HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAISLEY!!!

Happy 3rd Birthday Sweet Paisley!! I cannot believe my baby girl is 3 today.

Where does the time go? I am trying to remind myself of this as I type at 3:30 am while I am up feeding Griff! HA!

I can vividly remember (like it was yesterday) being in that ultrasound at Baptist and finding out I was having a girl and literally being so excited I thought I was going to explode! I could not get out of there fast enough and head to the mall to start shopping!! HAHA!

What is she up to at the tender young age of 3 you ask?

-28 pounds of pure energy. She NEVER STOPS!

-requires very little sleep! Goes to bed at 9 and wakes up at 6!

-naps for 2-3 hours daily. Thank the LORD!

-she is obsessed with the color purple. We have purple everything right now!!

-is the biggest mess maker in the world. No, seriously she is.

-her favorite foods are yogurt, strawberries, orange juice, cheese, cereal, PB&Js, Shrimp, rice, soup, corn, biscuits, and occasionally green beans.

-not a big fan of chocolate (except M&M's) or ice cream..what? I know.

-but she LOVES, I mean double heart LOVES some CANDY. Starburst, jelly beans, gummi bears, suckers, gum. The list goes on and on.

-she loves to play outside, blow bubbles, go to the park, ride any and all carousels, Dora, Barbies, books, play-doh, painting, playing dress-up, wearing dresses, picking out her clothes, and putting on make-up.

-does not like brushing her teeth, having her hair brushed or washed, sitting still, or sharing. We are working on all these things!

The best part about Paisley is her attitude and silliness!! She reminds me daily to slow down and smell the roses. And to let the house go. And sit down and play Barbies!

I am so thrilled that God blessed me with this daughter, and am so grateful for all the joy she has brought us over the past 3 years! I am looking forward to watching her grow into a little girl and lady. And yes, gulp, even a teenager. I don't think Stephen is EVER gonna be ready for that!

XOXO-

KJ

MISSISSIPPI!

Stephen is in Boca Raton, Louisville, and Dallas for the week, so we decided to pack up and come home for a visit!!

I love Mississippi. It is definitely my home sweet home. I love the people, the hospitality, the food, the unique shopping, the inexpensive prices (HA!) and most importantly, my friends and family!

Above is a picture of my parents new house that they are building in Madison, a community about 15 minutes outside of Jackson. I am so thrilled that they are finally building their dream house! It sits on a beautiful lake and has a gorgeous outside deck and patio. Also, the kitchen is unreal. Not much going on inside yet or I would have taken pictures. I promise I will update soon.

Here is Paisley with her favorite person in the whole world, Joe! Joe is my 8 year old nephew who is the sweetest thing ever. Poor Joe, Paisley never gets out of his face the whole time we are home!!

My daddy and Griff.




My niece Anna Blaire and Griffin!

My daddy with Izzie and Paisley

Eating powdered donuts. Lovely!

I love AB in her little uniform! SO precious!!

My sweet boy! Isn't he growing?!!

My mama and her Griff man!!

XOXO-

KJ

MISSISSIPPI!!

We are in Mississippi for the next week, but I promise I will post soon!

Hope you all have a great Monday!

XOXO-

KJ

EAT TO LIVE HEALTHY COLLARD GREENS!!

1. This is the most delicious thing ever! Stephen and I love to eat these for lunch on Saturday!!

   COLLARD GREENS:

   Rinse greens in cold water and shred by hand into pieces. If greens are already washed and shredded, rinse in cold water. Pat greens dry on paper towels.

2. Step2

   In a large skillet on medium, heat one tablespoon of olive oil.

3. Step3

   Once oil is hot, place greens in oil in small batches. Toss greens in oil mixture with tongs.

   Cook greens about 10 minutes until wilted, but still bright green and crisp. Serve hot.

   Mix in sunflower seeds and sprinkle with feta!!

   I hope you are all having a FABULOUS Saturday. It is terrible weather here.

   XOXO

   KJ

   
   

SHOW US YOUR LIFE...E-HARMONY WORKS!!!

Five years ago, I was coming out of a terrible break up. I was engaged and it was called off on Christmas Eve. I was in a terrible place, and family and friends got me through it. And my faith.

With all that said, on a whim, I decided to try E-Harmony. At the time, E-Harmony was so new but I was willing to try it. I had nothing to lose. I was matched with an attorney who was divorced, an engineer from Louisiana who was really quiet. And Stephen. When I saw his picture, he looked so CUTE and FUN! He had the biggest smile on his face. We matched with 99% accuracy. We talked on the phone for about 100 hours the first week. We were so taken with one another. The next weekend, Stephen came to visit and the rest was history. He told my daddy immediately that we would be getting married. SOON.

Needless to say, my mama about flipped out! Ha!

I will say we have a very FUN marriage. It is tough sometimes (okay, LOTS of times) due to our jobs, hectic schedules, traveling, kids, money, being a homeowner, and just making time for each other. But I love him more than life itself. He is my life. I can't imagine my life without him. He always makes me feel better about things, tells me I am beautiful, tells me I am a great mother, and also makes me laugh until I cry. And he is SUCH a good daddy. Paisley adores him.

So when people ask what we have been up to for the past few years, here you go:

Engaged in May, married, started a new job and moved to Nashville in September 2005, pregnant with Paisley exactly one year later, sold a house in November, moved once, built a house and moved twice, Paisley was born in April 2007, Stephen started a new job and career change this July 2009 and then pregnant with Griffin in August

and a new baby April 1!!

WHEW!!!!

It has been a busy 5 years!!

Definitely try E-Harmony...it works!!

XOXO-

KJ

This Might Be The Longest Week EVER!!!

This might be the loooooooongest week ever. Marsha (My saint of a mother-in-law) has been out of town and I don't think I even realize how much she helps me! Paisley is so sweet, she is just 3. And a handful. But we are hanging in there!

I spent most of the day cleaning out the cabinets and drawers in my master bedroom and bringing down on all my summer clothes. I am a good 10 pounds away from fitting in most of them, but I am trying to get rid of my maternity clothes already. That lap band on those pregnancy pants is just too convenient! HA! I might eat cheesecake everyday if I keep wearing them.

I also ordered this cute stationery today. I bought 20 cards for $19.99 and I had a 30% coupon. Don't you all love a coupon? I know I do!!
Also, I am in LOVE with the Liberty of London line for Target. I am such a sucker for a floral.

Tomorrow is going to consist of packing us for Mississippi! I am so excited to go home for a week. Paisley's birthday is Thursday! I LOVE birthday weeks! I have her a present for everyday!! We will have a family party in Mississippi and then the big mermaid pool party in May. That reminds me that I must start planning. I promised my husband we are toning it down this year and not going too over-the-top...NOT!!

Hope you all had a great day! Mama is heading off to sleep!!
Love and hugs!
KJ

WHO IS READY FOR THIS TRAINWRECK?

Can't wait for this Jersey trainwreck!! This is the Best Real Housewives by farrrrrr!!
XOXO-

KJ

HUMPDAY!

Some Random Thoughts For Humpday...

-I sold a pair of Paisley's year old Nike's (that were in good shape and that I bought from Academy for $24.99) for $64.00! Holy smokes! I only wanted $10.00. Gotta love that. If you don't E-bay, you should!!

-I am completely sleep deprived. It is insane. Stephen is out of town, and my in-laws are trying to wrap up the selling of their home in Cincinnati. And Griffin ain't sleepin. He is up usually at 10, 2, 4, and it just goes down hill from there. Please feel sorry for me. I am a total witch with no sleep.

-The good news is Griffin's weight is up, the thrush is gone, and he is eating really well.

-The other good news is I am down 34 pounds since April 01. I feel so much better, and my husband is so complimentary. I don't care if you have been married 1 month or 30 years, it is always nice when your husband tells you how good you look. Sweet Stephen. He has his bad days, but most of the time I like him. LOL.

-Total subject change, how glad are we that Lee and Crystal are on American Idol? They are the ONLY good ones on that show. The rest are average at best. What happened to American Idol? SNOOZEVILLE this season.

-On a brighter note, I hope you all watch Glee. This is the most brilliant writing since Will and Grace. I find myself downloading the music everytime I log onto Itunes. Don't you just love the arrangements of songs?!! And what about Sue Sylvester? She is hysterical and the greatest TV Villian of our time.

-And what about this new kid Jessie St. James??I loved it last night when he used the line "epic romance." Love it. I am not sure if he is really a bad guy falling in love, or if he is true blue. I guess we shall see. Mmm...

-I have also been watching Millionaire Matchmaker on Bravo. This is definitely a DVR worthy show. It is hilarious how arrogant the people trying to find love are. It's like, "I want a Victoria's Secret model, with Reese Witherspoon's personality, and she needs to be single, ready to have kids, no previous kids, a size 0, etc." And they weigh 300 pounds and are gross. Cracks me up!The dating pool is also pretty rough. Half the girls look like hookers.
These people should try E-Harmony. Just sayin'.

-My favorite line from Millionaire Matchmaker might be "Looks fade, but dumb is forever."
Hysterical. Especially for all these 50 year old guys wanting 20 year old girls. Who they have NOTHING in common with.

-So, what are you up to? What's the 411?
Lemme know!
XOXO-
KJ

MY LAST COUNTRY MUSIC POST..I PROMISE!!

In case you missed Carrie Underwood's STELLAR performance on the ACM's, here it is. I LOVE this song and her gown. Beautiful!!!

XOXO_

KJ

GRIFFIN...TWO WEEKS POST

My sweet Griffin is two weeks old and is such a sweetie pie.

I love his chicken legs, toes, sweet fingers, grunts, and puppy breath.

He is so stinkin' cute I can't stand it.

I never thought I would have a boy, much less be this crazy about one. But I am.

Even when I get peed on!!

HA.

At 2 weeks, what are you up to?

You are up every 2-3 hours to eat.

I nurse you and you take formula.

You weigh close to 7 pounds.

You are VERY little, in the 20th percentile for height an weight.

We are trying hard to make you chubby!! Dr. Leeper wants you eating around 25 ounces a day!

I feed you and burp you until you look drunk and pass completely out.

You like but don't love your swing...this better change.

You also aren't crazy about the car. You could take it or leave it!

You are definitely the happiest being held or with Paisley talking to you.

You LOVE to grunt and make noises. Paisley thinks it is funny when you oink like a pig.

You hate having your diaper and your clothes changed.

You basically want me to hold you and feed you 24/7.

You love your Soothie pacifiers and don't want any others.

You love to kick your socks off.

You also love your Nap Nanny.

I love you sweet boy and I am so glad that God chose me to be your mommy!

XOXO-

KJ

SO glad she auditioned.....Love you Carrie!!

ACM Award Shows 2010

ACM TOP 10!! IN CASE YOU MISSED IT!!!!!!

1. The spray tans were out of control. Julianne Hough was orange. Not pretty. There is a light tint in the spray tan, girls. And Randy Travis. Just sayin'. Y'all make a note.

2. I thought it was great that no one cheered for Leann Rimes and Eddie Ciberian got booed. HA! No one likes cheaters and home wreckers, Leann. You needed a big scarlet A on your dress.

3. Carrie Underwood nailed it. The gloss, the dress, the shadow, all of it!!

4. Taylor Swift sounded better. The girl is not great live. Let's just be honest. But she is a performer.

5. Lady Antebellum looked great, sounded great, and I LOVE that song American Honey.

6. Brad Paisley is precious. And so is Matthew MAC. Wooo. SWOON!

7. I thought the worst performances were Brooks and Dunn and Rascall Flatts. Two groups that normally sound great. I think Brooks and Dunn had some AC issues.

8. I am SOOOOOO SOOOO SOOOO SOOO glad that Miranda Lambert won tonight. She is so deserving. So cute. And so real!

9. I love Jason Aldean. He is so real and nice. And sounds great LIVE!

10. I heart Nashville and country music. So glad I live here!!!

XOXO-
KJ

I HEART LILY!

I love Lily Pulitzer. She just SCREAMS summer!!! Lily has been around since the JFK era. She was sort of a free spirit and moved to Florida with her husband from New York. She ran a juice stand on the side of the road and she had this vision to start sewing these cute print dresses to wear to hide her juice stains. She quickly got questions about where to buy the dresses, and decided to start selling them at the stand. They became very popular!! She sent one to her friend and grade school classmate, first lady Jackie O.

Jackie wore it on the cover of Time and bam! Lily was golden!!!!

Stephen and I love to vacation in South Florida, and now Stephen's company is based out of West Palm. It is so fun taking a 3 day vacation there. Lots of times we stay at the Jupiter Beach Resort. It is perfect. Close to everything, great tennis courts, great parks, great beach!!!

I love flying to Fort Lauderdale and traveling the coast to West Palm Beach and Jupiter. I also love Delray Beach. There are Lily boutiques everywhere and

everyone in Florida wears Lily.

I love it.

It is very Stepford Wives

(FYI, If you haven't seen Stepford Wives, you need to. GREAT movie!!)

And I love how everyone brings their dogs everywhere!!

So now you have had your history lesson today about South Florida and Lily P!!

So, here are my fav Lily prints for 2010:

A Lily jumpsuit. So comfy for a plane ride!!!

And this gator bag? Presh.

And for Stephen! Love these!!!

LOVE ALL THIS!! MAKES ME WANNA HIT THE BEACH!

and look at this John John for my G man!!

Is this Stepford or what?!!

Maybe my favorite!!!

I need a fruity drink and the beach!!!!

XOXO-

KJ

NEW FROM JANIE AND JACK

How cute is this swimsuit and cover-up? My princess might need this!!

Don't you love it?

XOXO-
KJ

WHAT A WEEK!!

Yes, I am a complete nerd blogging on Saturday night. But what a week it has been! It is hard to rest between 2am feedings, Miss Priss who wakes up at 6am sharp, and doctors appointments out the wahzoo. We also had a good bit of company, which was very nice. Angie, a sweet girl who works with Stephen, sent Griffin and Paisley some precious gifts from Baby Gap. I think she reads my blog, so she obviously knew that is our favorite!!

Paisley opened a big teddy bear and Griffin received 2 onesies. I am so blonde. I forgot to take a picture of what we opened. HA!

On Wednesday, all my best girlfriends came over for some vino and appetizers. They brought everything; all I did was host. We also hads some cake in honor of Erin's b-day.

I love these girls so much. We have a good time and love to get rowdy and discuss some very funny things. I always learn something new. HA!

Happy Birthday Erin!!

Griffin also had his first doctors appointment this week. It didn't go so hot. He is down a pound and also had thrush. So we are working hard to get his weight up and taking a oral drop by mouth to rid the flush. I love him so much. He is such a precious boy and a good baby. He is sleeping pretty well, too. He is definitely a Mama's boy. Hehe.

Dr. Leeper and Griffin. I LOVE this man. He is truly the greatest pediatrician in Nashville/Brentwood. I double heart him. I also went to the doctor this week and got released to drive! Yeah!!

And last but not least, big sister had a fun week at Grammy's and at playschool. She picked this ensemble out herself, complete with the boots. She is already fabulous. And I take full credit. Look at that popped collar.

XOXO-

KJ

Sex and the City 2!!! Cannot Wait!!

So excited to see this preview!! Unfortunately, we have to wait until May 27th! BOO.

Happy Saturday!!

XOXO-KJ

BONNAROO

One of these years, I am going to be cool enough to attend Bonnaroo. For all you Non-Nashvillians, this is a HUGE music festival. Definitely one of the top 5 in the US. It is about an hour east outside of Nashville on a huge farm. When I say BIG, I mean HUGE. Check out the line-up at Bonnaroo here.

XOXO-
KJ

A CONTEST!

I am waiting to draw for the $25 gift card until April 25th. If I have 100 followers by that point, it will be a $50 card!! Yeah! I am so excited I am nearly to 100. If you read, PLEASE FOLLOW. It makes my day! Happy Friday!!!!

XOXO-

KJ

LAST POST...PLEASE LIFT HER UP IN PRAYER

Last post for the day. Please pray for this girl. A couple of times a day.

Kristin is a single mom and has blood clots and her kidneys aren't working. She had to have one leg amputated. She is in a coma and doesn't know about her leg. Her parents were killed in a car wreck before Christmas and her divorce was finalized last month. (I think this falls under the file of how much can one person handle).......please pray for her!

www.phonecallstokristin.blogspot.com

XOXO-

KJ

THURSDAY TREATS!

Don't forget to sign up to follow and you automatically qualify for a $25 Visa gift card.

This week has been great. Maybe one of my favorites in a long time. Stephen has been interviewing for Detroit, Minneapolis, Chicago, and Cincinatti. So Monday and Tuesday, he was home conducting phone interviews. It was awesome!! I wished he worked from home more. He had to leave Tuesday night to start going to these cities all week to finish face-to-face interviews. Crazy! Thank goodness Grammy to the rescue!! Paisley is still there, and I am going to pick her up today! My house is clean, but I sure do miss her.

I have finished LOTS of things on my to-do list, though. I even hosted girls night last night for my best friends. I will post pictures later.

Hope you are all having a fabulous week!! Here are some things on my

FAVORITES AND WISH list!!

1. Frozen chocolate bananas. These things are ridiculous!!!Maybe my new favorite dessert. I bought these at Publix Grocery.

2. I LOVE little boys clothes, especially with cute dinosaurs on them. I cannot WAIT for a dinosaur birthday party!!

3. LOVE this, too, He is gonna look so cute in these with his spikey hair!

4. I love Babylegs. These are so cute and you can put them on with a onesie and not have to change their pants. These argyle are just too cute!!!

5. This little device is called the Itzbeen. I ordered this yesterday. I am such a sucker for gadgets. For $24.99, it keeps up with your last feeding, what side, sleep, etc. It's so cool!!

6. I am so pleased with the new Hooray! line by Cynthia Rowley at Babies R Us. . Look at this cute elephant blankey!

7. And what about this cute seersucker suit and shorts. Also from Cynthia.

7. And this might be the cutest thing ever.

8. And I don't know who drools more when the commercial comes on. Me or Stephen.

I am turning into an electronic geek. Do any of you have this fun Ipad thingy?!!

Happy Thursday!!
One more day until FRIDAY!!

Yeah!!!
XOXO-

KJ