So after yesterday’s blog post–Floyd snapped a photo of himself all dressed up and sent it to my cell phone. Made my afternoon!
Love you babe! Something so small as a picture can really be special. 
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This post was written by kmashek on March 29, 2012
I loved playing with Barbie dolls when I was a little girl. Conservatively, I had a hundred of them. I was also spoiled enough to also have a few Barbie cars, and yes, the ulimate Barbie dream house. Probably one of my favorite parts of playing with Barbies was styling their hair and picking out their clothing. (So it’s no wonder I chose a profession that involves dressing up every day!)
So one thing I love about my marriage is that Floyd actually enjoys the fact (though he might be a bit reluctant to admit it) that he is my Ken doll. He likes it when I pick out clothes for him, because he values my opinion of what looks good and what doesn’t. Last night, he asked for me to come downstairs with him to look through his closet and pick out what he should wear for an important meeting with the school principal today. He tried on a few different shirts before I picked out a sharp blue shirt with a solid black silk tie. He looked so handsome. I only regret that I was only about half-awake, side-lying nursing Drake when he left for work this morning. I didn’t even think to look over my shoulder to see him all “dolled up”. So I sent him a text wishing him luck today and told him I sure he looked great.
Last night, I also ventured to the mall and picked up part of his attire for the benefit this weekend. So I’ll get to dress up my Ken doll again.
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This post was written by kmashek on March 28, 2012
This weekend, I have the privilege of serving as co-Master of Ceremony for the 23rd annual Ultimate Auction, benefiting Cedar Valley Catholic Schools. I found the perfect black cocktail dress for the occasion, and plan to break out some fabulous rhinestone & emerald earrings I have in my “cute but gaudy” collection of costume jewelry inherited from my grandmother. Floyd will be serving as an auction spotter and will be dressed up for the occasion, too. I have to say–I’m really looking forward to getting “gussied up” for the event. It’s been quite a while since Floyd and I have gotten to doll up and have a fancy sort of night out. It’s those kind of evenings that remind me of our courtship and wedding. It’s fun to just be a couple in the company of friends and feel a little glamorous all the while! We’re leaving Drake in the hands of a capable sitter (with cell phones close at hand). It should be a grand evening supporting a great cause. And I’ll be sure to share the photos with you after!
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This post was written by kmashek on March 27, 2012
I feel incredibly old to think that midnight is late. I’ve always been more of a night owl type of person. Often when my family came to visit, we’d be up talking until 2 or 3 a.m. and I’d have no problems staying awake and still being chipper the next morning. But being a new mom, going on less sleep most days, midnight seems SO LATE! Friday and Saturday night, Drake was so wired from being around his grandparents and great-grandparents that he didn’t go to sleep until around midnight both nights. As a result, I’ve just been dragging behind the last two days! What’s so strange is that Drake has actually slept amazingly well the past few days 6, 7, even one 8 hour night! But somehow those late nights just threw my body clock off kilter and I am in serious need of a nap! I guess I’ll have to get a caffeine kick instead to make it through the work day–and hope our sweet baby will get another good night’s sleep tonight to help a momma out!
P.S.–Drake has learned a few new & entertaining skills this past week. He’s wiggling around his body when he lays on the floor to move from up & down to laying sideways.
-He is holding his own bottle when daddy feeds him & I’m at work.
-He has been having a lot of fun with his feet lately & finally figured out how to get them in his mouth! hah!
-Rolled over from front to back! (Can’t quite figure out back to front yet!)
Just smiling on St. Patty's Day
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This post was written by kmashek on March 26, 2012
Yes–a few mornings this week, James Brown’s “I Feel Good–SO GOOD” has been echoing through my head! For the first time in close to a year–I was able to get back on my “regular” pants! (And comfortably!) I still have a few pregnancy pounds left to shed, but progress feels amazing. I haven’t had to work too hard just yet on getting my pre-baby body back, but as I’ve mentioned before, I know the last few pounds are the most stubborn. I’m doing my best to avoid food temptations and controlling my portions. Getting into a regular exercise rhythm would be helfpul. I’ve just got to put it a bit higher on the priority ladder. The nice weather certainly puts spring in my step. Last weekend, Floyd, Drake, Aleah & I even took a “family walk” through the neighborhood. It was FAN-TASTIC! No, I’m not in my “skinny jeans” yet…But I know if I put my mind to it–I’ll be back in shape by summer.
A little motivation? Found this old picture of my freshman year college roommate, Ashley and I. Wow–forgot how tiny I once was! But I have faith I can get at least *close to that again.
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This post was written by kmashek on March 22, 2012
He did it again! My big brother competed in his second power lifting competition this weekend. And this time, he took first place in his division–lifting almost 400 pounds in one of the contests!
I have to say that what’s so amazing to me about his accomplishments, is that Kyle is finally in the zone of finding his passion in life. He’s excelling in his career as a personal trainer, and translating those tools into his “hobby” of competitive power lifting. After so many ups and downs in his life, it’s just awesome to see such a sense of pride in his work. One of the women he has been training also did well, competing in her first power lifting event and beating a women’s record in her division.
It really is a wonderful thing to find passion–something I think we often take for granted. Floyd & I are both so blessed to be in career fields we are passionate about: reporting and teaching. For both of us, there have certainly been challenges in getting to the point where we are, and there are challenges in the day-to-day tasks of our careers at times. But we both love what we do. And to some extent, I think that’s rare. A lot of people struggle to find their passion, work in 9-5 jobs they hate, or are stuck in a job just to pay the bills because the economy is tough right now. I get all that. It just makes me realize again how incredibly blessed I am to love what I do and to have the ability to do it every day. And my blogging journey is part of that. Thanks to you all for literally helping me along that path!
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This post was written by kmashek on March 19, 2012
Last Wednesday, I thought I would race home and have to clean the house in a tizzy to get it looking halfway decent for small group Bible study that evening. Floyd had parent-teacher conferences and wouldn’t be home until late. But much to my surprise, the cleaning fairy arrived! Floyd had a little down time between school letting out and conferences starting, and rather than catching up on everything else in the world, he made a special trip to the house to tidy up. He dusted, vacuumed and straightened up! I was most impressed.
This week, while he’s on spring break, we’re sending Drake to daycare just for a half-day, so that we don’t have to burn our vacation days with the center so early in the year. Then Floyd can get some housework done in the mornings, and have Drake bonding time in the afternoon.
Tuesday, his cleaning fairy skills kicked in again! After Drake had spit up on the carpeting, he deemed it a good time to break out the steam vac and clean the living room carpeting. It really looked great. But unfortunately, the first thing I noticed–he rearranged the living room furniture and I hated it. And I let him know I hated it. Last night during our Bible study, we were talking about how wives sometimes get in the bad habit of being criticizers, and that sometimes that causes our husbands to stonewall us. During our discussion, Floyd & I brought up this little scenario of how I failed to appreciate his hard work cleaning the carpets because I was too caught up in hating the way the furniture looked. Thankfully, he’s very patient and forgiving. I did eventually laud his handy-work, and he put the furniture back the way I liked it. Yes, I got my way. But lesson learned: praise him first, and be a little nicer in the way I express what I’d like to see happen instead of just outright saying I don’t like it. It’s all back to that journey of Love & Respect—being more careful with my need to be unconditionally respectful of Floyd, no matter what. (Easier said than done! But we can both work to improve. )
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This post was written by kmashek on March 15, 2012
This is so silly cute! A picture really can make a girl’s day. Floyd took Drake out for a walk in the stroller, snapped a photo and text messaged it to me. I just had to share!
Enjoy the beautiful weather–this is Iowa, after all. Who knows how long it will last!
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This post was written by kmashek on March 13, 2012
For the past several months, I’ve been leading a small group study for our church. We have a handful of couples our age that meet at my home. Last fall, we did a study on generosity, and we’re currently working our way through the Love & Respect series. If you’re not familiar with it, there are a couple of basic principles. First, in relationships–women have an innate need for love, while men have an innate need for respect. And often times in the nature of spats or situations that come up, we get on what the author dubs the “crazy cycle,” whereby without love, she reacts without respect, then he reacts unlovingly, and so on–the cycle just spins and spins.
But it’s occurred to me on several occassions through this study that at least in our marriage, this dynamic is very much a two-way street. While Floyd absolutely deserves my utmost respect for the many things he does, he also has the need for love (as all marriages of course should have!). But that said, I have a certain need to be respected, too. And to that end, Floyd is so very respectful of me. I don’t just mean in the way he treats me, but in my very perspective and outlook on things. Even when I come across kind of crazy or a little in left field on some things, he respects me. When I am struggling with a big decision, he respects that and offers valuable support and insight. There’s a balance of give and take between these two dynamics of love and respect that’s very important, indeed. And I know that as we go through this series with our group, many more revelations will come. I just wanted to take a step back and reflect on the journey so far.
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This post was written by kmashek on March 12, 2012
Friday & Saturday were pleasant days spent together as a family. (We’re thinking next weekend we’ll take you up on the Galena trip suggestion! ) The weather was so beautiful Friday we had a picnic in the park for lunch and played on the slides and swings with Drake. (I haven’t uploaded the pictures just yet) But overall–the past two days, Drake has been such a happy boy with vrey little fussing. We had a great snuggle session while we watched a movie at home Saturday morning, he smiled & giggled while we hung out with some friends Saturday evening, then he slept six hours straight that night, and did pretty good all through church this morning. When he was laying in his crib last night, Floyd pulled me in to his side and said, “This is where we say, ‘Oh, look at that beautiful baby we made.’” I smiled and agreed. It’s so crazy to think of the very small cellular level that babies begin at and how they grow and develop into the miracle of life that we all are. Drake sure is a joy. And I will treasure every happy moment and the many wonderful family weekends we will spend together.
HAPPY THREE MONTH BIRTHDAY my precious boy! Here’s his adorable first “school” picture from daycare.
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This post was written by kmashek on March 11, 2012
