Sleeping with cowboys

My Grandpa Bob is in town. Chelsea loves him and affectionally refers to him as Bop, Bop. Today we ate lunch together then they flipped through our summer photo book.

Afterwards Grandpa Bob gave Chelsea a country quilt my Great Grandma Jewel quilted decades ago. I was touched to receive the family heirloom and Chelsea was thrilled, jumping up and down cheering "yay, yay, yay." She was determined to get it in her bed. Out went the butterflies, flower and ladybug blankets and in went the BOW-LEGGED COWBOYS!!! Oh my...

I could hear her chatting away to them before drifting off to sleep.

Dorothy, a Princess, the Easter Bunny, a ladybug and a butterfly

We had 3 Halloween festivities this year. I'll admit, since I wasn't a child in America I get kind of giddy around Halloween with all the kids in costumes. So when I laugh outloud it's because I genuiniely think it's hilarious (and awesome) that your 5 year old looks like a dairy cow, a sumo wrestler, or Sarah Palin... whatever. I thoroughly enjoy it.

We were with Pick's family the weekend before Halloween and all my neice Kennedy a.k.a Dorothy, talked about was herself proclaimed "Dress up Dance Party". The girls costumed up then danced merrily to Michael Jackson- OW! (Chelsea cried and kicked uncontrollably when I put her costume on. It was ugly. Her Papa disctracted her and then all was sunny again.)

Later that week we trekked over to the Oklahoma Christian girls dorms that were open for Trick or Treaters. Chelsea walked door-to-door with her friend Sabrina a.k.a the Easter Bunny. (Once again there were intial tears and fury with the costume however, seeing Sabrina dressed up changed her attitude quickly.) It was a great environment- clean, friendly and indoors and the college girls were lovely.

Then Halloween evening we met up with Chelsea's BFF Jaylen a.k.a the ladybug, and her parents Gavan and Melody. We strolled around their neighborhood taking advantage of the beautiful 70 degree weather. Ahhhhhh, look at these sweet faces.

Chelsea, now a Halloween pro, walked boldly up to the doors, knocked and waited patiently to put her candy in her treat bag. She never mastered "Trick or Treat" but her candy bag was still amply filled and she was happy-as-could-be. Maybe next year she'll actually get to eat the candy she collects!

The best part of my day

I relish sitting with Chelsea in the morning in our pjs reading every book in her room. I like making her breakfast and chatting with her while I drink my cup of tea. I am grateful to have the time to go visit our friends in the nursing home weekly. And I'm blessed to teach at Edmond Sonshine School just Tues, and Thurs with my good friend Sada and 17 precocious kids. I love watching Chelsea and Pick chasing each other around our island while I finish dinner, or playing hide-and-go-seek behind the bathroom door.

So I actually don't know what is the best part of my day. But there are lots of times during the day when I thank the Lord for the way He conitunues to provide for us. And I will think to myself "This is a pretty lovely moment."


Chelsea and I "read to her bear" everyday. Yes, this is the gigantic bear that my grandma bought for Chelsea and we have now inherited. Chelsea gives the bear a kiss every morning, says bye-bye to bear when we leave and gives him a cuddle before bed at night. Basically the bear is like a big brother to her.



Helping with laundry.



Watching football. Wait a sec...is she doing the motion for touch down? OH MY WORD!

Oklahoma State Fair- BRING IT ON!

Yes, I have been super pumped about the State Fair. I'm not too proud to admit it. Thursday was the opening day and I was there, along with Chelsea, my dad and my girlfriend Veronica. Veronica is from California, her family frequents Disneyland, and we lived in the beautiful, tropical New Zealand together. So she visited me in OK and what better place to take her but the Fair?

We saw several massive pumpkins, huge warermelons and all varieties of peppers. We split a delicious, heart stopping cinnamon roll and buttery corn or the cob. We viewed the fancy quilts and tablecloths (my Grandma's favourite). Dad, Chelsea and V went into the petting zoo, and last but not least, we went to 2 shows. The Dog JUMP show was good, I mean dogs catching frisbees is amusing entertainment, but his microphone was soooo loud it kind of drove me crazy. The real highlight was the TIMBER show- a couple of middle aged men cutting up logs, throwing an ax at a bullseye and cracking jokes. I was happily entertained. The kicker was when they had a log rolling competition in a pool, best 2 out of 3 wins. And to finish off the show one of the men rode the rolling log in splashing water on roller states.

Seriously people, the Fair is where it is at. I'll be back on $2 Tuesday for sure!

Asta La Vista Summer

Saying goodbye to my favorite season deserves a picture collague. Ahhhh, feel the warmth.

Our 5th Wedding Anniversary in Mexico (sans Chelsea)


Mastering the slide: CHECK

Keeping Cool at the Pool: Yep

Cook out with Friends- You betcha

Root, Root, Root for the home team

Relax at the Lake- okie dokie

Yipee for summer. Farewell good friend.

Bitter sweet farewell...

Going back in time: My granddad came 3 times and grandma came 7 times to Australia see us! (I am in my schools sports uniform!)

Many of you know my grandma passed away two weeks ago. I have been really struggling with her passing. This last year Chelsea and I regularly went to the Wellington where my grandparents lived for Granddad and Grandma lunch dates. We would eat and retell stories with their two friends, Sam and Jess (both in their 90's). Chelsea was doted over by all the residents "She is such a doll" but especially cherished by my grandparents, who would take turns feeding her fruit (and deserts if I didn't interevene fast enough!). After dining we would troop upstairs to their apt. play with Chelsea and chat some more.

My grandad passed away just after the 4th of July weekend after a slow decline of health. We had an empowering memorial service recalling all his good deeds. My grandads life challenges me to be hard working, honest and generous. He left an incredible legacy of faithfulness to the Lord and his church.

6 weeks later, my grandma passed away suddenly and painfully. It was a huge shock and traumatic ending that still quietly haunts me. She had congestive heart failure and had been in poor health for years so the fact that her death was so unexpected is honestly slightly ridiculous, however, her spirits and engery had been high. Chelsea and I were accustomed to dropping by and hearing the latest "news", playing Hank Wlliams and listening to her musical clock chime - and I just took those lovely times for granted. They finished so abruptly.

My Grandma was an Oklahoman, country gal who loved Dr. Pepper, watermelon, and jelly bellies. She carefully embrodiered table cloths, watched western movies and made scrumptous apple and cherry pies. Wjen shopping she relished fancy jewelry, pretty dishes, and music boxes. Her grandkids were adored, and she basked in the joy of great grandkids. She bought Chelsea a huge, larger-than-life sized teddy bear that Chelsea would cuddle, squeal and bounce all over. This made my grandma, and me quite happy.

This is a video of Chelsea in April with the bear- Grandma was usually more attentive to Chelsea's antics however she is discussing with my mum fried fruit pies and that was a VERY important topic.

Truth be told, my Grandma had no idea how difficult this transition back to Oklahoma has been for me. I never mentioned yearning for the ocean, missing the mild teperatures or my New Zealand friends. I didn't dwell on the trials related to my husbands new profession or his night time studies. But she helped me through this time tremendously. Through her love, kindness and eager-to-greet-us attitude I drew strength. I will forever be grateful. Dorthy Jean, you were deeply loved and are sorely missed.

Side note: It is no secret that Pick and I tried to stay in New Zealand last year but things didn't work out. We returned to Oklahoma and have wrestled with our lot. Thank the Lord that we were here. This is the ONLY year of my life that I have lived near my grandparents and the joy, and life lessons I received from their companionship was irreplaceable. Again, our heavenly father knows what we need even when we cannot see it. "Praise Him, praise Him, tell of His excellent greatness".

I did it myself!

Okay friends, confession time. When we moved into our little place in Dec. I put Chelsea's room together quickly, and moved on. Since then I have been over to many of your homes and thought "Wow, what goregous kids rooms" and then thought "I should make Chelsea's room a little more cheerful" and proceeded to get overwhelmed. I was paralyzed by my tight budget, lack of ideas and fear of doing something cheesy. Thursday I put that all behind me and WENT FOR IT!

I bought a wooden window shelf at a garage sale ($3!), and then went to Hobby Lobby and bought some fun decor (50% off of course). I also ran into Elizabeth Mullens who gave me the guts to buy some canvas panels and paint them. I stocked up on scrap book paper, buttons and modge podge.

First proof that I did it myself: here's the shelf I bought and cute decor from Hobby Lobby and home. Plus the tea towel that gave me the inspiration, and cup of tea that kept me calm!

TA DA!

Hooray! I did it. I rearranged Chelsea's room, put a little flare on her curtains, updated her pictures and feel so happy about the results. Special thanks to my husband for talking Chelsea out that evening, getting us food (we picnicked outside) and putting her to sleep so I could press on. He's a winner.

Bonus Feature: Here's 2 videos of Chelsea playing with her girlfriend Jaylen. They are sweet friends. Check out Chelsea's red sparkling shoes that are too big but she LOVES. Finally, a video of Chelsea playing with Pick giggling the whole time! (Warning: first video a little shaky!)

Styl'n while swimming

Swimming with dad...

Swimming with friends...

Chelsea and Jaylen hanging out after pool time.