Boy Meets Girl

Boy meets girl. Girl plays hard to get. Boy doesn't give up. Girl falls in love. The end. That would be the short version of how Kieth and I met, but the long version is much more unique and interesting. So in celebration of Valentines day, I thought I would blog about how we met.

In the summer of 1992 I got a job at Dairy Queen along with a few of my best girlfriends. I was seventeen, self-absorbed, preoccupied, and thought the world revolved around me. It did, didn't it? Throughout my teen years I never had a serious relationship with anyone and aside from many crushes and a couple cases of severe puppy love, I had never met anyone that had that "he's the one" quality. That is, until a certain Navy sailor came b-bopping into my life one day in a shiny red pick-up truck. Well, there's more to it than that, so let's back up a little.

One of my co-workers at Dairy Queen was a guy named John. John had a twin brother named Joe who was in the Navy stationed in Memphis, Tennessee. Joe would come up to Mountain Home and visit his brother on his days off. On one of his visits Joe asked me to go out with him to a concert. I originally said that I would go, but when the time came, I backed out and stood Joe up. Concerts weren't really my thing and neither was Joe. Apparently Joe was pretty hurt by this so he went back to Memphis and told one of his friends all about this girl in Mountain Home that broke his heart. Joe and his friend devised a plan that went something like this. The friend would come to Mountain Home with Joe and meet this girl. Then the friend would get the girl to like him and then dump her, thus getting revenge for the scorned friend.

A week or so later {late October 1992} I was working one night at Dairy Queen when I saw Joe pull into the parking lot. I noticed he had someone with him, but I was not interested enough to find out who it was. Joe introduced me to his friend but I did not remember his name. After they left, my friend told me the guys name was Kieth. {I talked to Kieth about his version of this first meeting and he verified the fact that I blew him off and he was not happy about it.} A few weeks later Joe and Kieth came up to Mountain Home again to try to get my attention, but I was even more disinterested than before. I was actually pretty mean. I did not like Kieth, but it seems that he felt something for me. {Plan backfired} He would write letters all the time and send them to me. He was falling hard and I did not even give him the time of day. Kieth sent me a final letter and told me that he was never coming back to Mountain Home again......that is.....unless I wanted him to. I didn't really know him that well, but the thought of never seeing him again made me anxious and sad and more anxious, so I told him to come up one more time and I would go out with him to see if there was anything there. This is when Kieth decided to really step up his game. Up until this point, he had always come with Joe in his car to visit. But he told Joe that this time he would bring his red truck to visit me because it was a proven chick-magnet. {Whatever}

Throughout this whole time frame {about 6 weeks} I had been semi-dating another guy. I went to a couple parties with him and rode around town a lot and also took him to a church activity.
I was not exactly sure when Kieth would be coming to visit me, but I knew it would be soon. So here's how the night in question went down. I was working at Dairy Queen and the guy I was semi-dating drove by and asked me to go out with him after work. I told him sure and to wait in the parking lot after I got off work. Then, during the course of the night a perfume salesman that I had met before came by and asked me if I would ride around town with him after work. I am not sure why I said yes, but I did. Then, if you can believe it, that was the night that Kieth decided to roll into town! I did not know he was coming that night, so when he showed up, I was floored. Now my shift was over and I had three guys waiting for me in the parking lot. I was so nervous and confused and mad that I had gotten myself into this situation and I did not know what to do. I pleaded with my girlfriend to tell me what she would do, and utilizing her interestingly innocent seventeen year old wisdom, she advised me to choose the one with the nicest truck!

So my girlfriend went out and told Kieth to drive around the back and pick me up. I could not face the other guys and to this day, I do not know what happened when the DQ lights went off and I was no where to be found. I choose to believe that they are happily married and do not even remember that girl who stood them up over 17 years ago.

Kieth and I drove around town and got to know a lot about each other. I found out he was 26. I was only 17. I also found out that he had just gotten divorced after being married for 4 years. I was just a senior in high school. He was a war veteran and a Navy sailor. I was a blizzard and dilly bar maker. He had traveled the world. I had a map of the world. He was stationed in Memphis and I lived in Mountain Home. However, even with the multiplying obstacles and differences, there was just something about this guy that intrigued me......and I was falling.................

So that's it. That's how we met. Kieth and I have been talking lately about how we met and I asked him what his feelings were when he first saw me. I won't tell you what he said about that, but he did say that he loved me even before I knew that he loved me. He completely melts my heart and I know without a doubt that we are soul mates that were lucky enough to find each other. Three cheers to a Happy Valentine's Day and to finding the one that melts your heart......Until next time.

Time Flies

Holy Cow!!! Where did the time go? I would first like to apologize to anyone out there who may follow my blog on a regular basis. I have really dropped the ball on posting often. I don't have time today to fill you in on everything that has been going on in my life these past few weeks. I just wanted to change my Christmasy background to something more Valentiney. (Okay, I'm making up words now) And I also updated my playlist. I had fun doing it. It is a compiliation of most of the songs Kieth and I listened to when we were dating. Listening to them brings back awesome memories of a great time in my life. I wanted to write a little about that this month since it is the month of LOVE, but I will do it another day. Anyway, my family is just now getting things back in semi-order after a huge ice storm and I have laundry piled high, so I will leave you with a hello, new background, and different songs to listen to. Until next time......

Reflections and Resolutions

Looking back, 2008 was a phenomenal year. We celebrated 15 years of marriage as well as Kieth finishing his Bachelor's Degree. He graduated in August after two long and difficult years of college. Kieth's diploma was definitely a family accomplishment. We sacrificed many things during the time Kieth was in school, but the biggest sacrifice was family time. The courses were so intense that he and I would spend hours and hours in the office studying, writing papers, and doing homework. I helped him a lot with his work because I love him and he needed it. And besides, helping Kieth with his work made me realize two things, #1 I'm smarter than I thought I was and #2 I love to learn. I should have taken better advantage of learning in high school, but unfortunately I was preoccupied with other things. One day I may go back to school, but for now, I am satisfied helping the boys with learning the ABC's, 3rd grade spelling, 6th grade science, and 8th grade Algebra.

Looking forward, 2009 holds promise. In the past, I have never really made and kept resolutions. Well, I've made plenty of them, it's just the keeping part I seem to have a little trouble with. So this year I decided not to sabotage myself with a lengthy list of resolutions that I know in six weeks will be long forgotten. No, this year I am giving myself a break. Instead of making a list of resolutions, I am just focusing on a few areas of my life that need a little strengthening. I am working on putting things into perspective better. I think it's called "not sweating the small stuff". I tend to let small things just rock my world, when in reality they are completely insignificant. I am also practicing greater patience with Kieth and the boys. Things do not always have to be done my way or in my time frame, so I'll let a few things go. And last, but not least, I will try to show more kindness to my family. More often than not, we are nicer to, and more accepting of strangers than we are our own family. I may even let Kieth be "right" a time or two this year. ( I said MAY). Until next time.......

Christmas 2008

Christmas this year was a great day. It was the first time in many years that we stayed at home all day. The boys woke us up at 5:45 in the morning ready to open gifts. I cooked dinner for us and we enjoyed watching the kids play with their toys. I bought matching sports suits for the boys to wear and Hunter's was a little big, so his brothers thought it would be funny to put a fake necklace and a crooked hat on him and make him pose for the camera. The boys have also got Hunter into dancing. Any time he hears music he busts out in full dance mode. He had us laughing all day at his moves.The boys are growing up so fast that it was nice to be able to spend time with them and not have to go anywhere or do anything for at least one day.

Twas the night before Christmas

A good friend of mine sent me this poem today and I just wanted to share it with everyone. I know that especially around this time of year, I seem to get overwhelmed with to do lists and I forget what is really important in life.

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the abode
Only one creature was stirring & she was cleaning the commode.
The children were finally sleeping, all snug in their beds,
while visions of X-Box & Ipod's flipped through their heads.

Yes, and dad was snoring in front of the TV,
with a half constructed bicycle propped on his knee.
So only the mom heard the reindeer hooves clatter,
which made her sigh, "Now what is the matter?"

With toilet bowl brush still clutched in her hand,
She descended the stairs, and saw the old man.
He was covered with ashes & soot, which fell with a shrug,
"Oh great," muttered the mom, "Now I have to clean the rug."

"Ho Ho Ho!" cried Santa, I'm glad you're awake."
"your gift was especially difficult to make."
"Thanks, Santa, but all I want is time alone."
"Exactly!" he chuckled, "So, I've made you a clone."

"A clone?" she muttered, "What good is that?"
"Run along, Santa, I've no time for chit chat."
Then out walked the clone - The mother's twin,
Same hair, same eyes, same double chin.

"She'll cook, she'll dust, she'll mop every mess.
You'll relax, take it easy, watch TV and rest.
"Fantastic!" the mom cheered. "My dream has come true!"
"I'll shop, I'll read, I'll sleep a night through!"

From the room a above, the youngest did fret.
"Mommy?! Come quickly, I'm scared and I'm wet."
The clone replied, "I'm coming, sweetheart."
"Hey," the mom smiled, "She sure knows her part."

The clone changed the child and hummed him a tune,
as she bundled the small one in a blanket cocoon.
"You're the best mommy ever. I really love you."
The clone smiled and sighed, "And I love you too."
The mom frowned and said, "Sorry, Santa, no deal.
That's my child's LOVE she is going to steal."

Smiling wisely, Santa said: "To me it is clear,
Only one loving mother is needed here."
The mom kissed her child and tucked him in bed.
"Thank You, Santa, for clearing my head.
Sometimes I forget, it won't be very long,
before they'll be too old for my cradle and song."

The clock on the mantle began to chime.
Santa whispered to the clone, "It works every time."
With the clone by his side, Santa said: "Goodnight.
Merry Christmas, dear Mom, you'll be all right."

Sometimes we need reminding of what life is all about.
Especially at times when the Holiday season shouts,
and all we do is clean, bake, and procure.
You get the picture -- I'm sure.

So stop for a moment and hug that little one so dear,
whether he is 2 or 22, or even older this year.
For they are the gift that God gave us from Heaven above,
and what a special gift to be treasured, with endless LOVE!

Merry Christmas to all of my friends and family. Hold your little ones tighter and love them even more, for that is what life is truly about. ~Toni~

All Things Christmas

Trimming the tree, decorating ginger bread houses, baking goodies, wrapping gifts......We have been busy enjoying the season of Christmas. Decorating the tree is one of the highlights of my year. In years past we have had different themes and color schemes for our Christmas tree, and this year I wanted red poinsettias. The boys are pretty good about letting me get my way with the tree decorations. It's about the only thing I get my way with in a houseful of boys. I did give in one year and let them decorate it their way, with every ornament we ever purchased and all those handcrafted goodies such as macaroni and construction paper ornaments from many years of school projects. But after that year, I decided to buy the boys their own tree and let them decorate it so I could have my "pretty" tree back. Don't get me wrong, handcrafted Kindergarten ornaments are precious memories to me, but I just don't want them on my tree. Tis the season.......

Gratitude

Thanksgiving is another one of my favorite holidays. I love this time of year because it gives me the opportunity to take time out and reflect upon all of my blessings, and to acknowledge and express gratitude for everything I have been given. Often times I get so caught up in day to day life that I forget how truly blessed I am. My blessing list is quite lengthy so this year I am focusing on my children. I am so thankful for my boys and I love each of them with all my heart. I could not have imagined 15 years ago that I would be the mother of 4 amazing, awesome, incredible, enjoyable, extraordinary, magnificent boys. They keep me sane and insane all at the same time. They teach me about unconditional love and they inspire me to celebrate every moment no matter how insignificant it may seem. They help me remember how to truly laugh and are my source of eternal joy. For this, I am grateful.