all because i fell in love

2009-10-13T13:54:00.000-07:00

today i am VERY thankful for chad...

my best friend...

great dad to kaden & brock (not in picture)...

family man...

no clue...

2009-10-12T18:30:00.000-07:00

for a week now i thought i lost all my blog list, about me, you know all your sidebar stuff.

well, today i discovered it at the bottom of my blog.

not a clue how it got there.

not a clue how to get it back to where it needs to go.

do you? can tell me how... please!

i want my blog to look normal again :) ha

BEWARE: lots of fun

2009-10-12T05:08:00.000-07:00

a friend a mine told me about this AWESOME site... photofunia.com

all you do is select the background you want (they have A LOT to pick from) & then a picture you want from your computer. it does the rest!

we spent an hour or so making some cool photos!!

BEWARE: its addicting!!

2009-10-08T16:55:00.000-07:00

today i am thankful for...

WASHABLE MARKERS!!!

(the pictures explain it all)

simple as that...

2009-10-06T07:38:00.000-07:00

i have one of these in our living room. i am ALWAYS cold so having something warm close-by is a must!

one problem... BROCK!!!

he finds it fun to play with them - make tents, have a picnic, or just pull them off because he can.

i was getting so frustrated every time i walked into the living room to see 5 or 6 blankets on the floor.

"didn't i just pick those up?" i would ask.

all i would get back was his cute smile & laughs.

i feel dumb admitting it but my solution... taking 3 away. simple as that! not sure why i didn't think of it earlier!

((i can handle picking 3 blankets off the floor about 15 times a day!!! haha))

**does your kid do something over & over & you finally just figured out a simple solution?**

my simple woman's daybook... 10/5

2009-10-05T08:59:00.001-07:00

outside my window... cloudy & cool

i am thinking... today is the day i must go grocery shopping. one of my least favorite things to do.

i am thankful for a great weekend in edmond... HS football game, allie (from our old youth group) won homecoming queen, fishing (kaden caught 2), eating, spending lots of time with mamaw & papaw

from the kitchen... not sure (yet!) but i'm thinking its homemade soup weather.

i am going... tuesday - i work & then STATE FAIR!!!
wednesday - church
thursday - work
friday - no plans
saturday - no plans (love these kind of weekends!)

i am hearing... silence - which means brock is more than likely doing something he shouldn't be!!

noticing that... i came home to a clean house last night but this morning its dirty again. funny how fast that happens!!

i am hoping... chad gets to feeling better.

you can join or read more here

my sim

2009-10-05T08:58:00.000-07:00

a day late...

2009-10-02T13:14:00.000-07:00

on thursday i usually write or make a list of things i am thankful for.

well, i didn't get to it because yesterday was horrible & to be honest just didn't feel like making a list.

i was tired & the boys were let's say... a (little!) cranky.

**so the first thing i am thankful for - its FRIDAY! we all had a good night sleep & we all woke up in good moods!

and b woke up dry (praise you jesus!) so i didn't have to wash the sheets for the first time in 3 days!

**the second thing i am (very) thankful for is the sweet photographer girl at picture people.

we had an apt at 5:30 wednesday. this would give us time to get home, let kaden play, watch his favorite cartoon & then we would head to the mall.

that plan was good but what i picked out was all wrong. (jeans, shirt & NOT his tennis shoes)

nope not what he wanted to wear & so the crying, arguing begins.

and it continued for 30 minutes.

he was crying & i was beyond mad.

we were late to our scheduled appointment but i couldn't reschedule because i had a coupon to get (free) 8x10, 2 5x7 & a sheet of wallets that was about to expire.

i felt sorry for whoever was going to end up taking his picture & trying to get him to smile.

the poor girl.

but she had a way with kaden & ended up getting him to smile.

i thanked her about a million times.

check out for yourself...
(and you will notice in the pictures that he isn't wearing the jeans. i took shorts just in case & that is when the best smiles came out !!)

85 days...

2009-09-30T07:28:00.000-07:00

if i added it right that is the days until CHRISTMAS!!

((but i could be wrong so please do the math yourself. it was always my worst subject in school))

i have made my list of people that i need to buy for.

even, started looking online.

chad has even me the envelope with the christmas money so i am ready. set. go.

sunday... i bought my first christmas gift for my niece. brock saw it when i got home & when i wasn't looking he tried to open it. his face was so sad when i took it away, so i have decided to give it to him. i am hoping he forgets about it & will actually be surprised when he opens it! ha

and then yesterday... bought 5 more gifts.

i'm pumped that i have started this early. i am hoping to be done by black friday!

let the good times begin... shopping & finding good deals!!!

my simple woman's daybook... 9/28

2009-09-28T14:37:00.000-07:00

i found a new blog here & every monday she makes a list of things going on in her life, sometimes it the same. sometimes she changes things up & adds new one.

either way... i love me some list!!

************************************************************************************
outside my window... some men painting the house behind ours

i am thinking... i have alot of my to do list - i don't need to be on here much longer. ha!

i am thankful for... my super clean garage. chad worked in/on it all day saturday - hung the bikes, put tools away but most importantly we can park both cars in there.

from the kitchen...
monday - tacos
tuesday - breakfast (biscuits, eggs, bacon, grits)
wednesday - grilled chicken
thursday - not sure
friday/saturday/sunday - will be in edmond with chad's parents

i am going...
tuesday - work (6am-10)
classroom birthday party in kaden's class
wednesday - kaden getting his picture taken at picture people
thursday work (7am-11)
friday - headed to edmond

i am hearing... music from the office (chad is working from home this am) and i hear brock laughing as he jumps off the couch onto the beanbag

pondering words... regardless of what else you put on, wear LOVE. it's your basic all-purpose garment. never be without it.

i am hoping... that i can actually post this. my computer keep being dumb.

around the house... cleaning up after my 3 year old - every room he goes in there is a mess when he leaves.

happy monday!

sad, sad day...

2009-09-19T12:08:00.000-07:00

the neighborhood pool is now closed :(

and to make it a little worse its rained the past 7 days straight so we couldn't even use it.

stink!

i won't start worrying about bathing suit season just yet... i've got 8 months till it opens back up!! ha

happy fall ya'll!!!

summer fun... 2009

2009-09-18T08:07:00.000-07:00

the summer is over :(
we had a great one & made alot of great memories!
since i didn't post this summer due to lack of internet access i have ALOT of pictures to post.
i didn't want to post them all separate, that would take forever.
slide.com came to my rescue.
enjoy!!

ALL DAY...

2009-09-16T17:52:00.000-07:00

its been a month since kaden started kindergarten ALL DAY!
so its just me & brock (and sometimes chad is around)
brock is my little helper... he loves to help me do my chores! we play with cars & get out every board game, we make yummy desserts & run errands.
man, its so much easier having one kid. lol
but ALL DAY brock will say, "i miss kk" or "when we going to go get kaden?"
i love this time with just him - having so much one-on-one time. i have never had "this" time, esp the ALL DAY amount. its special mom & brock bonding time.
love it! love him!

makes me smile...

2009-09-15T10:01:00.001-07:00

at my house we have had overcast, raining days.

4 of them... right in a row!

i enjoyed the first day of all rain & staying inside, the second day was great too, third day i was just lazy & today... i need sunshine.

so today i am posting pictures of all things that make me smile even though the weather outside is not!

cheesecake factory strawberry lemonade with sugar around the rim... so, so good!!

our new church:

getting my paycheck every friday!

the original pacman:

LEMONS!

getting my pottery barn kids magazine in the mail

cupcakes!

chick-fil-a lemonade!

the beach... the sound of the waves, the smell, the sunrise & sunset... like it all!!

and i can't leave off my 3 favorite guys!!!

what are some of the things that make you smile?

birthday celebration...

2009-09-14T11:18:00.001-07:00

the day has final come & kaden is now 6!!!

we got him out of school early (lunch of his choice) then headed to the tulsa zoo. after seeing all the animals we went to chuck e cheese to play games & then came home to finish putting up the trampoline from the grandparents.

learning process...

2009-09-02T11:56:00.000-07:00

*instead of sweeping the kitchen floor, i read books to the boys.

*instead of putting the clean clothes away, i am a band member in the band.

*instead of just putting a movie on & walking away, i stay & watch it too. (with popcorn, of course!!)

*instead of putting the dishes away, i play a board game.

*instead of cleaning the toys up right away, we leave them & i follow them outside for a walk or head to the park.

i have not always been this way. and to be honest, its still hard sometimes to see all that i need to do & not do it.

i am learning that "in the moment" with the boys is most important.

i am realizing that all my "have to's" can really wait until after the boys are in bed.

i need to enjoy today... NOW!!!

i need to remember that i can't get time back from them.

my sweet boys are growing fast & i need to make the best memories with them everyday!

every.single.day

2009-09-01T12:02:00.000-07:00

8 years ago i was younger, skinner, no kids, we had no ministry experience but we were in love & getting married.

since then we have moved three times, i've gotten older & fatter, some gray hairs are showing & a lot has been colored, 2 boys were added to the family but one things remains... STILL IN LOVE!!

we are celebrating 8 years strong today!!! so this post is dedicated to him...

1) i love how you make me laugh with your facial expressions, your quick comebacks, your smells, your wit, its something different but its every.single.day

2) i love you as my best friend, one who i truly enjoy & love being around every.single.day

3) i love you for the father you are to the boys. they adore you & love to be around & play with you every.single.day

4) i love you for being faithful. never, ever have you given me any reason to doubt. i know, i know, i know you love me & only me every.single.day

5) i love you for the man of God you are, the spiritual leader of the family. we are blessed because of what you stand for every.single.day

6) i love you for the sacrifice you make for the three of us. you provide & give but expect nothing in return every.single.day

7) i love you for the challenges. its not always the easiest, especially on my part to step out of my comfort zone, to change & grow, but we are there with support & love every.single.time

8) i love you because your nice on the eye every.single.day!!!

just the beginning...

2009-08-31T14:00:00.000-07:00

The whole reason for moving up here to Tulsa is for the very important calling to be apart of the church plant. Right from the beginning Chad meet with the (three) other guys daily. All kind of decisions had to be talked about & made. **The first & most important decision made was the name of the church: CITY CHURCH / love God... serve the city (i the think the model wearing the shirt is super cute!!) ((wink wink)) **We meet & have been meeting monthly since January. Its a time of vision casting & fellowship. **We are in the process of finding a location... very exciting. ** We start (three) community groups in September. **We already have forty people committed to being apart of CITY CHURCH with us. **I love the other pastor's wives & the kids pastor... an answer to pray. (will have to write another blog about this) **It's very exciting times. I had no idea what to expect moving here & us being apart of this. I still have no expectations except something great will happen because I know God is in this!

an afternoon stroll...

2009-08-27T16:23:00.000-07:00

this afternoon i had the privilege of being by myself. (((doesn't happen very often))) i didn't want to be home doing house chores so i headed to downtown jenks.

its a cute little one way street that i have been driving on the last fews months & have really wanted to walk down & go inside every single shop.

my idea of fun!

the one store that i have been dying to go inside is called the spotted umbrella. so i went in there first. super cute homemade stuff from local people. i will for sure being going back!

the next store... antiques

across the street... antiques

one scrapbooking store that is overpriced in my opinion

the next store... antiques

a store where you wash your dog (((why i wonder? why can't people do it at home?)))

the next store... antiques

a store full of peace frogs items (((clutter)))

the next store... antiques

SEVEN antiques shop on one street!

that is just crazy to me - why so many?!?!

is your downtown like this???

i'm back..

2009-08-26T19:47:00.000-07:00

where to beginning...

so many stories to share. and lots & lots of pictures to show you since the last time i wrote.

i will just share one for right now & say that we are in our house. (((a BIG yea!!)))

all the curtains are hung, things on the wall where i like them & most importantly the boys have ALL their toys back. (((most of our things have been in storage for a little over 4 months... everything seemed brand new!)))

we can't park in the garage yet. soon... i'm hoping! and i can't find towels to make the boys shower curtain i bought so that bathroom does not look good, but it feels like home & that is most important!!!

the boys seem to be adjusting & liking home. every once & a while the youngest will say, "i want to go home"

i will respond, this is our new home, we aren't moving from here for a long time.

"no, i want to go to mamaw & papaw's house!"

it makes me sad - i have moved my boys 3 times in the last 5 months. the poor guy is so confused as to where home is!!!

b hasn't said it in the last week... thank goodness! i know my God has been faithful to us every step that we haven taken since saying yes to being apart of this church plant. we know we did the right thing by moving even though it has been a little rough on the boys.

great days are ahead!!!

the best part...

2009-06-20T08:03:00.000-07:00

my favorite & only reason i like living at the apartment is getting these:

everytime we walk out the door both my boys pick me a flower.

everytime!

simply the best part!

let me explain...

2009-06-14T13:55:00.000-07:00

the last post i wrote that i would be writing less to spend time with my family. little did i know how i would be made to do that!

our temporary living (the apartment in tulsa) doesn't have internet. it really stinks! to be honest - i hate it! there is just no reason to get it when we will be moving to our house at the end of the summer. the nice guy i married let's me go to panera bread every couple of days to get my fix on their free wifi :)

that's just the way it is & i will have to deal with it.... unfortunately. so my blogs will be very few until we move & no pictures.

stink. again.

we moved to tulsa (a week ago)

we had a rough start... dirty apartment & i mean gross dirty. hair in the bathrooms, stains on the comforters, dog hair, all the drawers & closets needed to be wiped down, the pans in the kitchen had looked used & i'm not sure they were washed... ever.

when we signed up for the furnished apartment this is not what i was thinking. i wanted to move in & have no signs of no one living there. it really grossed me out. (((i still does))) it really made me upset that i was paying them all this money & i had to come in & clean the whole thing before trying to get settled.

that same night at bedtime b started crying saying, "i want to go home" i was trying to comfort him by telling him this is our new home, we live in tulsa now but by the end i was crying along with him.

saturday was a little better. we stocked up on food & new towels (((no way was i going to use the ones there!))) that night we meet up with friends & played at the park. just hanging out, cool weather... nice & relaxing.

sunday was even better! didn't have to be at church until 10:45, didn't have to sit on the front row, no responsibilities. i little weird but it was a nice change. good service & then lunch with friends.

me & the boys are staying busy with swimming, library trips, getting lost figuring out the new town (((it would help if i could figure out how to use the GPS he bought!))), free movie, free bowling, spray grounds, free concert. (((do you get the theme... FREE!!!)))

it didn't start out how i thought i would but by the end of the first week its all good. i like tulsa more & more. chad likes tulsa & the boys, well they like anywhere if they are getting to have fun!

i know, i know, i know we are suppost to be here & that gives me peace & makes me like this new city even more. we are in God's perfect will.

summer, summer time...

2009-06-03T06:53:00.000-07:00

summer is here...

moving to a new town
swimming
taking the boys to the park
meeting new people
vacation
ice cream
start exercising again
trying to get the boys back into a routine
sleeping in
dates with my husband
grilling out
family
trying not to get lost too many times in Ttown!
movie nights
getting tan by the pool
spending time with friends

our summer is going to be fun... laid back... spent together!

this will be a first for us.

in the eight years that we have been married chad & i have done youth camp, i-camp, mission trip, national trip & then all the stuff you do in between with & for the youth every summer. its fun, no doubt with those crazy teenagers, but at the same time it left little or no time for us as a family.

this summer WILL be different. it already feels a little weird with chad not talking about or planning things for the youth.

i am sad - for the last 8 years this is all i have known. so many, many emotions. what keeps me going is knowing without a doubt that God wants us in tulsa. that excites me to know we are in "His Will"

i write all this to say that i will be here in the blogosphere hit & miss this summer. i have never been good at writing everyday & so i won't even try this summer.

this summer will be spent making great memories with my family!

2009-06-01T06:46:00.000-07:00

happy monday! a new blog that i have been following, all that is good does this "friend makin monday" every week. each monday it is a different format, question & so i thought i would go for it today & play along. want to join the fun? go here

Today's task is to share as few or as many everyday, little tips that you use to make your lives easier. You know- all those special tricks you might have to cook, clean, raise kids, work in the yard, and on and on!

1 - i have a list that i keep in the kitchen (on fridge) & write things down when we are low or completely out. if i don't do this i will usually forget. ha

2 - my husband & i both write thank you cards RIGHT AWAY when we receive something. if we don't then we usually forget & then it never happens. which is sad.

3 - i am always doing laundry. i don't like a full basket. i may do more washes but they are smaller, so easier & quicker to put away :)

4 - i always go to bed with a clean house. i love waking up to everything in the right place.

5 - to keep clutter down we clean out toys/clothes at the beginning of every new season.

6 - i give myself time outs. i walk away & then come back to the situation/problem when i can talk & handle it better than when i am upset or mad.

i scream, we scream, we all scream for FREE ice cream...

2009-05-30T06:33:00.000-07:00

Stop by Walmart TODAY from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for FREE Ice Cream! You can choose from 1.57 fl oz. Dibs Snack Bag, 24 fl oz. Blue Bunny Aspen Frozen Yogurt Granola Bar or

4 oz. Ben & Jerry's Flipped Out Cup.