Books

As I get older, I am finding that reading a good book is something I thoroughly enjoy. As a kid, I didn't much enjoy reading. I wasn't really persuaded or made to read and I can't recall being read to very often. My resolution for 2007 was to read more. I accomplished that goal. For 2008? I was to keep it up, so far I've done pretty good considering I have 2 kids. ;) I like books with good words of wisdom, or life lessons, or ones that follow a 'true' story line. I'm not into sci-fi; books or movies, total opposite of Matt.

I recently finished reading The Last Lecture. I'm sure you've heard about it. I must say, "I loved it!" I read some of the comments people had about this book and I let them sway my decision; in a negative way. By that I mean, I almost didn't buy it because of what 'they' wrote. I finally got smart and said, "Megan, you need to just buy it, read it and form your own opinion." I did and my opinion is, "Good book." There was one sentence that Randy wrote that is the perfect motto for my life. "Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted."

One I read in 2007 was, Under the Overpass. If you haven't read that book please pick it up. I'll even loan you mine, then you won't have to pay for one. It's about a Christian guy named Mike who with his buddy, decide to become homeless for a while. Good book on ministry and loving people no matter what their circumstance because you never know.

Another good read is The Secret Blend. A college friend of mine, father-in-law Stan Toler, wrote this book. He's the pastor of Trinity Church of the Nazarene in OKC. He's written many books, but this is the only one I've read. My friend gave me this book before it even hit the shelves I think 4 years ago. It's a 'reflection' book. By that I mean it makes you check yourself, but in a good way. Hard to explain, but 'Secret Blend' refers to coffee, life and enriching your relationships. I quoted part of that from his website. You can borrow this one as well. I try to read this book at least once a year. It's a good easy read.

About 3 years ago, I read In the Presence of My Enemies. This book falls under the 'true life' category. I ran across it in Mardel's and was on sale for pennies, so I picked it up. I had heard about this story, but didn't realize the severity of it until reading the book. If yo aren't familiar it's about a missionary couple who are kidnapped, with others, in the Philippines and held captive for a year. Good story, makes you pray for missionaries if you never have or pray harder if you already do.

I'm hoping to read more books to add to my library. If anyone has read a good book along the lines of the books I've mentioned please share. If you want to borrow one of mine I've mentioned just email me. I'm working on a Max Lucado book right now titled The Great House of God. So far I like it. I started it before Lecture, but put it aside while I read that one.

Amazon will meet all your book reading needs if you don't want to borrow.

Our 4th of July

This was Cooper's first holiday celebration and Chloe's second 4th. She didn't see fireworks last year and this year they scared her. haha I let her sit in my lap and help me take these pictures. The 'BULB' feature on my camera is really cool! We were so close to the action we were being pelted with firework shrapnel.

This Time Last Year

As many of you may remember, it flooded here in B'ville last year and Matt's store was in the thick of it.

The picture above and below are from the evening the water was rising. These were taken from his parking lot. Above is the business next door and below is across the street.

This picture below shows what we saw the next morning from a block away.

The water got 2ft. to 2.5 feet high inside. This event began a long ordeal of finding a new location, getting a building built and moving multiple times. Things still are being worked out. BUT luckily Matt doesn't have to worry about flooding anymore. The picture above is a full shot, I didn't zoom in on the store. Matt's store is the blue building behind the U-Haul trucks. Behind the billboard is the yellow building in the pictures above. If you look to the upper right side of the picture there is a bridge. That is where the Verdigris River is located.

Later this day or the next I can't remember, Matt borrowed a kayak and paddled to the store to retrieve some important paper work and cash that was left. We didn't think it would get this high.

The water was being funneled down the road directly in front of his store. The water is moving at a very high rate of speed, he almost didn't make it back. He said it kept pushing him back and sideways. (I advised against this little idea, but he was worried about losing the cash.) If he hadn't been able to fight the current he would have ended up across town.

Wearing Chloe Out!

We don't get out much during the day, the three of us. It's a lot of work taking them some where are there isn't a place to go that is cool enough, temperature wise, for Cooper. SO what usually happens is Matt gets home, we eat dinner and he puts on a smile as I say, "We need to get Chloe out of the house. Where do you want to go, Sooner Park, Dino Park or Kiddie Park?" (Matt now commutes to northeast Tulsa, so his days got longer.) We are so Okie that sometimes we will take her to Wal-Mart just so she can see people. Usually I need something anyways and it's cooler than outdoors.

We've been going to the Kiddie Park more often this year than last, since Chloe is bigger. The Kiddie Park for the non-Bartians (Bartlesville residents) is a mini amusement park. The rides have been flooded a few times and I think they were built in the Roaring 20's, but they still work. Chloe loves loves loves going there.

My 'Barrel Making Gift from God'

My 'barrel making gift from God' is my Cooper Matthew. It may not be as powerful as other names, but I figured the 'Gift from God' part took up for the barrel making part. I just like the name Cooper, it's a good athlete's name.

"Up to bat, hitting 3rd and playing short stop is Coooooperrrr Knox!" and the crowds cheer and the girls giggle.

Three months ago today at 0210, my barrel maker was born weighing 7lbs 10oz 20.5" long.

Here we are today weighing almost 14lbs!! and measuring 24" long!! It won't be long before he's bigger than our petite Chloe Joy.

He is the sweetest little person ever. Chloe was never much of a cuddler and still isn't unless she's sick. Our little Coop loves to be held, talked to, rocked, sung to and played with. He doesn't much care to be with out us which is cute, but can be annoying. Luckily he sleeps through the night, so I'll take the daily lovin' on.

He's been in the bassinet since we brought him home and tonight will be his first night in his crib. (Long story as to why he is just now leaving our room. We kicked Chloe out of our room at 6 weeks! No wonder she's Miss Independent!)

(Here is Cooper's room, poor guy. When we found out we were moving soon (by soon I mean I don't know when) we didn't hurry to decorate. We are just now getting around to buying his mattress! Matt finished the crackle and I like it, he hates it.)

I could have picked up the room for these pictures, but I'm just being real. His room is a disaster and with Matt's new job, Cooper's room got bumped on the priority list. "Sorry buddy. Thankfully, you won't remember."

Chloe is as much in love with Cooper as we are. First thing in the morning when I get her out of bed, "Pooper? Sshh, Pooooper." When she sees him she'll say, "HIEEEE POOOOPER!" She says it like "Well, there you are." He'll just grin and coo at her. I've caught her in his face saying, "What? What?" You know like we adults do to infants when they are talking? She's a sweet sister.

Blue Bunny Ice cream

I have found my new favorite ice cream novelty. (I just recently learned what 'novelty' implied. It means, 'secret weapon of mass destruction.')

I was searching a 'saving money' blog and found a link to the Blue Bunny website offering a $1.00 off any (1) Blue Bunny Novelty. I printed it and thought I'd give the novelty route a try. I am an ice cream addict always have been and always will be, I will never reform. No matter how high gas prices go or how high dairy prices climb, I will never turn my back from the fat inducing, water retaining piece of heaven some loosely call ice cream. I call happiness in a box, on a stick, in a bowl, but not so much on a cone unless it's of the waffle variety then I'll consider.

I was recently turned on to Skinny Cow's which are F-A-N-tastic, but since my recent discovery of (drum roll please) Blue Bunny Sundae Crunch Bar Chocolate, I have decided losing weight for my 10 year reunion isn't all that important in the whole scheme of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I am pursuing happiness right now.

Don't get me wrong, I have not dumped the Skinny Dipper's, their presence will still be mandatory in my freezer. They will just have a little company for the time being. I think after lunch I will eat a sundae novelty and after dinner eat a dipper immediately followed by a sundae. I'm breastfeeding for crying out loud; Cooper gets at least half of all I eat right? One for Coop the other for Mom.

The Milk Jug Makeover...

Apparently a milk company in Ohio has redesigned the gallon milk jug. It looks very different, but is supposed to be better for the environment, taste fresher and is .15c cheaper than the bulky jug. Here is the link to the story.

I personally could care less if milk came in a jug the shaped of a cow! If it's cheaper and tastes the same, I don't care.