Being 30

Today I turned the dirty 30. I'm not sure how I feel about it yet. It wasn't a bad day, at least not as bad as I expected. I've been dreading this day for a long time, but I just assumed Dewey would be here to ease me into it. He wasn't. BUT, he called me twice today.

I didn't hear from him at all yesterday. He didn't get on Yahoo Messenger like he said he would, nor did he call to tell me wouldn't be. He's very good about calling me to let me know what's going on. So I immediately started thinking the worst thing possible. I promised him I wouldn't be watching the news constantly like I do when he's home, so I feel completely out of the loop and totally socially retarded. I tried telling myself it was probably just a black out and that he's fine. When I woke up this morning and remembered what day it was, of course that feeling crept back in. Mostly because Clem's not here to help me out {I'm very dependant on him for that sort of thing}. Then I remembered not hearing from him and started to worry again. I even stayed logged into messenger on my phone so I could do other things while I waited for him to log in. Nothing. This is my first deployment where I can hear from him on a fairly regular basis, so when I don't hear anything all kinds of bad things run through my mind. So on top of all of that, I turned 30.

Scot was the first to show up, on his way home from work. Michele (Scot's wife) was supposed to have already been here, but she wasn't. So Scoty McMellow and I hung out and chatted for a while. I love Scot. He's like my brother. It's funny because I call him my second. GOD FORBID, should something happen to Dewey and Michele, I've decided to marry Scoty and help him raise his 2 beautiful daughters with my 3 beautiful daughters. I'm not sure if I've actually told them my plan. Perhaps I have, we discuss seconds a lot. But there we were, chit-chatting in my living room. Then Michele showed up with Kay and Nicci (their youngest, 6 months younger than Kay), and she came bearing gifts...like I told her not to. Does she listen? Nope, she's almost worse than I am. She was late because she stopped to shop. (Yup, I think she's as bad as I am.) Silly Michele. Then Jane (Dana to most of you so pay attention to that one, too) showed up with an ice cream cake. The group (the women, anyway) have been pestering me about today for months. I've told them no. I don't want anything. It's just another day of the week as far as I'm concerned. Then Jane says she only wanted an excuse to have ice cream cake. I, of course, agreed as long as there was no mention of the day (yeah, right. Like THAT was going to happen.), we'd call it "Happy Ice Cream Cake Day." We'd celebrate the invention of ice cream cake. And the cake was so yummy. The last piece will be for my breakfast in the morning, because that's what I need. Then Bob (Janes' husband) showed up with some KFC, and it was rather tasty. Then Tracy and 2 of her friends came over and we all hung out for a while. They brought me another cake, complete with 30 freakin' candles!! So, all in all, it was a pretty good day. I didn't do any school work, and the only real house-cleaning I did was sweeping/mopping the kitchen this morning. I sat on my butt and watched "Miami Vice" this afternoon, too. I'm such a dork for loving that cheesy, cheesy show. I also LOVE LOVE LOVE "The Golden Girls." I'm such an 80's dork.

Here it is, after midnight, and I just finished cleaning up the kitchen. Lilly and Kay went back with Scot & Michele to have yet another sleepover. Alyssa was going to go, but there was a storm rolling in and it scared the ever-loving crap out of her. Poor baby. I could hear her screaming all the way in the house. So she stayed and hung out with the remaining adults and then crashed on me with her Strawberry Shortcake blanket. I decided to tell Dewey about this one only because I may not talk to him tomorrow. And we didn't get a single drop of rain from that storm, either. Even with all that thunder and lightning. So, I'll go to bed being 30 and wake up one day closer to being 40. I guess I should just get used to it since there isn't anything I can do about it. *&#^%$ &#*$B#&^$(*&!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's Just a Tad Late this Week

It's Tuesday. Obviously, I missed last Wednesday, so here I am. I've been a little preoccupied writing papers and whatnot. I made a 100 on my GOVT paper. It was on Alexander Hamilton. I think he was a little bit of a dirty *^$@$*%, but he wasn't as bad as Thomas Jefferson. I know, I'm a terrible person for saying some not-so-nice things about our Founding Fathers. I just call 'em like I see 'em. I still haven't heard anything on my PSYCH paper. It was a human observation experiment.

And here's Alyssa just a little while ago. That's what happens when I'm lazy and it's just the 2 of us. Pretty bad. Check out that hair...and the sticker on her forehead!!! She was still in her sleeping clothes because that's just how I roll. She HAD to pose with her favorite ball. She's so silly. There's my laundry behind her. Well, just some towels anyway. The rest is folded and put away. I'm feeling a little lazy today.

Not much to tell in the last week...or 2. Just lots of school stuff. Oh, we got a kitty. She's still a little scared. I don't think any of us have been able to pet her. Supposedly she was terrorized by a dog that chased her into a barn and wouldn't let her out. She seems ok with Bevo, though. She got him on the nose the other day, it was freakin' hilarious. Apparently she was hiding under Alyssa's bed-where Bevo likes to sleep sometimes-and Bevo started to crawl under there unaware that the kitty was under there, too. Needless to say, hilarity ensued. I haven't laughed so hard since Dewey left. I think we all laughed pretty hard. Just so it's clear, Bevo's fine. I think it scared him more than anything. We haven't decided on a name for the cat yet. Kay wants to call her Penelope Pittstop (you know, after the old school cartoon character), and Lilly wants to call her Sally or Lucy. I wanted to call her Lennox.

When Mom and Philip dropped her off, Mom and I were talking about names. Her name (the cat, not Mom's) was Bourbon, but I think that's just a bit trashy for my kids (or any kids, for that matter) to be running around yelling "Bourbon!" Call me crazy. So I said maybe I'd call her orphan. Mom suggested maybe Annie after Little Orphan Annie. That got me thinking about all the Annie's I'd ever come across. The first one I thought of was Annie Lennox from the Eurythmics. But Dana said that was gay. But the kitty's still too scared for us to really see her personality. I think I give pets the coolest names ever. Anyone from Texas knows where Bevo came from. And we have a fish named Omega Supreme. Any fan of Transformers knows about that one.

Michele's (one of my best friends, met her in Savannah) daughter turned 8 yesterday, so Lilly and Kay had a sleepover. Alyssa has been an angel since it was just the 2 of us. She totally digs the one-on-one time. We had a slumber party last night. We watched "Max & Ruby" in my room. If you haven't ever seen this show, I think it might be worse than "Cailou" on PBS. At least, it's just as bad. (I think Cailou has 2 mommies, even though he calls one dad. Both of his parents have the same hair cut and his mom is perpetually pregnant.) But she loves Max & Ruby, so I relented. I fell asleep watching it until the cat jumped up on the dryer and dumped her food. Silly cat. Bevo cleaned it up for her.

Well, it's almost lunchtime and I have a kid to bathe, feed and dress. She got to have a "picnic" in the living room this morning while she ate her Cocoa Puffs and watched "The Backyardagins." Those are so gross. I'll check back in one of these days.

Oh, here's our kitty. I found her under Alyssa's bed, of course.

WEDNESDAY IS LOVE LETTER DAY!!

It's Wednesday again. I haven't had much time to devote to writing my sweet Clem because of school and kids and stuff. But I figured being that today's SUPPOSED to be my love letter day to him, I'd update this here blog just for him on Wednesdays instead.

All was pretty quiet until Monday. I "babysat" Leighann since she had been set apart Sunday evening, so she was officially a missionary. I don't think I really saw her much on Monday even though we were in the same house and doing very similar things. Eventually, 1700 rolled around and Mom was home. I was relieved of my babysitting duties and was dismissed. I was really sad to come home, though. I was sad to see Leighann one last time, too. Don't ever tell her I said that. (Like she can't read it now.) But I know she, like my sweet Clem, is doing a really great thing. By the way, that's Leighann loving on Alyssa before she was set apart.

I had that emotional band-aid on for the last month, and now I had to come home and rip it off-permanently-so my wound could heal. Sure, it had occasionally been loosened while I was at Mom and Dad's, but it was easily replaced while I was there. It's kind of hard to avoid at first. I had to come home and face all the reminders of my Sweet Dewey, like his cup he left sitting beside the sink before we left that horrible morning, and his shampoo still in my shower with his washcloth. And my bed sheets. I ripped them off the bed after we got up that morning (I still remember how it felt to wake up with him one last time for several months). The sheets smelled like him so I was going to throw them in the washer while he was still home, and then have Tracy put them in the dryer when she came over later that day. Then I realized they still smelled like him, so I couldn't bring myself to wash him out of them yet. I threw them back on the bed and decided I'd deal with it when I got home. Even with all of that on Monday, I put my big-girl-panties on and did what I had to do. My return turned out not to be quite as bad as I had expected. Dana agreed to come have a sleepover with me since she'd be up early the next morning to watch my kids anyway. We slept on the couches. I ended up washing the sheets when I got back home without smelling them because they'd still smell like Dewey. I love his smell, but I couldn't bring myself to sleep in my bed yet. The last time I'd slept in it was with him, and I wanted to cherish that a little longer, I suppose. Or I'm just a big wiener. I'm going with the latter....maybe a little of both. Monday evening was a little hard. I thought I heard Dewey in the kitchen, but then I remembered he wasn't here. I guess I had sort of convinced myself that he was really here waiting for me to come back home, that it was all a really horrible joke. It wasn't. He was really still gone, and I still missed him terribly. But having Dana here helped. It eased the transition a wee bit. Coming into the man cave, Dewey's special room, was hardest. I expected to see him playing Word Whomp. It got easier, though. I'm sitting here now doing this in the man cave. (When you read man cave, it should be said with an echo for emphasis) Last night was my first night alone in the house without Dewey. No Dana, either. At first, that burning feeling in my chest and the nausea were almost unbearable. It's still there, just not as overwhelming. I can't let the kids see how completely devastating it is for me. What will that teach them? They know it's ok for them to cry and be sad, but I refuse to let them see me go through it. Someone has to be brave for them. I don't know how many times I've already held Kaylan and let her cry. She's a very sensitive little girl, very aware of other's feelings, too. During the day it isn't so bad because it's like he's at work. But nighttime's the worst....well, for obvious reasons. I don't sleep well without him, even when he's only on duty and will be home at 0900 the next day. Last night I made myself sleep in my own bed. I can't sleep on the couch for the next 14 months! I suppose I could, I'd just really rather not. I paid enough for my big, fat, yummy king-sized bed. Besides, it's kind of like he's there, too. Even with clean sheets I can still smell him. I hope it lasts. It's almost comforting, actually.

I know most people think 1 of 2 things about me: A) I put on a tough front just so everyone has that impression of me so they will be intimidated or B) I'm really this superwoman kind of person. Perhaps it's a combination, without the intentional intimidation. I don't like to make myself vulnerable like some people. I prefer to keep things inside, RIGHT WHERE THEY BELONG! I assure you, I don't try to be tough merely to leave that impression on anyone. I'd rather not run around blabbering to anyone who'll listen about my woes or the stories of my childhood or whatever. For me personally, crying is the ultimate form of weakness and is absolutely humiliating. So you won't catch me crying in church or at weddings or while watching pansy, mushy chick-flicks or because they made a Hoover commercial a little more sentimental than a vacuum advertisement ought to be. As for B, I'm simply human and do what I must in order to survive. I really can't stand it when anyone says this "Oh, I don't know how you manage. I know I couldn't. It's just such a long time and so difficult. I would be so devastated! I don't know if I could make it. How do you do it?" DUH!! Of course it's devastating!! I suppose this is actually supposed to be a compliment (?), but it really irritates me. I guess I go from day to day, week to week, month to month. I get up in the morning and put one foot in front of the other and get on with my day. If you're really interested in how I do it, or any military spouse does it, rephrase the question. A wicked great lady at church (you know who you are, Jessica) got it right at the 4th of July breakfast. We were talking briefly and she simply asked "Are you ok? Because I know I wouldn't be." Simple and to the point and my band-aid remained in place. I guess I don't like the rambling because it's SLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWLY and so painfully ripping off my band-aid. To answer the question, yes, I'm fine, and I'll make it through one more separation. And I'll make it the next time I have to. And the next time. The last 4 days before Dewey left all I could say is I couldn't do it. I still have my moments where I feel like all hope is lost, but deep down somewhere I know it isn't. I also know that every other time I'm asked (HA HA, more like TOLD) I'll rise to the challenge. It's hard everytime he leaves, but the time passes eventually and he comes home just in time for someone's birthday or some holiday. That day is better than Christmas and Schlitterbahn combined. There aren't words to describe how perfectly awesome that day is. "This, too, shall pass." (Does anyone want to cross stitch that for me??) That's my motto whenever he's gone. It's usually the first thing I think when I wake up. (When he's home it's normally "*&$%^*&^#%*&$*#$!!!") Then I wonder what he's doing and when I'll hear from him next. I'm trying to improve my relationship with my babies with this deployment. What better time than when it's just us? There ARE some advantages to his absence, not many, but a few.

I have a wonderful relationship with Dewey. He's the most special person (outside of my kids) to me. I live for him. I watched "The Notebook" while he was in Korea, and I thought “I want a relationship like that with him.” (Just for the record, I didn't cry and it wasn't my idea to watch it...LEIGHANN.) I thought it was a good movie only because their love was almost perfect. (Notice I said it was good, not great, not I went out and bought it, not I watch it every chance I get. In fact, I've only seen it that one time.) I want to be those parents that embarrass their kids because they can't keep their hands off each other. I want my kids' friends to think Dewey and I are wierd because we're still married and actually like each other. I love Dewey with all my heart and I’ll wait for him no matter how long it takes. I want my kids to learn that one thing from me, even if they learn nothing else. I want a profound love story with Dewey that will inspire my girls to settle for nothing less in their own lives.

I Said I'd Never Blog...

Leave it to me to say one thing and do another. Veronica, my younger sister, has been on me for probably a year to get this going. "I don't blog," I said. "It's a waste of time," I said. Then I woke up this morning and thought to myself, "Self, you're always ready for a fight with someone. You don't know how to keep your thoughts and opinions to yourself. Your sweet husband is deployed-AGAIN-and it's just you and your 3 beautiful girls against the world for the next 14 months. Perhaps-and this is a LONG shot-Veronica's right. Maybe you'll have TONS to talk about. Maybe this is one more way to help the time pass by chronicling it all for Dewey to keep him in the loop." So, with that said, I'll take a cue from good ol' Veronica and give you 100 random facts about me to get this party started. However, there isn't much more to me than my husband and kiddos, so it won't be completely about me. Here goes....





1. I have 6 siblings-4 brothers and 2 sisters. And I fall in line at #3 with 2 older brothers, 2 younger brothers and my 2 younger sisters.


2. I've been married to Dewey (Dewey Jr, actually-hence the DJ.) since June 15, 2001. I'm telling you-the JP is the way to go. Our wedding cost a whopping $88. However, we didn't get the honeymoon. Unless you count a weekend at the La Quinta in Killeen, Tx. I love him with all my heart.


3. I have 3 girls- Mary Lillian (Lilly) 8 Kaylan Olivia-6 and Alyssa Faye-4. Kay and Lyss go by their first names, Lilly's the only oddball.


4. I have an Epileptic dog named Bevo. He's my best friend while Clem's gone.


5. I call Dewey things other than his given name-Clem, DJ and Sexy. Pay attention because I alternate names for him A LOT. I call him Clem because I usually only hear him referred to as "Sgt Clemons" or just Clemons. So I decided to shorten it. It's my term of endearment, I suppose.


6. Clem's an E-6 in the army. He was recently promoted to E-7, but now it's hurry up and wait for the army to actually pin him with the extra rocker.


7. Since we've been married we've lived in Killeen, TX at Fort Hood. (In fact that's where Kay was born) Savannah, GA at Hunter Army Airfield (where Alyssa was born. She's our little GA peach.), Fort Eustis VA where Clem was an instructor. Actually, we've been there twice. We're stationed at Ft Hood again-by choice this time-and bought our first house last August.


8. This is Clem's 2nd tour in Iraq. He's also been to Korea for a year. Before we met, he was stationed in Germany and was deployed to Kosovo. He's been pretty much everywhere.


9. I was raised in the church. DJ came home from Korea in Sept '05 and announced he wanted to join the church. Total shock to everyone. He was baptized that Dec.


10. Lilly will be baptized this Aug while everyone's home.


11. Lilly's the oldest of 6 grandkids on my side, but # 5 out of 10 on DJ's side.


12. Dewey and Kay share a birthday-Mar 16.


13. Lyss shares a birthday with my paternal grandmother-Jun 17.


14. Like Veronica, I can't live without playing in the water all summer long. My children have inherited this trait, also, much to Dewey's dismay.


15. Dewey thinks he's fat, so he prefers any activity that requires clothing. Maybe that's why he joined the army......


16. As of right this second, Dewey's been gone for 3 weeks and 3 days.


17. I'm a staunch conservative Republican, as is most of my family. MOST.


18. Alyssa's the devil, I do believe.


19. Bevo's gay. NO JOKE! Ask my parents' dog, Mr. Sambo.


20. Sometimes I want another baby, but then I remember how wonderful it is to sleep through the night and not have to wipe any behinds 24/7 and I have kids that are pretty well self-sufficient. Besides, I'm fixed.


21. I have a PHENOMENAL fear of plumbing in pools and water parks. Don't know why. If I'm at a water park and in a lazy river, I go completely rigid and won't let any part of my body (not even hair) touch the water when I float over one of those grates in the bottom, or even a drain.


22. I love to sail but don't like water that I can't see through. I don't know what's down there looking at me. Creepy, creepy.


23. I have this NASTY habit of biting my finger nails. I've always done it and I probably always will. I don't know why. I don't see how anyone can let them grow. It makes me jealous, really.


24. I'm not having any more birthdays since this year will be my dirty 30. I'm calling it "Black Thursday." The day of the week, of course, will change throughout the rest of my life but they'll always be black whatever.


25. I'm naturally a brunette, but, since Dewey was in Korea, I've gone consistently more and more gray. It's not pretty or distinguished. It's old.


26. I still feel like I'm 20-with a lot more aches and pains, though.


27. I'm glad I'm NOT still 20.


28. You couldn't pay me to go back to being young, stupid and single.


29. I'm still stupid.


31. I skipped 30 on purpose. I don't like reminders.


32. Dewey's my very best friend and if there really is such a thing as a soul mate (even though I really hate that phrase) he's it.


33. Dewey and I met at LensCrafters in Hulen Mall (in Fort Worth). He had just come back from Germany and was stationed at Ft Hood. He also used to work at LC before joining the army. I was working the night he came in. The rest is history.


34. Dewey's the most wonderful husband and father ever. I think he was sent for the kids, not really so much for me, but I'll take it anyway.


35. Besides my dad and Dewey's dad, Dewey's the most wonderful man I know.


36. I talk to Dewey almost everyday, but I write him almost every night anyway.


37. I'm in school right now, online. I'm working (ultimately) toward my Nurse Anesthetist, but I'm thinking about mixing things up and going for Law. Maybe one day I'll sit on the Supreme Court Bench.


38. I also want to be the governor of Texas. (Hello, closed border and express lane on Death Row!!!)


39. I'm a news/politics junkie. Clem told me to stop watching the news while he's gone. He never said I couldn't listen to 2 of my heroes-Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh. BWA HA HA HA HA HA!! (See? I'd make a FANTASTIC attorney!)


40. Unlike my sister, I won't reveal my bust size.


41. I do NOT like Obama, and I think John McCain's a wiener. I can't believe he's up there, but I'm voting for him anyway. If it didn't waste my vote I'd write one in.....for Romney, and not because we share a religious affiliation, either. And Hillary's just as evil as Obama, but in a different way....sort of.


42. I'm not really a big fan of ice cream, unless it's Blue Bell's Caramel Turtle Fudge. WATCH OUT!!


43. I brush my teeth at least twice a day.


44. I'll be the first one to defend the military to the death (whether or not I like an individual soldier) but I'll tell anyone who trashes them where to stick it even faster.


45. My brother-in-law thinks I'm loud and mean.


46. I don't think I'm mean.


47. I have a Motorola W490 that's purple.


48. I always have my cell phone on me for when Clem calls.


49. One of my favorite songs is "Soldier Boy" by the Shirelles. Google it if you don't know it.


50. I LOVE LOVE LOVE "Phantom of the Opera."


51. I hate that hippie sloth, Snook, on "It's a big, BIG World" on PBS. I think yesterday I heard him singing about smoking a big, fat one instead of doing chores. Maybe I'm wrong, but it was definitely something along those lines.


52. Alyssa has the most beautiful hair ever.


53. I'm not good at math, but I love all things science.


54. I'm an addict-a caffeine addict. Once an addict, always an addict-at least that's what I think. I love Dr Pepper, so I have to be very careful about my caffeine intake. I just went through withdrawal last May. THAT was a miserable time. I don't recommend it. At least it was caffeine and not something serious.


55. I want my CHL.


56. I think it's hot when I'm talking to Clem online and I see his holster because I know he's packin'. That's sexy, even if it IS only a 9mm.


57. I want my dad's .357. It's awesome.


58. I also want to join the NRA.


HOW AWESOME IS THAT PICTURE??!!

59. My parents are 2 of the smartest people I know.


60. Dewey's another one. He went to the High School for Medical Professions in North Ft Worth. He's wicked smart.


61. I'm not a people person. I prefer my circle of friends and acquaintances.


62. I'm not very emotional, so I have a hard time relating to others, especially the cry babies-VERONICA.


63. Unless you've been in the military or in my position, I don't like any sort of sympathy. I don't like sympathy period because I chose this life. I knew EXACTLY what I was getting myself into. Besides, Clem's defending your freedom. The occasional "Hey, how ya doin'?" is fine. But this is one that REALLY bothers me- just because your husband had to spend a couple weeks in England at a NICE HOTEL on business once, you have no idea what this life is like, so don't try to sympathize with me.


64. Maybe Cody's right. Maybe I'm a little mean.


65. I don't apologize, at least not very often.


66. One of my favorite movies is "Tombstone."


67. I was "in love" with Johnny Depp for almost 20 years, but now he's too much of a social retard for my taste. So are most of the retards in Hollywood. Clem's the love of my life now. Johnny Depp can continue living in France-right where he belongs.


68. I CAN'T STAND Pretty Boy and Hemorrhoid Lips-Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie.


69. Perhaps I'm a little opinionated.


70. I don't like Susan Sarandon or anyone else that lives here and enjoys their freedoms and liberties, but has nothing good to say about those who provide said freedom and liberty.


71. I vote.


72. My children will vote.


73. My husband votes, too.


74. Right now, Lilly's mouth is bleeding. Not seriously or I wouldn't still be at this. She's not sure how or why it started. She's fine now.


75. My favorite flavor is Sour Green Apple. When I see those snow-cone kits at Wal-Mart I want to drink the apple flavored syrup. HOW GROSS IS THAT?!


76. Lilly will tell you that BECAUSE is a conjunction, not a reason.


77. I'm a grammar nazi. HUGE. Clem gets irritated with me because I correct everyone. Like I said, I don't apologize. If you're going to talk to me at least make an effort to sound intelligent. My children will understand the importance of this also.


78. I've had the same best friend since I was 6.


79. I've gained a few more along the way. Like Dana-we've been friends since we were 12. And there's Michele, Jen, Melissa and on and on.....

80. I'm a home body. I'd rather hang out at home and watch a movie than deal with the public.


81. There are 2 people in my GOVT class I don't like, and I don't think they like me, either. You can see how worried I am.


82. I don't do well with people that don't agree with me. I think I got that from my mom.


83. I try not to be judgmental, but sometimes it doesn't really work out well for me-LIBERALS.....


84. I LOVE ghost stories, but I don't like scary movies.


85. "The Little Mermaid" is my all-time FAVORITE movie. Along with "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation." I'll put either one on when I have a bad dream or I just can't sleep.


86. I don't like wearing skirts/dresses. You'll almost always find me in jeans and a t-shirt.


87. Dewey's t-shirts he gets from his various units are my absolute favorite shirts to wear.


88. I'm very proud of Clem. I wear his wedding band around my neck since he couldn't take it with him. It's stainless steel. Air crafts and jewelry don't mix.


89. Dewey's MOS is 15U-Chinhook Mechanic-it's that HUGE helicopter that has the double rotors. I made him relcass when 9-11 happened. He used to be a 13B-Field Artillery. I'm sure you can figure out why I told him to reclass.


90. I was 3 months pregnant with Kay when 9-11 happened. I remember that morning like it was yesterday.


91. Kay came 9 months and 1 day after we were married. Ooops.


92. I have lots of regrets and even more guilt.


93. However, if I hadn't made the mistakes I've made I wouldn't have the life and the wonderful family I have today. Every path I took-or didn't take-lead me to where I am right now. I'm pretty grateful for that.


94. I led a rather rebellious life up until a few years ago.


95. I love my family.


96. Kay's in the Gifted and Talented Program-she DEFINITELY got that from Clem. And she's the only one with straight blonde hair.


97. Lilly LOVES to read chapter books.


98. The kids love to sing anything and have the most expansive preference in music I've ever seen any kids have. They definitely got that from me. I LOVE music. Lilly loves some old school Bon Jovi.


99. I taught Lilly and Kaylan to swim this summer. Alyssa still likes her floaties and goggles. They make her look like an insect, but a cute one.


100. Schlitterbahn's my favorite place in the world. Especially now that my kids are old enough to enjoy it, too. It's just one more thing I get to share with them.

I guess I'll throw one more in...

101. I made it through this whole thing and never said one naughty word. Kudos to me.