Under Construction

This site has been temporarily inactive due to the author purchasing a new home and then tackling some remodeling jobs.  Yes, the author is aware that remodeling with a toddler is a really stupid thing to do, but she did have some excellent helpers (a big thanks to the Whites).  The previously mentioned toddler only put her hand in the paint once and turned out to have a real knack for spackling, nearly spackled that nostril shut.  Here are some pictures of what they have been up to.

Kinley's room:  Started out a lovely light blue on top, white chair rail, then navy on the bottom

We went green on top with white bead board on the bottom


The office started out a terribly bright orange (yes, orange is my favorite color, but it was a bit too much for me).  We did some primer then a lovely shade of Gobi Desert (tan).  The pictures don't really show much, but too bad, you'll have to look at them anyway.

Then on to the accent wall, the large wall that connects the living room and dining room.  From white to a darker tan (sorry, can't remember the color)

More pictures to come once the move in and decorating process is complete.

***Please note that the author is getting a bit worn out and you should not be "holding your breath" in anticipation of pictures of the completed house.  It could be a little while. 

Jumping on the band wagon.

Okay, I have seen this on several blogs and thought it might be fun.  However, I realize that I am taking an awful risk here as well.  I was kind of a goof in high school (maybe a big of an understatement) and seem to just get goofier.  But here goes;

Memories....

Here is a fun little game... leave a comment on my blog of a memory that you and I have had together. It doesn't matter if you've known me for a short time or a long time, anything that you remember! Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memeory about you. It is pretty funny to read the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you are playing and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. On your mark... get set... blog those memories!

Dear Kinley

After our recent trip to Sam's Club, I realized there are a few things we needed to discuss.  First of all, I would like to share some of my insights into motherhood with you.  I know that I am just a first time mom and still trying to figure this whole thing out, but here is a little of what I have come up with.  The majority of motherhood falls into about 3 main categories; sacrifice, compromise, and negotiation.  These 3 categories are under the larger and most important category of protection. Obviously it's not that simple but I think it gives us a good place to start.  I absolutely love being your mom but I think we just need to clarify a few things.

I have adjusted to the clutter that you leave around.  I am willing to share anything I eat with you, and for that matter, I am reluctantly willing to let you cram food in my mouth with your grubby little hands.  I am happy to come up with little compromises, if you do this for mommy we can go outside.  I am even willing to forego my delicious diet coke for a caffeine free diet soda to share with you since I know you will insist on having some (we certainly don't need Kinley on caffeine).   I am perfectly willing to do all I can to help you be happy, healthy, well mannered, and educated.

However, there is something that you will NEVER be allowed to do.  While at Sam's Club, or any public place, it is never going to be acceptable to lay on your stomach and roll around on the ground, and eat pieces of candy that somebody spilled by the register.  This is and will always be considered disgusting, yucky, or "cucka" as you say it.  Maybe this makes me a mean and horrible mom in your eyes, but I promise you, some day you will thank me for this.  I was rather shocked when none of my compromises (even the ice cream) sounded better than eating that nasty, linty, dirty candy.  I'm very sorry that you were so upset, but as always, I was just doing what I thought was best for you (and trust me on this one, it was definitely the best for you).

All my love,

Mom

 

News on the home-front...

First of all, we would like to extend our many thanks to all of you for the comments and emails about our current housing situation, we appreciate your concern/well wishes.  We are very pleased to announce that we have purchased a home.  As is the Friess style, we did the whole process in the unconventional way.  We found a house that we both really liked and the couple selling them home needed to leave by the 25th of July for grad school.  So, since they were desperate to leave, we ended up getting a very good deal.  Neither of us had agents so the two wives just negotiated the price over the phone, Rich came up with the official offer form, and it was a done deal.  We are hoping to close on the 24th of July and move in that weekend.

Now for the details of the home, assuming you are interested, if you are not interested you should quit reading.  The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms upstairs and a partially finished basement with room for an additional bedroom and bathroom.  They finished a huge family room downstairs which is really the family room and a bedroom made into one huge room (very excited about this).  The home is really move in ready with the exception of 2 bedrooms that need to be painted to better suit my style. The home has a completely fenced in backyard, grass, and even a sprinkling system.  We are very excited, but also a bit nervous.  It all seems very grown up, but I guess it's about time we grow up.  I will be sure to post some pictures once we get settled. 

New fashion?

Kinley is trying to start a new fashion trend. First, you need to borrow your 10 year old cousin's socks, boys crew socks. Next, one of your mom's black sandals. Follow that with one of you grandma's brown sandals, same foot as the other sandal. Don't worry about trying to get the sandal between your big toe and your second toe, just cram it between any toes. It really sets the outfit off if you wear your pedal pusher pants that look like floods when you unroll them. I told her I thought she had really come up with a winner this time. The discomfort of wearing two left shoes is clearly offset by how good you look. Enjoy!

My little adventure girl

Isn't it interesting how your children end up loving all of the things you don't? Kinley just has this adventurous, wild side that she most certainly did not get from me. Obviously she looks just like her daddy so she might as well have his personality too. While at "Mom and Tot" swim class, she is the one jumping in the pool over and over while the other little kids are clinging to their mommies for dear life or quietly pencil floating. How does Kinley pencil float you ask? Well, naturally she chucks her toys clear across the pool and barks out orders telling me which toy to help her float to first.

I do not enjoy riding horses, and honestly, they scare me to death. Little Miss Adventure on the other hand would probably ride all day if somebody would ride with her. I'm glad that she has found something she enjoys so much, I just hope she can find a riding buddy. She was especially excited to have the Cleverly's come and join her on her riding day.

We were lucky enough to get to go boating a few times last week and boy did Kinley's adventurous side get to shine. She was dying to get a turn on the tube and she was yelling "woo hoo" and laughing during her turns (thanks to Ashley for riding with her). She does however hate wind, so she didn't really love riding in the boat, but she warmed up pretty well. I on the other hand don't really care for being in the water, but I do enjoy riding in the boat. Rich also decided to try and relive the old glory days on the wakeboard. He looked pretty good until he attempted a flip and seriously "tweaked" his ankle.
While on vacation at my parents, Kinley took full advantage of the swing set and slide. I was nervous about her on the ladder and the bigger slide, but she proved me wrong. She was completely fearless on that dang slide. She just needed to holler (at foghorn level of course) after each step to make sure we were still watching.

And her biggest adventure...trying to woo this little cutie.
This is Jorgen Warner of course, Kinley's boyfriend. I know, she's too early for a boyfriend, but he comes from a nice family so we are willing to make an exception, not to mention he is adorable.

It's hard to believe that Kinley will be 2 at the end of this month. She certainly has been our best adventure yet, a rather loud and stubborn one, but definitely an adventure I'm glad to be on.

SPF 50

Kinley and I recently made a trip to the swimming pool to try and beat the heat.  As soon as we arrived, we did the usual pre-swim routine; swim diaper, potty break, sunscreen application, etc.  I had only grabbed Kinley's SPF 50 sunscreen but decided it was probably appropriate for my extremely pasty skin as well.

After about an hour and a half in the pool, we loaded up our belongings, hit McDonalds on the way home, and went home to recover from the outing.  After being home for about 30 minutes, my shoulders started to feel a bit hot.  I began to inspect my shoulders and found a pretty good sunburn.  This sunburn of course began to worsen as the day went on and I even ended up with some blisters.  So my question, mostly to "Banana Boat", how on earth do you get sunburned after using SPF 50???  What does that say about me?  Is it because the majority of my body has not seen the sun in about 10 years?  And why I ask you, did Kinley leave the pool unscathed???

On a some what separate note, to the parents of the 2 little girls that would not leave me alone at the pool.  Please, oh please, teach your children that you should never hang on strangers.  More importantly, please teach them that it is never okay to announce to said stranger, "oops, I peed in the pool" and then giggle about.  

May your trip to the swim pool be less painful then mine.