I left this next to the coffee pot, for Adam to find, from our kids.

Also, the sunrise was beautiful, this morning. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Well, the stupid Chiefs won the Super Bowl…

We had a lot of fun with baby Pj last night, though. Today, I had to bring my daughter to a doctor’s appointment, in Nashville. I was busy getting my chores at home done, before we left, this morning. I washed our bedding and hung it out to dry. I got the kitchen all cleaned up, and straightened up the living room. Watered all my plants. Fed the dogs and cat. Scarfed down a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and threw on some jeans and a t-shirt. We just got back from her appointment. Now I’m thawing out ground beef, for supper tonight. I’m making my homemade version of “hamburger helper”. I just fry some ground beef. I season it with garlic and onion powder. Once that’s done, add water and elbow macaroni noodles. I use 2 1/2 cups of water for every 2 cups of noodles. Once they’re done, I add in some Velveeta cheese. I know, I use the hell out of this stuff… after cheese is melted and stirred in, add some sour cream and mix together. That’s it!

I got some chicken for Adam to grill, either tomorrow, or Wednesday. The weather is sunny and 70ish today. It’s going to stay warm until Thursday, when storms roll in.

Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. I’ve got heart shaped boxes of chocolates, for the kids. I got a Twix candy bar, for Adam. That’s his favorite. I’ll sneak it into his lunch with the little note I’ve written for him.

I suppose I should bring in the laundry, make our bed, and return a phone call I missed, earlier. That’s about all the excitement here today, anyway!

My husband is the most patient, gentle, sweet, loving man. He adores babies and children. I absolutely love watching him with baby Pj. I remember the first time I met his old college roommate. Adam was on the wild side, to say the least, in college. We had just had Mj (our youngest baby), when his buddy had come by. It was the first time they’d seen each other in years. I asked his buddy if he ever imagined Adam with a wife and kids, all “settled” like this? His buddy’s exact words were, “That’s what he always wanted, though! He always wanted to find a good woman to love, and have a family.” I’ll never forget those words. It touched me, hearing that.

I couldn’t have possibly found a better man to call my husband. To be the Daddy to my children. To be an Uncle, to my niece. Like that old song goes,

[Adam’s] hands weren’t always gentle, but I’ve come to understand, there was always love in [Adam’s] hands…

I texted Adam’s mama, and I told her thank you for making this amazing man. Along with one of the pictures of him and Pj. ❤️

Jackie is making supper for us, tonight. She has beef stew slow cooking. My sister is bringing Pj over, this evening. They’re going to watch the Super Bowl at a friend’s house. Jackie and Justin are just hanging out here to watch it. The sun is shining bright again, today! We had a great Saturday, with friends, and it’s going to be a beautiful Sunday. I have avoided saying or doing anything at all to “grind Adam’s gears”. I even got laid, last night! I’m feeling much much better. It’s going to be hard to make myself keep taking the antibiotics, because they mess with my belly. I have to eat something, when I take them, but I’m not always hungry, and it’s even harder when my stomach is tied in knots because of them. I hate taking medicine…

Jackie and I are looking at doing this class, where you’re served a glass of wine, and they teach you how to paint a beautiful picture. It looks like a lot of fun, and I want to try it! Justin, Jackie, Adam, and I are going out for supper, next weekend. We’ve been talking about taking the guys to that place we did the “rage room” at. They have ax throwing, cornhole, pool, darts…It would be a cool place we could all go. Whether we’re being silly at home, or finding other adventures, it’s always a good time. I really love how easily Justin has become “one of our people”. ❤️

Adam is watching some farming show, with one of the guys from that show, “Top Gear”. Our son and him are binge watching it, lately. We had another friend, we call him “Jake from State Farm”, called to see what we’re up to. He wants to come hang out with us, tonight. Adam was worried I might not be up for it, since I’m still fighting off an infection. I told him I am FINE, and I’d love to play some cornhole with our friends! I’m in the kitchen, telling Adam just how great I feel, while he’s in the other room watching their silly TV show. I text him a smiling picture of myself. He said, “I know you’re beautiful”. I just thought that was very sweet. Although, the point was to show him how “fine” I’m feeling.

I’m excited to have some fun with our friends, tonight! I really hope Adam don’t end up being all “protective”, and making me take it easier than I want to.

Justin and Jackie ran to the store, for a few things. They should be back any minute. I’m ready to have some weekend fun! I’m going to have to tear my husband away from this TV show…

I like the original version of this song, by Hozier. I’m also a fan of a remake, by Tommy Vext. I love his voice, and his remakes. He does Nirvana’s “Heart Shaped Box”, too. He’s on his own now, “Lone Wolf”. When he was in “Bad Wolves”, they remade “Zombie”. I absolutely love their version of that song!

The church we used to attend, was already a 20 minute drive from where we used to live. Adam, the kids, Jackie, and I faithfully attended Wednesday Bible study, and Saturday evening church services. After our move, it’s over an hour drive, to go to that church. Needless to say, we haven’t been to church much, lately. We’d been discussing finding one, closer to home. Adam wanted me to trust him to find a good one. He insisted, he knows what we like. We didn’t talk about it again for a few weeks. The other day, he told me he’s been researching, and asking around. He thinks he’s found the one, for us. We’re going to try it out, this weekend. I do miss going. I listen to the podcasts, from our old church, but it’s not the same as being there.

Antibiotics are starting to do their job, and I’m feeling a lot better, today. Justin and Jackie are hanging out with us. Later, we’re going to grill some ham steaks and pork chops. I’m making pasta salad and lemon pepper green beans, to go with. I think we’re going to play some card games, and maybe a little ping pong.

I need to trim my daughter’s hair, this weekend. My son won’t let me cut his, yet. He’s decided he wants to let it grow. He had long, shaggy hair, until the last couple years. I guess he wants to try that, again.

Adam had long hair, he pulled back into a bun. He cut it during Covid.

That’s about all I have, for today! Gonna go spend some time with my people 😊

Ugh. Jackie had a staph infection. It started last week. She went to the doctor, and antibiotics, creams, and time have her almost completely healed. This morning, I noticed a lump. It’s on my upper thigh. I immediately used the special wash, doctors have prescribed for this kind of thing. I already have a full course of antibiotics, that cover MRSA. The doctor had prescribed them, just in case something new came up. This afternoon, I’m having radiating pains, all up my inner thigh. I also have a fever. I’ve done and taken everything I’m supposed to, but damn this hurts. I don’t feel like being unwell. I don’t want to be sick. I took some Tylenol. Hoping this helps with the ouch, while antibiotics start to do their job…

Also, my son has his volunteer night, tonight. They’re putting a “prom” on, for special needs kids. He went to a practice, where they learned how to best serve these kids. Tonight is the actual “prom” night. He looks so handsome!

Justin and Jackie are going to a 4D screening of “Titanic”, tonight. I think it’s going to be a quiet, easy going evening, for Adam and me. I put my cashmere leggings on. I’m comfy and warm. I’m also annoyed and frustrated that this is happening, again. I haven’t had problems with staph/MRSA for years. This is now the second time in just a few months! What the heck is going on??

My baby niece, Pj, will be 12 weeks old soon. My sister’s husband wants her to go back to work, after Pj turns 12 weeks. My sister called me, yesterday. She was in tears about it. She doesn’t want to leave her baby and go to work. She’s breastfeeding. Pj just laughed, for the first time, a few days ago. She doesn’t want to miss out on anything. And, I so completely understand.

Jackie’s boyfriend has told her, from the beginning, she will not have to work, if she doesn’t want to. I’m realizing how blessed I’ve been, that Adam has never pushed me to work outside our home. I’m so grateful to have this husband, who will do whatever it takes, to allow me to be here, and never have to miss out on my own babies growing up.

I say none of this to shame mothers who have chosen to work outside of their home. I’m only recognizing what a tremendous blessing Adam has been, to me. I would be as heartbroken as my sister, if I’d have had to take on financial responsibilities, sacrificing the responsibilities I enjoy, at home with our babies. It means everything to me, being here to help my daughter do her hair, every morning. To be here after school, with snacks ready for my kids. To attend every awards ceremony. Every concert and play. They can count on me to be here, taking care of them when they’re sick. I love making our home clean, pretty, and cozy. I enjoy cooking for my family. Having supper, when Adam gets home. Truthfully, there’s also no way Adam would have made it this far in his own career, had I not been handling all of the responsibilities, at home. We compliment one another. We each get to use our own strengths and talent to provide and contribute to this family we’ve created, together. There’s worth in both of our “jobs”. Still, I sometimes worry that Adam might quietly feel the way my sister’s husband does. Like, I should be doing more. Or, what if he doesn’t see the things I do as being as valuable as I do? I couldn’t care less about the angry rhetoric spewed about what a sell out I am to women, because I’ve let myself “depend on a man”. I do care very much about how my husband sees me, though. It’s no different than wanting to be a doctor, when you grow up. You work hard, study, spend years perfecting your skills. I wanted to be a wife and mama, when I grew up. I’ve worked to be the best one that I can be. That makes me feel very accomplished and proud. I just hope Adam can always see that in me, too. I will never look back, and feel regrets. I have not “thrown my life away”, because I made this choice. I see success. I feel pride. I will look back with joy. The only regrets I ever have, are when I think about how quickly these years have flown, and wish I’d have slowed down a little bit more, to make as many memories with my family as I could.

“…We come up a little different ‘round here. We got a little dirt road dust running through our blood, from a never heard of it hometown. I got a can’t quit heart, and some take it too far, and a whole lotta’ never back down. If you come around here better bring it, ‘cause there’s no doubt, gonna put a little south on ya…We hold it down from Texas to Missouri. From the Arkansas hollers, and the grass in Kentucky. To the blue skies in Carolina. Florida, Tennessee, and Georgia come ‘n find us. Man we got it made down here…”

Jackie’s new boo, Justin, is from Wyoming. It sounds like his upbringing was similar to ours. He assures Jackie, though, that he never wants to move out of Tennessee. Thank gosh! My sister’s husband will be transferred down to Texas, in the next year or so. It makes me sad she won’t live here, where I can see her and Pj anytime I want to. I would be lost, if Jackie had to leave, too.

We’re babysitting Pj, Sunday evening. They’re going to a Super Bowl party, so we get to play with Pj. ❤️ I root for the Tennessee Titans, when they play, but I’m not big on pro football. I’ve never been a Vols fan. We’re a Nebraska Huskers family, here. There’s a group called the “Nashville Huskers”. They get together every Saturday, during college football season, and watch the games at a bar that hosts all of us Husker fans. Adam bleeds Cornhusker red, so we all cheer them on. The Huskers played the Vols, here in Nashville, for the Music City Bowl, a few years ago. We went to that game. It was a blast, but we lost. There was a lot of heat coming from our Vols friends! I will not be cheering for the Chiefs, Sunday night. They are one pro team that I cannot stand, even if I’m not a pro football fan. I’m certainly rooting for whoever is playing against the Chiefs! Mostly, I’ll just be lovin’ on my baby niece, though.

We didn’t end up getting any big storms, last night. I woke up to some crazy wind, during the night. It only rained here, though. The sun is breaking through the clouds, this morning. It looks like this whole weekend will be sunny, too. That makes me happy. I’ve got some laundry going. Dishwasher is just finishing its job, and then I’ll unload it. I’m going to vacuum. That’s a big job. I’ve got our bedroom, living room, dining room, the stairs, upstairs hallway, and 3 bedrooms up there. I put a new wax scent, in my scentsy. It smells like “wild berry cheesecake”. Now the whole main floor smells amazing. I ordered a blackberry scented candle. That’s one of my favorite scents, this time of year. I really want to make a trip over to Hobby Lobby, and maybe The Home Store. I’d like some things to decorate my mantle and there’s still an empty space on top of my kitchen cabinets, I want to fill in with something pretty. We’ve been looking at getting a new living room couch. My issue is, the kids and the dogs. I’m hesitant to spend a bunch of money on new furniture, yet. The kids will spill. The dogs will claw it up. I’m just not sure whether it’s a wise choice, right now? Jackie and I have been talking about staining my mantle and the stair railing a darker color. I think it would look really pretty. I also want to put in some crown molding, in the living and dining room. Always a project I have in mind!

I asked my dad to build me a little plant stand. He made me a real cute one, and painted it exactly the color I requested. I love it!

I would say that, probably 2/3 of the decor around my house, is made or given to me, from “my people”. Jackie got me a decorative truck, for Christmas. I’d been wanting one for awhile, and she knew exactly what I would pick out.

Adam just texted me. He’s having a great day! He just got nominated for a pretty big award. I told him, I’m so proud of him! It’s shaping up to be a pretty good day, for all of us. And, it’s already almost the weekend, again!