Summer 2009

Wow Summer is just about over and I haven't blogged since April! Way to go D'dee! I think the easiest thing to do is mention some highlights of the past few months and add some pics....


April 10, 2009...Landon and I celebrated 10 years of marriage at a bed in breakfast in Amarillo :o)


April-May...Caden played on his 1st soccer team. Most of the season was rained out but he had fun.


May 2....Caden had his 1st dentist appt...he did great!

May 21...Connor received a reading trophy at school for reading 30 books. Way to go Connor!


May 28....Caden had a soldier themed 5th birthday at home with Mom, Dad and Connor.


June 6...Landon finally got a motorcycle....whahoo!!!


June 13...We went to the Wichita Mountains with our lifegroup. Good times with great friends! Had my 1st Meer's burger that evening.



Mid June...The boys spent a week with Frammy and Poppy in Dalhart.

June 22-26...VBS Had a great week!


Made some wonderful new friends at the apartment. The boys played outside with their kids just about everynight. Unfortunately they only live here in the summer and had to go back to Idaho. We look forward to a fun summer with them next year!


July 4th week....had a great visit w the in-law's in Dalhart. Found out there will be a new little Schaffner boy in Nov. Logan and Annika will be welcoming Austin to their clan. He will join his sweet big brother Ayden :o)



July 12...We celebrated my Papaw's 80th b-day with a big family get together. It was so nice to have everyone together to share memories.


Mid July...My baby brother, Caleb, came and spent a week with us in OK. We had so much fun with him!



Late July...I had a long visit in Wichita Falls with Family. It was good to have some time to relax and be with family.

Aug 3....The boys and I took a latenight drive to Wichita Falls. (1:30-2:30am) We joined my Mom and brother Toby at the hospital to await the arrival of my nephew.

Aug 4....2:01pm Evan Jaxson Lane was born!! He is so beautiful! I'm so happy for Toby to have this precious baby in his life :o)


Aug 9....The boys and I have been living in Oklahoma for a whole year now! It's gone pretty fast!

This Thursday will be my baby's 1st day of Kindergarten! And Connor will be starting 3rd grade. They grow so fast!



It's been a wonderful summer. I am ready for the cooler weather and daily routines of the school year to begin though. Hope everyone had a great summer!

Disney World

Oh man, I am such a lazy blogger! I think about stuff I should blog all the time but I never actually do it. I really enjoy reading other people's blogs so I guess I should give them something to read in return. I'm gonna back track a bit till I get myself caught up.....


In Feb we had the pleasure of accompaining my in-laws on their business trip to Orlando, Fl. It was my 1st time to Florida, Caden's 1st time flying and all of our's 1st time to Disney World. I have always dreamed of going to Disney World and really didn't think it would ever happen. I must say it exceeded my expectations. The feeling that you get just driving thru the gates is pure happiness! Once I was there I didn't want to leave.

Now that I have experienced "The Magic of Disney" I thought I'd share some of my tips with you:

1. I would highly recommend not taking children under the age of 5. It's too much for them AND too much for you! It can be overwhelming for little people and they won't remember too much of the expensive trip anyway. Caden was 4 1/2 when we went and he was a grouch the whole time. He was just worn out.

2. At least 2 weeks before your trip, get the book "The Unofficial guide to Disney World" It's large and you will need time to "study" it. I didn't hear about it till about 2 days before so I ended up skimming through it on the plane. It's full of really useful tips and helps you make a "game plan" for your trip. There is so much to do and see, you don't want to miss out on anything.

3. One of the biggest tips I got from the book is to take a break from the park in the middle of the day so everyone can rest. Go back to your hotel and have the kids take a nap. We all took naps both days. Then you go back in the evening refreshed and ready for more fun. I had this tip in mind when we arrived. Once we got there I really didn't want to leave. I didn't want to waste a minute. By 3 that 1st afternoon, Caden was done! He was so fussy and tired. We went back to the hotel and all passed out for 2 hours. The evening was great. The 2nd day we didn't make that mistake again. We came back to the hotel at lunch for a nap. If you try to stay all day, I'm afraid you will regret it. It's exhausting and makes for a miserable evening.

4. See the fireworks! Don't leave before the fireworks show. It's the most magical thing there. They can be seen throughout the park. Everyone stops where they are and just enjoys the show. It's set to music and is just wonderful. I cried when it was over and bought the soundtrack from the giftshop :o)

5. Take tons of pictures...duh! Anyone who knows me knows I take lots of pictures. Well, this is a place to get some great ones. And I believe people will enjoy looking at them. I know I have looked through mine several times since we have been back. I will cherish them forever!

Ok, now that I have brought all this back into my memory, I'm ready to go back! I think everyone should get to go at least once in their lives. When you do, enjoy every minute of it and don't forget to share your pictures!!

Me

21 Random Things about Me:
1. I LOVE butterflies and the color purple.
2. I've been married for almost 10 years!
3. I've worn glasses since the 3rd grade.
4. I've been getting my nails done since I was 13.
5. Chocolate and Jewelry can really brighten my day :o)
6. I'm very excited about something I can't mention yet.
7. My travel wishlist includes NYC & Disney World.
8. I'm going to Disney World in Feb!!!
9. I've recently become addicted to "Army Wives"
10. I watch "Friends", "King of Queens" and "Raymond" reruns at bedtime to relax.
11. I love my new church and new circle of friends.
12. I wish that I could find a job that I love.
13. I can't wait to sell our house in TX and get one in OK.
14. My new favorite thing is my purple IPOD.
15. I'm anxiously awaiting our 1st big Oklahoma snow.
16. My "toy chihuhua" is now a 15lb "whoknowswhat".
17. I could spend all day shopping in Mardels, Target and Bath and Body.
18. I REALLY miss my Del Rio friends :o(
19. I'd love to lose 30lbs and have long hair again.
20. I'm loved and spoiled more that I deserve.
21. Today is my 31st bday!

Happy New Year Ya'll!!

Well, happy 2009 everyone! Another year has come and gone. Now we all get to start fresh and have another chance to get things right this year.

We had, as usual, a wonderful Christmas. We got to spend time with lots of Family and spread out our celebrations over 3 weeks. I always get a little bit of the post Christmas blues when it's over. It's just such a magical time I hate for it to end. I get over it pretty fast though cause my birthday is coming up :o)

Something else that is really exciting....My in-laws are taking us to Disney World in Feb!!! That is going to be a dream come true for me. We have told the boys but they don't get the magnitude of the whole thing. I can't wait to take lots of pictures and share them with everyone!

I have a job interview on Tuesday for a preschool job at our Church. It would be ideal if I could get it. It's only 2 days a week but thats fine for now. I want to spend as much time with Caden as I can before he starts kinder in the Fall. Hard to believe my baby will be starting school soon :o(

We still have had no interest shown in our house. Never thought it would still be for sell in '09. God has a plan. I just wish he'd let us in on it. We are fine right now in the apartment. It's very cozy for the winter. I'm just really nervous about still being here during tornado season. Hopefully, something will happen soon.

I guess I don't have anything else to say. I want to wish you all as much happiness as you can stand in 2009. Lord willing, we will all have some great moments this year.

Caleb, Caden and Connor (Wichita Falls, TX)

Caden, Ayden and Connor

Dalhart, TX

They were so excited to find tumbleweeds (Campo, Co)

My precious nephew, Ayden Bradley

Me and my sweet boys

Tis the season...

Well, our house in Del Rio is emptied. (Thanks Logan for all your help!) It just needs someone to fall in love with it the way we did 5 years ago. It's been on the market now for about 7 months. I will miss it. We have a lot of good memories in that house. (Bringing Caden home from the hospital and having get togethers with our friends.) Mostly, I'll miss my friends though. I had some really special ones there. My kids miss their kids too. Caden is still saying he's "gotta marry Lara." She's 2 by the way :o) Connor, of course, misses his 1st love Kasia. They were so sweet together. I hope they can meet back up in the future. Oh when I stop to think about what we left behind I start to get a lump in throat. I have a hard time with change. It takes me a while to adjust and make new friends. I'm working on it though.

I have been trying to get involved with my Sunday school class. There are some really cool ladies in there I hope to get to know better. One of them gave me a heads up about some job openings at our church's preschool. I have an interview there next week. Wish me luck on that! It would be an ideal place for me to work and it's only 2 days a week.

I've been Christmas shopping like crazy. With Landon gone to South Carolina for most of the month I've been free to shop away. I've dragged poor Caden all over the countryside looking for those "perfect gifts" for everyone. I mailed Christmas cards today and just need to get all this stuff wrapped. I hate wrapping presents. I'm so bad and slow at it. Oh well, I'll be happy when it's done and they are under my itty bitty tree :o)

My Dad, Stepmom and Little brother Caleb came up this last weekend. We had so much fun. It had been since Caden was born that they had been able to visit us. WE looked at Christmas lights, painted some ceremic ornaments, shopped and ate some good food. If you are ever in OKC try "Toby Keith's I love this bar and grill". It's really yummy! I suggest the chicken fried chicken or the chicken quesidillas.

My brother, Caleb Mikel

My Dad and Stepmom

painting ornaments at "Picaso to Go"

Lights in Midwest City, OK

We are headed to WF this weekend to celebrate my brother, Toby's , birthday and do our Christmas. I'm looking forward to some more family time. It's pretty quiet and lonely here without my hubby :o( We have a week and a half till he gets back. I think I'll make it.
Ok, I guess that is all I have to ramble about for now. I'll add some pics to make it a little more interesting. Hope everyone is enoying the holiday season. Drop me a line and let me know how you are! Take care!

Not much to say

Well, I had a wonderful weekend in Wichita Falls. It had been since July since I was last there. I got to meet my brother's new girlfriend, Amanda and her 2 boys. That was as a lot of fun. She was very sweet and her boys are adorable! Toby is so happy which makes me happy :o)

I did something I never thought I'd do today. I bought a 32 inch Christmas tree to put up in our apartment. All our Christmas stuff is in the back of a packed storage building. I wasn't going to decorate this year. How sad would that be to not have a tree at Christmas?! Anyways, our little tree is so cute sitting on the table. I bought some cheap stockings and pinned them to the wall behind the tree. It's better than nothing right?

Wednesday morning we are heading to Del Rio (8 hour drive) to finish emptying the house. We think we may have a couple that want to rent it a few months and then buy it. I hope to see some of my "girls" while I'm down there. Who knows if we will ever be back that way. I'm sure most of them will be gone or busy with family for Thanksgiving. Never thought we would be having another Del Rio Thanksgiving. Probably end up at IHOP or something.

Ok, as you can see I don't have much to discuss tonight. Guess I'll close this and add a few pics. Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving! Take care!

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

My boys with my little brother Caleb

My current situation

I became unemployed at 3:00 Tuesday afternoon. In a way it was unexpected. You see, I had been working at a daycare since mid Sept. My 1st choice of employement would have been to teach preschool. Our recent move from Del Rio to Oklahoma City made finding a teaching job difficult so close to school beginning. So I have been working at this less than wonderful place and trying to find a way to get through basically. It was dirty and the other women there were not the kind I normally associate with. The kids are all from sad homes and backgrounds. They all were volitile and unpredictable at times. I had however grown to love several of them. Unfortunately the stress of the job and environment was being brought home with me. I had very little patience with my own kids after putting up with craziness all day. Anyways, I decided Monday to turn in my notice. I basically gave a week and half written notice to my boss. She never acknowledged the letter I wrote. (I know she got it though because I asked her assistant.) She pretty much gave me the cold shoulder all day Monday. Tuesday while my kids were napping I spent a great deal of time getting things prepared for the next 2 days crafts. I had planned a cute pumpkin pie art project and was going to bring in real pumpkin pie to snack on. I had new treasure items bought for Friday's treasure box. I had planned on telling the kids about me leaving on Friday or Monday. As I went to clock out on Tuesday, the 3rd in charge (the others were conviently not there) nervously informed me that the owners of the daycare had just called and said for me to "consider this my last day, replacements have already been hired". I was hurt honestly. I felt I had done a really good job there in my short 2 1/2 months. They couldn't show me the common courtesy of telling me in person or saying thank you or even goodbye. I didn't get to say goodbye to my kids. Some had already left for the day and the rest were in the cafeteria eating snacks. I held back the tears and clocked out. I grabbed a few of my things that were hanging in my room. I walked into the cafeteria and said "bye guys" to my kids who were busy eating and laughing with their friends. Always before I would say "Bye guys, ya'll be good. I'll see ya in the mornng." It's very said for them that I wasn't able to show my replacement our routine so these kids have less change to deal with. But the people running it don't care, it's just buisness. Who cares if kids lose a friend. I would have liked to give some of them my contact information in case they ever needed anything.

Ok, I have now vented and told my story. I feel a little better. The last 2 days have been kinda nice here at home. It's been cold and I had a fire going in the fire place most of the day. I'm gonna try to start working out regularly now that have time on my hands. We have access to a free workout room here at the apartment. ( I figure if I announce that to everyone I will feel the pressure to actually do it!)

This weekend we are going to Wichita Falls ...finally! I get to see my family for the 1st time in several months. I'm especially excited to meet my brother's new girlfriend! It should be an interesting time.

Well, I'm gonna go take a hot shower because I'm freezing. Then I'm gonna curl up in the recliner and watch "Grey's Anatomy" and go to bed. I hope you all have a wonderful Friday at work and a great weekend! Check back soon for more updates!