The Cotton Pickin' Year

The year of cotton... apparently there is a tradition (whether it be southern or global I know not) in which every year, for some certain amount of years, you get something specific for your significant other in the form of a fiber, a metal, or a substance. 

This past year can be summed up affectionately as a Hot Mess. So much change occurred in our lives this past year but through it all we still found the funny, tried new things, were not too cool to be immature, stubbed a few toes, embarrassed ourselves, and got butterflies from time to time. Someone once told us, as we were preparing to commit to each other at the next level, that marriage works when both people come into the relationship being 100%, none of this 50/50 stuff it's 100/100. I think this was one piece of advice I took to heart, that if I wanted to be the best wife/future mom I could be I needed to keep working on me.. continually. As the romantic that I am, some may say even cockeyed optimist (name that movie and my love for you will grow) I thought that one day I would just arrive and my inner Carol Brady and Julia Child would emerge and I would just do it all. When I quickly realized that I was much more like Lucy Ricardo and Maria Portokalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding). If you havn't guessed that reference above here is a hint:

Thankfully my guy totally loved me knowing full well I was a Frankie Heck and not a June Cleaver. 

Enough about me....  When someone introduces their person as "my better half" it's not because they are putting themselves down actually they are bragging. I'm totally OK with claiming my hubs as my better half because I (probably like the rest of the world) am quite stunned that he, out of billions of other women, chose this girl knowing full well what he was getting into! I'm quite proud (and quick to) walk holding his hand or taking his arm, this helps me refrain from yelling as we walk together "Does everyone see I'm with him?", "Nothing to see here he's with me", "I married him"! I know I know we are disgusting and I'm totally fine with that, that  couple that started dating in high school and just fell head over heels for each other and still do today. Sometimes I like to just sit and stare at him I think he's so cute (which he hates, he thinks its super weird especially when he's sleeping and wakes up to me staring at his cute face). And yes, I stare even more knowing it freaks him out! hehe  

That sums up our way of "keeping things interesting" in our marriage.. figure out what drives the other one crazy and do it when they least expect it. (all in love of coarse) It's also those little things that no one else will ever know those funny things that will always be between us, that I'll treasure forever and think about when I need to laugh for a photo. 

So happy anniversary to the best thing that ever happened to me, my knight in under armor, my stand up comic, my best fwiend, and my safe place. Here's to many more years of sunshine, lollipops, and rainbows (BK hates this song haha)! I won't play that one since it's not McKenzie Day... here's one that we both love! 

Fun Fact: this was the first song I danced to as a MRS. 

Short Sweet and to the Point

Have you ever had a week so compacted with stress, nerves, excitement, sorrow, joy, frustration that you feel as though you just encountered a week long roller coaster? Those weeks that you feel as though you have had zero time to yourself and you are constantly running from one thing to the next?
It's crazy how weeks like this come with no warning and once you have finally sat down you realized you haven't taken a deep breath in silence for about 5 to 7 days. I partook of a series of 3 weeks like this in a row and I have yet to produce offspring! All you mom's out there get ready b/c when it's my turn to incubate, birth, and raise a human I'm coming to you to get all the advice possible! Taking care of myself is job enough sometimes! (insert mom's laughter here)
Citizens of planet earth, have no fear because this little Mrs. has found the cure for these crazy weeks! There are several routes of recovery to choose from and they go as followed:

1. Go into a room. Lock the door. Play the following song. (or the song of your choosing) Activate dance sequence. You're all alone, no one is watching so really let yourself go. I promise this will have one of two affects: One. Laughter will abound (a mirror is usually present when this occurs). Two. You will have to lay on the floor because you are out of breath. Either of these results will rejuvenate you and allow you to click the "Refresh" Button. (for added relief you can imagine this white girl dancing by herself to this song.... I raise the roof and ninja kick #youcanjudgeme)

2.  Go to your nearest batting cage. Buy 2 rounds of batting. (the first one you're just trying to hit the ball) Once you begin to make contact with the ball continue to hit as hard as your arm will allow. Frustration and/or anger are replaced with sore arms. *please wear all protective head gear provided *If you do not have a batting cage near you, Whack-a-Mole will suffice (go to your nearest arcade)

3. Go somewhere by yourself. Lay on the floor. Begin dehydration through the eyes sequence. (Crying) Sometimes you just need a good cry and for some reason when you lay on the floor while crying gives so much more relief. (this is known as the adult temper tantrum, the adult part is that you are alone) ** Do not do this where someone you love can find you... it will freak them out (the voice of experience)

There are so many other ways to wind down from a chaotic week. From sitting in silence to taking a warm bath, find your remedy! The worst thing is to stuff it down so it comes out in weird unexpected ways.... kind of like a fart. (why is flatulence so funny!)

If all else fails start your day off with a coffee/tea and one of two songs and I guarantee you "We're Gonna Have a Good Day".

 * Warning- only listen to these songs when you are morning happy... if you are not a morning person like me hold off til you are ready and in the car on your way! Playing these too soon will have opposite affects! 

Box of Chocolates

November to March is quite a gap in time.... I do apologize for the partial coma my blog went into, but just like the little daffodils springing up from the ground so is this little blogger.

Life has been crazy these past couple of months... so many new chapters have been started in our lives. I never considered  how in life you  start more than one chapter at a time but is your life just one book or a series of books? (#brainteaser) Currently it feels as though these past several months are a library in and of themselves! We have relocated to the country.. traded in neighbors for cows, heels for galoshes, and air conditioning for screen doors (relax this girl has enough city in her still to require heating and air). This is the "home sweet home book", the newest addition to this little piece of heaven is the ever growing conflict of woman vs. ant. Currently the ants have it, but the greater the struggle the greater the victory right?!? (insert an Amen!) The heroine of our story has already defeated the "Overflowing Toilet" tragedy of '13, with the praise and love of her person she will be victorious yet again. (Huzzah)

In the family book, affectionately titled "The Little Woman... and their Peoples", a chapter is in the making, The Tie that Binds. Our little Hannah Jane is the heroine of this story, she battled a scary monster which we refer to as The One that Shall not be Named! This scary monster put up quite a fight so far but our little stinker pot has come out victorious day by day! Her journey is much more eloquently expressed by the woman who birthed me, Janet Coates.

This chapter is one that hasn't quite ended yet, but the happily ever after is well on it's way thanks to all the amazing support of family, friends, and friends of family and friends. Its truly been a humbling experience to see all the love and support of my sweet sister and brother as they uphold their little fighter... have you ever considered the parents of heroes? (#thoughtloop)

My fairy tale is still quite blissful. Prince charming is still sweeping me off my feet every day (sometimes more literal than others.... I hate mopping the floor!). Every day I am more and more convinced that there is no other human on the face of this planet that could love, provide for, clean up after, take care of, and enjoy my hott mess like he does! It's the little things really like coming home and all the laundry magically is folded or getting in my car to find new wiper blades  have been affectionately added to the jelly bean to make my drives in the rain so much more enjoyable (and visually accurate)! As BK emphatically reminds me, "It's all in the way you choose to see things." Hence why I'm naming the next chapter (or book if it's too big) The Silver Lining. 

Sometimes when you think life can't get any better.... it does.

 And that's all I have to say about that.

*Disclaimer: I do not endorse Glee but this music mash up is magical! I would have done the original with Judy and Barbara but couldn't find a video with sound quality worthy of tantalizing your ears! 

The Best Things Happen While You're Dancing...

It's Christmas time again at the Kenny house.... that's right Christmas in November! It's never to early right? This Christmas we have a new addition to the line up.. a new tree! Our tree last year was so lonely by itself and I being a "more the merrier" type person just could not stand for that! While bringing out all the Christmas cheer through lights, glitter, and funny Santa likenesses the Christmas music and movies were brought out as well! Here are a few of the movies and albums on the line up this year: 

 So as I am decking our halls and stretching out my stomach for the feast of Thanksgiving I am "Rocking around Christmas Tree" with Peggy Lee, "Dancing with the Sugar Plum Fairy" with Tchaikovsky, and "Dreaming of a White Christmas" with Bing Crosby! The year we are heading up to good ol' Kentucky for Christmas with Bryce's family so I'm crossing my fingers for some:

Thanksgiving is spent this year here in good ol' NC with my family, and although it doesn't quite seem like Thanksgiving without the whole CoatesNotes Gang with the Suwanee River as our back drop, frustration at puzzle solving, Uncle John's comedic piano show, prayers being sung not said with all harmonic parts present, and a 6 to 8 hour van ride of bonding.... as the song goes, we'll have to muddle through some how.

Family traditions are such funny things which we cling to fervently and feel strange if each tradition is not methodically carried out! Before marriage I just thought everyone did the same things that we did growing up.... I was greatly mistaken, the hubs had his own, all boys family's, Thanksgiving and Christmas traditions which were almost the exact opposite of my all girls family's! That's one thing you don't think about pre-marriage, or at least I didn't. Now our family traditions are up to us to decide what we want to make a yearly staple. Our tradition around Christmas time is one night getting Starbucks coffee, turning up the Christmas music, and driving around looking at Christmas lights! I love this tradition, maybe because it's our only real tradition (at least that I can think of) so far, but I love it all the same just us driving around feeling like kids again! It's fabulous! I'm looking forward to adding to our tradition(s) this year and one day passing these same traditions on to our kids!!

So here's a little something to get you into the Christmas/Holiday Spirit!

Here's to Us

One year ago today this girl put on the prettiest dress she owns, walked down an isle with my daddy surrounded by friends and family, made a covenant with my best friend, and then danced til I couldn't dance any longer, and officially became a Mrs.

That's right, this ol' gal had officially been a Mrs. for one whole year to the only man who could handle me with such tenacity and tenderness! In reflecting over the past year I've noticed one underlying theme.... that love is committing your life to someone having full knowledge of their weird quirks and odd habits as well as laughing off the newly discovered ones! I must confess I have been caught several times by the hubs doing things I deem as normal, but by his reaction are clearly odd to him! My sweet hubby although perfect in almost every way has also been shocked by what I call oddities that he seems to think everyone does, for example sprinting down our hallway so that he can jump from the entrance of our room and swan dive into bed (usually while I'm trying to read) or randomly singing words in mid conversation. As previously stated I will own up to my own weird flag that occasionally flies, specifically when watching an episode of So You Think You Can Dance and this less than professional dancer has sudden urges to leap or twirl in the kitchen at the specific moment in time that BK walks through the door (and I quickly try to play it off like I was reaching for a pot or burnt my foot usually ending in my injuring a toe or had depending on what I run into). Or perhaps those momentary lapses in judgement when your inner diva breaks out to hit a note far out of your range only to fall flat at the loudest possible volume, and he has the audacity to ask if you were singing or hurt (insert hanging head with red face). The best is when you find common ground, that moment when both your inner nerds hold hands and skip together in a meadow (figuratively speaking of coarse), for example like when you both stay up late man laughing and giggling by watching mascots fall, or when you both are freaking out at the sight of spiders and/or snakes, how bout the times when you both break out dancing in the bathroom/car/living room/kitchen/deck! Those are my favorites those times when our weirdness bond grows where all judgements are put aside and laughter is abounding! The thing you don't realize til you get married is that once you walk down that isle and say "I do" you are accepting that person to now and forever more be there to witness all your weirdness that no one has ever witnessed before!

So here's to us BK you and me babe, to more years of bonding over our weirdness, to growing old together, and to getting better and better with each and every day! I Love You. Here's a little walk down our memory lane:

Here's to the next 25

You know those days when you just feel like giggling? 

This girl just had one of those days and it happened to be a day that I, in no way shape or form, thought I would enjoy so much..... it was the dreaded 25th birthday. Why was 25 so rough you may ask? In my head growing up, 25 was a bench mark of a year; I thought I would have written a book, discovered new places, maybe had my own TV show (I blame "reality" TV), paved the way for a crusade of biblical understanding, speak all over the world (about what I dunno), set up orphanages and safe houses globally, and maybe just maybe have my own action figure all by the age of 25 before entering into my late twenties. (I jest about the action figure, but that would be fantastic!) So here I was on my 25th birthday having accomplished nothing I thought I would have throughout middle and high school! Why did I have 25 in my head? I have no clue it was such a random young age, but that's what I had in my head; I guess because when I was 17 the age of 25 was ancient to me! 

Thankfully this is when my sweet husband came to the rescue and lifted my head to see all the things I had missed by looking at what I hadn't done yet.

He reminded me that there was so much life lived in those 25 years I: traveled, married my best friend, am blessed with so many close friends and loved ones, gained a whole new family, became an aunt many times over, have grown so much personally and spiritually, embarked on new adventures, over came some fears, grew up in general (height excluded), tasted defeat and victory, learned to cook, spoke to hundreds (working on the thousands), lived in different places, succeeded and failed, did yard work, and personally I think I just get more witty with age! 

There are so many things I have not done yet that are still on the list, but it is good to be reminded of the things you have done and the lives you have touched. It's so humbling to think really of how many people think their lives were better because you were in it! (don't get emo on me) :)

As I sat and read, the sweetest gift my hubby could have given me, precious notes from people past and present that have been in my life and been such blessings to me saying sweet murmurs about our times together I truly am humbled and count myself blessed to have known and know each and every one of them and so many others! 

~pause for emotional effect~

In less sweet news, I have declared war on geese! 

They are overtaking our yard with their poo and little webbed feet! Yesterday I had it and chased them around the house twice before raising the white flag due to my panting short breaths and cramping left calf muscle. I accepted defeat by temporarily sitting on the front steps while the geese looked at me with judgemental eyes, mocking my athletic ability and stamina. Geese 1 Me 0 but it will not stay that way for long, I know 2 little boys who are quite faster than me that come with accessories such as sling shots! After catching my breath I headed back in to get some water and oxygen, but to my dismay the door was locked. The front, side, and back doors all locked, no phone or source of communication this girl just locked out! Thankfully my cat woman skills came in handy when realizing I had left a window open! Only one or two things may have been broken upon re-entry, but sacrifices must be made! I'm still investigating if it was the geese who locked those doors.... crafty little boogers!

Just a couple of things to be done on a birthday such as mine! 

Lawncare, Putt Putt, and Grocery Shopping

Hello world!

My days as a newly wed are coming to an end with my September anniversary in sight! What a crazy wonderful exciting and educational time it has been being a newly wed! Reminiscing isn't for today though, so the time has come to talk of many things of shoes and ships and sealing wax of cabbages and kings. (if you can reference this delightful quote we just became better friends!)
Shocking developments have taken place in the Kenny house hold, this wifey for lifey has officially done yard work for the first time! (insert gasp) I know I know it's crazy I'm 24 years old and have never pulled a weed or mowed the yard until recently! I not only learned what a weed looks like and that just because it's the size of a bush doesn't mean it is one, but I also surprised the hubs... I gassed, started, and push mowed our entire yard. (insert applause) There were very minor set backs such as dropping the lawn mower off the side of the curb in efforts to avoid weed eating as well as some uneven spots that I may have over looked. All in all it was a success though! From this experience I gained 2 blisters, sore calves, and the opinion that I do not like doing yard work. The result was a happy husband from one of 2 things, 1. the yard was mowed so he didn't have to do it or 2. his eruption of laughter when he actually saw the state of the yard. Either way this girl is happy and ready to hire a landscaper!
I have recently dubbed Harris Teeter in High Point off 68 or Eastchester my favorite grocery stores, and not just Harris Teeter in general just those 2 locations. I have been helped so many times in probably every section of the store accept for the coffee isle (no need), by smiling happy people who are so helpful for a new Mrs. trying to master the art of making her hubs happy and healthy! So if you haven't found a grocery store.... "where everybody knows your name, and they're all so glad you came" try Harris Teeter but only in those 2 locations, don't get it twisted they aren't all the same!
The newest headline in our house hold is that the Mrs. is quite a competitor when it comes to putt putt golf. Hubby wanted to go on a date night and had one specific request that at some time during the night we would trade our fashions for cardigans and play putt putt golf, and although I had some reservations we went! Little known to me I apparently have a golf gene somewhere and started off the night slow (letting the hubs keep up) until we got to the 8th or 9th hole and then it was like the little magic golf fairy sprinkled her hole in one dust one me! 4 hole in ones yes 4! I don't know if that's common or easy but all I know is I sunk 4 and the hubs only 1. You have to realize something I am not competitive I could care less about beating someone or conquering something... however there was for some reason so much satisfaction to be had with each hole in one sunk and although his competitive nature doesn't want to admit it, I know I had one proud hubby with me! Oh the satisfaction of being good and not trying!