All Soap

I hate automatic car washes. No seriously, I do. Ask my sister Nickie. I feared them when I was little. Do you remember the ones you would drive into a conveyor and then it would pull you through? Ugh. Hated it.

Every time we would enter one my stomach would turn into knots and I would start to feel really warm. At 33 years old, this still happens. I don't know why. I have  never had a bad car wash experience. The car wash has never come to life and attacked my car. But never the less, this is my life.

I don't fear small spaces. I used to ride the elevators when I was stuck in hospitals for enjoyment. You could stuff me in a closet and it wouldn't bother me (well, maybe a little but if you gave me a book and book light I would be all set!).

I know washing your car is a necessary evil. And living in AK, I am certainly not going to stand out in the cold and wash it by hand.

Not only do I hate car washes, I haven't had the best experiences with the car washes around here. Once someone stole my car wash. They didn't pull all the way out of the bay. They pulled up a bit, tripped the sensor and reversed right back, causing the door to close before I could even pull in. I swear this happened. I had a friend with me and we both just sat there laughing and honestly, cussing the guys actions. Luckily, there was a worker there to get me my free car wash. He said people have started doing it more and more since they learned how to trick the sensors. Who steals car washes!?! Idiots. That's who.

Moving on...I decided to wash the Trailblazer today. It was so dirty that it was getting hard to see out of the side windows. I choose the Laser Wash on Muldoon. I drove up, paid my money and pulled hesitantly into the  bay. I turned up the music and starting singing away bracing myself for when the door would close behind me. Singing helps, sometimes. (I also sometimes close my eyes. It makes me feel like I can control something even if it is only the darkness. I know I am a freak people, how do you not know this about me already!?)

Anyway, I sat there ready for the pain when I realized there was no water. The arm spit soap unto my car and some spotless crap. NO WATER. I had no clue what to do so I pulled out praying the dryer would at least blow off the soap. It worked, a little. I pull back around the get the customer service number off the console where you pay your money. There was a guy getting ready to pay the machine where I had just gone through. I threw the car in park, jumped out of the car and ran at him screaming, "Don't do it!" I can only imagine what this guy thought of me. But once I explained, he was grateful I saved him $10.

I called the customer service number and shocker, no one answered. I had to drive to Eagle River in search of another car wash to get all the soap off.  So $18 later my car is free of soap and still not clean.

I know the car wash is my nemesis. But someday, somehow I will win.

Boone

I knew I loved the furry little guy but I guess I didn't realize how much. It's that whole, don't know what you got til it's gone emotion. (You know you were singing that 80's tune in your head!) He was always there to greet us when we came through the door. He always made you feel important and loved no matter how bad your day had been. And even though he would eat 8.5x11 sheets of paper off the desk and slob water all over the place. He was still a great dog!

We have gone through 2 deployments together and spent countless days/night together hanging out because Aaron didn't come home because of training. I have spent more time with Boone than I have with Aaron in our marriage. He was a great friend, a fierce protector (so he liked you to think) and provided countless hours of entertainment (seeing a dog pounce like a cat never gets old!).

It has only been a week, yet I feel like it has been months since I have snuggled his head. He was definitely my little boy.  I already told Aaron I never want another dog. Ever. I know this isn't true. But the truth is no matter how many dogs our family will have, none of then will replace Boone.

I guess Kinley and I will embrace this upcoming deployment alone. And with smiles like this everyday, I think we might just make it through.

Heartbroken

I miss you terribly already. June 2005 - February 2011.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Bumbo

 Hanging with Dad watching tv. Well, she watches for a few seconds and that is about it!

Chilling in the bumbo with a little help from the blanket! She actually really likes sitting in it. So cute! (Even if I do say so myself!

Random Pics & Videos

I promise this blog won't turn into just pictures of my amazing child! But for now, until all my volunteering madness is over and I have more time, this will have to do.

 Her new friend, Mr. Lambie.

Cheering on the Steelers.

 

 Like brother, like sister...

We have been told many times that babies like looking at babies. In this video Aaron is showing Kinley some babies from a magazine. The audio is horrible (I need to quit taking videos with my iPhone!) but you can see her reaction when she sees a baby she enjoys! Better video to come, I promise!

Crazy Hair and Her Zebra

(Fun white boots compliments of her cousin, Delaney!)

To the North Pole or Bust...

For the past two weeks Kinley has had her Grandma Pearce around and I have gotten to spend time with my mom. We had a great time! We got to show her a lot of Alaska and it's wildlife. She got to see 15 moose. They were everywhere! We spotted 2 dall sheep on the way to Alyeska and about 30(+) caribou on the way home from Fairbanks. It was awesome!

Below are some pictures of our trip to Fairbanks and the North Pole. The temps didn't disappoint as it got to about -33 degrees. The only bummer of the trip was Santa was on vacation until May. Can you believe that guy?! We all know the elves do all the work! Anyway... 

 Proof we were really at the North Pole!

 Sitting in Santa's chair sans Santa. :( 

 hee hee...

 Sitting in the ice sleigh!

 Mom and Aaron went on a dog sled ride. I didn't go because I have already been on two. They had a blast! And Kinley and I had fun staying warm in the Hotel North Pole!

 On the ride...

The following pics are the ice museum at Chena Hot Springs:

 The boys and the naked lady.

 Kinley hanging out in her first igloo!

 The crew. We had a blast!

 Our little family. Kinley slept through the whole tour. No shocker there! But we took lots of pictures to document her journey.

 I loved this little fish.

 The ice bar.

 The knights jousting.

Back to random photos...

Hanging at the hotel.

Only a few of the 30(+) caribou we saw on our way home from Fairbanks. Denali National Park is filled with them!

Sunset on the way to Fairbanks at 3:30 PM.

The moon and mountains on our ride up.

Mt. McKinley on the way up.

 

One of the many moose we saw while my mom was here.

And finally...

Kinley and her Grandma Pearce. Thanks for coming to visit! We love you! 

We Wish You A Merry Christmas...

It was a great first Christmas with Kinley! She slept through most of it but I took enough pictures to show her someday. Here are a few:

 She was all partied out pretty quickly! Here she is sporting her 'My 1st Christmas' Santa hat from Grandma Pearsall. 

She didn't really care about the bow but it still didn't stay on long. 

 Under the tree with all her presents. It is a lot for a 6 week old baby! There were lots of books and blankets from family and friends.

 A close up of her under the tree. 

 And this isn't really a Christmas picture but it is one of my favorites! I have always thought my hubby was hot but something about him with her makes him even cuter! :)

I hope you all have a safe and happy new year!

Kinley's Movie Debut

5 Weeks

I have no idea where the time is going. It is almost the end of December and I have barely blinked the last five weeks. Kinley is growing strong! She is an amazing little person. I can't believe how in just a few short weeks she has become so aware of her surroundings. She is picking her head up more and more. She can stare us in the face when we lay her on our chest. It is a pretty funny sight!

She is sleeping well. She wakes up about every 2 -2 1/2 hours to eat. She has her fussy moments but  mostly only cries when she is hungry and even then her cry is pathetic. I know, I know, enjoy it while it lasts! I am loving being a mother but am already worried about her future. I am sure all moms go through it! I am trying not to worry the days away. We are taking lots of pics to document everything. I am sure you don't believe me since I have been so horrible about posting.

Everything has gone pretty well with the exception of  me having to go back into the hospital a week or so ago to have my gallbladder removed. I have learned from other ladies this is sort of common among pregnant women. I wish someone would have told me! The pain hit and within an hour I was on my knees unable to do anything! I called my neighbor and they came to my rescue and call the ambulance. My neighbor is an EMT, I was in good hands! They found Aaron out in the field because he was doing an exercise. He met me at the hospital and all the tests ensued.

They found out my gallbladder and pancreas were inflamed and irritated. I also had gall stones. Fun times. So they admitted me and so began Aaron's 3 days/nights of being a single dad to a new born. He was amazing! I never doubted it because he has been so super helpful from the get go. A real man doesn't shy away from poopy diapers! :)  I love that man!

After two days in the hospital, they took out my gallbladder and pumped me full of anti-biotics to fix the pancreas.  Never a dull moment around me I swear!  Oh, they also fixed a belly button hernia I got from being pregnant that I had no idea I had developed.

So I am home now and feeling much better! Hopefully that will be my last stay in the hospital for a long time. I hated being away from Aaron and Kinley. Although, the hospital was gracious enough to put me in my own room so he could bring her during the day to see me.

Sorry for the poor quality. I took these with my iPhone. I promise to get better pics up soon!

Isn't she sweet! Love her!