HAPPY NEW YEAR BLOGGY FRIENDS!!!!

(I know my nose looks a little on the big size in this picture...but for some reason, it's one of my favorite pics from our little photo shoot! It just makes me happy because we were all getting Connor with "The Claw"!!! Poor Connor :)

Ya know...I was thinkin....one of the reasons I love to blog is because I LOVE getting mail. And these days...the only mail I get is bills or catalogs. BUT, blogging allows me to get mail all the live long day! It's like my little mail carrier comes at least five times throughout my day!! I LOVE THAT! Just random little thoughts on my random little posts from your little selves :)

So, I was just thinkin about that...I know, what better way to end the year without a random little post from Staci :) ? And just to say thanks. I had no idea all the awesome people I'd meet this past year just through blogging.

I wish all of you and your dear families The Happiest and Healthiest of New Year's!!!!! I just love you all!!!!

Merry Christmas!!!!

Okay....so, I'm a little late...as usual with this post!

I hope you all had the Merriest of Christmases!

Um, Santa...sorry :(

All I can say is this....

So today, Jake had his little preschool program and in true Jake form...just pretty much stood there only singing parts he was interested in singing. NOT gonna compare children though...nope, not gonna do it :) (Because Connor, at this age, actually SANG and did all the sign language to the songs...and that's all I'm gonna say!) Amazing how different children are!

Anyway...after their little singing program, Santa always makes a little appearance and the kids can sit in his lap and tell them what they would like...you know the drill...then they get a candy cane. Wellllll, Jake was first in line...Santa asked him what he wanted....of course, I know Jake is going to say a Red Blues Clues Notebook...because he tells me this EVERY.SINGLE.DAY. of his life :) (By the way, if you are trying to find one...they are kinda hard to come by at the stores....ebay is your best shot!) Oh yes, back to the story...so that's exactly what he says. Oh yes, and he also wants..............A BOMB! WHAT????@!?!##??!!??!??! Poor Santa. He was speechless, as was I. You should've seen my face. You should see my face still when I think about it! Which brings me to my next question....WHY???? Why would he say that?? I mean, he and Connor do act like they are blowing things up sometimes. (Only bad guys, mostly) I just don't get it?? I felt awful. I'm so sorry Santa. I hope you still see it fit to bring him a Red Notebook....I won't let him blow it up, I promise. He doesn't look like the next UniBomber (sp?), does he? BIG SIGH!!!!!!

THANK YOU AMANDA!!!!

Lookie Lookie!!!! (I know my photography skills are so less than desirable...but hang with me, k!) (Also, for my more frequent readers...all 5 of you!...notice the ripped package of wafers...yes, I left my mark!)

Look what my sweet bloggy friend, Amanda from Pennies and Pounds sent me!!! Alllllll the way from Scotland. How thoughtful is that?? I cannot believe I have a friend who lives in Scotland!! HOW COOL IS THAT!??! For those of you who don't know...Brian and I were married there way back in '97 and truly cannot get enough of Scotland :) So much so...the house we are in the throws of building will hopefully---when all is said and done---resemble two of our favorite castles. Well...as close to a castle as you can get here in Oklahoma :) So, dear sweet Amanda...will you plan a trip to OK and stay with us some time?? In our little castle?? I know that it will pale in comparison to what you are used to seeing...but like I said, it is the best we could do :) And for that matter...any of the rest of you sweetheart bloggy friends of mine out there....if ever you are in OK, I'd love to see ya!

Okay so here's the list of what I received from my dear friend:

Lavender and lemongrass shampoo

Rosemary sage Vitamin E Spa bath soak

Heather conditioning shampoo

Foaming body soak

Mandarin and mint body lotion

Honey and lemon lip balm

Caramel wafer bars (These are TO.DIE.FOR!)

Shortbread cookies (Can't remember the name because we scarfed them down and there is only one left! But, it wasn't Walker's...they were WAAY more buttery and yummy)

And the most beautiful Christmas card!!!!

So thank you so much Amanda. You truly were so generous and if you all don't mind...I'm off to enjoy some of my bath solutions :)

Oh yes...just a tidbit of information to all of you who might be shipping abroad this season....I took a package in (for Amanda!)...it's not even that big...but maybe a little heavy?? Was going to cost $150 by UPS and $60 regular mail!!! WHOA! So, sweet Amanda is waiting for her package a little longer because I think I have figured out a way to get her package to her in a little more cost effective way :)

Now, I really am off to soak :) (Because these days, if I get in the shower...I have a little puppy that follows :o)

Oh yea...and if I'm not able to make my normal rounds this week...here's my list why:

Wednesday--Santa's Cause (Instead of the staff at Brian's office getting the doctors presents...they all go in and buy gifts for needy families! Isn't that great!) So, we will be delivering these gifts in the evening. Connor is already counting the days!

Thursday--Jake's Christmas Celebration Program at Preschool! (during the day) and BUNCO for me that evening :) YIPPEE!

Friday--Going to see The OKC Thunder play a little basketball at the Ford Center! We are sooooo bad ya'll. We are 2 and 20 as of now. We still love to go and support them though. We're cheesey that way :) Oh yea, and a desperately needed hair appointment for me at 11:30 that morning!!

Saturday--Brian's office party that evening. Anybody wanna babysit?? We have a cute puppy ?????

Soooo, as you can see...might be a little preoccupied with life. I know I've said it before...but, don't ya just hate it when it cuts into the old blogging time??!!

Have a great week my dear friends :)

BIG NIGHT!

Okay, this picture has NOTHING to do with this post...I was just looking through some old pictures from last year's New Year's Eve Bash at our house and thought it was funny. Hey Missy and Lezel (if you are reading) hope you don't mind me posting the pic! What I think is so funny about it is...1) Missy and Rick are in deep conversation, 2) Evan is on an ambush mission with his camo hat and gun, 3) Reid,whom you can barely, is trying to get that blue remote control car to work, 4) I look like I'm picking my nose???? and waiting patiently for my turn in Wii bowling, 5) ROBIN is SUPER SERIOUS about his turn in the Wii bowling match!!! What else is so funny is that you can tell the adults wanted to play the Wii so bad that we let the kids do and play with whatever! Hence, the traintracks, the remote control, etc...they still wanted to be by us! Ahhh! It was a fun night!

Well, again...my apologies for you having to look at my torn boxes for over a week :(

I'm so excited! We are taking the boys down to my Mom's for a sleepover tonight!!! We are headed out to a little Christmas party. It's actually a really big party. Every year the main group of oral surgeons throw this huge party for their referring doctors. It's one of my favorite parties because I get to see a lot of doctors and hygienists I used to work with or see at meetings. So, it kinda keeps me connected and reminds me that I did once know how to clean teeth! I know, don't hate me. I was super gentle...you would've like me :) Anyway, they are having it at the newly refurbished Skirvin Hotel downtown OKC. We've been in there one time since the renovations and it is beautiful. I'll try to get pictures! But no promises...I'm sure I'll be talking and forget! Which reminds me of what this post was going to be about...Brian and I are thinking about saying "hey" to the people at the party and then going to do a little last minute shopping, movie and out to eat!!! Is that bad?? Oh well if it is. We rarely miss that party...no one will miss us after 5 minutes any way!

Lisa...what ARE we going to do without college football this weekend???? Oh yea, the Heisman Trophy is being issued on Saturday night...which, by the way, SAM BRADFORD BETTER WIN!!!!!!!!! But still, not the same, sigh.

(We just put our house up for sale....I'm scared!)

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

I Guess Boxes Are NOT My Thang!

Oops...this was supposed to be a box of granola bars...instead it's a picture of Pilgrim Jake :)

Okay...I went to open a box of waffles (for Jake...for lunch...his request! At least they are Kashi... with real maple syrup, right?!) And seriously, I decided that I CANNOT open a box the proper way if my life depended on it! So, it got my little brain to thinking...wonder how many boxes are ripped or torn?? Well, let me just show you what I found on my little tour:

(I know this is such a lame post...but to all of you who know me sooo well...this was a big deal! I took the pictures myself (they aren't so great, sorry) AND downloaded ---or is it uploaded??--them to the computer!!! I know, I am a sad soul. So, enjoy...this post may be up for at least a week :)

So, please tell me...do you have issues with boxes? Or are you like Brian and it always opens perfectly and closes back where it's supposed to?? He can even get a HUGE inflatable slide to go back in its original box??? MY HERO!

The "Mac" Attack!!!!!

Okay...as promised...here are just a few quick pics. Brian travelled allllll day long and finally arrived home last night around 11:15. We couldn't wait, so we woke the boys up (hence the crazy hair and absent looks on their faces!) Everyone is so excited and all is going well! (He even slept fairly well in his new crate, YAY!) He's super cute, and of course, we already have a zillion and one nick names for him. BUT...the world doesn't come to a stop even with this new little cutie...we (OU) have a HUGE game tonight. Soooo, we are heading down to the game in just a bit to take it all in. ESPN GAMEDAY is there don't ya know???? No need to worry about little Mac...my Mom is taking on the honors tonight. God Bless her! Thanks Mom...if you are reading??!! Anyway, hopefully we can post more tomorrow?? But for now, just check out the cuteness!

I AM.....

I AM....chopping
I AM....dicing
I AM....rinsing
I AM....smelling like onions
I AM....preparing to host Bunco at my house tomorrow night. Sooooo, here's what's on the menu:

Beautiful tossed assorted green salad. Complete with cucumbers, eggs, walnuts, tomatoes.
Italian Sausage Soup
Apple Bread Pudding

On top of all this....I've been running around like a chicken with its head cut off (my Grandmother used to say that allll the time...can you just imagine, seriously, I can't) buying gifts for Bunco, getting food items I signed up to bring for Jake's Thanksgiving Feast (tomorrow too!), buying food items for our Thanksgiving pantry for the needy, buying items for Connor's class for THEIR Thanksgiving Feast (next Tuesday), cleaning my house, planning a Christmas party at our house for the 5th, trying to come up with Gatsby attire for a Christmas party the following weekend, helping out with Brian's staff Christmas party the following-following weekend...and then I believe there might be ONE weekend before Christmas to take a breath????? Oh yes, and still building a house :) I'm really not complaining about a single thing...it's busy, and yes, crazy, but happy that I am healthy to do it!!!!!!!! So, my friends....again, if I'm not buzzing around the blogworld...it's because I'm buzzing around gettin' stuff done :) You understand, right?!! I know that you all do---more than anyone :) That's why I love ya all!
And last but not least......
I AM.....GETTING OUR LITTLE MAC IN TWO DAYS!!!!!!! (Say a little prayer that Brian actually lives through travelling with a puppy who doesn't understand why in the world he can't get out of his little crate and stay under the seat????) Oh yes, this is going to be a great blog post I'm quite sure of that!!! Stay tuned! We are sooooo super excited!

Oh yea,
Here's the recipe for that Italian Sausage Soup....I'm not a huge sausage person...but it's still super yummy!

Italian Sausage Soup
Ingredients:

1 1/2 lbs. Italian sausage ( I just buy one package and I used turkey this time...)

2 cloves minced garlic

2 onions (I choose to cut my onion lengthwise. Long strips...Make sense?....easier to pick out for those who don't like onions. I also used one red and one white)

2 cans diced tomatoes (undrained) (I used the bell pepper, garlic and oregano kind)

1 1/2 Cups dry red cooking wine

3 cans beef stock

1/2 tsp basil

1/2 tsp oregano

2 small zucchini (sp?) squash ( I used 4 total...2 yellow and 2 green. I like a lot of veggies and I like to leave them a little chunky)

2 cups bowtie pasta (uncooked)

1 cup diced green pepper ( again, I used 1 red and 1 green)

Directions

Cook and brown sausage and drain any grease. Add garlic and onion and saute' for 2-3 minutes.

Mix together sausage, tomatoes, wine, stock and herbs. Simmer uncovered 30 minutes on medium low heat.

Add pepper, zucchini and pasta. Simmer covered for 25 minutes or until noodles are done.

Garnish with parmesan cheese and serve with crusty bread!

Enjoy!
Wish you could all come to my Bunco!

OUR BIG SURPRISE!!!

UPDATE WITH PICTURE!!!!!!!!!
THANKS YA'LL!!! I did it! I really really did it!!! Okay, he's the cutie that is on the left (as you are looking at your computer screen!) Okay, everyone, let's all say it together " ahhhhhh :)" I look at this picture a zillion times a day! Can't wait {SQUEAL!}

Okay....this has to be fast. I NEED to be doing sooo many other things.
So, our big news....we are getting a PUPPY!!! Last night, one of Santa's elfs called Connor and told him that he had an early present. Naturally, the wheels started a turnin'. "WHAT DO YOU THINK IT IS, DADDY???" "It's gonna take you a long time to fly to The North Pole!" "Can I come too?" These were just a few of the questions you can imagine we got!!! He is soooo excited he can hardly think of anything else to talk about! Anyway, our newest addition is a West Highland Terrier. If you know Brian, you KNOW he wanted to get one from Scotland. I wanted that too but it just wasn't going to happen this time. Sooo, he did some (ALOT) of research and found a breeder in Seattle whose line is from Scotland. Soooo, Brian is flying to Seattle (or The North Pole if you are Connor!) next Friday to get our little guy!!! I only have pictures sent through email. So if I can figure out how to load them from my email, you'll get to see a picture. If there's not a picture, then you know I wasn't able to do it! (And we all know what our odds are on me figuring that out :o Rest assured, that when he finally gets here....you will get tired of seeing pictures of him! So, here I go, I'm gonna give it a go and then I must make decisions on the new house and get this house we currently live tidied up to sell!!!!!!!!

Wrapples

Okay, seriously ya'll...I DO NOT know why I do this to myself??? I bought some of those caramel apple wraps...you know, they come in a yellow package and you just slap it right on the old apple. (I've only been able to find them at Wal-Mart) Anyway, I don't even bother with the apple...I just rolled it right up like a tortilla and ate it. And then I had another one. How gross is that!? Just a little daily dose of Staci for everyone. And now, we are off to the last parent/teacher conferences for the day :) Happy Friday everyone :) Oh yea...I have BIG news (NO, I am NOT pregnant!) I will be sharing hopefully very soon :) Well...it's big to us anyway :)

Hmmmm

Where to start?
I live in Oklahoma. I am Catholic. I am wearing a shirt that says "SARAH!" on it. I am not a political person AT ALL. I just want what is best for this country....and if Obama is that person....then Mr. Barack HUSSEIN Obama...I am ready for you to show me why everyone is in love with you! Don't want to step on any toes...I think we all want the same things (mostly), we just go about them different ways?? Make sense? I'm scared and I'm sad but I do know that The One who is really in control has much more power than any President or Congress. Sooo, I'm at a loss of words. I guess I'll just keep praying, as always...REALLLLY hard for the next 4 (at least) years :) I am so proud to be an American...a sad one tonight, but life will go on :) Sigh....I'm just going to go and watch Eli Stone :)

Okay, then!

(This is sadly the best picture I have of the infamous maze...it looked really cool...we covered it with cobwebs and put tombstones and stuff like that inside. It was a HUGE hit!) I will try to get more pics before our glorious OKLAHOMA wind blows all the cobwebs away! The boys have played out there every day and beg to have every lunch or snack or anything out there :)

Let me first start off by saying I am soooo sorry that you've had to look at my sunburned self for over 2 weeks....EEK! We have had sooo much going on...a trip to Costa Rica, my Mom's 65th surprise birthday party and we hosted some of Connor's first grade friends to a hayride/bonfire/hay maze/party. It's been a whirlwind the past two weeks. Fun, but tiring. All amongst trying to build a house!!!! EEK again! Needless to say, I am waaaay behind on bloggin. My dearest friends, I have missed you all and I hope life is being good to everyone. I probably won't have time to check all your recent posts but I do hope you all are doing well. I am hoping to re-enter the blogging world soon. Until then...here is a little picture of the haymaze that Brian created for our little first graders. THEY HAD A BLAST! And can I just say, my husband rocks! Me, I would've just been moving 75 bails of hay around until I made what looked like a maze...but my brain of a husband sat down armed with Legos to make a miniature haymaze before embarking upon the real thing :) I love him so! So without further ado......I give you BRIAN'S SUPER DUPER HAYMAZE!!!!

OUCH!!!!! (In more ways than one!)

Soooo, made a little trip down South for the OU-TX game yesterday. We left at 5:00 in the morning. We were sooo pumped! We had our OU CD blaring while we were stuck in traffic. It was fun! (No kids. So we could blast the radio!) Let's fast forward a little because I'm really tired. We get to the stadium...and yep, Brian was right...our seats were smack dab in the middle of the Longhorns. You see, they renovated The Cotton Bowl stadium and in doing so...they put up a new scoreboard in the OU section. Which took away seats. So, to not be unfair, they gave us those seats...ON THE LONGHORN SIDE! HELLOOOO!! So, if you saw the game...and if you saw the 20 rows of red in the sea of orange...that's where we were! I will admit, it wasn't horrible. I think both OU and Texas fans knew going in to this game it could go either way, so the majority of people were playing it pretty cool. There were some idiotic fans---BOTH sides. Really, just cheer for your team people! Rewind a minute...when we got out of the car...I decided to leave my purse there WHICH HAD THE SUNSCREEN IN IT! OUCH! I am soooo sore! It's the worst burn I think I've ever had??!! I look like a very irresponsible person. I'm ususally super good about those things. I guess I was caught up in the whole Texas Fair/OU-TX game/no kids/got up at 4:15 thing and lost my mind for a minute. To top it all off...my Sooners lost :( It was still a very fun day and there's always next year! So, just thought I'd share with you a little picture...it's not so good, just so you'd truly see how red I am. Truly the picture does NOT do the burn justice. I'm more like a burgundy color. I'm sure it will blister and peel and be all gross for our trip to Costa Rica in few days :( Ah well. So, I'm off to slather a little more aloe vera on before heading to bed. Hope everyone had a great weekend---even if their team lost. But, how bout those Pokes?!!? I know the Safi's are excited :)

DARN COMPUTER GREMLINS! (As Debbie calls them :)

Okay ya'll...I've had NO internet ALLLL day long and I was just about to go OUT of my mind :) AND...on a day when my kiddoes are at school until 2:00!!! Think of all the bloggin' that could've been done...but alas, I got a lot of things accomplished! So, I'm too tired to do anything else.

We got our family pictures taken a couple of weeks ago. We just went to view them last night and I thought I'd share. I think Brian is reconsidering his occupation and going to become a professional photographer. Hee hee...Wow! And everyone thinks braces are expensive :) But I would pay any amount of money (and did) for some of these pictures she captured! Jenn, you are awesome and made this such a great experience! I'll tell my children to call you when they ask why they don't have any presents from Santa :) Of course, I kid :) Soooo, if you'd like to check out our family pics...they are all right there for the lookin'. I think all you have to do is click on Kids and Families....then choose clients and friends and type in amy for the password and voila...there we are! Again, LOVE the internet :) Now, I'm gonna try to copy and paste (GASP) the address...here I go.
http://www.3girlsphotography.com/

Okay, I think I did it!!! Enjoy!

TAGGED (and I'm JUST now doing it!)

Okay, so my friend, Amanda from Pennies and Pounds, tagged me...oh, about 2 weeks ago. (She's from SCOTLAND PEOPLE...go check her out! ) I'm JUST getting around to doing it, so sorry Amanda :) You're supposed to list 6 quirky things about your yourself. I'm so terrible about coming up with things, but here goes:

1) I cannot just brush my teeth. I have to floss first and then brush...morning, lunch and before bedtime! (I WAS a former dental hygienist ya know!) Brian and I always get into the discussion of whether it's better to floss and then brush or brush and then floss??? I say...either way...as long as you are flossing :) BUT, I think I'm right, floss first :)

2) Okay, this next one is going to be hard to follow, so bare with me, k? I have three separate towels in my kitchen. ONE for drying your hands. ONE for laying out on the counter for dishes to go on and the last one for DRYING the dishes....although, if it is too wet, I use paper towel. I have to give everyone specific directions as to which is which and it drives Brian CRAZY :) Good thing he loves me :) (I really don't give everyone directions...I just slack off when visitors come...but know this...I am washing them all once everyone leaves!)

3) Now that I'm typing this...I think you all might be rethinking being my bloggy friend....I'm kinda weird about my kitchen I guess. I do not use wash cloths...I use sponges. Certain sponges have certain "duties". The two that are in my little holder by my sink are the ones I WASH dishes with ONLY!!!! And they are put into the dishwasher EVERY time I run the dishwasher. The two sponges that are in the pullout under my sink..they are the ones that are used to CLEAN the sink...and they are put in the dishwasher on a different rack....so as not to be confused with the others!

(Are you still with me? Or are you calling the nearest insane asylum in OK to commit me?)

4) We keep most of our shoes in the utility room. I really don't like shoes on in the house. My boys are pretty diligent about doing this. But here is the kicker...and in my denfense...here in Oklahoma, we have RED mud, RED dirt, I am constantly rinsing off shoes in the sink because they get very gross. Brian says I'm doing my part in making sure the Earth doesn't get dirty. He always asks, "now tell me again WHY you are making sure their shoes are clean before they go outside???" I know, it sounds a little crazy, hate me! (It's really more personal...I just don't want to take any chances of them forgetting to take their shoes off and then spreading dirt or mud throughout the house! )

5) I really don't like milk...I never have. I drink water with chocolate chip cookies.

6) This one...goes waaay back. So I'm gonna tell the story so you'll understand. When Brian and I were just dating we were driving through Dairy Queen for some lunch. I told him I'd like a hot dog.....without the wiennie. Yeah, ???????WHAT!!!! I know, that's what I got from him and this puzzled look on his face! I remember him saying, "I don't think I can order that!??!" But, he did because he really loved me! But after that...he said, "Okay, from now on, we'll order it with the wiennie and you can take if off and I'll just eat it...because that's just weird!"

Okay, soooo there you have 6 quirky things. I hope you all still love me! I'm sure that you all wanted to know those things and will have a fuller life because of my quirks!

WHEW!

People, People, People!!! I gotta tell ya...after all those comments from last Wednesday's BATW Spotlight...I'm TIRED of typing :) I mean, it's a good tired, but WHEW...am I glad I'm not that popular EVERYDAY! DO NOT get me wrong...I loved going to everyone's blogs and now I can put a face with a name when I see it....and I do LOVE that! But now that reality has settled back in and I don't have to actually use my mouse to scroll down because of all my comments...I must say...I'm okay with it. AGAIN...not that I don't welcome new people...I just don't see how people can keep up with the comments! I'd feel so guilty. Anyway, I do soooo appreciate all of Debbie's hard work for hooking us all up! Now...that I have respread the love...I can actually spend some time going through some of those new people's archives! Which by the way...I am pretty sure I thanked everyone but my eyes were going all crazy...so...if by chance I skipped over you...I am sooo very sorry! Now that I think about it...maybe I'll double check just to make sure :) Wouldn't want anyone to think I snubbed them :) What a fun day it was :)
The rest of this week was spent making decisions on the new house...ya know, like tile for showers and fun stuff like that...arrrggghhh!!! If my dear sweet sister-in-law (who is an interior decorator) hadn't been here to help...I swear I'd still just be standing there at the tile store with my jaw open to the ground! Thanks Karen (and Mark for your patience!) ---you ARE the best! Oh yea...and a little thing like family portraits! YIKES!!! I have planning these pictures since June and then I went and broke my wrist and then had the date finalized and then Dear Sweet Brian decided to have a little Lasik Surgery that made his eye nice and red for 2 weeks! Soooo, we finally had them done on Wednesday night. You guys....I was sooo worried about these pictures and most importantly...how my children were going to act...and they did awesome :) The photographer was soooo great and she even said...I think they deserve double dip ice cream cones after this :) SO...we did! I cannot wait to see how they turn out. The government may have to prepare a bailout plan to help me after I'm sure I will spend a fortune on this pictures :) hee hee! Of course, I'm kidding...I KNOW what we can afford and am a very responsible citizen! Anyway...it was a crazy week and I have missed you all! I have a feeling that my "bloggin" time is going to lessened due to decisions coming up with the house, a little hayride/bonfire Fall party thing at our house later this month, a trip to Dallas for the OU/TEXAS game (YEA BABY!), a trip to Costa Rica...and then it's the Holidays!!! Whew--again! Soooo if you don't see me around as much...that's why...it's just life....and I'm livin' a good one :) THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR SWEET COMMENTS ON MY SPOTLIGHT DAY!!!!!!!!!!! MWAH ! (That's the best I can do at blowing you all a kiss!)

WELCOME BLOG AROUND THE WORLDERS!!

BOOMER SOONER!!!

Well...welcome to OKLAHOMA! Please don't judge Oklahoma by my blog though, as I really don't know what I'm doing. My blog isn't all blingy and pretty. I can barely upload my pictures :o It doesn't have anybody's buttons on my sidebar, nor any great music playing in the background :( Please...no one be offended...I just am not very computer savvy :( I just recently learned how to right click :o My reason for telling you all of this is that even though my blog is a bit sad and blingless...I know it would take me years to learn what you all know...and quite frankly...I would rather just read YOUR blogs :) You see, that's why I love blogging, because I can read about how Lisa...just as ordinary as I am...goes through a lot of what I do every day. Or how Kat isn't crafty like me...and that makes me feel so very good :) Oh...and how I wish I could know all about music like Jennifer P. I can also get great menu ideas and recipes from all you beautiful people...just right at my fingertips! Okay, so I ramble and am NOT a good writer...and use waaay too many....'s. I won't keep you, I know you have a busy schedule...(probably still a bit jetlagged from our trip to Hawaii yesterday!) but this is my ONE day in the spotlight to tell all of you how much you enrich my life on a daily basis...so I'm gonna use this post as a way to say thank you for making me feel like a normal person but still aspire to do better! You all truly amaze me! Sorry I didn't show you any pictures of teepees and Indians :) (We really DO NOT live in teepees here!) Oklahoma really is a GREAT place to live! You are always welcome here! And with that...I'll try to upload some pictures for ya!!!

Sneak Peek!

Okay...so I promised you a sneak peek at the new house....this is all I got tonight :0 I am in the midst of getting outfits together for family portraits on Wednesday, planning a hayride/bonfire for 15 first graders and trying to pick out textures for walls!!!! CALGON...TAKE ME AWAY!!! It's not the best picture...seems silly really...it's just a hallway...but it will look out into the backyard and the ceilings are groin vaulted...and I just like it okay? We won't even be in this stinkin' house until Spring of '09 anyway. Have I mentioned I am NOT good at making decisions! Glad Brian is :)

SORRY!

Okay everyone...or shall I say my 5 loyal readers....I have only been able to comment on a few of your sites....so...Kat...bummer, I can't play Friday Follies but I do prefer merry go rounds :) Emily...I'm so gonna try your ice cream sandwiches...they look so yummy :) Jennifer P....I've never had zucchini bread (to my knowledge) by yours looks simply scrumptious. Debbie...I would love to host BATW on Wednesday :0 I better get busy ! When I click on your email...it won't let me open it, bummer. Soooo, I hope you read this post :) Or maybe, I'll get lucky and my computer will lift its ban of not letting me comment. So, with that, I bid you all a good night...we've got a double header flag football game tomorrow (I know...HOW ridiculous is THAT!) and then it's off to see my Sooners play the Horned Frogs....hee hee hee! The Horned Frogs...I won't laugh too hard because they actually BEAT us back in '05....EEK! Hope everyone has a great weekend :) AND NOW...it won't let me upload a picture :( UGGHH!! I was gonna give you a sneak peek of one of my favorite places in the new house....oh well, maybe tomorrow!

Melt My Little Heart

So today, Connor came home from school and as I was unpacking his lunch...I always ask him what kind of sandwich he'd like for the next day. He's a simple guy...it's peanut butter (only...no jelly of any sort!) or it's ham and cheese. Anyway, he said, "Can you pack me a ham and cheese tomorrow so I can sit by Weston...he's allergic to peanuts and when I take a PB sandwich I can't sit at his table." AHHHHHH. I know...everybody say it together "ahhhhh!" It truly did make my heart melt a little bit...HE CARES! HE REALLY CARES!!! (Some days, I wonder! For the most part...he REALLY is a kind kiddo but some days, whew...!) Anyway, I just thought you'd all like to share in that little moment with me :) Now, I just have to remember to pack a ham and cheese tomorrow :) I think I can handle it! Now, we're off to play a little Shrek Checkers! woo hoo!

UNTITLED

(Oh I do miss those fat little legs!)

I'm tired...I'm REALLY tired!

I'm sorry you've had to look at a picture of my front porch for over a week :(

(Hey, it's better than lookin' at boiled eggs for a week, right?!)

I've been trying to find pics of my big 80's hair...and I'm sooo frustrated I can't find any! You would really love them.

I have been a single mom for 3 days and HATE it. To all you singles out there...I don't know HOW you do it!!!! I'm so glad he is home.

Oh yea, I also spent a day in the Heart Hospital ER with my Dad....he's going to be fine, but whew, what a scare. He is sacked out on my couch as I type :) But, I gotta say, Jake was with me for about 4 of those hours and he charmed every one of those nurses into so many crackers or anything else they had :) However, the only "toy" I had (ya know, I wasn't planning a trip to the ER!) was my Blackberry...which I do NOT no how to use except as a phone....Jake some how figured out how to send a voice message through the chat feature and changed my language when I "chat" to Polish????? Ugghh! But hey, it kept him occupied and Brian has already figured out how to correct all the settings :) Which, again, is just ONE of the reasons I'm soooo glad he is back home :) YAY! Okay, so ...if I can stay up to watch the last half of the LSU/Auburn game...I'll amaze myself!

We did make some yummy caramel popcorn balls today :) I have had THREE! I know.

I apologize for how random this post is but ya know, that's me!

Okay then...I'll try to find some picture for you to look at for another week :)

I'm FALLING!!!!!!!!!!

Are you seeing how RED those pumpkins are??!! BEAUTIFUL! You should click on this pic to enlarge...can you tell, I LOVE those pumpkins!

Okay...I'm not literally falling...I DO NOT want another cast! I just mean I am getting our house ready for Fall! It seems like whenever any season arrives...I'm always excited for it. But, MOST of all...I LOVE FALL! Because with it, brings football and Italian Sausage Soup! These pictures are actually of last year. I just wanted you to see how big and beautiful those pumpkins were! When we went to get pumpkins yesterday...I couldn't wait...and their pumpkins just aren't as big this year. They'll be getting a new truckload in a couple of weeks...but I'm ready NOW! How's that for being impatient :) (Wonder where Connor gets it, hmmmm?) So, we ended up buying some that will work...but they are a far cry from the ones from last year! I have a few finishing touches to this year's pics...so for now, this is all I got! (It is THE perfect Fall, Football, Italian Sausage Soup day here in OK thanks to IKE!!!) I'm off to watch a little football! Gearing up for the big games for tonight....you know who I'm talkin about Lisa :) I was hoping you might need to take refuge in our home...but I guess you all are okay??
How bout you? What's your favorite season and do you decorate it all up!!??

WOO HOO!!!!

So...I only a have second...REALLY! We have guests coming over in 4 hours, I have to pick up Connor, exercise (yes, I know I am posting and I haven't done that yet...UGHH!), haircuts for the boys and prepare dinner! BUT...I had to share my good news with all my friends...because you are ya know! I GOT MY CAST OFF TODAY!!! WOO HOO! After almost TEN weeks...I am footloose and cast free :) My stinky arm is lovin' life! One last thing...kinda sad...as I was sitting in my ortho doctor's office this morning (for 2 hours--ugghh!), a man was called up to the reception desk because she needed his person to contact in case of emergency. His reply, "I don't have one." WHAT!!!!??? I think my jaw is still agape. Are you feeling as sad as I was? I know you all are...because I know you all sooo well :) At least my computer and I think I do :) Anyway...I wanted to rush right up there and say, "ME, ME...just put me!" But, I didn't. Apparently, he'd just moved here from Kentucky...yes..I was eaves dropping...but I had to know...and you know...you would've been trying to listen too :) I guess his family will be moving here some time?? You know what I told this man...seriously...are you ready? After he claimed the only seat empty...happened to be by me...I said, "You know...if you have a computer...blogging is great!" And then, the nurse called my name...and he said, "Thank you!" I hope he remembers my name and googles me! Then he'll be linked to so many great people :) THAT'S ALL YOU GUYS!!!
Okay...gotta run...WITHOUT MY CAST!!!! (Only left with a scar...on my right wrist...that looks like a poor attempt at suicide :(

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US!!!

(I KNOW what those crazy men wear under those kilts :)

Today...11 years ago we were enjoying ourselves a little Scottish wedding day!!! ELEVEN years ago! I can't believe it! Today, we celebrated with seeing the Broadway show Mama Mia (FABULOUS!) and a dinner at Mahogany's (Yumm!) We had a sitter come right after church until 7:30 tonight! What a day...and there's a little evening left...so instead of blogging...I'm gonna go spend it with my beloved! (Oh...and Lisa...a did have a shot...can you believe it! I held true to my word...it wasn't tequila though...it was a Midori Sunset shot..it was very pretty! It still counts right? The bartender said...I wouldn't go tellin' people what it has in it...but here I am telling the whole blogworld! Ah well!) For all the rest of you who want to know what I'm talking about...you can go to Lisa's blog...very busy mom with 4...and read the act of random kindess she and her hubby gave on their date night! So cute!

UGGGHHH!!!

Chase the Rabbit...Chase the Rabbit...

HOLLLLD on to him...

Okay..I thought for sure I had a post titled this in the past...but I guess not! It seems I say this a lot :) Anyway...I've said this a million times...life sure does get in the way of bloggin'!

Today, when I picked Connor up from school he was so excited about learning how to tie his shoes!!! I mean, seriously, the child was asking what to do as I'm trying to get us SAFELY out of the parking lot! UGGGHH!! I'm trying not to be frustrated with him and politely say I'll show him how when we get home. After a big sigh...he's okay with it. Okay, so, we get home...backpack/lunchbox dropped right at the door of course....and attempt to learn how to tie shoelaces. Oh ya'll! It's soooo hard to try to tell AND show a 6 yr old how to do this thing I do everyday and have since I was probably in first grade! UGGHHH!! (AND remember my friends...I STILL have my cast on!) So, I resort to the internet. We look at pictures and I try to explain and he sits in my lap and we try to tie them together...you gettin' the picture?? I could have THROWN that shoe across the room! BUT, I didn't and I kept my composure because that was all he needed was to see me frustrated :) His little hands were a sweatin'! Finally, he looked up at me and said, "Can I just try this on my own somewhere else?" I said, "Sure...but just remember, it's gonna take A LOT of practice and patience, k?" "Okay Mommy." So, he goes into the living room...sits down and 2 seconds later...voila...HE DID IT!!! HE was proud! I was proud! He said, "Take a picture for our blog!" "I need to call Daddy and Mimi!" I was so proud of him...but mostly I was glad he figured out...because seriously, ya'll...I was having issues!

I gotta go now...Brian and Connor are having a little pizza night at school so that means it's just the Jakester and me...and, well, I feel a little guilty being on the computer :)

Have a good evening everyone...I mean, all my 5 readers!

Oh...before I go...can I just say...I'm not much into politics...but OH MY GOSH...Sara (sorry don't know if it's with an h or not!) Palin is SOMETHIN'!!! People...if you didn't hear her speak last night...you REALLY must youtube it something...because it's sooo worth it! Okay, that's all the politics from me :) Now, really...have a great evening!

HAPPY LABOR DAY!!!

A little fun at the duck pond before the game!!! Jake was a little fearful of that big goose! (So was I :) (This was last year's game opener day!)

We love it soooo much! In our defense...we only make our kids go to one game...because it's so stinkin' hot and humid and long for them! They would much rather be at an air-conditioned Mimi's house while we whoooop it up! (And it is soooo much fun for just Brian and me to go!)Thanks Mom...in advance!

Okay...so you don't have to look at my toilet all weekend...I'm gonna just post something real fast! But not before I wish everyone and their families a great Labor Day LONNG weekend! We are getting all geared up for the big game tomorrow night! Okay...so maybe not big...it's against Tennessee Chattanooga...but WHO cares! It's still TIME and I've been waiting since January! I'm getting the chills already...I wish you could all come with me so you wouldn't think I was so crazy...but it 's such an incredible feeling! If it's televised...in Utah...Jennifer P. I'll be the one on the 50 yard line--2nd Row--behind OUR team--- in the red yelling the loudest! Look for me, K!? I wish I was all fancy and could link you to something for OU football but I can't...Just know...I'm in heaven...It's FOOTBALL SEASON!!!! WAAHOOO! AND LISA@VERY BUSY MOM....I KNOW you know what I'm talkin' about! (Hey I think we are goin to the OU/TX game this year!!! Do you go? It's sooo great! I know you aren't a Longhorn...but just wonderin'??) Okay...so have a great weekend everyone! Be safe! And last but NOT least....BOOMER SOONER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Future Son-in-law???

Now...I know what you are thinking..."first eggs...now toilets". (Remember I AM just learning to download...be nice!) This picture was taken because there are TWO things that are sooo great....if you are a mom of only boys. Number 1) The toilet is down (Hurray!) and Number 2) (My personal favorite :) Connor put a brand new roll of toilet paper on!!! Don't you just love that! The other funny part...you can't really see...because I cannot take pictures like Kat, Meg or Emily :( is that he TRIED to make a pretty little point with the paper :) but he didn't crease it hard enough...so only one end stayed. How cute is that?!

Okay...DO NOT get me wrong...Connor is far from perfect...but when you see things like this...you just want to scream, "YAY!!! You really DO love your mother!" So, all my bloggin buddies...any of you with girls...KAT?...LEZEL?....MEG?....LISA?...wanna prearrange a wedding?? He'll be a great catch...it's ONE less thing your beautiful girls will have to train him to do :)

YAY ME!!!

I promise...no more pictures of boiled eggs! I just had to prove I could do it!

Turns out...I'm not SUCH a loser! I CAN peel boiled eggs without cursing!! (Ok...thanks to you guys for all the great tips! I added a little salt and I think the big key was staying under that little filmy membraney thing while peeling!) The biggest part of this post is that...are you ready... I also downloaded the pictures from the camera ALL by myself! So, now I don't have to wait for Brian to get home! Yay Me! If you are a new reader, excuse me while I receive all the bloggy pats on the back from my 5 seasoned readers :) They know how huge this is for me :)

The other huge thing...is that as of last night....I am back to committing myself to work out before getting on the computer...uggghh!! WHYYY do I do this to myself? Well, we all know why...I could literally stay here all day. So, yes, to answer the question you are all thinking...I HAVE worked out and now I'm going to take my little guy to play at the park for a while. He deserves a little special time! So, adios for now friends! Have a great Monday!

Mom of the Year?

Haley and Connor deciding what ingredient to add first!

Connor "gettin down to the knitty gritty! Being ever so precise with the measuring of the sage :)

Oh yea baby---we are cookin' now! Mix it Haley! (pssst...Amanda...you can barely see my WoodWick caramel candle to the right...see it!)

Um, yea, now see why I deserve Mom of the Year??? Okay, really it wasn't that bad. They TRULY thought we'd eat it or at least TRY it...THAT was the funny part!

Okay...so I canNOT leave the battle with the eggs post up all weekend. So, nothing spectacular...but it's something different to look at!

Back in July, Connor had a little friend over after Zoo Camp. They wanted to "play in the kitchen" so badly and I actually let them...can't believe it, but I did. I generally don't like messes...especially in the kitchen but I'm learning to ease up! (Thanks to a lot of you guys!) So I had some spices that were soooo out of date that I just let them mix and measure and stir to their little hearts content! They had THE best time. Here are some pictures of that day I so fondly remember...because I was taking deep breaths and telling myself it'll all be okay and clean in no time! (For all of you who know me soo well and know that I have NO computer skills...I had been looking for these pictures since July on the computer...it was one of my first attempts to transfer them from the camera to the computer ALL by my lonesome. Welp...hubby just found them last night under My Documents somewhere. Sigh. Last night I actually WROTE down the little tutorial...mainly because I don't think he'll show me again :) ....so, we'll see how I do!) Hope you all have a great weekend with your families! Hey...tell me if you would...do you get all stressed out when the kids "mess up" the kitchen when you are trying to cook??

AEEHHHHEEHHH $%#%$%%!!!!!!

*****UPDATED*****

I know everyone is frantically checking back to see the pictures of my battle with the hardboiled eggs (hee hee)...and as promised,(thanks to Brian giving me yet another lesson on uploading pictures...thanks sweetie...I don't know why you keep me around!)here it is! Enjoy! (And Kat...thanks again! I really was gonna email you and have you talk me through this...but Brian wasn't as late as I had expected YEAH!) There were more eggs that made it through the massacre...but these were the worst. These will definitely make it into a salad...as my kiddoes will look at them and turn their little pug noses up in refusal because they are not perfectly smoothe. (I'm kidding... a little!) Here's to hoping that no one has another run-in with hard boiled eggs like I did...but if you do...read the comment section...there are A TON of good tips (I'll be trying for sure!) and thanks everyone once again for coming to my rescue!



Okay...seriously ya'll. I'm telling you...complete hysteria here in The Amy kitchen. I'm about to say realllly bad words all because I'm trying to peel stinkin hardboiled eggs! I did take pictures...but you know me...Brian does all the downloading of the pics from the camera to the computer, SOOO...big loser that I am...you will have to wait until he gets home (and he has a meeting after work, dang!) to see the picture of the battle of the hardboiled eggs! So does anyone have any tips for peeling hardboiled eggs without having to go to Confession afterwards?? Okay, I feel better knowing there's help on the way. But, seriously! I'm just sayin'!

The Great Outdoors

See...here's our angry snake...ewwww

These deer were technically in the FRONT yard...at about midnight one night...way cool...there were actually 3 of them!

Here's our coyote (I feed) in his winter coat! I have since stopped feeding him since I saw When Animals Strike. YIKES!

Here are two of our cousins...Steven and Jennifer whom Connor just adore. When they come we spend ALOT of time fishin, huh Uncle Scott? It's way fun! Uncle Scott...you should see how much that grass has filled in...

This snake was actually just at our driveway and Brian and Connor brought it up to show it was almost Connor's size!

A sweet little doe. Man, you can't make a peep when trying to take pictures of them!

Our mean little hummingbirds! These things really have an attitude. One in particular will sit on the post (for a minute...because they are very busy little critters!) and just dare others to come around!

So, my bloggy friend, Kat, (I hope I can call you my friend!) from Sunshine and Lemonade wants to know what kind of critters we have in our backyard! Her's by the way is gorgeous...just gorgeous I tell ya...you must check it out! Since we live on 30 acres...we do see a lot of wild life. Last Summer, we were playing outside and we heard a "gobble, gobble, gobble!" Yes, you are right...a turkey, but the thing was she sounded like she was in trouble. And she was. There was a good-sized bobcat trying to get her little ones. So she was gobbling up a storm and making all kinds of rukus (sp?) to get his attention. What a mom! The little ones were able to fly (I honestly didn't know turkeys flew!) high enough into a tree and so did she. I guess the bobcat gave up because I didn't see him after he went off into the woods. About ten minutes later...everyone came down from the tree and appeared to all be okay.

We see deer all the time...we even have a deer feeder...but we do not hunt them...no siree! Of course squirrels and opposums and rabbits and tons of birds. On a visit to our pond this past Summer...we saw something slither across the grass and up into the tree. Of course...Brian wanted a picture...so we threw some limbs at it (please don't call the humane society...we were very careful not to actually HIT it...we just wanted to make it a little angry so it would stick out from the branch for a good picture!) I'm glad we did...because now I get to post it! The other little pesky creature we haD was an armadillo. I'm sorry to report that Brian did have to shoot it..and it was maimed...so then he had to kill it with an axe I know...sad. It was doing some incredible damage to our flower beds though. I do feel really bad for it...and so did Brian. He is an animal lover ...we all are, but...the flowerbeds were a ton of work...and money! I hope he was an old armadillo and a wife and babies weren't waiting for him back home :( We learn much about the circle of life out here! We do love it and to the best of our ability we respect it! (We even take the mice down the road...I know they probably come right back...but hey, we try!)

Oh yea, our turkey was back this year and she had NINE little babies. What are they called? Hens or just baby turkies? Anyway, she was nesting a while in the back yard but moved some place where I guess she thought to be safer? We are building a new house further into the acres so I'm sure she doesn't feel as safe anymore. We only saw them one time but it sure was cute! I hope they are all okay :) Circle of life and all, right? Here are some pictures over the past couple of years. I gotta run...today was Connor's first day of FIRST grade! Yippee! I made him a little angel food cake to celebrate...yum! Thanks again Kat for such a great post!

********UPDATE********

I just picked Connor up from his first day and I asked him..."So, how was your day buddy?" Connor replies, "It wasn't just great mommy...it was FANTASTIC!" I very happy Mommy and a very happy Connor today :) Hope your children are all enjoying their schools too!

A Wee Bit of Water Fun

(Connor DID have a shirt on...it got soaked...imagine that...and he said "it was holding him back" ????)

You probably can't see...but Jake has one eye closed for better aim...and I'm saying to him..."You SUUUURRRE you want to get Mommy??"

(What? you don't think navy blue damask goes in the entry? Rest assured...their home is on the front porch....I just didn't want them soaked :)

Brian sure doesn't look as wet as the rest of us huh? Although it does appear someone pelted him pretty good on the leg there!

Sooo, I'm PRIT-TY sure this is not the evening we had planned...but I can't imagine anything more fun!

It had been drizzly all day here. Which was not a problem for two boys. We enjoyed the rain... alot! It wasn't until Brian got home that things really got started! The boys wanted to wash the golf cart ( which by the way...needed it desperately!) But some how...it turned in to water gun fights in the rain :) Notice I was armed with the best artillery of all...the hose. UNTIL...the cheap thing got kinked up and totally wouldn't hand out the ammunition at much needed times :) ahh well. It was all good. Of course, afterwards...was a little flyin fun! Towels + Boy+ stained concrete = ONE TERRIFIED MOMMY! It too was all good. Anyway...my whole point of this post was this...Connor really needed to be in bed because we have been trying to re-in-state the back to school bedtime routine...(he starts Wednesday!) by 8:00 this evening. It didn't happen...but he couldn't stop talking about how much fun that was! I'm also pritty sure that my doctor wouldn't approve of my cast getting soaked either :o...ah well! It's all good :)

(Uncle Scott...if you are lurking...Connor said, "it would've been better if Steven and Jennifer could've been there!" Ahhhh :)

Bummer :(

Ohhhhh...here are the cushions...piled up nicely on the chair...that I'm sure someone was sitting on the tip top being a king or something. Sorry everyone...this pic was supposed to be AFTER the next one...so read on and you'll understand! Ya know...it's your daily dose of Staci...isn't she cute.... at least she's TRYIN' to blog! Some day I'll read about how to actually post pictures in a correct order!!!

(I don't have a head injury too...this picture just shows how sad I am to be wearing my cast for FOUR more weeks! This picture was taken back in January...our x-mas tree was still up...I know this b/c of the furniture arrangement!--like you really care about that :) Connor had gotten a medical kit and was wrapping everybody's body parts up! Jennifer P.--notice NO cushions on my couch either...in fact...wonder where they are period ?? Who knows!)

Okay, seriously ya'll...I am such a loser at this bloggin thing. I get so wrapped up in commenting and reading that I kinda forget about my own blog :O No, I really don't forget...I just need to figure out how to actually do it and do it well!! Anyway, I know, once again you are tired of the last post...so here is a feeble attempt to put something up that's new.

Went to my doctor today to have a little looksie at my wrist...oh yea...did ya'll forget?? Well...in case you did...yes I DO still have my cast on...and the BUMMER part is...looks like I'll have it on for another FOUR weeks! Yessiree...that 's FOUR more weeks. Turns out, that the fracture was, according to my doc, "a fracture that a 70 year old woman would have." HUH? I'm only 36. Anyhow, he requested a bone density test and I am in the moderate risk category of another fracture. I know...I should've listened to my grandmother and drank my milk. Ugghh. Oh well, I guess it's better to find all this out now than when I'm 50. So everyone...take your 1000mg of calcium daily in divided doses and 400 IU vitamin D and regular weight bearing exercise, so you won't be osteopenic like mwa (or however you spell that would for me)!

U-S-A...U-S-A !!!! I'm chanting because I love our swim team :)