Fun weekend

My cousin, Abby, and her husband Josh came down this past weekend. We had a really good time. Abby was a huge help in getting some things organized and getting the baby's room clean. I am slowly but surely checking things off my to-do list before the baby comes. I got our AC in our car fixed (YAY!) yesterday, then today got an oil change, more thank you notes written, and did some deal shopping (anything to pass the time). I still want to put up a couple things on the walls in the baby's room before I post pictures, but hopefully that will get done this week as well... Here are a couple photos from the weekend.


At a Tulsa Talons football game.


Nice hit!

Funnies for the Day

1. One day a little girl was sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly noticed that her mother had several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast on her brunette head.
She looked at her mother and inquisitively asked, "Why are some of your hairs white, Mom?"
Her mother replied, "Well, every time that you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white."

The little girl thought about this revelation for a while and then said, "Momma, how come ALL of grandma's hairs are white?"

2. The children had all been photographed, and the teacher was trying to persuade them each to buy a copy of the group picture.
"Just think how nice it will be to look at it when you are all grown up and say, 'There's Jennifer, she's a lawyer,' or 'That's Michael, He's a doctor'

A small voice at the back of the room rang out, "And there's the teacher, she's dead."

3. The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The nun made a note, and posted on the apple tray:
"Take only ONE . God is watching."
Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies.

A child had written a note, "Take all you want. God is watching the apples."

Quotes from Iowa

When I was back in Iowa we celebrated Easter with my side of the family. Clayton (4) and Halle (3) had an Easter hunt and at the end of the hunt when they were leaving, Clayton says, "Nanny, if you find any more Easter eggs just give me a call."

All weekend Halle talked to the baby and often said while patting my belly, "Mayme, your baby's puffy."

Here are a couple pictures that Anna E. took.

It's the thought that counts...

Today when Seth got home from work, there were flowers laying by the front door...





Our nine year old neighbor boy had picked them for me...



From our other neighbor's house :)



David and his twin sister actually live with their father, but they are on spring break this week and will be staying with their mother who lives across the street. They often come to play basketball in our driveway on the weekends so we have had the opportunity to get to know them a little bit. They are really sweet kids and we are praying for opportunities to share the love of Christ with them.

Triple Coupon Day

This morning I went to Homeland for Triple coupon day and made out with some great deals. I was thankful that Seth woke up at 5:30am on a Saturday, he was a huge help. It was so funny to see all the couponers waiting at the doors when we got there. I got all you see below for just over $19 and about $7 of that was tax! My total before coupons was a little over $170!

Homeland

For those of you who live in or around Tulsa, I thought I'd share about the grocery store, Homeland and their deals. For those of you who don't know, Homeland double coupons up to $1.00, so if you have a $1.00 coupon it is worth $2.00! This means many times free or close to free items. This Saturday and Sunday, March 15th & 16th, the 31st and Harvand location will be tripling coupons, so you should be able to escape with some great deals.

Some tips:
One website I go to to check the deals is Hot Coupon World. There is someone who scouts the deals, then tells us what to look for.

If you are not in a certain radius, you may not receive their ad. You can request to be added to the mailing list Here.

They will not double the same coupon twice, so if you want a deal two times, you must do separate transactions.

They take printable coupons, and will usually double them unless it states "Do not double"

Always bring your coupons with you when you shop, you never know what deals you may run across.


Happy Shopping!

Hot Springs

For my birthday/Valentine's day Seth planned a little get-a-way. We wanted to go somewhere before baby gets here and this was the perfect weekend. So, we went to Hot Springs, AR. We left Wednesday night and just got back. It was sunny the first day but rainy the rest of the time. We enjoyed the beautiful scenery, the natural hot springs, watching the horses at the local racetrack, and touring the little shops and bath houses. We stayed at a bed and breakfast out in the country. It was a very peaceful, quaint place and they served a very yummy breakfast each morning! I got a massage one day which was great, but we steered clear of the mineral baths after reading Jere's recent post. It was a perfect little vacation before our little boy gets here. Now time to focus on getting ready for baby - i.e. house projects, nursery, registering, etc... (only 12 weeks away!)

You can see the Bed and Breakfast in the background of this shot.






The steam in the backgroumd is from the natural hot springs.




We enjoyed watching the horses

Fun with Finn

Last week was a tough week with Layla being sick in the hospital, however, we enjoyed the bonding time we had with Finn. Here are some pictures from the week.

He really enjoys football. Seth could watch him any Saturday ;)

Happy 25th Birthday Seth!

You are an amazing husband, I love you!

A Weekend in Topeka.

We were able to spend the weekend in Topeka visiting Shawna & Rex and kids. April and I left early with Layla and Finn so that they could get some rest on the way up. Finn slept the entire drive, while Layla, well see below... Overall it was a great weekend, except for this morning when Seth, Meri-Kate, and Camryn all woke up with the stomach flu. We may just end up staying another night if Seth doesn't get any better. Here are some pictures of the weekend.






Meri-Kate did great at her baketball game. It was a very close game.



...and Brooklyn had a fun time cheering them on!



Cammy being silly.



Miles was showing off all weekend on how well he can crawl.


Layla being her cute self.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Wish I could be with you to celebrate. Have a great birthday.

Basketball and Concert

Last night we went to a Tulsa 66ers basketball game and there was a Chris Rice concert afterwards. It was a really good game being down to the last seconds, but the 66ers pulled through. Then, the concert was great. It was a very nice evening.

Family Christmas

One BIG family (and it's still growing!).



Everybody spent the afternoon cleaning up the tree mess from the ice storm since it was 70 degrees!







Is that a mullet?!



Miles just sat in his Bumbo content as could be while everyone opened presents.



This is what all of us couples got for Christmas. Dave and Phyllis had beautiful quilts made for us all, this is the only photo I have, I'll try to post a picture of our's later.



We did a little birthday party for Cam one night. She wanted carrot cake with cooked carrots on top! Silly girl.

New Every Morning

Driving to work today, I saw the most beautiful sunrise. It was absolutely breath taking with the pinks, oranges, yellows, and reds. It just reminded me of these verses:

Leviticus 3:22,23

The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,
For His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.

I haven't updated this blog in a while, so here are some things that have happened in the last couple weeks.

Ice Storm... no power for eight days... stayed somewhere else to stay warm... Alarm system's back-up battery only lasts 17 hours... someone breaks in to our house and steals some things... I find out I have an infection from surgery... get on antibiotics... Abby and Katy's wedding... find out wrong antibiotics for type of infection... get on another... I stay in Iowa... Seth goes back to Oklahoma for the week... Seth takes a Greyhound back up... on the same bus the whole time... they lose his luggage... we get it back on christmas eve (PTL)... get my hair cut... I finish my antibiotics with no allergic reaction (PTL)... had a nice time with nieces and nephew, brothers and sisters, my parents, and others... left on Christmas day...got home safely at 3:00am (PTL)...

So, the last couple weeks have been crazy to say the least. The sunrise this morning was such a reminder of the big picture. I need to remember the Lord's great love and continued care for us despite the little things that can go wrong. We have an opportunity to grow closer to Him and trust Him through it all. This verse also reminds me that if we don't take that opportunity, His mercies are still new every morning. He is exceedingly gracious and I am so thankful for our loving and compassionate Lord!

A Double Wedding!

This weekend my double cousins had a double wedding. I had never been to a double wedding so it was very unique. Beautiful brides and beautiful weddings. Here are a few pictures of the wedding.

The Father, Daughter, Daughter Dance...



The Get-away



Kari & Edward



Lee, Julie, Abby, & I



Seth & I

Oh Christmas Tree!

We got our first real Christmas tree the other night. We transported it via the back seat of our car! It just love the smell of a real tree. Seth also hung lights outside which look great. It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas...

Thanksgiving pictures

Finley and Miles



Wide-eyed boy!



The three girls



Sweet Layla



Cammy & Adison



The other Cammy and Layla