Anniversary Getaway!

Michael Buble was in Little Rock on our anniversary. I told Luke it was a sign. I begged him to take me. Honestly, I couldn't justify spending that kind of money right now...especially since I just saw him in June. But, being the bargain shoppers we are, we found tickets for sale for half price on Craigslist. My mom and dad kept the girls for the night and Luke and I headed to Little Rock. We ate at Outback and did a little shopping. Then, we went to the concert. We got an awesome parking spot and had great seats. Naturally 7 opened for Michael again and they were fantastic. Michael was just as good as he was in June, maybe even better. He is hilarious. My favorite quote, "My filter is broken". I have been there! The concert wasn't over until around 10:30 and we still had to drive home. Luckily Luke had it in him to drive the whole way because I dozed the entire time. We made it home at 1:30. It was a great trip and I am so glad that I got to see that concert with Luke this time.

This is my boyfriend.

We normally take the kids to Silver Dollar City on our anniversary and rarely buy each other gifts. So, it was nice to have a night to ourselves. We are still planning a trip to Silver Dollar City though.

EIGHT Years...REALLY?

Tomorrow Luke and I will celebrate our eight year anniversary. It is hard to believe that Luke and I have been married eight years. Where does the time go? I have been saying that a lot lately. It seems like the older you get, the faster time flies.

I thought it might be nice to write about how we met and fell in love. The details become more vague as the years pass by.

Luke and I met in 2000. Josh got me a job at JC Penney. Luke worked in the men's department and I worked in jewelry. I thought he was cute, but thought he was arrogant and obnoxious. He thought I was gorgeous. I kid. Eventually we started talking at work and hanging out after work. We quickly became the best of friends. Luke and I started hanging out every night. I moved in with Fran and Cindy and was ecstatic when I found out our house was a block away from Luke. After that we spent even more time together. I started cooking him dinner and doing his laundry. He built me furniture and took me to dinner. But, during this time it never really crossed our minds that we should be together. We were friends. Best friends. During this time Luke and I were always dating other people. But, I noticed that we were spending more time with each other than we were with the people we were dating. He got a job at JB Hunt and worked every holiday. I would go eat with my family and then take him leftovers at work.

New Years Eve 2001 Luke and I made a spontaneous road trip to Memphis. We had so much fun. We went to a club and danced. Usher's song You Got It Bad came on and we slow danced. It was at that very moment that I knew I loved Luke. Those of you who attended our wedding reception should remember us dancing to that song during half time of the Razorback game. I didn't love that song. It was cheesy. But, I loved the memories associated with that song. So, we had to dance to it at our wedding. Anyway, we drove home that night because we had to work the next day. Things were never the same. I wish I could say Luke swept me off my feet. He didn't. I had to tell him how I felt. How did I tell him? AOL chat of course! LOL I was too terrified to tell him in person. I was so afraid that he wouldn't feel the same way and we would ruin our friendship. I was wrong. During spring break 2002 we went to South Padre with some friends. I got mad at Luke on that trip. We saw Vanilla Ice in concert. We made up. We walked the beach. And, for the first time we told each other "I love you". After that things moved fast. Luke bought two houses in Cave Springs. I moved in with him in June. We were engaged in October and married in December.

We have been through so much in the past eight years. I was bit by a rabid cat, my dad had a heart attack, we had a house fire, I had four surgeries, we lost two babies, and we lost three of Luke's grandparents. We have had lots of ups and downs. But, I know that I couldn't have survived any of those things without Luke by my side. We have had so many wonderful times. More than I can list. We have two beautiful daughters and a baby on the way. I am so blessed.

I was right about Luke. He is arrogant and obnoxious. But, he is also amazing. He is a supportive and loving husband. He would do anything for anyone, especially our family. He is the most amazing father in the world. He loves spending time with our girls. He is so involved in their lives. He is constantly teaching them things.He is kind, generous, strong, hard working and honest. He works so hard to provide for us. I am getting to stay home with my girls because of him! He is constantly thinking of ways to make money. He started mowing yards and supporting himself at a very young age, which taught him to be very resourceful. I know that Luke's personality can sometimes be overwhelming. He loves to joke around with people and is constantly giving people a hard time. The more crap he gives you, the more he thinks of you. Trust me! I get it from him every day. Sometimes it drives me crazy! But, I remind myself that is how Luke shows his love. Lord knows he is terrible with words. I could write a book of all the insulting things he has said to me. But, 99.9% of the time he doesn't mean it the way it comes out. It is unfortunate that people don't know him like I do. I know all of his stories, his past, and all of the things that made him who he is today. He is truly an amazing man. I am blessed to call him mine.

Happy Anniversary Luke! I am so blessed to have you in my life. I love you!

For The Record...

Luke and I DO NOT CARE if we have a boy or a girl. We just want a healthy baby. I know that everyone says that, but honestly we don't care. I have had precancerous cells, cryotherapy, ovarian cysts, laparoscopy, two miscarriages and two D&C's. During Kimber's pregnancy I became anemic and developed a heart murmur. During this pregnancy I had a subchorionic hematoma. This is my fifth pregnancy. My babies are by every definition miracles. God chose to grant us another little miracle and I am not going to be choosy! I am sure boys are delightful...especially when they are your own. But, I have two precious princesses and would be perfectly happy to add one more to our little family! I understand there is a myth out there that your life is not complete unless you have a boy. It is a myth! My daughters are beautiful, caring, sweet, outgoing, competitive little tomboys and I wouldn't trade them for the world! Luke had his heart set on having a boy and a girl. (before we had Kinnison) I will never forget the first night we had her home. She was curled up in a tiny little ball laying on his chest and he said, "I don't care if we ever have a boy. We can have a dozen little girls." And, he meant it.

Sorry for the rant! I am only 10 weeks and I have been asked these nonsense questions a million times. For the record, Luke and will not procreate until we produce a boy. We chose to have another child because we want a large family, not because we want a boy. This will be our last biological child. (unless God has other plans) We still want to adopt. And, if we adopt we will not choose a gender. We will leave that up to God as well.

This doesn't apply to most of you. But, it feels good to say it! Thanks!

Love You!

Coming Soon...

The Hamilton House will welcome a new addition June of 2011.

At 7 weeks we found out I had a subchorionic hematoma. Given my history we were very concerned that I would miscarry. Dr. Pickhardt did another ultrasound this morning and didn't see any sign of a clot! Praise the Lord! I am ten weeks this week. Our little bean was bouncing all over the place and had a strong heartbeat.

I have so much to be thankful for. I have two amazing kids, a terrific husband, a wonderful family and some great friends. We are so unbelievably blessed! Happy Thanksgiving!

I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. Samuel 1:27

Happy Birthday Kinnison!

Kinnison had a hoot owl themed birthday party at Chuck E Cheese this year. It was REALLY busy, but she and her friends still had a blast! They had a hoot! HA! I can't believe that my baby girl is five!

Denial.

I am in complete denial. There is NO possible way that my baby girl is turning five this weekend!

Five years ago God blessed Luke and I with a miracle. She has forever changed our lives. Kinnison is thoughtful, smart, compassionate, loving, generous, and funny. She has the most beautiful smile and an even more beautiful personality. She has brought so much joy into our lives. I have no idea how we lived a day without her. We are so blessed to be her parents.

Here is her new video montage:

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

You can view previous montages by clicking the following links:

http://cryshamilton.blogspot.com/2009/11/happy-birthday-kinnison.html

http://cryshamilton.blogspot.com/2008/11/it-wont-be-like-this-for-long.html

I'll be updating soon with pictures from the party!

Fall Photos

Ranch Style Deer Stew

I found this recipe on PW's Tasty Kitchen Website. I made some modifications. Luke LOVED it!

• 1 pound Ground Beef/ Deer Meat
• 1 whole Medium Onion, Chopped
• 1 Tablespoon Chili Powder
• 1 Tablespoon Sugar
• ½ Tablespoons Garlic Powder
• 1 Generous Teaspoon Salt
• 1 Generous Teaspoon Pepper
• 5 whole Medium Potatoes, Cubed
• 3 cups Water
• 1 can (15 Oz. Can) Ranch Style Beans (with jalapenos)
• 1 can Green Beans
• 1 can (15 Oz. Can) Whole Corn
• 1 can (10 Oz. Can) Rotel
• 1 can (14.5 Oz. Can) Sliced Carrots, Drained
• 1 can (14.5 Oz. Can) Tomato Sauce (I used canned tomatoes from the garden! YUM)
• 1 Dash of Hot Sauce
• Pepper Jack Cheese, Shredded

In a medium skillet, brown your ground meat with the garlic powder, chili powder, sugar, salt and pepper and your medium chopped onion; drain.

Put all of your canned goods, potatoes, and water into a large pot. Add your meat mixture. Stir well and let simmer, covered, on your stove top for 1 hour or until your potatoes are fork tender. This makes a lot of stew, so use a large pot.

Serve topped with desired amount of shredded cheese.

This can also be slow cooked for 6-8 hours or until your potatoes are fork tender.

Fall Fun!

Fall is our favorite time of the year! One of our favorite fall traditions is visiting Ranalli Farms in Tontitown. We took pictures, picked out pumpkins, and bought a delicious cinnamon roll. We made some great memories. Here are some of my favorite photos:

Season of Change.

This will be my last week as a Leverett Lion. Crazy, huh? I started off the year as a Kindergarten Instructional Assistant/Interventionist. Then, my principal asked me if I would consider teaching 5th grade math and literacy half the day. Apparently the person they hired for that position wouldn't be allowed to teach a certified job because she participated in the early retirement buyout that Fayetteville offered last year. Of course I said, "Yes"! I was hoping this would be a stepping stone to a certified job, and it may have been. I was also excited about the pay increase. I would have been called a "Certified Interventionist". Unfortunately, because I am not certified for 5th grade the job wouldn't count for my NTL, which meant that I wasn't certified at all. And, because I switched positions with someone, my Kindergarten position was no longer available. My principal tried to make my schedule compensate for the extra work, but in the end it was not worth my time or the money. I was working 7.5 hours and only being paid for 6.5 hours. I was driving 45 minutes each way. And, I was taking stuff home with me every night to plan for the next day. I have enjoyed my short time at Leverett. All of the faculty and staff were really nice and supportive. I met some great students and learned SO much in a short time!

The plan for now is to stay at home with the girls. I have really missed spending time with them and have realized that this is a time I will never get back. I have been working full time and going to school full time since before they were born. We sacrificed a lot to finish school. Now we are going to sacrifice a lot so I can stay home. I might try to sub or get a part time job, but my number one priority is spending time with my girls!

Kinnison and Kimber are doing great. They are growing up so fast. Kinnison is going to be 5 next month! That seems impossible. One day I can't get her to do anything I ask and the next day she is my helper doing things without being asked. She asks tons of questions. She loves to learn! She also loves to dress up right now. She is taking gymnastics again and has really improved her cartwheel. Kinnison constantly surprises us with how much she retains. She remembers everything!

Kimber is also going to gymnastics and is learning a lot. She still loves to play with baby dolls. She is really into movies right now. She likes Blues Clues, Backyardigans, and Finding Nemo. Kimber constantly surprises us with how funny she is. She makes us laugh all the time. She is talking non-stop. She is saying some really funny things. A few examples:

"Me like puddy" I like pudding

"Oh, me die" Oh, I died (off of a movie)

"Nee Nigh" Night Night

I am so blessed!