when the dad's away

...the mom has to entertain the kids.  We fished, we swam, we ate at a hibachi, we played with friends, and we pretended to ride four wheelers outside Bass Pro. 

chaos

This is a view of the mess.  In the middle of unpacking, I had to take a break.

a little change

I have had brown hair for over 8 years.  The same brown hair, Natural 6 from Loreal.  I decided that now was the time to change things up a bit.  Its not often we get the chance to reinvent ourselves and start fresh (we'll for most people) so I decided to get some highlights. 

I look exactly like my mom. 

4 little monkey's...

cuddling in bed. 

maternal instinct

Ellorie was born to be a mama.  She has loved babies for as long as I can remember.  The top pics are of her sitting on the stairs, rocking her baby, and singing to her.  She bundles them up and carries them around, takes them for walks in strollers and feeds them.  She can be heard at least twice a day singing her ABC's or "bitsy spider" as she calls it. 

I hope she has the opportunity to be a mom.  I know diabetes is hard to manage when your pregnant, but I just know she was born to be a mom. 

What I will take with me- OKlahoma edition

I have had the opportunity to live all over the US.  I was born in California, lived in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Iowa, Utah, Nevada, Indiana, Oklahoma and soon to be Nebraska.

Every state has certain idiosyncrasies that are particular to that state. 

People in Oklahoma are peculiar.  They are one of a kind.  They have a fortitude that is missing in other parts of the US.  The people here know that any spring day, all their belongings could be swept away by a tornado.  They live year after year with that realization. 

The people of OK are simple folk and now I know why.  The things that mean the most to them aren't things.   They don't spend alot of money on... things.  They live modestly.  They spend their discretionary income on activities because those create memories that can't be swept away.  They create relationships and friendships.  They care for their neighbors. 

The people of OK stay here because they know that their neighbors, friends, co-workers and associates are the exact same people who will lift you up when the winds come a blowin'. 

Those of us who aren't Oklahoman"s don't get it.  "Why would anyone choose to live there?"  They live here because of the great people.  They are stronger, simpler, and happier than most of the people I've met around this great nation. 

I will take that part of Oklahoma with me.  I will spend less on things and more on making memories.  I will be a good neighbor,  because I want them to know they can count on me when hard times hit.   I will find happiness in the little things and I will understand that when the wind blows, the things that matter most aren't going anywhere. 

Thank you OKLAHOMA!  I've learned a great lesson living here.  I will take your spirit with me. 

Double Trouble

This is Hunter and his partner in crime, AJ Brown.  They both got this t shirt as a hand me down this summer and they think it is so cool that they got the same shirt!

Hunter's 4th birthday

 Hunter got a new bike.  He is thrilled that he is just like all the other big kids in the neighborhood.

 We got 2 bounce houses for the kids!!

This is about 2 minutes after he got out of the shower!  He was worn out. 

It was a great day.  Lots of friends, good fun, perfect weather once the rain from the night before dried up. 

 

being silly

our new house...

Its a work in progress. 

big shades

Austin's reached the age where he's "too old" to do silly stuff like this.