split.

I wanted her to pick Kiptyn all season. I love him (and his pectoral muscles), but I truly believe Ed was the best choice and I truly hope it works out.

And I am gifted, I tell ya! I have picked either the winner or the 2nd runner up of The Bachelor/Bachelorette on the first night as they are getting out of the limo. Every. Single. Season. And yes, I have watched them all.

Who do you think will be the next Bachelor? Kiptyn? Reid? I hope it will be Kiptyn. I like Reid. I mean, he's nice and all, but he just bugs me a little bit. I'm not sure why.

Anyway, I can't wait for next season.

Wanna Be a Cowgirl, Baby!!!

2009-07-28T14:55:00.006-05:00

This past weekend Lexi competed in her very first horse show in Kansas City. I went into it with not-very-high hopes because it was her first time. She was competing against girls who were much older and more experienced than her. I was just hoping she would be okay with not winning. I had prepared my whole, "You did a great job. You should be proud of yourself. I'm sure after more practice you will win lots of ribbons." talk.

But...

I didn't need it afterall.

She kicked butt!! She competed in three events and placed in all three. She got 4th place, 3rd place and 1st place. Yes, I said first. :)

Here are some pictures...

This is my favorite one of all...

I'm so proud of my little cowgirl. :)

Giddy Up

2009-07-23T11:15:00.006-05:00

Today I am taking part in Mama Kat's writing assignment because I haven't had a lot to blog about lately (other than my weekends that seem to pass me by in the blink of an eye) so I figured I could use all the help I can get.

Anyway, the prompt I chose is, "What are you giddy about?"

I am giddy about Lexi's horseshow in Kansas City this weekend!! I can't wait to see her in her little cowgirl outfit...pearl snap shirt and all. I can't wait to see her face light up with pride.

I am giddy about The Bachelorette finale next week.

Who would've thought that a mere few weeks ago I had sworn it off for the rest of the season??? Now I can't wait. I hope she picks Kiptyn, but I bet she picks Ed.

I am giddy about my new BCBG shirt that I got for 50% off at Dillard's the other day. I don't think I could pay $70.00 for a shirt. That just doesn't seem right to me, but $35.00, that's do-able.

I am giddy about my new Cinnamon Buns Philosophy lip gloss.

I need Philosophy lip gloss like a needle needs a vein. If I had to live without it I don't know what I'd do.

I am giddy about my wedding day.

I just spent an hour or so going through all my wedding pictures on discs (Ya, work is pretty slow today.) and I just remember how happy I was that day. It made me want to call my husband and tell him how much I love him. He said, "I love you, too. What did you do??"

I am STILL giddy about my Lady Antebellum CD.

I have had it for at least 6 months to a year and I still love it like the first time I heard it. Every. Single. Song.

I am giddy about having a Bud Light Lime on my deck tonight, but what else is new, right?