30DBC: A letter to someone

Dear Nieces & Nephews (Ashley, Hope, Eden, Lindsay, Ryan & Tate),

I've watched you all grow from Day 1. And each 'Day 1' has been very memorable for me... the day I became an Aunt either for the first time or for the second, third... it didn't matter. I was blessed and completely in love.

Ash & Hope --- I was very young when both were born, but I knew deep down I would have a strong connection to you both... and I do. I'm blessed to be your Godmother, Ashley. I only hope that you feel the same way. You've grown into a beautiful young lady... and are so funny. I love your quirkey personality! And Miss Hope Marie - we had a very close connection from the start - I remember vividly you always wanting to be just like Aunt Muffy - if we'd have the same colored shirt on, you would say "We're the same!" I feel I'm a 'cool Aunt' and I want you to know that you can come to me for anything - for any questions, problems, for fun and a good laugh or hug.

Eden, Lindsay & Ryan --- you all were born within 2 weeks of each other... your Mommy's were VERY pregnant at my first wedding... I know they were both uncomfortable, but happy... and I knew that's what I wanted to be someday - uncomfortable and happy! ha. (I did get to experience that!) It was amazing to have 3 new little ones in the Hardy family... (we were busy!) I knew, once again, I would be close to you all. It was another special connection. I've loved watching you grow from the chubby little ones to 'big kids' now. I'm sure you all will be taller than me someday (well, maybe not you Linds!) ;)

And to Tate --- my newest nephew... and my Godson. You are another blessing in my life... knowing that I won't be having another little one on the Hardy side and knowing you were coming, was an amazing feeling! I'm certain I'm thrilled for myself (and Ryan), but also thrilled for Kayson - to have the ability to have a cousin so close in age. I'm anxious to see you grow up and become a fiesty little boy, like your Daddy was (I'm sure!) ;)

I love you all so very much! (and Uncle Ryan loves you too!)
Aunt Janelle

30DBC: How you found out about blogger & why you have one

I believe I started following a friend of mine's blog about a year and a half ago... I'm a nosy person by nature, unfortunately, and was very intrigued by her life and the blogs that she followed. I got hooked!!! Then one day I thought I would try it... and I've really liked it!!! It's a great way for friends & family to see how Kayson has grown and all the fun (and naughty) things he does... and to hear me babble on about not so important things. ;) It's a really nice way to 'vent' sometimes... and just tell my feelings... sometimes I don't have Ryan to talk to (when he's travelling), so this is a nice way to 'talk'. I've found that some of my Aunts follow the blog and I really think that's cool... I don't see them nearly enough and it's nice to know they read and see Kayson grow.

Winner & Loser... and Hot

Saturday evening, Ryan and I went out - our friends, Jamie & Travis hosted another Bunco night. We did this about a year ago and it was a huge hit... and we are just getting around to having another one. Thanks to the Millers!

It's a fun game - a game of TOTAL luck... and I was having NO LUCK last night. However, my husband was!!! We walked away as the winner (Ryan) and the BIGGEST loser (Me).

Me wearing the loser beer hat and holding the proud 'Biggest Bunco Loser Trophy' and Ryan with his $$ winnings! ;)

Thanks to Blair & Martina (and Tate) for watching Kayson. They had a great time!

Moving on... Kayson now is running the high fevers. Dear lord - will we catch a break!?!? He woke up with a high one in the middle of the night... then was super happy this morning, played well too. We did a few errands and he was really, really good being out and about... then we stopped for a quick lunch and he instantly was hot and not having it... We got home and got some motrin in him and he's napping. I know this crap is going around... and I know I had it last week... but I really was hoping Buster wouldn't get it. I feel awful.

30DBC: Another picture of you and your friends

Well, since the first time this Blog Challenge asked me for a picture of me & my friends... I struggled then... and I'm still struggling! So... I will skip this one! Bummer, I know.

30DBC: Songs you listen to when you are bored, happy, sad, hyped, mad

I love music! I sing ALL THE TIME... whether you (or anyone else) likes it or not! ;) I'm certain it's not a pretty thing, but I do... I sing in the car all the time... ha. Makes me laugh.


Anyway, um - here are my first initial thoughts of songs/artists that I listen to:


Happy/Ready to Jam --- P!nk
Feel Good Music --- MercyMe
Maroon 5
Sugarland
Sara Evans
The Nadas
Dave Matthews

I really like about any kind of music... ;)

30DBC: Something you are proud of in the last few days

1. We've had some rough patches happening at work and I'm proud of the way our department has handled it. Lots of emotions were stewing and happening, but in the end, I believe everyone is in it together and we are a team. and I'm proud to have created some very close friendships out of the people I work with.

2. I'm proud to be a mother to a very, VERY smart and ornery little boy.

3. I'm proud to have a wonderful husband who works hard every day. That guy doesn't like to take time off, he works hard, and takes care of our family.

30DBC: Short term goals for this month & why

I always have some sort of goal... and since February is almost over, I'm just going to say continuing working out. That might be a very big stuggle now that I've been sick for a couple days... I have a feeling I won't have any energy on Friday or Monday of next week... so... I better think of another one.

Let's shoot for a March goal.

Um... still working out and getting outside with Kayson and the dogs. The dogs have put on some pounds over the past 6 months, and they need a walk more than once every 2 weeks!! Those are my goals!

Down for the Count - Day 2

I'm still home sick... was able to get into see a doc this morning, as I feel like I have knives in my throat. Strep throat... and still running a fever. I have flu type symptoms... so pretty much, I'm feeling like total crap. What's worse is all of this is so contagious. I'm on an antibiotic, but that's really not going to kick in til at least tomorrow night... Ryan and Kayson are doomed. And I have no energy to clean and disinfect. Oh this whole thing makes me sad.

Wasted Day

I've been home today... Sick. I woke up with a HORRIBLE sore throat - one of those where it hurts to swallow. I tried to drink some water... nearly impossible. I haven't had that feeling since I had strep throat nearly 15 years ago!!!!!!! It was pretty painful. I got up and showered... pushing through it... and as I was getting out of the shower to attempt makeup - I just felt awful - I felt weak, I felt even more tired, my throat was killing... after some serious thinking, I decided to just stay home. (BTW - I HATE using PTO for being sick). We all were running late, so I offered to take K to daycare, so Ryan could get on the road... I then slept hard from 8 am til 11 am. During the time, I'm certain my fever broke - I woke up in a dead sweat and starving. Weird. I got some lunch in me... that helped... but soon after, I was exhausted again. I slept hard again from 1 pm til about 4 pm. LAZY... and honestly, I feel like I could go back to sleep!!! I don't like that feeling... at all. But I need to get moving and pick up K. I sure hope he's happy and willing to be a little independent tonight... I'm not sure if I have much energy!

What a wasted day!

30DBC: A picture of someone/something that has an impact on you

Simple enough: My husband & son.
These two people have changed my life forever... and for the better.

Eventful night.

Tonight has been an interesting night... eventful might be a good word.
Kayson and I got home... I let him watch a movie... I did a few things while he was 'quiet and still'. I soon started warming up some left overs for us for supper... K was ready to eat. He ate most of his supper and seemed very happy...

Soon after supper, he was playing (with his new Mr. Potato Head)... and I realized he had pooped... as I was laying him down to change his diaper... vomit was coming out of him... I was shocked and instantly worried. He puked about 4 times... all of his supper. He was scared and crying... this is the first time he's done this!!! Shortly after, Ryan got home... helped clean up and I got K in the bathtub, as vomit was in his hair and ears... what a mess.

Bath went well... and soon after that, he was jumping around, laughing, wanting to play... and even helped Daddy make a cake. I watched him like a hawk. He seemed to be fine. Bedtime came and he was ready -- "Bed Momma". We read a few books and he's asleep. I really hope he sleeps tonight and this was just his supper not settling. I don't really want to experience that puking again. Not fun to see a 2 year old doing that... poor guy.

Here are a few pics from tonight... before and after the vomitting.

30DBC: Favorite Super Hero & Why

Oh my gosh... what kind of question is this!?! I have NO idea. I don't believe in stuff like this... so I'm not going to have an answer... SORRY! Boring, I know! ;)

Clarion visit

We headed up to Clarion Friday evening... Saturday was a busy day packed with seeing family and watching Hope play some volleyball.

Saturday morning we were up at the crack of dawn - actually it wasn't even light out - 5:15 Kayson decided that it would be fun to get up. That was very hard... we were ALL tired - including him but of course, we can't get him to understand that! ha. We then hung out with Jill and the kids for a little bit... Kayson played really well with Lindsay, while Little Ryan and Big Ryan played some Wii - Madden and some other shooting game. It was pretty fun to watch them!! A quick lunch was had - then we watched Hope play volleyball. She just does a great job. Kayson and Ryan snuck away for a little bit to get a nap in... then a quick supper was had, then we headed back to DSM. On our way home, we stopped in Ankeny to make a quick appearance at my friend Eric's 40th birthday party. I'm glad we stopped, however, we had a crabby 2 year old... we totally pushed it. I have to admit, it was quite embarrassing how Kayson was acting, so we headed out and he was asleep shortly after being on the road again. So a busy day was Saturday... I was whiped out last night... and still am today!

Today we are staying home... besides a quick trip to the grocery store and picking up the dogs (for me). Ryan and Kayson can stay in...

I'm struggling with taking pictures lately... one reason could be that Kayson's been fairly crabby lately. I personally don't like having pictures of a sad/mad child. Maybe my blog viewers would like to see that?!?! ha. I don't! Today during lunch - Kayson was having his 3rd melt-down for the day... and I looked at Ryan and said "I believe the terrible 2's are here." He agreed. ha. Give us strength to get through this! ;)

30DBC: A picture of somewhere you've been

St. Lucia - our honeymoon. Best trip we've taken - I would love to go back!!!



And Vegas - a work trip for Ryan. I'm not a huge fan of Vegas, but we were there when we were newly pregnant... so technically Kayson's been there too! and we stayed at the Bellagio - which is b.e.a.utiful!

30DBC: A habit I wish I didn't have

Picking my lips. Bad, BAD habit! and it's so funny to think about because my sisters do it too! There was a time during the holidays when we were all together and I noticed we ALL were doing it!!!

30DBC: A picture of your and your friends

I'm realizing I hardly have ANY pictures of my friends and I. That's sad. I have some at my desk and printed out, but I must not have any on my computer... totally bummed about that!

Here's one from a couple years ago... Colleen, Jamie & me


I know have a few of me & Lacey... me, Brenda & Melissa, me & Holly... um... and some others... but I guess I don't have any proof right now!! ;)

30DBC: The meaning behind your blogname

The Taylor's - Ryan, Janelle & Kayson

I think that's pretty self-explanatory!! ;) I'm not all that creative, so that's what I started with. I hope someday to add another name to the description!!

30DBC: A recent picture of you & 15 interesting facts about you

Here is the most recent (and decent) picture of me... this was the hardest part about this challenge!! I don't have very many pictures of myself!



15 Interesting Facts:
1. I grew up on the same farm that my parents still live on... I love the house, the land, the old barn, the smells. I love everything about it. I hope it's in our family for a very long time!

2. I was named MVP on my volleyball team - my junior year of HS. It was an awesome feeling! I still play volleyball now... I may complain about it (cuz I'm old and my muscles & bones can't handle it), but I do love it! I also went to State Track all 4 years of HS (4x100 and Sprint Medley). "Long strides & really, really fast" is what my Dad would say about me. And I would say back to that - "I'm just like my Dad when it comes to running - he was fast too!"

3. I've never learned how to swim.

4. I have two older sisters, Jill & Tricia. My middle sister, Tricia, told my parents to "take me back to the hospital" when they brought me home - she wanted a brother. Now that we are older - she does like me. ;) My oldest sister, Jill, was the one that 'took care of me' according to my Mom.

5. I went to Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls for two years. I knew I didn't want to go to a 'big' school/university... school wasn't really my 'thang'... so doing two years was sufficient for me and my parents.

6. I was married to my 'HS sweetheart' before marrying Ryan (that didn't work out!) Now Ryan and I have been together for almost 7 years and married for almost 4 years. When I first met him I was so intrigued by him - I just wanted to get to know him better and I did... and loved everything about him. I'm very lucky to have him in my life.

7. I love some reality shows - The Bachelor/Bachelorette and American Idol. And I love HGTV shows as well!

8. I've been in one accident - a fender-bender in Clarion.

9. My best friend is Lacey. I've known Lacey since Middle School. We were always friends, but soon after High School, we started to keep in touch more and do more things together and our friendship just grew and grew. We once lived together - both getting out of our 'bad relationships' and leaning on each other... and then also moving onto much better men and lives... going through many, many things together - she's my best friend.

10. I used to play with Hot Wheel cars & Dominos and set up 'fake towns' on our pool table.

11. I went to Prom 5 times. Yes - 5 times! (Ryan gives me such a hard time about this). I went all 4 years of HS and when I was a freshman in college. (Probably nothing I should be really proud of, but I'm stuggling to think of 15 interesting facts about me!) hahaha!

12. I've driven 4 Oldsmobile cars: 1978 Olds Cutlass Supreme, 1987 Olds Cutlass Siera, 1994 Olds Cutlass Supreme, 2001 Olds Alero.

13. I've worked at Principal Financial Group for almost 12 years.

14. I'm right handed, but wear my watch on my right wrist.

15. I wear a cami under my clothes everyday.

Whew! ;)

30 Day Blog Challenge

Those fellow bloggers of mine are trying this out... I'll give it a shot as well.

Day 1 - Recent picture of you & 15 interesting facts about yourself
Day 2 - The meaning behind your blog name
Day 3 - A picture of your and your friends
Day 4 - A habit that you wish you didn't have
Day 5 - A picture of somewhere you've been to
Day 6 - Favorite super hero and why
Day 7 - A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you
Day 8 - Short term goals for this month & why
Day 9 - Something that you are proud of in the past few days
Day 10 - Songs that you listen to when you are: Happy, Sad, Bored, Hyped, Mad
Day 11 - Another picture of you and your friends
Day 12 - How you found out about blogger & why you have one
Day 13 - A letter to someone
Day 14 - A picture of you and your family
Day 15 - Put your iPod on shuffle: list the first 10 songs that play
Day 16 - Another picture of yourself
Day 17 - Someone you would want to switch lives with for one day & why
Day 18 - Plans/Dreams/Goals that you have
Day 19 - Nicknames you have & why you have them
Day 20 - Someone you love
Day 21 - A picture of something that makes you happy
Day 22 - What makes you different from everyone else
Day 23 - Something that you crave for a lot
Day 24 - Your last five Facebook status'
Day 25 - What I would find in your bag
Day 26 - What do you think about your friends
Day 27 - Why are you doing this 30 day challenge?
Day 28 - A picture of you from last year and now; how have you changed since then?
Day 29 - In the past month, what have you learned?
Day 30 - Your favorite song

Growing Pains?

Last night was rough. Kayson was up from midnight til about 2:30 upset... moaning and growning... and a couple times said to me "Leg" as he held his leg or pointed to it. Does that mean his legs hurt?? How are we suppose to know? That's hard. I did some reading this morning... and apparently, there's no real evidence that 'growing actually hurts'. Interesting!

Again, not sure if this was the cause of our moaning couple of hours, but it was my first thought. We did give him some motrin and didn't hear a peep out of him afterwards...

http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/aches/growing_pains.html#

Um...

It's Sunday night already... 10pm actually. I should be in bed... but have been doing a mish-mosh of not important things tonight... laundry (I suppose that's kind of important), eating ice cream and strawberries (yum), downloading new songs onto our iPods and listening to some weird people on the Grammy's.

We had a very nice weekend - besides the fact again... it's.Sunday.already.Yuk.

Saturday evening my sister, Trish & her family visited... we always have such a great time with them. Kayson was a tad crabby at first (after a rough afternoon nap), but soon 'warmed' up and was fun! I cooked... ha... cooked walking tacos. hahah... Double laugh. It was super easy and everyone loved it (well, except Miss Eden & Kayson!) Those darn young ones! After my family headed back north, we ventured out to watch Ryan's cousin, Jenna play some basketball at one of the Waukee Middle Schools. Wow - talk about awesome schools! Unbelievable. Jenna did an awesome job, it was fun to watch her - in between chasing Kayson up and down the halls maybe 50 times (or more)... But who's really keeping track!?

Today was another great day - our new precious nephew was baptized in Christ this morning. What a blessed day and what a great feeling to be a part of his life and see Blair & Martina grow with each new thing that Tate does and brings to them. Oh - what a life they have ahead of them!!! I am honored to be Tate's Godmother... and Martina's brother is his Godfather. We had a nice time - Kayson was very good at church/mass/whatever you call a Catholic service!! Then we had lunch at Blair & Martina's and just played for a couple hours... very, very nice day.

Again... it's 10pm. I'm already looking forward to next weekend - going to Clarion. Now - just make sure Monday thru Friday afternoon GOES FAST!

Five Question Friday

1. Would you rather be on ABC's Extreme Home Makeover or TLC's What Not To Wear?
This is SOOOOooo easy for me to answer! I LOVE LOVE LOVE TLC's What Not to Wear!!! I DVR it!!! That's how much I love that show. I love Stacy & Clinton - they are AWESOME and I get some GREAT ideas from the show (even tho I don't really apply them, cuz I don't have that disposable cash - but the ideas are stored in my brain!) I've said from the start of that show -- "I'd love to be nominated!" Maybe Ryan will nominate me sometime in my life! ;)

2. Do you have any tattoos?
Nope!

3. Do you tell your kids about things you did when you were growing up?
Well, since Kayson is pretty young still, I don't... but I have a feeling, both Ryan and I will have stories to tell him when he gets a little older. I have a feeling Kayson will be fiesty and fun enough to hear the stories that we have! ;)

4. If the traffic light turns to yellow - do you stop or speed up?
Oh gosh... depends on the moment. ha. That's probably bad to say! I SHOULD say stop, but there are times when I do speed up...

5. What is your preference: Chocolate or Chips?
Chips for sure. I love those Original Kettle Chips these days... yum yum!

Thursday Thoughts

I'm stealing this from a fellow blogger. Thought I would try this from time to time:

Outside my window... it's cold, but sunny! Which is nice!
Today I feel... feisty a little. I was SUPER tired this morning, but I've gotten my 2nd wind!
I am thinking... my muscles are sore from my workout today - damn you curtsy squats!!! My buns will feel it in the morning!
I am thankful... for my family.
Tomorrow I am going... go have lunch with a friend I haven't really seen in awhile! (Yea Jessica!)
I wish... it was a little warmer, so we could get Kayson outside more. I know I'm tired of being cooped up, I'm sure he is too!
This weekend... I get to see my sister and her family & Tate gets baptized!
I am reading... nothing. I don't read, unless it's a Parenting magazine.
I am working on... my body. Would like to get into shape before baby #2 is a bigger thought.
Yesterday I... spent the day with Martina & Tate! Loved it!
I am hoping... for a productive evening. Laundry to do and lots of playing for sure!
I am hearing... a mish-mosh of conversations around me... retirement plans... blah blah blah. ;)
One of my favorite things... is to watch Kayson sleep. So sweet.
My Valentine plans are... to spend it at home with Ryan and Kayson. (Haven't really thought about it until now!) Oops! Pretty sure Ryan's the same way. Oh well!

Day off... and Kayson

Today I spent the day with Martina & Tate. I took the day off (a much needed break from work) and drove to Nevada to spend some time with them. It was wonderful!

Tate is a wonderful little baby... and so adorable! Aunt Nell had a great time snuggling with him, feeding him, changing 2 poopy diapers (not sure if THAT was necessary), and just talking with him. He now knows how much his Aunt Nell loves him! We made a trip to Ames to Target, then had a nice lunch out too... Martina is doing great - a very relaxed Momma!!

It was a great day off!! I loved every second of it!

On to Kayson...
He's such a little pistol and joy at the same time! I know I've expressed this before in my posts, but that kids talks! He talks A LOT! Last night he was putting 5 or 6 words together and completely making sense and just carrying on a conversation with us. It is truly the most amazing thing ever (or at least so far!)

Ryan even sang the ABC song, and Kayson would say several of the letters with him or the next letter in line. I couldn't stop smiling!

He's also starting to really watch movies. We had gotten him his own little DVD player... and at first, it was a little iffy - only watching for about 10 minutes, then wanting a different movie... it was a little struggle. Over the past couple weeks, he's really gotten into the movies - pretty much only BARNEY. That damn purple dinosaur! ;) But man - he does entertain a 2 year old! Last night he watched it from start to finish - 50 minutes without moving. I was shocked!!

There's plenty more to 'boast' about with him... He's totally turning into a smart little toddler.

Our Saturday

We spent Saturday in Creston. A day trip to see family... and have some more family meet Tate. We had a very, very nice time... we played hard (Kayson wouldn't nap), we watched Ryan's cousin play basketball, we ate like crazy, and got to snuggle a little with Tate. It was a nice day!

Here are a few pictures of the day:
The Taylor's --- Very proud Papa Mike & Grandma JeanAnn. Two grandbabies!


Kayson - with his fishy face!


And Kayson with his Great Great Grandma Ann! (He's showing her his new tape measure!)

Five Question Friday

1. What do you think makes a good friend?
Lots of things, but to start off:
The fun route - I think a good friend is someone I can laugh with and be completely 'stupid' and silly with and vice versa.
The serious route - someone I can talk to, and even if I only want to talk a little (and maybe not tell everything at that moment), that person is STILL going to listen and be there for me... and wait for me to be ready to talk more.

Someone who is honest, but also has a 'gentle' honesty about them... they know how to ease into brutal honesty. (I'm a softy and my feelings get hurt really easily, so the 'gentler' the better!) Someone who cares about me - truely cares. Cares about my thoughts, my ideas, my family, etc. Someone who is not self-centered.

I have several really, REALLY good friends... and they are all so different too. (Which is so awesome - I get a taste of lots of different personalities and opinions!)

2. What is the last thing you bought and then regretted buying?
Oh probably clothes. I always THINK I NEED the clothes, and I probably don't really need them... it's more of a want to have something different to wear and look a little more stylish. ;)

3. Have you ever had a prank played on you?
Gosh, I don't know!!! I don't think so... or at least can't think of it right now!

4. What is your favorite theme park?
I don't have one. My family didn't travel when my sisters and I were little, so I have no idea what to expect with real theme parks. But I hope someday I will be able to experience Disney World with Kayson (and maybe another child down the road) and say that THAT is my favorite theme park!

5. Have you ever seen someone else give birth?
I have not. And to be honest, I think I would like to be a part of a friends' labor. Actually when Martina was getting really close to her due date, we talked briefly about how it would be neat to be a part of the experience - whether it's the full experience or just bits and pieces of the labor. I don't know... it's just a miracle and I think being a part of something like that would be a true blessing!

She ROCKS!

I'm talking about the director at our daycare. Big shout out to her!

4 weeks ago, Ryan and I signed Kayson up for an extracurricular activity at daycare - called JumpBunch. JumpBunch is an program that comes to daycare once a week and it's a 30 minute activity time where sports-oriented activities are introduced. Lots of time to work on hand-eye coordination and just improve basic motor skills. As a child gets older, more sports type things are introduced and so on. Ryan and I both that this would be a great 'extra' thing for Kayson! (Burn off some energy!)

Here's the run-down of how things have gone over the past 4 weeks:
Week 1 - Kayson attended - having a good time. Coach Kyle explained to me that he felt Kayson did really well (for being only 2) - he followed instructions and had a smile on his face! (We, as parents, were ecstatic!)

Week 2 - Kayson did not attend - had a FIT when Coach Kyle came to pick him up... didn't want to go.

Week 3 - Same as Week 2.

At this point, we were kind of confused... kind of at a lost - lots of different things were running through my mind. "He IS only 2 - we shouldn't push it." "But he had such a good time the first week!" "Maybe we should just remove him from the program and try it again in a couple months." "Maybe try getting one of his teachers to take him to the class, rather than him going solely with Coach Kyle and the other kids."

After lots of thinking and ideas being thrown out, I called the director/owner this morning and asked if she would assist. (I don't like going to her directly for some things as I know she's busy with other things, etc... ) When I told her that, she 'scolded' me and said - "You come to me for everything and I will get it taken care of!" She meant business!!! ;)

Week 4 (TODAY) - Kayson attended (with the director) and had a great time. I watched him on the webcam and he did do well... he participated and jumped around and looked like it was fun for him. I was SO happy. All I did was watch it and just smiled. That's an awesome feeling.

GO KAYSON!!!

Can I Brag?

Can I brag about the adorable new nephew we have? (Ryan should be boasting - his first nephew by blood!)

I took some pics of Tate last week. Here's a preview of some of my favorites:

Trying to stay WARM!

Wow, I can hear the wind gusting around the house... I can barely see across the street... it's just plain cold, and I can't get my feet to warm up!! ha.

Iowa (and much of the midwest) is experiencing some serious winter weather right now... blizzard conditions. Yuk is pretty much what I have to say about that!! I took off early from work today to get Kayson and I home safe. After doing the whole 'removing pants & diaper' thing a couple times, he FINALLY layed down for a nice long nap. I did a little work, and then rested... it was nice. Tonight we've just played and had a nice evening... we've been on the phone a lot tonight too - talking to Daddy (as he's travelling from Nebraska in this crap!)... and we talked to Grandma JeanAnn and even Hope & Aunt Tricia. That's always fun to see him talk on the phone - he get's pretty quiet, then he'll say something really well and loud too. It's so sweet! He just talks SO much, it's amazing!

I'm guessing I won't be going anywhere tomorrow (or at least not in the a.m.). I just hate the thought of getting Kayson bundled up to go out in this stuff... plus again, my feet - they just don't ever warm up!! ;) Either way, I just want everyone to be safe (and Ryan to be home!)

Here's a pic from tonight - he goes into the pantry and shuts the door yelling "It's dark!! I go hide!"... then he opens the door really fast saying "BOOO!" Priceless.