My 10-year Reunion

This weekend I celebrated with some old friends our 10-year high school reunion.  Let me be frank, planning a reunion is not easy.  Let’s just say that people can make the easiest thing the most difficult thing.  I started planning this reunion back in January, with a team, so we could have this thing rock.  In my opinion- it did rock. 

If you missed our reunion, you missed out on some great story telling, reminiscing, and making new memories.  I had such a fun time celebrating our friendships, with my husband, and with classmates that go all the way back to elementary school.  It meant a lot to me to have people show up. So, I thought it would be fitting to thank the people who did come with a blog post, than try and make a status update on Facebook.

High School Friends- these are the people I have known the least amount of time, but yet, they still made an impact on my life.

Beth- I met Beth freshman year during third block lunch.  Come to find out, she hated me because she liked this boy who liked me.  When I sat down with her and introduced myself- she was like, “You’re K?”  Needless to say, she got over the boy and she and I had one heck of a friendship.  We were involved in every club you could think of, hung out at Taco Bell with our sisters, and she even did my taxes for me my senior year.  I still owe her $5 for completing them.  Beth is kind, and would give you the shirt off her back.  It was great hearing her unforgettable laugh one more time.

Trista- She and I became pretty close our junior and senior year of high school.  We sat next to each other in math class (Algebra junior year and then AP Statics senior year).  I can say that we talked more about the boys in our lives than we learned about math.  She had a rock solid faith, which she still does to this day- and the friendliest smile out of anyone I know.  Trista is the most genuine and down to Earth person.  If I had to pick my seat and math class all over again, you best believe I would pick the seat right next to Trista!

Billy- Billy was this big rough and tough football player.  We didn’t have any classes together, but we had mutual friends and knew of each other.  Towards the end of junior year we started talking a little more when we passed each other in the hall.  I can say that he was always kind to me, and always looked out for his friends.  He’s a guy you can depend on, and I am so glad he came to the reunion.

Aaron- Aaron and I met our freshman year in mixed choir.  The only class I had with him in high school was choir.  Aaron to this day is one of the most sincere guys I know.  I just remember him being fearless.  He wasn’t afraid to skip a class and run to go get food for us.  I will never forget him jumping the rhino exhibit our senior year on a field trip to he zoo.  Aaron was always happy and laughing.  I can definitely say that he was like a brother to me.  He wasn’t into trying to impress people- he was himself, 100%, all of the time.  That’s what I admire most about him; he’s still that way today!

Lauren- Is a girl who is still as pretty today as she was in high school.  Lauren and I were never in the same crowd, but we did share an English class together.  We hated it!  All we did was sleep in there…I don’t know how either of us passed!

Chad- He was in the same class as Lauren and I…maybe he’s the reason we passed?  I guess we will never know.  Chad is one of the nicest guys around.  I know that he never had an unkind word to say about anyone.  I just remember thinking all the time how nice he was.  He’s done really well for himself in the last 10 years.  It was great to see him and catch up with his wife!

Nicole- Always, always, made me laugh.  I was laughing at her this weekend too; she has not lost her sense of humor.  I met Nicole freshman year and we remained friends all through high school.  Lunch was always fun with Nicole.  It was so good to see her.

Rosanna- This chick is the bomb.com!  Rosanna and I got really close senior year.  We had senior English together and had to stick together in that class.  (We were in a class that was extremely chaotic and dysfunctional.)  Rosanna was a good kid who wasn’t afraid to skip class or run and go get lunch for herself…or a teacher.  Rosanna’s a person that once she lets you in, she’s there for you 100%.  She’s one of the most loyal people I know.  

Middle School Friends- These folks have been around since I was like 11-12?  You know what that time is like!

Christian- I remember seeing Christian in 6^th grade and thinking, “Man he has pretty hair.”  He still does to this day!  He was always in the ‘cool crowd’ but never had to try to be in that crowd…he’s defiantly one of the coolest guys around.  He tells you like it is; there’s no black or white with him.  He’s done well for himself too; it was nice hearing about all of his accomplishments. 

Bryan- Was one of my closest friends all throughout middle and high school.  He was the guy that I could depend on to help me with homework or talk to me about the mean kids we had to deal with.  I still think of Bryan as a close friend.  I know that if I needed something, I could ask him and he’d help me- no matter the circumstance.  He is one of a kind.

Jaron- I don’t know what to say about this guy!  Just kidding.  Jaron and I still keep in touch to this day; this is the friend that I let copy off me from the first day of middle school to final exams of senior year.  Jaron has been with me through it all.  He is like a brother to me.  I can be honest with him, and he doesn’t judge me for it.  He’s a thrill seeker, and has almost met his Maker a time or two.  I am so blessed that he’s still in my life.  He would do anything for anyone.  He’s loyal, trustworthy, and hilarious.  He’s one of a kind, and I can say that I love having him as a friend.

Elementary School Friends- These friendships are the ones that started when I was five.  I love the fact that these people are still around and we can share the same crazy stories of Roby Elementary.

Lindsey- Lindsey and I grew up in the same neighborhood, just a street away from each other.  We met in Kindergarten…I have known this woman for 23 years.  Gosh that makes be feel old.  She’s reliable, honest, and nuts.  This girl can remember things from the neighborhood that I had totally forgotten.  I love her.

David- David and I were in 4^th grade together.  He was always super nice, but was always going 100mph.  He’s a guy that stays true to his friends, and will help you out no matter if he’s known you for years or a couple of weeks.  He’s just a great guy, and it was awesome getting to see him.

Desiree- Has been a friend since first grade; and I wouldn’t trade our friendship for the world.  She is sweet as honey; but if you cross her- forget it.  It’s like messing with a hornet’s nest.  Desi is one in a million.  I am thankful that I had the chance to sit and catch up with her.  I don’t see her much, but when I do- it’s like no time has passed.

Bradley- What can I say about this one?  He has always had my back…always.  He’s a good guy through and through.  He did give me this awful nickname, “Poofy” because of the bangs I had back in the day.  But you know bangs were in, in the 90’s.  I can say that I love this kid.

Crystal- This is the coolest chick you will ever meet.  She came to our elementary school in third grade.  She and I hit it off, and have been friends since we were eight.  I admire the fact that she’s not afraid to be who she is, and you either like her or you don’t.  She’s always been this way- this was something I have only learned within the last few years.  I love Crystal.  She’s sincere and would do anything for anybody.  I am blessed to still call her a friend. 

Daniel- Daniel and I go back to first grade.  He and I were completely opposite.  He was the daredevil, and I was the one who wouldn’t try anything.  He liked to bend the rules and I followed them.  I was honestly surprised that he showed up; but it was so good to see him!  He’s one proud papa, and I admire how much he loves his kiddo.

Holly- Let me just say, if you missed our reunion- you missed Holly.  She’s hot!  She was my best friend in third grade, man we did everything together!  I loved going to her house, I have so many good memories with Holly.  We went horseback riding, spent the night together, and even joined Brownies together.  Then we got split up- Holly is incredibly intelligent, actually I don’t think I can even describe how gifted she is, and I’m just not as smart as her.  It was so nice to see her…she’s beautiful inside and out.

Eric- I can honestly say I was surprised to see him.  It was so good to see him; I think it’s been since high school that I’ve actually talked to him.  He’s still the same ‘ol guy.  It was great catching up with him.  Eric and I were really good friends in high school; I have great memories of him.

Angie- I don’t even know where to start with Angie.  She has been around since elementary school, and we knew each other- but we didn’t really hang out until high school.   All of my high school memories include this lady.  She’s fun, she cares, and she let me be me without judging me.  Still to this day I love talking to her.  She’s another one where it doesn’t matter how much time passes, whenever we see each other- we pick up right where we left off.  Angie has always been good to me, always.  I can count on her for anything.  She’s simply amazing.

Now, if you stuck with me and read about each of these people, thank you!  Our reunion was amazing.  I know it may seem like we didn’t have a ton of people show- but the people who did come had a good time and great conversations.  If you’re reading this and you didn’t come to the reunion- think about coming to the next one.  If you have the attitude, “No one will be there” and you don’t come- then yeah- no one will be there.

10 Things a Stay At Home Mother Doesn’t Want to Hear

A recent article showed up in my Facebook newsfeed titled, “10 Things WorkingMothers Don’t Want to Hear”.  I was intrigued and read it.  I have it hyperlinked for you to read if you’re intrigued as well.

I have the upmost respect for working moms.  I totally understand that you work to provide for your children.  Who wouldn’t respect that?  I also feel like working moms and SAHMs (Stay At Home Moms) have been pinned against each other, and I really have no clue why.  I am a working mom; I just stay home and do not receive a monetary check each week.

So…here are my 10 Things a Stay At Home Mother Doesn’t Want to Hear.

1. Do you miss working?

I do work.  I take care of my Little Boy all day.  I feed him, change him, entertain him, and love him.  I am trying to keep a household running, while life is going on.  My “boss” is a 23-pound human who communicates with smiles, grunts, and cries.  When you ask this, are you asking if I miss the daily grind or getting a paycheck?

2.  It must be nice to stay home and do whatever you want. 

I do not get to do what I want everyday.  I have a to-do list to try and get through.  My number one priority is to keep Little Boy alive; if I can do that- it’s a success.  If I can keep him alive and get things on my to-do list crossed off, that is a really successful day!  When you say this, I feel like you’re implying that you’re better than me because you have the same routine to do everyday and I don’t.

3.  I bet you are learning all kinds of new recipes to make for Mr.!

New recipes?  Are you serious?  No, I’m not!  I need easy things to fix for supper.  I have a little hanging off of my hip the majority of the day.  When you say this, it may be meant as a conversation starter, but you really just opened a can of worms.

4. Do you feel like you wasted your degrees?

No.  I resigned from teaching right as this season of life was starting.  I have two degrees that will allow me to join the workforce again one day.  No college degree is ever wasted.  Why would you think that?

5. I would get so bored.

I promise you, you won’t.  There’s laundry that needs to be folded and put away.  When was the last time you mopped the kitchen and bathrooms?  How long have you been putting off dusting?  Oh, can you do this while a baby is a millimeter away from you?  Trust me, you will never be board. 

6. I just can’t do the stay at home thing.

You could.  It’s all about a lifestyle change.  Mr. and I figured out before Little Boy came the cost of daycare compared to staying home.  We saw that my entire paycheck would be going to cover the cost of day care, give or take a couple hundred dollars we could invest/save each moth.  I just couldn’t justify that extra money and sending my Little Boy to someone else to watch and teach.  I want to see all of his firsts.  I want to be the one who teaches him. 

7. Does your little get any socialization?

Yes!  Little Boy is put in the nursery every week at church.  He’s with other littles that are at the same developmental level he is at.  We also attend Mommy and Me music classes, and story time at the library each week.  Trust me, my Little Boy is plenty social.  Thanks for judging us.

8. Your husband must make a ton of money if you can stay home.

Mr. doesn’t make a ton of money.  First off, we both recognize that the money we receive from his paycheck isn’t ours.  It’s God.  We have to be good stewards with this money and make sure that we stretch every dollar we can.  It’s also helpful that we’re completely debt free, except for our home.  Dave Ramsey’s teachings will help you with becoming debt free- I promise!  Plus, didn’t your Momma ever teach you to not ask others about their financial situations?

9. Can you watch my child while I cut the grass, run to Dollar General, or work outside?

NO!  Just because I’m home, and outside enjoying the day with Little Boy does not mean that I am your free, personal babysitter.  Do not ever ask this. 

10. What do you do all day?

Well, I get up when Little Boy wakes up, feed him his morning bottle and entertain him for about an hour until he’s ready for his breakfast.  What’s he eat for breakfast?  Pancakes.  I make him pancakes and eggs every morning. 

Then we usually take a walk around the block, and I let him have some independent playtime so I can shower and clean up breakfast.  Did I mention that he’s hollering the entire time I’m away?  Yup, at the top of his lungs, I’m surprised the neighbors haven’t complained.  After I shower and clean up the kitchen, Little Boy will have a morning snack, a yogurt.  We then will read and he settles in for a nap.

Naps can last anywhere from 1.5-3 hours.  They are never the same length.  If for some reason I was not able to shower at this time I’ll shower, eat something myself, check email, start laundry, clean up the house, and now I’m packing the house up for our move. 

After naps Little Boy will eat lunch, and then we will run errands.  Drop off bills, go to the grocery, do something that Mr. has asked me to complete.  Once errands are finished, we have to have an afternoon snack.  Depending on the weather, we will go outside and swing or play in the driveway.

If it’s too hot or rainy, we just play in our playroom.  Little Boy doesn’t watch TV.  He always has someone on the floor with him or near by.  This is tiring, yes, but I just can’t see sitting a 10 month old in front of the TV.  I guess it’s the teacher in me.

Mr. will get home from work anywhere between 5-6:30.  It just depends on what he has on his plate that day.  We will cook dinner, or go grab something to eat if Mr. is coming home late.  (Yes, we have money set aside to go and get something out to eat).

Our evening routine usually allows for us to take a family drive each evening.  We just drive around the city, go get ice-cream, or go walk around Lowe’s or Wal-Mart.   

We tend to start getting Little Boy ready for bed anywhere around 8-9:30om.  It depends on if we’re at a family members house, running an errand, or are just home and Little Boy is ready for bed.

Once he’s down for the count, Mr. and I clean up whatever messes are around, may catch a TV show, or pack up the house.  There is never a dull moment being a SAHM.  Being able to stay home and raise my Little Boy myself is a blessing.  This is the lifestyle that Mr. and I chose, and it works for us.

  

I know I said that I respect Working Moms.  I really do.  I know that you’re out there working hard for your babies.  I am doing the exact same thing.  I hope that in the future, a line can be drawn in the sand, and Working Moms and SAHMs can be seen equally.  Neither is better than the other.  When it boils down to it; we all love our kiddos.  We are all trying our best.  We’re all mothers.

Happy Birthday, Kimble!

Labor Day is a bittersweet day for me and will be for the rest of my life here on Mother Earth.  Today marks my sweet little angel baby, Kimble’s second birthday with The Lord.  It’s hard to think that two years have passed, and I still carry her with me.

A lot can change in two years.  I feel like I have come full circle as I sit here and write this post.  Mr. is feeding our 10 month old his last bottle before bed.  I am listening to him whisper in Little Boy’s ear how much he loves him, and it warms me to the core.

A lot can change in two years.  Two years ago I was in bed, weeping for the baby I had lost.  Only six weeks along, when I miscarried; but I had lost a baby that I had already fallen in love with and named.  I remember the dinner we ate with my Mom and Dad.  I remember calling my sisters and telling them the news.  It’s crazy how it floods my mind and I get weepy as I reminisce.   

A lot can change in two years.  I have a healthy, and happy baby boy cooing as he falls asleep.  I have delivered a baby via C-section, changed thousands of diapers, and watched tumbles and triumphs.  I am a mother.

There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think of my Kimble.  There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t thank The Lord for Little Boy.  There isn’t a day that goes by that I can’t imagine my life without my little, or think of what life would be like had I had Kimble.

I have no idea why I had a miscarriage.  I have no idea why The Lord saw fitting that I be a mother to the best little boy I have ever met.  Can I say that I’m thankful for my miscarriage?  Yes.

A lot has changed in two years.