Get Ready!!

They are here...ALL the pictures from my friend Shannon! They are so beautiful that it is going to be so hard to decide!! I was so anxious I got up as soon as I woke up to see them! I have already looked at them 4 or 5 times I think! Enjoy!

www.amomentcapturedbyshannonwalker.com
Then click on "Proofing"
Password: Scogin Family (you have to type it JUST like it is with capitals and the space between the words)

Again...LOVE THEM! Thanks Shannon!!!

Go Hogs!

We are not fair weather fans...it is Saturday, so GO HOGS GO!
Lindsey was not left out. She wasn't dressed (and still isn't) in her Hog outfit, so she will represent on another day!!

Busy Busy Hurry Hurry

So I took my girls to my parents' house on Thursday night. I stayed there as well and then had a playday with Martha, Cole, Caroline, Ashley, Addelyn and Nik. It was so fun. It made me miss living there. We were outside and the kiddos were on the swing set and between us there were 6 kiddos (full swing set) and 1 of Ashley's was at school or there would have been 7! Crazy! It was a lot of fun! We had lunch with them and then headed back to Honey and Granddad's house for naptime. When Honey and Granddad got home I headed back to Greenwood. It was a quiet drive, but very nice! I got to listen to something other than Veggietales! That was nice in itself!

Then on Sat. Ryan and I went to the Bulldog Diner (small hometown place here in town) for breakfast. We have been there for dinner several times, but never breakfast. When we were in college we would often go to breakfast at Village Inn before a Razorback game, so that is what we did since we were "living it up" without kids! We didn't go too crazy. Then we just hung out and watched the Razorback game...or Razorback slaughtering I should say. Not so much fun!

Ryan and I had gone out on a date Friday night at Chili's (surprise surprise!) and then played mini-golf! So much fun! He won, but it was close! So Saturday night (my birthday) he said we were going to go to a place downtown called Varsity. We've been there a few times to eat and each time we say that we should come there more often! Just a fun place. So I didn't think much about it, but just thankful he had planned a date...but really a surprise party at Varsity! We walked in and there were 6 couple friends waiting for us there sitting at the table! It was so much fun. Even better that my husband had gone to such efforts to do something for my 30th! He even ordered a cookie cake!! So much fun. I got some silly cards and nice small gifts from some friends. It was perfect. I'm waiting on pictures from a friend and I will post them when I get them, but for now it is just the story! :)

Sunday morning my 10th grade girls asked if we could go to Sonic during class...we've done this once before! So we did our lesson (thankfully it was short) and loaded up for Sonic! They are so funny! I love them!

While we were there they gave me a card with $100 in it!! OH.MY.GOSH! I was so amazed at their thoughtfulness. Not because they are not thoughtful, but 15 year olds doing that for me was priceless...no matter the amount of money. There is an idea behind it. Last year I got my razor phone wet and had to get my mom's old phone, the "brick" as we refer to it! My girls refer to it as "ghetto phone!" Of course most of them have some cool, high tech phone, so mine is way out of date compared to theirs! So today I ordered a new phone (pink razor) and phone cover! I'm so excited to get it! They are so much fun!! I'm so thankful God put me in their lives and that I trusted HIM (this once at least) and stepped out....it has been such a blessing!

This is Courtney at a Greenwood Girls Volleyball game! Yes, volleyball game! I had NEVER been to one of these before, but over half of my 10th grade class plays on the team, so I started going to the games. The girls like it, it isn't crowded, they run around and it is a fun break for all of us! It is amazing to watch them. I knew I wasn't good at volleyball, but I'm TERRIBLE (after watching them!) for sure!
Here is a shot of them after the game! I was practicing using my new camera that I got for my birthday!!!!
Yes, I got a new camera for my birthday! I got a Nikon D60! I have loved it! I don't know much about how to use it, but I'm going to learn some basics! I am not interested in becoming a professional, but want to know how to use the camera features the best that I can!! So, I've asked my photographer friend, Julie (I have several I'm sure that could teach me a thing or 2) to show me some basics, so one of these MDO days when it is nice outside, I'm going to get some lessons!! I'm excited!That has all been the "Busy Busy" part of my title! Now to the "Hurry Hurry" part.... We as moms post all of our children's "first" on our fridge, brag about them to our friends, type them on our blogs, etc. So why not put a first for me on here right? And have a picture of it hanging on the fridge....
You guessed right! A speeding ticket! Oh my gosh! It finally happened, Mom and Dad! They fondly refer to me as "Nascar" sometimes! It's all in love I'm sure! :) I like to get places in a hurry I guess, not sure why. However, I have NEVER had a speeding ticket (or any other kind for that matter that I can think of) in my LIFE! The ironic thing too is that my license expired on my birthday (Sat.) and I went Tuesday morning to get it renewed! That afternoon is when I was pulled over by a lovely State Trooper! He was not mean, but surely not nice! I tried to joke that at least I had renewed my license this morning after it had expired over the weekend, and he didn't have much to say about that! I guess it was bound to happen sometime. I was on the phone with my friend Alecia and had NO idea how fast I was going. I was just driving along to get Courtney at MDO! So as he handed me the ticket he said, "I suggest you stay off your cell phone maam so you can pay attention to your speed." OK! I'll get right on that...as I pulled away with the cell phone to my ear calling Ryan!

30, Really?

So today I'm 30! Wow! It really doesn't bother me. When I was 28 and had a double stroller I felt old, not cool, etc. So today is just another Sat. for me, just the "official" day that I crossed over to the world of being in my 30's! So in light of this day, I thought I would copy a friend of mine and write 30 things I'm thankful for and/or love! In no particular order here they are:

1. My husband working so I can stay home--this really is #1!
2. My girls and how different they are!
3. Getting a pedicure.
4. My laptop.
5. Sonic Diet Vanilla Cokes
6. The Razorbacks (it takes a true fan to say that today!)
7. My best friend for years and years...Martha!
8. Having "close" friends all the way from Oregon to Memphis!
9. The places we've lived...new experiences!
10. Our church.
11. Going on vacation.
12. Date nights during the week for no reason
13. Courtney saying, "I can't find you mom?" (Just because of the way she holds her hands up like she's saying 'I don't know' as she says it...so cute!)
14. My pictures that Shannon Walker took! I can't wait to see the rest.
15. Loving grandparents for my children.
16. My 10th grade Sunday School girls that have been so much fun!
17. Picking Lindsey up at school and hearing about her exciting day of playing and coloring
18. Watching Lindsey help Ryan with house stuff--mowing, washing the car, etc.
19. Hearing Lindsey and Courtney talk and have "real" conversations.
20. Listening to Courtney sing "Jesus Loves Me" and "The B-I-B-L-E"
21. Checking my friends' blogs and seeing what is going on in their lives.
22. Getting ready for my girls' birthday parties!
23. Good worship songs
24. Laying down by Courtney and her reaching over and putting her arm around my neck
25. Watching Lindsey learn to swim this summer
26. Mother's Day Out
27. Christian family heritage that has been passed down from generation to generation
28. Hearing Courtney say "Scotty" and getting excited to see her friends at church (and "Mr. Play" aka Mr. Clay, her Sunday school teacher and high school girls basketball coach. She LOVES him!)
29. Ryan talking to me about work so I can be part of his life that way
30. My house

This is just what came to mind as I sat here. I'm sure there are so many more things I could write and type about. I sit here in a very quiet house with Ryan as my girls are at my parents' house for the weekend so Ryan and I could have some time together! What a blessing!

There have been situations in my life lately that have happened and reminded me that today is such a blessing. We are not promised tomorrow, none of us. I am thankful for my family and all that they mean to me. I hope that over the next 30 years I can "train my children in the way they should go so that when they are old they will not depart from it." (not sure the reference on that Bible verse, sorry). If I have my children in heaven with me, what more can you ask for?

OH.MY.GOSH!

You HAVE to check out the pictures of my girls that my friend Shannon took tonight! All I can say is OH.MY.GOSH!!! I love them all and have only seen a "sneek peek" according to her! WOW! What a blessing to have friends that are photographers!!

www.amomentcapturedbyshannonwalker.com
Then click on "galleries"
Find "Recent Child Favorites II" in the list of galleries

SEE MY ANGELS!

We took some family ones, but she didn't have them uploaded yet, so more to come soon! I'm going to bed smiling! I love them!

Thank you Shannon!!

If you live in Fort Smith or close, you should check her out!! She's obviously very talented!

Two Questions

1. What season is it in Arkansas? 2. How many bows and shoes does it take for a 4 year old and 2 year old picture session?
Sunday as the girls were dressed for church I realized how different they looked as far as the "season" for getting dressed. Yes, I know white shoes after Labor Day....I broke the rule! YOU tell Lindsey that when she HAS to wear those white shoes! Then Courtney was dressed in her plaid, fall capris and short sleeved sweater! It was just so funny as I looked at them. I had to take a picture. That is about right for Arkansas weather...not quite fall, but not summer any more!

Tonight we are having family picrtures and I was gathering the girls' things a little bit ago and realized what my pile looked like...bows and shoes! So girly! I can not wait to post the link for you to see our pictures! Shannon, my friend taking the pictures, offered last summer and I never did! So I'm so ready for her to take them! It will be fun and I'm excited...stay tuned!

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Last week we had some great weather for being outside. Most afternoons when they were finished napping we'd end up outside! So fun! I love this picture of Courtney LOVING her "fosisckle." (aka popsickle) Lindsey got her hair cut/trimmed. Nothing major, but it looks really cute. You can't see it in this pose that she gave me, but I love that she was trying to pose! How do they know? So funny! She is growing up so much and loving anything that is "big girl" stuff!

They had been plyaing hide and seek...Lindsey was taking a break and Courtney decided to "hide" (so she thought) behind the tee! Seriously! She cracks me up!!

Courtney and the door update

Just FYI...Courtney tried to open her door the first night that those altered door knobs were on. She cried for a very short, like 2 min., time. Then she just got back in her bed. That was at 12:45. The next time I heard her try to open the door was at 6:20 and she wasn't crying, just trying to open it. She never cried and just got back in bed. :) That is the ONLY night she has even tried!! I thought (and I think have been proven correct) that she was only getting up because she could open the door and she LOVES to open and close doors. Thus when she couldn't open the door, she didn't care to get up! Thank goodness! Since that first night she hasn't even tried to open the door, or at least not loud enough that I have heard her and I have the monitor on! Crazy girl!

Our Athlete

This is our new little athlete! I am really amazed at her seeming to hit it so well. I don't really know what I thought she'd do I guess, but she's just so "non athletic" to me at this point I was suprised at her interest and her ability. Notice she is hitting right handed...Ryan is teaching her to be a switch hitter! She does about the same from both sides right now. We've been out a few nights and she is WAY more interested in hitting it than Courtney. When Courtney does want to hit the ball, she just taps it off the tee and thinks that is great! So funny!

Here is the full action

Bathroom Decor

This is some new bathroom decor I bought! I'm so excited!! I've never really decorated our bathroom before. We've never had that "pretty" bathroom. Not that we haven't had a nice bathroom, just not really decorated. While we were in the midst of redoing it, I kept telling Ryan that I was so excited to decorate our bathroom! He just shook his head of course!

This first picture is what you see when you first walk into our bathroom. This wall is partially finished. I love the words (Hobby Lobby vinal words rubbed on!) and my friend Julie helped me! She suggested putting picture frames above it which I loved that idea, so I'm going to find some frames and then print some pictures from the beach in black and white I think to hang there! Instead of a towel rack by the shower, I just put 2 robe hooks for our towels! I love it!
Sorry to post a picture of our toilet, but it just had to be so I could take a picture of the decor by it! :) This is just a little plaque that I found at Hobby Lobby that says "Faith" and was red. I liked it. My friend Erin was the one that suggested I put it there. It worked! I'm glad I have friends that are good at decorating to help me out!

I'm loving my bathroom! Every part of it! I'm so thankful to have a "handy" husband that is wiling to try anything and he's successful at it too! I'm trying to figure out what to put on the counter between our sinks and maybe get a couple of rugs as well, but that will come with a few more MDO days for shopping! Ha!

Are You Smarter Than a Child Proof Door AND a 2 Year Old?

*READ YESTERDAY'S POST FIRST IF YOU HAVE NOT!

So since these things are apparently not child proof, we had to be smarter than the plastic door knob! Luckily we were! Ha! Do you notice the difference? The rubber circles are cut out of the plastic! Yes, since Courtney could EASILY (very easily I should say!) open the door even with this contraption on there, we had to figure out something.

So we cut out the part with the rubber on it! It worked!! Since there was no "gripper" there for her to find, it just spins and spins when she tries to open it. She has not figured out to put her little fingers in there to turn the actual knob yet, but it has only been one night! She did try to get up at 12:45 last night! We heard her cry and then try to open the doors. She cried, but not for long (thank goodness!) It was a weird feeling to listen to her and wonder what she was feeling. Trapped, locked in, scared, etc. I don't know. But thankfully it didn't last long at all!!

PS-If you read the comments on the other one, a sweet freind :) commented that Courtney does come by this naturally!! Yes, I was LOCKED in my room as a child. It was when we had moved to TX and I'm sure there was some sort of psycological damage done. For those of you that know my weird sleeping habits I'm sure it had nothing to do with being locked in my room, right! If you are wondering why/how my parents thought it would be a good idea to do this, it was the pediatrician's suggestion for me not staying in my bed!

Child Proof...HA HA HA!

Courtney was supposed to be locked in her room last night since she has learned to open the door, she has been getting up. She has been getting up several times a night just for the sheer fact that she can open the door (I think that is the reason anyway...) So advice from my friend Erin was to "lock" her in her room with theses door knob things that kids can't open. Ha ha ha! At 6:00 this morning, thankfully not before, I heard her running to our room! ARE.YOU.KIDDING.ME! Still trying to be thankful that it was 6:00 and not before, I calmly said, "What are you doing?" She just stared at me like she usually does, I walked with her back to her room and she got in bed. I turned her music on like normal, and she laid there. She was BACK up at 6:25 and by this time I was doing my Bible study and Ryan was in the shower, so I let her stay up! I guess I'm headed later to find some other door lock things? I don't know....

First (second) Day

Last week my camera was left on the boat, so this is our "first day of school" picture for Courtney. It is really her second, but in the big picture, does it really matter?! That is what I was thinking last week. Then after trying to get a good picture I realized...no it doesn't really matter at all! She was NOT going to let me take a first day picture! Here is the progression:

Courtney, look at mommy and smile! (numerous times I said this, even Lindsey tried to help!) Courtney, no. Sit up and look at me.
Courtney, let mommy take your picture...
15 min. later as she was standing in the kitchen I said Courtney, come over here and stand by your mat before we leave. (she LOVES her mat!) This was her first reaction:
Courtney, come here and stand by your mat...
So these are the first (second) day of school pictures that I got of Courtney! I guess all it does is explain the reason that I don't have a good one and that she is "VERY TWO!"

Honey in the tube????

Yes Honey rode in the tube with both the girls! Granddad was showing some lake houses to a family, so he couldn't come on the boat with us. Since this was the last boat trip at Beaver Lake this year, Honey decided she'd try the tube! She did great!! If you click on the picture below it gets bigger (I think) and you can see the expression on Honey's face!!
Courtney didn't ride long, but she never does. At least we got a good picture! :)
Honey brought strawberries and Courtney loved them! She was a mess by the end of the trip, but she was having fun!
This summer has been a blast having the boat! I'm so thankful for a husband that is willing to give up fishing like he has done for his family! What a man!!!! I love him so much!