Great Awards bestowed upon me

I received these two lovely blog awards from my blog friend Sandy over at One Day At A Time and I would like to thank her so much. It has taken me a while to post them because I just haven't been posting very much the last few months. I definitely need to get back on my blog wagon here and get caught up.

This blog award I would love to pass on to some truly great blogs that you can get really great inspiration from.

1.) Dana @ From chaos to Grace

2.) Kahri @ Our Peculiar Life
3.) Megan @ It's Not Megan it's Megan

This award is bestowed on to blogs that are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to how ever many bloggers you choose and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.

I would like to pass this along to a couple my blog friends.

1.) Kristen @ No Small Thing

2.) Megan @ It's Not Megan It's Megan

3.) Dana @ From chaos to Grace

4.) Melinda @ Bloggin' It From The 'Burbs

Thank you ladies, so much and I hope you enjoy!

Pictures from Father's Day

I thought I would share a few pictures from Father's Day and what the boys did after we got home from church. This is exactly what all three boys do once we are done with lunch and before Nic's nap. They all change into their NASCAR shirts, wearing their respective drivers, Eli likes #9 Kasey Kahne, Nic likes #88 Dale Earnheardt Jr. and dad puts on #14 Tony Stewart. They all then lay on the couch and watch the start of the race. It was too cute to not take a picture of all of them relaxing.

This picture frame is what the boys and I made for Doug. The boys held up letters spelling Daddy individually and together, I then edited the pictures into a version of black and white from picnik.com. We then framed them into a long black frame. Dad absolutely loved it and the boys hung it up the next day.

Nine Years Ago Today...

Nine years ago today, my wonderful husband ask me to marry him. It doesn't seem like it has been nine years and at the end of December we will be celebrating our ninth anniversary. Matter of fact, Doug is quite sneaky, he told me we were going to watch fireworks, knowing that I love watching them. He took me to the Rose Garden at Woodward Park in Tulsa and we were setting, talking and enjoying our time together. And the next minute, he was asking me to marry him. He jokes that I never said yes. Well obviously I did, because the next six months were a whirlwind of planning, ordering and preparing. We paid for every aspect of the wedding, not an easy task but we did it and I would do it all over in a heartbeat. Now, after almost 8 1/2 years of marriage it keeps getting better and better and I look forward to many more. Sweetheart, thank you so much for all of the joy have brought into my life and I can't wait to see what our future holds.

Happy Father's Day to a Great Dad & Husband

I like to say Happy Father's Day to a great father and husband. It is hard to believe this is your fifth Father's Day since Eli has been born and it gets better every year. The boys and I love you so very much and we hope you enjoyed your day of relaxation. There is nothing like sleeping in, going to church and coming home to watch golf and NASCAR the rest of the day. We enjoyed spending time with you today and hope you were able to relax and rest. You do so much for us and take care of us beyond belief, we truly love you and look forward to many more Father's Day's. The boys really enjoyed making your gift and they could tell you really liked it and you know they want to help you hang it up, when you find the perfect spot! So, here's to you honey, hope you enjoyed your day! I love you!

Father's Day Gift Ideas

It has been a little crazy around here lately and I haven't read any blogs in six days. I did get a chance to read up on them late last night, while Doug and I watched the CMT Music Awards (we recorded earlier in the week). Nic has hand foot and mouth, but his fever appears to have broken and he is starting to eat and drink again, so hopefully we are over the worst. At least he likes gatorade, but only after he has had his tylenol or motrin in him for an hour, then his throat doesn't hurt as much. I have been meaning to post this but with a cranky baby it is hard to get anything done let alone set at the computer and type. I thought I would share a couple of things we have done for Father's Day the past few years, just in case anyone doesn't know what to get, do or has waited until the last minute.

We have gotten a shirt that said "World's Greatest Dad" and I had Eli put his handprints right in the middle of the shirt and we then put the year (I was pregnant with Nic at the time). In 2007, the boys and I got a picture album and I printed select pictures of the boys from birth to right up until then. We then decorated the album with scrapbook supplies and sayings throughout, Doug loved it and he looks at it quite often, it is fun to see how much the boys have changed and grown over the last few years. Last year, Doug was out of town and the boys and I went down to Picture People and had a few poses of us taken and we ordered a couple of 5 x 7's and an 10 x 13 and had them framed for him, good deal as well when you use a 15-20% off coupon. These are just a few of the things we have done and I will let eveyone know what the boys have done for this year next week. The fun part is letting the kids help decorate or make their own projects and you know dad's love that the most.

Witness of Road Rage

While riding I do not always pay attention to the road. I talk to Doug and the boys and look around, which was the case last night on the way home from taking the boys getting haircuts. Doug noticed a car and truck driving fast and cutting each other off. Why? You've got me, there is no reason for it other than to take your anger out on someone who is minding there own business until you present your attitude. I have to admit I do not experience road rage but on occasion if someone is sitting in front of me at the stoplight and talking on the phone, pretty much not paying attention, I will say, "get off the phone and drive", not mean in any way just talking to myself. That is until I heard Eli repeat it one day when we were setting and waiting for the car in front of us to go and he repeating, "Lady, get off the phone and drive". Hilarious definitely but you always have to make sure what you say and especially how you say it. Anyway, back to the road rage we observed last night. This car and truck were driving fast back and forth and they go over into the slow lane and then the truck pulled into the fast lane and stayed even with the car the whole time making very obscene gestures. The car then speeds up and moves over into the fast lane, the truck moves over into the slow lane and then speed up and stays even with them. The truck then moves over into the fast lane, sticking his arms out the window and you know what those gestures entailed this all the while pushing the car further over to the side of the road driving down the highway. Luckily the car slowed down and was able to get back on the road, otherwise the would have ran into the bridge (this happened at 106th to 116th street north). They both continued to speed up but the car was now following the truck and I am assuming on the phone with police, I would have been if it happened to me. We then noticed the truck get off the highway near Collinsville and the car turning around to possibly follow. I would have only if I were on the phone with the police and they were nearby. But these days you have to be careful because you never know what could happen, they could have a gun in the car with them or even follow you to where ever you are going. It is like I said to Doug last night, why can't people just mind there business and drive home in peace the world would be a better place if everyone wouldn't be so uptight out everything and taking their anger out on the nearest person or car beside them or driving down the road.

(photo courtesy: http://blogs.kansascity.com/photos/uncategorized/road_rage_logo.jpg)

Journey of Life

Life's journey.. Where will it take you? Where have you been and where did you come from? All poignant questions in this journey we call life. Life is all about making choices, the way you choice to live, worship and how you proceed down the road. But what does it really mean? When you reflect on your life there are probably things you want to get rid of and others you wish you had experienced more of. I would love to pick and choice my journey but it is not up to me, my journey has been planned and there is only one person who knows where I am going. Do you put up a fight? You could, but would that really get you any further in life than sitting there kicking and screaming about missing out? I wish I could go back in my journey and toss out the bad and replace them with good but I have to accept that for some reason my journey is for a purpose and all will be revealed once the time comes. My journey and that of my family is on a path to someplace we know is good and we feel led to follow it. Questions, doubt, anxiety and peace all cross your mind but in your heart you know this is the right decision of you and your family. After church yesterday, Doug said to me, if that sermon wasn't talking directly to us then I don't know what is? There are Sunday's that I hear and understand the sermon and then there are those that hit right to your heart and are being directed right to you. What do you do with that? Follow, you better believe it. Whether it is something small, as volunteering or a life changing big move, follow and trust in the Lord as your guide. There is a reason for this journey and you will know what to do once you get there that is the reason they call it a journey in the first place.

Yesterday was the day of Pentecost or as many say the Birthday of the Church as read in Acts 2. There is something awe inspiring about reading Acts and how the apostles were speaking in tongue. I am a visual person and as I am reading and listening to the scripture being read I could picture Peter standing in front of the crowd delivering his message. As you go on to finish the chapter, I can also picture Peter giving the conclusion of what the people have done to Jesus and how the people ask what they can do to make it right. It is awe inspiring to read that three thousand people that very day repented and were baptized in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins.

It does my heart good to know that our children are learning by example. If we give them their dinner and we haven't sit down yet with ours, they say prayer and grab each other's hand and wait for us to sit down and pray before they start eating. Yesterday after church, Eli said prayer in the car and he and Nic grab hands and Eli started saying a prayer in the back seat. I am not sure what he was saying but it made us smile to know that the Lord is in their lives and leading them, along with guidance from us to be little men of GOD.

Rollercoaster of emotion on tv

What am I talking about? Well if you have seen all the hype over the last month on the TLC show Jon & Kate plus 8 then you know exactly what I am referring to. I had to DVR the show last night to get my monkey's in bed, then Doug and I watched it together after the news. You talk about a lot of emotion. One minute you are sitting there mad at one of them and turn around and be sad for them and their marriage but my heart goes right to all of their children. Yes, they put their life on television, what did they expect, to not get noticed when they go somewhere? When you put your life out there for everyone to see and we literally watch your children grow, people are interested. I noticed last night they talked about choices. They made the choice to do the show, write books, quit their jobs and go out all over town. But you can also quit doing the show and grow up and take care of your family as well. I mean if you can't take being at home taking care of your children, you need to look in the mirror start to focus on your family and get a job outside of the home, instead of gallivanting all over the country on a book tour or going out with a much younger single woman. All of their children do not deserve any of this, they deserve to be loved unconditionally and be their parents, regardless of what happens between them in the future.

Sorry, but this is a hot button issue for me. My parents divorced when I was about two and you never really get over the feeling of being left out, hurt and mad. Even when you feel as if you have dealt with your feelings and have cleared the air, there are days it can all comes rolling back and the abandonment issue hits you like a ton of bricks. I know there are children, teens and even adults that know that feeling I am talking about.

But, I am thankful for some wonderful people in my life that have helped to feel that void or hurt that you can feel at times. The first and foremost is the Lord, without my faith, I wouldn't be where I am today. Yes, I have questioned my faith a time or two and no I am not proud of that, but I know I am being led to something better and the Lord will take care of me along the way. Next, is my wonderful family that I take care of every single day, all three of my boys, they keep me on my toes and make me laugh so hard that it hurts. The loves of my life, what wonderful blessings to have in my life. I love you, Doug, Eli and Nic. Then, I had a special person in my life from the time I was born until she passed away just over six years ago, and she is my Nana. The person I could always count on to be there, that is until I met Doug, then I had two. There are a few people in my life that are there from time to time but my strongest support comes from Doug and the boys. Thank you for being such a rock honey, you are the best husband and dad anyone could ask for! And we would follow you to the moon and back!

Preschool is officially over!

This morning was the last morning for school, nearly three months until we start back up again. Where has the time gone? I swear it was just a couple of months ago and Eli started preschool and we were getting all teary eyed and look it has come and gone just like that. As we were leaving this morning I noticed our lovely trash can was knocked over with trash everywhere, so instead of staying at school with Eli for the morning I came back home real quick, changed Nic and fed him breakfast (he and Doug decided to sleep in this morning), then broke out my rubber gloves and proceeded to pick up all of the trash. Who knew you could have so much trash in one week? It just looks like a lot when all the bags are tore open and everything is all over the place. But when a dog from the neighborhood decides they need to check out what is in there, what can you do, and we know which dog it is but the owners just let it run around the neighborhood. Nobody seems to mind and we do live in the country but it has chased after my car quite a few time while leaving the neighborhood. I don't like that at all. If this dog runs after my car when I am driving real slow and jumps up to my window, who is to say it will not do this to my children or somebody else's child or grandchild? Granted it lives in a house that has three small children but who is to say it will not come after someone he/she doesn't know. I have even thought to myself if you run under my car too bad, maybe you shouldn't chase after it. I know horrible.. Okay, enough about that rant back to preschool. After Nic was done eating, we loaded back up and went back to school where all the kids were at the playground having a ball. The teachers had two small pools and a sand table that were filled with water and everyone was soaked. It didn't take Nic long to join Eli in all the water fun. So glad I took a change of clothes for both of them. I will post pictures as soon as I have them uploaded. At 11:30 all the kids walked back to the school and said goodbye for the final time, it was so cute. I got the boys changed and we went down to the bowling alley and bowled two games with Eli's friend Adrian and his mom. We had such a fun and busy morning, now I can't wait for Eli to start next year and for him to have fun with that.

The G Free Diet

Whether you are conservative, liberal or the man on the moon you should stop by your local book store and pick up The G Free Diet by Elisabeth Hasselbeck. I am only on chapter 3 but it is so informing and interesting to read you will not want to put it down. Why am I reading this? Well, we are trying to find out why Doug is having so much trouble with food, he is having so much pain in his stomach after eating certain things. After so much research and trying to find answers with numerous doctors, we have self diagnosed him with Celiac disease. What is celiac disease? It is a digestive disorder where your body has a toxic reaction to gluten. It is also an autoimmune disorder where your body attacks itself and is hereditary but not everyone experiences the symptoms, which there is a long list of. Untreated celiac disease can cause you to have problems with your health such as intestinal cancers, infertility, Type 1 diabetes, miscarriage and osteoporosis. What is interesting so far is that some doctors believe and evidence shows that celiac and gluten sensitivity can possibly influence mood and behavior disorders like ADHD, depression and bipolar disorder. Right know doctors are studying the link between gluten and autism spectrum disorders because they believe that if you remove gluten from the diet this can improve the condition.

For Doug to get his diagnosis he will need to have a celiac panel done, which is the first step. This test for the presence of antibodies associated with celiac, these include antiendomysial antibody, antigliadin antibody, tissue transglutaminase and total serum IgA. The next step in diagnosis is a endoscopy and small tissue biopsy, you only need to go through this if your celiac panel shows your risk level as high. Step three is genetic testing and this only needs to be done if step one and two prove inconclusive. So once we get his doctor to set it up we will be one our way to hopefully prove our self diagnosis and then change his diet. And hopefully getting him to feel better and eating healthy options so that he isn't hurting after he eats anymore.

I hope this helps anyone who may be experiencing problems after eating to go out and ask there doctor for a celiac panel to go and starting living a happier, healthier life.