7th Anniversary Trip

For my birthday, my parents got us a hotel room in Bricktown, OKC and some free babysitting. =) We decided to save gift for our anniversary weekend. Happy 7th Anniversary to us!

We headed down mid-morning Saturday, which got us there in time for lunch at Hideaway.

Hideaway is super scrumptious but we made a lousy choice in pizza... thinking it was one thing and got another. =( Fail. Next time we've decided to try this beast:

Big Country

For the Big Man On Campus...Eat big, work hard, and take it to the hoop! HIDEAWAY red sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, Canadian bacon, polish Sausage (kielbasa), hamburger, and topped with a delicate...sorry...heaping taste of cheddar.

Look out.

After we ate we decided to check in to the hotel and take a nap. Dac gave me such a hard time about this the week before. All because I got a little giddy at the thought of said nap! I don't get to sleep in. EVER. Dac gets to more than me and I don't ever really nap either. This weekend would be different. I wouldn't have Reid to care for and wouldn't be home to worry about laundry or cleaning. SO we napped. I would't call it a super awesome nap because our hotel room was right off the elevator landing which just so happened to be right next to the ice machine. Still, the opportunity was glorious.

After our nap we headed to Cuppies and Jo. (I'd heard lots about this little gem but had never been... so when Julie suggested we try it, I was all aboard!) 

It is a quaint little home-style coffee/treat shop specializing in cupcakes and other homemade delights. Now, a lot of cupcake places make a fun variety of really pretty cupcakes but y'all know I don't have time for that. I need those cupcakes to be delicious too. Dac got the Lemony Snicket and I got the Boom Boom Pow.

My Boom Boom Pow (thanks Julie!!) was a salted caramel chocolate topped cupcake. YUM.

My hot date.

Then, we got fixed up a bit for dinner. We had chosen to go to Tapwerks.

It wasn't quite what we thought it would be... mostly bar with not much food but the food we got was pretty good. It just wasn't a great date spot per se. We did get to watch some of the OSU game though.

Later, we walked around the canal and ended the evening with an ice cream cone before walking back to the hotel.

The next day we attempted to sleep in. And I suppose we did... definitely later than my usual wake-up call. We had a few more noisy hotel snafus but so it goes I suppose.

Anyway, we eventually got around and went out for a late breakfast... something light, like a bagel. Perfect! There's an old school bagel shop a few blocks away. Annnnnd it was closed. SO, as my stomach grumbles became louder, I fumbled through trying to find something on my phone. A Panera would work. There must be a Panera near by right? Wrong. We decided we would head that way anyway and if we found something else, so be it. Well, the navigation on my phone wasn't quite up-to-date apparently, so that ended up being a total mess. Then, we decided we would just head in the general direction direction we knew we needed to go and see what came along. Cafe 501... that'll work. We knew right away it was a snazzier establishment, but what the heck. "Do you have a reservation" the host asked with a smirk. Annnnnnd we're out. At this point even McDonalds was done serving breakfast so we drove some more until we got to a semi-nearby Panera. Aaaaaaaah, sweet bliss. Finally, I had my cinnamon crunch bagel in hand. So what if everyone else around us was eating soup and sandwiches. =) After we were a little more fed and lot less grumpy, we proceeded to POP's on Route 66 for lunch with some of my college buddies.

Thankfully, we found it no problemo.

It was kind of a fun little place with, you guessed it, all kinds of pops. =) Normal pops, old pops, new pops, crazy pops...All lining the windows and stocking coolers inside.

I had a simple vanilla Dr. Pepper with my burger and onion rings (which were both pretty dang tasty) but grabbed a cream soda before we left. Dac chose some funky-fruity Brazillian pop.

There was a super intellectual conversation about the lineup of grape sodas. It was fun to catch up with the girls and we also checked out the round barn  since it was so close.

We hurried home and managed to make it back in time for Bible Study - which we've really enjoyed so far.

We had a great time together but sure did miss this little man!

So much sweetness in such a little body. =)

About Me: Our Marriage

In case you missed it, I recently started a little "About Me" series. I'm working through a list of things I want my kids to know about me. I thought it was sort of a cool getting-to-know-you project and would also be nice for this scrapbook that Reid will eventually look through.

Here's what I've done so far:

1. List 20 random facts about yourself.

2. Describe 3 legitimate fears you have and explain how they became fears
3. Describe your relationship with your spouse.

I'm not sure this is going to be an easy one. Here goes!

Dac and I met in church (the same church we attend now as a matter of fact) as kids. He was/is a couple years older than me so I didn't really get to know him until probably early middle school.

We always had fun together and became very good friends. We remained just friends through first semester of my freshman year. We went to fall homecoming together and had the best time together just hanging out and laughing. It was very un-date-like and that was perfect. On December 3, 1998, Dac asked me to "go out" with him and the rest is history.

(Proof that I CAN be thin and in shape AND can even tan too...)

For those of you who don't know the history - I'll give a quick recap. We continued dating through high school and Dac went to a community college in town. Then, when I started college, I went to Oklahoma State and Dac went to Wichita State. We did the long distance gig for four years (minus a brief breakup) before getting married September 16, 2006. 

Edited to add: We got engaged in March of 2006 before I graduated college. Dac and I had found it challenging to find time to talk that week so he made a phone date with me at like 6 p.m. that night. I called him and he "couldn't talk". I was pretty dang furious, to say the least. About the time I hung up, there was a knock at the apartment door. Beth and Julie hollered at me and low and behold, Dac was at the front door with flowers. We went to Theta Pond on campus, where a swan just about ruined the moment... that's another story though. Anyway, Dac proposed, I said yes, and voila! =)

Our relationship started as a true friendship and that has remained our foundation. I'm certain it's what brought us to here and what will keep us going.

Dac and I are very different. For the most part our cores are the same... you know, the important stuff. Our personalities and tendencies are not as much. I am a worrier, a little type-A who stresses and cleans in an attempt to have control in my life. Dac is laaaaaaaid back. He is easy going and doesn't let much get to him. He also tends to not pick up after himself. ;) While I encourage him to stay on task, he encourages me to relax. We complement each other. There's never a day go by that we don't laugh. Dac insists and for that I'm thankful. He respects me, encourages me, loves me, and... runs the updates on my phone and laptop. =) 

Today, we celebrate our 7th wedding anniversary. We've been through the ups and downs. Things have changed a great deal since then but in so many ways - the right ways - things are very much the same.

Midweek Randoms

Last Wednesday, I took my friend Heather out for a birthday pancake. She's the big 3-0 now... an oldie but a goodie. ;)

That evening we did family pictures for my cousin which was fun. Then, Thursday was Wii night. 

Friday, Dac worked super late so Reid and I went and and ate ribs with his family. 

I've 'worn' Reid off and on since he was born. I like it because it allows me to be close to him while still getting things done around the house. 

He hasn't really demanded closeness or attention much since he was real little but he can get fussy. This past weekend, he was teething and just plain grumpy. I really needed to vacuum and do some other house work so I threw him on my back. Instant quiet. He was happy there and I got my stuff done. =)

Yep, we may have a problem on our hands later on. The constant teething requires constant attachment to these things.

Anyway, Saturday morning, we were supposed to have a photo session but it got cancelled to a sweet sick little girl. I had already asked my aunt and grandma to babysit and since they were looking forward to seeing the little guy, they came over and played anyway. =)

That afternoon, I picked up Sky (little sister through Big Brothers/Big Sisters) and we went to Target for a few things before going home and making homemade pizza.

She's been wanting to learn more about cooking. I made her do most of the work including whipping up the dough. 

I think she was proud of her masterpieces and we had fun.

Sky has changed so much in the past 7 years. It's just nuts. On one hand she's your typical teenager but she's also very mature. This girl had very little confidence and tried her darndest to push people away before - and now - totally different. She's hilarious and is working so hard to make the most of life. I am incredibly proud of her.

We made dessert too. Duh.

She thinks Reid is pretty cute and just like Peety, Reid thinks she's awesome. Sky had a pretty rough week. Her niece, who was just about a year and a half old, died over Labor Day weekend. =( It's a very tough situation and the baby was not her first niece to die suddenly. My heart has been breaking for the entire family. I hate that a life was lost and I hate that Sky, at a young age, has already known so much hurt and disappointment.

Sunday, we went to church, did some house/photo work, I went on a Sonic date with Heather and Kayla, and then later that evening went to our new Bible study. I really enjoyed it. I think I'm going to learn a lot!

I've started back to Zumba this week. I go first thing in the morning. It makes things a bit hectic but evenings just aren't really an option right now. I hurt... bad... but I really do enjoy it and it feels good to be back at it. And I still get some evening time with this little lovey. =)

We also lost a staple of our church family last week. It was sudden but Jack had lived a long, good life. It's so strange to attend a funeral for someone like that. Someone you know well but still have seen only a glimpse of their life. He lived a whole life before we knew him and we've known him our whole lives. Ornery man. It was a beautiful service. I made this pumpkin spice cake and cream cheese frosting all from scratch for the family's dinner. I really do enjoy baking and hate that I don't have/make more time for it.

Amidst all the important things going on in the world like families losing loved ones, chemical attacks and potential war with Syria, the anniversary of 9/11, and the Sports Illustrated allegations about OSU's football program, I take this minute to brief you on my hair.

I am still embracing it in it's natural form. I'm seeing some improvement but still a ways to go! I think a haircut would certainly help.

We went for a walk last night. It was nice to actually talk. Life has been so dang busy it's been hard to fit that in. Little dude enjoyed himself.

Other Random Info:

• I am very in tune with the music of 1997. It sounds weird (and I suppose it is) but if a song comes on and it came out in 1997, I can tell you that. 
• Reid's toes are starting to uncurl. =/ I suppose he's preparing to walk. He's been stepping around furniture for a while now. Would you just look at that little giant?

About Me: Legitimate Fears

In case you missed it, I recently started a little "About Me" series. I'm working through a list of things I want my kids to know about me. I thought it was sort of a cool getting-to-know-you project and would also be nice for this scrapbook that Reid will eventually look through.

Here's what I've done so far:

1. List 20 random facts about yourself.

2. Describe 3 legitimate fears you have and explain how they became fears (graphic version)

Oh fears. I have a slew of them. =) I'm a big scaredy cat. I'll try to narrow it down to 3 - none of which are necessarily legitimate per se.

1) Fear Itself: This is probably the biggest of all. I have no real experience to tie to it or anything. I'm just scared of being scared. I dread staying home alone or walking in the dark because I hate the feeling of fear. I always know I'm going to be scared. I try to not even put myself in the position to feel scared. How ridiculous am I looking to you right about now?! Don't answer that. Moving on...

2) The Bad Guy: Ah yes. The big kahuna. I'm afraid of the bad guy. You know - the one that is standing over you with a knife when you wake up in the middle of the night, or the one that's waiting in the backseat of your car when you get into it first thing in the dark morning, or the one that breaks in your house while you're watching a freaky episode of Criminal Minds alone at night. Yep, that's the one. I think I may have just given you a glimpse into the "why" of this fear. =) I, thankfully, have no real first hand experience to cause such a fear but when you're me, who needs a real reason? It may have started as a kid when Jonbenet Ramsey was killed. She was in pageants and so was I (there's another random fact for ya). That made us alike and if it could happen to her, it could happen to me. I watch too much news now and apparently did back then too. I also watch too many crime shows. I don't know why I do that to myself except that I love them. Anyway, when I was in middle school/high school, The Profiler was on TV. I watched it and thus the fear of serial killers was born. Criminal Minds only confirmed that fear. Over and over and over again. 

3) Not Living God's Plan: I think this one is scary because I don't yet know what that plan is! How can I possibly do it if I don't know what it is!? Still, I feel like I'm failing. I know some people may not know that plan until they're 102... some may not know until they meet Him in Heaven. But what if I should already know and I missed the memo? What if I've wandered way off course and don't even know? Oy. That's a brain full. 

So there you have it! My legitimately illegitimate fears. =)

More 9-Month Fun

Here's a few 9-month shots I snapped in about 10 minutes. It really is kind of sad my child doesn't get a full, legitimate session. 

I incorporated the bucket because we use it to store some toys in our family room. He loves to pull it over and dump the toys out, pull up on it, beat on it like a drum... =) It's all-purpose.

He's a teensy bit ornery.

He gets real proud of himself when he makes music...

He's standing now...

And waving...

He opens his mouth real big to smile and giggles with everyone.

He started sleeping with a muslin blanket and loves to hold a corner in his hand.

He spends way too much time looking like a little big kid these days.

He no longer inhales crib paint. Win!

He's still teething like crazy. Tooth #8 is just about through.

He seriously chews constantly. Some of my favorite kid pictures are the ones taken with a wide-angle lens in their face.

I simply can't resist this guy.

He moves so fast!!

He can't be contained.

He enjoys flipping through books and playing cars (banging cars together)

He is SO sweet and SO ornery.

He smiles with his whole body.

He is perfect to me.