Audrey Relationships

A Dozen Years Under Our Belt

Twelve years and one day ago, K asked me to be his girlfriend. Kind of. It was actually a mutual resolution. Romantic, right? He was a little more romantic when he proposed eight years and one day ago 😉

It’s comical how much has changed since we kicked this off. (Seven years ago I wrote this post about our relationship. Home in on the paragraph about not working well together- hahaha! Thankfully we got over that.)

Over the past 12 years some of my favorite things have blossomed from our relationship. They wouldn’t exist (in my world, at least) if K and I didn’t exist.

Obviously Lylee & Enzo. (And now Bristol.)
We took in Ly four months before the wedding, but it was a joint decision.
Enzo arrived just before our first Christmas as husband & wife. I hate that our time with Lylee was cut short, but I wouldn’t have wanted to share her with anyone but K. Bristol was a family decision, but I don’t think I’d have looked her direction without K’s dog-loving heart guiding our family.

My relationship with K’s family.
I feel like I’ve grown up in K’s family. I’ve known them since I was 16 and they’ve been around for all my major milestones- birthdays, graduations, etc. Because of that, I never feel out of place when I’m with them. I’ve been around for over a decade and watched his cousins and siblings grow their families, too.

K’s relationship with my family.
Likewise, K has known my family just as long. I know it’s tough to let your little girl date- especially when it’s an older boy- but it didn’t take long for the (over)protective men in my life to see what I saw in K. And now he’s so dang engrained in my family I sometimes think they’d pick him over me.

The business.
Not to say that K wouldn’t have started PI without me in his life, but considering he first opened shop in my dad’s truck garage and we’ve had support from my (as well as his) family along the way, I think the journey would’ve looked much different if not for our relationship.

My friendship with Erica.
One of my very best friends & her husband were essentially introduced to me through K. Their kids are our godchildren ♥ I don’t know what I’d have done without her love and support the last 10+ years.

Countless concerts & trips we’ve experienced.
Who knows? Maybe I’d have seen those bands or gone on those vacations without K, but they’d have been such different experiences. I’m grateful for all the things we’ve done together and the memories I have from those together moments.

My personality & confidence.
I met K when I was 15 & we started dating when I was 17. For the most part, there are very few instances where he was a bad influence. I had questionable friends and did questionable things when we started dating, and K wasn’t into that stuff. For the past twelve years he’s been a stable moral compass for me. And on top of that, he has always given me a huge dose of confidence. He supports my decisions and backs my dreams- he believed in me to march an independent drumline and supported me studying abroad in India and encourages me to write down the countless stories that enter my head. Maybe I’d have found a partner like him some day, but the person I am today is largely because I’ve spent the last 12 years by his side.

Last but not least, our future kid.
I always thought I’d have a kid as soon as I got married (especially when I dreamed of a future with K). I won’t lie- I’m glad I didn’t. I’ve enjoyed these past 6+ years as husband and wife. And now I’m so excited to add a perfect little combination of the two of us to the mix. I’m nervous to share our life with a new human- it’s been just US for so long- but I wouldn’t want to grow a family with anyone else.

So that got mushy and gushy but this is our last “anniversary” without a tiny human stealing our attention so I won’t apologize 😉

Thanks for 12 amazing years, Kyle. He’s to 12 dozen more of them ♥

Audrey Critters & Pets, Life

Things On My Mind

Hello! If you’re reading this you’ve made it to Tuesday. Way to go!

I like how Kristen did a coffee date-brain dump recently. I’ve had a lot going on so I figured I’d do the same and we could all just catch up today. I will be having some hot coffee with a splash of this creamer. So good ❤

Dogs

If you follow me on Instagram then you’ve met our little Bristol Baby. I’m going to share her adoption story here soon, but today I’m just introducing our newest addition. We’re the crazy people who added an 8 month old dog with less than 8 weeks until our baby due date. Ha.

We miss our Lylee Bear but rescuing Bristol was the right choice for us. She’s a completely different personality & just the right amount of spunk our home needed. (And I’m even saying that after she busted out of her crate and subjected our house to a puppy hurricane yesterday. SIGH.)

We love our new little handful. We were told she’s a Pomeranian-Husky mix and she’ll likely stay about the size she is now (35 lbs). It doesn’t matter what she is or how big she gets- we’re just so glad she’s ours 😊

Baby

Still pregnant and slowly starting to freak out about labor & delivery. Ha. My mother-in-law and mom threw me a baby shower on Sunday and HOLY COW. It was a beautiful party. I’m still blown away by their planning and the generosity of those who helped and the love of everyone who came. I’m going to post about that, too, but I’m still collecting pictures.

I have 6 weeks and 5 days to go. Yikes. Baby is typically an active little thing in there. I feel rounder and tired- but I’ve been tired since the test said “positive” and I’m sure I’ll be tired until I die. Hahaha.

We have a birthing class on Saturday and maternity pics on Monday… after that it’s just a waiting game. K has a business trip mid-November so we’re begging Baby daily to avoid those 4 days. Haha. (He can race home if need be.)

Organization

There is so much I want to do before baby gets here. Books I want to read. Moments I want to scrapbook. Corners I want to clean out. Photos I want to organize. Dogs I want to train (lol). I know I won’t get everything done and I’m determined not to stress about it, but these things are definitely on my mind.

I know nesting has kicked in. We still have a bunch of kid-related stuff to do: nursery needs painted, things need assembled, even more things need bought… I’d like to get some freezer meals done. I’d like to clean out the garage. Etc.

PLUS the holidays are here. We finally did the ledge for Halloween. We’re having a party this month, too. (I’m not giving that up- even if I am 35 weeks pregnant by then, ha.) Then we have Christmas decorations that I want to get up and gifts that need purchased or wrapped…

I dunno. It’s all trivial and if it doesn’t get done it’s completely ok, but these are the things on my mind right now.

So now it’s your turn. What’s going on in your world? What’s on your mind? What’s your beverage of choice on this blustery fall morning?

Audrey Link-Ups

Currently…

My last “currently” post was in May so I’m due for one.
Linking up with Kristen from See You in a Porridge for What’s New With You?.

Reading… The Lost World. Still. I’m such a putz. I’m also reading Cocaine Blues and I’m finishing Columbine.

Watching… nothing really. I watched season 1 of High Seas (Netflix) and loved it but I’ll mention that in another post.

Listening to… Influenced the Podcast as well as lots of 90s/00s Women of Country and 00s Rock Alternative. I know that’s a weird mix. Ha.

Eating… random things. So many things still don’t sound good. Ice cream, cereal (which gives me heartburn), and pb&j sandwiches always sound yummy, though.

Wearing… athletic shorts, tank tops, and layers. I’m trying to stay cool on the 85º+ weather days but some days start in the 60s, spike to 80, and return to 50 or 60 before I can get home to change. Ohio is a weirdo.

Praying about… Ly’s anxiety (summer storms suck for her), bringing our human baby home to our fur babies, the health and safety of loved ones. (And of course the terrible, shady things going on in our country.)

Looking forward to… vacation in Tampa at my best friend’s house! It’s not until late September but I don’t care. I’m excited!

Planning… a trip for a NASCAR night race. We weren’t going to go, but now we are. And K and I are in charge of booking the hotel room.

Worrying about… all the stuff we have to do before we add a kid. Much of it is not done. Lol. We have 9 mostly free weekends (out of 17) until her due date weekend. Yikes.

I’m going to share a pregnancy update next week. Similar to this post, but specifically about pregnancy thus far (halfway!).

So tell me… what’s new with you?

What's New With You
Audrey Family, Weekend Recep

The Last Weekend in July

It’s Tuesday & I am still a walking zombie in recovery mode. Ha. But the crazy busy social weekend was all worth it. I don’t always share a weekend recap, but when they’re memorable I like sharing here.

K’s extended family was in town last week/end from Texas, Kentucky, & Tennessee. After work on Thursday we went to his aunt & uncle’s house to visit and eat pizza.

After work on Friday we took our corvette to the car show at a neighboring town festival (The Corn Festival). K spent all week cleaning the car up- it was her first show ever. We weren’t expecting to win anything, but we ended up taking second place in the “1994 and Newer” category! (We have a 2013 because it’s the year we were married.) We were both shocked and pleased 😊

I love the corn fest because they serve corn on the cob cooked over fire with the husk still on the end for $1. You slather it in butter and salt and stand there eating it like a tried and true Midwesterner. Lol. I love sweet corn and I could put away a dozen of those bad boys, but I only had two on Friday.

The evening entertainment in the festival beer garden was provided by a local band- and K’s dad was the bass player. We stuck around for a few sets. Much of his family was there to drink and watch so we had more time to visit with them.

Saturday was a loooong day filled with family and alcohol (not consumed by me, ha). K’s uncle likes to organize brewery/winery trips for friends and family so he put together an itinerary for 22 of us. We all hopped into two white passenger vans and spent 11:30am to 9pm riding all over Ohio Amish Country. We visited 2 breweries, 3 wineries, and an Amish restaurant.

I feel like I’m carrying this little chick low; especially in this pic.

K’s family is great. They are welcoming and, regardless of your length of time in the family, treat you like you’ve been around forever- meaning they’re blunt, witty, & hilarious. So many different personalities that mesh so well together. We don’t see everyone often, but when they’re around it is always an actual party. We all had a really fun and exhausting time on Saturday- it was so nice of K’s uncle to organize the day and chauffeur us ♥

Last but not least, on Sunday we traveled to Lexington, OH for the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio. My brother works for Honda and snagged us all tickets so we showed up ready to spend the day at the track. This was our second time going and we were way more prepared this time.

My dad and K rented a golf cart and I 100% made fun of them for being so extra… but it was the best decision ever. We brought our pop-up tent and coolers and chairs, too. We spent about six or seven hours at the track and saw quite a few races, the last being the Indy 200. It was a hot day but we were prepared with our drinks and shade (and golf cart!) so it was a lot of fun.

It was a looong fun weekend. This little introvert is ready to shut herself in a dark room for a few days and sleep/read/meditate. I love family weekends & I’d never turn them down, but my battery is drained!

I hope all my friends had a full and happy weekend. Sending you strength to make it through this week!

On a more somber note, on the way home from the race Sunday I learned that a blog-friend had passed away. Grace of Rebel Mommy Book Blog fought cancer once before and kicked its butt but it came back recently. We “met” through a book swap and she was the sweetest, most generous person. She has the most beautiful little family and I can’t stop thinking about them. If you were a follower of her page, I thought it’d be best to share the news with you ♥

Audrey Family

My Life Is Over

Have you noticed that when you announce a major life change there are always a few people that let you know what you’re giving up. Mixed in with the “Congratulations” and “I’m so happy for you” are the “I guess you won’t be doing xyz anymore” and “Looks like it’s time to give up blah blah blah.”

I think it happens most with marriage and babies, although I’ve heard it said about new relationships, job shifts, and house buying, too.

“Got that old ball and chain? Looks like you won’t be at guys’ poker night anymore.”

“You’re expecting? Say goodbye to those frequent flyer miles!”

“New house? Yikes. Goodbye money and Friday nights on the town.”

Two of my best friends live out of town and when I go see them, I usually stay the night. When I got married there were a few comments made about how I can’t do that anymore. Guess what I still do… We also vacation together, with and without our significant others.

When we announced our pregnancy, our corvette was suddenly under attack. “Time to sell the car, eh?” “Babies don’t fit in corvettes.” “Saying goodbye to fun toys is hard.”

We’re not selling our car. We’re also not going to stop traveling or working. And we’ll be keeping our dogs & continuing to allow them to sleep with us.

Our lives are not over.

These comments drive me nuts because I HATE being told what to do or what I can and cannot do. Don’t get me wrong, I know kids change things. The vette might get neglected next summer and I’ve already had to alter my travel for 2020, but when people talk about kids (or marriage or relationships or pet ownership) as a death sentence I just roll my eyes and rage.

I understand the need for humans to offer other humans advice when it comes to life changes, but the one liners about life being over or the fun times being a thing of the past need to go away. Quite honestly, it’s hard enough thinking about the future and planning for all the changes- the snide remarks about “missing out” aren’t helpful to anyone.

So if you’re one who makes these comments, cut it out. It’s not helpful at all. And if you’re on the receiving end, just know that it’s a load of bullsh*t- at least as far as marriage goes. I’ll report back on the childrearing. Regardless, the corvette is staying in the family.