Time sure does fly, doesn't it? You blink your eyes and months, even years, have gone by. I remember when I was a child and hearing my parents (or really any adult) saying this and I just shook my head because I had no concept what it really meant. Time DID NOT fly by. Science and History class drugggggg on and time was NOT quick.
Fast forward many years (I won't say how many because that ages me) and I fully live and know how time really does go by too quickly.
Today would have been my grandma's 81st birthday. Just last year we celebrated 80 years of her life knowing that it would more than likely be her last birthday with us on this earth. We were correct and now she celebrates with Jesus on streets of gold this day.
Time doesn't slow down. We shouldn't either. We should live every day as it's our last day on this earth. We need to cherish the moments and ponder how quickly life and the people in it change and grow.
I was doing just that when looking at our Easter pictures this year. Then, I looked at our Easter pictures just a scant 5 years prior. 5 years! That's nothing in the scheme of life and man oh man, how times have changed. I'm fairly certain in 5 more years my boys will be taller than me and I will be the shortest one in this family.
Please remember to give your love ones some kisses and hugs today and hold onto them tight. They are worth it.
On a completely random note...I really want this mixer for our new house. Anyone want to buy it for me? Steven says it's not, "In our construction budget." Psst...what does he know?!
Monday was my birthday and here it is Friday and I still have ONE MORE friend taking me out next week. What can I say? I am blessed with amazing family and friends who love me and want to spend time with me to celebrate. A week long birthday palooza sounds right up my alley!
My first stop was Cheesecake Factory with my parents on Sunday night. Delicious. They have the best eggplant there. So yummy! Did I mention the massive cheesecake I consumed? Yep, that's pretty much why I pushed myself in cycle the next morning and rode 17 miles in 50 minutes. My quads screamed at me for 2 days due to that fiasco.
After my legs stopped shaking it was time to head to another celebration on Monday at PF Changs for my birthday lunch. I had planned on shopping the stores of Utica Square afterwards but thanks to my birthday being filled with rain the entire 24 hours, that didn't happen. I had grand plans to walk off some Changs calories but instead I just drank more when I made my birthday stop to Starbucks. I was livin' in up!
Wednesday was filled with friends. One took me to breakfast at Panera and gave me one of my favorite gifts (a Starbucks GC). Wednesday afternoon my besties took me to sushi at Sushi House in BA. Of course, they let me pick the restaurant and I unknowingly picked one of Melinda and I's favorite but not Kristi's. Oops. The girl does NOT like sushi. I will give it to her though. She attempted two different rolls and pretty much spit them both promptly out. Again, remind me to not pick sushi the next time they take me out. I kinda felt bad about that...BUT, not too bad that Melinda and I (mostly I) couldn't throw down some major Japanese yumminess.
The rest of my week was filled with family memories. I attended a Land Run on Friday with Will. He was so cute decked out in his pioneer gear. We ate a picnic lunch under the shade of the football bleachers. Isn't that how all the early Oklahoma pioneers did it?!
Friday the boys were out of school so I had planned some fun things (like a movie) and some necessary things (like haircuts and a Walmart trip). For those wondering, "The Jungle Book" is worth a visit to your local theater. So so good. Many times in kid movies I am bored. Pretty good and bored. Not this time. I was enthralled from beginning to end but mostly enjoyed Owen's joy and squeals at seeing so many different animals in one movie. That boy loves animals like Will loves food.
Again, I am so blessed by all of you who wished me a happy birthday, sent me a message or a text, called me, or took me out. Thank you all so much:)
These are just a few of the other pictures that Kate shot for us a couple weeks ago. I adore this little grove of trees, the colors, the sun setting, the outfits. I love pretty much everything about these pictures and the people in them.
Will-Age 9 1/2. Loves sports. Almost any sport. He's a hard worker. He's quiet and shy. He loves me. A lot. He loves to eat. ALL THE TIME. He's great at math, not so awesome at reading (mainly comprehension). He's a follower. His favorite things to do are: playing sports, playing video games, and playing on his phone.
Owen-Age 6 3/4. Loves animals. Almost any animal. He's NOT shy and NOT quiet. He's uber loud and super outgoing. He's a leader. Not a big fan of organized sports but loves to play around in a family game of flag football, kickball, or baseball. He loves camping, exploring, and all things outdoors. He can throw down some sushi. He acts tough on the outside, but is actually very tender on the inside. He loves his daddy and his dog.
To say I'm thankful for these people in the photos seems like too little. It goes beyond thankful. I wouldn't know how to live without any of these three and I pray I never have to find out. I love them. They are my world and I am so blessed to be Steven's wife and Will and Owen's mom. Thank you Jesus!
Some weekends are great, some are good, and some are just awesome. This weekend was an awesome one in my book.
1. We got back our spring pictures we took with my talented friend, Kate. Man, these were great and some of the best smiles I think our boys have ever given for photos. They don't like to take pictures. They run, they squirm, they make silly faces. Usually, it's not a fun experience for anyone involved. I'm figuring out that these "mini sessions" photographers do are the way to go with my kids. 15-20 minutes and they are done and hopefully we can come away with a few gems. Kate sent me 12 pictures and I loved almost all of them. In this blog, I will show you a couple. These were probably 2 of my favorites. We are a blessed family for sure!
2. The other reason that it was such a great weekend was that I attended Vintage Market Days on Friday with all my girlfriends. Well, not all of them, but quite a few:) I got some great deals and LOTS of things/goodies/furniture for the new house. I came on Friday with a goal and a mission in my head. I had a budget, and I stuck to it. See the barn door. Literally, the barn door I purchased for our home off an old horse stable. I couldn't be happier with it. It was totally the type of cool addition I wanted in our home and it was right on the budget that I was thinking. Win win!
3. The boys got to have a play date with Will's good buddy, Mason. These boys were born within weeks of each other and have been friends since then. It's always so great to have him over and they had a blast playing for hours (mostly outside). He was able to hang for baseball pictures, lunch, and lots of trampoline/Xbox, Wii, baseball time with big and little brother Kueny.
Hope you all had a wonderful weekend filled with family and friends as well. Here's to a great week!
Our last and final stop this weekend was to a place I've been hearing a lot about lately. This place is even closer than the safari, and it's in Oklahoma! Just when I am beginning to think there's not a lot of beauty in this state, I find out about Natural Falls State Park. This is right outside West Siloam Springs. I think the exact city is called Colcord, OK. It only took about an hour from our house in BA to get here.
The trails are short (there are longer ones but we were already tired from the safari) and the hikes are easy. There is lots of exploring to be done in this location. There is the one waterfall, which you can't miss, trails, bridges, and places to stop and eat and just relax. As you leave there are picnic tables and a little park/basketball goal for the kids to play at. Next time we come, I am bringing some food so we can stay longer, a basketball, and a blanket.
Oklahoma really does have some pretty locations and this is one of them for sure! It's worth the trip too if you have a free weekend!
If you ever have a free Saturday or Sunday, or a teacher professional day you aren't quite sure how to fill, I would suggest Gentry, Arkansas. It's a short drive from Tulsa (about 1 hr 15 min) and worth it. In this tiny city of only a few stoplights you will find Wild Wilderness Safari. This place is a gold mine. They must be making hand over fist in cash (it was $50 for our family to enter) BUT, it was worth it! Once you get in the food, drinks, gifts, and petting zoo food are all priced well. Driving and walking around for a bit makes you realize how much the upkeep and food bill must be for the over 400 acres and hundreds of animals in their care.
This safari was the perfect place for our animal loving son, Owen. He was in ultimate heaven the entire 3 hours we were there. The drive thru section of the safari is 4 miles long and took us a little over an hour. He got to pet, see, feel, smell, and look at up close and personal dozens of animals. These animals would walk right up to your car with no fear. They were tender and sweet and loved your attention as much as Owen loved giving it. The camel, deer, and zebra were his favorites. How many times can you say you pet a zebra in your life? How cool!
The baby goats had to be my favorite. There's cool animals all over this place but these goats stole my heart. They were so adorable and all I wanted to do was pick one up and snuggle it. Alas, those boogers are quick. I could never snag one, but they were everywhere. Baby deer were running wild all over the place too. Spring time is a great time to visit this safari because if you like babies...this is the time!
Owen and Will both fed a giraffe (Owen also got kissed by one). Owen pet a wolf. Yep, a wolf. It was more like a big fluffy dog because it was so domesticated, but none the less, he pet a wolf. He is still talking about it!
Get it on your calendars, book it with the family, and head to Gentry, Arkansas. Go make some memories!
My mom and I recently found a new walking path that we LOVE. We have walked together for years and mostly through neighborhoods or trails. She is currently living out in south Bixby renting a house while they build their new home. Thankfully, she lives so far south that the neighborhood runs out of room and into the river. Enter....country. We have found the perfect route out from the back of her hood and into the beautiful countryside of Bixby, OK. This walk is filled with birds chirping, trees swaying, and the occasional dump or concrete truck just waiting to run you over:) We love it!
That walk was what started off our weekend and then it was time to go to Woolaroc on Will's field trip. He only gets one field trip a year, so I knew I didn't want to miss it even if it was to a place that is pretty non-exciting in my book. He had a great time, loved riding the bus, swinging from the rope swing, and hanging with his friends all day. We were instructed to visit the museum while there, and I'm sure the teachers were wanting the kids to actually read and learn from the artifacts, BUT I can almost promise 99% of the kids went straight to the gift shop and bought $1 rock candy. I know that is the only thing that got Will into the museum:)
Even though it wasn't my field trip of choice, I would do it all over again to be able to spend the special one on one time with Will. Thank you Jesus for these opportunities you have blessed me with.
P.S. I spot 3 rock candies in below picture.....
Have a great Monday!
I am so incredibly thankful that Steven and I work for ourselves and that WE can set our own schedule and work when we want to. This time of year, that's pretty much around the clock for Steven. Today, he took off 5 hours to be with Owen and I for his field trip to the Tulsa Zoo.
It was the perfect day for the zoo. Not too hot and not too cold. Thankfully, the little rain shower we had upon arrival was just that, it was little. The clouds moved away, a bird pooped on my head, and the sun came out. This is now the SECOND time in my life a creature from above has pooped on me. I must be a target or something:) If you could forget the 30-40mph winds the whole time you were outside, it really was perfect weather.
Owen was teamed up with all his best friends. He spent the day with Jack, Calvin, Kirsten, Brody, and a slew of other children. I loved hearing their little giggles and squeals and the, "Aww...he's sooooo cute! (this was about the Artic Fox). These are the days and times I am so blessed to not have to miss. Thank you Jesus.
To finish off this blog, I will leave you with an adorable picture of Owen posing in the Japanese Maple. This tree was planted as a twig 8 years ago in our landscaping. It now stands as tall, if not taller, then sections of our house. Owen wasn't even born yet when that went into the ground and now he can partially climb it. Time marches on....
Today would have been my grandma's 81st birthday. Just last year we celebrated 80 years of her life knowing that it would more than likely be her last birthday with us on this earth. We were correct and now she celebrates with Jesus on streets of gold this day. 
