Random Katie Thoughts
Let’s see how few words I can use in this post, shall we?
I have a problem. It’s called costumania. I MUST dress up my children in costumes. Halloween is just another day to celebrate the disease.
My new favorite thing Will does is flex and grunt. He’s like a miniature version of Tim the Toolman Taylor and Goldberg (hollah to my fellow WWE fans).
We’ve done a decent amount of playtime in his room since the addition of the toyboxes. Also, I taught him the word ‘snaggletoe’.
Why yes, that is a giant fort in our living room. And of course, Will is flexing. Couldn’t you tell?
I hate our living room rug. I’ve said that before. I’ll say it again. And yes…this is how our living room looks 98% of the time. Laundry on the shelf. Toys everywhere. Thomas (aka “Tahnas” according to Will) on tv. And a randomly perched toddler.
I’ve been working on this:
Yup. $32 at Goodwill. It’s gonna be perfect for our dish storage in the dining room. I’ve learned that Will can handle exposed dishes. His friends? Notsomuch. The temptation was too great. So instead of crossing the awkward line and disciplining someone elses kid who might have uber grabby hands and no respect for the word NO…I’ll go for a makeover. But oh a girl could wish 
It’s funny this piece. It’s like really confused. It has dovetailed drawers and yet it isn’t solid wood. Weird.
The lines were just my style though. In the words of Tony the Tiger – it’s gonna be GREEEEAT!
Superbowl Sunday was my birthday. I spent it helping my little brother move.
Yup. My baby brother Timmy bought his own four bedroom short sale. I could not be prouder. And he needed some help – so he called in the troops…aka Me, Jer, my mom and dad. Will supervised.
I was happy to share my day with him…because you only buy your first house once So we had a celebration on Saturday with friends and family.
It’s been a while since we had everyone together. These girls make me so happy. And I am seriously contemplating turning 31 again just to have a reason for a get together.
Will had a little cold over the weekend. It was a nightmare. He never has been a solid night sleeper but when he was coughing every five minutes, it turned into something only likened to a middle school lock out. Imagine the screaming and being awake all night.
Now that I look at these photos – I hope he didn’t spit on the cake.
I like the fact that Jade is photobombing our family picture with his toddler who is wearing a broken bouncy fuzzy ball on his head. Nice.
Confession: I bought all of these in November and told Jer that they were my birthday gifts.
Another confession: I forgot what I bought and love them all
I got a mercury glass mushroom and a scented candle with holder from Bath and Body Works. Love the geometric pattern. And a capiz shell frame for my nightstand collection.
I asked Jer not to buy me cake or cupcakes or brownies this year. I just wanted a giant bowl of peanut M&M’s. Such a reasonable request.
This was the day after the party – when half the bowl was gone.
I am proud and morbidly obese ashamed to announce that the bowl is now empty.
We’ve had crazy weather lately. One day its nice shorts weather. The next is drizzly and cold. Then it’s foggy. Then it’s perfect. It’s all over the place. Jeremy looks especially manly with his earmuffs, don’t you think? :)
I have more to share…but it’s late and Will is coughing so I best be visiting my little insomniac.
p.s. I’ve been getting a lot of emails lately from folks asking lots of questions…like ‘how do I fit it all in?’ and ‘how is cloth diapering going?’ and ‘Have you read Taking Charge of your Fertility’ yet?’…and I thought I might do a big QUESTIONS post…does this sound interesting or just boring? I might do it either way – just so I don’t have to type it all out a thousand times over….so if you have any questions you have been thinking of asking…nows the time I might actually answer
*list contains affiliate links
word! if you haven’t read that book- i’d totally send it to you. free shipping
msg me if so (we’re done having kids… sooooo i’m trying to offload this baby… i mean book).
I was wondering if you are still breastfeeding? My son is Will’s age and I’m still nursing once a day. I was wondering if you had any tips on weaning. Thanks!
Okay, LOVE the fact that you bought your own birthday presents a while back! Mental note to do that next year..
Here’s my question- are you tracking your cervical mucus??? KIDDING!!! Gross! Unless you’re doing it. Then not gross at all. Nope not gross, just necessary. Good luck either way. Good day.
Happy Birthday!
I absolutely love your hair. It looks great!
Happy Birthday girlie.
Question for question post: I know you mentioned that you and your boyfriend are house poor. So are we
Do you regret buying your “Dream House” Do you wish you stayed in your first home? Sometimes I wish we saved more before jumping into home ownership.
I would like to know which skill you do not possess today that you would like to work on next?
Yes to the Q&A.
I saw the picture above with Will in a disposable diaper and was wondering if you were still cloth diapering. I am planning on cloth diapering baby #2 (due in Sept.) and wanted to know if you had any cloth diapering tips that have helped you and your family.
You’re the best, Katie!!!
I would totally read a ‘questions’ post! I didn’t even realize you were using cloth diapers… I’m on baby #2 with my supplies and they are still kickin’! I also read “Taking Charge of Your Fertility” and am contemplating memorizing the chapter about trying for a girl if we decide to take the road less traveled to baby #3. Good luck with your growing family dreams!!
Happy Belated, Katie!! You are my favorite. Actually, we are best friends (you just don’t know it yet:)!! Just kidding. (Not really though:)
YES to the questions post!! Mine is…if you and Jeremy ever come to Boston will you PLEASE drop me a line so we can have a playdate (since that’s what besties do)??! I have a 24 month old son named Griffin who would lurrrve to rumble around with Will, a big ol back yard, AND there’s a goodwill right around the corner!!
xo
Clearly, your Goodwill is better than mine. Ever since my Goodwill converted into half store/half career center, their prices have been way too high for thrift store stuff…and most of what they have is slightly discounted clearance from Wal-Mart and Target! I have been seriously searching for a piece like that… I might have to make a trip out to YOUR thrift stores sometime…
Hi Katie:
I have never posted a comment on your blog before, but I am a fan. Loved seeing you with John and Sherry. When I saw you on Nate Berkus, I claimed you as one of my own. We GA girls have to stick together! Your family is precious. Your little boy is about the same age as my Granddaughter Nealon who turned two this past October. I have a china cabinet that same style. Can’t wait to see what you are going to do with it. You are loved out here.
Judy Clark
Love your hair! Happy belated b-day!
And my question is: Have you read Supernatural Childbirth by Jackie Mize? It’s a great Bible-based book that I think you would benefit from and it is great for even before you have conceived a child all the way through childbirth. I heard about it from some mommy friends and have a copy of my own that I flip through on a regular basis. It also comes in CD format. http://www.amazon.com/Supernatural-Childbirth-Jackie-Mize/dp/0892747560
Oh my gosh you are my kinda gal! A huge bowl of peanut m&m’s = heaven!
Love your new hair do. I celebrated my 31 bday on Sunday too. My little peanut also has a cold right now and her coughing is keeping me up a bit. Have you started 2nd birthday planning for Will yet? I need ideas.
Can’t wait for winter to be over!
I was just introduced to your blog last week, and I love it! I’m a displaced Southerner {living in WI} and it’s a dose of home. I confess I was laughing so hard and snorted so loudly over your family photo post that I woke up my baby. Okay, weird question. Who is the guy in the middle of your birthday party guest pic? He’s blond and holding a little kid. I’m all but certain that I went to college with him! I went to Bryan College in Dayton TN, class of ’00.
That’s kent Suter…and I went to Bryan
xo kb
Okay I”m freaking out that we have the same birthday!!! Happy Belated Birthday Katie! I don’t know about you but I was super bummed my birthday fell on SuperBowl this year. My husband had planned to take me to dinner at a nice restaurant that night but when he called to make reservations they were CLOSED because of SuperBowl. We went to 3 other places and they were all closed!! So we ended up at Olive Garden.
Oh well…. still had a great night with my sweetie
Happy belated birthday, Katie! It sounds like you had a great day! You’re hair looks great; I thought your long hair was gorgeous, and so it the new cut!
I would love a Q&A post, too!
Happy Birthday, Katie! I really love reading your blog and think that you are seriously one of the funniest gals ever. I am a labor and delivery RN and mommy; my heart goes out to you in your struggle to have baby #2. Thank you for sharing your story with us, your faithful readers. If I had a magic wand, I would surly wave the baby fairy dust over all you. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers and look forward to the day I tune into your blog and see that you’re pregnant! Hang in there, girl.
-Marigny
Sell the rug you hate on craigslist.com and move on to a more likeable match for you!!
I love this blog, but the morbidly obese comment/bad joke was in such bad taste. Insensitive much? Especially coming from such a stunningly thin person, this comment really stung.
Dear Ally,
I thought of a million and a half ways to respond to your comment. But honestly I can’t get over the shock of you telling me that I am “stunningly thin”. Obviously you haven’t seen our redneck photos.
xo – kb
I’ve read your blog everyday for the past two years and today was the first time I was shocked by a post. You’re 31?!? You’ve always been 26ish in my head. Not that age matters-just found it surprising. You look so much more immature
When you have a cute kid, you HAVE to dress him up in costume. I’m pretty sure there’s a law! And I’m loving that picture of Will looking at the M&Ms like he can’t believe his eyes.
I would love a Q&A post! I’m especially interested (nosy?) in how you guys budget. Obviously you don’t have to use actual numbers but I think it would be cool to see how you to decide what percentage of income to spend on house projects, savings, fun, etc. My husband and I have been married about a year and a half and this is a hot topic for us. What do we put toward retirement? What do we budget for house stuff? Vacations? We are currently DINKS but someday I’d like to stay home when we have kids…I can’t even imagine how that will change the budget. Was that a big adjustment for you guys? Anyway – blah blah blah – my point is I would love to get some budget tips from you!
that hutch was $32?! are you kidding me? your goodwill kicks my goodwill’s booty.
Happy birthday KB! The two things I thought of when I read your post was
What does your husband do for his career? and when looking at the group photo from your bday, I saw your sister and her husband and thought “there’s puss n boots”
Cheers!
Happy birthday, Katie! I know you’ve said several times that you never get rid of anything. I was wondering how you organize the stuff you’re storing — by date, origin, type, color, something else?
Also, I would love to know what you feed Will for lunch — I have a picky eater and am always looking for ideas.
I have a strange memory. It might be piled up in a random shoe box completely chaos to normal people but I know where it is
xo – kb
Happy birthday! I will also be turning 31 in a few weeks. Hard to believe! Loving your new haircut. It looks great on you and looking forward to reading all of your questions/answers posts.
Since your family is Christian your husband’s family is as well (plus your daddy-in-law is a pastor)… if they read your blog how do they react to all your dirty jokes and innuendos? I mean, let’s be honest, your posts are full of them! I love your blog and read it all the time so I promise this isn’t a criticism, just a curiosity. I know I can’t be the only one who wants to know!!!!!!
First – yes. They all read. Even my little ole grandpa. And to answer your question – We make jokes in our family. Simple as that. I’m sure some folks in my family (my mom especially) cringes only because she wants me to ‘be a lady’ – you know, oldschool style but they know that my heart is not to be malicious or cruel but to make people smile. I think in general we try to focus on not being legalistic about most stuff but to know that God gave us a sense of humor and we try to celebrate that. Some folks might see that as inappropriate but we all have different standards and I try to make sure I keep mine!
xo – kb
How did you battle your depression? Counseling? Medication or did it just go away? Do you still deal with it today?
Well, I had a little bout of it in college when I lived by myself. But I haven’t experienced it since then. First let me say that I don’t think this “treatment” will work for everyone. And from my very scientific self-diagnosis, my undiagnosed and mild depressions were I beleive, brought on by self-isolation, stress and negativity about my own self-worth. But some of the biggest things that helped were 1. prayer 2. service to others 3. focusing on encouragement to others and myself through journaling and letter writing. I know it sounds juvenile but these three simple acts helped me tremendously.
xo – kb
I think you and your blog are fabulous, and just had to jump in and comment on a couple of things!
1) We have a 15-month old boy and our house usually looks exactly like yours … so glad we are not the only ones!
2) I cannot wait to see what you do with that hutch – we have a very similar one that the previous owners left in our home. I love it for storage, but ours has a very shiny, outdated looking varnish and I’ve been contemplating how to update it
I LOVE peanut MandMs….my absolute favorite. My hair salon i always visit has a huge bowl out and that is pretty much why I get my hair done every 7 weeks. It would probably just be cheaper to go buy a huge bag. Happy bday!
haha…I only go to Kroger to grocery shop to get soup samples. yes I end up spending forty bucks whenever I go…I should just buy the soup.
xo – kb
So I’ve been wondering…
How’s it going to have Jeremy work from the home-office? Does Will know he’s in there and want to see him at random times during the work day? Totally random, but I didn’t know if there’s an “out of sight, out of mind” mentality for toddlers. And I guess I don’t know how rigidly Jeremy is tied to the office. Do you see him lots or little throughout the day?
We see him at lunchtime but for the most part, when he moved his office to the basement, we don’t see him
xo – kb
Hi Katie! Love your blog is so funny without being mean
and i just love quirkiness, and you have lots
I saw these and immediately thought of you. You should get them as a another birthday gift or you could ask your boyfriend as Valentines Day gift. Im sure you will love them. let me know.
http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/glass-bacon-and-egg-earrings.
my only question is how in the world you found that hutch for $32?!? I am coming to Georgia!! The last time I went to Goodwill, I wouldn’t pay the $5 sticker price for picture frames and you got an entire piece of furniture for $32. . . . . and I am so desperatly looking for a hutch or buffet right now. let me know if you see another, lol.
Happy Birthday! Don’t know when you had your haircut, but it’s fab! Furniture re-do looks exciting.
Hi Katie
Happy birthday!! I hope you had a fun day, despite any heavy lifting that may have been involved with moving day
The peanut M&Ms bowl looked awesome… When I got married last year, I asked my Dad (who lives in NY) to bring out with him as many bags of peanut butter M&Ms as he could fit in his suitcase – I live in Sydney (Australia) and bags here sell for $10+(!!!) – for some reason that kind is imported so they’re ridiculously expensive!! Yet sometimes still worth it 
Some questions…
- where in the world have you travelled, and where would you most like to go?
- can you tell us more about the job you had before having Will? Did you like working full time (if it was full time)?
- what are the ‘staple’ meals of your household? Like the go-to dishes that you make regularly?
- what are some of the scriptures that mean the most to you, or have helped you the most in the past?
- when will you visit Australia?!!! (I promise the normal peanut M&Ms you like are standard here so no $10 price tag like the peanut butter ones to scare you off)
P.S Really do adore your blog – it always brings a smile to my face. God bless you and your family
xo
happy birthday! and seriously LOVE the hair!!!
Can’t wait to see how your new project turns out!!!
Happy belated birthday, Katie! I love you even more for the giant bowl of peanut M&Ms – they are the best kind and I’m totally going to steal that idea for my birthday this year. :p
The Q&A posts sound like they’ll be good. With so many readers you must get lots of repeats questions so may as well answer ‘em publicly. :p Then you can just be like “I answered that on the blog and here is the link”.
Handy!
I have to confess – I’ve been a way for a couple of days, so I must have missed the haircut! Just wanted to tell you that you look FANTASTIC! I love it!
Happy Belated BDay Katie!
Love the new hair!
Cheers,
Sarah
3 things:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
LOVE your hair!
And YES please do a Big Questions post:)
Is this tv not to hight even for you?
Well, we probably would like it lower if we had a choice, but the previous owners built the mount directly into the fireplace so we can’t drop it. Oh well…better than having no tv.
xo – kb
I too have a birthday around SuperBowl. It always ruins my plans. I turned 35 on the 3rd and I am lucky to not look my age
I love your haircut and I love reading your blog. I have a blog too but I don’t get a lot of time to write since I am a single mom to twin toddlers. Well, bananas are being smushed right now so gotta go…
Not sure if use still have any, but we used the leftover carpet pad remnants under our living room rug. Just taped them together with duct tape like a redneck puzzle. My arse and my knees love being on the floor in front of the fireplace now. If you don’t have remnants, carpet stores sell the pads at about $1 a square foot whole, or check out their end or roll section for super deals.
OOoh – good idea! I still need a rug pad pretty fierce!
xo – kb