Lots of Catch up

Well it's been quite awhile since my last post so here it goes.....

On Sept 16th 2009 I underwent surgery for the lapband to help me lose weight. So far I've lost over 60 pounds :). I still have a lot of work to do but I'm very happy to be in a 14 and not shopping in plus size any more. Below are some before/after pics. The first one on the top far left was one week before my surgery - ewww. The top left is at my grandfather's funeral. I'd lost about 30 pounds at this point. The bottom photos are more recent.




Let's hope they just keep getting better:). I also switched positions within the company I've been working with the last three years. For those who didn't know I work for HS Brands. We are an international mystery shopping company..... Yes, my job rocks and YES I really get paid to shop. Though there is a lot more to it than you think. I was managing the HR side of our Nevada office and also state compliance. Now I'm the Client Support Manager for all of the Casino, Nightlife and Fine Dining accounts we have. I really like my new position and it's nice to have something new and face some new challenges.

Kevin is still working, what a HUGE blessing that is. In the last two years we've been in fear of a layoff and he's only been forced to take off one week. He has really proven himself as a welder and pipefitter and has earned the respect of the higher ups within the company he works for. He really is showing a talent for welding and has made some interesting projects including a flower stand for his brothers and our niece's grave, an 'Iron Man' that holds two beer cans - classic, and he even made me a heart shaped desk decoration for me on our anniversary. ();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE91FPxnReYN0wHwYjWKBtrJHz6OE8V_GJAjpJPNP2uc3FsTbuYPyLX0KWd4iRUdjzlvIo5rd7KdQ6-SLGa9q5aNsZhKgDVkw14NMcVZcj_Eu6IFR0Rf2xiAu9yNYvQRroszAYNwBplxJ3/s1600/DSC_0148.jpg">
Maliek is growing like a WEED and is now taller than Kevin. He has really matured in the last year and it's getting harder and harder to find the little boy in him. He is still into dance and likes to perform for his friends. He is taking a greater interest in sports too and works on his basketball skills every chance he gets.


I will try to be more diligent in updating this blog.

More to come :)

Adoption

I've heard a lot of crazy things from people since we were blessed with our two boys. The one yesterday prompted me to compile this list. I figured some of you would get a kick out of these. And yes all of these actually happened - some people's kids :)

1. Their mother must be terrible!
Seriously! You'd dare say that to my face?.... ohhhh you mean their birth mother... seriously - you'd dare say that to my face?... NO she isn't terrible! She's had her problems yes but we all have problems. Remember she's the angel responsible for bringing these two wonderful children to me. She is definitely not a monster, a terrible person or any of the other things I've heard.

2. It must be so hard raising those kids, they are so old you can't mold them the way you want to.
What?!? The woman who said this actually said it right in front of Dae'Shawn, he was disgusted and so was I. Mold them they way I want to - how about embracing them for who they are? They are not dogs or robots their KIDS. Even twins are unique, you can't 'mold' any child the way you want too. GEEZ!

3. Don't you want kids of your own?
I have two kids of my own... we'd like a daughter but we've already got two boys of our own and their GREAT!

4. Is it hard to raise black kids and find ways to teach them about their African culture?
ummmm.... they are from Utah not Africa... how much education are you giving your child about his/her European roots??? This actually happened while we were in Utah - I should have told her we were headed to Hogle Zoo for Safari LOL

5. Those kids come with so much baggage.
This came from a woman of a child who had to be the spawn of Satan. Her daughter was one of THOSE kids who runs through the isles and has the high pitched squeal that causes tumors in your brain. I should have told her that I would take my boys any day over the crap shoot she took combining the genes of her husband and herself.

6. It's got to be tough never knowing if they'll hate you when they get older
What??? One's a teenager and the other is a pre-teen of course they hate us - every kid hates their parents at this age. Once they move out and need money they get over it quick LOL

7.I could never deal with black kids, too many hair issues.
I didn't know you needed a beauty license to be a mother - good thing god gave your daughter those highlights and acrylic nails otherwise what would YOU do?

8.That's why I could never adopt black kids, they are always in trouble
I had a co-worker say this to me when the school called me because Maliek was in trouble. She didn't have any children of her own and obviously had no idea that ALL kids get in trouble now and then. I was so blind to the amount of racism still left in this world until I adopted my angels. People are so narrow minded.

9. What do your boy's think about Obama?
Their 10 and 16, we try to educate them about politics but THEIR 10 AND 16 - ask them about Hannah Montana or Adrian Peterson and they could probably tell you. The fact that they are african-american doesn't mean they suddenly have an opinion about everything black. How does your child feel about Dick Cheney or Rush Limbaugh??

If you know anyone who's adopted please control yourself before you say something similar to any of the statements above. :)

Dae'Shawn's Surgery

Dae'Shawn had surgery on his foot Tuesday. They had to cut out a piece of bone, twist the joint to his big toe and then screw everything together. He was so nervous the day of surgery. He was shaking really bad and they finally gave him some valium which made him quite the comedian. He was VERY relaxed when I saw them wheel him away. The Dr told me that the nurse should be coming to get me in about an hour and a half. Needless to say when the Dr himself finally came out over 2 hours later I was freaking out a bit.

Turns out the surgery went well but Dae wasn't quite awake yet and they wanted me to wait to see him. I wish I would have been thinking straight and asked for pictures of the x-ray. He's got two screws criss crossing where they cut out the bone and will be on crutches for the next 8 weeks. The Dr was impressed with how easily the surgery went and how responsive the joint was after being so stiff for so many months. I was just relieved to hear it was over.

They finally let me back to see my baby and he was still in and out of it. The medicine has given him amnesia, a common side effect, so luckily he doesn't remember everything. He was pretty loopy and out of it. He kept saying strange things and asking weird questions. Residue from one of the EKG leads had left a circle on his chest. When he looked down and saw it he asked my how he got ring worm I told him what it was and a few minutes later he saw the circle again and freaked out asking how in the world he got ring worm. I finally got an alcohol pad and rubbed the circle off before he panicked again. He was quite clumsy but being Dae'Shawn was still convinced he didn't need any help. He kept getting mad at me and the nurse for trying to help even though he clearly couldn't do it on his own.

Once we got him home he continued to try and fight the sleepiness unti his body said "Enough" and he slept for quite a few hours. Once all the numbing and anestheia wore off in the middle of the night though he was miserable. We couldn't keep up with the pain and I ended up sleeping next to him for the second half of the night so I could double up the medicine and keep an eye on him. Yesterday was better and last night wasn't as bad as the first. The pain meds still give him a bit of amnesia but he is getting back to himself and remembering conversations a little better.

I'm so glad that my work let me take the time off to be with him. Not that I would ever wish him to have surgery again, he is really miserable, but it has been nice to take care of him. I missed out on so much with my boys. By the time they came to us they were grown and didn't want their owies kissed or booboos made better. Taking care of Dae'Shawn has given me a chance to feel like I got some of those times missed back.

I am completely exhausted though. I don't sleep well because I'm worried about him and if he is in pain or needs anything, etc, etc. He is always so tired but you can tell he's already sick of not being able to get around and it's only the first 2 days of 8 long weeks ahead of us. Hopefully he is ready to go to school next week and that will help with the boredom. As much as I'd love for him to take his time and rest my baby is going crazy stuck in the house sitting all day long.

Good news is that when he heals he should be even better than before. His toe will have full range of motion again and the Dr says it should improve his football skills. His 8 weeks is up just before spring break and I think he'll be playing football with his buddies 24/7 the entire week.

I'll update everyone more later, for now I'm going to try and take a nap while Dae'Shawn takes hs :).

I miss my best friend

Last night both Kevin and I just couldn't sleep. Around 2:00am we finally gave up trying to sleep and.... okay what happened next is not blog appropriate but afterward we sat on the couch and watched TV. When Kevin left for work at 4:45am I was so bummed and I realized how much I really miss him. Before we had kids we had more time for just us. Now it seems that with as busy as it is -I allow myself to put in way too many hours at work, the boys and day to day life - we just don't have any time for each other anymore. When we do have the time it seems money is WAY to tight that week, we can't find a sitter or something comes up last minute.

Don't get me wrong I wouldn't change my life for one without my kids - they and Kevin are my entire world - but there are day where I miss my best friend.

That is all :)

Time to Catch Up!

You may want to snuggle up with some coffee, hot chocolate, tea or some other comfort drink - this is going to be a long blog. :) I've been so busy that it's been awhile since I posted anything to update anyone on what's been happening in our little corner of the world.

Here it goes:)

Dae'Shawn's football team took first seed in their division. This is VERY impressive for a team who was not even slated to make a playoff game let alone win their division. They worked hard and did make it to the playoffs where they were beat in the second round. Dae'Shawn was feeling some pain in his toe but made me promise not to do anything until the season was over so that he wouldn't have to sit out (more about that later). We're so proud of all the hard work he's put in and how well he is doing in school. The last quarter he pulled a 3.6 GPA he's come so far from where he was a year ago - I know I'm repeating myself but.. we are REALLY so very PROUD of him.

Shortly after football was over Maliek went on Track break and headed to Kevin's parents home in Utah until Christmas. We missed him for his birthday but Grandma got some great pictures of her little man at his Birthday party. I can't believe how big he's getting. He's as tall as me now and wears the same shoes as Kevin already! Time has gone by so fast we can't believe he's already 11 years old. He just started Basketball and I keep forgetting the camera for his practices but he's really trying hard and doing a good job.

Since our weekends weren't all about Dae's games anymore, we miss that :(, we decided that we should take the time we have and head to the cabin for a weekend. Dae'Shawn brought his friend Chris, he'd never seen snow before in his life, and my cousin Josh came with us too. It was so much fun. We made a fire out side and watched the snow boil around the pit, the boys took the four wheelers out and we all hiked into Mammoth Cave in the middle of a blizzard. After we finished the hike Dae'Shawn still wanted to play in the snow so on the way back Josh told him if he ran the entire time up one of the HUGE hills it would forever be called DaeDae's Mountain. Never one to back down Dae'Shawn decided to give it a try. He hiked in the blizzard up the hill/mini mountain and made it to the top pretty quickly. It was so hard to see him and I was nervous but Kevin reassured me that he could still see movement... I still don't understand why boy's think it's so funny to scare the crap out of their mothers. Sadly, Josh is the only one with the pictures and I forgot to get them. The boy's also used the four wheeler and towed eachother up the steeper roads in the subdivision so they could snowboard down the roads. As usual Dae'Shawn's a natural and didn't fall. His buddy Chris did a really good job for never doing anything like that before and stayed up longer than I ever have. The dog's love the snow and Zeus had to have eaten at least 5 gallons. He kept trying to catch the snowballs we'd throw and get all confused when they would fall apart in his mouth. We don't know what it is but everytime he's in the snow he goes nuts, he LOVES it. Brownie, as usual, is just happy to be outside.

Kevin and I celebrated 7 years on December 10th. It feels so weird to say that because it really doesn't feel like it's been that long. We've been so blessed the past two years with the boys and being able to live close to my grandparents that I really couldn't ask for more. Kevin is such a strong man and works so hard to take care of us. He's an amazing Mr. Mom and amazes me everyday with his patience. Seeing him as a father has just made me fall that much more in love with him. I couldn't ask for a better best friend or partner. Dae was grounded on our anniversary so he joined us at dinner. We're hoping to really celebrate for Valentine's I guess :)





This year for Christmas we made the trek to Utah again. I didn't get off until 4:00pm on Christmas Eve and we hit a white out for most of the drive. A 5 1/2 hour drive turned into over 9 hours and we were so exhausted. I was so happy to see my little man though, Maliek had been with grandma and grandpa for almost a month and we just wanted to see him. He of course was content to stay forever if we'd let him LOL. We weren't able to see everyone but still had a great time visiting with those we did. We spent a night with my mom and everyone played Apples to Apples. The next day Kevin and my little brother Jake went snowboarding while the rest of us hung out with my mom and stepdad, Ray. I still don't know my stepdad that well and it was good to get to know him a little more and spend time with him. Maliek was hysterical while we played Apples to Apples, we weren't playing the junior version and the words were sometimes a little big for him. When it was his turn to draw a card he laid it down and said King Henry Vill, the card read King Henry VIII (King Henry the 8th). After we all rolled on the floor for about five minutes we continued on and it's been an ongoing joke since. He did pretty good on the words and finding comparisons even if he didn't completely understand. Christmas Day we opened gifts at Kevin's parents home. We got Dae'Shawn a subscription to Sports Illustrated and he was looking at the magazine while Maliek opened their shared gift. When Maliek realized it was an X-Box 360 he was ecstatic, Dae was still very much distracted by the Sports Illustrated. I had no idea it would be that easy for Dae, we still tease him that next year we'll save the money on a big gift and just renew his subscription for SI LOL.

After Christmas we had Dae's doctor appt for his toe/foot pain. This was actually just on Friday and our worst case scenario was realized. He needs surgery. It won't effect football as long as he there are no complications and he follows doctor's orders. He has a genetic defect that made the bones just before his big toe grow to fast. The left foot is worse than the right and will require surgey, we'll have to wait and see on the left. He won't be able to walk for 8 weeks but the Dr. thinks he'll be even better at sports when he's done. He'll actually have full range of motion and be able to get off the line much quicker. I'll post more about that as the time comes :)

Well that's about it... I hope you've enjoyed the updates! Happy New Year!!

Hell has officially frozen over

Yes, it is official Hell has frozen over. How can a place that gets as hot as 120 degrees in the summer get 4" of snow in the winter? The better question is why did I leave the snow in Utah for a city that shuts down completely with only a few inches?

This was what it looked like initially, not too bad right....

Let me start this off by saying I HATE THE SNOW!! It was fun this past weekend at the cabin (a separate blog will be posted for that) because we knew we weren't going anywhere and I knew that I wouldn't have to clean off my windshield or warm up a cold car :). Imagine my shock when I look out my office window and it's snowing. Imagine my horror as the palm tree branches take on more and more snow and wilt before my eyes.

These were taken about an hour later, still not too bad....

No sooner had I realized I wasn't in a dream than the news reports started coming in about the worst storm to hit Vegas in 30 years. The City of Henderson sent all of it's employees home at 3:00pm, my son's basketball practice was canceled and highways were completely shut down. For four inches, you might ask, that sounds crazy! It is crazy but remember we are in a desert and have a better understanding of how to keep cool than we do warm. There aren't enough snow plows here to handle everything. McCarran airport has been shut down most of the day and the sky still looks ominous.

And finally, it is STILL snowing and this is getting worse by the minute.

Since it also rarely rains we don't handle huge amounts of water any better than we do snow. Well now I hear the rain is coming and is going to melt all this snow. There is now a severe winter storm warning in effect as well as a flash flood warning. ONLY IN VEGAS!! :)

It was a long and slow drive.

On the up side this was GOOD snow! It packed like you wouldn't believe and my son will be the first to tell you that the snowballs were great though they really hurt when they hit. It is predicted that all schools will be shut down tomorrow though we won't know for sure until morning. Dae'Shawn is hoping school is out and he and his buddies can have a snowball fight. His best friends birthday was today and he has never seen snow before, this was a birthday he will surely never forget.

My regret, that Maliek is in Utah playing in their snow and missing out on the opportunity of a lifetime to make a snowman in Vegas. He would have loved today, I could already hear him talking about it and I can see his face lighting up and those eyes sparkling when he realized that he was going to make a snowman at his own house and not grandma's. Chin up Maliek, if this keeps up your brother will most certainly get you in the ear with a snowball! LOL

Hubby Tag!

I thought this was pretty fitting since today is our anniversary. I love you babe!!

1. Where did you meet your husband?
At Tamara's house, her husband and Kevin were hanging out watching TV after work and I had stopped by to tell Tamara that I was back in Utah. She had been hounding me over email for months that he was the one for me but I swore I'd never move back to Utah..... I guess fate had better ideas LOL He was sitting on her couch and looked up at me and smiled - he was so sexy right then I just couldn't resist.

2. How long did you date before you got married? 5 months, by Utah standards that's about 2 years right?? :)

3. How long have you been married?
Seven wonderful years

4. What does he do that surprises you?
He's a hopeless romantic! I always get little surprises that remind me he loves me even though life is super busy right now. He does crazy things like writing I love you in the steam of the shower so that I have a message waiting for me in the morning. This morning he wrote all over my bathroom mirror with dry erase markers to tell me Happy Anniversary.

5. What is your favorite feature of his?
His smile, he's got dimples to die for! And his hands, not sure why they do it for me but he has man hands that I just love

6. What is your favorite quality about him?
His patience. I don't have any patience at all and he keeps me grounded. He is so patient with the kids and it's made me fall in love with him all over again to see him as a father.

7. Does he have a nick name for you?
a few actually - Love Muffin, BabyCakes, Sweet Cheeks and Ky

8. What is his favorite food?
Blueberry muffins and his mom's chocolate chip cookies. Whenever she visits she knows that an entire day will be spent baking for her son. He then hands them out as if he's giving the kids hundred dollar bills LOL He also really likes Chicken Alfredo

9. What is his favorite sport?
Football - now that he has two boy's to play with he's getting better at it. Though Dae just said the other night he's a terrible kicker hahaha.

10. When and where did your first kiss?
At the drive-in. It was amazing and I thought it would never be better than that but every time he kisses me I still completely melt. He's won plenty arguments that way - cheater face LOL

11. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple?
The family friendly answer? We like to watch movies together or go on weekend getaways camping. We're actually going to the cabin this weekend.

12. Do you have children?
Yes, two boys - Dae'Shawn Anthony is 16 and Maliek Avery just turned 11. We are starting a football team LOL we are holding out for a cheerleader though :)

13. Does he have any hidden talents?
Yes, and he'll kill me if he reads this, he is an amazing dancer. He danced for 13 years and for a time was with Utah Regional Ballet and Ballet West. Even though he doesn't dance anymore his body is still like a dancers and he is still pretty powerful.

14. How old is he?
28

15. Who said I love you first?
I think it was me... I can't remember

16. What is his favorite music.
Punk Rock, his favorite band is Green Day

17. What do you admire most about him?
His inner strength, life has certainly thrown us quite a few curve balls but he always stays strong and gets us through whatever happens.

18. What is his favorite color?
Red

19. Will he read this?
Probably not, I should be safe from him seeing that I announced the world he was a dancer LOL especially now that he works construction he tries to hide it

20. Who do you tag?
Tracy, Jen S and Charlotte - anyone else who wants too :)

I need employees in Nevada NOW!! Help :)

Hey Everyone!!

Please tell everyone about this blog even if you are not in Nevada just in case you have friends who are in Nevada :)

We desperately need shoppers all over the state. We are especially looking for nightclub and restaurant shoppers in Las Vegas as well as shoppers for any type of shop in Reno, Carson City and Elko areas.

My employees visit specific locations observing staff as well as location cleanliness etc. Once finished you submit a report online of what you saw. You are reimbursed for any required expense and receive a shop fee for your time. Most jobs pay between $10-$20 but nightclubs pay $60 and cover your drinks on top of that fee, nothing like getting paid to go out!!

Nevada's laws require that you be licensed under our private investigator which requires a sheriff's card for Washoe, Clark and Carson City counties.

If you are interested please send me an email at Kylee@HowardServices.com. You can also call me on my cell (702) 727-0193 I only ask that you be reasonable when calling late at night, I do have to sleep at some point and can't be working ALL the time :) LOL

When emailing me please let me know that you heard about the job from a blog on blogger.com and also send a writing sample of a recent shopping experience. This must be at least 2 paragraphs in length, remember this is an application so submit your very best work.

Please pass this on. I need people for Vegas nightclubs and restaurants immediately but we are hiring all over the state of Nevada.

PS more blogs to come soon about my family and kids :) But as you can tell I'm swamped here

HELP! I'm killing it ....

For mother's day Dae'Shawn got me an orchid at first it was beautiful and I thought I was doing a good job of keeping it alive. Usually I give plants a quick death, within days they are completely dried up and gone - Kevin doesn't buy me live plants/flowers anymore.

This time was going to be different. After all my oldest boy who seldom shows any emotion gave me a purple (my favorite color) orchid for mother's day, this was monumental. Well below is the closest thing online I can find to what it looked like when I first got it.

I was going to be smart this time and bring it to work, if I saw it on my desk everyday how in the world could I possible forget about it - Right?? Well despite my love for this plant it is extremely suicidal and is not responding to anything. I tried new soil, less water, more water, more sunlight, less sunlight nothing is working. I even tried motivational speeches, nothing is working. Well the other day the last of the large leaves at the bottom fell off. I'm left with a dead dry stalk and a very tiny green leaf.

WHAT AM I DOING WRONG?? Maliek thinks it's hilarious and Dae was slightly offended when he was at the office last. Someone in internet land has got to know what I can do to bring this back. Please help :)

Hell Week

It's hell week right now, last week was run week (pretty much the same thing but a legal way to drag it out). Dae'Shawn has been doing two a days and the practices are going late twice everyday. He's exhausted. He wakes up at 5:00am to get to practice on time, gets home around 11 or so, sleeps then wakes up to be at the 6:00pm practice. Last night practice went over.... again.

Dae is the one laying down between the coaches.

I got to the high school at 8:30 and the boys were still on the field, poor guys. I'm guessing someone said the 'f' word again after a bad play. The coach told the boys next guy to say it will give the entire time work. And they were definitely working, the coach told them they'd keep running over each other until he saw them actually work at it. (see photo) Once practice was over I expected the poor kid to be exhausted and ornery instead he was pumped and more awake then I've seen him in awhile.

Dae is the closest one running over the other players.

Yes, he's tired, very tired but he cannot wait for the season to start. Driving his buddy home last night they were talking about how they don't even notice their girdles at practice anymore. The smell however could not be ignored, WOW, I took Kevin's car instead of the Durango and man was the smell worse in the PT Cruiser. Good thing his room is on the complete opposite side of the house.......

Team huddle after practice. It's very dark and well after 9:00pm

There is a scrimmage this weekend, in the heat of the Vegas afternoon. He'll be playing three other high schools in quick games. I'm sure I'll be posting many many more football pictures and blogs in the next couple months. I understand if you ignore me for awhile, everyone at my house has football fever right now :) .

PS Sorry about the pictures, I took them with my phone so not the best quality and no zoom.