This is THE Day!

10 YEARS!!

Here's to many more decades My Love!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY :)

So...Did You Watch?

When I was growing up I watched football a lot with my mom and grew to enjoy the sport.  It's a good thing because my husband is a HUGE football fan.  Now, I don't get into all of the stats & you won't find me watching ESPN on my own initiative, but I do enjoy sitting and watching a good game...especially with this guy:

Can you guess who he was rooting for last night?

Mr. Rondell is a HUGE Giants fan...HUGE!  I root for them too because he loves them (except for when they played San Fran...then I had to do a little trash talkin').

I wanted to make it fun for him so I decided to make some food that I knew he would love to munch on while watching the game.  I made buffalo chicken dip and then I made this:

Rondell loves raw cookie dough (shiver!) so when I saw this recipe on Tasty Kitchen I knew I had to make it for him on "his" big day.

He's still on Cloud 9 by the way because of the big win.

So...did you watch?

Once Upon a Time...

Once upon a time there was a girl starting a new chapter in her life as a freshman at The Ohio State University.  She lived on an all-girl floor and had the nicest Resident Adviser.  The RA introduced the girl to some of her friends.  While the girl was in the room of one of those friends there was a knock at the door.   


A tall stranger was on the other side.  He didn't say much.


A friendship grew between the stranger and the girl.  They would talk and hang out, mostly with all of their mutual friends.


As the end of the school year approached, the girl realized that she kind of liked this stranger who had become a friend...this gentle giant.


They said their goodbyes with a promise that he would write over the summer (remember when people used to write letters?)


The girl waited for a letter...and just when she stopped waiting, it arrived.  It was simple, but precious.  She wrote back, trying not to be too obvious that she had a bit of a crush.


In addition to letters they would talk on the phone...casual conversation.  


Eventually plans were made for a visit...the gentle giant was going to a strange place to visit the girl.  


The day arrived...the gentle giant arrived on the Greyhound bus (oh yes he did!).  The visit was nice...simple and sweet...innocent.


The next school year arrives and the girl is still feeling butterflies for the gentle giant.  Others start to recognize that there's a tiny bit of chemistry and try and play match maker.


Finally, the time arrives...the girl reveals her crush to the gentle giant.  He says he likes her too.  A relationship begins...


14 1/2 years, 9 years of marriage, two kids and a house later here they are...still friends.  What a foundation...the foundation that holds them together. 

Happy Anniversary Friend!

Happy Birthday to My Favorite Husband!

To my Favorite Super Hero.

To my Favorite snuggle partner.

To my Favorite person to see all dressed up.

To my Favorite traveling companion.

To my Favorite Giants fan.

To my Favorite person to be around.

Happy 34th Birthday Rondell!

Friends Make The Best Husbands!

Today Rondell and I have been married for 8 years! We were friends for a year before we started dating and that friendship has remained throughout our entire marriage. It is was gets us through our arguments, it is what makes spending time together fun, it is why we survived my postpartum depression battle, it is the reason we'll be married forever. He is that friend that I can tell everything to and who has seen me in my weakest and strongest moments. I wouldn't trade our friendship for anything...it's what I love about us!

Happy Anniversary Friend...I LOVE YOU! (Ooh look Ron...Giants colors!)

You can read about our other anniversaries here and here.

Happy Father's Day!

Here's to:

My Daddy!

Here's my Daddy...and yes, I still call him that. He's a pretty cool guy and even though my parents are divorced, he has always been right there. He played a huge role in my healing from Postpartum Depression, going so far as taking us in for a week as we figured it all out.

Papa D loves his kisses!

Daddy calls his grandchildren daily! They love to talk to him on the phone.

This is the time that he drove all the way from Cleveland to buy a cup of lemonade from Jamison's lemonade stand. Seriously, he drove down, bought some lemonade, stayed for a bit and then drove home. How cool is that!

Love you Daddy!

My Baby's Daddy!

Isn't he handsome...oh wait, I'm supposed to be talking about him as a father...sorry, got distracted.

He's a cheerleader!

He's a barber!

He's a snuggler!

He's a craft partner!

He's the personality twin of Jamison. They are the same person, it's scary. This girl loves her Daddy!

He's a role model. Caleb looks up (literally) to this guy (and so does Jamison) and what an example he is. He's patient, gentle, fun-loving, hard worker...and he's all mine, oops, I mean theirs (there I go again, getting distracted).

I love you Ron and happy that God has blessed me with you as the father of my children.

Happy Father's Day!!!!

The Simple Woman's Daybook - June 15, 2009

For today...

Outside my window...my yard, because it's Staycation 2009 baby and I'm at home! It wouldn't matter if it was raining (well, maybe a little) because the view is lovely.

I am thinking...about the history of Kelli and Rondell. About how we met at The Ohio State University and it was not love at first sight, but how that doesn't matter now. How we went on our first date at The Cooker (which is now closed). We walked there because this was before cars. About how we used to stay up all night talking about nothing and loving every minute. About how we would go to Beekman's Bagels after class for a sandwich (which is now closed). About how we were simply (or so I thought) going to lunch at my favorite restaurant, Chi Chi's (which is now closed...do you see a pattern). About how nervous Rondell was after giving the hostess the ring and then the waiter not bringing it with our meal. But our waiter had something else in mind and set this down after dessert:

The waiter sat in a booth behind us and was drawing this picture of me (I thought was flirting). When he brought this out my ring was thumb tacked to it. I cried and and cried and almost forgot to say yes (Rondell had to ask again!).

Thinking about our wedding day and how God blessed me with beautiful, cool weather. About how I married my best friend. About hearing how Rondell cried as I walked down the aisle (that makes my heart blush!). About the beginning of the rest of our lives...together. Seven years ago!

Oh, and let's not forget the best part that I think of every time this year...the garter incident:Me: "Um, what do you think you're doing?" Rondell: "Be cool."

"Oh my God, my grandmother is here!"

"I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS IS HAPPENING!!!!"

Uncontrollable laughter! Rondell is so proud, using only his teeth. Marja...see her talking in my ear...confessing that she egged Rondell on to do it. MEMORIES!!!

I am thankful for...a great weekend. On Saturday we went with my mom to her friend's house. She lives in the country and has a lot of land. She made us lunch and the kids played. Miss Jill even gave us some plants from her yard to take home.

Here is Jamison feeding the fish in her pond.

Here's the adventure to the creek. I have the zoom on...I didn't go that far. I don't need to be that close to nature.

The hike back from the creek! Caleb won!

From the kitchen...Florida Night. Since we were not able to go to Florida this year we decided to have the same meal that we made while we were in Florida last year. First we had to break out:

When you see Old Bay you know it's time for seafood.

Here's Mommy preparing the garlic/pepper peel and eat shrimp.

The meal...We had shrimp, lobster tail, baked potato, salad, and Rondell had crab cakes. Delicious!!!!!!!

Close up of my friend...Mr. Lobster Tail

I am reading...I haven't started, but I got my Ridely Pearson book from the library. I will probably start it tomorrow. There are quite a few books I want to read so I need to make a list.

I am hoping...for a wonderful vacation that includes some pool time!

I am creating...a gift for my friend Jodie and Caleb's verse. I swear I'm getting to that this week, especially while I have the time. Last week turned out to be busier than planned.

I am praying...for obedience in some areas.

Around the house...we are getting some projects done. We're finally painting our master bath on Thursday and Rondell is supposed to clean out the garage.

One of my favorite things...Vacation!!!!

A few plans for the rest of the week...mentioned above. Rondell and I are also going to lunch for our anniversary, I plan on doing more in the yard and taking a nap or two.

Friend Makin Monday (Night)

The kids are asleep, Ron's watching the game...so I'm bloggin!

Look at Kasey's new button for FMM. Isn't it the cutest thing ever?!?! Today's question:

How did you and your significant other meet?

Good question! Rondell and I met my freshman year, his sophomore year, at The Ohio State University . He was (follow me) a friend of my RA's best friend. I remember the very first day I met him...I was in the room of the friend of my RA and Rondell knocked on the door. My first thought, "man, he's tall."

We were friends my freshman year but it wasn't until the end of the year that I got that tingly feeling for Mr. Davis. He had no clue (and knowing what I know now about him, that doesn't surprise me).

The moment when I knew I really liked him was when I was in his room and we were sitting talking and listening to music...well, he reached towards me and I thought he was going to kiss me, but he was just reaching to change the CD. How embarrassing! We laugh about that, even now.

The summer after my freshman year Rondell went to South Carolina to sell books or something. He told me he would write me and I waited and waited. On the first day of my job at Sea World (which I hated), my mom picked me up from the shuttle station and with her she had a letter...from Rondell. Ahhh, the days before email!

When he got back to Columbus we would talk on the phone off and on. One day we talked about him coming to visit me in Cleveland (that's where I lived at the time...I grew up outside of Cleveland) and my mom said it was OK (even though she didn't know him, but trusted me). He traveled on the Greyhound to come and see me...now that's love. He stayed for a few days, we watched movies, hung out, and that's about it. We took him back to Columbus because we were going to visit family that weekend.

Even after the visit I was not sure if he liked me (and knowing what I know now about Ron...of course he liked me, he's just really quiet).

When we returned to school we would hang out but no talk about "us." On Sweetest Day I was set up on a terrible blind date not knowing that Rondell had planned on giving me a card and roses (and expressing his undying love for me...I like to add that!). I must have known he had something planned but I think it was after I already agreed to go on the date. I remember having my friend, who worked at the front desk of my dorm, page me (ahhh before texting) while I was on my date using codes we created to let me know what it was. We still try and always celebrate Sweetest Day together to kind of make up for the one we missed. It's kind of our day.

We made our relationship official on November 26, 1996...and the rest is history!

I Almost Forgot...

My mother raised me to enjoy sports and it's a good thing because Rondell is a big sports fan. Now I'm not a huge fan, but I can sit and watch a game and follow what's going on. I do LOVE football and would turn on a game even if Rondell wasn't home. I also enjoy going to baseball games a lot!

So, Rondell thought it would be fun to challenge me to a fun March Madness bracket challenge. I thought it would be fun too so I accepted the challenge. On the line...we each created a Honey Do List for the other person....things that we would want the other person to do for us.

The race was tight, but in the end I WON! Now, I know you know that the games aren't over, but I'm in the lead now and Rondell only has one team left (UNC) and I have the same team as well, so even if he got that right I'd still win.

So, I'm off to think of my Honey Do List for Ron (5 things)...hee, hee, heee!

Little Rondell

Rondell has been cutting Caleb's hair more recently basically for financial reasons and Ron does a really good job. Well this past Friday Rondell cut Caleb's hair and then decided to put his do-rag (as I call it)/wave cap on Caleb. Caleb loved it and as you can see immediately went into the bathroom to look at himself in the mirror. I told Rondell that he's turning my baby into a thug.

NOTE: We have a running joke that I turned Jamison into a thug because I listened to 50 cent while pregnant. But I tell him that I don't have that much thug in me to do such a thing.

***Do you think we have enough toothpaste???

Happy Birthday Ron

I'm a little late with this post, but Rondell's birthday was on Thursday. He turned 32. So, I figured in honor of his 32nd birthday, I'd list 32 reasons why I love him. Here I go (in no particular order:

1. He makes me laugh

2. He's tall (yes, this list goes beyond the sappy emotions!)

3. He scratches my back for me

4. He's handsome

5. He makes the BEST grilled cheese (I just had one today, yum!)

6. I can be totally honest with him without hesitation

7. We both love Lost

8. He's a great dad

9. Sometimes he'll get up with the kids and let me sleep in

10. He took 6 weeks off when I had Jamison

11. He took 8 weeks off when I had Caleb

12. He cleans up vomit (I HATE the stomach flu)

13. He likes to snuggle

14. He drives us when we go places

15. He gets up in the middle of the night with Caleb

16. He always puts the toilet seat down

17. He's kind

18. He likes football (Go Giants!)

19. He emails me because he knows I like it

20. I love his smile

21. He tells me I'm beautiful (even if I don't feel beautiful)

22. He's pretty good with computers (because I'm not)

23. He takes Jamison to school

24. He's a Christian

25. He watches Chick Flicks with me (he saw You've Got Mail twice at the theatre with me!)

26. He loves me (even during mood swings)

27. He gets along well with my mom

28. He cuts the grass

29. He makes CDs for me

30. His kisses

31. He'll give me his last bite of food

32. HE'S ALL MINE!!!!

Happy Birthday baby!

Anniversary Weekend - The Actual Day!

Yesterday was THE day, our anniversary - 6 years. I thought maybe to honor this day I'd start from the beginning:

Rondell and I met on the campus of The Ohio State University my freshman year (his sophomore). Rondell was friends with my RA's best friend. Our meeting was not anything spectacular, but I did notice how tall he was. During my freshman year I would see him around the dorm and we would talk from time to time. Towards the end of the year we became closer friends and started hanging out as just that, friends.

When we left school I went home to Cleveland and he went to South Carolina to sell books (I think that was pretty much a disaster for him). Once he came back from SC we started writing letters (remember mail?). Then he came to Cleveland for a visit. He didn't drive, he didn't fly...he rode the bus! That weekend we just hung out and nothing more, watched movies and hung out with my mom. It was fun.

During my sophomore year we started becoming closer and then started dating. We had our first date at Cooker (now closed). It's funny because neither one of us had a car so we walked there from the dorm. We would skip class and go to Beekman's Bagels (now closed) for lunch. We had a good dating time (with of course a few fights and break ups) but all in all we remained together because we were friends first. I think that's what held us together.

In April of 2001 Rondell and I were going to lunch, nothing unusual. While sitting in Chi Chi's (now closed...do you see a pattern) our waiter kept staring at me. I thought "how rude, does he not see I'm with my boyfriend." Turns out he was drawing a picture of me and my hand because when he brought us our check there was my RING! Rondell proposed, I cried. It was great.

One year later we were married on a beautiful Saturday. All of our friends and family were there.

Six years later, we're still going strong. With God's love and our friendship we can do anything and survive anything. I love this man with all my heart! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY BABY! (Oh, and Happy Father's Day too!)

So, yesterday Rondell and I got to sleep in! Then we went to a local water park for a couple of hours. We had the best time just hanging out and enjoying each other's company. After the water park we had Chipotle and then left to pick up our babies from Cleveland. While we liked the freedom for a bit it was great seeing them (even though Jamison did not want to come home). We had dinner with my dad, Renee, my siblings and friends of theirs and then headed home. It was a nice way to end the wonderful weekend!

Anniversary Weekend - Day Two

Rondell and I had a nice day today on our anniversary weekend. I actually got to sleep in and Rondell went to his Primerica meeting. He brought Chipotle home for lunch (yum) and we watched a movie, Knocked Up (OK movie, but the f-word was used way too many times for me). It was nice to be able to watch a movie without being interrupted!

Then we went to our new favorite restaurant, Abuelo's. We were able to have nice conversation and really enjoy each other's company, and eat hot food (because we didn't have to prepare food for any little ones). We even got a free dessert because of our anniversary (thanks Jenny, our waitress). It was a beautiful night to be out.

Tomorrrow is the official day! More fun times.

I Made It!

This week Rondell had to work second shift, 3-11. Since he had to work late it was just me and the kiddies. I'm sure I've said this before, but I do not know how stay-at-home moms do it and stay sane, and my kids are pretty well behaved. But being that I don't do it that often I have no routine so the evenings were a little chaotic...no bath for Jamison, fish sticks for dinner, etc. It was a lot of fun though and it gave me a greater appreciation for them. Plus I got to see this at night:

No, we don't let them sleep in our bed, but at the end of the day it was easier for them to fall asleep with me. I just love these two.

Anniversary Weekend - Day One

Rondell and I celebrate our 6-year anniversary on Sunday. Today the kids went to Cleveland to spend some time with my dad and Renee. Jamison was very excited to go (background: I have a sister, Toshianna, and she's 9. She was adopted by my dad and stepmom when she was 3. Jamison absolutely adores her and loves spending time with her).

Tonight Rondell and I went to a program at our church called Marriage Matters, Couples who wish to have a Godly marriage. I saw it in our bulletin and thought it would be a good thing to go to, to kind of kick off the weekend. We had a great time. The discussion was about men being clams and women being crowbars (based on a book). We had a good discussion and it was nice to meet some other couples from our church.

Now we're going to watch the season finale of Grey's Anatomy! Fun times.