hey, howdy, hey!

We had a good start to 2011, here's what's been happenin'...in a nut shell:

1. Andy and I did another weight lose competition which we both sucked at. I ended up gaining 1 lb I think. Ha! Not really the goal I had in mind. I need to seriously dig deep here! I wanna loose 20 more by June. We're thinking about trying the Paleo diet together. Not that I WANT to but I've been at a standstill since Thanksgiving. Blah. I would miss cheese. I'm also on the slow track to training for a 1/2 marathon June 6th too. I'm scared! Shizz!
2. We celebrated our 4th Anniversary at home on the 27th. Good times. :)

3. Copper wore one of Molly's skirts.

4. We planned a ski trip for our Anniversary and just before getting to our destination I realized that I forgot my wallet and we had to drive the long road home...skiless and wordless because Andy wasn't talking to me. Ha! He really wanted to go skiing I guess : /
5. Molly got on all fours and with all four limbs trembling from the weight of her chunky torso, she stayed up for a few seconds. We all clapped and cheered like a bunch of idiots.

6. Colt fell in love with Buzz & Woody. One night Colt ran over with his bottom lip out yelling, 'Wood, ARM OFF!!' What he meant to say was...Woodys head fell off. I laughed. We tossed Woodys head in the trash, then Colt wanted to keep the headless Woody to keep playing with. I laughed some more. Eventually he tossed Woody that night and the next day Andy upgraded Woody. Colt was so happy. Colt IS so happy. I've never seen the kid play with a toy like he plays with Woody. Unfortunately, little Buzz got the boot and is typically found at the bottom of the toy box or under the couch :/ Just like in the movie. Someday we'll upgrade little Buzz too. Someday.

so much to say!

Ya know how I was gonna blog during nap time...eh, ya that didn't happen. So here I sit absolutely forcing myself to not do the other 20 things I should probably be doing and blog instead. How does that happen? No matter what, there is always something I should be doing. But for now I'm going to blog and stare at the toys that need picked up, the clean clothes in the basket that need folded and put away, the dishes in the sink and the list goes on. Seriously driving me a little crazy looking at this mess but oh well. Ok, I'm done.

Now I'm going to vomit my thoughts and try to make it to bed in 30 minutes :)

• debt. As of December 1st 2010 we are debt free! We said goodbye to the payments for a Ford, a Honda, a Jeep and a furnace totally to $33,000 dollars which we paid off in 2.5 years.  That included a few road bumps along the way too...1) Colt 2) I quit my full time job & my part time job to stay home and 3) Molly. Not that they are road bumps in our life just things that set us back a tad financially. We are really proud of ourselves. I love that we honored the money that God put into our life and I pray that from it we're able to live a financially easy life and give generously as we go. It feels realllly cool and I must say I think I've fallen more in love with my Andy on this journey. It's been hard, we had to pinch penny's and skip out on fun times and vacations but it's over with now and we're better for it. The one thing I heard Dave Ramsey say that stuck with me was, Adults devise a plan and see it through. Children do what feels good. That really put things in perspective and helped me stay focused. If you want to know how we made it happen go here and do this. You won't regret it!
• rollin' rollin'. Molly finally started to roll. At her 6 month appointment she was still totally content just laying there. She finally started to roll but not without help from Colt. Whenever he saw me lay the blanket on the living room floor he would say MOLLY? Roll??...I'd lay her down and he'd grab her shirt and pull/push her until she flipped over :) Such a helper. I feel like she will be a tad slower in all the physical milestones. She just wants to sit on the floor play with a Dolly or a toy and jibberjabber :)
• the grinch. I've watched this movie a dillion times in the last 3 weeks. I say every time how perfect this character is for Jim Carey to play and I'm in awe of what an amazing actor he is. This also is a hilarious movie. Every time I watch it I find something else in it that is hilarious. I also love the moral of the story. I love Max the dog. I love when Cindy Lou Who sings Where Are You Christmas in her room before bed that one night and hits that high note at the very end...she's just so sweet.  I want to be a Who.
• ibs. I figured we'd close the book on my whole intestinal/stomach ache/poop problems. After all those tests and everything I went through the doctors told me I have IBS. I feel like I could have figured that out. I've cut the majority of wheat out of my diet and it does help. I haven't had a stomach ache in months which is amazing. Now, when I cheat with wheat and eat it I vomit  and have terrible diarrhea instead. haha! Not all the time, just sometimes. Whatever. TMI. Anyways. Let's just say Lord help me when I'm 80 and naturally start to loose control of my bms. AND I just took it another step farter...I mean farther. I mean, POOP!
• 11:10pm I was supposed to go to bed ten minutes ago.
• snow. snow. snow. It's been snowing like crazy here and I for one, flipping love it. The more snow the merrier. It's beautiful. It's quiet. It bring a peace to my soul. You can hit someone in the face with it if you're mad...and you can eat it if you're hungry. It's amazing. Colt, Andy and Copper think so too...
• baby jesus. Christmas morning is almost here and I'm going to make a birthday cake for baby Jesus. Andy thinks I'm crazy. Maybe I won't ALWAYS make baby Jesus a birthday cake but it will help my 2 year old get the reason this day is so special...and WHO doesn't like cake??? [besides my irritable bowl.]

I'm glad I got that off my chest :)

my time in the woods

You might remember a few weeks back I mentioned I was going hunting with Andy. Well that day came and we had some fun times.

I know it's hard to make anything out in the picture below but if you look really close, you'll see me. Andy did a great job decking me out in his camo boots/jacket/overalls/mask so all you can see is my eyes floating in the middle [well, they're shut] but you can see the side profile of my eyes and a small part of my nose.

I mentioned my eyes were shut and no, I wasn't playing dead. This is a picture of me taking the most effective cat nap of my life. Seriously, I was drooling.

Ya see, I spent the first hour sitting in complete darkness waiting for the sun to rise. Andy found a spot for us in the woods and guided me to my seat. I couldn't make out where the trees were. Primarily because I wore that face mask from the second I stepped in the woods because I was freaking about getting a tick in my hair...so the mask cut off all my peripheral vision, well practically all my vision.

I sat down in the seat and stayed in the fetal position while Andy situated his bow and arrows. I was nervous because it was so dark I didn't know if there was poison ivy by my feet, a gigantic spider web two inches above my head or a 10 point buck flashing me a peace sign a few feet away. I, of course, acted brave and pretended that the lack of knowledge of my surroundings wasn't throwing me off.

I was informed on the car ride over that I wasn't allowed to talk or make any quick moves so I spent the entire time acting as a mute sloth.

When the sun finally rose and it was time to start looking for the animals, I was so pooped from having to meet 5am for the first time in a long time AND from being so nervous-jervous from sitting in the darkness that I took myself a little siesta. Every once in a while Slothman would turn his head to check on me. I felt him poking me in the leg with his bow cause he thought I was kidding...I'd raise my head to ask him in sign language what he wanted and he just laughed. He said he thought about walking away and leaving me in the woods to wake up by myself. That would have actually been really funny.

We unfortunately didn't see any deer. BS [before siesta] I did see a black and white kitten pracning around. I originally thought the cat was a skunk though. It was still kinda dark and all I saw was the black and white. I might have pee'd my pants a little.

After the skunk scare and IS [inbetween siestas] I heard more critter noises and noticed a mouse about 2 feet from my foot. He was really cute though. I named him Sir Mouse-A-lot. Andy got me a stick to throw at him, which I held onto for a long time before dropping it MS [mid siesta].

Kinda funny, I just noticed that when Andy took this picture I was still holding Sir Mouse-A-lots stick.

We had a good time though.
Next time I'm taking a pillow.

annipic

Andy and I started a new tradition this year. We're writing each other letters [although I'll always accept chocolate too] and taking a picture together then saving it in scrapbook for each Anniversary. I think the letters will grow in value as the years go by.

He wanted to take a full body picture in front of our fireplace but the only person home to take that picture was Copper and she's not that talented. PLUS, I choose to use my veto powers because until I birth my child and get my body under control there will be no full body pictures being taken if I have anything to do with it. Molly is currently the only cute part of my bod...and my head is kinda cute too [when I've done my hair].

Here is our annipic for 2010.
I love Andy's head.
It's bigger than mine, which we all know how hard it is to find a head bigger than mine. So we're pretty much a perfect match.

Do you have any traditions with your hubby?

3 years of the good stuff.

Today I celebrate three years of marriage with my man.
I'm still really in love.

I would re-live my wedding day in a second.
Jan 27th 2007.
It was perfect.

The boys snuck up to the girls room on our wedding day while we were taking pictures and stole our bagels from Panera. We were left sharing a bag of Sun Chips and a bottle of water [all of which I took care of]. A few minutes later, someone bought them McDonald's while we withered away.
Of course a wedding day doesn't make a marriage. It takes thought and effort, from both people, every single day. It's not always easy but it's always worth it. We've been together for 5 years, married for 3 and I can't express how 'right' life feels. Marrying Andy is by far one of the best things I've ever done.

We're going to celebrate by spending the day with each other. My in laws have Colt for the day and night. We're gonna get lunch, go buy some clothes for Molly so she's not naked for the first 3 months of life, watch our wedding and honeymoon videos, make a fire and get Pizza Hut for dinner. So you can clearly see we're going all out here. But really all I want to do is just be with my man.

Last night Andy and I were talking about our wedding day. He told me he weighed the same he did as the day we got married...then I punched him in the face. He's the hottie tottie and I make the babies.

3 years
2 babies
1 love

That should be a Hallmark card.

blow darts

Mo: Why are blow darts on your list 'to buy' in your blackberry?
Andy: To remind me to buy some.
Mo: Why oh why, do you need blow darts?
Andy: For my blowgun, I found it while cleaning the basement.
Mo: What are you going to dart?
Andy: Rabbits.
Mo: What did they ever do to you?
Andy: They eat my hostas. I'm a good shot too. I'll bet you I can hit the door nob with a dart from the couch. You'd appreciate it.

The madness never ends.

51 years

Happy Anniversary Grams and Gramps!
Thank you for being an amazing example of what love looks like.
I LOVE YOU!

We're a very soft spoken, reserved type of family. Can you tell?

sugarplum

If you would have known my Andy, let's say 7 or 8 years ago you probably wouldn't have thought of him as being prime marriage material. He was quiet, introverted, hard to read, harder to talk to, kinda lazy, down in the dumps from time to time and often had an 'Eeyore' attitude about things.

I think it's funny that we stared at each other in the face for years with out any sort of attraction and all the while not knowing that we were staring our soul mate in the face at the same time.

Andy truly is the most amazing man I know. Overtime God softened his heart to let others in...over time he became an easier book to read...his outlook is much brighter...his heart is so full of love...he is thoughtful, tender and caring. He is a provider for his family and leader for his wife and his son. When I'm down I ask him to pray for me and there if nothing sweeter than a prayer from your husband lifted up to God for you.

The other night I told him I wanted him to start calling me Sugarplum [I tried to think of the worse pet nick name ever and THEN I tried to keep a straight face while requesting it]. He and I immediately started laughed at loud at how ridiculous the request truly was and how idiotic he would sound if he actually followed through with it. I got out of control laughing so hard...started to cry...almost wet the bed. It wasn't even that funny just struck me silly. We laugh like that a lot. Another reason he's awesome...he laughs with me.

The light went out for the night and you heard...
M: I love you Andy.
A: I love you babe.
M: You're my best friend.
A: You're mine too.

Moral of the story.
Never question God's match making abilities.
He knows what he's doing.
I posted this picture for all you people who like to vomit at the sight of a husband and a wife who are madly in love...kinda sorta making out in front of the camera. Yep, that's us. We do that and we don't care.

Don't miss the toilet.

a love letter

Last night I felt quite sick. It was my own fault for taking my pre-natal pill on an empty stomach and then staying up for another two hours texting away and glancing through a book full of baby names. Luckily, after scarfing a nutrigrain bar, drinking some water and sitting up right for about 30 mins I was able to avoid the vomit part that occasionally comes with being pregnant. Andy felt for me do he gave me a back rub then I drooled my way to sleep.

He left early for work this a.m. and I got up just a little before baby. I walked outside my dark room [eyes adjusting to the light, vampire style] and in the kitchen I notice a piece of paper that was not there last night. Instantly my heart leapt a few feet in my chest and I thought he left me a love letter. He has done this before and he knows that just a simple love note gives him major brownie points and starts my long day with out him on the right note.

I got closer and closer and it was his handwriting! [getting excited...falling more in love] Now typically I wouldn't share our love letters with the world wide web but today...you all get to see how sweet Andy's love letters are. This is what I saw:

Can you:
-Cut Colt's nails
-Clean out junk drawer
Please?
Thank You

Ladies, leave the vomiting to me.
If you're confused he left me a To-Do list.
Mental note taken.
Massive brownie point deduction applied.

the best game ever

Last night before Andy and I drifted off to sleep I asked him if he remembered this one game we used to play...he did and after some begging he caved and played along. I'll share this secret game with you and you only. We typically play this game before bed [get your mind outta the gutter]. It's really fun, totally ridiculous and I guarantee that you will be crying from laughing so hard. Andy said last night, 'I forgot how much I loved that game'.

Promise me you'll play?

Here are the rules:

a. Hug each other so that you're super close. [I just hop on over to his pillow]

b. One person goes first and they have to make the ugliest face ever [sound effects are allowed].

c. The first person to break down and laugh first looses.

d. Take turns making ugly faces.

A few funny things a) if you knew my husband you would never in a million years think of him actually enjoying this game, but he loves me, and so he plays and he's grown to love it and 2) It's also really fun when you're playing and the other person has a dead serious face going on because your funny face ISN'T that funny and you almost blow it.

Anyhow.

Just try it.

No, you're not to old for games.

a picture is worth a thousand words

Our dear friends the Anderstroms helped us out tremendously for Mom and Dad's Anniversary Party. Reed [being a pastor] led mom and dad through their beautiful vows. Nora made [well, she would have made but she broke her leg a few days before the party]...Nora had someone make an awesome pasta salad...and Jonathan gave us the gift of pictures! What a wedding gift :) Thank you Anderstroms!!! I've looked at these pictures thousand times. They are awesome. One of my favorite things about the party was the fact that everyone wore black and white, well, except for mom and dad...and a few people who missed the requested dress code on the invite, but that's ok :)

Here are a few of my favorites and my first attempt at a slide show:

dear journal

Andy expressed to me a few days ago how stressed he was working, mowing, spending time at the ER and going to school. He wants some help with the financial load we have right now...to help pay off our debt faster.

My car needs paid off. We want more in savings. That is the goal.

So I'm job searching. BLAH! It's really hard to get back in that mind set after leaving my career as a Visual Merchandiser and being a stay at home mommy for the last 10 months...but if it will make him happy and less stressed then I'll do what it takes. It's hard to do though, not gonna lie. I don't wanna have to work. But arguing over the grocery bill isn't fun either. So it looks like I'm going to try to find something at least for a little while.

I'm being really picky about it. I'm considering serving at a restaurant somewhere. I get bored really easily so want to be constantly busy if I do have to work. Serving would be a good option. It will only be for a little while.

My secret plan is to get pregnant as fast as possible...that way I'll TRULY only be locked into working for a little while...because I'll be so huge and then pop out a kid then I for sure can stay home.

These last few months have been hard on us. He's stressed because he's working his tail off and I'm stressed because I never see him and when I do he's, like I said, stressed. So much on his mind he's just not fully with us. Ohhp, and here come the tears. I know everything will be fine and we'll be stronger because of all this but right now it's just sucky.

Whelp, enough complaining for one night. Andy is snoozing, Colt is out, Copper is chasing rabbits in her dreams and I'm up. Think I'll go return some crap at Walmart. Think they'll know I left?

Feeling alone. Kinda. Not really.
Bye Computer Screen.

wedding bells

25 years ago my parents eloped and today their getting their long awaited reception.

85 people are coming.
The tables are set up.
Their friends are coming from near and far.
I'm really excited.

bugs! lkasjflasjdflkajsfd!!!

lkasjdflkasjdlfalsjdf!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We've got bugs! Big freakin bugs!

I found two dead a month ago and thought no big deal. They're dead. I left them for Andy.

I found another live one last week. One live one yesterday and another LIVE one today!

You guys...you don't even understand. Bugs make me wants to cry.

I hate bugs. But I have major, major issues.

I can't kill them.

I'm not even a tree-hugger-type who doesn't want you to kill the bug. I want the bug gone...like, two seconds ago...but I physically can't bring myself to step on it. The crunch sound and the aftermath with the yellow bug guts and the detached arms and legs makes me want to vomit.

I wish I was stronger. I really do.

Yesterday Andy and I almost got a divorce over a bug. I asked him so kindly while he was changing the babies diaper...ANDY! HURRY...Big Freaking BUG...by my feet...in the Kitchen...HURRY!!! Please HURRY!!!

I decided to set up a boobie-trap and capture the bug until Andy came.

He majorly pissed me off because 1. He didn't hurry 2. When he finally came into the kitchen he REFUSED to kill the bug...and said that he wanted to see if I could kill the bug as a test. He wants to see me do it so he could be positive that if he's gone I would be able to successfully kill the bug. Jerk.

The next ten minutes consisted of...
some pleading...Please baby, please kill it for me!
some begging...What do you want? I'll do anything! Don't make me do this!
some demanding...No, Andy, seriously, you're killing the bug...do not walk out of this room!

He wouldn't do it. So I scooped the bug up in a baby food container and started to carry it to the back door, the whole time saying...I hate you, I hate you, I hate you, I hate you. 1/2 of the I hate you's were for Andy and the other 1/2 were for the bug. The bug slipped out from my boobie-trap a few feet from the door and landed on my foot. I screamed!! Then I started to cry. Then Andy told me I was acting like a 5-year-old and I should step back from the situation and take a good look at myself. He grabbed a shoe. Smashed it all to heck. Tossed the remains outside and went into the other room.

I get it guys. It was just a bug and it may have seemed like I was over reacting. BUT c'mon. All I really wanted was for the Man of the House to do the manly things while he's at home. I'm home alone enough doing everything on my own. Why try to make an example out of a bug? Just kill it for your wife. Can I get an Amen? I acted mad for a while and when he came back into the Kitchen he started talking about something he found on the Internet and was totally over our little tiffy. I still wanted to dwell on it for a bit more and stay mad. How do men get over things so easily?

Anyhow. Brace yourselves for the following pictures. The 1st picture is the bug from yesterday right after I boobie-trapped it. The 2nd picture is the bug I captured today. SEE ANDY??? I didn't let it get away. But don't be surprised if it's under your pillow case when you get home in the morning.

p.s. Please someone tell me this is NOT a cockroach. If it is. I might just die.

p.p.s. I hate bugs