The Last Week of Summer 2014

Exactly where does time go? We as humans are always depicting our life on the amount of time we have. We wear watches, watch clocks, set timers, set alarms, and we even sometimes schedule down to the minute of how we spend our day.

This summer has been a blast! It started off rough with the school year dragging it's feet. So many people in our area were complaining about having to attend school later than expected. HELLO! We got an entire week off of school in the middle of winter to enjoy. AND! I got to spend 16 days at summer school with your kids so you didn't have to. There. Off my soapbox now....

My time with my husband this summer was precious. Our time together during the school year is limited. We pray and hope that this year things are different. God is faithful and we are constantly leaning on his guidance and grace to show us the next step. The past two years has been a journey and we are looking forward to the plans he has for us. Alex and I enjoyed a weekend in Bucyrus, MO to visit a bed and breakfast as well as a brewery, Piney River. The beer is fantastic and the people are wonderful!
If you ever get a chance to visit Almoost Heaven, the owners are fantastic hosts and can cook like nothing else.
Another excursion was to St. Louis. Yes, we only live 2 hours south, but there are many places that we've never experienced. For one, The Three Kings pub, tasty beer and a chill atmosphere. Of course, throw in some baseball, a metrolink trip, and food. We had a blast!

My time with my son. Everett Dale. He is growing up before my very eyes and I'm not quite sure how I feel about it. I am always reminding me that I only have him a short while. As of now, he is still my baby boy until 16 years from now when he leaves for college. BOOOHOOOOO!!!!!!!! I will be crying like a baby when that day comes.
We didn't take a big vacation this summer due to the fact that Mr. E potty trained. WHoop WHoop! We struggle sometimes with holding it too long, and of course, number 2 is still an experience; HOWEVER, we get the gist of it.
He has learned how to ride his tricycle; he loves swimming and watering plants; playing baseball and football; picking from MawMaw's garden; and hanging out with his friend Mia.

My time alone. I watched a LOT of Netflix after E went to bed. AHHHH...I'm so proud of the seasons I've finished!

My time with my friends. Friends who you see almost daily become like family. Neighbors seem to finish your sentences and start to laugh with you about anything. This has been my summer. Watching Big Brother with Jessica, Alyssa, Ashley, and Dylan has not been one dull moment. Let's not forget Six Flags ladies. Maggie moving into her new house and watching the progress being made. Courtney's (Cookie) new house/moving escapade!

Seasons are changing friends. They change fast and they don't stop. Take it all in moment by moment.

Homecomers 2014

Homecomers this year was a blast! This was our first year that Everett experienced the rides. He loved it!  He rode on the trucks, cars, pink elephants, and the fun slide with daddy. Mommy rode on the pink elephants. We went with John, Ashley, and Mia Litz. Everett and Mia were in our bellies at the same time. Everett was born in April and Mia was born in September. Needless to say, we are close friends. Our kids will grow up together. We already laugh because Everett and Mia are each other's first kiss! We even have it in a pic to embarrass them a few years down the road.



Next year will be great, the kids will be a little bit bigger and we will be a little bit older, that's okay. Ashley and I are going to Six Flags next week for Jessica Kooyer's birthday. It will be interesting!

Spring is Here!

The other day, our wonderful friend Shannon stopped by to visit E and I between her busy scheduled photo shoots. We love it when she captured moments so precious to our family. 

Moments that are passing by so quickly. As a mom, these moments captured by Shannon are more precious than words can say. Everett will grow so fast very quickly and I will be there only moments to stop and realize that I can't control time. When he smiles, when he cries, even why he's throwing a fit. There will be a a day when I won't hear him call my name. He will always know that I love him dearly. 

Everett Dale is turning 2 in just 2 weeks. He is growing up into a little boy who loves dirt, trucks, and music. He laughs at almost everything while climbing and getting into EVERYTHING. We love you E.

Lenten Season 2014

This season of lent, I've decided to give up the vice that I am constantly attached to. Facebook. This is not a new thing. Most moms are on Facebook when they are having a few minutes of quiet time, nap time, waiting in line to pick up a kiddo from school or a friend's house. For me, Facebook has turned into something that I'm constantly wanting to check. The question that I had to ask myself, whatever I gave up, it had to be a sacrifice. Giving up Facebook is a HUGE sacrifice! Giving up the ability to see what my friends and family are doing without calling them. Seeing what the neighborhood weather man says about this crazy season of weather; getting updates on the weekly shows, etc. My Scentsy page is also a huge sacrifice. I use Facebook as a way to connect to my customers as well as my team. What will I do to survive!?

I will actually make human contact with them. I will pick up my phone and call. I will NOT text them. If I want to know how someone is doing, I will call them. I remember a time when we didn't have cell phones. At home, we would spend time passing the phone off to each person to talk to whoever was on the other end of the line. 

We as a family will begin to focus more on the little moments instead of what's going on, on Facebook. 

26.

Who am I today? I am a disciple of our Lord. I am a wife to Alex. I am a mother to Everett Dale. I am a teacher to a class full of truly fun kids. I am a memory keeper to my family. I never forget holidays or leave out birthdays. I cherish moments and sometimes begin to cry when I realize that time passes so quickly . 

I don't want to grow up. Growing up means losing track of people, going to bed at 8:00, and being caught up in the world of work. I am staying young this year. I will take more walks. I will slow down with projects. I want to take pride in my time to share with family and friends. 

Having another number added to your life doesn't mean you have to grow up. It means you have another year to live your life and enjoy it. 

26. I will have fun and take it all in. 

A New Year with New Goals

OMG! IT'S 2014!!!!!!!!!! Happy New Year!

My fran Courtney, met in college, the rest is history.

The gal pals!

Sitting on Spencer. Poor guy!

 Alex and I had a wonderful time with some of our friends on New Years. Playing games and laughing constantly, memories were made for many years to come. 

Before we headed to the party, Alex, Everett, and I had dinner together at the good ol' El Torero's. We sat and ate and started a conversation of: What do we want for this year? There have been many ups and downs and we both realize that we do not see each other much due to time, schedules, and work. We wrote down on a napkin (yes, many great things are made that way) our goals that we want as a family for 2014. Spending time together appeared three times so we are going to make that happen. One way, we said that we want to take a family trip just the three of us for a weekend somewhere we've never been. Another one was going to a concert together. We didn't go this past year and we love music so much, we have to live life! Another huge goal of ours is to complete Financial Peace University through our church to get ourselves out of debt. It's not as much as some people who are in thousands and thousands of dollars worth, but just enough to where it is holding us back from saving and doing things that we'd like to do, such as finish the basement. 

On the 30th, I made my own list of goals and hopes for 2014. I have them posted on my bathroom door so I will see them everyday for the entire year. I did this last year and I read them at least every week. It helps to have your goals posted right in front of you to remind you of what you want to achieve. 

Last week, with Uncle Ben and Aunt Megan in town, Alex and I gave Susan and Steve (the in-laws) family pictures for their anniversary/Christmas gift. They turned out wonderful and I'm going to dump some pictures from the past couple of months. 

Our Family

Poppy and MeeMaw

And of course, US. This is a perfect presentation of Alex and his love for us. We love you Daddy! 

The kids!

The Skeltons

 December 27th, 2013

A HUGE thank you for Shannon Duggan Photography. She's a wonderful friend, photographer, and woman who is achieving her lifelong dream, taking photographs of lovely people. We love you Shannon!

Snapshot Days

The last weekend of summer. Where has the time gone by? This summer has been the quickest and it has been the best. Everett now in our little family, created a constant laughter, a home full of hugs, kisses, wrestling matches, and toys. It's been the hardest year but I wouldn't trade it for anything else. Being a mom has been the biggest blessing that I've ever received. The Lord truly knows what our hearts desire and he gave me the gift of being a mom.

As school is right around the corner, Everett knows that soon I won't be home with him as much. Every day this past week, I've tried to just take a deep look at him and create a mental picture in my mind. He won't be like this anymore. He will grow overnight and if I don't stop to smell the roses to glance, take-in, breathe the moment, it will be gone.

He's been a "Mama's Boy" the past couple of weeks and secretly, I LOVE IT! It's a comforting feeling to know that he needs me and he wants me near him. I know that this won't last. He is a boy who is busy and will want me to play superheroes as well as cowboys and robbers; let's not forget telling him all of the reasons I love him. I pray that he will grow into a young boy and later on a man who is clothed in the armor of our Lord. Alex and I know that our little man will be full of joy and will be a blessing to those who he meets along his path.

This post is called Snapshot Days because I've been trying to take pictures of Everett almost everyday this summer. He's changed more in the past couple of months and before we know it, his second birthday will be here in 2014. A precious soul and a precious heart he has. We love him more than he will ever know. I suppose that is a parent's job.

July 30th- Work Day

Tuesday is the first day in my classroom that I'm officially working HARD! I got plenty done BUT I also had E with me so I have to admit, I didn't get as much completed as I wanted to. He's to the point that he wants to be down and running around. Alex brought us lunch and Maggie stopped by in the afternoon to help with E as well.

Tuesday evening, my friend Cindy came over and her daughter Myra watched Everett while we could go out for dinner together. It was so nice! I haven't been out for dinner with a friend in awhile so I didn't stress at all. We went to Outback Steakhouse. Yummy. It was delicious. I had 2 Sangrias along with steak and mashed potatoes with a ceasar salad.

Monday - July something

Monday I could NOT keep track of my days and what specific day it was. Monday was my last unofficial day of summer. It was also considered the last day before we were allowed into our classrooms after a week of waxing. YAY!
With that being said, I tried to spend the day relaxing and taking care of business at home. I ended up just relaxing....

I have to admit, I'm very excited for this school year. There's a new classroom to be created, new students, a new pod that I'm joining, even many new teachers and a new assistant principal! Lots of changes going on at West Lane Elementary, but for the better! We are all getting hyped up for the new year and looking forward to the year.

Sunday - July 28th There's No Place Like Home

Today was wonderful, Alex and I woke up and got all three of us ready to head to church. We visited St. Paul today to listen to the new pastor, Pastor Shaw. He preached beautifully on prayer and how intimate it is.
After, we took Susan, Steve, and Nana Betty over to China Palace in Cape. They had never been before and they enjoyed themselves. Of course Everett enjoyed eating the broccoli. :) Heading home, I laid out on the back porch for a bit to get some sun. I was out there for about an hour and it was so relaxing. I am trying to get as much FREE sun as I can before Maggie's wedding. I have a tan line from the beginning of the summer on my back. Her bridesmaid dresses are strapless.

This afternoon, I have one more question to finish up on my final and then I will be tidying up around the house. Everett and I may take a walk this evening. We've been enjoying the gorgeous weather we've been having. It's been perfect to be outside during July in Missouri.

Saturday- July 27th Errands

Running errands seem to be the way to spend the end of my summer. I'm also finishing my final for my supervision class. Alex and I spent most of the morning working on Genesis Pure appointments. Other than that, we tried to relax before he went to work.

In the afternoon, Everett and I set off to a wedding shower for Amanda Dewrock whom I grew up with and have known since I was very young. It was great to see her and a few others that I don't normally get to catch up with.

After, Everett and I stopped by Target and then we met Gran and Pop (Susan and Steve) at Beef O Brady's to visit with Alex and to have supper. E was getting so tired and grouchy. He actually slept in this morning until 8:30! It was fantastic!

I just finished the Downton Abbey Season 3 last night and am so looking forward to Season 4 next month!

July 26th - Procrastination at its Best

Today was my goal to work on my final for my supervision class that I was enrolled in this summer. Still hasn't happened. Hah! Instead I've been working around the house as well as helping Alex make appointments for Genesis Pure. I was even planning on running errands until it began to show nasty weather outside. I will just go in the morning while Alex is home. I need to start going to bed earlier anyways with school being just around the corner.

This morning I walked into Everett's room and it was so adorable. I'll let the pictures tell all.

July 25th - Homecomers

Everett and I hung around the house in the morning yesterday and in the afternoon we made a trip over to our neighbor's pool for a swim with Karen Lee and Gran-mama. Miss Emma and Miss Christine was there as well! We had a good time and the shallow end of the pool is a short ledge. Everett was able to touch and walk around in his floaty. It was perfect.

When we got home, we got ready to head out to the Skelton farm. Everett stayed at Grand-mama Susan's house while I ran a few errands and went up to Homecomers to eat a corndog! Yummy!
Before I headed up to Homecomers, I stopped by Maggie's house and checked out her jewelry party. After all of the fun, we went up to Homecomers for some fair food. Needless to say, I didn't have the best experience, BUT! I got a FREE corn dog out of it! Haha.

After Homecomers, we stopped by Walmart and then checked out Maggie and Geoff's new place off Hwy 61. What a perfect place to start a marriage!

July 24th - College and Apple Care

Today was a day....
To start off, I went to my last class of this summer semester. Starting my grad courses was not as hard as I expected. It flew by! After class, a few of us decided to celebrate with lunch today. After, we went to have a detox done of our feet. Uhhhhhh........yea.
That went well. My phone fell into the water. It was sick/nasty/disgusting/revolting/etc. I was mortified!!!
I immediately called Apple Care and thank goodness I signed up for Apply Care Plus when I bought my phone. I only have to spend $49 to have my phone replaced. Whoohoo!
It's coming within the next couple of days so I will be without a phone BUT! I'm going to enjoy the quiet moments. I may actually get something done around the house that I've been waiting to do!

Tonight my mom came over for dinner. I tried a new recipe. Baked Spaghetti. It's not a brand new recipe but I mixed things up a bit. I added cream cheese and green peppers as well as red onions. It was delicious! Everett even ate the green peppers in it. He's been spitting them out when prepared fresh. These were baked.

As I'm sitting here in a quiet house tonight, Alex will be home soon from his experience at the Beirgarten. Our friend just opened up a new bar downtown Cape and he's going to check it out.

June 23 - Stuck in a Monsoon With the Mister

A friend of mine asked me to walk with her in the Homecomers 5K this evening about a week ago. Not until this afternoon did I realize that weather may interfere. Everett and I showed up at the park around 6:00 and we registered for the race and were ready to go! The kid's one mile race began at 6:30 and our race was to begin around 7:00. We started to walk and then about 10 minutes into it, we had completed one mile and the skies opened up and the rain was pouring down on us. Everett was such a trooper! So many people were impressed with the way he was acting. He didn't cry or whine at all! He just kept looking around and what was happening.
The moment that I saw the lightning getting bad, I decided to pull aside under a few ladies with large umbrellas. The moment I did, the MONSOON came!!!! It was raining so hard!





 Here we are under an umbrella. You can see just how hard it was raining by the raindrops in the background! Crazy monsoon!







 Everett was much more fascinated with the lady holding the umbrella.

 

 Here we are SOAKING WET!!!!!!! Everett is the best kid to be with in a rainstorm. He's so brave and strong! I told him how proud I was of him. We didn't get to eat dinner until 8:00 (usually his bedtime). He was so tired and ready for bed after we ate supper at home and he laid down smiling.
:) Love him so much. He's growing so fast and I'm taking in every moment.

July 22 - Mom & Me Date

 Today Everett and I had a date day/evening. We decided that it was just too hot to be outside without swimming so we filled up the pool and took a dip. Yes, it was coooold! Everett loves playing with the garden hose and he also enjoys splashing in the water.

After that, we got dressed and went out to eat at our favorite place to see Daddy, Beef's! Everett had his first big kid meal there. He loves their cheeseburgers. I always laugh that he loves them because I always craved them when I was pregnant. I'm so very blessed that our big guy eats well. This picture makes me laugh. Here I am with Summer Shandy and a sippy cup.

After eating supper, we decided that it was a perfect night for Andy's custard! We've been wanting to go but just have never had a perfect time other than this. We had a coupon for a FREE TREAT!
Mom decided that a Peach Concrete would make everyone happy. Yummy!!!! It was so delicious and Everett enjoyed it too. That little booger loved the custard sign that kept going around.

YUMMY

 What a perfect evening. We got home and Everett had of course fallen asleep in the car. He was so tired out from all of the fun he was having with his Mama.

June 21st - Wedding Showers

Yesterday I was honored to be able to help put on my best friend's wedding shower. Maggie and I have been friends for 8 years and we always have a blast when we are together. Maggie is getting married in October and she was also in my wedding as well.

Yesterday we had so much fun/stress picking wild flowers for her tables all the way to getting our hair curled in the church basement before the fun began. I was so happy for her that she received gifts of love and gifts of Fiesta Ware!!!!

All in all, I'm so blessed beyond compare to have a friend like Maggie in my life. Thank you so much friend.








From Maggie's brother's wedding last year.



Maggie was a bridesmaid in my wedding in 2010.

College days. New Year's Eve of 2011.



This is just how we hug.

July 20th-Fall ideas

So Saturday I spent the afternoon/evening preparing for my best friend's wedding shower. I made a trip to Hobby Lobby and while I was there, OH MY! Not only were there Fall decorations out but even Christmas. With that being said, I'm starting to get some ideas that I'm going to work on for our home this fall. Last fall, I was pregnant and not in any mood for projects. I was more worried about motivated my husband to put the crib together.
Here is a wreath that would look fantastic on our front door! 

This set up would be adorable on our back porch with the crates.

SO FUNNY! The kids would laugh about this!
 

Last Month of Summer Challenge

Today marks exactly one month until the first day of school. Yes, it's hard to believe that in just one month, I'll be a school mother to twenty-somthing 9 year olds along with grading daily papers, etc. Not only that, I'll have to leave my little mister every morning to go to work. BOOHOO! I don't want to talk about it.

Today I decided that I want to LIVE my last month of summer. For this month (4 weeks), I will post everyday. These posts may be simple, they may be full of fun. Regardless, I will be posting.

Yesterday, I had dinner with my friend, Lauren, who teaches special education at my school. We laughed when afterwards, we came to my house to work on my paper for one of my grad classes this summer. I'm very proud to say that I have As so far in grad school. Whoohoo!
I'm also very excited and looking forward to GRADUATING at the end of next summer! I will be in and out of grad school within one year's time! That to me is incredible!

A few weeks ago, we went up to St. Charles for my friend, Ali's wedding. We loved it! Here below is a picture of some of the teachers that went. We had such a great time together.




Pictured below is a lovely picture of my husband after a few drinks. He was a dancin machine!



We love weddings and look forward to many more with all of our friends getting married! Watch out! October is wedding month!

SFR2013

Oh me oh my! Scentsy will change your life!!!!
As I sit and look at all of the Instagram pictures from the Scentsy Family Reunion in Indianapolis, IN right now I cannot wait until I get the chance to attend next year. The Scentsy products are so amazing and have a big effect on our lives here in SEMO.

Check it out and follow #sfr2013 on Instagram and you'll be impressed with what's to come! August is transition month so I'm motivating my team members to get the word out that Scentsy is a family business!