My amazing friend Shelly

So I forgot to post the coolest thing from last weekend! My awesome friend Shelly competed in her first triathalon ... and got SECOND PLACE in her age group!!! She is such an inspiration to me. Not only did she train like crazy for this race, but she is one of the most caring people I've ever met, a devoted wife and mother, and great friend. An ironic twist of events brought us into each others lives, and I now believe that God has a plan for everything. For those of you who don't know, Braden has a half sister. Bailey just turned 9 years old, and Shelly is her mother. Just 5 years ago, Shelly and I barely spoke to each other and had no idea that we'd soon be such great friends. There's the irony! The only thing we had in common then was that we loved that little girl! Who knew ...

Now, I can't imagine my life without them in it. We are so fortunate that Shelly and Ashton have welcomed us into their family, and I do feel like we are all family. We may be fit for Jerry Springer (without the hair pulling) but we are determined to keep the kids in contact over the years, and the funny thing is - we enjoy spending time together just as much, if not more, than they do!

Shell with her trophy ...

a tiny picture of the kids

my Arkansas girlfriends that I just adore ... and Braden of course! We were so proud of our Shelly!

Braden at the Mud Run

See previous post for all the pictures, but this Braden on the HUGE slip-n-slide at the Mud Run ealier today. It was pretty intense. He lost his shoes on this trip down!

2010 Mud Run

So the girls from work got a team together, and we did the Mud Run. It was a 1.5 mile obstacle course in the mud. It was a lot of fun. Braden went to, and he had a blast! Here's a few shots ...

Here we are arm and arm on the slip n slide

before

After

Can't sleep so I'll blog!

I wish I had more pictures! Kara and I went to the Current River in Van Buren, MO last weekend, and when I get the pictures I'm waiting for (hint, hint) I'll blog more! This one of the view from our room is all I have! We stayed at the Landing, a hotel, on the water. We floated a couple of days, went to some hole-in-the-wall bar, made some new friends, and had a blast. It was a tradition that Kara's dad started 12 years ago. Next month will be a year after his passing, and I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate his life than to spend a fun weekend with his amazing friends every summer. They are so great. I only wish we could've spent more of our adult lives with him. Instead, my only memories of him are us getting in trouble as teens ;( ha oh well - fun memories! I'm sure he'd love to hear some of the hilarious adventures we had this weekend! We laughed, we cried, and yes, Tammy ... we made memories. And as long as I have willing sitters, I will make this an annual tradition of mine as well. They told me by the end of the weekend I would be family, and I felt like I was before the end of the first day. I love Kara with every ounce of my being, and I could see how much Kerry meant to all of them. This trip was very special to him, and it was very special to all of us. Thanks for letting me be a part of it, Kara! NOW SEND ME SOME PICTURES!

Here's a few pics I had sitting around of the past few weeks. Here's Braden and Eric (or as Braden calls him "E") at Skiatook lake

Yesterday at the lake my friend Chase wakeboarding.

I haven't gotten off of the couch all day because my back hurts so bad. Needless to say, I didn't do so well. Braden kept saying, "come on, Momma, I know you can do it!" Ha! I didn't want to let him down! So I just kept trying and trying! It hurts!

Thanks to my great friends for being so patient with me while I tried a million times!

This is my great friend Julie dancing with Braden at the concert in Utica Square. He just had to dance right in the center of the dance floor! It was the last concert night and there was about 1,000 people there!!!!! He was cracking people up! So cute! Julie is a good sport! We love our Jules!

Simple Pleasures

I wish that life could simple like this for me. I wish I didn't have to worry about making the wrong decisions. Sometimes, I feel like this sweet little ice cream covered face is my reminder to stop and enjoy the simple things in life. I don't always do it, but I get the hints! He's so fun loving and carefree ... and he tells me, "Momma don't be sad," when I'm having a bad day. What a smart little kid. I love him so much it hurts. I love him so much that I probably worry too much about making the wrong decisions!

Anyway, here's to wishing everyone an ice cream mess of a week! Enjoy the little things, and don't obsess over how you're gonna clean up the mess! Life's too short.

Braden's 4th Birthday!!!

I just can't believe it. Just 4 short years ago, it was just me .... and here he is ... 4 years old!!! The best thing that's ever happened to me, the biggest challenge, and the most love I've ever known! He's 4!!!!

He had a bowling party and shark cake made out of cupcakes. All just as he ordered! Gotta love his fun-loving personality. Every year it gets more and more obvious to me that I am going to be laughing alot throughout my life. He is such a character. He loves to entertain.

And here's one of him on his real birthday ... Wednesday at Incredible Pizza.

Happy Birthday, Heather!!

Today was my friend, Heather's 26th birthday ... and though I tried not to go because I'm too poor, my sweet friends wouldn't let me skip out on such an important occasion! Thanks, Haley!! She was my sugar-momma for the evening! This is us and our beautiful kiddoes! We had a great time at our favorite place ... Osaka! Thanks, Ryan for bringing me such a great friend that I have so much in common with! I can't imagine my life without her in it!