Not a Teenage Anymore

Yesterday was my birthday and my girlfriend is so amazing that I just have to share what she did for me.

At 12:01 a.m. she had a birthday shot, a mountain dew and rum, and ice cream cake all ready for me. (My favorite things)

Then she gave me a note that explained that, although I already got my big present, (a nook) she couldn't let the day pass without a few presents. She made me 10 coupons and got me 10 presents and at the designated time I would get to open them. I got one every 45-55 minutes.

It was amazing. The coupons had things like maid service (she would clean and vacuum my car) and free of babysitting duty, (she would get up with Stitch every night.) The presents just showed all the little things she knew about me, I got a 4x t-shirt! I love love love them and have only been able to find one  and they are my favorite thing to sleep in. I also got a zip popper, a homemade comic strip, and a CD of all of 'our songs.'

She took me out to the movie and I got to pick! (Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter!)

Then she took me out on a date to Paradiso for mexican food and fried ice cream and I didn't even have to wear makeup!

I was worried how this birthday would pass because it was my first one away from my family, (thanks Keah) and the second birthday without Kenzie being the first one to say "Happy Birthday!" But Starr eased my worries and easily made it one of the best ones I've ever had.

One Year (Who Knew?)

Today it has been exactly a year since the accident.

Who knew you could live through a year without a smiley face text from your little sister?
Who knew you could make it a year without hearing someone's voice but still feel like your hearts sing that same song?
Who knew that you could feel so many emotions at once?
Who knew new music could come out and Kenzie wouldn't know the lyrics?
Who knew that your heart could shatter into a million pieces but you could keep living?
Who knew you could lose your better half and still remember how to breathe?
Who knew it would be weird to make it through a day without tears?
Who knew survival mode didn't include memory?
Who knew I'd still miss her so much?
Who knew everyday would actually get harder to keep going but easier to see the light at the end of the tunnel?
Who knew seeing a picture of that smile would take your breath away?
Who knew that I would regret ever telling her to be quiet?
Who knew you could cry from not seeing a daily Facebook status?
Who knew it took effort to continue living?
Who knew that saying "I love you" every time you have a conversation with someone could be so important?
Who knew it would be the last time?
Who knew when I wrote "One More Day :)" on Kenzie's Facebook, on July 11th, 2011, that no words would ever be more true?
Who knew your world could stop and everyone else would get to keep on living?
Who knew she'd forever stay 16 in my mind?
Who knew she wouldn't graduate high school?
Who knew it would be so lonely at night when the world went to sleep?
Who knew that sunny evening would turn into a living a hell?
Who knew everything would go dark without her smile?
Who knew one girl was so loved?
Who knew that so many would come to our rescue?
Who knew that strangers would comfort more than friends?
Who knew everything would change?
Who knew home wouldn't be home anymore?
Who knew life as we knew it was over?
Who knew every time you thought you were healed, the wound would open again and the emptiness would return?
Who knew every wish would be dedicated to healing that brain?
Who knew how bad this life needed that laugh?
Who knew a partner in crime would be important for quality of life?


I didn't know, but now I do.

Who Needs Google?

He’s been a dad for 19 years so here are 19 of my favorite words to describe him:

Quiet.
Worry wart.
Inappropriate.
Helpful.
Strong.
Thoughtful.
Smart.
Tall.
Honest.
Good.
Loving.
Ridiculous.
Protective.
Handsome.
Introverted.
Hilarious.
Ambitious.
Dedicated.
Hard worker.

Once, I heard Miss Nancy talking about my dad and she described him as the silent smile. I think it fits him perfectly. My dad is my favorite sounding board, I can call him and vent for an hour, he’ll usually be the devil’s advocate but sometimes I need that. Anytime I have a question about anything, whether it is how to do something on the computer, where the coolant goes, (I knew it was somewhere under the hood!) or if I should paint something that isn’t real wood. He always answers the phone and he always knows the answer. Who needs Google when you have a dad like mine? I know I am kind of taking over the photo contests for both Mothers and Fathers day but my parents have gone through so much this year. They lost a daughter, gained a two new ones, (Starr and new Kenzie!) I moved 8 hours away, they had to leave their home that they have lived in for the past 16 years, they had to put down Rerun, they lived in a camper for 6 months and life as they knew it has been changed forever. Now that life is finally falling back into place, I think he deserves to be treated.


You can vote for him here: http://kxlo-klcm.upickem.net/engine/Details.aspx?p=V&c=59476#SD