Mason's new "do"

This little guy has a new look...

Well, he still has that ornery look...nothing's changed there....


But obviously, as you can tell from this picture, he is in need of a new hair-do.

I KNEW he needed a haircut, but it's crazy how fast it sneaks up on you. Just this week I've been noticing it was getting pretty long again. But with a week as busy as this one, I didn't notice how bad it REALLY was, until we got to church. Being dressed all cute made his shaggy hair a little more noticeable...or A LOT!

We got told he looked like a girl. (haha, I know it was a joke...but obviously, we're not gonna wait another day after that!)

I just wanted to trim it with scissors again. Like last time...just a trim around the ears, in the back and his bangs.

(here's the before picture)

Daddy had other plans....that included a buzzer.

I fought and fought, but lost this time.

Do you see all that hair!??!?! That beautiful head of hair....just being buzzed right off!!

While Mason is being lulled to sleep with the feeling of the buzzer over his head, I just started laughing....you know, that laugh you do when you can't believe what you're doing....a nervous laugh, because I didn't know what else to do or say...I just laughed and kept snapping pictures.

I was laughing so hard, my eyes began to water and KEPT watering. Until it was no longer a laugh. They were REAL tears! Dave didn't know if I was laughing or crying.....I didn't know either. But the tears kept coming, and slowly as more and more hair was being buzzed off, the laughing stopped.

Just tears....from Mommy AND Mason.

That's right....NO ONE asked him how he felt about getting rid of his gorgeous hair and when he realized what happened, he was NOT happy!

Do you see this look of utter shock!??!

He lost SOOO much hair...


Here's the after...

I almost couldn't even take pictures as I just looked at him in pure shock.

He looks SO different. He looks SO much older.

He does look like he's ready for summer though, huh?

It's growing on me. Dave admits he even shocked himself when he really started buzzing off those long locks!

All in all, Daddy likes it, Mommy had a rough time, but is semi-okay now, Taylor likes it, and well, here is how Mason feels about it...

(these pictures aren't completely depicting this story correctly....although he did get a little upset towards the end of the cut, that was because he was ready to get down, not because his hair was gone....he really had no clue and still has no clue what happened. He could care less. But I thought his cute little expressions would make for more of a dramatic story.)

my lifesaver

I've wanted to blog about this for awhile now, and am finally getting around to it, after several of my friends have blogged about getting organized.

I have this little handy notebook in my house that has made my life SO much easier.

Well, part of my life, anyway.

It's my Meal Planning Notebook.
(actually, this is the one that I made for my friend Jess, but it's almost just like mine, just different recipes and hers is cuter)


No more "what's for dinner tonight?"
No more "well, can't make that because we don't have _____"
No more trips to the grocery story just to cook dinner.
No more of those "stuck in a rut-can't think of anything different to cook" moments.
No more searching through cookbooks trying to figure out how I can change things up
No more wondering "since when do I only know how to make 5 meals (because that's all we ever eat)"
No more wondering "where in the world is that recipe?" followed by a search through a book with notecards, torn papers, napkins, full sheet, half sheets, torn and stained sheets, burstin out of the seams and falling out everywhere each time it's opened.

Dinner at our house is one thing I do not stress about anymore, and one less decision I have to make and plan each day.

I by no means am saying that I have the best system ever....I know there are tons of less detailed and more detailed systems that work. I like mine, because it works for me.

I have it divided into sections: quick menu, calendars, grocery lists, main dishes, sides/apps, deserts. You could have a section for coupons if you wanted too. And I'm thinking about extending this notebook and doing a section for household chores - a list of daily, weekly, monthly chores and possibly a schedule.

Whether I am planning meals for 1 week, 2 weeks or the whole month...here's where I start...

I call this my QUICK MENU.

Just like going to a restaurant and seeing a list of all the things you can order.
This is a list of all of our typical meals, our favorite meals, the no brainer meals that I make without a recipe, and even some newer ones that I list, just so I don't forget about them and remember to try them. All of the possible meals that I would ever want to make are on this list. THIS is why I don't get stuck in a rut of making the same things all the time and not able to think of other things.

Notice that the ingredients are listed after each meal...this helps me make my grocery list!

I grab my calendar, scan my quick menu, pick meals and start writing them on my calendar, for however far out I'm planning. It will be fun with the kids can start picking what meals they would like from this list too.

I found this template online for Jess's notebook and I think I may try it....it's just for one week. But I think it will help me plan breakfasts and lunches a little better too. I don't think I will plan specifics for breakfast and lunch, but I can write in "PB&J, mac and cheese, nuggets, fruit, cottage cheese, green beans" across the whole week, so I'd at least know what our options are. Same for breakfast. If I don't like it, I'll just go back to my month calendar.


I also have a quick menu for sides and deserts. I don't do well with changing up our sides very much. So I love to scan a list and see things that I would maybe not think of otherwise.

I don't make deserts too often. But I LOVE having a list of all my favorites for those times I do make one, or need to take one somewhere. Again, before my notebook, I'd either choose to make the fabulous go-to pan of brownies, or I'd search recipes forever trying to come up with something new and exciting. Now I just scan my list of deserts and pick one!

Once my meals are planned.....time for the grocery list.

I LOVE that my quick menu lists all of my ingredients for me. No searching for recipes, no trying to remember what all I need for a particular meal. The quick menu allows me to see exactly what I need.

I found this grocery list online.

The purpose is to take this to the store with you. How wonderful, because it's divided into sections of the grocery store...so no more going back and forth from isle to isle! So I may start check marking each item that I need based off my quick menu (less writing). Or I may just end up using it as a visual for each grocery trip...I'll refer to this to make sure I'm not forgetting anything, but I may still write my lists out the way I'm used to. Haven't decided this yet.

I have another form I use to make my lists that just reminds me to think about lunches, breakfasts, snacks, household stuff, drinks, etc.

WHALAH!!! You are off to the store with your list that matches your meal calendar.
This has helped the grocery budget a TON!

In the back of my notebook are all of my recipes!!! Of course, I don't need a recipe for tacos or spaghetti (but these are still listed on my quick menu. For some reason, if they aren't listed, I sometimes won't think of them). But my big, messy stack of recipes are now nicely typed out and organized in ABC order in the back of my notebook.



I love these cute, colorful tab dividers from Walmart. I love that a few of them have pockets. You could go with the non-cute ones and get pockets in all of your dividers. This is nice to stash away new recipes. I found that after about 6 months, it was time to update my notebook with new meals that I found in my Kraft Food and Family magazine, or ones I've gotten from friends. I'll add them to the quick menu and to the recipes in the back.

OR sometimes I will just add a new meal to my quick menu, because I can do that faster, and then make reference to what magazine or cookbook I can find the recipe in, if I don't have time or don't want to keep up with typing out recipes.

Now, how can you NOT want to plan meals when you get to look at a notebook this cute!??!?

It's just so nice to grab my notebook, sit in front of the TV or relax on the couch and be able to have everything at my finger tips. The only thing I have to get up for is to check to see if we already have things in the fridge or cupboard and don't need to buy it. And sometimes I've even gotten Dave to stand at the cupboard and I call out things for him to check on, while I'm making the list.

So there it is. My Meal Planning Notebook.

I used to struggle in this area as a wife and mom. I never felt like I was doing a good enough job for my family. There are so many other things we have to think about during the day, that sometimes dinner is the LAST thing on our minds. Until it's dinner time....then I was scrambling, stressing and feeling like a failure as I reach for the frozen pizza or we head out-to-eat. Oh, and I don't think I mentioned that this system has helped us cut back on eating out as much too....since many times we would eat out just because I didn't know what to do for dinner!

I love it because it works and it's something that stuck and I can't live without now!

If you need help or have questions making one for yourself, I'd be happy to help!

did you know?

Did you know that the zoo closes at 5?
Do zoos everywhere close at 5?

We didn't know this.
We planned all day to go after naps. And of course, this day, the kids chose to sleep extra long.
But at the time, we didn't see this as a huge problem.

We got them ALL pumped up to go....Taylor's only request was that we DO NOT see the monkeys again (one of them attacked the glass in rage RIGHT at Mason's face last time)...I was even scared, you can only imagine Mason. And obviously Taylor was bothered by it too).

We arrived at 4:57...and I thought to myself "there sure are a lot of people leaving the zoo at the same time"

When we reached the ticket counter, my heart sank. March-October the zoo closes at 5pm. That just seems so early, doesn't it? There are still several hours of daylight!

OH NO! What now? Dave asked if we could just go in really quick (ONLY because of our pass, otherwise we would have never paid to do this). I assumed we'd run in, see the flamingos which are RIGHT by the entrance and leave. But there were still LOTS of people filing out, so why not just go in the opposite direction of all the traffic until someone stops us?

We tried the petting zoo....until the sign "Farm Animals released to pasture for the night"

Dave thought we should try to get back and see the Tigers...it's a brand new exhibit the opened TODAY and the big reason we went. I was afraid if we tried to get back there, we wouldn't be successful and then have to leave and not see anything. I thought we were safer trying to see what we can see close....so at least the kids would be satisfied.

We saw lots of geese families...


We got a MAJOR close-up of Mr. Elephant...

I just kept looking at Dave and asking "do we try to go further?"

I think the giraffes were headed in for dinner...

And this guy was quite close too, he just stared at us......until he did something very inappropriate.

We were getting closer and closer to the tigers...still no one to tell us to leave, and still seeing others walking towards the exit. We figured at anytime we could turn around and join the exiting crowd...but didn't want to join them till we had to.

The tiger exhibit was in sight!!!
And so was the zoo keeper lady on her golf cart.
We finally had to turn around and head out....slowly.

We were SOOOO close, but too late. Luckily the kids did not really know where we were headed or why. They were happy with all the animals on the way.

So Dave was right...we could have walked STRAIGHT to the tigers, and then have seen all these other animals on the way out. But I wasn't expecting to get 30 minutes at the zoo either. But it's way better than 3!!!

Taylor almost had a meltdown in the parking lot until I told her that the restaurant we were going to would give us some chips! Thank you On the Border!!!

So, in case you didn't know before...now you know the zoo closes at 5. Plan accordingly.

amazing work

No, not amazing work by me. Or by others. But by God.

God has been doing some AMAZING work lately!

I have now adopted a term that I have heard a friend of mine use many times but never really connected to it. Megan K, I hope you don't mind me stealing your term...it now makes TOTAL sense and I felt them more than EVER!

The God bumps (I've also heard them referred to as the "glory bumps")....these would be the little goosebumps you get all over your arms or body when something touches you, shocks you, or just takes over all of your emotions....and you KNOW it was only God who could have accomplished this.

The God bumps have hit me like crazy a lot lately.

God is working his plan - one that began with a little girl named Cora (and quite possibly it really began way before her)

Stretching me

Humbling me

Giving me an opportunity to grow that I've never had before

"Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: "The Lord's right hand has done mighty things!"
Psalm 118:15

"Whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." Romans 5:1-5

Have a BLESSED holiday weekend!

mission almost complete

The last few weeks I haven't been as busy as it seems that I usually am.
Not many places to go or people to see or work to do.

SO, I decided it would be a great week or so to see if Taylor could master potty training.

I hadn't really ever tried or pushed before...she would sometimes use the toilet and sometimes not.

So we went straight to panties to see how she'd do...no pull ups (although we've used them more for FUN and ease over the last month from time to time), just straight from diaper to panties. KNOWING it would take a few accidents to make her realize how uncomfortable she'd be.

She has been a potty-training ROCKSTAR!!!


She has not really had to be bribed or pushed or anything. I've given some rewards just for fun and encouragment, but she has pretty much trained herself, other than the handful of reminders I give her throughout the day.

I have watched her come inside from playing ALL on her own and go straight to the toilet, she has gotten out of bed in the mornings and gone straight to the toilet and is now at the point that she is making it there 9 out of 10 times (I made that stat up) without an accident.

I was scared that the #2 training would be our battle....but after one accident and...

"mommy, I nee you change my diapa"

and my response of

"ok, honey, wait one minute....OH WAIT!!! You don't have a diaper on...OH NO!!"

She has used the toilet every other time!

And of course, right in the middle of this time when I thought we really had no where to go or things to do, we decided to take that unexpected trip to Branson to see my folks. I was worried we'd regress on the potty training...but instead, I think she got better!

Although she did wear a pull-up in the car, I still wanted to be able to stop if she said she needed to go. I figured my response of "oh, just go in your pull-up" would not be so good for all that we worked on during the week. So Dave was warned and prepared...if she said she needed to go, we'd stop on the road....and we did.

(Don't you think she'll just love this picture for her senior graduation or wedding video?)

YES, the potty chair went with us!!! I think that's why she got better...she was proud to show Papa and Mima what she could do! It was new and exciting for her and just what we needed to really seal the deal that she's almost officially trained!

It all ended up being much easier than I expected....especially after reading about and hearing stories from other friends that included fighting, carpet cleaning, furniture cleaning, bribing, bribing and more bribing and lots of tears.

Our Dr. suggested waiting till spring, when it's warmer and she could be in little to no clothes. I just used that as an excuse for putting it off. But really, I ended up liking it. She was able to wear her cotton, elastic-waist shorts, almost everyday...very easy for her to pull off and on herself (as oppossed to jeans). Which also means less clothing to deal with when wet. It's also been nice enough that she can just run around in her panties too. But I think the best thing is that we were able to be outside LOTS of the time. So 99% of the accidents happened out there....YAY!!! So, my advice...potty train them when you can stick them outside all day....save the carpet and furniture. Strip their clothes and the door and run to the bathroom.


Now let's just hope I haven't spoke too soon, and we are really on our way to making it official

AND

let's hope Mr. Mason is this easy (why does something tell me not to bank on that?).

our garden

We were a little late, with all the rain...we just couldn't seem to find a day that we had free when it wasn't raining.



But we finally got our garden planted a few weekends ago!



The kids (mostly Taylor) had so much fun helping. Mason was more interested in the dirt and tools that were being used.



We had SO much fun with our first garden last year, so we were excited to do it again this year!



We have tomatoes, lettuce, onions, jalapenos, green peppers, cilantro and new this year...green beans.



Can't wait to make salsa!

Branson trip - great gma, a golf ball and sushi

Back in March, I posted some pictures of our visit to see Grandpa in the hospital in Wichita. He had been transfered there from his home in Independence. Up until March, he really has been quite healthy. March started a series of events that has brought him downhill.

Lots has happened healthwise since March....but he's still with us. Although my mom had to do one of the hardest things she's ever dealt with before....she moved both my grandpa and grandma out of their home and moved them to Ozark, MO where they can be in the same town she is, rather than 2 1/2 hours away.

My grandpa must now have full-skilled nursing. My grandma is fine, she just didn't want to take care of herself, she just can't cook and clean like she used to. So the struggle was trying to keep them together. With different needs, they need different living arrangements. They started out seperate, Gpa in Springfield and Gma in Ozark (15 min. separation). But then Grandma's home had an opening and could get Grandpa in!!!! So although they don't share rooms, and don't live in the same part of the building, they live in the same nursing home. Right in Ozark, 5 minutes from my parent's house.

My Grandpa's health was a big reason we decided to make the trip to Ozark in the first place.

It was nice getting to see my Grandma too. She wanted to show us her room and tell us about all the social activities she's participating in each day. She pretty much tries to do EVERYTHING!

Taylor had fun pushing Great Grandma down the hallway.

She doesn't really need a wheelchair. But the walk from her side of the building to my grandpa's room is pretty far, so riding is much easier. But the funny thing is that when she approaches her area of the building, she gets out of her wheelchair before all of her "friends" see her...she doesn't want them to see her in a wheelchair....funny, huh??? 90 years old and still trying to be "cool".

No pictures of Grandpa. He was having a bad day. But we were still glad to see him. We could tell he was excited to see his great-grandchildren also.

These next 2 pictures are just a few cute ones I took of Mason in my parent's yard.




One night we ate at THE BEST Japenese steak house...it beats ALL of the ones in Wichita!! They serve noodles AND rice....yummy!

Taylor tried sushi....

something not even I have done.

She also tried to eat with chopsticks...

It was great entertainment...the first time we've been to one of these types of places with the kids.

Mason was in rare form....still recovering from his day at Silver Dollar City. He wasn't too sure about anything and we spent much of the meal up walking with him.

One of these days we'll learn not to push this 2nd child of ours as we do our first. He's just not quite as easy-going. Sorry little guy.

Branson Trip - Silver Dollar City

AHHHH, so nice to have hookups to season passes at Silver Dollar City! Thanks Mom and Dad!

It's especially nice when we really don't know how long the kids will last...those high prices would be hard to pay!

It was a gorgeous day for the park....overcast and a little on the cooler side.

We started on the boat ride at the Flooded Mine....we rode this last year too, but this year Taylor could hold her own gun! It was heavy though, so she got some help most of the time...trying to shoot at all the targets.

Then we headed straight for the kiddy-ride area.

This was Mason's first time to ride the rides! Last year, he was being carried around like this...

Whoah, hold on little guy!

What a blast they were having! It is SOOOOOO much fun watching our kiddos have SOOOOOO much fun!



We realized that there were a few rides that she could do alone at 36 inches or with an adult. This was one she would ride with an adult.

Very much an adult ride


but she LOVED it!!!!

I am quite impressed that she did so well. I was on this ride too and I thought it was a crazy ride....I was laughing hysterically (that's what I do on rides that I'm having a blast on) and wondering how in the world could she NOT be scared being so high up and going so fast.

Here are just a few more pics of Taylor

I foresee one of these umbrellas coming her way in the future....

My sister and I each got one of these here at SDC when we were little...and of course Taylor LOVED them too!

Here's how Mason ended this day-trip....well, after about an hour of non-stop screaming because he got pushed way beyond his limits.

going..............................................going..........................................gone.

If only he would have done this a little sooner....BEFORE the major meltdown in which NO ONE could get him to stop crying.....then we could have laid him in the stroller and attempted to stay longer. Oh well. That's why we're glad to get in for free (or virtually free).

Branson Trip - Bass Pro

We took a very unexpected and last minute trip to Ozark, MO (between Springfield and Branson) to see my parents.

My grandpa hasn't been doing so well lately, and we wanted to see him...now that he lives in Ozark where my parents are.

So we were off!



Mason has no idea theses sunglasses are pink....I should probably get him a pair of his own!


My mom knew we were coming, but my dad did not. We knew he was at work (Bass Pro in Springfield) so we called him hoping he would answer. He was on break at the perfect time so we stopped in to see him!



It is such a HUGE and fun store...it was fun to just walk around and see all they different animals!

Mason's head is a little out of focus, but I still had to share this next picture!

The kids test-driving a "whatever you call this thing"


My mom drove from Ozark and met us here too! It was fun for the kids to see Papa Dippel at work....he is the security guy for all of the guns coming through the door. Well, he does other security stuff too...but that's what he was doing this day.

More from our trip to come.