Just to clarify

I noticed that in the last post, I didn't really make myself clear. I'm not mad that the air conditioner is actually out, I'm frustrated that we have a home warranty (for the first year of living in this house, unless we decide to renew it) and they won't do anything about our air conditioner because it is technically still running. Not cooling our house, but still running. I called the warranty complany again today to try to reason with them and give them my sob story, and they didn't really care. I'm annoyed that we paid for a warranty that really isn't doing us any good. I wish they would come spend an hour in our house at about 5 pm. It is really not fun. And its supposed to be 102 tomorrow and 104 on Saturday. I could cry just thinking about it. Anyways, thank you so much for all the suggestions. Right now we are weighing our options (and counting our pennies :) and I'll keep ya posted on what we do.

In other news....I'm just having a plain bad week. Saylor is super fussy, has been for about a week. I can't really figure out what it is, other than a mixture of getting her upper molars and being just plain uncomfortable from the heat. Honestly, I'm uncomfortable too and don't have much patience right now. However, I'm currently reading Love and Logic Magic, so hopefully we can work on some of these tantrums.

But, Kellen and Tana move here this weekend and that's great news! I might be spending a lot of time hanging out in their air conditioned house until we decide what to do about our dilemma :)

One more thing--I just can't believe Michael Jackson is dead. I loved his music, his older music at least. He was definitely an odd duck. But he WAS the KING of pop! He will be missed.

Im steaming....

LITERALLY.
Last week our air conditioner quit cooling our house. It was still barely blowing air but in the afternoon it gets into the 80's in our house! It is miserable to say the least. I called last week and someone finally came out today to look at it.....just to tell me that everything was working fine, we have an old unit, and that is just as good as it's going to get in the middle of the summer in Oklahoma City. Are you kidding me? My poor child can't take a nap without waking up sopping wet from sweat! I can't run our dryer during the day, I have to wait till the middle of the night when it's not so hot. I also have to wait till really late to dry my hair so it doesn't just heat the house up that much more. That IS NOT ok with me! The repairman told me that we could buy a whole new unit, but the inside ductwork would have to be done too because there are new standards on ACs now, blah blah blah and all that would cost SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS and up! So, that's not gonna happen.
PERFECT. I'm mad, frustrated and really tired of sweating and I just can't imagine living like this all summer. Just had to vent.....I'm off to Walmart to get some more fans.

17 months ago...

You were this happy to meet your precious baby girl.....and you still get that giddy look on your face every time she calls your name!

Today I am reminded how blessed I am to have such a wonderful man as my husband and as Saylor's daddy! I love what a great example you set for our daughter, I love that you are constantly praying for her, I love how much you truly enjoy her and LOVE to hang out with her, and I love how much she has you wrapped around her little finger! It is such a joy for me to see the bond that you two share.

You are such a great Dada and we love you so, so much! Happy Father's Day

Friends

Our very dear friends, Ross, Missy and their little boy, Reid came to visit for a few days! We had so much fun with them and miss them so much! That Reid is ALL BOY, full of energy, and as tough as nails! He is already a little athlete and can throw a football way better than I can. It's amazing the difference between boys and girls--or maybe my girl is just super prissy, I'm not sure! He and Saylor are 5 1/2 months apart and it is so fun to watch them play together. (They were supposed to best buds, and still live right down the alley from each other--but the Lord had other plans :) And Missy has another boy on the way due to make his arrival in about 8 weeks. She is going to have her hands full with these little guys--so they were getting a quick little vacation in while they still could!

We went and saw some sites of Oklahoma City while they were here, but the heat was almost unbearable. These Amarillo peeps (us included) are not accustomed to this HUMIDITY. It is torture!

Here are a few pics from our day today:

Ross and Reid on the river ride in Bricktown

Missy and Saylor on the river ride

Reid driving the boat at Bass Pro Shops
Missy and Saylor
Saylor driving the boat

They were exhausted from all the fun and the heat

(Please excuse Saylor's bulging diaper--we were making them drink lots of water)

Still completely out

And tomorrow, Saylor and I are heading to Amarillo for a few days! I'm having a really fun week full of friends and family--just how I like it!

One year ago...

Tomorrow marks the one year anniversary that we left our home in Amarillo, said farewell to our family and friends, and became nomads for over 5 months. Wow, what a year it has been! And I know that I mention this situation a lot—but it was seriously a slightly traumatic time in my life. Sad, I know, I have lived a pretty quiet and sheltered life and this rocked my world. But, also don’t judge me until you have done it. It didn’t sound too bad to me either when I was preparing myself for it, and then I actually lived like that for almost half a year—it was insane! I have learned so much since this time last year….

I learned that I really, really hate hotels. They are filthy—regardless of how they LOOK! I’ve seen how they clean them, ewww!

I learned it’s really hard to move, pack, and unpack boxes—especially with a baby. We did it 6 times in a matter of 5 ½ months.

I learned that I am a pretty selfish person.

I learned that long distance car trips are NOT fun with a baby and dog, but they could have been so much worse. At least Saylor was still at the age that she slept a lot. It would be pure torture now!

We learned that Samson can stay inside the house when we leave. Obviously we didn’t have a backyard to put him in when we left and we soon realized that he does not chew, pee, poop, or destroy anything at all if you leave him alone with Animal Planet on. Now that he has a backyard again, he refuses to stay out there for more than about 20 minutes at a time. We have a very high maintenance Labrador.

I learned that I am not as tough and independent as I thought I was.

I learned to make baby food in a hotel kitchenette—not fun! That didn’t last long. (and Saylor gagged at my baby food anyway—I thought it tasted just like the Gerber kind—she did not.)

I learned that I relied on my friends and family a lot.

I learned that the house you bring a baby home to will always hold a very special place in your heart.

I learned that you really can get tired of eating out, even at Cheesecake Factory. I am an eating out kind of girl! I like it. Or maybe I just really dislike cooking. But I was so ready to have some home cooked food when we finally got settled. (Don’t worry, I’m back to my old self now, though.)

I learned that no matter where you are, hotel or not—being together as a family is what truly matters.

I learned of the greatness that is Panera Bread and their Strawberry Poppyseed Salad! YUM.

I learned that I love being home with Saylor every day. She keeps me laughing.

I learned that I like blogging. It has become my outlet. It keeps my family informed. And, most importantly, Saylor will be able to look back someday and hopefully get some kind of idea of how much joy she brings to my life!

I learned that it’s really fun to go to the grocery store—or really anywhere for that matter—in places you don’t know anyone. You can literally crawl out of bed, look a complete mess, and not have to worry about running into ANYONE! It’s awesome!

I was reminded that God is Faithful, He answers prayers, and He provides.

I was reminded that my relationships with my close friends and family are so very precious to me.

I was reminded that no matter how old you are, or how far away—You always need your mom! Especially when you are a new mom yourself.

I was reminded that my husband is a very patient, understanding man.

I know that my marriage is stronger!

I know that this girl will ALWAYS, ALWAYS be a Texan at heart.

I know that I have so, so much to be thankful for.

I know that I am a better wife, momma, and believer because of our adventures!

Our little family the day we left last year--wow, how my baby has changed!!

My family (minus my mom) the day we left.

So I've created a monster...

Miss Saylor hates to be dirty! I honestly don't think it's a problem and I prefer to believe that it is not my fault--however, Mas begs to differ.

Saylor is absolutely loving playing outside every day, but if she falls down, dirt or "diwt" as she calls it, sticks to her sweatly little palms. She refuses to continue playing until I get it all off. I've tried to toughen her up and tell her "it's ok, it's just dirt, you're fine". She isn't having it! (And I'm not complaining.)

Here she is telling me that her hands are dirty

Then later, she was telling me that her foot got dirty. See how concerned she is! he he
And here are a few more of my girl playing outside. WE LOVE SUMMERTIME!

Daddy's little girl

So, my precious angel that used to LOVE, and I mean LOVE her Momma, is now officially a Daddy's girl. It's actually been very official for about a month now. She wants him to change her diaper, read her a story, sing to her before bed (really can't blame her there--he sings WAY better), pick her up, hold her hand....just about everything, she would rather Daddy do.

He is working nights right now and as soon as I go get her in the morning she starts asking for "dada". Then she knocks on the bedroom door and says "hi dada". (Thankfully he wears earplugs). Poor baby asks for him all day! And as soon as he wakes up, she is finished with me for the day.

Really makes me happy--I love the bond they share and that they love each other so much! And he is pretty fun, I do have to agree. But, kinda makes me sad--I love this child with every ounce of me and everything I do, I do for her. Not to mention, I'm the one that makes the food, gives the baths, washes the clothes, and deals with FITS! My entire day revolves around this cute little person and she could CARE LESS!

She's gone to the dark side....literally! HA!

She'll be back and I'll be her favorite person again someday!