Christmas 2016

Why didn’t anyone tell me that Christmas time with a child is so much more fun? Oh my goodness we had a blast, I had tons of stuff planned out for us to do with Grady and due to my lack of planning we didn’t get to fit some things in… There’s always next year right!

Christmas started a week early for Grady. He had a polar Express theme at his daycare where he got to wear PJ’s all day(jealous) and then they had a book exchange. He got the Chicka Chicka Boom Boom book and it is officially his favorite. He goes and picks it out every night for mommy or daddy to read to him, and I can’t complain because I also love this book.

We also braved the crowds and went to go see Santa at Bass pro. Grady seemed like he was super excited but then when I put him on his lap he was completely still and would not move. I don’t even think he blinked an eye.

The week of Christmas, our church hosted several Christmas services throughout the week and weekend. My family normally goes to Christmas Eve service and then we will come home and have dinner and open presents. I love this tradition that I wanted to share it with our friends. We had Chad’s brother and his wife over and our good friends over for dinner after attending Church service. Our friends got Grady a Christmas present (they spoil them rotten).

Lucky for us all of our family lives pretty close which makes holidays super easy, thank goodness. We headed over to my parents on Christmas Eve. We ended up not going to the Christmas Eve service this year. My parents church does not have nursery during the Christmas service and they light candles, needless to say I could vision bad things happening and didn’t want to take the risk. My parents went over and beyond this year and by looking at the pictures Grady would have been just happy with a stocking full of Puffs and graham crackers.  

Chad is a Boston redsox fan and my parents are KC Royal fans, looks like Grady will be wearing this shirt when he goes to stay with his Nana and Pawpaw.

We put Karl outside while we were opening presents. Grady was not happy about this. 

Now that we have a little one I want to have our own little Traditions. For Christmas Eve, I wanted Grady to open up 1 present. This year it was PJ’s and ‘The Night Before Christmas’ book.

For Christmas we really didn’t go all out. I knew he would get spoiled with Grandmas and Grandpas and he’s 1, is he really going to remember? We got him a shopping cart, a stocking, a tool set (which was actually free from my Pampers rewards), and a toy truck. I really want to get Grady a toy Kitchen but Chad and my mom says it’s too girly so I’m thinking maybe a farmer’s market. I mean how cute is this?? Don’t worry Karl got a stocking too but he was too excited that all the pictures are blurry.

After our Christmas we headed over to Chad’s parents which I didn’t know where my phone was at so I didn’t get any pictures. But he did get a ride-on GMC truck (see spoiled). We also went to Chad’s grandparents’ house. Christmas was a fun filled packed day! Thank goodness I had off on Monday to relax

Hey dad! your hair is a little wild there...

This kids tongue is always out..

Karl's 2nd Birthday

Our precious fur baby turned 2 Wednesday. I have a little too much fun celebrating his birthday for him, I live for it!! Can't wait for a human birthday party to plan.

We had a teeth cleaning scheduled in May but someone decided to get sick instead and I've been apprehensive about scheduling another one for him. I really don't like the idea of them having to put him under. So for his birthday presents he got Greenies, and a Nylabone Dental Chew which he absolutely loves.   

This year he got a doggy cake and doggy ice cream! He's one spoiled and lucky puppy. He LOVED both the ice cream and cupcake, they were gone in 2.5 seconds devouring the cupcake whole. 

Check out his 1st birthday here.

Karl's 2

Hard to believe that our little fur baby is 2 years old already (insert tear). He’s had a rough year with 2 trips to the emergency vet, one minor and one major, a few bad haircuts but all the love from mommy and daddy. 

We love you to the moon and back, attention hoarder, seat stealer, chicken nugget thief, and cuddle buddy. You are the best puppy and you’re going to be best big brother to your little brother. This year is going to be the best yet. 

Learning to be grateful

I have been going back and forth as to whether or not to post this but something just keeps telling me too so here it is.

One of the biggest personal struggles I deal with is comparing myself to others. I find myself asking why others have nicer homes or cars, or why their home is always perfect. Well I might not be able to cure my insecurities, but I definitely have learned to be grateful for everything I do have. These past 2 months have taught me that. Here is a rundown of the roller coaster my husband and I have been on.

On March 26^th 2015, we found out we were pregnant. We had been trying for a few months, so I had a few tests in the bathroom. That evening I was taking Karl for a run and my boobs were killing me. I decided to take a test, even though it was a few days before my missed period. The only ones I had in my bathroom were the ones with the + symbol, so I peed on the magic stick and waited. We got a clear line and a very fainted other line. After Chad and I both examined the stick, I decided to run to Walmart to get a digital one that clearly states Pregnant or NOT Pregnant. After the initial excitement, the fear settled in.

On April 5^th 2015, we were driving home from Dallas after visiting our friends and shopping for furniture. It had been raining all night so the roads were really slick. We just got out of Dallas, when we hydroplaned and hit the concrete barrier, totaling our car. Luckily, we were able to position the car for a side impact causing us to not be injured. I was terrified that we had just lost our baby. I truly believe the good Lord was looking out for us and our little nugget. The 2.5 of us walked away unharmed.

On May 9^th 2015, Karl started to get really sick. He started throwing up and not being able to eat or drink. He continued this into Sunday, so we ran to the vet. They gave him an anti-vomit shot and we went home. Later that night he threw up again, which prompted us to return to the vet on Monday. He stayed there until Tuesday and then, after sending results to a specialist, they had us go to a 24 hour clinic where they performed surgery. As they were going through our estimate on surgery, they asked us if they were allowed to perform CPR if he was turning south. I immediately lost it, just the idea of this being a possibility. We dropped him off on May 12^th at 8:30 and they called us at 1:00am telling us everything went great. He ended up eating a piece of carpet or pieces (looks like we’re investing in hardwood floors now) it was stuck 4 inches from his colon. He almost passed it but it was pulling some intestines along with it, so they ended up having to take out 5 inches of his bowel. We are so grateful that he is now ok and they were able to get it out. We picked him up on May 14^th 2015.

(Karl after he got home from the hospital, he was happy to be home)

On May 12^th 2015, I went into work early since I couldn’t sleep. On my way to work I hit a raccoon. It was literally the size of a baby bear cub, this thing was huge. Apparently it had a coat of armor on too, because it did pretty good damage to my NEW car.

These past 2 months have been rough and challenging but they have also made us stronger, not only individually but as a couple as well. It’s so easy to blame your spouse or to take it out on them for everything that’s going on, but they are going through just as much. We show emotions in so many different ways. Even though he’s not crying because our (fur)baby is in the hospital, doesn’t mean he’s not nervous or worried or scared just as much as you are. It also doesn’t mean they don’t love them any less either. I mean it’s a good thing at least one of us is strong, could you imagine if both of us were bawling our eyes out when we had to say good night to Karl before surgery? Life throws us all sorts of challenges no matter who you are, it’s how you deal with them that matters. We are definitely crossing this bump(mountain) in the road but it’s a lot easier when you have a positive out take on it. No matter how low this point can be, it could always be worse than what it is. I am grateful for a man that is strong for me and for his family, I’m grateful for our health and knowing our little fur baby and human baby are ok. I’m grateful that we have worked hard over the years to save up for emergencies, like these, so that finances don’t add additional stress to an already stressful series of events. And above all else, I’m grateful for the love of our heavenly Father who is always looking out for us. 

Weekend Recap

Jordan and Lily left to go back home on Friday and man does the house seem really quite now. Chad and I spent the weekend relaxing and recuperating. We miss them being here and I miss cooking for a family but we are happy to be on our own schedule again.

Saturday we spent the day doing projects around the house. Someone asked us to build them a TeePee so Chad worked on that and I work on making a tree skirt. I have been wanting to do this for a few years now but time always slipped by. And apparently I really wanted to make it because it was pinned on my Pinterest 5 times, lol. I love the way it turned out and don't worry I'll put a tutorial up soon.

I also worked on a few finishing projects for our master bedroom, I can't wait to show you a tour and see what you think.

Sunday afternoon my mom invited me to a holiday house tour and you know I love going on house tours to get decorating ideas. It was such a fun outing with my mom and possibly an annual tradition just like the Parade of Homes.

Oh and how could I forget, we got our family pictures back so now it's a mad dash to get them in the mail. Here's a little peak!

(Photo credit: Mallory Hall Photography)

Karl's Birthday

Our puppy’s birthday was a few days ago and although I really wanted to have a birthday party for him, we opted to just do a birthday cake, presents, and a chicken dinner!!

I ordered a Peanut Butter Puppy Cake a while ago from Amazon and was so excited to make it for him that it had been staring at me from the pantry for 2 months!

 I made him a chicken dinner,a change from his boring puppy food, and then he took to the cake and LOVED it! It was so cute watching him get it all over him (and on the floor).

 We ended up taking it away from him because we didn’t want to chance a belly ache on his special day J. This was the aftermath.

After cake came presents! My parents got him his favorite treats, the pup-peroni’s and also he got a Nylabone!

I would say that was one good birthday!!