Photo Session

Today I did a photo session with one of our best friends' son, Quinn. He turns 13 in a little over a week. First of all, it was freezing cold and Quinn was such a good sport in his t-shirt! Here are a few of my favorites.

Harvard or Yale?

YALE

OR

Madison saw a commercial about the Oklahoma College Savings Plan and asked some questions and made some rather astounding comments.

Madi: "Do I have a college savings plan?"
Me: "Yes"
Madi: "Well, I've pretty much narrowed it down to Harvard or Yale. If I score a 32 on the ACT, then I can get scholarships."
Me: "REALLY, do you know how much those schools cost? I think you need to lower your standards."

Anyways, we did get some pretty exciting news on Thursday from the school district. Madison one of 15 seventh graders in the entire district that was nominated for the Moore Service League's Leadership Award. There are only three kids at her school and she had to be nominated by a teacher, a counselor and the principal. She earns a savings bond just for being nominated. On April 10th she has a two hour interview with three school officials and has to write an essay during that time. She won't find out the topic until that day.
She also has to have a resume (??? - haven't figured this one out, but I think it is supposed to be a summary of her activities and community service). She also has to include three letters of recommendation from a school official, one from a leader (pastor, coach, etc) and the last one can be from anyone. WOW, we are so very proud and excited for her.

It's Official, Now What?

So our house is for sale. It is official.
The past month and half our entire family has spent every moment working on the house, yard or cleaning. It has been mentally and physically exhausting. This weekend, there was nothing left to do. We sat on the couch and looked around and we weren't quite sure what to do.

Saturday we all went to a local amusement park and had Noble Roman's pizza and played mini golf. The kids played and we watched. Spencer would hit the ball, grab it and drop it in the hole and announce "I did it!" He was hilarious to watch him play. We played skee ball, basketball, bowling and lots of video games. Madison went straight for Guitar Hero. It was a good afternoon and Spencer took a good nap.

Today I decided to venture out to try and get some shopping done. I am NOT a fan of shopping. I get frustrated and I always buy the kids stuff and I get nothing. Today, that didn't happen (I am still in shock). He was the run down of what we accomplished today.

• Madi got a pair of TOMS shoes
• Spencer got new shirts and some shorts
• Spencer got two new pair of shoes (he wore his new alligator crocs the entire afternoon)
• Madi got a couple pairs of shorts
• I got some work shirts (t-shirts and polos)
• I got a new pair of shoes

Now, most women like to buy shoes, but I DESPISE it; it is worse than buying jeans. Everytime I try to buy walking/running shoes I explain how my feet work (meaning, they don't work correctly, I AM being serious). So, I usually buy a pair and wear them until they have holes in them - seriously - holes. I was told to go and visit a shoe store in OKC where they have a machine that scans/measures how you walk and based on the measurements, recommends what shoes to wear (meaning buy from them).

That little miraculous machine told me what I already knew - I have excessive inward rolling. What I didn't know was that 95% of walking/running shoes are made for cushion and only a few are made for stability (which is what I need, according to the machine that is). I tried on THEE pair (meaning the only ones in the store) and........HOLY COW, where have these shoes been at? LOVE THEM! They aren't much to look at, but hey, if my feet don't hurt, mama's happy!

12 Step Program for Blogging

Hi, my name is Misty and it's been over a month since I blogged.

I really can resist blogging you see, it is quite simple. I just find other things to fill my time:

• packing boxes
• looking at houses
• packing boxes
• looking at lots
• scrubbing the 2 1/2 years worth of splattered food that amazingly found its way onto the back of my blinds
• potty training Spencer
• attending Madison's induction ceremony for Jr. National Honor Society
• working full time
• looking at lots (yes, I said this again)
• deciding on a floor plan
• cleaning
• faxing documents
• decorating
• staging the house
• working full time (short staffed = busy at work)
• shampooing carpets
• lifting
• sorting
• gathering boxes
• cooking
• laundry, laundry, laundry.......
• an immediate transition for Spencer to BIG BOY BED
• meeting with the professionals (realtors that is...btw mine is amazing)
• taking tylenol or advil to relieve the pain from all of the above
• drinking wine to relieve stress from all of the above

Yes, I can resist blogging, I have created my own 12-step program that includes way more than 12 steps.

There's Nothing Like It....

...a Fender guitar.

Cleaning Gone Awry

Cleaning the house is always a challenge with a teenager and a two year old in the house. The master bathroom tends to get neglected. I try to clean out the jacuzzi tub every week

Okay every few weeks.

Okay, okay, when I remember!

I use a cool concoction that I learned from a lady that ran a bed and breakfast: add a tablespoon of Cascade and a cup of bleach while you are filling the tub. Turn on the jets and run for 15 minutes. This always cleans the tubs and jets really well.

It takes FOR-EV-ER to fill up the tub, so I typically start it and walk away. Evidently I was distracted while adding the Cascade and didn't realize it until it was too late. I came back to see tyrannosaurus sized bubbles almost overflowing from the tub.

Spencer thought these were so cool and just started clapping and poking them. I got the giggles because they were so big and went to get Madison to show her.

She just looked at me and asked, "Mom, what did you do?"



So I guess I learned my lesson about paying attention while I am cleaning. Maybe that is a hint that I shouldn't be in charge of cleaning any more. Yeah, I need someone else who is more experienced to come in and take over the job. Yeah, yeah, gotta go talk to Justin about this one.

Beauty and the Blizzard

He's beautiful, but very cold.