We Run for Cookies

We made a mad dash for milk and cookies a couple weekends ago.  My sister and nephew happened to be home for my bridal shower, so we all took the opportunity to participate in our town's second annual 5K.  When we got to the finish line, we were greeted with cold milk and delicious cookies.  I'm pretty sure that is the whole reason McCoy wanted to continue on.  "The cookies are this way."


Kimberly had brought an electric motorcycle for McCoy to ride in the race, but the battery didn't hold up long enough to really even get started.  So Mom, Kimberly, and I took turns carrying McCoy, or he would run himself.


Kollin, Kaden, and Kylie took off ahead of us, and we lagged behind.  We later caught up to Kaden and Kylie, and then Kaden went on ahead of us.


After Kollin finished, he and our cousin, Isaac, walked back to meet up with us and check on Kaden, so we all got to cross the finish line/re-cross the finish line, and enjoy milk and cookies together!

We charged up his motorcycle so he could take it for a ride later, though.

He is at my favorite age of all!  The two and thee year old years are by far my favorite.  He talks so much, has a great sense of humor, and is so very smart.

He knew I was taking a picture of him and Kollin playing with the chalk, and he would run over to my phone, and say, "Lemme see.  Take a picture of me again."  And would run back over and pretend to draw with the chalk again, and again.

My sister got a new lens for her camera and we experimented with photos in the backyard and a field beyond that.  Here is just one photo from that afternoon.



Bridal Shower

A couple weekends ago, my Aunt Leonna and Aunt Vivian (two of my mom's sisters) threw me a Bridal Shower, which we hosted at mine and Keane's home.  It consisted of family from both my mom and dad's side, Keane's family, and a few friends.

I really enjoyed seeing all the ladies I love together in one place, not only because it was for me, but because it truly makes my heart sing to have family together, and happy, and celebrating.

Keane and I (and the kids) truly are so grateful for all the gifts we received!

Pizza Stone Set (Annie)

Roman Clock, Decorative white mirror, black kitchen container (Karla & Michelle)

Camping set - Tote with tent, air mattress, sheet set, pillows, lantern, matches, and ingredients for S'mores (Kelli, Rylee, Aunt Jean)

Large mixing bowl, wooden spoons (Kayley)

Two framed Scriptures (Kelsey)

Missouri-shaped cutting board, dish scrubber (Rosie)

Steel slotted spoon, Glass pitcher (Cameron & Emmi)

Glass Stovetop Cleaner, Rolling pin from the Amish Country (Mom, Dad, Kollin)

Magic Bullet (Kimberly, Lonnie, McCoy)

Knife Set (Lindsay)

Toasting Flutes for Wedding (John, Kelsey, Kynleigh)

Stainless steel cooking set (Amy, Amanda, Danielle, Deann, Sarah & Jake)

Shop Vac (Karen, Kim)

Craft Brews Glass Set (Katie)

Patio Table and vegetable grill pan (Randy & Kathy, Kacie & Jeremy, Kara & Donald, Calvin & Jan)

Cash (Jeff & Amber & Family) (Melinda Cook)

Another thing I received was a piece of marriage advice from each guest -- these were so fun to read through, and I promise to re-read them down the road.  I will have to share some of my favorites!

Thank you all who came and graciously gave!  I love you all and I am so blessed to have your support, love, and encouragement.

Mother's Day

I bought some beautiful flowers for my Mother and soon-to-be Mother-in-law for Mother's Day!  I know my Mom loves purple, and mentioned wanting Impatiens, so that is what she got (along with a hose end sprayer to fertilize her flowers), and I got Keane's Mom some beautiful, happy yellow Daisies!

Keane and I offered to take my mom out somewhere for lunch on Mother's Day, but after some reconsidering, we decided to grill and make supper at our house for her.  We had pork steaks and chicken, potato salad, coleslaw, and baked beans!  We even used the BBQ brander I had bought Keane years ago that we haven't used yet!

HAPPY MOMS DAY

Keane and I are both very blessed to be able to share our love to our mothers on this very special holiday.  Mothers do SO much for their children and families.  They are what shape us, build us up, comfort us, strengthen us, and watch out for us.  I realize this more and more every single day. 

I am so proud of the woman who raised me, and of the woman she raised in me.

Although I wasn't fortunate to see or talk to my very own step kids on Mother's Day, Kaden had made me an awesome pot holder and given it to me the week before.  Keane also got me an under-the-counter radio for our kitchen, which I had really been wanting.  So a very happy Mother's Day to me, too.

Mushroom Journal - Hunt V, VI, and VII

Thursday (May 1) Keane went mushroom hunting in the Forrest Draw before I got home from work and found "a lot!"  We ended up finding 41 total that evening.

On Friday, with the kids, we hunted in the Premiere Draw and found 14. 

We then went back to the Buck Draw and found 52 more!  We shared some with Keane's parents who grabbed exactly 1/2 coincidentally!

On Saturday, we took a long walk through the Sweet Spot and found 64 nice-sized mushrooms!

Keane and I went back to look again on Friday and Saturday (May 9 and 10), but sadly realized the mushrooms around here are done for the year.  We have eaten (or shared) almost all of them for the year.  Keane and I ate some on Monday evening, and breaded up and froze the rest.  We are going to fry them up this weekend and see how they turn out!

Our Total Mushroom Count for 2014 - 326!

And I wanted to share my 5-leaf-clover I found!  It's a little rough, just like my nails!

Wedding Planning - Getting Closer

I haven't been posting much, or at all, lately, and the time of life that I am in right now is a time I really would like to capture and remember forever.  These wedding planning days.  Looking through the pictures on my phone, I realize that most of what I have been doing lately pertains to our wedding.  I can't share all of those photos though, because I don't want to give away wedding details before the big day is here.


That big day is 45 days away!  It's next month.  It's one paycheck later.  It's getting closer, and it is all starting to come together.  A little at a time.

I can admit that I am starting to feel a little nervous about the DAY (not the marriage).  And Keane is too.  I am anxious to see how all of this planning is going to play out.  The bridesmaids' dresses are in, beautiful, and given to the girls, who are each buying their own shoes.  Their gifts are purchased, as well as the mothers' gifts.


The guys each ordered their suits we picked out.  We still need to order their ties and their gifts, and the fathers' gifts. 


Table decorations are almost all complete. Just a little more spray painting.  The music is almost all done. Just need to complete the order.  And the invitations will be going out today and tomorrow!


I also want to remember Keane & I during this time. 


How he told me that I'll never have to be alone another day in my life. 
And how much that meant to me. 
How he told me in a sleepy state that maybe I'm an angel God sent to change his life for the better. 
How he told a coworker that he's better with me in his life. 
How I admire him all the time. 
How handsome he to me. 
And especially the way he loves me....or himself, haha.