#Snowklahoma STATE!

Ya'll, apparently we have been transported to Antarctica or something. Oklahoma has turned into a frozen tundra and is covered in ice/sleet/snow. We don't deal with this kind of weather in Oklahoma very well, so Thursday the office closed early, Friday we were off, Saturday half the state about 60,000 of us went to Stillwater, and again today church was closed. Since it still isn't above freezing and roads are a hot frozen mess, school is out for my brothers and all the surrounding schools tomorrow as well.

A lot has happened since we went bear hunting, so let's get to it.

Pre-Snowklahoma, in addition to celebrating Thanksgiving, I (1) got a lap full of Tate snuggles, (2) had a blast on a date downtown with Matt and (3) took my brother to work with me!

#MyLifeAsAuntieShae: Being Tater Bug's Human Mattress 

We dressed fancier than normal and went for a yummy dinner followed by watching some great football! #SweetLife

Kale came to work with me and volunteered! He got to meet my pal Bernie, too!

Then Oklahoma turned into a frozen tundra.

The nice thing about this is I had plenty of time to decorate for Christmas! I have two trees in my room this year - thankfully it's big enough to handle both of them! 

Dad cut a Charlie Brown Christmas Tree for me! | Our Elf on the Shelf, Chester, likes to "watch over" us...
Christmas decorations aren't complete until Santa Shae is out! | My other tree has plenty of ORANGE on it!

Since it's been so cold, I've been getting plenty of Molly snuggles, and anytime I've ventured out, I've worn Uggs and fleece lined leggings to keep toasty. At night, I've been extra thankful for my heated mattress pad (seriously, get yourself one) in these sub-freezing temperatures!

 

Saturday was Bedlam, the day that divides families and friends like nothing else. We braved the weather with layers upon layers of warmth to watch our Cowboys lose in a heartbreaker. All I have to say about this game and people's actions: no matter what team you support, don't be so mean. I saw things I was disappointed in on BOTH sides. Don't take everything so personally that is said about "your team." Don't trip the other team's players. Don't flip off the crowd when you're shown on the jumbo-tron. Also, I am proud to live in the land of the free and the home of the BRAVE where we are all able to support whatever team we like and enjoy football games in 10 degree weather. 

Matt & me
Matt, me, Kaden, Momma, Daddy and Kale

Church was cancelled due to inclement weather and hazardous road conditions, and cabin fever began to set in (yes I was out yesterday, but otherwise, since Thursday at 3, I've been online shopping in my sweats). Dad talked me in to going to check cattle with him, Kale and Hunter, so I pulled on a jacket and joined them. 

Left: target practice at the farm
Top: Daddy visiting with our donkey, Bugs
Bottom: cattle across the frozen pond

And now, as I'm writing this, since my brothers and cousins are out of school tomorrow, two of my little cousins just walked in the door. Hunter and Uncle Shawn have hung out with us most of the afternoon, but they brought Julie back to hang out, too. Julie came in wearing a mustache and I said "I mustache you a question!" I got blank looks from mom, Uncle Shawn and Julie, while Hunter excitedly responded "But I'll save it for later!!" Goodness I love these two kiddos. What a great way to end a blessed couple of weeks. My heart is full and happy.

Oh! And since it's about time for Christmas cards share your bloopers on Instagram! Cassie came up with the idea of sharing those not-so-cute, awkward and unplanned moments that won't make the final card cute but are still absolutely hilarious (at least for the rest of us!). Use #ChristmasCardBloopers2013 when you share on Instagram!

PS - for overwhelming cuteness, watch this video. Thanks Kristen for sharing!! Happy Monday!

Linking up with Sami

Bear Hunting

I had a feeling it was going to be a good weekend. After getting to hang out with stop by a food drive Desmond Mason was signing autographs at last week, I was just feeling the orange power :)

My Cowboys were overcoming the Corso Curse bear hunting playing Baylor on Saturday, so we headed to Stillwater to watch in the appropriately cold temps! I had FIVE layers of shirts/jackets on, two layers of pants, ski socks, boots, gloves, a scarf, somewhat working hand warmers, two layers of head wraps and I was STILL COLD. Oklahoma turned into Antartica on Friday evening and it just kept getting colder, I think. I did have two blankets, and we sat on one...but since we started out the game on a good note and I wasn't wrapped in blanket #2, I couldn't use it. It's only weird if it doesn't work, and obviously, it worked, because my Pokes WON! Such a great game and worth every second of shivering.

College Gameday was in town so of course we had to get a picture!

We LOVE seeing you in ORANGE, Collin!! :) 

This is about the time I decided I need a warmer jacket before we go skiing!

Yesterday was a snow/ice day so my family spent it playing Phase 10 and online shopping. I'm always a little amazed when there is no blood shed over a game of Phase 10 - my family is competitive and intense. After most of the afternoon and evening, the game was settled and Kaden won. The most satisfying part? Mom lost! :)

#ThankfulThursday

Happy anniversary, Daddy and Momma!

Just check out that hair!

Today, a few things I'm thankful for about my parents:

• They meant "until death do us part" - and haven't even had to force that to happen :) They've been an incredible example of the marriage I hope to one day have - filled with love for one another.
• They raised my brothers and me in church and don't just leave Jesus for Sunday mornings. Our home is filled with Him.
• They lead by example when it comes to giving, loving and serving. 

#ThankfulThursday

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This week, I'm thankful for...

• High tech communication. I still remember my mom telling me how cool my Great Grandma Sparks thought it was to Skype with my dad when he was in Singapore. I don't get to see Caylee or Lori or my Littles every day, but I still talk to them regularly thanks to texting (and of course picture messaging... what would I do if I couldn't send my #OOTD off for approval?) ;) While I do appreciate writing a real note and sticking it in the mail, I love being able to communicate with people all the time. 
• Seat warmers. You guys, it's cold in Oklahoma and I'm a baby. I am so thankful I got the upgraded Jeep with the bun warmers. 
• A job that allows me to serve people
• Matt. He doesn't just "put up with" my princess-y tendencies, he understands that's what makes me who I am...but is sure to let me know when the sparkle dust is going a little overboard :) 
• NyQuil and Vicks Vapor Rub. From October to April, I can't sleep without the duo. 
• Cheerleading practice, because it gets me out of bed early enough to see a beautiful sunrise twice a week and gives me the perfect excuse to play Get Your Sparkle On. 
• Molly, because I can always count on my princess diva dog to demand I wait on her hand and foot... then give me eleventy zillion snuggles in return. 

These aren't spirit fingers....

...THESE are spirit fingers!!

My weekend started out DARK and early on Saturday morning - I say dark rather than bright because at 5:45 a.m. it's still dark outside! The AmPo cheerleaders had a clinic/competition in Stillwater so we had to leave super early to get there on time. They did SO GOOD learning new cheers, practicing stunts and performing their competition cheer. And no...they don't do spirit fingers like that above...

After the clinic, we all walked over to OSU's beautiful Student Union for lunch, stopping for pictures along the way, of course. Just before we got to the Union, we ran into President & Mrs. Hargis, OSU's President and First Lady on their orange golf cart. After we took the picture below, Mrs. Hargis asked to get a picture of all the girls in their matching "Spirit Squad" t-shirts. 

Matt met up with us at the Union and we headed to the game. You guys, I've been extraordinarily forgetful when it comes to our football tickets this season for some reason. One game they were left in the car all the way across campus so we walked back for them, one day I just flat out left them at home, and one day I left them at home but since my parents hadn't left yet they were able to bring them up when they came. Well, this week I was DETERMINED to remember the tickets. I put them in my backpack with all my Saturday things the night before. Matt shot me a text in the morning before he left making sure I had the tickets. I laughed then replied that of course I had them. 

After the clinic was over, we all ran to the car to get ready. At that time, I tore the tickets out of their booklet, then packed the booklets back into the envelope and stuck it in my bag. Apparently, I also put the tickets in the envelope and just thought I had put them in my purse, because as we were sitting at the Union, about to go to the game, I went to take them out of my purse to show Matt I hadn't forgotten them...and they weren't there. I may be losing my brains. I was not about to walk all the way back across campus for the tickets. Thankfully(?), we knew the drill - show my ID at Will Call and they'll just reprint the tickets. In case anyone was wondering, the envelope with the tickets now is residing with Matt and he is responsible for them now. 

Anyway, the game was practically over the second it started when Justin Gilbert returned the kickoff for a touchdown. I did enjoy OSU's salute to veterans during their halftime show, and of course, recognizing Heisman winner Barry Sanders was neat, too. Anyway, it was a day in Stillwater with my favorite guy, so really can I complain about a boring win? 

Also, I've discovered every single picture we take looks almost exactly the same. We'll work on that. 

After the game, we headed to Lucille's, a yummy restaurant in a little town outside of Stillwater. We thought the group of mom + cheerleaders + Ratcliff family was right behind us...WRONG. I've never got so many angry "you reserved a table of 15 and your party still isn't here" looks in my life. Thankfully the restaurant wasn't overly busy so I didn't feel too bad. 

Sunday at church, my brothers sang in the youth choir to start the service and I sang during the service. We then enjoyed a delicious lunch at my Grandma & Granddad's house...then I went home and put on the warmest clothes I could find and enjoyed the rest of a relaxing day snuggling with my Molly Bug! So thankful for such a blessed weekend! 

linking up with Sami!

Get Your Sparkle On

Happy Friday!!

Is it just me, or has this week seriously lasted forever? I'm just glad OSU plays tomorrow, I get to be in Stillwater (and that OU lost last night...#SorryImNotSorry).

Anyway, a few of my favorite things from the last week (ahem, or month).

1. I've got a new jam, ya'll. Thanks to a coworker's 4 year old daughter loving Barbie music, I was introduced to Get Your Sparkle On. Since then, I've made Matt listen to it several times (sorry about that...) and of course I play it every morning before cheer practice! It's positive and clean and talks about sparkles, so what's not to love?
   
    
   
   
2. My mom, ladies and gentlemen, made some DELICIOUS dinner last night. I had a bit of popcorn at the JH game but that was NOT about to cut it, so when I got home I heated up "some chicken thing mom had cooking in the crockpot all day," as my dad put it. It ended up being the Hawaiian Chicken I put together for her Freezer Club Meal Swap two weeks ago! She does this super cool swap with 3 other ladies and we get 4 delicious meals in our freezer to heat up through the week. When you want to eat a meal, you follow their instructions for cooking, but it's all already put together so there's practically no work for you other than turning on the crock pot or oven. These ladies are geniuses, I'm telling you.
   Here's what you need to make this delicious creation:
   1/2 bag frozen chicken tenders (like the big bags you get from the grocery store...sorry this isn't exactly precise)
   1 15oz. can of crushed pineapple (don't drain it!)
   1/2t ground ginger
   1T minced garlic
   1/4c soy sauce
   Put all of that into a crock pot liner and stick it in your crockpot on low heat all day. Serve over brown rice and with some steamed veggies. I didn't have the rice or veggies last night (I wasn't going to eat a whole meal after the game!), but the chicken and pineapple with those other flavors were so delicious.
3. Herbalife Pumpkin Spice Latte. Um, hello. I ordered some last night (finally, yes I know Wacey) and I can't wait to get it in. Twice this week I stopped by New U Nutrition because I was running late in the morning and too lazy to make my shakes the night before. Kim made me the most delicious shakes and I was SOLD on the special limited edition flavor. Now if it'll just hurry and get here!
   
   
   
   
4. Doing Herbalife with my family. It's so much easier to make & drink shakes twice a day when I'm not the only one in the house doing it. Dad is getting creative and making up recipes. Mom is doing shakes. I'm thankful to my family for making the commitment to getting healthy with me. So THANKS FAMIlY! :) 
5. Red River Ski Area pictures. They have snow and it makes me insanely happy! We're going there in December and I'm counting down! Now, I just need to get new ski pants and find everything else I need for the week, so I'm not actually totally ready, but I just can't wait. And looking at pictures of beautiful snow on that fun mountain just makes me want to leave tomorrow (even though skiing doesn't start for 19 more days. Countdown, much?).
   
   

Have a happy weekend, ya'll! Now go get your sparkle on! :)

Linking up with Whitney @ I Wore Yoga Pants

#ThankfulThursday

In November, everyone and their puppy does the "daily thanks" posts on Facebook, and I just LOVE seeing all the thankfulness for a week. Although, when you make a status update about how thankful you are for this or that, does it count if two hours later you have updated three more times with rants and whines? I digress.

I'm terrible at updating my Facebook status every day. I mean, yes, I work in social media so I am technically on Facebook part of the day (although not near as much as I used to be since I have a bazillion graphic design projects going on), but I don't spend my time updating my status and creeping - I'm actually working. But I'm thankful, I promise. And not just because this is the month with the holiday that tells to be "giving thanks" - I'm thankful every single day for the incredible life God has blessed me with. So I'll try to turn this into a {sometimes} weekly thing, but since we all know how great I am at updating my blog, and hope others will share some of what they're thankful for too, outside of this month!

Some specific things I'm thankful for this week?

Basketball. It's started at AmPo, and I truly love getting to watch Kaden and Kale play. They both work hard and demonstrate a Christlike attitude on and off the court. They'e both played since they were little, and it's amazing to me how much they've improved and grown through the years. Kale's had 2 games so far this week, and he plays tonight, tomorrow night AND Saturday. It's a busy week for the 7th Grade Panther team. Kaden's games start next week, and I just cannot wait to have this 4-night-a-week thing happening every week! There is just nothing like basketball in a small town, and I am so thankful to get to be a part of the AmPo community.

I'm thankful that Kiera is not just my cousin, but also my sister in Christ! We attended church services at Snow Hill last week for Kiera's baptism. I am so thankful she made the decision to follow Christ. I'm thankful to have been raised in a Christian family. I'm thankful for pastors who bring great messages full of truth and life application - like this one from Todd Littleton on Sunday.

What are you thankful for, friends?

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Fall Update :)

Have I told you lately how much I just LOVE America's Greatest Homecoming? It's definitely one of my top 3 favorite holidays (along with Christmas and my birthday). Well, this weekend was the best of the year - OSU's Homecoming - and I celebrated appropriately - in Stillwater!

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That up there? Yeah, I wrote it two whole weeks ago. #whoops

I really did mean to post about Homecoming weekend...and then I meant to post about pumpkin picking...and then I meant to post a quick update... and then I meant to do all of that last week while I was home sick all week long. But, it just didn't happen. I was either too busy to sit down for a few minutes to post or too sick to hold up a computer long enough to post. But now, friends, you're getting a quick (I mean it, kinda) life update! Including Homecoming and pumpkins, because it's fall and what's fall without ORANGE?

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I LOVE when the campus is just as orange as can be! Matt said this picture of the library looked creepy. I thought it looked spirited :) | New video board in Gallagher Iba Arena - um, awesome! 

I do believe Gallagher Iba Arena was rrrrrrrrockin'!!! 

Yes, that's a "video board" on the FLOOR of GIA. The intro video was projected onto the floor, and it was a.m.a.z.i.n.g. Now I want to make that happen at the AmPo Gym Grand Opening. #DreamOn | Love those two photo creepers (aka, Kale and Daddy) who joined me and Matt for our picture :) 

Gameday! It was SO cold. But SO fun. And the Pokes won! 

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Next, I meant to blog about going to the pumpkin patch. So, here's that:

This year, instead of carving pumpkins, Matt & I decided to paint them! I was so certain my pumpkin was going to turn out perfect - I mean, I carefully selected the most brilliant pumpkin in the patch and planned to turn it into a beautiful princess. Well, that failed. 

Matt searched for the perfect pumpkin and thought he got it, but really, I totally did. Mine was destined for greatness, until someone let a 24-year-old toddler grab a paintbrush and some glittery tulle. 

Santa Shae hasn't made an appearance on the blog, that I know of, but this (on the left) is Santa Shae 2.0: Scary Shae. Matt, on the other hand, perfectly executed a vampire. 

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After that, I spent a week sick in bed (from being embarrassed over how ugly that pumpkin turned out of course... #not). I got plenty of Molly Snuggles during my sickness though... isn't she the cutest? 

I also helped paint panther paws through the streets of Amber...

Watched Kale's first two 7th grade basketball games (Go #33! And yes, that shot went in!)...

And bought a new MacBook! I'm officially 100% Apple - iPhone, iPad and MacBook. Just a few years ago I would have been saying these were CRAPple products...so I'd say I've come a long way to the good side :) As I was transferring files from my Dell to my Seagate Backup Plus (have you backed up your computer lately? If not, get on it, and get yourself a Seagate product because they're awesome.), my I got the Blue Screen of Death on my Dell...so obviously it was perfect timing. 

Anyway... I'll be back sometime to update you more on life and adventures :)

What I'm Loving.

Today, a few things I'm loving:

1. Jesus' love.

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2. The frappe setting on my blender letting me make the perfect Herbalife shake.

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3. Morning talks with my twin. 

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4. The Marley Lilly monogram fleece vests. I think I will order the black one.

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5. And this tank top, which says everything I feel about running. 

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What a wonderful weekend!

Seriously! I had such a great weekend and I'm so thankful for every second of it!

To kick it off, we must back allll the way up to Wednesday, when Kaden & Kale showed at Tulsa. They got 2nd and 3rd place with their prospect steers. Matt and I drove up on Wednesday morning to watch them show, and of course we stopped at QuikTrip. Since everything with me just has to be an adventure I decided to leave accidentally left my wallet in the show box after Matt and I left - which wouldn't have been such a problem except I have a lead foot and we were in my Jeep, which happens to be a standard. Thankfully there were no run-ins with the police on our two hour drive home!

With three of my favorite guys! Kaden, me, Kale & Matt

Thursday after work I bought the best movie ever made, the Little Mermaid! I can officially throw out my VHS player, ya'll. On Friday, Matt and I had made plans to hang out and he told me "you pick what we do - whatever you want!" Well, obvi. Not only did Matt have get to watch my favorite move ever, my parents AND brothers joined us! I might have shed a few tears at the end and been so overwhelmed with happy that I got a few analogies mixed up, but it was the best Friday night in at least two centuries. 

Saturday was the much-anticipated Color Run at Remington Park! It was so silly cold, which I love, minus the fact that I knew the second I started running I would get warm and regret wearing a jacket. It was my second 5K in 2 weeks, and I am definitely looking for my next one. 

Oklahoma bloggers at the run!

After the run was over, as in, as soon as I crossed the finish line, Matt and I headed up to Stillwater to watch the Cowboys play! While I'm not a real sports blogger, obvi, I do have a few thoughts on the game:

1. Holy moley I'm glad we won because I Matt really wasn't completely positive we would for a minute. 

2. It was beautiful & a perfect day for football. 

3. I really wish OSU would have worn orange-black-orange instead of black-black-orange. I think the orange helmets would have been beautiful with the black tops and orange pants. It was such a sunshine-y clear day that the bright helmets were needed to add to the sunshine-y feel on the field. Just hire me to pick the uniforms already, please. 

4. The band's performance at halftime was AMAZING. Shake Your Booty, YMCA, Staying' Alive, Dancing Queen... such great selections. 

5. The pom girls' dance was filthy and unacceptable. 

 

On Sunday, we finally celebrated my Trapaw's birthday! As I walked in the door to my Aunt's house, the little munchkin below ran to me yelling "I MISSED YOU, SHAE!!" She was then stuck to my side for a good part of the next few hours :) 

To wrap up the weekend, I spent Sunday evening at Lori & Tate's house! We visited Lori's friend's pigs and Tate loved them. He blew my mind when he started WALKING. Kids these days, they just grow up so fast :)

See, I told you it was a wonderful weekend, start to finish! I couldn't have asked for a better one. 

Because I knew you...

It's been said that you are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with. What are you contributing to others' averages? Even if you're not one of the 5 people they spend the most time with, are you making another person's day/life better? Give a smile. Say hello. Help someone. Tell the ones you love that you love them. Encourage other people. It won't just make their day better - it'll make yours better too. Change your outlook on life; look for the positive. Be thankful for every day. Every day is a gift, and it holds an opportunity to change someone's day for good. Be a blessing.

View more printable designs here, or custom designs here. 

Wednesday Weekend Post

I just love birthday weekends. And the new iOS.

Siri really thinks this is busy. Soon she'll learn this is normal.

Friday I took off work at noon after a looooong week and, after I did a little running around, Matt & I headed to the fair to celebrate his birthday with corn dogs & candy! The candy store at the fair is now a tradition. They have smarties suckers that are the most delicious candy ever. I just hope it's not a tradition to spend more every year...because eventually it'll take a truck to haul it all out if we do :) We also had cupcakes from Gigi's with glitter number candles, much to Matt's excitement. After the fair, we made a stop at the outlet mall to get Matt new shoes then went back to his house for a fun & relaxing evening.

After round 2 of Matt's birthday celebration with a pizza lunch (& cake. always cake) on Saturday, we headed to my house to celebrate my brothers' birthdays! Kaden turned 16 & Kale turned 13 - they're growing up way too fast.

After the party, Julie & I had some girl time with a hair & makeup salon ;) 

Sunday was a big day for me - my first 5K! The Hot Mamas Run supports the Regional Food Bank & Oklahoma Birth Network and their color was hot pink, so clearly I was in. 

I had so.much.fun. and I'm officially hooked on this running thing. 

Kimmy & Tandye are in my eyes super runners, and they were such a huge help to me! They gave me all sorts of tips and convinced me that I need new running shoes :) They were cheering me on as I crossed the finish line and I appreciate their encouragement and knowledge sharing so very much! 

My coworker Denice also ran, so of course we had to take a picture with Bernie to rep the Food Bank!

I'm already looking forward to my next 5K - the Color Run - in a week and a half! 

To continue on this whole healthy kick with the running, I've also officially signed up to be a Herbalife distributor! I have taken Herbalife before and loved it, and I still use it when I leave early enough to stop and get a shake. I decided it was time to just get myself some to be able to make it here at home! I'm so excited to get my starter kit in. Super thanks to Wacey for helping me get signed up! 

And that wraps up an awesome weekend. I left out Monday & Tuesday, when we celebrated my brothers' birthdays with Chicago style pizza on Monday night & homemade donuts on Tuesday morning. I'm telling you, birthdays are the best.