My True Love

To all of you self proclaimed chef's and Susie homemakers out there, you will want one of these. I am in love. I cannot afford one, but it is still love.

 So since  I cannot afford the famous Le Creuset, I settled for the Lodge brand.

Do I hate my Lodge cast iron dutch oven that is in red, no of course not. Would I like for it to be bigger, yes. Would I like for it to say the name of Le Creuset on it, absolutely. But sadly I do not have $200.00 to spend on it.

 However, in the newspaper today I read that Le Creuset is doing a give away to celebrate how long they have been in business. You could win $5000 in Le Creuset products. I jumped for joy. What's the catch? You need to submit photo's on why you love your Le Creuset.

PROBLEM.

A) I do not own a Le Creuset, so I can't possibly have a picture with it. (Maybe I should stop by Bed, Bath and Beyond and take a picture of me drooling over it.)

B) I do not have a story for me to tell about Le Creuset unless you count me telling them how much I want to win the grand prize.

Well maybe one day I will get one and all will be right in the world.

Until that day, if you own a Le Creuset and think they are as fabulous as I do, go right on over to that page and register to win that grand prize. If you win, I would more than happily take any kind of appreciation gift (aka, the batter bowl, a dutch oven in any color, purple, red, orange you name it I love it)!

Happy Wednesday!

*This blog is of my own opinion, I only wish Le Creuset would have given me money to write it!

List

As I read a blog, written beautifully, about what they have foreseen their future as and what they yearn for. I began to ponder mine. I want a husband, but not just any husband a perfect one. I know I know there is no such thing. But when I say perfect I mean perfect for me. So I begin with the list and requirement I want out of my future spouse.

There is the spiritual aspect-
I want a godly man, that truly knows what a relationship with Christ is. A man that will be the spiritual leader of our family. A man that is guided by God's wisdom and says yes to whatever He may ask of him. --- Can I say I even do that? I am not sure but I can tell you that I am trying and that is what i ask of him.

The financial aspect-

Has a steady job/income, drives a decent car, preferably no debt.

The physical aspect-

no tattoos, no piercings, no smoking.

other requirements-

That he 100% loves me and accepts me for me and that he loves my son. That he doesn't criticize how I raise my son. He should help and guide me in a way that is beneficial to everyone involved.

There are way more things on my list this is just a brief list.

So I began thinking about this and all the requirements I have and begin to wonder is this right? Should I even think this way. Now don't get me wrong there are some things that I won't falter on there will always be requirements. But if I am saying I want to marry a cowboy, who drives a truck and lives in the country but God is saying here is this man that lives in the city works downtown and likes to eat fish for every meal. Will my heart be ok with that? So maybe I will have my list and if he doesn't meet every requirement then I will trust in the Lord, not my own understanding and accept His perfect will for me.

But I do know my God has someone in store for me. I will trust in him, I will strive to be the kind of wife that glorifies my God, that makes my husband proud, someone he can boast in and not be shameful of.

"Charm is deceptive beauty is fleeting but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." Prov. 31:30

One of my favorite songs the week of camp said it best.
"When all is said and done may it be enough to rest  in you and the mercy of your wind"

Fantastic Five!!

So Ryan's 5th year has been a little crazy. I had surgery and was out of commission from September to about the end of November. It was so hard on Ryan, we managed and I think he came out more of a mommas boy after. Then he got switched to a new school, I love it and I think he does also. So to celebrate his 5th year we obviously had a great birthday party. Birthday party's at McDonald's = madness  great fun. It was all out of control and I was so done by the time it was over, but Ryan had a great time with friends and got a lot of great presents!

Christmas Day a.k.a worst blizzard in Oklahoma history

Valentines day spent at mickey's rocking road show

Winter night

Birthday Party time

Fun with friends

blowing out candles

and this is what you feel like when you have spent to much time at a 5 year olds birthday

I love him so much!! I can't wait to see what the next year bring us, so stay tuned cause I am sure it will be a crazy year!

Fabulous Fourth Year!

As we started the 4th year of Ryan's life, I would have to say he is an amazing kid. We have always had frustrating weeks or maybe even a whole month. But I can honestly say there has never been a whole year that was horrible for us.

He loves to have books read to him and likes looking at the pages. this is one of his favorite books to this day

He decided he was going to be a farmer this year, I fully support that decision 4H and FFA here we come

As Fall approached we soaked up every minute of the cool breezes. I love fall he cares for summer you know the fun stuff swimming, fireworks,and cookouts. I am more of a campfire, cool breeze, leaves changing type of person. How wonderful it feels to put on a long sleeve shirt sweats and a scarf for the first time. There are always lots of activities in the fall and we wasted no time getting to them. We have a special place we go to called the Spring, it's our own little getaway, and Ryan's favorite place.

Of course we went to the pumpkin patch

And he learned his love for Marshmallow cream, a boy after his mama's heart

He experienced what it's really like to live in Oklahoma...8 inches of snow in March.

Then he had a Wonderful 4th birthday to top off the whole year!

Ryan had a great year, there were many changes in his life this year. He came out a survivor. This child is a blessing. God knew exactly what He was doing when I became pregnant with him. I am always grateful to have him in my life!

Third Year!!

So our third year of Ryan's life brought lots of changes. We moved to our new house and thankfully we have not moves since then. We love our neighbors and the people on our block, most of them are so friendly and will do anything for you. So with the third year came the dreaded breaking the passy. You know we did the typical limiting the passy and then we finally gave them to Santa in exchange for presents.

Here's my sweet boy with his passy, I love him with a passy. I was just as sad as him to see it go.

He had decided he was sleeping in my bed that night and crawled up in there and fell asleep I went looking for him and this is how I found him.

He also started daycare this year, it was hard but much needed.

And we did the dreaded potty training. Don't worry I am not like Kate Gosling, I don't take pictures with my kids and their poop or whatever she does. To each their own, right? We had a great year. My brother got engaged. Ryan got a big boy bed. We went to Disney world!! Last but not least Ryan had his first hospital visit. He got way dehydrated from roto virus. Here are a few more pics through out the year.

Year Two

Year two of Ryan's life where full of changes, we moved into our own place. A small rent house that will always hold a special place in my heart. He locked me out of the house on a cold rainy night, being all of 18 months old. I was in the garage doing laundry and he decided to twist the lock, but couldn't figure out how to twist it back. So as he sat there eating a banana looking at me. I was panicking, I had to walk to my neighbor's house who was very far away in the pouring rain with no shoes in my pj's. I had never met these people but they believed my story and was kind enough to let me use their cell phone to call for help. Luckily it wasn't a secure door and my dad got it open with a credit card. Here are some pic's from the 2nd year

He learned how to give himself kisses

Christmas...he was a little grumpy :)

He thought he was the captian while handing out valentines

The places you find them

Easter

Troubles with his asthma

2nd Birthday!!

First Moments

So today is the day to remember first. Life is so full of first that we celebrate, here are a few Ryan has celebrated.

first night at home...if i only i knew what i did now...and lets just say that i am a little glad that is 5 years behind me.

First Christmas.

Sitting up really well for the first time

First Bath

First Birthday party to go to

Ryan's dedication

First haircut...before

after...

First Easter

First swimming pool

first steps

first boat ride

first birthday

 There are still so many more first, to hard to get them all in. I have loved every moment of them. The first year goes by so fast it is so full of first that it's hard to document every moment. Then the hard times hit, the lasts, the last time he will kiss you in front of his friends, the last time you will put a diaper on him, the last time you give him a bottle, the last time you give him a Binky. So the year that was so full of first soon follow a year of last. You deal with each one as they come and you learn to cherish time with them even more. So don't forgot to hug your kids a little tighter tonight because you never know when it's the last.