Our State Fair

I'm a big fan of State Fairs in general but for some reason....I almost blew off the Tulsa State Fair a few weeks ago. WOW. That would have been so sad. We had so much fun.....plus I would've missed a chance to wear my cowgirl boots! It had everything you'd want...pony rides,overpriced lemonade,a craft show, a petting zoo, questionable corn dogs, carnival rides, a Sky Tram, loud music, and oodles of people.




Maybe next year I'll have the guts to eat a fried peanut butter & jelly sand which,or a chocolate covered cheesecake on a stick, or maybe a fried pickle.
We'll just have see.

Don't Mess with Texas

A few weeks ago (Labor Day weekend to be exact), at 2:00 o' clock in the morning, I found myself bleary-eyed and squinting from the beams of a powerful flashlight, with arms raised, explaining to a Texas Police Officer, that I was in fact a mother, and not a armed burglar.

After an 8 hour car ride with two children (which if you factor in "mother math"-the drive itself times the amount of kids: 8 hours x 2 kids) was actually a 16 hour drive from Tulsa to Houston. So you can imagine how deliriously tired Nathan and I both were upon arrival.
Because we would be arriving so late, my Uncle called and gave us specific instructions on how to get into his backyard and into the house.
When we drove into their neighborhood Nathan turned to me and asked for the name of their street and house number. I couldn't remember!! And I didn't want to call my Uncle at 2:00 a.m. to find out. I was positive I would recognize it when we drove around. And I did.
It was their exact house and driveway and we found the side gate propped open with a rock just like my Uncle said he would. There was his pool and his back door. We shuffled to his back door with bags and kids in tow and entered his secret code. Except it didn't work. So we tried it again. But it didn't work. I knew I had the right code because I had written it on my hand so I wouldn't forget it. So we tried it again. And we were denied. Then the kids decided to bang on the door. I gave in and reluctantly called my Uncle.

"Can you come outside and let us in?"

I am outside.

"Where?!?! I don't see you."

We couldn't see my Uncle in the dead of night, but we did see flashing lights and heard someone yelling. I slowly walked out the side gate and was blinded by a powerful flashlight.

"Put your hands in the air where I can see them! State your name and your business here!"

Oh crap.

I eventually managed to squeak out enough answers to convince them they could lower their weapons. After several questions, a phone call, driver's license checks, and running of our plates we were free to go.

We drove away from that house and sheepishly pulled into my Uncle's actual driveway. I gave my Uncle a hug and a weak smile. He returned the hug.....grinning from ear to ear.
Yup.
I knew it.
I'm going to be teased about this for years to come.

When in Rome....

Ironically, my Uncle planned to take Nathan to a firing range the next morning.
What to do??
Stay at the house and watch my kids....... or tag along.





Did you really think I was going to stay home?
It was exhilarating......
and terrifying.
I would definitely do it again.

P.S. this is a 9mm XDM
it's one of the guns they use in "Mr. and Mrs. Smith."
I'm just sayin.....

Beautiful Day

I have an agenda for every day of the week. I know what I want the kids to do. And I know what I don't want the kids to do. And sadly, for the most part, I'm not very concerned with what they want to do.
I couldn't help but wonder.......
what would it be like, if for one day, I let Wesley choose what we do.
I wouldn't try to limit his choices, or steer him in a direction more to my liking.
I wouldn't worry about the time.
I wouldn't care if he got dirty or wet.
And I wouldn't rush him.
I'd let him be.
Wesley wanted to go to the park.
The "squirrel park" to be exact.
We fed the ducks. Wesley chased the ducks.
Wesley dug holes and threw rocks in the pond.
We looked at leaves and ant holes.
Wesley chased the squirrels.
Then we ate snacks on a bench and watched the geese preen.
And I enjoyed every minute of it.

I tell you guys it was liberating.
I can't think of a time I've loved him or enjoyed him more.

But I can't be this selfless every day- I'm no saint....
but my goodness, what a beautiful day.

Love at first touch

I have fallen hard.

for my iPhone.

I'm not ashamed to admit I'm in love.

And unlike mostly newly married couples.....the novelty has not worn off with time.
I grow more in love with you iPhone.
I love your abilities, your intuitiveness, your sense of direction, your attention to detail, and love of knowledge, and of course, who can forget?
your apps.

the honeymoon phase is so not over....

Oldies but Goodies

My Mom came to visit this summer after much coaxing. I wanted her to see Oklahoma during this beautiful time of year. I didn't want her first impression of Oklahoma to be the dead of winter for Christmas. So these were pics of us riding the train and carousel at the Tulsa Zoo.

Cotton candy......my bribe for keeping the kids inside the train instead of leaping from it.

Love you Mom- thanks for coming to see us and Dad for letting her go!

Happy Anniversary

2 friends.
1 crush.
12 months
1 marriage
1 love
2 kids
8 years.
We made it.
I love you Nathan Michael Ball.


P.S. Thank your for taking me to this show (after weeks of subtle hints).
Thank you for indulging my wish to sleep in and booking a hotel room.
And thanks for sharing your ridiculously delicious strawberry cream cheese stuffed french toast.
now that's love.
and one wicked anniversary.