February 27, 2011

STYLING SUNDAY: WEEK SIX AND SEVEN













Dear Everyone,

Soooo.... I totally missed last weeks Styling Sunday.

I didn't even get out of my pj's last weekend, except to go to church. I was in a mood, remember?

With some convincing from Kurt I finally decided to swap the oversized sweatshirts for cardigans and the lounge pants for jeans, at least some of the time.

I am back on my A game for this next week. Lots of cute styling to come.

I decided to answer a few questions I have been getting, so here goes:

Do you take your pictures yourself? Yes, I take a lot of my pictures myself. When Kurt is home he takes them for me, which is easier and faster, but he basically kicks and screams the whole time. I wish I had my sister here to take pictures for me. They would be way cuter.

Where do you shop? Well.... I don't have a lot of money to spend on clothes so the cheaper the better. Places I frequent are Target, Old Navy, JC Pennys, Aeropostle, DownEast, etc. There are a couple smaller stores in the mall here that have some cute stuff for cheap. Spend your money on your basics and go cheap on the really trendy stuff. I always look at the clearance racks. My favorite pair of jeans were $6 at Target. I even found some cute cowboy boots at a thrift store this week (see Sunday's picture.)

What are your styling secrets? Okay, really I don't have many secrets. But, I would say it is all in the accessories. Belts, jewelry, scarfs, socks, shoes. And it helps that I am a clothes pack-rat. I have a sweater that I got in 2001 that I still have in my closet. I am now learning how to wear things I haven't worn in a loooong time. Another thing: think layers! I am always cold to it doesn't hurt for me to wear 3 or even 4 layers.

Do you wear the same outfit more than once? Not the exact same outfit. But definitely the same pieces of clothes. I bet I could make a thousand different outfits with what I have in my closet but I might just have to go back to some of my favorites.

And this wasn't a question but a request from me: try your own Styling Sunday. Put together some cute outfits, take pictures, blog about it. Do it all week or just one day. I found out fast what looks good and what I want my style to be by taking pictures of myself. I also feel great when I am dressed and ready for anything or when someone in the store compliments my sweater or boots or something.

If you do this then write me comment next Sunday, or send me an email because I want to check you out! Okay? Okay.

Have an awesome and styling week!

Sincerely, Lori




February 26, 2011

YOU ARE MINE.







Dear Brooklyn,

When did my baby become a toddler?!?

I swear this happened overnight.

You are getting so big so fast.

It makes me sad. How could time go by so quickly? I feel like I blink and you are learning something new or doing something I didn't think you could!

Where is the pause button on your little life? Or perhaps the rewind button? Because I would totally go back to the very day you came into my life and soak it all up again.

You are the most amazing little girl. Sometimes I feel like my heart is going to explode out of love for you. And sometimes I feel like it does explode and comes out in the form of a bazillion tears as I write you love letters.

Someday you will read this letter and maybe you will catch a small glimpse of the love I have for you. Just know that you are and always will be loved.

I am grateful that you are mine. I hope to be the mommy you deserve. I will spend everyday trying to be.

I love you, Brooklyn. I love you so very, very much.

Sincerely, Lori


February 25, 2011

MY HARD WORKING MAN



KURT WORKING ON HIS HOMEWORK WHILE CUDDLING WITH BROOKLYN

Dear Kurt,

You are in Rexburg tonight. Studying. And playing some basketball.

You study a lot. Which I am grateful for because I know you don't love it but you do it so that you can get an education and take care of our family.

I love that about you.

I love your ambition. I love that you work hard. I love that you have good priorities but still know how to have fun and let loose sometimes.

So thank you. Thank you for being you.

I love you.

Sincerely, Lori


February 23, 2011

A LETTER ABOUT THE WEDNESDAY LETTERS... ON A WEDNESDAY.



LORI READING THE WEDNESDAY LETTERS

Dear Camille,

Thank you for choosing "The Wednesday Letters" for book club.

I enjoyed the book. It reminded me of why I started writing letters in the first place.

I hope someday my children and loved ones will enjoy them and learn from them too.

"I thought about keeping a journal, but I don't think I'd be able to keep it up. And who would care? Letters, though. Letters will last." - The Wednesday letters

When I read this quote in the book I thought "That is exactly how I feel!"

I'm glad you started a letter writing blog as well. Awesome, right?

On a different note: Thanks for the day out. I loved it. Brooklyn loved it. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Sincerely, Lori



February 22, 2011

SING, SING, SING






Dear Brooklyn,

What do you want to be when you grow up?

This week, I think you want to be a singer.

Too bad, though, because with your father's genes and mine there is no way you will even be able to recognize a right note if it smacked you in the face.



That's okay. Because with your father's genes and mine you will probably sing at the top of your lungs all the time no matter how bad it sounds. (It's not easy to embarrass a Killian).

So, keep singing, little one. You might just be able to prove me wrong someday.

Sincerely, Lori


February 21, 2011

THE SAD SIDE OF ME


Dear Kurt,

I am a wreck.

I literally spent almost the entirety of the last four days crying.

And I never cry. Sometimes I even try to cry but I can't. But not lately.

I blame about 20% of that on it being "that time of month."

I blame another 30% of the freakin' weather. If I swore, then I would be cursing Idaho all day, every day.

I blame another 10% on you. That's right.... you! I'm a girl, I can do that.

I blame another 20% on what my friend Natalie informed me of and I like to call "the Idaho/Utah theory" which explains why people around these parts don't make friends with each other like they do in places like California (where we both lived for a while and now we are both here so we can consider ourselves experts). Basically this is the Reader's Digest version of the theory: people don't make lots of friends because they have their family. They hang out with their families all the time, therefore, no need for many friends. Like "hang-out" friends. Not everyone around here is like this but I would venture to say about a good 90% is.

And I blame the last 20% on me. I let myself get in this funk and I let myself try to cry/sleep it off. Which didn't work.

Doesn't Life know that I need a break? No. It doesn't. It keeps moving along, kicking my while I'm down when it gets the urge.

Last night I crawled into bed around 7 pm and after throwing myself a nice little pity-party, to which I invited no one, I slept till Brooklyn woke up at 10 am.

I dreamt of warmer weather and friendly get togethers and houses that cleaned themselves.

I need some help.

The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem, right? Well, I have a problem. I admit it, but I don't know if I can muster enough energy and caring to do anything about it. Sleeping sounds so much easier.

Life seemed so much simpler just a short time ago. Can't I go back?

Help me go back.

Help me get out of my "poor me" funk.

And while you're at it, can you help the snow melt and leave for good?

Maybe some sort of change in our lives is needed.

Sincerely, Your Sad, Pathetic Wife


February 18, 2011

ANNIE



ANNIE MAURENE JONES

Dear Brittney and Job,

Congratulations!

Annie finally decided to present herself to the world!

She is beautiful. I love her so much already.

I can't wait to meet her.

Brittney, I hear you were amazing. You always are.

I love you all.

Sincerely, Lori


February 16, 2011

SOMETIMES I GIVE MYSELF THE CREEPS



BROOKLYN GETTING WARM AT CAMILLE'S HOUSE.

Dear Kurt,

I just got out of the shower and was standing in our room picking out some clothes when I heard a loud noise.

It was a weird sound and I couldn't quite place where in the house it came from.

I got worried that Brooklyn might have climbed out of her crib but when I snuck into her room she was sound asleep.

A few minutes later I looked over my shoulder and thought I saw something move. I do this to myself all the time. It is usually just my hair or a spot in a mirror or something that makes me think I see something move. I shrugged it off and ignored the creepy feeling I got.

A while later while I was getting ready in the bathroom and Brooklyn was playing on the floor next to me I heard another sound.

I told myself to stop freaking out or I am going to have to admit myself into Blackfoot South.

I couldn't keep myself from scanning the bathroom for possible weapons to protect Brooklyn and myself in case it wasn't all in my head.

Several house later I was getting the vacuum out of the closet by the front door when I heard another loud noise. Something inside my head screamed "Take Brooklyn and get out of here!"

I grabbed a blanket that was on the couch, wrapped it around Brooklyn (I wasn't going to go wandering around looking for a coat for her), and left the house.

I decided to walk down to Camille's house since the next door neighbors were sick. By the time I got about 30 yards I realized it was snowing. Camille's house suddenly seemed forever away. I eyed the Olsen's house as I walked by but it didn't look like anyone was home and I didn't want to take even the slightest detour in case they weren't because Brooklyn's nose was already turning red.

Camille kindly let us stay at her house until you got home (which was only half an hour, yes I couldn't stick it out in our house for even half an hour!). She didn't even look at me like the lunatic I was. I think she was convinced of the creepiness that was following me today, though, when the lights at her house started flickering.

When we got back to our house you did a long and thorough sweep and declared the house predator-less. I guess I am going crazy, but I wasn't going to be the girl who heard noises and had a bad feeling and then ended up getting attacked because she ignored it.

KURT GOING TO CHECK OUT OUR HOUSE FOR MONSTERS.

You even double checked the house before you left for basketball and I'm sure I will have you check again before we crawl into bed.

Thanks for dealing with my craziness and I might just try to beg you to stay home from school tomorrow even though I know you can't. This creepy feeling is still lingering a little bit.

So, how about we read our scriptures and say and extra long prayer and hopefully I will get some peaceful sleep.

And just in case something does happen to us: I love you so much. And I love Brooklyn so much.

I just gave myself the chills. Grrrr...... I hate this.

Sincerely, Lori


February 15, 2011

AN INCREDIBLY WARM DAY IN IDAHO





Dear Brooklyn,

Today it was warm. Really really warm. Like 50 degrees warm.

Yes 50 degrees is considered warm in Idaho. Especially in February.




So... we played outside for a while and then went with daddy to the car wash where we waited in line for about 45 minutes because the rest of Idaho Falls also decided it was the best day to wash their car.

I can't wait until Summer when we can play outside everyday.

You will love it, I promise.

Sincerely, Lori


February 14, 2011

OUR VALENTINE'S DAY HAPPENINGS





Dear Kurt,

Happy Valentine's Day!!

First of all: I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you.

Second of all: Thank you for a fantastic day. Even though it was a little uneventful (we celebrated this weekend) it was still special and I felt very much loved.

As for some of the events that did happen....


We went to lunch with some friends. Brooklyn even had a valentine to sit with.

We had a candlelit dinner with our 18 month old. Very romantic.... ok, not really, but the food was good and Brooklyn was mostly good.

We pulled our mattress out into the living room and spent most of the night watching tv and cuddling. It totally reminded me of our days in Rexburg when we spent many of nights with our mattress pulled into our tiny apartment living room.

We tried desperately to take a good picture of the three of us but Brooklyn decided to climb all over us (mostly me) instead. We finally got one of just us when Brooklyn went to bed.

The rest of the night involved our new jacuzzi tub, chocolate lava cake, strawberries, and the Bachelor.

I love a good excuse to get you all to myself without text books and laptops in the way.

And just so you know... I love you so much. And I love how I always know that you love me too.

Muah!

Sincerely, Lori

February 13, 2011

STYLING SUNDAY: WEEK FIVE










Dear Kurt,

I love you so much.

I also love clothes quite a bit.

I think I am getting closer to finding what I consider my personal style.

I can't wait for this week and some more outfits.

I also can't wait for Valentine's Day and a whole night in with just you and me (hopefully Brooklyn will be in her room sleeping.)

Sincerely, Lori


February 12, 2011

WHEN MY HUBBY GOES TO THE SUPERBOWL



KURT ON THE FIELD BEFORE THE SUPERBOWL

Dear Kurt,


Can you believe last week you were in Texas?!?

That seems so long ago!

Well.... speaking of Texas, you had an amazing time at the Superbowl.

Somehow you and Brent got onto the field early in the morning and didn't get kicked off for about six hours!!!

THE DALLAS COWBOYS CHEERLEADERS. YOU ALSO GOT SOME PICTURES WITH SOME OF THEM BUT I DON'T CARE TOO MUCH FOR THOSE.

You got t0 take pictures on the field, you got to tour some of the suites, you got to meet lots of famous football players, you got to take pictures of and with lots of famous people.

AT A PARTY ON FRIDAY YOU SAW PAMELA ANDERSON. LIKE SOMEONE SAID: YOU GOT WITHIN A FOOT OF HER AND WITHIN SIX INCHES OF HER... UM... FRIENDS.

You were so happy. I was so happy for you. I literally showed every person I came in contact with all the cool pictures you sent me.

Your all time best moment: meeting and taking a picture with Adam SandlerKURT WITH ADAM SANDLER. CAN YOU TELL HE WAS SUPER EXCITED?

Runner up best moment: meeting and taking a picture with hall-of-famer Deon Sanders.

A PICTURE WITH DEON SANDERS.

In class this week people were even saying "You're the guy that went to the Superbowl?" and "How did you get the field pass?" and "Show my friend your pictures!"

WILL.I.AM

OWEN WILSON PLAYING FOOTBALL BEFORE THE GAME

JENNIFER ANISTON AND ADAM SANDLER WALKED BY YOU ABOUT FIVE TIMES BEFORE YOU ACTUALLY TALKED TO ADAM.

You are my totally cool, super star husband. At least you were for the past week.


Next time I am going with you.

Sincerely, Lori


February 9, 2011

WATER FIGHT DISASTER


Dear Kurt,

I don't think the carpet will ever dry from last nights water fight.

At least in the end we all decided that it was your fault instead of mine. He he. You were the one, after all, that was hiding in the bathroom while I was holding your friend hostage.

Next time, know that I am serious when I say come out your friend gets a huge cupful of water in the face.

And next time I will know that if I rush into a bathroom with two boys one will hold me down while the other uses the shower head to drench me.

At least the floors, walls, cupboards, countertops, and everything in between are clean and dry now, even though it took every last towel we have to get it that way.

Sincerely, Lori