Super Sleuth

If any of you are friends with me on Facebook (see left column) then you know I've been on a mission over the last 2-3 days for Coconut M&M's. Here's how this all started...

Earlier this week I was at my favorite grocery store, GFF (12th St & Santa Fe in Moore - plug for Charlie ;)) and noticed by the registers a white M&M display box. Ok, I need to back up one sec...I worked at a candy store for 3 years after high school so I am always intrigued my any new candy. Now back to GFF, I excitedly walked over to the display anticipating what this would be. I looked in and only saw the same'ole plain and peanut M&M's. I looked at the display and it said Coconut M&M's...I LOVE coconut anything. I immediately texted Charlie, owner of GFF, to ask him what's up. He shares in my love for coconut and I was a little surprised he hadn't already let me know about them. His response, which I found humorous, was, "Where'd ya see that at?" Hehe!!! I told him to let me know if he got anymore in. As you can imagine this became my new mission...TO FIND THE COCONUT M&M'S.

I thought, Hey, I'll post on FB and maybe someone will give me heads up on where I can get some. My post has turned out to be pretty funny!! When Phil got home that evening I told him what I posted and he gave me the "are-you-kidding" thing and then I proceeded to tell him I had over 20 comments. Granted some were me responding to comments from other people. Let me tell you all the places I've looked myself - and drug a few friends along too - GFF, Target, several Walgreens, CVS, Dollar Tree, two Walmarts, and a Gas Station--I think that's it, but that's a lot for a stinkin' bag of M&M's.

Okay, so today is Wednesday and still NO M&Ms...HELLO!! This is craziness. My sister tells me she has a partially eaten bag for me but that hasn't surfaced yet!!! We'll see!! Ha!!

For all you guys that have doubted their even existence here's proof...


I promise I'll letcha know when I find'em!! And I can't wait!!! Yum!! Yum!!

He Works Hard for the Money...

Parker has been mowing this summer for money which he has been saving for things that he's been wanting. I've been so proud of him, he's been so serious and dedicated to his mission. He calls his grandparents asking if they need their yard mowed. It's been quite humorous at times.
He finally met one of his goals...Yeah, Parker!!!! His dad took him to Sam's last week and he bought an XBOX360. Parker has wanted one of these ever since they came out. Phil and I both hope this will be a good life lesson for him. We already see his ability to make common sense decisions when it comes to money. Before he made his final purchase he put in many hours of research to find the best deal on the XBOX. I'm sure his dad would say he got that from him. Ha!! However he learned it, I just hope the motivation and drive he's had this summer will stay with him throughout his whole life.
Parker, we are SO proud of you!!

Scrapaholic

For most of you that know me you know that I am a scrapbooker. I enjoy a night out with my girlfriends, chatting away, glittering, adhering, and matching colors to pictures of my family for them to enjoy for years to come. Okay, okay so that's the Snow White version. I do enjoy the satisfaction and occasional praise I get from scrapbooking but a night out with my girlfriends with no kids is FABULOUS. We try to get together at least once a month and the girls that end up going always varies...which makes it interesting. One of these days I'll take some pics of all of us scrapbooking.
The store we really like to crop at is called Whole Lotta Scrap in Norman. They send out a news letter and I loved a piece from it so I wanted to include it on my blog. We are always teasing each other about these things so I found it especially funny!!

You Know You're Addicted to Scrapbooking When...
1. You reach into your purse and your family scatters--they think you're grabbing for your camera!
2. You see something metal lying in a parking lot and go back to pick it up. It turns out to be some kind of pop top from soda can, so you stick it in your pocket, you think, "Yeah, I can run a ribbon through that."
3. You dream in layouts.
4. You know what a Crop-a-dile is.
5. You give your children PJs as a "special" Christmas Eve gift so they will look extra cute for pictures in the morning.
6. You plan your vacations around your favorite background colors.
7. You discover an awesome printed paper and actually dress your children up for pictures in clothes to match the paper.
8. You have ever forgotten to pay the bills because you were so focused on finishing a project.
And my personal favorite...
9. Your husband runs into the kitchen yelling, "I need water...my truck's on fire!" And your first response is, "WAIT! I'll get the camera!"

I must say I am guilty of more of these than I care to admit. I've come to the realization that I will probably NEVER be caught up with the kids albums. But I've also learned that for myself, if I try to keep up with all of it it takes all the joy out of it for me. So, for all you fellow scrapbookers, don't be so serious about your hobby. It truly is a gift from GOD...enjoy it!!
Love you

Call me a Slacker...

So I haven't posted in awhile! Honestly, I was hoping Phil would post a little somethin somethin from his Honduras trip but he has yet to do that and I don't see it happening.

Summer is moving right along. Taryn, the kids sitter, is awesome and has kept them busy. I just keep hoping the kids don't wear her down before the end of the summer. What's even better is she takes pics all the time. Woohoo!! I'll be posting and scrapbooking them for all to see.

I've also been working on a new background for my blog; however, my computer will be taken into the shop tomorrow for some repairs so there's no telling when I'll be able to finish that!!

I did breakdown and start a Facebook...yes,I know! Be quiet all of you out there laughing at me!! I will admit it's been kinda fun and I even pushed Tina into starting hers too!! Woohoo!! Oh, and how could I forget...I started dad a Facebook...hehe!!! He's so hip!

That's all for now. Stay posted and I'll try to get more on here soon!!
Love to all!!!

Phil in Hondo

I've been able to talk to Phil every night while he's been in Honduras and so far there have been no casualties. Everyone's prayers are working!
Here are a few pics I snagged off the website, www.oakcrestyouth.com, you can check more out there.


Sorry Phil, I couldn't resist...hehehe!!

Honduras, Tooth Fairy & Other Summer Happenings

Phil left the house this morning at 3am for his annual Honduras Mission Trip with our church youth group. Every year he asks me when I'm going with him and I tell him that's not where God wants me to serve. Really, I hope I'm not just being a Jonah and running the other way. Ha! I'm one of those "girly-girls" that would rather go and play with the local kids or delegate the work...if you get my drift, not that I'm afraid of a little hard work! I suppose at some point I'm going to have to break since we've got three kids on their way into the youth group. Sheesh...I should probably start praying now!! Phil texted me about 8:56am to say their plane was pushing off from the Houston airport so they are officially on their way. A group of about 43 from our church will be there until Wed, June 14 so please send up lots of prayers.

Now on to the Tooth Fairy...should that even be capitalized? Ha!! Ok, I need to give a little confession here. As Phil and I lay in the bed early Monday morning (see previous post)realizing the "tooth fairy" had not made it to see Livie we had to admit the TF at our house sucked. Our poor kids! I can't tell you how many times we had to tell them something must have happened for the TF not to make it to our house! Pathetic I know, but when that money was finally there everything was quickly forgotten.

We decided to buy a water park pass this summer since I'm off on Mondays. Not only that but the kids will be able to go with Taryn too, she's our nanny! We hired Taryn to keep the kids this summer and they all really like her. Honestly, I'm more worried about them driving her crazy but I think so far they're doing pretty good! Parker bought himself a White Water pass with his lawn mowing money; he and Jake can go hang out there. Also, Parker will be going to church camp in a couple of weeks for the first time. Sawyer is going too and I tease her about her kitty cries at night. She doesn't stay away from home much and the last time she stayed at our house I could hear little kitty cries from the other side of the house so I had to take her to my moms house. I think they both will have a blast but we did tell Parker we would NOT come pick him up, so be better suck it up!

We're still trying to figure out if Easton wants to sign up for football in July. He says no but that's his answer for everything. We'll probably go ahead and sign him up and let him play one season to see how he likes it. I'm excited. Tiny E on the football field...for those of you that really know E you know how potentially funny that will be! But if football doesn't work out we'd really like to put him back in baseball...that kid has some skills!!

Happy Summer...more to come!!

Livie Lost It!!

Well, after a couple of weeks of twisting, wiggling, and turning Livie finally lost her first tooth. She was so excited. I have to admit my feelings were not exactly the same. She's my baby and actually I told her at her last birthday that was the last one we were celebrating ;), but it really does make me sad. Phil, on the other hand, was totally grossed out! Hah! I guess we'll wait and see what the tooth fairy thinks about it all!

Tip Junkie Celebration

If you've ever gotten a great tip from the Tip Junkie blog then you know what an awesome blog it is. If you haven't then this is the perfect time to swing on over and getcha some. Tip Junkie is moving neighborhoods...from the blogs to the dot coms. They are also turning 2 years old and to celebrate they will have 50 giveaways during the week of June 15th-19th. Woohoo! We LOVE giveaways!! So be sure to swing on over and check out the PAR-TAE!!!

Shabby Souls May Meeting

Our Shabby Souls Book Club met last Saturday night. We enjoyed a nice evening on the patio at Nonna's in the heart of Bricktown. We always meet for dessert and Nonna's had plenty of that to choose from...and it was D-lish. Unfortunately, we didn't check into it ahead of time and before our evening was over they had live music which made it hard to hear for book club discussions. No matter, the company is ALWAYS great no matter the atmosphere and we had several newbies...I sure hope they enjoy book club as much as I do.
I ate a yummy carrot cake!

The group, minus Sarah, she kinda got cut out :(

Becky & Sarah

Janee & Tobi

Laura & Shannon

Kelsie & Megan

Kelly & Tina

Nicole & Jeana

Oakcrest Night at the Redhawks

We spent last Friday evening at the OKC Redhawks. It was the perfect weather for a baseball game and, as usual, I enjoyed spending time with our church family. The game went into overtime and I was definitely feeling it about the 8th inning. The Redhawks ended up winning 6-5 in the 10th.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Remembering Nana...

My Nana passed away during the night last night. She had been suffering from lung cancer since the beginning of this year. I have a lot of memories with her and my Granddad and she will be missed. And for all you out there that want to know what tree I fell from...it was hers! Love ya Nana!!

Make a Smilebox postcard

Memorial Weekend Re-Cap

So what did we do Memorial weekend?!?! We FINALLY got to celebrate mine and Tina's birthdays...mine was April 20th and Tina's was May 18th. The hubby's took us to the Cheesecake Factory for a night without the kids. It was nice to be able to enjoy adult company with no kids! Thanks honey!!

Saturday morning was Stamp Club which is always a good time. The new catalogs will be out in July and I can't wait. One year we even had a watch party for the UPS man. Corny, I know...but it was fun! My mom goes to SC with me and I enjoy spending that time with her. Saturday evening the fam relaxed at home and rented Taken. That was a great movie. We give it 10 thumbs up!! Hehe!!

Sunday afternoon we had a softball game with some church friends. We had a great time. It wasn't just the adults but the little kids got to play as well. Olivia got up there and hit the ball and that girl can play!! She sure showed me up...it was humiliating. Let's just say we played where you kept swinging until you got a hit. I NEVER hit the ball. It was awful. I love spending time with my church family irregardless of my athletic ability. Check out the slideshow of pics below.

Monday my mom and the kids and I went to visit my Nana. She was diagnosed with lung cancer earlier this year and wasn't feeling well. For as long as I can remember we've had a Memorial Day cookout at their house and since she wasn't feeling well they had to cancel it. Phil and I ended up hosting a cookout with our parents and my brother and sister and her family. We had a nice time...nothing stressful. That's just the way I like it. But it was a little sad not having our usual cookout at Nana and Granddads!

Here is the softball game slideshow!!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Junior Hospitality May Give Away

Nicole - Sizzlin' Savages - invited Becky, Jeana, and myself to the 2009 JH May Give Away last Thursday at the beautiful Skirvin Hilton Hotel in Downtown OKC. This was my first time to see the hotel and it did not disappoint. May Give Away is when JH awards a program with a grant for the year.

Nicole mentioned to me several times about joining JH and this meeting was the perfect opportunity for us to see what it was all about. Junior Hospitality is a non-profit women's service organization focused on providing friendship and volunteer opportunities to it's members and service and support to the local community.

I really enjoyed myself and felt welcome. I was especially touched by the presentation of the grant to The Children's Center. Heather represented The Children's Center and was so moved by the ladies from JH and their service that she announced she was going to join herself. That spoke volumes to me. So over the next few months and lots of prayer I'll be making the decision whether to join or not.
The Skirvin Hilton Hotel

Our dinner was very good...

Jeana, me, and Becky

Nicole, Kelly, Becky, and Jeana

Shabby Souls--Jeana, Kelly, Becky, Natalie, Kelsie,and Nicole! Whop! Whop!

Soccer Life

Parker has been playing soccer since he was 4. He tried several other sports but always went back to soccer. Phil and I, and the granparents, have had to learn this sport over the years and have really enjoyed watching Parker.
This last year Parker went from playing at Southlakes for 2 years to playing in MWC. After feeling like he wasn't progressing we decided to try something different. We were recommended by a friend to a coach that would be coaching in MWC so that all seemed to fit. Parker really liked the coach and we felt like this was going to be a positive change for Parker. Halfway through the season that coach was replaced. We were disappointed by the change and unsure about the future of the team and Parker's participation with this team. We decided to finish out the season. We learned that the replacement coach graduated from Oklahoma Christian and knows BPlumb and Ben, ministers from our church. This was totally a God thing. Matt, Parker's coach has truly shown an interest in these boys and wants them to improve. We can see that they have gotten SO much better in just the last four months that Matt took over the team, even though the weather has not been on our side. I can't wait for the next season.
Love this look...

Prize-winning pic

Soccer Kicks

End of School

The end of school is always a hectic time but there is something about
3 kids + 3 binders full of papers = chaos
We are definitely going to have to come up with a system for next year. I'm not sure how many things the kids have missed or almost missed because a note was mixed in with all the papers. But I think we finally had the straw that broke the camels back this week.

Monday morning was crazy already. Olivia was tired that morning, she cried and whined all morning. In order for me to be able to fix her hair she has to be out of the bath and dressed and ready by 8:15 at the latest. This is nothing new to her. I continually remind her of this and it just makes her more angry. Well, it got later and later and I finally told her I wouldn't be able to fix her hair. She went to school not looking her best and not in her cutest clothes.

Fast forward to 3:45pm. I walk through the door after work and Olivia walks up to me, "Mommy, why didn't you dress me up today? It was my program." WHAT?? Oh, I felt SO awful!! Ugh!! This is one of those "you've-failed-as-a-parent" moments! After I got over the shock and disappointment I apologized to her and told her how awful I felt. Then I got to thinking...she was more concerned about why I didn't dress her up and not "why were you and daddy not there?" Which is kinda funny! Silly girl. Later she dug it in a little more and said a lot of her friends got flowers and she wanted flowers. What do you do with that? I guess I'll have to get her some flowers to make it up to her! One more time, I'm sorry sweet girl! Your mommy and daddy love you very much and are so sorry we missed your kindergarten graduation.

However, we did make it to Easton's 1st grade picnic and awards presentation. We had a nice picnic with his friend Alyssa and her parents. Dad picked up McDonalds and we ate out near the playground. The weather was perfect. I took a couple of pics but I'll have to post them later. Easton got a lot of reading awards. He's our SUPER-READER. He was disappointed that he didn't get the perfect attendance this year. We'll try again next year though! Parker's program is next week so we'll post that later.

Scrapbook Retreat

This past weekend I went to a scrapbook retreat with a few girlfriends, Pam, Becky, Misty, Jana, and Susie. Shannon arrived late Friday evening and was only able to stay for few hours when a family emergency came up, we missed ya ShanCat! Phil stayed home with the kids and from what it sounded like they had a pretty full weekend. Thanks honey for taking care of the kids!!
I should have known how my weekend was going to go but really I feel like I'm generally a positive person. On the way there my nose and throat started itching...not a good sign for me when I take allergy meds on a regular basis. As soon as we set up all our stuff the sneezing hit and DID NOT stop. It was a long night with not a lot of productivity. Pam and Susie took me to Walmart in Weatherford (it's been along time since I've been there--and Pam I still want that dress in the window) to get me some Benadryl. I was desperate for relief. I didn't last very long that night thinking that if I went to bed that would help me. It didn't. My nose was so sucked shut that I hard a hard time breathing through the night. Okay, here is where I tell on myself a little, and yes I'm embarrassed. When I woke up the next morning to take my daily meds I realized that I had not taken my allergy medicine the night before. Did I mention how miserable I was? Ugh!! I'm still not really sure what happened with that, all I can do is blame it on feeling so awful. It's like I couldn't really concentrate on anything. After I took a shower I did feel a little better. We went to breakfast (a whole other story there) and then back to the cropping room. The sneezing and itchiness started again! So I went looking for my "unopened" box of Benadryl I'd bought the night before. Couldn't find it anywhere. What the world!!!!!! Things were not stacking up for me this weekend. After attempting to scrapbook some I decided after lunch to take a nap so I slept for about two hours. When I woke up Pam said she had looked in her room and in her car and with no luck finding the Benadryl. Unbelievable!!! Sunday morning came around and I was feeling better, after I finally got my allergy meds in my body the night before. We packed our room up and of course what did I find...the Benadryl, under the bed where I looked several times with Becky as my witness. That box is still not open BTW. Sunday I FINALLY felt productive but we packed up and headed home about 1:30. I was ready though after not feeling well all weekend.
Here are a couple things I accomplished at the retreat!
This is a baby gift I finally finished for Parker's soccer coach.

Some of you may recognize these pictures...they're of when Olivia cut her own hair December 07. Good times!

I actually was able to get more than this done but I just wanted to give you a taste. I have many more pics developed so there WILL be more to come!

Yay Me!!! Finally!!!

So I finally finished the Twilight series. After all is said and done, I LOVED it!! I read the first book, Twilight, with no problems but I will say I was a little nervous to watch the movie. Typically the movies are never as good as the book and I'd gotten so many mixed reviews about the movie.

I went into the second book, New Moon, with some hesitation since so many had said this was definitely the slowest. I think that must have helped me through because I really enjoyed it and didn't feel it was slow at all.

On to the third book, Eclipse. Sheesh! This is the one I struggled through but I knew I'd made it this far I couldn't quit now. Also, with a little goading from my good friend Nicole I caved under pressure to keep going!

Finally, I made it to the fourth book, Breaking Dawn. Holy Cow!! I didn't want to put it down. Then I came to the realization that it would eventually end so I started taking my time reading it. The fourth book made the entire series SO worth any slow parts. It was after I started reading the fourth book that I watched the movie...loved it too!! I'm looking forward to the next movie that will be coming out in November...I see a girls day ahead!!

I'm sure most of you have read these books since they have been on the Best Seller List for almost 3 years, but if you haven't YOU NEED TO.

Crazy Hair Day

Today was Crazy Hair Day for Olivia's class. Here's what we came up with...


I think she looks more "cool" than "crazy"! Whad'ya think??

Ear-resistible

Since he was a baby, Easton has always had a thing for ears...his ears, my ears, Phils ears, anyones ears. They've been somewhat of his security blanket and we've always thought it was so sweet.

He's probably going to be an Ear, Nose & Throat doctor...wait, I take that back, he can argue your "ear" off so maybe he'll be a lawyer. Whatever he'll be I'm sure you can find a way to link ears to it somehow.

I'm honoring Easton today with this post and his sweet obsession for ears. We love you E!


He's getting more creative...he can tuck his ear into his ear! Now that's talent!! Hehe!!

Tag You're It!!!

I was tagged by fellow blogger & friend, Jeana at Keeping up with the Sorrells. I guess I've procrastinated responding because I'm not sure I'll be able to come up with enough things to fill in all the blanks...but here goes!

This is called 8 things...look below...I tag 8 people at the end!!

8 things I am looking forward to:
1. Heaven
2. The baptism of my children
3. Phil being able to get a new vehicle...he SO deserves it
4. Vacation with my family
5. When my kids respect me
6. My next book--even though I don't want the one I'm reading to end!!
7. The trip with my girlfriends to see Wicked!!
8. The next Twilight movie--New Moon

8 things I did yesterday:
1 Worked
2. Went to Target--twice
3. Cooked dinner
4. Read Breaking Dawn
5. Laundry
6. Watched Livie at Gymnastics
7. Downloaded freebie digital designs
8. Honestly I'm surprised I remember that much!

8 things I wish I could do:
1. Travel to Italy
2. Sing
3. Buy my parents a house
4. Hire a maid
5. Paint
6. Be more organized at home
7. Take my kids on more vacations
8. Phil and I take a vacation

8 Shows I watch:
1. Greys Anatomy
2. The Office
3. Private Practice
4. Heroes
5. Dancing with the Stars
6. American Idol
7. Lie to Me
8. Friday Night Lights

8 friends I'm tagging--Come on Ladies:
1. Becky
2. Pam
3. Catherine
4. Jill
5. Shannon
6. Nicole
7. Whitney
8. Jennifer M