JaNEWary!

I like that each year, we can look forward to having a fresh start on things...January seems to be a new beginning for so many people...those looking to change something in their life...those looking to start a new habit/end an old one...those looking to start a new them. We all have personal and professional resolutions that we may keep for awhile and then slowly-by mid-February or so-they start to taper off. I think my one and only time I made a resolution was two years ago-after the birth of Hannah. I told myself I would get in better physical/mental shape by being better to myself. I would work out as I needed/wanted to and supplement my healthier life by eating better. I would not beat myself up for eating that ice cream or popcorn that one night. I would try and do things for myself (ie: pedicures, massages, professional haircuts, a girls night out) because "a happy momma makes for a happy home". I've tried to stick with this resolution and have done pretty well...it's the only one I've ever made. I read an article this morning about Drew Barrymore and she was talking about how pressured women are (especially in her business) to get thin and be perfect two weeks after having kids. I agreed with her when she said that her body will never be the same and she may never in her life be happy that swimsuit season is back again because her body isn't "bikini ready" but that she wanted her daughter to understand that we all have the potential to be healthy, but most importantly happy in who we are and what we look like. Growing up, I was never told that I was ugly, or too short or wasn't good enough for something. Never. I was always bui

lt up and encouraged. I was always told that I could do whatever I wanted to do in life if I worked hard to achieve it. I want to instill my daughters with the same advice and same support that I got growing up. SO my new resolution to myself is to be an encourager. To let them try new things and let them fall if they need to but to always make sure Mom is RIGHT there when they need me.

Hello summer! - I FORGOT about this blog that had been saved...

Just as we think the year might slow down a bit...it's summer. We had SO much to get done in May and June and looking ahead I see nothing big on the calendars! AT LAST! Relaxation...or at least for a couple of weeks. In May, Natalie graduated from kindergarten-ceremony and all. I loved how she went around and hugged her classmates-telling each one of them how she was "going to miss the SO much" and "good luck this summer". Made me smile. I don't think she quite comprehends how she'll be with the same kids all through her school career. I never had that. To grow up with the same people from 5 years old on. There are people that I have known that long, but not that I was with day in and day out, every year for all that time. I know that there are definite pros to the way I was raised - homeschool most of my life. I hear friends who grew up with Andy tell me how different he was in middle and high school. A person changes so much during those years-emotionally. Physically.Psychologically. Anyway-enough rambling...here are some photos of our summer so far...biggest thing...Natalie turned 6 on us!

Excuses?

So I could tell you that I've just been so busy that I haven't had time to blog since...APRIL?! (Which is KIND of true), or that it's been a whirlwind of a summer/fall, (which is also true) Or I could tell you that I lost my password to this blog...which JUST SO happens to be the right answer! I REALLY did! I couldn't remember it and never seemed to have enough time to push the "I forgot my password" button ;) But here I am...back again! Just a few pictures to cath you up on our summer/fall...

BlockFest

We have always been huge supporters of the local Parents as Teachers program. And so when our good PAT friend Angie announced at PLES's that PAT was bringing "BlockFest" to Perry - I knew we had to go see what this was about. I left the camera in the car during the event - because I didn't know what to expect - but should have brought it in to capture some real fun! There were 4 stations that the kids could play in. They had small blocks and large blocks and building blocks and soft blocks. We built forts and knocked them down. We built houses and destroyed them. We had a great time...and then got to play for awhile at the school park-which both kids loved. Good night - or as Natalie put it later, it was "Blocktastic"!

Family is coming!!

A few weeks ago, my sister, Erika, called to tell me some exciting news. The job that my brother-in-law, Dereck, had applied for in Topeka was his! How Exciting!!!!! I get to have them closer and see my two nieces even more now! Yay!! Oh wait - you say-What about having to sell their house - done! They had a buyer within a week's time (no doubt because they made the house look great! So this past weekend, my sister Erika, the two girls, Jessie and Jasmine, and my parents came up to Perry to look at houses and get a feel for the twon they are moving to. Well, they found one they loved and put an offer on it already. Things are moving VERY quickly! I caught a couple of pictures of the girls with their girl cousins as we had so much fun with them and can not WAIT for them to get here!

Springtime

Well...it's officially springtime! with the rain, the storms, the mud, Easter and summer just around the corner!

Just a few pictures for fun... We have had a busy few week! Natalie started t-ball practice and plays in her first game this Saturday...she's READY!
Easter Morning...


Easter hats that Grandma Denise made...

Favorite little memories

What is your earliest memory? I have some very vivid memories of when I was younger-may 3 or 4? I remember going down our large staricase to our basement in Valley Center, holding my baby sister, Erika Beth very carefully in my arms. I decided to scoot down on my bottom. I'm not sure my Mom knew what I was doing-I had to have been 4 or 5 though-I remember her being very little. I remember going next door to my best friend Micah's house and I dressed to impress him...I wore all purple-even purple socks and hat and chewed grape gum. I remember his Mom coming to the door and yelling for him as she laughed at me, engulfed in his favorite color. I remember we would then go behind my house in the wheat field and play house with the flour and chicken gizzards I had swiped from my mom's cooking preparations. I remember looking up at the massive blue sky and thinking it was the best day ever. Seeing the airplane swipes (as we called them) and talking about where we would go when we were older and married with kids of our own. I remember being very young and my Mom asking me where Sesame Street was-my very favorite show-and I would walk her all over the house looking for the street. I remember walking in on my Dad in his closet as he studied the Bible and made notes and highlighted. He did that every morning. I remember my parents playing some (actually crazy mean) tricks on our neighbors and me helping...as we placed Saran wrap on their toilet seats and put salt in their sugar jars! Ha! I remember having a family bible study every morning with a couple of songs.
My Grandma Ryel use to tell me that she remembered being 3...I can't think clearly to that far...just memories of a lovely past.

Christmas traditions-is different bad?

This year was a different one during the Christmas holiday. I'm not sure why I never got into the spirit of Christmas...I mean, I did everything I could TO get there. Christmas baking, decorating, party planning, hosting, decorating cookies with lots of kids, gift exchanges, Church advent candles...I mean, I SHOULD have been there. It was around mid-December when I got sick-right in Hannah's 2nd birthday when I was supposed to be in Wichita for a work presentation. I HAD to get better, so I stayed home-for 3 days! But I HAD to get better...afterall, we were headed to Brandon that weekend to spend a little tme with all of my side of family. We packed up the car and headed out. Bunch of presents, 2 excited kids, a sick Mommy and a Santa hat on Dad. We did have fun though! Went to Silver Dollar City and worked our way around the other 50,000 people who decided to go there that day too. It took us 45 mins to get out of the parking lot!
The next day, we headed home after celebrating 2 December birthdays at a kids fun land. So tired the following day!
Christmas was fun with the girls...relaxed at home that morning and then headed to Andy's parents house where we ate and opened more presents. Hannah had fun opening...could have cared less what was actually IN the package, but it was entertainment for sure. All in all, this holiday season was different...but, but a good different.

Being Creative...or not

So for Christmas, we always exchange names. At least on my side we do. This year we tried to be a little different and exchanged names with the idea that you had to make something based off of a Pintrest like/pin. It was fun...seeing what my sisters and Mom pinned or liked. I usually liked the same things...but my creative mind and creative hand are two very different things. The beautiful, simple bottle wrapped in yarn....looked like a clumsy hot glue mess.
The picture or card ribbon frame I had envisioned for my sister, didn't turn out quite right. The frame was a reused one-and I probably should have painted it or something...it took forever to get the ribbon on there and ..well...it just didn't turn out like it looked on the "professional's page"
It seems like that happens a lot in my life. I KNOW what I want to do, to say, to not do or not say...and it's not what actually happens. I MEAN to send dear friends birthday cards and Holiday cheer every year, but the time slips away with all of my good intention.

Hello Fall

I love Fall...I've said it before, but there is always a sense of wonderment for me during this time. I love seeing the colors change in a day's time and I love all of the different holidays we get to celebrate, starting in Fall.
We went to Ark City in October to see family and take part in Arkalalah-a fall festival there-and a tradition since I can't remember when-FOREVER??!!
Family, tons of food and old friends make for a really nice time. We went down to AC on Thursday night and stayed until Sunday.
One of my best friends from high school and her new fiancee came and we threw them an engagement party.
sometimes I miss being so young and carefree...anytime I'm in Ark City, a flood of memories hits me. Some good, some sad but they have made me who I am and I wouldn't trade a single one of them.

We had some family pictures taken while there...here are a few...enjoy

I wish...

I wish that I could...take back mean things I have said to hurt a sister, take back any pain or hurt my Dad has felt, take away any lonliness my Mom has gone through, talk to my Grandpa just one more time to hear him call me his "Number one girl", tell my Grandma I love her and hug her just a little bit longer, let Natalie swing just a little longer-and push her the whole time, let Hannah cuddle more, be more empathetic to Andy and take away his pain, meet his Grandpa who he loved so much, make his parents realize how much they mean to us, let my friends know I wouldn't be who I was if it weren't for parts of them.
I guess I just did,

What do you wish??

Most favorite season of all!

I heart Fall! Not JUST because it's my birthday season, or because I love wearing sweatshirts, or love the changing colors. I love it because it reminds me that with every season, every year, I am so very blessed to be alive. I am able to enjoy swinging my daughters. Sitting on the porch with my husband. Talking to an old friend in my backyard. I am healthy. I am blessed. How could I ask for more?

Celebrate good times...come on!

We just celebrated Andy's 33rd birthday this past weekend! Nothing big...He said "33 is no 30th" So we celebrated in style on his actual birthday by inviting a few couples to join us at a hibachi grill called Kiku's. One of the guys going texted me a few days before and said he had a limo...okay...totally random, but we had a blast! And Andy had no clue. He saw it pull up and just said, "Oh geez" :)
We had a great time and I think he really enjoyed himself.

Summer "funner" days

Well another month gone and August in full swing...Natalie is getting excited to start Kindergarten and Hannah is entering the terrible...something or others :)
Natalie had her graduation from the YWCA preschool in July-they did it then so that the kids wouldn't begin asking about going to kindergarten. Now they only have 3 weeks instead of 3 months. I thought it was smart. We went shopping for her school supplies and she just couldn't understand why she couldn't get the cool notebooks and binders etc...
Natalie also started at a home daycare. She will go there full time until school starts and then she'll RIDE THE BUS back there with some friends...I'm a LITTLE nervous...I may have to follow the bus just once to see how it goes ;)

Andy started his job with Security Benefit in the first part of July and JUST started training this week. I'm surprised that he hasn't fallen asleep reading the Series 6 book he had to read. BUT he got a big compliment from his manager-the trainer told his manager that ANdy "knows his stuff" and will be one of the top guys in no time!! AWESOME! He felt pretty good about it too! He will be really awesome at this...stressful atmosphere-or can be, lots to get done in a short amount of time. He THRIVES off of that!

I'm so happy that he's happy...our relationship has gotten better and we talk alot more now. He actually TELLS me what he's been doing all day and he is upbeat and positive-something he hasn't been for awhile. I have the man I love back!

Mayday's come and gone

May was super fast...Natalie turned 5 this month but the month seemed to go so fast, that her birthday has already come and gone...all that's left is gift wrapping, paint and a 5 year old! She was super excited to have some visitors come from a far away land called Oklahoma, come to see her on her special day. Grandma Ruthie, Aunt Erika, Zander and Jasmine all came up to stay the night with us and stay for the party on Saturday. Andy wanted to make her an extra special birthday dinner on Friday so he asked her what her most favorite food was...she said "Hot dogs and macaroni and cheese" so we laughed and said, other than hot dogs, what do you love? She replied, "well, I REALLY love hotdogs" Dad said, "Okay, if you had to choose between chicken and steak, what would you pick" Natalie said, "Chicken", Dad said, "Okay, if you had to choose between chicken and fish, what would you choose?" SHe said, "Chicken" Andy said, "would you like shrimp too?" "Natalie replied "YES...I LOVE shrimp" Andy said "Okay, we'll have some chicken and shrimp" Natalie responds, "What about crablegs?" ah...that girl

creativity

sometimes creativeness comes when I least expect it. I just whipped out a cute apron for a friend. I was trying to be a sewing genius and although it did take me 45 minutes to figure out the thread and bobbin situation, I got it and it's done. GO me! ;)

March Madness

OKay...I am SO glad that basketball season is almost over. I don't poke fun at people who enjoy this time of year...but COME ON! You can still function if you miss a few minutes of the game, I promise! I married into the NE Kansas craziness of KU basketball...I was told, "If you want to stay together, you have to choose" There was so much pressure! I don't even think I was given a fair opportunity to scout all of the possible teams to root for...but...I am a KU fan in all respect. No, I will not paint my face, house or car a certain shade of blue or red (although my Caliber is the perfect shade of red-on accident of course). I am pretty sure I will not bleed blue and red if I were cut, but I have to respect the love, passion and downright obsession of the man I married and some friends I surround myself with. (But I can't wait until they are "normal" again next week :)

New stuff

Well...2011 has already brought us new things...I started my new job with The Network Today on Valentine's Day 2011 I am selling personality assessments and have fun promoting them. I am also promoting professional development and the two events we are putting on this Spring. ..so I am keeping busy. I am able to work from home, which has it's pro's and cons:
Pros-I get to set my schedule and be flexible with personal appointments; I get to be involved with the Chamber and young professionals group again-which I love.
Biggest con right now? I have to take the girls into school in the morning-which is great, but if I don't have an appointment, I havew to drive all the way back home. Grandma Betty has been generous enough to let me work from her home. Which works out very well.
I'm looking forward to the day when we have an office of our own-hopefully somewhere downtown, but this works for now.
I am TRULY blessed to have an amazing leader in Gail and a great co-worker who is excited to expand this company. I just hope that I can be what I need to be for this company to grow!

Nat's life

New Nat stories...

"Mom, I'm sorry that I lied, but sometimes my mouth doesn't remember the truth"

After I asked her to pick the basement toy room up-all by herself-"But Mom, my hands will get tired and by the time I'm done, it will be dark outside."

After telling her to stop picking her nose (in the choir loft during church, no less)
"Mom, if I don't pick them out, the boogers will start coming out of my nose and scaring people-they'll say 'oh my, what is that on Natalie's face" :)

(Nat)"Mom, I need new friends" (me) "Oh yeah...why is that honey?"
(Nat)"well, Mom, my friends say that I am slow" (me) "well we know that its not true" (Nat) "well I am a little bit slow"

I miss her

I miss my Grandma. I think about her at least 5 times a day. When I see a special type of bird; when I hear one of her favorite songs, when I call my Mom "Grandma Ryel" to Natalie, when I look at her picture in my living room; when I look in the mirror. I miss the way she smelled like powder and her favorite Doublemint gum. I miss the way she jiggled when she would laugh and pointing it out would only make her jiggle harder.
I miss the way she would talk and look out the window-all while rubbing her knee with her index finger as if soothing an ache in her bone.
Every Sunday at the Methodist church we attend, I think of her. When we stand and sit and sing the older hymns. I think of her when I am responding to what the Pastor is saying-God and her faith was such a big part of her life. I think of her when I see the elderly lady who sits all alone just down the pew from where we usually sit-I always try to talk just a little longer to her...after all, she reminds me of my grandma.