No more Martha

So the whole Theory of me being "Martha Stewart" was thrown out the window! Clay came home from work yesterday with the counters and mixer covered in flower. The cookies I was trying to make never flattened out, and they taste funny! The bread...well I will leave that one alone...lets just say I was following the wrong recipe and then tried to fix it! So I might be a great cook...but I can't bake!

It's begining to look a lot like Chrismas!

So today we put Chrismas lights up on the house! Clay was so exited when he was done putting the lights up for the second time...he put them on wrong the first time and couldn't plug them into an outlet! While he was busy with the outside, I put the tree together. Ahh...it's my first tree since I haven't lived at home. Every other year I was going to be at home on Christmas day. It's like I'm a little kid all over again.

Happy Thanksgiving

So this is the time of year that most people reflect on what they are thankful for. So even though I reflect on these things almost everyday now, I thought I would a share a few thanks and a few thoughts!

• I'm Thankful that my little sisters have grown up and have now become my friends and not just my siblings. Brittany and Janelle...I love you both very much!
• I'm thankful that Clay and I have been brought together. I used to think that finding a man to love and trust would be difficult..I never knew finding my soul mate would be so easy! I love you very much, and I thank God for you every day!
• I'd like to thank our parents...with out you we would not be the people we are today.
• To all our family and friends....I am thankful that there are people in my life whom I can talk to once in awhile and feel like I'm at home, people I can talk to everyday...and feel like you are right with me....I'm thankful that God has blessed me with people who are true and warm at heart.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Sleep, Sleep and NO SLEEP!

So, it's another sleepless night here in the Blanton household. You'd almost think we had children by that statement, but no, it's just me...(KATIE!) For the last two weeks or so I've been on this restless sleep thing..Can't explain it, but all I know is I'm tired! Why am I tired and still no sleep...Don't know, but really it's annoying already!! Not to mention the tossing and turning drives Clay a little bonkers...he even told me I could wear sweats to bed if that was going to help me sleep. Now we know we are both sleep deprived.

Blessings of Life

Sometimes I just think about how lucky I am to be married to a man that makes me smile. A man that loves me, that talks with me, that shares dreams and goals with me, but more importantly a man that I love loving every day. So, I just wanted to share with the world that I feel blessed everyday! On that note, our wedding pictures our now online! (Click on our pictures)

Some Food for Thought!

17 Things you should never do in marriage

1. Raise your voice or yell
2. beat or shake your spouse
3. name call
4. Walk away when hurt or angry
5. Give the silent treatment
6. Bring up old fights
7. Give reasons why you hurt the other person
8. Place blame on the other person for an argument
9. interrupt each other
10. Use Kids to finish a debate
11. Argue inform of the kids
12. Talk negatively about the inlaws
13. Get sarcastic in an argument
14. Tell everyone about an argument
15. Punish each other with sex
16. Not listen with body language
17. Don't harden yourself

This was given at our couples study at church. I found it interesting. We discussed Conflict and how to deal with it. Lucky for us, we really don't fight! So, it's stuff to keep in mind so that when that day comes we will be able to deal with it! How many of these things do you do?

Ahh!! He Loves me!

So I wake up this mornig with little I love you notes all over the house! How sweet is that! Now only if I could actually wake up before him one day...nope don't think so. Something else will have to do! On the topic of Clay, for those of you who ask about what he does, he now has a web page. Quite the internet savy couple these days! Anyways the link is www.clayblanton.com check it out.

Close To My Heart

So, as we have all heard I have been scrapbooking (A LOT) since the wedding. I LOVE IT! However, in the process of it I found this company called Close to My Heart. I fell in love with their products. I started comparing prices to all the stores and realized they prices were compatible, so I started to order from them. Now, I decided to do consulting. I am so exited about it! I have learned how to do so much and I can't wait to share with everyone else! Anyways I thought I would share my new adventure with everyone! There is a link on the side bar if you want to see my web page! Fun!

Yah Mon!

Yes, we are back from Jamaica and glad to be home! It has been brought to our attention that it was feared we were in a hurricane. Sorry for the worries, but no hurricane for us. Some bad weather, but we didn't mind at all. So as they say in Jamaica, no worries.
We had a great time. It is extremely hard to get all of details of a 12 day trip in, so sorry if this gets a little long winded. I will try to make it as Painless as possible.

Day 1
We arrived in Jamaica at 8 am Jamaica time. We took a red eye so with very little sleep we began a fun filled day in Montego Bay. Here are some the highlights.

• There was a sandals lounge at the airport. Fully stocked with Red Stripe. (The Jamaican Beer) So once a beer was poured (It's 5:00 some where, but not in Jamaica) we were called to our bus. Strange thing...Apparently you can have open containers in a car. In public anywhere for that matter.
• We arrive at the resort which backs up the runway. So yes, we waved to everyone as they arrived Jamaica, and as they departed from Jamaica. (What they don't tell you on the internet)
• Then we were introduced to a whole new world of Pina Coladas. Appleton Rum, pineapple and coconut...put a smile on two tired faces.
• That night we joined into the nightly activities. This meant Clay had to dance in a dance contest in front of all of the other guests. It's a good thing he loves me! We made the finals but the Karma suture couple won. (You can only guess why!)

Day 2

We quickly discovered that Jamaica was hot and humid! We couldn't wait to get in the water and go scuba diving! So at 9:00 am we ventured into the pool for scuba lesson #1! We were in the pool for a few hours with another couple we met the night before. We all had a really good time until it was time to get serious in the ocean. Here are some things we quickly learned about scuba..

• First, I don't like water in my mask. It freaks me out.
• Second, If you have a phobia of algae covered ropes, get over it because you hold on for dear life all the way to the bottom of the ocean.
• If you have to cough...Just do it. ( I thought freaking out and going up would help, but my dive instructor calmed me down 15 Ft. Under the water.) Although it was nice to know Clay freaked out a little as well waiting for me at the bottom...but I guess that's what happens when it takes 10 minutes to go 30 Ft.
• It's fun watching others learn to clear their ears! You realize you're not the only one who looks like a monkey!
• The ocean floor is BEAUTIFUL!
• Wow! What a rush.

Day 3

This was when we discovered Negril! The beaches are amazing. White sand and beautiful sunsets. Who can ask for more! Well except for my wonderful husband who decided it wasn't enough to be 30ft under the water, but now he wanted to enter the water from 35 Ft above the water. After a long day of drinking and shopping we went to a location known for cliff jumping. (Enough Said)

Day 4

Finally a day of relaxation! Laying on the beach, reading a book, drinking pina coladas, napping, and more pina coladas!

Day 5

8:00 am at the pool again. We decided it would be fun to get PADI certified. This means we can go diving anywhere in the world with a dive instructor. So, we spent more time in the pool, taking tests, and then back in ocean. This is wear the weather began to change. The water was choppy, so it was a little more difficult to swim at the surface, and the bottom wasn't as clear, but it was a lot easier to go down the second time! I have to say it's amazing!

The rest of the Trip

As I had mentioned before the weather began to change. So the rest of trip was spent hanging out with another couple we met from Texas. That is when we weren't playing cards, reading, or enjoying the rain and thunderstorms from our patio. We changed rooms mid week so we ended up with a private beach area right outside of our patio! It was Great!

Some interesting things about our trip

• We changed rooms because the bathroom in our first room was so small that clays shoulders would touch the wall while the shower curtain clung to his other arm!
• The sunsets are truly beautiful
• The bugs leave huge welts if they bite you. (have I mentioned Bugs LOVE ME and apparently Clay too.)
• There is a saying "No worries!" because no one worries, there is a very little stress in Jamaica. Everyone just goes with the flow.
• Lot's of cool critters! Crabs, lizards, Spiders, large frogs, and loud insects are everywhere! I never thought I would say the sound of bugs would put me to sleep...but they did everyone's!

So with all that said....I would like to Thank my mother and father in-law (Gail and Zig) for a wonderful honeymoon. We had a blast!

Bye Bye!

Well at around 12:00 we are leaving Fresno to partake on a two week vacation. We will spend the weekend in the OC with family and friends. We will be attending a wedding on Saturday and Sunday night we will leave for Jamica. I am soooo exited. So, we'll be signing off for two weeks, but until then...hope all is well with all.

Enjoying the Yard

So, finally we were able to sit outside. After a few hours of backyard clean up we were able to sit and enjoy our morning coffee. It's been great! Having the grass and the patio really seemed to add another room to the house. We even sat outside and had dinner last night! It was great! Now it's time to start the garden and plant some bulbs!!! Although that will all have to wait until after Jamaica!

Grass, Grass, and more Grass!

Fianlly! After months of trying to get the back yard in order we finally have grass! Well almost. The landscapers are putting in the sod as I write. We are extending the front yard and then I will add some rose bushes and flowers for some color. In the back, we will have a large grass area, a garden, and patio and a fire pit area. The real question is, how big of a garden do I need?

Scrapbooking

Last night I went to my friend Tricia's for a scrapbook party. It was great! Now I have more ideas for the scrapbook I have become obsessed with! I have come to the conclusion that this can become an expenisve hobby, but memories are priceless right?! Clay worked late last night and will work again this afternoon and into the early evening. I was sad but then I realized this means I get to some Jamaica shopping! Lucky me...what girl doesn't look for a good reason to shop. So, I'm off to find some sales!

A strange week!

So for those of you who know... I am not a great "sick" person! This week there has been more "sick" drama in this house you would almost think it was a nursing home. Lets begin with me (of course that's always more fun!) Sunday morning Clay and I both woke up not feeling so hot. I had a great idea to make OJ. So, like most Sunday mornings Clay pulls out the good ole juicer. We made OJ, but upon my request we didn't peel the orange. It is supposedly much better for you that way if you can tolerate the bitterness (my stomach is turning just writing about it!) After drinking about 1/4 of the glass I realized I couldn't handle it. To my dismay I spent the next 24 hours praying that every bit of orange was given to the porcelain God!! Even pedialite couldn't seem to get rid of the orange. Then there was still the original problem that I had a scratchy throat. So after a two day sinus head ache and four days of not being able to breath....I finally feel like a normal human being again. Could this be Fresno allergies?! I bring up allergies because apparently Brittany, my live in sister, has the same allergy symptoms. She was just blessed enough to not be taken down by it. Meanwhile Clays back doesn't likes us! We don't have a clue what is wrong, but it just hurts him. He's up all night, which means I'm up all night. It's been fun!
On the upside, I've had a lot of time to work on my wedding scrapbook. It's getting there, but wow can scrapbook be addictive, not to mention messy!!! Although so far it sure looks good!
Anyways that is my update...I promise the next post will much more uplifting!

So, I've been determined to figure out how to create this blog, and I think I finally got it!
(I won't mention that it only took me half of the day to figure out how to get our picture up in th corner.) Anyways, my wonderful friend Nicole turned me on to this method of communication. I think it works great, and I love hers so I hope everyone enjoys ours as much as I love hers. So welcome to our blog!!! XOXOXO