Go buy something... today!

A lot of you already know my sister but for those that don't... you should! Let me tell you about her.  She's my sista, a self proclaimed  comedian (judge for yourself by reading her blog), a wife, a wonderful mother,  lover of Jesus, daughter, sarcastic, writer, she has a big heart,the ability to do anything/everything she wants, and how lucky am I that she's my best friend???    

circa 2005

That being said we'd fight like cats and dogs growing up, we're 18 months apart which meant according to HER that was too close.  Apparently, I was the annoying little sister who always tagged along.  I mean, who would have thought that having your little sis at every cheer practice in middle school wasn't allowed?!?!  I am or may not remember the cheers. And get this, in high school apparently I wasn't suppose to be friends with people (especially guys) she was.  Once she "went away" moved 3 miles up University Ave to college it was better... though again with the rules! Seniors in high school weren't suppose to be partying at the college parties... unless of course I went with her, where she always told people we were twins people are so gullible.  

Well, despite all of our "tiffs" she's always had my back and I've ALWAYS had hers... we are each others biggest cheerleaders.  Which is why I'm asking you to help her out too... though I wish I could do it all.   Go to Be Free Revolution and pick something up TODAY!  Not only will you be helping out a great cause you'll be helping to fund my sister's mission trip to Africa!!!  So that she can help to spread the word, teach kids, and empower women!  How awesome is that?!?!  I am only slightly jealous of this life changing experience she is about to have.  

Now, if you can't buy something today (Wednesday- October 3rd) but really want to help out, you can still donate!! See, look how easy this is for you! Again, go to her blog, she has a link.  

I'll leave you with some pictures of my bff... just for fun!

whatever it takes to get the shot

just hanging around the Eiffel Tower 

aren't we cute!

Just to prove how weird we are:

she has the "splotches"... 

I have the "streaks"

baby McKenna Rayne

Ninjas

People think I'm a bitch...

Lately (not sure what sparked it all) I've had several people remind me how upon first meeting they think I'm a royal B... don't get me wrong, this does not come as a shock to me! I've been told this since I was in high school and throughout my college years "Oh, when I first met you or the first time I saw you!" Then of course they learn the errors of their ways and realize I'm the most bad ass person they've ever met. (Okay, so maybe that's a stretch but still, they were wrong) Even my husband thought that.

Speaking of which, let me tell you about about what my oh so loving husband & bro-in-law used to call me. I will try to keep it short but you know me...

So, about a week before I officially met the hubby, my friend and I were eating at this local Cruces establishment (Dick's cafe-which is the most amazing greasy food ever). We noticed a table full of guys kept looking over at us and chatting amongst themselves... I recognized them from the Ag college but didn't know any of them. We blew it off and went on eating our calorie laden heart attacks on a plate (did I mention I miss the food in NM???).

Fast forward about a week to a quiet Saturday night I was studying, since that is what I did most weekends okay, so I'm a liar too , until the opportunity came about to party in the desert... I mean, you can't turn down "Two-Mile". Anyway, LONG I'll share if it you really want, because I LOVE to talk story short I met Reed there (thanks to bestie!!!) and we started dating. Not too long after we started hanging out I realized Reed was one of the guys at that table and asked him to explain what they were talking about. Of course I already knew the answer... they just were taken aback by Manda & mine beauty.... but I thought I'd humor him and let him tell me. His response wasn't exactly what I had in mind.

"Well, Tres was telling all of us what a big bitch you were". Nice, right?!?!?!? As it turns out, I guess I did "know" one of them and one night at Stomper (oh college, I miss you!) I danced with him and allegedly "refused to talk to him" during the dance, this I do not remember but it may or may not sound like me... but apparently since that day Reed & Tres would refer to me as the "bitch who drives the silver Ford". A very loving name if I do say so myself.

That is just one example of people thinking I may not be the most friendly person (but that one turned out okay.) It used to bug me but as I've gotten older and more stuck in my ways wiser, I have learned to accept it and own it.


My attitude got me in a little always flipping grounded bit of trouble when I was younger. My parents taught me to have my own voice (though I'm pretty sure they wanted to beat it out of me somedays), to be strong and not take crap from anyone. I didn't fall to some notice I didn't say ALL or ANY of the peer pressure out there, if I did something it was because I wanted to.

With all that being said I don't care what most people think of me, if you are going to judge me or talk about me I do not need you in my life, if you hurt my friends or family- we're done, I hold grudges that despite my efforts I cannot get rid of, I'm out spoken and stubborn.

I know that I may come off as harsh or "unfriendly" honestly I'm everything but... I love people, I'm loyal, I'm an open book with a big heart, just want to have a good time, and love making new friends.

I am me and nothing you say will change that, don't try to.

Tomorrow, my little boy will be ONE

I remember exactly what I was doing a year ago... being the over-achiever, dedicated, NPPC employee I am... I went to work (in a snow storm) the day I was going to be induced. I'm pretty awesome, if I do say so myself! ;-) It was a 1/2 day but still! I went mostly because I would've been a wreck sitting around the house all day. It was kind of funny because all of my fellow co-workers a bunch of guys really thought I was going to delivery at any minute. Anyway, I digress!

I had a moment of panic prior to PR coming, the panic wasn't for myself or Reed, but for K.Rae Her only child world was going to be flipped upside down and I was freaking out about it! should have thought about that 39 weeks sooner! I got over it though when remembered that lots of people have younger siblings and they turn out just fine. I mean, look at MY sister.... I can't imagine what her life would be like without her baby sis in it! Actually, I can... she probably would have gotten her ass beat up, I protected her, damn... she owes me.

Back to P... the weather was awful, snow storm, blizzard conditions, we were suppose to be checked in at 10:00pm, it was a 20 minute drive from our house so we left 2 hours early. Naturally, right? Well, it's a good thing we did because we were only early by about 20 minutes. See, told you the weather sucked.

Upon arrival the nurses made us wait forever took us right to the room to get settled in for a relaxing night of sleep, after they tried to kill me with the IV's & monitors. I was given the pitocin and was quickly reminded how bad all of this was going to suck. Not because contractions started, because I thought I was going to get sick just because of the IV. I'm a big pansey pretty tough.

Needless to say, the IV didn't kill me, I was actually able to get a pretty good night's sleep (though I can't say the same for Reed who slept on a pull out couch). Contractions started at 6AM ish and shortly after there was painful contractions, cussing, and then a GIANT NEEDLE they stuck in my back, which shortly after I and probably more so Reed thanked heavens for. Despite the painful needles and the few cuss words, it was fairly quick and easy.

PR was born at 12:41pm weighing... 9lbs 9 oz... yes, I delivered a toddler and today he is 30lbs! I know everyone always says this but the past year has gone by so fast! I can't believe when I look at him that he's already a year. Here is a run down of different stages, cause you all care right?? ;-)

• 11 weeks- Rolled over for the first time
• 5 months- Got up on his knees to attempt to crawl
  - Did the worm instead.... it was amazing
• 6 months- Crawling... everywhere!
• 8 months- stood by himself
• 9 months- started walking one day
  - started running the next week
• Somewhere in between 7-9 months he started saying Mama & Dada... but I'm a slacker and didn't write it down, whoops. #secondchild #parentingfail
• 11 months- started saying "Hissss" which is P speak for "Horse"
  
  

All joking aside he is amazing and we have been Blessed! Love him and couldn't imagine life without my baby Bronco.

Happy Birthday, baby Bronco.!!!!

On a side note, it kinda only just a little rocked K's world but she loves her little brother most days.

Blogger Fail

Not that I've ever been a real great blogger, in terms of being consistent, but 2011 was by far my worst year for blogging. Will 2012 be any better? Probably not but I'm going to give it a whirl I wouldn't bet on it if I were you . I just haven't felt motivated to blog.... which is why this post hasn't even been edited and is very "rough looking" damn I suck at this! It's because I'm so busy lazy?

I'm very optimistic about this year... I feel change on the horizon.. maybe not major changes, we aren't moving and no I'm not preggo! But good some small changes. We'll see!

Being that I'm still not super motivated today or feeling very creative this post will be the tradition recap of the previous year. Here goes!

January- Lots of playing in the snow, prepping for baby Bronco, and Mom "moved in" (she stayed with us for a couple months)... did I mentioned she's the best????? The picture of the three of us was January 31st.

At 10pm on January 31st I checked into St E hospital in Lincoln and at 12:41pm PR was born! Hard to believe that was almost a year ago. The picture of K and him is the moment she saw him.

March- K is shed hunting with Dad here....

K.Rae got her hair cut short in April, she looked too grown up! Kristin, MK, and Mom were all here for Easter!

In May we spend the month watching P grow

June we traveled to the panhandle to spend the week with the inlaws. This is the weekend when Liz and I officially became Outlaws!

At the end of July we traveled back to NM and were lucky enough to be able to attend/be part of the Boyle wedding! It was great to see our friends get married and we had the best weekend with family/friends!!!

August was crazy... it included two full weeks of travel for me and when I returned we packed up and moved! We (all of us including the horses) have room to run now!

September- P has a new obsession with horses, live ones and fake. He loves them. My long lost bf came up to visit... love her!!! September was scary for us though, K spent four days in the hospital with a kidney infection. She was a trooper though and I stayed by her side the whole time... we had fun playing board games and cuddling in her hospital bed. Turns out this may be a life long issue she has to deal with but we'll face it as it comes!

In October she turned five!!! We spent the day at American Girl store where she picked out her new friend "Julie". I turned 27... but we won't talk about that.

November was full of family!! Tio and Outlaw came to visit us. It was so great to see them! For Thanksgiving we traveled to Kentucky where there was LOTS of jumping on/off of furniture, great laughs, game time with family, and yummy food thanks to mom!

December seemed to fly by, we spent Christmas at home, just the four of us and lucked out... the weather was beautiful. Merry Christmas!

Happy New Year!

Beyond Thankful

These two are what I am most thankful for.... I mean, look at them!!!

House

This post is mostly for the couple friends and family who've been asking to see house pictures, here are the upstairs & living room.  Still some things I need to do but almost done, also some of these pictures were taken with my phone so the quality stinks.

 Living Room

Before

After

New carpet and fresh coat of paint

Bronco's Room

Before

After

K's Bathroom

Before

After

 

No changes really... just with her stuff

K's Room

before

After

Play Room