Newborn pictures

This past weekend I took my friend’s baby pictures for her. His name is Cruz and he was born 6 weeks early so is still a tiny guy! He cooperated really well or at least at the end he was so asleep I could do whatever I wanted with him. Here are some unedited shots. I’m buying the new Photoshop Elements 10 next week (at least I think I am…if you have Photoshop Elements 9 or something even older let me know how you like it. )

Anyways, here are some of my favorites.

Isn’t he sweet? :)

Friday night we volunteered to keep Hunter while Courtney & Brian went to the football game. Hannah’s mighty-mite team was cheering at the game. We went to Colton’s for dinner after we played for awhile at our house. We felt the need to use Hunter as an excuse for ice cream, so we also had Dairy Queen after dinner! Then we went by the game to catch up with the rest of them.

Cruz’s photo session took 5 hours on Saturday, but that was just perfect, I didn’t have anything else going on and I had fun with him and Lindsey. We celebrated Mom’s birthday Saturday night at El Charro’s with the Yorks and my parents. We went back to the York’s house and the guys watched the Mizzou game while we sat upstairs and gabbed!

Sunday was a great day! We started our Sunday School class and there were 15 people in there! Incredible!!! And 10 of them had not been involved in a Sunday School class yet. We had the best class and everyone felt comfortable talking, which was great. Everyone participated and then several of us went out to lunch afterwards. We always go out after church and we’ve decided to extend the invite to whoever wants to go from class….just knowing that it’s crazy because there’s always at least 8 kids there!!

I was lazy the rest of the day. (Imagine that!) I hope whenever I am done with all the medicine I have been taking I can get my energy back up. I just don’t want to do much of anything. It was cool and rainy though so it was the perfect day to be lazy and Kody was too…that always helps. ;) We did after lunch go to the York’s again to celebrate their son, Sam, and his birthday. That was fun, I always like going to their house.

My week has been pretty busy so far. Today I drove to Gainesville (a little town about 45 minutes away) for a City Clerk meeting. It went well and we had it at the old Harlin House, which was neat and great food. I enjoy getting out of the office, especially on beautiful fall days! I even picked up 2 end tables for the basement at a resale shop on my way back. I stopped to use the restroom and fell in love! I have plans to paint them and antique them. We shall see!

I get Friday off so I will have all day to prepare for Casey’s wedding shower on Saturday! I’m excited to see my friends and celebrate Casey’s BIG day!

Homemade Caramel Corn

This week I got my new Real Simple magazine and it had a recipe in it for caramel corn and I thought I had to try it. I’m hosting a bridal shower at our house next week and we’re going to do fall type foods, this was my trial and error session before…good news, it was wonderful!

Hands on time: 20 minutes

Total time: 1 hour/ serves 4 (6 cups)

Ingredients:

Nonstick Cooking Spray

3 Tablespoons Canola Oil

¼ cup popcorn kernels

6 Tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces

1/3 cup packed light brown sugar

3 Tablespoons light corn syrup

1 teaspoon pure Vanilla extract

¼ teaspoon Kosher salt

 

Directions:

· Heat oven to 300. Spray a rimmed baking sheet with the cooking spray.

· Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the popcorn kernels, cover, and cook, shaking the saucepan constantly once the kernels begin to pop, until there is a 2 to 3 second interval between pops, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl.

· In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, sugar, and corn syrup. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture bubbles and lightens in color, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the vanilla and salt. Pour over the cooked popcorn and with a rubber spatula, toss to coat.

· Spread the popcorn mixture on the prepared baking sheet and bake, tossing once, until a deep amber color. Should be about 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from oven, toss, and let cool on the baking sheet. (Popcorn will crisp as it cools) I used aluminum foil over my baking pan, so I could have less mess. The popcorn came off of it really well .

It said it would keep up to a week in an air tight container.

ENJOY!!

My kind of night

Kody decided to go bow hunting on a whim tonight and I was left to do whatever I wanted! :) I made homemade caramel popcorn and oh my, it was wonderful! I will post the recipe soon, I was trying it out before a wedding shower me and a friend are planning for next weekend.

Then I took a long bath and watched an episode of Up All Night, cute show! Whitney was being DVR'ed, and now we are watching Biggest Loser. No deer for Kody tonight.

I love lazy nights! I actually breathe much easier tonight. Maybe this is the beginning of my stress going away! Lord, I hope so.

Thanks for the sweet comments on my last post. I missed blogging! That's all for now, night!

Yes, I am still alive…(LONG post!)

I’m on lunch right now and am making it a priority to update what’s been going on in our lives…this will be completely random and I say it all the time, but we’ve been super busy. I’ve worked 12-14 hour days here and there the last 2 weeks, went to Kansas City on business, and last week was my busiest week of the month shortened because of the KC trip. Y’all, I’m exhausted! :) I have so much to catch up on this will be ALL OVER THE PLACE. And out of order, which bugs me!

• Bo, our black German Shepherd was sick last week. VERY sick in fact! It had probably been going on awhile and we slowly noticed things were wrong with him. The kicker was finally he was not running around being his playful self and stopped eating. A week ago this past Saturday (9/10) I took Bo to the vet. I knew I would be leaving for KC on Sunday and Kody would be consumed with class on Monday night, so he wouldn’t get to the vet before Wednesday….We saw the much older vet there and he didn’t have a clue what was wrong with him. He didn’t look down his mouth because he wanted ME to hold it open. (100 lb. German Shepherd, sick, mad because he’s at the vet, um, no…I won’t touch his mouth.) Long story short, Tuesday night when I got home he cried and screamed getting out of his kennel. He wouldn’t go outside and just laid around and cried. Kody finally was able to look in his mouth (thinking it was a toothache) and he nudged on the side of his throat and he went ballistic! Poor guy!! Kody took him to the vet Wednesday and he had to stay the night and got to come home Thursday. He still wasn’t feeling himself. Come to find out he had Strep throat and a high fever. They left an IV pic in his arm until we went back this past Saturday for a check-up. This isn’t the best picture but he never messed with it and it was right there in front of him….not the typical Bo.
• I mentioned I was in Kansas City. We left on 9/11 and went to a conference for Missouri Municipal League. Dixie and I got up there around 2 on Sunday and went to the Plaza to shop around. Such a pretty place! We stayed down at the Hyatt in Crown Center so on Monday I walked over to Crown Center, went through the little mall and toured the Hallmark Museum. As I was leaving the museum the lady at the front desk was passing out Hallmark’s ($30!) recordable books. I got the Very First Christmas book. I told KT that’s going in the hope chest! I loved the museum, but I love all things Hallmark…

• Monday night we went to the Power & Light district. They have redone it and it’s a really neat area. Great restaurants and a great place for entertainment. We ate at Maker’s Mark, good food but pricey!!

• This is out of order I know, but the 1st day I took Bo to the vet, Saturday 9/10, our church hosted a SERVE 2011. We wanted teams to go out into the community and give back. Kody had a team while I worked in the kitchen preparing a team lunches for all the teams. Kody’s team was at a sweet old man’s house and he just wasn’t able to get out and do the work. He did stand outside and delegate, which was funny! They trimmed limbs, cleaned gutters, power washed, and did some other yard work. The man and his wife were so kind to send us a thank you card and a donation for our church. That was not the intent, but we were more appreciative than he could have imagined! And we got back quite a bit from it! Here’s a couple pictures of Kody’s team hard at work…
  
• A couple of weeks ago our Budweiser distributor hosted the Budweiser Clydesdales. Our Chamber of Commerce had a Chamber After Hours in the tent with the horses with food and drinks. I was in charge of taking pictures for the event. I won’t show the pictures of the actual After Hours, but just a couple from the night. Those horses are gorgeous! Speaking of Chamber, I’m now a Chamber Ambassador, so my friend Courtney—who is pictured below and I will get to spend more time together! She works for our Chamber! :) Plus it’s a great opportunity!

• I had a doctors appointment yesterday. My life has been non-stop, crazy, crazy, and a little more  crazy that I am delegating this month as a STRESS FREE and relaxing month. I need this SO much! My appointment went ok, but I appreciate all the prayers I can get. Infertility sucks! I do however try to remain very positive. We will get our turn and it will be better than all those other times I thought we’d have.
• On to better news though, I went up to Springfield by myself and shopped and shopped a little more! I had a great day. I got a few things for fall, got a shower gift, a new Tervis tumbler…because my other one cracked…I love my new one…can’t find a picture though!
• My Mom and I went down to Mountain Home, AR to shop around this past Saturday. Kody was hunting and then we took Bo in to get rechecked and we just decided to head south! We went to TJ Maxx and a couple other stores and had lunch. I got the most comfortable black patent flats…love them!! Yes, I am a grandma and that’s about all I wear. :) Sue me.
• I had a City Council meeting Monday night and there were over 100 people in the crowd. Think they were wild about something? Actually, everyone was very cordial, but there was an issue going on. That’s the most people I’ve EVER seen at a meeting! :)
• Last night after Springfield Kody and I went to the Country Club for dinner with my old boss and his wife, new boss and wife, my partner Dixie and her husband, and the city council and Mayor. It was kind of a going away thing for my old boss. We had a wonderful time and were so glad to get to be with everyone and get to know the new people better!
• Tonight…what’s on the agenda? Hmm, editing some pictures, hopefully watching Biggest Loser, and getting our screened-in porch cleaned out.
• Tomorrow we could go to the football game, but we’d rather stay home. We’ll go to Homecoming…they’re not good this year (or last) and it’s hard to watch, plus we just want to rest!!

Show Us Your Life--Favorite Bible Studies

It has been a long time since I have participated in Kelly's Korner, Show Us Your Life. This Friday Kelly is featuring your favorite Bible Study or Devotion Book. I'm excited about this because we are starting a new Sunday School class on Sunday!! We've had this in the works for awhile and have really thought hard about what direction we want to go in. It's finally coming to real life and I'm really excited for what all we will learn! We wanted to get back in to the basics of the Bible. We're starting off with Max Lucado's book on Acts. We plan to do the other Max Lucado studies after this one.

We're looking for studies that you can relate to your life. More like a life application study....any suggestions for the future? What are you studying right now that you love?

Oh and just for fun, this is what Kody's life is consisting of right now...

Can't tell what this is? Well, bow season officially started yesterday. Kody gets into die hard hunting mode every fall. He is more pumped this year because he has Saturdays off...especially since he doesn't get to miss church for hunting! This is his bow sitting on top of this large box of clothes. He has all of his clothes in there getting desensitized...I know this probably isn't the right term, but you get the picture. :)

Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning?

Much like our parents generation who can recall where they were when Kennedy was assassinated, I will never forget the morning of September 11, 2001.

I was a freshman in high school and was in health class. We actually had the Today Show on most mornings and were watching it that morning and saw it all take place as soon as it came on TV. Watching in disbelief you first may think it was a horrible accident. And then the 2nd plane hit and you knee it was something else.

I think of that day often and will never forget it. Tonight as I watch footage from that day I realize I was pretty naive then. Who isn't at 15 years old? I knew it was a very BAD deal, but I lived in rural Missouri and basically a bubble. The words "terrorist attack" were extremely foreign to me. My heart aches for the people lost and the families that have had to live with that nightmare since. I can't imagine losing someone I love like that, but then to think about those who never found bodies. It's hard to get closure when you just aren't sure what happened.

Since 2001, I have visited New York City. I fell in love with the city and seeing Ground Zero and the church where rescue workers rested was incredible. I could have sat in that church for two days. The feeling you feel in there is hard to describe. New York has come so far and it is evident how much the residents love their city, are proud of it, and are true Americans.

I pray that the families who lost people are able to have closure and peace. May God bless all of those involved. God Bless the USA!

Traveling Fools

I don’t know about y’all but I’m worn out! Plum worn out! We’ve gone and gone and gone a little more until I’m about ready to demand a good NO PLANNED weekend at HOME, yes HOME SWEET HOME! I love to vacation, see friends and family, but sometimes it can really wear a person out! I’m there! And I have 1 more long car trip to make this coming weekend. :(

Anyways, we traveled this Labor Day. We always enjoy being the statistic and driving on holidays. :) We headed to Jackson Friday at 5, got there about 8, saw our 2 sweet nephews and BIL & SIL, and then Kody’s grandma. Our nephew Drew was really surprised to see us and just hugged and hugged on us. He was speechless! HA! Drake was already asleep, but Erica let us peak in at him and man oh man, has that boy grown!!! Literally, filled out! He’s PRECIOUS!! Drew was always a skinny minny, but not Drake. And we’re loving it!

We were in bed fairly early as it was a long day and we had a long day ahead of us! My in-laws were getting in between 2 and 3 a.m. from Las Vegas for a bank trip. We didn’t even hear them come in! We were all up around 7 and headed to Kentucky about 8:15! Kaci and Luke were already at the lake house when we got there and we changed and got ready for the boat. I snapped a few of these shots of sweet Drake shortly before going out on the water.

 

We weren’t sure how Drew and Drake would do out on the water, but they did perfect! Drake nearly was choking half the time in his life jacket, but finally got to breathe for awhile with it off. He even dipped his feet in the water. Drew wasn’t so sure of the water, but had a really good time on the boat. We enjoyed most of the day on the water and came in right before it started looking like rain around 4 something.

We celebrated MeMaw’s birthday that night after dinner with a DQ Heath cake! YUM!

  

We woke up to rain and cooler weather on Sunday! Bummer!! No lake time! We ended up going into Paducah and shopping at the mall and having lunch at Penn Station. Kyle, Erica, and the boys went home about 3 and we headed back to the lake house. We rested for awhile and then grilled and went into town for DQ as dessert! Perfect weekend with too much dessert! ;)

Monday we got up and headed home shortly after breakfast. We were back in West Plains around 3. I feel like I have to come back to work to rest. :)

I leave Sunday for Kansas City for a couple of nights for work. Any good places to recommend for dinner near Crown Center? Like a nice place?? Leave a comment! I’m going with our city council and they always like to do it up right! Too bad I won’t have time to shop!

Hope y’all are having a good, short week!

What I’m Loving Wednesday!

I haven’t participated in WILW for a long time…and I need simple reminders that life is good, no matter what. I have a few things to be thankful for this week!

1. I’m LOVING this weather! Hello, it’s 73 degrees outside and it’s lunchtime! Perfect weather!!! This weather makes me crave all things fall, especially football games…and Homecoming, my favorite day of the fall season!

I love a good bonfire outside…and Kody has built us a fire pit, not quite this fancy though…

How cute is this?

I could go on and on from pictures on Pinterest, love that silly site!

2. Fall fingernail polish….I love this! My current color is OPI, Over the Taupe…

3. I have a new boss this week! I’m super excited about this opportunity to work with a great guy! Sometimes change is good!

4. Us, along with another couple, are starting a new Sunday School class in a week. We’re really excited and hope to be successful with it!

I’m always loving my husband, he’s a rockstar in my opinion! Last night I wasn’t feeling well and he wanted to make sure I didn’t need anything from the store…even a diet Root Beer (my treat!). I’m lucky to be his wife!