Lambeau Buckingham...

As most of us know, my husband is a sports broadcaster. So obviously sports are more than just a passion. He lives.breathes.eats.sleeps.anything having to do with sports.

Specifically his favorite teams:
The Boston Red Sox.
The Oklahoma Sooners.
The Green Bay Packers.
The Boston Celtics.

Since Dylan and I were dating, {quite honestly it could have even been before this} he has told me about his dream dog. It will be a Golden Retriever, it will be named Lambeau {after Lambeau field, where the Packers play} and it will be his. He will love it more than life itself. So being the fab wife that I am, I knew {even when I was just his girlfriend} that I would be fulfilling this dream of his one day. Because I love him. And that's what you do when you love someone. Make them happy, because it makes you happy to see them so happy.



That day has come. January 9th. We will pick up this little guy.

It is a Golden Retriever.

It is named Lambeau.

And it is his.

And I'd say he loves him more than life itself. :)

Merry Christmas, Dylan Ross! Welcome to the family Lambeau Buckingham! We can't wait to show you your new home & introduce you to your sister Piper!

Christmas 2010...

This year, whew. It wears me out just to think about it. I plan to be better about blogging in 2011. I finally feel pretty settled. The last few weeks have come and gone and I don't even know where to start to catch back up. {what else is new?!}

But why not try?...
-We decorated our house for Christmas like this...

-We mailed our Christmas card with this photo and I forgot to save the digital image, so just pretend...

-Christmas came and went and was absolutely wonderful. Dylan and I just kept looking at each other and thinking how thankful we are for this life. I know I've said it a gajillion times, but really. I love this life I've been given and I never want to take a single second for granted.

I made these for some of my girlfriends and neighbors...


-We spent time with our families and loved every second of it.



-I made more Oreo balls than I care to count. {& probably will never make them again}


-I surprised Dylan with this...

-Which means we are now on the hunt for one of these...



I think that's about it really :) Tomorrow we are driving 2.5 hours away to look at a puppy breeder. I can't wait to potentially meet our newest family member and put our deposit down. Eeek!

The December Chaos Has Arrived...

It's officially Christmas in the Buckingham household.

I couldn't love it more. Something about this time of year just feels so cozy. I love {more than I ever dreamed} having a fireplace and a home to call our own.

This weekend has been c.raz.y. I had Crafting & Cocktails, our work Christmas party at a pottery studio where I painted this...

I can't wait to see it all finished and fired.

Then I had a baby shower to attend for my cute pregnant friend, Erin. We got her a cloth diaper kit that she and her husband Michael wanted. I'd say it was a success. I still can't believe that my friends are starting to have babies. Unreal. I just don't feel old enough for that. :)

Today we went to church, then to a birthday party then to the grocery store and then I hosted Recipe Club for the first time at our house. I'd say it was a pretty good weekend, but most certainly a busy one.

It makes life so much easier now that we are starting to feel a bit more settled. I hope it only gets better from here!

Ode to Black Friday...

Yesterday was a wonderful day, but real early this morning...was even better.

I spent the day surrounded by family and fun. Dylan had to work last night, so I came home and finished our laundry and by the time he got off work we headed to WalMart to hit up the black Friday sales. AKA heaven in my world. {Just to clarify, black Friday is heaven. Not WalMart.}

I love love love black Friday. It's really truly my favorite day of the year.

.The crowds.

.The h i l a r i o u s people that take everything so seriously I literally laugh out loud watching them. It's like SNL right in front of your face. Classic.

.The people {mostly young women} that are clearly amateurs and get dolled up to go stand in the freaking freezing cold to get a few towels on sale. I mean, I'm all for a good deal, but please... leave the dangly earrings and lipstick at home. It doesn't speed up the line, or guarantee you anything.

.The women that are so die hard they will physically push carts or people right out of the way to get to where they want to go. Priceless.

But, most of all...
I love that it's our tradition. We do it every year. Last night for instance, I didn't need anything from WalMart, but was I going to skip black Friday? No way. Not this girl. Dylan walked out of there with two new games for his xbox, I got the Blindside for $5, and we got all three seasons of the Big Bang Theory for $30. Which is cheaper than if you were to just buy one season on any other day.

I get that it's crazy and some people don't like it, but I say if you've never done it- don't knock it. It's a darn good time, and most of the memories of the adventure will last you all year long. It's fantastic. :)



On a completely different note, we bought our Christmas tree today and it is set up ready to be decorated when Dylan gets off tonight. I can't hardly wait to see it all decorated, but even just right now, it looks & smells darn good if I do say so myself.

Happy Holiday weekend, hope yours was as successful as ours! :)

2010 Thankfuls...

I am thankful:
.for my handsome husband. I didn't have any idea growing up how good I would have it in the husband department. I think I won the lottery on this one. He's funny, charming, good looking, dependable, driven, devoted, he loves the Lord and he loves me :) ... I could go on and on, but my most thankful part about Dylan is that I have a partner to go through this crazy life with. I'm more grateful for him now than I ever knew I could be.
.for my amazing mom, who is also my best friend. I love her more and more each day.
.my wonderful family & my awesome in laws. :)
.for my brother and more specifically his health.
.that we live in Oklahoma again. duh.
.for Amarillo. It was our home for almost 8 months & will always hold a special place in my heart.
.for my iPhone. (ha! sad, but truthful.)
.for laughter.
.for a full time job that I love.
.for wonderful friends.
.for a cute brick home to call our own.
.for a sweet little doggy named Piper, who loves unconditionally. everyday.
.for my husband's job that he also loves.
.for three year old hugs. There's nothing like them, and I'm lucky enough to get at least 30 every single day.
.for this life I've been given.

This year has been extra special for me. It's been so full of ups and downs and turns and never ever has it been a constant. It's almost December, and I don't think we've been "settled" for even one week during 2010. It has been lots of moving and lots of tugging on my heart strings and I've felt emotions on every single level. Good and bad. But I am, and always will be thankful for the Lord bringing me through everything we've experienced. I am so unworthy of all of these blessings, and I know now more than ever in my life I couldn't do any of these things without Him.

Today we will be celebrating with my side of the family in the morning, and Dylan's side in the afternoon. I wasn't sure we would even be able to celebrate the holidays this year with our families, let alone in Oklahoma, but we do. I will always be thankful for that. :)

A day in iPhone pictures...

Today I've spent the day trying desperately to get our new life settled.
I am so in love with our home and am loving the wonderful space that we have that is ours and only ours.
I've ordered Christmas Cards.
Addressed them, and plan to mail them on Wednesday.
I've done more laundry than I probably have in the last 3 months. {sad, but so true}
I made my husband cinnamon rolls this morning for breakfast, before he left for work.


I took my mom to get a pedicure, to thank her for being so wonderful. I realize this doesn't begin to cover the things she has done for us, but who doesn't love a good pedicure?! And when I came home, guess who was waiting for me...



I cooked dinner for my husband, which he was able to come home for. I can tell I'm going to love that again.

I saw this out my window while I did my dishes.


All in all it was a beautiful day off. Definitely something I needed after the last few weeks.

And, guess who blogged twice in one week? This girl! Who knows, maybe I'll be back tomorrow with more! :)

This is the First Time...

I'm blogging from my new home!


I'm sitting in my living room with beautifully painted walls, wonderful hardwood floors, a gorgeous fireplace and each and every detail of our home was done with love. I'm thankful for more things that I can even begin to count this Thanksgiving. It makes my heart smile. I just feel so blessed.

Tonight I plan to accomplish laundry and start getting our home in order. It makes me so giddy to know that Dylan and I are making memories that will last our entire lives. Someday we'll be telling our grandchildren about out first house, and these are the moments I want to remember. That Piper loves her new home and I think more than anything, loves having her mommy and daddy's undivided attention. :) That our first grocery trip cost us $250 freaking dollars. That our washing machine started leaking out our garage and filled the entire garage floor, including our boxes. That our first night in our new house, we didn't have sheets due to the washing machine issue. But most importantly, that we've never been happier or more proud of our first big investment together. We would love a cardboard box, if that's what we could get, but knowing that this whole house is ours... it makes my heart swell. I love this life we've been given. I will never ever take these moments for granted.

Every good and perfect gift is from above.
James 1:17

House Updates!...

In the past week we have made the biggest investment of our lives.
In (the same) past week we have completely deteriorated just about everything about the home we now own.

We've sledged the floors...

And by "we" I mean, Dylan...

Had to rip up floors...

Removed appliances and had to rebuild cabinetry...

And now, the fun begins. Seeing all of these fugly things...

Turn to pretty things... I'll have more updates soon!

Monday at 4:00...

In 37 short hours, you can just call me a home owner!

I haven't been blogging very much lately, let's face it. I'm a pretty busy girl.
I've had Recipe Club, went to see my girl crush Carrie Underwood. (& was definitely retweeted on a billboard!) I have found my favorite wine of all time(- thanks, Sarah for introducing us!) I went to my first Crafting&Cocktails session. Which, by the way, is one heck of a good time that might have involved breaking and entering...but, we'll talk about that later. I had a Halloween party with some of my favorite 3 year olds & I bought my appliances. Picked out counter tops, flooring and paint colors galore. I had my hair appointment and practically died my hair brown... but mainly I haven't been blogging because I am garage sale obsessed. o.b.s.e.s.s.e.d. I seem to be hitting the jackpot every single time I go. It's like a cheap glorious gift from above. Times 29.


Some of my favorite recent finds have been:
-A marvelous iron candlestick for ONE DOLLAR. (it is taller than my knee!)

-A 1920's kidney shaped writing desk. ($30-Thanks, Dad!)
-A great bookshelf ($10)
-A magazine rack ($.25)
-A door- which will soon become a headboard for my guest bedroom, like my cute friends the Crosley's had in their master bedroom. ($5)

-A fullsize bed, which(tomorrow)will become a darling bench for our front porch ($25)
-A wicker rocking chair (that desperately needs a mate.) ($5)

I could truly go on and on, but I'm sure you get the point.

I'll post some pictures tomorrow of my new bench! Happy Saturday!

Quick Update...

We are still on track to purchase our first home. (only 9 more days until closing!)
We are both so ready to get started on all of our projects for the house, and get settled enough to move in!
I have been working lots of OT at work, but at the same time my life has started to kind of settle.
I'm used to being back at home, and more than ever I feel (weirdly) like we never left.
I love my job and Dylan's job and feel SO privileged that we both do what we love and don't have to carry the burden of work at home.
I'm antsy antsy antsy to have my own kitchen again and find my self spending wayyyy too much time organizing my recipes and gearing up for cooking. Watch out, Dylan, Betty Crocker is set for return! ;)
I'm finally starting to paint our wedding plate. I'll post pictures soon!
I'm also starting our Christmas plate. Finally!

That's really all for now. I'll try and blog again tomorrow. (I know, ambitious!)

Happy Saturday!!

Paper, huh...

Tomorrow is our first wedding anniversary. To celebrate we are buying each other a house. They say that you should celebrate with a gift of paper for your first anniversary, we figured that a title of a house would suffice. ;)

I think our one short year of marriage must equate to a heck of a lot more than that. We graduated college, moved out of state to pursue my husbands dream, dealt with cancer, moved back to Oklahoma for two full time jobs and now we're buying our first home that one day, we will start a family in. I'm thinking all of this isn't the norm for most newlyweds.

What I've learned in these short wonderful 12 months of marriage is that I never want to know what life is like without Dylan. This last year has taught me what true happiness is. I wake up with a smile on my face, and I go to sleep with a smile on my face. He makes every day a good day. We laugh all the time, from morning to night when we can't sleep and we play goofy games to make ourselves tired. He's my best friend and my love. What could be better? I love that it's not just my life I have to worry about anymore, it's our life. I love that we've learned to really have discussions and we know each others quirks and what makes each other tick. :) I love that we have our life together but we also have separate hobbies and friends. I admire his passion for work and his drive to succeed. I love that we have a dog that we spoil more than life itself. She's ridiculously rotten, and we wouldn't change a single thing about her. I couldn't imagine going into 2010 that this year would top last year, but I have to say it's come in pretty darn close and it's only October.

I love you Dylan Ross, thank you for giving me your name and sharing your life with me. Here's to many more years of wedded bliss!!
Love, Emily Marie

What's New?...

A whole freakin' lot.
Here's a couple updates on life.

1.My brother is CANCER FREE!!! He's been in remission for a week and a half and I couldn't be happier. God is SO good!!! His hair is already starting to grow back, he has little fuzzies all over. I can't wait to see what it will look like the second time around.
2.I'm so busy I can't even see straight, I'm ready for life to calm down for a second.
3.Dylan and I are in the process of buying a house. It's darling, and I can't wait to finally have our own home. I'm just scared to death something will go wrong in the process, but I just have to keep my chin up and think positive thoughts. I'm pretty sure it's meant to be. :)
4.I haven't even started my book club book, I'm such a slacker. But I did mention #2. (note to self-work on time management.)


I'll try and get back in the swing of things soon! I'm off to look at house stuff. Happy Weekend! Oh yeah, and BOOMER SOONER!!

Saturday Bliss...

Today is finally Saturday. Not too much going on, Jason is done with chemo! Hallelujah! And his body scans were yesterday. We got a phone call that my brothers results have been pushed back until next Monday, with his official appointments on Wednesday. With my parents being out of town I'll take Wednesday off work, and go from there. I'm hopeful it will be good news. I'm ready to say bye to this Cancer word that has taken over the last couple of months! To be honest, I'm petrified of being the adult at the appointment. What if they say it isn't gone? What if they use large words that I have no idea what they are talking about. I guess I'll just handle it when I get there, but yikes. If I feel like I'm having to grow up fast, I can only imagine how Jason is feeling.

On a much lighter note, I've decided to join a Book Club. I couldn't be more excited. It's with several friends from work, and I'm geeking out with excitement. I went to Barnes and Noble last night and spent $18 dollars on a stupid paperback. Then came home to check on Amazon, only to buy a second copy (which is hardback) for a grand total of $3.00!! A penny for the book, $2.99 for the shipping. I.love.Amazon.com :)

We're reading The Memory Keeper's Daughter, it sounds like a good one.

I'm starting to feel so fancy and adult like being in Recipe Club & Book Club. Speaking of which I need to go to Hobby Lobby to buy some scrap book paper for Monday night! I've really missed these girls!

Enjoy your Saturday! Oh yeah, & Boomer Sooner!!!

Thursday Ramble...

Hi Friends!
It's almost Friday! :)
Can you tell I'm excited?! We had crazy storms today, and I can't say I hated it. I l.o.v.e.d it!! I realize this isn't the safest thing to do while I was driving, but holy black sky batman, it was black outside! It was like 70 mph winds and they said on the news that it was stronger than the hurricane winds. Crazy!

On another note, this has been a great work week. I've had terrible headaches for three days straight, but I'm starting to feel much better. I know several of the kids at school will be gone tomorrow, so I'm thinking that it will probably be a wonderful day! Ha! :) Not that I want them all to stay home, but it's nice to hear that they will be spending "mommy days", or days at the lake with their family. I love seeing them all day everyday, but it's good to know their parents not only want to, but can spend that time with them too.

At work tomorrow we also get to kick off football season by wearing our favorite college football gear, and celebrating with a pizza party. Sounds like a fun Friday to me!

On another exciting note, Dylan found out he's off this Sunday/Monday! Do you know what this means? WE get two days off together to spend with no plans! Except for a family get together on Monday! Hallelujah!!! I can't tell you how excited this makes me! With Dylan's job, we never get two days off together. We're lucky if we get one. And the fact that one of those days, happens to be a holiday is just insane! I can't wait! This hasn't happened in ages!! I'm just so thankful! Monday is going to be a fun filled family day, and I couldn't be more excited!

Also OU's first game is in 2 days!! I can't wait!!! BOOMER SOONER!!!

September Already?!...

What is with 2010?! Each month that comes just slaps me in the face? Like where the heck did August go? OR July, June, May, April, March, February or even January go? Did I not just move to Texas? Apparently I didn't, we just moved to Oklahoma. I feel like I blinked and this year is practically over. And still I'm wishing for fall! I'm ready to say goodbye to the 100+ degree weather!

Happy September, friends!

It's FRIDAY!!!...

I'm so glad it's the weekend. This week has really been a tough one. Glad I can put a check mark next to it and enjoy the weekend!

1.Jason had his last round of chemo start this week. He ended up getting really sick, which absolutely breaks my heart to see him hurt that way. I wish I could take the pain away and deal with it myself, but at the same time I know it's good for him to be the one to handle it, and own that he did this on his own. He went to school again today, so he is doing much better. I just hope we are almost to the finish line! He's an incredibly strong guy and I'm more and more proud of him each day. I will continue to wear my livestrong bracelet proudly and think of him and all the other people out there fighting cancer.

2.On to the weekend plans- I think tonight Dylan and I will head to Norman and have a sweet tea date. It will give us some good car time and since I don't have to wake up early tomorrow, I'm more than happy to stay up later than normal to spend time together :) Sometime this weekend I plan on settling in FOR REAL. Get it all done for good. So then next week maybe my brain won't feel so full.

3. I'm so behind on my DVR I can't even see straight. I went from loving my TV shows to almost not liking them. It's the weirdest thing. I think now that I'm busy all day every day, TV doesn't appeal to me or something? I plan on fixing this this weekend, because I do love and miss my shows. Other than Big Brother I am completely behind on e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. Hopefully I'll get that in check too.

4. Also, I don't miss Amarillo, but I am really missing my friends. If any of you guys are reading this, I do miss you! Please come visit us soon!! :)

Happy Friday, Y'all!! If you made it this far, I am sorrrrrry! It's quite a brain dump!

Dylan Ross...

Top Ten-I love you becauses...
.You have the kindest heart I know. You make me want to be a nicer person :)
.You make me laugh every darn day.
.You don't even know how handsome you are.
.You love both of our families. A lot.
.Of the way you love Piper. I can't wait to see you with our own (human) children.
.You not only set goals, but you achieve them. Quickly. Which is so so admirable.
.You know how to love me. Even when I'm hard to handle.
.You are not only smart. But you are silly, you're always making me smile.
.You amaze me. Everyday.
.& Finally.


Because you're my best friend. You make everyday a better day.
I love you, forever & always.
Happy 23rd Birthday, Handsome!

Week One, Complete...

Well, we've been in Oklahoma for one week now and we still don't have to go back. That is a fantastic feeling! We both have worked half of a week at our jobs, and both of us LOVE them. Dylan is loving his new station, and the other guys he's working with. He made his TV debut on Friday night, and was introduced to OKC. I can't tell you the feelings I had watching him living out his own dreams. I mean it was a big deal to watch him on TV in Texas, but that was never his dream job, just a great job doing what he loved to get him where he wanted to be. For us to be in Oklahoma City, and for him to be covering sports in Oklahoma and watch my husband doing what he was made to do made me feel more pride than I ever knew I had. He is one talented guy, I can't believe all of our dreams are coming true. Everyday I feel like we're going to wake up from this incredible dream we're living. I hope we never take for granted the things that we have been blessed with. This crummy year is starting to take a big turn for the better, and you won't hear me complaining! God's plan is always better than my own. Just when I start to think my way is better he throws me a curve ball and proves me wrong. Like I said before, I am more happy than I probably ever have been.
I am loving being at my old job, and am getting more and more excited to teach Enrichment. I went to Lakeshore and Mardel yesterday and found way more than I needed! I'm pretty sure I could spend an entire day in those stores. I have only two weeks to start planning, and I'm hoping I'll get some good hours in these next few days.

On a completely other note. My mom's birthday was last Wednesday and I was too busy to post about it, but I wanted to wish her a BIG belated Happy Birthday!!! She is the best mom in the whole wide world. I hope one day I can be half the mother that she has been to me and my brother. She is one amazing woman and she deserves everything she ever wanted!

Happy Sunday!!

We...

are finally DONE moving!!!

We are not quite settled, but well on our way.
...
We both start our new jobs tomorrow. :)
...
We are lo-ving being back home.
...
We are more than thankful for everything that has happened to us in the last 2 weeks.
...
We better get some rest for our big days tomorrow.


More on tomorrow later. Goodnight!

Complete Chaos...

I feel like I'm living in the remnants of a tornado. It's awful. I feel like I'm doing so much, but when I look around it just looks like a complete mess. I wouldn't say I'm clean by any stretch, but messiness starts to drive me mad. So this right now is making me crazy. There's no hope in making it clean, it's just chaotic and down right scary. Dylan and I's moms are coming tomorrow morning, and I'd love nothing more than to have the majority of everything done.. but I just can't seem to conquer this packing business. I'm a terrible packer. I love love unpacking but hate packing. I promised myself I wouldn't complain about getting to move.. but it is wayyy more difficult than I bargained for.

My brain is over flowing with questions- When do I pack my dishes? Will I need them in the next few days? How do I pack books when they are all shapes and sizes? Will I need my purses in the next six months, or will I be fine with my trusty Michael Kors? How do I pack a weird shaped apothecary jar? If I put my enormous collection of earrings that is displayed on my earring frame in a plastic bag will they get really tangled, and how will I untangle them? How am I supposed to put all of our hanging clothes into boxes when we will need to wear them next week?

It.never.stops.

Only four more days... I can do it!

I'm a Deal Maker...

I know I should be packing, but I feel like laying out instead.
Here's how I justify this in my brain-
If I lay out today, I must pack 10 boxes before I go to sleep.
Deal?
Sold!
Off to the pool I go.
:)



p.s. My brother came into my parent's living room last night with a huge smile on his face and told my mom and dad that he couldn't feel the lump under his chin anymore. This just brings tears to my eyes. The chemo has not only taken his hair, but it's taken his lump, and next it can have his cancer. I'm one happy sister. Praise the Lord.

Moving Mode...

I'm on a moving rampage.
Instead of things getting boxed and ready, things are getting real messy.
I'm sick.
I can't wait for our mom's to be here in FOUR days!!
I need help.

Just another day at the hospital...

In the last month I've spent more time in the hospital than I probably have in my whole life combined- and that is saying something seeing as how I am still living in Texas and the hospital is in Oklahoma City. Can you imagine how much time my brother has spent here? Yikes! Wayy more than anyone should, I can tell you that much.

Today is his round two cycle of chemo. Each cycle lasts 7 days, but the 1st day is always the longest. The first cycle we spent 13 hours at the hospital, and today (cycle 2) it's looking like we'll be here just as long. My mom, brother and I are just trying to enjoy our time together and keep my brother's spirits up. I think he gets a kick out of my mom and I's relationship. She is quite hilarious and when the two of us get together it can be pretty entertaining. For dinner my dad and husband will come spend some time with us to help pass the time. Thankfully we all have our laptops, iPhones, a deck of cards, some movies and a TV to help the day go by quicker.

So far so good today. He's been great. Who am I kidding? He's been great through this whole process! I can't imagine any 17 year old handling it any better. This morning we had to re-shave his head, and I'm not going to lie to you, he's looking pretty darn cute! ;)

Just Call Me Mrs. Productive...

SO in the last 24 hours I have...

-Set up a cancelation date for Cable/Internet
-Set up a cancelation date for our Electric
-Hired Movers
-My husband put in our notice at our apartment.
-Scheduled a Moving Truck
-Cancelled Netflix
-Got my Mother and my Mother in law on board to come next Tuesday to help us speed pack and drive us back to Oklahoma.


Now I must begin gathering boxes. Happy Tuesday!!

BIG NEWS...

I have been a little MIA this week. I have known something was a brewin' for the last 9 days. Biggest secret of my life, so far.
You ready to know it too? .....

One of the stations in Oklahoma City, has been in contact with MY husband for a potential job oppurtunity there. We have been praying big prayers this summer that some kind of door would open for us. Everything going on with my brother has really been hard on me, and I just needed to be in Oklahoma. We first got contacted a week ago last Thursday,(moments after my last post I might add!) and I knew that this oppurtunity was different than the others. We decided to hold it in because we didn't want to have another potential job come to the table- get our hopes up(everyone's hopes up)-and get them crushed like they have before. But, I just knew this would be different. It was too clear that it was a God thing for me to doubt it for even for a second. The timing is perfect, the job is perfect, everything around it is perfect.

It is clear that this is the path that God has laid out for us, and you bet your bottom dollar we are not doubting it for a second. We are following with sprinting legs and huge open hearts. Jeremiah 29:11 says "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." About a month ago I put that specific bible verse on my side bar on my blog. This verse has been really weighing on my heart since I heard about my brother's cancer. Little did I know the true power in that verse and how relevant it would be in my life. It just makes me smile from ear to ear writing all of this. This day, August 2nd 2010, exactly one month from the day we learned my brother has cancer, we found out that we are moving back home! OMG! It's still not real!

I am SO thankful for this day and am so proud to announce that my husband is the newest member of the KFOR Sports Team at News Channel 4 in Oklahoma City! It's the number one rated station in the city, and the best sports team too. We could not be prouder or any more thankful! We could not be more excited! Not only does Dylan have a job, but I will get to work at my old job and we both will be happy as can be! We both will start our new jobs on August 18th. (Which just so happens to be my mom's birthday! Coincidence? I think not.) This is REAL! I can't even handle my excitement. We're really truly moving back to Oklahoma!! :)

One of those days...

Today has been one of those days. I might just be hormonal, but I'm also feeling impatient, and cranky and just plain exhausted. I'm running on like 2 hours of sleep so please forgive my extreme crankiness. I feel like everything with my brother has really opened my eyes to what is really important to me. I want so badly to be back in Oklahoma. Today's one of those days when I'm just ready to be there. I'm ready to start our life for real. I want to be with our families. I want to own a home, have a yard, a big kitchen, and a mailbox and a garage and I want a neighborhood to take Piper on walks and I just want all of that now. Ha? Do I sound greedy yet? I want to be content where we are right now in this moment, but today it's especially hard.

These past 7 months in Amarillo, God has really been teaching me patience, and showing me (especially lately) that my plans are not better than his. It took me almost 6 months to find a good job here. It took us a few months to build good quality relationships. I'm learning now, more than ever, that everything is better in His timing. Tonight I pray for my attitude, and for a calmer heart. I pray that my impatience would be replaced with faithfulness. Whether we get back to Oklahoma in 3 years or 3 months, I pray that my attitude remains faithful and that my crankiness will go back to where it came from. I'm forever thankful that my life is shared with Dylan, and more than wanting to be in Oklahoma, I want to be right next to him. I wouldn't go through this with anyone else. We make each other laugh, all day every day. He's my bff, my partner in crime. I never thought I could love someone so much, or that marriage would be so fun. I just have a case of the "wants" today. I hope everyone else has a better attitude than I do this evening. Tomorrow is Friday, and that is always something to be thankful for. :)

Somebody Got a Haircut...

While we were in Oklahoma this past week, Piper and I got our hair done. Her's is much trickier than mine, because my favorite time of her hair is the halfway point between being groomed and being outgrown. I love when she's scruffy and cutesy, but I can't handle it when it's in her face. Then it begins getting matted, so I take her to get groomed, but when it's just been groomed it's too short. Someone tell me what the heck to do. I'm having serious problems with this.


BEFORE:


AFTER:


Ugh. What's a girl to do...

Only 58 More Days...

I went home last Tuesday to be there for my brother's senior pictures, and for his chemo treatment he had on Thursday, and to just be there in general to support my family. Little did I know, I would be the one taking his pictures. Ha! I am by no means a photographer, but I was an art major in college and love to play with photography and editing pictures. I don't know what is right or wrong, I just know what I like to look at :) Here are some of my favorites.





I'd like to know when he got so handsome and grown up?

Thursday he had his first long chemo treatment. We were in the hospital for 13 hours. Here is me and Jason, I'm wearing my brother's jacket. It was freeeezing in there. Since my brother is only 17 & not 18 he is treated at the Children's Hospital. I had such a heavy heart that day looking at all of the little children who are struggling with something that is probably a terminal illness. My heart ached for this one family in particular who had a small daughter, probably not more than 2 years old. She had her hospital bracelet attached to her ankle, and had a diaper on and would just walk the halls with her mom and dad. It broke my heart to know that I've spent so many days being so upset that my brother was the one diagnosed with this, when I should have been thankful that he's 17. He's going to be just fine. He has the whole rest of his life to live, and only three rounds of chemo and not four or five, or years worth for that matter. We spent our 13 hour day laughing and playing Chinese Checkers, watching movies and eating homemade chex-mix. It was quite the event. I'm glad it's over.
My brother has shown me the kind of strength I hope to have one day. He hasn't complained or gotten sick yet. Today is the fourth day after his chemo, and for the most part he's been so great. He had friends stay the night last night, so he can't be feeling too bad. He has slept a lot, and only asked for nausea medicine twice. I know that God works wonders and has been laying his healing hand on my brother. I also know he's young and his body can handle things and tackle them quickly. We have 58 more days of this cancer treatment stuff, and here's to hoping the fly by! :)

Sillybandz & Oklahoma...

This week at school we are closed due to VBS. There aren't enough classrooms to do both VBS & MDO, so we get the week off! It couldn't have been better timing. My brother starts chemo this week, so I will get to be there for his first chemo session. He's also getting his senior pictures done and we both have hair cuts scheduled. Holy cow I couldn't be in a bigger need for this! I'm so excited! I might even get Piper groomed too, so we're all clean cut and pretty. :) I couldn't be more ready to be home for another few days. I feel so out of the loop with everything, I can't wait to spend time with my family. I just wish Dylan was coming with me. He's filling in for a radio show this week and next week is News Channel 10's Summer Celebration tour, so he won't get a day off for like 14 days. So instead of rushing a trip home, he'll stay in Texas and enjoy two full free days without his girls. I'm sure he'll miss us, but it will be good for him to get to fully relax and gear up for the next couple of weeks.

Other than that, nothing too new is going on. The weather has been great here. I'm thankful for all of the rain we've been getting, but it makes me happy to see the sunshine again!

On another note- I got sillybandz.

Ha! But seriously, I did. Me and my friend Maxine went on a hunt yesterday, and finally chose our favorites. I'm sure my three year olds will appreciate that! Dylan even wears one! {I realize we're really mature.} ;) Hope everyone is enjoying their Sunday! Tomorrow's another big day in our house, feel free to send up a prayer for us. :)

A Friday Full of Praises!!...

So basically the last week has absolutely changed my life. I can't tell you how quickly and how long this week has felt like it has lasted. It's outrageous. Today, the same day last week that I thought my world was crumbling down, Jason finished the last of his first set of surgeries/tests.

Can I just brag for a second? He is being so mature right now. I can't even handle it. He's an entirely new kid, almost as if Cancer has turned him into a man. (weird.) He isn't complaining, he is just ready to buckle up-conquer it and become a Cancer survivor. I couldn't be more proud of him. I was just telling Dylan how if I were in his position, I feel quite certain I would milk it for all it was worth. ;) Ha! Maybe not, but I'm sure I'd be milking it more than he is. He however has just done it. He isn't complaining. He's been probed at and picked at, and cut into, and blood drawn and has been given words I can't even pronounce to explain what he's going through, he has had to wake up early and not eat all day, and be hooked up to machines for entirely too long. And you want to know his main concern? He is sleepy. :) He's thankful he gets to sleep in these next couple of days. He's got a hair cut scheduled and senior pictures the day after that, and then Thursday he starts chemo for a 9 week treatment. (HUGE PRAISE it isn't 12!) He doesn't have to do radiation. (HUGE PRAISE!). And there's huge hopes that he'll be back and feel better than ever by Fall break and finish his senior year even stronger than before. I just love him so much and never thought I would feel this proud of him. He's quite the trooper. :)

This next week is going to be one step closer to the finish line of this whole Cancer process. Thank you so much for your prayers, and for thinking of us during this time. I can't say enough how blessed and thankful we are.




Nooow just for fun, do any of you watch Big Brother? It started last night, and I couldn't be more excited for this season. I love this show. Any guesses on the saboteur?! Ha! Dylan and I are suspicious of Brittany, the little country blonde. We shallllll see! :)

Back to life, back to reality...

So Friday, when we found out about my brother having cancer, I took several hours and cried my eyes out for not being there. And then I thought to myself -"What the heck are you doing here? Go home!" So I hurried and scatterbrainly (is that a word? Oh well.) packed myself a bag, grabbed Piper and a toy and was on my way. Probably not the safest way to head home, but I wanted to be there. And fast. So I was home until Sunday. (Thanks mom!) It was so wonderful to spend family time, but also made me more sad for not being there more often. I hate missing things with family. Even if it's a simple as a movie date, or a dinner or a birthday party, if I'm not there I just feel like I'm missing precious moments that I'm so lucky to have. So obviously missing things like Dr.'s appointments, and just dropping in to bring my brother a Route 44 grape slush (his favorite Sonic drink) are especially hard on my heart. Living in Amarillo has suddenly become all the more real that I'm not in Oklahoma anymore. I can't just be there in 20 minutes. It's so great we're only four hours away, but that's still two tanks of gas - it's close enough, but still so far away. It's times like these that make me so excited for Dylan and I to work in Oklahoma again. I'm ready to not miss moments like this.

Today Jason had his first appointment with the pediatric oncologist, he'll most likely start chemo as early as next week. Please if you would, say a little prayer for him. I'm not sure how it will be next week, but I know the power of prayer in numbers. I just pray for his doctors as well as him. I pray that he heals quickly and that the effects of the chemo will be something he can handle. Thank you for your kind words and support. I can't tell you enough how much it makes my heart smile.

Also, my mom set up a CaringBridge website on behalf of my brother. She will keep everyone up to date on all the outcomes of the appointments and things like that. If you're interested feel free to stop by here and leave them a sweet comment. :) I know it would make them happy.

Onnnnn a lighter note, (& because I hate posts without pictures...) Piper is by far the BEST car rider I've ever seen in my whole life. She loves car rides and they just put her straight to sleep! She will just cuddle or curl up and be out like a light for as long as you need her to be. She is so wonderful. :)

Cancer.

Yesterday, July 2nd, we found out my 17 year old baby brother has cancer.

Quite a large pill to swallow, huh?

It's been a huge eye opener to me. In my family alone, cancer is no stranger. My Grandmother and Aunt had breast cancer, and are now survivors. My Mother in law had breast cancer, and is now a survivor. It is only a matter of time before I add my sweet brother to my list of heroes.

He will be a cancer survivor as well. I know it.

He has Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Which is a fairly common form of cancer in the lymph nodes. Although, the form he has is rare. Only 5% of the people who are diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma have what he has. They caught it early. He will beat this.

We won't find out what his treatment will be until early next week. He will have several tests done and will meet with a pediatric oncologist on Tues. I ask that any of you that read my blog please pray for my brother & our family. I know that God is going to carry him through this and do amazing things for Jason. I know in the Bible it says that when two or more people come together before the Lord that He will answer. Thank you in advance for lifting up my family in your prayers.

I don't know what the future holds for us, but I have this sense of peace over me. I know he's going to be okay. I know God doesn't give us things we can't handle. As much as I'd love to question why, I just can't. I'm trusting that God knows what he's doing far better than I ever could. I know that Jason will do what is necessary to beat this. I also know that even though this is a huge deal, there are far more difficult things that people have to deal with every day. Today I pray for all the families out there that are struggling with similar (if not worse) situations.



"Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." -Isaiah 41:10

23... Oh geez...

So, yesterday was my birthday. I had already celebrated with my family a couple of weeks ago when I was home for a wedding, so I knew it wouldn't be anything special.
I got lots of calls, text messages, cards, emails and facebook/twitter comments that truly made my day. I wasn't sure how it was going to go. I mean it's my first birthday being married, so being the crazy planner I am, I built up all of these expectations. Little did I know, we wouldn't be seeing our family, Dylan would have to work 12 hours, and we would be poor stuck in a strange new place we call home. Ha!
But wouldn't you know God had better plans in store for me. It completely surpassed my expectations. Dylan and I got breakfast before he left for work, I packed his lunch/dinner and he gave me my present. He got me a beautiful ring. He sang to me and had me blow out the flame from our fire flicker candle lighter thing {classy, I know} but, we didn't have a cake or candles for that matter! Ha! The rest of the day I just hung out around the apartment with Piper and did some cleaning & window shopping and headed to Ruby Tequilas to meet two of my friends from Dylan's news station. They have been so wonderful to have here. Amarillo wouldn't be nearly as fun without them. I thought we were just going to go have dinner together so I wouldn't have to eat by myself, but they both showed up with a gift for me :) So sweet. I couldn't believe it. Megan got me a World Market gift card, which I LOVE World Market. Little did she know World Market is my favorite thing about living in Texas! I'm thinking a nice apothecary jar might be in my future! And Maxine got me not only a trifle bowl but four mini bowls that are so great! I couldn't believe she remembered that I wanted one! I've been wanting one for so long to make cute banana pudding, or dirt, or a pretty salad - anything really! Then Megan bought my dinner and we headed back to my apartment to watch RHONJ. We do this almost every Monday, I just love it! It's so good to have good girlfriends. It was such a great night! Thank you all for making it so special! Dylan and I are both off work tomorrow so we've got a belated birthday date planned to do dinner and a movie. I can't wait! I'm hoping this 23rd year of mine will be a good one! Happy Tuesday everyone!

Toy Story 1&2...

Is anyone as excited as I am to see Toy Story 3?! I am so pumped! I would've seen it by now, but Dylan and I have wanted to watch the first 2 again to refresh our memories. Clearly we weren't the only ones with this idea, seeing as how NetFlix has such a long wait on TS1&2. So last night Dylan and I ran to Target to grab a couple of things. While we were walking around the store, we walked right by the DVD section. On sale were the DVD's of TS 1&2! We bought them, without a second thought, and watched both of them last night. I love that the 1st Toy Story was made like 15 years ago and is just as great today as it was then. I loved it. I can't wait to see the 3rd! Hopefully we can fit it in sometime this weekend!