Day 39: Summer Nights (6/30)

I love that at 8:46 PM (that's a fact, because I checked the exact time when I took the picture) the sun still hasn't set. This is my favorite thing about summer.

During the winter, I hate getting out of school and having two hours before it's pitch black outside. 

Granted it is harder to lay down Gavin for the night but I would not trade the effort for the extra hours of sunlight.

I also wanted to include a few pictures of my parents yard:

They both work so hard on the yard. I never realized how much work goes into maintaining a home, maybe because I've never owned a home. They are outside every day working on something. It's amazing how wonderful the yard looks and how much they have to work at it.

I love the Babinec stone. I hope that one day, we can own a home and have a Nickell rock outside our home. The flowers bloom all summer making the yard that much more beautiful. The pond is something my mom has been wanting and working on for years. She loves the pond, I love the natural rock surrounding the area.

One day, my yard is going to be just as wonderful.

Day 38: Gavin's Big Day (6/29)

Today Gavin walked!!

OK, OK maybe he didn't exactly walk but he took his first steady, calculated step!

Just last week Gavin wasn't standing on his own, but in the last week has has gone from standing a few seconds when I let go of both his hands to transferring from objects standing including a step and with nothing within grasping area actual steps!!

It's so exciting and sad at the same time.

I am so excited to see Gavin learn so quickly. It's amazing how fast his mind and muscles develop. He is so resilient to keep trying over and over again hoping to get a different result instead of a plop to the floor.

However,  I must say that Gavin has the softest, slowest fall that I have ever seen from in a baby.

I will not be surprised if Gavin is walking in the next weeks. Oh Lord, help us all; not only will we have an avid climber but a walker too!!  :)

Not only is Gavin making he way into the walking world but today he also wanted to try his way into the feeding world. I was trying to be witty but I don't think it worked!

Anyway, at supper Gavin was bound and determined to feed himself. Every time the spoon got any where close to his grasp, he had a tight grip on the spoon. And the big boy brought the spoon to his mouth every time!!

He loved it! A mom can tell when her baby feels accomplished and he did today! He was a mess after feeding himself a large bowl of Chicken and Veggies.

I ♥ love ♥ Gavin Clay so much!

Day 37: Family History (6/28)

Almost every year, Grandma Schluge's sisters come down to Oklahoma to stay a few days. They came down during this week because on July 4th my grandma is having a rather large family reunion and they both wanted to be a part of the family gathering.

Grandma's sisters are Rita and Lori. They are my grand-aunts. It is a joy to come over and spend the day with them; what is just what Gavin and I did today.

In this picture, my mom made lunch and they all sat down to talk about family history. Mom has The History of Our Family book which she is determined to fill out properly and to the best of her ability. With "the girls" around the table she figured she can get a lot of family history.

It started out, who was born when, when and who did they marry and a lot of when did they die questions. It has turned in to a remember when session. It is so interesting to listen to them talk about the past and tell stories about the past.

I enjoy these days and I hope that Gavin will one day grow up and have the same opportunities to listen to remember when stories about our family and it's past. ♥

Day 36: The Grouch (6/27)

Today being Sunday, we went to church. Our family is Catholic so mass last about an hour. During that hour the priest gives a homily-- a sermon, usually on a Biblical topic and usually of a non doctrinal nature. The homily was about Oscar the Grouch. 

He talked about how life is all about attitude. Oscar the Grouch chooses to be the grouch that he is and that other people's attitude towards life is also their choice. He stated that those who don't like what's happening in their life can change it by the attitude they adopt.

What's this have to do with me you ask?

My father's attitude towards life is a bit pessimistic. He can always find the worst in any situation. If you can point out all the positive points about something/someone, my dad can point out every negative point. We have grown up with his, to say the least, bleak attitude all our life; we are used to it.

We joke his attitude all the time; so when Father Mikus mentioned the Oscar the Grouch like attitude, my mom and I both looked at each other and smiled.

After mass, we went out to eat at the Rock Cafe. During the meal, Sami Jo and I decided that Dad's name for the day was "Oscar."

When our food came, my dad, Sami Jo and I all had hash browns. Sam drew a heart with her ketchup, I drew a baseball and "Oscar" drew a frowny face!!

Day 35: Softball Summer Heat (6/26)

Oklahoma weather is so extreme. Today we played softball (surprise, surprise!), our tournament started at 4 o'clock in the afternoon but that did not mean that it was so dang hot!! It was the most miserable softball weather that I can remember -- and I've played a lot of softball.

It was so hot that as a team we all pitched in to buy a canopy that will be used at every tournament. Just a little shade makes such a huge difference.

I started playing in pants but didn't even make it 15 minutes out of the truck before I had to change into shorts.

We did win the tournament, run-ruled all the teams we played today. It was a lot of fun.

Day 34: I Wear my Sunglasses at Night (6/25)

the song is "I Wear my Sunglasses at Night"

sang by Cory Hart

here are some of the lyrics that apply to Gavin

On the guy in shades, oh-no

Don't masquerade
With the guy in shades, oh-no
I can't believe it
'Cause you got it made
With the guy in shades, oh-no

And I wear my sunglasses at night

Day 33: Uncle Greg's Birthday (6/24)

This is my cousin, Ava. She is my dad's brother's daughter. It's really not that hard to figure out but it seems that a lot of people (maybe just Oklahomans) like to give a family tree explanation for each relation.

I like just cousin.

Today or rather tonight (does it really matter?!) my family went to Uncle Greg and Aunt Shanda's home to celebrate my uncle's 42nd 29th birthday. They have two daughter's Allisha (who is in high school) and Ava, she's four. There is a wonderful story about how Ava came into the family and I would like to tell small part of it.

My aunt wasn't feeling well. She was having stomach pains and thought that she had some kidney stones. She went to the doctor and told about her about the pain. (Apparently, it's routine to run pregnancy test on all women under a certain age, whether they claimed to have started/gone through menopause.) After she was checked out and test(s) were ran, the doctor comes back to tell her surprise, surprise she's pregnant. But not only is she pregnant but she's SIX MONTHS pregnant.

Aunt Shanda tells the story much better but this is a public site and I don't want to go into detail about other people's life. But she always ends it the same, "Now I know why God gives women nine months because three months is not enough time!"

Back to my post, (I seem to be wandering more and more lately. Maybe that's why some of my posts are so long) we all enjoyed an evening of family and fun. With family sometimes so close it's hard realize how much you don't get together. It seems that after each get together we always say, we need to do this more and this was fun.

I have a few more pictures from tonight that I want to share. I really couldn't chose just one!

Day 32: The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (6/23)

 

As you may know I love to read and now that it's summer, I have a bit more time on my hands to do so. Of course, not as much time as I have in the past now that Gavin's here. However, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Back to The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, I was visiting with Sharman, Rennie's aunt, when she mentioned that she just got through reading this amazing  book. Unless it's a well know author/book I am somewhat skeptical on exactly what amazing means, so on Sunday when we dropped off Gavin she handed me The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. Here is how the jacket reads (the summary):

Harriet Vanger, scion of one Sweden's wealthiest families, disappears over forty years ago. All these years later, her aged uncle continues to see the truth. He hires Mikael Blomkvist, a crusading journalist recently trapped by a libel conviction, to investigate. He is aided by the pierced and tattooed punk prodigy Lisbeth Salander. Together they tap into a vein of unfathomable iniquity and astonishing corruption.

Honestly, to me, I got lost in the mumbo-jumbo the first time I read it and had to read it a second time through. I do pride myself on my ability to read and comprehend well so admitting this was a little difficult for me. I thought it sounded OK not all that interesting but I thought I would try it anyway because it was recommended to me.

IT BLEW ME AWAY!! I LOVED IT.

I am sure that I say that often enough with books but this time I truly mean it. I was kept guessing until the end and I couldn't read it fast enough to figure out what happens. In most books you can see the story line and where it is going but in The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo it was unapparent until the end what was going to happen.

I really only suggest books to people that I know many different kinds of readers my like. I don't go around saying, "OMG, you need to read this!" after every book I read but this one is a definite MUST-READ. There are, as far as I know, two more book in the series. I believe the author died shortly after finishing the third book, I may be wrong. But I know that you read the first book you're going to want to read the second two. I have already ordered the second book off of Barnes and Noble's website and am patiently waiting for the book to arrive.

Please let me know if you read or are reading any of Stieg Larsson's series right now. I love talking about good books and rarely get to do so.

Day 31: Matchy-Matchy (6/22)

Today, my husband and I woke up, dressed, and got in the car. It wasn't until we stopped for gas got out of the car and stood next to each to other that I said, "Hey baby, we match!"

Rennie hates when couples do this on purpose or otherwise but we had already left and there was nothing he could do to change it! He just made a funny face and fake laughed.

I thought it was funny. Notice that even our shoes are the same colors. I soon as I noticed it I thought, this has to be my picture of the day. Rennie even reminded me about taking the picture and picked out the spot to take it!

Day 30: Ritas on the River (6/21)

After a long day, we went to have margaritas. I haven't had many drinks since Gavin was born so I haven't gone out with the intention of drinking to get a little tipsy. Which was exactly my intention tonight, just to let you know Gavin was staying the night with his aunt, so Rennie and I have the night to ourselves.  (Ew lala!!) 

Anyway, we found this place called Ritas on the River and they made a margarita that was HUGE!! I don't think you can image this size so to help, I took another pitcher to show the width of this margarita.  

That's Rennie hand that is covering the top of the glass. I drank all of mine and most of Rennies' drink. I have to say that I am a little tipsy and tired.

So I guess that I am going to head to bed. I enjoyed my night out with Rennie and I will enjoy my full night's sleep but I can't wait to see my little boy tomorrow.

Good night! ♥

Day 29: Happy Father's Day (6/20)

Happy 1st Father's Day to my husband Rennie.

...and Happy Father's Day to all those dad's out there, there's only one official father's day one the calendar but I can only hope that you appreciated and loved everyday of the year!

Day 28: Thomas Rooney's Godmother (6/19)

Today was Thomas Rooney's Baptism.  To me that means a new member into the Catholic community but also a fun filled day full of family, babies, and food!

The baptism started at 10 AM, so those of us that live in Stroud were up and at em' at 7 AM. We had to get dressed and make our hour drive to Tulsa. It's always a wonderful day when we are able to spend time together, so everyone was in a pretty good mood for being up at 7 AM (except for Sami Jo she's never happy when she wakes up!).

John and Molly chose John's brother Thomas (Tommy's name-sake, which I have a short antidote about what I like to call Tommy at the end of the blog) and our sister Dana to be the godparents. Not because I am her sister, but Dana makes a wonderful Godparent!! She's always getting a little something on a holiday, at the very least a card. Tommy couldn't have a better Godmother.

The ceremony took less than half and hour and we were all on our way to Molly and John's home. There was going to be food and fun. Between the Dowdells and the "Babinec" girls there were 11 children ranging from ages 3 to weeks old! It is so much fun to be packed into a house with so many wonderful families and gives the babies a chance to meet new friends and take over the house. We couldn't have asked for a better Saturday.

So about what we like to call Tommy: because he is named after John's brother, John and Molly like to call him Tommy. Being a Babinec we like nicknames and some of my favorite Tommy's nickname are: Tom-Tom-A-Roo, Tommy-Two-Shoes.

Congratulations to Molly, John, Jason and Tommy Dowdell

Day 27: To be at a Crossroads (6/18)

Ever wonder where the term "at a crossroad" really means? Well today I did, so I looked it up and here is what my old friend Wikipedia told me.

The term is often used metaphorically, as an abstraction of places or occasions where people meet. Unlike the terms road intersection and road junction, crossroads is used in a more figurative or poetic sense (similar to fork in the road).

As a metaphor, "to be at a crossroads" refers to any turning point with an unpredictable outcome (the literal meaning of crisis). Crossroads is also a frequent toponym, given to a hamlet located at such a junction.

It's funny I always thought that if you were at a crossroads you had some decides to make and that you knew all the options. Abruptly my family came to a crossroads. We are at a turning point in our lives that has an unpredictable outcome, meaning we have no clue where we will be at the end of the summer.  It seems our working life has all come down to this one week, and I have no control on the outcome.

I have come to find out that I am not so comfortable being at a crossroad. I like to know what's going to happen in two months, two weeks, hell even two days.

When we first got married, I thought I was comfortable being at a crossroad and I probably was! However, as the years pass and Gavin gets older, I like the idea of settling down and knowing where I am going to be in three years.

So in honor of my family's crossroads,  I took a few pictures of the railroad tracks behind our house. I love hearing the train come through during the day and sometimes at night, but I hate being stuck at the crossing when it comes through.

Day 26: Some of my Daddy (6/17)

This could end up being a really long post because of the tangents I could go off on, so I will explain my picture and hope that you will continue reading my blog for the rest of the stories.

Today my mom and I went to zumba. My dad, Gary, went with us; he just drove us and then went to have dinner at KFC, one of his favorite places to eat.  On the way home we stopped at McDonald's for a small (hopefully healthy) dinner, I got a snack wrap and a parfait. Since Dad already ate he wanted dessert, ice cream, really an Oreo McFlurry.

While he waited outside, my mom went to get the food and I went to Redbox to rent a movie. We ended up renting Dear John; which surprisingly I didn't like very much, the ending was horrible. Anyway back to my original post. Before we got out of the car Mom took our orders. Here's the conversation repeated as close to my memory:

Mom: Want do you two want?
Daddy: I want ice cream.
Emily: I want a honey mustard grilled chicken snack wrap and a parfait.
Mom: OK. Gary, what kind of ice cream?
Gary: An oreo McFlurry and (this is what inspired my post) tell them to cram it full of oreo and don't skimp on the ice-cream.

Honestly at the time I didn't think it was that funny just a something that Dad might say any day of the week. That was until I heard Mom repeat word-for-word back to the Carla and Terry. They both laughed and asked where he was and laughed again over how he wanted his McFlurry.

Now that I think about how he ordered his ice-cream it tickles my funny bone. I giggle and think, "That's my daddy." It's even funnier that on the way home he had my mom hold the steering wheel so that he could "get all his goodies" at the bottom of his McFlurry. :)

I very much enjoying this summer with my parents!

I do want to comment on something that isn't about my origial post. I have always called my dad, Daddy, ever since I could talk, so do my three sisters. Even though I am 27 years old, I still call him Daddy as do my sisters. I don't find it odd or weird that as I grew up Daddy, didn't change to Dad. In public, I still call him Daddy and it's been commented on, more than once, by friends and strangers alike.  It's who he is to me and just because I am 27 doesn't mean he isn't that same daddy he was to me when I was three, he didn't change, the way I look at him didn't change, why should his name?

As I have mentioned in an earlier post about my sisters we have come up with various names for my dad over the years. The two I use the most? Garbo and Fatty!! :)

Day 25: Morning Nap (6/16)

Thank you to my loving husband for snapping this picture while we slept.

During the summer, Rennie and I have the most wonderful schedule. Because we are both teachers we do not have to work. This allows us to both spend time with Gavin.  Our greatest idea came when we were trying to figure out how to get the most sleep!!

Every other day, I have to get up with Gavin. The other days, I get to sleep in. Gavin usually is like clockwork, he wakes up at about 7 AM. Who's ever day it is has to get up right away, as to not disturb the parent that gets to sleep in. Gavin likes to play with his toys and eat breakfast. Around 9 AM he is ready for his first nap (YEA!!). 

When it's my turn I usually give him a bottle and lay down with him on my Mom and Dad's bed. A lot of the time a gentle rub or a light pat, helps Gavin fall asleep faster. I had done this today and once Gavin falls asleep, I GET TO TAKE A NAP!

Today, Gavin moved around a lot. I guess at one point in our nap, I put my hand on him to make sure he didn't fall off the bed. Usually when he moves around I awake because I am so scared that he will crawl right off the bed. The little dare devil. I am sure I was extra nervous today because you can see he was very near the edge of the bed.

When we were asleep, Rennie woke up and usually knows where to find us after 9 AM, he came in saw this wonderful momment and took a picture. I don't look the most comfortable but I was able to nap and keep Gavin on the bed, that's all that really matters in my book! 

Day 24: My Haircut (6/15)

Two days in a row that I included a picture of myself! This blog is supposed to be about me and my family but I wasn't doing that and by not including pictures of myself, I couldn't see how I was changing in the year I was doing my Project 365. So today when I got my haircut, I thought to myself it's going to be my picture(s) of the day.

Rennie's aunt, Sharman, is a beautician and does an amazing job!! I cut about 3 inches off on the length and added highlights. I love it! It's just long enough to still put in a ponytail (because what girl doesn't love a good ponytail?!) and short enough that it doesn't lay on my shoulders.

My hair is natural curly, but thank goodness for modern times and I can "Chi" it straight in about 15 minutes. I love being able to wear it both ways; I am very lucky.

Day 23: Rain, Rain Go Away (6/14)

It's been raining here for hours. It's predicted to continue for the next three days. The water is calf deep on the rock path. The path doesn't usually collect water.

We didn't get as much rain as Oklahoma City. They received 10+ inches of rain within a few hours. They have had a flash flood warnings all morning and rescue crews working endlessly to help residents out of their homes.

Day 22: Mountain Dew (6/13)

Rennie loves Mountain Dew. Seriously. It's the only thing he ever drinks.

Now maybe that's a lie, he does drink Gatorade, maybe even water when we are playing softball or he's been outside all day. Or when we go to a restaurant that doesn't carry Mountain Dew, he will drink Dr. Pepper or Root Beer but other than that it's Mountain Dew.  (We have been known to go to certain restaurants because they carry Mountain Dew and not for the food.)

I like the to tell about the time during Lent in which Rennie completely gave up Mountain Dew. Cold turkey. If I recall he went about a week and a half before he came to me and said, "Emily, look at me. I am shaking. I can't physically do this!" From that point on during Lent Rennie limited himself to one Mountain Dew a day. The shakes and the headache went away.

He's addicted, I know that and he knows that. Right now I have FIVE cubes of Mountain Dew in the back of my Jeep because they were on sale and Rennie knows that they will not go to waste. That's 120 cans of Mountain Dew!! That's not counting the bottles of Mountain Dew that Rennie is guaranteed to buy at a gas station. Rennie likes to drink out of the bottle better anyway. That is a lot of Mountain Dew.

Not only is it a lot of Mountain Dew, but a lot of cans and bottles. I find the things every where. You name it I've found a can or bottle there. Some odd places that I've found a can or bottle would be under the bed, the bathroom, Gavin's changing table. Sometimes they are half full and forgotten about. I can always tell when Rennie has driven my Jeep, there is a Mountain Dew left behind.

It's an annoying addiction but it's really part of who Rennie is.

Day 21: Whoosh Softball (6/12)

Another Saturday, another tournament. Our softball team is from all over the state of Oklahoma. I love the team name, Whoosh. I don't know where it came from honestly, it started out as an opposing team's name. We ended up picking up some of those players up and our name became Whoosh.

We started some, for lack of a better word, cheers today that hopefully will stay with us in the coming years. When a player hits a home run we now yell, "Put in the book, Whoosh" and as we all "good job" each other after the game we just say "Whoooooooooooosssssssssssshhhhhhh."

I have always enjoyed the traditions or what some may call superstitions of the game. I have some of my own. One you can never, ever step on a foul line when crossing on or off the field and two the bats in the dugout cannot be crossed! I know silly superstitions; they probably don't help my game but I can't seem to let them go. It's just part of the game.

I am tired, it's 11:23 PM right now, we played 5 games in the Oklahoma heat, made the two hour drive home and the second thing I do is sit here and blog, the first was put my baby boy to bed.  So if this blog seems to jump from one subject to the next, please forgive me, I am tired.

Before I finish my post I do wanna give a shout out to my Whoosh my players. So I can remember the team I played with today.  In line-up order:

1. Damond
2. Kritter
3. Cheyenne
4. Margo
5. Jeremy
6. Me!
7. Rennie
8. Netta
9. A.J.
10. Amber
11. Lance
12. Erica

Go Whoosh!

Day 20: Rennie's Mask (6/11)

You may be asking yourself, "What is this?" Well it's almost the weekend and summer weekends mean slow-pitch softball. Still haven't answered your question have I?

As you know, Rennie and I play adult softball. Rennie has pitched slow-pitch for years. Even after his cancer he still continues to stand on the mound and pitch to men and women 53 feet away, the closet infielder to the batter.  So your still asking yourself, why does an adult softball player need a mask? Not even for batting but for pitching?!

Well, it can be dangerous. The pitcher's mound is in the middle of the field. So many players try to stay away from hitting "the middle." The reason is because it is so close to the batter, it's considered an unwritten rule to not hit at the pitcher...

...BUT IT HAPPENS, and happens often.

The reason it happens is because a batter, usually a man, hits "up the middle." It may not be on purpose (most men are able to control where they hit), it may be on accident but regardless, a man hits "up the middle." This pisses off the opposing team and the middle is now "open." Meaning that any player can hit at the pitcher and it's consider appropriate behavior.

Back to why Rennie has a helmet for pitching, when Rennie was 21 he developed cancer in his nasal passages. After the first surgery to remove the cancer, he also lost his cheek bone and part of his top jaw bone. Therefore he has a large mouth piece that supports the eye socket muscle and gives his face features.

Many other pitchers wear a helmet to protect themselves from those hits "up the middle." I have been after Rennie for years to buy a helmet but he refused, thought of himself as invisible or that it wouldn't happen to him. 

Enter into our lives, Gavin.  I again urge Rennie to get a helmet to wear for Gavin's sake. Lo and behold a helmet is bought. THANK THE LORD!!

If you don't believe me about players hitting the middle, check out softball players hitting the middle on youtube. It happens nightly and it can be deathly.

Day 19: The Carousel (6/10)

After spending the last couple of days doing different things, Rennie and I thought a trip to Tulsa for the day was a great way to spend some family time. We waited until Gavin was ready for his morning nap --thank goodness busy, little boys need two naps a day!!-- loaded up --because when you have a child it's never just a pick up and go kinda day anymore-- and headed to Tulsa.

We had no plans and no time schedule. I love these kinds of days just going where we want and seeing where we end up! Sometime during the day we ending up at the mall, no rhyme or reason, just somewhere to walk around and enjoy the day. I never noticed all the children's items in the mall, the rent-able strollers, the play place, the toys in the middle aisles, the ride-able train, and of course the carousel.

Sometimes I see these things and think, "Oh Gavin will enjoy these things so much when he is older!" Today it hit me, HE IS OLD ENOUGH to enjoy these things. He may not understand them or know what to expect but he will laugh and look and enjoy. He has grown so fast, sometimes I think he's still an infant. (By infant I mean: not aware of his surroundings, to young to enjoy the "big" kid things.)

Anyway, we saw the carousel and decided that Gavin had to ride it!! He got on and was smiling just sitting on the horse and hold the pole, but when the horse started to move and go up and down he loved it! He enjoyed the entire ride, whenever he saw me, he would just smile the huge (now toothy!) grin and wait until he saw me again.

Oh how I love my boys!

Day 18: The Sushi House (6/9)

My first real experience with sushi!! I enjoyed it and ate all but four pieces. I will definitely be going back to eat and try different kinds of rolls.

Thanks to my Grandma Schluge for a wonderful lunch. ♥

Day 17: Summer Sun Protection (6/8)

I was never really concerned about applying suntan lotion; that was until I had Gavin. Now whenever we go outside the first thing I do is apply suntan lotion and then re-apply hours later. :)

Of course that doesn't mean I apply it to myself. We spent all day outside the last couple of days, I got a sunburned, while Gavin stayed baby soft white!

Day 16: Stroud, OK (6/7)

My THREE stop light town.

I grew up in Lake Worth Florida that has a population of 1,265,293 and when I was in the 7th grade my family and I moved to Stroud, Oklahoma that has a population of  2,726! It was such a culture shock. I can only thank God and my parents that they decided to move when I was in middle school thus making the move exciting. If I was in high school and driving I don't know what I would have done! 

I have enjoyed living in the small town. However if I had my choice I would definitely be in a city. I want to be able to run to Walmart or Target and not have to drive 20 miles; or sign Gavin and I up for music classes or swim lessons without having to drive to Tulsa or Oklahoma City (or what people in Oklahoma call The City.) 

I know that there are many pros and cons to living in both a small town or a large city. We have weighted them as a family and when Rennie and I have the opportunity to choose where we will live it's going to be in a city. (The choice is not up to us right now; but that's a totally different blog!!)

So in honor of small town life every where I have found this on the Internet. I remember reading it years ago when I was in high school and laughing because sadly most of it's true. I took the liberty of highlighting those that apply to me (and me only!). Enjoy!!

You know you're from Oklahoma if:
1. You can properly pronounce Eufaula, Gotebo, Okemah, and Chickasha.
2. You think that people who complain about the wind in their states are sissies.
3. A tornado warning siren is your signal to go out in the yard and look for a funnel.
4. Your idea of a traffic jam is ten cars waiting to pass a tractor on the highway.
5. You've ever had to switch from "heat" to "A/C" in the same day.
6. You know that the true value of a parking space is not determined by the distance to the door, but by the availability of shade.
7. Stores don't have bags, they have sacks.
8. You see people wear bib overalls at funerals.
9. You think everyone from a bigger city has an accent.
10. You measure distance in minutes.
11. You refer to the capital of Oklahoma as "The City."
12. It doesn't bother you to use an airport named for a man who died in an airplane crash
13. Little smokies are something you serve only for special occasions.
14. You go to the lake because you think it is like going to the ocean.
15. You listen to the weather forecast before picking out an outfit.
16. You know cow pies are not made of beef.
17. Someone you know has used a football schedule to plan their wedding date.
18. You have known someone who has had one belt buckle bigger than your fist.
19. A bad traffic jam involves two cars staring each other down at a four-way stop, each determined to be the most polite and let the other go first.
20. You know in which state Miam-uh is and in which state Miam-ee is.
21. You aren't surprised to find movie rental, ammunition, and bait all in the same store.
22. Your "place at the lake" has wheels under it.
23. A Mercedes Benz is not a status symbol. A Ford F350 4x4 is a GT.
24. You know everything goes better with Ranch.
25. You learned how to shoot a gun before you learned how to multiply.
26. You have heard the following conversation on more that one occasion. "You wanna coke?" "Yeah." "What kind?" "Dr. Pepper."

I could explain why each one that I have highlighted has applied to me but this post is long enough! Don't think I am making fun of Oklahomans, because I'm not. Ask anyone who lives in OK they would read this list laugh and say, "Yep, those are all true."

Extra Picture...

I love this photograph!! Gavin loves to look at his reflection in Rennie's sunglasses. After days of not able to catch a picture, I couldn't help sharing once I was able to capture it!!

Day 15: Unending Mess (6/6)

Staying at my parent's house we have combined Nana and PopPop's toys with ours so there is an excessive amount of toys. When the kids play (whether it's one or all three), the bucket of toys HAS to be turned over and the ALL of the toys are pulled out.

Although it never ceases to amaze me that each child will dig through the piles and always pull out the same toys over and over again!

By the time someone has picked up the bucket of toys it probably gets dumped back out within the hour. It's a constant, unending job!

Day 14: Aww, The Life

Rye, Dana and Jeff came to Stroud for the weekend. This morning Dana, Rye, Gavin and I all went to Cushing McDonald's see my Dad and then to Walmart. The kiddies fell asleep on the way home.

Wouldn't it be nice to sleep anytime and anywhere and it be socially acceptable? :)

Day 13: Golf Outting (6/4)

Rennie and I decided that we wanted to go golfing today. I do have clubs and have numerous times attempted to play. I like the idea of the game; I'm just not good enough to enjoy it. Rennie says that no one is good enough to enjoy golf but everyone still plays. :)

Because it's just Rennie and I at home for the summer, we have no one to stay home with Gavin while we golf. So we thought we will just take him with us. We took his car seat, which has hooks on the back that hook onto metal rings in the car, took those hooks and used them to hook the car seat onto the golf cart.

I know I've said this before but Gavin is a pretty easy going kid. As long as Rennie or I is present Gavin is satisfied. It's a great quality to have, especially with Rennie and I who are always doing something or trying something new. We seem to be always on the go and Gavin flows right with us. It's wonderful that we all mesh as a family.

Back to golf, I wasn't sure that we would make it through 9 holes of golf. (I don't play 18 because it's to aggravating for me!) We strapped in Gavin and off we went. He enjoyed the first 4 holes and feel asleep the next 4 holes. When he woke up, I thought for sure he would be whinny but he enjoyed the cart ride and the wonderful breeze.

As for scoring and who won, we all know that Rennie beat me. I did however beat him on one hole and tied him on another. That in my book of golfing is a successful day!

Day 12: The Stairs (6/3)

Please forgive me for the poor quality of the picture. I was worried he would fall back, therefore was rushed. Believe me this is one of the better pictures!

My parents house is a two-story house, this is the first time Gavin has ever been around stairs. We did have ONE step in the rent house and Gavin liked to go up and down on it. However, I was not prepared for his LOVE of climbing stairs. I also wasn't prepared for my fear of the stairs either.

It started the first day we had moved in, I was upstairs putting together the crib when my Dad said, "Here we come." I looked out of the room and my Dad is looking down. Gavin had, on his first attempt, climbed all 18 steps.

Since that first accomplishment, we have put a baby gate in front of the stairs. And whenever Gavin thinks he wants to climb the stairs, he will wonder over there and as soon as he sees the baby gate, he will throw a huge tantrum. It's actually his "I am hurt" cry.  Gavin never cries! Well I shouldn't say never, you've seen Gavin and he likes his food, he does cry when he's hungry.

Anyway, I am just saying Gavin isn't picky as to what happens around him. He's pretty easy-going, so this comes as a surprise that he gets so upset about something. He must really love climbing those stairs.

Day 11: Summer Reading (6/2)

A quick thanks to my husband who bought me these books without having to be asked! :)

I love to read, absolutely love it. If anyone ever asked what I do with my spare time I READ!! I like to say that I can read anything and most of the times it's true but there are a few genres that I just can't get into: autobiographies, biographies, lots of non-fiction (I figures that if I am going to spend my time reading why not read something not real), lots of classics (just because they are difficult to read and I want a quick, easy read) and documentary books.

 It literally drives Rennie and my family nuts. They don't understand the pleasure I get from reading. I once had the following conversation with my husband.

Emily: Can we please stop at Barnes and Nobles? (I have a gift card and haven't totally used it up.)

Rennie: For what?

Emily: There's this book I want.

Rennie: There's always a book you want.

Emily: True but there's a specific book I want right now.

Rennie: OK we'll stop by.

(I love him so much because he doesn't get it but helps out with my addiction!)

Rennie: Why do you like to read?

(I've been asked this question numerous times before, by my dad, sisters, grandparents and Rennie. This is the best way that I can describe it to those of you that don't read.)

Emily: Well it's entertaining to me. It's like watching your favorite weekly show but instead of watching only half of an hour or an hour you get to see the entire serious without a hiatus, or weekly breaks. You can read in a hour or two what may take years to watch. I see the same pictures that you see on TV in my head when I read.

Rennie: OK but it's still work.

Emily: It's not work if you enjoying doing it.

It's probably one of the hardest questions to answer and I am a teacher I've had some hard questions thrown at me. Every reader probably wouldn't answer it the same way I would but it helps and I usually don't get asked every time I pull out a new book.

My family knows that when I go on vacation the hardest thing for my to pack was my books.

• 
  
  Do I have enough?
• 
  
  Will I be able to get more?
• 
  
  What if I don't like the ones I bring, will I still have enough?

When I played softball at St. Gregory's I always enjoyed the long trips to play, because it gave me time to read. I usually got made fun of for reading but there have been times I have turned others into readers!

Now that I have Gavin, most of my time is devoted to him. I read less now then I have in years and it makes me sad that I don't read as much. But I can't say I would have it any other way. I don't want to be that person that chooses books over people interaction (although at times I would!!) I like to think I have a nice balance in my life that includes reading.

If you like to read non-fiction or about sports, I found this book by accident. I read it quickly and loved it. I hope that you do too.

Day 10: All but one of my Sisters (6/1)

My sisters came to Stroud today to visit!!! I love when we are together, even though Sami Jo wasn't here (lucky her, she's in Spain) we always have fun. Add the babies and it's a blast.

Some of the things I love about my sisters and I (not in any specific order): 

• 
  
  how we help with each others children
• 
  
  we all love gLee
• 
  
  we giggle about the dumb things
• 
  
  we make up words (ALL 3 of our husbands hate this!)
• 
  
  we have various names for our dad
• 
  
  we share food and drinks (except for milk)
• 
  
  we are ALWAYS sarcastic
• 
  
  we are annoyed by exactly the same things
• 
  
  we can laugh at our mistakes and our children
• 
  
  we can ask for an honest opinion....and get it.
• 
  
  we call each other for no reason
• 
  
  we remember...
• 
  
  we remember and retell over and over :D

I can't imagine my life without them.