The Announcement {& lovey, dovey pictures}

Honestly people, did you really think I would make you wait a month for the announcement?!

Let's review.

1.) I'm a girl. Keeping secrets is not my strong suit. So unless you don't mind my husband, best friend and sister knowing, it's best if you don't ask.

2.) My attention span is that of a toddler. I would forget the announcement if I had to wait a month.

3.) Most of you reading are already aware of the announcement.

Cuatro.) Although I was flattered by all of you assuming that I'm mature enough to grow, nurture and raise a human being {cough, cough...pregnancy}, I'm hoping that it's not because all of these pumpkin bars I've been eating are starting to show.

5.) When I posted the "In one month..." part of the announcement, I meant it in the fact that the surprise is actually happening in one month. Obviously it's not a baby.

But aren't our family pictures so cuteeeeee?!!!!!!

If only you know what it took to get the dogs to hold still for the long length of a camera click. Their attention span is almost as bad as mine! You'll notice that Lola has obviously spotted a squirrel.

A few of you sweet souls thought that we were possibly starting the adoption process......well that's not what the announcement is this time, but I would like to think it's the first big step toward making that happen.

I'm sure you're done with my rambling and ready to hear our news. Here it is:

We're moving to Utah!!!!!!!!

Yes, folks! I'll be reunited with my beautiful mountains, precious niece and lovely family!

The moving decision actually came to be reality in October when Matt was offered a job to be a project engineer at an excavating company. We both have been praying so much about this decision and have had so many little "signs" that there's no question on whether or not God is going before us in this next step! There's a lot of emotions going on as we get ready to take this big jump, but excitement is definitely predominant, especially as it gets closer! 

Our days of living on Tulsa time have nearly come to a close, and we are cherishing every single one of them! Tulsa has been a place of tremendous personal growth and we have made many friendships that will carry on long after we have moved. We're so grateful for the times that we've had here!

Now, it's on to the next adventure!

Long Drives and Serenades

Husband and I took a drive this weekend.

A long, romantic drive.

The ones where you hold hands and no words are needed.

But words were spoken, because let's face it, I'm a girl!

That's when the sweetest thing happened....

One of the most beautiful songs of all time came on to serenade our drive.

Things just sort of hushed and we squeezed each others' hands a little tighter and listened to the sweet sound of Adele's "Make You Feel My Love".

Naturally, you tend to remember the treasure you were given in each other.

Husband took it one step further.

During the song, he said "I just got the feeling that God wants us to know that this is His song to us."

Tears came to my eyes, because I knew it was true. 

And I knew that God was right there with us in the car.

That moment, that song, was instantly turned to one of very, intimate romance.

Not just romance between a husband and wife, but romance between an ever-loving, never-giving-up-on, knows-just-what-to-say kind of God and his two little kids.

The kind of God that sees exactly where you are, knows every ounce of fear you're feeling about the next step, and knows that despite all those things, you're stepping out and putting all your trust in Him. 

It's in those moments, that that sweet, gentle Jesus shows up in the car and whispers of the lengths he'll go to reassure you of his love 

That, my friends, is true romance!

My prayer is that each and every one of you reading this will experience a moment of romance just as intimate as this with the God who is not mad at you, but madly in love with you! Those moments are the ones that can not be made up or manipulated by emotion, rather, they are made up of the reassurance that your life is full of potential and purpose, never to be taken away.

True romance.

Surprises...

....for surprises!!!

Big announcement coming soon! :)

Creative Tales & Puppy Kisses

I have to tell you, the arrival of autumn marks the awakening of my creative spirit!

Apparently it goes in to hibernation in the summer months??

A little backwards if you ask me. Most things hibernate during the winter. 

I would prefer to keep ahold of it year round, but I'll take what I can get.

This lovely photo was taken on the dirt road that I frequent on my runs!

Isn't it beautiful?!

Oklahoma really has some great scenery to offer, even if it is lacking in mountainous ranges.

And of course, I took one of my sweet angels with me!

Isn't she the sweetest?!

Oh, how I love those sweet puppy kisses!

We count ourselves lucky when Lola graces us with one of her gentle tongue swipes.

They are few and far between...which makes them treasures!

And would you believe me if I told you I took BOTH of these pictures?! 

Because I did. 

With the help of my good friend, the tripod.

Here's me hoping that your weekend is as beautiful as mine!

:)

Real life.

Right now, my husband has plunged himself into a job that involves ripping out the old shower, re-plumbing and creating a whole new shower for our showering delight! 

{Please say you noticed my word play on using "plunged" to describe the job.

Eh, Eh?? Just re-read it.}

He's not alone, his dad is helping him.

I, however, am alone. Except for the girls {a.k.a dogs}. 

That's why you have heard from my sweet fingers three times this week! 

This time I won't be talking much, though.

Mostly because it involves football. And mostly because I have a very minimal understanding of the sport and could probably go the next 37 years of my life without watching another game. 

That last statement is pretty much blasphemy living in Oklahoma. That's why I'm whispering. Very, very quietly. Pleeeeeeeeeeeeaseeee don't tell husband!! That last statement was also a wee bit dramatic.

Quite honestly, I enjoy watching football games when I'm actually at the game. Right in the middle of all the action! There's something incredibly soothing about being in the middle of a bunch of angry people who are all wearing the same color shirt as you. Call me crazy....or call me maybe....it's really up to you! The point is, you haven't experienced football until you've experienced Oklahoma football. It's not a game, folks, it's life. Real life.

This last weekend I went to my first OSU game with Matt and dare I say, it was incredible!

Fun isn't a strong enough word, but it's all I can come up with for now! Word.

And the boys managed to pull off a win, even with the zebra stripes playing for the other team.

Suck it, West Virginia!

Wow, too much?? Ain't no thang.

I'll stop here and let the pictures speak for themselves.

'Tis' Times Three

I just realized that I used the word "tis" in two consecutive blog posts.

This would make it three consecutive blog posts.

However, that's not what I'll be writing about today.

Today, I'll be writing about my second child's constant need for discipline and attention.

Oh, and please know, when I say children, I do mean dogs, which are pretty much the same thing as children, except they love you more and don't demand clothing. 

{P.S. If you're reading this and happen to be one of those poor, lonely souls who've never known the endless and devoted love of a four legged friend, please feel free to close this browser and click on the blog of a fish lover. You'll probably feel more "at home" there. There is really no gray area here. Dog=child. That's that.}

Yesterday the weather in Oklahoma took a thirty degree dive. Having grown up in Utah, these dramatic weather outbursts are nothing but the norm. They actually make me feel more at home.

Anyway, husband and I had a lazy day snuggled up inside by the fire with the two poochies!

Quite honestly, I was in heaven! Nothing warms my heart more than days cozied up inside with my sweet family! I even made my oh-so-famous potato soup!

However, my sweet Piper demands our constant attention. And when she doesn't have it, she finds ways to get it....like howling, barking or jumping on the counter and eating our food.

She really is an angel from heaven, even on the days when it feels like she's visiting from the land down under {and I'm not talking about Australia}.

Today she was put in "time-out" and restricted to her leash multiple times.

And when she was leash restricted, her solution: pouting.

Pouting and looking at me with that sweet bear face, pleading with me to let her run free. You would think that she is the most neglected child in the world.

Most dramatic is more like it. 

But my heart just melts in those sweet puppy eyes!

Not sure what that says about my parenting skills. One thing's for sure, Matt will definitely have to be the disciplinarian!

All My Single Ladies

I think I've mentioned to you before that I'm a walking contradiction.

Tis true.

You want to know why?

Because I love snow, but hate winter.

I'm always cold, but still continue to order iced mochas {and wear my coat while I drink them}.

I love dressing up and being girly but {seriously} HATE washing my hair. {Seriously, guys.}

I'm anti-social but when husband forces me out of my cave, you better believe I'm the crazy one in the center of all the laughter.

I love cooking, but rarely have the energy to make it happen.

I want to travel the world as a gypsy but have a house to come home to every night.

I want to finish my degree but have zero direction on what degree to pursue.

I like the idea of a career but would much rather be a stay-at-home mom to my dog-childs.

I say for months how homesick I am and then when the opportunity to move back presents itself, the actual going through with it freaks me out!

When will the madness end?!

Feel bad for the poor man that has to live with me.

Sorry, husband.

Good thing he loves me. 

And good thing I got him to put a ring on it. 

{Just an FYI for all my single ladies out there, the way to get ^that^ to happen is to endlessly sing Beyonce songs to him until he really does put a ring on it. Oh, and hide all the craziness until he's locked in for life! Ha! I'm totally kidding. But seriously, sing the song. 

And a little wrist action can't hurt.}