Taking a walk down memory lane....or down wildcat lane.

I don't know what it is about this time of year but I seriously MISS the "going back to school" excitement. This week I have noticed that I am singing sorority recruitment songs in my head, thinking about how excited it used to be to see old friends after a summer break, or how we used to eat the "usual" Baker University back to school hamburgers and M&M cookies which had been sitting outside most of the days with flies swarming the warmers. I miss it. Not sure if it is because this weekend I will reuniting with my best girlfriends, Julie and Megan, for a bridal shower but I am really reminiscing about the Old B.U. days. As much as we used to complain about getting ready for RUSH...I mean sorority recruitment I wish I could go back and do it all over again. Am I nuts? I miss my sorority sisters, I miss the sound of the buzz in the sorority house, I miss the lifesaver mints and lemons they used to pass out in between recruitment parties, and I miss running of the bulls. CRAZY I tell you. Anyway, I just thought that if I typed about it that I would return to reality. Reality of laundry, a ringing phone, the sound of two little feet running through the house, and waiting for the sound of my garage door at 5:30 p.m signaling my husbands return from a busy day. Don't get me wrong...I LOVE MY LIFE! But for some reason I am wishing I was a college student returning to my alma mater in my orange and navy carrying my new backback on my back to Mulvane Science Hall. I am so thankful for those days and memories!

The Good Ole B.U. Chapel

Walking to Class at Baker


Wildcat Mascot

Come join me on my deck

Today my mom stumbled upon a wonderful buy. I had no intentions of purchasing this item, nor was it on my list. I know Dave Ramsey would hate me but it was too good to pass up. In fact when I went to the store clerk to inquire about this item she told me that she was thinking about buying it. My mom also was thinking about buying but she let me. So without further ado....here is my new mosaic patio/bistro set. It was 50% off the original price and a steal!




I want to invite any of my girlfriends over for coffee ANYTIME (it could be 6 am if you want). I have such fun ideas for this table. Zachary and I can have our lunches on it. Kevin and I can enjoy each others company in the evenings after Zachary has gone to bed. I also look forward to drinking my morning coffee while reading my morning devotional on this table while Zachary is driving his tractors over my feet. I can't wait to use it. What do you think?

Cousin's Sleepover

My nephew has been begging me all summer to come over and spend the night. Since Z has a bigger bed now it was the perfect time to have Elliott over for a sleep over. Both of the boys were so excited they could hardly wait. Here's photos of our fun evening. Having both of the boys was hilarious! The things they talked about and how they interacted with each other was a total scream.

Kevin picked up Happy Meals on his way home from work. You can tell the boys were Happy! And there off!

Popsicles and Tricycles in the driveway

Taking a BUBBLE bath in the jetted tub. They loved it!

Watching Garfield the Movie before bed time in Aunt Howie and Uncle Kevin's bed. Sorry for Z's exposure...he informed us a month ago that he no longer wants to wear p.j.s. He says he gets too hot.

As Elliott says, "We ALWAYS have to brush our teeth at Aunt Howies and Uncle Kevins".

Right after I shut off the lights I attempted to take a picture. As soon as the flash went off both boys popped up as quick as they good. This is what the picture looked like. Crack me up!And they're out....I could hear both of them snoring from the other end of the hallway. It was too cute.

A funny story from the sleepover. Kevin and I were asleep in our bed. At 6:30 Elliott was in our doorway saying, "Howie". I thought he was scared. He said, "Howie, Zachary...." I was just waiting for him to say, "Zachary wet the bed". Instead he said in a sweet voice and taking a lot of time to get out what he was thinking...."Howie, Zachary loves you guys very much." Kevin and I just laughed. He was so sincere and sweet. Since I knew Z would be sleeping for at least another hour or two. I had Elliott hop in our bed to watch the Disney channel morning cartoons. Elliott loved cuddling with Aunt Howie. We had the best time and a wonderful talk.

The next morning we met my mom and sister to go to Silver Dollar City. It was our last lazy, fun day of the summer because my mom is back to work. SDC was EMPTY! We had it all to ourselves so we enjoyed every ride at least once if not twice.
Just the five of us on the teacups Riding the frogs at Silver Dollar City

Like Father...Like son

My mom ordered Zachary a subscription to High Five which is the younger version of "Highlights" magazine. Z received his first copy yesterday and he loved it! He has looked at it at least 4-5 times already. The funny thing is that this morning he needed to go to the bathroom. Something he likes to do by himself. So he ran into our bathroom and next thing you know I hear "Mom, I need my magazine"! This is what I saw next. Talk about funny! All I have to say about this is Like Father...Like Son!

Launching a new blog!

I have been trying to figure out how I am keep my family stuff and my "fun" stuff separate. Not sure if it is 100% necessary or more of a pain. I am going to try it and if it does not work I will quit doing it. Basically the new blog will be for my favorite recipes, craft projects, decorating ideas, and such. Again not sure how it will work but I am going to try it. You can always view the new blog by going to my current blog and clicking the link on my side bar titled My Projects, Recipes, and Decorations or you can click here.

Today I am posting a project that I found at Bless Out Nest Blog. Shannon always has very cute and clever ideas for room transformations. If you have an extra minute or two you'll have to look at her entire blog. She is super creative and a wonderful Christian wife. Come check it out my version of her idea here!

Saying Goodbye to Aunt Sharon

Last Wednesday my parents, my sister, my nephew, Zachary, and I went drove to my Aunt Sharon and Uncle Charlies house. Our trip to see Aunt Sharon was bitter/sweet because we were going up there to take her to lunch for her birthday and to say goodbye to her. She is moving to Ill. to be closer to her sons, daughter-in-laws, and grandkids. As most of you know, my Aunt Sharon has been through the worst year of her life. My Uncle Charlie passed away May 2008 in Canada during a fishing trip. This past year she has taken care of their house, sold Uncle Charlie's vet clinic, worked, retired, sold her house, and purchased a new home. She has been a trooper and I am so proud of her. I would do anything to make Aunt Sharon happy. She deserves it. My prayer for her is that she will find peace and happiness. I am sure being closer to her family will help. We all miss Uncle Charlie, I don't think that will ever change.

Here are our photos from our visit with her.

Zachary taking a ride on Uncle Charlie's lawn mower
Aunt Sharon with Zachary and Elliott

Aunt Sharon with her nieces and great-nephews

Dad and Aunt Sharon on the front porch

Dad and the two Sharon's

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

In the past two years two very special people that are close to me have been diagnosed with breast cancer. My "Aunt" Steph and one of my best friends, Melody were diagnosed in 2007 and 2008 with breast cancer. Both of these lovely people won the fight! "Aunt" Steph is doing great! Melody was battled breast cancer last year at age 28. She was such a trooper, a fighter, and a conquerer of this ugly disease and she WON the battle. She is doing remarkable! If you want to view her story you can click here.

Because Mel has such an interesting breast cancer story and because she was so young when she had her double mastectomy the American Cancer Society has asked Mel to form a team for a 5k event called Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. How could I not do this? First, it raises money for the American Cancer Society. Second it is a way to celebrate Mel's victory. And third it will be a blast. As you all know I am not an athletic person. However I know that I can do this...run, jog, or walk...I can do this.

With the race quickly approaching on October 17 I NEEDED to get started on my training. A long-time girlfriend, Alysia and her husband, Curtis found a website that gave a 6 week training schedule. So I am going to follow their lead and do the same. You can see Alysia's blog here.

I started day #1 yesterday which was REST. Not too hard since I feel like I rest everyday. Day #2 started today. Today's schedule called for 1 minute of running, followed by 1 minute of walking (repeated 10 times). Since Kevin and I recently purchased a treadmill I thought I would do it inside on the treadmill. Let's just say I am out of shape and it was difficult. Not sure if the difficulty was because of the workout or because I had a two year old little boy at my feet trying to put his John Deere tractor on the treadmill. I could not tell if I was out of breath from the running or at the stress of having Zachary near the machine. Today's workout has taught me to wait until Zachary is asleep or to wake up early to run before he wakes up. Anyways, I DID IT! I am so proud. Yes, I know it was only 21 minutes but I did it. I'll keep you posted on my training. Just get ready to see a very happy group of friends on October 17th after the 5K is over.

Blog Facelift

Yes, you are in the right spot. I have updated the look and name of my blog. Well to be honest I did not do it but a blog friend of mine did. Let me introduce you to Faith. If you click on her name it will direct you to her website. She made the process easy, quick, and pain free. She was an absolute joy to work with to create the look I wanted. I wanted a blog look that represented me. I wanted my favorite things, favorite colors, and some sparkle. Faith did just that. With the "candy, sweet" theme and the bright pinks. I LOVE IT! I hope you do too. For those of you who don't know me I am sure you are thinking....dental hygienist and candy. Yep... that's me!

Thank you Faith for the wonderful new look. I appreciate it!

Nursery Makeover

For the past month Zachary has been begging us for a big bed. I was planning on switching over Z's room to a full bed but I have been waiting for all of the bedding to arrive. Talk about frustrating. I ordered a lot of stuff back in May however it was backordered until Aug 25th. I should have cancelled the order but it was perfect for Z. Week by week bits and pieces of the order has arrived. So Kevin and I decided that today was the day for the overhaul. I am still waiting on the comforter and bed skirt but we did not really need them anyway since it is so warm. Zachary went to my parents while Kevin and I began the make over. In a way it was kinda sad. As I was taking all of the farm animal nursery things down my mind traveled back three years ago to when I was registering for these items. I thought of the nice friends and family who purchased us each gift and how excited we were for Zachary to arrive. I also thought how I painted his wooden letters two weeks before he arrived and Kevin was scared I hurt the baby from breathing in the fumes. Funny how things come back to you when you see a certain item. So without further ado...here is Zachary big boy room.

Nursery Before: His farm light, Baby photo and foot/hand prints from the hospital

After: John Deere tractor photos and a "semi-new" John Deere Lamp...thanks to a sweet elderly man on e-bay. The seat of the tractor is what turns the light on and off. It makes a very loud tractor sound when pressed. Z loves it!

Before: Farm themed hooks with too much stuff hanging from them :)
After: New hooks with less items.

Before: Farm curtains
After: Big boy plaid curtains



Before: Block letters I painted before Zachary arrived

After: A custom vinyl that I ordered from Studio JK Vinyl for Zachary. I love it!

The big boy bed. I will post a better photo once the comforter comes. The sheets are tractors, trains, planes, and cement mixers. I went for a more "universal" comforter in plaid so that we could change out the sheets as Zachary's interest change. I figured we could uses the primary color plaid curtains, bed skirt, comforter, pillows, etc for many years to come.

Before: The converted crib

Before:
After...I pre-purposed the frames. $3.44 spray paint was all it took to change cream frames into Navy ones. It gave a whole new look.
The room reveal....he noticed his name.
Zachary going to sleep. He's one happy boy!