Thankful Series Continued…

Today I can’t stop thinking about how very blessed I am to have been raised by two of the most amazing people on earth. So today as with everyday I am thankful for my parents. Momma Linda or Nana as Charlot has deemed her and Pappy Paul are remarkable people who raise two pretty great kids, if I do say so myself hahaha. No seriously my parents have been an example for me my entire life. They are an amazing example of what husbands and wives, moms and dads, Nana’s and Pap’s should be.

They raised my brother and I in a house full of laughter and love. But by no means were they pushovers they taught us right from wrong and if you were wrong, boy oh boy did you know it. My parents are the type of parents that once they had kids everything else was pretty much second. They sacrificed so much to make sure that we had everything that we needed. They did an amazing job of teaching responsibility, work ethic, service. From doing chores as a family to mission trips with my dad, to making certain we had jobs (even if they had to help complete those jobs), my parents were there.

Christ was and is the center of their house, and they made certain we knew all about it. My parents wanted me to know my God and have an open relationship with him and know how to pray. They taught us that in the best of times in life and the worst of times in life you need to pray and pray often. For these things I will always be thankful.

The thing that makes up my most fond memories, are all of our showing adventures. When my brother and I were both pretty young we started showing sheep and have continued showing but as we got older we turned to pigs. Of course we still do raise and show pigs. These times with my family never had a dull moment and my parents were always there helping and supporting (financially and emotionally) through all of it. Now if any of you reading are members of show families you understand that showing doesn’t always bring out the best in all of us. My family was no different and looking back now I wouldn’t change a thing. I am so proud that my parents are going to be there helping the next generation (aka Charlot) fall in love with showing livestock.

So here’s to you Mom and Dad! Thank you for all you did, do and will do for me, I won’t ever be able to repay you for everything. But I hope you know that I love you so much and I just think you are the BEST!!!

Thankful for the most amazing little girl

Lunch date with momma...those blue eyes get me every time

Today after being gone for a couple of days I am back with another thankful post, that doesn’t mean the few days I was off that I wasn’t thankful for something trust me every day I am thankful that I can get up out of bed. Today and every day I am especially thankful for my little nugget Charlot. She has been the most unexpected and amazing surprise in my life. For those of you who know me personally you know the story of Charlot and for those of you who don’t well here you go.

One of our first moments together...

I was told at a pretty young age that having children was going to be very difficult for me, if not impossible. That was something that I shared with the hubs early on in our relationship, I wanted him to have a free pass if that was something he couldn’t look past. But he loved me and said we would worry about that another day. In the spring of 2010 I was on the pill and had changed to a different pill that my doctor thought would be better for me. I didn’t cycle for the first month and I didn’t think much of it that wasn’t anything new, second month I was a bit more concerned called the Dr. they said take a pregnancy test. I did it came back negative. I didn’t worry anymore. Third month nothing called again Dr. said well this is probably what we have talked about that your body is just shutting down, we will schedule and appointment to see you. Mind you I was show no signs of pregnancy at this point, no weight gain actually I was loosing, I felt great, so I was on the same track as my doctor.

Such a happy baby and little girl.

On September 3rd 2010 my life changed forever, I was in the field with my boss working and I became extremely lightheaded and had to sit down. My boss took me back to the office where I sat down and called my family practice doctor. He couldn’t see me that afternoon but a Nurse Practitioner could. I wasn’t feeling well at all so the hubs came to pick me up. He had been working hogs all morning so he dropped my off at the doctor’s (he kind of smelled) office and ran the vet clinic. When I got into see her she wanted to do a CT scan but thought we should draw blood (my biggest fear) for a pregnancy test. After the blood draw I sat in the room waiting for what seemed an eternity, I kept thinking I can’t really be pregnant right, well then I heard her whisper to the other nurse cancel the CT. And I knew in that moment my life was changed forever. She came in and told me what I already knew that I was pregnant and that I needed to schedule an appointment with my OBGYN.

I sat there for quite a while, somewhere between shock, disbelief, panic, and joy. Let me get real here for a moment, this was not in my 5 year plan at that point. I was very into my career, I loved where I saw it going, I wanted the hubs and I to be married for 5 years before we had a baby, I had other things I thought I wanted first. Well apparently the Lord knew exactly what I needed. As I walked outside to get in the truck with my husband I was trying to decide how I would tell him. I got in and he said (in his true fashion mind you), “well what did they say are you going to live.” I looked him square in the eye and with no expression on my face I said “Well ready or not I am pregnant.” And in that moment we both could not stop smiling and crying it was amazing and I knew it would all be alright.

On her first birthday

Charlot has brought a type of joy to my life that I can’t even describe; I sit at night and just watch her sleep still amazed at God gave her to us. So as I said today and EVERY SINGLE DAY NOW AND FOREVER I am and will be thankful for her. I love you so much Charlot.

Thankful...for the love of the kitchen

Trisha Yearwood's Chicken Tortilla Soup...Easy, Fast and YUMMY!!!

Today I am extremely thankful for my love of cooking. I absolutely love to be in the kitchen creating and tasting and making something yummy. I love the way a meal can bring people together and can keep people alive in your hearts forever. My family is full of amazing cooks, and I know that is where I get my love from. I grew up in a family that every get together included a meal and those are such happy memories for me.


The way food can go from generation to generation just amazes me I have spent time in the kitchen with not only my grandmothers but my great grandmothers. My Granny (my dad’s paternal grandmother) made the most amazing biscuits known to man and when we would go see her each summer I got the job of putting a bit of Crisco on the top of each biscuit. Every time I eat Granny’s Biscuits that my momma has nearly perfected I think of those memories. Another amazing woman and cook was my Aunt Alice and for as long as I can remember she brought deviled eggs to all of our family dinners and sometimes she brought her Strawberry cake. I challenged myself to learn how to make both so that her memory would remain with us. I now bring deviled eggs to some family dinners and I baked a Strawberry Cake for Charlot’s first Birthday. My next challenge is to be able to make Cashew Brittle like my Grandma Kathryn, I don’t think she is sharing her whole recipe yet…and I want to make cinnamon rolls like my momma they are so good. But yeast is my enemy currently.

So thank you to all the women and men (my dad is a great Cajun cook) who helped form my love of the kitchen. And a special thank you to my momma, she was and still is so patient with me in the kitchen and is a willing teacher.

Here is the link to one of my latest favorite recipes… Trisha Yearwood’s Chicken Tortilla Soup this stuff was crazy good!

Thankful #6

So today as I was sitting in an interview for a potential new hire at my office I realized just how thankful I am that I no longer HAVE to do that. Be on the other side of the table that is. I mean you are completely vulnerable you are bearing practically everything about yourself and trying to keep a professional composure as well as letting them see the “real” you. Wowsers that is a lot.


I am so very thankful to have a job that I love, that supports my family as well as it does, and is also very friendly to my work/life balance most of the time. As I watched and listened to this young person today I couldn’t help but thank God for the job he has provided me. In today’s world and economic times it is a very tough market and I need to remind myself of that from time to time when I am complaining about my job.

On another note my little bit is not feeling so great, and again my momma swooped in and took her to the Dr. for me today. She has yet another ear infection  these just break my heart. But I know that she will heal soon with the antibiotics they gave her today. This picture was last night while she was trying to wash her own hair, I thought even though it is blurry it was pretty stinking cute!

Sometimes it is the smallest things…

Today I am thankful for the small things that can totally turn a day around. A piece of good news, having lunch with friends, seeing your baby happy and smiling these are the things that do it for me. It always seems to happen when I am having the crappiest of crappy days that there is normally something that can turn the day around. Maybe not always fully turn it around but at minimum lift my spirits. Yesterday was Charlot’s first day at the new babysitter and dropping her off was no picnic which in turn made my morning not so hot. And after a few phone calls to the new sitter I felt a bit better, but was still uneasy. Then quitting time finally hit and when I got there my sweet little one had a smile on her face and wasn’t exactly ready to go. Oh that did her momma’s heart some good. Plus this morning was like a polar opposite to yesterday.


So just remember that when it seems that all there is, is gloom more than likely a ray of sunshine is coming your way!

Thanks to a friend for reminding me of this ;)!

Thankful day #4

So today I am so very thankful and I know it has been said a 1000 times today, I am so very thankful to live in a country that I am able to vote without persecution, or fear. I am so proud to be an American, today and every day. I have family members and friends who have served and are serving for our country and our freedoms, and I do not want to ever take that for granted.


Today I was reminded about what an honor it is to vote as a friend of mine shared a picture of his significant other voting for the first time because they were born outside of the U.S. and has spent the past several years going through the citizenship process. The look on their face was priceless, sheer pride and joy. I hope each and every one of you gets out take advantage of this PRIVILEGE we have as Americans and VOTE!!!

Oh and I am so so happy that the political ads will soon be over! I am ready for good funny commercials again!

Oh the hubs just informed me that whatever I had planned to watch on TV tonight was being nixed, he is turning on election coverage as soon as he gets home!!! He is a barrel of fun, he even said no Wheel of Fortune why doesn't he just take my birthday away too! No not really, but kind of.

Her first Mizzou Football Game!!!

After a weekend away it is high time to begin the thankful posts again. Today I want to highlight how very thankful I am that the hubs and I took our little one to Mizzou’s Homecoming Game. It was the last weekend in October and we had a blast. But I will admit that there were three tired members of our family that evening. I am so thankful because I truly cherish everything we are able to do with our child each new experience is so awesome for her. She takes the time to literally take EVERYTHING in. I am thankful that we are both physically and financially able to do special things like this with her. Plus anytime I get to go back to campus is special for me!


The day started off with a breakfast tailgate with my parents, oh it was so so so cold that morning, but we had a blast. Charlot was amazed by all the sights and sounds of the entire day. Thank you to my parents for allowing us to tag along it was a great day!!!



She made friends with our entire section!



Charlot enjoying her fave snack and daddy intensely watching the game!

Hope everyone is having an amazing MONDAY!!!

Day #2-Thankful Series

Charlot, Stephanie, and Cash this morning!

Today in my second day of my “thankful” series I am telling you about a person that doesn’t always get a lot of credit or much praise throughout the day. But since March 28, 2011, this woman has been a VERY important person in my life. To I am so very thankful for Ms. Stephanie, Charlot’s babysitter. Stephanie is a great lady she is so patient, kind and loving to my child but not just my child every child that steps through her door. So this is for you Stephanie!


Today is Stephanie’s last day as Charlot’s sitter, she has decided to reenter the profession she went to school for. Stephanie is going back to be a nurse at our local clinic. And if she is half as good of a nurse as she is a babysitter, then all will be well taken care of. She will be missed; I still can’t come to terms with it.

Stephanie,

For the past year and a half you have made every single day of going to work so much easier. I never sat at work worrying about my child or her well being. I knew she was in good hands. You have fed, cleaned, disciplined and loved my child so much. I am certain you have changed more diapers than me, and with my kid wow you deserve a medal. We have watched each other struggle with all the aspects of being a new mother and we have supported each other through all of it. Our kids have grown up basically as brother and sister, because mother of the year here my kid is the first there and last to leave. I can’t imagine not seeing you and Cash each and every day but I know that you made the best decision for you and your family. There are no words that could truly say what I feel about you, I thank God each night in my prayers that we found each other and that you could love my baby the same as I do. So I close with a simple Thank you from the bottom of my heart.



Love you,

Blaine, Tiffany, and Charlot

Charlot after the first day of Stephanie's

Last day at Stephanie's

Neither child was being very agreeable in this one, by Stephanie you look good.

Being Thankful...and Happy Anniversary!!!

Today I am going to start a series of blogs that deal with being thankful, 30 days of what I am thankful for. I am not saying that I will blog every day I really struggle on the weekends. These will not be in any kind of order as far as what I am most thankful for, just whatever happens to be in my heart that day as far as being Thankful. I got this idea as I was looking my calendar at my desk; it is a Shutter fly calendar with pictures of my family and each month has a special quote. I was looking ahead to see what cards I needed to buy for the next month and the quote for the month really struck a chord with me. “There is always something for which to be Thankful.” In today’s society it is so easy to get wrapped up in everything else and to not really remember all that we have to be thankful for.


So to start off the month of “Thankful”… I begin with my Husband “the hubs” to you guys. Today is our fourth wedding anniversary and we are crazy in love with each other and our little family. But I will be honest with you for he and I it wasn’t love at first sight; it took a few years of aging for us to realize things. Maybe like wine we got and continue to get better with age. We started dating when we were young like 18 and 19, and have been together ever since. I will be honest once he did ask me out with in the first few dates I was done, crazy in love, smitten, sign it seal it deliver it, put a ring on it, whatever you want to call it I couldn’t imagine my life without him in it. He and I have had our share of ups and downs but through it all one thing remains the same at the end of the day he is the man I want to wake up to the next morning. The hubs would hate that I am writing these things about him on here, but he’ll get over that. He isn’t the most romantic guy, sometimes birthdays, holidays, and anniversary’s may by without a big production. But what makes him amazing is that out of the blue he will do something special or say something special that absolutely takes my breath away. And he never forgets to tell me he loves me.

So here’s to you Hubs, you are an amazing Christian Man, Husband and Father. Happy Anniversary, I know we are going to have at least 60 or 70 more!!!

A few pictures of our perfect day!!!

Happy Halloween!!!

 Happy Halloween everyone!!! I do love this Holiday, what am I talking about I love every holiday. But this one holds a special place, carving pumpkins(my dad always carved with us as kids), dressing up (my momma made our costumes), eating candy (I still eat too much). I can't see what is not to love about this day. And this year we have a super scary Tiger on our hands. Check out her paw and roar!

So if you see this tail in your neck of the woods you had better be prepared for a good scare :)!
I hope all of you have a very Happy Halloween!!!

Ghostly Goodies…

The big spooky holiday is this week and I love it! The hubs and I have always carved pumpkins and spent this holiday together, (our wedding rehearsal was actually on Halloween!) Now we celebrate even bigger with our little bit. We spend an immense amount of time figuring out the perfect costume for her and take her trick or treating to all of our family’s houses. This year my boss wanted to have a carry in dinner to celebrate the spookiness and he required that all desserts have a Halloween theme! Well I decided to make a Graveyard Dirt Cake and these surprise pumpkin cookies were super cute so I had to share. She even upped the Anni on this by putting fluffy vanilla icing in the middle with the other surprise! Make them for your Halloween celebrations!!!

 For the Graveyard Dirt Cake recipe click here

For the Suprise Pumpkin Cookie recipe click here. Check out my coworkers fingers!!! Aren't they GREAT!

Fall Yard Decor and Stone Crocks

I love to decorate my yard for the fall, it is my favorite time of year you know. I mean leaves, pumpkins, corn, mums, rich colors, sweatshirts, what is not to love. I do love to decorate for any occasion but fall seems to take the cake for me! Here are a few shots of our yard decor this year, the hubs would be proud if I pointed out the landscaping in the background. That has been a few year on going project that I would prefer to not discuss! But it does look nice. If you notice in my decorations I have a few stone crocks, I love stone crocks. They are so pretty. Did I ever share the picture of Charlot in a stone crock when she was born??? Well I'll add it below... oh my I just saw how tiny she is compared to now...tears. Not really well sort of, but she is a ton of fun now! I had to share a few pics of her and the Gabs as well.

What a little stinker! Oh and her partner in crime.

 Happy Monday everyone! I know that post was random, but so am i.

Omaha Weekend

This past weekend I was asked to speak at the Sigma Alpha National convention for Pioneer, such an honor, in Omaha Nebraska. So the hubs and I decided to turn it into a mini family vacation. We traveled up Friday night and headed home Sunday afternoon. If you have never been to Omaha I would definitely recommend it, short drive (for us), clean, friendly people, and an AWESOME ZOO. Before I get to the zoo, on Saturday while I was busy at the convention the Hubs and Charlot had some quality daddy daughter time. They hung out and played in the hotel room most of the day and I came in and out. Then they went on their big date to the Cheesecake Factory, that night for dinner. So cute. The hotel we were staying in happened to have an indoor water park in it, so Saturday later evening we spent some time there hanging out. But Sunday we hit the town early and headed to a great breakfast place called Jimmy’s Egg, so so good, wish they had one here. I love breakfast with all my heart I could eat a pancake 365 days a year LOVE. Anyway after that we ventured to the ZOO, oh my goodness I can’t even describe how wonderful it was, just look at the pics and realize I can’t wait to go back!

Great weekend that made someone ready for the ride home! I hope all of you are having a great day!