Love Day

Are you one of those people that thinks Valentine's day was created by the greeting card industry?

Well, I'm not.

I don't really care how it was created. I think it is a lovely day. It is nice to have a day to celebrate love.

I don't think it has to be romantic love. Any kind of love will do.

I love my sweet husband. He knows me so well and takes such good care of me. He always makes me smile.

I love my sweet daughter. She brightens my every day. She has taught me so many wonderful things.

I love my sweet family. My parents, my siblings, my in-laws, my sibling in-laws, all of them. They are all such wonderful people who are giving and sweet.

I love my sweet friends. Some I've known for a really long time, and others a pretty new. But I am so grateful to have them. They brighten my day. It is nice to chat and visit. Whether it is a text message, an email, a visit, a book club meeting (yes, I am that dorky), or some other way, it is a joy to have friends in my life.

I love (most of) my co-workers. I work with some really great people. They make me laugh every day and make having to be away from my sweet baby girl a little easier.

I am so blessed.

We had a low key V-day. We had take-out Zaxby salads for dinner. Eliza had her very first valentine party at daycare. After dinner, we opened her valentines. She got cards, snacks, sunglasses, suckers, and play-dough. Her very favorite thing was bubbles. Eliza has some really sweet and wonderful teachers at school. They helped her make two cute valentines for her mommy and daddy. I am so glad her teachers are so great. She also REALLY loves her friends at school. She has been in the same class with 3 of her friends since they were all 2 months old. She asks about them often when we are at home, before bed, and in the morning when she wakes up. She is such a sweet and loving little girl.

Mommy and daddy gave Eliza her valentines from us: a little bee that sings "Bee My Baby" and a new book. We love our little bug so much.

After Eliza went to bed, Kase and I watched some TV together and enjoyed our gifts to each other. He got me our traditional chocolate covered strawberries ( I LOVE THEM) and I got him some homemade truffles.

All in all it was a lovely day.

Hope your day was lovely too.








Yes I took pictures. Yes I am probably too lazy to upload them. Sorry.

A Belated Thanksgiving Post

I hate to skip over a Thanksgiving post. This year, I didn't take many pictures.

We had a great Thanksgiving though. This year we spent Thanksgiving with Kase's side of the family. Due to some events scheduled around the holiday, we hosted Thanksgiving this year. If you know me, you know cooking is not my favorite thing to do. But it was actually very fun! We cooked our first turkey. I was a bit nervous, but it turned out pretty tastey if I do say so myself! Everyone brought something delicous: Cheesy Potatoes, this mandarin orange thing Kase's mom makes that I love but I have no idea how to spell the name, mac n cheese, mashed potatoes, and the best homemade apple pie I have ever tasted.

We spent the day visiting and eating. I think there may have been some football watching.

Eliza woke up that morning to help me prep the food but before all of the family came over she was ready for a nap. She napped from 11:45 till 4:30!! I kept checking on her to make sure she was OK. It turned out she had a low fever, probably a sinus infection of some sort. She needed the rest. Meanwhile, I kind of enjoyed being able to feast on the yummy food with out any interruptions.

It was a wonderful day. I am so thankful for my family. My in-law family is the best any one could ask for.

A Belated Valentine Post

So last week was V-day.





It seems many people are either super anti-Valentine's day or super pro-Valentine's day. I like it but I am not a crazy person about it. I mean... I am OK with celebrating V-day on the Saturday before or after or whatever. But that is just me.





On V-day I was at work. I noticed roses were delivered to one of my co-workers. Then another co-worker got balloons. Hmmmm.....





I have never had flowers delivered to my work. I think it's kind of odd. Sort of like showing off or something. I mean... I am OK with getting flowers at work or after work or whatever. But that is just me.





Then I got a phone call from the receptionist.





There was something for me at the front desk.





I found a beautiful orchid and a box from my "secret admirer". Inside the box was a puzzle. The puzzle was a picture of me and my cute little Eliza.





I took my flowers to my office.





After work Kase bought me Taco Bell and chocolate covered strawberries.





I think getting flowers at work is nice. I don't mind showing off at work... or on my blog... or whatever. But that is just me.

I love my Valentine.

Recap of Thanksgiving

Every year we alternate Thanksgiving and Christmas between Kase's side of the family and mine. We do this because my family lives kind of far away (especially when you have a little one) and it would be too much to travel to both on the same day. This year, we spent thanksgiving with my side of the family.

Eliza got to spend some time with her grandpop.... who looked a little like santa clause.....


She also got to spend some time with her memaw and great-memaw. Four generations..... three of which are Martynes....

It was hard because my memaw has alzheimer's disease and she couldn't really remember who we were. But she loved being around Eliza. She kept saying how beautiful she is and how she could tell she is a good baby. My mom said that my memaw hadn't smiled that much in a while.

It was Eliza's first thanksgiving and while she didn't get to eat any turkey, she did get to sport really cute mocassin's that my sister made her.


My dad grilled the turkey....soooooo.... good.... nice and smoked....

I had to keep Kase from devouring our child as an appetizer...

That is because I was saving her for desert....

It was a wonderful thanksgiving.

Thankful

There are so many things that I am thankful for this year. I am thankful for:

a wonderful husband who takes care of me and loves me even when I am grumpy...

a sweet beautiful baby girl who brings me so much joy everyday....

family that loves us and supports us....

friends who I can call family....

wonderful co-workers and job....

a clean house thanks to my husband (see above)....

the knowledge and truth the gospel brings me....

delicious food that I will be chowing down on tomorrow...

and lots more!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Ghosts, Bats, Witches, Pumpkins, and Sharks

For Eliza's first Halloween, she had a lot of cute clothes to wear. Her uncle John and aunt Leah L-O-V-E halloween. So they bought her sever super cute onesies which I L-O-V-E-D dressing her in. We prepared for Halloween by wearing these several times....


There is a super cute witch on this one: She also had special P.J.'s just for the occasion. They had bat feet:
We went to our church's trunk-or-treat. So fun. Eliza was the only shark there. I was a scuba diver and Kase was a life-guard. Our car played the Jaws music. You know. The duh duh. duh duh. duh-duh-duh-duh-duh-duh music:

All that sharking around wore her out: For actual Halloween, Kase was on a boy's trip with his dad and brother. My parents and sister came to visit for the weekend. Eliza loved her Mummy....

And her aunt Melissa.... And her Memaw.....

And her Gran-Pop......

My parent's and sister packed up and left before halloween evening. But Eliza and I loaded up and went to visit Grandma SuperDeb. She made us yummy chicken and dumplings and we relaxed and visited for the evening. I wanted to get pictures of Eliza with SuperDeb, but she (Eliza not SuperDeb) was WAY too grumpy. She was probably mad because she can't eat candy. ha ha. We had a wonderful 1st Halloween together and were so glad when Kase returned home later that night.

I am excited for future halloweens!

A Fresh Start

Last week was rough. It was dark and gloomy in our house. There was an icky stomach virus that invited its way in. Kase was sicker than I had ever seen him. Then the week was topped off with me welcoming a new phase of pregnancy: swollen feet and ankles. I didn't feel like moving or walking anywhere. Fun.


But then the weekend came. I was able to sleep in and rest, Kase felt better, we enjoyed a lovely date night with Kase's parents, and the weather was beautiful. Sunday morning, I woke up to a surprise. Kase had hidden my favorite easter treat (the big Reese's Easter Eggs) around the house and I had to hunt them. He is the sweetest. Best of all, it was also General Conference weekend. My favorite is always the Saturday sessions. It seems that the things I need to hear the most are always that day. Saturday was full of talks about the importance of the role of women, families, and the teaching of our children. Sunday many talks were about the ressurection and atonement. Pondering the selfless love and sacrifice of our Savior touched my heart and warmed my soul.


This morning I awoke refreshed and renewed. I am ready for a new week. A fresh start. A new beginning.


I love Easter and Spring.

Blogging Because I Never Do and I Feel Guilty

One day I will upload pictures. It's just that my internet is slow and my camera is around here somewhere.

Christmas was good. We went to my parents for the long weekend. It was nice to relax, eat good homemade food (especially the smoked turkey) ,and visit with family. We got to spend time with my parents, sister, brother, sister-in-law, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandmother. Well, you get the point.

My sister made me the cutest diaper bag/blanket combo for which to carry around little peanut’s stuff. I love it.

My mom and dad gave us a vacuum, which I am super excited about because the dog sheds like a maniac. I am surprised she still even has fur left to shed.

My brother and sister-in-law gave us the cutest doormat with our family name on it. I kind of want to frame it because I don’t want people using it to wipe their feet. It’s true.

The little peanut got some cute gifts too! I am excited to organize it all. Yes, I’m a dork.

But the best part was spending time with family.

I can’t believe this year is almost over. It seems as though it just started. It has been a good year.

I am going to copy other people and do our year in review:

January: My first month of being without school. It was awesome. We went on vacation to Disney and Universal in Florida.

February: It was a quiet month full of work for Kase and I, and school just for Kase. We celebrated valentine’s day with heart-shaped pizza.

March: I turned 27 and we took a weekend trip to Gatlinburg. A hotel room with a fireplace and a jacuzzi with outlet stores next door. What more could you ask for?

April: We got a car so we’d both have a way to drive to work. It was suppose to be Kase’s car, but for some reason I drive it everyday. Hmmmm..... interesting.

May: This month was full of graduations. Two of Kase’s brothers graduated, one from highschool one, with his masters degree. I also went to my cousin’s graduation from the Tennessee School for the Deaf.

June: This month was sort of uneventful. Lots of family birthdays and baby showers to attend. We went to see Back to Future on the big screen. Awesome.

July: I traveled out of town for a week for work training. Kase turned 26 and we celebrated by going to see lots of movies.

August: To celebrate our 3rd anniversary we traveled to Los Angeles and San Diego for vacation. It was so relaxing and a fun adventure. We ate the best burrito I have ever had.

September: Kase’s brother, Scott, got married. It was so special to be there for their wonderful day. I also survived babysitting our two nieces and nephew. All by myself. Overnight. We were expecting a little one of our own, but didn’t know it yet.

October: Kase lost his job. We found out 5 days later that we’re having a baby. Good timing I think. We got to see a picture of the little tiny peanut and hear his/her heartbeat.

November: I threw up a lot this month. On an unrelated note, we saw my sister sing in her highschool’s concert. She is awesome. I questioned if that was really my sister up there. I think maybe one of us might be adopted. She is super talented. We celebrated Thanksgiving with Kase’s parents. I love cheesy potatoes.

December: We heard little peanut’s heartbeat again. Kase grinned so big. We celebrated Christmas with my family and are so grateful for our many blessings.

We had a great year. I have a feeling 2010 will be even better. Happy New Year everyone!

Giving Thanks

It's almost Thanksgiving.

I am so thankful for my family and friends and the love they give me.

I am thankful for my husband and how sweet he is.

I am excited to sleep in tomorrow, hang out with family, and eat. Especially eating cheesy potatoes. YUM.

One day I will post again. Very soon. Just you wait.

Have a happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!

Our Christmas Part II

The weekend after Christmas my Mom, Dad, and Sister made the trip to our house. We had a lovely weekend together celebrating Christmas. Friday we all exchanged presents and watched movies. Kase was so excited because he finally got a surround sound to go with all his other gadgets.

I call his love for all things electronical the "Never Ending Story". As long as he enjoys it, I don't mind. Because of his obsession, I am able to watch my favorite shows with high clarity and volume. I can't complain.

The Monster was happy to have a buddy to play with all weekend because Isabella, my parent's dog, came to visit too!

Mom cooked up some DELICIOUS pot roast, beans, cornbread, and chocolate covered cherry cookies. I am still eating on all of this yumminess. I have lunch and dinner for a week!

Dad and Kase recovered a chair for me. This did not result in any injuries.

I enjoyed spending time with my family. I have gotten to see them a lot lately and it has been very nice. I love having them over. I am so thankful for all they do for me and for all the love that they give to us.

I had a very Merry Christmas.

Our Christmas Part I

Christmas is over... and I miss it already. Everything was so exciting. There was joy in the air. At work, homemade treats would randomly appear in the kitchen and neatly wrapped gifts would appear on my desk. In the car, fun carols would be sung and almost every radio station would play songs celebrating the Savior. At home, there were treasures to wrap, goodies to bake, and warm movies to watch.

Now it seems colder outside. The sparkle and warmth has dissapeared. The carols have faded away.

Oh, bother. BUT DO NOT FRET! A New Year lingers but only a few days away. Here to bring back the sparkle and warmth. Hooray!

Now about my Christmas. It was wonderful. My favorite thing about Christmas is spending time with family. And there was plenty of that. This year was the first, yes, first year that we stayed here for Christmas. I had a lovely time.

Christmas morning, Kase and I woke up and we opened presents at home.

Presents for him, for me, and for the monster.

Our stockings had been hung by the chimney with care. One of my favorite tradtions, I grew up with stockings full of favorite candies,toys, socks, and other small treasures. This year, Kase was in charge of the insurmountable feat of filling my stocking. Although, he is the most perfect husband, after he ran around looking for reese's peanut butter christmas trees, my stocking found itself filled with 2 oranges. Apparently, shopping for such treasure before last minute on Christmas eve is not his strong suit. (Little did he know, my stocking was really filled with joy disguised as oranges. When my mother later heard the orange story, she laughed all through dinner. A good time had by all. A great stocking filler.)

A treasure hunt lead Kase to his very last gift.

Then we went over to his parent's house to enjoy the rest of Christmas day. The food was delicious and the family was so fun. I loved watching our niece and nephew open their gifts.

*See Below The TreeAngela and LotusRyan, Kase, and ThomasKatie PadreThomas, Scott, and RyanSophie and Carrie (that's what all her dolls are named)Padre and his new toy SuperDeb and her new toy

My favorite gift was from my mother-in-law. I hope I don't embarrass her by blogging about it. She gave me a beautiful bracelet with a very sweet letter. It made me feel very loved and very much like a part of the family. Which, by the way, I am very glad to be part of such a wonderful family. This was a wonderful Christmas gift for a wonderful Christmas.

Christmas Fairy. Don't ask.

*Kase wants to emphasize that people in pictures are not as unattractive as they may appear.

Ho Ho Ho...

Last week Kase called me and told me he had the best surprise for me after work. I thought about it all day. What could it be?

When I arrived home he called and said he was on his way.

I waited... could it be an early Christmas gift? A new puppy? Chocolate? Flowers?

In the end, it turns out he was right. It was a great surprise.

He walked through the door wearing this:

It was a gigg he did for work.

I guess I should've left him some cookies.

O Holy Night

Sometimes in all the hustle and bustle (is that how it's spelled?) of the season I forget about the true spirit and reason for Christmas. Our Savior's birth.

I am so greatful for the love the Savior gives to me. For His sacrifice for us all. I hope that you all have a wonderful Christmas and that you all feel the warmth, comfort, and love of our Savior.

Merry Christmas!

It's a Wonderful Life

I have stories to tell about Green Santa Clauses, Lentil Soups, and 17th birthdays, but I haven't had time to upload pictures. So, I will get on that soon. I know you'll be in suspense until such time.


Until then...

Have a very Merry Christmas!

As a side note, I bought a present for me. It's a new purse for winter. Homemade and I love it!

Don't you love the vintage button? sighhhhh...

I will keep myself busy wrapping presents, organizing my house (it has to be clean for Christmas!), spending time with family, baking cookies, and watching Christmas movies. I love it.

It's a Jolly Graduation with you....

Sometimes, I have to be in the mood to write. Now is not one of those times, but I feel I need to write a little about last week. So here we go...

Last Wednesday, Kase surprised me with a trip to see A Christmas Carol at the UT theatre/theater. He is very sneaky like that. I am also very gullible, so it makes for some good surpises. Last year was our first annual trip to see the play, wink wink, and we absolutely loved it. Now we have made it our tradition. If you have never seen it at UT, it is wonderful. AND you can buy hot chocolate in the lobby for $1.00!!! I also get to dress up and then I always feel like I should have a British accent afterwards. It was quite a jolly good time, I must say. Jolly good.

I should also mention that on Friday I graduated!!! I got to wear the nifty little hood with my cap/gown ensemble. If you don't know me well, you should know that I am prone to clumsines and/or accidents. For example, I trip a lot and always seem to spill something on my shirt when I am wearing white. Well, right before I went into the ceremony I had something in my eye so I decided to take my contact out and rinse it with some water out of a bottle. I started to pour a little water into my hand when it dumped out all over my lap, gown and all. I was so upset because I just knew I would look like I had wet my pants when I walked across the stage. However, someone out there in the cap/gown designing world is brilliant and made the gowns WATER PROOF! How great is that! The water just rolled right off. Terrific!

My Father-in-Law is the Miami Dolphins' number one fan. It's fitting that the colors for my hood were coincidentally the Dolphins' colors: Turquoise and orange. Nice!

For the graduation ceremony, like the play, I got to dress up and I felt like I should have a british accent afterwards. However, it wasn't as entertaining as the play. It was worth it though. My Mom, Dad, Sister, Husband, Mother-in-law and Father-in-law (aka SuperDeb and Padre) were there. We all went out to dinner afterwards and it was delicious! It was nice to have our family together. It feels great to finally have my masters and be done with school.



P.S. Other highlights of the weekend were spending time with family, wrapping presents, and shopping. Once again Dad and Kase ended up shopping together. Never good (See TV incident on Thanksgiving). They both came home with new coats.


P.S.S. Kase, if you are reading this, I really really liked that soft white fuzzy blanket made by/with the sherpa people/fabric. It was really nice. hint hint hint. Love you.


P.S.S.S. My husband is amazing and I am not just saying that because I want, I mean need that blanket. Nope. He really is.

Thanks for Thanksgiving

I love thanksgiving. I like that you just eat, relax, and enjoy the company.

This was the first year that Kase came to Thanksgiving at my family's house. It was fun. Dad grills the turkey. Yum. Overall, the weekend was very relaxing and I feel very warm and fuzzy today. Also, a bit hungry. I think I got use to eating every five seconds.

Here are some highlights from the long (and yet too short) weekend:

-My parents' dog had a Thanksgiving snack... a nibble from my dogs head. As seen here:

- My dog was very thankful for not being eaten and for being able to sleep in our room.

- Dad lost the carton of eggs. We looked everywhere and found the eggs in the freezer. Oops.

- The food was delicious and Thanksgiving leftovers taste just as good the next day. Pumpkin pie, Carrot cake, and coconut chewy bars. oh yeah.

- My aunt, uncle, and cousins came over to feast on the yummyness.

- I made deviled eggs and thought about my grandmother who was not with us for the first time this Thanksgiving (deviled eggs were her specialty).

- We saw the movie Bolt. It was cute. During the movie I learned you can never eat too much popcorn, even when you are already full of turkey. BUT you will regret it later.

- Dad and Kase went to the electronics store... and they both came out with new flat screen tvs. Ok Maybe this one was more of a low-light. Lesson learned. Never let your husband and father hang out in an electronic store. Never.

- I slept in every day and then took several naps.

- I ate lunch at my favorite Mexican restaurant with one of my best friends and her boyfriend, Herbie.

- Solitaire.

- I got to spend time with Kase without his work phone ringing every 5 minutes.

- I got to spend 4 whole days with my mom, dad, and sister! It was nice.

I am so thankful.

Now, lets put up the CHRISTMAS TREE!!!! YAY!