It Happened one night.....

Thirteen years ago today, these two young faces met for the first time.

I don't know what I love more....That Clay's shirt has a zipper at the collar or the amount of jewelry I'm wearing.  You are correct-that IS a thumb ring. (Oh! and don't let me forget the overalls....How I looooved  me some overalls in the 90's)

In honor of the day Clay and I met- August 29th 1997, I thought you might like to hear how this love story began......

I had a longtime child hood friend. Let's call her Miller Time.  Miller Time was dating a Marine. As in USMC, Devil Dog, UOO RAH Service Man.  He had planned a trip to come visit her for Labor Day. He was house sitting for the weekend in our town and told Miller Time to gather up some girls, because he wasn't coming alone.

Miller Time immediately called me. She knew I would be down to party. As always. 

I in turn called all my lady friends.  Most of whom were already away in college and politely declined. In fact, they tried to detour me from my party with Miller Time, and wanted me to come there for the weekend.  I had already committed. And if you know me....I'm a woman of my word.  :)

So I gathered up as many as I could.  My good friend Maria that I have known since sixth grade, and my cousin who was staying with us for the Summer during her internship in San Francisco.  That was it.

Miller Time had also recruited her fellow work friends from Victoria's Secret to join in the fun.  2 girls from her work showed.

There were 6 boys total there including Miller Time's original Service Man throwing the shin dig.

All the girls arrived together. 

Let's just say the boys had started the "party" without us. And we had some catching up to do.

As soon as my foot hit the carpet of the living room, I saw a tall blond and I was sold.

We went into a guest room to set down our things.  I did my best to stake my claim. I immediately turned to the other 5 girls and said.... "The tall blond is mine."

Like it mattered.  I couldn't hold a candle to the Victoria's Secret crowd, but still....a girl has to try.

The man who would shortly be known as my husband took a liking to another.

I was blue for sure.

Then my luck changed.  The girl he seemed to be warming up to, had a boyfriend, and felt she had to leave the party immediately before "something" happened. 

I quickly assured her that was the right thing to do.  And helped her get her purse.

I know.  I know.  I'm evil. Whatever.  All's fair in love and war.....

I made my move.  The witty, funny, charming girl was going to get her chance.

And boy did I ever.  As soon as I muscled up the courage to talk to him there was an instant connection.  A chemistry unlike anything I had ever experienced before.

I was the smitten kitten.

Needless to say we spent the whole weekend together.  Miller Time, her Service Man, Clay and yours truly.

I have the fondest memories of that weekend.

The above picture of the two of us was actually from THE night we met.  Miller Time always had a camera with her.   I treasure that picture so so much.

Who knew as we sat together that first night where the road would take us.........

6 weeks after that picture was taken we were married.

6 weeks after that Miller Time married Mr. Service Man.

It's funny how people say they don't believe in fate. How could you not?  Clay could have very easily not come with Mr. Service Man that infamous weekend.  And I could have very happily bailed and spent another fun filled evening in the wonderful Sonoma County region.

But we didn't.  For some reason fate dropped us on that door step that warm August night. And then fate one up'd itself and provided a camera.....

It's about time....

It was bound to happen.   Free babysitting for four and a half years is a pretty long streak.  We have been very fortunate with family and friends watching our children for our date nights and everything else for that matter-free of charge.  I felt like it was time to branch out. Become an adult, bite the bullet and hire a sitter. 

I have never felt more like a grown up than I did tonight.

There are pluses and minuses to having a babysitter.

First. Here is the number one downfall of hiring a sitter. 

They don't know the real you. 

When I have my Mom, or Grandmother or Brothers someday-to-be wife watch my kids, they know we are pigs.  There I said it.  We are total and complete pigs and the only way my house ever gets clean is when I throw a party. True story.  That is probably the #1 reason I volunteer to throw parties at my house.  It's the only way anything ever "really" gets cleaned. Or decorated. So I don't really have to clean most of the time, because they know the truth.  But when It's someone who has never been to your home, and may be reporting to others....You have to kick into high gear and get your sh*t together.

Of course we waited until the last minute and were cleaning like mad until the doorbell rang.

She was early. 

My upstairs never saw the vacuum...oh well...at least I had time to clean the pee off the guest bathroom floor..... (I wish I was joking)

Second. All I was thinking the entire time we were gone was how much it was costing us as the hours flew by.  I know that is awful, but it's true...with each tick of the clock I was adding up the percentage of shoe I could have bought with Tegans discount at Banana Republic.  I was up to one and a half pairs by the end of the night.

Third.  Once I got past the cost, I started to feel like we were taking too long..... Like I had a curfew again....I kept thinking....she's waiting.....

In reality. There were so many more pluses than minuses.

The kids had a great time. Both were asleep and happy when we came home.  They ate pizza and played games and had the time of their lives. The house was cleaner than when we left and Clay and I had a great date night. Giants played a horrible game, but the nachos were delicious and the company could not have been more fun.

We will do it again. For sure.

With that said, I am still in disbelief.

I can't believe I'm old enough to hire a babysitter....  I can still remember being the babysitter....

And part of me still feels like that 14 year old girl sitting on Mrs. Burns couch reading her People magazine hoping she pays me enough to buy that floral dress I wanted for Homecoming....

Where does the time go?

Miss Independent

There was a time when I was needed.  Those days seem numbered. This lady wants to do it all herself.

Cheerios are a necessity in the car on the way to drop off Jack.

(please note her favorite Ki-Ki next to her)

There is no riding.  Only pushing. And there is no assistance accepted... Or all Hell breaks loose....

SHE has to do it. Every time. (this one I win occasionally...darn velcro can be so tricky....)

She likes to swim with the big kids....

(We love Aunt Lynne and her awesome hot tub one gate over...)

The phone is a must have at all times...

Miss Maddie.

You gotta love a girl who knows what she wants!

(even at the ripe old age of 1)

Sundays with Jackman

When I opened my eyes this morning, instead of Clay across the bed from me, this is what I found:

Jack has found our bed to be much more comfortable than his own.

This is a regular occurence for weeks now.

Atleast he waits until the weekend.....usually...

I could fight it and make him move back to his own bed, but the realist in me knows....there will be a time when snuggling will no longer be a priority for my little man.

What choice do I have, but to wake up, and enjoy my Sunday morning.

A little diet coke, the Sunday paper, and Jack.

It's Saturday night. SAT-URRR-DAY NIGHT.

Clay and I have a weekend ritual. Saturday night is our night.  We get the kids to bed by 8pm sharp, whether they like it our not they are in there by 8. And then it's two episodes of cops (for Clay) and then whatever is on the food network at 9 (for me). It's not much, but it's something, and we both look forward to our quiet time together on the couch. Tonight our ritual was interrupted by Pre-season football. Damn Raiders.  I surfed and knew there would be nothing we would be able to agree on. So......On Demand it was!  I went to new releases, and we had seen everything. Well, everything but one.  The documentary Babies was just released. I have been dying to see it, but wasn't sure if Clay would be into it.  Then I remembered when I was pregnant with Jack, and Clay went with me to see March of the Penguins.  Clay surprisingly liked the movie as much as I did.  I'm not sure if it was because it was playing in the Dome, or if it was more enjoyable because we were 2 of 5 people in the entire theatre, or if the anticipation of our unborn child was softening my husbands tough UFC loving exterior, regardless, he liked it.  So I was sure to remind him of that when I mentioned it was on demand.  He agreed and Saturday night was ours again.  You HAVE to rent this movie.  If you have babies, are expecting babies, or just love babies.  It is AMAZING.  The cinematography is spectacular, and the story it tells is breathtaking.  It is truly an eye-opening experience, and you're gonna LOVE IT. Please, Please, Please make this your "Date Night" at home this Saturday night with your significant other.  You won't regret it. Now......back to my Saturday night...Who knows were the night may take us after the food network.....

Don't Juuuuuudge me.

I have a tendency to speak before I think.  I just let things fly out of my mouth before I get a chance to really hear what I'm saying.  And usually, I do it with the utmost confidence. Here are some of my most famous examples, I have yet to live down:

Driving in the car, speaking to my aunt about what quote I wanted to use for my Senior quote in my High School yearbook.

Me: "I don't want to use a quote that someone said....I want to make up something myself....I like "Seize the day" But then I'm going to have to put that Carpe Diem said that."

Kath: "Heidi.  "Seize the day", and "Carpe Diem" are the same quote. Just two different languages. Carpe Diem did not say "Seize the day".

Me (completely confident) : "I'm pretty sure he did Kath, I saw it on a poster in Drama."

I know.  I'm Awesome.  They get better:

Driving to Tahoe for a girls weekend.  The girls, (who I would like to point out were all over achievers in High School, most were honor students, and in the accelerated classes in school, and excelled in college-I think they keep me around for comic relief)....were having a deep conversation around politics and history. Auschwitz came up. I turned to Roseanne:

Me: "Auschwitz. That's that Jewish thing right?"

Rose (holding back laughter): "Yes Heidi. That is THAT Jewish thing"

Whatever. Don't Judge me. Here's another:

I work in a male dominated field. At the time of my hire there were just 3 women including me that did my Job in California.  We had meetings all the time where they would gather us to discuss changes in the industry and roll outs of new procedures to implement.  The meetings were usually 2-3 days long and would include dinner.  Sitting across from the head of field operations at dinner one night I said:

Me: "Bob, I PRE FACED my conversation to you...etc. etc. etc."

Bob: Blank stare.

The next day at the morning meeting:

Me: "Bob, I told you yesterday, I PRE FACED (again..like you are saying two words) etc. etc. etc."

Bob: (blank stare- no comment)

My trainer at the time-Mark(who was also at dinner the night before) interjected: "HEIDI. It's preface not PRE FACE."

I'm pretty sure I lost any chance of being promoted at that moment.

Which brings me to dinner last night, sushi with Linds, Brit and Clay.

Linds: "What is this roll called again?"

Me: "The Godzilla"

Linds: "I get it...because it's so hot it makes you breathe fire."

Me: (dead serious-like she was the idiot) "Linds, Godzilla did not breathe fire."

Linds: "Ummmm....... Yes he did!"

Me: (Totally cocky) "Big Monkey's can't breathe fire LINDS!"

Clay: (my sweet husband, who has been dealing with this our whole marriage) "Babe, I think your thinking of King Kong... Not Godzilla."

I'm pretty sure she won't let me live that one down for quite some time....

Even though it's not real....I'm thankful I'm blonde...sometimes a girl needs an excuse....

Some more than others.

Target, how I love you...Let me count the ways.....

Clay and I have been going to Weight Watchers since May.  It's been 15 weeks. We both have done very well and have consecutively lost weight each week. (Some of us more then others.... he has testosterone-I think that may be the secret weight loss drug). Last Friday, I became a lifetime member.  Which means I have hit my weight goal, and as long as I stay within 2 lbs of that goal, I don't have to pay anymore. Yay!  So, of course, how does one celebrate?  Well....how else? You shop!  I immediately went out and started trying on clothes.  I started at Banana Republic, because as we all know, Banana runs big.  I was on the phone with Tegan in the dressing room, when I slipped on a pair of size 6 pants.  When I picked them up off the rack, I thought to myself....maybe they'll run big.... they slipped right on.  I couldn't believe it.  I stopped Tegan mid-sentence. "Teegs. You are never going to believe this.  I just tried on a size 6 and it fits!" Tegan being the friend that she is, immediately replied, "And I bet you look damn hot in em! Buy them!"  I left and figured, they were mismarked and did not purchase the "I can't believe I fit into a size size 6" perfect pants.  A few days later I was at Target.  In the sale section.  There they were, clearance size 4 and size 6 pants.  I thought to myself...should I press my luck....I was alone...Why not?  No one will see me stuffing my sausageness into a pair of pants that were clearly made for someone who has yet to give birth...... So in I went to press my luck.  They fit!  Both of them.  For the first time in my life something marked a 4 (with no 1 in front of it!) FIT ME.  I cannot tell you how quickly I was in line to purchase them.  I forgot, toothpaste, and toilet paper and everything else. Who cares! A Size 4.  So what do I do? I call my Friend.  My wonderful Friend Lindsey, who I have dreamed our entire friendship of being able to share clothes with.  And when I say share, I mean SHARE....because.... we all know, for years, she will wear my Citizens, or Joes, or whatever else she can pass off and still get away with being a "bit" baggy. (Truth of the matter is, I always buy my jeans too small and she always buys them too big-together we make the perfect size).  So, there I am...on the phone with Linds.  "Lindsey! You are not going to BELIEVE this... I just bought a size 4!"  Lindsey immediately responds (and a little too quickly I might add)  "WHAT?  Where did you get them? Who makes them?".  Not, "You must be Hot",  or "Oh my gosh I'm so proud of you!" Not even, "I can't wait to see them!".  Nothing.  Just questions regarding the manufacturer because clearly they were wrong. I could have killed her. She's lucky my love runs deep for her.  However, she is now currently on my -I will no longer call to brag if I don't want my parade peed on- list.  I will admit she's probably right.....  they were Target brand pants. On the sale rack. Totally mismarked I'm sure.  But I don't give a CRAP.  A size 4 in my book is a size 4. And THIS girl wants to call the chunky teenager in me from 1994 and tell her it's all going to be okay...someday, you and your hot friend Lindsey...will be able to share jeans, and it won't be because you bought them too small......

It's 3am...Do you know where your yoplait is?

My day started this morning at 3:30am. That's right. A.M. We have been weaning our daughter off her bottle at the advice of her daycare and her pediatrician. She's 1 now, and blah, blah, blah.... whole milk and no nipples- Yay! It's been a week. I'm ready to shove a bottle in her mouth.  But I don't.  Because I remember what it was like with our son Jack, and weaning him from the bottle. At 2. (bad parents!)  So.... for the last week, I get up. And I rock, and I walk and I shove cheerios and yogurt and cheese (everything but the bottle) in her mouth and then gently put her back to sleep. Which usually, she begrudgingly lays back down and usually falls back asleep.  USUALLY.  Not today. Today, as I stumbled down the stairs to the fridge and just barely cracked it enough to slip my arm in and pull out the yoplait to feed her by the light of the fridge, she turned her head and laid it on my shoulder.  She was not hungry, she was just done sleeping. Awesome.  I stumbled back up the stairs, changed her pants (dry) and realized her sippy cup was empty.  I went to the bathroom to fill it up and stepped in a nice little present my cat had left for me outside of her litter box.  Double Awesome. I cursed a bit, and then gently placed Madeline in her bed.  The screaming began, and continued until 4:20.  As I laid there I started to think about all the people I loathed at that moment.  I was not so happy with my stupid pediatrician, and the rules for one year olds.  Nor was I too keen on Madeline's soon-to-be day care provider who firmly instructed me she must be off the bottle before she begins there in the Fall.  Adding to that list was my cat of the last 13 years, who is just pissed there is competition for some attention in the household, and finally my wonderful husband who could sleep through a Mack truck driving through our bedroom.  Which is when I went in her room and brought her into our bed. Where my wonderful husband was gently snoring the night away.  If I'm not sleepin', ain't nobody sleepin'....  Madeline, who is COMPLETELY  a Daddy's Girl was thrilled to be with her favorite person and started to crawl all over him repeating Da Da again and again.  And Clay, being the great guy that he is, got up with her.  And just as his feet hit the bottom step of the stairs, the knob of my son's door opened, and our day had started.  We were at Noahs having bagels by 7am. Showered.  Dressed. And ready for our day. I mean, really.. How can you be frustrated at these two adorable faces???

A little Noah's makes everything better....

If Kim can do it....So can I....

A long while back in the age before facebook and myspace, my friend Angie had a blog.  I had no idea what she meant when she asked, " Do you Blog?".  Blog? It was as if she was speaking Chinese.  Then, my most "Martha Stewart" friend Tegan became pregnant and started her blog for her unborn son Mason.  I then became quite familiar with blogging.  It's like spying on your friends, with permission. I LOVE that. I'm all for the phone, and believe me, I do my best at keeping in touch with my girls, but photos, and comments and stories, oh my! I was hooked.  Shortly there after, I became addicted to Cookie Mondays, an equally talented friend of Tegans, who inspires me everyday to be a better Mother, and Baker and Photographer, and to put down that Big Mac to be a size 6.  Then came Rose.  The writer of the group. The talented, English teaching, Heidi don't end that sentence with a preposition, soon to be a Pulitzer Prize winning, Rosebud. Whose Blog was like Cocaine to me.  I found myself checking it daily to see if there were any updates.  At that point, I had decided.  No way. No how, would I EVER do a Blog.  Please!  Look at my competition. And then came Bo.  Whose Blog is so clever, and has me laughing EVERY time I read it. I can truly get a sense of her through her words, and I love, love, loved that. I try my best to update myself on all of these amazing ladies Blogs as often as I can. And lately....as I look at their photos and click on their older entries, of their adorable children, and stories, and life.... I feel like they are so lucky to have everything in a collection. Everything in a place, so if they ever wonder what their child's first word was, or what they were doing July 4th of 2008, they would know, and have a reference... and I'm not gonna lie....I wanted that too.  I have bought storage containers for keepsakes, and baby books, and scrapbooks, and sworn I wouldn't forget all of these important dates....but I do.  All the time.  Which brings me to Kim.  Ahhhhhh Kim.  How I love me some Kim. Kim is the root of so many great stories.  And no matter what we throw at her, she can take it, just as well as she can dish it out.  I always saw Kim as a free spirit.  And as our friendship has grown, she never ceases to amaze me.  She is always the first text I receive on my birthday, and on my daughters Birthday for that matter, and she was the first Mother's Day card I ever received. Ever.  I love that about her.  She, like me, are both the reader of the Blog.  Not the Blogger.  Until today.  Her Chronicle starts today, as does mine.  So as long as this first entry may be ( I promise they won't all be this long...) I'm excited to start my Blog amongst the best company.  I'll say it again... If Kim can do it.....So CAN I.  Love you Kim, and welcome to the Heidi Kronicles ( a work in progress ) This one's for the girls...