2010 I'm Excited to Meet You

Dear World,

2009 was a bad year for us. There were more downs than ups. But there were good times too. We celebrated another year of marriage. We watched Aidan grow a whole year older and gosh that is so much fun. We witnessed friends getting married and lots of babies being born and many more are on the way! Most of all I think we learned a lot about ourselves, our family, and where we really want to be in the coming year. But Goodbye 2009. It's been fun, it's be real, but it hasn't been real fun.

HELLO 2010! It already sounds better. I'm going to make a few goals/promises for myself and my family this year and the list starts here...

I promise most importantly to be a better wife this year to my hubby. I am high maintenance (did I say that out loud) and I am going to work on it. I promise to cook more. Well, I promise to learn how to cook at all. Then I will do it more.

I am going to do as much mommy/Aidan stuff as possible because I love this job and I only want to get better and better at it. I am going to read more books on parenting. Aidan, don't shoot the messenger but you are my guinea pig. Everyone else will have it a lot smoother.

I am going to make myself a true schedule. One where I have laundry days and make time for little things for myself like pedicures and a couple of days a week on the elliptical (that already sounds dreamy).

I am going to commit to my faith. At this point, I don't really care if we go Catholic or whatever Adam is (jk I know he is Southern Baptist) I just think we need to bring God back in to our lives and I think Adam is on that page too. So, I'm going to do some research on the children's mass (sounds like we're going Catholic) and get us to church AT LEAST twice a month.

I'm going to do one thing this year that makes my family proud of me. I don't know what it's going to be yet, but when I figure it out I am going to do it up huge. Last year was my triathlon so you can see where I am going with this.

I think that's about it for now. It's quite a little list. Tomorrow I am going to do nothing all day (except take Aidan and Adam to get their hair cut and our dinner party at Natalie's) and Monday morning I'm going to get up and get to work. Wish me Luck. I will most definitely need it. Hopefully, I will have some interesting posts on my progress in the future!

Happy New Year Everyone, Love The Harvey's. See you in 2010!!!

Gross Gross and Gross

This is how I feel right now after eating for what seems like the past month. Any self control just went to hell once the holidays showed up. Holidays I hate you. So, I don't want to say it's my New Years Resolution to loose a couple of lbs. because I don't do resolutions, but I am going to try my best.

I am starting my completely cutting fast food out of my diet starting January 1 (please God don't let have a New Yrs hangover and need Bojangles). I think that's the first big step. No fast food WHATSOEVER!!!

I'm going to start planning meals again. On a calendar and shopping for my recipe only.

I can't pretend like I am going to do Weight Watchers because that whole point counting thing stresses me out.

I HAVE to get back in to working out. I went to a holiday party with some of the girls from my triathlon and I was glad to hear I wasn't the only one who hasn't put on a tennis shoe since the race but REALLY? I'm a triathlete. I need to get it together. Getting to the gym isn't as easy as it was when Aidan was just a little guy, so if anything, I am putting him in the jogging stroller and walking for 30 minutes. EVERYDAY. Ok, at least 5 days a week. Reminder: Get iPod back from mom.

Adam and I are going to only plan one night out a month where we eat out. Scary, I know. There will probably be tons of repeat meals around here but we have to do it, for the sake of our bank account and our butts (hubby is a skinny mini but I'm just sayin).

So wish me luck, we are a little ambitious but we are hoping to be able to last for the entire year! I am going to take it a month at a time and see how it goes.

Next step for the New Year, bye bye Blackberry's. More on that in my next post.

Dining Room Mini Make Over

I have been extremely burnt out on our dining room color for some time now. We painted it that color when we moved in to the house a little over three years ago. My girlfriend Candace and spent HOURS painting the gold and silver metallic stripes on the bottom. Before I knew anything about paint, we chose a semi gloss finish and I have been regretting it ever since. For Christmas, one of the things I asked for was for Adam to paint the dining room and kitchen. We got up this morning and we were on a mission. I have been dreaming about painting the dining room a soft turquoise color (Sherwin Williams Festoon Aqua) to be exact but when we got to Home Depot today, I had a serious change of heart. For those of you who know us personally, know that I have an addiction to redecorating every couple of months. Well, Adam and I have promised ourselves we aren't going to do anything different to the house in 2010 in an attempt to save some money. So, I needed this color to be perfect. And perfect it is. I absolutely LOVE how it turned out. I stole some items from other areas in the house and switched out the buffet lamps and Adam hung the picture everyone signed at our wedding that my parent's framed for us for Christmas this year. So without further adieu....

BEFORE

BEFORE AGAIN

AFTER!!! WALL #1

We had pictures of us taken as a family last year and we put them in these $5 frames from Ikea and hung them on the wall in this arrangement. After we got married I had a slight obsession with all things "H". I bought this one at Anthropologie and had yet to use it anywhere. I had Adam hang it above these pictures and I think it looks really good.

AFTER WALL #2
I am kinda bummed you can't see the picture of Adam and I in the middle of the frame here. It's a gorgeous photo of us at my girlfriend Natalie's wedding on Seabrook Island, SC. We had it matted and everyone signed it at our wedding. It's pretty hilarious to read what people write after a few glasses of champagne. I stole the lamps from the playroom and that is a bouquet that one of my bridesmaids carried during my wedding.

A LITTLE FARTHER BACK
The glass candle sticks are from Crate & Barrel and were a wedding gift. We use the CD player to listen to music when we entertain. Eventually, we are going to break down and buy an iHome and put it there but this works for now. I am also hoping to get rid of the black dining room chairs and get some ivory colored slip covered ones with our monogram on them . I did despise the chandelier but it's not sooo bad with the new color.

And yes I do realize I did not show you two walls and that is because we haven't hung anything on them yet and the window treatments are a work in progress. When we get around to it, I'll be happy to show you.

It's amazing what a few coats of paint can do to a room isn't it?


**Paint Color: Pencil Point, Behr Ultra**

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas Everyone! I know that's a day late but we were entirely too busy for a post yesterday. We spent Christmas Eve at my parent's (and didn't sleep) and opened presents there on Christmas morning. Aidan got more than he needed and still has things to open! We felt incredibly blessed to be able to be with our family and for all the wonderful gifts.

We are currently working on repainting the dining room so I have to run. I will post before and after pics soon!!! We hope everyone had a great holiday...bring on the New Year!!!

Where Have You Been, Girl???

I feel like I haven't posted in FOREVER. Really it's only been a week! We have been busy getting ready for the holiday. OK, who am I kidding. I have been busy getting ready for the holiday and Adam has been keeping Aidan busy for me. That's what nice husband's do.

One of our best friend's, Mike, has an adorable son, Ryland (who we love and do not get to see nearly enough!!) who will be turning 2 on Christmas. Crazy huh? He and Jesus, same birthday. We had Mike, Ryland and Chelsea (Mike's GF, who I went to high school with and well, LOVE) over for dinner tonight and to give Ryland his birthday present. We gave him a Power Wheel's 4 Wheeler. I am pretty sure he loves it. It's a boy toy for sure. Aidan, already had one so we took them out to ride on them. Here are a few pics of them on the quads and then a few pics of them in the "safety" goggles that came with Aidan's leaf blower and weed wacker. Some of these make me laugh so hard I could almost pee my pants. Enjoy and HAPPY TUESDAY! xoxoxo
P.S. Thanks Mike, Chels & Ryland we love you and had so much fun!!!

Aidan on the left and Ryland on the right.

Sweet Ryland trying to figure out how this thing works.

Aidan really wishing his battery wasn't about to die.

The boys holding hands in the driveway. They are going to be great friends.

Ryland was being shy and didn't want to look at the camera.

Safety Goggles

Buds

Possibly my favorite photo of all time! I am loving everything chubby about Aidan and those big blue eyes on Ryland! Such cutie boys!

Angel

"Aidan, I think you are an angel on earth."..."Thank you Mommy."

A Whole Lotta Who The Heck Knows...

This post isn't really about any one thing, just some updates about the Harvey's. MMMkay?

Well first, I have to share something funny with you. Funny to me anyways. Adam's grandfather lives about 5 blocks away from us but he is from Long Island, NY. He actually has a thick accent but to add to it, he's old so it makes it even better. So lately, Adam and I have been doing this Santa voice in Adam's grandfather's voice. To us, it is hilarious. I am thinking about video taping it and putting it on here. We say "Ho, Ho, Ho Merry Christmas, this is Santy Claus. I'm coming to Aidan Haaaavey's house this year."

Then, just tonight, I think we got a little "ghetto" with our accent. We are now saying "Ho, Ho, Ho Merry Crimas, yo dis be Santa Claus, I'm coming to my homie Aidan Harv's crib for Crimas. Hope he been good dis year."

I know, we need help. For some reason, we always do it in the car and we just die laughing. Aidan, has NO CLUE what is going on. He just laughs with us.

Secondly, we have OFFICIALLY decided we are not buying a Crimas tree this year. My parents were in Manhattan last weekend and they had yet to put up a tree. We bought a big tree for their house and decorated it as a surprise for them when they got home. They were thrilled!! My mom said the whole plane ride home she was dreading having to do her tree this week. Long story short, with less than two weeks left until Crimas, we figured we would just enjoy their tree with them. We stay at their house Crimas eve anyways. Aidan is enjoying the lights I put up on the mantel.

Thirdly and lastly, I still have NO CLUE what to get Adam for Crimas. I ruled out the basketball hoop. I NEED HELP PEOPLE! I am leaning towards a nail gun and air compressor. See, I told you, I NEED HELP! Happy Tuesday xoxoxoxoxox

Julie & Julia

Adam and I watched Julie & Julia last night. It was really cute. I could tell because Adam was asleep 30 minutes in. Haha. Jk. It was 1o minutes. Anyways, I think watching a moving about cooking gave me a little inspiration tonight. I decided I was going to make Rice Krispie Treats for Aidan and I MODIFIED the recipe. Ready for it...

Half a stick of butter
One bag of Marshmallows (The Big Ones)
and (here is the modification) 6 cups of Rice Krispies (not the usual 8).

Microwave butter for 30 seconds.
Add Marshmallows
Microwave again for 45 seconds
Stir until smooth
Add Rice Krispies
Pour into 9x13 pan lined with tin foil and greased
Let them cool (DO NOT put them in the fridge this will make them tooo crunchy)

GENIUS!! Ok, so yes, I understand this would mean that you would actually get LESS Rice Krispie treats BUT they will be more Marshmallowy (That is a word in my head).

Are you thinking what I am thinking? A cookbook in the making. Abra ca duh!

The Scarf

Aidan's must have accessory for the winter time. I bought him this scarf at Gap Kids and basically swore in my head, even though it was super cute, he would never agree to wear it. Well boy was I wrong!! He LOVES his scarf! He would wear it to bed if I let him. Mom's stop me all the time to ask me where I got it and all kinds of people mouth "I looooveee that scarf, soooo cuuuuuute" when we are out and he has it on. So, naturally I had to share some pics of him in it.

So Silly...

OK I know this is so silly but Adam has been out of town on business for two days and I am missing him like CRAZY. I know it's only two days. I can't imagine what the family members of people who go to war for month and years feel like.

I am so grateful to have my best girlfriends around to chitty chat with and somewhat fill the void of not having Adam home but JEESE. Am I sappy or what? I would have been asleep at least two hours earlier last night had he been here to tell me about his day and kiss me goodnight.

I never take advantage of the fact that he is usually here every night. There have been a few times in the past where he has been gone for two weeks at a time for work and I cried like a baby everyday he was gone. Those weeks did not fly by and Aidan was so small. I do enjoy my alone time with the little guy but even he missed Adam terribly. Every time a car drives by, he jumps up on the sofa, peers through the blinds and yells "Mama!! Dada Home!" It's depressing to have to keep telling him just a couple more days. It will be nice to get up in the morning and tell him Daddy's coming home today. I don't know who will be more excited me or him. It is nice too that Adam misses us just as much. When he calls you can hear the home sickness in his voice. Anyways, tomorrow we will all be back together and we have two Christmas parties to attend tomorrow night!!!

Christmas Party on the Blog

I copied this from a blog I read (http://leigh-onedayatatime.blogspot.com/ )
I thought it was really cute. It's a blog Christmas Party. Sort of! Copy the questions and put them on your blog. It's fun to read about everyone else. If you want to add some questions go for it!


Pull up a chair, grab a glass of wine(or a Diet Coke), find your favorite party dress and let's chat.

How was your year?
My year was good. I learned a lot about myself and about Adam. I found out that God has a plan and I don't have a say in it. So, we're going with the flow and taking it one day at a time.

What's your favorite part of the Christmas Season? Honestly, I love Simpson's Christmas Tree lot on King's Drive. We have been getting our trees there since we moved to Dilworth forever ago. Now, I get to take my own family and pick out our tree every year. I love Christmas music and the fact that the holiday brings people together.

What verse spoke to you most this year? Just recently I have posted this in a couple of places.
A blog friend sent it to me and it really hit home for us this year. Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

What's your favorite Christmas song? Hands down Jingle Bell Rock and then a close second is Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas (is you)". My mom and I love to listen to the Mariah Carey Christmas album while we decorate her tree every year and it is really fun to sing that to the hubby when it comes on.

What is one of your favorite childhood Christmas memories?
My Christmas's are so jumbled together these days. I do remember how nice it used to be to have our whole family together in one place at Christmas. When my grandparents were still alive. Those were the best Christmas's. I look forward to that with my family and my brother's future families.


I really do wish I could have you all over and we could just sit around at chat and laugh for hours. Merry Christmas Friends...can't wait for you to join the party. And if you are new around here and have been a bit shy to introduce yourself then do it now, what's a better way to get to know someone than at a Christmas party?

Sicky McSickerson

Aidan has been sick for over a week now. He had been out of school the week of Thanksgiving and just as he was about to head back last Tuesday, he woke up with a terrible cold. I could have sworn I heard him coughing pretty bad in the middle of the night but I wake up thinking I hear so many things. At least 3 nights a week I think someone is trying to break in to our house. That's a whole other post.

So anyways, I figured it was just a cold but after a high fever and sleeping on my chest for two whole nights, we took him to the Dr.. Don't you just love it when you go to the Dr. and you have something they can't cure. Yup! Just a cold, he'll have to ride it out. GRRRREAT. So out came the humidifier, the Tylenol, Benadryl & Motrin. Don't worry I am not trying to drug overdose my child, we alternate (Dr's orders). Today marks an entire week and a half with a cold. That's a lot of work for a family with a two year old. The poor guy has now learned how to carry around his own box of tissues and how to cover his mouth when he coughs. I am ready for him to feel better. Not so I can have my life back (we have been cooped up for a week) but because it is so hard to watch the little guy suffer when he doesn't really understand what's wrong with him.

He has managed to get a little bit of his personality back this week.

Getting a breathing treatment. He loves his Dinosaur mask on his nebulizer.

It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas...

On the blog anyways!!! I was trying to be blog savvy and created a new code for a new font (who knows if that's even what they call it) and I was so disappointed when my title didn't change! That's all I wanted. I just wanted "You, Me & The Kid" to be different. I guess I will have to settle with the ole handwriting font I now have EVERYWHERE but there. At least it seems to be everywhere. BTW, if anyone knows how to fix that PLEASE let me know!!!

Honestly, we have been a little lax around here with the Christmas decorating. Everyday we say we are going to get the tree but then something comes up. Friday, Adam worked late, Saturday we attempted to cheer the Clemson Tigers on to the Orange Bowl (that didn't go very well) and then yesterday I worked and rather than venturing out in the cold with a sick toddler, we decided to bundle up and head to McAdenville to see the Christmas lights. Readers not from NC...see here http://www.mcadenville-christmastown.com/. I should have taken some pictures but we were way too mesmerized watching Aidan.

I did manage to get my mantle complete this evening. So I do have one picture of that to show you for now. I also decided I would let Aidan try on his Christmas jammies early because he found them hidden (or stuffed in a bag at the bottom of our closet, whatevs) and wanted to wear them. I tricked him in to taking a picture next to his stocking by telling him that Santa needed a picture of him with his stocking so he knew where to put his presents. Needless to say, he bought it and his father and I better come up with some good presents. As of late, we have purchased one baseball bat and ball. We better get on it. I will post more pics of the tree when we get it! Happy Monday! xoxo

Our mantle. Yes, Adam now has a real fire burning nightly. We actually have four stockings but we're still a little family of three. Maybe next Christmas. ; )

If you don't say that's the cutest kid you've ever seen, your lying.

Sometimes We're Just Silly

A few second clip of Aidan and I being silly one night recently while awaiting Adam's return home from work. I hope it makes you smile. This one's for you MK. Don't worry I'll make a better one soon!!!

Adult Conversation

I was laughing out loud today thinking about some of the conversations Adam and I have. This is the interesting life we lead:

ADAM YELLING AT ME FROM THE LAUNDRY ROOM
Adam: BABE! BABE! BABE!

Me: Yes hunny?!?!

Adam: Did you buy more Spray and Wash?

Me: Yes.

Adam: You are the greatest. I thought that stain on my blue shirt was here to stay.


LAYING IN BED THREE NIGHTS AGO...YUP THAT'S RIGHT A SATURDAY.
Adam: I think it would be fun to watch a xmas movie tonight.

Me: Oh yeah, that would be fun...What do you want to rent.

Adam: Zzzzzzzzzzz



TONIGHT IN THE KITCHEN
Adam: Are you cleaning Aidan's car seat?

Me: Yes, like crazy! Wasn't it getting gross.

Adam: If you consider being worried every time you buckle him in that you might catch something...gross. Then yes it was.


A FEW WEEKS AGO UPON MY RETURN FROM TARJAY
Me: Hey Babe Guess What?

Adam: WHAAAAAT?

Me: I bought us a new body wash and it smells AMAZING.

Adam: Nothing like an amazing smelling body wash.

Me: It tingles.

Adam: Did you get me a new loofah?

Me: I did! How did you know?

Adam: I just get you.

WHILE SAYING GOODBYE TO OUR FUN, SINGLE AND FABULOUS FRIENDS AT THE BAR ON THANKSGIVING NIGHT:

Friend to Adam: Hey Man, it's been really good seeing you, Happy Thanksgiving again. (HUGS)

Adam to Friend: Likewise Man. April and I were just saying how much we miss getting out with everyone.

Friend to Adam: Then why are you leaving so early? Gotta get up early to head to Bed, Bath & Beyond or Something??

Adam to Friend: Hahahaha. No, Pier 1 to pick up some place mats April bought.

Friend: Silent

Adam: Oh you were joking.

Me: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA






Just for the record...both of us are in agreeance, we wouldn't change a thing.