the Twilight bandwagon...

I didn't want to do it. I really didn't want to do it.

Let me start this post by reiterating that. I did not want to jump on the Twilight bandwagon. Seriously. I mean, I love me some Harry Potter. I do. And I thought that if I started reading Twilight, I'd be cheating on my favorite little wizard. Little did I know what Twilight would open my eyes too.....

It started innocently enough. My roommate has all of the Twilight books (hardcover) on her bookshelf in the living room. They just look so pretty all matching and in a row. And then I saw Rob Pattinson (hereby known as RPatz) on E!. Now don't get me wrong...due to the fact that I am an HP lover, RPatz will always be known as Cedric Diggory to me. The hottie from Ravenclaw who was killed by Voldemort (I'm not scared to say his name) at the end of Goblet of Fire. But there he was on E! talking about being a vampire, and I was suddenly intrigued. (Or maybe it was just his sexy British accent that got me....hard to tell...) And then of course, there is the fact that all of my very professional, twenty-something friends are OBSESSED with The Cullen family....their obsession was bound to be contagious.

So I caved. I walked my happy butt over to our bookshelf, took down the first book-Twilight-and began to read. And I couldn't stop reading. Wait. Let me clarify. I was not obsessed after the first book. Heck, I was not obsessed after the second or third books. But the fourth book...Breaking Dawn....wow. That's where it began.

Wait, I'm getting ahead of myself. So Twilight. Wow. A very good read. Seriously--Stephanie Meyer is a talented writer and she makes you want to keep reading. And for some reason, she makes you want to be a part of the Cullen family. Twilight was good. New Moon was better. Eclipse was slightly annoying. Breaking Dawn was unbelievably fantastic.

So yes, I'm a Twilight junkie now. My calendar is marked for November 20th, when New Moon makes its theatrical debut. Heck, I may even start a Twilight podcast--you laugh, but it could be a worldwide sensation.

Oh wait..one last comment. The movies. Twilight was kind of a cheesy movie. I loved it, don't get me wrong, but its cheesy. Or maybe its just Kristin Stewart who's cheesy. Yes, that's probably it. Not the world's greatest actress--she kind of makes Bella look like a tard. But RPatz. Damn. Thank you for casting him as Edward Cullen.

And I'm not going to lie.....I want to be Rosalie Cullen. She's kind of a badass and I love that.

"It's just an old, scary story Bella."

readmore»»

could I be any more horrible at blogging? seriously people...

Wow. I'm a horrible blogger. When Burg and I decided to start this thing last year, I figured I'd be blogging nonsense non-stop. Not the case. I apologize to you five readers or so. My bad. I'll get better.

Life here in Indy is good...great even. I love my job. I love living in Carmel. I love living with Adrianne. I love being able to go home for dinner or meet my sister for lunch. I love being near teh people I love the most and who have shaped my life and me. I don't miss Cincinnati one tiny bit. I miss people. The Hills for one. I miss going to church with J and Laura and playing with Graham and Gibby. But I don't miss living in the Nasty. I rarely think about it. And when I do, it's only to wonder why I went there in the first place. Oh well. No regrets.

Adrianne and I went to Canada a few weeks ago. Good times, my friends, good times. I experienced my first casino and quite honestly, not that impressed. I got bored with the slots--mainly because I couldn't figure them out. What can I say, I'm a blonde? It was definitely a fun place to people-watch though. I saw some stressed out faces at the quarter slots. Yikes. The best part about the casino--lunch. Delish food in a booth where Addie and I literally watched True Hollywood Story (Patrick Dempsey) for an hour. Yes, I realize we could have done that back here in Indy...but we wouldn't have felt as cool.

The Chubby Pickle was everything I thought it would be, and more. And the drink The Chubby Pickle...equally delish. Simply amazing. And thank you SASsy for dedicating a song to me. I mean, it was Pottymouth Princess which I'm sure speaks volume of what people think of me...but I don't care. Thank you Danger. Thank you.

My experience with a Chubby Pickle. Hands down one of the best drinks EVER! Like a Bloody Mary, but instead of tomato-based juice, they use clam-based juice. Sounds disgusting...but its basically heaven on earth.

It was a SASsy night, fo sho.

At some club after the show. A club that when we went in, we were literally the ONLY people there. And I went to the bar to get a drink, turned around to hand one to Adrianne and couldn't find her. Only to look around and realize homegirl was the only one on the dance floor. And loving every minute of it.

The D and P at the Chubby Pickle.

readmore»»

Changes. Ch-ch-changes!!!!!

Yes, it's been awhile since I've updated. But change is in the air and I feel the need to tell you all about it....


I'm moving back to Indianapolis! YES! Finally! I've put in 3 years here in Cincinnati, and it's been 3 years too long. Honestly, it's been rough. Hell actually. Yes, I've grown, made friends, had to learn how to do things on my own...blah blah blah. But I haven't enjoyed it. Yes, there are a few happy memories of Cincinnati...but just a few. I overheard my mom saying this to someone at church a few weeks ago..."I moved away {Vermont} when I was her {me} age. But I never had to experience half of what she's gone through." Pretty much sums it up.


Anyway, to focus on the good news....I've been trying to get back to Indy for a year...and FINALLY I am!! I have accepted a Political Fundraiser position with the Chamber of Commerce in Indy. Yankee and I are moving to Carmel to live with Adrianne again! And I'm seriously the happiest I've been in a long time! The D and the P reunited once again! And to kick-off and celebrate our move in together...we're planning our 2nd One-Tank-Getaway next weekend to Windsor, Canada! We're going to hit the casinos and then go and see my friend's band at a little bar I like to refer to as The Chubby Pickle....ok that's actually the name of the bar. Pictures to follow, I'm sure......


{Followed the next weekend by going to the New Kids On the Block concert...HECK YEAH! I may just crimp my hair, tie my shirt in a knot on the side, and wear 4 pairs of bright neon socks to celebrate the occasion!}


In the words of famed Bon Jovi (and Jennifer Nettles)....who says you can't go home????

readmore»»

Randomness

(I can NOT get this post to include paragraph breaks.  Sorry!  I'm still trying to figure Blogger out...)

I love my house at the different seasons for different reasons…in a week’s time, I’ve gone from being able to barely see the road through the trees because there weren’t any leaves, to now being able to see nothing but green.  I love it!  So, I’m sitting here with the windows open, listening to the birds and sipping on coffee (oh, and trying to block out “Thomas the Tank Engine.”  Wyatt LOVES Thomas, but he and his friends are starting to get to me!  :))

This week has been super-busy, but I feel like I didn’t really get anything done.  Recap:  in case you haven’t seen, Kelby has started a “30 Days of Burgess’ 30^th Birthday” pictorial on the blog and Facebook.  It’s really clever and yet slightly embarrassing all at the same time.  But, I look forward to jumping on Facebook to see what pics she’s come up with every day.  I’d forgotten about many things, but apparently my birthdays are well-documented in my old scrapbooks, which Kelby ganked at my parents’ house, so it’s all out there for the internet world to see.

Apparently the library takes a hiatus from storytime during the month of May, so I was left with trying to be a little more creative with my free time with Wyatt this week.  SO…Tuesday I thought we’d head south to the Indy Zoo because they had special priced tickets and we could both get in for the price of one adult.  And I was thinking it’s still the school year, NOW is the time to go.  Um, NO.  We drove all the way down there only to drive by the zoo and see it PACKED.  PACKED.  I expected school buses for field trips, but the first lot was overflowing into the 2^nd lot with cars.  It was a madhouse!  Poor Wyatt.  I had him all excited to see the “eleshants” and polar bears, and then all we did was drive by.  And it didn’t help that the elephants were out on that hill overlooking Washington Street, so Wy could see them when we drove by.  Now what?!?  I mean, since it’s been a year and a half since I lived around Indy, I don’t even know where the parks are or anything.  And I didn’t feel like going to the Children’s Museum because it was such a dang nice day.  So, we went to the mall for a little bit, and then headed north to Trader’s Point Creamery, just because I’d been wanting to check it out.  Another disappointment.  There wasn’t a cow to see or anything.  Just some barns with a little cheese shop.  Aargh!  So, we sat in a parking lot so I could think about what to do.  We called a friend who has a farm in Thorntown.  She was my zoo-back-up!  Luckily, she was home…they have horses, cows, sheep, dogs…Wyatt fed a baby calf, petted horses…finally!  Not a total waste of a beautiful day.  And I got to catch up with my friend.  (But, Wyatt did keep asking about “eleshants!”  He he!)

I’ve started going to a Bible study at church on Wednesday nights that I’m loving!  I’d forgotten how great it is to have real discussions with other Christian ladies.  And since I “need” to read this book to be part of the discussion, I’m actually reading something other than magazines.  YES!

Last night Wyatt had a “photo session” with our friend, Kelsey.  She’s wanting to get more practice taking pictures for her budding photography business, so we met her at Prophetstown State Park so she could follow Wy around.  That was fun, and I have no doubt those pics are going to be awesome!  (*Check her blog out at http://kelseysutherlin.blogspot.com/)

Looking forward to the weekend…NO plans tonight, Farmer’s Market Saturday morning, down to Jeff & Maren’s for dinner Saturday night, and Mother’s Day Sunday.  We’re thinking about going to breakfast before church Sunday for my mother’s day meal.  Oh, and I’m going to try to get my garden planted this weekend.  I love spring.

Happy Friday!

readmore»»

A Man's Man

I wrote this awhile ago...but I think it's so fitting today, on this Good Friday. Thank you for the Cross.

Like most single women, I spend time thinking about the man that I will end up with. Is it someone that I know? Is it someone that has been in my life before, but not currently? Is it a complete stranger that God is just putting “on hold” until a time in our lives when our paths cross? Who will this person be?

Even more to the point, what kind of person will he be? Will he be passive or aggressive? Will he been sweet, kind, laidback, high strung, dependent, independent, or all of the above? I am very dominant person—will he be also? Will he be the leader of my household, as God has commanded him to be? I pray for all of these things. I pray for him to be an excellent father, a kind and gentle soul with a firm hand, a man’s man but one who has a soft side. Some believe that girls typically are attracted to men who are like their fathers. I think this could be true in my case. Let me tell you about my dad. He’s an Army man, but not regimented. He is the rational one in the family—he had to be in a house of all women. He uses reason, not emotion, to make decisions. He’s factual. He’s gentle. He loves. He disciplines. He’s a protector. He’s incredibly laid-back. He is the least judgmental person that I’ve ever encountered. He’s supportive, but allows me to make my own mistakes. He’s intelligent, but not bookish. He does not care what others think of him. He is comfortable in his own skin. He’s a leader, but likes to be behind the scenes. He fights for injustice, even when it’s being quiet. He stands up for his family and loves unconditionally. Why wouldn’t I want a man just like that?

What about our heavenly Father? Do we factor His character into this equation at all? We are, after all, made in His own image—the image of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit? So what kind of image is that? What is the image of God—or more so, what is the image of Jesus?

I’ve thought about this for awhile. And after listening to a couple of sermons about this very topic, I think I’ve found some answers…and unfortunately, some problems. I believe that we as Christians focus our attention more on the lamb qualities of Jesus and overlook His lion qualities. Think about it, when I say “Jesus”, what comes to mind? Sitting with the children? Healing the sick? Washing the disciples’ feet? Please don’t get me wrong—I don’t want to take away from these images. This is our Savior…but it is only one aspect of Him. Jesus is a gentle soul. He is the Man that children want to be with. He is loving and caring and respectful. But like us, He has many sides. And honestly, the other sides to Him are what make me fall in love with Him more and more.

You see, I’m in love with a man’s man. And when He walked the earth, that’s what Jesus was. He was rugged. He was strong. He was feared. Don’t believe me? Let me walk you through this…

Jesus was a carpenter for 30 years. Since His father Joseph was a carpenter, Jesus probably picked up these skills at a very early age. And Jewish carpenters were not like modern-day carpenters. They were similar to lumberjacks, handling olive and acacia wood, as well as stones and rocks. Carpenters during this time were not building dainty objects; they were building homes, tables, chairs—sturdy and steadfast. Jesus’s hands would be rough, calloused and scarred. His forearms would show years and years of wear carrying heavy lumber. Jesus was a blue-collared worker. A man who was not afraid to roll up his sleeves and dive into a mountain of difficult labor.

After Jesus started his ministry, He walked over 5,000 miles preaching and teaching. 5,000 miles. In three years. He walked 70 miles alone just to be baptized by John. His feet would be worn, probably bleeding from the many blisters and sores he would have gotten. He surrounded himself with fishermen. He spent the majority of his time around the sea and salt water. His skin would be bronzed and weathered. In fact, we know that Jesus was not an attractive man. He wasn’t someone who turned heads as he walked down the street. Isaiah tells us that “there was nothing beautiful or majestic about his presence.” He was common in looks. Ordinary even.

Jesus was a force to be reckoned with. Someone who was feared—so much so that the only way to stop Him was to kill Him. They sent a mob out to arrest Jesus. Not just one man. Or two. A mob. The Jewish leaders were under the mentality that there were strength in numbers. When the mob asked around for Jesus, the sound of his voice made them quiver with fear. Fall back on their knees. Hide their faces to the ground. He was feared. He had fire in his eyes. And the Jewish leaders knew that.

Even in death, Jesus had strength. A man’s man. He didn’t receive a Jewish beating—a beating with only 39 meager lashes. No. Jesus received a Roman beating; a beating that was limitless in number. A beating that was completely subjective and could last for as long as the Roman guards wanted it to. It was so horrific that seven out of 10 men did not survive it. It was so horrifying that it alone caused death. And yet, Jesus survived. No wonder He stumbled when He was force to carry His own cross. I can’t even begin to imagine what the walk to Golgotha was like. Blood dripping down His face, mixing with the tears and the sweat. The heavy cross scratching along his open wounds. The memories of being betrayed in unfair trails by the very people He came to save. And yet, He survived. When He did finally commit His spirit and die, He did so triumphantly. But His body. His body was so badly beaten that even His best friends did not believe He could physically rise again in three days. And yet, He did.

You see, this is the man that I’m in love with. A man’s man. A man who did all of this for me. Who loved me so much that He laid His life down…for me.

readmore»»

It's been too long...

Oh gosh...first I got onto my sister for not blogging and now I'm the slacker in the family. Oops! Well let me update you on the ongoings of my life.

The Hicks Girls have been vacationing fools in the past month. I spent 8 days down in New Orleans at Mardi Gras...my first time! It was so much fun! Seriously. Noel and I went down there to stay with her friend (and mine now too) Ashley. Oh my gosh. It was unbelievable. That city has a charm that is indescrible. I kept saying that it is a different world, and its so true. The culture, the people, the energy, everything. It was definitely a fun time and I can't wait to go back for Mardi Gras 2010!

Happy Mardi Gras day! Our costumes for next year are already on hold and are freaking awesome!

Noel, me and Ashley at one of the MANY parades we went too! Check out our loot!!

One of my favorite things about NOLA....all the masks. Seriously. I may or may not be slightly obessed with them!

Me and Noel in the French Quarter, which was very cool.

Two days after I returned from The Big Easy, Burgess and Adam left for Scottsdale, Arizona for a week. It was their first no-Wyatt vacay (who spent half the week with GG and Grandaddy (Mom and Dad) and 'Ama and 'Apa (Grandma and Grandpa, Adam's parents). I'll let her tell you about her trip...but I know she had a good time!!

Other than that things are pretty much the same ole, same ole around the Queen City. I'm in complete half-marathon training mode for the Flying Pig marathon on May 4th. I'll take two or three weeks off and then start training for my very first marathon--the Marine Corps Marathon in D.C. in October! Woohoo!!

Looking ahead, I'm so excited for the summer. Big changes are coming my way..and I'm not sure what exactly they will be. But I'm trying to be ready for them and embrace the fact that the winds are shifting. Wyatt turns 2 on April 25...which is unbelievable that he's that old already. Burgess and Wy are coming for a visit next weekend, and I'm so excited about it. Looks like a trip to the zoo and Jungle Jim's are in our future!

Hope you're all doing well. We'll get better about keeping this bad boy updated. :)

xoxo,
Kelby

readmore»»

Sleepless in Lafayette...

Kelby has threatened to rename this site.  Something about she’s doing all the blogging…I haven’t written since Thanksgiving…blah, blah.  The problem is, I haven’t felt like I’ve had anything going on worth writing about.  Then I see that Kelby writes about her new “running skirt” (can those two words even go together and be taken seriously?).  I have another friend who wrote about her new sunglasses.  And yet another blogger friend who has written about what her dog eats.   And I enjoy reading these!  I love hearing about what’s going on in my friends’ lives, no matter how small or big it seems.  (Because who’s to judge?)  So, I really HAVE been trying to get past my excuses and post something.  And every time I think of something, I don’t have time to put it in writing.  BUT, tonight you are graced with a blog from the other half of “HicksGirls” because I can’t sleep.  It’s only 11:00pm, so it’s not that big of a deal, but I have a lot on my mind and I SHOULD be sleeping because I have to get up pretty darn early in the morning, on a Saturday, to begin the process of finishing packing, getting myself dressed, packing Wyatt, getting Wyatt dressed, getting Wyatt breakfast, (Adam’s involved here too!), getting out the door  and driving one hour to the west side of Indy, handing Wyatt off to my mom, Adam and I getting to the airport the standard two-hours early, and taking off for our first week-long getaway together since before I was pregnant, three years ago.  Part of me is just plain, night-before-Christmas, excited.  I am tagging along with Adam to a conference in Scottsdale, Arizona.  This is my ideal vacation…Adam will have some classes he’ll need to go to, so I can lounge by the pool.  They have seminars for the wives (Tim Gunn, anyone?!?), there’s a dinner every night of the conference, and it’s capped off with a black-tie-optional gala (for which I bought a brand new dress! ).  I get to see my friend Michelle while I’m out there.  We’re hoping to go to an MLB Spring Training Game, and we’re going to spend our last few days in Sedona.  We really are pumped about this vacay!

HOWEVER…I have never left Wyatt for this long.  He’s done a few other overnights at G.G.’s, but nothing for a week.  He’s spending the first half of the week at my mom’s, and the second half of the week at my mother-in-law’s.  In my head, I know he’ll be fine…probably better than fine.  He’ll have a ball.  But he’s at this great age where he is just darn fun to be around, he says and does new things every day, and I am just going to miss him.  A LOT.  And, I have this horrible way of playing out worst-case-scenarios in my head.  So I’ve been praying constantly that we (Adam, Wyatt and I) are successfully reunited at the end of this trip.  

To make all of this anxiety worse, though, and I think the real reason I can’t sleep…Wyatt fell down the stairs tonight.  Not just one or two, but all 10-12 of our stairs from the main floor to the basement.  He’s fine, but talk about scary.  The thing I hate about this house is that the garage is out the basement level.  So, every time I come and go I am loaded down with my purse (which is tote-bag-size), Wyatt’s diaper bag, usually his blanket, and whatever else is involved in the errands we’re running (library books, notebook for a meeting, dry cleaning, etc…).  Plus, Wyatt can’t walk down the stairs.  He can crawl UP them, but he can’t get down them.  So, I’m always loaded down like the above-described pack mule, PLUS, I’m carrying my 22-month old son.  So, tonight we were getting ready to leave the house to take our dog to my in-law’s house while we’re gone, and Wyatt was standing at the top of the stairs.  I had him standing on the top step, between me and the gate that I was trying to close at the top of the stairs.  But when I turned to grab his hand to go down the stairs, he tried to take a step down too, and went tumbling to the bottom.  It seemed like it happened in slow-motion but lightening-fast at the same time.  I have no idea how I emptied my arms of the stuff I was carrying and scooped Wyatt up at the bottom, screaming.  He actually calmed down after just a few minutes.  There was no bleeding, and I have yet to see any bruises.  (I think the saving grace is that the stairs are carpeted!)  I handed him off to Adam to put him in the car, and went back inside to retrieve my stuff.  It was then that I lost it.  My legs felt like they were going to give way and I kept replaying my little boy falling down the stairs in my head.  And the “What Ifs…”!   But I’ve just been so anxious about leaving him, that this episode just put me over the edge.  

So, I’m awake.  Because every time I close my eyes, I picture the worst.  I’m counting my blessings, literally.  And maybe I should have a glass of wine…

readmore»»