Happy Birthday, Magan: 25 for $2,500 for 25

January 30, 1991 is forever etched in my memory. A girl born on that day took half my spotlight, left teeth marks on my arm and ultimately became my best friend. Her name is Magan, and this year, she turns 25. For her 25th birthday she is asking her family and friends to help her raise $2,500 for Cavett Kids, an organization near to her heart:

I think we need more love in the world. We need more kindness, more compassion, more joy, more laughter. I definitely want to contribute to that. 

I became involved in the Cavett Kids Foundation a little over 2 years ago when I attended the Cavett Kids Got Talent Fundraiser. I instantly fell in love with this foundation and could not wait to get involved and find out more! Here I am two years later, an active volunteer and a member of the Cavett Advocacy Board. Cavett Kids has transformed not only my perspective but my life since I became involved. Danny Cavett, the founder of Cavett Kids, is one of the most genuine, upstanding people I have ever had the opportunity to know. When I am with my Cavett Family, I am surrounded by the most incredible kids, phenomenal staff, and wonderful volunteers and donors that I have ever met! I never leave an event with my heart untouched. On January 30, 2016 I will turn 25 years old. A few months ago I began thinking about my birthday and what I wanted to do to make birthday number 25 a memorable one. After quite a bit of praying, God laid the $2,500 for 25 in 25 campaign idea on my heart. What does that mean exactly? Well, from January 5, 2016 until January 30, 2016 (25 days) I want to push to raise $2,500 for the Cavett Kids Foundation. The $2,500 I hope to raise would help children with chronic and life threatening illnesses go to summer camp and have THE MOST FUN, EVER! Trust me, I know, I have been and it’s a BLAST! The camps and programs offered by the Cavett Kids Foundation are at no cost to the camper or their family, so we rely on AWESOME donors like YOU to help send our kids to a place where illness does not define the child. I am asking my family and friends that in lieu of a birthday present, to make a donation to this campaign. Even if you don’t know me, I am asking you to make a donation to this campaign. Before I go, I want to share one of my very favorite Cavett Kids memories.

One of the first Cavett Kids I had the opportunity to meet was Melanie. In 2005, at 12 years old, Melanie was diagnosed with medulloblastoma brain cancer. For nearly 10 years, Melanie fought a hard, but good fight with cancer. Unfortunately, in December 2014, Melanie lost her battle with cancer but she won the war as she was welcomed into the arms of Jesus. I met Melanie in the spring of 2014 at a golf tournament. She swooned over the professional long driver who was working one of the holes at the tournament and I began to get to know Melanie. I saw Melanie again in August at Kamp Courage, my first camp experience. The entire time I knew Melanie, her mobility was limited to a wheelchair; however, that did not keep a smile off of her face. I will never forget walking down to the horse stables to watch the kids ride horses. Melanie wanted to ride a horse so badly but wasn’t sure if she would be capable because of the wheelchair. So, what did we do? We got Melanie on that horse. She was lifted by volunteers onto the horse and guided around the riding area. I can still hear her laugh and see her smile. For the 5-10 minutes she was on that horse; Melanie forgot about her cancer and she forgot about the wheelchair. She was just a girl having the time of her life on a horse. That’s what Cavett Kids is all about, giving these kids a chance to do things they normally wouldn’t be able to do. Cavett Kids helps these kids cope with their illnesses, connect with their fellow campers through their illnesses, and to build character despite their illnesses. Cavett Kids aren’t survivors, we are thrivers. It is my birthday wish that you will make a donation that will go toward enhancing a child’s life. Thank you, so much in advance and God bless.

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unaware.” Hebrews 13:2

Click here to make a donation to Magan's 25 for $2,500 for 25 birthday fundraiser. 

Happy birthday, Mag. I love you!

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. 

(not so) baby brother

The last week has been one of my favorite of the year. FOUR birthdays one week. For a girl who loves celebrating people as much as I do, it couldn't get much better.

 

Today, the kindest, sweetest, most loving and accident-prone boy I know turns 13. He has the biggest heart and I am so proud to call him my baby brother. Thirteen years ago our family was complete when he was born. Like I said yesterday, I prayed endlessly for a brother, but God knew I needed two of them.

 

Kale, never, ever change who you are. You're at an age where the world will try their darnedest to get you to change to be cool. Newsflash, buddy: you already are. You don't need to change a thing. You know what's right - stand up for it. You're silly. You're a little clumsy, but hey, you're my brother, so you come by it honestly :) You have a heart of pure gold and you, just like Kaden, are the kind of friend more people should try to be. Keep working hard at showing steers and playing basketball. I know you can do anything you set your mind on.

I love you, Kale Joe. Happy 13th birthday!
-Sis

Happy 16th, Kaden!

Sorry weekend update, you've gotta wait (even though this weekend was pretty awesome). Today is my middle brother's 6th 16th birthday and what kind of sister would I be if it wasn't celebrated here? So now, I have 16 lines of memories, likes, advice, wishes and comments for you.

1. The day mom and daddy told me "you're going to be a big sister!" was the best day ever...until...
2. The day you were finally born and I actually got to be a big sister! I wanted to have a little brother so bad and prayed for as long as I can remember for YOU (side note - Kale - if I was this excited over ONE brother, imagine how great getting that prayer answered with TWO brothers is. Double the awesomeness!)
3. I loved that curly head of hair you had... I think you should grow it back out :)
4. I remember looking at the clock exactly 24 hours after you were born and feeling SO EXCITED all over again to be YOUR big sister.
5. I've never known two kids to play as well as you and CJ. Best buddies forever, no matter what.

6. Not that we'd know it now based on your studly physique, but remember being so skinny that Uncle Aaron called you the Ethiopian Poster Child? Then those tonsils came out and everything changed ;)
7. You started invading mine & dad's barn time when you began showing sheep...even though I still think I did all the work!
8. You've always been a likable, friendly kid. Even though switching schools might not have been the easiest thing on earth, you made friends at AmPo and kept friends from Tuttle, too. Continue to always be kind to people and find the best in others, you're the kind of friend people need.
9. You went from being an adorably chubby 5th grade basketball player to the Prancing Panther, AmPo's stud. You've worked so hard at basketball and I LOVE watching you play.

10. Your love for Christ and your passion for making His name famous rocks.
11. Your teenager smart mouth will get you in trouble more and more, believe me. So just remember to shut up and listen when I'm talking and no one will get hurt, even though you're taller, bigger, stronger and could take me down without even trying. Ha!
12. The day we sold the sheep to make way for your cattle project wasn't my happiest day on earth, but I pretended to happily go along with it. Now I've learned to love those oversized fluffy animals you enjoy showing so much.

13. Dad pointed out that your senior year is in two years. Stop. Just stop. I know you're really still in kindergarten and this whole "16 & driving" thing is a joke. Right??
14. How did you get the cool gene in the family? I mean, you can dance (we've all watched your killer moves by the pool), you have the singing voice of an angel, and you make a beautiful princess. It's just not fair, kid.

15. On being a princess: never be too cool to play with your little cousins. They'll always treasure memories made with you.

16. Most importantly: put the phone down. You're 16. You're taking that driver's test Friday. You have an awesome truck, and I know you're a cool kid. But for real. Put. The. Phone. Down. Don't text and drive. Don't answer a message, don't check Facebook or Twitter, don't take a selfie for Snapchat. It can wait. Nothing on your cell phone screen is so important that it can't wait for your vehicle to be in park before you see it. Your life & others lives are way more valuable than any message, so please promise me you won't pick up that phone while you're driving.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Love you, Sis

Thursday for Trapaw

Trapaw

[trap-aw]

Noun

1. A great man who loves his grandchildren.

2. "Grandpa Tom" combined into one word. 

3. One who's place at the table you do not take.

4. See also: awesome.  

Origin: Tuttle, Oklahoma, 1989

Every time I saw anything about my Trapaw I have to pause and explain what a "Trapaw" is - it's not a what, it's a WHO! A very important who at that! My Trapaw (or Grandpa Tom, for those who didn't read the definition of Trapaw above), is one of my most favorite men in the world. In addition to giving great hugs, he always seems to send a text to let me know he's thinking of me at just the right time. I'm so thankful he's mine!

Happy birthday Trapaw!! I love you!!

What I'm Loving Wednesday: Twin Edition

Today is a special installment of #WILW because it's my Twin Lori's birthday!!! 

The first thing I love, of course, is my Twinniekins herself

Lori & I at Junk Hippy last weekend!

Next up, Baby Tate of course! Without Twin, there would be no Tate, so this definitely deserves a birthday mention.  

Tate's first slumber party with Auntie Shae

I like big bows and I cannot lie. So does Lori. Duh, we're twins, we like everything the same. Except maybe this hair bow is a little too ridiculous....

Glitter. As if there was even a doubt. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TWIN!

I hope your day is magical and as glittery and stellar as you are! I love you to the moon! (PS your present is late. Duh.)

So I turned 24...

...and apparently forgot I had a blog. Really, I didn't, but since that magical day of #Shaes24th, I've been a really busy girl and my dear little blog got a little neglected. #sorrynotsorry though...

The night before I turned 24, I spent the evening with my favorite 8 year old - painting our nails, watching TV and having a super fun girls' night.

I had to work on my birthday, but never fear, I wore my fancy pants shoes so I could celebrate all.day.long.

When I got back from meetings that day, I had a huge delivery on my desk - Matt had sent me flowers! 

It's now been almost two weeks and I think they're still getting prettier and definitely still blooming. Good job, Matt. Gold stars. That evening, Matt and I celebrated my birthday with a BARBIE CAKE.

I was clearly very excited about all the birthday fun and how he much surprised me with such a great day, as evidenced by my excited face in the pictures we took that night. 

Every birthday princess knows that a birthday party isn't complete without a slumber party, so clearly I had one that night! Julie and Kiera were ready to celebrate when I got home from my celebration with Matt, and celebrate we did, until I was so tired that my eyes wouldn't stay open. Then the next day, we continued celebrating, by fixing our hair and makeup like princesses do, of course! 

Ready for our slumber party!

Have you ever met more beautiful fairy princesses?

My girls. The only thing that could have made the slumber party better is if Mag could have joined us for a cousin night! :)

On Friday Matt and I celebrated again, but I didn't get any pictures. #bloggerbirthdayfail. On Saturday, I met Twin Lori and Baby Tate for a birthday lunch! I'm telling you, I celebrate my birthday right! :)

Saturday night, my family came over to celebrate. I'd told momma I wanted a sparkly pink cake, but she outdid herself with this delicious made-from-scratch, glittering, pink, pearl Shae-cake.

After eating cake, Tate had to try pickle juice. He liked it, I promise. 

On Sunday, we had the Pikey Family Reunion because my great-great-great grandpa Benson Pikey was inducted into the Chickasaw Nation Hall of Fame on Tuesday! I enjoyed the event so much - there's always so much Chickasaw history and I find it very interesting to learn more about the people who have given so much to my tribe.

Great-great Aunt Marie - Ben Pikey's granddaughter - had to hit the casino floor for a bit after the Hall of Fame! She will be 102 this summer and is still just as rotten as they come :) 

On Wednesday morning (I think - my days are running together - eep!), my baby brother Kale was on TV! AmPo was chosen as OKC FOX's Cool School and Kale and the Elementary Choir got to perform! It was too cool. I asked him for his autograph and he told me I wasn't a "real person" so I didn't get it. Ouch!

Matt and Thabo came over last Wednesday night for dinner - I made pizza from almost-scratch (lies. It was totally from a box). Molly and Thabo weren't quite sure what to think of each other - my sassy little pug doesn't like to share, but tries to be as lazy as possible while defending her territory. At one point, she was sitting on Matt and staring down Thabo as he played. They haven't seen each other since Thabo was a tiny baby puppy, but by the end of the night I think they'd decided to be friends. 

On Friday, Magan, Kiera and I ran around the countryside taking pictures, and I got to see a beautiful sunset after taking pictures in the middle of the road. I'll be sure to share some pictures from their photo shoot soon :) 

On Saturday, I got up bright and early (for the weekend) to go to Letter Carriers' Food Drive! My job was to go to various sites and take pictures, and Matt's job was to drive me. I had such a fun day and really appreciated Matt going along with me to work! After the food drive, we went to dinner, watched the Thunder and even shopped a little! Such a solid Saturday :) 

Almost done with our day of work! 

Sunday it was time to celebrate MOM! My brothers and I are blessed with a truly incredible woman to call momma. We had a day at the ponds with our whole family, complete with fishing, homemade fried chicken, hot dog roasts, smores and sunburns! I can't wait for more days like this all summer long. 

Daddy said the rule is if you're driving the truck, the windows are down. I agree. 

I did an activity called "princess fishing" at the pond - I threw the line(?), reeled in the fish, but daddy took it off and held for the pictures. I don't touch gross things like that!

Such a busy, fun couple of weeks! God has put some truly wonderful people in my life and I am so, so very blessed! In conclusion: I'm seriously liking 24 so far.