Welcome to the world!

Congratulations Beth and Stephen on your new baby Girl!

Welcome to our family Avery. We are so excited and we can't wait to meet you!

King Family photos - Taken September 09

Elle's Senior pictures

The beautiful pooch in the first pic is Ari (on temporary loan from Mitch and Jenna)

Smiley LoLo

Jay the Marine Pics

I need help. Please, Please Read!

I know this is long but I really want some advice. Please help me.

Those of you that know me, know I have a unflattering view of one of my friends. He bothers me quite a lot. At times it seams as if, if his mouth is moving, I'm upset. I have recently been getting into arguments with other people over this dislike of him.

He has a lot of traits that drive me crazy. I know that if we weren't family we could never be friends. But I always said that he wasn't a bad person, our personalities just don't mesh.

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My main problem is how selfish he is. His selfishness is worse because he doesn't even know it. He is NOT a selfish jerk. He is unknowingly selfish. We used to talk all the time about all of the women he was dating and all his friends and the parties they have. Oh and his problems, always his problems. Anything that went wrong with him, I used to be his shoulder to cry on.

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This never bothered me until I had Liberty. That is when I noticed that he never asks anything about me. I started talking about me and the baby. Two sentences in, he would change the subject back to him and whatever random girl he was dating at the time. It didn't upset me at first. I thought, he's a young man, maybe he doesn't care for my stories about married life and kids.

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He had a new woman interest every couple weeks. I would give him advice and he would never take it and then he would tell me all about how nothing works out for him and it couldn't possibly be his fault. It started to get old and I started not picking up the phone. When he would come over or out to the farm he would immediately start telling me what was wrong in his life or who he was fighting with.

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If I started talking about anything in my life, he would all of a sudden be busy or need to go (unless of course, I was talking about a single girl I knew) I started to get angry, and I remained angry at him for over a couple years. The two times I remember losing my temper and actually yelling at him, he was so selfish, he thought he couldn't have done anything to deserve it and that I must have been mad at someone else and taking it out on him.

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Other than the two times I yelled at him, I was never mean to him, I just avoided being around him whenever I could.

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I changed my mind about him (temporarily) when he joined the military. I thought it was such a great idea. It would be so good for him. I thought he joined because he wanted to defend our country. I was wrong. I soon discovered he joined because they were offering him a big sign on bonus and he wanted to wear his uniform to get girls. He has done nothing but complain since he discovered that he's being shipped out.

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One night he was telling me about how his army buds were telling him he had to get married before being shipped out. If he didn't, whatever girlfriend he had, would cheat on him and he'd be all alone when he got home. I informed him that a wife could be that mean too and he shouldn't get married just to have someone. He should wait until he truly is in love. He got engaged four months later.

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I was supportive and nice. They will have known each other a little over a year by the time they get married. I know people that have gotten married in less time, and been happy, so the timing really isn't why I'm cautious.

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She is probably this wonderful person but he is too busy talking about himself and how horrible it is that he is being shipped off to tell me anything about her.

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I am expected to welcome this woman into my family with open arms and I don't know her. Sorry, he did call me one night asking me about the signs of pregnancy, so I do know all I need to know about their sex life. But I know nothing about her. My normal guy friends tell me everything about who they are dating, even girls they just want to date. He hasn't told me what she does, what she's like, anything. He used to tell me everything and He never talks about her.

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I recently teased him for joining the guard instead of joining the real military like my brother (Marines). Now it was a joke. I have nothing but respect for all forms of the military. I was teasing Justin, not the national guard. But a few people who heard the joke got mad at me. Gave me that old line "We're all fighting the same war" but I thought about it and it's not true.

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Now let me explain. I'm not putting guard up against marine. I'm not putting up Iraq against Afghanistan. It's not about what branch you are from or what country you'll be fighting in. It is about the man! A pathetic self centered whiny wuss in a uniform is still a pathetic self centered whiny wuss.

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When my brother was told he was shipping out he was excited, He was proud. He was actually sad that his job wouldn't let him see more action. He really wants to fight for his country. My friend is leaving in 7 months and he is crying like a baby about it. Is that who I'm supposed to be proud of? He volunteered to do this and now all he does is complain.

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He has 7 months left. He should be enjoying his life. He should be enjoying his time with his fiance. He should be enjoying his time with his family. He should be having real conversation about anything but Iraq. His job, His friends, His upcoming wedding, there are so many more important things to focus on.

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I am more than confident that God will bring him home safely to us but if something were to happen, everyone will remember him for being this whiny guy that isn't him at all. That is not right. He needs to be the happy goofy guy he used to be.

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I want to be proud of him. I want us to be close again and more than anything, I want to be able to say that I respect him. I can't say that now.

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I'm asking please for any advice, any at all. I don't want to hate him and I want the anger I feel when I'm around him to stop. Please help.

Happy, Happy, Happy!

I don't have any pictures to post today... Ok I literally have hundreds, but I haven't had time to get on the computer and sort through them in a while. My babies are keeping me busy :) I'm just posting to say.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY BETH AND STEPHEN!!!!

and

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEXIS!!!


I love you and hope you all have a wonderful day :)

The Marine Song

I'm sorry the actual name of this song is on the tip of my fingers but I just can't remember it.
Jay is in the third row, fourth in next to the short girl.

Just a little questionaire to pass the time :)

***********FOODOLOGY***************

What is your salad dressing of choice? Creamy Italian used to be my favorite but I'm starting to like Cesar a lot more

What is your favorite sit-down restaurant? This is a tough one because I NEVER go out to nice restaurants... I would have to say either Apple bees or Perkins.

What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of? Pasta, Pasta, and more Pasta! I LOVE it!!!

What are your pizza toppings of choice? Pepperoni, Mushrooms and Extra Cheese

What do you like to put on your toast? Peanut Butter and Grape Jelly

***********TECHNOLOGY***************

How many televisions are in your house? We have three now and I'm pushing for less. I could throw all of them out today and not even care. I am so sick of TV.

What color is your cellphone? Don't have one.

Do you have an iPod? Nope

***************BIOLOGY******************

Are you right-handed or left-handed? Right

Have you ever had anything removed from your body? Two babies and some tonsils :)

What is the last heavy item you lifted? My first baby :) Actually it was probably the two totes of Halloween supplies I got from the garage last week.

Have you ever been knocked unconscious? If I was, I don't remember.

************BULLOLOGY**************

If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die? No, I would prefer to just let it happen. I don't want to spend the rest of my life just counting down.

If you could change your name, what would you change it to? I used to think about changing my name All the time. Now I think it suits me. If I were to change my name, it would have to be another boys name or a name that could be for both boys and girls. Girly names really wouldn't fit me.

Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1,000? I think so, probably.

**************FAVORITOLOGY****************

Season? WINTER!!! I LOVE SNOW!!!

Holiday? Halloween, Duh! :)

Day of the week? It changes, Whatever days Eric has off are my favorites.

Month? October! :)

***********CURRENTOLOGY*****************

Missing someone? Always. I live in the middle of nowhere and my friends and family are just too far away.

Mood? A little tired but happy.

What are you listening to? Alvin and the Chipmunks. Liberty is watching it for the gazillionth time this week. I love three year olds, don't you :)

Current worry?Nothing today, I'm good.

***************RANDOMOLOGY*****************

First place you went this morning? Outside to see what my dog was barking about...He caught another cat :)

What’s the last movie you saw? A friend brought over one of those mall cop movies. Not the Paul Blart one, it was the other one...can't remember the name. It was really disappointing.

***************OTHER-OLOGY*****************

How many pairs of flip flops do you own? Haha, I don't know. A Lot.

Last time you had a run-in with the cops? Does talking to friends who are cops count? then about a month ago. If you asking if I got in trouble with one then over a year ago. I got pulled over but I didn't get a ticket :)

Last person you talked to? My big baby

Last person you hugged? My big baby

Do you always answer your phone? Nope, people ALWAYS call when I'm breast feeding so they have to leave a message and wait for me to call back.

It’s four in the morning and you get a text message, who is it? Hasn't happened in a long time, last time it was my brother.

If you could change your eye color what would it be? No, I love my green eyes.

What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic? They've all closed around us and I've never had one of their drinks so I'm changing the question...What flavor shot do you add to your coffee at Caribou? Caramel :)

Do you own a digital camera? Yep.

Have you ever had a pet fish? Yea a bunch and I am famous for killing them. Right now I have two. Phelps and BJ.

Favorite Christmas song(s)? The Christmas song and Where are you Christmas? from The Grinch.

What’s on your wish list for your birthday? I just had my Bday and I got to see my Marine!

Can you do push ups? If I have to.

Can you do a split? Not for a long while now.

Does the future make you more nervous or excited? A little of both I guess.

Do you have any saved texts? No Cell.

Have you ever been in a car accident? Yep, I have the worst luck with cars. The accidents aren't my fault. Idiots just love hitting me :(

Do you have an accent? I have a little bit of a Minnesotan accent that I'm trying to get rid of...and for some reason I have a VERY redneck accent when I'm mad. Don't ask me how that happened.

What is the last movie to made you cry? Marley and Me

Plans tonight? Nope.

Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom? I've been depressed in the past but thankfully not that bad.

Name 3 things you bought yesterday? Hot Chocolate, Chex Mix and a doggy biscuit for my Beau

Have you ever been given roses? Eric used to all the time. I'm glad he finally stopped. I hate getting flowers.

Met someone who changed your life? Everybody in some way.

How will you bring in the New Year? I will be down in Florida with my grandparents

What song represents you? I don't like this question. I'm a complicated person and no one song could explain me :)

Would you go back in time if you were given the chance? I always think about things I would change but given the chance I don't think I would. Everything happens for a reason.

Do you have any tattoos/piercings? Yes and Yes

Does anyone love you? A bunch of people.

Would you be a pirate? Dressing up and being on a boat all the time would be awesome but I'm not interested in the killing and stealing part of being a pirate.

What songs do you sing in the shower?’ Whatever is stuck in my head...Lately it's been Alvin and the Chipmunk songs, You can guess why.

Ever had someone sing to you? Yes

Do you like to cuddle? Yes

Have you held hands with anyone today? Nope

Who was the last person you took a picture of? My Little baby

Are most of the friends in your life new or old? How long makes them old. Almost everyone in my life has been here for years. I do have one or two new ones.

Do you like pulpy orange juice? Oh Yes

What is something your friends make fun of you for? Whatever words that come out of my mouth usually. I'm a nice person but I never think before I speak and I can be really obnoxious.

Long Vacation

So as many of you know, I had a very long vacation (two weeks) with out one of my children (Berti) this month. It was hard but I made it through. I may do it again but never for that long a period.
Logan and I started our vacation by heading out to Aunt Kim's for one night and then down to Missouri to see Jay graduate. His graduation ceremony was really cool. He was honored with the Gungho Award. This award was voted for by all of his fellow marines. It means he is the most motivated and up beat of his group. I thought it was really cool. They ended the ceremony by singing (more like yelling) I have a video I will post sometime soon.
After Missouri we headed back up to Aunt Kim's for a night and then on to Grandma's. The lake was fun, We got to see Brett, Cheryl, Mitch, Jenna, Tad, Holly and a couple of their friends. The weather was perfect. We went Jet skiing, and boating. I spent most of the time there taking pictures for Elle's Senior portrait. They turned out really well. I was surprised I could take pictures that looked so nice. Grandpa had the bonfire going most of the weekend. We made smores. I wouldn't give Logan any chocolate or marshmallows but I did give him graham crackers. It got very messy :)
After the weekend at Grandma's we headed to my mom's and just chilled for a week. It was nice to relax. Logan loved it. He was super happy the whole time we were there. I took more pictures at my moms. I took individuals of all of my siblings. Then a boys picture, a girls picture and then a big family one. I think they all turned out well except for the large family picture. The Big family one is great. It has everyone, even my dad (posing with his guitar of course) and I'm glad I got it but I had to take it indoors with a timer and it's not quite the quality I wanted. The rest of the pictures look almost professional grade. I'm really thinking of making a career out of photography. I love it! ...Something to think about when Eric gets out of school and it's my turn...
Katina drove me halfway home to meet Eric. It was a fun road trip. It went pretty quickly. Logan was a little crabby but after two weeks of travel, so was I. I don't think either one of us will be driving anywhere for a while :)
Jay stayed at my mom's till Wednesday. He is now in Japan. I will post any updates when I get them.
No pictures this time (I know, huge surprise) I have over 700 pictures from my two week trip and I haven't sorted through them yet. I will try to post pictures of Jay soon and some of the family pictures and senior pictures of Elle I took as well. Love you all and I hope you have a wonderful weekend.