go MIZZOU!

                                      Where is Kansas State anyways....GO TIGERS!!!

 Pumpkin Patch tomorrow...homecoming next weekend...Builder....its project time!!!

FALL weekend ahead

 I LOVE the fall.....don't you want to run through the trees and jump in a pile of leaves....

 LOVE the rustic crunch of fall....the sounds of the leaves and the wind with the cool air ....

 LOVE getting my nails in the darker colors...live on the wild side...black is back

 

This reminds me of the view from the grassy area...EK and I  on the blanket....blogging away as she sleeps...perfection 

 

LOVE the pumpkin faces all lit up ...fall parties are the best 

 The colors and textures....I love the ones with the warts...when else would warts be pretty!  Off to the pumpkin patch this weekend!!!  House updates soon, need to take the pictures.  Happy FALL!!

Note to EK

EK you feel like such a big girl now but you are still our little baby! Thank goodness. I am a terrible mom right now because I am not sure how many weeks you are but some quick math...I think 18 weeks....we talk in months now since your so big, 4 months! You are a ball of energy. Always ready to go and not wanting to shut those eyes when the fun is going on, you may miss something!! You have the sweetest giggle and love when the itsy bitsy spider goes up. You love watching anything bright that sings and dances. Watching you watch elmo last night was pure enjoyment. You are ok with your rice cereal. Really take it or leave it. Still love the bath but only in the whale tub, tried the big tub which was a laugh still not sure what I was thinking, you hated it. You hated it in STL as well. You love to go to sleep on momma, don't worry I love it!! You cuddle in and the body relaxes and boom as we say your out!! I think that is enough updates for you now. I want to share a big girl message with you. Not sure how many years will have passed when you read this but I want to share the words of a current great that has passed away this week, Steve Jobs. This guy has done some incredible things and really without him technology and more would not be the same. Who knows if a lap top is a thing of the past as you read this but he also has some incredible words to live by. What I love about his messages are that they challenge YOU to believe in yourself and YOU go out and make things happen. As your mom I hope to give you everything you need in life but the most important thing I can't give you but teach you....BELIEVE IN WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU WANT TO BE!! There will be ups and downs that challenge you but believing in yourself will get you through. That strength is more important then any party you don't get invited to, any team you don't make, any boy who breaks up with you, or any job you don't get.....with that belief you will bounce back a stronger girl then you already are!! I see big things and believe in you....lots of love momma

Baking Success!

I have read about these rainbow cakes and think they are so much fun. I have been wanting a reason to make one. Pappa's birthday was a great reason. EK was my assistant and it was actually very easy, quick, and delicious! The recipe I found was for a cake with 3 ingredients and was kinda healthy. I love sweets with a little healthier twist so you feel less guilty having seconds!! Here is the recipe and instructions I followed.

Sunny Day Rainbow Cake

2 boxes white cake mix
24 oz of clear diet soda (2 cans, ginger ale and sprite work well)
gel food colouring
16 oz whipped topping
2 oz instant fat-free sugar-free pudding mix (2 smallish boxes)

The Dieting
Mix the cake mix with the soda according to regular instructions on box. It will be lumpy afterward. Again, you can use any white cake recipe you want, this is just how I do it.

The Rainbowing
Measure the total volume (by my estimate, 64 oz), then divide by 6 and measure into separate bowls. There are 8 oz in a cup, so 64/6 = 10 to 11 oz, or 1 cup + 2 tbsp.

Stir colour into each bowl with its own spoon. For the first colour into the pan, measure out 2/3 to 3/4 of your mix (in this case about 1 c) as close to the middle as you can. Drop in your first three colours, then work on the other pan with the last three colours. So if you’re doing rainbow order, the first pan should have red, then orange, then yellow, and now the purple, blue and green go into the second pan. As a recap, this is so both layers are roughly the same size.

Bake the cake for however long the box tells you to bake it. Check it when the box says to, but usually it’ll need an extra 5 or 10 minutes or maybe more because of the density of the soda method. Just keep baking, checking back every 5 minutes or so until a toothpick to the center comes out clean. Let cool completely before moving to a wire rack.

The Frostinging
Meanwhile, make your frosting. Just mix the pudding mix in with the whipped topping for a few minutes. Dye if you’re into that.

Frost your fat-free cake with your fat-free whipped frosting. Eat.

Slow it down

So often our busy lives are moving so fast that we have to remind ourselves to slow it down and soak it all in before we are on to the next thing.  For me this is easier said then done.  I love to be on the go and the more going on the better.  Lately though I find myself trying to slow it down to soak it in.  I think its because of this sweet little baby that has entered my life.  A baby reminds you so much of how quickly life changes.  My goal is to be able to look back and remember those memories, those feelings, those smells, those sounds... Recently I tell my fast moving, firey self...your going to miss this (blogged on this a few posts back)...when ever I need to slow it down.  I think for everyone the slow it down is different but I challenge everyone to try it.  Slow it down doesn't mean you don't get things done it just means you get it done at a pace where you created those memories.  And the reality of it is the slow it down is for the good and the bad.  I feel sometimes when you blog or read blogs your creating this story and lets be realistic all stories have good and bad.  It always great to read the good but I also find a peace reading the bad sometimes.  No one has a picture perfect life and it is always great relating to someone over spilled milk.

 

So on my day off on Thursday, after a busy morning and early afternoon, I took a blanket outside and soaked in the breeze and sun while EK napped.  Boy I wish I could just snooze like she does!  I did get in some good quiet time...right as I was soaking it in, I look over at the sweet EK and there was a nasty worm right under her nose...WHAT the heck??  So gross.  Worm back in its dirt and we were back to pleasant thoughts!!  

Happy Birthday to Builder!

Happy Birthday to Builder/Pappa!!  We are so lucky to celebrate 31 years of such a great guy.  He is just the best!!!   31 words to describe him...
31. passionate
30. lovable
29. determined
28. gentle
27.motivated
26. Dad's boy
25. talented
24. intelligent
23. witty
22. kissable
21. resilient
20. family man
19. green thumb
18. relaxed
17. culinary
16. son
15. patient
14. numismatic
13. pappa
12. young at heart
11.crafty
10.builder
9. classic
7. friendly
6. hubby
5. strong
4. devoted
3.best friend
2. honest
1. loving

4 Months

EK is 4 months old!  At ever month I feel like I say the same thing...I can't believe she is whatever month old...well I say it again...I can't believe it has been 4 months..

Note to Etta Kate:
Hey Girl Hey!!  You have changed so much in just one short month.  You are not a newborn any more.  We have heard a lot this month that you are a mini me!!  It is so awesome to see myself in you!!  You sure do look a lot like me, you have pappas coloring though.  I will always be jealous of your tan!!  You love to play with toys and everything goes in your mouth.  I mean whatever you can grab goes right to your mouth.  You give the best kisses...wide open mouth of slobber.  We love them!!  You are starting to really like the Johnny Jump up.  One more month and I think it will be your favorite.  You still love to be held facing out, taking in all the action!  Your mama is still the best at putting you to sleep, middle of the chest and some bounces, you are out!  You have the loudest, I mean loudest, scream.  You go from happy to mad....your mad is mad!  You still love the bath!!  We got you a new car seat and car rides have been so much better.  You can sit better in this one and see out the window.  As we tell Pappa, 3 months is the life span of things.  So 3 months in one seat and on to the next one.  This new seat you are in until you don't need a seat, well that is what it says.  You love to listen to music, sing songs, or watch song/videos.  Some nights I youtube baby Einstein or MotherGoose club, you love it!  This month you sleep for about 6 hours sometimes little more or less.  It has been an adjustment again but you are still a decent sleeper so I am thankful.  We still take our morning walks with oh bother!  You are so cuddly,  I just soak it all in.  I know some day you will be out doing big things in this world so I just love to hold you close while I can and I will never forget how soft your skin is...especially those checks.  I just LOVE them and you so much!! Our adventure continues and we are on an awesome ride!!