A little catching up

It's been a long time! Sorry for my absence but we (like many other families) have been extremely busy. A year ago on October Jeff and I got married! It was such a fun and amazing day.  I will have to post pictures later because for some reason it's not letting me right now. 

I don't really have a whole lot of exciting news at the moment. Other than work and life we are pretty boring people! 

I just wanted to say hi! More on the past year in a few days.

Until then

30 days of thankfulness: epic fail

So as I knew it would happen (sad I know) I failed at the 30 days of thankfulness. Not that I don't have 30 + things to be thankful for this month has been crazy busy! I've had a few late days at work and 3rd grade homework has kept me busy.

So to finish my 30 days of thankfulness I'd like to add that I'm thankful for all of my family, my friends, my job, my home and my health. I'm thankful I'm able to get out of bed and tend to my child and fiance's needs. I'm thankful I'm able to help with the bills and can help put food on our table for 3 meals a day. I love my life and I thank the lord for everyday he gives me.

Hope you all have a great day! Bundle up because its cold out there...brrrr!

30 days of thankfulness days 5,6,7&8

Wow. I have a lot to catch up on!
Day 5 today I am thankful for my sister Melissa. She is not only my sister but truly my greatest friend! Even though we didn't see much of each other in our really younger days when we reached middle school her and I became best friends. We were attached at the hip ( as some would say). I am thankful for her patience to deal with a son with special needs. I love that we talk on the phone everyday and can reminisce about things from the past and discuss what's going on in the present and dream of our futures. Just like we are little girls again. Thank you sister for always listening to me! I love you to the moon and back!

Day 6 I am thankful for my little sister Julie. Even though times are tough for her she still walks around everyday with her head held high. Im thankful she has become stronger and is willing to take on life. We have different goals and aspects in life but I'm glad she is my sister. I'm glad she calls me when she needs advice. It makes me feel honored that she has that much faith in me to give her the right answers. I pray for her daily and hope the good lord looks over her and her babies. I love you Julie and am glad you are trying to get your life back.

Day 7 I am thankful for my 3 brothers. They have always been there for me when I needed them. I don't see them as often as I like but we live miles apart. It sucks actually. But I do love them with all my heart!

Day 8 I am thankful for all of my nieces and nephews. I love to hear the words aunt cathy come out of their mouths. I live them all like my very own. Michael, Blake, Hunter, Austin, Alice, Robbie, and Canyen aunt cathy loves you more than words can explain! Xoxoxo to all of you :)

Happy Friday to you all and I hope you all have a great weekend!

30 days of thankfulness days 3 & 4

Day 3: today I am thankful for my mother. She may not have had the best experience at being a mother but she did her best with what we had. There was 6 of us kids so we weren't spoiled by all means. My mom worked two jobs do bus kids would have 3 meals. She has taught me how to not be selfish in life SBD enjoy what you have. Even though we live miles away we talk daily. I just wish we could see her a little more than we do. I love you mom. Thank you for doing ALL you could do for me.

Day 4: today I am thankful for my dad. He doesn't have very good health right now but I'm thankful he is alive. Even though we don't have the father daughter bond that I wish we did he is still my father. He was a big alcoholic when we were growing up so there's some hatred there. He did stop drinking years ago and I'm forever greatful that he did because we lived a horrible nightmare with him when he drank. I wish I would've given him more of a chance but I didn't. We live miles and miles away (he is in Florida and I'm in Indiana) he is still my dad. I love you dad. Thank you dad for making me realize the type of man i want in my life. I chose a great daddy for your granddaughter. Thank you for giving up your bad habits. I pray everyday for your health. Safe travels to you for your holiday travels coming home. Your granddaughter and I can't wait to see you! I love you!

30 days of thankfulness days 1&2

Day 1: I am thankful for my daughter Kelsie Jo. She is such a joy. She is very independent which sometimes makes me sad. I hate the fact that she doesn't always need me...she is a pleasant young gal. Beautiful inside and out.

Day 2: I am thankful for my fiancé Jeff. I love this man more and more each day. We have been together for 10 years. It hasn't been a perfect 10 years but through it all we have not given up. We are getting married in 1 year and I couldn't be more happier. I have pictured what our life will be like in the next ten years and I can't wait! He is truly my best friend and I wouldn't trade him for anything. I love my little family :)

And the answer is......

Jeff got me a ring yesterday for my birthday and of course the answer was yes!!!!

Summer love

Oh summertime we love you so! This girl is a fish. She loves to swim! We hope your summer has been as great as ours!! 

Cowgirl style!

Today was a little cloudy and chilly but Kelsie was determined she wanted pictures taken of her! She grabbed her grandpas guitar and some cowgirl boots, a cowgirl hat and off to the tracks we went!

snow time!

sickling

My poor baby has been sick with the flu for 3 days now. Hoping this will pass soon

 

How is it possible?

This is our niece Kalle. I'm still trying to gather in my heard how in the world it's possible that this little girl I once knew is an 18 yr old senior? She had her 18th birthday just this past week and in a few months will be graduating High School. Makes me super sad. I remember after moving up here with Jeff that Kalle would call every other weekend and want to come spend the night. She was 8 (Kelsies age :( ) when I moved up here. Hard to believe she is going to be going off to college. I cried the day we went to take pictures of her and her date for her first prom, I bawled when she got her license and I'm not really sure how I'm going to handle graduation day and the day we move her to University of Findlay.
Oh Kalle, we are so proud of you sweetheart. You are a fun, energetic, caring, loving and beautiful young lady!

Mini photo shoot

 Here are a few pics from our "mini photo shoot".  Trust me it was very mini! She hates posing for the camera....(toughen up big girl cause momma isn't done)!
 A couple of years ago I got a big girl camera...you know the kind where you can buy different lenses and all! The kind that real photographers use! Yea, that kind!!! Only problem is..I don't know how to use it. It had gotten it out a couple of times and took some pics but not very often. I always reverted back to my "little girl camera". I decided to learn more about my camera and the skills of photography! Holy smokes, there's soo much to learn! Google and I have become really good friends lately!
Some of these pics were wayy to bright, some were way to dark, some I just liked and one I loved! I still have a lot to learn but I'm not giving up! (so, sorry Kelsie but our mini shoots are not over,  they have just begun!)

Happy hump day! Hope you all enjoy the rest of your week and have a great weekend! I plan on taking lots of photos :)

Cheerleader!

Last year Kelsie decided she wanted to do cheer leading. She loved it! (I mean girlfriend doesn't stop cheering). Since it was her first year she had to be on a squad that they call the Growl. They cheer for the little flag football players. It was sooo cute and such a great experience for her. All summer long she practiced cheering, stunting, flipping ALL around the yard and house. All the practice paid off for her. :) This summer right before school started she tried out for the Grizzlies cheer leading. She made JV! I was sooo proud of her! She was so excited to get pom poms this year and to wear the (big girl) cheer leading outfits! She cheers for the Grizzlies football players. They range from 3rd to 5th grade boys!

Here are a few pics I took at their first game! My beautiful cheer leader! I just love her!
Hope you all have a great day! Speaking of cheering...off to cheer practice we go!

Welcome Back!!

Well, hello there. I welcome myself back! It's been quite some time. Since I was last on here so much has happened. We lost Jeff's dad in February to cancer. That was probably the hardest thing I think I have ever had to go through. My heart hurts so bad for the family. Kelsie finished 1st grade. We had a great summer doing the things we love so much. We swam nearly every day, we rode bikes, we played hide-and-seek, flashlight tag and spent lots of evenings with wonderful family and friends! We had Girl Scout camp for a week, which was loads of fun. Lots of little girls, bigger girls and lots of mommies. I love meeting new mommies!

We learned Belly Dancing! Girl has some moves.

They had water fights with big buckets of water and sponges!

Here is a group shot of my Bunco ladies!

Here is a shot of me and my sexy man!

At the beginning of this month we had our 1st annual Bunco golf outing! Oh boy did we have fun. We laughed, talked, drank, tried to hit balls (I had not ever golfed before) and laughed some more. Oh I just love these ladies. Such great friends!!! Cannot wait until next yr. 

Well, that was the main highlights of our summer! Kelsie has now started second grade. She loves her teacher and is pretty pleased with her class! She has only been going for a week and three days so we will see...hopefully she continues to like it!
 Hope everyone has a wonderful Labor Day weekend! I know we will!

Needing prayers

We just received an update that Jeffs dad is getting worse. The cancer has spread to his spine. There is no cure for it. They said they were going to keep him in the hospital to do radiation on him to help ease the pain but it wouldn't cure the cancer. It has been a long 3 weeks and I know it's going to be harder. The hardest thing of all is I don't even know what to say to Jeff. My heart breaks for him, Monte, and Linda. I love them all so dearly. I know Jeff and I aren't married but we have been together for 8 years now...I think it's safe to say they are my family also! If we could continue to have your thoughts and prayers we would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks and have a wonderful day!!

Lazy girls!

Today has been one of those days where I could be lazy all day!! OH. Wait. I. Have. Been.!!!!! and I'm not feeling guilty about it!
 This morning Jeff, Kelsie and I went to the hospital to visit his dad. He is not doing well at all. I am pretty sure I told before that Charlie was diagnosed with lung cancer. He is so weak and so confused. It was not a good visit at all for Kelsie. She had to see her papaw all confused in his own little mind..saddens me to see him this way. Please keep Jeff and his family in your thoughts and prayers. We are going to need them for this long journey.
After the hospital visit we came home and did absolutely nothing!! We read some books, played some Just Dance on the Wii and then Kelsie had a friend over to play for a few hours. I love to hear little girls have conversations! Makes me smile :)
Tonight is looking like, showers, Feety Jammies, Beauty and the Beast, wrapping up in our snuggies, and a bowl of pop corn! I love lazy days and nights with my girl.

Hope you all have a great weekend...be safe and warm out there!

Date day!

Today was our day. Just him and I! I love days together with him. We had a fantastic day. We got sis on the bus, went to Muncie to get the oil changed in the car and then went shopping! While we were waiting on the car to get done we shopped around for vans!! Yay me!! I have been wanting a van for quite some time. I have a pacifica and I love it but there isn't much room for long legged people. Getting in the 3rd row seats is a trick and not worth the time. I know I only have 1 child and don't really need all of the space a van has to offer but, I'm hoping someday we can expand our family. First step, get a bigger vehicle!! Ha!
After the car was finished me and my boo went shopping...where sis and I scored lots of goodies, and then we went out to lunch. Days like this are amazing. I love when Kelsie is with us but today was just oh so awesome!
Hope you all have a fabulous evening. I'm off to get showers done, story time and then bedtime!
Loves to you all!

~2012~

 I am so happy that 2012 is finally here! I know I am a few days behind but, better late than never! 2011 was not a great year. Not the worst for us but, not the best either. Jeffs dad was diagnosed with cancer on Christmas night. It horrible. I hate that he has to go through this. I hate it for Jeff and his whole family. We will get through this though...I have faith!

 I'm hoping 2012 brings us good things! I don't have a new years resolution or anything but def am going to work on being a better person. I'm going to be a better mother to daughter, (not that I'm a bad mom). I tend to make Kelsie hold on quite often. I'm going to stop that. I'm going to tend to her every need when she needs me. I'm going to be better at spending more time with my parents and grandma. I'm going to be a better aunt to my niece and nephews and a better sister and friend to my siblings! (that one might be harder than I think considering I have 6 of them)!

 I want to be a better housewife. I want to be more patient with Jeff. (If you know him then you know that might be hard) ha!! No really, I am going to try to not let his kid like ways annoy me so often. I want to be a better friend and a better lover to him. He is an amazing person and I don't give him enough credit. I love him with all of my heart and I want him to believe me when I tell him that.

I want to be a better friend to my friends. I have the best of friends and I don't pay them enough attention. I want to spend one day a month with them..either out to lunch and shopping, or dinner and a movie! I love my friends. I love the advice they give (even if it's not always what I want to hear). I love the fact that I can call on them and they are always there for me! I want to make new friends also...who doesn't like making new friends?!!?
So, there you have it! Goodbye 2011 and Hello 2012!!
Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Kelsie and I are off to a Girl Scouts Lock-in tonight. Lots of girls, games, food, and swimming! I have a very anxious 6 year old :)

Santa

Kelsies 2011 visit with Santa!!

Baking

So, on Sunday Kelsie and I did a little baking. For those of you who know me knows that this isn't my thing! But, I did it...just me and my girl! Kelsie had been begging me for a week or so to make something. I had to do something easy because I did not get the baking thumb in my family. (nor did I get the cooking thumb either) which is horrible for me because Jeff does all the cooking in this household. Actually, its quite nice for me...ha! But, I look at other wives who cook dinner for their family, and I want to do the same for mine..

We are taking it one step at a time..first step~COOKIES~

She had so much fun mixing the dough! I told her to mix and of course she had to stop to smile for the camera

here is the dough all rolled into little balls ;) She loved this part!

The final project!!

Much to my surprise the cookies turned out oh so yummy! Now that we have this under our belts we will have to see what we can do for Christmas :)
Have a great day!! Hope you all enjoyed our first snow of the season! We sure did :) It was beautiful!!
Loves!!