Flashback

The Princess and the Pauper.

Just Keep Swimming.

My daily visits to the on base pool are the only reason 

I'm surviving this Oklahoma summer.

Well that and my weekly "Bachelorette" party. 

It's a hard life I've got here...

Fiesta Birthday

Yesterday was Jake's 26th birthday! After some pleading and pouting, I convinced him to let me invite a few people over for a little fiesta fun. Everyone devoured the Tres Leches, drank lots of cream soda, and flew his short lived remote control airplane. We've been so blessed here in Oklahoma to make such wonderful friends. Thank you for making it a special day!

Scorcher.

 The heat continues. 105 degrees and rising. 

It's sort of pointless to shower or put on makeup,

because in five minutes I'm wet and sticky.

Cue the homesickness...

  1. Hazel and Maizey love to snuggle. It's the cutest thing ever. 

2. Our first visit to Government Springs. Surprisingly pretty!

3. Rose Garden at Gov. Springs. Can you tell how terribly hot it is?

4. Jake's learning a new song that I sort of hate. But he's still cute.

5. My neighbor went out of town for a week and asked me to 

water her plants. This is what I got in return... yum. 

6. Buddy. The sweetest little southern boy to ever tackle you on a trampoline. 

7. Luke. Melts my little heart and calls me "ourtney" Such a studmuffin. 

8. Opened my back door Sunday to find this. It was hiding under my shoe. Enough said.

flashback

Baty

Happy Birthday to my Grandpa the swim teacher, basketball coach, 

Tootie Launcher creator, and singer of jazz.

Franky's got nothing on you.

Tuesday Tunes

This is what my summer sounds like...

Grammy's

Can't believe we're smack dab in the middle of June. 

It's getting pretty hot here in OK. 

Hot and humid. 

1. Sabbath Sunset

2. Our primary kids love nature walks.

3. Luke loves to share his graham crackers with Maizey.

4. Port Lugano lunch. Who knew Enid had an authentic Italian restaurant?

5. Thunder mania. It's ridiculous.

6. Fuzzy Navel with the Pendocks. Don't leave us.

7. NBA Finals makes us sleepy. 

8. Top down in the Shelby.

9. Our puppy play date to the pond!

10. Baby bird rescue team. 

11. Catching lightning bugs.

12. Horse fanatics. 

13. Cloud love. 

Future Father

 After writing a letter to myself on Mothers Day,

 I thought it would be fun to have Jake do the same! 

So I talked him into it. He's such a good sport.

Dear Future Father Jake:

You're a daddy now! Here are some things you wanted to remember to do now that you're a parent:

Prioritize: No matter how stressed/tired you may be from work, school, or other responsibilities you may have, never let it affect your relationship with your children and wife. Always make it a priority to talk with them, grow with them and spend one on one time with them.

Be Patient: First, always remember that you were once a kid too...and probably a much more annoying little guy than your kids could ever be. Keep your cool and never let your kids get the best of you. Never try to control your kids into making the decision you want them to. Teach them correct principles and let them choose for themselves. 

Have Fun: You've been waiting to have kids your entire life. Have fun being a parent. Teach your kids to have fun. Show them how to make a bad situation better. Play. Get involved in their hobbies with them. Never miss a moment....because there's no getting them back.

Most importantly, if you will strive to be half the dad your father was, you will be a successful parent. Take the lessons he taught you as a kid and share them with your children. Look to his example when you aren't sure what to do. Share your difficulties with him and ask for his advice. Use his experience to your advantage.

I also want to thank my dad for showing me what a good father should be.

Because of that example, I didn't settle for anyone less incredible for my own family.

I know that Jake will be an amazing dad, just like his father and mine.

Happy Fathers Day!

Flashback Friday/Best Friend Birthday

Ally and Courtney... from the beginning.

Before hair dye...

and after.

fun times...

and rough times.

Today is my bestie's birthday. 

She is the most selfless and caring person I know, 

not to mention an AMAZING mother. 

I don't know why she enjoys being my friend, 

but I'm sure glad she stuck around because

I can't imagine life without her.

Happy Birthday lovely!

Music Monday

Here's some music from the Fun. concert last Friday. It was epic. 

(and loud and long and late)

Maybe it was the seven year olds running around

 (who brings their tiny children to these things?)

 or the crazy moshing teens 

(do you realize how awkward you look when you jump and throw your sweaty hair around?)

but I think we're getting a little too old for that stuff. 

(My legs and ears were screaming and sore for days.)

And really, would it be so hard to get some sort of bleachers?

p.s. Thanks for all of your kind comments on our recording.

I'm sure we'll be hearing from Enid's best record labels any day now...

But really, they made my day, for real. 

There were smiles on my face. Big ones. Shy ones.

I was really hesitant to put it up,

but this blog needed something new. 

Some Nights

Crazy week. Fun... but nuts.

I've been completely off my game. 

We've eaten out almost every day. Ugh.

On a happier note, Jake is enjoying T-Funs so far 

and my sister in law Jules adopted twin boys this week! 

I cannot wait to meet them.

1. T-6 Simulator

2. Babysitting Cora

3. My adopted daughter Hazel

4. Grilled cheese and Gossip Girl

5. fun. concert in the city

6. Pops! The craziest gas station soda joint

serving flavors like Pumpkin pie, Peanut Butter and Jelly

and  Sweet Corn.

We shot for the sky.

Sometimes we jam

and sometimes my mother guilts us into recording it.
Forgive us for the imperfections. We're amateurs.

Happy late birthday mum.
I promise you'll get the rest of your present. Sometime. 

Track Select

 

And that's Track Select folks...

Jake is now a part of the T-1 Mike Flight!

He's got a great group of people in there, 

and I'm excited to see what the next six months holds. 

Graduation, here we come :)

T-6 Complete!

Class 13-03

Bravo Flight

My accomplished pilot husband has his Track Select tonight! 

Today we've had a celebratory breakfast, a T-6 simulator,

and tonight we'll have pizza and see who gets to fly T-1 or T-38! 

(Jake wants the T-1)

Only six more months to go babe! Then we're outta here.