Me, myself and Alex

This past weekend was such a fun time. We were going to go to Kansas City for a quick weekend trip for some fun and relaxation, just the 2 of us. BUT, that plan changed. Alex worked Friday night, so I spent the evening with some wine and crafts!! I love nights like those. Out of all the people I know who are pregnant, I only know 1 having a girl! I swear it's boy season or something. Anyway... I was pumped to be able to actually MAKE something pretty for a baby shower I went to on Saturday morning. Let me tell you, I had a BLAST getting my creative pants on with these gifts I made. Check them out!

Fancy sparkly pink and purple Tutu. every little girl MUST have one! With a removable bow for interchanging!

The entire package. I didn't make the 'L' or basket though! Those came from Hobby Lobby :)

All sizes of headbands with removable bows

On Saturday, Alex and I had a nice day together. - Who needs KC for that anyway?? - We went to the gym in the morning when he got home from work. Now that's a place it has been WAY too long since I attended! Yikes, I am OUT OF SHAPE! - New Goal: Get my bootie back to the gym. My friend Christin and I are going to keep each other rather she is going to help me, stay motivated! We start our morning workouts tomorrow. We decided since our hubbies are on the same shift, that we would get up early when they do and workout together! Let's hope it becomes habit since I am NOT a morning person. - Back to Saturday. After the baby shower, Alex and I had a "date" at the movies. We saw Ted. It was haaaaa-larious. There were some dull moments for sure, but all movies must have those to keep to some sort of storyline. In all, we enjoyed it! After the movie we headed home to relax for a bit. Alex wanted me to "watch" him play Tiger Woods on his XboX. Puh-lease. Like that would happen. So, I told him I would play with him. Boy oh boy, I am addicted. I have played before, but never really enjoyed it much. Maybe it's the competitive edge in me, but I enjoyed it this time. Maybe it was just the time with the hubs. It was enjoyable, quality, relaxing time. Something we don't do often. After I started to get the hang of it - I still got my butt kicked - I was doing pretty good! So, I was hooked. We ended our game a little early - hole 16 I believe - to head to a friend's house to BBQ and swim. What better way is there to spend a summer night??? My all time favorite things... friends, food, booze, and water - to be in, not drink- oh and of course Alex.

On Sunday, I was a trooper and got up at 8:30. That's early on a weekend for me - no kids yet! But, Alex and I decided we really need to get back to Church. So, we went to 9 AM mass - I yawned too many times. Bad me. - but it felt so good to be back there. After church, we fired up the good ol' XboX again and hit the links. I sucked. What happened to my back 9 experience from yesterday??? Ugggh. But, I still enjoyed it tons. Alex even tried to help me out lots on the greens. Such a good hubby :) Sunday was a hot one! Alex had slow pitch games in Haysville, so we ventured there for a few hours. I really enjoy watching Alex play. - except when he has an attitude problem and yells at the umpire. Embarrassing. - It probably comes from me being an athlete, but I don't mind sitting and cheering them on. The sweating on the other hand... yikes - it could be a little cooler. We had some dinner with Alex's brother and his girlfriend after the games though! I got to know her a lot better that day, and I really enjoyed our chats. It was a nice little Sunday Funday. But that made it all that much harder for it to be over.

I hate nights alone. Alex worked Monday. I was a lazy piece. I was SOOO tired. I needed to run, clean and work out. It didn't happen.

But last night, Alex and I had some fun together again. After meeting some people for a drink, we ordered pizza - so healthy, I know - and played some more Tiger Woods. I think I am getting the hang of this game. I just love my hubby. I am one lucky girl, and have been spoiled with 'quality' time this past weekend/week.

Alex has his probationary test tomorrow. I can't believe he has been on the fire department for an entire year already!! - well close - August 1st was his first day of the "academy" and training. I am just so proud of him and all of his hard work and accomplishments. He is nervous for his test. - I know he will do great!

Alex's Graduation Video

Brand new Helmet!

These are NOT my photos! - as you can see - From one of his fires - he is in the black :)

Such a stud - proud wife here :))))

Oh how I love my man :)

Two more days until the weekend! And a night on the town with some friends - sans babies! Should be a good time, and I can not wait!

Be Passionate

Here we go again...

8. What are 5 passions you have?

1. Me sliding safely into home against KU 2. Wheel of knowledge 3. Alex and I hiking in Arizona 4. Competition at it's best. And yes, I am competitive at Mario too :) 5. My bridal shower thrown by my fam. I must get it from my momma

1. Softball. Sports in general. I can watch them, sure. But my true passion is playing them.
2. Knowledge. I am so analytical about everything. I love to learn new things in life. I am not talking book work and studying. I mean the random, this is why and how information that you learn from living.
3. Adventure. Trying new things. Going new places. My most enjoyable days are those that end in a completely different place than I started. This could be anything from starting the day cleaning and ending at a last minute pool party. Or Driving to Lawrence to meet friends after the KU football game at the drop of a pin. Hiking. Going off the beaten path.
4. Competition. I thrive on a challenge. This plays hand and hand in my sports passion. It makes life so much more exciting. I HATE to lose/fail/be bad at things.
5. Parties/Event. When I have the chance to throw a party, I get all bubbly inside. I want to make everything. Decorate everything. Be OVERLY prepared (this annoys Alex sometimes).

Don't quit your day job

Moving on up on the List of 30 Things... this one should be interesting.

7. What is your dream job, and why?

This is an extraordinary question... one that I have been struggling to figure out for YEARS! To be 100% honest, I still don't have it all figured out. BUT, I have made some headway. I can say this, my DREAM job is to be able to do something to help others live their life in full ability to what they want to do. (Confusing sentence, I know.) So, I went back to school a few semesters ago to get a 2nd degree in BioMedical Engineering. My hopes: To design or improve designs of sports aided prosthetics and implants. i.e.....

The design of the inventive "runner's foot" helps this man achieve is goals of becoming an Olympian.

This girl is able to get back on the field again with her new leg, built tough.

Being an athlete and THRIVING on competition and activity my whole life, I would be devastated if these opportunities were taken away from me. I want to help these people continue to live the life they love. This is an area that I understand. It is something personal. I have the heart for it, which would allow me to be passionate about my designs, ideas and work.

Another area that hits close to home, is internal pumps and IV's that children must have at all times. Their lives and childhood are hindered because of these attachments they must carry. I would love to design something that is just as functional, but less obtrusive. More comfortable. Something that makes them feel more "normal" compared to others. Childhood is such an amazing experience. Every child deserves one.

Of course, there are many other areas that I might discover and turn to, but for now... these are my goals. My dream job is to help others live the life they love when it seems they might not have to option.

hard times

6. What is the hardest thing you have ever experienced?


I know that there could be a million answers for this, but I feel like I haven't experienced very many "hard" or tragic times in my life. I think by far, the most memorable hard time or experience I have had was when my Grandma passed away. I was a wreck. It was the first person in my life that I was really close with that had died. I was a sophomore in high school at the time. I think those were the worst grades I have ever gotten too! It was a really hard time for me. My Grandma was always very hands on in our lives. She was there for every big event. She took us back to school shopping every year. She had Sunday night family dinners each a lot of weeks, depending on our schedules. She was at all of our games. She was the best. So, when she passed away it hit me hard. The funeral was the WORST. I'm not a big crier... I BAWLED the entire time. My sisters and cousins were up there talking about their high school graduations, their college games, their big lifetime events, and it hit me... Grandma won't be at my graduation. She will never see me go off to college. It was tough, and I still miss her to this day.

The positive-- we became super close with Grandpa. He was always around growing up. He was a supporter, he loved us all, but he we didn't KNOW him like we did Grandma. So, he stepped up big time after Grandma was gone. And it was such a blessing.

I miss them both so much. They are 2 of the most amazing people, and their love for each other was inspiring!

Grandma liked to buy everyone matching holiday shirts :)

Grandma and Grandpa came over before Coronation freshman year

Grandma took all the grandkids to NY and DC

Grandma and Grandpa at Christmas

All the grandkids

We got scarves for Christmas

Grandpa came to Wichita for Senior weekend

::Some of my Favorite things::

From my previous post: My list of 30 things

5. What are the 5 things that make you most happy right now?

1. My handsome hubby. I couldn't imagine my life without his smile each day.

2. Starbucks! I am obsessed with Starbucks Caramel Machiatto - Iced in the summer, hot in the winter!

3. Swimsuit season - because it means it's SUMMER! My favorite time of year.

4. Sangria - because it means friends and BBQ's. Who doesn't love summertime fun with friends?

5. My adorable puppies. They can turn my worst days into my best with one wet kiss. :)

If I could write a letter to me...

From my list of 30 things...

4. List 10 things you would tell your 16 year-old self, if you could.

1. Keep all the confidence you have. Always believe you are the best at what you do.
2. It's ok to make mistakes. It helps you grow.
3. Sometimes it's more fun to NOT do the right thing.
4. Spend every spare second you have with your Grandma. Tell her you love her every day. Call to say hi.
5. Break some rules.
6. DO NOT chug 6 doc otis hard lemonades before you go dancing at Rockin' Rodeo! Throwing up outside of a car is not fun.
7. Stop throwing long arm across your body from third base. It will bite you in the butt!
8. Don't be afraid to fall in love.

okay... I can only come up with 8 without repeating myself over and over. If I come up with more later, then I'll post them then!

So, I have realized in writing these that I was way too good for a normal 16 year old!

{Parental Guidance}

Question #3...

3. Describe your relationship with your parents

My parents and I have always had a good relationship. For some reason, I grew up with so much respect for my parents. I NEVER wanted to disappoint them. Now, don't get me wrong... I have done PLENTY of things that I should not have growing up. (Should not have- meaning probably not the best choice, not that I didn't enjoy them at the time!) It's funny how your relationship changes with your parents as the years go by. As a child, you never want them to leave you. As a teen, they embarrass you. In high school, you want them to LEAVE YOU ALONE, go out of town so you can throw parties. In college, you brag about them and what they let you  get away with... You call them for EVERYTHING. And as an adult, they are your best friends.

For me, I realized how blessed I was in college. For anyone who has gone away to college, you understand what it is like to miss your parents. The support I ALWAYS had (have) from my parents makes me realize how truly fortunate I am. They are the ones I turn to for anything, big or small. As I have said previously, I am NOT good with emotions or feelings. So, this carries over to phone conversations too... I am the worst phone conversationalist (is that a word?? :/ ) of all time. I hate it. So many questions, so many questions! However, I wouldn't trade those conversations for anything.

I have always been a daddy's girl. I grew up a tom boy. I spent as much time with daddy at work or softball as I could. I got much of my personality from him... some good, some not so good, i.e. my temper. I blame my quirkiness on my daddio. On my wedding day, the only time I cried was dancing with my dad. Dad has always been a karaoke fanatic. He loves to sing! For our dance, he surprised me with a video of him singing "Lady in Red," which was always his top choice growing up, and a song that will always remind me of him. It was heart felt, endearing and priceless.

My mom is my best friend. She is the most giving, comforting and supportive mom in the world. She had A LOT to put up with having FOUR girls. Not just girls, but athletes... competitive, strong willed, stubborn, loud, girly athletes. As I get older, I realize just how much I become my mother more and more each day. I have a lot to live up to. My mom is the person who would invite any stranger off the street to her house just because they had no other place to spend a holiday. She could talk to a brick wall (not really) for hours. She is chatty, fun, energetic, and passionate. The more I am on my own, the more I see her in myself. She is such an inspiration as a mom. I only hope that when I have kids, they will look at me the same way.

watching the surprise video

Dad's video of him Singing

Lots of Love -Lisa