If I ever get back to Oklahoma, gonna nail my feet to the ground.

Just a few hours ago I told you that I was on my way to meet my family on vacation.

HAHAHAHAHAHA.

I haven't quiiiiiiiiiiiiite made it.

My flight was OKC to Chicago to St. Louis. We landed in Chicago to beautiful low eighties weather, clear skies and a perfect landing. Seriously, that pilot knew what he was doing. Get off the plane. On the Tarmac. I felt like a celebrity, sunglasses and all. I case. You didn't guess by the deplaning method, our plane was tiny. Nt my favorite, but hey. So far so good.

Apparently everyone from my plane and in my terminal was in a hurry to make a connecting flight, because everyone was running. Like full on running. With their bags, not walking or apologizing for running into people, running. No speed walking. So what do I do? Well, when in Rome. I run. Awkwardly, because I had a two carry on bags (the retro metro weekender and Cindy tote. Buy them here.) and the big one was really heavy. Then I get out of my terminal and everyone suddenly stops running. my mom foud this story hilarious. Maybe I told it better to her, because reading it just sounds lame. So ask her.

So I eventually make it to my terminal, which, by the way, was on the OPPOSITE end of the airport. I only got lost once, and it doesn't really count because I didn't have to ask for directions. I go to the counter, get my seat assignment and go to the charging station to plug in my phone, which has recently decided not to hold a charge for more than about six hours. Around 9:30, my flight is delayed an hour, so not a big deal. Departing at 11:05, there by midnightish. Then the board updates again with a note saying they're waiting on the plane/crew. Around 10:30, the flight is delayed until 12:35, still waiting on the plane to even show up. I call my parents to update them, since they're coming to pick me up at the STL airport. A bit later, I go up to the counter to find out the status of the flight...like, hey, if I need a hotel room, I want it now. They tell me it looks like the flight will likely be cancelled and they're looking at other flights for us. No sooner do I leave the counter than do they get a call saying the flights have been canceled. Apparently there'd is high wind somewhere, and it had been lightening in Chicago. I get booked on a flight at 6:51(!) and head back to the charging station to plug in my dying phone and find a hotel. After a bit of confusion, I book a room at the closest Sheraton. My poor parents - my phone died, I'm in a strange city, I'm on the hunt for a bus to take me to a hopefully decent hotel and I've had a day. I did call them quickly from the United phone, and upon hanging up, the sweet gentlemen working the counter told me to not talk to strangers and be alert, which is pretty much exactly what my mom said just seconds before.

Though many people were too busy running to even smile, every employee I encountered (airline and hotel) was so kind and helpful. Customer service counts.

Thankfully, I made friends with a sweet older couple who were headed to my hotel as well. We stuck together and eventually made it. After checking in, I head to my room...and my key doesn't work. Of course, like it would work on the first try after the day I've had. Back downstairs I go - carrying my heavy bags. The lady at the front desk confirms my room & back up I go, joined by the kind front desk lady. Because I have been so successful at everything else, clearly the key worked for her. Not. so, back downstairs. She books me into a different room, takes me back up, and opens the door. Hooray!!!

Holy. Moley. This room is gigantic.

And I'm stopping there for tonight, because I have to be up in 2.5 hours and I'd like to experience this humongous bed. My adrenaline rush from the flight drama literally just wore off. I would be a good blogger and attach pictures, except I don't feel like it. So, rain check, and you'll get a photographic report of these events within a week. And also, I may be rambling. I can't tell. Alright. Goodnight, y'all.

Important: everyone at United Airlines and Sheraton was so nice. Thanks for making this delay manageable :)

And go.

I have 20 minutes to write this before Will Rogers makes me pay for WiFi access. What, no free WiFi, OKC? #notcool. Anyway, onward. I've already wasted 30 precious seconds.

Several bloggers do a high five/what I'm loving Friday, and because this week has been so awesome, I'm joining them. #peerpressure.

1. Skype
My family went on vacation, without me, this week. How dare them! ;) however, thanks to modern technology, we stayed connected. I got to see the train car they stayed in the first night, and we all got to laugh at Molly trying to figure out why mom and dad were in the screen.



Also, don't worry, I'm not totally left out, I'm flying to meet them right now!

2. Big little dates
Yesterday was awesome and gets two posts. This is part one. I haven't got to see my adopted little Conner since.....like Christmas. We finally got to hang out over McAlister's grilled cheese sandwiches last night. Conner, hang out again, soon, please. Actually you don't get a choice :)

3. Pug snugs
Molly was missing mom, dad and the boys, so I got a million snuggles from her cute little self, which totally made me smile. There's nothing cuter than a little pug face.

4. New job
So, I started a new job this week (which is why my family went on vacation without me). So far it has been so awesome. A little overwhelming at first, about I think that is to be expected. By day 2, I knew there was nowhere else I wanted to be, and more importantly, nowhere else I was supposed to be. It is perfect.

5. LAINEY TIME!!!!!!
Last night, Laine and I went to the Randy Rogers Band show at Riverwind. It was so fun, mostly because I was with one of my favorite people. We always have the best time and the best talks, and there's nothing better than good music with a great friend.




Okay, my flight is boarding and my WiFi is about to be revoked. Wheels up to Chicago!

PS - I love my iPad too.

Update: Chicago doesn't even give you 20 free minutes, and I'm stuck here for two hours before my next flight. Oklahoma, you win. and so does 4g tethering from my phone.

Little Baby Hendrix

On Saturday, I, along with Brenna, Annessa and Audrey, had the pleasure of hosting a baby shower for Lori Jo. As I've said before, Lori is the mommy to be of Tate Jaxon and blogs over at On the Go With Lori Jo (Brenna is also a blogger, over here.).


Lori & me at the shower...#TwinLove.

While we were setting up for the baby shower on Friday night, I looked down and realized I was wearing the same shoe...in different colors! Darn you, Nine West, for having such comfortable flats that I had to buy the orange and black version. I don't think I had worn them like that all day at work.

Anyway, the theme for the baby shower was books, so we asked each guest to bring a children's book to begin building Tate's library....gotta have a smart little mister!

I designed a Little Golden Book for the invitations, aptly titled Little Baby Hendrix. There was also a matching gift record. For the guest book, we had everyone sign the inside cover of a hardback book. We served Green Deviled Eggs and Hot Ham & Cheese sandwiches, Pigs in a Blanket and more. We also had cupcakes with book cutout toppers. The decorations were all book-themed as well, and I would have to brag on us for a second and say we pretty much rocked that baby shower. The root of most of our ideas can be found here. I really think Lori has the craftiest friends, because she got handmade bow ties, a diaper cake, an afghan, some custom OU & Minco outfits and so many more awesome creative gifts. Clearly she also got many of those much-needed baby essentials, and I think all she has left to do now is actually have her tiny human. :) Tate Jaxon, Auntie Shae cannot wait to meet you!!

Little Baby Hendrix invitation: Text blacked out for privacy...sorry!

Back cover, front cover.

Inside front, inside back.

Prayers for Tate cards, which were filled out by guests and bound into a book:


Little Baby Hendrix - original design, with idea from Little Golden Books. Prayer cards, idea via Pinterest, here and here. Please give credit if you copy, or better yet, contact me and I'll design for you! Thanks!

Beautiful Things

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR7VOKQ0xJY?rel=0&w=640&h=480]

Bursting with sparkles

Last night was one of those nights that you're just so thankful for and so happy to be living that you could burst with sparkles. Oh, you've never felt that way? Okay, let me describe it differently. Last night was awesome.

When I got home, I asked Daddy if he would mind saddling the horses and helping me out with them because Laine was going to come ride with me. Now, my Daddy is a busy man - he works with people on the opposite side of the world, and is such an awesome boss that he works on their timezone. This means every Wednesday night he has meetings with those team members. Even though dad might have needed to be prepping for his meetings, he said he'd help me. He also has hurt his ribs, so I'm sure saddling the horses isn't exactly on the top of his fun list right now. But I have the most selfless dad, and not only did he help me catch, saddle (okay, he did that part) and warm up the horses, he stayed out there to make sure Laine and I didn't get in over our heads with the horses, who were being a little sassy. Daddy, I can't say enough how thankful I am that God picked you to be my dad.

To add to the bursting with sparkles, Laine was the person I got to ride horses with last night. We'd been talking for forever about how he needed to come down and ride them, but just hadn't made it happen. We are both busy people, you know! But we finally got the chance, and I've already decided he has no choice but to come back to ride again (I just won't put you on Princess next time, Lainey!). Laine is a rare treasure of a friend who I can talk to about everything under the sun and be 100 percent Shae around. Ladies, you all need a friend like him, a friend who will encourage you and tell you how awesome you are, and really mean it. A friend who will stick around no matter how much of a brat you are, because we all know we have our moments. :)




Fly Over States

Hey, Soul Sister

Today is a special day. It's Tuesday, which makes it not Monday, which means everyone should* have their happy pants on. The Thunder are playing against the Heat in game 4 of the NBA Finals, and as of this writing, are up by one down by three (#THUNDERUP!!!!!). Oh, and most importantly, it's Lori Jo's birthday!!

You've heard of Lori before (I would link but I'm in my iPad and I can't figure out how to link to my own content yet.), when I mentioned that she's the soon to be Mommy of Ninja Baby!! I've known Lori for about as long as I can remember. Lori and I used to show sheep, and she was my favorite Minco Stinko (sorry!) sheep showman! :) Thanks to the examples set by her and a few other older more wise showmen, I learned the importance of being nice to and encouraging the younger showman - though they were all a bit older than me, those lessons stick with me even to this day.

Lori Jo, I am so thankful we've remained friends. Happy birthday, darling!!!



P.S. Lori started blogging!!!

*Ahem, lookin at you, Christian. :)

Daddy

Today we are all celebrating our dad. I hope my dad understands this isn't just a once a year thing, but that I am thankful for him every day.

Daddy, you are a leader in many aspects, but most important to me, the leader of our family. You've taught me many things over the years, including dedication, determination and how to be a nerd. Your love for Momma teaches me what kind of man I want to have some day in my life, and your love for me and the boys has shaped me into the lady I am. You have been an incredible Daddy from day 1, and I am so thankful to be your daughter. Though we have certainly had our moments in the sheep barn, I wouldn't trade one second of time I have spent with you to be anywhere else. Thank you for letting me still sit in your lap, for never being too busy to give your Sugar Bear a hug, and being understanding when I'm having one of those days. I look forward to the many more memories and adventures we will have. I'm so blessed to be your little girl.

Ilove you Daddy. Happy Father's Day.

iCaved

If you follow me on instagram (shaeken is my username, of course), you saw today a picture of a product I never thought I would own.





An Apple product. Being so anti-Mac for so long, I don't feel like I even know myself! :) I have been using a MacBook Pro at work for the last several months, have used an iPhone for work and as my own phone, and even my dad is now using a MacBook Pro and enjoying it. So, once my beloved Android tablet died, I decided to suck it up and buy this thing. So far, I love it.

Ick. All that Apple loving was hard to write. Anyway, I've already downloaded (and am posting from) Wordpress. What other apps do I need? Share your favorites in the comments. Also, if you're a blogger, don't forget to leave your link!

(another) surgery

Thursday I had surgery. It wasn't a huge deal, which is why I apparently forgot to tell most of my friends. Sorry!!

After working Thursday morning, mom took me to OCOM to get a cyst removed from my wrist, a lovely byproduct of my 2009 accident. I donned a purple hospital gown and purple slipper socks that made me look like Tinky Winky but kept me warm.

#awkward


As far as I know, everything went well - hooray!


Hopefully this is the last surgery I have due to the accident, it's been a long two and a half years. Thank you to everyone who has prayed for me (and my family!). Though the accident and surgeries and pain and everything else that the accident brought is clearly no fun and I would never wish to go through it again, a story of God's faithfulness is being told with every step I take.

Thunder Party

In case you live under a rock weren't aware, last week, the Thunder defeated the Spurs to make it to the NBA Finals.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xwM4EIIkqM?rel=0&w=560&h=315]

We got together with Chase, Kim and Tommy to watch the game, and by the look of things, we were celebrating the win before it happened! Kale bought a Thunder-themed cupcake, and our visitors brought us quite a spread! We had a blue & orange Thunder Up cake, finger foods galore (including these sausage cup things that were amazing!) and Velata, Scentsy's chocolate line. Seriously delicious. Go order yourself one or have a party. I'm thinking I need one in orange.



Can't wait until Tuesday - Thunder vs. Heat. Look for FINALS updates here. THUNDER UP!

Backyard Makeover

There was never anything particularly wrong with our backyard, but it could have just been better. So, for the last two weekends, we've been bettering it!

I guess technically the bettering started when we added a nice cover to our patio. That brought cushion-y chairs and a more modern way to so s'mores. ((yum))


Anyway, the recent bettering started with the outside kid table, which was, at one time, a cute little table with matching chairs. Over time it started breaking and the paint chipped away. Thanks to Pinterest I was inspired to do a little DIY makeover. The results? Much better than the original and definitely a good attempt for my first outdoors Pinterest project!


I also repainted two metal chairs - they were a gross red, and now are blue and silver.


After that, I decided to tackle the fence around the pool. It was one of those white plastic-y fences, like this. Mom and I had discussed several times how we needed to do something different with it, so with no real plan, I began taking the panels down.


Kale soon came to help me, explaining "power tools are for men."


Considering I'm not 100% sure what I was using was even called, that was probably smart (kidding). We got all the panels down and gave them away the next day. Today, mom, dad and the boys started taking the posts down - apparently they are cemented into the ground. I'm out on that! The result is going to be a nice open area around our pool, and I'm so excited! Many more days like this will be spent out there in the near future.

Dad's favorite kid

Our horses are a bit spoiled rotten. So much that my dad might think they're one of us...

Recent conversation:
Dad - "Shae, be sure to give Winchester two extra treats. He's my favorite."
Me - "Dad is he really going to know if he gets two more treats than every other horse?"
Dad - "Yes...he will." (later) "Winchester, did she give you extra treats?"