Spiderman

So, the other night, Kenzie and I were starting to "wind down" for the night, when out of the corner of my eye I saw something scurry across the floor... at first I thought it was a mouse- no biggie, but upon further glance (and turning my head) I literally FLIPPED OUT. After a few choice words (noted: not my finest parenting moment, I'm sure) I grabbed Kenzie- put her away in our room, the hurled Panzer in Kenzie's bedroom (Lord knows that cat would decide to be curious tonight!). When I went back into the living room I noticed Daisy- whining on the couch looking at me like "THAT'S ALL YOU." Great- nice guard dog (although I wouldn't have wanted her to go after this thing). I got closer to the "spider"- I say "spider" because this was basically a baby tarantula. NO JOKE. Upon further (quick) calculations I realized that not even Caleb's boot was going to squish this thing (that is to say if I got THAT close to it)... so, off to the kitchen I ran. I entered the living room with a frying pan and some sort of car cleaner (don't judge- my neighbor had our bug-spray)... that's about the time my neighbor called me back, so I practically begged (although I used alcohol as a bribe) for her husband to come over and kill it. On a side note, I'd like to add, that while her husband was deployed, Caleb was called on several occassions. What seemed like 20minutes (which was only like 2minutes) my neighbor came in with a newspaper. By that time, I had lost sight of the spider and had even removed my couch... but said it probably went into the hallway or Kenzie's room... he opened the door of Kenzie's room only to spurt out another few choice words (by this time I'm sure Kenzie was either sound asleep, or had heard it before when I said things)... "so- you think that newspaper is going to do the trick? Because... I totally have a pan." "That's seriously the biggest spider I've ever seen outside of a zoo." A few thwacks of a large book, and the spider was gone- flushed down the toilet "just to be safe". While I was relieved that he KNEW I wasn't exaggerating, I was like oh, crap... THAT was IN MY HOUSE. I dialed the maintenance #, only to leave a voicemail as this wasn't technically an emergency (they actually go through a list of "what's qualified as an emergency"). Nope- MASSIVE SPIDER/baby tarantula wasn't on that list. So... guess who DID NOT sleep that night? This girl. I even left every light on in the house (because, spiders are totally scared of the dark right?) ;)

The next morning I got called from the maintenance team, telling me that they had already scheduled someone to come out TODAY (before noon) to spray. I'm telling you- I don't think I've ever let out a bigger sigh of relief... welllllllllll, around 11:45am, I was still waiting. I called back, only to be told "ohh, mam, I'm so sorry, I FORGOT to put you on the schedule". Wellllllllllll, my response was (after a big breath as to not freak out on this poor woman who've I already called several times within the last week- c'mon now, I live in a "historic" home- and any military wife can attest to living in a military home... yes, it's a house, but yeesh... let me tell you) "lady, you've GOTTA get someone here- TODAY. I'm serious... I, I... I just can't wait another day. I have a BABY here." About 20 minutes later she called me, to only say that "someone CAN in fact come out today, but it's not going to make a difference because you live on a military post, it's a "no kill" type deal..." (what in the world?!?!) Basically, the guy could come out and spray, but it's a "bait"- which, we did at our old house when we had ants- and this "bait" works for 14 days... so, for 2 WEEKS, you've got ants coming out of every wood work to get this spray, only to HOPEFULLY bring it back to their colony to kill the rest off... can you even imagine TRYING to do that with spiders? No freakin' way. Nope. So, after telling her that the man could come out to spray ONLY OUTSIDE (in theory, thinking that the spiders would get attracted to go OUTSIDE) I headed to Walmart to get every "non toxic" spider concoction I could get my hands on. I swear I must've looked like a ghost buster... praise the Lord my neighbors were either inside, or too nice to judge me... 3 tubs later (I either didn't take account of the square footage, or overkilled on the spray- I'm thinking the latter... but whatev). I'm not even going to tell you if I've seens a spider since, because heaven help me if I do say, and I see another spider tonight. December can't come soon enough!

August 31, 2011

Hey daddy! It's me- Kenzie... in case you forgot because mommy and I have taken a MONTH off of writing you letters on here (sorry!)- but the beginning part we had a REALLY good excuse- you were home with us!! We had such an amazing time with you- HOME... can't wait until you're home again with us- a few more months! :) Mommy and I look back at the pictures from the airport and RR- we can't help but smile at all of them- meeting you, having you hold me (and mommy), and just finally seeing you after so long/meeting you was the BEST feeling in the entire world... it's my FAVORITE day I've had EVER... I know I've only been around for almost 3 months, but still... it was mommy and I's favorite day- soo awesome. Thanks for all the many things you do for us- we had such a great time during those 15 days with you... loved every minute! Mommy and I absolutely loved waking up to you every morning and going to bed with you every night... and I just loved, loved, LOVED being held by you and snuggling with you as much as we could... you're the best daddy anyone could ever ask for- I love you so much!!

We hated saying "cya later" at the airport... but mommy and I were strong/are strong... it just means we're that much closer to seeing you again and having you home FOR GOOD!! We had to get that day over with to get to the next Homecoming day! :)

Last night Uncle Al, Aunt Jean, and Grandpa came over to help pack up the trailer... I just watched and hung out (the tough life I live huh!?) They were all such great help- Nana made dinner, and Uncle Nate helped too (Grandpa Timmons had to work, and Grandma Lohman was with HER mom) but it was really nice- we have WAY TOO MUCH STUFF though! Well, I guess I have too much stuff- I'm pretty spoiled!! Some of the things will have to stay up here until later- like your golf clubs, and other random stuff. Anyways- I loved skyping with you too- it made my day (and mommy's!) I'm a little upset none of you woke me up to skype though until the end- what's that all about!? Jk.. I needed my beauty rest- but loved hearing you and mommy talk... I love you so much daddy! Can't wait until December to see you- it's almost/just about September! YEAH! We're doing this!- we got this! :) I love you daddy! You're the best and my HERO!
Love you,
Kenzie

July 28, 2011

HI DADDY! It was Nana's birthday today- Mama made her a big sign so that when she woke up she could start "celebrating" her day ;) She had to work, but when she got home Mama took her out to dinner and I stayed with Great Aunt Jean. Mama and Nana went to Qdoba and the mall area to run errands- it's what Nana wanted to do! (Grandpa had to work and Uncle Nate had football all night). When the girls got home I snuggled up with Mama, but we had a HUGE storm come through. Mama and Nana said they hadn't seen lightening like they did in a long time... Mama held me all night (I slept on her chest) because EVERY TIME there was a 'big boom' my whole body would shake- I wasn't really scared of the lightening/thunder, but it just startled me... EVERY.SINGLE.TIME. It was a long night for Mama- me too, but I slept more than her so we'll see how Friday goes.

We didn't hear from you yesterday- we know you can't help it, but we were really bummed (we know you're bummed too). We're still hoping and praying you get your RR this week- we just can't wait to see you! We love you so much daddy- can't wait until you're home to hold me (and Mama) and snuggle... can't wait! See you soon!
Love you!
Kenz

July 27, 2011

WHOA! Today was a LONG day (for Mama that is)... I definitely didn't sleep much more than 45 minutes ALL day... sometimes I just like to cuddle and not do ANYTHING, but I also don't want to go to sleep... so, Mama put me in my carrier that you got us and walked around a bit outside, and did some cleaning in the house... we LOVED talking to you! I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU GUYS TRIED SKYPING WITHOUT ME THOUGH! NOT COOL guys... not cool. I know your voice daddy- I hear it every day, and HAVE heard it almost every day since I could hear inside Mama... sorry that you guys didn't get to skype "alone" but ya know... I just was so excited to SEE you and hear your voice. I was dreaming about you actually when you TRIED skyping without me, but then I was like "wait a second... that's HIM!" so yeah, sorry again, but if it makes you feel any better you TOTALLY made MY DAY! I LOVE you so much daddy- you're seriously my hero and I can't wait until you're here with us and you can cuddle me and talk to me... in person. I promise when you get here I'll let you have some time with your friends and Mama, but for right now, it's really the only thing I look forward to... so, thanks for letting me skype- I like when we ALL 3 skype too :)

Mama gave me a bath tonight- I just love baths... Mama laughs because she thinks it's funny that I HAVE to have a warm/wet towel wrapped around me while I sit in my sling in the tub... she thinks I'm going to be wearing a bath towel in the tub when I'm like 4... we'll see! Haha, but seriously, I just love having the towel around me and I really like to take my foot (just one) out of the towel and dip it in the water... makes Mama laugh, and I'm sure you'll laugh when you see it too!

I love you daddy- I can't count (yet) but I know you're coming home SOON! Mama and everyone else is getting more and more excited by the day! WE LOVE YOU! CYA SOON!
Love,
Kenzie

July 26, 2011

Hi daddy! How's your day going?! Mine went well... hung out at the house... I was up ALMOST all day! It was a bit rough on Mama, but sometimes I just feel like if I sleep I'll miss out on things... BUT I also like to be held or cuddled when I'm really tired (which I was today) so Mama didn't get much done... oh well- it is what it is... maybe tomorrow I'll take it easier on her.

Mama and I went over to Grandma and Grandpa's house to check on Daisy- she was a stinker and got into their chocolate chip cookies! Grandma said she would go over to check on her during her lunch (which she did) but Mama wanted to check on her as well- she seemed better- you can tell she knew she did something she shouldn't have, but she's definitely ok :) Just think how much trouble her and I will cause TOGETHER! You and Mama are definitely in for it... just sayin'... heads up :)

She wanted to play the Zumba kinect game, but every time she would put me down I'd start crying (because I was super tired, but wanted to dance!) soooo she picked me up and held me WHILE dancing! I actually fell asleep while she danced- THAT's talent don't you think? Haha ;) When Nana got home she held me for a bit, then Grandpa did so that Mama could finish some things up and rest. Daddy- you're coming home next week!- I seriously can't wait... I know everyone is really, really, REALLY excited to see you, but I think I'm the MOST excited because I know how much I love you and how wonderful you are and I just want you to be HERE WITH ME! YEAH!!
I love you daddy!
Love,
Kenz

July 25, 2011

Hi dad! I got to go to Grandma and Grandpa Lohman's house tonight to hang out... Mama WAS going to go to the tanner, but decided not to (it's a bit expensive AND she knows she shouldn't be going...) but she went and ran some errands, then went to the house and did some stuff to get ready for YOU to come home! :) (I can't tell you what they did- it's a secret, but you'll like it!- it's not a big deal, so don't get too excited though) ;)

Anyways, I went to their house tonight- it was fun. Grandma made cookies for Grandpa to take with him to TN to see Uncle Lee and Aunt Bree. When I got there, I was hungry (Mama did it so that they could feed me a bottle because Grandma doesn't get to much) but then, GRANDPA wanted to give me my bottle... it was funny. I took it easy on him- didn't mess around because he was SO nervous about how to do it... must've forgotten what to do since you were born! He did good- Grandma critiqued him a bit, but really, he did good. It's a bottle to me- it's food either way, so I could really care less how you feed me, but I DO like when you look at me- if you're doing something else while feeding me (Mama tries to be on the computer or reading to me while I eat but it doesn't work...I like the focus ON ME so I "choke" and then for the remainder of my bottle I know the attention is on me... hehe. I'm really smart daddy- I've got almost all the "tricks" figured out, and have just about everyone wrapped around my finger :)

I hope you have had a great day daddy- can't wait to see you soon!
Love,
Kenzie girl

July 24, 2011

Hey there daddy! We slept in today... totally missed church :( Mama always feels bad when we miss church, but it WAS really nice to just sleep in- sometimes I get too cranky when I wake up that it makes the rest of the day lonngggggggggggg. Either way, we read a few stories out of my Bible and my FAVORITE book- yours! I like both books that you made for me, but the Christmas one is getting kind of old- just because it's JULY! HAHA. Mama said we're going to celebrate my first Christmas whenever you get home... I can't wait! What am I getting? Jk... I know it's a little early, but not really if you think about it! Just sayin'... you guys have to start thinking about ME now with gift-giving... hehe.

I played in Uncle Nate's old swing for almost 2 hours today... I didn't want to get out of it, and sometimes when I'm content with stuff Mama says to just leave me because I'm obviously having a fun time (believe me- you'll know when I don't like something or am bored, tired, etc.) Mama thinks it's funny that I like his old swing so much because my swing was expensive and is really nice/new, and Nana put this lion that hangs from something on the swing and I just stare at him the whole time... everyone laughs, but I just really like that cute lil' lion! You'll see it soon... I guess it's not THAT cool, but I like it.

We did tummy-time for a bit today (longer than usual) until I had HAD it- then Mama said I did a really good job (because I hit my toys that hang from my play-mat)... then we cuddled for a bit, I slept, I ate, had to get my diaper changed a few times (sometimes RIGHT after someone changes me I have to have a new diaper- I like to make things interesting!) Nana hadn't had much "Kenzie time" so I got to fall asleep on her chest as her and Mama watched some tv- they watched "Surprise Homecoming" which is about soldiers coming home from war and surprising their families... Nana bawled a lot, and Mama got a bit teary-eyed, but not so much just because she said you're coming home to us sooooooooooooon! WE CAN'T WAIT! I hope you have had a good day daddy- I LOVE YOU!
Love,
Kenz