Wind Turbines!

Will and I went out to look at the new wind turbines on one of our farms.  These are amazing and HUGE!  Got some cool shots too ;)

Day 30 - LAST blog challenge...and it says I can write whatever tickles my fancy

What have we been doing?
Oh gosh... Well last week we played 8 Baseball Games and 2 T-Ball Games.

This is Jaxen's team after their Tournament.

This is a great group of boys that work VERY hard!

...and are having a Great season!

and here's my lil t-baller.  (I did NOT tie her shirt that high...think it crept up when she went to bat!)

It rained off and on during our Baseball Tournament.  Kate was loving using her Dora Umbrella and playing in the rain!!!

Took the kids to the Splash Pad on Sunday

for a B-day Party.  This is Madi with her buddy from

church, Baleigh!  They had a blast!





Madi at swim lessons. YES that's her the instructor is about to throw her in.  She hates swim lessons. She doesn't want to dive, doesn't want her face in the water first.  It's gonna be hard to force her to go thru with this 2 more day!  Uuuugggh!  Sad thing is she's a little 'fish' - she loves the water; but swimming lessons are not her cup of tea!



Day 29 - Dreams for the next year....

Since April 3, 2011 we have been moved out of our Master Bedroom/Bathroom.  We have relocated our bedroom to the formal dining room, and have foregone showers since then...RIGHT!  No, I moved in on Will's MAN bathroom!
So our dreams would begin with getting back to our room/my bathroom.  It's coming right along.  Yesterday the shower, vanity, and counter tops arrived. I feel certain that in a few weeks all will be complete...atleast it better be.
Looking forward to the next school year.  I'm going to have Sweet lil girl in KINDERGARDEN (OH MY!) and an awesome boy in 3rd Grade (Oh...tears :(......) - they are sure growing up fast!  Once school starts it takes awhile for a new routine to kick it, but we make it work.
Hopefully we can go to more OSU games this fall/winter.  I LOVE going and the kids do too!  It's always fun to go Stillwater and see OSU and see Matt, Abby, and Bo!
We also have a new baby to look forward to....(NOT MINE) - Abby's!  Should fine out if we are getting a nephew/niece SOON.
Holidays are always a wild but very fun time for us... so we'll wrap up the year with that.
BIG DREAM for the next 365 we've GOT to get our baby potty trained.  Talk about beating your head against the wall.  She is hard headed, but we'll get there for sure before she starts school in a few years! haha
Our dreams and goals change as our kids get older.  I look forward to what the next 365 days have to bring, I have taken on new responsibilites at my job and Will is doing great with his 2nd job.  Things are looking UP!  So that's where we are going to shoot to go!

Day 27 & 28 - month and year in great detail....

Ok I'm kind of tired of this 30 day blog challenge.  I honestly can't tell you about my month and year in few paragraphs! ;)
I can say like I've said before.  Our days are filled to the max.  We stay super busy!  We enjoy being very active in our church, and we attend Church EVERY Sunday and most Wednesdays.  My kids are in a bunch of activities....gymnastics..baseball...t-ball...flag football.. If they "request" to get to participate.  We do our best to help make it happen.
We work to live...we do NOT live to work!  When the clock hits 5:00 I'm rushing out of my office to spend time with my family.  I love spending time with our friends, who for the most part are our church family.  We are blessed with amazing friends that share our faith and we get to see atleast once a week at church.
Our winters... we go to football games, keep up with OSU sports.... and try to keep warm!
Our springs... we start gearing up for the summer craziness...
 We spend time in the summers in the wheat field ....and when it's my choice at the lake!
Fall is back to school, the beginning of many "new" things in our lives. 

I don't know.  Year around we live life to the fullest.  That's about all I can say to wrap up our "agenda"!

Day 25 My day in great detail

Ok here it goes... I'm going to give you a run down on  Friday, June 10th:
5:40 am - Alarm goes off - get up brush teath, changed into workout clothes.... head to the track
6:00 am - Run with my friend Lisa.  Right now we do 3 miles
7:00 am - If I'm not in the shower by 7 I'm behind.... rush rush..
before 8:00 am - get kids ready and to the babysitters house.
8:04 - :)  Yep, I'm always a few minutes late - Time for work....
I work straight thru my lunch hour and don't leave work until 5:00...
5:00 - Pick up kids
5:10 - Rush kids to get clothes changed, diaper bag packed, ice chest with gatorade... and out the door for baseball
5:30 - Jaxen needs to be at the ball field in Weatherford
5:31 - Drop Jax and Will off then go wash my car
6:00 - Jaxen Ball Game
7: 00 - Jaxen Ball Game
8:15ish - Finally leaving the ball field for the night
Still haven't had supper.... grab something quick... rush home because we have to get baseball uniforms washed before the next 4 games tomorrow.... rush kids in and out of bath/shower... then off to bed they go.
11:00pm - Hoping to go to bed
....I do my bible study each night before I got to sleep. I have a nightime routine.  Change clothes, wash my face, brush my teeth, load dishwasher, pick up anything on the floor, clean, just play "catch up"
THEN I get in bed and CRASH!!!!

Day 24 - Whatever tickles your fancy...

  Ok let's pick a new topic... Let's talk about where I work.  I have a Marketing Degree, and I live in the sticks so the fact that I found a job that I can use my degree on a daily basis is pretty crazy.  I'm lucky!
I do Marketing and Human Resources for a company called DANLIN.  Danlin is owned by DANny and LINda Floyd.  They are great people, they are wonderful Christians, and they employee most all their family, with the exception of a few of us... we just fall in the mix somehow.

A few years back when I took over Marketing I was assigned to build us a "new look" so with that I created a new logo for us.  Our logo symbolizes a drop of oil (which also incorporates the D and the L of DanLin and it has a flame of gas.  The animated logo above helps describe. it.

My job requires me to travel some.  I got to Oil and Gas Expo's and 'man' the booth for engineers, pumpers, and forman to come by and talk business.  This year I've been to several shows: Wichita Falls, OKC - 3 times, Perryton, TX, Midland, TX, and this summer I will go to Longview, TX, San Antonio, TX, and Dallas, TX.   Aside from having to be away overnight sometimes this is the funnest part of my job. I get to get out there shake hands and meet people. 

and my job allows me to go on location from time to time.  Above is a picture of us on a location, waiting to do a photoshoot for the brochures that I put together.  Locations have strict rules: Hard hats, steel toe boots, and safety glasses.  Which is EXACTLY how we are all decked out.

Then I go out to drilling rigs - this is how I "learn" it's hard to write a brochure, work on the website, and attend trade shows if you've never been on a well site.  So here I am on a well site getting educated!  Please try not to be jealous of the 1. hardhat 2. safety glasses.  I can let you borrow them if you want.

Again, I have an interesting job.  Marketing certainly allows for a variety and allows for times not sitting behind a desk.  It does take a lot of computer work, from design, to upkeep I look at a computer a lot... but again all in all I am very blessed to work for a great Company!

Day 23 - U tube video

I'm boring...Will has showed me videos on U-Tube and I think they are funny but I've never went to U-tube and actually just watched videos...maybe I should.  Might be worth my time???

Day 22 - A website

I love the internet.  It amazes me.  I love that you can find anything and everything at the click of a button.  I like to check my email, check my facebook, shop online, etc  but I really enjoying reading blogs.  I find them intriguing and interesting.  I follow the Pioneer Woman pretty regularly.  I love her recipes, and I love her sense of humor.
http://thepioneerwoman.com

She's kind of my hero.  She was a "city" girl that move out to the middle of nowhere (much like myself)... she has an amazing home (I know from pics never have been there), she has a great husband, family, etc.  She writes books, she wrote a cookbook, and she has great taste in clothes and shoes.  Her website features  "the latest and greatest"  - "recipes" - "Homeschooling" - "Fashion" - "Photography"  she has great give-aways... that I have yet to win....-- See why I like her.  I like all the things she likes.... with exception of homeschooling, never done that and probably never will!

Day 21 - A recipe

SUGAR Cookies!!!!!!
I'm gonna share a recipe that I have made my life goal to master.  Ok, so not really my life goal but I've always wanted to be good at making sugar cookies (with the awesome icing) ~ I love sugar cookies, I love how cute they look for different occassions, and I've come a long way on "Mastering" them.  I've learned some tricks this year...yep I'm coming along with this huge goal.

Cookies:

1 cup butter at room temperature

1½ cups powdered sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

½ tsp almond extract

2½ cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cream of tartar

Icing:

1 lb powdered sugar

1 egg white

a pinch of salt

½ tsp vanilla

¼ tsp almond extract

enough milk to make spreadable

Cookies:

Combine butter, powdered sugar, egg, vanilla and almond extract in a large mixing bowl until smooth. In a separate large bowl combine flour, baking soda and cream of tartar. Fold a little at a time into the butter mixture until all ingredients are combined. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Bake for 5-7 minutes at 350 degrees F.

Icing:

Mix together powdered sugar, egg white, salt, vanilla and almond extract. Add milk 1 “cap” at a time until the icing is spreadable. Be careful not to add too much milk, this will make the icing to difficult to work with.

The picture is some sugar cookies that Abby and Vicki made at Thanksgiving.  We all made some for Christmas together, it was fun, but guess I don't have a picture of them.  I've never been one to take pics of food, plus with sugar cookies you just want to taste them! :)

Day 20 - A Hobby of Mine

Well, I like to do many things. My hobbies have certainly changed over the years.  I used to love to scrapbook and get together with 'the girls' and scrapbook a lot, but it's not practical anymore. I simply have no time to do that.  Now I make photo books on Shutterfly and order them MUCH easier and way LESS time consuming than scrapbooking...
I think my currently "hobby" would be photography.  I am NOT good at it, but I enjoy taking pictures.  My camera is almost always with me, I snap a pic at almost every event we attend, and really try to capture moments.  I wish I had time to really learn editing of photos and how to do more with the settings on my camera, but up til know I've never done much. I have  a nice Nikon camera that I really love. Sometimes I think I'm a professional photographer and try to get all fancy with my pics but they never turn out how I imagine... :)

This is my buddy Melinda.  She is an AMAZING photographer and she is self-taught.  I love looking and admiring her photography work, and just for the record I have never attempted to be a good photographer like she is.  Don't think it's in my genes!  Kuddos to Melinda --- You're my Hero! :) 

Day 19 - Talent of mine

tal·ent (tlnt)

n.

1. A marked innate ability, as for artistic accomplishment. See Synonyms at ability.

2.

a. Natural endowment or ability of a superior quality.

b. A person or group of people having such ability: The company makes good use of its talent.Honestly, I don't think I have a "talent" I'm not a singer, do not play any musical instruments, I can't draw/paint, I'm not crafty....So guess I don't really have one. 

I didn't look this up because I didn't know what it meant.... I looked it up because I thought it might give me another defintion that would help me know a talent of mine.  So I don't know if I really have a talent.  I like to do a lot of things but I'm not really good at many things.  I'm not athletic, I'm not an artist, I don't play a musical instrument, I'm not a good gardener, I can't draw, I can't sing... Ummm... I can cook pretty good, I like to take pictures but am by no means a photographer...
Ok, think it's obvious I'm talentless! haha.

Day 18 - Whatever tickles your fancy

Hmmm... Open topic day!  Well today I'm going to write about the stress in my life right now.  I've been stressed bad for a few months now.  I helped plan an run for our town in May, raised enough money to build a new playsystem for our community, and worked tirelessly to achieve this huge goal!  The goal is achieved, it's awesome, however it seems that our city council didn't do their end of the deal.  Therefore, I have been dealing with them - their negativity - their accusations - a bunch of meetings - just a bunch of "stuff" that I really don't need in my life right now.  I want to be focusing on so many other things, I want to be enjoying my life, but right now it's not happening.  Last night I went to another "meeting" with the city council.  All problems have been resolved, however there was a "Bridge Burned" throughout this process, don't think that is repairable!

I maybe stressed a little (ok.....a LOT) with the craziness of my life.  My day starts with a run at 6:00 am ... then I'm back home getting ready, getting 3 kids ready.... and to work by 8 where I reside until 5pm each day.  Then I FLY to pick up kid throw baseball uniforms on, grab gatorade, grab diaper bag, slap a sandwich for everyone together as quick as I can.... scream at the kids cuz they aren't hurrying.... drive WAY over the speed limit to get to the ballfields....and sit and watch several games.  I love baseball, I love watching my kids do things they love, I love being busy, BUT....I'm tired!  So after ball we FLY home take speedy baths, rush kids to bed so we can start all over the next day.  My day's start at 6am and normally end at midnight, non stop all day, no wonder I'm tired.

I may be stressed with work???  I work hard, I take GREAT pride in my job.  I try to do everything 110% and do things right the first time.  I don't make much money, I don't get appreciated all the time, but I work for a company that I have a lot of respect for.  I work for a Christian Man that truely takes care of his employees. 
I feel blessed, however would give just about anything to be able to have more time at home with my kids.  I am jealous of my friends that get to do  this (and annoyed with those that don't appreciate it or actually "Stay home!").  It seriously makes me sick when I see my "stay at home mom" friends that don't stay at home or take their kids with them to do things, and enjoy their kids but rather dump them off and do things for themselves.  If I'm not at work, I have 3 kids right next to me EVERYWHERE I go, and that's ok.  They are my kids they are my responsibility.  I like having them around too! :)  I wish I could hang out with them right now, be the one taking them to the park, the pool, the library... Just having a fun some with them.  BUT I'm not so I squeeeeeeze as much as I can in on the evenings and the weekends.

I may be a little stressed because I just can't say NO... I love lending a hand, I love helping people, but too much is too much, and Yep I'm in over my head most of the time. I have a hard time saying no when people ask me to help with worthwhile causes (esp. at church).

I realize right now that I need some ME time.  I need time to process my thoughts, to pray, to just relax with no interruption.  I LOVE my crazy life and can't imagine it any other way but everyone gets 'tired' right?  Everyone sure seems to be "too busy!"  that's all I ever hear... I bite my tongue sometimes not to say, "Oh yea, walk a day in my shoes" -- they'll think busy!

With all that said, I am very THANKFUL!  I am thankful for all the things I just ranted about and I am BLESSED!  I love my family, I love my kids, I love my life.  I just pray daily that I am living with no regrets and won't regret the times I had to work and not be with my kiddos.  I hope because I work I am a better mom, that I can help provide for my family, and that I teach my kids the value of work and the value of a dollar.  I hope that my kids appreciate that I try to give them as much of my time when I'm not at work as I possibly can.  I pray that I am raising my children to respect, love, and first and foremost Love God!  I pray that I am the wife to my husband that he needs me to be and that he always loves me as much as I love him. ... and I pray that I always live life to the fullest!  When I leave this earth I hope I have impacted atleast one life and that I made a few people smile.  I hope that I have shown love, shown respect, and shown integrity. 
So, today I'm going to take a DEEP breathe... try to relax and know that "This is the day that the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!"

This verse is giving me comfort right now:
I Peter 5:7
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

Day 17 - An Art piece

Well, I do not have any "art" that I have created but Will's Grandma Baden is a painter.  She's painted many of the paintings in my home.  This picture was taken by my mother-in-law (this is her mother).  I think it's a special picture of a special lady doing something that she loves.  God certainly blessed her with this talent!

Day 16 - a song that makes me cry

I'm going to have to go with The National Anthem.

This song touches me everytime I hear it.  ...maybe because I think about the troops fighting oversees, maybe because I think about our freedom here in the U.S.A.

I guess I'm not sure what it is, but it tugs at my heart strings and makes me get all choked up!

GOD BLESS THE U.S.A!!!!!!!!!!

A break from the 30 Day Blog

I LOVE SUMMER....if only I didn't have to work 45 hrs a week!

LOVE watchin my lil ball players!!!

 ....wanna be ball players...

 

SWEET brother and sissy sleeping in!!!

 

POOL TIME!  Bo and Kate having a blast!!!

LOVE watching my lil' FISH in the water!

 

LOVE Fun outside --- Park days!

LOVE Summertime snacks... Popsicles...Ice Cream...Snow Cones

LOVE LOVE LOVE LAKE TIME!!!

....COUSINS...



...AND cousins again!

It's going to be a fun summer!  It's only the beginning!



Day 13 - 14- 15- books... blah....

I already blogged about books.... So I'm gonna pile these 3 days togther ~ 
The only 'series' I've read in a long time would be twilight:

Normally I'm not into vampires, ghost, weird stuff, BUT...

I got hooked to it, couldn't put it down!  I
 read the whole series!

I LOVE the Pioneer Woman... Follow her blog, love her humor - read her book "Black heels to tractor wheels" a few weeks ago. Easy read and funny! Her life about moving to the farm reminds me so much of my own experience.  It was a fun read!

An AMAZING book I read and did a bible study on a few years back.  This lady is so inspiring and motivated me.  She is blind, is a mother, and is an amazing Christian.  Great book!

Day 12 - Whatever Tickles your Fancy...

Let's talk about what we are doing besides work, baseball, chasing kids.... we are right in the middle of HARVEST!

Jaxen ready to get on the combine!

Papa with his "boys" - Bo and Jaxen

"Meals on Wheels!" ;)

Madi and Bo playing...

Kate

All my kids wanted to wear their "Boots" so the wheat wouldn't scratch them.  Jaxen put on jeans and said "Seriously, are the girls wearing their boots like that?!"  Ohhhhh these kids sure make me smile! :)

Harvest began on Memorial Day, May 30th and is looking like it will end tomorrow.  The fastest harvest I've ever seen, which isn't a good thing.... the wheat isn't that great.  However, atleast we have some wheat and we are wrapping up at this writing!

Day 11 - A photo of me taken recently

Probably would be a picture from the run... 

like I said I'm usually behind the camera!

Day 10 - A photo of me taken over 10 years ago

Wow!  That was before digital cameras! ;) I'm just going to go with our wedding picture since we just celebrated our 10th!

Gosh I wish I stilled looked THAT young and skinny!

Day 9 - A photo you took

Haha... That's funny!  I take all the photos.  I'm the one behind the camera and I like it that way.

So, I usually share (Ok I ALWAYS share) pics of my kids.  I'm going to share a picture I took last year when I was playing with my new camera.  I took this photo of the Thomas School.   I serve on our school board, and proud of our school system, and I think our school building is beautiful!

It's new and it's great....

This is a pic of the front entrance.  I have no clue how to edit photos but I really kicked it in high gear with my 'slanted' photo.. ;)  That's about as creative as I get with my photography skills!

I'm very happy that my children will be able to attend a new

and improved school.  It's has updated technology and it's beautiful!

Day 8 - A photo that makes you Angry/Sad

First thing that comes to mind on this is a tragedy.  We've had several historical tragedies in my 31 years.  One being the bombing in OKC and another being the 9-11 NYC Terrorist Attack.  These two dates stick in my mind and the pictures are so real in my mind.  Sure was a tragic time in this world, and sure changed the U.S.A.

 September 11th - A day I will never forget!

God be with those families that lost a loved one on this tragic day ~ Our nation pulled together and rallied at ground zero! For those of us far away we prayed, cried, and still remember this tragic day!

Day 7 -- A photo that makes you happy

Just one?? :)  I have a bunch of photos.  I'm going to pick this one:

It might be a goal in my life to get a good picture of my kids together....I love to capture memories, probably take FAR too many pics.  But I love each and everyone of them.  My kids make me happy and this picture makes me smile!

OK....just one more ;) I love this picture of Will and I.  We don't get away and do things together very often, everything we do include our 3 children, which is fine, but this day we got away and went to the OSU game and had a really great day!  I don't care about big trips, I just enjoy quality time.  I enjoy quality time with all 5 of us too, but ever so often a "date" is great!