When Facebook first started, it was only for students...and of course by that point I was no longer one. So I joined the myspace movement. I really loved being able to find my long lost friends, but it soon got very annoying to me. About that time, Facebook opened their doors to the public. And I have visited every day - many times a day - since. I have most of the same friends I have on myspace, but I find Facebook so much more user friendly and CLEANER, so I can actually keep up with what my friends are doing.
Fast forward to last week.... Kay found one of our old BFFs who hasn't really been so much the "forever" part in about 5 years. But we've all now caught up via Facebook and have spent the last few days laughing our heads off recalling the "old days" in the dorm. I can't even tell you how much fun it is to just sit and remember all those crazy moments we shared. And it's amazing to think how far we've all come since then. I'm so thankful for technology that allows us to network with long lost friends, acquaintances and perhaps some foes. And it's also fun to send a darling husband a free gift - even if he is sitting just on the other side of the room. ;)
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Time for a new Layout...
I've been doing a lot lately, but I've been submitting them to magazines for publication (gasp!). None have been accepted yet, but they don't like you posting them in public forums. Want to keep stuff fresh, KWIM? Anyway... here's one I did today that I wanted to post.
Last week we went to Grandma & Grandpa Ritz' for a couple of days. We had a BLAST. We ate all sorts of good food (Olive Garden, Marketplace, Razorback Pizza, Hunan Village...) and had lots of good shopping/visiting time. Not to mention all the Olympics we watched. We also had a couple of birthday parties and one open house. It was just chalk full of things. But anytime we were just at Grandma's the boys were playing outside. They would wake up and instead of eating, they'd go outside. It was raining, but they played outside. It was naptime, but they played outside. They made "chocolate milk" in the dirt (just add water). They played with the cars, the bikes and the ramp. Brayden went "swimming" in the hot tub (don't worry, it wasn't hot). Tyler got to run around naked (thanks to his Grandma Laura). I really think they had more fun than any of the rest of us combined. I was sure they wouldn't want to leave. But when we got home, Brayden ran into the living room screaming, "We're home! This Brayden home!" It's so nice to know that even at that age they appreciate what we've created out of this house... It really is good to be home (even if I was wrought with chigger bites - but that's a story for another day).
Last week we went to Grandma & Grandpa Ritz' for a couple of days. We had a BLAST. We ate all sorts of good food (Olive Garden, Marketplace, Razorback Pizza, Hunan Village...) and had lots of good shopping/visiting time. Not to mention all the Olympics we watched. We also had a couple of birthday parties and one open house. It was just chalk full of things. But anytime we were just at Grandma's the boys were playing outside. They would wake up and instead of eating, they'd go outside. It was raining, but they played outside. It was naptime, but they played outside. They made "chocolate milk" in the dirt (just add water). They played with the cars, the bikes and the ramp. Brayden went "swimming" in the hot tub (don't worry, it wasn't hot). Tyler got to run around naked (thanks to his Grandma Laura). I really think they had more fun than any of the rest of us combined. I was sure they wouldn't want to leave. But when we got home, Brayden ran into the living room screaming, "We're home! This Brayden home!" It's so nice to know that even at that age they appreciate what we've created out of this house... It really is good to be home (even if I was wrought with chigger bites - but that's a story for another day).
Church and Stuff...
So when we moved here, we thought we'd be going to a certain church... but the preacher they had there had a few doctrinal issues that we just couldn't jive with. So we went to this other church. It was a TON smaller, but it felt like home. Now, three years and two kids later, we are considering a move. The first church has a new minster, youth minister and direction. The second church hasn't grown (in fact, I think it's shrunk) and has no youth programming. Honestly, our boys are the only kids under 5 in the church. And the next closest to them is about 7 - and then the next ones are teens. All of this has built up to us wanting (read: needing) to rethink our membership at said churches.
We went to the first church again today. Loved it. Love the nursery, love the new youth minister & his wife (with whom we had lunch and talked all things camp), the preacher and his message... It just feels like it's what we need to do to minister to our family. I just feel so guilty pulling the "new blood" out of second church. We're the only young couple there - and we're scared that if we leave, if another couple would come, they'd end up with the same feelings as we have. But a friend once told me that our family comes first and we have to do what's best for our spiritual health and that of our children. SO.... If anyone has any wisdom on the subject, I'd love to hear it.
We went to the first church again today. Loved it. Love the nursery, love the new youth minister & his wife (with whom we had lunch and talked all things camp), the preacher and his message... It just feels like it's what we need to do to minister to our family. I just feel so guilty pulling the "new blood" out of second church. We're the only young couple there - and we're scared that if we leave, if another couple would come, they'd end up with the same feelings as we have. But a friend once told me that our family comes first and we have to do what's best for our spiritual health and that of our children. SO.... If anyone has any wisdom on the subject, I'd love to hear it.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
I just wanna say...
Thhhhhha Wonder Pets Saaaaave the Skunk.
and if you have no idea what I'm talking about, God has blessed you dearly.
and if you have no idea what I'm talking about, God has blessed you dearly.
6 Random Things (in a not so random order)
My bestest friend Eskai tagged me for this. *Sigh* I guess I gotta do it. (hehe)
Here are 6 random things about me.
1. When I was one, I lived in Joplin, MO - and we had a DOG! For anyone that knows my mom, this is probably a shocker. We actually had dogs until I was about 14ish. But they were always outdoor dogs except for this one. His name was Fritz - and I would torture the poor thing - I put booties on his little paws.
2. When I was two, we moved to Arkansas - we moved from there when I was 4. I can still find that house when I'm in town (even if it takes me a few minutes...). I actually just drove by it last week with Erin while we were in Siloam. I think it's really kind of weird that I have an obsession with going to look at the places where I used to live even though I can't really remember it.
3. Oh, but I DO remember something... We had a closet that had two clothes bars in it... and they were one in front of the other, but one was about a foot higher. I used to pretend they were parallel uneven bars and swing on them. I always want to be a gymnast.
4. But that wasn't to be because when I was in 4th grade (hehe, I'm on #4) I was in gymnastics, but Matt Harrell pushed me on the monkey bars, and I had to be in a cast for a few weeks... long enough that Mom pulled me out of gymnastics classes. I never got back in them either. And all this happened one week before we started bars.
5. It took me 5 years to get through college. I could've finished in 4... but my boss wouldn't let me. I was signed up for 23 hours the spring semester of my 4th year and got hired at CIY. Gary told me that there was no way I'd be able to do the job and carry that load, so he made me half it and graduate a year later. I'm glad I graduated when I did, though - I got to walk with all my friends.
6. I've lived in 6 places since I left home for college: the OCC dorms, Duenweg (the cheap apartments), Joplin (the duplex), Webb City (the Seinfeld apts), 404 N Joplin (our house), and Pink, OK (the camp).
Now... I'm off to tag my friends: ROBYN, CINDI, TIFFANIE, ALLIE... and I can't find a 5th or 6th... sorry...
Rules of Engagement:
1) Link to the person who tagged you.
2) Post the rules on your blog (copy and paste 1-6).
3) Write 6 random things about yourself (see below).
4) Tag 6 people at the end of your post and link to them.
5) Let each person know they have been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
6) Let the tagger know when your entry is up.
Here are 6 random things about me.
1. When I was one, I lived in Joplin, MO - and we had a DOG! For anyone that knows my mom, this is probably a shocker. We actually had dogs until I was about 14ish. But they were always outdoor dogs except for this one. His name was Fritz - and I would torture the poor thing - I put booties on his little paws.
2. When I was two, we moved to Arkansas - we moved from there when I was 4. I can still find that house when I'm in town (even if it takes me a few minutes...). I actually just drove by it last week with Erin while we were in Siloam. I think it's really kind of weird that I have an obsession with going to look at the places where I used to live even though I can't really remember it.
3. Oh, but I DO remember something... We had a closet that had two clothes bars in it... and they were one in front of the other, but one was about a foot higher. I used to pretend they were parallel uneven bars and swing on them. I always want to be a gymnast.
4. But that wasn't to be because when I was in 4th grade (hehe, I'm on #4) I was in gymnastics, but Matt Harrell pushed me on the monkey bars, and I had to be in a cast for a few weeks... long enough that Mom pulled me out of gymnastics classes. I never got back in them either. And all this happened one week before we started bars.
5. It took me 5 years to get through college. I could've finished in 4... but my boss wouldn't let me. I was signed up for 23 hours the spring semester of my 4th year and got hired at CIY. Gary told me that there was no way I'd be able to do the job and carry that load, so he made me half it and graduate a year later. I'm glad I graduated when I did, though - I got to walk with all my friends.
6. I've lived in 6 places since I left home for college: the OCC dorms, Duenweg (the cheap apartments), Joplin (the duplex), Webb City (the Seinfeld apts), 404 N Joplin (our house), and Pink, OK (the camp).
Now... I'm off to tag my friends: ROBYN, CINDI, TIFFANIE, ALLIE... and I can't find a 5th or 6th... sorry...
Rules of Engagement:
1) Link to the person who tagged you.
2) Post the rules on your blog (copy and paste 1-6).
3) Write 6 random things about yourself (see below).
4) Tag 6 people at the end of your post and link to them.
5) Let each person know they have been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
6) Let the tagger know when your entry is up.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Brayden's (finally) Speaking in Sentences!
Okay, so he's been using simple sentences, "No, Mommy!" for a while now... But just this past week, he's started using his sentences to actually talk. Tonight, he and Tyler were eating dinner and Brayden started using his weight to scoot the highchair closer to Tyler's chair... John came in and moved him back and Brayden goes, "OH NO! Come back, Tyler!" Shortly after that, I took the boys to the bathroom for bath time. Brayden runs into the bathroom, looks at the tub and exclaims, "Bubbles! Bubbles! Oh, I like bubbles!" He's just growing up so quickly.
The other really cute thing he's been doing lately? Trying to do cartwheels. But they are more like rolling on the floor. He starts out like he's going to do a somersault, but then he kind of rolls off to the side and rolls along the floor - then he pops up and cheers for himself. Do you think someone's been watching the Olympics? Oh, he also shows us now how to swim - he did the butterfly in the pool(but he still won't put his face in the water - he just does it with his arms).
Tyler's learning new words every day, too. He's figured out eyes, nose, ears, stuck, on, off and maybe some more, but John's got sand volleyball going in the background and he's reprimanding me for not watching with him. I guess it's pretty awesome.
The other really cute thing he's been doing lately? Trying to do cartwheels. But they are more like rolling on the floor. He starts out like he's going to do a somersault, but then he kind of rolls off to the side and rolls along the floor - then he pops up and cheers for himself. Do you think someone's been watching the Olympics? Oh, he also shows us now how to swim - he did the butterfly in the pool(but he still won't put his face in the water - he just does it with his arms).
Tyler's learning new words every day, too. He's figured out eyes, nose, ears, stuck, on, off and maybe some more, but John's got sand volleyball going in the background and he's reprimanding me for not watching with him. I guess it's pretty awesome.
Saturday, August 09, 2008
B-I-N-G...Oh, MAN!!!!!
It's always humorous to me (okay, maybe in theory, but I'm never laughing about it) how I can always manage to get *this* close to things and then... nada. I would say I never win anything, but I've had a few lucky streaks lately. I am addicted to Scrapgirls.com - it's my digital scrapbooking haven. I don't post a whole lot, nor do I chat, but I read a lot of stuff, and I LOVE to browse the gallery and post my own pages. Anyway... they play lots of games on the site - games where they give away good prizes (aka FREE STUFF). Of course anyone who knows ANYTHING about me knows how competitive I am. I can't stand to lose. Proabably its because anything I chose to participate in, I feel that I can win - I kind of cheat that way - I don't try to do things like play Halo 3 on XBox because I would for definitely sure lose BIG time. Golf is another one of those things (John's convinced I should just give it a try, but I know myself, I know I don't have the patience to be good, so I'll just be content saying, "I can't play" rather than, "I really stink."). ANYWAY (again), it's BINGO time on the SG web boards. You pick 25 words out of 75 - they call 5 words a day, first to 15 wins. I'm at 12. And the girl calling the words has obviously gone into hiding. She's nowhere to be found. She's boycotting, I guess. :D Just kidding... But seriously - I've been stalking the boards since 8:30 this morning just WAITING for her to call those last 3 words I need so I can win and get it over with!!!
I'll keep you posted.
...4 hours later:
I WON!!!!! Okay, I'm officially a dork, I'm so excited.
I'll keep you posted.
...4 hours later:
I WON!!!!! Okay, I'm officially a dork, I'm so excited.
Friday, August 01, 2008
OU, Toddlers and Teenagers
Tyler has learned to say, "OU!" He has been able to make both sounds individually, but tonight we taught him to put them together - with enthusiasm. :D Oh yes, we brainwash our boys with Sooner Spirit. But after all, football season approacheth and what kind of parents would we be if we did not train up our children in the way they should go??? I mean, really, if I'm going to be the mom of two Heisman winners, I've got to start them young.
Oh.... I also need to share about my teenage toddler. You might be saying, HUH?? But I will explain. Brayden has hit this stage where everything he does is an unbeliveably good impression of a brooding teenager. He slams doors, he rolls his eyes and says, "Mmmaaaaaahhhhhhmmmmmm!" he goes to bed late and then sleeps in, he gets huffy when he doesn't get his way, and he doesn't want anything to do with anything anyone wants him to have anything to do with (yeah, try to say that 5 times fast). BUT... he and Tyler have learned to hug each other. I need to get the camera out for this because it really is too sweet not to share with the entire world (or those few who actually read my blog, I guess). So it's not all bad. In fact, it's not even mostly bad. And if I'm going to be honest, I can't say it's bad at all or then I'd have to shame myself because Brayden really is just a mini version of me. I mean, where do you think he learned to say, "You hear me?!?!" and "Come here NOW!" :D Thank goodness Tyler is like Daddy.
Oh.... I also need to share about my teenage toddler. You might be saying, HUH?? But I will explain. Brayden has hit this stage where everything he does is an unbeliveably good impression of a brooding teenager. He slams doors, he rolls his eyes and says, "Mmmaaaaaahhhhhhmmmmmm!" he goes to bed late and then sleeps in, he gets huffy when he doesn't get his way, and he doesn't want anything to do with anything anyone wants him to have anything to do with (yeah, try to say that 5 times fast). BUT... he and Tyler have learned to hug each other. I need to get the camera out for this because it really is too sweet not to share with the entire world (or those few who actually read my blog, I guess). So it's not all bad. In fact, it's not even mostly bad. And if I'm going to be honest, I can't say it's bad at all or then I'd have to shame myself because Brayden really is just a mini version of me. I mean, where do you think he learned to say, "You hear me?!?!" and "Come here NOW!" :D Thank goodness Tyler is like Daddy.
As Promised...
Okay, here's the zoo page... I still can't believe that Brayden got to pet a kangaroo!!!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
