I love being Ella's mom. It is all I dreamed being a mom would be and I wouldn't change it FOR A SECOND. But let's be honest, being a parent is hard.....harder than I imagined. I think it's hard at every stage; from squishy tiny human stage to "can I borrow your car" stage and beyond. (I can hear you seasoned parents giggling at my epiphany) Thank Goodness I have God's grace to get through each day, there is NO WAY I could do this whole, raising a human thing without Him. Lest we forget the awesomeness & the suckyness of the current season of our life, here is a snapshot of our lives these days!
AMAZING PARTS!
* Ella is fully mobile & loves to climb! (some days this goes in the SUCKY category)
* Our girl is talking! Words she says are: "Mama", "Dada", "NO" (usually "Um, no."), "Oh wow", "Uh Oh", "Kitty", "Drink". One of the cutest things is when she says "Mama" really loud and then kind of whispers "Dada"
* Ella loves to help! Her favorite ways to help are; putting her dirty clothes in the laundry, turning off lights, picking up her toys before bathtime (this is a fight some days but usually she enjoys it), shutting doors and gates, locking the front door and putting clothes in the dryer
* She is signing the words "please", "more", "thank you" & "down" . I have noticed a decrease in her frustration level since she learned these signs. My frustration level has also decreased! :) She also really enjoys doing the flashcards with mommy.
* Ella loves to read! One of the most wonderful parts of the day is when she walks over and grabs a book from the pile and turns around.....she has the biggest smile as she walks back to me, so proud of herself. It's one of those moments I want to bottle up and keep forever.
* She is VERY MUCH her own person! She likes things that are not things she has seen Scott or I enjoy...she just genuinely likes them. Her favorite things are currently: anything pink, SHOES!, big trucks, car commercials, and did I mention she really likes shoes??
* Her favorite TV show is Bubble Guppies, she even does a dance when it comes on, she gets so excited. She also loves Pajanimals and the movie Finding Nemo. Yes, I am fully aware that the American Academy of Pediatrics says No TV Until Age 2. That is awesome & I would LOVE to follow that (she only gets about 20 minutes of TV a day, max) but if I want to get a shower or make dinner, she gets to watch Bubble Guppies. I've tried calling Pediatricians offices to see if they will come watch her so I can cook or shower, but no one seems to be willing....so alas, she gets some TV.
* Ella's favorite things are Fanny, her stuffed monkey and her burpie. Every single morning when Ella wakes up, she looks for Fanny. When people come to the house, she runs to Fanny and shows them her best friend....almost an introduction.
* Ella loves animals.....ALL animals.
* Our sweet girl has a kind heart & a feisty spirit. I pray she keeps both.
SUCKY PARTS
* Fit throwing. Now, it doesn't happen that often, but when it does, it blows.
* Having to hurt her feelings when I discipline her. I HATE hurting her feelings but I'm her parent, not her bestie. My prayer is that if I do the former well enough, the latter will happen on it's own.
* Not having any free help. My brother is the only family we have close and he helps us, but he also works A LOT! I can't imagine how much easier it would be if we had grandparents or siblings that lived even an hour or two away!!! That is not our life though, so we make do!
* Not having the time or money to all the things we want to do with her, and make all the memories we want to.
So, that's our crazy life......and I wouldn't change it for anything.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Monday, September 10, 2012
Not just for produce & coffee anymore!
Think. Shop. Buy. LOCAL movement has been gaining momentum across the country. It is in full force here at the Courter house; our eggs and a lot of our produce come from Achille, OK, our coffee from Hotshots, and we love shopping at Craigheads in Caddo and the shops on Main here in Durant.
BUT, I challenge you blog friends to take the Think. Shop. Buy. Local idea and apply it to the sports loving side of your brain! Here in Durant you are lucky to have both a college and several schools who would LOVE to see you support their sports programs. On any given Friday night, you could watch the pigskin be thrown around under the lights in Caddo (whose Bruins won a STATE TITLE last year), or at Paul Laird Field where the Durant Lions play. I can guarantee that those programs would appreciate your support!
A lot of people in Durant don't seem to be connected to Southeastern Oklahoma State University. GET CONNECTED!! Take advantage of a fantastic opportunity to spend time with your family, entertain your kids for literally pennies and get engaged in your community. Got kids? You know how expensive it is to go out and MAKE MEMORIES as a family these days. Good grief, you need a 2nd mortgage for a weekend in Dallas if you take in 2 sporting events and pay for meals out and a hotel room.
I'm about to blow your mind......if you have, let's say a family of four, and buy local when it comes to sports by purchasing the SE All Seasons Family Pass ($125), you and your children can attend EVERY HOME GAME for ALL SPORTS for $0.07 per person/per game. Seriously. 7 CENTS. Your kids can literally pay their own way to our Home Opener this Saturday by digging through your car for spare change. One of your kids could get the whole family in by finding some change in the Wal-Mart parking lot!. Go here for more info.
What's that you say? You are a die hard OU fan? Okay, I'm an alumni, I get you. The first 2 SE home games are OU bye weeks....no conflict there. The 3rd SE home game is against Southwestern (3pm kickoff) and is generally a pretty big game so fan support is essential, paired with OU vs. Kansas. Yeah, go ahead and DVR that one. The final SE home game is versus Harding (2 pm kickoff) and should be a great game. OU plays in Ames, IA...again, you pay for the DVR, let's use it. And finally, the last regular season SE game is at ECU and kicks off at 2 pm. OU plays Baylor at home. This is a big game for SE. Every. Year! We NEED you! Heck, ride with Ella & I!
So, I think your pickin up what I'm throwin down by now right? Here's what you get when you Buy Local.
1) you help strengthen your community
2) you get priceless memories with your kids for 7 CENTS per person/per game (ridiculous cheap)
3) you might meet new friends at a tailgate
4) my undying appreciation.
5) unheard of value for your sporting dollar
So please, this year consider Buying Local for your sports entertainment!! If you don't live near Durant, check out the options in your area, I know your local D2 or D3 school would love to see you there!! For more info, check out the "Tickets" link under the "Athletic Dept." tab on gosoutheastern.com or just click here
GO SOUTHEASTERN!!!!!
BUT, I challenge you blog friends to take the Think. Shop. Buy. Local idea and apply it to the sports loving side of your brain! Here in Durant you are lucky to have both a college and several schools who would LOVE to see you support their sports programs. On any given Friday night, you could watch the pigskin be thrown around under the lights in Caddo (whose Bruins won a STATE TITLE last year), or at Paul Laird Field where the Durant Lions play. I can guarantee that those programs would appreciate your support!
A lot of people in Durant don't seem to be connected to Southeastern Oklahoma State University. GET CONNECTED!! Take advantage of a fantastic opportunity to spend time with your family, entertain your kids for literally pennies and get engaged in your community. Got kids? You know how expensive it is to go out and MAKE MEMORIES as a family these days. Good grief, you need a 2nd mortgage for a weekend in Dallas if you take in 2 sporting events and pay for meals out and a hotel room.
I'm about to blow your mind......if you have, let's say a family of four, and buy local when it comes to sports by purchasing the SE All Seasons Family Pass ($125), you and your children can attend EVERY HOME GAME for ALL SPORTS for $0.07 per person/per game. Seriously. 7 CENTS. Your kids can literally pay their own way to our Home Opener this Saturday by digging through your car for spare change. One of your kids could get the whole family in by finding some change in the Wal-Mart parking lot!. Go here for more info.
What's that you say? You are a die hard OU fan? Okay, I'm an alumni, I get you. The first 2 SE home games are OU bye weeks....no conflict there. The 3rd SE home game is against Southwestern (3pm kickoff) and is generally a pretty big game so fan support is essential, paired with OU vs. Kansas. Yeah, go ahead and DVR that one. The final SE home game is versus Harding (2 pm kickoff) and should be a great game. OU plays in Ames, IA...again, you pay for the DVR, let's use it. And finally, the last regular season SE game is at ECU and kicks off at 2 pm. OU plays Baylor at home. This is a big game for SE. Every. Year! We NEED you! Heck, ride with Ella & I!
So, I think your pickin up what I'm throwin down by now right? Here's what you get when you Buy Local.
1) you help strengthen your community
2) you get priceless memories with your kids for 7 CENTS per person/per game (ridiculous cheap)
3) you might meet new friends at a tailgate
4) my undying appreciation.
5) unheard of value for your sporting dollar
So please, this year consider Buying Local for your sports entertainment!! If you don't live near Durant, check out the options in your area, I know your local D2 or D3 school would love to see you there!! For more info, check out the "Tickets" link under the "Athletic Dept." tab on gosoutheastern.com or just click here
GO SOUTHEASTERN!!!!!
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Time flies when you're having fun!
I have been so bad with this blog.....SO BAD! I just can't seem to get motivated to write and when I do have the motivation, Ella is awake, and that's just not going to happen. What can I say, we've been busy making memories. Here is my best attempt at catching up!
The summer of 2012 was a busy one with lots of time spent on the road, but it was so great to see so many of our friends and family! Here are some pictures from a great summer!!!!
Ella had a lot of "Firsts" this summer....
1st trip to a petting zoo! We met up with some of my cousins and their kids and took Ella to the Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead in Overland Park. We had so much fun & true to form, Ella LOVED touchingall most of the animals.....our little animal lover was NOT a fan of the pig!
1st Royals Game! After the petting zoo, we grabbed some lunch and headed to The K for Ella's first Royals game. Scott was SO EXCITED to take his baby girl to watch his beloved Royals! Ella's Godparents joined us and brought Lilly, my cousin Tim's oldest. We had a wonderful time and even ran into Jason & Kim Menefee!
1st trip to the zoo!!!! Ella had her first zoo experience at the Henry Doorly Zoo and she loved it, especially the aquarium. We went with Grammy & Grandpa Courter and Aunt Berta & Uncle Reg were able to meet us there. It was a very special day and we are so grateful that we were able to share it with family!
We were also able to visit with the Morley's (I can't seem to find the pictures) and spent some time with Adam, Jill, Pierson and Kendal.
Met the newest Lamberson....
And had a great time at the lake for the 4th of July with Ella's future husband & in-laws....
Ella also racked up her 6th and 7th states, adding Iowa & Nebraska to her list of travels. She is an amazing kid who surprises, inspires and blesses us every single day. We are so blessed and grateful that we were chosen to be her parents.
The summer of 2012 was a busy one with lots of time spent on the road, but it was so great to see so many of our friends and family! Here are some pictures from a great summer!!!!
Ella had a lot of "Firsts" this summer....
1st trip to a petting zoo! We met up with some of my cousins and their kids and took Ella to the Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead in Overland Park. We had so much fun & true to form, Ella LOVED touching
1st Royals Game! After the petting zoo, we grabbed some lunch and headed to The K for Ella's first Royals game. Scott was SO EXCITED to take his baby girl to watch his beloved Royals! Ella's Godparents joined us and brought Lilly, my cousin Tim's oldest. We had a wonderful time and even ran into Jason & Kim Menefee!
1st trip to the zoo!!!! Ella had her first zoo experience at the Henry Doorly Zoo and she loved it, especially the aquarium. We went with Grammy & Grandpa Courter and Aunt Berta & Uncle Reg were able to meet us there. It was a very special day and we are so grateful that we were able to share it with family!
We were also able to visit with the Morley's (I can't seem to find the pictures) and spent some time with Adam, Jill, Pierson and Kendal.
Met the newest Lamberson....
And had a great time at the lake for the 4th of July with Ella's future husband & in-laws....
Ella also racked up her 6th and 7th states, adding Iowa & Nebraska to her list of travels. She is an amazing kid who surprises, inspires and blesses us every single day. We are so blessed and grateful that we were chosen to be her parents.
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