Happy Valentine's Day!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I picked the song because it is the kids most favorite song right now. Enjoy!

sneaky peeky.

To be continued......

Claire update

Today was Claire's 6 month checkup with the endocrinologist. Luckily they come here once a month so we don't have to drive 3 hours to Kansas City for checkups. She has grown and inch and a half since August which puts her at 47 & 1/2 inches!!! She is just centimeters away from being FOUR FEET TALL! They were very pleased with her growth. She has not gained any weight which is a very good sign that the medicine is working properly. But they do want to do some tests to make sure everything is going as well as it seems. So next week we will do the following.

1. We will obtain a bone age to make sure that things are slowing down in that department.
2. Another check of her insulin. (which REALLY made me happy because I can't believe we haven't done one since she started her meds.)
3. A check of her liver enzymes to make sure that her liver is tolerating the meds. They said that it is VERY rare for a childs liver to be affected but they want to make sure.

My mom and I felt really good about this visit. Dr. Turpin's positive reaction to Claire's growth was such a comfort. I also was reminded again of how blessed I am. Having children is hard enough without keeping up with meters and pumps. Two of the children in the waiting room had other issues besides endocrine problems and it was just awful to watch. I will be praying extra hard for those parents tonight. I pray that God gives them comfort.

Writer's Workshop Wednesday

My 5 Most Recent Favorite Things

1. Kristen Wiig on Saturday Night Live. I think she is possibly one of the funniest women ever. (Besides myself of course…I can really crack me up.) When she does the Kathy Lee skit, I pee my pants. I also pee my pants when I jump on the trampoline, but that is probably too much information.

2. My laundry room. It may sound insane, but I LOVE it in there. I was recently inspired by Stephanie Vest who decided that we must find joy in even the most mundane tasks. So I decided to paint it my favorite color (robin’s egg blue) and my husband surprised me with some great cabinets. I fixed her up all girly like and now I LOVE to be in there. I will post pics as soon as I am done with the final touches. When I go in there I am inspired and often find myself thinking of the three Stephanie's that have touched my life. Stephanie Vest, Stephanie Nielson and most importantly Stephanie Phillips.

3. Naked biker. You have provided me with quite a chuckle this morning. What I found to be even funnier was when I looked at the story online there was some ding-dong (haha...ding dong) that commented on the story. He was defending Naked Biker saying that the details were sketchy as to why he got pulled over. UH, maybe because he was RIDING A MOTORCYCLE NAKED? I left a comment. I couldn't help myself. Thank you KY3 for exposing this story. And thank you for actually using the phrase "naked as a jaybird" in your newscast. My morning is complete.

4. The plethora of Tinker bell wallflowers my mom stocked up on. The sent is “Sugared Pixie Dust” and they make Claire’s room smell like a little girl’s room should! It reminds me of my Lemon Meringue Doll from the days of my childhood. I tell you what, I can go in there and look at all of the girly stuff I put on the walls and take a big whiff of the girly smelling wallflower, and I can almost convince myself I have a “girly” girl on my hands. Then I open my eyes and see her playing with lizards, snakes and bugs while wearing her brother’s underpants and I am snapped back into reality.

5. Aprons. I love them. I only have 2. One is a Christmas apron so I don't get to wear it often. I got a GREAT one in a gift exchange this year. It came from Anthropologie and it is really cute. But I would love to have more. When I wear them I feel so June Cleaver-esque. Plus it gives me another place to wipe my hands and boogers….not MY boogers…I promise.

Mixed Nuts.

As we speak, Coco is praying. No reason. Just praying. "Bless Scot and Nanny and Papa and Grandma and Miss Paula..." Just a few minutes ago he was telling me (for no apparent reason) to, "WATCH OUT momma! Don't squish my nuts!" It's a mixed bag around here.

Pic of the day.

The three MOST important men in my life.

I can't begin to explain how blessed I am to have a husband, father and brother who adore each other the way these guys do....you know, in a VERY manly sort of way.

They were getting ready for deer season in the fall. This is the trailer that they had moved onto my dad's land so they can camp out instead of staying in the local "motel." We named it. Someday when I'm feeling extra saucy, I will tell you what we named it.

Apron Giveaway!!!

Just visited THIS blog and she is giving away a really cute apron! I want this one.

I never win anything, but there's a first time for everything. This is also the blog that has the Writer's Workshop Wednesdays. Check it out!

Writer's Workshop: To Whom it May Concern.

I found a blog that has a little activity called Writer's Workshop Wednesday. I thought it would be fun to participate. Here are last weeks prompts.

1.) Tell us about a lie you told that you later regretted.
2.) Choose a task you'd like someone to complete and write a poem asking them to do it.
3.) Describe a talent you have.
4.) Write a list of ten things on your mind this week.

You are supposed to choose one, write about it and then post it on her blog. For this one, I will just post it here. So, enjoy!

#2 is my prompt of choice. (Dr. Seuss, eat your heart out.)

To whom it may concern, I'm writing you this letter;
and if you choose to comply, my world will be much better.

There is a place that I despise to be in, around or near;
and even though I know I'm safe it involves my greatest fear.

I can handle spiders and even the occasional mouse;
but what I can not handle is the stinking reptile house.

I know the glass is extra thick and has no chance of breaking;
but that does nothing for my sweating, quick breathing and the shaking.

My daughter seems to love it and I cannot tell her no;
So when we visit the D Park zoo, we just can't help but go.

I hope you understand now, and I'll get straight to the point;
All I ask is one small thing....please shut down that joint!!!!!!

Please let me know what you decide, I thank you so sincerely;
And if your answer should be yes....I'll love you oh so dearly.

Fifty and Fabulous!

What a weekend we had! For those who don't know, my mom turned 50 on Saturday!!!! Normally I would have written a touching post about how much I adore her and listed all of the things she has taught me. That didn't happen for a few reasons. First, I'm sure blogger has a limit on how long a post can be. Second, I was busy getting everything ready for my mom's "surprise" party. Third, I was also getting ready for company because our awesome Oklahoma family that I talk about so often was coming in for the aforementioned party to surprise my mom!! So she gets this post instead!

The party was a success. I was getting nervous about having enough space and food. Turns out, we had just enough of both. The day was absolutely beautiful (highs in the upper 60's) so the kids were able to run outside and stay busy. The new boathouse at Springfield Lake is AWESOME and even came complete with about 15 deer running and playing outside as the sun went down. It was such a fun evening. A HUGE thank you to the following:

1. Steph, Scot, Jarad and Ashley for helping with the party! I couldn't have done it without you.

2. Auntie Karen who came and took WONDERFUL pictures and Uncle Keith for being her date!

3. Pam, Steve and my wonderful mother-in-law who came early to help set up and wrangle the children.

4. ALL of the people who came out to celebrate!!! Mom was SO surprised when she walked in and saw 80+ people cheering!

5. A special thank you to Aunt Donna (we missed you Uncle Bobby, but we understand someone has to hold down the farm!) and also to Clint and Dana. They heard about the party and instantly replied that they would NEVER miss a chance to celebrate my momma! Thank you for making the trip and making her day so special. We love you guys!

6. Richard's Hawg Wild BBQ in Aurora who catered in the food. It is AWESOME BBQ and so reasonable. I highly recommend them! We have used them a few times and it's wonderful EVERY time.

7. The Boathouse and Marina at Lake Springfield. They were great to work with and it is such a beautiful place. The kids loved running around on the deck outside and we opened up all of the sliding doors for a wonderful breeze. (I tried to link, but it's not working for some reason)

I am going to do a slideshow but couldn't wait to share a few pictures! (I just saved them from shutterfly, so the resolution may not be that great...my fault....NOT Auntie Karen's!!!!)

Part of the group....sorry to the people on the right side, I am gonna work on photoshopping you in.

Clint reminding Mom that the first time they met, mom was in her 30's!

Steph & Levi

Party boy.

My Favorite Aunt!

Jarad and Lulu (Alivia)

These centerpieces were simple but LOTS of fun! Everyone had a good chuckle as they browsed the pictures of mom from the "old" days! I filled them with her favorite candy, Tootsie Rolls!

I LOVED that the little ones were crowded around waiting to wish Nanny a Happy Birthday!