Bestie Fest 2014

I am sure you are wondering, "Bestie Fest? Is there really such a thing?!" And I can assure you there most definitely is! It is a place and a time where you don't forget your role as a mommy, wife, adult; but yet you can just sit back and have some fun! At least that is what I think of during my first-of many-Bestie Fest's with my bestie BobbiJo! Our little guys had a blast as well and I think our husbands were just there out of obligation! Ha!

I got a late night perm and enjoyed a chat with my bestie until 4 a.m!

Our boys did a little wrestling.

We ate Snickers Cheesecake for breakfast.

Did our nails and enjoyed a shorter night of chatting...I think it was 3 a.m.-rather than 4!

We spent just a couple of days together that went by way to fast. I am so thankful that God gives friendships and the HE KNOWS the people we need. BobbiJo and I met in college and simply had 'being from Wisconsin' in common. But it gave us a basis! She spent Thanksgiving break with my family and I-it was a blast that launched many memories! After college we lost touch for a while; but God allowed us to get back in touch. We have shared many seasons of life and I am thankful for a friend that God knew I needed to walk text right along side of me. As she says, it's like we are co-workers-except for we actually like each other-as we text on a daily basis and share uh-oh moments about our kids, hard moments, silly moments, times of venting...and simply being a friend.

And, how does Bestie Fest becomes a reality-just look at our shirts!

Yep, we have our own t-shirt! Keep your eyes out for next years Bestie Fest 2015!

Holding Answered Prayer

Last week we went to Kenosha, Wisconsin for a couple of days to visit my grandparents. While there I was able to enjoy a quick visit with a friend, BobbiJo and her family! This visit was really special to me...for this reason!

See those two cuties? KadiJo and Justus are answered prayer. BobbiJo and I spent, what seemed like years at times praying for one another that God would bless us with another child!

KadiJo loves me I am sure and I can tell you the feeling was mutual! I can still remember a Saturday morning in March of 2013 waking up to a text from BobbiJo telling me to wake up and there was a picture of a pregnancy test with 2 lines! And I longed to get two lines of my own-which finally came in September!

When I held Justus for the first time, I remember that feeling of knowing that he was a true testament to answered prayer. But, until I held KadiJo I have never been able to quite literally hold in my hand answered prayer that I have prayed for someone else. Does that even make sense? None the less, it is a feeling of humbleness that took my breath away. I am SO thankful that I serve a God who answers prayer. I am so thankful that He also lets us see prayers answered and even hold it in our hands at times!

As we held our littlest blessings it was also fun to watch that our other blessings are becoming buddies as well and I will sign off with the outtakes of trying to get two little boys to look at a camera for a decent picture...

Friends Reunited

Fourteen years ago, I became roommates with Lindsay and we soon became good friends. Lindsay has been a very much needed friend in my life and so I was grateful that we were able to once again reunite this past weekend! Our lives have definitely changed since we first met, she has 4 boys and I get to follow in her footsteps has being a boy mom myself with Klayton and Justus!
My little ham with three of her boys Clayton (who everyone kept asking if we had named Klayton after) Quinton and Hudson...

Can I just say that Klayton absolutely loved having playmates around?

And well, I enjoyed having my friend Lindsay around and meeting her newest little guy-Garrison!

And not to be left out, my little Cheeser had to join in for a pic!

I think Klayton would have preferred going home with Lindsay and her boys. But, I kept him and we will just look forward to next time!

A Friendship to be Carried On

Do you see it? These 2 cuties just met; but are about to be best buds!

Why do I think this because of this...

So, thankful for friendships that God gives us-even if they are not the most "conventional" of friendships! This is my friend BobbiJo and our friendship is basically via text...met in college and reconnected a few years ago. Now we get to be mommies to those precious boys and texting is the best way for us to keep in touch! I was just thankful that we still liked each other in person when we met up last week!
Our boys became instant buds! They gave each other LOTS of hugs and led each other around the zoo!

Made our mommy hearts feel really blessed and makes me tear up just thinking about it.

I think this friendship is going to last and will be carried on with our boys!

A Day at the Zoo

A couple weeks ago my friend Deborah invited Klayton and I to visit the zoo! Of course we said yes! It was fun to catch up with her and let our little ones meet...her little girl Kaylin and Klayton are just one month a part in age! Aren't they cute?

Lions and tigers and bears,

Oh my!

And maybe a cute little billy goat to pet!

We had a great time and I am so thankful for Deborah thinking of me and my little guy!

1. Good morning Tuesday. I must admit I would have preferred to be asleep while Tuesday was welcomed; but alas, that was not to be.
2. Looking forward to a good day. Hopefully spending time with a friend, getting a much over do hair trim, and just spending time with my little man.
3. Did you read my Lazy Cookies recipe from last week?! If not scroll down...they were scrumptious! Next time I might cut back on the chocolate chips since I didn't do the mini chips. Yesterday, I made them again with white chocolate chips and chocolate cake mix...yep, still scrumptious!
4. Last night I pulled out my scrapbooking supplies and actually scrapped 4 pages! Oh how I've missed scrapbooking...
5. Apparently, I've been in a blogging spirit as of late. Have you noticed ALL my postings in the last week?
6. I shop at the Dollar General quite frequently...I realize it's not a good idea to buy some things there. But, to not even be able to buy a cold bottle of Dr. Pepper? A little disheartening. I made said purchase yesterday and was eager to enjoy the cold drink with my popcorn as I watched a little Monday night comedy. The enjoyment dissipated quickly when upon the first swig I realized it didn't taste right and upon reading the label it expired over a month ago!
7. Trying to decide if I should just go ahead and renew my library books or take the time to find them all so I can return them?
8. Really enjoyed having my brother and his little family here for a visit. It was to short...wish they lived a little closer. Added bonus: my lil nephew!
9. I kind of wish it was pouring rain right about now. I love to lay in bed with the windows opened just right so as not to let the rain in; but yet allowing me to listen to its pitter patter against the window glass.
10. Ok, 20 minutes later I'm obviously still awake; but I do feel a yawn coming on. Yep, there it is...have a Happy Tuesday!

10 on Tuesday

1. So, I'm giving in and getting my eyes checked on Friday. I really hate the puff of air and spending the money.
2. This past weekend was so fun! I was able to spend some time with an old college roomie and some other friends from college.
3. Very sore from "shredding" with Jillian. It better be worth the aches!
4. Currently, we are in Pampa, Texas and I am enjoying the gorgeous weather! I think a walk is in order for the day!
5. Money. It's a necessary evil and I sometimes despise it.
6. I might soon be doing an anti-DQ post. Went there for lunch yesterday and needed to change a diaper; but how could I when there was no changing station to be found?
7. I've been growing my hair out since last summer and it's finally able to be put in a ponytail! Yay!
8. Klayton has been fighting a cold and that means lots of practice at doing the nose sucker? Am I the only mom out there that absolutely stinks at that job?
9. Let me give a shout out to the Olive Garden in Amarillo, Texas for their BAD service. The manager stopped at our table to ask about our service, so we told him-it was slow, not friendly, etc. We were nice, when complaining! However, our waitress overheard and became even more rude. When it was time to give us the check she literally threw it down on our table. She didn't give us mints and we didn't leave a good tip.
10. Well, I am off to make name tags for our church ladies retreat and maybe I will make some jewelry!
Happy Tuesday!

Missionary Wife: The Beautiful and the Ugly

**I have decided to do a serious of posts about my life as a MW (missionary wife). This is just a way to let you briefly peek into my life.**

So, life as a missionary wife can be very interesting. There is more to it than traveling the country side, enjoying the sites. There are aspects of it that are beautiful and then there is an ugly side. I love being a missionary wife because I know I am right where God wants me!
Some of you may not know what a missionary does. A missionary is someone who feels God has asked them to be a witness for Him here in the United States or abroad. My husband believes we are to be missionaries in Norway where we will tell others about Christ and will start churches. But, before we can get to Norway and so we can devote all of our time to sharing Christ with Norwegians and starting churches we must do this thing called deputation. Currently, Joseph, Klayton and I are on deputation, we travel around the United States for months at a time sharing with churches about our burden for Norway, hoping that they will take us on for financial support. Usually, a missionary will gain financial support from one out of twelve churches they have been in. In our case this can make deputation very long as we have alot of money to raise.

The beautiful side of being a missionary wife is I get to meet and make new friends, visit historical sites and states that I have always wanted to see. Visit fun places and catch up with friends that I wouldn't otherwise see. Sometimes I get spoiled by churches we go to, like one time a church member of a church in New Mexico bought me my very first Coach bag! Yay!
The ugly side of being a missionary wife is that there are moments of being homesick, feeling lonely. Sometimes you don't feel like you can be yourself because you are constantly being watched. Some people think that as a missionary wife that there are certain luxuries I shouldn't be allowed, like carrying my Coach bag. It can also be hard to be in church after church and not pick up a new supporting church.

10 on Tuesday

1. Today we are off to Massachusetts for another missions conference.
2. I'm excited to see my family in a couple of weeks! Yay!
3. Thankful for good friends, like Lindsay who is always a phone call away!
4. Please pray for a special prayer request for my family. No, I am not pregnant...just need a different sort of miracle.
5. You know that thing called pride its a nasty thing to deal with.
6. I realize that A LOT of parents do this; but I...and Joseph find it disgusting when people lick their finger and then wipe their childs face to clean it. Would you want someone to do that to you?
7. We picked up another supporting church! Yay! One step closer to Norway!
8. Thanksgiving is just a couple weeks away...what are your favorite Thanksgiving traditions?
9. Do you realize how difficult it is to find infant mittens?
10. I wish having a cell phone wasn't so stinking expensive...
Happy Tuesday!

New People

In the past few weeks, I have been able to reunite with friends, meet my brothers fiancee and introduce Klayton to my brother!
Here we are with my brother! It didn't take long for Caleb to love Klayton!


Caleb, his fiancee and Klayton! We really enjoyed getting to know Brandy during our time in OKC!


I had a great time introducing Klayton to Jennifer! Jennifer and I met in college, we worked together for a while, were roommates our Senior year and were great friends! I haven't seen her since graduation night in May of 2004! Klayton was mesmerized by her beauty!

This is my friend Candy! I can't remember the last time I had seen her...it was probably the night I graduated from college-who knows! Time seriously passes to quickly! Candy and I have been able to stay "in touch" via Facebook. Its more like just reading each others status updates; but were still friends and it was great seeing her!

I think, besides my brother I had the most fun introducing Klayton to my friend Lindsay and her baby Hudson! First, let me say this Klayton looked at the camera for her; but not for me...he must already love his "Aunt Lindsay" she sent me the pics; but I haven't downloaded them yet. Anyway, I just know Hudson and Klayton are going to be great friends because Lindsay has become one of my greatest friends and I consider her a sister of my heart!


And, well thats it for now....