my day

So, today is my day. My birthday!!! It started off wonderfully... with a phone call from my wonderful mother-in-law and then I headed to work. At work today we had a "celebration" for my birthday and our head Sr. tech's birthday (which is Monday). It was a finger food theme. Some seriously yummy food here, people!!




My bff, Christie, decorated my desk with streamers and balloons and confetti!! So very festive!!




She then of course took birthday pictures with me.



I was given a card from our department and a gift from my family (not blood but still family). I was given a multi-pack of make-up bags and make-up brushes. I was thrilled!!! Also they gave me a card that is just adorable and it sings the song "Thank you for being a friend". You remember... the song from the Golden Girls... Ah, I love that show to this day!!




I was brought flowers by the woman who holds it all together here at the office. She is wonderful by the way! My sister-in-law and brother-in-law sent me a basket of beautiful flowers and my hubby and son sent me a HUGE arrangement of amazingly beautiful roses and daisies!! Daisies are my absolute favorite flower and mixed with the deep red roses... ah, it's just breathtaking!!




Then a bit of light shopping during my lunch hour. While out and about, my mother-in-law brought my son to find me!! He brought me a cake with buttercream frosting (my FAV!!!) and a sweet card with balloons and a gift from him. It was a very pretty necklace/bracelet set. He is such a good, sweet and thoughtful kiddo. I love him!!! Once back at work and about to head to a looong 2 hour meeting, I got a text from the hubby saying that it was puppy time. Let me fill you in... our sweet little baby girl, Missy, is pregnant. We knew it was almost time and yes, on my birthday she is having her puppies!!! Only one has been born so far and I am so excited!! It's been a wonderful day so far and it's only half over!!!!

birthday gift #1

Last Tuesday evening as I was getting things lined out at home and packing for our vacation, my husband came home with dinner and my birthday gift! It was all wrapped up in pretty pink paper with a bright multi-colored bow on top!! I was like a little kid... so excited and couldn't wait to tear into it.

Seeing as it was a week and a half early I asked why I got it then? He said he wanted me to have it for vacation.

I gently tore the paper away from the square box and inside..... a CANON Rebel!!! I was so excited but very astonished that I was holding this camera. I wanted a 'nicer' camera than what I had but I had never imagined anything like this.

I still don't know a lot about it but got some good practice on vacation.

I have a wonderful hubby!!

some days

Question.

Do you ever just feel like the roof is caving in?

I do...
Yesterday was one of those days. From work stress, family stress, home stress, church stress and stress about stress...
Yes it was a stressful day. Sometimes I let it build... and build... and build... and then I sort of "cave"!


Problem:

For some reason I let myself just go and go and let nothing touch me and then before I know it, I could EXPLODE!!!

I have realized that I tend to let "life" and "problems" become my focus. When this happens things get all out of whack.

Solution:

STOP! Re-focus. How can you be focused on so many things and keep it all lined out? You can't!! God must remain the #1 priority and focus. When you are totally focused on Him what is going to stress you out? Nothing! Why? Because He has given us all we need through Christ Jesus and there is no cause or place for worry or stress or anxiety.

When we remove our eyes from Christ for a split second, one million things will slide in through the cracks. We must, MUST remain in a place where He is everything to us. Everything else has it's place but it is NOT before Him.

He is EVERYTHING. He created the Heavens so he exists above and outside of them; while at the very same time existing in and throughout them.
He was there 100 years ago, here now, and is there 100 years from now all at the same time. He is more than we can fathom. He is the Great Creator. He is God.

HE IS!!!

numero uno

Day number 1:

Didn't get in a rush to leave Tulsa. After all, we had 5 more days worth of going to do!

Lovely pic of the kiddo...

One of MANY non-serious pics of the hubby...

That's me...


We got ready and then found a great little place call Mimi's Cafe for breakfast. It was wonderful!!!! They had everything you could imagine for breakfast. I was boring and stuck with french toast, fruit and juice. It was delicious!



Then we were on the road again. Yep, just like Willie!


The Mc Donalds that is over the highway...


A very lovely river... I love nature. Didn't God give us some amazing things?!?!


It took a few hours to get to Missouri and just over the state line we stopped in at the visitors center & rest stop. Yes, we were dorky tourists.





By the time we got to Branson, got settled in at the Four Seasons Lodge (sorry no pictures) and got our bearings, it was about 4:00. We went and had dinner later that evening at a place called Peppercorns and then headed to see the show The Presleys. It was great!! It was a show full of music (gospel and country), comedy, and just a plain old good time.

Waiting for the show to start. Another non-serious pic and a little blurry. Still figuring out the new camera!
Singing...
These were our favorite guys of the whole show! Herkimer and Cecil. A father/son comedy act like no other. It was GREAT!!
Tyler with Herkimer and Cecil!!
Autographs!! Yay!!!
Confetti...
A tribute to the soldiers and the U.S.A.

Thus ends day 1 of our vacation. What a way to start!!!

vacation

Well folks, I'm back! It's been a busy few weeks and in the mix we were able to squeeze in a vacation.

The hubby, our son and I went on a little trip to Branson MO. We had such a great time seeing shows, going to museums, riding the ducks and many other things.
I'm going to take my time doing posts and split them up so that this is not all jumbled together.

I do want to say how happy I am to be home. Vacations are nothing like they used to be. We had a blast but it's exhausting when you are the parent and you don't have the young energy that the kiddos do.

Here are a few photos of the start of our trip. We headed out Wednesday of last week after work.


Here is a "family shot". Not such a good pic but hey, I tried!


Check out those dimples... in a few years we may have to really watch this one. =)


And here's dad... AKA the "driver".



We only went as far as Tulsa that evening but that was far enough. After a full day of work, I was ready for some rest! We got a room at the DoubleTree Hotel and it was great!! It was an amazing hotel and they had so many things & places right there inside! Even a Starbucks!!! I was thrilled of course.

They also had the cutest little embroidered pillows on the beds. Speaking of the beds... they were AMAZING! I know, hotel beds are never comfortable but these were. They had the fluffiest mattress toppers and the best comforters. It was like sleeping in a big pillow!

Here is a pic of the cute pillows...





This was a great beginning of our first family vacation. Many more good ones to come!! =)

deal or no deal

So yesterday I was sitting at work, working of course, and my co-worker came in and he had been at a garage sale. (This weekend is the "World's Largest Garage Sale" in Duncan) He said where he had been and asked if anyone needed any tile. My ears perked up quickly and I started asking questions. I ended up jetting out of the office and high tailing it over to the sale. I asked the fella if he was the one with the tile and he said yes and showed it to me. He had over 90 square feet of ceramic tile, all of the tools that are required to lay it AND the grout!! I asked him how much for all of it.....and get this.....

$35.00 for ALL of it!!!!

I know my mouth just fell open. I was so excited!!!

At this point I called the hubby and he said "if you like, get it." So.... I bought it.

Now comes the part about laying it. I'm going to see just how handy I really am. :)

Going to pick up the tile today and hopefully start working on the bathroom floor tonight. I said hopefully people.

Will have pics as soon as I get some. Before and after of course!!

I would definitely say this was a DEAL!!!

surprise!

Yesterday was my most wonderful aunt's birthday. It wasn't just any old birthday... it was her 50th!!!! I have been so blessed to have her as my aunt for my whole life and I am SO thankful for her. She has been a huge role model for me and I will be forever grateful for the things she has done and the contributions she has made to my life.
I was very fortunate to be part of a surprise party for aunt Sherra last night in Ardmore. We ate at the Santa Fe Cattle Co. and she had no idea we were all going to be there. It was so much fun and wonderful to see the surprise on her face! I truly hope that she had a great time. I know I sure did! I was bummed that my hubby didn't get to go (he had to work late) but Tyler went with me. We were not able to chat with aunt Sherra much but we got to sit and eat with my amazing grandpa and grandma. I love them!!!!
Camera is still on the blink so I didn't get any pics but wanted to share about my wonderful evening.

wedding fun

This last Saturday evening my great friend Reagan got married. I was so excited for her and Jared. They make an amazing couple!! I was asked to be an honorary bridesmaid and I was thrilled! The wedding didn't start until 7:30 but she asked us to be there early. It was great getting to hang out with Reagan and her girls for a while before the wedding. Also, being an honorary, I was there for all the picture taking and times leading up to the wedding.
It was by far the best wedding I've been to and I could not be happier for Reagan and Jared as they start their life as husband and wife.
Go figure, I got several great shots leading up to the ceremony and 2 pictures into the actual wedding... my camera died!!! Yep, I was ticked but still happy I got the pics that I did.

Here is the beautiful bride, pre-wedding, with her adorable nephew Shep

Reagan tying on her Maid of Honor's sash

THE dress!!!

Getting dressed

Isn't she beautiful?!?!


Kay (Rea's step-mom) giving her the garter...

Pinning the boutonniere on her dad...so sweet!

All the guys wore Converse. This is a picture of the Father of the Bride's feet!!

They were married at the Farmers Market in downtown Oklahoma City. Everything was gorgeous!!


Taking a break during pictures...

The bouquets that she made, they were amazing!

Yep, that's my seat!

I just have two words... CANDY BUFFET!!

This was the cutest idea I've seen in a LONG time!!! I just loved it!! All the candy
was in the colors of the wedding... mustard, black, ivory and silver. I cannot wait to
try my hand at creating a candy buffet soon.


Giving the bride away...

Beginning of the ceremony...

The wedding was amazing and when they left we all held sparklers and wished them well. Since this was July 3rd, there were fireworks in the background which just added to it all. What a wonderful night!