It's That Time of Year Again!

July 7 is finally here, people! Big Brother starts tonight. Which means, that Big Brother After Dark does too. Which also means that I will be absolutely worthless everyday until I have watched all three glorious hours. That's not even counting the CBS shows (three nights a week, baby) and the time spent on BB websites. Don't ask why I am so into this, because I have no clue. All I know is I love it. Every minute of it. I love watching these fame hungry people lay around all day, painting their nails, cooking, and most of all talking about each other and (this is my favorite word for it) scheming. Good stuff.

The thing I am most excited about tonight is the possibility that these pairs will re-enter the house along with the newbies.

Please note: I am NOT excited about "Brenchel" coming back, but if they come back and Dick comes back...OOOOOOOOHHHHHH yes! That will be the best TV I have seen in a while. He is a horrible-slash-gross-slash-nasty-nasty man, but I kinda love him. I think it's the fact that he says stuff no one else will say. As a person born with no backbone, I get a thrill watching him scream obscenities at people. 


Please, pleeeeeease, oh please let them come in together! And Camera Men, please, pleeeeease, oh please do not film Rachel as much as you did last summer. I can't take it. I just can't take it.

10.5 hours to go! awwww yeeeeeeeah!

Aiden's Birthday Party

Well, I am finally recovered from the marathon of entertaining and parties from the past couple of weeks. Not complaining, it was tons of fun. But everytime I thought about blogging, I would choose to be lazy instead. Hopefully I can get back into gear with my posts. There's a lot going on right now, but sometimes the more I have to blog about, the less time I have to actually do it. Irony.

I tried my hand (thanks to Pinterest and other bloggers) at doing handmade artsy stuff for his party. Instead of Party City/Target, I ventured off into the wild blue yonder that I call Michaels. I had no freaking clue where to find anything in that store. But luckily, they were very helpful. I just kept showing them pictures from my pinboard and asked, "What do I need to buy to make this?" [laugh]. It was a great learning experience, and really cheap too! Of course I brought along my coupons! Anyway, now I feel much more comfortable in the store, and I can't wait to go back for more (Pinterest) projects.

Aiden loves all of the Pixar movies, especially CARS. So when we heard about the sequel opening around his birthday, we knew that would be his theme. So we all went along for his first theater experience (all two rows of us). It went much better than I expected, but we will probably wait a while before the next movie adventure.

Overall, the whole party extravaganza was so much fun! I love having tons of family around. There was good food (Thanks, Jamie), tons of presents, and lots of love! I can't believe he's already 2.

Still my little baby, though.

Happy Birthday, Aiden!

Aiden's Baby Book - 2 Years!

My sweet little Aiden, as hard as it is to accept, you are officially a two-year-old. But even though it might make me a little sad knowing that you're growing up so quickly, you make it easy on Mommy by being such a loving, thoughtful, and hilarious little person! You have yet to display any "terrible twos" signs. While you are mastering the art of a good tantrum, it's nothing that stands out as "Supernanny" worthy. Thank you for that. I just hope you're not saving it up for your teenage years.

We have been having such a great time together this summer. I love that you were born in June. That means that each summer break, Mommy gets to relive the maternity leave days for every one of your birthdays! We get up each day for breakfast and "Yo Gabba Gabba" followed by lots of pool time or playtime. After nap, you help me with chores, play some more, or just cuddle with me for a movie. I am loving these memories we're making. Can you tell?

You have become quite the helper. You put toys back, help me get things out or do laundry, and always do as your told. Even when it is not what you want. It may take a little longer, but you do it, nonetheless. You have yet to disappoint me or your daddy. We are continuously amazed with how quickly you catch onto things. You have a go-with-the-flow personality. I hope that never changes!

You have also become a little lover-boy. You give hugs, requested or out of the blue (those are the best). You always tell me, "g-night, I wah-vu" when I tuck you in. I LOVE IT! You like to go to "Mommy's Beh-ud" to watch the Good Night Show before bed.

Swimming and shopping are popular requests from you. You like to get ready and get out of the house. I'm sorry for the shopping thing. But hopefully you'll grow to enjoy it (or at least get used to it) so that you'll be a better husband. That is, if I approve of her. [wink, wink] As for swimming, you can kick pretty well with your Nemo floaties on. I think next year will be your year for floatie free swimming. Right now, you just like to float around, play with your pool toys, and 1-2-3-jump!

Milestones
You can pull down/up your pants to use your Lightning McQueen potty!
You only wear a pull-up at night and during naptime.
You eat everything! You love dips (even the spicy ones). You have your my taste buds. You're welcome.
You say yes/no ma'am/sir, please, thank you, and you're welcome. My polite little man!
You eat in a booster seat at restaurants. Bye-bye highchair!
Now, you sleep in your toddler bed. You can get up and out of bed, but stay in it when you know it's time for bed.
You request more books from your shelf now. That makes me giddy!
At night, you can now repeat your "Now I Lay Me" prayer.
You have been off of your paci for a month now. That was way easier than I expected. Thanks!

Favorite Toys
"Mack" the truck that hauls all of your CARS 2 cars.
pretty much ALL of your CARS 2 stuff
your new UT football uniform (This makes us all very happy!)
your Harley motorcycle and keys
Buzz and Woody
Captain America
masks and helmets

RAAAAWR!

Funny Stuff
You roar. A lot.
You'll get someone's toes and say "This piggy in mah-ket. Wee wee all-time!"
Your snort and laugh. Totally got that from me. My bad.
When going #2, you whisper in a very serious tone "I gah poopoo"
You call buttons "butts". As in, "I wanna push the butt."
We were snuggled watching E.T. during the scene in the woods, and you looked up at me after seeing E.T.'s hand in the branches and said, "I scaaared."
You have become a human tape recorder.
Cameras and phone calls are not your cup of tea. You bolt as soon as you are put on the spot to talk, smile, or perform.
If Bogey gets anywhere near your food, you point and yell "NOOO Bogey!"
When you are trying really hard to do something, and you do it, you say "Thank you" and "You're welcome" to yourself.

I just can't tell you enough how much I love you! When I look at your precious little face with those sparkling eyes and that precious smile, I just melt. You're just so stinkin' cute. You never cease to amaze your dad and me; we are so proud of you. SO PROUD. You are so loved!

Love,
Mommy

My Dad (a belated post)

The average dad, to me, is a golfer, a workaholic, traditional, the strong-silent type. My dad is not the average dad. And I love that. Lots of his personality traits are far from those of most. I am quite fond of them and have even noticed that I have inherited some of them, which is kinda cool. Not gonna lie.

#1 My love for UT Football and all things orange. 

It's in my blood. In our family, we're not just fans. It's actually pretty intense. We sing "Rocky Top" like it's the National Anthem. If you go past a house where we are gathered to watch a game, there is a good chance you'll hear the yells and screams from the road. When an orange jersey is in possession of the pigskin, running down the field, we all stand up in unison, chanting things like "go, baby, go GO GO GO!" And I'm pretty sure our hearts stop for a second or two. I hope to pass this trait down to my kids as well. I mean, competitiveness and the affinity for the Volunteers truly is a major life skill. 

Right?

#2 Just because you are your age doesn't mean you have to act like it.

Deep inside my 50ish year old father lives a 12 year old boy. Family get togethers are never dull. Dad adds tons of fun to any party with his shenanigans. Whether it's bursting into song, pulling pranks, telling a joke, or busting out his "nasty boy" dance, you'll be sure to laugh or at least share a knowing look and eye roll with another family member (that look that says he's at it again). Simply put, he's a fun guy. I've learned the beauty of a well fashioned build up to a punch line, the art of a good "scare", and above all not to take life too seriously. There's humor in every situation, and my dad taught me how to find it.

#3 OCD (organized, clean, detailed)

Want me to be honest? Growing up with my dad always getting irritated about minor details such as using a coaster, tucking in the sheets the correct way, or putting things away drove me INSANE. Dad's house is always in order, down to the magazines facing the right direction, "throw" pillows in the correct place, and t-shirts folded military style. But part of me is glad for it. There is a place for everything, and everything is in its place. It's better than living in a messy, dirty, cluttered home. I've learned to appreciate a neatly made bed, a clean house, and a well organized closet. I try to remind myself not to let it ruin my mood, though, if something is not clean or in the right place. And I'm already seeing signs of this trait in my two year old: toys meticulously lined up and facing the same direction, not leaving the room until finishing one task, etc. 

Oh boy!

#4 Family Is Most Important

I've learned from watching my dad that you do whatever you can for your family. No matter how inconveniencing or incredibly irritating the request or favor, you do it. You do it because you're family. And you love your family. No matter what. I am so blessed to have unbelievably supportive families on both sides. We all support each other in everything. No one tears you down. It is always fun. There is always love. We don't take ourselves or each other too seriously. I love that. It's comforting to know that we can mess up and not be perfect, knowing our family will still be there to help us out with love and support. 

Dad,

I love you more than words can say. I feel a closeness to you that most daughters don't feel with their fathers. In a way, I feel that we've grown up together. Since I started college, I feel like we both have matured beyond measure. You have become a father that I love so much, it makes me tear up just thinking about. Thank you so much for loving me and supporting me and telling me that you're proud of me. It means more than you know. I'm proud to have you as my dad and Aiden's grandfather. SO PROUD. I love you.

"Verb."

A Land Rover, a Policeman, and a Russian Jew

So Friday...

Aiden and I woke up to our normal routine: breakfast, coffee, Yo Gabba Gabba, and blogging. As Jamie left for the day, we made plans to have a date night. Something that was looooong overdue. Yay! I had cleaned the house all day Thursday, so I was ready to get back to the pool for some much missed UV rays. We met Aunt Vickie at the pool, and had a wonderful time soaking up the sun and splashing around. After all the fun was had, we packed up to head home. The sequence of events to follow are very important to the outcome of the rest of the day.

Exhausted from the heat and craving lunch, we strolled through the parking lot towards my car. Aiden always holds the keys. It makes him feel important. It's a toddler thing. Or a man thing. Anyway, we got to the passenger side of the car, and I opened the front door to unload the beach ball and beach bag. HEAVY.  While doing this, Aiden was right in front of me and pushed something on the key that made my car alarm go off. So I grabbed the keys to push the unlock button so the people trying to relax would stop cussing me in their minds. Oh wait, I forgot that my unlock button fell off of the key fob. So I pushed the closest button. The lock button. I then decided since the keys were in my hand and I could reach the ignition, I should start the AC before I load him into his seat. The car wouldn't start all the way (just the radio) "That's weird," I thought. So I gave up and just left the radio on.

I shut the door.

And there it is.

The beginning of a wonderful afternoon.

Items left in car: phone, house key, car seat, wallet, car key in ignition, battery running.

So instead of freaking out, I breathed in and calmed myself down. I thanked God for this little patience lesson and for the fact that Aiden was not in the car, and I calmly walked back to the pool to use Vickie's phone to call a locksmith. Because, of course we don't have a spare key.

I began searching for the nearest locksmith on her phone when we got the idea to call our friend who is a police officer. This way it would be free, and I wouldn't have to tell Jamie. Our buddy, Stevie, pulls through and although he was not available, sent another office out as a favor. We waited. And waited. And waited. Until finally we decided to wait in her car with some AC. The officer finally arrived to rescue us. Well, he tried. Bless his heart. He had to have had tried seven different methods with seven different mechanisms. Is was blistering hot, and there he stood in that solid black polyester uniform, wiping his brow and saying that this is a car he just cannot get into. After about twenty minutes, he left, ego bruised.

Let's discuss why my vehicle was so difficult:
1) The power lock is located in the dash/console, in the middle of the freakin' car.
2) The keys were in the ignition, turned on.
3) There was a plate to protect from the file thing.
4) The doors were constructed so that the inflatable bladder thing couldn't make a big enough opening.
5) You cannot manually unlock the door (pull up the lock on the door).
6) The door handle is waaay down at the bottom of the door.

I had to call Jamie. Crap.

I told him the officer said our only option was a locksmith or busting the window. He suggested busting the window. Jamie did not approve of that idea. Locksmith it is.

We called. We waited, and waited, and waited, and waited some more. By this time, my dad left work to sit with us so that Vickie could go home. Instead, Vickie volunteered to get us some lunch. Thank you Vickie! While she was gone, the guy finally showed up.

When he got out all of his tools, and began analyzing what the problem was, he made comments about the mangled door frame. Then he laughed. That was comforting. Before he began he gave me the price. $110. There goes our date. I told him he was costing a busy mom a nice night out with her husband. THEN he gestured to my FATHER and said, "Is this your husband?"

EEW!

Thanks a lot, dude. Then we talk about his accent and I ask where he's from. He asks us what we think. {uhhh...weird} I want to guess Israel, but I don't know enough. I mean, I knew he was from the Middle East, so I was not about to offend him to the core. But I noticed the way he was dressed and said, "European". Dad guessed, "Costa Rica". He then said, he was from originally from Israel, but lived in Russia, a Russian Jew. His words, not mine.

While working with this tool, then that tool, then yet another, he would sing. Loudly. "Na na eee nana" Or something like that. At some point I sighed and said, "ugh this day." He reminded me that I could be like the women in his country, sweating in the desert, forced to join the army at 18.

Well that put it in perspective. I mean here I was in my pink coverup, bleached hair, and sunglasses, impatient as all get out. Isn't that the best representation of an American? Sorry, America.

Even though he probably thought I was a typical American Jerk, he was still pleasant and actually pretty funny. He kept telling me to be positive and encourage him. So, I did. And it worked!

I was finally in my car. Two hours later.

He got his $100 (thanks to my dad's bargaining prowess). I tried, but he laughed and asked if I wasn't really a Jew as well. HA!

Got home. Gave Aiden a bath. Put him to bed. Took a shower. Ate a Magnum bar. All was well.

Jamie made up for the no date thing. That night, I gave myself a mani-pedi and we ordered a pizza. The next day I got to buy a ridiculously priced pair of jeans. Score.

Saturday Morning Scene

It's time to link up with Katie at Loves Of Life!


This morning, Aiden is eating apples whole! Well, sort of. Instead of itty bitty pieces, he gets wedges. What a big boy! Watching him figure out which side to eat was pretty cute. But then again, pretty much anything he does is cute. After breakfast, he went for a Harley ride. His favorite thing to do on the Harley...chase the dog.

And then, this happened. I realize it's kinda mean to have not rescued him right away. But it was just too cute!

Hope you are having a wonderful Saturday!

He Proposed

It was a Saturday. My friend/roommate, Jen, and I were driving back from a hard day's work when Jamie asked me to run an extra errand for him. I can't exactly remember what it was. I just remember I was extremely irritated because I reeeally wanted to go straight home and chill-ax. So we get home to watch the Tennessee vs. Auburn [gag-cough-gaaaag] Championship Game. We lost. I was pissed. I remember working on some kind of report that night too. Not fun. So this was not a good evening. We were just hanging out when he suggested we go on a donut run. I am very fond of donuts. I used to be very fond of the midnight donut run, too. I mean, I was in college. Duh. So we left to go get some Lamar's Donuts (man, I miss that place).

On the way back with the donuts, the conversation turns to marriage and entertaining the idea of going to a Chapel that night. The said Chapel was located on Monteagle Mountain, our halfway meeting spot (he lived about an hour and a half away). Going to the Chapel was an ongoing inside joke between the two of us. So I was playing along with the joke, as usual, when all of a sudden I notice him turning onto the interstate instead of going home. WHAT?! I could feel my heart speeding up. Our conversation went something like this:

Me: Ummmm...are you serious?
Him: Yes, let's do it!
Me: Our parents will kill us! Especially our mothers! I don't think this is a good idea, Jamie.
Him: You want to marry me right? I think we should just go and see what happens.
Me: [silence]

Here's the thing: I was actually excited about finally marrying him, but 1) was very confused because HE was usually the voice of reason, not ME. and 2) was kinda pissed because I wouldn't get my big wedding and big dress. I mean, come on.

So I stayed quiet and went along for the "ride". We get to Monteagle and at this point I was thinking we'd do it, but we would not tell anyone! Because there was no way my parents would front the money for a real wedding if they found out we did this. But I was going to wait to inform Jamie of this plan after the fact.

We're driving down a quiet, basically empty road. I believe it was around 2 in the morning at this point, when we came upon a beeeeautiful Christmas lights display. I have an insane obsession with Christmas: decorations, music, movies, you name it. So yeah. We had to stop. We get out of the car and walk down a sidewalk that was lined with lighted archways all the way up to a gazebo that was littered with even more of these gorgeous lights.

While we're walking, I grab his arm and begin humming the bridal march, "bummm bumm bum bum..."
Because that's what I do when I get nervous. I make jokes.

When we get in the gazebo, I looked all around at the illuminated park. While I'm enjoying this moment, Jamie gets extra cuddly and starts saying some really sweet things. Which is odd. He is always sweet, but rarely this verbal/mooshy-gooshy. So I begin thinking. I get my hopes up. I have to admit that what he said from that point on was a blur because my own thoughts were louder in my head saying stuff like, Is he going to do it? Is this it? I wish he would just do it! DO IT!

and then...

He got down on one knee. He pulled out the most beautiful ring I could ever have imagined. And he asked me to be his WIFE!

I got down on my knees too. I assume I told him yes, but honestly, I don't remember. I remember crying that ugly cry. You know. The one that makes you look like that tall guy from The Goonies? Anyway, I put the ring on, we hugged, kissed, and cried some more. We drove home on cloud nine. When we got there, I woke up all of my roommates to tell them all the news! It was awesome.

So that's how it happened. A midnight run for donuts. In pajamas. Christmas lights. On a mountain.

It was perfect.