Oooh La La - My Latest Canvas

I just finished painting another canvas for Classroom Corner. It's a 6 foot canvas that they'll display when they have "spa-themed" birthday parties. They offer lots of different themes and it's a GREAT place to have a party! Check them out!!!

"A's" Big Moment

Last year, "A" was so close to learning how to ride her bike without training wheels but she just wasn't quite big or strong enough. So yesterday for some reason, she decided she wanted to try again. I think she was very determined because a lot of her friends are riding without training wheels. So Steve helped her and within minutes she was riding by herself! She was so excited! She's becoming such a big girl ;-)

Memorial Day '09

We started a tradition last year of going to Floral Haven Cemetery for Memorial Day. The cemetery itself spreads over many, many acres - and to see it covered with flags is truly amazing! So we went again this year but also took my mother to see it. It was neat to share that experience with her and our girls. Here's a few pics from our time at Floral Haven...

End of Soccer Season

It's finally the end of soccer season! Yea! I mean Boooooo! I mean Yea!!! I mean Booooo! Let's just say we're looking forward to a break (even though most of our games were cancelled due to rain) and will probably begin again next fall!

Here's a few pics from "A's" last soccer practice...

Last soccer game...

And Awards Ceremony at CiCi's Pizza...
"A" had a GREAT time playing soccer this season! She really liked her coach and improved so much! We're so proud of her for trying so hard!

End-of-the-Year Party

We had so much fun at our homeschool Co-Op End-of-the-Year Party this past Monday night! It was held at Discovery church's indoor playground and outdoor courtyard! We ate yummy pizza, sno cones and cookies, played soccer, did face painting, got tatoos, played on the playground and some even caught frogs! This one will be hard to top next year!

Field Trip to Woodward Park

Our homeschool Co-Op had an awesome time on a field trip to Woodward Park this past Thursday! It was such beautiful weather and a great place for taking pictures! We toured the rose and vegetable gardens then had lunch on the lawns. The kids also had a fun time feeding and watching the squirrels.

Mother's Day '09

I had a very nice Mother's Day yesterday and have done a lot of reflection lately about being a mom and how blessed I am to have my 2 sweet girls in my life.

After church, we went to Steve's parent's house to celebrate Mother's Day with his parents, his sister and her family. We had a delicious lunch and a nice time visiting.

Then we went to see my mother who recently moved to our same town a few months ago. It was nice to spend Mother's Day with her - looking back, I think it may have even been our first Mother's Day we spent together both as mothers.

After that, we went home and Steve and the girls gave me with presents and lots of homemade cards, signs and bookmarks (my favorite kinds of gifts!) Then they surprised me with a lotion footrub...

Mother's Day songs as only "A" can sing them ;-)

and my big surprise of the evening came from "M". She entered a contest at Chick-fil-A and wrote an essay about me. She's been conspiring with her daddy lately but for a good cause ;-)

Here's what she wrote...

I am doing a contest for, "The Best Mom in the World"! Here is my S.A.

What my Mom Means to me

Dear family and friends,

I joined this contest because my mom is loving, wise, inspiring and kind. She always makes time for me and my sister and cares for us! Also she likes to do things for me like take us shopping, to the park and on field trips. In addition to that, she spends a lot of time homeschooling us. This is our third year to home school and I like it very much. She also has a painting job on the side and loves painting kids murals! My mom has spent a lot of time painting rooms in our house. She has painted our room, bathroom, hideout, school room, and dance room that has a stage and a dance bar.

My mom also has a blog where she writes about us. Here is something she wrote on her blog: I am a stay-at-home/home school mom to 2 precious girls. Wife to my hubby and best friend for 16 years. I also have a side painting business where I paint faux finishes, murals, furniture, etc. - I especially love to do kid's rooms. My to-do list: love God. Laugh at myself often. Never take my family for granted. Create things. Make new friends. Enjoy every moment of life. Take pictures. Leave the world a more beautiful place. Never stop learning. Plant flowers. Live large.

Here is a poem I found on the Internet:

Mommy, I love you for all that you do.

I'll kiss you and hug you 'cause you love me, too.

You feed me and need me to teach you to play,

So smile 'cause I love you on this Mother's Day.

I love you Mom and Jesus does too!

She also found this poem on the internet and tweaked it a little with her own wording...

My mom is very sweet and always caring.

She worries about me when I am making new choices.

She makes sure that I get where I am going on time so that I don't feel out.

She cares whenever I pick on my younger sister.

She cares whenever she or I get hurt.

She cares whenever my sister scores a goal in soccer.

She cares about the buttons on my shirt.

But best of all, my mom loves all of us who live with her,

both when we're good and bad.

She makes me happy with a hug and kisses

and holds my hand whenever I am sad.

I had a very memorable day and am so appreciative of my two sweet girls.

Create Paint Decorate!

So I recently decided to start another blog. This one is for my little painting business I do on the side. You can check it out here ;-)

OU/OSU Bedlam Game at Driller's Stadium

We went to the OU/OSU Bedlam baseball game at the Tulsa Driller's Stadium last night with some friends. Unfortunately OSU lost but we had a good time anyway!

Walking to the stadium...ORANGE POWER!!!
Pre-game Family Night

We ate some yummy pre-game food - hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, coleslaw and baked beans. The girls also got all kinds of goodies including bubbles, hats, toothbrushes and glow sticks!

Ready for the game to start...

Courtney and "A"
Steve & me ;-)
"M" and me ;-)
Yes, we did actually watch some of the game and didn't just take pics all night ;-)

Courtney
"A"

Field Trip to Phillips 66 Museum

Phillips 66 Museum
May 8, 2009
Bartlesville, OK

Run to Breathe 5K

I just ran my first 5K yesterday and what an experience it was! We had very unusual weather for May - cold and rainy. And I don't mean just sprinkling - it was pouring down rain. I suppose in a way it was a good thing because it made us run faster! My friend, Brandi, and I ran the route last weekend to make sure we could even run that far. Our time then was about 42 minutes but our time at the race was 34:34! That's pretty good for us! Even though I was totally dreading running in the bad weather, I'm so glad I did and it was actually a lot of fun! Plus, the proceeds went to a great cause - cystic fibrosis. Here's a few pics from the run...

You couldn't miss Brandi and me in our pink rain ponchos! This is a pic of us with Jennifer Palmer. The race was actually held in memory of her sweet daughter, Haley, who lost her battle with CF a few years ago. Jennifer has amazing strength and always has a smile on her face. She's a true inspiration to all who come across her path.

Post race - sopping wet but we did it!!!

My friends, Maribeth & Heather

Group pic of all the runners

Mayor Cautadella thanking everyone for participating in the run
Handing out medals and door prizes
My friend, Katie, won 1st in her age group ;-)