Start! Heart Walk! This Saturday!!

American Heart Association

On Saturday April 2nd, Remi and I are walking in the Start! Heart Walk benefiting American Heart Association.  Heart Disease is the leading cause of death in Americans and even world wide.  We've all been affected in someway or another by heart disease, weather it be family, friends, loved ones, or yourself. With a donation of any amount, you can help fund research and community education programs that will help all of us live longer, healthier lives.

There's still time to donate!  Thanks to many wonderful friends and family I have almost TRIPLED my original goal.  Thank you so so much!

You can donate by clicking on the gadget below.

Happy Hump Day!

To put a smile on your face...I've laughed at this a few times today!!  Got it in an email.

{one} what was your first job?

I'll have to say a few...when I was 14 or 15, I worked as a swim instructor...then when I turned 16, I started working at my Dad's as an office assistant...But my first real job was as a Recreation Therapist at a children's behavioral health hospital...still doing the same thing, at a different place and loving it!

{two} have you ever seen a stand up comedian?

Couple times on a cruise, no big namers...not that I would really know any, but Mike DVR's a few here and there that can be pretty funny.

{three} when was the last time you played mini golf?

Probably about a year ago with the kiddos at work.  Use to love going to play mini golf on dates!

{four} what was the last picture you took?

Last night of car light trails on riverside.

{five} burnt food: yes or no?

no… yuck.

{six} if you have a pocket full of change, what do you do with it?

I'd never have a full pocket of change because I don't carry cash...but Mike has a big old mug that I would put it in if I did.

{seven} can you touch your tongue to your nose?

Yep, not super long that I can stick it in my nose though.

{eight} do you scrapbook?

I used to be a scrapbooking crazy girl...I made a baby book for a friend and have had intentions to make Casey's Marine scrapbook.  For my own photos, I think I'm gonna try the digital scrapbook.

{nine} do you buy lottery tickets?

No, although before Oklahoma had the lottery, when I went out of state, I would buy one just to say I've played the lotto, but since we've had it here, haven't bought a one!

{ten} do you prefer to be in front of the camera or behind it?

Both!  I absolutely love being the photographer, but love to get in the pics with family and friends even though I don't do it a lot.

Happy Hump Day!

We Have Exciting News!!

In October we are going to EUROPE!!!

Basically, I have the greatest In-Laws. Ever!

I can't believe that we are actually getting to go, it is a dream come true for me.  I've always wanted to go to Europe and when given the opportunity, I either didn't have enough money or something more important came up.  So this is a huge blessing!

Mike's parents (live in Florida for the past 10-11 years) called one evening and wanted to talk about a trip.  We are going to Florida in June for a wedding and staying with them, so I assumed they were planning a trip to Tulsa.  Fun! Then Rick (FIL) said it was a trip for Mike, me, and Joanna (SIL)...so I thought, oh they want us to come visit them for longer than in June, great!  Then he said it!  We want to take you guys to Europe....just like that, like it was no big deal.  As I write this, I get teary-eyed over how excited I am!  So I immediately was like, I will pack my bags and be ready in an hour! I was pumped...bad thing was...Mike was at baseball and wasn't there to share the fabulous news with me...So I had to wait for his game to get over with and for him to call and I feel that I screamed in the phone "WERE GOING TO EUROPE!!" when he called!  He said, "Bad-Ass."

So, Rick and Melanie told us all to think about where we wanted to go and give them ideas.

So we got to looking at the map and named in no particular order:

London

Ireland

Paris

Madrid/Barcelona

Italy

Switzerland

Amsterdam

Belgium

Germany

Greece

and probably others I just don't remember...We wanted to see it all!

So then, we kinda narrowed it down to some top three.

Mike's picks were London, Madrid, Italy

Jo's picks was London, Florence

My picks were anywhere Italy, London

Paris was in on all of them just to go and see it, but it wasn't number one on anyone's list.

So we let Rick and Mel know our picks...really it would've just been easier for them to tell us where we were going, since they invited us, but being so wonderful, they want to make sure we are doing what we want. They talked with their travel agent and she gave them some trip ideas to share with us. 

So tonight, we got together, minus Mike-baseball, but he had already given the go for any choice, and our choices were:

Trip #1: Northern Italy-Venice and Florence

Trip #2: London and surrounding areas

Trip #3: London and 2 days in Paris

Trip #4: Branson

We chose Branson :)

After seeing everything, we were going to be happy with any of it, my vote was to flip a coin, but in the end, we are going to...

The Boot!

We will travel Venice, Florence, Pisa, and all over Northern Italy.

It still seems unreal to me, that we are actually getting to go.  I am so blessed and so grateful! 

I'm super excited for all the 1000's of pictures I will come back with!

Thank you so much Rick and Melanie for this fabulous trip!  Love you guys so much!

So, did anyone think we were preggers?  :)  Thankfully, Mr. Mike has been saying no we need to wait, need to wait. (I would've been ready for baby months ago, but was able to listen to Mike's heart and reasoning) So a blessing for waiting a while longer...couldn't have done this trip with an infant or preggo...But...maybe will come back with a little 'Vinny' or 'Florence'! :)

Any world travelers here? Where have you been or where do you want to go?

I'm calling this year, the year of travel for me...I get to go...

Alaska in May

Florida in June

maybe Chicago in July/August

Indianapolis in September

Italy in October

WOWZERS!

Happy Tuesday to Y'all!

Mine's been Fabulous!

{source}

I hope I come back with photos like this!  Sigh!!

Happy Spring!!

Yahoo!! Spring is officially here and I am so excited.  I love getting to leave my house windows open, start driving with my sunroof open, the flowers blooming, being outside, March Madness, baseball season, colors in nature, enjoying patio dinners, and so so much more. 

A bit about my weekend!

Friday, I actually got off a little early. I love getting off early on Fridays.  But I was so tired that I came home and took a nap and caught up on some DVR.  My plan (which has been my plan for a couple of weeks now) was to work on the office.  It is scary disastrous...don't worry I'll show you a before and after picture when I get to it!  So, instead, I relaxed more and waited for Mike to come home and watched NCAA basketball.

Yesterday, my mom, Sara (my SIL), and I went to the spa.  Casey got us all a Day Spa package for Christmas.  I truly believe it was the best spa experience I've ever had!  We went to the Spa Southern Hills at the Marriott on 71st and Lewis.  It was so relaxing and I literally fell asleep a couple of times during some of my treatments! 

The Treatments:

I started with a Body Polish in a Water type bed thingy.  I walked in and thought, I'm getting in a Spaceship!  Basically they scrub you down with Brown Sugar and these fabulous little Bath Mitts.  This will be put on my birthday list for sure!  They have a whole line of spa products that seem amazing!

Then once your done with the scrub-a-roo, they pull the top of the spaceship tub down and you get a hot water/shower/bath/steaming goodness going on for a long time.  This is one of the times I fell asleep.

After I was done with the Body Polish, I thought, wow, nothing will feel better than that, I had my Hydrotherapy--just sitting in a nice hot jacuzzi tub for 15-20 with cold stones--and then went to my 1-hour massage!  Amazing!  Again fell asleep during this treatment...my favorite was when she massaged my scalp and played with my hair...if only I could get Mike into Massage Therapy School!

After that, I had an Oxygen Treatment were you take deep breaths while breathing in pure oxygen.  Apparently there are lots of benefits to oxygen treatments and Mike said that in Vegas they pump pure oxygen in the hotels and casinos to trick people into thinking they are never sleepy help people stay awake and not have hangovers. 

Then I went to my Facial. Holy Moly Goodness!  Again, fell asleep a couple of times during this treatment.  She massaged my face, scalp, arms, hands, shoulders, and neck AND played with my hair! 

I really don't know what my favorite treatment was, they were all amazing!  Highly, Highly recommend Spa Southern Hills. After we were all done and a couple glasses of wine for me, we went to grab some lunch at Panera and chill.  I came home and couldn't stay away...I can't believe having a whole day of relaxation could make me so sleepy.  So, thanks to my Awesome brother, we had a Completely fabulous and relaxing day, when really he's probably the one that needs the spa day!  I wonder if they have spas in Afghanistan?  Thanks so much Casey!  You are awesome and we are so excited to have you home soon!  Love you!

Did anyone else see the Huge Moon last night?  I actually didn't and am so mad that I forgot, considering I had been reminding people about it for 2 weeks AND my mom texted me to remind me last night!  Guess I was so relaxed, I just plum forgot!  Anyway, the moon was suppose to appear 14% bigger and this only happens ever 18 years.  I don't know why.  But this is a picture I took on Wednesday with the moon looking pretty full, but not huge, at Woodward Park. 

Here are some pictures I found online of the "SUPER" Moon last night.

[source]

[source]

[source]

Today, we are going to dinner with my family for Uncle Mike's birthday (not my Mike, we have 3 Mikes in the family).

In other news, my bracket is looking pretty crappy!  But Mike's is looking pretty good, but it's still early so who knows what will happen.  We have about 20 people in our pool.  Also, please say a little prayer for me as I have a new schedule for work...I now have to be at work functioning, ready to be peppy for my kiddos at 8:30!  I know, for most of you, you're thinkin, that's not early, but for me, it means having to get up earlier, driving in morning traffic, which will take more time to get to work, and still working til my normal time, usually 6:00 to 6:30ish.  Boo hiss...but I know I will get use to it eventually and all will be okay!

Hope y'all had a great weekend and don't forget about helping me double my goal for the American Heart Association by clicking here or on the gadget below. 

Happy Spring!

Miss M's Sneak Peak!

This evening I got to take pictures of a very sweet and spirited young lady.  This is Miss M, she's my best friends niece and she's so full of energy.  Here are a couple that I just had to get done tonight.  Mel, thank you so much for letting me photograph your sweet daughter.  And it was great to see you, your mom, and aunt!
Enjoy!

Thank you so much for your donation to the American Heart Association!

March Madness!!

And so it begins.  March Madness 2011!! So excited that it's finally here.  I finished my bracket and submitted it tonight with KU bringing it all home!  Here in Tulsa, we are in full swing at the BOK Center and ready for Rounds 2 and 3 to get going.  Tomorrow they are having free viewings of the team practices...I don't know if I'll get to go, but sure would like to!

I have to admit, that I didn't know what March Madness was until I got to college...I didn't even like basketball.  Then my freshman year, Mike asked me..."So you ready to go get your tickets?" Me...''for what".  I think he about pooped his pants!  "For OSU Basketball tickets!"  I told him I don't even like basketball, why would I go get tickets for something I don't even like...I'm really lucky he didn't break up with me!  Long story, short, he told me I had to get tickets and if I didn't love the first game I went to, he would buy the rest of my tickets for me.  Went to a game, and can't believe I thought I wasn't going to be a part of the Rowdiest Arena in the Country!  Fell in love with OSU Basketball and then with March Madness.

I started filling out brackets and I would win!  I had no idea what I was doing and it upset so many people.  So this is the Choose Wisely Commercial on ESPN...I wish I was as creative as some of these ideas on how to make my uneducated choice.  But my favorite way to pick'em is by mascot...which one I think would win in if they were against each other.  Ive' been successful with that and with favorite colors.  I will say I did flip my pen a couple of times for some of my teams this year.
So my FINAL FOUR are:
Syracuse

Duke

KU

Florida

My favorites are the Egg Drop and the of course the Plinko.

So who do you have going to the Final Four and how do you choose?

365 and a little more...

I hope y'all had a great weekend!  Of course, mine flew by super fast and Monday came too soon. Hope you had a happy Tuesday!

I have now reached my goal for the American Heart Association Heart Walk!  Thank you so much to all my donors, you are such a blessing to the AHA!  Now, I am trying to double my goal.  I have until April 2nd for the walk.  You can donate by clicking this link.

Is anyone else excited about March Madness?!  Even though my Cowboys didn't make it to the NCAA...good win for us tonight though in the NIT...I love March Madness and need to hurry and get my bracket filled out!  More about March Madness soon!

Project 365

70% Complete!

Day 258 - Side-Lighting

This is Jack, making himself at home on Nellie's favorite window seat. I love the side-lighting that I was able to get.

Day 257 - Chicken and Dumplings

Mmm Mmm Good...this fabulous Chicken and Dumplings recipe was super easy, made in the crock-pot! Thanks Alayna! You can find this great recipe here.

Day 256 - Been Through the Spinner!

This is what happens when you turn the disposal on and here an AWFUL AWFUL noise and clang clang...my poor little measuring spoon got all jacked up and left that sad sad face! Isn't that funny...that face happened all by its self!

Day 255 - Do the Polka!

Remi's new Polka Dot Food and Water Bowls! She finally out grew her other bowls, we couldn't keep up with filling her water, so now she gets double the amount and we are still having fill it often.

Day 254 - A 5 Year Olds Drawing

During group, I had my kids draw a picture of something they don't control well. One of my 5 year old drew the green blob and said that was her. I asked her what the picture meant and she said, "that's me, not following directions", then I asked her to draw who's directions she doesn't follow. She sat a moment and then got bright-eyed and started drawing again and the figure with the yellow hair is me...she said, "I don't follow your directions and that is your belly-button."

My kiddos crack me up!

Day 253 - Something with Water

This is the reflection of the Old Jenks Bridge on the Arkansas River.

Day 252 - Spring is Almost Here!

These are my neighbors Daffodils and they are in full bloom and the yellow is so vibrant! I'm so excited for Spring to get here!!

Day 251 - A Simple Shape

Remi's Nose...It's always cold and always wet, it's simple and always puts a smile on my face.

Day 250 - Now Open!

The new Waterfront Grill on the River is now open. We haven't eaten there yet, but I'm sure we will soon. So if you've tried it let me know how it is!

Day 249 - Choices

I'm not a ketchup person, but I saw this at Chick-Fil-A and thought what a grand idea! For you ketchup lovers...you now have a choice...you can Dip...or Squeeze! Genius!

Day 248 - Sunset

A different kinda sunset...These are my new pillows from Pier 1....they are named Sunset. I love bright and bold colors and they go great in our living room.

Day 247 - Kitty Play Date Part Dos!

Part 2 of the play date didn't go to hot...Nellie got pissed and hissed like crazy and then sucker-punched Jack. Quite entertaining! Thankfully, no blood, and they still don't like each other, but they are tolerable of each other.

Day 246 - Kitty Play Date

Jack (my SIL huge cat) and Nellie (our 8 pounder) haven't been the best of friends, but they did enjoy a stare down of the toy for a while. They still aren't the biggest fans of each other, but it's so fun to watch them bicker.

Hope you enjoyed and have a great rest of your weekend!

Don't forget to donate!

Check these Out!!

Two Great Giveaways!  You can win too!

Sweet Meg at In this Wonderful Life, is having great giveaway from Lisa Leonard Designs.  She has the cutest personalized jewelry and her giveaway ends tonight.  Here are just a few things that you can win...I love the little hearts with the pearls necklace!

{source}

And a second giveaway over at Living Aloha! We are recent new blog buddies and she's having a giveaway for a mini iPod.  Check out her story on how she got to Hawaii and all her beautiful pictures. 

Check these out here and here!

Can You Read This?

Can You Read This?

fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too. Cna yuo raed tihs?

Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can.

i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!

So are you with me and the other 55%?  I litterally was able to read right through this with no problem and understood it!  Mike has always told me I'm weird. :)

Anyone else so excited for Spring to get here?!  I am! I am!  This picture was one of the firsts that I took with my new camera almost a year ago!  Woodward Park, I think in April.  I am so pumped for God to paint His beautiful colors all over for Spring!!

Happy Friday and Have a Great Weekend!

Wee Bit Wednesdays

Happy Ash Wednesday!

{one} what color is your kitchen?

The walls are one of bazillions shade of white, but I have accented with Oranges, Yellows, and Reds.  Very warm and fun to cook in!

{two} do you have a good luck charm?

nope, guess not.

{three} do you prefer to write with a pen or pencil?

Pen...I have to use black at work, but if I had it my way, I love writing with fun color pens like orange, pink, turquoise, green, or purple!

{four} can you use chopsticks?

Yep, but no pro!

{five} do you prefer baths or showers?

Showers, definitely.  It's funny, my girlfriends and I had this conversation last night...I would love to love baths...but I get so bored and too hot, so I normally don't last too long in the bath.

{six} what is your favorite salad dressing?

Poppy Seed

{seven} can you sing the alphabet backwards?

Nope!

{eight} do you have any allergies?

Thankfully No.

{nine} crunchy or creamy peanut butter?

Crunchy, but we get creamy cause Mike prefers creamy and I really don't care too much.

{ten} have you ever hitch hiked?

Goodness no!

Link up Here!

Love/Don't Love

I've seen this a few times over at 25 Before 25 and liked the idea so here goes...

1. I had a great and productive weekend! LOVE!
2. The weather got cool again this weekend, back down in the 30's! Brrr! Don't Love
3. Went shopping with mom on Sunday, Love
4. Getting a $100 donation to American Heart Association. Love
5. Cleaned ALL. Day. Long. Saturday! Don't Love
6. Loved the way it felt to have an almost completely clean house! Love
7. Mike washed the sheets Friday!  Love
8. Hubby gone all day Saturday for a baseball tournament, Don't Love
9. Hubby's team came in first in the baseball tournament, Love
10. Amy came to visit me while I was cleaning to give me a break...Love!
11. Stupid people driving in the left lane of the highway going 30!!!!  DON'T LOVE
12. Having dinner with Mike, Joanna, Aunt Judy, and Grandma...LOVE!
13. Watching Jack, Nellie, and Remi growl and play with each other! LOVE!

So there it is...maybe I will try this every Monday.  Happy Monday All have a great week!

Project 365

Project 365

Day 245 - Party in Your Tummy!

I just loved seeing this sticker as I was peeling my Cutie Clementine today!  It so made me smile! I mean who doesn't love a party?!

Day 244 - Newbie!

So with my old one poopin' out on me, I got a new phone. Thankfully I was able to get the 3GS for only $50! Score! So here she is... and that sweet baby is my best friends, enjoying his carrots!

Day 243 - Bit the Dust

This is my dear ol' Old School iPhone. I've had it for about 3 years I think and it's been through a lot. The duck tape is holding all the little broken glass pieces together and you can probably see the three cracks down the screen, there's also cracks on the back. (Funny story about the duck tape...I love duck tape and believe it's a fix it all household item...so I 'fixed' my phone when needed...anywho, I had SOOOO many people, friends and people I didn't even know stop me to ask about my "Cool Cover"...they were shocked that it was just duck tape and not a cool fashion statement!) She was a keeper until she flat out died on me. Her charge wasn't lasting very long, but after I had charged her all night and she died within 30 minutes of taking her off the charge, I officially let her glow her last cute apple. So long.

Happy Hump Day!!  Already excited for the weekend!

Wee Bit Wednesdays

{one} do you wear holey jeans? if so, do you buy them that way?

No, I think that they are fun, but I just can't bring myself to spend the money for holey jeans.

{two} do you get a full 8 hours of sleep per night?

No, again...I sure wish I would have better sleeping habits, but I blame Mike...he's such a night owl, so I stay up and usually fall asleep on the couch while he's watching T.V. or on the computer.

{three} what’s your favorite way to eat an Oreo?

I just eat it normal...no special way.

{four} do you wear shoes in your house?

If you mean do I not allow shoes on the carpet...yes, we wear our shoes...but my usual thing to do once I get home is kick off the shoes the socks and go barefoot!

{five} who would you call first if you won the lottery?

Mike!!  Then my parents...but I won't hold my breath!

{six} have you ever been in a food fight?

I don't remember one.

{seven} do you snore?

Not on a normal basis, but Mike says I sometimes do if I get 'over served' ;)

{eight} do you know how fast you type?

Nope

{nine} can you do a headstand (without using a wall)?

Yes, but not for long.

{ten} how do you like your popcorn?

I like buttery popcorn and then add some more of my own melted butter!  My arteries love me!


Play along here!