Posts Tagged ‘Ben’

Look at her grow!

Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009

My little baby is growing up so fast.  On July 28 she will be 3 months old!  Can you believe it?  Here are some recent updates on the little doodle bug:

  • She is consistently, although not every night, sleeping through the night.  She will eat between 9 and 10 and then sleep until 6:30 or 7.  The other night she went to bed at 9:30, woke up at 7 to eat and then fell back asleep until 9:30…fantastic!
  • She rolled over 3/4 of the way the other day.  Her little arm got stuck, but it was fun to watch.  I think she has a way to go before rolling over all the time, but this was a fun thing to experience.
  • We think she is beginning the teething process.  She has been drooling like crazy and nawing on everything in site.  Fun times ahead for us.
  • She is starting to outgrow some of her 0-3 and 3 month clothing.  Crazy how fast she is growing.
  • Check out her growth:
    Mikayla - One week old

    Mikayla - One week old

    Mikayla - A little over One month old (sometime in June)

    Mikayla - A little over One month old (sometime in June)

    Mikayla - Two and a half months old (mid-July)

    Mikayla - Two and a half months old (mid-July)

    Has she grown at all?  Tomorrow will be Ben‘s first solo day with Mikayla…wish him luck!

3
Tags: ,
Posted in Parenting |

10 Books

Tuesday, July 21st, 2009

Disclaimer:  Nice Sunday at KY lake with Ben’s family (pictures to come) + last day at KAP was insanely crazy (every student was out of sorts, it was basically crowd control) + entertained KY Kickert’s and Steve tonight = One tired Sugar Mamma.  Post is going to be short and to the point.  The equation above should explain why I am two days behind on this one!  That being said, enjoy today:  Top Ten Books.

In the past year or two I haven’t had the chance to do much “free reading”.  I was working on my second masters, pregnant, and working full time, so free reading was non-existent.  However, I do teach kindergarten and so I read a lot of children’s books.  I thought I would make this list my Top Ten Children’s books.  They are as follows:

  1. The Secret Garden – I read this book over and over as a kid.  I am not sure why I like it so much, but it is definitely a favorite of mine!
  2. Any Dr.  Seuss book – Ben says this is cheap, but I love them all, just ask my kids at school.  We actually spend two weeks during the year doing nothing but Dr. Seuss activities!
  3. Little Women – I just re-read this a couple of years ago, what a great story.  I read it as a kid, but I think I missed out on a lot of the story.
  4. The Giving Tree – Shel Silverstein is a great author and this is one of his best books!
  5. Runaway Bunny – A classic children’s story of a young bunny who tries to run away from his mother, but his mother follows him every step.    He discovers that he can’t run from his mother because she loves him so much.
  6. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom – This is one of my favorite read alouds, the kids really get into this one.
  7. Charlotte’s Web – This is another one of my favorite chapter books from my childhood.  Wilbur is hilarious, and Charlotte is very sweet.  I cry at the end everytime.
  8. Bread and Jam for Frances – I am not sure why I like this one so much, but I really enjoy it.
  9. The Polar Express – Another one of my favorites to read aloud.  We also make a train and enjoy hot chocolate while listening to the story.
  10. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day – Why?  Because sometimes we just have a bad day!

I have several other favorites, and maybe when I am not so tired I will share those, but this is my list for now.  This tired Sugar Mamma is going to bed!  Night all!

1
Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Life, Random |

10 Places

Saturday, July 18th, 2009

These are my Top Ten Favorite Places to be:

  1. My bed snuggled with Ben, Shiloh and Mikayla – This one should explain itself.  Two of my favorite people, my dog and my comfy cozy bed.  Does it get any better than this?
  2. Waterfalls – I love them all, big or small.  I could sit and watch a waterfall for hours.  I think they are some of the prettiest things God created.
    Frank Lloyd Wright House built on a waterfall

    Frank Lloyd Wright House built on a waterfall

    Ohiopyle Waterfall

    Ohiopyle Waterfall

  3. Guatemala – Spent a summer here with Amy and fell in love with it, the people and the culture.  The food is awesome, the people are so loving and accepting and the countryside is gorgeous.  My brother just led a group down there for 10 days.  I couldn’t go because of commitments here (mainly Mikayla), but I relived my summer there when I saw pictures.
  4. Coffee shops – While in Guatemala I developed a love for coffee and cute coffee shops.   In college coffee shops were a popular hangout spot with friends and mentors.  Today I enjoy heading to a coffee shop with a good book or some good friends and enjoying a nice, steamy cup of joe!  In Bowling Green, my favorite coffee shop is Spencer’s on the square.
  5. Outdoors – I love being outside on a sunny, slightly breezy day.  You can do so much outdoors (and a lot of my favorite places are outdoors).  In the summer time we love to start a fire and sit around the pit watching movies on the side of the house.  In college we would spend an entire day rock climbing.  Walking through the woods on  a crisp fall afternoon with the leaves crunching underfoot is another favorite.  There is so much to do outside, why would anyone want to be glued to a tv screen?
  6. Anywhere with family and friends – I love spending time with family, even if it is just a quick trip to Target!  My love language is quality time and just being together is enough for me.
  7. On a disc golf courseSteve and Luella introduced me to this fabulous game about three summers ago.  I have been playing it ever since.  BG has some of the best courses in the state.  We actually have 8 courses.  If you unfamiliar with disc golf check out this informational video.  I have some fond memories of times on the disc golf course – like the time I played disc golf in the rain in Florida with Cat, Dave, Ben and Potter…good times!.  Check out these photos:
    Disc golf in Ohiopyle with some great friends

    Disc golf in Ohiopyle with some great friends

    Disc golf woth some of my favorite kiddos!  The love it asmuch as me!

    Disc golf woth some of my favorite kiddos! The love it as much as me!

    Disc golf in Hartford with the Pavey's

    Disc golf in Hartford with the Pavey's

  8. In the garden (vegetable garden that is) or a pick your own orchard – As mentioned earlier I love being outside.  What better way to spend the day than harvesting fruits and veggies?  This is mine and Ben‘s third year gardening.  This year we have our garden at our house.  Check out this post. I also enjoy a good pick your own orchard.  As a kid we would go with my grandma to Haney’s and pick apples.  Last summer I went with Dana to The Orchard to pick blackberries (which were made inti blackberry jam) and snagged some blueberries across the street.
  9. The Farm – My grandparents farm holds some great memories for me.  We always argued over which route to take (1, 2, 3, or 4), even to this day I will say let’s go Number 3!  Then we would take turns driving up the driveway (this was before we had licenses of course).  Even as a little child, dad would put us behind the wheel and let us “drive”.  Fishing, family dinners, gardens, blackberries, horses, golden retrievers, cinnamon rolls (but only at Christmas)…so many memories!
  10. KAP (Kelly Autism Program) – I just discovered my love for  KAP this summer (read here).  I hate leaving Ben and Mikayla everyday, but I have really enjoyed my time there.  Contrary to popular belief I get energized (most days) when working with these kiddos!
0

10 Things (to do before I die)

Friday, July 17th, 2009

Well we have reached day four of our Top Ten journey.  Today’s topic is Ten things to do before I die, my bucket list of sorts.

  1. Deep sea fishing – As a kid we would go fishing regularly on my grandparents farm.  They had two ponds stocked with catfish and bluegill.  We would catch them and then my grandma would fry them up.  Deep sea fishing wouldn’t be quite the same, but I think it would be fun.
  2. Travel to all fifty states – I have made a pretty good dent in this one, but still have a few to go.  I have traveled to 32 of 50.
  3. Go exploring in old castles – This has been a dream of mine since I was little.   I am not sure why, but I have always been fascinated by old castles.  Especially those castles in Germany
  4. Visit historical Holocaust sites – Speaking of Germany…If you know me at all you will know that I have always enjoyed learning about the Holocaust.  I can’t really explain why, I just have been.  I have read books, watched movies and lived vicariously through Anne Frank and others.  To see the historical sites in person would really make an impact I think.
  5. Travel the world – I love to travel, except for the whole driving or getting there part.  I love seeing new things and experiencing a new culture.  If only I could see every corner of the world, wouldn’t that be fantastic?
  6. Live abroad (perhaps in Africa)Ben and I are actually in the process of working towards moving to Africa in the next few years.  If you are more interested in this check out his post here, here and here.
  7. Adopt a child – When Ben and I first started talking about kids, we made the decision to adopt.  To me this seems like a no brainer.  There is an estimate of 100 million orphans worldwide.  I just can’t imagine not adopting one of these children.  I have a passion for helping others and to me this is the greatest gift I can offer to a child.
  8. Open a bakery or some sort of small shop where I can cook all day everyday – I love to cook, enough said.  Even when I am extremely tired from school or stressed out over something, I come home and cook.  For some reason cooking relaxes me.  For others it might be a nice pedicure or a nice soak in a bubble bath (although I do love a good bubble bath), but for me it is cooking (especially baking).  It would be a dream job to get to cook all day everyday.
  9. Figure out a cure for autism – This one is a long shot considering no one really knows the cause of autism.  In case you didn’t know I just recently finished my second masters in Exceptional Education with an emphasis in autism.  I have also spent the summer working at the Kelly Autism Program (read this for more information about my experiences there).  Autism is another one of those things that fascinates me.  It also troubles me.  Often individuals with autism are extremely bright, but they struggle with communicating their thoughts and ideas.  If only there were a cure, then their brilliance could be shared with everyone.
  10. Go scuba diving – Imagine seeing the beauty of God’s creation up close and personal…that would be awesome!  Plus, fish are cute!

Of course I wouldn’t want to do any of these alone.  I would want my wonderful husband alongside of me every step of the way and perhaps even the Little Misses.  Even if that means we have to wait fifty years to cross off some of these.  What would you add to your Bucket List?

2
Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Life |

10 Foods

Thursday, July 16th, 2009

Day Three of Ben and Beth’s Top Ten Lists takes us straight to the stomach…Top Ten Foods.  Let me begin by saying that this was very difficult for me.  Several of my favorite foods did not make the list.  In reality I wanted to do a Top Ten List with 90 honorable mentions, but Ben told me no.  Enjoy the list and don’t get too hungry!

  1. IS Special – Grilled chicken, Mexican rice and white cheese sauce all mixed together…what is not to like?  This is a specialty of a Mexican restaurant in BG.  However, it has expanded to El Mazatlan in Bowling Green (known as the Chef Special) and Casa Grande in Somerset (known there as Vivian’s special).  Vivian, daughter of Casa Grande owner,  came to school at WKU and brought the dish back to  Somerset.  It has now become a favorite at Casa Grande as well.   I would also like to add that I will eat just about anything Mexican, I love it!  I am pretty sure I was Mexican in a former life 😉
  2. Grilled Chicken or Cindy’s BBQ Chicken, Mashed Potatoes and Corn on the Cob – This is a great comfort food.  I could eat mashed potatoes and fresh corn on the cob for every meal and not be disappointed.  Cindy is my second mom in Somerset.  She makes the best BBQ Chicken.  Growing up I would often call her house and ask what she was having for dinner, if it was BBQ chicken I was sure to stay over longer!
  3. Soups especially Chili or Okra Stew – I love a nice warm bowl of soup on a chili evening.  Both chili and okra stew are hearty and delicious!  My chili is a staple, it is the main dish at our annual Halloween party.  Okra stew is a mix of okra and fresh summer vegetables, shrimp and sausage.  I just discovered this recipe last summer and fell in love with it!  I hope to post recipes of these in the near future, so if you are interested keep you eyes open.
  4. Roast and Potatoes – I like to stick this in the crock pot before I leave for work and come home to  a delicious smelling house.
  5. Anything breakfast related (waffles, pancakes, biscuits and gravy…) – What can I say I love it all.  It doesn’t matter if I cook it myself, someone else cooks it or we go to a favorite hot spot in town, I love it.  If I could eat breakfast for every meal I would.  Ben doesn’t really care for breakfast so I have to occassionally sneak it in on him.
  6. Lettuce Wraps – I am particularly fond of these from P.F. Chang’s.  Like most meals out that we enjoy we have tried to recreate the masterpiece.  While ours is good, it doesn’t compare to the real deal (you can also look for this recipe soon).  I could eat lettuce wraps and their Asparagus and be completely content.
  7. Sushi (not the raw stuff) – This is another fairly new staple to our menu.  We haven’t branched out much, but from what I have tried I enjoy sushi…maybe one day I will try the raw rolls!
  8. 805 or Chicken Delight from Royal Thai – Let me begin by saying that this is probably my favorite restaurant in town.  So much so that we actually rented the entire restaurant out for our rehersal dinner.  We frequent this establishment often.  It has gotten so bad that when we go in they know exactly what we want and know us by name.  At one point they would bring us a dessert that had been temporarily taken off the menu.  Is this pathetic?  Both of these dishes are a mix of rice or noodles, veggies, chicken, and Thai style spices.  It is making my mouth water just thinking about.
  9. Beef Stew – I would consider this one of my specialties.  In the winter (and sometimes in the summer) I will make a big batch of this to eat on for a week.  I serve mine over rice.  Again, I hope to post recipes of this very soon.
  10. Veggie Patties – This is the newest recipe in my recipe box.  It is a compilation of fresh veggies pattied together with egg, flour and seasonsings, then fried to perfection.  Check here for pictures and the recipe.

Is your mouth watering yet because mine is.  Tomorrow is Day Four – Top Ten Things to Do (Our Bucketlist).

3
Tags: , , ,
Posted in Cooking |

How I met Ben

Wednesday, July 15th, 2009

This is kind of cheesy, but it was fun!  I love my husband very much.  We have been through a lot and have a lot left to go!

1.) Where did you meet?
We met at church youth group.

2.) Who introduced you?
No one really, we just knew each other from church.

3.) What was the first thought that went through your head when you met?
He looks like trouble, but he is awfully cute!

4.) Do you remember what he/she was wearing?
Nope, but I do remember he wore a black long sleeve Adidas shirt with yellow lettering a lot.

6.) How long did you know this person before you became a couple?
3 years

7.) How did he/she ask you out?
We went to MORP (a sock hop type dance at my high school), afterwards a bunch of us came back to my basement to watch movies.  Everyone else had left and as he was leaving he asked me to be his girlfriend.

8.) Do you have kids with this person?
Yes, our beautiful MLK (Mikayla Lillian).

9.) Have you ever broken the law with this person?
I mean we speed, does that count?

10.) When was the first time you really liked this person?
In 8th grade I had a huge crush on him, he was kind of a flirt though!

11.) Do you get along with his/her family?
Absolutely, my in-laws are the best.  Extended family is questionable though 😉
12.) Do you trust this person?
With my life

13.) Do you see her/him as your partner in the future?
He is my partner

14.) What is the best gift she/he gave you?
My daughter!  But if we are talking tangible then probably the “gifts” he gave me for our 10 year anniversary.

15.) How long have you been with this person?
We started dating when I was 16 and have been married for almost five years (five in October)

16.) How well do you know your man or woman?
Better than most.
17.) What features attracted you to him first?
His smile and eyes
18.) Hair color?
Brown

19.) Does he/she let you wear their pants?
I don’t wear his pants, but occasionally will wear his shirts.  I pretty much stole the black Adidas shirt from him in college.

20.) Do you have a shirt of hers/his that you sleep in?
See question above.

21.) Does she/he make you happy?
More than anyone else in the world.
22.) Does she/he have any piercings?
Two, kinda.  He used to have two holes in his left ear (one he pierced himself), but he doesn’t wear them anymore.

23.) Does she/he have any scars that you know of?
He got bit by the church camp dog on his right leg.  He also recently tried to saw his leg off.  Not really, but he does have a scar from a sawing accident.
24.) Is she/he Outgoing or Shy?
Both.  He interacts with others well, but crowds drain him.
25.) Does she/he sing?
Just ask Stevenson Chapel.  The quick answer is no!
26.) Do you like her/his friends?
I love them, consider them my own.
27.) Does she/he have any tattoos?
He wants one, but…let’s not go there.

28.) Does she/he look like their mom?
Nope, more like his dad everyday.

29.) Do you like her/his sisters/brothers?
I love his brother!
30.) What is the most romantic date he has ever taken you on?
Our own private drive-in in his backyard, complete with roasted hot dogs and all my favorite girly movies is a favorite date.  He is pretty crafty when he wants to be!

31.) Do you have any nicknames for each other?
Babe is our most common one.

32.) Do you live with this person?
Have since October 2, 2004.
33.) Do you have any pets together?
Yep, our fantastic (for the most part) dog, Shiloh

34.) Where is this person?
Sitting next to me on the couch.
35.) What is your anniversary date?
Dating anniversary was March 26, but marriage is October 2, 2004

Tell me about your love!

My family minus Shiloh

My family minus Shiloh

1
Tags: , ,
Posted in Life |

10 Movies

Tuesday, July 14th, 2009

Here is the first in a series of top 10 lists that Ben and I are each posting.  I cheated a bit and listed both children and grown up lists.

Children’s movies:

  1. The Lion King – Makes me think of Africa!  Love it.
  2. Aladdin – This is a magical movie.  The genie is my favorite character.
  3. The Little Mermaid – I am not sure why, but I love this movie!
  4. Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory – Chocolate, candy and fun…who could ask for anything more.
  5. The Wizard of Oz – A group of people you wouldn’t picture being great friends, but they are.  Reminds me of some of my groups of friends.
  6. Finding Nemo – An underwater adventure filled with laughter and fun!
  7. Horton Hears a Who – A classic Dr. Seuss movie, my favorite children’s author.
  8. Mary Poppins – A spoon full of sugar…
  9. Sandlot – You’re killing me Smalls…a great movie to quote.
  10. E.T. – This was a favorite as a kid, but I honestly have not seen it since then.  We watched it so much, we wore the tape out!

Grown Up Movies:

  1. Cool Runnings – I used to watch this movie over and over in Emily’s basement…good times!
  2. Dirty Dancing – Nobody puts Baby in a corner.
  3. Pretty Woman – I love me some Julia Roberts
  4. Billy Madison – A classic watched with my dear friend Gretchen.  We worked for hours to get the “stair” dance down, never quite got it!
  5. Shawshank Redemption – A wonderful movie that makes you think.
  6. Schindler’s List – Just re-watched this one with Ben, really makes you wonder how anyone could be so cruel.
  7. Hotel Rwanda – I cried very hard the first time I saw this one, and the second, and the third…you get the picture.
  8. Blood Diamond – I am realizing I have some depressing ones, sorry but I love them.
  9. Friends (The Series) on DVD – I went through almost the entire series while I was pregnant with Mikayla.  Then finished the rest off while nursing her at night.  I had it completed by the time she was one month old…is that depressing?
  10. Grease – I think I can sing every song in this movie!  Another classic, must see!
3
Tags: , ,
Posted in Random |

Top Ten

Tuesday, July 14th, 2009

Ben and I are preparing to launch a ten day series of Top Ten Lists.  We are working on ten different lists of things about us.  If you tune in for each list, by the end you will know more about us than you bargained for!  We will start tomorrow with our Ten Favorite Movies.  Check back in for all the Top Ten Lists and enjoy the fun.

This has nothing to do with my post, but isn't she cute?

This has nothing to do with my post, but isn't she cute?

Sleeping Beauty

Sleeping Beauty

Two loves of my life!

Two loves of my life!

0
Tags: ,
Posted in Random |

Hello blog-world!

Wednesday, June 17th, 2009

Hello blogging world!  Since I follow several (and by several I mean lots) of blogs, I thought it was only appropriate that I start a blog of my own.  So…here it is!  What do you think?  I am not much of a writer and I stay pretty busy, so I can’t make any kind of promises as to how often I will blog.  That being said, let me explain my blog title:  A Sugar-Mamma’s Thoughts.  The title was a joint effort by my husband and I.  Here is the explanation:

Sugar-Mamma – I teach kindergarten and love it!  Wouldn’t trade my job for anything.  My husband stays at home with our baby.  Thus making me his Sugar Mamma.

My sweet kiddos at Christmas time!

My sweet kiddos at Christmas time!

Sugar – I love to cook and hope to share some of my passions with the blog world.

Mamma – This one is pretty obvious.  I am a mother to a beautiful 7 week old baby girl.  Mikayla Lillian Kickert!  We think she is the most beautiful thing in the whole world, but we are her parents.  Judge for yourself.  I am also a “mamma” to our dog Shiloh.  She is a rescue from the Humane Society, and in my opinion the best dog ever.

My wonderful husband and Mikayla

My wonderful husband and Mikayla

Mikayla

Mikayla

My other baby, Shiloh

My other baby, Shiloh

Thoughts – I plan on including anything else random under this category.

I am glad you stopped by my blog.  Check back soon for some of my ramblings!

3
Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Random |