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