L To The J. Celebrating His Day.

August 16th, 2009.





Check out this incredible kid......



His name is Elijah Root. And I love him more than words can say.




He turned 8 this year. I have known this sweet boy for 8 wonderful years. And I cannot believe how old I am getting.


I still remember the night he was born.....



I was in Florida on a business trip. I had just gotten my first cell phone (but this was before the amazing invention of texting)... and I would call my Mom every 30 minutes to get updates on his arrival. Except for that we had no idea if Kristen was having a boy or a girl.... so the anticipation was tremendous.


And I ate a LOT of ice cream and doughnuts that night to calm my nerves.

Because as Kev always tells me..... Boys rule and girls drool. And the last thing I wanted was to have to deal with a lot of drool.

But those calories were worth every bulge on my figure.... because he is such a joy and pleasure (and drool free) . And have I mentioned SMART. Because he is so smart that he has done our taxes for the past two years. And teaches my Dad's math classes. And created the fountain of youth serum that he apparently only shares with Kev.





This kid is going to go places.... if you know what I mean. And you better believe that I'm going to tell every one that I know that I'm related to him.





Because I will be so proud. And not because I need constant attention.



Elijah Root Valter..... HAPPY 8TH BIRTHDAY!!! We love you SO much!

A Belated Birthday Post

August 9th, 2009.



Yep. Almost a month ago, my brother in law celebrated a birthday. And I was no where to be found.



My life is complicated. Especially since the economy sucks.



Anyhoo. I told him "happy birthday". I made a delicious dinner in his honor - that me and Kevin ate by ourselves. And I thought about him and figured up how old he is now. And how I don't want to associate myself with any one under the age of 30.



I don't have time for it. And there are SO many things that the "youngsters" today don't know.



And then I went to post about him... but got all wrapped up in New York, and cooking, and frogs. And never quite got the information put together.



But don't let that fool you.... because I LOVE this guy. And now I am going to tell you the reasons why. In numerical order.



And please don't think that I number things because I love math. Because I don't. But my Dad does and he refuses to read this blog unless my statements are numbered.



So here goes....



1. He is a magician.


Now, let me just make it very clear that I typically do NOT like magicians. Magicians usually seem very devilish to me. And I don't particularly care for the devil. Because he is evil, mean, and well... he is the devil. Enough said.



But this magician is another story. And he wows me with his tricks. And makes me feel like I am on a great family vacation enjoying skit night with the people I love most.



And actually if you remember correctly... that is just where we were and just what I was doing when he performed. And it was awesome.



#2. The Motorcycle Man.


I also do NOT like motorcylces. AT ALL. They are dangerous and evil. Just like the devil. But this guy apparently loves the thrill and excitement of riding such a massive bike around town. And who am I to take away his fun.



And I'll just be honest here. His bike is pretty cool. He stores it in our garage some times and I love to sit on it and sip lemonade. Commando.



For future reference..... it is probably NOT in your best interest to let us "watch" things for you. We are pretty crazy and devious.



3. He wishes he lived in Mexico.



We took him there once. To Mexico. And he tried so hard to fit in. Unfortunately, their hats are too small. And their service is horrible. And their food is too expensive. And their portions are too tiny. And their bathroom is closed for renovation.



Wait... Am I talking about Mexico the country... or Mexico the place in Epcot where we "ate" dinner and had a miserable time? I'm sure they both would fit my description. Which is why I stick to Taco Bell and call it a day.



4. He loves Kid Rock.


The singer/rapper/country artist/ lover of "hos". At least that is what his shirt says. And who can blame him. I love me some Kid Rock too. He makes some incredible beats. Kev and I can perform his songs like no other. It is truly a sight to see......



But most importantly.... he married my sweet sister Kristen. They have been married 1 1/2 years. And we think he is great!!



So... happy belated birthday JC!!! We love you and wish you all the best!

Getting Caught Up

I am SO far behind in SO many things. Like sleeping, shaving, bathing, and sleeping. Oh... and blogging. Which is killing me because you know I have so much to say. But this week has been a doozy ( not sure how to spell that word because I don't think it is a real word and probably should not even be typed.. let alone said). And I can sum up this week in one word....

WORK.

Let's just say that it was a very important week for me and it involved a lot of bleach, paint, sweat, and breaking scissors off in locked doors.

But I survived. And all is well. And I'm better for it.

I think.

At least I know that I am exhausted for it. Which is why I am "getting caught up". On everything. Like sleep, blogging, sleep, recorded tv shows, emails, and sleep. And maybe shaving if I feel up to it later.

It's a pretty big job.

Here is what I have learned this past week.....

1. I am married to Benjamin Button. I've actually known that Kev aged backwards for a long time now... but didn't know it was really a possibility until I saw the movie. It confirmed that I wasn't crazy. And that just because Kev has had a few "hair-do" changes... he continues to get younger and younger.

I'm screwed.

2. I've also learned that bleach, Simple Green, CLR, and soft scrub mixed together bleaches out a gray linoleum floor, gives me a headache, and makes me forget my middle name. And did I mention gives me a headache.

Oh yes... I did mention that already. Please excuse my repetitive statements as the above combination also gave me some major brain damage.

3. I love skinny/slim leg jeans. Like really LOVE them. They make me walk faster and kick higher because I don't have to deal with the extra "boot cut" fabric. I felt like a Charlie's Angel yesterday. A Jaclyn Smith/Farrah Fawcett angel. Not the Lucy Lu/Cameron Diaz kind.

4. Hudson's Smokehouse is OPENING. ON. HARBISON. TODAY!!! This means fried okra any day of the week. And mac n cheese. And brisket. And happiness.

5. And the MOST IMPORTANT learning of all...... well, not actually a learning.... but something I have been waiting for FOR NINE MONTHS....

IS THE BIRTH OF BABY LILLIAN!!!!! My sweet cousin Angela who writes "The Gallup Family" blog is giving birth as we speak!! I am soooo excited that I can't stand it. You better believe that I will be posting the sweet baby girl's picture as soon as I get it......

This is a picture of her beautiful pregnant self yesterday......

We love you Clay and Angela!! And sweet baby Lillian Marie. I can't wait to meet you!

Coming soon..... Lots of posts that will get you caught up on my life!