just so you know...

mountain living

2011-08-02T10:05:00.004-04:00

So a couple weekends ago now, we went on a jeeping trip with some people from our church. And I should use jeep lightly as there were only two actual jeeps. The rest of us had 4 wheelers and side-by-sides and trucks. We were in TJ's truck which did awesomely on the trails. For most of the way going up it was an easy ride and then the trail started getting smaller and the elevation higher so it was a little nerve-wracking to me, but I'm alive! Kemper loved it, and loved being able to play when we stopped at a little old mine. We were all around the town of Silverton and Ouray which were both mining towns and there are a lot of old mine buildings left. Anyways, here are a few pictures from my phone.

This is how he smiles now...

We kept going higher after this, my phone just died and I had no camera.

hi

2011-07-12T18:08:00.003-04:00

Yes I'm still here, if anyone was curious. I just don't have a ton to talk about. Or actually I do, but I'm lazy and don't ever want to take the time to write it all out. I haven't been very good at reading all of your blogs either and for that, I apologize. But I'm here, hoping to keep up with the blog again. Obviously my distraction has been my ever growing two year old, he keeps me busy 25 hours a day it seems. We've been going to a few play groups, the playground, and the rec center pool. I went to girls camp a few weeks back, which I loved being there as a leader. And we've been to the lake a few times now. And on drives up to Ouray and Silverton. It was our 3 year anniversary a couple weeks ago, first one we've spent together, and we kept it pretty lowkey with a nice dinner out. I've just finished the book The Help and absolutely loved it. I think the movie is going to be incredibly cheesy but I want to see it anyways. And I want to read more books like it, any suggestions?

My other distraction from the blog world has been Pinterest. Its basically a virtual bulletin board that you can keep track of all the things you find online, and use for inspiration. You have to have an invite to join, so if anyone wants one, let me know! I've actually used it a lot for remembering recipes. So since I can't find my camera at the moment, heres a few "pins".

these are from honestly...WTF. They have a few tutorials for bracelets, but I really like this one because similar bracelets sell for the big bucks, and this cost me less than $9.

These cupcakes make my mouth water just from the picture, found here. Who wants to come over and eat?
This is my basic go to look, I like how effortless it looks (although for here it probably was put together by a stylist)
This look is too preppy for TJ's taste, but I really like the mix of pattern.

our guest room

2011-05-31T15:09:00.003-04:00

So we are fortunate enough to have a guest room in our home. And a loft too. The guest room and Kemper's are both in our basement. The only thing that isn't great about the guest room is there is only a tiny window, so not much natural sunlight comes in. And the lights in there are really strong fluorescents, which I'm not a fan of. So I'm trying to make it has bright and welcoming as possible. We really need to repaint, but that'll be later this summer. So here's what I've managed so far:

Both the paintings are by me, I'm trying to get back into painting and wanted to just make something quick and easy.

Once we paint the room a new color (probably a blue) I also want to get a few more lamps so that there is more than just the one in the corner, and the overhead fluorescents.

The only think that I've bought specifically for this room are the blue pillow cases. And they were .25 cents for both. Everything else I've already had in the house.

So definitly still a work in progress, and as you can see I'm still a novice decorator and artist, but I wanted to put something I've done on the blog so.. there ya go.

baked

2011-05-28T18:00:00.005-04:00

So, I'm a terrible blogger. I know this, I apologize to my faithful readers... but this morning I made blueberry muffins, from scratch (instead of the box) and they are amazing. I guess I'm starting to settle into my domesticness. So I got the recipe from Joy the baker (click for recipe).

Heres what her's look like:

And heres how mine turned out:

I could've baked them for longer, but I was too eager to eat them. They are a lot easier than I thought and I think I'll only make these from now on.

Other news, my brother in law, Nikita graduated high school Friday and had a party today. I'm made a "better than sex" cake per request of my mother in law and thats easy to make too. As far as being better than sex, I'll let you all be the judge, but my vote is no ;]

Better than Sex cake:

Devils Food cake mix

Cool Whip

Crushed Heath bars

Caramel topping

Condensed Sweetened Milk

-Bake the cake according to the directions on the box, no change for high altitude.

-Cool on a wire rack for about five minutes, then cut like you're cutting pieces to serve, just not all the way thru.

-Heat about six ounces of the carmel with the condensed sweetened milk. Pour all over the cut sliced cake so that its absorbed.

-Then sprinkle a ton of the crushed heath bars (walmart sells it in a bag next to the choc. chips) on top of the cake as well.

-Let cool all the way and then cover with cool whip.

Enjoy!

-Let cool on a

the weekend

2011-05-16T23:08:00.003-04:00

This weekend was a pretty good one, mostly because the sun was shining. The sun seems to be a rare thing here in the spring. Saturday we supported TJ's friend as he graduated college, with a degree in welding. Kemper spent his time running around, exploring trees and throwing a fit that he wasn't allowed to run in the flower beds.

Then that night we went to a gathering downtown called the dandelion festival. And it is every bit of hippie that it sounds like it might be. I wish my phone had been working at that point, I would've had pictures to share, so just use your imagination. There was live music, a used clothing sale, and ice cream truck, face painting, henna tattoos and a castle made of cardboard boxes. And of course, dandelion beer. And a lot of dreadlocks on white folk. We stopped by to say hi to some friends, and stayed a while. Probably longer than TJ was comfortable with.

Sunday we had a youth fireside and TJ spoke to the kids about his experiences in Afghanistan. He wore his uniform, so being the good Marine he is, he made sure his hair was in regulation as well. I helped him shave the back and Kemper also got a haircut. A mohawk to e specific. Its growing on me...

I'm really bad at titles.

2011-05-03T14:40:00.004-04:00

Most of posts end up not really being about anything, so I never know what to write for a title.

This is just to say that I'm still here! Blogger has been weird to me lately, I can't get to comments, except to read them in email. And I can't comment, so I'm here lurking around, not being able to comment, but know that I am reading. Also, apparently I'm not "following" any blogs anymore, so don't know what happened there. But I will leave you with a picture of Kemper, making his usual face:

shes crafty

2011-04-28T11:49:00.002-04:00

I have a ton of red and white felt left over from making Christmas stockings this year, and I don't want to get rid of it just yet, so with some of the white scraps I made a phone cover and stuffed rabbit for Kemper yesterday. I didn't use a pattern or tutorial for anything, its totally from my brain, which explains why the rabbit turned out kinda weird.

I wanted a simple cover to save my phone from the bottom of my purse. So until I find something I can bring myself to spend the money on, I figured this should work. It has a button closure on the back.

And heres the rabbit, Ralph. I wanted it to be bigger, but I always forget to add space for that before I start sewing. I think he's so funny looking its cute. And everything I had on hand at home already. ( I stuffed it with stuffing from a dog toy that Bear destoyed)

And Kemper ate the crayons more than colored with him... but he sat pretty quietly while I sewed. And that face is now his go to picture face.

welcome to the future

2011-04-25T19:10:00.004-04:00

If you know me, then you know that I drool over anything Mac puts in a commercial. Yep, I am a material girl in a material world. So sue me... whatever. Anyways, so I've been wanting an iPhone since '07 and a iPad since well the buzz about them started. I don't care if you hate Apple, these gadgets are freakin' awesome. So it just so happened that I'm due for an upgrade and TJ's phone broke and could be replaced for free with whatever he chose since his was a POS. So we got iPhones! Yayyyyy! So now I'm waiting for it to arrive in the mail and I've decided I want to get a cover from etsy and would love any suggestions for Apps! I am a kid in a candy shop. So heres some covers I've found on etsy:

There are a lot of cassette ones, but this was my favorite. Found here.

found here

This one is my favorite, just pricey, but mothers day is coming up right? found here

found here

Found here.

I can't imagine how much time went into this one. found here.

So, now for the App suggestions!

a post just to post

2011-04-25T17:58:00.002-04:00

I apologize for being such a terrible blogger. I have things to say, but usually a facebook status will do. Or I just have a lot of mean things to say about other people and well " if you can't say anything nice then don't say anything at all" right? Anyways, on with the rest of the post:

Kemper is now a two year old. And has the public melt downs to prove it. I'm not sure if people think I'm crazy or a bad mom, but I just laugh it off. It probably comes from three years of working with emotionally disturbed children but I'm fairly good at ignoring screaming. I love how smart he is, and that he can communicate with us. Its so much fun to watch him learn. But by 8 o'clock I'm usually spent.

We finally hosted a party here for the occasion. It was going to be outside but it ended up snowing that day. So we just had family and a couple of friends over. And my parents came to town.

I snapped a few pictures of Kemper but that was all.

Other than that, not much new has happened this month. I've started going to MOPS to try and branch out. It's been pretty good so far. But I definitely need more sarcastic people in my life. Easter rained all day so we did not do an egg hunt, but we will probably tomorrow if everything dries up. And thats been our April.

i hit things

2011-04-01T12:37:00.003-04:00

Not when I'm mad, I throw things then. But with my car. Thats why I really loved having a tiny Vdub, I never hit anything in it. And my car now isn't even that big, especially compared to vehicles in the area. Our house that we have been blessed with has a two car garage. which is underneath where our living room is. TJ's Excursion and now some Dodge truck are too large to fit in it. But my car is just right. So one side is for me, the other side has toys... like 4-wheelers, dirt bikes, actual bikes, tools etc. Its not large, but its not small. A normal person should be able to park with out problems.

Here is a picture of our house, I park on the side closest to the stairs.

I have hit said stairs and both sides of the garage opening. The left side with my side mirror, no big deal, just a smudge. The stairs left a mark on my gas lid.

And here's what happened on the other side.

And yes... thats wood stuck in the side of my car.

major fail.

twenty four rambles.

2011-03-24T18:57:00.003-04:00

1. I turned 24 on the 21st, My husband took me out for sushi (which I love and he tolerates) and a movie... Paul. He also bought me a beach cruiser in light blue.

2. After seeing Paul, I want to live in an imaginary world and hang out with a pot smoking Seth Rogen alien.

3. I think my dad would be proud that at a point in the movie, they walk into a bar and I immediately whispered... "this is the song from the bar in Star Wars".

4. Also, Dad... when I hear songs on the radio, I can sometimes be caught singing the Weird Al lyrics instead of the real ones.

5. My hair curls in the back but not the front, prompting some of the young women in youth group to tell me that its a hot mess.

6. I never think I'm that short (5'2") until I happen to be in a large crowd and can't see a damn thing because I'm short.

7. I've become obsessed with fashion blogs... mostly because I think, what do these girls do all day? Dress weird, take pictures, edit pictures then blog it.... super fulfilling life.

8. I have hit my car on our garage about three times... so far. We've lived here since August. I'll do an actual picture post with the results of one of the crashes.

9. Speaking of cars and hitting things, I've been in three major car accidents, totaled all three cars. None of which were my fault, I just have amazing timing.

10. I've been sober for three years now. Except for caffeine... I just have a hard time giving things up.

11. I haven't been back to Maryland in about two and 1/2 years, and I'm itching to get back. I know a lot of people who hate it there, but I grew up there, I feel like being from Maryland is apart of me.

12. My sister is in Germany, and I miss the freaking crap outta her. Plus she's dating ( Hi Anne... I'm calling you out!) I just wish it was easier to travel to Europe with a 2 year old.

13. Kemper will be two soon. Which means I've been a mom for almost two years. Which does not seem real at all.

14. After living with TJ, a very manly man, Kemper, a almost two very much a boy toddler, and two stupid boy dogs... I've become extremely girly.

15. Durango is a beautiful town, in a beautiful area, but it won't ever be the same as the beach to me.

16. Yesterday while out, a guy asked us for restaurant recommendations. I like that I'm a local now.

17. We went on a family bike ride and I didn't take any pictures, does that make me a lazy blogger, or lazy mom? I think it just makes me forgetful.

18. We canceled our cable and have accounts with Netflix and Hulu plus. I think we watch more TV now than we did when we had it.

19. I've pushed a lot of people away in my life, and I regret that so much. And I'm terrible at making friends, which makes moving to a new place a hard thing to go thru.

20. I've become more convinced that I should've lived in the 70's. I love the style, the house decor, the music! I loooove the music.

21. I read a ton of blogs, I comment on few. I'm trying to fix this, so I don't feel like such a stalker.

22. I really want an iPad. I don't care how trendy they are, the commercials totally work on me.

23. I'm looking around for a screen printing kit so I can start making stuff. And probably open up an etsy store. In a totally cliche way, but I expect no one to mention that.

24. Some people complain about sharing a bed once you get married, I think its the best part. I think those people have never gone thru a deployment.

For Japan

2011-03-18T10:20:00.004-04:00

"Give says the little stream. Give oh give, give oh give. Give says the little stream as it hurried down the hill. I'm small I know but wherever I go the grass grows greener still. Singing singing all the day, give away oh give away."

Donate here. Or the many other charities.

St. Patrick

2011-03-17T16:49:00.002-04:00

Heres a picture from Design*Sponge. Green has been my favorite color lately, specifically the really bright lime green. Wouldn't it be great to eat corned beef in this dining room?

I wonder if St. Patrick rolls in his grave every March, or if he enjoys watching drunk Americans make dumbasses of themselves? Either way, I love St. Patricks day. I love the color green, all the leprechaun mischief, bands like the Dropkick Murphys, watching movies that have an irish person in them.... all of it. And best of all is I met TJ whilst eating corned beef and cabbage three years ago. We didn't date right away, but we met, and there were sparks. So I hope everyone is having a good time celebrating. We're having the missionaries over since I already knew what I'd be cooking tonight. And Kemper and I are watching Planet 51... you know because the aliens are green.

I'll write a Kemper post soon.

mom and dads family room

2011-03-10T11:37:00.004-05:00

Maybe one day I'll actually write a real post again. But here is a mood board I came up with for my mom and dads family room. It was a formal sitting room but now it will be a place to gather and hang out. It has beautiful carpet that is a burgundy color. I would personally change it out, if I could. But since thats not usually practical, we're going to design around it.

Explore home design ideas

The couch, lamp and bamboo chair are all from Ikea. Everything else was in the mydeco boutique. I'm thinking of trying to recreate the bird art. And picking up similar fabric to the pillows instead of buying them. I think that the chevron fabric would make great curtains, that we'll either try to find fabric ourselves or on Etsy. The walls are currently a dusty pink color and I think they should be a white or possibly even an off white/grey.

Feedback??

movies

2011-02-23T10:16:00.003-05:00

So, heres the first of many getting to know me posts. I figure, if I have a blog and I'm going to keep it I might as well update more often, and you know... actually write. I've also merged the two blogs into one, so welcome.

Now movies... I love them. I mean I will watch just about anything. My favorite being indie comedies or even just regular comedies. I guess I like indies because they tend to be closer to real but lets face it, its still a movie. And I like TV too, I like to follow a few actors in whatever they do, one example being Jason Segal. I retain a lot of useless information about movies, TV, actors that sort of thing. But I also notice who directs and produces, or even the set designers. I now regret not going to school for film, even from CO I could still make a great critic. I just really like the whole art and production of a film, so much work goes into a less than 2 hour movie or 30-minute show. And I really will watch anything. If you recommend it, I'll watch it. I think a person's taste say something about them, thats why I like recommendations.

So to sum up, I really really need to find a game show thats based on totally useless entertainment trivia, and then become an instant millionaire.

Calendar.

2011-02-09T14:50:00.000-05:00

Its not too late to buy a calendar for the year right? Well I found this beauty on Etsy today and a little shop called vanhoosedesign. And it goes with my love for things that look like paint swatches or a color wheel or designy nerd type stuff. So, I'm sharing it with all of you! Meaning... I'm telling you about it, not buying it. But my birthday is coming up soon....

p.s. I'm still working on joining my two blogs, but I am going to consolidate them. This one will merge with my family blog (bethandtj.blogspot.com)

oh my deco

2011-02-05T22:41:00.000-05:00

I'm usually late to the game for everything, but have you heard of mydeco.com? Its awesome! Basically you can create your own moodboards and 3D rooms for freeeeee. I love the free part. So here's what I came up with for our half bath and master bathroom:

guest bath

Master Bath

new year.

2011-01-28T11:36:00.002-05:00

So, TJ said he thinks I should blog and I blog stalk all day long, so its probably a good idea to be less creepy and actually write on my own blog. And since its still January, I'm going to write a new years post.

Our goals together are to:

work out/ eat healthier/ give up soda.

go to the temple, and be sealed.

go on dates more.

budget, or rather make one and stick to it.

My goals that I wrote down are to:

find more ways to teach and entertain Kemper

meditate and practice yoga at least 5 times a week

dinner at the table at least 4 times a week

make more paintings

learn to snowboard

blog more....

write in my actual journal, mostly for stress relief

organize the house, get rid of excess

shop consignment, thrift and flea markets more.

actually subscribe to all the magazines I buy each month. and the local newspaper.

potty train Kemper

I think Kempers goals are to just run around and be as crazy as he can. But he's almost two so that seems to be right on track.

Did you see my other blog? I'm thinking I should consolidate my blogs so that everything is just in one place. Or should I keep them the way they are?

is two better than one?

2011-01-28T10:57:00.000-05:00

This image popped up on Ohdeedoh just when I've been thinking about re-doing Kemp's room. We have a few vintage-y things we want to keep for him so I think we're going to get some shelves to display and I just want something other than the animal prints I made in there. His crib is just natural wood, I don't think it even has a stain on it so I think painting it would go really well. I also want to try my hand at upholstering soon.

And on a sort of different note: when I started this second blog I had an idea of what I would do with it. But I have a bad memory, and I've kinda lost my blogging steam. I'm not quitting but I think I should move my two blogs together... What do you think? Would it be better to just have one? Does anyone know how to make two blogs morph into one? Hope everyones weekend goes splendidly.

cooking and laundry

2011-01-24T11:29:00.000-05:00

Most days it feels like all I do is cook and clean clothes. And with a son, husband and two boys dogs, everything is always dirty. So heres a kitchen from Coastal Living Magazine that I'm in love with! The faux bois is amazing on the floor, and I'm really loving the pop of yellow.

And I love this room from Canadian house and home magazine and also featured at design*sponge. I love the floral, stripes and map all together. I'm a big fan of mixing prints, I think it adds a good dose of character, charm and is a whole lot more interesting.

I LOVE CHRISTAL!

2011-01-20T12:33:00.000-05:00

OMG, CHRISTAL IS THE BESTEST PERSON EVER IN THE WORLD!! SHE'S SUPER PURDY AND FUNNY AND HAS THE LONGEST LEGS EVERRRRRR. I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M SO LUCKY TO KNOW HER! I BET YOU'RE JEALOUS, YOU ARE AREN'T YOU? WOOOHOOOOOOOOO CHRISTAAAAALLLL!!!!

lol.... i love you too, Beth. Really, you flatter me!

heeheeeheeeheee.... :)

xoxo

Ghandi

2011-01-14T09:29:00.000-05:00

Just found this print, and you can download it here, for freeeee. I think its great for a little inspiration each day. And my husband said its very hippiesh of me to like Ghandi... whatevs.

did you watch

2011-01-05T10:40:00.000-05:00

not from the most recent show but I had this picture, because I love their house.

Did you watch How I met Your Mother on Monday? I am still freaking out. Why did they have the countdown? And why was the ending so sad? Why HIMYM why? On a completely unrelated topic, I may or may not have gotten way too emotional over a fictional TV show.

house inspiration

2011-01-03T14:34:00.000-05:00

So, if you haven't, you should check out Design*sponge...I'm not linking to them, they're in my blog roll over there. Every week they host house sneek peeks which are always so inspiring to me. But this one Lara Collins has got me so inspired! I want our house to look pretty much like this. I love the flow of the colors, the whole house is very cohesive. I love the relaxing color scheme. And the artwork everywhere too. And this sneek peek was just up today. Its pretty crazy how much I want to recreate it with out ever seeing it before today. So, thats what is going to keep me busy for the new year.

the best way to spread christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear

2010-12-29T12:27:00.003-05:00

Our Christmas was great. Lots of time with family, lots of food, lots of paper. And our evil tree made it through. But now we're not watering it so we can burn it. Burn baby burn! Kemper didn't nap all Christmas day so by the time we went to dinner, he was a wreck. He did not want to be at the restaurant and made sure everyone knew it. My parents came down the day after Christmas and brought presents. Kemper got a kitchen from Ikea and loves it. He's going to be the next best chef, I'm hoping something like Duff from Ace of Cakes. Anyways. Tj spoiled me, and I got everything I wanted. But mostly I was happy to spend the holiday with him and not via Skype.

It snowed a few days before.

TJ's dad, Teddy dressed up as Santa on Christmas Eve. Kemper wasn't really sure what to think.

Opening presents like a pro! He wasn't really sure what to think, and I think the whole day overwhelmed him. But he loves all his new stuff.

Let it Snow

2010-12-29T10:45:00.000-05:00

Its snowing again, which is good because its been unusually warm here. And luckily I have lots to do in the house today. Because I do not feel like going out. I just want to curl up in front of the TV with my Freaks and Geeks box set. I'd like my TV area to look like this:

So maybe I'll start working on that. What do your TV centers look like?

Oh Christmas Tree

2010-12-21T10:52:00.000-05:00

And the picture won't rotate, making me believe even more, that it's evil.

Our Christmas tree is not something very special this year. It's special in that its decorated and presents are starting to add up under it. But I'm convinced its evil. It is an evil tree sent to us by some one like Jack the Pumpkin King. First its crooked. The bottom part of the trunk is straight and then somewhere father up it takes a turn left. So just putting it up was frustrating. And its some type of Scottish Fir, which now means to me that it's a death tree. When trying to decorate it the needles were so sharp, it was like being attacked by a tree with real sewing needles on it. We thought that would go away, that it was just freshly cut and would soften up. Nope. It still sucks if we have to hang an ornament back on it.

And the other night while unplugging the lights before going to bed, it fell on me. But really I think it jumped and attacked me. And then I yelped for TJ and when we finally got the thing re-situated, my arms looked like I had been bitten by a thousand fleas from the sharp little needles.

And now its decided to die on us so the needles are everywhere, and my son feeds them to the dog which can't be good at all. Also, Kemp thought it was a good idea to take a bite of a glass ornament.... don't worry, he's fine and was relatively unscratched. But really??

Hope everyone's holidays are going well. I'm enjoying a winter wonderland, but I think I got excited for Christmas too soon and now I'm a little bah humbug. It happens every year. But the fresh snow helps. What do you do to enjoy the season?

wish list

2010-12-06T10:36:00.000-05:00

Here are a few of my hoping for's this season:

corked necklace in color wheel

freaks and geeks

the sonnets and a lovers complaint

classic trench coat

admiral pea coat

coconut by martisse boots in tan

hair cut

2010-12-06T09:45:00.004-05:00

Before:

After:

So Kemper had his first hair cut ever last Thursday. And there's no one in town that would cut his hair, so TJ did it. And I'm sure most of you out there are singing praises that we finally cut his hair so you're welcome.

He did really well, we decided to use clippers and just take it all off instead of trying to trim it. So I pinned his arms down while TJ took to his head. He did pretty good for the most part, there was minimal screaming, but then he started to try and climb up me, so I ended up holding him. Which was a stupid idea. First, yes we have the hair factor. So I was covered in hair. And he was crying, so we can add tears and snot to the mixture. And I guess his diaper failed him too so now I'm covered in pee. A lot of pee. It was dripping and puddling on my arm. I can't tell you how awesome it was.... at least when people call him a little girl, I can really tell them they're crazy.

In other Kemper news: When TJ picked up him from nursery (his class during church with 18 mo. olds to 3 years olds), he looked thru the window to the classroom. The kids were sitting in front of the teacher singing some song with hand movements, but TJ didn't see Kemp. So he looked around the room and there he was in the corner running around in a circle with the toy vacuum cleaner, screaming. At least he was helping to clean.

what we've been up to lately

2010-11-07T01:52:00.003-04:00

playing on things like rhinos and 4 wheelers. And finding out just how good Kemper's car seat works kidding...

Tony and Danielle's wedding in Portland, if you want a party, invite the Hermesmans. The DJ had to shut the music off so we would leave

note where his hands are...

And of course Halloween. We had friends in town for the weekend, and went to the trunk or treat. The best part of course was Kemper Cow.

And that's all I have pictures of. I've started working last month at the family business's office trying to help get them organized and learning to be an accountant. TJ's busy with work too, and Kemper keeps everyone busy. But life is good :]

entry

2010-11-07T01:18:00.000-04:00

We just got a new console for the entry way. Mostly so we have a place to put all our stuff right when we walk in the door, and the space where its at needed something to fill the space.

While I would love it to look like the second picture, I think I'm going to tone down the color ( a little) and it will look something like the first picture. I have the credit for the pictures somewhere just can't remember...

QUESTION: DO YOU HAVE DESIGN QUESTIONS? ANYTHING YOU WOULD WANT ME TO WRITE ABOUT, OR FIND? ASK ME! I LOVE THIS STUFF

color

2010-10-20T11:38:00.000-04:00

I think in pictures, maybe most creative types do. And our house needs a lot more color for me to be happy with it. Lately these images have been floating around my brainosphere:

found at design*sponge and strictly simple style.

And I'll leave with a question: what are you up to design wise? creative wise? life-wise? Anything.. I wanna know :]

bookshelf

2010-09-28T12:30:00.000-04:00

source found here

Its nice to know I'm not the only one with a magazine addiction. I'm working on organizing our bookshelf, hopefully to something like this, but with DVDs

Brad Paisley and The Zoo.

2010-09-28T11:14:00.006-04:00

For TJ's birthday I thought it'd be nice to do something big since you know, he'd be in Afghanistan. I wanted Garth Brooks tickets since that's his favorite... but I didn't realize how quickly those sold out. So Brad Paisley is my favorite, and one of TJ's favorites, along with Darius Rucker so I felt like I struck gold when I got tickets to see both of them. And I splurged so we were only 8 rows back.

The concert was amazing, I can't think of much I like more than live music. And one of the best parts was being able to see in person just how talented they are. It says something about an artist when they sound just as good live as they do in the studio.

Darius Rucker played a few Hootie songs: Hold My Hand, Only Wanna be With You and Let her Cry. And he closed with Purple Rain, which I liked better than the Prince version... sorry Prince.

Brad Paisley.. are there even words? Simply Amazing. Sorry if you hate country music... that probably means your not reading... But I love me some Brad Paisley. He had about 6 or 7 different guitars and played a two hour set! with an encore of two songs, including Alcohol where everyone on the tour came out and drank with him on stage. And he still rocked with a beer in hand. And a huge thanks to my parents who watched Kemper for the night!!

My biggest complaint of the night would've been the girl and her family in front of us. They were just annoying in general, but she had a giant neon green poster board with her. And she had to wave it around when ever any of the performers came over to the right side of the stage, where we were. She finally gave up because no one could read the stupid sign, but if she hadn't there would've been words... or a torn sign. Probably both.

The next day since we were in Salt Lake City, Alexa (TJ's sister) wanted to take Kemper to the zoo, so we did. He liked seeing the animals, but will probably get more out of it when he's older. But being in Salt Lake he was definitely not the youngest kid there.

I think his favorite were the monkeys and giraffes. And he really liked the Kangaroos as well.

2010-09-22T22:36:00.002-04:00

So I feel like I should blog but I'm not really sure what to write. So now you're going to get a bunch of rambling:

We're settling into "normal" life pretty well. I haven't decorated the house at all, which I hate that I haven't but I'm much better at helping other people than myself..

Because of where our house is we just now have the internet, and yes I missed it, but I didn't miss facebook at all. But I do want to see the new movie about facebook.

Kemper doesn't really nap anymore. He just won't fall asleep. I'm not really looking for advice, its just irritating. Also he grew 6 inches from 12 to 15 months but didn't gain any weight. And the kid never stops eating, he just runs it all off.

I've been doing yoga every morning, and I feel better that I'm doing something, but I don't feel any more flexible. However, my chi does feel more aligned...

And I'm painting again, pictures not walls. I've got one halfway done and about 5 in my head.

I would love to see Betty White on the cover of a magazine. I'm much more interested in her life than Lauren Conrads or Megan Fox.

And thats all I got for now. We have an awesome weekend planned, so I'll make sure I bring my camera.

we're alive

2010-07-23T10:36:00.002-04:00

and well, just tired. And I don't have my camera cord at the moment so, another pictureless post.

We spent the last three weeks in Camp Lejenune North Carolina. If you've never been, you're not missing much. But we have great friends there and its close to the beach! And then we drove three days back to our mountain town.

So now, TJ is officially out of the Marines, he's no longer active duty. And has jumped head first into working for the family. We're also fixing up our new home so we can move in. It's in good shape and other than mice theres no real big problems. But we definitely have our work cut out for us, we'll have projects for a while.

Kemper did awesome traveling, and we have his 15 month old check up today even though he's only a couple weeks from being 16 months. I can't believe how much he's growing up.

And how could I forget, we adopted a puppy. Yep, because life just wasn't crazy enough. He's pretty darn cute though. His name is Bear, and he's 2 months old and is a shepherd /blue heeler mix, and probably has some other dogs goin on in there.

So thats life for now, I'll be back with pictures later.

sugar and spice and everything nice.

2010-06-28T09:07:00.000-04:00

If you haven't already, click over on Full House. She has great taste, and I get a lot of my inspiration there. But her current post, is about her girls room that she did with $250. Yeah, and it looks great. Even if its not to your taste, you have to appreciate all the hand made and discount shopping that went into it.

You're the reason in my life, you're the inspiration

2010-06-28T08:04:00.003-04:00

Yeah, I went there, cheesy lyrics I KNOW. But they're stuck in my head. And they're true.

So yesterday was our (husband and I) anniversary. Two year anniversary. And tomorrow is his birthday. So this is some sort of dedicatory post to us/him. Warning: I ramble, so this could get long.

When we met neither of us were looking to "meet" someone. I was pretty uninterested in dating due to my lack of good dates or boyfriends. And was more interested in hanging out with my friends and partying. TJ had a serious girlfriend. Serious enough that he had bought a ring for her, like a diamond ring.

But of course when we met there were sparks, can't deny it chemistry. I had met him once before but the time wasn't right at all. And a few weeks passed after that friendly dinner and TJ asked me to go out on a friend date. It wasn't really a date per say (remember, the girlfriend?) but we can't pretend that that wasn't when we knew we liked each other for sure.

TJ asked if I would accompany him to the cherry blossom festival, he had to write a story for DINFOS and didn't want to go alone. And I really didn't have anything going on during the day so I agreed.

And for the first time in probably years, I was actually nervous. I knew I liked him, but I wasn't going to pursue anything, also being the other woman isn't really my style. But apparently it was because I went anyway... So, moving on.

The date was great, I was nervous that we wouldn't have anything in common, since everyone told us we had nothing in common. And even though we have very different interests, there was enough that we have in common to get us thru the date with out it being awkward, except for a really awkward moment where I decided it was a good idea to play "Business Time"*. Yes... I did. But we connected and no wonder it was our last first date, because I thought it was basically perfect. Other than the girlfriend and the ring thing...

That night was the last time I decided to go out to a bar with friends, and that Sunday was the first time I went to church on my own for almost two years.

TJ and I had made plans to just hang out that day at my house, bake cookies watch a movie. I know, we're totally wholesome. Well that night I walked him out to his car, because I' a gentlelady, and we had our first kiss. Which was perfect... oh except he had a girlfriend.

Don't worry, I'm not a complete home wrecker, I felt guilty. So the next day we talked about it and I told him, that we could be friends, but I wouldn't date him unless I was the only one. And well... we all know who won that one. And a few weeks later he sold back the ring and got a Macbook which I am typing on right now... And yes, I'm laughing about it.

So, there's my story about being a home wrecker, and I probably enjoy calling myself that more than I should. But I'm so glad that I did, I've never regretted it. TJ is one of the best things to happen to me (the other being Kemper of course). I couldn't ask for a more loving, caring and supportive husband. And I can't wait to be with him again and finally never have to say goodbye. Which happens tomorrow. We'll be together tomorrow.

* by flight of the conchords. They're a new zealand comedy act, and while there are no bad words, it is a little suggestive, but I promise it's nothing bad, you just might not want kids repeating it.

wood paneling.

2010-06-25T14:20:00.000-04:00

I wonder what the people in the future will hate as much as we hate wood paneling now?

Anyways, I've been researching, A LOT of ways to deal with wood panel without painting it. And I'm curious as to if anyone has suggestions? Please!

Well, heres two pictures I've found that I really like both from Apartment Therapy:

2010-06-25T00:08:00.002-04:00

This made me laugh. A lot... enjoy. Found here.

why having a toddler is like being at a frat party:

10. There are half-full, brightly-colored plastic cups on the floor in every room. Three are in the bathtub.

9. There's always that one girl, bawling her eyes out in a corner.

8. It's best not to assume that the person closest to you has any control over their digestive function.

7. You sneak off to the bathroom knowing that as soon as you sit down, someone's going to start banging on the door.

6. Probably 80% of the stains on the furniture contain DNA.

5. You've got someone in your face at 3 a.m. looking for a drink.

4. There's definitely going to be a fight.

3. You're not sure whether anything you're doing is right, you just hope it won't get you arrested.

2. There are crumpled-up underpants everywhere.

1. You wake up wondering exactly how and when the person in bed with you got there.

chalkboard

2010-06-24T14:39:00.000-04:00

I just love the idea of having chalkboard paint somewhere in the House. I think I'd like to put some in Kempers room or play room. Or even our dining room. Plus I have to write everything down if I want to remember it or if I want to think straight so it'd be perfect to write on the wall. And I like the idea of having some framed in the living room for an ever-changing piece of art, like the picture with the Christmas stockings and cards...

vivafullhouse for credit

both at design*sponge

charleston mag

ohdeedoh

outta my head

2010-06-22T09:31:00.000-04:00

I get images stuck in my head just like songs. I can't get these images out of my head. So I'm sharing. The below kitchen I think I'd like to incorporate into our new home. And the living room is what I had in my head when we moved in here, and did not turn out that way at all.

I saw our new house last week... and we're going to be busy with it for a very long time.

both found at design*sponge

all the single ladies

2010-06-19T23:50:00.004-04:00

Single mothers. I don't think of myself as one, seeing how I am married, just separated due to the military. But technically, I am a single mom. I think in questions. Its how I function, I ask as many questions as I can until I feel like I fully understand something. Tonight I kept asking, How do they do it? How are there women out there who are single and doing it all themselves? They have kid(s), and work and sometimes even manage school. On their own. Alone. Sure maybe they have support, but I'm sure there are plenty who don't. How do they do it. How do they keep going? And then wake up in the morning and do it all again.

I've been working a lot lately. Housekeeping at one of the family's motels. I live rent free in a house TJs family owns so I basically "earn my keep". Its pretty simple work, not rocket science, I have someone to watch Kemper for free, but it is time-consuming. And my back is typically sore by the end of the day. My own house is a disaster and I'm glad no one visits, because I wouldn't want anyone to see. I try to put Kemp down to bed as early as possible, because my patience wears thin. And then instead of cleaning up, I usually put a few toys away and decide I'm tired, turn on a netflix movie and go to sleep.

Its the summer, tourist season, busy season. So I've been working a lot lately. Kemper has a hard time being somewhere different, playing with new things, he misses out on naps. So when I got home this evening I put him in his highchair, gave him some snacks and five minutes later hes passed out. I take him upstairs and figure he is down for the night. I sit myself down on the couch and zone out for a while. It isn't until a while later I realize my baby is crying. And not the whining I want attention. He was crying so hard that he was barely crying. It had to have been for awhile. I know this could happen to anyone, but I felt like because I was so tired, I was being neglectful. The stress hit me and I cried with him as I cuddled him back to sleep. And I thought, "How the hell do people do this?" I can barely keep it together just knowing that there is a light at the end of my tunnel. I won't be single parenting for very long. And I know I'm blessed but I just lost it today. Maybe I'm overly sensitive, or emotional. But my emotions did all flood me tonight. And I cried that I wasn't strong enough to be the working single mom. I am so thankful for the people who care, and for my husband who serves this country. But it can not be over soon enough. Only nine more days.

And single ladies, your next drink is on me.

a wedding possibility

2010-06-05T14:09:00.000-04:00

So if you know us, you know we didn't have a wedding. We just went to the court house and that was that. And I don't regret it one bit. And wit TJ almost home, we're getting ready to take temple prep classes and we'll finally be sealed.... But I DO want a wedding, I guess the princess in me is coming out. Anyways, this wedding was featured in Martha Stewart Weddings and its pretty much perfect. Except ours will hopefully be held outdoors. I love the dress, I think I'm going to try and find one similar. I know TJ won't like the suit, but the color theme is perfect if he wants to wear his dress blues. Anyways, enjoy.

TJ was home

2010-06-05T13:52:00.003-04:00

And he's gone again. But of course it was amazing to be back together again. I just can't wait until it's for good. TJ is opting for the early out choice and should be back home in only a few short weeks. Most of the two weeks were spent catching up with friends and family. We did take a day and a half to ourselves and drove up the mountains to a town called Ouray and visited Telluride. It was great to be just the two of us, I forgot what that was like.

Anyways, enjoy some pictures!

2010-05-07T22:44:00.003-04:00

Oh hello blog.

I'm really bad at updating you. Lately I've been cleaning, and chasing Kemper and more cleaning and driving and chasing Kemper. Oh and my husband comes home tomorrow... no biggie, we haven't seen each other since his two week leave in September. Oh wait, it IS a big deal.

Yes blog, TJ will be home with me tomorrow. For two weeks before he's back in North Carolina. So I will be updating you even less.... but at least I'll have something to talk about next time.

Or maybe not, because I don't usually talk about that on the internet ;]

i can tree the light

2010-04-30T22:47:00.000-04:00

We live in Colorado, in the mountains. Not that they're a pretty back drop, we're right in them. Its snowing, on the last day of April. Anyways... living here has made me want to make our house into some kind of mountain lodge, but with a modern twist of course. So I'm loving this lamp found here.

hair

2010-04-29T16:01:00.002-04:00

This is what I brought in:

So... I don't know. Its blonder, but I feel like my hair dresser could've been a little more daring. But there ya go.

And its snowing today.

looove this!

2010-04-28T11:51:00.000-04:00

So, heres my second blog, we'll see how much I ignore this one too! But since I've always got ideas going on in my noggin, I figured I'd share with the world. Your welcome, internet. I got a few comments last time that people looooooved the pictures I found, hence the blog name :]

If I can figure out how, I'll try to get my design posts from the family blog over to here, but I might just end up re-posting. For being apart of the "technology generation" I'm kinda slow at all that.

Anyways, this will contain everything I love which is mostly superficial things that have no purpose other than to take up space in your house, and thats the way I like it. It keeps my brain from hurting ;]

Lemon out.

I love 30 rock.

2010-04-26T20:09:00.003-04:00

When I first saw the "Keep Calm and Carry On" poster in Domino I thought it was clever, uplifting, and like the nod to vintage. But now it is everywhere. I can't turn my head without seeing it. I like the variations on it though... like this one below, or the Keep Calm and Surf On... yes, I think I will.

we're all mad here

2010-04-18T12:43:00.005-04:00

So, if you didn't know, I hosted Christals' baby shower this weekend. She came up with the idea for the Mad Hatters Tea Party and we just ran with it. There were tons of mismatched teacups and saucers, all bought at thrift stores. Lots of finger food, tea and drinks. And everyone was asked to wear a hat. It rained the night before, and was still a little cloudy in the morning. But it ended up clearing and being a beautiful sunny day. So my only regret for the party was that I didn't set up outside! UGH! But everyone had a great time, and I'm glad I could put it together for Christal.

The guest of honor, mamma to be, Christal!

I set up a onesie making station, where we had fabric ready to be ironed on and fabric pens. I loved that it was a unique present and they turned out great.

Christal opening presents... I just love the view of the mountains in this one.

Thanks to everyone for coming and making it a great party. I can't wait to throw the next one, whenever that may be.

cooking space

2010-04-12T16:21:00.005-04:00

Since this deployment is coming to an end (we're down to days/hours people!) I've had new house on the brain. So, here's pictures of what I'd like our kitchen to look like. But really, I want this to be the feel for the whole house. I LOVE all white walls and neutral furniture for a base, and then everything else to be bright fun colors. I think it really opens the space up, and looks friendly, welcoming, and also child-like which is what I'm going for:

Theres more, but this post is already so long, I don't want to bore you by the time you look thru them all. THANKS! for looking thru everything and of course I love feedback!

I should start a different blog for all this design crap, eh?

I get my inspiration pics from here here and here, mostly.

for my kitchen please.

2010-04-09T00:04:00.003-04:00

I know that you are just itching to buy me these, so thanks in advance ;] you guys get sarcasm right? but seriously, I want these.

found here: farouche

have your cake and eat it too.

2010-04-04T23:08:00.003-04:00

Here, he seems to be saying "Are you sure Ma? Because you have no idea the kinds of mess I've been wanting to make"

And I think the sugar kicked in here. He was in cake heaven, he's hooked.

Happy Easter everyone! If you're reading this from Maryland, you better be attending the cherry blossom festival sometime soon!

Happy Birthday

2010-04-02T10:06:00.002-04:00

Happy Birthday to my little man!

Even though this year has been crazy, and not what we wanted for our first year as parents, I don't know what I would've done with out you! It is so amazing watching you grow, and you make me so nervous! I can't believe that I am your mom, in charge of teaching you and taking care of you. Your personality has always been there from day one, but its really starting to shine through now. You make me laugh with how goofy you are, and I love to hear your laugh. Although I'm not a big fan of hair pulling or when you go on food strike, I'll forgive you because you're so cute. My favorite things to do with you, are dance, because you are so good at shakin that booty. And eat of course! I love to watch you cook, and how curious you are about real cooking. And playing outside. Now that its been warmer, you've been able to explore the world outside of our house. And its your favorite thing to do! Especially since we live on a big road, and you can see all the cars and big trucks that drive by.

Pretty soon that picture that is "dada" will be home, and not just a picture anymore. And I can not wait for you to get to know your daddy. He is an amazing man, and knows a lot of stuff that he wants to teach you. This next year, I hope for you two to become best friends.

I love you Kemper bear, and I am so excited for this next year of your life. I am truly blessed to be your mamma.

23

2010-03-26T23:33:00.001-04:00

1. I don't share very much of myself online, so don't always assume that you know me. Because we know what ass-u-me-ing does...

2. I like this town, and I'm glad to live here. But sometimes I feel that I missed out not living on base or near base during this deployment. Its a lifestyle, being a military family, that most civilians don't understand, because they don't have to. And I'm not looking for people to pity me, or tell me how much respect they have for us, I want someone whose in the same boat to talk to. At least its almost over (less than a month but I'm not supposed to say on the internets because apparently terrorists read blogs and facebook)

3. Just about every day I come up with a new business idea, usually some form of a bakery, cafe, or some kind of shop. And one day, I'll open it up..... one day.

4. I'm a magazine-aholic. That shiny paper just calls to me. And then I have more than I know what to do with.

5. Usually once you get me talking, I just can't stop. It always happens to TJ, when he's home, right before we fall asleep at night. I have a lot to say once my head hits that pillow.

6. I used to love snow, because usually in MD it snows, everyone gets out of work and school, and we play in it. You're not expected to be anywhere. Here, three feet is normal, and almost never do things close. And you're expected to be places. At least its not as cold as being in a humid state.

7. I will never give up eating Ben and Jerrys. Ever. Preferably Imagine Whirred Peace

8. The show 16 and pregnant on MTV annoys the crap out of me. They always talk about how hard it is to be pregnant at that age, or to be a mom at that age. And I yell at the screen, then don't have sex!! DUH! Also, when is it not hard to be a mom?? Seriously.

9. I really want a pet chameleon. And yeah, I'd probably name it Boy George.

10. I don't think its ridiculous at all to want a whole room dedicated to being a closet. I like a lot of room when I dress, you know, for dancing in front of the mirror.

11. I know a lot of useless information. And most of it has to do with movies, or TV.

12. I'm a good friend to have, because I have no problem telling you if you look weird or are being stupid.

13. I still can't believe I've been a mom for almost a whole year.

14. I really like trying new foods. But if I have to cook the new food, I don't like that as much. I'd rather someone else do it, or just go to a restaurant.

15. I know that Seriously so Blessed is fake. And that is supposed to be a spoof and its funny... to some people. It just annoys me to no end. Not even because I'm offended, I get the humor. Its just annoying.

16. I get way too attached to TV shows. And movies stress me out.

17. I think Kemper has sucked all the creativity out of me. I'm just on a huge creative block and its frustrating.

18. My view of recycling and buying local and saving the planet and all that "green" goodness is this: we are told to take care of our minds and bodies, we're taught to take care of our house, then why would you trash the planet that you live on? Even if it's all a part of the overall plan, we don't treat our bodies that way.

19. One day I hope to make my dream of being organized a reality.

20. I hope to have a crab feast in the near future. I love how long it takes to even get close to full at a crab feast, I love the whole experience. And I love how barbaric it can be. Sometimes it just feels good to get your food with a knife and a mallot.

21. Speaking of food, I'm in love with Jamie Oliver's show Food Revolution. I can't wait to watch the rest of it, and I'm going to finally make more of an effort to change my own eating habits.

22. Also, food wise, I want to raise our own chickens. So bad. Its a little sad that I dream of waking up to fresh eggs. Did you know there's a kind of chicken that lays pastel green and blue eggs, thats like Easter eggs everyday! Amazing! I also want to have my own herb garden and veggie garden. Throw in a few fruit trees and we're set!

23. When TJ asked me on our first date, it wasn't actually a date date. He was going to the Cherry Blossom Festival for a DINFOS class. We'd met when the Newey's brought him to our house for dinner. And he figured he'd take a chance and ask me to go. He liked me, but figured I'd say no. And that would've been alright, because he had a girlfriend. But I still count it as a date since after that we spent every minute we could together (awwwhh). I'll save the rest of "our story" for another post. Its interesting to me, so thanks for reading :]

in the white room...

2010-03-09T23:38:00.006-05:00

...with black curtains near the station...

Anyways, when TJ and I eloped (people knew we were getting hitched, but it was just us at the courthouse so basically... we eloped) my granny sent us a nice fat check. It was better than any gift we could've got really (other than the crib she later bought us) because we were able to go to Ikea and completely furnish our apartment.

When we got to the bedroom furniture, it was time to decide, how did we want our bedroom set up? What kind of mood, vibe etc did we want? My lover told me he wanted the room to be welcoming and inviting. I agreed, I think the bedroom should be a retreat. So he said that he wanted the whole room to be white. Warm, welcoming, inviting... white?

At first I thought I'd just ignore that and pick out whatever I liked, but I compromised and all of our bedding is white, with a bunch of different textures. And I love it! So, the reason you read this long rambling is because I've been thinking about our upcoming move a lot, and re-decorating another house. But keeping the white bedroom and I've been collecting inspiration. And there's lots of it out there.

Also, question: Did your significant other help with the decorating? Or did they tell you to pick out whatever you like? Or did they want to do it all, and you sat back and let them? Just curious...

This isn't a bedroom, but I want a closet that looks like this. A girl can dream right?

three things

2010-02-25T22:10:00.002-05:00

Three things I love today:

Skype: for letting me SEE my husband for the first time since September. We've talked, but I haven't actually seen him. I'm so happy that I could talk to him and see him and the connection was pretty great. Not much longer now...

C is for Cooking, Beth approved: I picked up this cookbook at Target a few weekends ago because, well probably because it looked fun and I like buying things. But it was worth it. The recipes are super simple and tasty. The simpler the better for me, so I've been enjoying the recipes. I've actually been enjoying cooking lately and it hasn't been as hard for me to think up things to make for dinner. Usually I just draw a blank on meals.

If you're interested in the book, I'll send you the few I've tried before you decide if you want to buy it!

The Apple Orchard Inn: Christal is having a baby, and I'm hosting the baby shower. And... its a Mad Hatter Tea Party! I know, how cool! I wish I could take credit in coming up with the idea, but Christal did it all herself. Well she also found this little B&B near town to have it at, instead of trying to cram everyone in my house! We go to check out the living room of the house on Monday and I'm hoping it'll be perfect for what we want.

Oh and if any of you have ideas for games, decorations, food, favors etc for the shower, PLEASE send them my way!

ten

2010-02-02T23:50:00.003-05:00

Kemper is 10 months today. The past couple of years have flown by so fast, I can't believe how quickly time has gone by. Just last year we were only visiting CO and I was a grumpy pregnant lady with a husband about to deploy, trying to see everything and everyone in his hometown (and I just wanted to sleep! :] love you honey). Fast forward to today: I'm a resident in CO, my husband is about 2 and 1/2 months away from returning to the states, and our baby boy is 10 months old. Its just all surreal to me.

Anyways, Kemp walks all the time now, I think I said that in my previous post. It really only took him about a week to figure it all out. So now the house gets extra messy in less time! yay!

He has six teeth, and it looks like he might be working on two more on top. He eats anything I give him, today we tested out eggs and some mango and he loved them both. Its so much fun to watch him grow. And it will only be a short time until he runs to meet daddy.

...

2010-02-01T23:10:00.006-05:00

-I'm obsessed with all things interior design (I'm always thinking about it) thats why I'm including the above pictures, I'm always finding images I'd like to recreate or possibly use as inspiration. And organizing ( I want a label maker). BUT please, forget that fact when you walk into my house, I'm too tired to actually follow thru with the many many ideas bouncing in my head. And sometimes too poor.

-I have so many ideas for so many different things that I have to write them down. Then, I usually lose whatever I wrote them down on, and when I do actually find them I usually forget why I wrote it down.

-I can't even remember what I was going to write here.

-Kemper is walking. Not just toying with the idea, taking a few steps. He no longer crawls, he just walks all the time.

-I'm addicted to Diet coke. Please tell me how bad it is for me, I'll just drink another.

-My high school class is having a 5 year reunion. I have mixed feelings about it.

-I'm excited for Christal, she's having a boy!!

-I'm making this list just to blog. I actually had a whole post thought out, and now I'm tired and can't think.

-I can't believe that Jersey Shore is a real show. It makes me sad that people watch that show, enjoy that show, and that the people from that show are seen all over the red carpets. Seriously America?

- I don't think I look like a celebrity, but if I were a character on TV, I'd be Lily from HIMYM. I'm almost exactly like her.

-I love animals, but it annoys me when people refer to them like children. Its just weird.

-I can't wait for TJ to be home. And I don't know how I would've made it thru this year without Kemper.

-I listen to country music, I love country music, and I'm proud of it. I don't care if you don't like it, tell someone else.

Sometimes I start a sentence...

2010-01-29T00:02:00.004-05:00

...and I don't know where its going. I just hope I find it along the way.*

Thats how I feel about my writing, my brain is too ADD to write a good post. But I like blogging. I like getting comments, I like sharing pictures, I like reading other blogs. I think its cool that my friends worldwide can keep up with Kemper and his going ons (hi friends!) I just never know what to write.

My days are mostly consist of feeding, changing, entertaining, soothing and whatever else Kemper wants. And watching way too much TV and throw in some cleaning. So I just feel like a lot of people out there probably do the same thing and don't really want to read about me doing it too.

But I do think of myself as a creative person, and I'm trying to get back to that. I used to paint all the time, so I'm trying to do at least one painting a week. I used to scrapbook, I used to make papercrafts of all kinds. I can pretty much make anything, but I don't anymore. I seem to have hit a creative block, so my question is... if and when you hit a creative block/stump... how do you get yourself out of it? What inspires you?

Also, if you read this blog, leave me a comment, say hi and tell me something you'd like me to write about. Or not, just thought it might be better than my ramblings.

* thats a quote, if you can tell me who said it and from where, I'll send you something. Totally serious.

laundry

2010-01-16T01:08:00.003-05:00

yep... I get a lot done durning the day.

hello new year

2010-01-12T16:29:00.004-05:00

I didn't realize it had been that long since I'd blogged, but I guess it has. So theres Christmas pics. Our Christmas was typical, presents, love, family, food. And a phone call from TJ.

And now that we're 4 months away from his deployment being over, I'm finding it even harder. I'm just so ready to skip thru these next few months as fast as possible.

My present from TJ, boots! He knows me so well.

And a rare shot of Kemps teeth!

Kemper throws back his head and opens his mouth wide, he's such a ham I love it. He has four teeth and is working on more. And he is trying to walk. He stood up on his own one day, took about 7-8 steps to get to me. But since then he hasn't been able to find his balance to handle more than a couple steps. But I know it won't be long now until he's running around the house, and I'm totally not ready for that.

um..

2009-12-23T12:35:00.003-05:00

I seriously hate titles. I never know what to put up there. Anyways, there's a big possibility that we will be moving out of this house and into another one once TJ is home for good. So... that little info put a big stop on me decorating. I don't see the point...

But for my next living room... I'm think of doing something like this:

I think it will be fitting, because while we'll still be in Durango, we won't be in town... we'll be about 5 miles out of town right on the mountain. Like, the last house on the road before you get to dirt roads and hiking trails.

2009-12-15T11:55:00.005-05:00

I'm not even sure what to title this. But I just wanted to get the news out. I took my mom in to the ER yesterday morning because she had been having severe back pain, her balance was off and she was having some trouble walking. After being there all day, they did an MRI and found what appears to be a tumor on her spinal cord. So they kept her overnight and she has been flown in to a hospital in Denver to see a neurologist specialist. As of right now I'm staying in town until I hear more news. No one really knows enough to tell us anything, what it is, what they're going to do etc. So all I can do is wait. And pray, and ask for you all to pray for her and the doctors too.

UPDATE:

So, the more I repeat this, the more it doesn't sound like much, but to us it really is. We have a little bit more information. The doctor still wants to look over all of her MRI's to compare to the ones last night. But its not a tumor, its a lesion that has ruptured and is huge. Which is actually kinda good. Before it was so small that if the operated, it would have been fatal. So she's been living in pain. But now, that its so much bigger, it will be easier for them to remove it. So... no news on when the surgery will be, but there will be surgery.

MORE UPDATE:

I feel like these updates don't have much information in them, but its as much as we know. First, thank you all for your support and prayers. The lesion is too swollen for them to safely operate on right away. So they are going to release her, and send her back to Durango to be in rehabilitation for 4-6 weeks and then go back for the surgery. The swelling is making enough pressure that she can not walk on her own, so thats another reason for rehab/physical therapy. Now we're just still waiting on the doctors to tell us when she'll be released, either tomorrow or Friday. And then its a 7 hour drive. So we'll see how this all works out...

**The doctors now decided to keep her in Denver and she'll be doing all the physical therapy there. Hopefully this means the doctors will be able to do the surgery sooner, but we still don't really know dates or time frames. Again thank you all for your kind words and prayers, it really means so much to us.

The white stuff

2009-12-08T12:08:00.003-05:00

And I drove yesterday (not a good idea)! So thats all new snow!

If THIS doesn't make you laugh... come on.

its beginning to look a lot like yada yada yada

2009-12-03T22:46:00.003-05:00

This picture is pure hilarity.

Thats the wiseman that gave me a bruised eye.

So... we've decorated for Christmas, but without a tree. I have two table trees, but thats it. We'll probably do one next year, but Kemper won't remember if there was a tree or not this year, and he would just try to climb it and eat it and play in the water... so no tree this year. Call me a Scrooge, a grinch. Whatever.

Also I am in a scrooge attitude this year. I just don't feel like Christmas with out TJ. I'm going through the motions, and thats not fair to Christmas... but whatever. We've got about 4 1/2 more months to go... I can do it.

Kemper man is 8 months now and can crawl like no ones business, he likes to walk on his hands and feet. He can pull himself up to stand on anything and everything, and he will be a climber, I'm sure of it. Most people tell me that he'll be walking by 9 months. He gets the whole one foot in front of the other thing, but I think it'll be longer than a month before he's walking on his own. We'll see I guess....

And who else thinks the internet is stupid? I enjoy buying stuff online (I don't even have to get dressed to feed my spending money addiction? yes please!), I like that I can keep up with the news, with friends all over the world, and I can email my husband. But recently I've been getting harassed. Private messages on facebook, anonymous comments on old posts here, old "friends" facestalking and gossiping. When does it stop people. Its just sad... I am not that interesting. Please, take interest in someone else. Like, now.

Okay.... I know I had more to get out but that will be it for now. I'm doing great, but I just needed to get a few things out.

Did I mention...

2009-11-22T23:53:00.003-05:00

...that Kemper is crawling? Well, he's been crawling since about 5 months, but that was this weird inch-worm hop, and he also would just throw himself at things. Now he's crawling, he also walks on his hands and feet, and pulls him self up to stand on anything that he can. Including me jeans, that then fall down. Good thing I don't have company too often, or they might be mooned!

He eats anything you put in his mouth, which is great, it makes meal time easy... but not so great when its stuff like small bits of paper on the floor from 4 months ago that he somehow manages to find.

oh... and I finally got Kemper a high chair, and yes I feel accomplished assembling it, but I'd rather it was TJ here pinching his fingers :] Love you honey!

Christmas in the desert.

2009-11-13T12:33:00.007-05:00

I just wanted to get the word out that I am collecting cards, letters, thank you notes, cookies, books etc. to send to Afghanistan.

My husband has been collecting names of marines and solidiers who don't get regular mail, but I want to send a ton of stuff. The morale out there, is the lowest it has been since the start eight years ago. And I know that this year, it has also been the most violent.

I want our military to know that we still care and pray for them. So.... if you would like to send out something, I can either give you the address... (it'll just go to my husband who will then take care of it) or you can send it to me and I'll send it out. OR I can give you the address for you to mail it yourself. A letter or card can just be sent out in regular mail. This is pretty simple and I'm hoping to get everything together by the first week of December.

I know a lot of people get in the giving mood around the holidays, and this is something simple and not too elaborate. If you'd like more ideas, check out Brandi's blog.

Please, leave me a comment if you'd like to participate, or email me here: beth.hermesman@gmail.com so that I can get you the address you need :]

P.S. You do not need a blogger account to comment, so please participate. I want to flood them with gifts.

THANK YOU!

kempers' nursery.

2009-11-11T01:35:00.005-05:00

So, I finally got some work done one Kempers' room. Working on and updateing the whole house, has left me feeling a little overwhelmed, which then makes me feel unmotivated. But, today we finally got the art up on the wall in little mans nursery. I want to put family photos up on the wall too, but I'm collecting funky frames to put them in.

So... refer back to this post for the before, his room is upstairs.

So, nothing too elaborate, but I like how open it feels now. The framed art was all made my me, and I bought the tapestry for eight bucks at a consignment shop. That huge (heavy) mirror was left in the house when we moved in, and I thought it might make a fun play area, and I was right. Kemper is obsessed with his reflection, in a cute and not yet conceited way. I'm thinking about also reupholstering the rocking chair, but I've never done it before and haven't found any fabric I like. And I'm going to be looking for some cubes/bookshelf for his toys to be on display and easy to grab.

So... one room down, a million more to go.

another kemper first: halloween

2009-10-31T23:14:00.003-04:00

Happy Halloween all! Like most mormons today, we had our trunk or treat along with a chili potluck. Kemper was an awesome cowardly lion, I even got him to growl at a few people. He does it all the time at home, but when he has an audience, he gets a little shy. He loved wearing his costume, mostly because there was fur for him to chew on. After the activity was over we headed home and I've just been enjoying watching The Witches for the evening. I'm sure he would've liked more trick or treating, but it's pretty cold and it's not like we would be collecting candy. I haven't heard any hooligans outside either, so I won't have to clean up eggs or toilet paper :] Hope everyone had a fun and safe night!

Anastasia(Aunt and SIL) dressed as Sully, I loved rubbing her stuffed pillow belly. I guess that might've been a little weird..

Some of the trunk or treating... All of the kids here are very polite, they all said trick or treat, and then thank you! So cute.

I am the kiiing of the forrrrressssst!

terrorizing the cat.

kemper's first snow.

2009-10-28T14:10:00.004-04:00

I guess since I grew up on the east coast, in Maryland, it's still a shock to me that today is the first snow. It's four days before Halloween, and theres a blanket of white stuff on the ground. I feel silly having fall decor up, this feels like the shortest fall ever, I'm not used to snow before December. I shouldn't be surprised, because we live in the mountains, but I still am. But this snow is pretty awesome. Its not slushy, and it isn't melting right away, and its still snowing out. It's supposed to for the next couple days. If Kemper was older, we'd be out building a snowman and making forts and having a snowball fight, but he didn't really seem up for all that.

This morning when I went in to get him up for the day, he was just sitting quietly playing with his stuffed Tigger. And greeted me with a growl and stuck out his tongue. TJ doesn't need to worry about me turing him girly in his absence, I don't think I could if I tried. Then we had breakfast and got our boots, coats and hats on and headed out the door. I was really excited to see how Kemp would react. He had the most serious face I've ever seen the entire time. He didn't cry, or smile. He was just taking it all in, trying to figure out "what the zeppelin" it all was. I don't think he was so sure of what to think of his snow suit either (and when I first put it on him, all I could think of was "I can't put my arms down!!!" from A Christmas Story). He just stared at the white stuff, touched it a little bit and then looked at me as if to say " This is what you got excited about? This cold white stuff? Thats it???" So we headed inside.

Its starting to melt now, but it's still coming down, so maybe there will be more to come.

photo wink

2009-10-24T14:19:00.002-04:00

Heres a sneek peak that we got from our lovely photographer, Jan Schill. She did pictures of me and Kemper for our Christmas pictures. I love her! If any of you are ever in the Durango area, check her out!!

dinnertime

2009-10-22T22:47:00.002-04:00

6 months and some

2009-10-20T17:19:00.004-04:00

Kemper turned 6 months on October 2nd. He hasn't gained much weight, but the doctor told me that's pretty normal in breast fed babies and with how active he is. And holy cow is he active. He can get anywhere he wants to now, but he isn't crawling, yet. He kind of throws himself across the room, I think he looks a lot like an inch worm. And he can sit up all by himself. He was excited about it the first time, and now he does it like its nothing.

He's teething, and he's extra cranky because of that, but nothing a little cuddle won't fix (which I love). He growls at people, and won't smile at strangers. And if he does smile, its a quick one before his tongue is sticking out. And it takes a lot to make him laugh.

Other than Kemper stuff, not much has been going on. I haven't felt like doing much since TJ went back, I've just been super unmotivated. I did already have Christmas pictures done, so hopefully I'll actually get those sent out this year. I'm sure once it starts snowing here (which its kind of snowing today...) I'll want to stay inside and get things done. The weather has been so gorgeous I'd rather just be outside. But once it starts getting really cold, and snowing, I'm sure I'll get stuff done. And maybe post updated pictures of the inside of our house.

Here are some pictures which are in no particular order:

Some views from the yard. Thats the top of one of the mountains.

Hopefully he likes this better next year, I love leaf piles!

This is my favorite picture of us so far.

He would much rather chew on the packaging than play with his new toys.

He usually spits all of his dinner on me. must.stop.laughing.

Hey Beautiful

2009-10-12T09:54:00.001-04:00

Hey Beautiful is the theme song for How I Met Your Mother, and the band, The Solids, are actually the writers of the show. ANyways, this video makes me giggle like no other, so I'm sharing. Happy Monday. Maybe I'll write a real post this week..

Jim and Pam forever!

2009-10-08T17:56:00.006-04:00

So, I've pretty much been glued to the TV every Thursday night watching Jim and Pam from The Office.. Do I think its lame I'm so obsessed with these characters? NOT AT ALL. (You should see how I am with How I Met Your Mother).

I've been on Team Jim forever, and at times mad at Pam that they were together and she was with her stupid fiance Roy. Engaged ain't married!*

And I hated when Jim confessed his love and Pam rejected him! And then he left to another office, and I thought about not watching anymore. But he came back and they got together and its just been one big mush-fest since then.

And tonight they're tying the knot! And have a baby on the way! I can't wait. If TJ were here we'd have a pizza and rootbeer and he'd make fun of how excited I am. I miss my "Jim" :]

* I'm not one to break up relationships, I completely respect them. But one day I'll write about how when I met and started dating TJ he had a girlfriend, and also had a ring for her.

Etsy...

2009-10-05T02:17:00.003-04:00

... should have a creepy section. Just sayin, people make weird things. Really weird things. I wish I could remember what weird thing inspired me to blog about it.

I keep forgetting everything. I can't find my house keys and I can barely hold a conversation.

Also, I would like everything in this shop. Thank you.

Bullets and Pictures

2009-09-26T12:42:00.005-04:00

Pictures first.

And no, this post isn't about guns, although kinda, since I shot my first one while TJ was home. And it just proves that sometimes I'm an idiot... more on that later in the post. I just figured I'd take the time to put up pictures here from TJ's R&R and add some commentary while Kemper is happily digging thru the diaper bag and using my motrin bottle as a rattle (thats safe right? I mean, the child protective lid is on...)

First off, the Hubster's R&R was at the very beginning of September (can you believe its October, sheesh). Everyone had bets on when the next baby will be due, but I made sure to take care of things so that Kemper won't have another sibling until about 3 years from now.... but the practice was fun.
The break went by all too fast. We did a lot of shopping and visiting friends. And a lot of eating. And really, that was pretty much it. We did a trip up to Utah to visit everyone friends and family there. TJ's sister is at the U and my sister is at the Y.
Having TJ home was amazing. He is such a good daddy, and an amazing husband. This visit just reiterated for me how much we get each other. He is truly my best friend, and I love that we can be goofy and romantic. We can fight and make up and it really is water under the bridge. Thank heaven for healthy relationships!
And okay, the gun story: TJ is a gun nut. Well, maybe not a nut, but he grew up with them, it was a normal thing for him. I grew up hearing about people being killed with guns all the time so they've always been kind of an issue with us. But I told TJ I'd like to learn how to use them if they're going to be around. So he tried to teach me... first of all, if I get nervous at all, for any reason, I get really giggly and have a hard time paying attention and just try to be goofy. I don't know why, I just do. So TJ is trying to get me to pay attention (It'd be a good thing to do around a gun don't ya think?) I was just a little freaked out. Anyways, I get the damn thing in my hands, I'm practicing with the safety, I'm holding it right, aiming it... blah blah blah. Then, I shoot it. And for some reason (because like I said, I am an idiot sometimes, a big idiot. IDIOT.) I didn't realize how loud it would be, and I dropped it. Yes... I dropped a gun, right after I shot it. I know... stupid. I know. But nothing happened. Luckily it didn't go off. Needless to say we had a little discussion about that, but its over now... we can move on. And this will most likely be the hobby we don't share.

bathtime.

2009-09-18T20:14:00.004-04:00

before:

after:

I don't know what made bathtime better, but Kemper loves it now. He used to scream his head off the minute he touched the water. But about a few weeks ago, he started liking it. And now we don't dread the bath anymore :]

I'll write about TJ's R and R soon, when I have time to type for longer than 2 minutes!

nursery

2009-08-27T14:19:00.008-04:00

Reading everyones post about your kids turning four or five makes me miss nursery* so much! Our ward here has maybe two kids in nursery... maybe four. When I taught nursery, I could have 20 on a Sunday and that would be normal. And I loved it! I loved all the kids so much. And when I lost focus of what was important and decided not to go to church anymore, the hardest part was leaving the kids. And I generally don't regret things, but I do regret that choice. Because of the kiddos.

* for those of you not of the LDS faith, 'nursery' is where the 18 month old kiddos go during sunday school. There's a manual with lessons in it and everything. Typically my lessons were telling the kids something like Jesus loves you! while passing out goldfish :]

pictures pictures pictures

2009-08-20T22:02:00.005-04:00

Well, I've been promising them forever, so here they are. Just a bunch of photos of the little price running the household. Wehn I took him in for his 4 month check up a week ago, he weighed 14 lbs and 2 oz. And the doctor told me to go ahead and start him on rice cereal and then after a week I could even try more baby foods that are orange or white (doesn't that seem a bit early?). He rolls over from his back to tummy, and hasn't quite figured out how to keep rolling... which I don't mind :] And he blows spit bubbles constantly.

Now... onto the pictures( which are backwards in order.... sorry):

Oh yeah, Auntie Anne is out to visit :]

And heres one of his first bites! He loved it.

As you know, he's discovered his feet, now he's figured out that he can chew on his toes too.

Kemper loves Holly, ( Great) Uncle Bill and Aunt Susan's dog. He actually loves all dogs, I think because they lick things as much as he does.

Just this past week he has to sleep with his face pressed up against something, with his pascifier (like he's nursing). Its adorable, and he hasn't done it since he was few weeks old (I know... so long ago)

After going on a walk, they both needed a nap :] He's got Grandma wrapped around his little fingers.

He also now likes to chew on this toy and then throw it over...

This is the throw.

the wind up..

and a chew to start it out.

After his first back to tummy roll :]

Kemper's specialty, spit bubbles.

just surfin'

And now he can sit up thanks to his bumbo chair!

The End.

excited doesn't even begin to describe it...

2009-08-18T23:36:00.004-04:00

So... yeah, um:

TJ IS HOME IN TWO WEEKS.

He gets his 14 day break in two weeks. It was supposed to be in January but something or other happened and it got bumped up. So he'll probably be here the first of September.

That is all. Pictures of Kemper soon.... soonish.

a lame excuse for an update

2009-08-07T00:00:00.003-04:00

I've been neglecting my blog. There's plenty to update on but whenever I start on a post, I end up complaining about something or another and I don't want my blog turning into a rant-fest all the time. Plus we've been with out internet for a week or two. And I've kind of liked it.

Anyways, heres few bullets with out pictures... those WILL come soon, I promise!!

Moms here! She got her safe and sound, although they made an 80 mile "detour"
the house is painted, we're moved in, almost all the boxes are unpacked and we just got internet and cable. Things are moving along
our outlets aren't grounded? trying to figure out if its a really serious problem or something that can wait until next pay check...
found a basically new crate and barrel table for more than half off at a used furniture store!
I think TJ's doing well
Kemper has figured out how to roll from his back to his stomach, hes 4 months now, drools constantly and is already spoiled by G.Ma. He also can stand up if holding onto my hands and in a sitting position. I'm sooo not ready for him to start moving everywhere...

More later I promise! I still love you dear readers.

Okay I lied... heres a picture, who has also discovered his feet. His huge long-toed monkey feet.

made me laugh

2009-07-16T10:36:00.001-04:00

Anyone else as excited as I am about them finally making an Arrested Development movie???

unmotivated

2009-07-10T01:44:00.002-04:00

So Kemper is 3 months and a week and I should do an actual post about it but I'm feeling completely unmotivated to blog. TJ's birthday has also come and gone and so did our one year. We're still working on the house, maybe it'll be painted next week. And other than that... there really is nothing to report. So... thats my blog about not blogging :]

But I don't want to smile!

2009-07-01T21:52:00.004-04:00

I finally got Kemper out to see Stacy for a photo session on Tuesday. He did really well for being not even 3 months. And she got some sweet pictures of him. She is on facebook and has posted a few pictures from the shoot, you should all 'become a fan" and support her! Also, she is the one who did my maternity photos which still need to be proofed, but there are some on her website under the maternity portfolio, so if you're bored check those out too :]

Thanks Stacy!!

exhausted!

2009-06-23T23:43:00.002-04:00

We started the cleaning today, and the painting. But the carpets already look 100% better. You can't really tell from the pictures but they needed the steam cleaning baaad. And then the nursery room, one of the upstairs rooms, we primed and will paint later this week.

The best part of today, I got a call from Rachel, a friend in the ward, who is a YW leader and she called to ask about TJ and when I told her we were cleaning she asked if they could come over tonight for mutual (youth group activity) for their service project. There were so many people! They got the bathrooms and windows and kitchen and stairs and just about every surface that could be cleaned! It was amazing!

In Kemper news:

He can roll from his tummy to his back, and can almost roll from his back to his tummy. I bet he'll get the hang of it this week
He won't take bottles, but he does really well with Aunt Alexa so I can clean!
He just discovered G and loves to try and mimic me when I "goo-goo" at him
He is teething. I didn't know you could teeth this early. He hasn't popped a tooth, he's just drooling and mouth everything and is fussier.
And he is obsessed with blankets, he loves when I lay them over him and he'll hold it and curl it up by his face and fall asleep... I don't have pictures of it on the computer, but they'll be up soon!

This is why:

2009-06-12T08:43:00.001-04:00

New House!

2009-06-08T23:22:00.002-04:00

Well... new to us. Its actually a very oooooold house. It is also apart of one of the hotels that the Hermesmans own, but its seperate from the hotel. Which means my own washer and dryer! woo! It is 3 bedrooms (technically 4 but the 4th is used for the hotel office) and 2 baths. Perfect for when my mom gets into town and its where we'll be when TJ gets back. It has tons of potential and I'm excited for the distraction and design challenge. So, I'm posting the before pictures I took and when its all done and purdy I'll post the afters :]

Here's the outside, theres also a lot of yard space, can you say summer cookouts??

And the inside....

The living room:

The kitchen:

Downstairs bedroom:

Upstairs bedroom #1:

Upstairs bedroom #2:

And apparently there might be somebodys living there already... I've been told mice are a normal problem in Durango...

And so it begins...

2009-06-06T18:15:00.003-04:00

Kemper turned 2 months on Tuesday June 2nd we had his two month check up then too. He weighs 11 lbs 11 oz and is 23.5 inches long, and he had 3 vaccines. Poor little guy has been fussy all week. But he's smiling all the time now and is "talking" a lot too. He also 'eats' his hands every chance he gets and has discovered his tongue, so thats out all the time now too.I love picking him up from his crib in the morning, he always has a big grin and a lot to say :]

Then today, we had our first accident. He pushed him self off of my bed and landed head/face first on the floor. It was the scariest thing to happen so far! He cried so hard and looked so scared when I picked him up. And of course, I lost it! So we made a trip to the ER, driving way faster than anyone should with a baby in the car. The nurse guys loved him and once we were there and Kemp had time to settle down a little he was smiling at everyone and seemed to be doing just fine. So now we're home he's napping and has been laughing and smiling. So now I just have to watch out for exorcism puke...

Overall I think everyone is okay, little man just has a nice goose egg on his forehead and mommy bought some boots online to calm down :]

And I just know this is the first of many, many ER visits... Thank Heaven for little boys!

Ugh.

2009-05-28T01:05:00.002-04:00

So how late is too late to send out announcements? Should I just not do them at all? Myabe I should focus more on actually making them than blogging about it...

NOM NOM NOM

2009-05-23T13:44:00.000-04:00

Do you want some cheese with that whine?

2009-05-18T23:40:00.004-04:00

I just feel like blogging random thoughts, and most of them seem to be me complaining/venting/whining... so read at your own risk!

I miss Maryland. I never thought I would. When I left I had cut ties with almost all of my friends (on purpose and not on purpose), I hated my job, I had nothing left there anymore and was ready to move forward. But now I find myself missing that little east coast state more and more. I can't wait to go back and visit.
Today I had bank trouble (I have somehow gotten our account locked). Its easily fixable but just the fact that I can't call TJ or email him to get some quick answers frustrated the hell out of me. I can't even call to yell at him, and I mean sometimes I really need that. He's my someone to vent to, so now the internet gets it.
I also can't stand that everyone likes to point out how hard my life must be right now. I know they mean well, but really... I KNOW. It sucks but I need to focus on all the good that is coming out of this trial...
A good note: I love seeing Kemper's smile. And knowing that he knows who I am. He recognizes me in the morning and smiles and coo's. And when he hears my voice and he's not with me he fusses until I hold him. I love the bond that we're forming.
I'm just gonna say it... I MISS SEX. Not just because its awesome, but also because I miss the hubster. I just miss being able to be close and even just holding hands. I don't know how you other ladies do it how you make it through multiple deployments. I feel like a wuss whining through this one.
And okay, I really am pretty optimistic most days. I feel myself growing in the gospel and I love that I'm getting closer with our Heavenly Father again. I'm also becoming my independent self again, I always have been, but not having TJ to depend on has really made me have to be strong. Its a good thing.
I don't cry everyday, so yay! I'm starting to feel slightly normal again.
I love my Gyno Dr. Her office is at a salon and day spa...How awesome is that? I think more doc's should think about doing that.
I realize that most of my blog posts have become complaining... but, its just a phase. And like I said TJ is the person I always vent to, so now its the internet.

Love you Ma

2009-05-11T12:11:00.003-04:00

Mothers Day! I hope it was good for everyone. At church during the last hour, all the men made and served us a waffle brunch! It was awesome, and I think it should be a worldwide rule! Then all the Hermesman clan met up at TJ's grandparents and we had a speggetti dinner. It was great to just celebrate with everyone, I love the family get-togethers. And the best mothers day present was Kemper's first smile. I also got to talk with TJ this morning. He got to meet Katy Couric while she was over there. And he also met another reporter who asked if she could call someone for him so she called me to wish me a Happy Mothers Day and tell me that he's doing well.

Look at that cutie!

I love Kemper and Great-grandpa together, he's so cute with him!

He' looks so big here with Great-Gram!

This a hat that Gram knitted for him, I just love the face that hes making.

And here we are lounging with Granpa and Auntie Alexa!

Wife Swap

2009-05-06T22:25:00.002-04:00

Have you seen the show? Or Trading Spouses (they're basically the same... different networks)? Basically two families that are completely different (we're talking usually total opposites) switch wives for a week and live the other family's life. On Wife Swap the new mom gets to make a "rule change" that the family has to follow. on Trading Spouses they get to delegate how the family spends $50,000. Anyways... I don't usually get into reality shows but these shows are definitely my guilty pleasure (although admitting it on the internet doesn't make it so guilty I guess...)

So as I was watching it today I was just thinking what it would be like if I were on the show. I'd like to believe that I would be courteous and try to be open minded to the other family and their lifestyle. And that made me think, what kind of family would we be swapped with? I think that we are generally open-minded people who don't focus on any one thing too much (for example: some families are obsessed with competition ).

We would probably get swapped with an atheist family who hates the military and are vegans who sit around and play video games all day and never go outside.

SOOOO... What kind of family do you think you would get swapped with? Would you be able to deal with the different lifestyle?

In the end, the families are usually changed for the better. They realize things they need to change, and change it. Or they realize how much they love their life and appreciate it more!

Okay, its 8:30 pm ... time for bed!

One month and counting

2009-05-04T11:48:00.003-04:00

Well, Kemper boy is one month old. I can't believe he's been here for one month! It really has gone by so fast! We've seen a couple babies born around the same time as him and Kemper looks huge compared to them! Both babies I saw were still very smushed and newborn-looking, and tiny. Kemper never was smushed and he probably outweighs the other kiddos by a pound.

Heres some photos I snapped of him playing for the first time:

In other news.....

I feel like a celebrity at church. Everyone knows who I am, knows our whole story, all because of our "situation" is how they put it. I just think its funny that they call it that, because its not normal to them. And thats when I realized this is the first time in my life that I'm not living around the military, or people who even get the military life! I must admit I miss the "instant" friends you get when being around military folk. I never understood what that meant, until I moved away from it.

And on that note, I met a lady at church who used to be in the Ft. Meade ward 2000-2006. What a small world, she didn't really remember me but she remembered my mom (shes hard to forget) and some other sisters. Her name is Pamela Rodregiez(well that was her married name when she was at Ft. Meade). I just thought it was crazy to run into someone in Durango from Ft. Meade.... we're everywhere!

3 weeks and other tidbits.

2009-04-23T16:20:00.003-04:00

Kemper is 3 weeks old today! We had his 2 week check up yesterday (a little late, but we had to wait for tricare to transfer). He now weighs 9 pounds and 4 ounces and is 20 1/4 inches long. Obviously we've got this eating thing down! I'm going to start pumping and introduce the bottle next week. He started as a really easy going baby and now he's starting to get fussy. Some nights he can only sleep if I'm holding him and cries bloody murder if I put him down. And occasionally I just have to let him cry it out and go to sleep. I hate to but I've got to keep (whats left of) my sanity.

Other stuff:

Ikea furniture is awesome for poor newlyweds, but it is not made for moving. Nothing is too badly damaged but its fairly dinged up.
Kemper and I are currently living in the manager suite of one of the hotels that TJ's family owns. Its great to have a free place, we're saving so much money. Which is a big difference from living paycheck to paycheck. Now I just have to buckle down and start cleaning the place...
Times when Kemper is on a non-stop crying tirade or when he won't let me put him in the carrier to do laundry or I need to lift heavy things or put our furniture together is when I really miss TJ. Just kidding, I miss him all the time. Right now I really can't stand the Marines.
I've cried everyday for the past 3 weeks, thank goodness for hormones!
I barely squeezed into pre-baby jeans this week. Hate me if you want but I have to brag. They're still pretty tight but it makes me happy that I'll most likely be able to wear my old clothes again (which I have 5 boxes of)

And I'm being summoned by mr. grumpy pants....

I love this picture.

2009-04-17T14:07:00.001-04:00

And this one too

Kemper Thomas...finally.

2009-04-14T11:08:00.002-04:00

So, heres the little mans birthday details (sorry if its all over the place :])

My contractions started at about 5:20 am on April 2nd at about 7 minutes apart. Well I had been feeling crampy all week but nothing big and uncomfortable so I didn't really think anything of them. Then my contractions were 5 minutes apart right around 6:30 when TJ is supposed to be leaving for work, so he got things ready and I got in the shower and then we were on our way to the hospital!

When we got there it was about 7:30 and my contractions were 2-3 minutes apart and I was dilated to about 4cm. So after they finally got the IV in me (i guess I'm one of those people with tiny veins that make the nurses job lots of fun) they got me into a birthing room, hooked up to monitors and then they told me to relax and watch some TV (relax???).

And I had no perception of time so a little while later my contractions started getting even stronger and I was feeling them in my back too so I told TJ that he needed to get the nurse because I needed my epidural now! So after the epidural I was able to sleep a little and was also really giddy when I woke up.

Then I guess a few hours later my water broke and I was about 7-8cm dilated. And then what seemed like only five minutes later I was all the way dilated and waaaay ready to push. So when I told the nurse that everyone that worked at the hospital ( well, 4 nurses, 2 midwives, a doctor, and 3 training corpsmen) came into the room and we got the show started. TJ got to be right in all the action holding my right leg while another nurse held my left.

Then what seemed like forever to me but was only about an hour and 1/2 later, at 2:48 pm Kemper was born! TJ said I made the funniest surprised face when I saw him. I was just so amazed! I couldn't believe that he was finally here and that I was actually looking at him and holding him! He was 7 pounds 14 ounces and was 19 1/2 inches long! No wonder he kicked a rib out, theres no way I have that much room in me! And now, heres the pictures:

Checking everyone in the room out. He was so quiet at first!

My mom got him a bunny (of course) so of course granmommy needed a picture of him with it.

I didn't get to him fast enough one night so he tried to make a snack of TJ

I left the hospital on Saturday and then on Monday we had a checkup and then it was on the road! Yep thats right, five days after birth we were taking a road trip from North Carolina to Colorado. To say the least it was rough, the first day we had car trouble and only traveled about 300 miles of the 2500( or something like that) and apparently there we barely missed tornadoes and fires and all sorts of bad weather. Just shows that prayer works :]

Then on Easter we were able to bless our little boy before TJ had to leave. They made a special exception for us since TJ is deploying this month. My dad, grandma and sister (and her boyfriend!) came down for the blessing. TJ's grandparents came to see the blessing too! We also went to brunch with the entire family! Kemper's first Easter was a busy one for the little guy.

Heres the entire group:

And four generations of men

And the women