Showing posts with label oh the holidaze.... Show all posts
Showing posts with label oh the holidaze.... Show all posts

September 27, 2012

It's [his] birthday...

Hey, guess what? My husband is a quarter of a century old today. Geesh. Old man. We celebrated with a nice relaxing day filled with making good use of one of his birthday presents. 


Ah. The Big Bang Theory. Best. Show. Ever. But, okay, I lied. We didn't spend the whole day on our comfy couch laughing at the ridiculous antics of Sheldon. Believe me, we tried. But our new little roommate didn't allow it. Halfway through one of the episodes, a little tiny fury MOUSE ran across our TV room floor. Eek. 

You can guess the rest. Shriek from me. Anger from Jake. Big Bang powered off. Quick trip to Walmart for a few [okay, twelve] traps. Mad rush to set traps. Jake set traps while I stood on kitchen counter. Jake convinced me to return downstairs. Big Bang powered on. And....SNAP. Fury little friend caught in record time. Jake emptied trap AFTER having to put the little guy out of his misery with...a hammer. Happy Birthday Jake. 

See, this is why I love Jake. He hates mice. Maybe even more than me. But goodness, that guy sure knows how to take care of me. And I love him more than words could say because of it. Want to know a few more reasons why I love him? You know, like 25 reasons? Yep, I am going there.

one. He washes the big pots and pans that do not fit in the dishwasher // two. He stops what he is doing to hang pictures on the wall for me // three. He calls me every night before he comes home from work to see if I need anything // four. He snuggles me when I am sick // five. He agreed to paint my toenails because I have a big ol' basketball in the way that makes it quite uncomfortable to bend over // six. He doesn't mind that I have to have the humidifier on at night to sleep even though he hates it // seven. He doesn't get mad when I crawl out of bed four times a night to pee // eight. He always drives when we go on road trips so I can sleep // nine. He loves candy just as much as I do // ten. He [hesitantly] lets me share his drinks [as long as it isn't milk] // eleven. He doesn't yell too bad when I fold his laundry different than he likes it [have you met my O.C.D husband?] // twelve. He randomly brings me home lunch just because // thirteen. He doesn't laugh when I ask him silly math problems [like 7 times 3...yep, it happens] // fourteen. He rearranges furniture for me even when I make him change it a week later // fifteen. He gives me back rubs after only a little begging // sixteen. He is the most patient guy ever // seventeen. He puts up with me badgering him about school // eighteen.  He doesn't get angry when I don't make him dinner // nineteen. He watches chick flicks with me and doesn't complain too much // twenty. He still tells me he thinks I am pretty even though I am a swollen, cranky pregnant woman // twenty-one. He lets me choose where we eat out // twenty-two. He lets me sit in the comfiest spot on the couch // twenty-three. He drags the garbage out early Friday morning so I don't have to // twenty-four. He lets me control the radio in the car [usually meaning no radio on at all] // twenty-five. AND FINALLY...he loves me even when I make up really long, really cheesy reasons why I love him.

***

In other news, little baby Maycie is finally growing. We are crossing our fingers that she is catching up to where she is suppose to be. At our first ultrasound, Maycie was measuring two and a half weeks behind where she should have been. But all of the sudden my belly popped out in epic proportions. I will prove it. 

Can I just tell you how awkward it is taking a belly picture in the mirror with your cell phone? Awkward, I tell you. Do you smile? Do you wave? Thumbs up? Do I look in the mirror? Look down? Gosh...who knows. Thus, the awkwardness. 

Tomorrow we have our second appointment with our specialist, Dr. Draper, first thing in the morning. Really, first thing. 7am sharp. Yuck. But we are anxiously awaiting a fifth view of our sweet baby girl.

And not to mention I have another long list of questions just waiting to be answered. Last week we learned that Jake and I both have a normal set of chromosomes. This means little Maycie definitely has some sort of abnormality in her DNA. What that abnormality might be is still up in the air. Our regular doctor, Dr. Cox, suggested waiting until Maycie is born to do any further genetic testing to see what her abnormality might be. We are anxious to hear if Dr. Draper agrees with this. Unfortunately, this would mean we would head into the delivery room with a lot more unknowns than we want.  

It's not so fun going day to day without answers. But we are dealing. We hope to have a few answers given to us tomorrow. Cross your fingers for us. 

February 16, 2012

The One Where I Profess My Love...

Valentine's Day. 

Even the title makes me cringe a little. Valentine's Day and I have a love/hate relationship. You could say we are not huge fans of one another. It's awkward. It's commercialized. And it's way too "on display" for me. 

Usually, I completely and utterly boycott it. Last year, I don't even think I said the words "Happy Valentine's Day" to my very newlywed husband. 

But this year I tried to have an open mind. I mean, c'mon, I am an old married lady now. And I have one heck of a cute husband. So I tried a different spin on it this year. A spin that included chocolate covered strawberries and homemade cheesecake [like from scratch. I know ... way out of character for me]. 

The husband even followed through with pink roses and all the chocolate a girl could ask for. 

This made for a gosh darn pretty good day. But my viewpoint on the dreaded V-Day didn't change until that night...

...Oh my goodness, get your head out of the dirties. Perverts. 

What I mean is that night when Jake offered our family prayer. And made me cry. Guys, I have a great husband. 

I have been having a hard time lately. School is taking over my life. Work has been stressful. And it seems I can't even get a good night of sleep with silly nightmares plaguing my dreams. 

But Jake has a way of putting everything into perspective. Even through a short "end of day" prayer. A prayer that makes me feel his love more than some sappy day filled with chocolate covered strawberries, homemade cheesecake, pink roses, and all the chocolate a girl could ask for.

So here I go. Professing my love. Ready?

I love my religion. I love my husband. And guys, I love Valentine's Day [well, at least for now].

I hope your Valentine's Day brought with it your own "professing of love". 


December 27, 2011

Holiday ABC's

DISCLAIMER:
I take full responsibility for stealing this blog idea from my sister. What can I say, she is much more creative than I will ever be.

A is for {Apple}: Not in the literal sense. I mean in the technological sense. Thanks to Santa, I now have an Apple Macbook equipped with a cute purple cover and all the necessary attachments. Uh, spoiled much?


B is for {Big Bang}: Jake included The Big Bang Theory on his list of desired Christmas presents this year. 4 episodes in and we are sold. That Sheldon…he cracks me right up. I already have the theme song memorized.

C is for {Curling}: Jake bought me a new curling iron for Christmas. The first time I used it I burnt my finger. Bad. I now have a blister the size of Texas on my finger. {slight exaggeration}. Ouch.

D is for {Diet}: A diet of Christmas treats, that is. Nothing says Christmas like skipping breakfast and lunch to enjoy all the goodies Christmas offers.

E is for {Eve}: Christmas Eve was spent this year with the Myers family. We watched the Grinch {for the 5th time}, ate a delicious dinner, modeled our Christmas pajamas, and anticipated Santa’s arrival.


F is for {Family}: We spent Thanksgiving with the Schwartz Family so Christmas was spent with the Branch Family this year. We got together Christmas day for the festivities. Family get-togethers are the best.

G is for {Giving}: Jake and I went a little crazy this Christmas. We saved our money all year long. Then we splurged. And we splurged bad. But hey, it was all in the spirit of giving, right?

H is for {Happiness}: This was our first Christmas together as a married couple. Waking up on Christmas morning to my husband was almost as great as opening all of our presents {gosh, that sounded bad}. Happiness. Pure happiness.

I is for {Imagination}: Last year for Thanksgiving the little kiddos put on their own rendition of “The Three Little Turkeys” {uh, cute much?}. This year I walked in on the rehearsal for their Christmas production of the Nativity. But it turns out they were too wrapped up in their Santa presents to actually go through with the play. But man, they sure are creative little kids!

J is for {Jacob}: Jake only got Christmas Day off of work because of his time off with surgery. But we were grateful to at least spend the day together.

K is for {Kitchenaid}: In the spirt of trying to become a better cook, I begged Jake for a Kitchenaid this year. You know, because my baking skills are directly tied to the appliances I have in the kitchen. Or something like that. Either way, I am super excited to experiment with it.  

L is for {Lack of Sleep}: Jake’s nose + Santa preparation + family gossip + movies = little to zero sleep. Don’t worry, I caught up with a 6 hour nap. Ah, it is glorious to be on a break from school.

M is for {Marie}: Little Marie made me the cutest necklace and bracelet for Christmas. She crocheted them all by herself. Adorable.

N is for {Nose}: For future reference, if the doctor has an open slot to fix your husbands nose a week before Christmas, TURN IT DOWN. The doctor will claim your husband will be right back to normal within 3 days. LIES, I tell you, LIES! Christmas is not as enjoyable when your husband can’t breathe.

O is for {Opening Presents}: Growing up, we never really had presents to open. Santa always left his gifts unwrapped. This year, Jake and I wrapped up every single present. How fun is it to have your house covered in ripped wrapping paper?! Loved it. 

P is for {Pictures}: Turns out I forgot to take pictures of Christmas. Oops.

R is for {Rolos}: I tried out a new recipe from Pinterest for a little Christmas goodness. Pretzels + Rolos + M&M’s = Yum.

S is for {Santa}: Santa. Goodness me, what a jolly spoiler! He brought me everything I asked for plus some!

T is for {Tradition}: I was all about traditions this year. I researched, interviewed, and planned out the perfect traditions for Jake and I to establish in our little family. Uh, they didn’t work out as well as I had planned. Don’t get me wrong, I had some great traditions planned for us. Let’s just say the actual “follow-through” did not happen. Hey, there is always next year.

U is for {Utah}: Logan, Utah was our home for the night of Christmas. Jessica and Brad were great hosts.

W is for {Who}: My little niece Brynlee is obsessed with Cindy Lou Who from The Grinch. You should have seen her giddy face when I did her hair. Pure Bliss.


X is for {Xmas Cheer}: My favorite part of Christmas is hearing all of the excitement of Santa’s gifts from my little nieces and nephews. Christmas is so much fun with little kiddos.

Y is for {Yoda}: Santa brought Jake the complete saga of Star Wars in a neat little Bluray package. What was he thinking? Jake now insists we watch them…together. Oh, something for me to look forward to. I literally cannot wait. {sarcasm}.

Z is for {Zoe, which rhymes with Chloe}: {Geesh, you try you try to think of a holiday themed Z word.}  Little Miss Chloe is still tiny. And adorable. And the best snuggler ever. I just love her.


Uh, you may or may not have noticed I forgot a few letters. Gosh, you try to figure out something for all 26 letters of the alphabet. I am tired. And I want to take a nap. Q, V, and the rest of the gang will have to forgive me.

❤kate


December 6, 2011

Really Random List of Ramblings {Take Two}...

It's the week before finals.
I'm tired. 
And grouchy.
And dreading the next 10 days.
Believe me. 

I'm sick of reading.
And I'm really sick of writing. 
So ... I am about to ramble.
Just a warning.

....

 Meet the newest member of the Branch Family.
Miss Chloe Jane Branch.
Little girl loved by Alan and Jaelynn. 
Born on December 2nd.
I love all 6 lbs 14 oz of her. 
She probably has the cutest little chubby cheeks I have ever seen.
And, oh my goodness, her tiny tiny button nose.
It gets me every time. 
And her smile! 
Melts her Auntie Kate's heart.
Care to see her?
{Feel free to zoom in on her adorable little nose. You know you want to...} 








....

Marie and Brookie danced at the Festival of Trees this year.
I stopped by for a little dancin' before I had me some Chloe time.
They were oh so cute in their little outfits.
And oh my word, not only did they dance, but they sang their little hearts out too!
Marie had a solo.
Made me a little teary eye'd. 
You know, because I have a special tear duct. 
It's called the Marie tear duct.
Because, I will be the first to admit, 
She makes me cry often

And Brookie, what a little dancer!
Er, I think she is anyways.
Remember this?
Yep. It's true.
Turns out I may or may not have been watching a little Brookie,
Who might not have been Brookie.
The entire performance.
All four dances.
Whoopsies.



....


Good news though!
I got home and look what was in the mail for me. 
It's like the mailman sensed my anger at the girl who was impersonating Brookie.
I didn't take a picture of me wearing them though.
Because, well, I really look like a doofus. 
Sorry.


....

Jake and I decided to be creative this Christmas.
We bought "Kate" and "Jake" wrapping paper.
You know, pink and green for me. 
Blue for him.
Convenient, right? 
Or maybe we were just too lazy to write out our names on the presents.
Whatever. 
Anyways, this is the current standing of presents.


Uh, blue is slightly taking over pink and green.
Jake, you better get going!
Really.
Right now. 
GO!

....

Lookie what Jake brought home to me the other night.
This totally redeems him from the lack of pink and green under the tree.
I love me some Panda Express.
And I could not be more excited about one opening in Poky!


....

I think sometimes my mother misses me. 
Or something like that. 
Mom, once again, if I don't answer the first time,
you really don't need to call me in 5 minute intervals until I pick up.
 I will call you back.
Promise. 



....

Okay.
That's all the ramblings I have time for.
Until next time,
♥kate

November 28, 2011

of turkey day and such...

Oh my goodness, what a great 10-day holiday from books, papers, and tests I have had! How about you? Was your holiday everything you wished it to be? Oh, mine was. Let me give you the “deets” {that is, “details” in cool girl talk. Or something like that. I am not absolutely sure.}

Holidays are my favorite. Well, actually, holidays are all of the sudden my favorite. For the last 5 years holidays have been just another workday for me. You know, just one of those days when the person checking out of the hotel says “Happy Holidays” instead of “Give me a refund”. {Really, it’s the little things you have to be thankful for.}

I can’t even tell you the last time I had a Christmas or Thanksgiving {or even an Easter for goodness sake} off of work. But thanks to Jake and I both being promoted to “kind of big deals” {ha} at our workplaces, this Thanksgiving we got 4 days off. IN. A. ROW. {I know, it’s like a miracle happened or something.}


So what did we do? We celebrated! And what a fun celebration it was!

This marks the first Thanksgiving I have spent away from my family. But, man, I didn’t even miss them. {just kidding… please don’t ban us from Christmas} But really. It is super fun to have in-laws that are so much like my own family.

And it doesn’t hurt that Jake and I have the most adorable niece, Jane, who all of the sudden has the cutest little personality ever. Jake even admitted to a little hunger. You know, baby hunger. Don’t worry. I quickly changed his mind. {phew} Or it might have been the other way around. Whatever.

After Thanksgiving we made a quick trip to Boise for the night with some good friends {Jake’s best friend from high school and his wife}. Working for a hotel really does have its perks {uhhum, like free rooms and such}. We spent the night giggling over the silly stories of our husbands’ adventures in high school and secretly letting out a sigh of relief that we weren’t around for their so called “glory days” {Man, some of their stories…}

We woke up bright and early {you know, around 9 … so super early} and headed to the Bronco Stadium for a little football. Jake and his friends from high school have started a tradition of going to a Boise State game every year. This time around they allowed the old, married ones to bring their wives…which equated to two tag along wives and eight high school buddies {I am really hoping more of them get married. Soon.}

Our Boise State get-up.
The main members of the Butte County Gang.
Uhh. This is the picture I took of Jake and I waiting for the game to start. Real good. 
The only other picture I took of us at the game. Really, I need to work on my photography skills. 

Don’t ask me how the game went. I really don’t know the details. I was too busy asking Jake really important questions like “Did you just see that bird?” or “What am I suppose to be looking at? ”. Of course, these questions were supplemented with very important comments like “Look at his hair!” and “Ooh, I really like his shoes!”.  So, you know, it was a really good game for both of us. {Just kidding. I am pretty sure I am uninvited next year.}

On our way back from Boise we decided we just could not drive for one. more. MINUTE. So, we took a detour to Twin Falls, ate at Quiznos {if you know us, you know we can’t take a trip without stopping here at least twice} went Christmas window shopping {which is the best kind of Christmas shopping} and grabbed ourselves another hotel room for the night.


So there you have it. That is what I would call a complete, successful week away from school. And now we are counting down the minutes until our Christmas break. Because really, once you have a break, you cannot convince yourself to go back.

Hope your holiday was everything you wanted it to be,
kate

October 31, 2011

Happy Tooth Decay Day!

My husband. He cracks me right up.  

Today I put Jake in charge of picking up some treats for our trick-or-treater's. This was mainly because we waited until the last minute {as usual} and I was in class. Guys, he did great. 



Five bags! Five bags of Halloween goodness! And guess what? NOT ONE TRICK-OR-TREATER!  Okay, okay. I guess we did have one if you count the Jimmy John's delivery person we begged to take some candy so we could feel the slightest bit festive. But still. Didn't the fairies, football players, princesses, and superheroes know we have spent the entire month of October planning what treats we would serve? {Okay, you caught me. Slight exaggeration}. How inconsiderate of them.

I also asked Jake to pick up a little something special for our niece and nephew. You know, just a little extra treat to make sure they knew they were our favorite trick-or-treater's {who knew they would be the sole candy collectors we would see all night}. I came home to this. 


One pile for each. Oh boy. Don't worry, I rationed them before their mom could yell. Our poor kids don't have a chance. 



So here we are. Eating our Jimmy John's. Patiently waiting for our doorbell to ring. Please send your kids our way or we will be eating 5 bags of candy for the next year. {Okay, it is Jake and I. It will be gone in less than a week.} 


Until next time, 
♥kate