Lindsay’s Life

6 Months Later… May 11, 2009

and my life is completely different. I am now living in a new town, in a new house, with a new job, and a beautiful baby!!

I can’t tell you how much this little girl has rocked my world.  She’s 5 months old now and I want to be with her constantly!  Poor little girl is constantly getting kisses and I get upset when people tell me I hold her too much.  I absolutely love the smiling/talking stage she’s in right now but I get sad knowing the time goes way too fast.  I am so lucky to have Kenna Grace in my life right now because I get so lonely without her.  She’s my little buddy!

I love my new job and I’m really blessed by it!  I continue to be challenged daily and I’m sure that will remain for many years.  I find myself growing professionally by all the managerial and personnel issues I deal with on a regular basis.  I am extremely lucky to have a wonderful mentor in my boss who is also a Christian!  She was gone all this last week due to a death in the family.  I “held up the fort” just fine while she was gone (I’m 2nd in command) but I sure missed having her there to validate my decisions.

I think I have the same issues as most working single mothers in that I don’t seem to find enough time to get stuff done, but as long as we have clean bottles, burp rags, and clothes, we’re completely fine.  Of course, I guess I could put Kenna down more but I’d rather cuddle with her than clean the bathroom!!

Driving is a Privilege!! October 26, 2008

I would really like to be a cop and be able to pull people over because they don’t comprehend or acknowledge “Rules of the Road”.  I do a lot of driving… a LOT and therefore I see many offenders.  Let me just list my top driving pet peeves that have recently come up.

1.  When it’s raining, turn your lights on! -  It’s not just the smart thing to do, but it’s also a state law (nationwide?).  Gotta love those misty, rainy days or foggy mornings when those pretty silver cars just blend in so nicely.  I know most cars have auto lights… but the other day I discovered two cars that apparently don’t have that lovely device.

2.  Who needs to know where you’re turning??  - Again not just another recommendation, but a requirement… one in which I appreciate!  I followed a lady out of town yesterday who took 3 turns… didn’t use her signal light once.  Oh and don’t decide to use your signal as you’re turning because that defeats the purpose!

3.  Cruise Control… almost everyone has it so USE IT!! - Probably one of my biggest blood pressure riser while driving.  Why is it I must pass you 5-6 times in 30 minutes because you can’t decide which speed you want to drive??  Oh yes and you big ol’ brand new Ford Expedition or Cadillac whatever… I know you’ve got cruise!  I think I’m going to make a sign that says “USE YOUR CRUISE CONTROL” and show it to these type of people each of the 5-6 times they pass me.  

4.  Semi-Trucks… I’m sorry but what did I ever do to you??  - My dear FIL was a truck driver for a short time and I respect them for doing their job… as long as they respect me as a fellow member of the road.  I know you see me quickly coming up in the fast lane and I also know you see the vast openness of interstate behind me.  So why therefore do you decide to practically topple your truck over just to pull in front of me to pass another truck going 0.5 mph slower than you??  Was there a reason you couldn’t have waited the 10 seconds it would have taken for me to pass you both??  Were you more worried about following rule #3 that you forgot to read on to #4?? 

All done… for now!! 

Joys of Speakerphone October 19, 2008

Last night, I got a bonus call from Jake a little after 10pm.  I was already asleep in my bed in Liberty but I was still thrilled that he called.  Anytime I’m in a quiet place when he calls (ex: not my car), I try to put him on speakerphone.  I do that solely so the baby can hear his voice too.  Well since I am in Liberty, Samus (our eldest) was able to hear his voice as well.  She was going crazy talking to him last night.  I’m pretty sure I didn’t say anything for over a minute because they were having a conversation.  Then she started rubbing up against and reaching towards the phone with her paw (Did I mention she’s our cat??).  Then while they were “talking”, the baby starting kicking and punching and rolling.  She wanted her time with her Daddy too!!  I just found it hilarious as I laid there… pretty much just holding the phone for everyone else.  But we both (Jake and I) found it extremely delightful to have our family time with the girls.  Words cannot express how little moments like that with my husband and our family are so rewarding!!

AWESOME!! October 14, 2008

This cake is completely edible!!  I’m so inspired!!

Good Day!! October 11, 2008

Why??

1. I had a really GREAT visit with Jake this morning… although I was shocked to see he shaved his entire beard off this morning. So “Baby Face” Dugan has definitely returned and he’s skinnier than ever! I love my husband very much and any opportunity I get to joke, laugh, and talk about “normal” things in his “presence” are moments that I truly treasure. Plus seeing his beautiful smile warms my heart!

2. Jake and I may have finally come up with out little girl’s name!! I consider it a very good possibility of going with this name so nothing official, but definitely progress. At least we’re coming up with something besides “Baby Girl”. HA!

3. I found out this morning that my gestational diabetes test came back normal so I get to enjoy all the sweets at my baby showers and throughout the holidays!!

4. I slept really well today which may have been because of the good morning already. I didn’t get to go to bed until noon but I worked last night so I was beat. But I honestly didn’t wake up until 8pm when Jake called. I don’t even remember waking up or rolling over once so I must have been out cold.

5. I got a bonus call from Jake tonight. Usually when I visit he doesn’t call that day because we’ve already talked and seen each other, but he called this evening because he was “bored” and I loved every single minute!

I Need Your Help!! October 8, 2008

I’ve got a husband who really needs to hear from his friends during this difficult time.  If you could read this and spread the word to anyone who might be interested, I would really appreciate it!  Thanks! 

Oh the Hormones!!!!! September 9, 2008

Yea… I could cry at the drop of a hat these days and I truly believe it’s the hormones.  I know I’m going through a lot of life changes these days but c’mon!!  I sobbed through Sarah Palin’s entire speech last week and I have no idea why!  Every couple days (usually when I’m most tired) I am just way hormonal and usually end up crying over something random. 

But today I cried because of pure joy!  I found out this afternoon that my older brother Brett and his family will not be going to Alaska like they had orders to… they are now going to Kansas!!  We’ve known they had orders to move to Alaska for about a month now and while they were packing stuff up today they found out they were able to instead be sent to Kansas!!  I am so excited!!  The thought that miracles DO happen in the military is only a work of God!  So now they’ll only be 4 hours away instead of 4000 miles!  I really need my brothers during this difficult time in my life and I am so thankful and blessed that my big brother won’t be leaving me too! 

Update On Me… August 30, 2008

So I know it’s been awhile… and I know you’re all concerned and worried about me.  But I also know you’ve all been praying for me because I have felt your prayers!!  For those that haven’t heard, the time suddenly came for Jake and I to be parted for a few years.  It came a LOT more abruptly than we were hoping for, but this is life and we’ve come to learn that we have zero control!!

I find myself doing remarkably well during this time away from him… and it definitely is not because of my lack of love for my husband.  Because I do love him so much (more and more everyday) I find myself at peace with the situation.  I KNOW that this is only temporary… and we have so many magical memories ahead of us.  I just can’t help but to still feel like my life is blessed.  I am lucky enough to be married to an amazing man who is truly my best friend.  In times I find myself sad because he is not with me, I remind myself that he is not dead and he will be home again!  I am extremely thankful that I get to talk to him almost everyday and I have visited him three times (the max) in one week.  Being able to still communicate with him on a regular basis is truly a gift from God.

I can’t wait until our little girl arrives and she ends up sharing so many of his personality traits (I hope!).  She will be one lucky little girl to have him as her father, even though he won’t be around all the time.  But he will definitely be a huge part of her life!!  We have so many moments and opportunities to look forward to in our life!!  “This too shall pass” and with that I find myself with God-given strength and peace in this situation.

Craving Stability! August 16, 2008

So it’s been six weeks since Jake started his new job and I am really looking forward to when I can go on maternity leave and quit my job in St. Louis.  I’ve been living between Liberty and Greenville the entire 6 weeks and it’s driving me nuts.  I am ready to get ourselves officially established in Liberty and settle down… but we can’t really do that when I’m working in STL and we have a house still in Greenville.  If only the house would sell itself… 

Check… July 1, 2008

this out!!!