Life's Tough, Get A Helmet.

It still blows my mind that Ross and I made a PERSON. A real person with likes, dislikes, personality, and a whole lotta sass. It's been so neat to watch Claire grow and develop, and see more of her personality come out.

I had a really hard time adjusting the first few months. There were times I cried, saw the toilet as an escape for a little "me" time, and occasionally wondered what the heck I had gotten myself into. And honestly, it's been the best time of my life.

Our journey with Claire started out with jaundice and a few days in a bed of lights. She could only come out to be fed or changed. It was hard having a newborn baby, MY newborn baby, and I couldn't even hold her when I wanted to. Little did I know that would be the beginning of the Claire Adventures. There were months of sleepless nights, an emergency run to the hospital for RSV, plagiocephaly, torticollis, physical therapy, helmets, and the list I'm sure will go on and on and on.

Through all of this, I've reflected on the women I look up to most. They are beautiful, strong, courageous, and such incredible examples for me. I had to learn the hard way that these women are not that way because they are "butch", but because of and through Christ. Our church is chalk full of these strong women, and for that I am grateful. I hope to one day be numbered among them.

Bragging moment: I've been really great at keeping a journal this past month. Sunday I went back and read a little and I already feel silly for all of my whining and complaining about how hard being a mom is. (Not that my journal exclusively contains my whining.) Ross has always told me happiness is a choice. -Have I mentioned how much I absolutely detest that he is ALWAYS right. About everything?!

Whenever I text him and tell him what a horrid day I'm having, he always responds simply, "Well, that's your choice." Sometimes I feel like he might as well be my parent, too. It takes me back to Mr. Bennet's 8th grade English class. He made a poster of his mantra which read: Buck up little trooper, cause life ain't easy. He posted at the front of the class on bright colored paper. I'm beginning to figure out that happiness IS a choice and I can make the best of the worst situations.

Claire and I have our helmets on (haha, get it?) and are ready for whatever's next. Bring it!

My Poor Husband Is Married To A Moron.

No, really. A couple days ago I was getting ready. Lately I've been using Claire's first nap to actually do my hair, put on make up... You know, things that NORMAL people do. Then I pulled out my jewelry box. I had a couple old rings in there that I never wear, but I thought I'd wear another ring that day. Well, I took one out and tried to put it on. Note: If you have to push and shove as hard as you can to put something on, it's probably not a good idea.

It seemed like a good idea at the time. Much to my blonde surprise, I couldn't get the stupid thing off! I tried baby oil, soap, ice, cold water, everything and it wouldn't budge. After Ross was home, I had him pull as hard as he could and ignore the ungodly sounds coming from my mouth. It didn't work.

HOURS later, I decided to be brave and cut it off with a tool from our beloved tool box. I don't remember who gave us that toolbox, but that was probably the greatest wedding present we received. We used it to break into our home the first night back after getting married. And a couple more times until we decided to only lock our deadbolt, and only once we're outside. We've pieced together furniture, opened paint cans, and hung pictures. Now we can add 'undid one of Kate's dumbest moments' onto our list.

Poor poor Ross. I'll bet he had no idea the adventures he'd get himself into when he married me.

Utah Bucket List.

A girl friend of mine made a post like this to get ideas of what she and her hubby MUST do and see before they left Idaho.

It seems like such a great idea and looks like they've been having so much fun checking things off together. And to be honest, I'm a little jealous.

So let's have it. What does our family absolutely have to see and do here in Utah before Ross graduates??

Let's Play A Little Game.

It's called: What Crawled Into My Kitchen And Died??

Seriously, I have no idea. I have scrubbed and scoured every inch of that kitchen, inside and out. Twice. I have no idea what the smell is or where it's coming from.

I have 3 Glade plug-ins going, a jar of potpouri, and 5 candles. I'm telling you, it's BAD.

Keeping A Journal.

I had a journal when I was in seventh grade. It had a cow on the front and was a bright green color. Each paragraph was scribbled in different colored gel pens, and was filled with my ten thousand crushes of middle school. No, really. I found said journal when I was in high school and literally every single paragraph was about which boys I liked, how good looking they were, and everything else a thirteen year old could mention about a boy.

I was so embarrassed, I threw it away in fear someone would find it. I didn't know that older me would WANT to find it. I really regret throwing my cow journal filled with middle school me in the trash. Although I'm sure I would still blush reading it, I love looking back and remembering. My parents saved a box of all of my old school projects, cards, stories, valentines, pictures... the list could go on. That box is one of my favorite things in my house. I could spend hours sifting through everything, and I wish that stupid journal was among the contents.

I decided to start a new journal, actually handwritten on paper, not just a blog. Keeping a journal seems like a small task, but in truth, I struggle with it. I didn't even write about my wedding day, or about being engaged. I'm sad about that, too.

My journal instead of a daily record, will rather be a weekly one. I figure I can spare a few minutes a week, and I'm sure fifty year old me will be thoroughly entertained. Now I know how much I regret not being diligent with keeping a journal, and throwing my only journal away, I'm much more determined to actually do it. One week down, here's to a million more.

After Over A Year And A Half Of Marriage...

Me: Did you notice there haven't been any clothes on the floor in forever?!

Ross: Yeah, I like how clean it is back there! (referring to our room)

Me: Even though it's only been a whole 24 hours?

Ross: After being married to you for over a year and half, I know how impressive that it.

My poor husband. This week I made a point to not put my clothes on the floor or counter. And to put my shoes away instead of leaving six pairs in the front rooms. I'm a little ashamed to admit how much of a difference it really has made.