It's the Little Things....

Kambry's Baptism

2012-02-15T14:29:00.000-08:00

Titus 3:5God saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

January 29th was a big day for our little Kambry!! She was baptized and it was beautiful!! We had our family all there with us as Pastor Don held our little girl and we prayed over her, promising to feed her soul with HIS good word!

After the ceremony he started his sermon which was coincidentally about baptism so that was really neat! I would have loved to have stayed to listen to all of it however Kambry got hungry and I forgot to bring some mommy-milk in a bottle, so that leaves only one food source! Now what's a mom to do when you're wearing a dress that isn't feeding friendly?? I headed to the bathroom, locked us in a stall, hiked my dress up to my chin and nursed my baby while I sat on a toilet. The things we moms have to do sometimes, haha!! Just a typical mommy moment, right!?

After church we all came over to our house and spent the day together visiting, eating, and celebrating Kambry's big day!! We feel so blessed and I pray our little girl grows up knowing her Savior and letting her little (BIG) light shine!!! =)

Katching Up With Kambry

2012-01-26T19:23:00.000-08:00

Life with 3 kids has been GREAT! I must say I thought it was way harder going from 1-2 then from 2-3 kids! I think because when you have 1 all your time revolves around that 1 person and 0ne person only then when you have a second you're learning how to juggle 2 kids AND get other household chores done at the same time. I remember nursing Karter and Keaton would just be standing there bored to death waiting for me to finish so I could play with him. I'd finish and put Karter down so I could entertain him. Now if I'm nursing Kambry, the older 2 play together so I feel like I get a lot more baby time with her! Also I think once you learn how to juggle it's easy to add one more into the mix! We're still debating number 4...I think it will happen but we'll see!! =)

Here are some pictures of the 3 kids together...trying to bring you up to date a little bit!

Bringing Kambry home from the hospital.
Watching cartoons in mommy and daddy's bed!

Kisses for Kambry!

Movie Time!!

In our Aggie gear ready to tailgate!!

Picnic time!!

Look at those baby blues!!!

Big Bro, Big Sis, Lil Sis!!

Pumpkin Patch!

Keaton was Woody, Karter was Jessie and Kambry was Bullseye the horse! (Roni does that look familiar? I'll give it to you next time I see you! =) )

Daddy of 3!

My little turkies!!

I made these shirts with my SIL for the kids, so cute!!

Our Little Pumpkin!!

Feeling very blessed!!

Introducing Kambry Leah...

2012-01-18T13:07:00.000-08:00

Well I think the very best way to get back into blogging is to tell you about Kambry's birth! We were scheduled to come in the night of August 3rd to start Cytotec and then be induced the next morning! Kyle and I have a tradition of going out to eat (the "last supper") before we go into the hospital! So this year we headed to Alamo Drafthouse for dinner and watched Horrible Bosses. After we got out I had a message from the hospital that they were busy and needed us to come in an hour later than scheduled, so that pushed it back to 11:00PM. No big deal, just an hour! My parents live by the hospital so we headed to their house to visit with them and my PawPaw who was in town.

We got to the hospital all giddy and excited, I couldn't wait to hold our new baby girl!! So exciting! There truly is nothing like knowing you're about to meet one of the greatest loves of your life!!

Hooked up and all ready to go!! (Lord what an awful picture!)

I don't know that I really slept at all that night! Kyle snored in the couch next to me...why is it guys can sleep anywhere and fall asleep in a matter of seconds?? So jealous! Anyway, they did 2 rounds of Cytotec and then started Pitocin at 6:40AM. It was a slow morning and by lunch I was just 3-4 cm. I wasn't discouraged, my labors are always pretty slow, I knew I just needed time and things would start happening! At 1:25 my Dr. came in and broke my water which always speeds things up so then I got an epidural an hour after that! Around 4:40 I had that familiar feeling of pressure down there and called the nurse. Sure enough I was 10cm. and ready to push!!

We're ready!!! About to push and meet Kambry!!!

I pushed literally 2 rounds of pushing (each round of contractions was 3 pushes) and out she came! Easiest delivery ever!!!!

Proud Parents!!! We made another beautiful baby together!!

Kambry Leah Kotzebue

After that I felt so amazing! I was so happy she was here and healthy and the delivery was so easy I guess I had a false sense of thinking I was A-OK because shortly after all the family started coming in to take pictures and I was excitedly visiting with everyone I took a turn for the worst and got SUPER nauseous! I was so hungry and they put a burger infront of me and I immediately felt like I was going to puke. I did puke after I had Keaton so I thought I'd feel better soon but I didn't. The nurse offered to give me "magic stuff" to make me feel better before I left for postpartum. I really should have asked her what she was going to give me but instead I trusted her and said sure! What a mistake...she gave me Staydohl which don't get me wrong is a GREAT drug when you're having contractions because it makes you loopy and relaxed during the pain before your epidural but this drug is AWFUL after you've had your baby. I felt so drunk I couldn't stand to get in the wheelchair to go to my room. Once I got to my room I still felt sick and couldn't even stay awake. So while I laid there like this...

Totally passed out (getting a hug from my sis), my kids got to meet their little sister! So sad I was incoherent for that but I did get to watch it on video. =/ They were so excited to meet her and just couldn't get enough of her!!

Keaton is such a great big brother!

Karter giving sissy a BIG squeeze!

Little Sis

At 9:00PM I was crying to the nurse because all I wanted to do was nurse my baby but I felt so sick I just couldn't and they wouldn't give me any pain medicine until I ate and I couldn't do that either so I just cried and went back to sleep. I told them to feed her a bottle of formula for that feeding and then to bring her to me at the midnight feeding hoping that I would feel better and be able to nurse her!

Sure enough at midnight I could eat some Graham Crackers and drink juice and feed my baby! It was kind of nice to lay with my new baby in the middle of the night, watch my hubby sleeping on the couch and it just be us. It was a nice little moment for us and I was so thankful all the nausea was over!!

The next day I was a new woman and couldn't wait for my 2 favorite visitors to come up again!!

Unlike some women I actually LOVE my time at the hospital! No house to clean, laundry to do, meals to make, I just get to lay in bed while everyone comes to visit and order my food over the phone...I LOVE IT! =)

We are so very thankful for Miss Kambry Leah! Once she came out my doctor said, " Oh wow! I'm so glad we took her early, there was a big knot in the cord!". It was already a tight knot and had we not induced that day (10 days early) it could have cut off her oxygen and I don't even want to think about what could have happened! Might think the picture is gross but check out that knot...so scary!!

My mom works in the nursery and they have stories like this often that don't have the happy ending that ours did! We're so thankful that Kambry is OK and have enjoyed every second of her! Well almost every second...there are some late nights that I wouldn't describe myself as joyful! HAHA!

Back To Blogging

2012-01-13T20:14:00.000-08:00

I have been a VERY BAD BLOGGER!! I am busy with these 3 little kids and when I have a moment I don't really want to try to sit down and type a post, rearrange pictures, all while attempting to be widdy and hold your attention...so I was going to quit this blog! But I got online today and started reading all my old posts of Keaton and Karter when they were smaller and I LOVE LOOKING BACK!! So I vow to blog this year and keep up with it! So this blog is mainly for me and a diary of sorts for our family and the things we do! But I also hope you enjoy it too, although I know you're not nearly as into reading about my kids as I am, hehe! I'm excited to get back into it and I have a lot of catching up to do! =)

Aggie Angel

2011-10-01T13:06:00.000-07:00

You have to read this post...what an amazing man!

http://martinfamilyandmito.blogspot.com/2011/09/stranger-friends.html

Help him...Help Will!!!

Simple Request

2011-09-25T08:50:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! I know I've been MIA lately but today I have something very important and near and dear to my heart to blog about!

On July 5th my cousin Lori and her husband Neil received the devastating news that their 2 year old son, Will, had Leigh's Disease. It's a very rare neurometabolic disorder in the mitochondrial disease family. The easiest way to explain it is that this particular manifestation of the disease causes lesions in the brain and eventually the brain will stop functioning and there is no cure or suppressant. It's unlikely he will live to see his teenage years.

The news was obviously more than crushing to them as Will is an only child. It's been hard for the entire family however as a mother myself I can't imagine the pain and fear that Lori and Neil feel. I'm devastated for them and I ask that you please read up on their blog: www.martinfamilyandmito.blogspot.com and follow their story. I ask this of you for a few reasons...to become familiar with this retched disease (the more awareness the better) and to keep all 3 of them in your prayers!

Did you know that Mitochondrial Diseases are as common as child cancer? Probably not and I didn't know that either! Last week was Mitochondrial Awareness Week (I would have posted this last week but I just found this out! Better late than never!) so help me spread awareness! You can follow my cousins blog, blog about her blog, or "like" the United Mitochondrial Foundations Facebook page. Thank you so much! It really means a lot to me and my family!

Big Girl Karter

2011-08-01T04:28:00.000-07:00

Out of all my pregnancies I have BY FAR experienced the nesting phase the most this time around!! Kyle will agree on this! Instead of nesting it's actually more of super anal psycho cleaning bitch. I have cried over my to do list and that things will never get done a few times! Then the next day I get it done and I'm the happiest person you've ever met! I have cleaned out almost every cabinet and drawer in the house, my closet and all my drawers in our master bath, the kids bathroom cabinets and linen closet, Keaton's whole room-clothes and toys, then we cleaned out one room that was the study and made that Karter's room so I moved all her stuff from her room into her new big girl room and made her old nursery Kambry's room! So I got down all the newborn stuff and washed everything and now the entire house feels organized and ready for baby! It's crazy how motivated you are and you simply can't rest until it's all done!

So back to Karter's big girl room...this was so much fun! We've lived in this house now for 2 years and have never really "made it home" or added our own touch to it because we don't own it and figured we'd be here a few months. That few months has turned into a much longer amount of time and even though it's temporary we need to feel at home! So we got permission to paint and it looks amazing! More pics of the house to come but right now we'll focus on Karter! I wanted her room bright pink and that it is!! We bought new furniture for her and my super talented friend, JoDee, made her bedding! That's right, she MADE it!! I picked out all the fabric and then she went to town making my vision a reality!! THANK YOU SO MUCH JODEE!!! It turned out awesome!! I can't show you everything yet because we're still waiting on a desk and shelves to finish it off but here are some sneak peeks!

I was so excited when I found ribbon that matched her bedding so I made this bow holder for her bows! =)

Sneak peek of what the bedding looks like! It's soooo darn cute!!

I bought this decal on Etsy and love it! This is right above her bed and she'll look up at it and say, "Mommy did" and point to it! =)

So once the room was pretty much finished we decided to TRY to let her sleep in her new bed and see how she does! I just knew this would be a big disaster and she'd be back in her crib in no time. I thought she'd get out of bed a zillion times, naps would be over, etc! Keaton was 2.5 when we switched him so I just knew 22 months would be too young. Apparently my optimistic attitude wasn't shining through on this topic! So last Sunday night we decided to try! She cried and cried for a while and Kyle decided to lay with her. I did NOT want that to become a habit but we thought maybe once she woke up alone she'd realize she did it and it wasn't so bad. So sure enough she woke up happy as a lark and when I put her down for a nap that day I just shut the door and expected to see her walking out shortly after but didn't...she went straight to sleep!! Every night and naptime all week since has been a breeze!! I am truly blown away!!! That was the easiest transition ever and she LOVES her new room!! Now the crib is raised back up and ready for baby Kambry to arrive!!

Loves reading and snuggling with her Daddy!!

Sound Asleep!!! =)

Thirty One

2011-07-21T13:32:00.000-07:00

I am now a Thirty One bag consultant!! =)

Yes I am STILL selling Scentsy and probably always will, haha! I love it!! Scentsy has been really successful for me and my team has grown a lot!! The one thing I always wished about Scentsy though was that I had gotten into it earlier! It has grown so much and just seems to be everywhere!! Luckily business is still good and I'm still loving it! Thirty One is still relatively small and I figured this was the perfect time to get in a give it a shot while it's still growing!! I do plan on doing both and being pretty awesome at both! ;)

I just fell in love with these bags and started buying them for myself and after my 3rd bag and buying them as gifts I figured I might as well make money off of something I'm buying so much!! Why not give it a shot and see how it works out?! If it doesn't work as well as Scentsy has for me then I end up with a lot of cute bags...nothing to loose! =) I don't think that will be the case though! Thirty One has adorable stuff and they're growing so much! I'm really excited to see where it takes me!!

You can check out my website at: www.mythirtyone.com/kristinkotz

You can order from the Spring/Summer catalog now or take a sneak peek into the Fall/Winter catalog that has a lot of new products and patterns!! The new catalog goes live on July 25th!!!

Let me know if you're interested in a catalog, hosting a party, or signing up to sell the bags yourself!! These make excellent hostess gifts, baby shower gifts, graduation gifts, etc!! Who doesn't LOVE a monogrammed bag?? =)

My fav product right now is the Large Utility Tote!! I bought one this summer and it is the ONLY bag that is big enough to fit all of our towels, snacks, and pool toys in it!! Also great to throw a bunch of toys in when you're traveling or going to a playdate!! I LOVE it!!! =)

www.mythirtyone.com/kristinkotz

Kambry's Baby Shower

2011-07-17T12:28:00.000-07:00

My sweet sister Carrie gave me a baby shower to celebrate our little Kambry! It was such a fun day spent with family and friends! She did such a great job making everything so special! Every single thing she made was gluten free and she even had a beautiful cake made that was gluten free and oh so delicious!!! Thank you so much Carrie!! I love you so much!!

Belly at 33 weeks!

All the yummy food!!

Delicious GF cake!!!

Me and my sister Carrie!! We missed you Amie!! =(
(my other sister was out of town on a family trip they had already planned.)

Me and Summer

Me and some of the girls! Love yall!!

Me with Kambry's Aunt Amanda and DeeDee!! =)

My sweet aunts and cousins came in town to share our joy!! Loved seeing them and having them there!! XOXO

Thanks everyone for a wonderful memory for me to share with Kambry!!!!

Almost 36 Weeks!

2011-07-15T04:41:00.000-07:00

So I have been a HORRIBLE blogger!

My pregnancy is almost OVER...CRAY-Z!!!!!

I'm feeling great! This has been another easy pregnancy! I'm not miserable where I just want her out right now like some people get...but I am super super excited to meet her and just hold her and have someone around the house that small again! =)

Keaton is really excited for her and I know he'll do great! Karter just LOVES babies so I have a feeling she's going to be all over her! It will be cute but hopefully she wont also be jealous and want mommy to hold her all the time instead! That can be really hard/annoying when you're trying to nurse an upset baby! We'll all get used to her though, Im just so freaking excited! =)

The ridiculous swelling in my legs and feet hasn't started yet but no doubt it's right around the corner! I do have major heartburn every evening but besides that things are pretty normal! I love feeling her move all around in my belly, it's so amazing!! Keaton loves feeling her move too and he'll sit and watch TV with me with his hands on my belly...so sweet! If you ask Karter where Kambry or Sissy is she'll lift up my shirt and say, " belly!" Even if I'm wearing a dress she tries to lift it up to see the belly, for some reason pointing to it from the outside apparently just isn't good enough for her! =)

Right now we're in the process of decorating Karter a new "big girl" room and moving Kambry's newborn stuff right into Karter's old nursery. I figured we already have a girl baby room ready so why get anything new?? Karter's room is coming along and is going to look so cute! Pictures will for sure be posted once it's done! My uber talented friend JoDee is making her bedding and it looks AMAZING!!! She is so good at sewing and it is something that will be so special and Karter can use from childhood into her teenage years! Yes Karter, this furniture and bedding is yours until you're married...ENJOY! =)

I'm still nervous about removing Karter from her crib...I fear that naps will be finished after that but we'll see! Maybe the transition will be great, I'd just prefer to wait until she were 2.5 or so but 22 months will have to do! I'll let you know how it goes, wish us luck!!

I Promise

2011-06-16T19:21:00.000-07:00

I promise...

I will blog soon! =) I know you're all on the edge of your seats just WAITING for me to post something, right?! haha! ;)

Well anyway, I just feel like there's so much catching up to do and right now, I'm super busy getting the house painted, selling furniture, getting new furniture and decor, getting Karter's big girl room ready (pics to come, so cute!), and much much more so blogging just isn't happening!

Maybe next week...

Keaton Turns 4!!

2011-04-07T10:00:00.000-07:00

On March 22, my baby boy turned 4 years old!! So with a birthday comes a PARTY!! I love planning parties and Keaton helped me pick out a lot of stuff for his bash! He of course wanted a Star Wars party so that's what he got!

A couple days before we made Red Velvet Cake Pops to give as party favors along with thier pinata candy.

He is an excellent helper! =)

Cake Pops wrapped and tied up...ready to go!!

Then we made chocolate cupcakes and somebody really liked the batter!

I made some signs for the party. This was the bucket that the cake pops were in!

Yummy Star Wars cupcakes!!

Happy Birthday Keaton!!!

This is the sign I made for the food (AKA Galactic Goodies!) table!

Keaton loved the welcome sign! I also made a sign that said, "YODA SODA" that I put on the drink cooler, hehe! =)

Each year I do a photo-book of the kids birthdays so I had a table with his baby book and 3 previous birthday party books for people to look through! I'm a proud mom, what can I say?? =)

Excited birthday boy in his Darth Vadar shirt!

Mimi and adorable cousin Clayton!

Opening presents!

Pinata Time!!

Keaton with some buddies from his class...so cute!!

Karter loving her lollipop!

Sweet Girl!!

The pinata headpiece made a great addition to his Darth Vadar outfit! =)

Karter showing some love to her cousin, Brennar!!

Having so much fun!

Keaton and cousin Breyton!!

Darth Vadar!!!

Proud mommy and daddy! It was a great day celebrating our son!!

His party was on the 20th, so 2 days later was his actual birthday which required more celebration! Last year we went to Denny's for breakfast so I asked him where he wanted to go this year and of course he said, THE DONUT SHOP!! So we headed out for a donut birthday breakfast! =)

Notice how he eats the chocolate off the top of the donut and leaves the rest, haha!! =)

DeeDee, Mo, and cousin Clayton joined us!

After breakfast I took him to school and I got to go to chapel with him and watch them recognize his birthday. Then I went to his class and read one of Keaton's favorite books from home, "The Day the Teacher Went Bananas" to the class! Keaton loved having me there and of course I loved every second of it!

He got to choose his birthday dinner too and he chose none other than HOTDOGS! How easy can you get, right!? Thank you Keaton, haha! So that night Kyle grilled the hotdogs while we sat outside visiting and Keaton and Karter played. At 6:35 (the time he was born) , Keaton got his annual birthday kiss from mommy and daddy!

He is just my little angel and I couldn't be more proud of him! He is 100% rowdy boy but has excellent manners and is so sensitive and considerate. He thanks me for everything I do for him, even washing his clothes or changing his bedsheets!! I can't wait to watch what an amazing man he grows up to be. Although I'm not ready for that anytime soon! I love you Mr. Keaton!!!! May God bless you and keep you safe always! =) HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

ITS A GIRL!!!

2011-04-01T13:49:00.000-07:00

INTRODUCING...KAMBRY LEAH KOTZEBUE

Yes that's right! We are having a GIRL the first week of August!! I must say we're kind of shocked because after we had Keaton we kind of expected to have all boys and we'd be lucky to have a girl. Now it's looking like Keaton may be our only boy! =) We couldn't be happier! I told Kyle that I can remember from a very young age always saying, "I want to have 3 kids, a boy and then 2 girls! A boy first so he can protect his sisters!". HAHA! Crazy that's what I'm getting! God is GREAT!!!

Are you shocked we found out early? Well I didn't want to but Kyle did. At first I was going to let him be the only one to know but later after weeks of thinking that was our plan, we decided that it's too big of a special moment and whether it's at the ultrasound or birth, we needed to share that moment together! So then we went back and forth and came to this conclusion...we've already experienced it both ways...we found out with Keaton, and then waited and were surprised with Karter. Each way was just as equally awesome and each way has different pros. This time it felt right to find out early. Keaton would know who was coming because he's old enough now to really be involved and we could focus the birth on a specific baby arriving instead of constantly wondering, "WHAT IS IT????"! So there you have it, we found out and feel great about our decision!! =)

Kyle and I have had the name Kambry picked out since High School but then when I was pregnant with Karter we didn't know her sex and Carter was our boy name. Keaton just named my belly C/Karter and we fell in love with the name whether it was a boy or girl! So now I'm so happy to use the girl name we've had for so long! The middle name is after my mom, Donna Leah! A great lady to be named after...I love you mom!!!!!!!!!

Our ultrasound was on Thursday and we had the room filled! It was me, Kyle, Kyle's mom DeeDee, my mom Mo, Keaton, Karter, Uncle Bryce, and cousin Clayton! I apologized right when we walked in for our obnoxious group but they had told me I could bring whoever and they loved it! =) We were all so excited and nobody in the room really had a clue what it was, even at the end of the ultrasound we were clueless until she showed us the goods...or lack there of! =)

Keaton was really hoping for a brother and kept saying through the ultrasound, "Yup, it looks like a boy to me!". Haha! So when she said, "It's a girl!". His response was, "Awww, man!". It was very funny but he was laughing and smiling and he's coming around to the fact that he'll be surrounded by girls! I'm super excited because Karter and Kambry will only be one school year apart so I hope they'll be best friends! I'm already picturing the big bows and matching outfits...I LOVE IT!!!

After our ultrasound we went to my moms house to meet the rest of our family for dinner and the big reveal. We weren't sure if Keaton could keep the secret but he did, he didn't tell a soul...I was very impressed! Then we had everyone film their guess on camera and let Keaton share the name of his new sibling...

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

It was a perfect day and evening! I love that I got to experience knowing I was carrying my son when I was pregnant with Keaton, I had no idea who I was carrying with Karter but was pleasantly surprised when she came out, and now I get to experience knowing I'm carrying my daughter in me. It feels perfect to have experienced all the different ways! =) Glory to God!!!!

Proud parents and grandparents! (DeeDee's visor/sunglass combo says, "It's a Girl!)

Mommy and Daddy! We can't wait to meet Kambry!!

Spring Break 2011

2011-03-28T04:36:00.000-07:00

What a fun and busy week! Honestly we didn't do anything HUGE...no big trips, no awesome new locations that we checked out, just lots of time together and go go go!! =) We went to a park almost everyday, had multiple playdates at friends houses, lots of birthday parties (Keaton's included, that post next!), and 3 slumber parties, it was just a great week with the kids!

Karter modeling her bow...hamming it up for the camera! =)

Storytime with Daddy!

My 3 LOVES!!

Picnic in the backyard!

They love eachother so much!!

Burger King fun!

They love to hold hands and of course I LOVE it too!!

I love watching them interact together, they're going to be so close! Can't wait to see what #3 does to the mix! =) Updates on that coming soon too!! I have some catching up to do!! =)

Give a Little, Feel a LOT!!

2011-03-18T17:08:00.000-07:00

So we know "when you give, you get", but you also FEEL SO GOOD!!!! I love knowing my money or purchase went to help someone out, find a cure, provide goods/service, anything!

Today there are 3 ways you could give back!

Let me introduce you to my friend James! He is such a wonderful guy and has an amazing project that he needs help finishing! Please look over his blog and kickstarter page and hopefully you'll feel compelled to give a little! He soooo deserves this and I can't wait to watch all his hard work come to life on the big screen! =)
Kyle and I are participating in the ALS Walk To Defeat next weekend in Houston and are asking for donations. This is special to us, as we lost Kyle's Pawpaw to ALS and saw how difficult the disease is to go through. I hope they find a cure soon so nobody has to suffer that way! Check out our website at http://www.active.com/donate/ch2011/DKotzeb
Last but certainly not least you can shop all day today at Forever 21 and 100% of your purchase is donated to help Japan!! What an amazing way to give! You shop (LOVE!), get things you want and need (LOVE!), but also give to an amazing cause (LOVE!!!!)!

So go and give a little, you'll get and feel A LOT!!!!!!

16 Weeks 4 Days

2011-03-03T15:04:00.000-08:00

So I know I haven't done a pregnancy post just yet but to be honest the whole first trimester is spent reminding yourself you're pregnant because you're not showing yet (although this pregnancy I felt fatter the instant I saw a positive sign, haha!) and you can't feel the baby move yet, so besides being exhausted and peeing every 30 minutes, there's nothing really happening just yet!

Although that's not true because inside you, A LOT is happening, it's AMAZING! We had an ultrasound about 3 weeks ago and it was awesome to see this actual baby moving around on the screen but I can't even feel it yet because it's actually so tiny! Pregnancy just blows my mind, it's such a miracle! It's very "alienesque" (yes, I made that word up) to have something moving and growing inside of you! I LOVE IT!! =)

So I am going to copy my friend Holly and fill out my Pregnancy Updates! =) ENJOY!!!!

How far along? 16 weeks

Baby's size? avocado...about 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces!

Weight Gain? I don't own a scale but I think at my last appt. it was about 5 lbs. I'll for sure check next time because I need to write it into my pregnancy calendar, I'm sure that number has GROWN, hehe!!!

Sleep? I am just now getting a full nights sleep, or at least only waking up to pee once instead of the first trimester when I was waking up 4-5 times and it was driving me CRAZY!!!

Foods I am loving/hating? For some reason Mexican food hasn't been sounding all the great which is odd because I LOVE IT and could normally eat it multiple times a week. I still eat it occasionally but it usually doesn't sound too good. Besides that I'm loving pickles, limon' chips, berries, and choc chip cookies! =) Funny because it's kind of a combination of foods I loved from each pregnancy so that doesn't help me with the guessing of the sex at all!!

Movement? I felt a few flutters weeks ago but nothing since. I'm right there when frequent movement starts happening and I can't wait to feel my little baby on a daily basis!!

Symptoms? Now that I'm not in the first trimester I've got my energy back and I'm feeling really good! I can say that this pregnancy has caused me some major gas pains!! Yes, I said GAS...you can giggle!! My stomach has been so rumbly and pains that make me want to hit the ground in the fetal position. Don't let that freak you out, it's nothing serious...just gas pains, hehe! =) I've also had the wonderful pregnancy breakouts that make you feel like you're 16 again, fun! Overall I feel great! I've been blessed to have 3 easy pregnancies without any throwing up, thank God! I've actually always loved being pregnant, hopefully this one will continue to go as easily as it has been!

Finally some pictures!! It cracks me up because with each pregnancy you show sooner than the one before! I can't wait to have the full on belly because right now my real clothes are too small but maternity clothes are too big so I basically live in sweats! =)

I feel much larger than this!

16 week belly!

Keaton ringing the baby's "doorbell" (since my bellybutton seems to stick out super early and lead the way for the rest of my belly, they call it the doorbell! haha!)

He's so excited!! Love him! =)

Scentsy High

2011-02-16T12:07:00.000-08:00

Right now I am on a Scentsy HIGH!!

We had a training yesterday, Scentsy Sprint, and it was amazing to hear some of the success stories of other consultants! I had never been to a Scentsy training and it was...WOW! The people that I work for are AMAZING! They are so concerned with giving back, not only to their consultants but to their community! They reward us with cruises, IPAD, Kindles, you name it! AND our charity warmer for the Fall/Winter catalog made about $500,000 to give to Susan G. Comen in CASH! Our next charity warmer is Autism so hopefully it will be just as successful!

Some of these women yesterday just blew me away, they are really banking and it got me so excited and pumped about doing more with my business. I know the more I put into it the more I'll get out and honestly I've done really well without doing much at all so I'm excited to see what putting even more effort into it will do! =)

I signed up to sell it about a year and half ago and I'm shocked at how my business has grown. I really signed up to just make a little extra money here and there but wasn't thinking about really moving up the ladder or anything. I LOVED the product so I thought it would be the perfect way to make extra money! Then once I signed up I got a few people signed up under me and did some parties and sales increased and I found myself moving up without having to do much at all! I aimed to do 1 party a month, that's it, and it was a fun night with other women away from the kids and they just love the product so I don't feel like I'm really pushing something on them, they just truly want it and that's why they come back to buy more!

If you or anyone you know has been looking for something to make some extra money this month is actually perfect because you would pay the same starter kit price ($99) but you would get the Fall/Winter scents and catalogs that are closing out AND the new Spring/Summer scents and catalogs that start in March! If you sign up after Feb you just get the Spring/Summer. That's really all you need but it's nice to have those older catalogs as your "throw aways" I guess you could call them so you could pass them out, leave them at salons, dr. offices, etc to advertise and get people to contact you! Also a lot of the Fall/Winter scents return during the next Fall/Winter catalog so you'd already have some of those scent testers! Just more for your money! =)

Once you signed up, how would you get started?? The BEST way to get started is to host an Open House. I had mine on a Thursday from about 6-9 and invited neighbors, friends, family...anybody and tell them to bring some friends! Then I had a few snacks and drinks, nothing too fancy and let people come and go to smell the scents and view the catalogs. This party introduces everybody to your product and then you will usually get a party booked by somebody and then the ball is rolling! You can also enter your party on your website so if you have any out of town or out of state family or friends that wanted to order they can still order to benefit your party! And you're the host so you would receive ALL the free and 1/2 priced products which is a great way to gain some stock (that you didn't pay full price for!) to keep at your house when people need to buy a quick gift! =)

I'm just really excited and I can honestly say I LOVE IT!! Let me know if you have any questions or pass this along if you think someone you know would be interested in signing up or having a party! It doesn't matter what state you're in, even Canada (and soon Europe!), I can help you!!!

Here's my webite if you decide to take the leap just go here and click JOIN: www.kristinkotzebue.scentsy.us

This month most of the products are 10% off so now is the time to stock up your scents!!

Feel free to ask me any questions!!! =)

Keaton's First Hunting Participation

2011-02-13T17:32:00.000-08:00

This post is LONG overdue but Kyle had these pictures saved on his work computer and I kept forgetting to get them off...but better late than never!!

For those of you who don't know my husband, he loves hunting! He's done it all his life and besides his family and friends, it's his biggest passion! All of that passion has been passed down to Mr. Keaton!! We've always taken Keaton to the Ranch and he has always loved riding around on the tractor or ranger, exploring outside, and just being a BOY! But this year was his first time to start hunting...well not hunting with a real gun himself, but actually going on dove hunts while Kyle shot, or sitting in the blind with Kyle while he waited for a deer or hog! Keaton has loved it and even pretends to hunt almost everyday out of his playhouse in the backyard or his tent inside the house! It's adorable! Kyle has created a hunting monster and I already feel for Keaton's future wife! =)

Keaton's first dove hunt at the Ranch was with the Sechrist boys. Their dad and Kyle have been best friends since Jr. High which makes it all the more amusing to watch these kids together now! I LOVE IT!!

Logan, Keaton, and Caden on the ranger.

Movie Time!

Keaton, Logan, and Keaton's class dog, Puddles! =)

Karter and Daddy!

They're so proud!

BFF's

Keaton with his Dad and Pop after his first bird hunt!

Keaton and Daddy!

Cleanin' those dirty boys!

haha!

Keaton and Karter

Keaton and Logan

All the kiddos...adorable! =)

Daddy got a deer!

Here's the pics of Keaton pretending in the backyard. Notice he has 3 chairs in there...one for him, one for pretend Caden, and one for pretend Logan! Awwwwww!!!

This one cracks me up of him telling me to "shhhh!" so I wouldn't scare the deer away! He was talking to daddy and Mr. Reef (Heath) on the phone from his blind, asking them if they saw any animals yet! =)

Christmas Day

2011-01-06T09:46:00.000-08:00

Christmas morning was fantastic! It's so much fun now that Keaton is older and knows the true meaning of Christmas and can talk/sing songs about it! That also makes Santa much more fun because he gets so excited and it's honestly pure joy to watch!!

SANTA CAME!!!!!

The kids waiting in our room before they ran out to see what Santa brought!!

Keaton is such a great big brother! So sweet to Sister!! =)

Everyday is Halloween at our house and Santa brought Keaton a chest of costumes and he went from one to the other all day!! =)
First was Iron Man.

Then Wolverine and more to follow that! =)

Karter was saying, "MMMMM!" and eating Santa's leftover crumbs!

Santa left a playhouse outside and they LOVED it!!! The doorbell was a big hit!

After our Christmas morning at the house we went to my parents for another day of presents, family, and yummy food!! The kids got so much stuff from everybody and we made such great memories! Next Christmas we'll have 3 little ones, AHHHHH!!! I LOVE IT!! =)

With my parents and the onsies they opened on Christmas Eve! We forgot to take this picture Christmas Eve so one day late is better than not at all! =)

Christmas Eve's

2011-01-04T05:18:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve Eve:

Kyle's cousins and everyone came over to our house to kick off Christmas. Every year we do a gift exchange where you draw a number and whoever gets 1 picks a gift from the pile first and so on down the line...stealing is involved, you know the rules I'm sure! So Kyle and I decided to type up a little ditty about being pregnant and they had to guess who it was. Bryce (Kyle's brother) picked our gift and read it out loud. Everyone guessed me pretty quickly and was super excited! Here's the video:

Telling Kyle's Family from Kristin Kotzebue on Vimeo.

After we told his family, they had to keep their mouths shut because my family was still in the dark! =) That video's below!

All the Rieger grandkids!

Proud parents and grandparents after we shared our news!

Like father, like son! My boys were pooped after everyone left!

Christmas Eve:

That morning we went to Kyle's parents house to have that side of the family's tree. The kids were of course super spoiled and loved everything they got! They are so lucky to have the grandparents and aunts and uncles they have!! Kyle and I got some amazing gifts too! It was a wonderful morning!

My excited little reindeer!

Karter loves her new baby from Uncle Brad and Aunt Amanda!!

Feeding her baby! She'll be such a good big sis!

Keaton in his new Star Wars helmet from Uncle Bryce!!

Seriously everyday is Halloween at my house! =)

Karter got new rainboots!

After a delicious lunch we headed to our church for Christmas Eve service. We met my parents and sisters there and then came to our house afterward.

Once we got to our house I couldn't wait to tell my family our news! I didn't want it to seem obvious so I poured myself some eggnog as a disguise! Of course I didn't drink any of it though,I just poured it down the drain in the bathroom or gave it to Kyle to chug, haha! Keaton had made Kyle and I a pillow at school for Christmas so I showed it to everyone and told my parents he had a little gift for them too! So I suggested we sit down so they could open it and then we could let the kids go ahead and open their Christmas Eve gift (which is always PJ's!). I had bought newborn onsies, one said Little Brother and the other said Little Sister and I had each of my parents open it up! Priceless! Here's the video:

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Wasn't that fantastic! I apparently did a really good job of pretending to drink Eggnog because my mom wasn't pleased with me about that in the video, haha!! Right after that I sat down with Keaton and talked to him about it and he is so excited! We hadn't told him yet because I knew he would spill the beans! Both of our ideas turned out perfect and everyone was just so excited! This little baby is such a lucky kid, to come into a family where they're already so loved! I feel so blessed!!

The kids had a blast and we made Santa cookies...then off to bed so Santa could come! =)

Cousins!

Making cookies!

My parents always took a picture of us pretending to be asleep on Christmas Eve so here is Mr. Keaton...ready and waiting to fall asleep so Santa will come! =)

Leading Up To Christmas...

2011-01-02T17:40:00.000-08:00

What a busy December! I have lots to catch you up on so here goes...

First of all on December 6th we welcomed our nephew into the world! Clayton Bradley Kotzebue and he's perfect!! I'm so happy for my brother and sister in law! Isn't he just a doll!!

Then the rest of the month consisted of enjoying the Christmas season and relaxing time at the Ranch! I love Christmas decorations, music, all of it! We tried to take the kids to multiple Christmas shows around town so those were a lot of fun! Then on Sunday December 19th we took the kids to Kyle's parents church for a live Nativity Scene, games, puppet show...all that fun stuff! It was a great evening spent with my hubby and kiddos!

After we left I told Kyle to stop by Walgreens so I could pick up a test...yes...a pregnancy test! I was two weeks late and figured my cycle was just "off" again and I would need to call the doctor to get put on a stronger pill or something. I just KNEW I wasn't pregnant because I had been taking a low dose pill for months and I didn't feel pregnant at all!

So I went home, peed on a stick and there it was...I'm pregnant with baby #3!!!

I was honestly SHOCKED! I kept looking at it to make sure it was really a positive, which of course it didn't change! Not that I didn't want a third baby, I had baby fever bad! Especially with Mr. Clayton around and all the excitement of his birth I just couldn't wait to do it again but Kyle and I were planning on waiting until the spring/summer to start trying. God is more powerful than a pill or our own schedule so his plan won and our baby is due in August! We truly are so excited to have a third baby and I thank God so much for giving us this blessing!!

After I told Kyle (who couldn't believe it either! haha!) we started thinking of a fun way to tell our family! We thought of the perfect way but I'll post that next! So for the next few days before Christmas we kept it a secret!

I took the kids to get pictures with Santa and of course, like the past 2 years, Keaton did NOT want anything to do with him. We had been talking for weeks about seeing Santa but when we got up to him Keaton was petrified and didn't want to sit on his lap so I just threw Karter up there instead!

She wasn't too happy about that! =)

Then I talked Keaton into just talking to Santa and telling him what he wanted for Christmas and even though I pushed him and held him up there he was cool with it and was really excited in the end!!

Football and Thanksgiving

2010-12-03T11:40:00.000-08:00

A few weekends ago we took the camper to Lake Bryan for a weekend of camping and football! We went up on Thursday so it was really nice to have all day Friday to relax and visit Texas A&M campus before a full day of tailgating on Saturday! The weather was perfect Fall weather and we had a great time!! The Ags beat Nebraska in the best football game I have EVER been to! It was SO FREAKIN LOUD!!! I couldn't even hear my voice when I would yell because EVERYONE was yelling, it was amazing! The view of everyone on their feet spinning their 12th Man towel was a site to see!! I love my Ags and that was an unbelievable game! It ended up being the largest crowd ever in Kyle Field and we also broke the record for highest student attendance in College Game Day history!! WHOOP!!!!

Keaton learning to catch a football! Eye on the ball!!!

Playing catch with daddy!

LOVE HIM!! My little angel!!

Little Miss Karter visiting all the other tailgaters!

We WON! Wrecking Crew, Wrecking Crew!!!

We stormed the field! =)

For Thanksgiving we went to Uncle Brad and Aunt Amanda's house and they did a GREAT job hosting for everyone! The food was delicious and the company was fabulous but I was a little stressed! Karter Lynn wouldn't go down for a nap so that meant stressed out mommy but oh well! Some days are easier than others and I guess we don't get to choose which days those will be! All in all we were together and have a lot of wonderful things to be thankful for!! We ended up leaving and watching the game at home so we could put Karter to sleep. Ags BTHO Texas...whoop!!! Another great game for the Aggies and now we're headed to the Cotton Bowl!!!

Gobble Gobble!!!
XOXO

Need Christmas Gift Ideas??

2010-11-23T18:00:00.000-08:00

Need a gift for your child's teacher, your mother, sister, mother in law, friends???? Scentsy is PERFECT!!! Like candles but stronger, cuter, and safer!
www.kristinkotzebue.scentsy.us

Prancer warmer is 10% off this month...adorable Christmas decoration!

Huge selection of large warmers to match any decor.

Plug-Ins for only $15

We also have a great selection for kids...

This football warmer from the sports collection is so cute for a little boys room! We also have a basketball, baseball, and soccer ball so take your pick!!

For babies and kids we have these adorable Scentsy Buddies and they are so cute!! Not only are they cute but they're so soft and cuddly and they come with your choice of scent pack that goes inside them so they smell so yummy all the time! Everything has been tested and is approved safe for your little angel! The bigger kids can also register theirs online to play games, print coloring pages, or pick from other interactive fun stuff!!

Let me know if you have any questions about anything, would like to host a party to get free stuff or if you want to sell Scentsy yourself! Even if you're out of town or out of state, you can just go to my website and make your order!

Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!!!
www.kristinkotzebue.scentsy.us

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things...

2010-11-22T11:30:00.000-08:00

I have a lot of family members and friends that are pregnant right now and wanted to share some of my favorite mommy finds that you wont find at Babies R Us! =)

Bestever Mats: These are so soft and babies just love them! They're great to lay on the floor for your newborn to sleep on top of and as they get older they're great to snuggle with! Karter LOVES these!
Mabels Labels: These are great for labeling clothes, shoes, lunchboxes, bags, anything!! If your baby will be in daycare these are a must! I never really needed them until this year when Keaton started school and they told me everything needed to be labeled. These work great and are also very stylish and cute! I bought the classic school pack under the combo packs!
Hooter Hider: I nursed both my babies and let's be honest you don't want to always leave to go to a confined room all by yourself but you also don't want to just pop a boob out so these are a great way to nurse in public! They completely cover you up but the top allows you to easily look down and see your baby. Since it goes around your neck your baby can't pull it off of you like they can a blanket. I love mine!!!
Inchbug: These are so great for sippie cups. They can go in the dishwasher and are very secure so you don't have to worry about them falling off! Super cute too! =)
Etsy: I LOVE Etsy!! Now that I have a girl I am all about pillowcase dresses, tutu's, ruffles and bows! I also bought Keaton's napmat for school on Etsy. You can find tons on Etsy and it's adorable and handmade! Here are some that I've used and know they are fantastic! My friend Micheala's shop and the Olive Tree.
Ellie Bean Sling: My friend makes these and I love them! I tried different slings with Keaton and they killed my back, I hardly ever used them. I got this one with Karter and I loved it! She always fell right asleep in it and it was so convenient!
Ritzy Baby: they have the cutest car seat covers! I didn't have one for the infant seat but I did buy Karter one for her toddler seat and it's so cute! So pretty and well made and very easy to take off if a diaper happens to burst! Although we moms know that never happens, right?? Bahahahaha!

Hope you found something you liked and let me know if you have a favorite that I need to know about! =)

XOXO

Halloween...Finally!!!

2010-11-16T18:00:00.000-08:00

So I have a lot to catch up on but this post will just be Halloween! =)

We seemed to "celebrate" it quite a lot this year! We had a costume parade at Keaton's school one day, his class party another day, a Halloween play date, and last but not least on the big day...my moms annual Halloween party before trick or treating! All of it was a lot of fun and wonderful memories were made! Keaton picked out his Darth Vadar costume months ago and Karter was an adorable lamb!

Darth during the Halloween Parade at school...Karter just saying hi to him! =)

Halloween Playdate...you've heard of pull my finger?? =) Karter and Landry!

Trying to get all the kids together!

Mr. Keaton =)

My mom always throws an amazing party with a different menu each year and she always blows us away!!

Snake Pizza (this was before it was cooked!)

Witch Cheeseball!

Cookie Fingers!

Mice!! (chocolate covered strawberries!)

It was a great Halloween! Hope yall had a great one too!!

XOXO =)

Gig Em' Ags!!

2010-10-03T16:53:00.000-07:00

A couple weekends ago we went camping at Lake Bryan and took the kids to our home away from home...Aggieland, for a long day of tailgating! WHOOP!! We had such a great time playing washers, eating yummy food, and visiting with family and friends. The kids were so good! Keaton is always super easy and goes with the flow but I was concerned with high maintenance Karter but she proved me wrong and was an angel! At game time we left with the kids and headed back to our camper. It was a great weekend!

Keaton playing washers...look at that form! =)

My baby girl!

Me and Kyle's mom AKA DeeDee!

Our Aggie Family!! WHOOP!!

GIG EM'!!! =)

Karter's First Birthday Party

2010-09-27T07:22:00.001-07:00

I had so much fun decorating and preparing for Karter's party! I can definitely say this is the most creative and crafty I've ever gotten and I had so much fun!! It was also a lot of work! Kyle kept asking me:

"why are you doing all this?"
"it would be easier if you just..."
"you're making this so much harder on yourself".

That is true but although it's work, I do it because I truly enjoy it and I love my kids and I want them to have an amazing party. For those of you that watch Tori and Dean HSH (if you don't watch you should!) there was a time when Tori (LOVE HER!!) was making adorable little marshmallow hay stacks and Dean gets onto her and asks her, "Why do you do all this? What does THIS mean to you?" and she just says, "LOVE!"

That's exactly how I feel! =)

We love you Karter Lynn and hope you had a wonderful first birthday party! =)

The drink and party favor table.

For our baby guests I put Gerber Puffs in glass baby food jars.
The adorable decorations I cut out were designed by TomKat Studios !

For the "big kids" I made these boxes out of 12x12 paper and had a sign that said, "Before you go and say goodbye, grab a box and fill it high!" So the kids just filled their boxes with yummy candy and snacks that we had out.

I decorated all the vases with ribbon and the cutouts.

The dessert table had ladybug cookies, jello, chocolate covered strawberries, licorice, jellybeans, cinnamon peppermints, apples and dip, cupcakes and the ladybug cake I made. The table turned out perfect except that I had planned on putting it outside where the backdrop wasn't that ugly wallpaper but it was so hot everything was melting so I had to bring it in which really stressed me out. I learned I need to be more flexible next time, ha!

These got a little smushed! Oh well! =)

I used food coloring to turn the chocolate chip cream cheese dip red so it would be more "ladybugish"! =) I put the decorative cutouts on lollipop sticks for cupcake toppers. As you can tell I got a lot of use out to the cutouts! =)

My smiley ladybug!!

She did not like that ladybug cake, haha!

In the end Kyle of course thanked me for all my hard work, he was never not appreciative he just doesn't understand. Few guys do...unless they're gay! =)

Ladybug Cake

2010-09-23T17:15:00.000-07:00

My baby girl just turned ONE!! Can you believe it? I CANT!! =)

I started planning her party months ago (more on that later!) and knew I wanted a ladybug cake for her "smash cake". I researched online some and then asked my good friend, JoDee, if she could help me! I asked a couple bakery's how much they would charge but there's just something special about making the cake yourself! I LOVED making Keaton's CARS cake when he turned 2 so I really was up for the challenge of the ladybug!

JoDee came over 2 days before the party and we got started. Thank God for Baby Einstein...

Are those kids not the cutest? They were such GOOD babies! We worked on the cake for hours and they were little angels!!

It started with 2 small circle cakes...

and a yummy batch of homemade butter-cream icing! YUM!

Then we worked some black and red coloring into the fondant. That is some sticky stuff!!

Next we cut shaped the cake.

Then iced it with buttercream and made it smooth by patting it with a papertowel.

Laid black fondant on the head and trimmed it to fit.

Same with the red!!

Next came cutting the dots and other small details...

Adding eyes, a smile, and blushed cheeks!

Hard at work on the eyelashes!

One side of lashes done.

Our masterpiece and the birthday girl!!

The day of the party I stuck some antennas in that JoDee had formed so nicely and also colored some coconut green for grass!! It turned out just like I had imagined and although very time consuming it was really easy!! Thank you so much JoDee!!! You are so talented and I couldn't have done it without your help! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!! =)

The only problem was Karter hated the cake, haha! Granted she was exhausted at her party so just cried and cried when we brought it to her but I figured after a nap she would come out ready to get dirty but NO! She still wanted nothing to do with the giant ladybug. Oh well it was great decoration and her brother Keaton enjoyed eating it! =)

Happy Birthday Karter Lynn!! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!

This has started a fun little hobby for me! I can't wait to make my next cake! =) JoDee????

Some of Keaton's Firsts

2010-09-12T07:51:00.000-07:00

Keaton had 2 firsts this month! His firsts day of Preschool and his first Astros game!!

School is going GREAT! He loves his teachers, has made lots of friends and just looks forward to it whenever he goes! I'm so proud of him! It's also been really nice for me to spend quality time with Karter or just have a little extra time to get chores done because I forgot how easy it is with just one kid around instead of two! =)

Keaton's new nap mat that he loves!!

Getting ready for his first day!!

So excited!!

Keaton and his BFF!

He was sound asleep when I came to pick him up!

The Astros game was a blast! We ate dinner first and then headed to the game where we got ice cream and just had a wonderful family time together!! =)

10 Year Reunion

2010-08-30T15:23:00.000-07:00

OK so this is a jumbled up post because blogger is really giving me a hard time with pictures today so here's some pics first, then a reunion summary then more pics...it's just going to have to be out of order because I don't want to deal with moving everything around, blogger could DEF make picture placement easier...GRRR!!

Remembering the cheering days...Tigers on the loose, o-on the loose! =)

Me with 3 of my besties from then and still today! LOVE!!

Me and Jackie!! So many memories with this girl!

August 14th we had our Class of 2000 Reunion and it was so much fun!! I loved High School! Cheering at the pep rallies on Friday and loading up the bus to go win another football game at Rhodes, the Astrodome, Alamodome, or wherever we were playing that particular week, going to dances, having parties...those were some fun times! =)

I always wondered where I would be in my life when I went to my 10 year reunion. I remember thinking that I would probably be married with 2 kids or 1 kid and another on the way. I'd say I was right on! Does that mean my life is boring and predictable or that I'm right where I want to be?? Hummm?? Maybe I should shake things up a bit! =)

The reunion started with a fajita luncheon at the high school. It was crazy to sit in that old gym with the same people I used to eat with 1o years ago, only now our kids were with us which was so fun! Kyle and I met in that very lunch room so it was neat to be there holding our kids together now! It was really great to see everyone and I enjoyed visiting with friends I haven't seen in years. We also walked around the school and went to my old locker and cheer gym...ahhh, the memories!!

The real fun didn't start until that evening. First we went to Soma for some yummy sushi with a big group of friends. Some of the friends we went with I talk to weekly and have seen recently and then others I hadn't seen in YEARS but of course you just pick right back up where you left off and it was like no time had passed at all. We had so much fun visting and catching up over yummy food and drinks!!

Then we drove over to the bar for the reunion and saw so many wonderful faces! I saw people that I've grown up with since preschool, my jr. high best friend, all my cheer friends, old party buddies, and also familiar friendly faces that I used to see in the hall or during class...SO FUN!! I feel so blessed to have grown up with such amazing people! I love that our class was and still is so close to this day! I honestly had a smile glued to my face the whole week after because I was so happy! It was so great to see everyone!

Me and Julie

Our family in the room where it all began! =)

Norm, Nikki, April, Kyle, and I at Soma.

April, Jessica, Meggie, Caroline, and me

Me and KyleMe and Apes with Darren in the back! =)Us Girls!

Me and Kendall

Me and Meghan

Me and Heather

A Dose of Karter

2010-08-25T06:56:00.000-07:00

Karter will be walking any day now, this video was actually taken last week and since then she's started to walk twice as far as she is here. If she would stop laughing long enough she'd probably really take off, haha!! It cracks me up because Keaton was the same way when he started to walk, he would just laugh so hard!! =)

Can you say Frankenstein!! =) Only MUCH cuter!

She also LOVES her teddy bear. She calls it her baby and it's so cute! I can already tell she's going to be a "motherly" girl who loves playing with dolls, babysitting, and all that fun stuff! =) This video isn't as long as the other one! =)

Breakin' In The Camper!

2010-08-15T15:42:00.000-07:00

WE LOVE CAMPING!!

When we moved to Colorado we bought a used Keystone Sprinter because we knew we would be doing lots of camping so that we could really explore the beautiful state while we were living there. We used it a lot and made some great memories!! Now with our family expanding we decided to sell Kyle's boat and trade in the Sprinter for a more family friendly trailer that has a room separate just for the kids. The new layout makes it perfect for nap-time, etc! So last weekend we took it out for the first time to beautiful Huntsville State Park.

We had such an amazing time! We rode bikes the majority of the day, saw baby gators, rented paddle boats, played Memory and Candyland with Keaton, and just relaxed together. I'm always happy when I'm with my hubby and kids and I'm so excited to start making memories in our new camper!

Keaton helping Daddy cook breakfast.

Our campsite.

Keaton and a baby gator.

Bike ridin'

snack time!

Love how they LOVE eachother! =)

Gig Em' Ags!

So pretty!

My Baby Girl!

BEST SEASON EVER

2010-08-03T07:22:00.000-07:00

OK first let me apologize for dropping the ball on my Bachelorette blogs! I'm a busy mother of 2, what can I say??! I barely have time to blog about my family, let alone Ali Fedotowski! =)

Now let me just remind you that I said I always get 3 of the top 4 right and not to toot my own horn but I did it again. Frank, Chris, and Roberto....toot toot!! =)

I was so happy it was down to Chris and Roberto. I just LOVE Chris for many reasons, first and foremost...his hotness!! And Roberto was just a sweetheart and you could tell he and Ali had real chemistry from the beginning!

So last night the dates with her family all went great and then her date with Roberto was perfect!! When they were in the room and she was saying how her heart was exploding and then going on during her "confessional" how she loved him I was thinking, "gosh, they sure are letting us hear a lot about her love for Roberto, maybe they're leading us on by trying to make it LOOK like she's going to pick him and then surprise us in the end???" But the lovefest continued and that's when it clicked...she's going to dump Chris!!

When she went to see Chris I felt so sorry for him but I think he took it really well. I'm so glad he didn't boo-hoo and start bashing her saying, "you're making a mistake!" blah blah blah, like some of the other losers from the past have done. He just understood that she was in love with someone else and appreciated her honesty. He is such a great guy and you could tell he just wanted her to be happy.

Although he took it well, he was upset but then came the rainbow!!

O-M-G THE RAINBOW!!!!

What a miraculous thing to witness!! Later during the "After the Final Rose" Ali was saying how she and the crew included were all crying because it was so amazing! I was in awe just seeing it through the TV!! It was unbelievable! For those of you who don't know, Chris' mom passed away and told him to look for her in rainbows. Then he's dumped by the girl he loves and low and behold a rainbow appears out of nowhere! Not just any rainbow, a perfect, long, bright rainbow! Beautiful!! God is so amazing! =) I loved when Chris said his mom was clapping telling him she was proud of him!!

TEAR!!

So then was the final rose ceremony...I really love that she knew who she wanted and only had 1 person left at the end compared to the times when they seem so confused about who they really want. The Roberto/Ali lovefest continued and they seem so giddy and honestly happy! How could you not be pleased with this ending??? I was team Chris but he ended up fine, there was a beautiful rainbow, Roberto is head over heels for Ali, Ali is head over heels for Roberto...What's not to LOVE???

I must say (as you all know), I LOVE THIS SHOW!! I watch it every single season but I am usually VERY disappointed in the ending! They always pick the person I don't want them to pick (DeAnna-Jesse, Jake-Vienna) or they don't pick anyone (Brad W), or they pick who I want them to pick (Jason-Melissa) but then it only lasts 10 minutes! Even though I am repeatedly disappointed I always anticipate the next season because I love watching. I'm hooked watching all the romance and amazing dates, and sometimes lucky enough to see people fall in love. This season however I was NOT disappointed at all! The season had lots of drama and twists but the end was sooooo happy!!

BEST SEASON EVER!!!!!!!!!! Now I just really hope they stay together, get married and have babies!!! We'll be watching! ;)

6 Year Wedding Anniversary

2010-07-16T08:00:00.000-07:00

I love my hubby so much!

You know that Brad Paisley song, "I Thought I Loved You Then"? I love that song because that's exactly how I feel. I thought I was in love in High School (which I was but you get the point!) and then we went to college and fell more in love, then we got married and I thought I loved him more than ever, but then as the years have gone by and we've had babies together I've fallen even MORE in love with my hubby when I didn't even know I could!

This year was our 6 year anniversary and my hubby had been telling me for months we were going away for the weekend. A weekend away together...I couldn't wait!!! I had no idea where we were going but I was excited. About a week or two before our anniversary Kyle said there had been some changes in the plans but we were still getting away, just somewhere different. Turns out he had made reservations at La Villa Vista on Lake Travis but they called him and said due to all the rain the side of their building had fallen down with erosion or something so they were closed for construction. RANDOM!! Ha! But it was a blessing in disguise because he then made reservations at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa and it was AMAZING!!

We arrived Friday, July 9th, just in time to check into our room and get changed for our dinner reservations. We ordered wine, a delicious appetizer and filet mignon for dinner. It was delicious and such a romantic dinner! Then we went to the bar and had a couple drinks together before bed. I slept so good knowing I could actually sleep in the next morning since there weren't kids to wake me up! =)

The next morning was our actual anniversary...July 10!!! =) After I got dressed he gave me a shipping package that I opened and discovered 2 of those famous blue/green boxes. You know the ones...Tiffany's! Of course I was excited as I opened the first of the two boxes. It was a "Return to Tiffany" heart charm just like the one on my necklace he had given me for our 3 year anniversary.

I looked at him and said, "Hummm, what could this heart go to since I already have the necklace and bracelet?"

His face immediately looked confused as I opened the second box and pulled out a bracelet that the charm was to go on. He then said, "When did you get the bracelet?" I couldn't remember where or when he had previously given it to me but we were cracking up because I knew I already had the gift! He said he'd believe it when he saw it.

So sure enough we get home and I show him the bracelet and after some detective work looking at pictures we figured out he gave it to me during our Colorado Christmas in 2008. Haha, sad neither of us could remember I know! So now the good news is I get to go to Tiffany's in person and exchange it for something fab...can't wait! =)

Then we went to a delicious breakfast where I was told the entire menu could be made gluten free!!! WHAT??? That's awesome! After yummy waffles and french toast we rented some bikes and rode around to check out the entire place.

Then we headed to the pool for some relaxation before our hour long couples massage!

Don't we look relaxed! I think Kyle might actually be sleeping! =)

After our massages we went back to the pool and laid out, swam, floated in the lazy river, and read for the entire afternoon. We also sat by the pool and ate yummy nachos and Parmesan french fries. If you've never had Parmesan fries I highly recommend you try them! =)

Our last evening. =(

On Sunday we ate another delicious breakfast before hitting the road to come home. As always I was so excited to see the kids! That place was actually an amazing place to bring kids! I hope to go back with our family or friends and all the kids because it would be such a fun time with them!

We had such an amazing time together, thanks for my surprise Kyle, I love you always and forever!

Independence Day

2010-07-12T12:15:00.000-07:00

Since Kyle and I started dating back in 1997 we have gone with his family and 2 other families (which are really more like extended family than friends!!) every year to Garner State Park. It is always so much fun and is just such a special place to us!

Keaton left a few days earlier with DeeDee and Snow and then Kyle and I made it there with Karter. We talked to Keaton multiple times a day and he kept saying he missed Karter and told DeeDee and Snow multiple times that he wished Karter was there with him...so precious! =)

When we arrived Keaton was soooo excited to see us, my heart just melted, he's such a sweet boy! He kept saying, "I missed yall sooooo much when I was here at Garner!" He continues to say this to me and it is now weeks later, ha! Don't get me wrong though, he had a blast there without us! =)

We just had such a wonderful time! I'm always in heaven when I get to spend time with my hubby and kids and then having everyone else there made it even better! Our days consisted of hanging out at the campsite and tubing on the river and then at night once the kids were asleep we would all come to our campsite and play dominoes or just visit over drinks. The weather didn't cooperate and was only sunny a few hours a day (if that) but it didn't matter, we still had a blast! Keaton LOVED tubing and has started singing George Strait, " I remember that ole' Frio River, where I learned to swim." =)

Keaton and Pawpaw Snow in the Frio

Game night...just like when we were "kids"!

Out to lunch in Leaky, TX. Such a sweet big brother!

Gotta have a family photo on the Frio!

Daddy and 4th of July Karter!

Keaton and Uncle Bryce

DeeDee and Karter Lynn

Me, Megan, and Karter

Family photo by the sign on our way out...Karter was already asleep by the time we reached it so she didn't get her photo-op. =(

I can't wait until next year!!! =) God bless America!!

Happy x3

2010-06-26T13:19:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Heath!
Happy Father's Day!
Happy Birthday Kyle!

Last weekend was filled with Happiness! =)

Saturday night we hosted a surprise party for Kyle's best friend Heath. I always get a little anxious with surprise party's because I don't want to miss them arriving and ruin everything! But everyone showed up on time and the party was a huge success! We had a lot of fun hanging out with great friends just enjoying the conversation over yummy food and drinks! It got a little crazy as the night went on (could have been because of the adult beverages??) but let's just say there was tackling, drop kicking, laughing, flip cup, beer pong, laughing, oh and by the end of the night 1/2 the guys were in their skivvies due to a drinkin' game!!?? I'm just sayin'! =)

Some of the ladies! (Please ignore the hideous wallpaper!)

The boys!

Rachel, Me, Carrie and Abby

Julie getting a kiss from the b-day boy! He gave quite a few of those out! =)

Me and Jules!

I told you it got rowdy! Carrying the b-day boy to the grass for a beating?!?!

This was the popular picture of the night. Caught just perfectly before Jason went down. These boys all grew up together so when you put them in the same room together they turn back into 15 year old boys...it's quite comical! =)

P.S. Nobody was injured in the making of these pictures. It was all fun and games! ;)

Sunday was Father's Day and I got to celebrate my wonderful hubby who is such an amazing daddy!! The kids were already at my parents house since they babysat for us the night before so we drove over there and had lunch with my sisters and their families. Then for dinner we were supposed to go out with Kyle's family but Karter and Keaton had fallen asleep so I stayed home with them and let my hubby have a nice dinner out with his parents and brothers.

Karter started crawling up the stairs! She LOVES her Daddy!

Karter and cousin Taylor! Two pretty girls!

Then Tuesday, June 22, was Kyle's birthday!! We had both our families over that night for lasagna and just had another wonderful evening together! The downer of the night was when I dropped a metal folding table on my toe and I'm 99% sure I broke it! Right after it hit I was so dizzy and completely lost my appetite, I felt like I was going to throw up. I wasn't trying to be dramatic but AHHHH, it hurt so bad! It's now feeling MUCH better but it's all blue and swollen. I didn't take any pictures, apparently I wasn't thinking much after I hurt my foot.

Happy Birthday Baby!!! I love you forever and always! =)

Ali The Bachelorette Post 4

2010-06-23T19:26:00.000-07:00

Soooo it started off with poetry, let the uncomfortableness begin! =)

Kasey, oh Kasey! He already sounds like he has a bubble in his throat 24/7 and being in the cold didn't help his speech skills at all. He's a mess.

Frank and Kirk did really well and I'm glad she picked Kirk! They're date was wonderfully cute and I loved the matching sweaters. They were hideous, don't get me wrong, but I love that they don't take themselves too seriously! =)

Then the group date...Chris L is still my FAVORITE!! I thought Ty was still around because he was nice but I didn't think the romance was there but after last night and previews of next week it looks like the sparks are starting to fly! I do like a southern boy! ;)

Last was the 2 on 1 date...this was HORRIBLE!! She looked miserable out there in the freezing cold! I really thought she was going to send both of them home! Sadly Justin is still there but I really don't see him staying around for that much longer! Thank God Kasey and his tatoo are gone! That boy is NUTS! I can see how she felt bad because you never want to hurt someones feelings! But leaving him on a glacier in the middle of nowhere!!! That trumps Robbie being kicked off the train by Jillian if I do say so myself!

Hallelujah, what's his name is FINALLY gone! Oh yeah, Chris N. I forgot his name seeing as how he's only said about 3 sentences and no screen time all season! That was an easy one to see comin'! Poor guy is probably really nice in real life but he just seemed so nervous and uncomfortable!!

I can't wait until next week to see who has a girlfriend, the previews look OH SO GOOD!!

I think Craig R is on the chopping block next. He is funny but I think their relationship is more friends than romance. Don't you??

Til next week...

Fun Fun Fun

2010-06-16T15:37:00.000-07:00

This weekend was so much fun!!! It started on Friday when I got to meet up with my beautiful friends, Paige and Stacey. We've grown up together and don't get to see each other as much as we'd like but when we do it's like no time has passed and we have a BLAST! Always laughing and having so much fun, I love these girls so much!!! We had a night in with their mom and sister over wine...just like old times, minus the wine! =)

Then Saturday we dropped the kids off with DeeDee and Snow and Kyle and I headed to a yummy lunch at Lupe Tortilla before heading to Kemah for Amanda and Tim's wedding. It was so nice to relax and enjoy lunch just the two of us. Then we arrived at our hotel (I LOVE HOTELS!) and got ready before heading to the house their wedding was at. It was so beautiful and Amanda made a gorgeous bride! This was another evening of catching up with old friends. A lot of us there all went to Jr. High together so it was so good to spend so much time with everyone. After the wedding we headed to a bar and then back to the wedding house for a night of swimming. When we finally left to go back to the hotel it was 4AM!!! We haven't stayed up that late in forever!! Such rebels, hehe! The nice thing was that we were able to sleep in! Did I mention I LOVE HOTELS!! The rooms always stay so dark so we were able to stay in bed until almost noon ...FABULOUS!!

Me and Cara

Me and my hubby!

Me and Courtney

Me and the beautiful bride, Amanda!! Jeff in the background, and Ericka stuffing the bouquet in her dress, haha!

Our photo shoot outside the elevators...those bongos around her neck may or may not have been played throughout the hotel at 1AM!

Pool time!!

The fun didn't stop there! Once we left the hotel on Sunday, we got some lunch and headed to Kyle's brother Bryce's pool party! It was another day of hanging out with amazing friends!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRYCIE!!! =)

After that we were so ready to get home and see the kids! It's always so nice to have some alone time but it's even better to get back and hug those little angels!! I'm feeling so blessed to have such amazing friends and family, what a great weekend!!

Ali The Bachelorette Post 3

2010-06-15T17:06:00.000-07:00

Have I told you lately that I love this show?? =)

I love this show!

A lot of you asked, and NO...I DO NOT read the blogs out there that give all the juicy details away. Yall know me, I love a surprise. I waited 9 months to find out the sex of my own child, so I've GOT to wait it out and play the whole guessing game! That being said, if you know something...SHHHHH, I don't want to know! =)

Ali's hair is still a mess, even after her makeover.

Jesse is still HOT so it was sad to see him go.

Chris L is even HOTTER and if I weren't already taken, I'd fly to Cape Cod to marry him and have babies! I'm just sayin'!! =)

Kirk is still on my good list, I like him, he's sweet!

Roberto is one of her favs and he is a cutie! Nothings changed there.

Frank is so smitten and I really like him.

Kasey, OMG!!! I can't stand his voice and then the singing, WHAT was with the singing! But then it got even better when he got a tattoo! SERIOUSLY!! I love how he thought all the guys liked it and said it was admirable when really they were utterly freaked and thought he was going off the deep end.

Why is Chris N still there? I think I've heard him say literally one complete sentence throughout the whole season. I think she still has too many roses and no reason to send him home yet.

I still don't care for Craig R....boring!

Justin is still Justin. I'm not into him but he seems nice and not completely horrible. I'd keep him around vs. Craig R. or Kasey anyday!!

Ty is nice and a good ole' boy but I don't see anything romantic there.

Bye Bye Weatherman! Poor guy was so shy and just couldn't be himself. Too bad he was representing Houston!! I know someone who's friend dated him and she said he's actually really funny and not such a tool in real life...good to know! =)

So to sum it up...

Chris L, Frank, Roberto, Kirk are on my GOOD LIST.

Ty, Chris N, Craig R and Justin are on the HANGING AROUND BUT NOTHING SPECIAL LIST.

Kasey is on the IM GOING HOME NEXT LIST.

So those were my views on last nights episode. Still LOVING this show, it makes Monday's so much better! =)

Ali The Bachelorette Post 2

2010-06-13T10:06:00.000-07:00

OK I must say...sometimes I impress myself with my first episode predictions! hehe! I'm sticking to the same guys I mentioned in my first post! There will probably be a few surprises but overall those guys are going to be around for a while.

I do still like Jesse but now Chris L is my fav! He is just so sexy to me!! He's nice, polite, and manly! I like a real man, not those pretty boys! I hope they have a one on one soon and hopefully the romance will be there because me likey! =)

Roberto is probably next in line, he's so sweet and you can tell he's there for the right reasons. They have a connection and I think he'll stick around until the final 3!

I was sooo glad to see jerkoff Craig M leave and I think Craig R. Chris N, and weatherman are pretty much just there because she had extra roses to give and there was no reason to send them home yet. Criag R drives me crazy, he needs to get off Justin's back. I think Justin is totally there for the right reasons and Im going to add him to my list of being around for a long time!! He's this seasons Vienna for sure!

I'm just LOVING this show, as I always do!! I said I usually pick 3 of the final 4 right so here goes...Roberto, Kirk, Chris L, and Justin. I'd like to add Jesse to that instead of Justin but this is Ali's top 4, not mine, so those are my guesses. We shall see!! I wonder who the guy is that has a girlfriend back at home that they keep previewing?? Something tells me Kirk (which would obviously mean he wouldn't make final 4 and my guess is crap) but I literally pulled that out of my ass so we'll see. Hope you are enjoying it too! =)

Memorial Day

2010-06-09T19:13:00.001-07:00

What a WONDERFUL weekend spent with my family!! I'm a stay at home mom so I'm always alone with the kids so I just love it on the weekends or evenings when Kyle is home and we're all 4 together!! This weekend we got to spend all day Thursday- Monday (that's 5 whole days!!) together and I loved every second of it!

We headed to the bay house in Port Isabel on Thursday and spent the long weekend fishing, laying out, reading books, going to South Padre beach, watching movies, having some drinks and eating delicious food!!

Aunt Amanda and Uncle Brad gave Keaton a spiderman fishing pole and he LOVES it! He was really good at casting it and he fished every single day! The first day we went out fishing for about 3 hours and he never once whined or complained, which is no small feat for a 3 year old! Hell, I'm 27 and thought about complaining many times, haha! He kept trying to act macho and he'd say, "There sure are a lot of fisherman out today." hehe!

Karter had a lot of fun too, she was an angel and I never once felt overwhelmed with the kiddos, thanks to the help of DeeDee and Snow! This was Karter's first trip to the beach and she was a little scared. She ended up warming up to the waves and stuff but poor girl had sand all over her face and in her mouth because she sucks her thumb.

I kept telling Kyle that my heart was just so happy! I love quality time together and it brings me so much joy to see my kids having a great time and knowing that we're making memories with them that we'll remember forever!! I hope yall had a great holiday weekend! God bless our troops, past and present!! Thank you for all you do for our country!!

Karter rockin' her 2 piece! =)

Beautiful sunset boatride with the hubs!

Of course we had to bury daddy!!

lots of seaweed...blah!!

Ali The Bachelorette

2010-05-25T13:25:00.001-07:00

Well as you all know, I just LOVE this show!! I was so excited for it to start (even though I would have much rather seen Tenley as the star) and couldn't wait to make my predictions! I can usually pick about 3 of the final 4 within the first 2 shows so we'll see how I do this time around! Right now I'm eying Frank, Chris L, Kirk, Roberto, and Jesse. Jesse is my fav so far but don't hold me to that as I was watching it this morning and had a lot going on at the same time. =)

And I hate to sound tacky because I'm really all about lifting women up instead of beating them down but seriously... do they not have a hairdresser for poor Ali?? What the hell! Her dress kept falling off her shoulders too. I mean come on people! Put the girl together a little better for her first big night! I already like her more than I did before the show started, it looks like it will be a good season! We shall see!! =)

Mothers Day Weekend

2010-05-13T06:31:00.000-07:00

Our weekend was a lot of fun! Saturday night we went to a Couples Baby Shower for our good friends Jason and Leeanne. They're waiting to find out the sex of the baby like we did so that's super fun! =) Leeanne is an ADORABLE pregnant lady and is going to make such a great mom! It was really nice to mingle with adults and enjoy some wine! =) I've said it before and I'll say it again...Mommies really need some ME time every once in a while!! This was just what I needed! It's always fun hanging out with Kyle's bro, Bryce, and his beautiful girlfriend, Megan! =)

The 4 of us!

Me and Megan

Then on Sunday we went to church with Kyle's parents and back to their house for lunch with the family. We heard some great news that day (more on that later) and enjoyed hanging out as a family. My kiddos got me a beautiful necklace and earrings that I have been wanting from the Tori Spelling Jewlery Collection...I just love her and her jewlery! I was super excited and so was Keaton! He kept saying," Mom do you like the necklace I picked out for you!" =) So cute!

My Angel and Princess! =)

That night the kids passes out so Kyle stayed with them while I met my sisters and Mom at Victors for a yummy dinner and drink! We had a lot of fun and my mother's day was a great one! I hope all you other mommas had a good one, you are appreciated!! XOXO

Fav April Pics

2010-05-07T20:08:00.001-07:00

My kiddos are my pride and joy! Keaton is at such a great age and says the funniest things (that's a whole other post!) and Karter is just growing so fast! She's 7 months and is such a good baby! She's sleeping through the night, eating like a champ, is so happy, and she will be crawling any day now! She laughs all the time and just brings us so much joy! Keaton loves her to pieces and is so good with her! I'll stop boring you (I know you're not as interested in what my children are up to as I am) and leave you with some of my fav pics from April! =)

Keaton all smiles after I chased him all around the backyard with the waterhose, so fun!! =)

Karter's first "Big Girl Bath" with brother!

Karter LOVES to swing! =)

Sweet brother-sister time! LOVE IT! =)

Crazy Keaton loves goggles and wore them while he played in the sprinkler! hehe!!

Adorable Chocolate Face!

Karter sittin' pretty!

MY LOVES!!!

Brennar Ray

2010-04-23T13:11:00.000-07:00

Well my blogs are ALMOST caught up...YAY!

On April 13th my new nephew, Brenner Ray, came into this world!! It was so awesome because I actually got to be in the operating room during his c-section birth!!

Talk about cool, what a miracle!!

My sister, like me, waited to find out the sex. She already has 2 boys and we just KNEW this one was a girl. Her first two pregnancies were a lot alike and this one was completely different. She carried differently, she was oh so moody, all the tall tale signs of a girl! But to our surprise, it was a boy! Not knowing made it all the more exciting!

Another cool fact about his birth is, for those of you that remember...April 13th is the anniversary of my car wreck when a drunk driver hit me. That date has always been known to my family/friends as "my second birthday" because it was the day that God spared my life! So now a new life was given on that day and it's great to replace the scary memory I have on that date with a new beautiful one!

Me and my sister Carrie

Brennar's Aunt, Parents, Grandparents, and Great Grandpa awaiting his arrival!

We make hairnets look GOOD! =)

Me, my mom and Cody! (don't ask me why my moms eyes are open so wide, we laughed about that for a while when we were looking through pics, silly lady!)

Love at first sight!

Brennar Ray-Ray after my Dad's middle name!

Ahhh, BLISS!! You forget how small those newborns are!!

Congratulations Carrie and Cody, your baby boy is wonderfully delicious!! We love you Brennar!

EASTER

2010-04-19T14:20:00.000-07:00

Still catching up on blogs =) ...

Easter was a lot of fun, as is any holiday spent with our families and the little ones! =) A week before Easter we started with our town Easter egg hunt and Keaton had a lot of fun looking at the animals and hanging out with his friends. As you can see the eggs were really hard to find, haha, so he got bored pretty quick and was ready to go once he had about 20 eggs. =)

Karter came along for the ride!

Easter weekend we went to my sisters house and dyed eggs with all Keaton's cousins. He was really in the zone when he was coloring the eggs! He wanted nothing to do with swirls, stickers or mixing colors. He wanted each egg one whole color and that was it, he took it very seriously. hehe!

Mommy put stickers on this one, but only this one!

Sunday the kids did great at church and then it was a packed day at my parents house for lunch, then off to Kyle's parents house for dinner. All in all Keaton had a total of 4 egg hunts, whew! Among the egg hoopla we did get across the real reason for Easter to Keaton and enjoyed reading his Easter book about Jesus!

Hope you had a wonderful Easter too!!

ALS Success!

2010-04-18T18:35:00.000-07:00

This is my first blogging attempt to catch up...blogging lately has felt like a homework assignment that I haven't completed and it's just hanging over my head, ridiculous I know! So in my attempt to catch up on fun pics and things going on here I will start with the ALS walk!!

What an honor it was to raise money and walk in honor of Kyle's PawPaw, Audice! He was such a great man and I know he was smiling down on us as his wife, kids, grandkids, and great grandkids walked in his name! It made me feel very proud to be a part of it! There were other men there in wheelchairs, some with feeding tubes, with their teams. It was so sad to see them because having seen PawPaw go through that I know what they're experiencing. I pray there is a cure for the horrible disease soon!!

We're still taking donations so it's not too late to go to my website and donate!
http://www.active.com/donate/ch2010/kristinkotzebue

Karter with Aunt Amanda and Uncle Brad!

Keaton and Daddy making mile 3!!

Keaton with his balloon gun!

WE LOVE YOU PAWPAW!!!

ALS

2010-03-26T11:16:00.000-07:00

Kyle and I are participating in the ALS walk to Defeat this weekend!
This really means a lot to us as Kyle's grandpa passed away from
the devastating disease 5 years ago.  Also known as Lou Gehrig's
disease it is a disease of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord
that control voluntary muscle movement and it eventually takes
over the entire body.

http://www.active.com/donate/ch2010/kristinkotzebue

Here is a video that goes into more detail about what living
with ALS is like:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZeWWJHTV1g


There is no cure and we hope to change that soon!

We are raising money for this very important cause and I'm asking
you to help by making a contribution!  Please use the link in this email
to donate online quickly & securely.  You will receive email confirmation
of your donation which is tax deductible and I will be notified as soon as
you make your donation.

I thank you in advance for your support, and really appreciate
your generosity!!

http://www.active.com/donate/ch2010/kristinkotzebue

Please send this to as many people as you can to encourage
them to donate as well!  Thanks so much!!!

Keaton's 3rd Birthday!!

2010-03-24T14:36:00.000-07:00

My little angel turned 3 on Monday!!! I can't believe I have a 3 year old and I just couldn't be more in love with him! He is so entertaining and just cracks us up everyday! You wouldn't believe the things that comes out of this kids mouth, he's so polite and just has a heart of gold. I love you Mr. Keaton...HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

We had such a busy weekend!! On Friday Aunt Amanda and DeeDee came over so that we could make Birthday Cupcakes! Keaton was so excited and they turned out delicious! Thanks DeeDee and Aunt Amanda for making the baking so special!

FYI-Everyday he wants to wear his boots, cowboy belt, and cowboy hat!
Don't all cooks wear a cowboy hat?? =)

YUMMY!!

Complete with a Spiderman topper! Perfection! =)

Afterwards Kyle and I met up with our good friends, Summer and Jordan, for some yummy Lupe Tortilla food and margaritas! I wish I had taken a pic of the 4 of us but we had such a great time with them and I can't wait to do it again soon!!!

Then Saturday was Keaton's big birthday party! We had originally scheduled it to be outside in my parents backyard with a big bouncer but on Friday we decided to change it due to the weather forecast and thank God we did!! It was pouring on Saturday so thankfully Inflatable Zone had a party room available and everything worked out perfect! The kids had a blast and Keaton couldn't have been any happier!

Spiderman 1 and 2!!

We LOVE you so much Keaton!!!

THEN...after his party Kyle and I went with our friends, Julie and Justin, to go see Brooks and Dunn at the Houston Rodeo. I love Brooks and Dunn and this is their last tour together so it was great to see them again! We had an awesome time and felt lucky that we got to go out 2 nights in a row!! =)

Sunday had some more excitement! Keaton's second cousin, Cori, turned 2!! We headed to Houston for another jumping party!! Jumping never gets old with these kids though and they of course had a blast!! Happy Birthday Cori!!

Diggin' into her cake and ice cream!

Karter and Daddy!

Keaton and Blake being boys!! =)

Monday was his actual birthday so we went to Denny's for Chocolate Chip pancakes and then played at the mall all day. That evening we had his grandparents over for dinner and he got to open his presents from us. For a month all he has been asking for is a chainsaw so he finally got what he wanted and was so excited!!!

Don't worry...it's plastic!
God bless you Mr. Keaton!! We love you more than you will EVER know!!

New Stuff!

2010-03-16T15:42:00.001-07:00

Isn't this warmer GORGEOUS!! This is one of our new warmers, Hope. There's another just like it, Faith, that's a darker color but equally fantastic!

This month was the first month of our fabulous new catalog and I'm loving it!! Hope and Faith are my new favs but there's even more new warmers and scents to choose from so check out our new catalog on my website: www.scentsy.com/kristinkotzebue or ask me to mail you a hardcopy!

Let me know if you have any questions or would like to book a party for free stuff! =)

Rodeo and Girls Night

2010-03-13T06:42:00.000-08:00

We took the kiddos to our town rodeo and had so much fun! Keaton made a very handsome cowboy and loved watching the horses! The barrel racing was his favorite, he takes after his momma! =) Karter was an angel and slept most of the time. The next morning we went to the parade and Keaton had a blast catching candy and of course an even better time eating it!

My favorite cowboy!

Yeehaw Yall!!

My little princess!

Just the 4 of us!

Kyle left that weekend for a bachelor party in New Orleans so my parents kept the kiddos for me so I could have my own night out...YAY!! Some girlfriends and I went out to eat some yummy Mexican food, drink delicious margaritas, and catch up on some much needed girltalk! Then we went out for some dancing and of course more girltalk! Mommies so need these kind of nights!

Me and Summer catching up!! Love ya girl!

Soapbox

2010-02-25T07:12:00.000-08:00

OK so I usually don't use this blog as a soapbox, OK I never use this blog as my soapbox but today I'm going to!

Why is it so hard for people to RSVP???

I seriously think that people these days have a fear (or something) of making plans! Are they afraid something better will come up? How rude is that??!!

I think it's selfishness! I think they have a number of things running through their head like...

~Something better might come up
~That's a Sunday and I might be tired that day so I'll just see how I feel.
~Gosh that's a far drive, I'll see if I feel up to the trip that day.
~I don't know if I'll know anybody so I don't think I'll go.

PUUUH-LEAZE!!!!

These are all so selfish! Don't people realize that when you're invited to a wedding shower, baby shower, birthday party, dinner out, or any sort of get together that someone is hosting and it takes a lot of work! There's always a hostess involved that is working their ass off to cook and clean so when you cancel the day of (or better yet, never RSVP and just don't show up or call at all!) you've just wasted their time!! There is also a guest of honor involved (bride, mom-to-be, etc) who invited you because you're special to her so if you show up it means the world to her and if you don't she's going to miss you and wonder why you couldn't make it!

People need to stop being so selfish, make plans, and stick to them!!!

Now of course this doesn't include the legitimate reasons for not coming, you can't ALWAYS make things. That's when you RSVP ahead of time that you can't make it, duh! =) Or if something urgent does come up, you need to call!! You can't just not show up or say anything!

Haven't you ever not been too excited to go somewhere but then once you got there you started enjoying yourself and by the time you leave you're so glad that you went in the first place!!?!!

So next time you've told someone you'll be somewhere but then you get tired, or whatever your excuse is...get yourself up and go anyway because you've made a commitment to someone and you need to stick to it! Once you're there you'll be so glad you made it! But even if you would rather be home, again, it's not always about you so suck it up for 2 hours, geez!!!

If you do this often I hope this opens your eyes to the people that you might hurt. Always put yourself in their position! If you were cleaning/cooking/baking to host an event wouldn't you want your friends to show up to support you, even if it required a little inconvenience or work on their part?!! It's called effort people! Make an effort to be places and to support friends and family!!

OK I think I've gotten that all off my chest and I'm stepping down, off my soapbox! For now at least! =)

Our Baby Girl

2010-02-19T11:23:00.000-08:00

Karter is growing so much and is just PURE JOY!!! She is such a good baby! She's sleeping through the night and during the day when she's awake she's always smiling and laughing until she gets tired and then goes right down for a nap...most days, ha! Her smile and laughter just melts my heart! Here's a video of Daddy making her laugh. I don't know who's laugh is more funny, Kyle or Karter!?! =)

Out With The Old

2010-02-06T08:18:00.000-08:00

Hello!! So much has been going on and I have plenty of pics and videos of the kids to share but today I just have time to let everyone know what's being discontinued from Scentsy. We're getting a brand new catalog for March with some new scents and warmers so I can't wait to see it! If you see a scent you love or a warmer you had your eye on that's being discontinued I would order it now for 10% off because it's only availabe while supplies last! Let me know if you have any questions!!

www.scentsy.com/kristinkotzebue

Discontinued Scents:
African Mahogany
Bourbon
Boysenberry Moss
Bubblegum
Christmas Tree
Coconut Citrus Parfait-so sad about this one, I will be ordering LOTS!
Coconut Macaroon
Coffee Shop
Cozy Fireside
Grapefruit Berry
Holiday Chai
Holiday Kiss
Key Lime Cookie
Olive Wood & Cypress
Poinsettia Pine
Pomegranate Ice
Raspberry Danish
Red Berry Tea
Red Chili Masala
Snowberry
Spiced Grapefruit
Spruce & Citrus
Winter Wonderland
Taj Mahal

Discontinued Warmers:
Cheetah
Pembrooke
Daisies
Sandstone
Eclipse
Sweetheart
Giraffe
Treasure Cheast
Holly
Labyrinth
Jack O’Latern

Potty Training

2010-01-20T12:37:00.000-08:00

Warning...this post will be very boring to some, very helpful to others! =)

I was really dreading potty training! I've heard such horror stories about it so I wasn't looking forward to it. Keaton started showing an interest in July but I didn't push anything because Karter was coming soon and I heard boys take forever to potty train so I just let him have fun with it and go in the potty whenever he wanted to. Then sure enough he lost interest and stopped it all together. That was pretty much what I was expecting and I just planned on waiting until after Karter was here and we had more time to really work at it before we picked it up again.

Fast forward to December and we decided to start potty training seriously! I went and bought a small poster board, a variety of cool stickers and some M&M's. I also bought a Dr. Seuss book and 2 coloring books to give away as prizes. So then with the poster board I made a "Prize Board" which just has squares on it and a different prize on every 5th or so square. Prizes varied from a dessert treat, a coloring book, going to the park, going to jump, Chuck E Cheese! Each time he went in the potty he would get one sticker to put on his Prize Board and one M&M (2 stickers and 2 M&M's for going deuce!). I know one M&M doesn't sound like much but he has LOVED getting his sticker and M&M and never asks for more! I thought he would because let's be honest, the kid has eaten a whole bag of M&M's before but for this it works out great!

Pee was much easier than number 2! hehe! He would pee in the potty every time but when he had to poo, he'd just go in the pull up. So finally I just took him out of the pull ups and voila...he started pooping in the potty too! Just like my friend said, "they know they can go in their pants when they're wearing pull ups so just don't use them!"

He finished his first prize board and when I made the 2nd one I made the prizes on each 10th square instead. Once we're done with this one I think I'll drop the prize board and just do the M&Ms and then once they're gone, that's the end of the potty prizes! =)

With using this system he is almost 100% potty trained! He's had probably 3 accidents total in the last 3 weeks! When we were shopping in Target a couple weeks ago he looked at me and said he had to go teetee, I wanted to say, "Just go in your diaper, we're in a hurry!" haha! Of course I didn't say that and we hustled over to the restroom! =) He's doing so great and I'm so proud of him!

Good luck to all you other potty training moms! I hope this works for you and you have as good of luck as I did!!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Bring It On 2010

2010-01-04T20:15:00.000-08:00

I LOVE not knowing the future! I always find myself looking back at pictures and saying, "and at that time I had no idea that __________ would happen."

Don't know what I'm talking about? For example I'll look at my Homecoming picture with Kyle from 1997 and think, "Gosh, I had NO IDEA that the guy I was standing next to would be my husband one day!!"

Get it now?

I just LOVE those moments!

So with a new year starting I am sooo excited to see what God will do with our lives!

2009 ended with a wonderful Christmas and 2010 started by celebrating the New Year with great friends!!

Christmas was so much fun this year because Keaton is older and really understood what was going on! He loves talking about Santa but when I took him and Karter to see the big man, he wanted absolutely nothing to do with him so Karter had her picture taken alone with Santa! =) We then had 3 full days filled with Christmas activities! Christmas Eve we went to church and all came over to our house for snacks and drinks while the kids hung out. We also made Gingerbread houses which was so much fun! Keaton had a hard time not eating it! He actually snuck the chimney into his mouth and I didn't realize it until I was trying to find it and heard him crunching next to me! haha! After we were done and took some pictures with it he ate the candy directly off the house with his mouth! So cute, we had a lot of fun!

Christmas morning was spent at our house, just the 4 of us, and after opening our presents and relaxing while Keaton played with his new toys we headed to my parents house for Christmas with them and my sisters.

Then the day after Christmas we went to Kyle's parents house and opened presents and had lunch, then all his cousins came over for more gift exchanging and dinner! It was a wonderful holiday spent with family!!

Karter's adorable Christmas outfit!! =)

I woke up to this little guy in his PJs, boots, and backpack!! =)

New Years Eve we went to our friends Julie and Justin's house. It was so much fun to see everyone because we hadn't all been together in a while so I really enjoyed it! They had yummy food, yummy drinks, and great company! =) It's funny because last year when I was living in CO I blogged about how I missed celebrating New Years with that group like I had the year before. Now this year I was celebrating with them again...so glad to be back!!

Hope everyone has the best 2010!! =)

Bye Bye 2009

2010-01-01T19:11:00.000-08:00

What a wonderful year this was!! Let's see...thinking back to January...here's a little recap

We got to ski every weekend while we were in Colorado so that was really nice!
We found out we were pregnant with baby #2 on Jan 18...YAY!!
In Feb. Kyle got a new job in Houston so moving plans from CO back to TX got kicked into gear!
Beginning of March we officially moved back to Texas!
Keaton turned 2 and I decorated my first cake...many more to come for future birthday parties I'm sure!
Fun trips to the zoo, Canyon Lake, South Padre, the ranch, and best of all...our very first cruise!!!
Kyle turned 28
Our 5 year anniversary
I turned 27
Moved into Kyle's grandparents house.
I started selling Scentsy
Attended Kyle's 10 year reunion.
Gave birth to our baby girl, Karter Lynn...best part of the year obviously!! =)
Very fun Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas with the fam.
Rented out our house in CO!!

It has been a WONDERFULLY blessed year and I thank God for all he's given us!

Here's some of the family photos that we had taken that I was talking about. Thanks Lyndsay, you're awesome!!

MERRY NEW YEAR!!! hehe! =)

Reality? Check!

2009-12-09T07:07:00.000-08:00

I am so excited about some of my favorite reality shows starting back up again!! I just love these shows! They are my guilty pleasure and bring such joy into my life, hehe! =)

Keeping Up With The Kardashians- OK sometimes their tantrums get on my nerves but overall I love watching this crazy family! Even though it's madness a lot of the time, it does solidify my feelings on having a big family! I love the noise, hectic gatherings, love, and support! =)

Giuliana and Bill- Oh how I love this show! I really like her a lot and he's such a great guy! If you haven't seen it you totally should catch up before the new season starts! They re-air them on Style all the time and now E! is starting to show it. My favorite is when she goes to a detox spa, cracks me up!! =)

The Bachelor- so I'm not a huge fan of Jake's (he's pretty cheeseball!) but he is nice and I just love this show so I'm excited to start watching it again! I would have much rather Reed been the bachelor but oh well, I still can't wait!!

Tori and Dean- This is like my all time favorite! Don't get too excited, I don't know when the new season starts back up but I do know that they're filming so that means sometime in 2010 it will air and I can't wait for that day! =)

Oh and even though it's not reality shows, did anyone watch Desperate Housewives and Brothers and Sisters on Sunday? Geez, could they have more dramatic endings for both shows! Of course I loved every second of the "over-the-topness" (yes, I made that word up) of both and can't wait to find out what happens! =)

Thanksgiving 09...Finally!

2009-12-04T09:25:00.000-08:00

Me and my baby girl!!

Our kiss during one of the Ags touchdowns...WHOOP!!!!

I love these 2 munchkins soooo much!!

Daddy's pretty fond of them too!! =)

Thanksgiving was so great this year! It was the first year since we've been married that we didn't have more than one place to go in one day!! We spread it out this year which made it so much more relaxing! On Wed night we went to Kyle's brothers house for dinner with his family and had a wonderful time! The food was delicious and Keaton always loves playing with his 2 crazy uncles and his sweet Aunt Amanda!! =)

Then Thursday we had a relaxing morning with the kids before heading to my parents house for another delicious meal! Afterwards I played board games with my nieces and nephew and later watched the Ags take on the Longhorns. We ended up loosing, but it was a really great game!!!

I hope everyone else had a great Thanksgiving! I really am going to start trying to post things faster and more often. I've been such a blog slacker! Honestly it's amazing how much busier your life becomes when one tiny human being is added to the mix! ha! =) But I am totally getting the hang of juggling two kids now. (Now that I said that all hell is going to break loose and Karter's schedule will change completely I'm sure!) She has been SOOOO GOOD!! She takes naps throughout the day (on no real schedule yet) but then between 9 and 11 she'll go to sleep and sleep until about 8 or 9 in the morning!! It's so awesome considering Keaton didn't sleep through the night consistently until he was almost 2!!!

She is also smiling her beautiful toothless smile to us all the time and cooing at us which just makes my heart melt! Keaton is still doing great with her and loves her to pieces! He is still cracking us up and keeps me entertained daily! He seems really excited about Christmas this year so I'm anxious to see how he reacts to Santa considering last year he was terrified!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

2009-11-26T00:30:00.000-08:00

A lot of my blogger friends were doing 27 days of thanks where you post something you're thankful for each day leading up to Thanksgiving. I thought that was a great idea but knew I wouldn't stick with it because with a 2.5 year old and a 2 month old I just don't have much time these days! So instead I decided to have one post that lists 27 things I am thankful for!!

In no particular order...

My family
My friends
My 2 adorable, healthy kids!
Music
Twilight Series
Girls Night Out
Movies
Sunny days with a cool breeze
Scentsy
My hubby/best friend
Sleep!! Karter is pretty much sleeping through the night already!!
My son being potty trained!
Egg Nog
Gluten free french toast sticks! MMMM!
Betty Crocker gluten free desserts!
Dancing
Roof over my head here and a possible renter for our house in CO!
Christmas decorations and music
Kyle's vacation days- he's off from Christmas til New Years!
Football- Ags play Texas today...WHOOP!!!!
The Ranch- Keaton is just in heaven whenever we go and I LOVE seeing him so happy!
My video baby monitor-I love seeing what Karter is up to without having to go into her room and risk disturbing her!
Books- if you have a good one you've read recently, let me know!!
Hot Showers- these become a luxury after you have kids!
Vacations- we might go skiing on our old stomping grounds in CO and then I can't wait for our annual trip to Garner this summer!
The funny things that Keaton says! He just cracks me up!!
MY LIFE!!!

Thank you God for all that you have blessed me with, I am SO THANKFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope everyone has a very safe and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!!!!! GOD BLESS!!

Pictures Pictures

2009-11-16T15:47:00.000-08:00

I have very talented friends! =)

I've complimented my friend, Cara, before on her photography skills. Now my friend, Lyndsay, is to thank for taking great pictures of my kids! Funny how my favorite pictures of my children have been taken by my friends instead of the "professional" photographers that I pay lots of money for!! Lyndsay is growing her business so if you need pictures taken, she's fantastic as you can tell! =) These are just some of my favorites and she recently took our family portraits so I'll be posting those soon!

Trick or Treat

2009-11-07T12:35:00.000-08:00

Halloween was a lot of fun! My mom never disappoints with her annual Halloween party! She dresses up and decorates with the cutest, craftiest things! Keaton decided to be a pirate after watching a Backyardigans pirate episode way back. He had is lingo down..."Arrrggh!" and "Ahoy Matee!". Haha! He was the cutest pirate I've ever seen! =) I thought about dressing up Miss Karter but I decided to just put her in Halloween gear instead of an actual costume. I'm glad I did too because she slept through all the festivities! Keaton was so excited and would say, "Happy Halloween" to anybody we saw on the streets and when he'd go to a door he'd yell, "Trick or Treat!" but if they gave his cousin candy before him he'd stick out his pumpkin and say, "Oh, me too!" as if they were going to forget about him or something. =)

Mo and her grandsons!

Keaton playing one of Mo's games she invented! =)

My Pirate!

Karter in her Halloween gear. I know her bow is way too big but really is there such a thing as too big of a bow? OK maybe there is such a thing but she'll grow into it! I'm still learning the bow stuff! Ha!

Sound asleep for the whole thing!!

Christmas Is Almost Here

2009-11-03T16:14:00.000-08:00

I just LOVE this time of year! I love the weather, all the holiday events, and all the Christmas decorations!! That being said, this months Scentsy warmer is just adorable!! If you order it this month you can get it for 10% off and have it in time to decorate your house for Christmas! There are many other Christmas warmers and plug ins that you can look at on my website: www.scentsy.com/kristinkotzebue

The scent of the month is Holly Berry and it smells so good! It's the perfect scent to fill your house with during the holidays! It too is now 10% off but if you don't think you'd like that scent there are tons of other Christmas scents like Christmas Tree, WinterWonderland, and many more!

Keep in mind this is the perfect time to host a party so that you can get free merchandise for yourself or to give away as gifts! Scentsy makes a great gift for anyone! Let me know if you have any questions about purchasing, hosting, or becoming a consultant! =)

Oh, and pics of Halloween and more coming soon! =)

Family of Four!

2009-10-18T13:31:00.000-07:00

I've wanted to blog for a while because obviously with Karter around now there has been lots to blog about but our computer has been on the outs for 3 weeks now so I'm squeezing computer time in on Kyle's laptop from work but usually don't have much time to sit and blog. Anyway...

Things have been very busy but fabulous! We are all so in love with Karter and she's doing great! I could make this blog super long but instead I'll try to keep it short and sweet, at least somewhat short and sweet! =)

The morning of the induction, Sept 15th, I was so excited! I literally flew out of bed right when the alarm first sounded at 3:30! We headed to the hospital and I was so excited and anxious to get there but we were running late and I hate being late so that got me even more worked up! I shed some tears and told Kyle, "We can't be late to have our baby!!" but of course they weren't sitting around waiting for us and we got in the room at 4:20 and things started just as easily as they would have had we been on time so I finally calmed down. I started my first round of Cytotech (softens the cervix) at 6 so contractions began and that was the beginning of a LONG day! All morning was spent getting Cytotech and then I started Pitocin around 3. My water broke around 9PM, they called the doctor around midnight and once she arrived around 12:30 I started pushing and Karter came into this world at 1:01 AM on Sept. 16th! Whew!!

After she came out our Dr. said, "It's a girl!!" and we all were just so excited! There were many tears of joy shed and we were just so thankful for a healthy baby! I know I had been saying it was probably a boy but during the whole pregnancy I thought it was a girl based on how different my pregnancies felt but I guess I felt like I would jinx it or something by saying it was a girl so I just thought of course it will be a boy! But that day our labor nurse took everyones guesses on the sex and Kyle and I were the only ones that put girl. Our doctor, nurses and family all said boy. I guessed 8lb 2 oz and she ended up being 8lb 3oz so I won that wager too, hehe!

Keaton was so cute when he met her! He looked at her in awe and said, "Hi baby Karter!" He wanted to hold her and give her kisses. It was so cute! Since then he's been great! He's already protective of her and just loves her to pieces!

Once we brought her home she was just soooo good! We honestly didn't even know what her cry sounded like the first 2 weeks because she was so good! I now know what her cry sounds like, but she really doesn't cry unless she's just overly tired and let's face it...I cry when I'm overly tired too. She's starting to stay awake a lot now and she looks just like Keaton did when he was a baby! Some days seem really hard with 2 kids and I wonder what in the world I ever complained about when I just had one baby to take care of! Other days everything flows great with their naps and I get a lot done around the house and feel productive. I'm hoping those really good, easy days start happening more and more! =) It's a learning process right!??!

That second week we also got hit with the stomach bug. Keaton and I had a fever and were throwing up for 2 days and that was NO FUN with a newborn around!! Thankfully we both got over that and Karter and Kyle never got sick.

At 3 weeks old we took Karter to her first Aggie Tailgate party, WHOOP!! No I'm not the type that takes my newborn to germ infested crowded places. This was just a family/friend tailgate and she slept the entire time (besides waking up twice to eat) so she wasn't being passed around to everyone and I had hand sanitizer readily available, hehe! =) We had a great time though! It was so nice to be out of the house and Keaton just loved every second of it! Not too many people could take their 2 year old to an outing from noon-7PM where they skip their nap and are outside all day but yet act like an angel and just happily play the entire time! Sorry, I had to brag a little because he was just so well behaved! He even picked up an 8 year old girl! That's right, he's got game! =)

Gig Em' Ags!!!!

So to sum things up Karter is doing great and we just can't imagine our lives without her! Having a baby is just the greatest miracle that God can give you and we're so thankful!

Introducing...

2009-09-16T05:55:00.000-07:00

Karter Lynn

Born: September 16

1:01 AM

8lbs. 3 oz.

21 in.

C/Karter's Eve

2009-09-14T13:13:00.000-07:00

So tomorrow is the big day!! I can't wait! I have 12 hours until I need to be at the hospital and I'm not even close to ready! I haven't packed my bag, shaved my legs, painted my toes or showered, the baby swing is still in a box, the crib isn't even put together yet and I'd still love to pick up some more things around the house and vacuum. We'll see if that last bit gets done!

When I had Keaton everything was ready months before he was born! There are a few factors as to why I'm not prepared this time around. First being that we don't know the sex so there's not a whole heck of a lot I can do to the room anyway. Second is that we just moved in here and I've been working on getting Keaton settled in and his room finished before I work on my unborn child's room that he/she wont even use for the first month! =) I realized once I had Keaton that everything doesn't have to be perfectly finished and in it's place right when you get home from the hospital! The baby will be sleeping in our room at first and Kyle will be home all day everyday the rest of the week so he'll be able to get a lot done during the day. I'm just a lot more relaxed I guess! =)

Last night I told Kyle that this was the last night for us to tuck Keaton in as an only child since he's staying at my parents house tonight. We all laid down in his bed and we started telling him that C/Karter was coming out out of my belly and we'd get to hold him/her soon, wasn't that cool! He said, "YES!" and threw his arms in the air. He said he was going to give C/Karter kisses! He's just so cute and he's really excited! I can't wait until he meets the baby! He's going to be such a great big brother!

As for me I really can't believe it's tomorrow!! I can't wait! Please keep us in your prayers and I'll post the sex as soon as I'm up to it! =) My guess is boy! =) We'll see! Oh and my feet...they look like Professor Klump from The Nutty Professor!! No lie! Actually my right foot does, the left isn't tooooo bad but it's just unbelievable what pregnancy can do to a girl! =) I honestly have no ankles at the moment! Just 2 tree trunks! I really should drink more water as I hardly drink any but oh well, baby will be out tomorrow!

Here's some video I took the other morning of him eating breakfast. I love the stage he's at right now, the kid cracks me up! =)

37 Weeks and 3 Days!

2009-09-08T16:18:00.000-07:00

Well little C/Karter is doing great! We went to the doctor today and everything was good, heart rate was 144. The big news is that we're going to be meeting the little guy or girl in exactly a week!! Yes that's right, I'm being induced on Tuesday, September 15th!! It seems soooo surreal! We've been so busy lately and when you already have a "baby" to look after you're just not thinking about your pregnancy every second like you did with your first so when delivery date gets here it's like, "Whoa!! Really?? Already?". I can't believe I'll have 2 kids in a week!! So please keep our growing family in your prayers and pray for a healthy little baby to be brought into this world! =) Brought EASILY into this world would be nice! hehe! =)

So why am I being induced?? My family has BIG babies...you think that's funny but seriously! Me, all my cousins, and most of my nieces and nephews have all been 10+ pounds, including an 11lb 7oz!! So when I was pregnant with Keaton I told her my concern about this and she ended up monitoring his weight and induced me 5 days early and he ended up being 9lb. 2.5 oz. The delivery was pretty dramatic and I ended up having to stay 2 extra days in the hospital. Soooo, this time around she's been monitoring the weight again and baby is measuring just like Keaton so she decided to induce at 38 weeks instead of 39 like we did last time. She's thinking the baby will then be a 7-8 pounder so we'll see! I can't wait!!

I've loved C/Karter since the moment I saw a positive sign on that stick but on one hand I'm kinda sad that Keaton wont be my only baby anymore. I know this probably makes no sense to some of you (especially if you don't have kids yet) because I remember my sister talking about how much love she had for her one son and couldn't imagine loving another child so much. I thought she was so silly...of course you can love all your kids, it sounded ridiculous! But now that I know that love you have for your child I completely understand where she was coming from and after talking to all my friends that have more than one kid I found out they all felt the same way! You're excited about number 2 but apart of you is sad because you love your first child soooo much and you don't want your time with them, or attitude toward them to change at all. I know my heart will only grow and I'll love them both unconditionally but right now I want to soak up every second I have with Mr. Keaton! =)

Oh and talk about perfect timing... thank you God!! We're settled into our new "home"! After all the hard work we're now living here and loving it! Keaton got new bunk beds and I'm in the process of decorating his room so I'll be sure to post pics of that! Now all we need is to hang a few more things on the wall and bring C/Karter home and we'll be all settled in!! =) I can't wait and feel so blessed!

Keaton's first night in his new bed. He loves it, can't you tell!! =)

Canada and More!

2009-09-01T00:16:00.000-07:00

September has started so that means tons of new things are going on at Scentsy!!

1. September's warmer of the month is this adorable Jack-O-Lantern and the Scent of the Month is Spiced Carmel Sugar...YUM! This warmer and scent is 10% off this month so get it before Halloween! I also started Kristin's Scent of the Month Club that you can join so check that info out on my website: www.scentsy.com/kristinkotzebue or contact me at kkotz04@hotmail.com for more info!

2. Anyone Know Anyone in CANADA!?! Do you live in Canada? Starting October 1st, Scentsy will have the ability to sell to and recruit team members in Canada. There aren't ANY consultants in Canada right now. Just imagine if you could be the very first consultant in an entire country. Your team would grow massively and so would your paycheck. Canadians have an amazing opportunity to get in on the company while it is brand new to their area. The first Scentsy consultant in America brings in a nice little paycheck of $75K a month! Wouldn't that be nice! =) You can sign up from my website starting Oct 1st to become one of the first Canadian consultants! Contact me if you, a friend, or relative that lives in Canada that would be interested!

3. NEW PRODUCTS :
-New Mid-sized warmers $25 (these are smaller than the normal warmers, yet bigger than a plug-in)
-Travel tins $5 -Scentsy System now $40 instead of $44
- Plug In Packages available now!! We also have plug ins available in lots of new colors!

4. NEW SCENTS: Most of the old favorites are still available but now there are lots of new scents for the winter months! Just to name a few newbies...Pomegranate Ice, Spiced Grapefruit, Christmas Tree, Coconut Macaroon, Cutiepie Cupcake, Coffee Shop, Mochadoodle, and MANY more!

5. Christmas is right around the corner so if you're wanting to earn free product for yourself or as Christmas gifts then get with me now to book your party! Obviously since I'm having a baby in about 2 weeks Sept. is the best month for basket parties. This is when you take my bag of smaller scent testers, catalogs, and order forms to work, your kids games/practices, share it with family and friends, anyone you can think of! It's an easy way to make lots of sales and earn your free stuff without having an actual party at your house. You can keep my stuff for a week or two while you make your rounds and then when you bring it back to me, we calculate how much free stuff you've earned! =) EASY!

Mas Bueno!

2009-08-27T11:41:00.000-07:00

Thanks for your prayers yall! I feel so much better! I was really feeling stressed but everything is coming together and I see a light (bright, happy light!) at the end of the tunnel! We've gotten a lot more done with the house and yesterday my mom was off work and kept Keaton while I went down there and worked ALL day! It was so great to get soooo much done and not have to worry about entertaining Keaton at the same time. He's been acting so much better these last few days and he had a great time with Mo (that's what Keaton calls her)! She took him to Inflatable Zone to jump and then to Chick-Fil-A for a yummy lunch and more play time! I got so much done at the house and then Kyle and his parents have been working everyday when they get home from work so we're almost there! I wish I had taken before and after pictures yall because this was a BIG, BIG chore! I now feel more relaxed and like we'll be settled in before C/Karter gets here! YAY!!

Speaking of C/Karter...I was very excited when I saw that my little pregnancy ticker at the bottom of my blog was at the last picture!! This baby will be here in a few weeks and I can't wait!! We go to the doctor on Tuesday so I can't wait to see what she says! I feel like my tummy gets bigger everyday! I'm pretty uncomfortable, especially in the evenings, but overall I'm getting around great! Although, after yesterdays day of cleaning my back and I took today off! =)

Big Girls Don't Cry

2009-08-25T08:50:00.000-07:00

OMGOSH!! I am just an emotional wreck lately!! First off I'm 9 months pregnant which can be very uncomfortable at times, I'm not sleeping very well and of course the hormones...oh the hormones!!! So being very pregnant is enough but on top of all that we're moving. As most of you know, we've been living with my parents while we wait for our house in CO to sell but it still hasn't sold and we're already crowded here and just really don't have any room for the baby! Kyle's grandma has been living in assisted living for a while and they're not ready to sell her house yet so we're going to move into it until our house sells! I really love the house and I'm excited to have some more space for all our stuff but this was a HUGE chore as his grandparents had saved EVERYTHING!!!! So for the last month we've been going through the whole house and attic and separating what to save, what to sell, and what to donate. We then had an estate sale and Kyle left last Tuesday and packed up our CO house and arrived back here Sunday. I had spent the whole week cleaning the house and getting things organized. Now we still have to have a furniture sale and finish emptying out the house, then move our stuff from the garage to inside and organize, organize, organize! I am in major nesting mode so I want everything clean and perfect which brings on A LOT of tears during this chaos of moving things in and out at the same time! My mother in law asked me yesterday as we were moving some things in if I wanted her to vacuum Keaton's room, I just started crying and said through tears, "I don't know!!". Haha, I was slightly overwhelmed and didn't know what to do with anything! I do find myself quite amusing once I feel better though. Then whatever made me cry so hard seems funny, or almost funny! Ha! I'm feeling a lot better now though because I got my tears out (I know there's way more to come!) and I know our families are really helping us out and everything will turn out OK!!! Just breath!!!

On top of all that Keaton is really acting up for me lately. He is normally so easy going and just an all around easy kid! He'll go from perfect, to tantrum, then back to perfect in no time, I just don't get where it's coming from and I could handle it so much better if I weren't so stressed!! Yesterday was the worst when he had his first public breakdown in Toys R Us. It was horrible and by the way he was acting I think people in the parking lot probably thought I was abusing him!! I of course was in tears too by the end of it. Afterwards he turns back into an angel and gives me a hug and says he's sorry and just melts my heart. Ahhh, only your child can make you absolutely crazy one second and then melt your heart the next! =)

Pray for my sanity yall!! I will be so happy when this moving is over!!!!

Bull Ridin'

2009-08-20T16:11:00.000-07:00

I don't know how I forgot to post this video! This was taken in May and it is so amazing to me how much Keaton has grown up since then!

So if you can't tell from the video, Kyle is a bull. As for Mr. Keaton, we never taught him what bull riders do with their hats, etc...that was all him. I hope that doesn't mean he's destined to be a bull rider! That is way to dangerous a sport for a mother to enjoy her son doing! =) Oh and that hat?? We call Kyle's dad Snow because he has white hair so as a joke somebody sewed that gray wig into a visor for him. It's hideous I know, haha! So to this day Keaton still asks daddy if he can ride the bull when he gets home from work and a hat during bull riding is a necessity!

Baby Fortune

2009-08-18T15:00:00.000-07:00

On Sunday we ordered in Chinese food and even though I hate fortune cookies, I love seeing what my fortune says just for fun! As I was opening it I was hoping maybe it was say something really sweet about a baby or labor. It said...

" An alien of some sort will be appearing to you shortly!"

Haha!! I just think that is too funny! I've always said the movement of your baby inside you is kind of "alienesque" (I made that word up I think). So I just thought that was a perfect fortune! =) Although it would have been even better if it said, "An angel...". That would be more true! I can't wait to hold that baby!

We went to the doctor today and everything looked great!

I'm measuring 35 weeks and the heart rate was 138.
Baby weighs as much as your average cantaloupe (4.75 pounds-ish) and is almost 18 inches long.
Baby has had hiccups quite a few times the last couple weeks and I love watching my stomach rhythmically jump! =)

Has it really been 10 years??

2009-08-15T20:53:00.000-07:00

Friday night I went with my hubby to his 10 year reunion. Now unlike a lot of couples that go to their spouses reunions, no introductions were needed since Kyle and I were HS sweethearts and went to the same school (he was '99, I was '00). It was really fun to see so many familiar faces! We keep in touch with so many people from HS so there were some people that I saw just last week, then another handful that I might have seen randomly throughout the years but loved seeing them again, and then another group that I probably hadn't seen since they graduated! It was really a great time although I thought I could have gone into labor I was so tired at the end of the night from standing up for so long! Seriously, at one point I started getting really hot and dizzy and couldn't wait for this guy to stop talking to me so I could go sit down before I passed out or something! After that I demanded to Kyle that we leave! =)

I always thought a 10 year reunion would be a huge deal! That I would be so excited and get a haircut, pedicure, eyebrows waxed...you know really pamper yourself and care about what I looked like. However, I wasn't as excited. Don't get me wrong, I was looking forward to it but I felt like I was just going to dinner with a group of friends or something. The big effect of "10 year reunion" wasn't there. That said I didn't start getting ready until 6 and we left at 7. After my shower I realized that half my toes were painted pink and half of them were white where it had chipped off. I just painted over the chipped parts, who can tell from that far anyway? =) Next I realized I hadn't had my eyebrows waxed since our cruise so I started plucking some strays here and there. And my hair? I haven't had it cut since March so none of my pampering or caring about what I looked like really took place either. I just got ready and had no worries. Maybe it will be different next year when it's my reunion or maybe it was because I'm pregnant and I always have the mindset that I can get away with things because I'm pregnant. You know..."I can eat more of that, because I'm pregnant", "I can dress down and wear this, because I'm pregnant. My wardrobe is limited.", "I can sit here while everyone around me works, because I'm pregnant and should take it easy!". You get the picture! =) So I guess this time around I was thinking, "I can wear chipped toe polish, bushy eyebrows, and stringy hair, because I'm pregnant!" hehe!

I don't know why I didn't take pictures, I guess we were just too busy talking and then moving onto the next person to catch up with that I didn't think about pictures until later. I only took these 2 once I was sitting down at the end of the night but it's with 2 of my favorite people that I have a amazing memories with!

Me and Darby

Darby was one of my best friends in HS. We cheered together and always went to the most fun places on double dates... monster truck shows, WWF wrestling matches, Schliterbahn, Splash Town, camping, you name it we probably went there! We then roomed together at Sam Houston before I transferred into Texas A&M and she to Texas State. We've always stayed in touch since but don't see each other nearly as much as we should! I love you Darby! =)

Me and Mandy

Ahh, this girl has always cracked me up!! She was on our cheer squad as the mascot and we also were super close because of church youth group. In HS she had a yellow mustang convertible and Mandy, Darby, and I would drive around blaring Beastie Boys and dancing like crazy! Good times!! =) I love her, miss her, and hope to see her more in the future! =)

All in all Kyle and I both enjoyed ourselves and loved seeing old faces! Next year it's my turn! Weird, HS feels like it was just a couple years ago!!