Santa 2012

Santa 2012 was a success!  Last year Ellie wasn't quite so sure.  This year before we even arrived she stated she was gonna sit on Santa's lap!  I'd heard fabulous thing about the Santa at Northpark Mall in Oklahoma City.  It is an older smaller mall without many stores.  Everyone always says the Santa is fantastic and the lines aren't long! 
We went around 4:30 this afternoon. We were in our car heading to dinner at 5:30 and that included a stop at the fountains AND in the upscale pet boutique!

Gingerbread House & Changes

Last night we made a gingerbread house as a family.  Or should I say I made a gingerbread house....Ellie and Steven ate icing and candy.  It isn't the greatest but I consider it a success because it didn't collapse!  Love making these memories with Ellie.  All I have right is an iPhone photo...I definitely need to get my camera unloaded we've made lots of fun Christmas crafts over the past week for some fun grandparent gifts!

Now for the big changes.....Starting next week I will be at home with Ellie full time.  We know this will be an adjustment for everyone but think it is what is best for our family!  We had intended on Ellie starting a Pre-School program after she was 3....so around next August.  Well we had been on a waiting list and they called in November with an opening.  It was our top pick program.  We couldn't risk NOT taking that opening and then not getting a spot in their 3 year old program.  I am excited for Ellie I think the structure will be great for her and she will learn so much!  We are also going to take another Kindermusik class so that should be fun for both of us!  I am sure we will find plenty to keep us both busy!

Products

As promised I've put together a post on the Rodan + Fields products that I've been using.  I started awhile back on the Anti-Age Regimen.  My biggest complaints with my skin were pore size and my under eye area (dark circles & puffiness). So with my Anti-Age Regimen I have added in the Multi-Function Eye Cream.  The eye cream is by my far my favorite product but I have definitely seen a difference in my entire face...my eyes aren't near as dark and my pores are noticeably smaller.  So much so that I've been getting compliments on my skin from people that have no idea that I've been using something new.  I've noticed such a difference that on the weekends I've been going out and about with tinted moisturizer instead of my normal foundation!  Now I realize some will say you are only in your early thirties you don't need an Anti-Age Regimen but there is no better time to start taking care of your skin than NOW!

Steven suffers from Seborrheic Dermatitis on his face.  It is pretty easily kept under control with a pricey steroid cream and frequent dermatologist visits. He also has to be extra careful with what type of face wash that he uses.  We decided to get him started on the Soothe Regimen.  As of right now his face isn't near as oily and he hasn't had ANY flares of his Seborrhea...this is VERY rare when starting a new product for him!  So hopefully the Soothe products are the answer and we can cut out the expensive steroid cream and derm visits!

I have some other friends that recently started using products and I can't wait to see their results!

We have lots of fun Christmas gift ideas and stocking stuffers available right now!  Please let me know if you have ANY questions about any of the products!

Rodan + Fields

I recently joined my friend Becky as a consultant with Rodan + Fields.  I will do a more in depth post on the products I've been using but I can asbolutely say I have noticed a HUGE change in my skin with just a few products.  I am always looking for people interested in joining me as a customer or as a business partner.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have about the products.  You can check everything out here or the Rodan + Fields link at the top of the page!

Below is some information recently posted in a USA Today article:

Are you looking for your financial Plan B? USA Today says you should!! Rodan + Fields (creators of Proactiv) posted a 1425% record breaking growth last year when many businesses were struggling. Our customer base is everyone who has SKIN, I bet you know a lot of people with skin who want to look younger and better!

Happy Halloween!

Ellie says Happy Halloween!  She was so excited to go to Ms. Donna's house dressed up this morning.  I'm sure she will still be in costume when I pick her up this afternoon! 

Rugs!

I know I haven't posted about our floors yet but I am so excited about this rug! Yesterday Megan posted about rugs in her house and I fell in love with one of them for our living room. However, it was sold out on overstock so the internet searches started.  I finally found it late last night and they had the size we needed in stock!  I was able to find a coupon code online so that made the deal even better!

I ordered it from this site Bold Rugs.

New Fireplace!

We've been in a 'remodeling' frenzy around here. Who builds a custom home in 2009 and remodels in 2012....apparently we do. We've replaced the fireplace, the floors in the office and living room, had landscaping installed, built a storage building int he backyard, etc. all in the last 6 months!

Our original fireplace was a custom wood mantel with tile surrounding the fireplace and on the floor. Now the mantel, legs and hearth are cast stone and the surround is brick. We absolutely love it and it makes such a huge difference in the room.  I will say it was a MESS to live through but didn't take long but I think I am still getting dust out of the house!

The coloring in these pictures is terrible as they were all at night and from my iPhone. You can see the ugly carpet in these photos that was soon replaced! (yes the ugly carpet that we picked out).

Up next I'll share our new floors!! I'm not really sure why all my pics are out of order and blogger won't let me move them!

Ready for the mantel

Before!

Up close of the cast

After!  We hung the tv and our living room has SO MUCH more room

Ready for the tv

Conversations with Ellie

I am sure these posts are extremely boring for the few readers I have but I do like to look back and remember the funny things Ellie says....

Last night when Steven got home we were all visiting and the following exchange took place.

Me:  Ellie did you tell Daddy what Papa is getting at his house?
Ellie: I don't know. I don't know what papa is getting.
Me:  Yes you do remember he made a hole in the big barn and is going to build something.
Ellie: I know more room for Alley (the barn cat).
Me: No Ellie that isn't it remember he is getting something new.
Ellie: Yes Daddy Papa is getting a bunch of little cows and a little bitty Garfield (the horse).
Ellie:  Man I love a little bitty Garfield.

For the record Papa isn't getting any of these things.  He will eventually get chickens and Ellie was so excited talking about little chicks.  Where she came up with little cows and a little Garfield is beyond me.

Another Pumpkin Pic

Love her ornery little face in this one!

Pumpkins

Love this little pumpkin! Thanks Katie Christy for capturing this sweet image! If you are in the area I can't recommend Katie enough!  She is always great!

Ellie's words

Tonight our neighbor was over with her new baby. I asked Ellie to come say hi. She said I'm gonna go get him a piece of cake. I told her no and she said how about an ice cream cone. I told her babies don't need special treats and she walked off with her head down and said but he is SO HUNGRY!

About thirty minutes later we were still visiting and she came around the corner and said checkout my and underpants. I look down and she has on a pair of Steven's underwear and has it pulled all the way up to her neck!

There is never a dull moment at our house these days!

Fall Favorite

We are so ready for fall around this house! We spent last weekend getting MY FAVORITE fall decoration ready! Now we just need the temps to cool down so all the pumpkins and gourds will last awhile! I might have wasted my money if it doesn't cool off but they just make the door decor complete!

I have lots of questions about my door in the past. The grapevine, greenery and lights stay up year round. The rest is changed seasonally. My fall decorations for the door are my favorite! Christmas and Valentine's are tied for second place! I'll have to remember to post all the season changes this coming year!

We Remember

On 9-11 I was a junior in college living in an apartment with three of my girlfriends.  My friend Casey sent me an email today.

"11 years ago we lined up to get gas...for what reason...we had no idea but everyone else was.  then we went to give blood, but yours was tainted! haha.  i remember thinking we were so old and mature for whatever reason, but looking back, we had NO IDEA!!!"

I think we lined up to get gas because all the gas stations were closing down. My blood was 'tainted' because my iron was low and I wasn't allowed to donate that day.  How true is her statement that at 20 years old we truly had NO IDEA how this would change America.

While in line to donate blood we discussed the events with a younger sorority sister.  We didn't know her too well but we learned that her mom was a flight attendant to American it took them awhile to learn but they eventually heard that she was safe with her flight crew in London.

Isn't it crazy that when events like this happen you ALWAYS remember exactly what you were doing at that moment?!?  I can say the same for the Oklahoma City bombing that happened when I was in 8th grade.  

 

Google image 

Bedtime Conversations

Ellie had been laying down singing for about 20 minutes before this conversation occurred! 

Ellie: Mommy I need Mommy
Me: Yes Ellie
Ellie: I hurt
Me: What hurts...your teeth, your ears, etc
Ellie: How about some bitamins (vitamins)?
Me: No you don't need any vitamins.  You can have some in the morning.
Ellie: But I hurt.
Me: Ok Ellie I'm sorry you hurt but vitamins are for in the morning.
Ellie: Then how about some teeth medicines?

The crazy girl would do ANYTHING to stay awake last night.  Now her teeth have been bothering her she is getting her two year molars BUT she already had 'teeth medicine' last night.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

I'm sure Steven won't mind me sharing his singing on the internet!  This sweet little girl LOVES to sing.  This was last night at bedtime.  CUTENESS!

Color Me Rad 5k

A few weeks ago I ran my first 5K with my sweet friend Bridget!!! We had the best time together and can't wait to participate in more races together! These pics aren't the best but what a fun memory we made!

Ellie's Garden

Here's Ellie picking some squash out of her garden at home!

Coast to Coast

 Nicole posted about Coast to Coast over on her blog!  What a fun way to find bloggers in your area!  If you follow Nicole you'll know that she just relocated to Columbus!  Maybe this will help link up with bloggers in your new area! You can go sign up HERE!

 

 

 

Prayer Request

I am writing this post absolutely heartbroken for our dear friends. Jeff & Karlee went to high school with Steven.  Jeff & Steven have been friends since they were young, college roommates, groomsmen in the others wedding and just overall great friends. They found out they were expecting TWINS while we were in the hospital with sweet Ellie in the NICU.  We were so excited for them and couldn't wait to share the parenthood journey with them. 

They found out a few months ago that their sweet Logan was diagnosed with a rare genetic mitochondrial condition.  Today they found out that precious Griffin has the exact same condition.

Please say a prayer for them during this time.  There are no words to describe the journey they are facing.  Jeff & Karlee have been so strong throughout this journey with Logan but they could use all the prayers and support.

Thank you!

Ellie's Words

We were sitting outside at our garage sale and Ellie was eating a snack. She was being silly and I tickled her and said Ellie you are piggly wiggly! She looked at me and said 'no' followed by a long pause then 'I don't think so' 'I no piggly wiggly'. She makes us laugh!

Brothers of the Sun Tour 2012

This past weekend my sweet friend Casey & I headed to Dallas for the Tim McGraw & Kenny Chesney concert at Cowboy Stadium.  Since she is coming from Tulsa and I come from OKC we decided to catch the cheap Southwest flight and meet in Dallas.  We have both seen Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney multiple times solo and on tour together!  I think I blogged just last April about a Kenny concert!  It was a quick getaway but we definitely had tons of fun!  Except for the LONG walk to one of our favorite texas mexican restaurants.  The hotel told us 'it wasn't that far'.  Well lets just say it was FAR!!!  Here are some pics from our trip!  I will say Cowboys Stadium is an AMAZING venue!

Garage Sale!

On June 22nd and June 23rd my mom and I will be having a garage sale in Yukon.  I posted about it on Yard Sale Search!

Garden Girl

Daddy was at the Thunder game this evening and Ellie and i needed to take a few things to my parents. Of course Ellie was interested in the garden, fishies in the pond and Garfield the horse. We took a trip in the golf cart to visit the garden and check out all the veggies.

Nothing like picking green beans and eating them before they've even been washed. Sweet girl loved it!

Memorial Day Weekend

Our weekend started off with a sick little girl! We have an ear infection but for the most party she's been in a pretty decent mood! We thought it could be her ears when the fever started and within a few hours she told us one of them hurt and sure enough a trip to the doctor showed an infection! Hopefully she's on the mend! Here are some pics from our trip to the cemetery....she was so proud of her flag!

A must read....

I thought this article about 'mommy wars' was definitely worth the read....whether you are a mommy or not!

Fun Finds

Please check out this post on Megan's blog! One of her blog sponsors is donating 100% of her proceeds to iPod's for Cohen...which you can also read more about on her blog if you are unaware of his story!  Regardless Rosie Posie Designs has some ADORABLE things that make great gifts!

Mother's Day Weeked

We've had a pretty busy day but at least managed to squeeze in a short nap! Ellie, Grammy and me attended a birthday party at a fun park this evening! Steven is with a few guys at the redhawks game tonight! Ellie and I are getting ready to snuggle and watch Mickey. We can't wait to have a slow relaxing day tomorrow.

We picked these flowers up this morning on our trip to Whole Foods. Ellie picked them out ;)

Sunnies!

This was Ellie's outfit of choice last weekend! My tank top and her pink sunglasses. She's so funny these days!

Easter Sneak Peek

Love this little girl!


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