Sweetheart Swirl and Valentine's Day

The weekend before Valentine's Day was the annual Sweetheart Swirl for Mady's High School. The theme this year was Candyland Ball. Cute, huh?!

Every summer when yard sales are in full swing we always scope out all the dresses everyone is selling. We can usually find her size pretty easily and we are very lucky to actually find some really cute dresses at awesome prices! We are SUPER lucky that our daughter is not "too good" for yard sale, goodwill or other for sale sites. Did I mention SUPER LUCKY?

She found this school years Homecoming and Swirl dress at the same yard same for a whopping $7 a piece. Seven Bucks!!! After looking at these dresses and the perfect condition they were in I actually felt horrible that these folks were asking such a low price for them. I came right out and asked them if they were sure this was the correct price and didn't they want more for these dresses. The Dad said "HECK NO!! Get those out of here, our daughter wore them now she's done. Don't you know that's how it works???" Alrighty then, we will take them!!! That was the easiest dress shopping experience, eva!

Mady was thrilled. She loved them both!

A few pics of getting her hair did....

No, that is not my mother doing her hair back there.  Even though I totally thought "What is Mom doing back there, was she even here that day?!" GAH!

My hands were glued together with hairspray by the time that style was complete =)

Our beautiful Mady Moo

Some more pictures before we head out to supper. We all went as a well rounded, fully adjusted happy family =) She wanted it that way. It was a nice time. We even had an extra person thrown in there, our nephew Clair <3

Nick, Noah and Mady

Awwwww......

Love this one.

Big Daddy is not much for the zoom feature on my camera...

Nick, Noah and Clair

Self portrait on the way to restaurant...

Me and Mady before she heads to the dance.

She had a great time dancing the night away and hanging with her peeps.

**************************

Next up is Valentine's Day.

While I was cooking supper,  Noah and Big Daddy made his Valentine's Day box and  it turned out super cute. Loved listening to them trying to figure it out and put it all together <3

The above picture is Noah's box, specifically made to order ;)
The below picture is the kids' gifts they came home to on Valentine's Day... nothing fantastic, just a little something to show them that we love them.

Okay, right here..let's pretend there is about 7 pictures of Noah's school Valentine's Day party.

That I deleted.

On accident.

Delete All? it asked...why yes please I pushed.

I cried about 2 crocodile tears.

Then told myself to slow down, quit being so rammy and that there were worse things in life that could happen.



Mady went out on a "date" with a boy, who is out of school and heading to Basic in April. *gasp* Nothing romantical, he is just one of her good friends. She had never been to BWW before *gasp again* so he wanted to give her the experience and Valentine's Day was a great excuse =)

Big Daddy and I had our Valentine's Day date while the younger kids were in school and the older was sleeping the day away.  We had lunch together and then went shopping. For clothes, for each other! Which he can't stand and gets sooooo very tired and cranky when he has to accompany anyone clothes shopping. It now seems Valentine's Day is a different story. We had the most fun shopping together, on the way home he reached over and rubbed my leg and said "I had such a good time with you today." Awwww...I lubba him, a whole bunches.

I mean really, WHAT is NOT to love?!? Hubba hubba....

A little tradition never hurt anyone...

See that girl right there next to me? Ain't she beautiful?? 

She is a shopper and she likes to shop with her Momma! Makes me feel all special inside....

Ever since she was old enough we started the tradition of just me and her going to Peoria. We go at least two times a year, sometimes more! We tend to always go in February or March and then in August or September. It's not set in stone or anything, that's just the way it works out.

One day she asked to go and if it could be our thing and it stuck.  And boy do I ever look forward to it! We have fun =) 

We always have lunch at Olive Garden.

We don't always take pictures of my gaping mouth...You're welcome.

BUT we do always get the same thing...Soup (Zuppa Tuscana), Salad, Breadsticks and water w/ lemon. We usually spend a good hour just at Olive Garden. Talking, talking and talking.  Without fail we go to Kohl's and Gordman's. Sometimes we hit the mall. Sometimes Burlington Coat Factory-even though that unorganized place drives me completely BATTY.  We are just spontaneous like that :)

Here is our loot! Can you tell who's is whose???

Sometimes we go on a weekend, other times I will pull her out of school and go on a weekday. It just depends on our budget, the weather and if we are totally geared up to go...like...NOW! I have no remorse from ever pulling her from school or any school activity to spend one on one time with me or any other family member for that matter. It is something I have always done and something I will continue to do. Has she gotten flack for it? You betcha. Have I gotten flack? You're darn right I have. But you know what? I don't care. And neither does she. It's about us and our time. If we don't take it when we can then that would just be ridiculous. 

Don't ever let schooling interfere with your education. 

I once read that somewhere.
Isn't it just the best?
I love it. 

I also love that girl of mine. <3

In HIS words.....

I believe in God.

I do.

There are just different aspects in my life when I feel the need to connect with him more.
That may be good, it may be bad.
People may feel that I should always connect with him.
Others will feel it's okay to lean when the spirit is compromised.

I want to read the word.
I want to understand what I'm reading.
I know he is real and is there for me whenever needed.
Whether it is because *I* have the need or he has the need to lead.
Who's to say there is a difference.

I am not one to spout off verses.
I am one who has NO verses memorized.
I am not one to throw religion in anyone's face.
Nor will I ever be....
Does that make me any less a believer?
Any less one of His children?

No.

I want to read his word.
I want to comprehend that word.

Will reading his word make what has already been planned for my life change?
No.
Will reading his word make the predicaments that surround me any less questionable?
Maybe...
Will reading his word make me feel I have an upperhand on what is thrown at me or what is given to me?
YES!

I am in search of peace.
I am in search of answers.
I am in search of freedom.

Can I get this from God's word?
Can I get this from just reading his word and feeling that ultimate rush of understanding wash over me?
Can I get this from John, Mark, Genesis, Ephesians??
Can I get this from Galatians, Luke, Matthew, Corinthians?
From Romans, Psalms and Proverbs???

I don't know.
I won't know until I try.

What would it hurt?
Nothing. Nothing at all...

Reading is reading. Words are words. We all comprehend them differently.

Books are time machines.
They are eye openers.
Books are get-a-ways.
They are learning tools.
Books are fun.

There are 66 BOOKS written by 40 authors in The Bible.

66...books!

40...authors!

I am new to this reading of the books and the distinguishing of the authors.
I am new to wanting to understand the word.

I found a book list I am concentrating on reading, in this order.

The Gospel of John
The Gospel of Mark
I John
II John
III John
Genesis
Ephesians
Galatians
The Gospel Of Luke
The Gospel Of Matthew
I Corinthians
II Corinthians
Romans
Psalms
Proverbs

My Bible is out, actually it's John's Bible, but now it's "ours".
I may have to reference the "easy to read" version on my iPad every once in a while to get the "full meaning", but I am learning...I am willing...I am ready.

I am excited.
I am hopeful.
I am blessed.

Truly.


**I want to thank several people that offered up their favorite verses when I asked. They were ones that they find themselves going back to over and over again. They were the ones that really spoke to them. I Thank You... =)

The one where I write....

There are so many times throughout a day that I think "This would be a great blogpost!" or "I should write a blog about this!" And then....life happens, and it never gets done. I even go as far as losing the thought altogether.  I have even written the "thought" down, but then later I'm just not feeling it. You gotta feel it when you write...

I don't do a whole lot or lead a huge exciting life to write a post every single day. But I do wish I could or at least wish I would. I am really wanting to just write to get my thoughts, my emotions, my feelings out. I want to be able to look back on these posts and be reminded as time goes on. Sorta journal/diary like. But sometimes, just sometimes I'm not really sure about letting others that close to my thoughts, emotions, or disappointments. It's a all or nothing kinda thing.

I want to be able to write about that day. THAT SPECIFIC DAY. Specific thoughts, activities, feelings, and life.  

* I am going to try my hardest to write Mondays through Fridays.

* I am going to try to write about ALL my thoughts and feelings. I want to make this REAL.

* I am going to make my blog as simple as possible.  I write, I post. No special days...like Fun Food Friday or Menutastic Monday or Thoughtful Thursday. Not saying that there is anything wrong with that, I actually follow several blogs that do just that, but for me that's just too much pressure.

* Some days I will disappoint myself I'm sure, but that is all about growing and learning. I want to write. I enjoy it. I want to be able to share with my friends, family and others. 

Simple. 

Thoughtful.

Real.

Truthful.

Me. 

Housekeeping Schedule CHALLENGE!

Heeeeyyyy.
Here I am. Bloggin'/Vloggin'.

I just want to give everyone fair warning, video below is me talking. Talking for 12 minutes and forty some odd seconds. Ya. Lovely huh?! I canNOT stand it when someone vlogs and it seems like it's a batrillion years until it's over. I'm sorry, in advance. Soooo, right now you are moving forward at your own will, you know what's coming. Do NOT say I didn't warn you ;)

CLICK HERE TO WATCH MEH VLOG!!!!


NOTE TO YOU: The schedule is NOT backwards. It is indeed forward. Go figure, huh?
NOTE TO SELF: It seems when you record yourself the words ARE backwards until replaying it in normal form. You learn something new everyday!
NOTE TO SELF: You blink alot. A-LOT!
NOTE TO YOU: I'm sorry, but I did warn you. ^ there somewhere.
NOTE TO SELF: You are NO camera man.
NOTE TO YOU: I utterly apologize if ANYTHING in this video made you ill. Mainly I'm talking about the crazy fast moving whirling of camera control, or lack of there of, but if you got sick from anything else I'm still apologizing.
If any of you want to do this challenge or just want to look into it then here is the site where I kinda "cheated" on the schedule.

CLICK HERE FOR THE LADY I COPIED FROM!! OHHH AND SHE HAS GOOD TIP THINGS TOO!

Thanks for watching friends!! I <3 you...so be nice ;)

A retiree, Grand Marshall, mentor and friend.....

This year a wonderful woman is retiring from a job that she has had for 40....yes FORTY years.  She will forever hold a special place in my "old" community's heart. That community that I speak of is Altona, Illinois. That  job is librarian of a well oiled machine, commonly know as The Ransom Memorial Public Library. If you know ANYTHING at all about the Altona library you know whom I speak of. And if you don't let me tell you....

~Janice Larson, Librarian at The Ransom Memorial Public Library~

She is making sure her last Summer Reading Program has no kinks and is as fun as they have always been and then she is going to relax and call it 40 years ;) She has been everything to that library and to the patrons for as many years as I can remember. She was my very first boss, and because of that title I know for a fact that she has more patience than most people I know.

There was ALWAYS a summer reading program, story times, and crafts. The library was a place where many kids/parents/grandparents just went to hang out. It was not open every single day, all day...but I will tell you what, that was a wonderful thing! It made us appreciate the days it was open and the hours, all the more. We couldn't wait until Wednesday or Saturday for it to be open during the day. We really couldn't wait for it to be open on Thursday evenings, because that always meant walking home in the dark carrying our "special" bag (over the years they changed...some were Esprit bags, Eagles grocery bags, just plain ole canvas bags with sayings such as "life's a beach" or "SWATCH", heck, they sometimes changed weekly) filled of books, contemplating which book we would start right as soon as we got home and was tucked into bed. She always made sure that "little" library had all the latest and greatest reading material. And if they didn't she made sure she found it and got it to us!

I have SO many fond memories of my time at the library, so many are because of the choices she made and time she put into that place, others are of just her. Her being my boss, a friend to my Mom, a friend to me, a mentor. Someone that I have never ever heard anyone have an unkind word about, in this day and age that is VERY hard to come by.

Please take a moment out of your day and send her some of your memories, kind words, and words of gratitude. She is someone who will genuinely take each and every "story" that you send her and lock it away, in a special place in her heart. Let's show her that we appreciate and appreciated her hard work, her volunteering, and what her all around wonderful attitude and HUGE heart has brought us. If you have some special pictures of your times at the Library please scan them to your computer and send them along with your kind words, everyone LOVES  a picture right?! Afterall, they are worth a thousand words! =)   If you have no memories of the Library but are an acquaintance of Janice's or you don't even know her, send her a "Congratulations" or a "Job well done" or whatever well wishes you prefer anyway...it will mean so much to her!

Please send to ransompl@mymctc.net BEFORE the 18th. Why, you ask...because the Library board has decided to make a book for Janice full of all your kind words! How cool is that?!?

This "book" will be presented to her at an Open House that is to be held in her honor on June 23rd at the Altona Fire Station, it will start right after The Altona Days parade in which Janice is Grand Marshall!!!!!!!  Please take some time out of your day and watch the parade which starts at 11am and then head on over to the fire station to see Janice...she would love to see everyone!!! The parade route starts at the Altona Grade School goes down Johnson-Pyle Dr all the way to the fire station, so if you want front row seats, sit your bootie on Johnson-Pyle Drive! =)

Remember, give something back to the woman that gave to so many for 40 years....

~Thanks~

Ohhhh and there are fireworks at dusk too!!!!! Who doesn't love a good firework?!?

I got pierced!!! "Professionally" pierced!!! Hooolllaa!

Hi y'all!!!

Here is the video and picture that you all have been losing sleep over!! Okay, not really, but I KNOW you are so totally curious =) I really wasn't for sure if I want to record the whole process. I am NOT one of those who absolutely love to see/hear myself on a video, or a vlog.  But, I thought what the hell, it's something that I can't see be done on myself and I wanted to see the whole piercing process...for those of you who have no clue what the video or picture was about, yes, you heard me correctly....PIERCING!

Just a little background info, so you all totally do NOT think I am "just having a breakdown" or "trying to be young" or are thinking "what the hell got into her?".

I have ALWAYS wanted a crazy piercing in my ear! I just never REALLY knew what I wanted. I see so  many people with adorable different piercings and think "Oh lawd, that looks adorable on her!" Then my next thought is "Just because it looks adorable on her, that does NOT mean it is going to look adorable on me", so basically I chickened myself out over and over again.  Then I started leaning towards the barbell....

Then when I was REALLY getting hyped up about making the appointment and gettin' er done, I caved. I thought there is NO way this is going to look adorable on me...it is too industrial...it is too big...it is such a 'surgical look'. Heck, I even asked around (thanks FB peeps) and let's just put it this way, they were not all "Wow! You should soo totally do that, it would look phenomenal on you!" So, my thoughts about it NEVER wavered.

Then I started looking up different piercings in the ear. I found this...

and thought "Bam! THIS IS IT!!!!" So petite and "pretty" and soft. Hooollllaaa!!!! Do a little dance make a little noise, get a piercing tonight!!!!

So, long story short...callled the piercer dude, told him what I wanted and he said unless I was a piercing freak (which, duh, I am SOOO not!)  he would NOT recommend that for me because, and I quote, "IT HURTS LIKE HELL!!!! " Needless to say, THAT freaked me out. Bad. So he was telling me of all the places I could get pierced (he even mentioned some that were NOT on my ear....GULP). He mentioned a spot that caught my attention right away. I have dreamed of having this pierced but always thought it would hurt like all get out. He said it doesn't really, and said I don't think it would hurt at all for a woman that has given birth and went back for more. Which means....HELLO, IF I CAN HAVE A BABY I CAN HAVE MY TRAGUS PIERCED!!!! A tragus piercing is this......

THAT'S ME!!!!! I AM THE TRAGUS PIERCING MODEL!!!! Freaking cute right?!?!!!!!

I now present you two videos (behind the camera, the one and only Mady Moo!)....enjoy. Or laugh. Or cry. Or cringe OR think I am the cutest frigging piercing patient everrrr ;)

On our way.......
Me getting PIERCED!!!!!!!!!!

I want to thank my Mady Moo for going with me, telling me I will be alright and letting me know if I don't go through with it I will be a complete and total WUSS!!!!! I love ya!!  You are one whacky and wild daughter to actually WANT to do this with me! I HAD FUN!!! =) <3

Disclaimer: I'm a freak and hate being videotaped, and plus my eyes do some crazy shit. The End.

P. to the S. Day 3 kinda sucked....I do NOT recommend sleeping on it on Day 2 ;)