strong, sassy & stubborn but ever so sweet grandma

I had scheduled a fluffy, easy, 'wordless wednesday' post.  But the fluffy, wordless wednesday post was cancelled last night.  My sweet, loving, wonderful grandma has been in the hospital for a week today.  If you don't have the pleasure of knowing her, here is a little tidbit.  Grandma Verna is a strong, sassy & stubborn but ever so sweet woman.  I think she would happen to like those describing traits.  {I might,or might not have inherited a few of those famous traits as well, right Husband?!  Kal definitely has might have too...} She loves her children, grandchildren & great grandchildren like none other.  She had a brain aneurysm 19 years ago but refuses to let that define her or her life.       

I am not the best at explaining things (be it medical, re-telling a story, heck, even my very own thoughts) but I will do my best.  The doctors are still unsure of what is wrong/going on with her {and I am pretty sure whatever is going on is not related to her aneurysm so long ago}, which is frustrating in itself.  She went into cardiac arrest on Sunday and then it was decided by her doctors to 'cool' her down so her brain/body could rest and try and prevent any further damage.  I believe it was yesterday that they discovered that her kidneys are not working as they should be either.  They {the doctors} are going to run a few more tests on her heart (again) so we praying for answers.  And peace.  And understanding through all of this.  We do have a caringbridge site set up if you would like to go there for info (http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/vernacorbin)

If you can say a prayer for her, and as well as my grandpa, I would be ever so grateful.  I have truly seen the power of prayer firsthand, and know how much it means to those in the thick of heartache & struggles. 

 Thank you in advance for your prayers and kindness!  I know everyone in our family greatly appreciates it!

weekly meals.

I decided to post our weekly meal again with Molly from Duchess of Fork.  I am pretty excited for our meals this week.  There are only 2 main meals, but they are so good and I am excited to make them!  I know, I know.  The things that excite me. 

Monday:  From Mrs to Mama's Chicken Noodle Soup.  I cant wait to try this.  Husband loves soup and so does K.  I am a picky eater but love homemade Chicken Noodle Soup.  I cant wait for this.

Tuesday:  Leftovers. 

Wednesday: Chicken Caesar Sandwiches  I made this a couple weeks ago and it was delish.  Plus it lasted us for lunch & dinner for about 3 days.  Bonus!

Thursday: Leftovers.  Im excited to have my pick from the 2 :)

Friday: Taco's.  Original I know.  But it is easy and Ill have the ingredients. 

Saturday: I havent figured out our weekend lunch/dinners yet.

Sunday: see above.  I might get another pork roast.  We are becoming obsessed, especially with the Skinny Taste's Puerto Rican Pork.  I admit that this is the first week in awhile that we havent had pork.  So good.  Plus, it lasts us a long time and Kallers loves as well, so definitely a win in my book!!

For sides we will rotate between broccoli, corn and green beans.  Not too fun, but healthy for us and the toddler! 

Hope y'all have a fabulous week! 

And this is for the grandparents & aunties/uncle:

This is typical Kal face the past few days.  She is getting 5 (I repeat FIVE) teeth right now.  2 have broke through and I can see the 'whites' of the other 3.  Oye.  This has resulted in less sleep, many sad faces, weird if no naps, not eating as much, wanting to be held and paci in the mouth.  She is lucky she is such a cutie patootie.  We are both tired.  

Good thing we have delicious meals planned this week! 

daddy time

Kal had some daddy time this weekend and couldnt have been more thrilled about it!  Even though we were dealing with some sickies, we quickly hopped outside for Kal to enjoy the nice weather.  The girl is obsessed. 

 

She loved watching Kobe run & jump all over.  We have a crazy dog.  

The girl loves her daddy and during busy season we just dont get enough time!  Cant wait for busy season to be done.  We love you, daddy!    

Happy Friday!  Hope y'all have a fabulous weekend! 

How to make a good burlap wreath...

...you know, because everyone is doing it.  

 What you need:

This mama's blog post.  She has it laid out perfectly.  From supplies to pretty pictures of 'how too's'.  Thanks, AP!
I bought an 18 in wreath, so when I only got 2 yds, I ran out.  Boo.   So if your wreath is 18" then I would suggest 3 yds. 

cut your burlap to 5x5 squares

Go and follow AP's post, because, well, she explains it perfectly!

It does make a huge mess, just FYI

Then find the perfect place!  Husband thought I was way off base by thinking this looked good.  I loved it, and after talking with a few friends and twitter, the wreath stays.  Sorry, husband.  You lose.  I still need to add a bow.  Im working on that....

A dear friend is a bonus for your wreath-making-party...her's was WAY simpler but obviously a different look.  She is hosting a 'barnyard' theme for a girlfriends baby shower - it will go just perfect! 

A toddler supervisor helps the process too.  Except when she is done eating and wants to play.  Then the burlap-making-wreath-party takes a break until bedtime.  Just in case you were wondering :)

Happy Thursday! 

weekend

Our weekend was the first in awhile where we didnt do hardly anything.  It was fabulous.  I lived in leggings and a sweatshirt.  Weird I know. 

 this is what happens when toddler refuses naptime.  we find her in the oddest of places.

The husband and the daughter both have colds, so I did feel 'on duty' more than normal.  especially with the husband. (dont worry, he knows it's true).  On Friday we watched a few of the bazillion shows on our dvr.  We are so behind.  Kal and mama went to Mimi's on Saturday and did a few things around her house.  K loves Mimi's....but I think she was wondering where all the kids were, she had the whole playroom to herself (my mom does daycare and K LOVES the kids :) 

When J got home on Saturday we went out for an early dinner and it was great.  Just us and all of the other parents with young kids.  It was pretty hilarious of all the families that were around us.  Must have had the same idea {you know, beat the rush and hope to finish dinner before the 'witching hour' starts kiddo's lose their ability to stay contained.}  Kal & I had nursery duty on Sunday (J didnt go because his cold had gone from bad to worse) and it was packed!  I was exhausted and sweating by 9:10 (church starts at 9:05) :)

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend & holiday (if you had it off!)  J didnt, but he was able to get home by 6:30, which was wonderful! 

Have a wonderful week!  I have to say, I am slightly jealous of all these blissdom ladies!  Hope y'all have a great time!!!!

14 months

Sweet little Kallen.  Mama totally passed by your 14 month post.  I blame it on the lack of sleep and the craziness that you make me keep up with during the days.  So here is your 14 month run down. 

Baby girl.  For 14 months you have filled my heart with insurmountable joy and love.   I am so grateful to spend all of my days with you. maybe not while I pee, however  I have always wanted to be a stay-at-home-mama-and-wife.  always.  Daddy says I should have just skipped college, but hey!  That teaching degree comes in handy already with you, and I know it will only grow to become more useful as you grow.  oh and I also sub a couple times a month.  You know, so I can buy you pretty dresses ;)  Okay back to you.

You have also exhausted me too.  Some days, more than I care to admit.  But I wouldn't trade it, in case you ever wonder, sweet thang.  Boy.  I should really post about all of your mama's crazy nicknames for you.  There are plenty.  Here are some fun things about you and your 14 month self

Girlfriend loves to eat!  Favorites are cheese, bread, black beans, applesauce, peaches, pears, mandarin oranges (basically any fruit), crackers, eggs, pork, broccoli, goldfish, mixed veggies, well, as it seems there is not really much the girl doesnt like.  Ha!  She has been turning away from yogurt lately and she will not eat chicken. 

And, we are done with bottles!  {excuse me while I break into a happy dance!} It was about a week before you were 14 months and it has been such a wonderful and easy transition.  

You love your books.  Have I said that before? Um, yes.   I dont think I need to say anymore.

I'm thinking you weigh about 22 lbs.  You are wearing 18-24 month clothes and some 2T (because you want mama to cry about losing her baby, of course).  I feel like I pack away clothes weekly.  Sad day, sister.  Sad.    

You learned to go down the stairs backwards.  We had been working on it and one day when daddy was helping making you, you finally did it.  Awesome. 

You are wavering between 1-2 naps a day.  And sometimes none.  Um, toddler?  Not okay. You are usually in bed by 8.  I had to push back your bedtime so your daddy could see you at night.  I wish it meant you sleeping in longer ;) But you still rise and shine between 530-6 am.   

I dont want to jinx anything.  Im really not the superstitious type, but when it comes to sleep, heck yes I am.  So I have been hesitant saying anything.  But for the last 5 days K has slept in her room the entire night!  I think the angels are singing.  She still wakes up, but girlfriend has not been in our room before 5:30 am (except on Saturday when she wanted to get up for the day at 4:30am, see why I am superstitious about sleep????)  But we are making HUGE strides, thank the Good Lord. {update: of course last night AFTER I wrote this the little miss graced her way into our bed.  And I got kicked in the eye at 3 am.  I was shocked that I didnt have a black eye this morning}

Sister still loves to dance!  Daddy and I just roar at you when you get your groove on.  You are kind of a headbanger.  Hilarious, but also scares me for your future.  Your favorite thing to do is go and turn on all your toys from the kitchen to the living room and then you dance around until the last stops and then you repeat.  I think know I can recite each and every 'song' from every toy. 

Kallers, you are so sweet. and sassy  Some of my favorite times are getting you out of your crib when if you nap, because you wrap those sweet little arms around my neck and pat my back.  Melt.  You know that we pray before each meal and before bed.  I love how you fold those hands and then raise your arms when we say 'men' {amen}. 

One of my newest and most special things is you point to your big sister's photo that I have in your room.  I say 'that is your big sissy, Emma' and you smile so big and clap.  Yes, baby girl.  I am so happy she is your big sissy too.

Happy 14 (14.5) months, K.  We love you so much!   

Happy Valentines Day!

 Last Valentines Day.  My sweet little 2 month old.  Oh what a sweetheart.  I want to scoop that baby up right now!  Such a peanut.  This was last Valentine's day.  

  Now I have a 14 month old who is crazy!  And I love her like crazy.  And her daddy.  For this day of love I am hoping to have my hubby home before 7 and for Kals to sleep in her own room...all night  Ha ha ha!  It's the little things, friends. 

  Isnt that the cutest jumper ever?!  So perfect for vday ;)

 Happy Valentines Day!!

Our Love Story

After reading many of the "What's Your Love Story" from this beautiful mama's link up I decided I better jump on the bandwagon.  Everyone loves a follower, no?

1. How long have you and your significant other been together?  Oh boy.  The husband and I met when I was just about to turn 15.  10+ years ago friends, crazy!  We were friends first, which to me, there is nothing better.  It is awesome being married to my best friend.   Anyways, back to this.  We made it official later on, but lets just say we have been together for about 8 years.  With one or two short breakups...but other than that, its been a loooong time ;)

oh my goodness we look SO young.  (my graduation party, circa June 2005) 

2. How did you meet? {What's your "love" story?} We met in highschool through friends of friends.  Actually it started with their 'group of friends' that coached my younger brother's basketball team.  Thanks Chrissy!

3. If married, how long have you been married? If not, is this the guy you hope to marry? {do tell} We have been married for 4 years - this year will be our 5th year, crazy!

4. If you are married, where did you get married at? Big or small wedding?  If not, where would you like to get married? And will it be big or small? We got married at Joshua's grandparents church and then had the reception at a hotel.  And...definitely big.  SO big.  like served about 430 people big. But it was fabulous.  

Our wedding party.  It was a party, y'all.  And it was fabulous.

5. Do you have any nick-names that you call one another? Do share! Oh the usual's, 'babe', 'honey', 'love', and a few others......

6. Name 3 things you love most about your honey.  He loves me.  The good, the bad, the ugly.   He is a wonderful dad.  He loves his baby girl and boy, does she love her daddy.  Melts my heart.  He is my best friend.  I love that he is the first person I call and the person I trust the most.    

7. Tell us how he proposed? Or your ideal proposal?  We had plans to celebrate Christmas & such, we went out to dinner (I almost ruined by wanting to go to my younger brother's basketball game, but he assured me if I still wanted to go after our 'gifts' that we could go) and then back to his parents (sans parents) house to exchange gifts.  I was completely shocked at the proposal, as he was a sneaky little guy and of course, had me thinking it would be much farther away.  I gave him my gift {laker's blanket?  No idea of what it actually was} and then he said some beautiful, wonderful, sappy words and I melted.  And he proposed.      

8. Is he a flowers and teddy bear kind of guy for v-day, or strawberries, champagne, and rose petals?  I have gotten champagne and rose petals, but I would say he is definitely more of a flowers and teddy bear kind of guy ;)

9. Are you a sunset dinner on the beach kind of girl, or pop a movie in and relax on the couch? Can I say both?!  I would LOVE a sunset dinner on the beach, but we are most of the time pop a movie and cuddle on the couch couple

10. Tell us one thing you'd like to do with your significant one day. If you could do anything? Go anywhere?  Oh I would love a trip overseas or to some secluded tropical island vacation in a {luxurious} hut over water.  You know what I'm talking about.  BLISS, people, bliss. 

11. Tell us what you plan on doing on this Valentine's Day. We dont have plans as of now.  With the hubs working some crazy long hours we just haven't planned anything.   Hopefully a nice dinner?

12. Are you asking for anything this Valentine's day? So many things!  But, since we are on a tight tight budget, I am thinking I might get flowers.  Maybe.  Ha!

13. Give us one piece of advice of keeping a relationship strong and full of love. Oh boy.  I would say affirmation.  Maybe it's one of my love languages (poor hubby, I have a little bit of each love language) but it goes along with respecting each other and building each other up.  Life is tough, even if you have it 'easy'.  So throw in everything that life throws at you and then add a marriage {plus kids adds a whole other category} it is nothing easy.  That affirmation {& communication all around} is huge.  Especially if you are a stayathomemomwhobarelygetsinaweeklyshower ;)

14.  Show us a picture of what love means to you I have a few pictures, but this is on my computer and that doesnt involve me getting up and scanning in ;) 

 Love this man.  

weekly meal plan

I decided to link up with Molly at Duchess of Fork with her weekly meal planning!  After the past weekend of eating everything in sight wayyyy to much, I needed to regroup and put together our weekly meal plan.  It should be just fruit & veggies for me, but since we are low, ill have to wait for a major detox.  I am not going grocery shopping (besides to get K's milk) for another 15 days.  If this happens, it will be monumentous, friends.  I have been going 2-3 times per week.  Just to get a few 'quick' things that I usually forget, but the husband has put a stop to this.  We will see how I do :)

Here is our meal plan!  I am in LOVE with this printable.  It makes my heart happy. 

Monday: leftover from the superbowl Cream Cheese Sausage Balls {a la Molly} (not healthy, but delicious)
Tuesday: Tacos
Wednesday: Leftover Tacos
Thursday: Pulled Pork {havent figured out the sides just yet}
Friday: Leftover Pork {pulled pork sandwiches, tacos, etc}
Saturday: I dont want to go out, but it's hard for me to decide on a Saturday meal.  Probably because I am used to eating out practically every Saturday since college...ridiculous I know.
Sunday: Meatloaf

I am going to try and have salad/special k for lunch everyday this week.  Without eating Kal's remnants {I hate throwing food away!}

Hope you're having a great Monday! 

Friday funnies

Happy Friday!

I took this video last weekend before we headed out and had to post, it was too funny!  This was about 10 minutes after they started too!  Please excuse my insane high voice.  I dont know what happened and I really hope I dont sound like that in real life!  Yikes!

Be sure to mute the music at the bottom........

Hope everyone has a wonderful, wonderful weekend!

wednesday randoms

Last week I was feeling a bit, um, frazzled.  For no apparent reason, but I think it has to do with the husband in FULL busy season mode.  I dont know how you single momma's, momma's of husbands work 13+ hour days, do it.  I dont.  Anyways, on to more randomness

-Busy season stinks.  s.t.i.n.k.s.  I am so thankful the husband has a wonderful job in the accounting world but my oh my, my days have been long.  {no, I wouldn't trade them for the world, but I am not going to say that they are easy peasy}

-I havent worked out in forever.  I was consistently going when K would go to bed at night.  But, the sister wakes up and since said husband comes home to say hi to Kali and then works from home, well it just hasnt worked out for me to, workout.  I guess I better break out the Jillian Michaels dvd's....she does kick my butt. 

-I have lived in leggings for the last week? 2 weeks?  I dont even know.  They are wonderful.  WONDERFUL.  A mama's best friend.  Sure, I changed out of them for a few things (birthday parties/church) but you can bet your bottom dollar I was in them about 2.7 seconds after I got home ;)  J asked me the other day if I own anything else.....oops ;)
-I am thankful that although he asked me that, he really doesnt care.  (or if he does he doesnt tell me ;).  He's a keeper, that one.
-I really would love a vacation.  Sunny California sounds fabulous.  Since that is not in the budget this year, I guess ill just keep dreaming (literally, I have been dreaming about it, practically every night)
-I know everyone says this, but I cannot believe how fast K is growing up.  Slllllllooooooooooowwwwwww down child! 
-I haven't subbed since before Christmas.  There just hasnt been much, and since I watch mr. A on certain days, I'm a bit limited as well.  I miss it.
-Speaking of mr. A, him & kk are playing so much during the days.  Hilarious to watch.  I need to get a video of it. 
-I usually have 3-4 blog posts going at once.  You would never guess with my 2-3 posts per week (on a good great week), but I do.  I dont know if I just get lazy with them......or if I start 'thinking' of what I am actually saying and dont post ;) 
-I only have 24 emails in my inbox.  24!!  That is awesome.  I normally have 100 or more, and I am too paranoid to delete things (like student loan payment statements, etc), even though I print everything too.  Weird, I know.  It has been driving me crazy though, so during yesterday's nap after I picked up, I deleted.  And it felt fabulous. 
-I sing Baby Beluga WAY to much.  Like in the shower, at target, in the car, way, way to much.  Kallen loves that book like it's not going to be here tomorrow so we sing/read it all the time.  I have it in my head now, weird.  

-I cant believe you are still reading if you are.  I can be way more random than this, but ill reign it in so I can go workout.  For the first time, in like week(s).  But I really just want to come home after dropping K off and sleep, Ha! 

Happy Wednesday, friends!