Here's to THE Hubs

Marriage is tough. Anyone who tells you otherwise is LYING. Anyone who has been married knows this.
I am not an easy one to be married to. If Ken tells you I am, he is LYING. Anyone who knows me well knows this.
I am the most anal, OCD, have to have things done MY way, and there is no other right way to do it kind of person there is. I'm working on it. But it's not working. I think I need therapy or something (seriously!). I get SO frustrated sometimes that I just want to punch something (Okay, not really, but I have thought about it!). I'm to the point where if the glass marbles in my little candle arrangement aren't perfectly "arranged" it makes me NUTTY! Ken calls me Bree from Desperate Housewives. (I only wish that I could stay home all day and keep my house as perfect as hers! That would seriously make me happy.)
BUT, that isn't reality. I know this. I know that I have 3 kids at home, and kids don't clean up after themselves. I know that when the books aren't stacked biggest to smallest it doesn't bother most people. I know that I am not the normal one, but I forget that most of the time, and I have my little freak out moments when I want to just sit and cry about it.
Ken always has a way of bringing me back to "normal people" reality. He helps me to see that I am so lucky to have the well behaved, obedient, freakin awesome kids that I do, and that it really doesn't matter if our house isn't spotless or TRULY organized. And the best part is that he STILL loves me. Even after I have my meltdowns, and I think that life is over because our house is a "disaster" (in my eyes). He still loves me, and I am so lucky for that!! Thanks, Ken. I love you LOTS!!

5 YEARS AGO...

It was June 23, 2004 at 4:45 am -- I was dead asleep, and suddenly I was awake. I felt wet. Uh, did I just pee the bed?! Um, what do I do?? Frantic thoughts are racing through my head. It's early, and I don't want to wake anyone up. Got it, I will call my doctor's office and talk to a nurse! "Hi, UM, either I just peed the bed or my water just broke." The nurse politely tells me the obvious, "Honey, I'm sure it was your water breaking. Why don't you come on down to the hospital. We'll see you soon." DUH, I knew that was going to be the response...just needed a little reassurance. Okay, time to call my mom. One ring, and she picks up. "Kristen, I will be right over." She knew it was me. Who else would be calling her at that hour? (Not to mention that she had a "feeling" and she was already awake. I love my mom!) I frantically start getting my things together. This wasn't supposed to happen for 2 more weeks! I'm not ready for this! And then the contractions started. Not too bad, I thought the pain would be worse. After only about two contractions my mom was there. Ah, the relief! Everything was okay now that mom was there. She had done this 7 times, she was a pro!
We hopped into her little white bug and we were on our way. The contractions were getting stronger and closer together. My mom was coaching me through my breathing as she drove. They were about 3 minutes apart by then. Finally, we got to the hospital. As I was walking in I felt the GUSH of water that I was expecting. (I didn't think there was that much in my bed, but I didn't know what was normal) Now, THAT was my water breaking! Perfect. We got all checked in, and my pants were soaked. Once in the room, the REAL fun started. I immediately started puking and pooping (sorry, TMI?). It wouldn't stop! I didn't know I could get that much "waste" out of me in such a short period of time. The nurses kept telling me it was "normal" and my body was just "cleaning itself out" for baby to come. I was just worried I was going to be stuck on the toilet when baby came! After I was finally all "cleaned out" I got the opportunity to use the awesome "birthing ball". Seriously, I loved that ball. IT SAVED ME FROM THE EVILS OF THE EPIDURAL!
By this time, my BFF Nicole, my dad, Steve, Marco, Karyn and Charlie were there.(Sorry if I missed anyone else who was there, I was a little preoccupied.)
Before I knew it, it was time to push! NO! I can't push yet! My doctor is still doing a C-section. I have to wait for her! But little Aden had plans of his own. He wanted to come right then! There would be no waiting for MY doctor. I had to settle for someone else (which, she was great!). After not very much pushing, and LOTS of fingernail digging (Sorry Nicole), at 9:44 am little Aden Dex was born. He was tiny and purple and not crying. The doctor was smacking him on the back. Stop hitting him! He is so tiny. Don't hurt him!! I looked around at the look of fear on everyone's faces. And finally we heard it. After what seemed like FOREVER. The cry that we were all waiting for. My little one was here, and he was okay. They put him on my chest, and it was love at first sight.
I love my little man even more now than I did at that first meeting. He has been my rock through many hard times. He is such a sweet kid, and I don't know what I would do without him.
Happy Birthday, little one. I love you!!

~Mama

Dad's Day

We decided to celebrate Father's Day a day early...mostly because I couldn't wait to give Ken his present! We got him a new grill. It is pretty freakin awesome! It took us 4 HOURS to get it all put together, and we almost got divorced in the process, but besides that it's pretty cool. And yes, we do have it in our front room because Mother Nature forgot that it's June and the rain just won't stop!! (I love the rain though)
Thanks for being such a good daddy, Ken! We love you so much!!

AAHHH, Retirement!

For any of you who know my mom, you know she is one of the hardest working people there is! She has been a school teacher for 20 years, but her time as a professional teacher is coming to an end. This is her last year teaching, and she is about to join my dad in the world of retirement. She has definitely worked hard for many years, and now she can finally take some time and RELAX! I know she will continue to teach and touch many lives in different ways, but here's to your retirement, mom!!!
We had a family celebration dinner last weekend. It was very fun and VERY LOUD!!

Love Story meets Viva La Vida

This is amazing! This is one talented guy! Oh, and pause my music at the bottome of my blog before you press play...

Gone Fishin'...

Ken had to work this weekend, so Nicole and I decided to take the kids on an "adventure". We went up to Tibble Fork and went FISHING! I have never been fishing in my life! Surprisingly, it was fun. We didn't catch anything, but we had fun!