We're Back!

Destin was fabulous! The weather, water, food and hotel were all fabulous! More details and pictures later, the boys are having a post vacation meltdown! xoxoxoxo

9 years...and counting

It was nine years ago today that friends and family joined us at Whitney Mountain Chapel in Garfiled, AR, as we sealed the deal...'till death do us part! As happy as I was that day, I am even happier today. Happy Anniversary, Blake!

Blake in Branson

Blake joined us for one of our marathon shopping trips with the family from Mountain Home! This is Blake's second trip to Branson in 10 years! His first was when we were dating and he took me and my youngest sister, Sarah, to Silver Dollar City. I think it might be another 10 years before he goes back! Ha! Ann, Becki, Blake, Brandon and his friend Derek, joined us for an overnight stay. This is Braden's most favorite part of Branson, the fire shooting fountains at the Landing.

Oooohhhhing and aaaahhhhing at the FIRE!

Becki & Blake

Braden was fascinated by these two guys "drumming" on buckets. We watched them for a long time and he loved putting change in their "tip" bucket.



We hung out a little late on the Landing, so Braden could watch some of this concert. It was so packed there was standing room only, so I told Braden to stand by this sign and I stood back a little bit. He kept looking over his shoulder to make sure I was there! We amazingly ran into our good friend Cindy Cook, from Jonesboro, now living in Norfork!

Brandon & Braden

Blake, Mason, Braden & Aunt Ann

Our Monkeys

We had to push Braden's art desk in front of the stairs, because a baby gate won't fit. Mason has now figured out how to push the chair over and climb ON TOP OF THE DESK! This kid wears us out!

Two tubes later. . . .

Mason is home and doing great! He did amazingly well this morning deviating from our normal routine of warm milk as soon as he wakes up! Blake and I were both pleasantly surprised. We were scheduled to be at the surgery center at 7 a.m., and not a minute earlier, since that's when they open. We had to wake Braden up so he could be ready in time, which is always a gamble. He tends to be much happier when he wakes up on his own. He did great this morning, but did have a "crick" in his neck, which needed lots of extra attention.

We were only in the office about 10 minutes before they got Mason in his "gown" and Blake in his scrubs and hair/shoe covers. Sorry, I didn't have the camera!!! He took Mason back, while Braden and I played a round of Go Fish in the waiting area. It was less than 10 minutes and Blake came back out. They put Mason under with a little gas, and in less than 30 minutes he was waking up. I remembered from Braden that he wouldn't be in a very good mood when he woke up. We heard him cry a few minutes before they came to get us. I went back to be with him, but even I couldn't bring much comfort. The nurse said they're just in a "funk" from being hungry and feeling funny from the anesthesia, etc. He finally fell asleep about the time the little guy next to us woke up with his own set of tears.


Having some grapes when we got home. You can see the cotton ball in his ear with a little blood on it.

Dr. Baker said his right ear looked great, but his left ear was infected, so we'll keep an eye out for drainage, but the tubes should take care of it in the future! We have to get him used to wearing ear plugs, that should be interesting!

He has a little bit of blood in one ear, enough to fascinate Braden, but so far seems to be fine. He doesn't have much on his tummy, some apple juice and grapes, but I think after a nap and a good lunch he'll be perfect. We hope!

Please send Mason good thoughts tomorrow!

He's getting tubes put in his ears!!!! We are very, very, very, very happy about this! Big Brother got them at 18 months and life was so much better! After an average of an ear infection a month (sometimes more) since November we've been broaching the subject with our pediatrician, but they didn't want to discuss it until he turned 1. So we made our own appointment with the local Ear, Nose & Throat doctor, on July 15, and he scheduled us right away! Prior to our ENT appointment, we took a trip to QuickCare on Saturday, with a diagnosis of infections in both ears. After a 5 day antibiotic, there was still fluid, but no infection. Dr. did a quick hearing test and said Mason was mostly hearing things as if underwater.

We arrive at 7 a.m. and it should take about 30 minutes. Send us good thoughts!

Love, love, love our neighbors!!!!!

We had plans to attend Tyler's "surprise" birthday party on Saturday night in Fayetteville. Everyone met at the Powerhouse in one of the private rooms. Tyler was quite surprised to walk in and see so many faces staring back at him!

We knew it was going to be a late night and had arranged with our dear, dear neighbor, Sabrina (mother of Braden's best buddy, Will) to watch the boys from about 4 to midnight. About mid-week she called and said words that were music to my ears "why come home, you two should just stay the night!" So we did! Much to Blake's surprise, I made the arrangements for us to stay at Inn at the Mill where almost 10 years ago we got engaged.

Blake and I cannot fully express our gratitude to the Arbuckle's for giving us the peace of mind to take that time for ourselves. It was MUCH NEEDED and we are so thankful to be in Pittsburg, KS, and have the friends we have here, ESPECIALLY our wonderful, wonderful neighbors!

THANK YOU!



Sunday morning, in front of the waterfall where Blake got down on bended knee. The sweetest part was that two different people asked if we were the newlyweds.

Our Future Executive

Blake got these great shots of Mason doing some serious work at Braden's desk on Saturday afternoon.

This serious work included chowing on Braden's markers and crayons!

Dad must have put them up higher, "hmmm how can I get my hands on those markers?"


This is poor Braden just trying to get a drink of Water, and Mason won't leave him alone!

We are ready for Kindergarten!

Friday afternoon, I picked Braden up a little early and we had a "special day" of shopping for school supplies and new school shoes. We got a little snack first at Starbucks, chocolate soy milk and a cookie for him and a smoothie for Mom! Then we walked over to the shoe store. It was not as simple as "these look cool" he had to try them on and see if he could run super fast in them. So we got the pair that (on sale) could make him run the fastest.


Then we headed to WM. I didn't have the supply list with me but had seen them in the store. I was trying to remember which items were listed and Braden was sadly disappointed to find he only needed crayons, a plastic box, tissues and baby wipes. He wanted markers, a ruler, glue, and mechanical pencils! He kept insisting that his nose was NOT RUNNING so he DID NOT need tissues. We also passed on the wipes, but I have plenty at home to send on the big day!

Almost 9 years. . .

It's appropriate that Kelly's Korner has "Show Us Your Wedding Dress" Friday, so close to our anniversary. On August 5, Blake and I will celebrate our 9th wedding anniversary. We only have hard copies of our pictures, and these are just a few that I had scanned in to have copies made. The best part of this dress was the back. The pearls on the neckline continued all the way around the scooped back. The train was two long tails with pearls attached, that hooked to the dress with three satin roses.

It was a beautiful day, a dream wedding, and the perfect groom!

Our flower girl, Samantha and ring bearer, Blake

Blake drove me to Memphis to meet two girlfriends, Sara & Charity. They were two of the most honest friends I had. I tried on a ton of dresses, made my decision. A few weeks later when I went back to get it, I took another brutally honest friend Brooke, and as we were waiting for them to bring my first selection out, we looked through some new arrivals and found this one! The sales lady was kind enough to let me swap.

Our wedding was perfect. We got married at Whitney Mountain Chapel in Garfiled, AR and had our recpetion at Crystal Hall in Rogers. Blake found both locations. I was still at ASU in Jonesboro for the bulk of our engagement, so Blake was a huge help!