Good me v Bad me

I dream about living in the woods. Just myself and my family. I'll work a full time job to furnish heath care to the family. Rich can have his workshop where he does specialty timber-frame jobs and makes beautiful furniture. The kind with the animal feet.

We will live off the land. Have a lavish garden, two moo cows, a goat and some chickens. And a few apple trees. I'll make our clothes out of old curtains and miscellaneous fabrics. I know it would feel so good provide for ourselves. Work in the garden to enjoy tasting the reward of your time. We'll cook every night and have a family dinner. Always composting. No TV. Living a frugal life and minimizing our global footprint. And we'll have a few trails on the property.

I like living Charlotte. Shopping is fun. I love socializing with friends and family. Beer's are good and so is being on the dance floor. I like running on the sidewalks. It is convenient to have three targets and five grocery stores with in 5 miles of my house. And a 100 restaurants, every food genre you want is a step out the door. I like dressing up, wearing heels and feeling sexy. It's fun to spend money and have nice things.

I'm having trouble finding the median.

Growing Up

Nolan is now a little over two. It is crazy how time goes by so quickly. It seems like just a few months ago I was giving him baths in his tiny, blue baby bathtub, resting in the kitchen sink! Once, I had taken Nolan's diaper off in the bedroom and walked him in the kitchen, and I hear a sound of something hitting the wall... Well, it was Nolan's pee-pee spraying against the wall!!! A big stream. Across a photograph on the wall, our dinner trays.. I learned my lesson.

Now, Nolan is running around the yard, getting "boo-boo's" then demanding we put a "ban-aid" on the barely-there scrape or strawberry. Sometimes I give in because it is needed. but most of the time I resist, explaining one is not necessary.

He calls for Rich, without saying "Daaad" but instead exclaming "Rich, Rich! Rich Reif!" I MUST start referring to Rich as Dad...

Nolan and his cousin Keely are the best of friends.. Nolan is always asking to go to "Kee-Kee's house."

Oh how time does fly...

Feist and Others..

I was browsing iTunes for music when I came across Feist. There were soooo many days while Rich was at work and Nolan was just a tiny, tiny newborn and he would cry, and all I had to do was put on Feist, "My Moon, My Man" and he would drift off to sleep. I would sing that song over and over, and I don't know why, but it just soothed him to sleep. He also liked, Billie Holliday, "Our Love is Here to Stay." That is the song Rich and I had our first dance to after we got married :) There is one more song I remember in particular, Jolie Holland's "Do You?" These are all random songs I happened to be into at the time Nolan was born, but somehow or another they helped soothe my sweet Nolan off to sleep :)

Lazy 5 Ranch

Gigi and Papa had a brilliant idea to take Nolan to a drive through zoo called Lazy5 Ranch. Rich and I were lucky enough to be invited. It was unlike anything I have ever been to as an adult.

A group of about 20 other adults and children stepped up onto a wagon.. yes, a wagon, pulled by two horses. There were quart size buckets filled with feed which the animals would gallop toward. We were not allowed to get off the wagon to feed the animals or allowed to feed the ostrich with our hands. I even had several reports of ostrich bites from friends.

The ride was about an hour long, and after around 20 mintues Nolan started to become okay with the idea that animals were running full speed at us, as long as they stopped, and ate peacefully.

They have a random variety of animals at the ranch. My favorite was this giant cow. I don't know what kind of cow it was, but it was the size of a small army tank. Really. Nolan liked the giraffes, kangaroos, and camels.

Working!

So, I found a job! I'm working at a bank as a teller and as a retail banker. I really like it! Everyone at my location is so great, helpful and patient while I learn. I am almost finished with my first month. I have learned SO much, but there is SO much more to learn and I am constantly asking questions. This is the first time I've had a job in over two years.

I have missed Nolan! My shifts now are late afternoon into night, so I usually miss his bedtime five days a week. When I wake up with him in the morning, I just want to exclaim, "You grew an inch last night!" His facial features are also traning. He is such a toddler.. no baby anymore! He is also through with his passie (thank goodness)!

Nolan is allllll about dad right now too. Anything dad does Nolan wants to be right there. I'll tell Nolan I'm going to get him milk, give him a bath, change his diaper, etc. and he says. "No, Daddy do it!" I'm like REALLY? haha. Well I guess I was the one he mostly wanted for the first two years of his life.. so I guess dad can have a turn ;)

Today, Aunt Winter asked Nolan if he was a baby and he said, "No, I'm Nolan." I know it doesn't seem like a big deal, but I just want to remember some of the cute things he says! We're having fun on rides in my car right now, because my radio died! At first I was like, ahhh bummer. But, it has ended up being good for Nolan and myself. We name the colors of the cars, talk about the different trees and the colors they are blooming. We name the trucks: dump trucks, cement trucks "big" trucks. He is SO into trucks and planes. We're living near the airport so we see lots of planes too.

All in all my baby is growing SO MUCH. I am so blessed to have a darling, healthy boy and a caring, supporting (and hot) husband!

Oh Nolan...

Oh Nolan, how you have grown and changed and you are saying everything now!! I don't want to forget this time in your life because it is so exciting. You are changing everyday.

After your second birthday you just took off talking. You can say everything now! You repeat everything we say. You recognize every picture in books.. and if you happen to not know one, you demand I tell you! You know all your colors, pronounced: ed, puple, buu, geen, orange, ink, yeawo, etc. I love to hear you say them. You can say every letter in the alphabet! You are so great at puzzles. Tractors and trucks are by far your favorite things. You had a John Deer cake for your 2nd Birthday.

My favorite thing right now, is when I say, "Do you want mommy to hold you?" You pick up my arm and say "Hold you, Hold you" and put my arm over your tummy. You are such a cuddle bunny. Your dad always wants you to sleep with us!!

I love you babys!

Yoga Tonight

I decided to go to yoga tonight to unwind after a busy day. I usually don't take the time to enjoy the few minutes of relaxation and visualization at the end. Well, I did tonight and I was brought to tears. I wasn't sobbing or anything, but tears were just rolling down my cheeks as I lay there on my back. Reminiscent crying you could call it.

I went back to when our family lived in the mountains and we had Josh, the dog. We would go on our nightly hike to the gorgeous Todd Park a few miles down the road. We would cut through the overgrown weeds to the river and skip stones. Rich even mastered skipping with Nolan in the baby bjorn. Rich would always hit the rock sticking out of the water about 20 feet away. I hit it once!! And, Josh would wade knee high in the water, his nose taking in the clean mountain breeze. I pictured Josh running around in the tall grassy field, just enjoying life.

It was just such a great time in my life. So happy. Nolan was still a baby, and always content outside. If he was screaming inside and I stepped outside, he was immediately calm. I wonder if it's because I walked a mile everyday when I was pregnant. He was comforted by the silence of the mountains and the birds chirping, perhaps?

I am so thankful for those memories. I know we have many more to make :)

New Chapter

On Monday, Rich found out he had two more weeks of work. The Holder Brother's are downsizing. They told him the only way their company could possibly survive in this economic downtime is to take on everything themselves. Rich and I were both shocked. We moved here for this job. We've been in Monroe for 14 months and I was just beginning to feel like I had my footing here. It feels like the wind has knocked me off my feet. Four weeks before Christmas, two days before my 26th birthday. Just an outright shock--no warning signs.

Although I feel like everything I have grown to know will disappear in 15 short days, I can only imagine what will be in store for us in the coming months and years. We don't have a lot of money, but we have our health and each other. This is what truly matters.

First Baptist Church of Monroe

I've been praying alot lately for God to guide me to the right church. Today I felt that he led me to the First Baptist Church of Monroe.

I arrived about five minutes before the service started, sat about midway down in the pews. No one spoke to me, one person smiled. This was not a very big church and I felt like it was clear I was a visitor. The praise and worship band started singing and we all stood up and joined in. I enjoyed this part; I always enjoy a good praise song. The pastor stood up and asked the congregation to look around and greet new faces and speak to one another. I stood up, and being the odd (wo)man out, I was excited to meet some of the church members. Well, I waited and looked around, and no one spoke to me or made eye contact. Around me, everyone was hugging and laughing and talking and I stood there alone, quiet and shocked. I could feel the tears come to my eyes. Right as the band began to sing a man came up to me and shook my hand and told me his name.

After the song, a woman came to the podiem and ironically talked about the word "connection" for a few moments. She said how as christains it is so important to connect with new faces and really be a connecting factor in someones life. This is of course ironic because no one connected with me.

We sand a song or two, the offering was given and the sermon began. The sermon was by the associate pastor today, as their senior pastor was at a conference. He spoke of the Lord's Supper. The sermon was informative. I was hoping for something a little more. We sang another song and everyone began to collect their things and head out.

A couple was standing at the end of my pew, waiting, and I smiled and thought they were going to speak to me! I was wrong. I stood there and they just looked at me blankly and then they finally said, "Um, can we get by you?" Again, I could feel the tears coming. It was everything I could do to get to the car before I started crying.

Needless to say, I was extremely disappointed. Here I am coming to the house of God, looking to find a christian home and no one welcomed me. When I got home I realized it was just God's way of saying this is not the right home for you. When you are looking to find a home, you don't just take the first one you find. You do your research, you go and visit, it's trial and error. And then, you are successful, you find your new home and it is a perfect fit.

I can't wait to find my new home.

Children's Museum of Atlanta

Last week Polly and I took Lily Kate and Nolan to Atlanta for a visit to the children's museum. The kids had such a great time!!

Nolan immediately ran to the oversize lego's and building blocks. This is where his perma-grin began. The child did not stop smiling. He next payed a shot trip to the sand "bar." BUT his favorite thing by far was the real John Deere tractor! Nolan did not want to leave it, other children were trying to play on it as well and I had to drag Nolan away from the thing. I finally got him to check out the "rainforest" area where he could do some magnetic fishing in his raincoat.

We will go back for sure. It was such a great place and it's free while the children are under two!

Rich's 35th Birthday

We spent Rich's 35th Birthday in the NC mountains! Our family along with Rich's parents, his sister, her fiance and my mom were all there. It was so great to spend time with family. Rich got a Kelty backpack that holds Nolan. He was eager to try it out so we took a hike on the Boone Fork Trail off the Blue Ridge Parkway. After we had hiked a mile or so we walked down the creek and let Nolan play! Aaron and Rich skipped stones while Nolan threw rocks and played in the water.

Saturday morning Dick and I went on a bike ride along the New River on Railroad Grade Road. I wish I had pictures! It is one of my favorite rides and one of the prettiest I have been on.

For dinner we had delicious steak kabobs, roasted potatoes and corn right out of my parents neighbor's garden. Everything was delicious. Our friend John joined us for dinner, it was great to see him. We ended the night by playing Apples to Apples--it is a hilarious game that I suggest trying with your friends!

All in all it was a great weekend with family. I hope we can do it again this fall or sometime next year.

Venture into Sewing

Ever since Sewing 101 in high school I've always wanted to do more with it. My grandmother gave me an old Singer for Christmas a few years ago. I never took the time to learn to use it. I can't even remember how to thread the bobbin (I think that's what it's called!)

Rich has been encouraging me to look for sewing classes and tonight is the first time I've actually done it! I found one that meets once a week for a month, 2 1/2 hour long meetings. It's called The Sewing Institue and it's one Lady who hosts classes at the Hobby Lobby in Conyers. I'm not exactly sure how far that is from here, but I don't think it's more than hour. The classes are reasonably priced, so I've decided to take the classes in August or September. I'm so excited!!

I want to be able to make accessories as well as clothing. I'm hoping that eventually I will be able to sell things on www.etsy.com . Anyway, I'm super excited about it!

Oak Island 2009

Trip to Oak Island, NC was a real blast! It was great to see family from St. Louis as well as spend time with Rich, Nolan, my Sister, her Boyfriend, Mom and my Grandmother. There is nothing like relaxing and catching up with family.

Nolan was unsure of the beach when we first arrived. The ocean is such a scary thing for a little boy. It's like staring into infinity. Nolan didn't like the texture of the sand either! Once we gave him his beach wagon with toys he became brave and took off running on the beach front. The first time Rich and Nolan waded slowly into the ocean a wave surprised them both and took Nolan under!!! Luckily, Rich was holding onto Nolan hands and all was fine. Surprisingly, Nolan still ventured back into the ocean with Dad.

The pool was a different story, Nolan was quick to play. He had a bright yellow float for the deep water and loved playing in the wading pool. I also preferred the pool to the beach!

We enjoyed homemade ice cream one day and loved visiting South Port, a quaint town on the Cape Fear River. We had dinner at Fishy Fish, a restaurant on the water front.

Sis, Bradley, Rich and I enjoyed a few nights out at this tiny bar, the Pirates Deck! We became friends with the bartender and even made it onto her picture "Wall of Fame." I had my frist Shock Top and LOVED IT. But I always enjoy a belgian white.

Basically, I can't wait to do it all again next year!!!

Baptism

On Sunday, March 15th Nolan was baptized at Christ Lutheran Church in Charlotte, NC. It went really well! Nolan went to the pastor (Scott) with no trouble. When Scott started sprinkling water on his head Nolan acted like everything was cool. I figure he associated it with bath time. We got a baptism certificate and a baptism candle; we're supposed to light the candle every year on March 15th and have a commemorative dinner and recognize the special day.

After the church service my mother-in-law, Toni, had a special luncheon for Nolan. It was so fun. The adults enjoyed conversing and eating while Nolan and his cousins were running in and out of everyone's legs. We had mini-sandwich's, strawberries, pineapple and veggies marinated in italian dressing--delicious! For desert, my mom made an amazing chocolate cake topped with almonds and chocolate icing. I love having my family and Rich's family together. We're so lucky everyone gets along so well!

There are so many amazing pictures from the luncheon, but I'll only post a few. The pictures are as follows: our family; Nolan with his godparents; Nolan with Rich and Uncle Mike. Thank you to everyone who made Nolan's day so speical.

Walker and a Talker

Yes, Nolan is walking! He started walking last Wednesday! It was so exciting. He took 18 steps, and my Mother-in-Law one was like "That's walking Kathryn!". Now, he is all over the place! He can walk the whole length of our house, at the grocery store, mall and outside. It's so neat. Every time he takes a step I am still amazed.

No, Nolan is NOT talking. But he babbles all the time. "Bwah Bwah Bwah" is his favorite staying. He gets a lot of "MaMa's" and "DaDa's" in there too. He is learning that objects have names. He knows fan, book, ball, cat, cow (in a book), eebee (a book character), pass pass. He is pointing at things he wants, like his sippy cup.

We spent the afternoon outside. Enjoy the photos!

Sick Baby

Tonight I freaked out a little bit. Walton county was under a tornado warning, it was hailing outside and the lighting was unbelievable. Nolan had a temperature of 102.6 degrees and looked completely out of it. He had been vomiting all day off and on. It was scary. He's never even had a fever. We gave him some infant motrion and it brought it down to 101.5. He started to feel better after that. He started babbling and crawling around again. SHEW what a relief.

I'm learning so much with this baby. It's frightening but it's so good for Rich and I to go through these experiences together. We lost our satellite signal and it's still thundering outside, but I don't think we're under a tornado warning anymore. Rich is in the bed with Nolan asleep. I think everything's going to be okay. Goodnight.

Over Valentines Day weekend Rich and I went and visited Boone, NC. This is where Rich and I went to school at Appalachian and where we had baby Nolan! We had such a great time. We had beers with old friends and went hiking on our favorite trails.

These pictures are from Sims Creek Trail. The first one is a view of Grandfather Mountain.














Here's a good swimming hole off of the Boone Fork Trail. Swimming holes will be missed tons this summer!









Here are some pictures of Hebron Rock Colony:

Broccoli and Cheese Soup

Tonight we had a broccoli and cheese soup with salad for dinner. It was the best broccoli and cheese soup I have ever had. To give credit, it's from the Mast Farm Inn cookbook. The Mast Farm Inn is a very nice bed and breakfast in Valle Crucis, NC. Rich used to wait tables and cook breakfast at the Inn. Most of the recipes from the book are too complex, but this one is simple and so delicious.

1/2 cu. butter
1 bunch broccoli, cut into bite size pieces
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 cu. flour
1 tsp. dry mustard
1 tsp. salt
3 cu. milk
2 cu. chicken broth
1 cu. cheddar shredded
1 cu. colby & monteray jack shredded

1. Melt butter in 3 qt saucepan. Saute broccoli and onion until broccoli is tender-crisp
2. Combine flour, mustard and salt in small bowl. Add to saucepan. Gradually add milk and broth and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thickened.
3. Reduce heat and gradually stir in 1 1/2 cu. of cheese
4. Divide remaining cheese and sprinkle some on top of soup in each bowl before serving.

Personal Modification:
-the recipe called for Jarlsburg cheese, but I used the ones listed above
-i used white onion

ENJOY!

She's a He!

Rich went to the doctor today for his neck. The doc said the strain could have happened from lifting too much weight. She said he is having muscle spasms; she prescribed six weeks of physical therapy. Rich's profession makes me worry about him. Manual labor is hard on your body, and I don't think he realizes it. However, timber framing is something he enjoys and he's good at it.

A nice lady was talking to Nolan and I while we were at the doctor today; she was commenting on all the noise Nolan was making shaking my tic-tacs. I told her he is really fond of shaking things. She said, "She is so pretty!" I said, "She's a he!" She laughed and said, "Excuse me, well he is so pretty!" I told her I knew it was the long hair and laughed. I just can't cut his hair! It's so pretty. My favorite hair time is after he has a bath and it's super curly (like tonight!). His hair is so adorable--he's so adorable. I dress Nolan manly. I guess the hair just throws people off. Oh well.

Long Overdue

Nolan's first birthday party was so fun! We went to dinner at The Globe in downtown Athens. Neither Rich or I had been there, but there were great reviews, so we decided to give it a shot. The reviews were spot on! The whole family loved their meal, even Nolan, who had a grilled cheese sandwich. When we got home we sang "Happy Birthday," and he tore into his cupcake (the ones Rich made!). We opened presents and he got all kinds of great gifts: an Elmo live (this thing is crazy), a tonka truck (that he can ride), adorable blue robot pajamas, maracas (which he loves), ASU overalls and a tool set puzzle. Even though Nolan got all these cool gifts, he was most interested in a multi-color swirly ribbon on his present.

Yesterday, Nolan took three steps on his own. This is the first time he had taken more than one step. He was standing alone and I stretched my arms out and said "come here Nolan," and he came! I was ecstatic! Unfortunately, it did not happen again today. So we will just have to try more and more to get those little feet walking!

Nolan had his first trip the park today. It's so nice we have a park 1/2 a mile away; we just took the stroller out and walked. He loved the swing and when Rich would help him down the slide.

Rich's poor neck is killing him! He thinks he slept on it wrong, but it's been hurting since Friday morning. It's one of those pains where you can't turn your neck right or left, up or down. We've been using ben gay and ibuprofen, but it's only temporary relief. He might have to go to the doctor tomorrow. If you have any remedies for neck/upper back pain please share!

And me.. I'm good :)