Show Us Where You Live-- Kitchen

I'm not sure how many of you read Kelly's Korner, but I know at least one of you does (Tera K.)! Anyway, she is doing "Show Us Where You Live Friday" (yes, I know that it's Tuesday, I'm a few days behind!). Show Us Where You Live consists of each Friday showing a different room of your house. You post your blog post on Mr. Linky back on Kelly's blog. Fun Idea! I LOVE checking out other peoples houses and how they decorate and all that good stuff so I'm sooo into this! This past Friday the room in your house was the kitchen. Now my kitchen is probably my least favorite room of our house. Yes, My Dear Sweet Husband is a cabinet maker by day... and NO I do not have nice cabinets. I have the original cabinets that came with our house and I DO NOT LIKE THEM! It's the one room I complain about all the time! Our first house had brand new custom cabinets and I LOVED THEM! Anyway-- maybe one day soon... (sweetie are you reading this?!) lol. No, Ryan doesn't read my blog, I'm just kidding! Believe me, he hears about it pretty much every day!

the view from the entry way

the view from the dining room

shelf w/ uppercase living above it

my napkin & papertowel holder & candy jar-- i registered for these at Olde Country Barn when we got married :)

a cabinet i also registered for at olde country barn when we got married. i keep my baggies, alum. foil, plastic wrap, etc... in here and also some extra wash cloths/towels (there are 2 shelves in there). the church on top has a switch and it lights up, the little saying says "believe" and the picture frame says "we are children of God".

~Now that you have seen my kitchen I hope you also go and do yours!! :)

G l a s s e s-- BOO!

*Friday* my mom and I went to Indy for my Great Aunt Toot's funeral. It was a very nice service with some soulful singing. I loved it. The rain held off long enough for us to go to the graveside service as well. It was nice to see some cousins and family that I don't see too often- I just wish it was a different circumstance. It was a long day b/c we drove there, had the service and drove home. We got home about 6:30pm. Ryan, B, and I went driving around and checking out some different properties that evening. I was so tired and sick of driving- but there wasn't really anything else we wanted to do.

*Saturday* Ryan mowed and I cleaned. B enjoyed playing outside since it wasn't raining. We went out to eat for a family friend (jeremy)'s birthday. We went to the Log Inn. I love that place--such a neat atmosphere. The three of us rode w/ my parents down there since my brother couldn't go b/c he had to work. We ate sort of early (around 5pm) so after we got back my we all went driving around looking at some more property again.

*Yesterday* we got up and got ready for church... my eyes were bothering me something terrible. Well by the time we got to Montgomery I couldn't keep my contacts in and my eyes were burning. We had to turn around and come home and didn't even get to go to church. I went home and put on my glasses (which I can't see out of b/c they are so old). We just hung out around the house. In the afternoon we decided to go get our Wal-Mart stuff & some stuff we needed at Home Depot. We ate supper at Fazoli's too. I love their breadsticks. lol. I hate wearing glasses, but then when I complain about it I feel bad, b/c at least I'm not blind with them on.

*Today* I am stuck wearing glasses again until at least after work then I get to run by the eye dr. and pick up some new contacts (mine are being ordered at this moment and not in yet!). I'm not sure if I will be able to wear them or not though... at least my eyes haven't been too itchy today. Work is super busy this week, IRS inspections are on Thursday. What fun, ha! This evening I have laundry that needs done and that's about all that's on my agenda! This week seems pretty slow--that we don't have much scheduled. Hopefully I can get caught up at work and at home!

B & Ty Ty (my BFF Vanessa's little guy). They stayed w/ Ryan on Thurs. evening while Vanessa & I went to a yard sale. Poor Ryan had his hands full :) They are so funny together-- just like brothers!

He wanted me to take pictures of him and Iz :)

And w/ Roscoe... this poor cat gets drug around everywhere-- but she doesn't seem to mind!

just catching up

Well, I'm not really sure what to write. I have a lot of "deep" feelings floating around my head & my heart, but I really don't even know what they are... so I think I'll just go with a post about our week.

Monday evening I had to get some stuff ready for my Pampered Chef party. Ryan mowed & B played outside w/ the dog and the kitten and jumped on the trampoline. We had a pretty nice evening, although it was full of "busy stuff".

Tuesday was hectic after work getting the final details worked out for my Pampered Chef party. I thought the party went really well and I am pleased w/ it! I haven't closed yet, so if you want to order something- let me know! We had a great turnout and a really fun group of people. It was a relaxing evening with GOOD food :) and who doesn't like good food and girl talk?! lol. Ryan & B went over to my good friend Vanessa's to hang out w/ her hubby Clint and little boy Tyler (clint and ryan are good friends too & so are our boys). They said the boys were angels for them so that was good! I was up late trying to pick out all the stuff I want to get, haha! I should of went to bed b/c I woke up tired yesterday.

Yesterday while B was at pre-school I came into work for a few hours. Then I went to pick out my new glasses at the eye dr. I couldn't do it on Fri. b/c my eyes were dilated I couldn't see! I hate myself in glasses so I couldn't find a pair that I just loved or anything, but the ones I got are "ok" and will do if my contacts are bothering me or something. After I picked up B we went to visit my mom at work and ate lunch w/ her. My brother was in lunch too and so B got to hang out w/ him which made him a happy boy! He loves his Uncle Joe! After that we went to look at some property that is for sale that we had heard about. Ryan hasn't got to see it yet, but I like it... we aren't doing anything though until we know something for sure about our house. We headed home and I did some laundry and B played & then we jumped on the trampoline. While we were hanging out outside I was watching our super old neighbor across the road mow his lawn and I was thinking "man he really shouldn't be mowing" (he is REALLY old & lives alone), just about the time I was thinking that he was mowing on a hill and he fell off his mower! His next door neighbor was outside at the time and also saw it and went running over there. Oh it was so terrible.... then it took the ambulance FOREVER to get there. He seemed okay after awhile, but they took him to the hospital to make sure. Last night B was telling everyone "you know the guy that lives on the left across the road?? Well he fell off his lawn mower and the ambulance came and parked in our yard." lol... he was too cute. I was impressed he knew it was the house on the left though ;). Ryan had to work late in Evansville last night so we couldn't go to small group :(. I hate missing b/c I love it! B & I didn't want to stay home all evening by ourselves though so we went w/ my mom to my brothers track meet at Princeton. Beforehand we picked up my brothers old girlfiend Brae (i miss her!) and we all went out to eat at Pizza Hut. Joe did good at the meet- but he never is proud of himself- he always is mad about his time! It was a HUGE meet (10 teams I believe). We didn't get home until almost 11! I was SOOO tired (and still am today!). B & I went straight to bed.

Today is work & stuff around the house this evening. Tomorrow is my Aunt's funeral in Indy. We are leaving at 6am! It is going to be a long day. My mom and I are just going. My grandma is watching B and Ryan and my dad have to work. I thought that was too long of a trip for B in one day plus having to sit through a funeral... and I didn't want him to have to attend yet another funeral this month... this year.... he is only 4 after all. He is such a good boy I know it would be fine, but I emotionally I don't want him to have to be there for all that.

Britt & I after my Pampered Chef party the other evening (ryan must of been confused?).

Britt, Chelsey, and I after my party~ love these girls :)

Brycen Hunter-- gun and goggles?! who knows!

My brother & B when we went to have lunch yesterday at mom's work. He was working the sign up table for the senior dinner (i can't believe my baby brother is a senior!). You can tell by this picture what kind of mischief these two get in!!

Walk

I had posted earlier that my friend L and her sweet family were walking in memory of Andon on this past Saturday. She sent me a couple pictures and I just had to share them with ya'll! I'm so touched by her sweetness and generosity. It is amazing to see how many people have had a loss so similiar... I just had FIVE families come to my mind just now... and if I thought harder about it I could come up with more, that I know personally. It makes my heart hurt that that many people have hurt as bad as I hurt. I also know that each of those five families have hope in Jesus Christ, I absolutly cannot fathom going through a loss like this and not having our Father to fall into His arms and weep and know that this isn't the end.
They bought balloons in memory of each baby to let off... reminds me of all the people that let balloons go in Andon's name around Valentines day when Courtney did the blog memorial for us.


Leilanni and her sweet girls Ellie & Caroline (aren't they adorable?!) at the walk!

I did receive some more bad news this morning... my great aunt toots (that's what they call her, i have no idea why!) passed away around midnight. About a month ago they found out she had cancer and she was to start treatments this week... that wasn't meant to be, she went to be with Jesus. I'm sad. Believe me, I'm so sad... but I don't have any tears left to cry anymore. I sort of feel like I'm becoming "hard" to all this sadness around me... or I guess maybe you call that denial. My heart hurts for her 3 kids and her grandkids because I'm sure this seems so sudden. One day she was (seemingly) healthy and the next she is gone. I feel like our family is just being attacked these past almost 3 (i can't believe that it's been that long) months... I am sick of death and caskets and funerals... But I know Satan wants me to give up, he wants me to get depressed and doubt God, but I won't. I can't.

Gorgeous Weekend Weather = Lots of time to play outside!

We had a really good weekend! We loved all the beautiful weather (who wouldn't?!). Friday I left work early to go the eye dr. for a check up. I dread the eye dr. almost as much as I do the dentist (my eyes are terrible) and I always put it off... He told me on Friday I have an increased chance of my retina's detaching b/c my prescription is so high. nice. Just what you always want to hear. I changed to a new brand of contacts and I'm excited about that. They are a little more expensive, but supposed to be a whole lot better for your eyes. So far the trial pair I have in is working great! I also got my eyes dialated (eww). I think that's the part I dread the most. I went home and had an hour until Ryan & B got home so I just layed down and closed my eyes (couldn't see to do anything and it was giving me a headache from straining to see). When they got home my eyes were some better. I needed to go to Wal-Mart & Ryan had some things to get at Home Depot so we just went to Jasper and did both things. We still got home fairly early & just made pizza for supper.

Saturday morning we got up and started putting the trampoline together... what a job- I'm sure we looked hilarious! Then the neighbor came over and helped Ryan get the rest of the swingset put back up. I went and got flowers for my pots for the porch/front of the house at Lemond's (which is only like 4 miles away from us, family owned, super friendly people, with great prices)! Brycen LOVES the trampoline. I wish I would of got this on tape, but he said, "I'm never going to eat, I'm never going to drink and I'm never going to sleep, I'm staying on here forever, because trampolines are AWESOME!!" He makes me smile... actually I laughed all day off and on at that one. I think I love the trampoline almost as much as him! I was sore yesterday from jumping so much on Saturday! I also got the house cleaned on Saturday & hung all my wash out on the line. I love hanging it outside! Ryan also got the front deck stained/sealed! It looks much better... now he just has the back deck to do. We didn't come inside until 9pm to eat supper! We were all so dirty, but I think that just says what a fun/productive day we had! In between all that we also played w/ the baby kitten (yah, just one now, the other one disappeared....) and Iz (our dog). We were so tired once we got our showers and sat down! B & I went to bed right away after that.

Yesterday we went to church & then went to visit Ryan's Grandma Knepp & then had lunch w/ his family. Brycen really enjoyed playing w/ his cousins, he hadn't seen them for a few weeks. We got home about 3:30... and of course B had to jump on his trampoline for a little while. I told him he had to take a nap, but that didn't end up happening. Around 5 we left to go to my parents for supper. My cousin Todd and his momma Lisa dropped by my parents to visit. Then we ate supper and just hung out. We got home about 8:00 and gave B a bath and I had to water the plants. I stayed up too late watching "my shows". I woke up with a headache this morning :(.

First time jumping on the trampoline (we didn't have the safety things on yet-- he was too excited to wait!)

Love this picture (i was laying on the trampoline and he was bouncing me--fun stuff)

we got this as a hanging plant when my Papaw died-- I removed it and put in this pot on our front porch! I think it's so pretty- the picture doesn't do it justice.

Hailey, Brycen, and Jayce playing in the fish pond yesterday afternoon.

Also, I wanted to mention that I am having a Pampered Chef Party tomorrow evening at my house at 6:30 (get ahold of me for directions). I'd love to have any/all of you to come!

My Life In 30 Sentences...plus some! ha!

I really have nothing imparticular that I want to post today... I saw this on L's blog and found it fun to learn more about her so I thought I would do it too... although, I doubt there is anything too interesting about my life in the past 23 years! lol.

1. My Grandma always babysat for me while my parents worked. Those will always be some of my best memories.
2. I used to make myself sick worrying about if people were mad at me or not... I still struggle with this.
3. I took my first plane ride at 2 months to Ft. Lauderdale Fla.
4. My mom had me swimming in the pool pretty much as soon as I was born... I'm still a huge water lover!
5. My dad was a police officer until I was 8, he had a gun held to his head and decided he better find a new occupation! I'm so thankful he did, but still have great respect for police officers and hate when people refer to them as "pigs, cops... etc". I work with these guys daily with my job and just have a HUGE respect for the job they do.
6. My Papaw would sit in his recliner and time my handstands w/ his stopwatch for hours on end when I was a little girl! I never tired of that game!
7. I always pictured myself getting married young-- that dream came true :)
8. I also always pictured myself having 6 kids... not going to happen!
9. When I was a little girl my mom said instead of begging to look at "the toy aisle" at a store, I begged to look at the "shoe aisle"... hmm :) lol
10. I have NEVER liked McDonalds. As a child my mom said if she asked me where I wanted to eat I said, "Chi-Chi's"! Lucky her! I have had to learn to at least tolerate McDonald's b/c like most "normal" kids B loves it.
11. I have read more books then I could EVER count! My mom would take me to a book store in Evansville to get The BabySitter's Club books and I would aleady have one read before we ever pulled in the driveway! I had every book they ever had about those girls! All the different series' and everything!
12. I went to two proms my freshman year. I had a ton of fun at the PC prom and HATED the Washington prom... less to do w/ the prom then my situation (went w/ an ex)!
13. I met my husband in the Barr Reeve parking lot... come to find out I was a bet to see who could call me first.nice. ha! (i didn't know i was a bet until AFTER we were married!) Ryan says he is still trying to figure out who won the bet!! :)
14. My brother let all my balloon's go on my 12th birthday, but also made me a cake :)
15. When I was little I would only drink my coke hot! EW!
16. My mom worked at Pike Central the whole time I was in school there (6-12 grade) so I could NEVER get away with anything! I probably spent more time in her office then in class though!
17. I ate a chicken filet w/ nacho cheese every day for lunch for 7 years (6-12 grade). There might of been a few days I got something else, but that was a rare occasion! I still love chicken filets and nacho cheese and B and I go to visit my mom at work a lot of Wed. and I have that for lunch:)
18. I've always wanted a sister and got one when I got married :)
19. I had an outside wedding and wouldn't change that for the world!
20. I started gymnastics (tumbling) when I was 2.
21. I keep a date book aka "handy dandy planner" (as ryan calls it). I have to write in it daily... it's kind of a life source!
22. I've always liked thinking of names and used to make lists and lists of them, even when I was a little girl!
23. Everyone thought my best friend Chelsea and I were twins from the time we were in elem. school until we graduated h.s. ~when we were little we would call ourselves "Aleah and Alexis" haha :)
24. I got my first trampoline for my 4th birthday & went through 3 by the time I moved out! I'm so excited we are setting up B's this weekend!
25. Before I was married and had B I would drive around on backroads and listen to music when I was upset or even just bored. I took B on "backroads" to go home the other day and he thought it was the coolest thing ever. I love finding new roads and looking at houses or even old buildings... or just enjoying God's scenery he put here for us to look at!
26. I like to write with "fat" pens... ya know the kind that writes smooth and big... not the pointy kind or that leaves lighter marks!
27. I've always loved to take pictures... ask any of my childhood friends :) I rarely like a picture of myself though...
28. I always had pets growing up and I want the same for B!
29. I've always had terrible allergies (that are some better after I've had kids)... the whites of my eyes used to swell over the colored area!! talk about looking like a freak!
30. I've been saved by Grace :)

Now if you're bored do this because I love learning about people! :)

Shortly after we met in the B.R. Parking lot :) this was our very first picture together... and still one of my favorites! *Yesterday was 8 yrs from the day we started "dating"!

The Sister I gained when I got married :) (this was when I was about 17 I think) Don't know what I would do w/out her!

Chelsea & I aka Aleah and Alexis!haha :)

My First Car-- plenty of cruising backroads and listening to music done in here :)

All those gymnastics lessons paid off in h.s. :) haha! Now my body hurts from bending it until those unnatural positions :)

Courtney O. & I at that dreaded WHS prom in 2001! (terrible pic of me, but I had to put it on here!)

My Cousin Tosha and I with one of my pets "Snickers" :)

The shoe aisle must of led me to some cowboy boots :) *i guess B's love for boots comes naturally! ha!

Always ready to go swimming :)

my 12th birthday when my Bubby made me a cake :) <3

~Always a Papaw's girl~ RIP

catch up

Well, we have been so busy the past week with everything going on that I feel like I haven't had time to breathe! Friday after I posted I worked a bit and then went to be with my family. We all went and had lunch out together and then went to the funeral home to pick everything out and get the service all in order. My friend L asked me in an email if that brought back memories of doing it for Andon. I hadn't really thought of how I would feel before I got there on Friday, but it did bring back the memories... although they weren't bad memories. I think I just felt relief that I wasn't back in that position anymore. I will never forgot that day at the funeral home, I felt so young and inadequate to be making those decisions that you never think you will be faced with until you're much much older. Even though the people at the funeral home were wonderful, very sincere and knew how hard it was, no matter how easy they tried to make it, it was still one of the hardest things to do. I felt like a pro by the time we were doing it for Papaw. We picked out a nice casket that had a deer background (my Papaw was an avid hunter and fisherman). My Grandma isn't a fan of normal organ music that they play at funerals so Ryan had burnt a cd for them with some of their favorite gospel songs. They were songs they used to sing with each other! I thought that was so sweet! We did flowers from the great-grandkids (Brycen and Andon) just a little boquet that they laid in the back of the casket and we put a picture of Andon and a picture of B on each side of the flowers. It was so sweet... I'm especially glad now that we went ahead with Andon Joseph Richard as his name instead of just Andon Joseph! Anyway, I'm rambling again... go figure! Friday night we had supper again at my parents with the whole family. My Uncle Dan's daughter flew in from Cali. and it was nice to visit with her, hadn't seen her since 2004 when I was pregnant with B! Saturday morning I came into work for a bit because of leaving on Friday and missing so much this week. I got a bunch done and then went home and enjoyed the beautiful weather Ryan and Brycen. I also got my house cleaned since someone was coming to look at it on Sunday! Saturday evening we went back over to my parents to be with my family. My Uncle Dan's other daughter Kathy and her husband Jeff flew in, it was nice to visit with them because I hadn't seen them since 1998, when I was in 6th grade! Every night has been a late night for us the past week! I'm exhausted! Sunday morning we got up and went to church & then came home and the guy came to look at our house... that went AWESOME. We are still on hold for a few months. He works at Alcoa and they told them if they get through the summer then their jobs will be safe, SO if that happens and he doesn't get layed off over the summer, he wants it FOR SURE! That timing actually works out better for us anyway since we have no plans whatsoever in place right now. I guess we will see what God has in store for us over the next few months and into early fall! As soon as he left we had to get ready to go to the funeral home for the viewing. We were there for about 5 1/2 or 6 hours. The line never quit. There was such a turn out of people showing their love and support to my family. I am so honored by the awesome tribute that showed to what a great guy my Papaw was! Monday I was pretty for sure it was supposed to rain, but I know the sun was shining on us all day because Andon and my Papaw were smiling down on us! The service went very well. Brycen did great, sitting on my Grandma's lap the whole time... that was good for both of them. The funeral was also packed, I don't think there was an open chair! I KNEW my Papaw was an amazing person- I'm just glad to know everyone else thought so too! At the graveside service the weather was just beautiful, in the sun it was even warm! My Papaw was layed to rest beside his own son, Stephen, that was stillborn on April 1, 1957. We had lunch at the church afterward. Ryan, B, and I then went home to try and rest for awhile, I was exhausted and the other two were as well! B and I got up and went with my family that was here visiting and my parents to watch my brother at his track meet. He won both his long distance events! He's pretty awesome :). After the meet we went back to my parents and all had pizza. My uncle Dan got Brycen a new bugle... yes, a real bugle... thank you uncle dan! ha! That's the loudest thing I've ever heard! Saying Good-Bye Monday night to Jeff and Kathy and Uncle Dan and Uncle Bill, Aunt Barb, and Aunt Karen was kind of hard. Having all the company has made things a little easier I believe... Yesterday I worked, and then left at 1 to go to my dr's appt. in Evansville. My appt. went fine! My BP is doing great and I guess I'm declared "healthy" again :)! I don't go back until July... unless I need to before that... :). I'm kind of hoping I need to before that! We'll see what what the next couple of months holds though I guess. Yesterday was Kayla's cerclage as well. It went really well and they said she had it just in time. PRAISE GOD! Last night we went out to eat again as a family. It was cousin Penny's last night here. After we went out to eat she came to see our house and visit for awhile. My mom and grandma are on their way to the airport with her now. I am getting ready to go pick Brycen up at school and then we are going to enjoy the pretty sunshine outside today!

He is such a goofball--pretending to sleep under a tree outside on Saturday!

Enjoying the pretty weather-haha

He has Uncle Dan wrapped around his finger!

Brycen with his "real bugle"! He can make some VERY LOUD noises with this thing!

We are looking forward to getting some stuff done around the house and RELAXING this weekend! We have been gone every night for over a week so we need to catch up and relax!!