Go Hurricanes!!!

We were given free tickets to a Tulsa University basketball game. I love free so we headed out after church in the frigid weather to take in the game with a couple of good friends. As you can see we were in the noose bleed section but did I mention the tickets were free? We had fun. Saw some great half time entertainment. The game even went into double overtime which then Princeton won. There were some funny fans too which made for some great people watching!!! My friend and I were wondering, what kind of a mascot is a hurricane anyway? And why not a tornado?






The chair had just beat up Madi so he wasn't much in the mood for a pic but that didn't stop the crazy picture maniac mom that I proudly am! I even got a pic of this crazy fan.

Pink, Pink, Pinkalicious Pink

Pink, pink, everywhere pink. Our almost 7 year old loves pink! This Saturday our house was transformed into some serious pink goodness. Mia is our New Year's Eve baby. Her birthday is always such a dilemma for us. When do you have her party as to not interfere with people's Christmas plans and to try to prevent our child from getting the shaft as much as possible. So we have started doing a friends birthday party in the summer to celebrate her half birthday party and a family party at the first of December.



We had pink cupcakes, pink drinks, pink flowers, pink balloons, lots of pink tulle, and lots of pink sparkle. Mia loved every pink minute of it and begged us to keep it up until her real birthday.What a wonderful party for such a sweet and great girl. We love you so much and can't wait to celebrate your real birthday in a few more weeks.

Birthday Weekend

Whoa! Watch me go, two posts in one day. Maybe I am just procrastinating all the house work that is calling my name. I had the best birthday a couple of weeks ago even if it meant I am now a year older. Yes I am old but I am going to live in denial for as long as possible. Anyway, after a great day, Matt and I went to PF Changs for dinner. One of my favorite places to go. We didn't make reservations due to the fact that our babysitter didn't know exactly when she could be at our house. Really our wait wasn't that long but the manager seated us and apologized for the wait saying that it had been a crazy night. Through talking he found out that it was a babsitter night and my birthday. He then told us that in that case, dinner was on him. We laughed thinking that he was joking. A little later he came back by and told us that he was being serious. Awesome!!! Something like that never happens to us. How cool is free PF Changs?

After that we finished the day at another of my favorites....Starbucks. I just walk in that place and I'm happy! I have heard wonderful things about their coffee cups and my dear husband bought me one to along with the Starbucks gift cards he had given me at dinner. Let me just say, this is worth every penny. It keeps your drink piping hot forever and it's yet another of my favorites....wait for it......yep, it's RED! Is it wrong to love a wordly possession so much?

I do need to add that Matt had also taken me a few days before and bought me my first pair of "real" boots. I love them! How cool are they?

My sweet kids had made me stepping stones for our flower beds. I love that kind of thing. They were so proud to give them to me. Early the next morning, Matt and the kids loaded up to go to my parent's house so Matt could go hunting. I had over 24 hours to myself and that hasn't happened in 5 years! I have to admit, I loved it. I went to Affair of the Heart with a good friend on Saturday and found a few things that I couldn't live without. What an amazing weekend. Feels so good to be loved!
So this is the only pic I have. For some reason I just didn't take any pics the day of. Must be my old age setting in! I promise, no more blogging today. I'm off the face the long " to do" list. Wish me luck!!!

Homemade Laundry Soap

I never have been one to make New Year's Resolutions but this year I am vowing to do a better job of blogging. On that note, I have been wanting to do a post on how to make homemade laundry soap for months now. So finally here it is!!! Contain yourselves please!

Seriously, this is so easy and so CHEAP. My boys both have eczema and have to have sensitive soap and this stuff is perfect for it. It takes no time at all to make and it makes so much you don't have to do it very often at all.

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap- Front or top load machine- best value

4 Cups - hot tap water
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar, you can use ivory also
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda* I found this at a local grocery store.
½ Cup Borax

- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.

-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.

-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)

-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.

-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.

-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)

-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)

Halloween Weekend

I know, I am playing catch up but better late than never, right? Anyway, we took the trailer and went camping at Marval Resort outside of Gore, Oklahoma. A couple of friends took their trailers also and meet us there. Our campsite was right on the Illinois River and was absolutely beautiful. I felt like I had left our crazy world behind and entered a different world. The trees with their leaves turning colors, children playing everywhere, people fishing, carving pumpkins, participating in all kinds of Halloween traditions. This place is the neatest place. They have a swimming pool, outdoor movie theater, hiking trail, playground, mini golf and an activity center with activities for the kids. I can't even begin to think how many hours Mia and Maddox spent fishing. I had no idea at how good they do casting their own poles.

On Saturday evening there was a costume contest for the kids, pets, and adults. And nope, our firefighter, red lego, and ballerina were not among the winners. Although I heard more than one person say that the lego should have won his age bracket. Then when that was all over, we went trick or treating to all the trailers and cabins. There were lots of people that had even decorated their sites and some really went all out.

We left on Sunday and made it home in time to unpack and leave to eat dinner with some good friends and go trick or treating in their neighborhood. Such an amazing weekend and by the end of it we were all wore out!

Freezer Cooking Day

I had a freezer cooking day today. This makes life so much easier. It takes one full morning and you have some meals to fall back on when you are busy and don't have the time to cook. In the picture is everything minus one baked ziti which we are going to eat tonight and two batches of whole wheat chocolate chip pancakes. Pictured is 20 brown bag burritos, 2 cheeseburger meatloaves, 2 baked zitis, 2 spaghetti pies, and 1 chicken spaghetti. I was going to make blueberry muffins also but didn't plan well and ran out of eggs. I could have easily made a few more meals but at the moment our deep freeze is at maximum capacity.

While it is a lot of work for one morning, I love freezer cooking. I like to keep muffins that I can pull out and put in the kids lunches or use for a quick breakfast. Another time saver is to make a batch of cookies and freeze the dough balls. Then I can pull a few out for an afternoon snack. The kids of course love it and there aren't leftover cookies to be hanging around for me to eat! Another idea is when you are making dinner, make a double batch and freeze the second one. If you are going to all the work anyway why not make a little more. Yet another idea is to brown ground beef, turkey or sausage then freeze. You can also add taco seasoning to your ground beef or turkey and have it ready for tacos or other mexican dishes. So easy!

Hawaii Part 2

I think I have figured out the difficulties I was having uploading pictures. I wanted to share some pics from Maui. I truly loved it there. It was so beautiful and lacked the tons of concrete and people that Waikiki had. We found a mexican restaurant there that was amazing. It was right by the ocean and the food was the best. We actually ate there twice we liked it so much. Matt's coworker was in Hawaii vacationing with her husband after she had been in the Philippines with Matt. We had gone with them to Pearl Harbor the first full day we were in Hawaii. We had such a great time with them. I have told you all of this just to say that our second visit to this restaurant as we were leaving they were coming in. What are the chances?

This pic was from the Luau that we did while on Oahu. We enjoyed it. The food was really good. We were both good and tried everything. Somethings we liked and some well.....
This was in Maui. People were just stopped everywhere along the beach to watch it. Amazing. Being there in person was incredible. God can sure paint an incredible sunset and I feel so blessed that I got to witness it. I fell in love with a few other things in Hawaii as well. Besides all the beauty, I found White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Ice Cream. Really, no words. Worth every expensive penny. Coconut syrup. As big of pancake eaters as we are in our house, I am not sure why we didn't bring any home. Fresh pineapple frozen yogurt......thank you Dole! And of course, coffee, it was so wonderful there, another thing I am not sure why I didn't bring any home. One thing that I did not try however was the spam and rice that McDonald's offered for breakfast.

We got to see and do so many things. Something that I love about us is that we aren't afraid to venture out and see what we can find. I think that we got to see and do so much more because of this. What a great trip and a wonderful way to celebrate ten years of marriage!

I'm Back!!!!

After surviving the not so fun month of Matt being in the Philippines, I got to spend 10 days in Hawaii with my man. We had been planning a trip to celebrate our upcoming 10th anniversary, when this trip presented itself to us. Thank goodness I have an amazing mom who was willing to put her busy life on hold to come take care of our kids and their crazy schedules. The kids of course loved it and I have been informed that GG makes the best lunches ever!

So we went to the island of Oahu for the bulk of our time. We spent a day at Pearl Harbor, went around the whole island, saw a sea lion swim past us as we were watching sea turtles, laid on beautiful beaches, tried some new foods, and went to a luau. We flew to Maui to spend a few days. We loved it there! It is way more laid back and so beautiful. We drove the highway to Hanna, ate at some great places, stopped at some roadside stands, and decided we for sure would come back some day!

The biggest thing that happened on our trip is that the first time since we have had children we had a real trip together, enjoyed days of uninterrupted conversations, and were able to eat in peace. We had such a great time and even though we missed the kids terribly, we hated it to end.


I'll try to post more pics soon!

He shoots, He scores!!!!

That's right folks. Madi made his first goal ever today. Both of the kids played their games at the same time today. Fortunately their fields were right next to each other so I took turns going from one to the other. Both of them scored a goal and I got to see them both. I just wish I could have been filming when Maddox made his goal, it was seriously priceless. I love watching my kids play.

I am not talented when it comes to computer business and since the person who helps me with it is out of this country, this picture will be sideways. Sorry but I think you can tell what I was getting at. For those of you who knew me in high school and college you will know why I had to take this picture. I was always #00 and now my kids are too! One time Mia asked me "why do I always have to have #00?" and I had to explain that it is the best number. I don't think she bought it but continues to humor me.

Happiness Is A State Of Mind

I have had a pretty negative week this week. For most of the week I totally dwelled in it in complete misery. Today I decided it was time for an attitude adjustment. I started thinking of all the things that God gives me that blesses my life no matter how small they are. Thought I would share the list with you.

1. Cool fall days with the windows open and a yummy treat baking in the oven
2. The smell of pumpkin candles even though I don't like the taste of it
3. Fall decorations and colors and mums
4. Laughing uncontrollably and being sore later because of it
5. Checking out at the store and finding out that what I bought was cheaper than I thought
6. Surprises especially when they are for no reason
7. Watching the look on my childrens faces when they are excited
   
8. The sound of a heartbeat of an unborn child
9. Driving with the sunroof open with the music turned up loud
10. Dancing with my kids
11. Someone telling you that you are a good mom
12. Holidays
13. Spending time with family
14. Road trips
15. Being pampered (I know, I can dream atleast!)
16. Coming up with craft project ideas and actually finishing them
17. A good pedicure (I had my best one ever last month)
18. The funny things that my middle child says
    
19. A good pair of jeans
20. The smell of a clean house
21. Sweet friends
    
22. The fact that my kids eat healthy and love their veggies
23. Having a best friend for 19 years
24. Parents who would do anything for you
25. Hot cobbler right out of the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream
26. Sleeping in on a rainy day

Sometimes life throws crummy things at us but I guess it is all a matter of how we are going to let it affect us. I will admit, I totally failed this week but as I sit here and eat a handful of candy corn, I am trying to focus on the little things in life. Thank you Lord for these blessings that make life worth living!Post Options

We Miss Daddy!!!

Daddy has now been gone three weeks and we ALL miss him terribly. The day he left the kids were already asking when he was going to be back. Unfortunately that is still 20 days! Yikes!!! So I had the kids colors these pictures for him and asked them what they missed the most now that daddy has been gone.

* Mia-I miss daddy because I want to eat with him there. (I think this is because he sent her a post card with a picture from a nice restaurant from his hotel) I want to play with him!

* Madi-I miss mowing with daddy and weed too (weed eating)

* Maxi-I miss going for rides on the lawn mower when daddy is done mowing (ok he didn't say that but I know he loves it)

And as far as me, there are a TON of things that I am missing about Matt being gone. I miss him waking the kids up in the morning and getting them ready for school. I miss him taking them to school and to soccer practice. I miss him paying the bills and fixing things that are broke. I miss him washing dishes after dinner. I miss him playing with the kids. I just miss him being here and look forward to him being home!


We miss and love you daddy! Can't wait for you to be home with us again!!!

Maxon's first and second haircut

The unthinkable happened last Thursday. Madi cut Maxi's hair!!! We were at the soccer fields and I had been working on a hat for Mia's teacher's birthday present. The kids are always around my scissors with my craft projects, hats, and bows going on and it has never been a problem. The crazy thing is that Madi had been in my class at preschool that day and we had worked on using scissors. Fabulous!  So anyway, I was talking to someone and when I got to the car I opened my car door to find my seat full of perfect little curls. I could have screamed, well ok I did!

This was after the first haircut. It may not seem that big to most people but to this mommy who was not ready for his hair to be cut it was a big deal!

And this is the after pic. I am crossing my fingers for more curls to grow. So I guess we can cross that one off of the list of parenthood. It may be inevitable that someone's hair is going to get cut. I am just hoping that this is the only time it happens!

First Grade Bible Day

My big first grader had a big day this past Sunday at church. All the first graders were given a bible and boy is she proud of it. When I dream about each of our childrens futures, the biggest and most important desire is that each of them will make the decision to have a personal relationship with our Savior. I took a class at church last year called Leading Your Child To Christ. In this class they taught you the steps children take as they get closer to making a decision for Christ. It has been so much fun and exciting to see her start taking some of those steps.

The Bulldogs and The Grasshopers Win!!!

This Saturday was Mia and Maddox's first soccer games of the season.  First was Mia's game. This year she had moved up to U8 which means that she plays 4 on 4. I was expecting to see the same child that we had seen the last 4 seasons but boy was I wrong. She scored 2 goals and almost a third but it went in and hit the pole and came back out. One of the goals she even dribbled (is that the correct soccer term?) all the way down the field. Who is this girl? She played such a great game and I was a proud momma. Next was Maddox's soccer debut as a grasshopper and let's just say, it was crazy hilarious! He is one of the smallest ones out there, with a smile ear to ear. I think that he ran down the field smiling at the crowd more than he looked at the ball. He even was involved in a couple of collisions and took a pretty good blow to the stomach but still had a great time. Even though we aren't supposed to take score, both teams won!!! Matt called that afternoon and the kids got to take turns talking to him, telling him all the details. I didn't get the best pics and as you can see none of Mia but hopefully next week.

This is how we roll!

So most of you probably know that we  have lived in the country for almost a year now. We all love it! I love it for the peace and quiet. Matt loves it for his ginormous building. The kids love it for all the room to run and play and drive their vehicles. We feel so extremely blessed to be where we are and look forward to making lots more memories here. We hope to have a garden and chickens in the future while the kids dream of horses but we'll have to see about that one!

I am attempting to try at this whole blog thing. Not sure how I will do but I decided that it was worth a try. It might give somewhat of a glimpse into our crazy but blessed life!!!