Christmas here I come.....

I'm a sucker for Christmas..... seriously. I love every single part of the holiday, the crazy family gatherings, the last-minute shopping trips, the decorating, the music! I'm such a die-hard, I even convinced H.O.T.Y. into a Christmas themed wedding. So, about this time of year I usually start having my Xmas Itch! The stores start putting out red and green, the catalogs pile up daily in the mailbox, family starts asking us our holiday plans..... it gets my blood pumping!

Even though I love love love my traditional christmas decor of red and gold, I'm thinking about going a little crazy this year and adding a touch of leopard print. What do you guys think?

Murder Mystery Dinner

For four years I have been wanting to go to the Stone Lion Inn in Guthrie, OK for their Murder Mystery Dinner. Every time I saw the advertisement in the Gazette, I would beg H.O.T.Y. to let us go some weekend. So.... I was super excited to bring the idea up to my Sunday School class and find out that they totally loved the idea and wanted to go!

After everyone made their reservations, we received an email explaining each of our characters and the main plot. The year was 1948 and we were having dinner in a small inn in Washington Post, Massachusetts. Since something like this is WAY more fun when people get into it, I asked my mom to raid her stash of antiques and send me a costume. She ended up sending me my great-grandmother's hat, fur stole, and pearl necklace. Added to my brown turtleneck and tweed skirt - I must say, I gave ol' great-grandma a run for her money! H.O.T.Y. went to the costume shop and got a black bow tie, slicked back his hair and put on his black suit.... and easily became the South American Playboy that he'd been assigned!

To be completely honest, the dressing up and getting together with our Sunday School class was the fun part. The dinner and the murder mystery was unfortunately a disappointment. The group had 40 people total, so with so many characters and so many sub-plots to follow, it became way to confusing. Plus, the dinner sucked! The Stone Lion Inn was beautiful though, and supposedly, it really is HAUNTED! On a side note, I thought it was funny that they served the drinks and appetizers on an embalming table!!!

All in all, it was a fun night with great friends!

Parent-Teacher Conference

Yesterday, I got my first Parent-Teacher Conference!

I went to pick up Miss Priss from Mother's Day Out and I said hi to the assistant teach and asked how Miss Priss's day was, she said.... "Um, I'll let you talk to Miss Heather about that."

Of course my stomach just dropped..... my brain was spinning.... had Miss Priss fallen, had she choked on something, had she been hurt, had she cried all day.... what had happened to her?

Miss Heather then came over and said... "We had a difficult day with Miss Priss today." As I sat there in horror, she told me that Miss Priss had pulled a little boys hair when she'd wanted something from him, she'd bitten a little girl when she was in the way, had screamed at the teacher for not picking her up, and had stolen everyone else's food at lunch.

I mean seriously.... I sat there in shock!!!!

For you that know Miss Priss personally, you know this is SO NOT HER!!!! She's usually the calm, laid-back kid in the group!

So of course I profusely apologized, and Miss Heather just reassured me that it was normal and it was fine. They just wanted me to know and to have my blessing that when she behaved like that they could be firm with her and say "No."

Who would've thought.... my sweet little Miss Priss is turning into the school bully!

Oklahoma State Fair

When you live in OKC, going to the annual State Fair is a MUST! In one afternoon you get to pig out on the worst foods EVER, see the smallest horse in the world, see dogs do flying tricks, watch pigs race, pet a dozen animals and ride carnival rides!

Miss Priss's New Hat

Just a few pictures of the latest accessory in her wardrobe! Happy Friday!

Tales from the Dog Bed

For the last couple of weeks our family has been passing around a cold, so needless to say, we've had several boxes of kleenexs sitting around the house....

Last night, H.O.T.Y. found Miss Priss sitting in the Big Beagle's dog bed. This is one of her favorite hang out spots, but he quickly noticed that she was not alone. Big Beagle was lying next to her staring at her lap. H.O.T.Y. got a little closer and realized that she was sitting there with a box of kleenexs in front of her. He got my attention and I came over to look just in time to see the two of them in action!

Miss Priss would pull out a kleenex, blow her snotty nose into it, and then toss it to the dog. Sure enough, the dog would promptly chase it down, eat it, and then return for the next one. This probably went on for a good ten minutes. Each time the dog would chase the kleenex, Miss Priss would burst into giggles, while simultanelously digging into the box for the next one.

There are days where the Big Beagle absolutely drives me insane... but seeing the two of them together and how much fun they have makes my heart brim full each and every time!

I wish I had pictures to share with this story.... but I don't, sorry!

Riding the Big Beagle

This is a couple weeks old.... but still tooooooo cute!

Enjoy!

Happy Monday

I swear, Miss Priss has a funny bone throughout her entire body! Even with a double ear infection.... she had us laughing all weekend long! She's learned to "twirl" around and around until she falls down, how to walk backwards (which she'll only do for you if you "beep beep beep" like a truck), and thinks it's super cool to "ride the dog" (which I'll post that video later!)

Sweet Little Friends

My good friend Stacy came over today for a playdate and we had such a good time! She has the sweetest little 5-month old baby, Rilee, as well as cute-as-ever (almost 3 year-old), Cash.

Stacy was one of my first friends here in OKC, so we've been through a lot together! Crappy jobs, new houses, family drama, my wedding and three babies combined! Plus, she's my #1 shopping buddy here in OK!

Just wanted to post a couple cute pics of Miss Priss and her friends!

Remembering 9/11

My heart is heavy tonight, after watching the 9/11 documentary on the History channel. It's surreal to think it was only seven years ago.... I remember how scared I was the morning that it happened. Watching in awe as we saw the Manhattan skyline fill with smoke, then seeing those devastating moments as the two towers fell.

My mind immediately goes to all those that lost their loved ones that day.... their friends, their family... in the planes, in the towers, in the pentagon; and all those heroic firemen and officers who lost their lives.

Tonight, I think of all those that witnessed that day and how each of us felt around the nation that morning. And I pray that my sweet baby girl never have to experience the horror that we saw that tragic day.

Blogger Award

Check it out - I got an award!! Yippee! Thanks Shannon
Now I guess it's my turn to fill it out (in one word answers no less!)....

1. Where is your cell phone? in front of me on my desk
2. Where is your significant other? just left for work
3. Your hair color? Blonde (thanks to my friend Andi)
4. Your mother? a leader
5. Your father? my realist
6. Your favorite thing? family
7. Your dream last night? shoot.... I can't remember
8. Your dream/goal? currently: new house
9. The room you’re in? home office
10. Your hobby? creative junk.... graphic design, decorating, photos, crafts
11. Your fear? LOSS
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? new house
13. Where were you last night? Mamma Mia musical!!!
14. What you’re not? laid-back (sad, but true)
15. One of your wish-list items? new house (do you see a pattern)
16. Where you grew up? Missouri
17. The last thing you did? talked to my mom
18. What are you wearing? Pajamas (my glamorous SAHM wardrobe)
19. Your TV? new
20. Your pet? big beagle
21. Your computer? needs more memory
22. Your mood? anxious
23. Missing someone? always
24. Your car? eats gas
25. Something you’re not wearing? makeup
26. Favorite store? lately..... hobby lobby
27. Your summer? wonderful
28. Love someone? with my whole heart
29. Your favorite color? orange
30. When is the last time you laughed? today when Miss Priss was twirling in the back yard
31. Last time you cried? last night during Mamma Mia

Breath-Taking Moments

Today at my Moms Group, we discussed Breath-Taking Moments.

We talked about the different stories in the bible that must have been breath taking... Noah standing on his ark looking out across the water, Mary holding her baby close on the night of his birth, Jesus looking out at all the smiling faces as they waved palm branches greeting him.

We also shared some of our own personal moments that truly took our breath away... finding out we're going to be parents, driving home after a wonderful dinner with friends, being given a compliment by our sweet little toddler, watching our grandparents hold hands as they walk together.

These are the moments where I feel that we get to see a glimpse of God. Time seems to stand still and we get that split second to let our guard down and truly enjoy being in that moment. I am more than guilty of letting time slip by and missing out on my daily breath-taking moments. I spend more time worrying about the "what-ifs" than indulging in my time with Miss Priss and with H.O.T.Y.

Today I truly believe that God was talking to me.... it's time to slow down and open up my heart to all those breath-taking moments that He has planned for me.

Tiger Safari

For some Labor Day weekend fun, we drove out to Tuttle, Oklahoma to the Tiger Safari. IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!

Miss Priss got to hold a ferret, hug a fox, pet a baby kangaroo, feed a tiger and ride a turtle! She absolutely loves animals so she definitely had a great day!

It you'd like to see more of our Safari Adventure... be sure to check out our Shutterfly Gallery!