Bella

So, I've never really been an "animal lover." I'll admit it. I mean... I like animals. I like to play with them...and I really don't mind too much taking care of them. But, "animal lover"...not really me. Most of you know I have a little dog named Duke. He's a miniature pinture. I got him for Kenny when we first got married. He's a hyper little dog. But, he's pretty good. He's a nice dog-- well-behaved. Well, Kenny got another dog when I was pregnant with Kira. It was WAY TOO MUCH for me to handle. Two dogs, and a baby. I almost lost my mind. I really did. So, we gave him away. :(
The other day my co-worker told me about this little dog that her son's girlfriend found in the middle of traffic. They were going to take her to the animal shelter because she already had 3 dogs in the house, and just couldn't do one more. For some reason-- I panicked. I didn't want them to take her to the shelter. She told me it was a little dog-- but was so dirty, and messy, and matted hair... I felt so bad for her. So, I went and got her. She looked terrible. Her hair was so gross, and she smelled, and she had dreadlocks in her hair. :( But, I felt so bad for the little thing. I looked through all of the lost dog ads I could find-- going back months. I showed her to one girl, spoke to a couple others. I put up found dog ads... no response. I took her twice to get checked for a chip. Then, I took her to the vet. This poor tiny dog was just in a world of a mess. Her hair was so long and matted. The vet said whoever had her, neglected her really bad...and I shouldn't feel bad if I was going to keep her and take care of her.
So, that's what I did. She got her shots. I took her to the groomer. I just got her teeth cleaned today and a couple of them had to be pulled.
Here's the thing. I just love her. She is so tiny, and cute...and just so loving. She looks so much better, and has perked up so much since we've had her. She plays with Duke. She plays with her toys. She curls up in a little ball on my lap, or right at my feet.
I have no idea why on earth I wanted this dog. Maybe I felt like I was "saving" her. Or, maybe I just couldn't stand the thought of this poor thing being in the shelter, and maybe not being adopted. But, Kenny let me keep her. And, he was happy to do it. Duke is hyper, she is pretty quiet. I think they'll help balance each other out. Here she is... resting in her new home.

Betty Crocker, Jr.

The pictures say it all. I woke up this morning, went out to run errands, and when I got home, Kira and I set to work. I had bananas that were getting way too ripe, and zucchini our friend gave us. So, we made banana nut/chocolate chip muffins, and zucchini bread. Kira was a good helper. She really was. I measured everything, and she put it in the bowl. She helped mix it, and didn't make a mess. It was a fun morning... and to see her excitement that she helped make these fun muffins... was so cute. I'm not a natural cook, or baker. But, I think this might be a regular activity with Kira and I!! :)

It's been a while...

I feel like this is one of those pictures where Kira is just like her mommy. And, she represents in this picture how I feel right now. I just want to wear clothes that don't match. Sit out on the grass just because I can, [play all day and leave my toys everywhere...and stick my tongue out at the world, ya know?

It is no secret that I love to write. It is no secret that I love to take pictures... of myself, and of Kira. :) But, the last little while, I haven't taken as many pictures, and it's obvious...I haven't been writing-- on this blog atleast. But, I've falled off the wagon before...and I've gotten back on. It's just that each time I fall off, I don't think I ever will again. So, that's a lie, I've learned. So, I'll blog I guess when I feel like it...and I won't feel so overwhelmed to "catch back up." Although, I will eventually.

Okay, for the quick summary: I mean... It's been almost 5 months. So, I'll summarize and then go back and blog when I have the time and feel like it. :)

Kenny: Kenny is working hard, and working hard at playing when he can. :) He really does work hard for our family and he sacrafices a lot. That being said, he also gets his time to play. He went turkey hunting for several weekends-- but... sad... no turkey. He'll go deer hunting in October, and who knows what other animal he'll want to hunt for. I can't keep track really. He also, is the typical "guy" when it comes to working out in the garage. He currently has a truck in the driveway he's working on, and 3 bikes in the garage. I'm not sure which of those run, but he seems to enjoy just putting on his music and playing in the garage. I mean-- why not?

Me? I'm working. Yep. I work my 40 hours a week and not a minute more. I spend most of my time with Kira...and get to go and play with my friends. Kenny's been good about making sure I get to go do things that I want to. I'm also working on a goal I've set for the end of October-- and that's been something good for me to focus on and spend time working towards. It's been a while since I really decided to accomplish something that was hard to do-- and I'll go through with it. Rick is still ....sick. He's been doing .... ? I don't want to say better, or worse. He's had a few surgeries and had a rough time. But, I am proud of him for getting the treatment that he needs even though it's been really hard on he and his family. I hope and pray for him everyday to be 100% again...but I try to be realistic. It's an evil battle inside myself-- between denial and acceptance... believing in miracles-but trying to be realistic. I guess just not living by him and not being able to see him-- leaves me at a loss for how things are. I'm praying, crossing my fingers, etc... that he beats this crappy cancer. :(

Kira: She'll be 3 next month. Holy cow? Are you kidding me right now? This is so crazy. I'm going to have a 3 year old. Now-- she's STILL working on the potty training. It's getting frustrating. She'll be doing so well- and then she decides she wants to be a "baby" and just stops. We will GET IT DONE... eventually... :/ Grr. Kira really has been talking and learning and just is so fun. She uses new words every day. She loves to play with her friends. Whenever she sees any kids remotely her age she says "Hey mom, there my friends." She is just so sweet and loving. She likes to sing songs-- several of them little primary songs. She likes to go to church and play with the other kids. She loves her babysitter. She loves to pretend talk on the phone. She wants to color all the time now. She is sassy- more so than ever. When she says "no".... she really has no intention of doing whatever I've asked of her. She knows her numbers, and alphabet--mostly. :) Or, she knows them...and just wants to be silly sometimes is what I think is the case. She's got curly blonde hair, big blue eyes, and a smile that just melts everyone's heart. I really love this little girl, and although she drives me bonkers sometimes-- she is my adorable child and I love her more than anything.

We all went to New Mexico this summer to visit Kenny's family. I probably have 500 pictures from that trip....it was so much fun...and we were sad to come back. :( Otherwise, no other trips for us. Our next trip, other than maybe this winter to see my brother when he gets home from Afghanistan in December.... will be Newport Beach next summer. I know it's forever away. I know. That's okay. I'll start the countdown now. Woot! Woot!

Okay... there's a little summary. I know you're thinking... 5 months? And that's all you got? Be patient... it's been a rough year. :)

How I felt for the last few months....

I'm back...oh boy...I'm BACK. Not only am I back to blogging...but I feel like me...Stephanie again. I've started to catch up on my blogging. Okay..I'm nowhere near being caught up...but, I'm BACK. Who's excited? Anyway--I've started updating my blog, and because I'm weird like this--my posts will be backdated so that I have some sense of order in my blog. I mean...blogs DO have to be orderly, right?

I've been in a funk. I've been in just a not so good "space." Life has been overwhelming to me. I mean, really--when is it not? But, this time--it was way too much for me. So, I took a break. I took a break from it all. I went to see my brother, went to visit my parents and my sister... took a few sick days off of work... and just .... well, I'm not sure what I did. But, whatever it is...I am over being in my own little world, and ready to be back to my normal silly, blogging, painting, crazy self.

I really am lucky for the family that I have...and for the good friends that I have. I don't have a million--but I do have a few that really have kept me sane, and let me be me. I love them for it.

So, what have we been up to? Don't you want to know?

Kenny--Working ... alot. He's been working on his bike, tinkering with truck that he was gifted from a darling dear friend of mine (wink), did the round robin tournament at the gun club... and he's getting excited to spend just about every weekend next month turkey hunting. Don't ask me about that excitement...but he's WAY excited.

Kira-- Miss Personality has been talk, talk, talking.... allll daaaaay long. And, she's learning her abc's, colors, numbers, etc. She has such a sense of humor. She laughs a lot. She LOVES to paint and color-on paper and on herself. She is getting along great at her "daycare." She loves to help me clean, and do laundry, and well...make the mess that needs cleaning. She wants to do everything herself. She is a little more picky and naughty when it comes to dinner time. If Duke isn't in his bed at dinner time, he gets a feast courtesy of Kira. She is SO loving, and loves to give kisses and hugs. Her cute little face just crumbles if she sees anyone sad, and her face lights up when she's being silly or excited. Don't get me wrong--she's a terror also. If it can be opened, she opens it and dumps it, or draws with it, or does whatever she isn't supposed to with whatever she can get her hands on. She has been sick a few times, and I'm SO ready for the warm weather which I hope helps her keep from getting sick so much.

Me-- Hmm. I've been working. Exciting, huh? I work... and I play with Kira. I have had a couple play dates. I've gone to see my brother, and my parents, and my sister. I've spent time with friends, and played Bunko. I love playing bunko--one of the highlights of my month. ha! I have been getting myself to the gym and/or walking with my girlfriend on lunch at work--that's helped me for sure with my stress levels. I've just updated my ipod with fun new songs, have a nice pair of running shoes...and I'm ready for the nice weather to get outside every day. I need the sunshine. Seriously--I need the sun!!!

I'm happy to report that Kenny and I are both employed...have a happy child, and are doing pretty well. We've both had our fun times with medical tests/procedures/sicknesses the last few months--but we are doing fine. And, well...things could be a lot worse so I'm thankful for the health we do have.

Amazing how much I can ramble when it's almost midnight. But, that's our family update for now. I'll play catch up-- and post my fun pictures from vacations, etc. I'm actually excited!!

Easter!

Kira had a fun Easter. Her Aunt, Grandma and Grandpas...and of course, the Easter Bunny treated her well. She ate way too much candy, and had a fun time with her Easter baskets!
It was FREEZING outside...so the Easter Bunny hid eggs inside Grandma Hart's house. Kira felt the need to open seriously every egg before she'd move on to the next one. I think the Easter Bunny might not hide so many eggs next year? I don't know...I think I'll tell him to maybe hide 1/4 of the eggs he did this year....might make it easier on everyone. We had a yummy breakfast, good chats, and full bellies. :)

Colorful Eggs!

Everyone and their 18 kids were at Walmart the day before Easter. I picked up a few things, including some Easter things. While I made lunch, Kenny colored eggs with Kira...and my, my, my...they were some FUN eggs!!

Kira and her daddy....she's stripped down to nothing to save her clothes--she's a messy artist.

Daddy helped Kira dip the eggs

Kira made almost all of them (she didn't like to share too much. ha!)

AlL dONe!!!

Happy Birthday Jake!!

So.... Kenny, Kira and I went to celebrate Jake's birthday. We went to have dinner and cake at Leslie and Greg's house. First of all...pizza from the Pie..SO yummy. Second of all--ADORABLE house. Oh, and third of all...HaPpy BiRtHdaY Jake!

Jake blowing out his candles... waaaaaay too many of them I think.


Jake and his girlfriend, Melissa..such a cute couple :)

Daddy and Kira bowling

Umm...even with assistance of the little kiddie helper Jake didn't do so hot.

They had a little contest, and the kids did the chicken dance--Kira was SO good at it. It was a proud mommy moment.

Normally I'm not so down for bowling. My wrists always hurt after a game or two. I never win. And, well... I never win. BUT, my wrists didn't hurt....not one second..... and, I mean.....not bragging or anything, but umm...I totally beat Kenny. HA!!! woot! woot! It was way fun, though...I'm totally down for some more cosmic bowling. :)