I miss...

CAMPING!

 

 

I forgot how much I loved camping!

 

Before I could walk until I was about 15 years old... "we" went camping at least twice a year.

Labor Day and Memorial Day!

 

As in "we..." I mean like 30 people! My whole family, aunts and uncles, cousins, neighbors, & friends. Not just any camping though... We went to Brown County to Horseman's Campground. There would be stock trailers {another story in a minute} loaded with horses, campers, trailers, and tents everywhere.

 

As a child of the group... we got kicked out of the trailers and ended up sleeping on an air mattress in the stock trailer. Don't get me wrong... we had a blast... and the parents did give us a fan... on the hottest days of the year!

 

For days... there would be no TV, no cell phones, no internet... just a whole bunch of family time.

• One of my favorite memories... creek stomping! We would play in the creek for hours!
•      One of my worst memories... having chicken pox while there... not being able to be out in the sun because it made me itch like crazy! I had to sit in the shade and color all day!

I learned A LOT of things at camp... life lessons we will call them!

Some Good... Some Bad...

 

I forgot how peaceful sitting at the campsite could be!

 

Last night, while visiting Adam, Ashley, the Boys, Dad, and Cherie... all those memories came flooding back. It didn't matter if Ty and the neighbor girl were running around or Coy was making noises trying to get our attention... it was still peaceful... and we weren't too far from home.  

 

We were also in a camping group! This group used to camp 2-3 times a year as well. Some of them still camp and others don't... because LIFE got in the way.

 

As crazy as our lives are... dance, sports, work, 4-H... I want the kids to have memories like I have... from CAMPING!

I'm starving...

 

and it's all because I started looking up recipes...

then I started looking at pictures of food...

next i was on Pinterest...

then I saw a cool craft...

 and a new fall outfit...

wow, I should cut my hair like that... 

 

A-D-D OVERLOAD!

 

So, Ashley and Adam are camping this weekend and I thought we'd {Tom and I} go crash their campsite. I wanted to take a new dip recipe for us all to try... ANY IDEA?

 

MY BFF made [Chuy's] jalapeno ranch dip last weekend which was amazing.

My other "mom" makes a great {Cowboy Cavier} salsa.

 

I'm at work until 4 with a photo shoot right before we leave so maybe Tom will make something?!

 

NO... I promised I wouldn't ask him to do anything today:

 

EXCEPT:

get out lb. of burger

play with dog

put away clothes

get estimate from gutter guy

I know I'm forgetting something...

 

Anyway, I LOVE pinterest... but I'm always starving by the time scroll through the food section.

 

 I must scroll through the favorite pins...

 

AND THEN... it makes me think I could become Martha Stewart...

 

AND that I should sell all my clothes, buy a new wardrobe.

 

AND that I should call my hair stylist for a new cut and color... {Hubby would kill me!}

 

You know what happened next:

 

I had to screen shot 100 poses for my next photo shoot!

 

What was I doing...

OH YEAH...

a recipe...

GEEZ!

 

 

 



That one person...

 

that you can't stand! I'm trying super hard to NOT talk bad about her... BUT she is making it super hard!!

 

Why is she like this... ugh!?!

 

I'll I keep saying is the Serenity Prayer...

 

 

 

**GOD, GRANT ME PATIENCE**

 

PLEASE!!

 

 

I thought my problem was going to be solved... but it wasn't, so I'm really going to have to bite my tongue and turn it over to God!

 

I'll not only pray for me... but for her! And maybe the person that has had to listen to me complain for so long...

 

 

Complaining wasn't working... and I quit praying for this situation, but I'm going to start again. I was turning into such a negative person... 

 

 

Here's to my Monday... on a Holiday Weekend!

 

 

 

Not complaining... thankful that I have a job that I love...



FANTASY FOOTBALL...

 

is NOT just for men!

 

This is my profile picture for my ESPN league...

 

THAT'S RIGHT...

 

I'm in 2 leagues! The other one is through FOX sports. One is free (which I'll probably win) and the other  I paid $20 to join (which I'll probably lose!) That's usually how it works for me... when no money is on the line... I do better!

 

 Oh well... It's all fun and games!

 

I thought my hubby and I may comes to [blows] during the draft... haha! I have a pretty awesome team... with Manning as my QB! I'm urked with one of my co-workers for stealing the Seahawks Defensive from me! JK... kind of!! I'm a little nervous about the "sleepers" my hubby picked. I have another live draft tomorrow night... so we shall see...

 

Want to hear the best part... my team name...

 

URINE SCREEN PASSES!

 

Kind of fitting since most everyone on that team is from HCCC!

 

Last year, in the FOX league... I just used MUSSELMAN'S MEN... so, I'm still trying to come up with something cleaver... Always taking suggestions! 

 

HOW ABOUT THE REGULAR FOOTBALL SEASON?!?!

 

What do I look forward to most:

 

1. Weekly picks from grandma, my mom & siblings, and buddies...

 plus all the comments and reasonings on their picks...

 

2. Sunday Funday at Eric & Ali's (on my off weekends) 

 

3. Fall... Campfires, Jeans, Hoodies, Harvest


MEET MY BFF...

 

STACY!

 

I believe that God puts people in our lives for a purpose...

And Stacy is my sanity!

 

She is the one I can call {at any hour} just to vent...

She is the one who will call me on my BS and tell me I'm being ridiculous...

She is the one who will stand by my side no matter what choices I make...

She is the one who would never spread gossip or judge me...

She is the one who can make me laugh... or laugh at me for random things...

{not at me... with me... no... at me!}

She is the one who I count on for a lot!

Stacy and I met years ago... Through 4-H, FFA, Judging Teams... our paths crossed. It wasn't until a few years ago when I found my Best Friend! We have some of the best times together.

 

 I love her husband [Nathan] and Madison! Our families mesh well... and one day Haley will probably baby sit Madison so the adults can go out! {Scary!}

 

Thank you for being you!

Thank you for always being there for me!



Our Weekend...

 

was jammed packed... like {always!}

 

FRIDAY: I picked the kiddos up from school and we went home for a few. Actually... just long enough to go through their folders and for Drew to pack an overnight bag. He was going to stay at a friend's house for his birthday. After dropping him off and feeding Tom and Haley dinner... Cody, Heidi, & Kenz came over! It was a nice evening of the girls playing and the adults playing euchre.

**Mind you... it rained all morning, so my senior photo shoot got delayed!**

 

SATURDAY: We all got to sleep in... until 8:30am! WooHoo!! I woke sis up... went and picked Drew... only to take him directly to another birthday party. {social kid!} Haley and I went to my dad's to take senior pictures of Lauren... who is gorgeous and go with the flow. I enjoy her mom so much even though I do not know them outside of taking pictures. Tom picked Drew up for me from party number 2 and we ended up getting home at the same time. We had lunch and some down time as a family, before the kids headed off to Mammaw Rhonda's while Tom and I went to the Colts vs. Saints game. We tailgated through downpours and had fun at the game. Picked the kids up... and crashed!

 

SUNDAY: We all got to sleep in... again... until 8:15am! WooHoo!! Stacy (see next post about her) tried iTown with Heidi, Kenz, the kids, and I this week... but not before we had breakfast at Jack's Donuts! Tom got to golf at PebbleBrook with Nathan and Chad! Good times! Dave's sermon was awesome: 2 Legit 2 Quit... on your kids! It hit home in some areas and was nice to here. I am a strict parent (kind of and depending who you ask... I can pick our battles [if i discipline now... i won't have to as much later]) but the kids know right from wrong and hopefully won't stray too far from center as they continue to grow older.

**remember all the rain... it ruined our canoe plans... and we were all bummed**

 

HOWEVER... sunday funday must go on...

 

Swimming and pitch-in at Amy & Justin's!

{we are all fried and I feel like the worst mother because kids are miserable!}

 

LET ME TELL YOU HOW THANKFUL I AM FOR WEEKENDS OFF WITH MY KIDS... AND TOM!

You all know our crazy schedules, so 3 days off as a whole family doesn't happen very often. BLESSED!

 

 

Can I just say...

 

I have been missing my hubby!

 

Between my 12 hour shifts and his 24 hour shifts... that may or may or may not be on the same days... We go HOURS or DAYS without seeing each other! It works for us... but sometimes I need some US time!

 

While driving to Pendleton last night... I kept talking... about random things {because that's what I do} and he said, "you're killing my jam session!" [I knew I was!]

 

We went to Sahm's last night for dinner... just the two of us!

 I was nice to finally sit down and just chat.  

 

Then we asked each other..

 

"What are your goals and dreams for the next year?"

 

So... what are your goals and dreams for the next 12 months...
 

 

I love you, babe!!

SO PROUD...

 

of this group!

 

Meet most of the members of Lapel Stony Creek Fire!

 Lapel Stony Creek Fire 2014
 

 



Most of you know that I was a police officer for many years; both paid and as a reserve. I {loved} being a cop! I never felt close to that group though. I also got to the point where I didn't work enough to feel safe. Amongst many other issues, I decided to leave the
 police world...

 

and join the...

 

fire world.
Over the past few months, I have received my EMT & many other certifications and found another family. This group of individuals is willing to step up and help/ teach at any moment. My hubby was already great friends with some of the guys and NOW I understand that bond.

 

It's pretty awesome to know that I could {and have} pick up the phone and call them to come help me at any point. With Tom being gone one 24s, it's nice to have them close... just in case!

 

Examples: A "HUGE" 'possum in my garage that needed killed! Neighbor kid's mom running into my house because he's bleeding from his head. Moving heavy furniture... and then moving it back! Reading a report that just isn't flowing! To just being there when a family member died!

From the bottom of my heart... THANK YOU!

From the petty fights and disagreements to the immediate action that may need to be taken... we are a team that sticks together!

Here's to the future of LFD and building our new "HOME!"

 

WHEN LIFE GETS...

BUSY...

 

I miss church! I really miss iTown church!

 

I think a whole series [or two] has passed since we've been...

NOT GOOD!

 

We introduced friends (John and Alyssa) to iTown and now we don't have time to go with them!

We always planned Sunday mornings with Cody, Heidi, and Kenz around Jack's Donuts and iTown...
and now...

 

 LIFE {OR} EXCUSES HAVE GOTTEN IN THE WAY!

 

Sometimes I don't alway prioritize right...

I have to work every other Sunday...

I make up excuses...

 

If you don't know who Randy Houser is...

check out this song:

BACK TO GOD

 

It is one of my all time favorites!

 

 

 

HAPPY SUNDAY, EVERYONE!!

IS IT WRONG...

 

 

that while driving to work about 3:30 am... all I can think about when another car passes me is that they have been drinking... or are drunk? No joke, this is honestly what I think about when I see headlights. I watch them super close and make sure they stay on their side of the road... I watch them from a distance and make sure I don't see their lights swerving back and forth... I watch them in my rear view mirror to make sure they didn't run off the road after we've passed.

 

Is that wrong?

 

I completely understand people work crazy hours... I am one of those people! I have {inmates} that work 3rd shift or start work at 3 am...

 

Do I always think the worst of people?

 

I always thought I trusted people until they proved me wrong... and I guess to some point I still do {HOWEVER} when you work were I work... You don't trust anyone. Not true... I completely trust the 3 guys that come in at 6 am... and 2-3 others coworkers, but I don't believe a word that comes out of my {inmates'} mouths.

 

Do I trust people?

 

Sadly... less and less! But why?

Hmmm....

 Sometimes secrets are meant to keep from hurting others until the truth is out there.

Sometimes {always}... the past is just that... the past... for a reason!

 

Trust is such a HUGE thing... you can destroy something so easily!

 

I do understand [two] items:

 

1. Without trust as your foundation... you have nothing!

 

2. Break my trust once (same on you)... Break my trust twice (same on me)

 

Now... let me say this:

 

There are some family bonds and friendships that I have built on trust and I cherish those relationships! I LOVE knowing I can count on them... anytime!

 

I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE THIS BLOG POST CAME FROM!

SQUIRREL! LEFT FIELD! SHINY OBJECT!

 

Back to my "drunk" drivers at 3 am... I hope you just have crazy work hours {like me} and haven't been drinking all night!

THE MOST RANDOM...

 

 

things happen to me?!

 

This morning at 0330... I was driving down SR 32 to work... when ... 2 HORSES appeared on the side of the road. Yes, that's right... horses! I am a farm girl and we've had our fair share of phone calls in the middle of the night... telling us cattle or horses are out {HOWEVER} I about smoked them. I immediately turned my flashers on and called dispatch.

 

(I secretly prayed they weren't dads!)

 

I started to slowly back up so I could keep my headlights on them. They were nowhere to be found!

 

(Did I just imagine all of this? Am I losing my mind? I swear I just saw horses!)

 

I kept backing down the middle of the highway {still talking to dispatch, with my flashers on} and spotted them in someone's front yard. So, I pulled in the driveway and pondered how to approach this situation.

 

(OMG- I still have a rope [aka lasso] in the car from Coy's pictures! I hope the home owner doesn't come out with a gun! Block the driveway with my car so maybe they won't run back onto the road! Where is the deputy to help me!?! Dispatch- can you call my work and tell them I'll be late?)

 

The homeowner did come out... and spotlighted me! Told him what was going on and he went to get another rope {a ski rope} out of his garage to help me. Deputy went to the neighbors and discovered they were missing 4 other horses. Lady home owner comes out and starts feeding the horses we just caught... APPLES!

 

In the end... this all took about 40 minutes! Horses {at least 2 of them} are back in the barn!

WELCOME...

 TO THE 30s CLUB!!

 

 

 

We love you! You are an amazing wife, mom, sister, aunt, daughter, and friend!

 

Your boys mean the world to me!

 

 

Vacationing with you is a blast and I can't wait for our next couple trips planned!

 

 

You are truly a best friend! I love you!

 

Happy 30th Birthday!!

 

Bring on the Margaritas and Tacos!

FOREVER...

 

 

 

 

DADDY'S GIRL!

 

 

 

Last night after work, I was exhausted. The kids were with Justin and Tom was on shift. I had a situation on my mind and I didn't want to talk about it on the phone. Actually, I am not supposed to talk about it at all, but I needed some advice and someone who would be honest with me and someone who wouldn't spread {what I was about to say} around.

 

I turned right, then left while finishing a phone on my drive home and I found myself in my dad's driveway. Not even thinking about it.... I went inside. NO parent wants to hear, "I need to talk to you!" [The looks on their faces were priceless!] Cherie and Dad listened to this situation and were able to give me options. They didn't tell me what I had to do or make me feel like my decisions would be wrong.

 

I am so thankful for them! I am so blessed that I have both of them to turn too. As my previous post stated: FAMILY FIRST! 

You know...

 

those {certain} people... you can count on for ANYTHING?

 

These are MY people!

 

 

Moto GP 2014

 

These are my siblings & their spouses!

These are [some of ] my best friends!

I love the fact that I have 2 brothers and 1 sister that I am super close with. I love the fact that we are all happily married and love each others spouses. I love that we live close enough to get together frequently... but then again... never enough.

We all work crazy hours and have different "busy" seasons, but Moto GP is becoming an Annual Sibling Day! This is our 2nd time attending! Thank you to Beck's (where one brother works)... we got suite passes complete with food and drinks. PLUS, a golf cart to run around the whole track.

Even if you never follow racing, it is FUN to be at the track. It is amazing the speeds that these [young] drivers can reach and how low they get to the ground when taking turns.

Let's be honest: I honestly couldn't have told you one driver... except the fact we remembered last years winner! I did however talk to one of the guys at the FD who used to have a bike with REPSOL on it and he filled me in.

GO MARQUEZ... he had won 9 straight races and was going for his 10th! What an awesome accomplishment. I cheered for him and he WON!

 

Marquez Garage Area

 

Until next year... SIBLING DAY 2014 WAS A SUCCESS!

Disappointed...

We went and looked at a house last night and I think I fell in love with the setting: quiet, back road, pond (stocked), green, beautiful...

4 car garage, 4 bed rooms, 2 living rooms, 2 bathrooms, double sided fire place up stairs, and another fire place downstairs, space for man cave, stainless steel appliances, good windows...

All that... AND... the house was just ok... not what I had hoped for... but why do I feel disappointed? I shouldn't at all!

dis·ap·point·ed [ dìssə póyntəd ]

not satisfied: unhappy because something was not as good, attractive, or satisfactory as expected, or because something hoped for or expected did not happen

** just so you know... the main floor bathroom WAS the master bathroom and all 3 bedrooms were on the main floor... They were smaller than I had expected and there was hardly ANY CLOSET space. Dad told me to sell my clothes... I could stand to get rid of a few! I am spoiled that I have a walk through closet and I don't want to share a bathroom with the kids!

Am I spoiled? Yes (in a good way) and No... I worked hard for what I have...

Are my expectations too high? No...

God knows the perfect time to put people and/or things in our lives! It is all in his hands.
HE has a plan!

We will continue to look, but are in no rush...

Our house is in a good location and fits our needs... so I won't complain! :) I'm thankful to have a roof over our heads and a place that keeps us save and dry! I am grateful and VERY blessed...

grate·ful [ gráytfəl ]

 

feeling or expressing thanks: having or showing the desire or reason to thank somebody

 

comforting: giving pleasure or comfort

REALLY?!?!

I honestly haven't blogged since May, 2012?! No way... well, I'm back! Now... I just have to find sometime to write about.... Stay Tuned...

For now... an update about life:

Haley is 10! She just started 5th grade last week and is beautiful inside and out! My girl got contacts and looks so much older and I'm not ready. She will kill me, but she MUST wear a bra! I was chatting with Justin and Trish the other day and told them to make sure she always has one on at this point. EH.... I'm so not ready for all things puberty and the tween age! She is my side kick and I love to watch her creative juices flow! She starts dance again in September at Wishes. She will be taking ballet and hip hop! The girl has some moves! She is on Cub News for the school and ready to run for Student Council again. She just finished her 2nd year of 4-H and did amazing!

My blonde hair (it's turning darker), blue eyed boy is 8 and a 3rd grader! This kid amazes me: his love of the outdoors, sports, farming, and firefighting. He loves to learn and discover. He ask questions that I don't know the answers to half the time. He has grown so much... I just noticed in a picture taken at the Indiana State Fair that he has now past my chin. Won't be long... and I'll be looking up. He had an awesome year of baseball and will try out for travel basketball next week. Drew can golf, too!

Both of my kiddos are awesome at drawing too! They didn't get that from Justin or me... ?! I love that they love crafts!!

Tom and I are great!! I can't believe we've been married 13 months... time flies!

He's landed his dream job as a Carmel Firefighter and loves being able to work for my dad on his days off. He's becoming quite the farm hand!!

Starting to think about househunting! We have a location in mind... now to find the perfect house or piece of ground! I love going to look at houses! I'm also stoked that my (ex) MIL and I (Tom) have a great relationship because she went with us to look at 2 already and we are going to look at another one tonight.

Cody, Nathan, and I finished our EMT certifications!! YEAH!! So proud of all of us and glad to be finished! We all just have to finish our precepting before they turn us loose on the ambulance alone! Lets be honest... I am no where close to ready! It is scary and nerve-racking!

Vacation planning!!! YEAH!!! New York and New Jersey in October with our besties: Nathan and Stacy, and a whole bunch of fireman and their other halves. Dominican Republic in February with Adam and Ashley! Then Gulf Shores in March for Spring Break with the family! So ready to get away!!

I almost forgot: EMBER! After over a year of the kids and Tom begging for a dog... we found a 6 week old German Shepard... who was adorable and I couldn't say no too. She is not 9.5 months... weighs about 60 lbs and sheds like crazy; HOWEVER, she has been the best dog! We all love her... and our family is complete!

I guess that is all for now... I'll be making a list of things to blog about while I should be working...