Midweek Randoms

• Here we are again! =) I hate to just talk about what I've done since last week - but since this is a scrapbook of sorts, I guess I kind of need to do that. I hope become a better blogger someday.

• This weekend was Dac's cousin Courtney's wedding. We took a half day on Friday to head up for that. It was fun and Courtney was simply gorgeous! We haven't even began editing those yet but when we do, I'll share them over on the photo blog and maybe even share a couple here too. Thanks to Val, there's at least one or two of us dancing. =) We RARELY go to a wedding where we get to dance so that was fun. On the way up, we rode with David and Terese and on the way back we rode with Val... and ate Quick Trip at 12:30 a.m. Mmm.

• Saturday, I went with Val and Terese to Wichita. I went to get stuff to make a birthday gift for Journey but, no surprise here, that didn't get done. Also, I've been on the lookout for the perfect comfy pants to replace the ones I lost. I mean seriously, how. hard. can. it. be. to. find. a. comfy pair of comfy pants!? I've bought two recently from Target that I've had to take back. I've pinned some from Old Navy that I think might be the golden ticket but we'll see. BUT - the trip wasn't a total loss because we ate at Olive Garden. I got this: it's basically fried lasagna (hello beautiful) laying on a bed of alfredo sauce and topped with marinara. Seriously yum.
  

• It has donned on me that maybe if I didn't eat so much (see above) I wouldn't be quite so addicted to comfy pants. There's some food for thought (haha) for ya.
  

• Sunday, we had a photo session with a 1-year old little Sophie Lou. If you follow the photo blog, you've met her here, and probably several other places too.
  

• After that, we met David, Terese, and Charli for pizza at Gambino's. David came here to help with the house afterwards while Charli, Terese, and I ran some errands, got a coke, and headed to Journey's party.
  

(Birthday Girl!)

• The party was adorable and the kids went on a fun treasure hunt. =) Mark and Kayla did such a great job.

• While I was there, I got to quickly catch up with Erika and her sweet girls.
  

• So far this week it's just been work, work, and more work. It has me mega-cranky. MEGA cranky. Thankfully there's Criminal Minds tonight. Whew.
  

• I did stop and get me some new work pants (FINALLY) and a cute sweater. Saw this on the way home.
  

Midweek Randoms

Again - sorry for the lack of pictures. I'll get better. Promise. At least temporarily. It's just been hectic. I know you can understand that!! We're all busy.

• Let's see. I realize I forgot to share our date night from two weeks ago. So we'll start with that. On Friday the 23rd, the same weekend we went to OKC, Dac and I ate at home (philly cheese steak sandwiches I believe) and then went to see Moneyball. It was really good. We went to the earlier movie and spent the evening with several members of the senior crowd. =) They laughed and talked through the whole thing so we spend lots of time just laughing them. Silly old people. =) The movie was great too though. I'm not a huge Brad Pitt fan but he did a good job as did the supporting actor and the story was a ''feel good'' one. After the movie we swung through McDonalds for a treat and headed home. We stayed up late finishing season three of 24 and decided that we needed to take a break before we started the next one because we just have so much photography stuff going on and Dac and David (FIL) are working hard on our bathroom/spare room project.

• Last Wednesday I got my hair cut. Finally. It's SO much better. I can actually fix it now. Hallelujer! I don't quite look like Jen Anniston but close. Real close. =)

• Thursday I had my doctor's appt. I'm being sent on to a specialist and really, this subject needs it's own post... so that might be for another day and another time. But my mom went with me and we had fun shopping, eating, shopping... eating. =)
  

• Last Friday, for date night, we went to Ponca. Dac needed to stop by Lowes and we decided to go there since I/we'd been in the Wichita area a lot lately. We ate ribs at Head Country, browsed Brace Books, Dac bought the long-coveted Buckyballs and really payed little attention to me the rest of the weekend... I kid, I kid. Then we went to Cherry Berry. We like treats, ok?! Geez.

• I went to breakfast the next morning with Kayla - she wanted to hear about my appointment and where better to chat than over a pancake and glass of chocolate milk (told you I'd celebrate soon!). We had a nice visit, I ran a couple errands in Winfield, then did some random stuff around the house before a family session.

• SUNDAY. Oh my. We slept in. Like really slept in. 'Til 9:00. That's rare people. We met Dac's mom for lunch at Gambinos, then got to work on photos and house stuff. I spent about 6-8 hours totally cleaning/organizing the kitchen from top to bottom. I pulled everything out, cleaned the inside of the cabinets, put that shelf gripper stuff down, put everything back in an organized fashion, prepared a big box of stuff to take to the Salvation Army, scrubbed the cabinets, WD-40'd the stainless steel appliances (oh my word... thank you pinterest.com for reviving my hope in stainless steel. Who knew!?!?), swept, mopped, yada, yada, yada. It's like a new room. Ok, so it doesn't look that much different but to me... it's brand new. =)

• While in Wichita for another dr's appointment yesterday, I picked up some new comfy pants. Guys, I love comfy pants. I love pajamas. I love soft fabrics that move when you do. Sigh. I want to be wearing comfy pants right now. Clearly this is exciting news. Val went with me. We ate like pigs, walked, and laughed a lot. Win.

• I am SO ready for some of our bigger house projects to be complete. I especially want our disgusting carpet out of the family room/hall. Ugh, it's awful. I keep dreaming of my re-finished wood floors (hopefully) with a giant super soft rug down in there. Glorious. Even if there's not hardwood under that whole area and/of if it's too far gone to refinish - I'd settle for new, clean, soft carpet. =) Again... more first world problems.

• I've been wanting to go to a pumpkin patch recently. I love Fall and everything that comes with it. The last time I went to a real pumpkin patch was right after we got married. Well - actually - it wasn't really much of a real pumpkin patch... it had pumpkins but was mostly a corn maze. But I digress. We went and had a blast. We didn't have much cash on us (plus we were pretty poor anyway) so we couldn't afford much in the way of a pumpkin. Dac, not wanting us to go away empty handed, picked out this little bitty perfect pumpkin and we named it Pumpkin Breath. =)

• Oops - just realized I never posted this yesterday!

• Since I forgot, it's worth mentioning that Steve Jobs has passed away. Co-creater of Apple, Founder of Pixar, visionary, icon, husband, father, friend. It's sad to see him go. Boo Pancreatic Cancer. Boo. I was reminded of this quote from another photo blog:
  

Photo Source

Midweek Randoms

Well what'dya know... it's Wednesday... it snuck up on me... and I really have nothing random prepared. =) I'm sure I'll think of something... hold the phone...

OK, now!

• We have been picture takin' fools this week so there will probably be lots of posts on our photo blog over the next several days. Keep an eye out for those... you'll like them... they're pictures from an actual camera... not a phone. =)

• One of those sessions was an engagement session for my super friend Julie (you met her here) and her fiance´ Jon. Although they've dated for a few years and I've heard lots about him - this was my first time actually meeting him and, thankfully (seeing as how they're getting married in a couple months), I whole-heartedly approve!! He's suuuuuper nice and they are a perfect match. Fo sho. Plus - they're super adorable together. =) They took us out to eat at Hideaway Pizza (OKC just got one downtown) and if Heaven could be baked into a couple slices of pie... that was it. It was sooo good and the company was even better. We got adventurous and tried these:

"Paradise Pie: This isn't Heaven, but it's as close as we could get with a pizza
pie. Hideaway Alfredo sauce covered with a blend of mozzarella and smoked
provolone cheeses, grilled chicken breast strips, smoked bacon, fresh sliced
mushrooms, fresh spinach and diced Roma tomatoes. Yummmmmm."

"The Maui Magic: An all-time favorite for Oklahomans living in Maui... or
wishing they lived in Maui. Hideaway Red Sauce topped with mozzarella,
Canadian bacon, pineapple, and mandarin oranges."

• Actually, I think last time Dac and I were at the one in Stillwater we were adventurous too... remember? Anyway, I digress. After lunch we got to work. But since it's fun, it really didn't feel like work. =)
  

• Speaking of pizza (and pictures) we had dinner date with Mark, Kayla, and Journey. We ate at Gambino's (YUM! Even got the cinnamon streusel pizza I've been dying for...holla!) and then took some family pictures as well as Journey's 3-year pictures. It was fun. Journey was cracking me up - she always looks like she up to something. =) I'd say she comes by it naturally.

• Speaking of Kayla and Journey - have I mentioned that I've been freezing my feet off while sporting sandals at work this week... trying to show off my beautiful OSU-orange toes. Sigh. What we won't do for beauty.
  

• I'm sad friends. I'm disappointed in myself and quite frankly, you should be disappointed in me too. I let both National Pancake Day and National Chocolate Milk Day go by without celebrating either one. Boo. Someday soon I'm going to have to make up for this in a big way!

• I'm getting my hair cut tonight (and my brows did... you're welcome). Can't wait. It's pitiful and next to impossible to fix. Hopefully this helps and I come out looking like a brunette Jen Aniston. Cross your fingers and your toes!

• Tonight is also Criminal Minds!!!! Boop Boop! Last week Heather and Kayla came over and we had taco dip and tried Skinny Girl margaritas. They were ok but kinda nasty all at the same time. I'm not a huge marg fan anyway... unless it's frozen and full of strawberry awesome. Still - it's a lower cal option. Kayla hated it and Heather loved it... so, I guess it's just a figure it out for yourself thing. =) Tonight, I'm making chicken spaghetti. I've just thought that's sounded good for a while now. Here's to a fun, creep-tacular night! =)

• Tomorrow, I've got a Dr's Appt. tomorrow in Wichita. Nothing serious per se - there's just some ongoing issues that I hope to get some solutions to. I'm not particularly looking forward to it. Maybe I can throw in some yummy lunch and a little shopping to make it better? Maybe? Prayers for an easy appt., that tests go well, and that I get some answers would be greatly appreciated.

• Ok, I think you're up to speed!
  

• PS - Sorry for the lack of pictures!
  

Sunday Funday

My Goddaughter is turning 3 in a week! How did this happen? =| Her mom Kayla and I started a tradition a couple years ago for our birthdays (both in June). Instead of doing gifts we spend a day getting our toes did, eat, shop and just enjoy the heck out of girl time

Now that Journey's becoming quite the big girl, Kayla decided we should continue that tradition with her AND I got invited to join in the fun. =D PS - most the pictures below are from Kayla.

We got donuts then shopped and ate lunch at Freddy's...
She's cute no? And smart too. We enjoyed a very intellectual conversation about pickles while her mom was trying on clothes. =) I love when she opens up!

We shopped some more then got pedicures!


Journey's first! She did so good!

Then we came back to my house so Journey could see Peety. She loves that dog. But how could you not? Here she is showing off her toes.

Mine are the orange ones. =) Peety thought he needed to show off his pretty paws too! =)

Journey got pink and black to match her pirate birthday party coming up.

Showing Peety her toes. Peety is so good with kids and most the time is extremely gentle (sometimes he gets real excited but usually, he's low key). Journey and Charli both love him and he loves them!It was a fun day and I'm so glad I got to share in it! =)

Redneck Fest

Like I mentioned a few posts back, Dac's brother had a little shindig. He has welded this jumbo smoker and he smoked/grilled steaks and lots of other goodies. We ate and drank and had a boy-howdy-let's-get-rowdy good time. I enjoy getting my redneck on every now and then. =)


Austin acts like a total tough guy but clearly he's a major softy. He's also taught me a lot. I've learned lots of new phrases and use them somewhat frequently. Some of them, I'm sad to say, aren't necessarily all that family friendly. =| One day I'll write a book. (I have lots of books I'm most definitely going to write in my lifetime.)


A couple of Austin's friends from out of town were here and this was the first time I got to meet them. They seemed cool.


Matt and Krystle - we just so happen to be photographing their wedding next year and. oh. my. word. I. can. not. wait. It's gonna be off the charts.

Told you.
Terese, Val, Krystle, and I. Boop Boop, thaaaat's right, that's right!


Ah, aren't the cute?



We even roasted marshmallows in the fire pit of the smoker. Yeah, it's multi-purpose.


Seester time.



A great time was had!

So Fresh and So Clean, Clean

It's a big day guys. Peety went to the spa. And by spa, I mean vet. He got a bath, a pedi, and his teefs clean.

He's walking around (barely) like he's been drinking margaritas all day. Poor guy... keeps falling down and obviously isn't feeling good. He looks soooo sleepy too. BUT - he's sweet and cuddly as can be. =) Perfect TV snuggle buddy.

Plus - he's so soft, clean, and smelly-good. AND there's not even a hint of stank coming from his mouth. AND he got an A+ report from the dentist. His teeth are perfect!! =)

Just like him. See?

Midweek Randoms

• So, it's been a while since I've posted some deep thoughts... I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting. =) Over the past couple months I've really been noticing how judgmental parents can sometimes be towards other parents. Sometimes it even seems to happen unintentionally - and I know we can all be like this about anything - not just parenting. I've just noticed it a lot in that area. We (human beings) seem to compare ourselves to others way too much (Guilty as charged) and I think that perpetuates the cycle. Example: I feel insecure about something, I feel like you notice and judge me for it, I begin to judge you as a defense mechanism. It's vicious and can be never-ending. I also think for some people - and probably all of us at different times - being heard is equal to being loved. We like to talk and we crave confirmation that we're smart, good, doing what's right, etc... but in the process of us talking - we can miss God's confirmation and our words can sometimes be downright hurtful.
  
  But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. 1 Corinthians 1:25

I think that means sometimes it's wisest to keep our mouths shut.

• Besides - what's there to judge anyway? We're all genius' in our own right. =)
  

• Work has been CUH-RAZY this week. We have a former staff member who is being sought be police for alleged child sex crimes. I'm the district's PR person... I think your imagination can probably paint a pretty clear picture of what my week's been like.

• After 2-3 weeks of weight struggles - I had a loss this week. I'm at 15 lbs lost now. Holla. Let's get this train movin' full steam again! I'm a little behind schedule (I'd hoped to lose 18 by September 12 and clearly we've missed that) but still excited to be moving again. Choooo-choooo!

• I fell down our porch steps Monday. I was leaving for work and it was the weirdest, most slow-motion thing ever... but I couldn't stop it. I fell. It hurt. Neighbors saw the whole thing. My pride hurt even more. Now - I'm still super sore and my ankles hurt BAD. I prooooobably need to go to the chiropractor. We'll see if I actually get around to doing that. =) My shoe broke in the process. They were my comfy black wedge sandals... strap pulled out of the bottom. =|

• We did some senior pictures last week. We don't usually get to do a lot of seniors (for some reason weddings and families seem to take the majority of our session times) but we LOVE shooting seniors. They're so much fun. Can't wait to share that session and can't wait for the others we have lined up this fall. =)

• I finally scheduled a hair appt. for next week. I'm thinking something along these lines. What do you think?
  

• Facebook changed its layout again guys. I know. Again. Things are always changing though... so I'll just chalk this up as a "first world problem".

• Tonight is the premiere of Criminal Minds!!! Can. Not. Wait!! AAAAAHHHHH.