#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! :)

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!

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. 

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. 

Hi there!

Remember me? Yeah, yeah, I know, I abandoned my blog again. I got busy. You know the story. I really try to be a "good blogger" and blog consistently, but then that thing that I blog about (life) happens and sometimes other things just get priority.

Rather than dumping all of the last 15 days (has it really been that long?) at once, I'll start off slowly.

July 4th week!

My Independence Day week started out with a celebration of my own freedom - from debt!! I paid off my Jeep on July 2, 2013, and I've never been happier! Today was my first payday without a car payment attached to it since February 2010 (technically April 2010 since I didn't have to pay the first two months if I remember correctly... that's still a long time!). When daddy and I walked out of MeCu (never use them, btw) I couldn't stop smiling and I just wanted to scream "I'M DEBT FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" So here I am, virtually yelling it.

First on July 4 I had a wedding rehearsal to attend for my friend Jessica. I wore a fantastic hot pink dress from Lucca (that of course I forgot to get a picture of. #fail). For our July 4 festivities, in addition to rocking my "Red, White & Bows" tank, I had a fantastic bow by Brenna. Of course, I wore my new found love Old Navy shorts as well. My family, Matt, Thabo & my bestie Caylee came over for food & fireworks

Friday was Jessica's wedding day! The day started with a mani/pedi at the Pink House, and I realized I hadn't had either since like my birthday. #Unacceptable. Of course I failed at getting any pictures with Jessica that day, but I did get a picture with Matt & Caylee at the reception. I'll update with the picture the photog took of Jess and I when I get it - her dress was so beautiful :)

Saturday after lunch with Caylee & her parents, Matt & I went to the mall to watch Despicable Me 2 - I LOVED it! I'm not one for animated movies but after Monsters U & Despicable Me 2 I may have to change my mind. Plus, the theater we went to had amazing seats. OKC friends, check out the renovated theater at Penn Square. You won't be disappointed! We also stopped by Sephora so I could buy the YOU + SEPHORA VIO Cosmetic Collection. The bag it comes in is wonderful, and it benefits a nonprofit of the store's choice. The Penn Square location benefits the Regional Food Bank!* The collection includes gold nail polish, gold glitter liquid eyeliner (so cute & festive!) and a lip gloss. #FancyPants. I also picked up some of the Sephora brand cream lip stain while I was there and fell.in.love.

Sunday after church, I'm pretty sure I slept all day. #Exhaustion. However, I did have time to start on a craft...which I'll share next time I blog!

-xo

*I purchased the VIO bag because I wanted to. I was not compensated by Sephora or the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma for sharing information about the promotion. 

Weekend...and Home Alone with Molly

Hi friends! Did you all have a fantastic weekend? I most certainly did! I'm going to back this up alll the way to last week though, because I didn't tell you much of anything that happened last week, for good reason - I was home alone, and I was not ABOUT to tip off any kidnappers (I'm kid-sized, I could get kidnapped) because I don't have the skillz of the Home Alone kid when it comes to warding off home invaders - instead I would have hide in my closet with Molly and cry on the phone (battery at 5%, of course) with my daddy while waiting for Granddad to show up and save the day (yes guys, that happened). Thankfully it was just some of our neighbors, but it was enough that Miss Molly and I didn't' sleep much for two nights and ended up spending Thursday night safely at my grandparents. However, the entire time my parents & brothers were at camp, I had an automatic trash can (it rolled itself to the road on trash day!), an automatic gate opener (locked every night and open before I left for work!), and an automatic cattle feeder. Oh wait, that was all Granddad - I was very well taken care of :)

Molly sleeps like a human.

Anyway, Monday night, Matt came over for dinner and it was "semi-homemade with Shae" - meaning I stopped by the grocery store and threw together something resembling a meal. I took one of their rotisserie chickens, shredded it, poured in Head Country BBQ sauce, microwaved to warm, and served on King's Hawaiian rolls, slider style. Delish! I also picked up some red potato salad and chips, just in case the chicken didn't turn out right. Of course, I made rice krispy treats to go along with dinner since they're the one thing I know I do correctly every single time.

Tuesday night was spent huddling in my closet with Molly. Oh, and she was having some MAJOR breathing issues last week so HAD anyone broken into our house they would have found us in 2.2 seconds since the locked closet door + Benadryl did nothing to mask her loud breathing.

On Wednesday, I went shopping to reward myself for surviving Tuesday night. I'd been wanting a pair of colored shorts to brighten up my life and Old Navy had the perfect pair. So perfect, in fact, that my Caylee and I both ended up wearing them on Saturday (hundreds of miles apart). #LikeBigLikeLittle #Perfect #Besties (Yes, that deserved 3 tags. #Duh). They're perfect and comfortable and I LOVE the color so much. I'm definitely going to be buying them in every color the first chance I get.

get them here

Molly and I had a slumber party at my grandparents on Thursday night, and Friday night, I went to Falls Creek! Mom & Dad had been cooking all week and the boys were campers. Kaden was leaving Saturday for a mission trip, so he wanted to sleep in his own bed for a night - Super Sis to the rescue! We drove home Friday night and I dropped him off with mom to go back to Falls Creek for training Saturday.

With Kale at Falls Creek - baby brother has officially passed me in height .

After dropping Kaden off on Saturday, I tanned (it's Jessica's wedding week!) & headed home. Matt came over and we watched movies with Dad & Kale (while mom slept) then picked up steak from Ken's. Matt took me out on a super fun date - putt-putt and the drive in! The drive in that's in Chickasha has a putt-putt course in front of the screen, so we played a game before the movies started. He beat me, but I let him win fair and square :( We saw Monsters University - LOVED IT - and stuck around for about half of Now You See Me - it was too late for us old folks.

At least we tied the first 9!

My shirt has sparkles. Love.

Sunday after church, it was time for lunch with mom, dad & Kale, hours of swimming with Kale & Kiera, then the Falls Creek service at church.

I ended the night snuggling with Molly and praying for my brother & his team to have a GREAT week on their mission trip! Please join me in praying for him, his team, their leaders and the people they'll be working with over the next week. If you'd like to follow along, FBC Tuttle will be posting daily updates of specific things to pray for on Facebook while Kaden's away. 

Don't forget - Google Reader is gone, so follow with Bloglovin' or by email (look to your left for an email box!)

Linking up with Sami.