a little update

* Mason got his first shiner Saturday belly flopping in his crib. It is only black & blue around the outer edge of the eye.
* All three of us are sick with a stomach bug.
* Once I'm feeling better, I will upload some new pictures

With this ring, I thee wed

A little over a month ago, I went to take off my wedding rings before bed and all of sudden I heard a clinging sound. Something hit the floor, but both rings were in my hands. I frantically looked around to see what fell and then realized the diamond mounting was no longer on my engagement ring. I quickly picked up the diamond and ran into the living room to show Adam. He did his best to comfort me, but I couldn't fight back the tears.

I have always been so careful with my jewelry, especially my wedding rings. I didn't understand how it happened, but I knew I wanted it fixed immediately. We are fortunate that Adam's grandfather was the manager of Bailey Banks & Biddle in The Galleria for most of his career. Both Adam & his brother David have worked on and off at Bailey Banks & Biddle in Town & Country throughout their college breaks. So when Adam & I talked about getting married, we knew where we would be purchasing the rings. They have always treated our family like their family.

We made a call into Sue a few weeks ago and she said to send the ring by registered mail and they would take care of it. Sue called earlier in the week to let me know the ring would arrive on Thursday and wanted to make sure someone would be home for delivery. I have been anxiously waiting all day and it never showed. I didn't know if I should be worried or if I should just wait and see if it would arrive tomorrow. A little after 7pm, the doorbell rang and it was my ring! I couldn't wait to put it on. I felt bare just wearing my wedding band for the last month. It was so pretty and polished.

Extreme Blog Makeover

Everyone needs a makeover now and then and I thought it was time my blog needed a new look. I came across Jennisa's blog thru Suzanne Steece's site awhile back. I loved the look she brought to Suz's page and I immediately got on her waiting list. I absolutely loved the design Jennisa made for my blog. She is so creative and really strives to make sure you are happy throughout the entire process. If you need a blog makeover, visit Once Upon a Blog!

Easter and Birthday's

With a birthday and Easter in one weekend, it was bound to stay busy. Friday, Adam celebrated his 28th birthday. That morning, Adam unwrapped his birthday present from Mason. Since Adam is everything sports, I knew exactly what Mason could get him for his birthday. Awhile back, I came across a baseball display case in a catalog that looked very classic and sleek. I was able to get it monogrammed with his initials, which I knew he would like and he would be able to hang it on the wall. Mason was very happy that his Daddy liked the gift.

I had already given Adam his gift from me the previous week. This year we decided to combine our Anniversary and Birthday gifts into one big gift. I gave Adam a new set of golf clubs, which also came with a new golf bag. He really needed a new set for awhile and we had talked about it over Christmas. Adam loves to golf and with his new job, they ask that they entertain their clients once a week and most of the guys golf every Friday. Not only can he play with a new set, but if any of the guys visit, we will have an extra set of clubs whenever they hit the course.

After a long day of watching basketball, we headed out to a local Japanese Steakhouse for dinner. We sat at one of the hibachi tables, with another couple who also had a little boy that was 13 months old. The food was delicious and Mason had a great time watching the fire and the knives flying thru the air.

Easter Sunday we woke up at bright and early and got ready for church. I decided to give Mason his Easter basket before we left, so that I could get a couple of pictures. Target had the cutest Easter baskets this year. I was very excited when I came across a baseball basket, especially since that will be his room decor when he gets older. After church, our friends Ray & Marissa invited us to Marissa's sisters house for lunch. Mason had a blast playing with the other kids and afterwards, they had an Easter egg hunt in the backyard.

Looking at his Easter basket for the first time

Who is this for Mommy?
All smiles
Picking up Easter Eggs
Easter Egg hunt

Mason found 3 eggs
Mason decided to try the eggs...it's a good thing that one was plastic

The church we attend has an evening service and after the service, most of the couples from our Sunday School class gather at someones home to hang out. I invited everyone over to our home this week. I made chili, queso, and lil smokey's. We played the Family Feud game, guys vs. girls. The first game, the girls kicked the boys butt. However, they turned around and beat us the second time. It's starting to feel like this is our home. Don't get me wrong, Texas will ALWAYS be our home, but I don't feel like an outside in a new place anymore.

For the last several months, I have been praying that we would find a great church to get plugged into and also that we would meet new friends our age. God has been faithful in both areas. We love Valley Baptist for so many reasons and plan on joining next week. I have a peace about it and I trust this is where we need to be attending. The people we have met thru Valley are so sweet and we have some really cool new friends.

Switching churches has always been really hard for me, so having this peace is a great feeling. I grew up at Tallowood Baptist in Houston for years. My dad grew up going to Tallowood since he was a little boy and our family started going when I was really little. I remember my parents telling me that they wanted to visit the daughter church Tallowood planted, Kingsland Baptist, because it was closer to our home and I would be able to go to school with the kids I went to church with. At the time, I was 14 and I didn't want to switch churches. I loved my friends at Tallowood and I was pretty upset with my parents.

Most of the kids in the youth group at Tallowood had been members for years. We all grew up knowing each other thru Sunday School, choir and GA's. They had been my friends for a long time and I didn't want to leave them behind. I knew they had my best interest at mind, but my heart hurt saying goodbye and hello to the new. After awhile, I started making new friends and I grew to really enjoy Kingsland Baptist church. 12 years after switching, who would have thought that I would have gotten married at Kingsland by my youth pastor, who is now the pastor. (I am the only one in my family that didn't get married at Tallowood) I still visit Tallowood on several occasions...my sister still attends with her family and my grandmother is still a member. I guess God made room for more than one church in my heart and in my life.

PS.

The two front bottom teeth cut thru last night and Mason has two teeth (they came in at the same time)

Happy Birthday Honey!

Adam turned 28 today! God has given me a best friend who I get to spend the rest of my life with. Not only is he a wonderful husband, but he is an amazing father to Mason. I love you Honey and I hope you have a birthday to remember!

One of my favorite goofy pictures of us

And now a normal picture

yes, it's 5am

When Adam goes out of town, I have the hardest time falling asleep. I can be completely exhausted from the day and still won't be able to really fall asleep until the wee hours of the night. Usually I will have the bathroom light on, along with the hall light and the TV on in the background. I tend to have a vivid imagination and can dream up any kind of noise I hear is something horrible. So while sleeping with the lights on doesn't really help, it's better for my sanity and has become a routine every time he goes out of town.

It is currently 5am in Bakersfield and I was rudely woken up to the sound of the fire alarm. (Don't worry it didn't go off due to a fire or smoke in the house) The battery in our bedroom must be running low, so it decided to annoyingly beep at me until I got out of bed to exam the situation.

This happened in our apartment one time and we bought batteries to replace it, so I decided to look for batteries. Nope, we must have used them all. What could I do? I then proceeded to remove the battery in hopes of quieting the beeping, but still no luck. California law states that all fire alarms must be hooked up to your electricity. What's a girl to do? I didn't want it to wake Mason up, so I called my dad.

After he didn't answer the first time, I called my mom. Calling your mom at 4:30am your time will send her into a panic with worry. So after I calmed her down and explained everything was ok, I just needed to ask her a technical question, she was happy to help. Except we both were stumped on what to do. Of course, this has to happen when Adam is out of town and won't be returning until tonight. I told her I would try one more thing and then call Daddy back.

I went into our spare bedroom to get the battery out of the alarm in there and I would put it in our alarm. Now they both were beeping at me and I couldn't get it to stop. By this time my Daddy had called to help and that is when I realized it was hooked up to the electricity and I needed to put the batteries back in for now. Only, they both wouldn't go back in all the way. Luckily, after realizing I needed to turn the battery around, it closed.

Now only one will continue to beep until Mason wakes up and we can head to the store to buy batteries. Unfortunately, I'm stuck awake due to the periodic beeping in my room and the fact that it will take me forever to fall back asleep no matter how tired I am. It's a good thing Adam is coming home this evening because I need a good nights sleep.

Gifts and decor

Buying gifts for me isn't always easy, actually that is probably putting it lightly. I love receiving gifts and it is actually one of my love languages. However, my family has the hardest time buying gifts for me because I can be picky when it comes to gifts. Trust me I am always grateful, but I do have a couple of rules regarding gifts.

1. I love to be surprised! I know some people like to know what they are getting, but I enjoy the suspense.

* This means that I do not make lists for birthdays, Christmas, or anniversaries. I believe that if someone really knows me, then they know what I like and can be creative without me telling them what I want. Plus, I mention things here and there throughout the year of things I like.

2. I'm not a fan of gift cards...but I'll take them of course.
* I believe gift cards are an easy way out of making a gift personal. Sure the person can get what they want, but I personally prefer a personal touch. There are occasions when it is useful to receive a gift card, like a wedding or if you are having a baby. I have received plenty of gift cards and I don't mind them, I'm just not a fan.

3. I love the packaging of a gift.
*I try to put as much effort into wrapping the gift as I do purchasing the perfect gift. I get this from my mom. She always made our gifts so pretty and was very creative with the decorating of the gifts.

4. I don't like receiving clothes as a gift.
*To me clothes are more of a necessity and if I need something, then I will go buy it. Plus I am way to picky and usually end up returning it to get something else instead. In this case, I would rather you give me something else or cash, even though cash is similar to a gift card.
(The only exceptions to the rules are for my grandparents, aunts, and uncles!)

I really do love giving and receiving gifts, so don't be fulled by the rules. Obviously this is just how I feel about it and I enjoy the personal touch and thought put into the gift. But because I feel this way, it drives my family crazy at times.

This year I made it really easy for Adam for our anniversary and my birthday. I have been wanting to get my teeth whitened for some time and I thought now would be the perfect time. I did my research and decided to go with Britesmile. It was the only whitening procedure that didn't involve much time and also wouldn't leave my teeth sensitive afterwards or soften the enamel.

Saturday, we drove to Beverly Hills for my consultation. It was the closest location to Bakersfield and I didn't mind visiting "the hills". The procedure took an hour tops and I was very pleased with my results. My teeth weren't really dark, but I had discoloration from my braces and I also have decalcification on my teeth. I learned most people have this, especially if they live in a place that has fluoride in the water(Houston). My teeth went 9 shades whiter!

Before Britesmile

After Britesmile

Driving around Beverly Hills
While we were walking around "the hills" I joked that I wanted to see the Dr. Robert Rey's office from the show Dr. 90210. We watch the show and he always makes me laugh with the crazy suits he wears. Right as I said this, Adam pointed to the building across the street and said that it looked just like the building in the show. Sure enough, it was THE building.

Dr. Robert Rey's office (Dr. 90210)

Mason has been so close to cutting a tooth all weekend, so we didn't spend the entire day down in "the hills". Poor guy has been very clingy and had a bit of the sniffles since Friday. Unfortunately, Mason & I stayed home from church this morning while Adam went without us. I didn't want to run the chance of getting any of the other kids sick, in case it was more than just teething and I also didn't want Mason to get any worse.

We spent the afternoon and evening hanging curtains. Adam was a trooper putting up the curtain rods and by the end of the evening, he was a pro. After much thought, we have decided not to paint after all. I really would love to, but I didn't want to put all that effort or money into it, especially since this is just a rental house. If we owned the house, it would be different. Instead we have used different decorative pieces, pictures, and curtains to brighten up the house. We have finished with the kitchen and I am almost done with Mason's room. The living room and our bedroom are still works in progress.

The finished kitchen

Mason's room

Finsihed anchor

moved the crib by the window, which Mason loves

Still need to hang the wall hangings on the dresser, but I finished the wheel and the lighthouse

The oars...this is how they will hang on the wall, but I need to find either the right bracket or a longer nail. This will go above the dresser.

Sorry for the blurry pic

Master bedroom a work in progress

We added the pictures and the curtains this week

I just need to make the headboard, get new night stands and a new dresser for the room

weekend pics

It was a great weekend in the Kaye house. We accomplished so much and still managed to have some fun. Quick recap:

Friday

* haircut for me - i wanted a change and i had already colored my hair myself the previous weekend so that i could be a brunette again
* gave Adam a haircut - a little shorter than normal because i forgot to put the guard on, ooops:)

* comedy night at the church with a dessert bar

Saturday

* trip to Costco

* Nap for Mason
* quick trip to the grocery store
* purchased a new matress set for the guest bedroom
* home depot to look for hardware for the bookshelf

* office depot for Adam

* did some quick clothes shopping for me with some birthday money

* dinner and then home to relax

Sunday

* sunday school

* lunch

* took Mason to the park

* nap

* evening church

* dinner and hung out at Ray & Marissa's house (which included guitar hero and wii bowling - we want a wii now)

Mason & I on my birthday

Birthday flowers

This is one of the presents Adam gave me for my birthday - he made it:)

with my sweetheart

Mommy & Mason at the park
Adam & Mason at the park

Mason smiling even though the sun is too bright

just hanging around

one of my favs

on the slide

Mason trying on the sunglasses his Mimi sent him

birthday candles

Today is my birthday and I am definitely starting to feel a little homesick. I haven't had a moment like this yet and sure enough it has to happen on my birthday. I am so thankful for my loving family and wonderful friends that have made this day special for me, especially being away from home. I never really had to spend my birthday away from family, except in college and even then I was close enough where they could come up and see me.

Growing up, birthdays were huge in my house. It was your special day and you got to do what you wanted. In the mornings, Mama would make whatever you wanted for breakfast and for me that was usually french toast. We would open cards and presents at the breakfast table and my Daddy would usually sing "Happy Birthday" to me. He always had a way to make me laugh. In the evenings, I could either choose my favorite meal or we would go out to eat at my favorite restuarant.

I have had some memorable birthdays, but one in particular stands out. I was turning 13 and I had two friends spend the night from church, Lauren and Allyson. My mom brought out the cake and my dad came in from the garage with a blow torch to light the candles on my cake. All of us scattered and could not stop laughing at his sense of humor.

To my family, thank you for making each year even more special than the last. I miss and love you dearly and wish you were here to share this day with me, but I know you are here in my heart! To my fabulous friends, thank you for remembering and taking the time out of your day to share your love with me.

beaches

This past weekend, we decided to take a day trip down to the beach. California has so many wonderful beaches to choose from, so it was a hard decision. After asking around, we learned for a family day at the beach, Santa Monica was the place to go. We made sure to check the weather in advance, so that we weren't making the drive down to the coast, only to be greeted by rain.

Saturday morning, we woke up at 7am, that is normal in our house, and started getting ready for the day. I made sure to pack extra clothes for everyone, plenty of food for Mason, a towel and our sunglasses. Little did I know that we wouldn't need our sunglasses at all. The sky was overcast and it was a bit chilly outside. I didn't think to much of it, since the skies usually clear by mid morning and by that point we would be down at the beach. Besides, we checked the weather the day before, right? WRONG!

We weren't far into the drive before I realized that the weather wasn't getting much better. All of us were wearing shorts that day, I was in a tank top, Adam & Mason in polos. As we stepped out of the truck, I felt the wind whip around me and it was quite cold. There goes our plan to walk and hang out on the beach. What were we to do?

I didn't want the day to be a bust, so the next best thing was to drive down the "1" aka as the Pacific Coast Highway and take in the gorgeous scenery of the mountains and homes on one side, and the Pacific Ocean to our left. We did drive around Santa Monica and catch in the common stops.

This is the park along the Santa Monica boardwalk

Malibu is north of Santa Monica by about 10 miles. I was very excited to learn this, especially since I have heard that so many celebrities have homes located along the beach. I have an active imagination and I would point at a house and try to guess which celebrity lived in each house. Adam would play along, mostly just to amuse me. We did step out of the car for a short bit and get a few pictures. Decided not to go down to the water, mostly because it was so cold.

A building that looked like a ship

Some of the properties in Malibu

The coasts of Malibu

Malibu houses

Adam & Mason checking out the beach - which Mason LOVED!

Daddy & Mason

Mommy & Mason

Mason after a long day at the beach

Not bad for his first beach experience, even if the weather didn't cooperate.Of course as soon as we got back into Bakersfield, the sun came out from behind the clouds and shined brightly until it set at dusk. After a long day, we took it easy and had nice evening at home.

We had been looking forward to Sunday all week. It was our first time to visit our Sunday School class at Valley Baptist. We have been visiting the church, but haven't had a chance to go to Sunday School until that week. It was so great to socialize and meet people our age. Everyone in the class was so friendly and invited us to hang out with them that evening. Several of the couples have little ones, and there are quite a few Mason's age. That evening we went over to Ray & Marissa's house and sat around eating and chatting most of the night. I'm very excited about meeting new people and getting involved at Valley.

We finally decided on paint samples for the house. We plan on painting the living room Oyster Shell and the kitchen will be Mesa Verde. We aren't exactly sure when we will begin this process or if we will hire someone to do it for us, that is all up in the air. I hope soon, so that I can finish hanging pictures and artwork on the walls.

The top is Mesa Verde

The top is the Oyster Shell