About Me: Ten Pet Peeves

In case you missed it, I recently started a little "About Me" series. I'm working through a list of things I want my kids to know about me. I thought it was sort of a cool getting-to-know-you project and would also be nice for this scrapbook that Reid will eventually look through.

Here's what I've done so far:

1. List 20 random facts about yourself

2. Describe 3 legitimate fears you have and explain how they became fears

3. Describe your relationship with your spouse

4. List 10 things you would tell your 16 year-old self, if you could

5. What are the 5 things that make you most happy right now?

6. If you could have three wishes, what would you wish for?
7. What is your dream job and why?
8. What are 5 passions you have right now?
9. List 10 people who have influenced you and explain how.
10. Describe your most embarrassing moment.
11. Name 10 of your pet peeves. 

Here goes!


1. A few grammatical mistakes like saying "half mast" when you're not on a boat. It should be "half staff". Also, people saying "for Christ's sakes." God's name in vain aside, he really only has one sake. It's driving me nuts but I can't think of the other really big one. I learned it in 4th grade and I definitely know it when I hear it... just can't recall it right now. Anyway, I'm by no means a grammar nazi and make puh-lenty of mistakes myself. These few are just ones that I really notice.

2. When people make their mind up about someone/something without giving them a real chance. First impressions aren't always accurate portrayals... give it a minute. Side note: I struggle with this sometimes too. I'm working on it. =)

3. A cluttered house. When it's my house. Especially: stuff on the kitchen counter or dining room table that don't belong there, shoes in my walk path from my side of the bed to the bedroom door (I'm looking at you Dac), overflowing trash, paper clutter... oh heavens, the papers, technology strewn about, even just too much stuff in general, I could go on and on and on...


4. Wimpy hand shakes. Put some umph behind that thing, won't ya?


5. People being real loud outside my office door.


6. Hearing loud slurping sounds from a straw (think the end of a milkshake or slush.)


7. The toilet seat being left up.


8. One-uppers. You know, the people who constantly try to one-up you. They always have a story that's so much better or, in some cases, so much worse than your experience.


9. Arrogant authority figures.


10. Habitual last-minuteness/lateness/wish-washyness

Call Christmas 2013

Every year, Call Christmas with Dac's extended family is on the Saturday after Christmas. We used to have it at Dac's Aunt Darla's house but last year, it moved to a community center here in town because our family has grown SO much.

This barely scratches the surface of the photos Darla took!

Grandma Jo and her greats.

Reid and Felicity eating snacks.

 Our family.

Opening gifts. The kids draw names and we play dirty santa.

 Kayla's family.

 Walking with Grandma Jo.

 More snacks with Eden and Britton.

 Courtney, Nathan, and the newest member of the family, Lilly. She's just a couple weeks old. I loved Reid as a newborn. And there are days I really miss the sleepy snuggles. BUT, can I also just say, I'm so glad I'm not in that place right now. I'm still exhausted just thinking about it. ha! They seemed to be doing great though.

 Cousins.

 Reid apparently was not being a gentleman and didn't want to share his seat. Not cool son.

 Reid and Aunt Val.

 Grandma Jo's kids.

 Cori's fam.

 Borrowing other babies. =)

 Most all the grandkids.

 =)

 The big kids. It's crazy to think Reid will be this size in just a few short years.

Another great Christmas celebration!

More Louisiana

The day after Christmas, we just hung out and chatted before going over to Grandma B's again to say goodbyes. The stay just never seems quite long enough.

That night, Ryan grilled us some bacon deer burgers that were delicious!

We got everything all packed up and ready to go, then said a final bye to Courtney the next morning. =( I cry every time we drive away. Every. Time. I SO wish we lived closer.

We planned to leave at 6 a.m. but I didn't hear my alarm and Reid actually decided he would sleep in a bit so we ended up leaving at 6:30. We stopped in IKEA on the way back and picked up a little potty and step stool for Reid, some picture frames, shelves, and a closet organizer thing. We didn't have room for much! Reid was an epic Traveler until the last 2-3 hours of the trip. At one point he was screaming so much, my ears were ringing. Awful. We were glad to be home and have the little man in his own bed.

The next day, Matt, Kelly, Tarl, and Joy stopped by and we ate donuts. They hung out for a few hours until we went to Call Christmas. Those pictures soon. It was great to see them!!!

Christmas Day 2013

Christmas morning, we got up when Reid woke up, which wasn't TOO awful early. =) Then he had breakfast before checking out what Santa brought him. ;)

Santa must have been feeling very practical this year, because he brought Reid a whale pod to store his bath toys!

 This year, in addition to his Chrismas Eve box, Reid got four things. He got something he wanted (the toy), something he needed (Boogie Wipes... not pictured), something he can read, and something he can wear. I don't know if we'll follow this plan each year or not, but I like the idea of keeping Christmas simple.

 Penny got to open her presents too!

 Then Reid opened his presents from Aunt Courtney and Uncle Ryan. =) He got stackable choo-choo trains and a guitar.

 Penny got bones. =)

 After presents, we went to Courtney's other grandparents house for a big meal. There, Reid got to pet a horse. =)

 Then, we headed over to Aunt Cindy's for family time, hot drinks, leftover snacks, and dirty santa. Reid continued to be spoiled there. He got a fun helicopter, a train ride-on toy, a fun mega blocks piano man, and golden books.

 He also got plenty of cuddles.

 And had lots of people to play with.

 He had a great time drumming on the chair too!

 Courtney, Reid, and Jerry Neil. He had to work again so we barely got to see him this time around!

 Reid and Grandpa

 He thought Jerry Neil's beard was cool.

 Uncle Ryan and Aunt Courtney.

Great day.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve has always been my most favorite day of the holiday season.

This year, Courtney and I ran a few errands and hit up the Bee Hive store and Fred's Super Dollar. =) They even had RedPop. You can't ask for more. Then, we ate a light lunch, put Reido to bed, and got ready for a feast of snackages and good times.

Reid with my Aunt Cindy. =)

 Loungin'.

 The spread.

 Rudolph's Tipsy Spritzers.

Uncle Jerry and my Dad also taking pictures of the spread. haha. We know how to get wild, son!

 Aunty Cindy and my mom.

 My dad and Dac

 When we are down there, we spend Christmas Eve with my Uncle Jerry's family too. This little girl is Courtney's cousin. She is convinced, and has been for at least a couple years, that Uncle Jerry is Santa Clause incognito. =) Then, she started getting confused and thought maybe my dad was the real deal and Uncle Jerry was just a decoy. haha. She's hilarious.

 My cousin Jerry Neil had to work so he showed up late. Still, Reid got to meet him before heading to bed.

 We haven't really started any of our own Christmas traditions yet aside from going to look at Christmas lights, which is something my family always did/still do. One thing we started though, was letting Reid open a special Christmas Eve box with a book and PJ's. =)

 Clearly, Reid wasn't too awful into presents this year. ;)

 Once he was all snug in his new jams, we read his new book.