2 0 1 4; please be good

Wow. I have completely neglected my poor blog! It is so out of date. Instead of doing the normal-- let me catch you up type thing, I'm going to do another normal thing & post what I hope to achieve this year.

For beginners, I have made the decision to become a little more selfish. I spent a lot of last year (and the year before that, and the year before that) focusing on everyone else, instead of taking time to take care of me. I surrounded myself with people who didn't care for me like I did them, and as a result, I lost myself, which I told myself would never happen again. I made choices that I never should have made, but in the long run, I just learn from them. So I am making myself a bigger priority.

I also plan to be healthy again. I have spent the last year HATING my body, which is no way to live. Yes, people tell me I'm pretty, and I love them for that, but if I don't actually like the way I look, I have a hard time believing it. So I am taking extra strides to get to a healthy weight,  and have a more active lifestyle. (As I'm typing this, I have a new "health guru" telling me her diet plan & helping me take those extra steps I need.) I have quit drinking soda, and sugary drinks. Tea & water for this momma. (I wonder if I'm allowed coffee...) One of those is becoming a vegetarian, with the exception of fish. (Wish me luck!) It was actually something I wanted to do for awhile (when I was vegetarian for a short amount of time, I actually felt better) so why not start now? I also have F I N A L L Y quit smoking!

Another resolution (which is underway, go me!) is to go back to school! I started on the 13th & as weird as it is for me (I've been out for almost 6 years now) I couldn't be happier with that choice. I am taking strides to better my life, not only for me, but for Grae as well. I am taking 3 classes to start with (human sexuality, psychology & intro to writing). I am so excited to get my generals done & then begin all the classes I need to become a kindergarten teacher.

I have a bunch of little resolutions that I don't need to go into a lot of detail on, such as I am going to go outside my comfort zone at least once a month, as well as check at least one thing off my bucket list. I want to get some new tattoos done (I'm a little bit of a tattoo junkie). I want to find my self worth again. Laugh more, cry less. Pray longer, say what it on my mind. Love with all my heart. Cut out negative energy. Spend more time with the ones I love.

This year, will be my year. Just you wait & see.

As for all of you out in cyber world, I hope that this year, you make mistakes. Because if you are, then you are trying new things, making new things, learning, living & pushing yourselves. I hope you do things you've never done before-- challenge yourself. I hope you keep moving forward, never stopping, never giving up. I hope you find someone who truly loves you. I hope you become someone you're proud of. I hope that this year, is the year you find yourself-- for the first time, or all over again.

xoxo

being gooey..

So, I try not to get really mushy about my relationship {to spare all you squeamish folk} but lately I've been thinking about how blessed I am to have Kaleb in my life.

I met my husband a little over four years ago during our tech class; a class I only took to fill up my schedule. {this must have been destiny because I would have failed that class if it hadn't been for Kaleb} I had noticed him before, staring at me, but he never talked to me. One day, he was at the printer next to my computer&' I turned around&' told him that I liked his shirt. {it was orange, my favorite color at the time, and to this day, he still swears that it was a pick up line} He turned about 40 shades of red, mumbled out a thank you&' walked away. But I was not content. If this boy was going to make goo goo eyes at me, I was going to at least make him talk to me. So during the presentation we had during class that day, I demanded he sit next to me. {for those of you that know Kaleb, you know how painstaking this was. for those of you that don't, Kaleb is my polar opposite. He's really shy&' sticks to what he knows. I.e-- not me.} After a little bit of awkward tension, I finally got Kaleb to relax and start talking with me. As class was ending, I gave Kaleb an opening to ask for my number. Which he missed. For 10 minutes. When it finally hit him, he asked&' of course, I gave it to him.

From then on, we texted each other all day&' late into the night. We just had a natural way with each other, despite how different we were from one another. He eventually asked me to his prom {a WEEK before prom, mind you} &' that's when we made it official. A month later, we were officially over. {he kind of drove me crazy..} Soon I graduated {oh yeah, I forgot to tell you, I'm a puma-- like a cougar, but younger. Kaleb is younger than me by a little over a year.} &' we went on our separate ways. Kaleb had a year left of school&' I had three to figure myself out.

We didn't interact much those three years. I had a baby with a man who didn't care, my sister adopted him {for which I am so blessed} got engaged, broke the engagement off, got into another really bad relationship&' lost myself. One day while on Facebook, Kaleb's name was in the chat log&' the little voice in my head started whispering, "Message him." So...I did. We caught up, agreed to meet up&' hang out. We talked about everything that had happened over the years, laughed about old memories.
{back story, when I started talking to Kaleb again, I had decided to date around&' not get in a committed relationship.} The next thing I know, I'm spending all my free time with Kaleb, going on dates, late night drives, visiting him at work. He just made me light up, even though I didn't want to admit it.

Over lunch with a girlfriend, we were talking about Kaleb. She looked me square in the eyes&' said, "Mary, you obviously care about him. You light up every time you talk about him, and he's all you talk about. Plus, you're not really dating around anymore-- you're just dating him." I laughed it off, but her words stayed with me, bouncing around in my head like spastic ping pong balls.

Later that same evening, Kaleb&' I were texting&' he let it slip that he was still in love with me, even three years later. He had watched my life fall apart, seen me crazy&' he still loved me all the same. He said he knew we belonged together, so he had no choice but to wait for me...

Every sign in my life, pointed to Kaleb. He was my soulmate.

So I took a leap of faith&' Kaleb&' I discussed making it official. By far one of the best decisions of my life. Next thing I know, we move to Logan together, discuss getting married&' living happily ever after. And that's basically how it happened. Then we had a baby on the way. And in the blink of an eye, my future was right in front of me. We got married on a quiet July evening, before Graeson got here {I wanted to be married before he came}.

Kaleb&' I have definitely had our ups&' downs and the path we've traveled has not been the smoothest. However, despite the ups&' downs, we fight through it&' make it work.

I love Kaleb with all of my being. No one makes me laugh the same way he does, pushes me towards my goals, listens to my dreams like he does. I adore him more than I ever thought possible, and I love him even more because of how he loves our son. He is the smartest, most caring, most sarcastic man I have ever met&' sometimes, he drives me crazy. But I can't imagine spending a second without him. I love him with everything I have.

I love his eyes, especially the way they squint up when he laughs, and his laugh makes me melt. I love his cheesy jokes, even though I don't show it all the time. I love how proud he is to be a father&' I love the way he lights up when he sees Grae.

I am so blessed to have Kaleb in my life&' I am so grateful he chose me to spend the rest of his life with.

I love you so much, baby. Thank you for being with me forever plus a day.

xo

I should probably be in bed...

..but I'm wide awake. Bright eyed and bushy tailed. This A L W A Y S happens to me. As soon as 9 o'clock hits, I'm raring to go always.. This is how my mind is going right now.

Kaleb got a promotion and I am so proud of him. I love scary movies. I could really go for some coffee right now. I need to clean my house. Make a menu for the next month. Budget. American Psycho. Make the invites for Graeson's birthday party. Oh my God, my baby is going to be one. My cat is being super crazy. I want to color my hair. I need to post a blog with  my family photos. School starts in January. Gotta register for classes. I really want to go dancing. Double date soon. With C and A. K and J. A and J. Way to many initials. WTF are you doing? Check S4S on MYOW. No one is going to know what any of that means. CHRISTMAS FALALALALA LALALALA. I need to take a muscle relaxer. It's only 1:30. I need to edit my blog. And Twitter.


Okay, that's all for now.

Nuhhnight, but probably not.

xo

but first, coffee.

It's been so long since I've posted! I've just been so busy with life [that & I just got internet yesterday, F I N A L L Y] and enjoying G, I just haven't had the time.
But he's asleep, so I figured I'd pour myself some coffee, turn on a show & update.

our first key!

K & I finally moved into our own apartment! It is the best feeling in the world to be able to go home to MY place! It has definitely helped things in our relationship as well, not being in a tiny little room together A L L the time. Baby G has his own space, we have things organized, we have our own little routine, it's just nice.

hooters.

Once we moved in, we decided to get a four legged friend.. and ended up with two. Tiptoe & Hooters [I call her Tootsie around K to be nice, but I like Hooters much better].

Our best double date buddies finally tied the knot&' we were so lucky to attend. K was actually the best man & his speech made the entire crowd cry. A looked stunning & I don't think I've ever seen C smile as big as he was that night. It was a beautiful evening & I am so glad we have another married couple to hang out with! Lots of double dates in the future(:

G now has SIX teeth! That's so insane to me. His vocabulary has expanded also. He now says luhh you, hi cat, bubbles, bite, along with his other favorites-- hi dad, mama, and UhOh. His personality just gets cuter and cuter everyday, & I can't get enough of him shaking his head 'no' or ignoring me when I tell him no. He has the cutest little smile to show off his teefers.

itty bitty teefers.

K turned 21 in August & I have yet to get him chocolate wasted. Hahah, jk-- but seriously. He's never been a big drinker, but it's nice to be able to kick back and have a glass of wine with the hubs if we decide too. 

Sorry this blog was kinda blah, but I'll be sure to post more soon! 

xo.

Stay Tuned

Because big changes are coming to my little blog! A new name, a new look&' especially new topics!

xo- e.

525, 949 minutes. 365 days. ONE YEAR.

This year has been one of the hardest of my entire life. This year, I started my life with Kaleb.

It has NOT been an easy road. So much has happened, so much has changed, and Kaleb and I, despite everything that has happened, have grown so much.

All in all, this year has been one of the best learning experiences for us. We have learned how to communicate better, to love better.

I know I am no where near perfect. I know I am a HUGE pain in the ass. I'm stubborn, I'm frustrating, and I know Kaleb doesn't understand me at all, but I am so blessed to have found someone to take the time to at least try.

Kaleb is the cheese to my macaroni. The laces to my sneakers.

He listens to my hopes, my dreams, and understands my fears. He has helped me become a better person, a better wife, and a better mother. He is my better half, and I am so blessed to have found him.

I love you, baby. Here is to forever plus a day.

xo--
Mrs. Kaleb Hunter

6 months old!

Well, we've hit the half year mark.

And I can't believe it.

This time, last year, I was pregnant, and ready to find out the gender of my sweet baby boy.

I love my feet!

Now he is six months old, and growing up so fast. He is so funny, so full of life. I can't believe how blessed I am to have him in my life.

He is very active now. He has mastered the art of rolling&' has us panicking about how we will keep up with him when he starts crawling (which I don't think it so far off!)

He's been eating solids for two months&' all I can say is THANK GOD that he is not a picky eater! This little guy will eat any and everything we offer

So handsome!

him, and he lets you know it! He constantly goes 'mmmmm' the entire time he's eating.

He's said a few words too! He said 'mom' the day before Mothers Day&' I was thrilled! He doesn't say it often, mostly when he's sad or really sleepy.
He says 'UhOh' (our nickname for his grampa) and 'hi'. And just the other night, he said 'dad'!

He loves grabbing his cute, chubby little feet&' loves the dogs (even though Rocky doesn't love him as much, now that he's mobile).
He hogs the bed (and all the blankets!) laughs in his sleep, gives lots of hugs, kisses&' snuggles now.

I can't believe how fast the time has gone. I get really emotional when I think about how fast he's growing up, and he's not even a year old yet! This little boy is my world, and I love him more than anything I could imagine.

He is my rock, my sun, my moon, my stars. He makes me laugh, makes me, cry, and helps me grow into a better person every day.

I love you, stink bug!

xo-- Mama