Okie Free Weekend

In honor of the big game tomorrow, one of the radio stations here in town has declared it an "okie free weekend." :) Basically, from 5pm today until 12am on Sunday, they are not playing any song by an artist that is from Oklahoma (Carrie Underwood, Toby Keith, Reba McIntyre, etc.). They included Garth Brooks on that list as well until a listener called in and informed them that Garth Brooks, while from OK, actually went to Oklahoma State and therefore hates the sooners. So, Garth is back on the play list. :) Too funny!

Must be doing something right

I know that in the last year or so, Bryn and I have not been at the "top of our game" when it comes to parenting (or just life in general). It's been a year of transition, grief, loss, stress, etc. We've had a LOT on our plate. We haven't been functioning at our best. But then, I look at this picture of Tia & Caelleb and I am so encouraged. These two kids absolutely adore each other. They seem to grow closer and closer every time they are together. Over the Thanksgiving weekend Bryn and I overheard Tia just randomly telling Caelleb, "I yuv you, brother." To which Caelleb responded, "I wuv you too." They have such a special bond. As a parent, this makes me so proud & fills me with such joy.

Not Without Tia

We never know from one weekend to the next when we may have Tia. One thing I've learned from this situation is to appreciate the time I do have with her and to make every moment count. I may not have any control over the quanitity of time we spent together, but I can definitely control the QUALITY of that time. That said, I do sort of get a little...what's the word i'm looking for?... fixated, maybe? I just don't want her to miss out on anything. Whether it be a trip to the pumpkin patch, cutting down our christmas tree, or a family vacation I try my hardest to plan things around when we are going to have Tia. But since I never know for certain, this task proves very difficult.

With the Christmas season comes many traditions. I want Tia to be a part of ALL of these traditions, if I can help it. One tradition we started last year was decorating ginger bread houses. We did this on Christmas eve last year. I don't know if Tia will be with us on that day this year, so in an effort to make sure Tia didn't miss out, we decorated gingerbread houses this past Sunday. It isn't even December yet. I realize this. Maybe a better word is fanatical. But for a good cause. . .

Love it!!!!!

And the season begins. . .

Our tree is decorated. It's official. The Christmas Season has begun. . .

Tree Farm Fun

We cut down our Christmas tree this weekend at the tree farm. Well, actually, WE didn't cut it down, the man that worked there did. But we did pick it out! Close enough. :)

2007 NCAA Football Rankings - Week 13 (11/25/07)

BCS Rankings

#1 MISSOURI
#2 West Virginia
#3 Ohio State
#4 Georgia
#5 Kansas
#6 Virginia Tech
#7 LSU
#8 USC
#9 Oklahoma
#10 Florida

Life is good!

Thankful for. . . Simplicity

Sometimes in this technology driven world that we live in, I forget how much joy the simple things in life can bring. We slooooooowed down this Thanksgiving weekend & enjoyed simplicity...

Raking leaves

Playing in the leaf pile

climbing trees

helping around the house :)

borrowing your brother's hat

perfecting your jump shot

We hardly left the house, which is so unlike us.

But it was exactly what we needed!