Summer Recap 2012

We started out by celebrating Luci turning 3 at The Monkey House... 

followed by another celebration in Branson during Memorial Day Weekend. 

Luci visited White Water for the first time... 

and the Alma Aquatic park... 

We planted two trees this summer...one for Luci... 

and one in honor of our 5 year anniversary...

We also rooted on the Rangers Farm Team (Roughriders) during our anniversary celebration! 

We visited the Jenks Aquarium... 

We spent a week in Branson... 

Where we celebrated the 4th of July! 

We celebrated Kerri's upcoming nuptials...

We celebrated Daddy's birthday... 

And Luci finally got to meet Baby Presley!

We went back to Branson and spent lots of time with Luci's cousins! 

We played in the sprinkler lots... 

And had lots of fro-yo... 

And even rode our bike some! 

Luci officially started Pre-K! 

After a long, hot summer, we want to relax... 

And maybe take a nap...

Thanks Summer 2012! It was a great ride!



Brace Face

I started some correction on my teeth yesterday (I started the process a while back, but had to get new trays). I will be wearing trays (similar to Invisilign) for the next 6-8 weeks or so. This really started out as a vanity thing (I really wasn't happy with the way my teeth were looking) and I decided to look into some correction (I have never had braces). Well, one thing led to another, and my dentist thinks that this actually may help some of my TMJ problems...and if I didn't correct the way my teeth were turning now, it would get worse later.

He said regular braces would probably be over-kill at this point, so we decided on trays.

For 2 weeks, I am wearing a really thick, clear tray that will move my teeth. After 2 weeks, I will get a thinner, clear tray that will help lock them in place. Hopefully, I will only have to wear it  full-time for 4 weeks. I am supposed to wear it 22 out of 24 hours a day. I take it out to eat and to drink anything other than water. I have also been taking it out for work meetings the last two days...just because I "lisp" so bad. Hopefully, that will start getting better over the next few days.

I am talking realllly funny right now...and am in pain...but it really isn't too noticeable...and isn't long term (although, I will need to wear the second tray at night for probably forever).

I am excited to see the end results!!!!...and am REALLY excited if it will help some of my TMJ probs.

My first tray.

See, you can barely tell I have it in. Now when you hear me talk, that is a different story!!!

The Last Monday Night Dinner...

Last night we had the very LAST dinner with Kerri Hughes...why you ask???

Well, the next dinner we have she will be KERRI MAGEE!!!! Yay!!!!!

We had a great time eating and hanging out!! I cooked spicy beef over cheddar quinoa, PW's corn casserole, steamed broccoli, and peanut butter butterscotch cookies (sans flour).

Things we learned last night:

-Taylor isn't a huge butterscotch fan...and I know Mitch isn't a huge butterscotch fan...but Kerri and I love it...so we ate what the boys didn't eat!! :-)

-Kerri and I have some work to do playing Bean Bags. The boys might have beat us every time...

-Luci may end up being a natural at Soccer...says Taylor the soccer geek! ;-)

-Luci's sprinkler is fun...Kerri and I may have made a round or two through it...

-The hammock doesn't fully support both Kerri and I in it at the same time...unless we lay in really uncomfortable positions...

-Luci like to pretend she is the Mommy and Kerri and I are her babies.

-I am the only one that cares about rainbows! lol!

My precious baby with God's promise in the background!



Did I mention I love rainbows?!!

~Weekend Recap~ Date night, Paris, Jesus, and Cookies!

We had a great weekend!!!

Friday night, Mom and Dad were in Fort Smith (Mom had a sewing workshop), so we enjoyed some pizza and brownies, and they took Luci back with them to Paris to spend the night. Mitch and I rented a movie, popped some popcorn, and had a little date night! We were going to go to the movies...but we couldn't agree on one...as usual...!

Saturday morning, I slept in until 8. Mitch ran and got us some donuts. After breakfast, he went and mowed the lawn...while I took a nap...at 9am!!!! I slept until 11!!! It was so nice to get caught up on some sleep!! After I woke up, we headed out to my hair appointment. Mitch doesn't typically go with me (ok, never really), but we were leaving straight from Van Buren to go to Paris to pick up Luci...so he tagged along and worked on some work while I got my hair done...by the fabulous Amanda!!!!!! She is super awesome...and makes the cutest hairbows!!! Most of what Luci wears, she has made!!!

After my hair appt, we drove to Paris and ate supper with Mom, Dad, and Nana! Dad grilled us some yummy steaks!!! After we visited for a while, we headed back home.

On Sunday, we woke up and headed out to church. After church, we ate lunch at a local Mexican restaurant...which brings me to my next two questions...

a. Why does Luci always...and I mean always...need to go potty right when our food comes? It doesn't matter if I take her right when we get there...mark it down, she will need to go when our food comes.

b. Why do restaurants serve my 3 year old's KID'S MEAL on a piping hot plate? I swear, I am going to be one MAD MOMMA if she burns her hand one of these days.

Back to our weekend...

After lunch, we headed back home so Luci could nap, and Mitch went out to golf with a few friends. After Luci woke up from her nap, we painted nails, went and bought groceries...and did a whole lot of laundry.

Luci hasn't quite figured out color coordination yet... She selected orange and blue nails and red toes with purple and blue flowers!!!

Later in the evening, Luci and I had some great conversations...

Luci comes in my bathroom where I am cleaning and has her little New Testament in her hands. She tells me she is going to read to me...

Luci: This Bible is about Mommy, Daddy, and Luci.
Me: (I snicker to myself) Well, I think Jesus is in there too
Luci: Oh, Jesus is in here too??

Later on...

Luci: "I like Jesus. I want him to come to my house to play. Santa too. I like Jesus and Santa both." :-)


Later on in a different conversation...

Luci: "I want to color a picture for Jesus. He will love it. Then we can take it to him. I called him and he says he wants a picture. I have his number and Santa's number. I think he'll like a Hello Kitty picture."

Bless her heart...she just has a hard time grasping "Jesus". We go to church every Sunday...and almost every Sunday she tells me...we learned about Jesus, but he wasn't there today. :-)

After Luci went to bed, I made some yummy peanut butter butterscotch chip cookies (sans flour) for our dinner tonight with Kerri and Taylor!

I guess this is all of the pics from this weekend...I am really slacking lately in the picture taking department!

1st Day of Pre-K

Luci had a great day! Her only complaint was that she didn't get to use her new scissors today. :-) I told her I was sure there would be plenty of opportunities to use her scissors later...I think I am really going to have to watch her extra close these days!

Luci made herself signs to hold since Mommy made one too. She insisted on posing with them! :-)

1st Official Day of Pre-K!!!! Such a big girl!

Weekend Recap- Sleep, birthday, & pre-k

This weekend was pretty uneventful. Friday night we ate stew, met Kerri at Cherry Berry for some frozen yogurt, & then settled in at the house to watch The Lorax.

Saturday, Luci slept in until 7:50!!! Sooo nice!! We went for a Sam's trip and then came back for a long nap! I also went and picked up my totally awesome Halloween wreath that Quinn made for me! She is so creative!!!

Saturday night we went with the whole fam to Rolando's to celebrate Mark's bday! An 8 year old, 4 year old, 3 year old, & 1 year old made for an interesting, but fun dinner!!!

On Sunday, Luci slept in again...until 8:10!! She must have known that Mommy and Daddy needed the rest!! After church we grabbed a quick lunch at The Egg and I and then went to Luci's pre-k orientation. She will have two years of pre-k before kindergarten. I still can't believe she is old enough to be in pre-k...We have always said to her that she goes to "school", but this is the first year that she will actually have curriculum that they learn everyday.

After orientation, she went down for a nap, and I watched Father of the Bride. I know I'm a dork, but it is probably my all time favorite movie!!!

After dinner, we went outside for a while and enjoyed the beautiful weather!!

Didn't take a lot of pics this weekend...but sometimes it is nice to just enjoy the moments away from the camera!

Misc Musings- Random Update

It's been a while since I have updated. Life has been a little hectic lately.

Mitch was out of town last week.
Luci was getting over her sickness.
Mitch was getting over his sickness.
I got sick...and got the combo of both of their sicknesses.
I missed work.
I got behind at work.
Nana came and stayed with us.
Nana got sick.
We got better.
Nana is still sick.
I've been doing some cooking.
We have enjoyed the cooler temps.
Work is busy.
I came to work with poop on my pants one day(not mine).
Part of my windshield wiper flew off the car. In the rain. On the way home.
I am a soccer mom. No mini van. Yet.
Luci offically starts Pre-K on Monday.
Yikes!

Here are some pics over the last week and a half...

Luci and I built a tent/fort!! She enjoyed it for a good 20 minutes...and then tore it down. Btw, that quilt in the background...I made it my senior year in high school!!!! The first and last quilt I will make! ;-) I seriously have forgotten how to sew since then. Last time I needed to sew a button on, I had to facetime Mom and she had to guide me through. Yeah, it is that bad.

Enjoying her new water paints!

Mommy gives good manicures! ;-)

The weather has been soooo nice at night!!! Loving it right now!!! Can't wait for fall!

 We signed Luci up for soccer! She is sooo excited!! She just needs her socks and uniform and she is set!

When I get stressed at work...I turn to cooking. We have had some great meals lately!! August is always sooooo busy at my job. And people are cranky. And then I'm cranky. But that is a story for another time. Let's get back to food now....!!!

Spicy stewed beef over cheddar quinoa! This was sooo good. I used Pioneer Woman's Recipe for the beef!

Homemade meatballs and rigatoni!! No real recipe for my meatballs...I just kind of eyeball everything...ground beef, parm cheese, italian seasoning, season salt, panko bread crumbs, egg, splash of milk, onions, a little garlic. They were sooo delish!!!

Well there you have it! I am hoping things will slow down in a few weeks! This Momma is getting tired!!



Monday Night Fun!

Since Mitch is out of town this week, Luci and I are staying busy!! We had a fun night last night!!!

I picked her up from school around 4:45. When I got there, her teacher told me that she won first prize in a coloring contest and won a dollar!!! Luci was sooo excited. I told her that I would take her to Target and let her spend it, but she insisted on putting it in her piggy bank at home! This child is not mine! lol!

So proud!!!

Luci watched a Max and Ruby while I got dinner ready! She loves Max and Ruby and wants to watch it all the time!

Such a silly girl!!

After dinner, we watered the trees, took out the trash, and did the dishes! She is a great little helper!

Then it was bath time...and cupcake time!!! Luci loves to help me bake! ...Well, mainly decorate the cupcakes! I gave her a few that she could decorate on her own...and let me tell ya, she loves putting sprinkles on!!!

Yes, she was a little "sugared" last night...and no, she didn't go to bed on time! Ha!

We had a great, fun night...It is so nice just to get to spend time together...just us girls!

Weekend Recap- Shopping, Bday, and Baby

We had a fairly decent weekend!!! Luci was still recovering from her stomach issues, and Mitch got a little under the weather, but all in all, it was a great weekend!

Friday morning...Luci insisted on putting lipstick on all by herself. :-)

On Friday night, we just rested and hung around the house. Saturday morning, everyone was feeling decent so we went and grabbed breakfast at Egg and I and then headed out for some shopping.

Luci insisted on Sissy Baby going with us.

After shopping, we rested and just hung around the house. On Saturday night, we went over to Kerri and Taylor's to celebrate her bday!!! Taylor's sister and her husband were also there to help us celebrate. We had a fantastic meal...and a great gf cake that Taylor ordered and decorated himself! :-)

The girls!!

On Sunday, we woke up and did a little yard work and then rested for the morning. I did a little grocery shopping and then Luci and I took a lonnggg nap!! After we got up from our nap, we hugged and kissed Mitch goodbye! Mitch left for the rest of the week for a conference. We will meet up with him on Thursday for mine and Tasha's annual August reunion!!! After he left, Luci and I decided to hit the mall for a little shopping. We got a cookie treat and Luci got herself and Sissy Baby a new outfit!!!

Eating her cookie at the mall!

Luci and Sissy Baby in their matching outfits!!!

I have had several people ask me where Sissy Baby's band-aids are...Well, Luci is very selfish with those...pretty sure she won't share with Sissy Baby. I'm pretty sure if my finger was bleeding and barely hanging on, she would still complain over me using one of her precious band-aids! :-)

So, not a terribly exciting weekend, but a fun one anyway!