Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween my friends!

We are having a big bash at my house tonight and I can't wait to write about my weekend! It was amazing!

But for now I leave you with this little guy....




Have fun and I hope you get more treats than tricks this year ;)

Tidbits for Thursday!

• I really think I have found my new hobby, I am loving and learning so much on this coupon-ing ride! Last week I got a package of razors and the store paid me 3 cents!! I was ecstatic! And yesterday I saved $26 in coupons at the store for stuff that we needed! My final cost was $149.00, I know that sounds like a lot but that was buying fixings for 3 huge batches of chili to feed 20 people (meaning I bought 6 pounds of meat), also in that was a package of pull ups and a package of diapers and wipes, groceries for at lest the next week, and 5 pounds of apples to make applesauce (which is my other new found hobby, ha!) not to mention the 18 bars of soap, plus other bathroom supplies and lots of cleaning supplies! I hate to brag but I am getting SO good! We have coupon seminar coming to church this Saturday and I have rounded up about 4 other ladies to attend with me! The best part about all of this, is teaching others. I just love it! My biggest personal goal for coupon-ing right now is to get a stock pile of toiletries, cleaning supplies, diapers, and wipes so when/if I am able to stay home with our next baby/babies I won't have to go to the store for these items for 2 years, a little crazy? maybe but think of all the money you wouldn't spend if you only bought food.
  
  



• Ok on to something else.... I think we have decided to jump on the bandwagon and for go cable t.v. hate to say it but I could not be happier about this! We spend way WAY to much on our cable bill and it drives me nuts, mostly because I never watch t.v., but we are going to start streaming our shows and look into Netflix and Brent wants to look into a box that pulls the "shows" out of the air waves, I guess like radio? But you buy the box and their isn't a monthly charge.
  
  



• Lucas fell asleep like this on Monday night! Love the monkey socks! ha!

• Tuesday night Ashley was over and we were getting ready to head out for our Mom's Night Out with the playgroup (which was a blast!!! I needed that) and Lucas sees a Chuck E. Cheese commercial and says "I can't play any games" (and he is so serious) I ask him why not and he says "cause I don't have any quarters yet" it was so cute and a little pitiful, I don't know where he gets this stuff so I told him when we got home last night that if he goes #2 on the potty every poo poo equals a quarter and when he gets 10 quarters we can go to Chuck E. Cheese and spend them. So we shall see where this goes. Ha!!
  



• Lucas is also learning his days of the week and months of the year at school he comes home saying them. It truly amazes me that kids his age can learn this stuff and that he can pronounce September and all. I feel so blessed to be able to send him to GracePlace and that he will have a running start at kindergarten.
  
  



• Loving this new fall trend! Socks peeking over boots, I ordered more socks last week hoping they get here soon! In the picture I have on some of Brent's, ha!
  

• Brent has been working a ton of hours lately. When I say a ton I mean a ton, this weekend he worked for 36 hours one day (there isn't even 36 hours in a day!) and Monday he worked from 6 am to 11 pm. We miss him but we also know these times come and go. I do want to do something special for his birthday this year hopefully he can get off one day for that...
  
  
  



• I am so excited that Halloween is less than a week away! I am loving all the Halloween movies playing on t.v. this week! Casper and Hocus Pocus are my all time favorites, brings me back a few years. I have to say Halloween might be my favorite holiday. It's just so fun, there isn't a lot of riff raf with it, ya know. We are having family and friends over for dinner Halloween night then we are taking the kiddos trick or treating together. I can't wait to see all the kids dressed up! Speaking of I have to finish Luke's costume asap!!

• It's the oddest thing about my hair, I feel like I have never been any color but the color I am now, I just love it so much. I think Brent likes it too, he won't admit it though ;) What a good feeling to like the way your hair looks, that is something I have struggled with since becoming a mommy I feel very good at the place I am in with it now. Which I know sounds SO shallow but until one has been there they won't know what I am talking about. If I was asked today I think I would say that I will stay blonde forever, but we all know how that goes! I am most happy to have my side braid back I have felt lost without it! ha!

• I think that is it guys! Wow I had a lot to say! ha! I hope you all have a very fun Halloween!!!
  
  
  
  
  

Happy 1st blog-day to me!!

I absolutely positively cannot believe I have been "blogging" for a year now!! O my goodness where does the time go?

I am so thankful that I have a place to put my thoughts and pictures and family happenings to look back on. I have never been much of a journal keeper but for some reason THIS is different, this is exactly what I needed.

I love looking back and seeing how much Lucas has grown, how much I've grown and how much our family has done together. I have my favorite posts and my not so favorite posts where I sound like a dumb-bo but I am so glad that I kept trudging away at this all the times I wanted to give up, this day is worth it!



Here's to another year (or 10) of writing down my journey, I can't wait to see where I'll be a year from now....

Wow What a Weekend!

We started our weekend on Friday night with dinner with some family well minus Brent, he was driving home from being in Oklahoma since early Thursday morning. I was so glad to have him home Friday night and Saturday!

We spent all day Saturday lounging around the house, Brent watched the Hog game, Lucas stayed outside 90% of the day and I caught up on chores around the house. I made a yummy lunch and we just all enjoyed being home on a beautiful day. It was perfect.

We had a birthday party at 5 that evening we went to Target before hand and when we made it to the parking lot of Chick fil a Brent got a phone call. He had to leave to go back to Oklahoma and pull an all night-er. Not. Fun.
We left the party after about 20 min and headed back home. Brent's job is a good job but it takes a lot of sacrifices on all of our parts.

When we got home and Brent got packed and headed out. Lucas was still upset about leaving the party early so we went to Sonic for some ice cream.



We stayed in the rest of the night and watched "Monster Show" that's what Lucas calls Monster House (have you ever heard/seen this? such a cute cute little kid Halloween movie) we have watched it everyday for a week now. ha!

Sunday Luke and I got up and went and did some coupon-ing at Walgreens. Then went to eat lunch with mom at Panera and went to Target. Then we went and put some fall flowers down at the cemetery for my Grandma, her birthday is tomorrow she would've been 86. It is still so surreal that she isn't here and oddly enough Brent's Mamaw's birthday was yesterday.

We headed home around 3 so I could get home and make dinner. Brent got home around 4 and was exhausted. We had a very quiet and early night, Luke asleep by 9 (which is un heard of) and I was in bed by 10.

Nothing exciting but a good weekend nonetheless (for me anyway) ;)

Something Sweet Saturday!

Him and I {My side of the story}

On October 21st 2007 Brent and I had our first date. I will never forget where we went, what I wore, what he wore and almost exactly the events of the whole evening.

A little back ground info.....

A friend of mine (Ally) kept telling me about this great guy that I needed to meet I kept putting her off and putting her off. One evening she was having a house party and really wanted me to come, so another friend of mine and I went, and Brent was there. But so was a ton of other people and a lot of cigarette smoke, Brooke didn't want to stay because of the smoke so Brent and I were introduced and that was about it. I didn't think much about the whole deal, I will say I did notice the nice red mustang parked out front and remember saying to Brooke " I wonder who's car that is" But Brent and I didn't exchange numbers and if I'm being honest I didn't even think about him again after that night.

Well a few weeks pass and life goes on and I get a call from Ally saying she gave Brent my phone number and to be expecting a call from him. At first I was a little aggravated but Brent called and we scheduled a date for the next night, I thought what the heck.... a nice dinner.

Turns out Brent and Ally had ran into each other at Oktoberfest and Brent asked if he could have my number and if I was seeing anyone. Knowing me better than I knew myself she gave him my number.

It was a Sunday the first time we went out. I was not nervous and I didn't even remember what he looked like. But I got dressed up and all anyway.

He came to my door and I found out who's red mustang that was. I was intrigued.
We had a nice time at Friday's, we had a lot to talk about which really surprised me knowing our age difference. We went back to my house to talk a bit more. While we were there my old boyfriend decided to make an appearance, and I know by only the grace of God that Brent wanted to see me again after that.

We went on a few more dates and that next weekend we went on a weekend get away with some friends we had a really good time. I was pretty hooked.

But it was one ordinary day at work when my life changed. I was working at Dillard's Department Store at the time and he came in to tell me about his promotion. Once I saw him walking towards me that something hit me, fire inside of me, I fell in love with him right then and there, he was trying to tell me about his work stuff and I was trying so hard to focus and I just couldn't, I knew I wanted to be with him and only him.

The rest they say is history. We had a great time dating and were engaged within 10 months. Some say that is to short of an amount time but I always say when you know, you know.

I can't believe it has been 4 years ago, it doesn't seem possible. With all the hustle and bustle of being parents and having so many responsibilities it's so nice to remember those free and easy times. How special those times were for us and how when we are old-er and all of our kiddos have left the nest that we will be ok because we did fall in love and we love each other that will never change.

My life today is better than I could have ever imagined. I am so grateful that Brent is in my life and that he did not give up trying.

Brent Roper,

you mean so much to me I am so blessed to call you mine.

Tidbits for Thursday!

• Completely random post remember? ha just wanted to warn anyone reading!
  




• I am down to only being 3 pounds away from my pre-Lucas weight! I am pretty excited about that and think I will stop here and maintain. I have never had issues about my weight but I just assumed when you had babies you got bigger and stayed that way, I didn't think I had any self control of yummy foods and candy but I have found out I do and I can! But I don't feel like I have deprived myself at all just making healthier choices and telling myself no once in a while. Brent has lost 15 pounds and wants to loose 15 more.
  
  






• Tuesday night we went to McDonald's to play with Ethan and Ashley. Those boys sure do keep us laughing!






• Lucas and I are puppy-sitting for the rest of the week/weekend. She is only a little over a year old so this may be the true test of which side of the fence I am on about getting a puppy. She has been so good and both Chloe and Chip love her! I was really surprised Chip did so well with her!






• Funny picture of us Tuesday night, my phone takes the worst pictures when you flip it around here is proof! ha!
  
  





• Today Lucas has another field trip at school! They are going to the Wild Things Farm, Lucas loves going! They will get to see pigs and goats, go on a hayride and pick a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch. I am very sad I didn't get to go, being a working mommy is so hard sometimes :(





• The other night I asked Brent if he liked haunted houses he said they were ok and I replied "I love them I want to go to one this year" then I thought wait how old is to old to be going to haunted houses! ha! Neither of us has brought it up since.....
  
  




• I love the new update for my iPhone when it comes to texting! I am also so glad Brent knows what he is doing then it comes to this kind of stuff or I would have never got the new update ;)

• We are planning a trip in December to go to Branson, Mo to see all the holiday festivities! I am getting really excited about that, once I get Halloween out of the way I will be full on planning mode for that!

• Speaking of Halloween, Lucas keeps telling his teachers he is going to dress up as a snowman and when I asked him today what he was going to be he said a princess! Where does he get this stuff! Crack me up! He is actually going to be a skeleton.
  






• O this boy, we can pick up his room and not 2 minutes later it looks like this....
  
  
  






• I still need to do a post about our weekend and the apple picking, maybe I will get that done before I have to post about this weekend! ha!
  

Wordless Wednesday! {A House Guest}

Today....

Go and read this post. What an amazing reminder, I needed it.

Autumn

I am so happy that the temps are really falling right now here! Autumn is my most favorite time of year and Halloween is just around the corner! I could squeal with excitement!

We had such a fun weekend, I'll do a recap once I get the pictures off my camera (can you believe it I actually took pictures not using my phone! ha!) But I did get a few with my phone. This one is of the apples we gathered on Saturday!



This week we are starting up the fireplace for the season and making grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup! I can't wait!!

Talk real soon! ;)

Tidbits for Thursday!

• I cannot get into the blogging mood this week, and I haven't taken any pictures either! What's wrong with me.....

• We are still on the perfect puppy search, I'm so glad we started early. If you know of any dogs great with kiddos let me know!! So far in the aussie is still in the lead! ha!

• I am currently researching apple farms close by to visit this weekend! Wouldn't that be so fun and lots of great picture ops! I am so SO thrilled to have no plans this weekend and can spend both days with my boys!

• Lucas has decided that he likes to bite his friends! It first happened 2 weeks ago and again yesterday. I'm not quite sure how to handle this, Brent and I have both talked to him about it and he seems to know that it is wrong but I guess in "the heat of the moment" all his morals go out the window! ha! I was pretty upset about all this but then I read Tonia's post this morning and I know I need to cherish the time when biting is my only worry....

• We are still eating pretty good! We did not this weekend but we have been way better during the week, but I think that is the way it's supposed to be ;)

• Still doing the coupon thing and I even got to help a friend out last weekend! And! FBC in Greenwood is doing a seminar on coupon-ing this month! So exciting! ha!

• So yea there is not a whole lot going on around here this week and that is OK by me!
  

Fall Weekend Round Up! (is that poop!?)

Luke and I (I didn't add Brent to that because he had a long hard day at the ractrack Saturday) had a very much needed relaxing weekend after a busy week!

Friday night we went over to my Uncle David and Genia's for dinner, it was yummy and we always enjoy getting everyone together for dinner.

Saturday Brent headed to the racetrack early early in the morning so we were all up by 7! Lucas and I watched movies and played around the house until about 2 we stopped for "Happy Nour" and went to mom's house, Lucas napped and I went to Wal-Mart and Kohls! I love those little $10 Kohl's cards they send out! My dad always gives them to me and I get one about once a week! I go in and challenge myself to spend only the $10 and I've done it successfully twice! This week I got a free rug for my entry way!

For dinner we met up with my grandma and dad to eat some Mexican, and I have officially had my very first "embarrassment by my child's question moment". When our dinner came out and Lucas saw the beans on my plate he asked rather loudly "is that poop?!" and he was serious! He wasn't trying to be funny, which was even more funny to my mom and I. I could have died and while I am trying to compose myself to not laugh because I didn't want him to think it was funny he asks it again, and again! We were sitting INCHES from other tables mind you, I am finally able to explain that it is beans and to not say that at dinner but boy o boy that was a doozie!

When I text Brent to tell him I can't stop laughing again! Fun Fun times!

After dinner Luke and I head home and watched some t.v. then went to sleep, Brent got home really late so I didn't even try to wait up on him ;)

Lucas and Chloe asleep on the couch.

Sunday we went and had lunch at Panera Bread then headed out to Neumier's Fall Festival! We have been twice now and it has the best fall "scenes" for picture opts! Which I love!

Lucas got to ride a pony and he wasn't even scared!

Lucas and daddy in a tee pee!



Lucas and mommy with our new pumpkin!

Nice weekend I really wasn't ready for it to end but the good news is we are only 5 days away from another ;)

Lucas ready to head to school this morning! That smile makes everything seem so easy....

Tidbits for Thursday!

• I'm just going to get this out of the way first ;) "No Spend September" was not as big of a success as I had hoped for. I did save some extra money and I did get our savings account up but that is where the positive ends. My last total I had put in was $531 and since then I have put in $65.70 so that gives me the grand total of $596.70! Not awful, that's almost $600 in savings we didn't have this time last month but I didn't meet my goal. I am thinking about trying again after the first of the year.





• Is anyone else watching Sister Wives!? O my word that show is like a train wreck waiting to happen but for some reason it still intrigues me why these women want to share a man and more so why on earth a man would want to deal with more than one wife! Wow!





• Busy Busy week this week Monday I was at the salon for 2 and a half hours, Tuesday I had my school board meeting, Wednesday is nursery night, Thursday I am hosting bingo for my bingo club which consists of 17 ladies yikes, Friday evening we are having dinner with family, Saturday I "plan" to rest while Brent is at the racetrack ha, and Sunday we are going to a local fall festival! Wow! I am already exhausted! I wonder if I will even be able to get up on Saturday!





• We kind of got off ship with eating good this last weekend, with the fair and the air show there is just no way to eat good at those events but other than that we have are still doing very well. I haven't had "fast food" in ages! And I made a cake the other night with Sprite Zero instead of using the eggs,milk, butter, and oil and it was really good! It was still considered a splurge but nothing like what it could have been!





• Well I got my hair colored for the first time in 5 years on Monday night! It's blonde! I was really nervous but excited before I went to the salon but I am in love with the way it turned out! What a fresh change! And to top it off Lucas said "You have yellow hair just like me!" He thought that was pretty cool, what a sweet little guy to want to be just like mommy! O these days.....

• Poor Luke I got him all dressed up for picture day at school only to find out that it was the next day! Here he is in his picture day outfit.

Gah he looks so big! If he wasn't holding a sippy cup I would say he was 4! But he is just the cutest thing I have ever seen! Biased maybe? O well that's part of the fun!

Wordless Wednesday!

An Air Fair To Remember!

This time of year is so busy! I love/hate it! ha!

We went to the fair the other night and had a blast! Lucas is at such a good age: we rode a ton of rides, ate some yummy food, and spent a fun night as a family! Doesn't get any better than that!



Brent and Lucas at our dinning table for the night! Brent and I had gyros and Lucas had a corn dog! Later we had Dippin Dots, cotton candy, and candy apples! Yummy!!



Lucas and I rode almost all the rides he was able to get on and surprisingly that was a lot! Brent rode the big Farris Wheel and this barn yard/tornado ride with us! Lucas loved it! I hope he always likes to ride carnival rides I need a ride partner! ha!

We had such a good time! Brent and I both agreed that was the best time we have ever had at our little state fair, it is so fun to watch Lucas have such a fun time!



Picture of Luke when we got home! He was exhausted!

We also attended the Air Show! Brent really likes the Air Show and we hadn't had one in about 3 years! So he was really excited to take Lucas!

We met up with some friends and that made the time between the airplanes a lot more enjoyable!

Carter and Lucas played airplanes for a long time and we enjoyed the nice weather!



Lucas loved it but was tired and a little cranky! We left early and headed home! There is just so much going on this time of year it's hard to do it all! Did I already say that? Whew!