Today in OK

A few days ago my all-day-migranes gave me a couple days off.  I thought they were gone and I was floating on clouds!  CLOUDS!  But. They're baaaack.  It's become so normal now though- I'm used to it... but it's something I didn't have with Brody so I didn't expect it.  Moving on..

9:10 am- (also known as the crack of dawn) I peeled myself off our bed so I could get on with the day.  I shared my bowl of Cinnamon Life with Brody (who oddly won't eat breakfast unless it's mine.. since wednesday anyway) and then checked my usual empty email inbox.

I'm what you call spontaneous.  I have no plans for the day- ever.  I kind of just go where ever the wind takes me (or where ever I'm invited to).

Brody and I hit up our pool since it opened for the first time TODAY.

he does the cutest things

and we were off to try the double downers at KFC, as suggested by a fellow blogger.  At the time I was thinking, it was really good but would be a one time experience- talk about a flavor explosion!  Thinking back on it now, I'd love to be eating one.. NOW.  Maybe if I knew it wouldn't clog my arteries, I would be!  But I can't be certain about that.. I'm thinking only thing that would make it more unhealthy would be if they wrapped a pizza around it and deep fried it in canola oil.  But I say unhealthy now and then won't kill ya!

After the pool and lunch I got myself all cute-like (I washed my hair)... and then sat around doing nothing.

Today was one of those days where everyone stares at me like I have a giant football size goiter growing out the side of my neck.  But I don't think it was because they thought I was some kind of spectacle. Maybe the higher-than-usual volume of stares had something to do with my new conditioner.  Yep.. that's it.

Later, the wind took me to ESKIMO SNO.  Only the most satisfying snowcone experience west of the Mississippi!  To me, anyway.  heh. Remember my love for it last year?  So upon arrival I noticed it was GONE!  DEMOLISHED!  A tornado took it away or maybe a smart burglar- if only I'd thought of that.

But then I noticed they made it into a store not twenty feet across the parking lot!!  JOY TO THE WORLD!

I walked in today not really in the mood for anything particular so I asked for some suggestions.  One girl looked at me like I was from outer space, like it was the hardest question she'd had all day... but another girl said "Oh  OOH!  Try Guava and Coconut... it tastes like SUMMER."

(that sounds good I'll have that.)

I want another!

I just want little baby grapefruit to enjoy the finer things in life (or whatever fruit they compare it to at this stage in the game)

Classical music playing (to send this baby to AP classes in high school), Brody napping in the backseat, and then there's me: bored with a camera.

Awesomeness.

I wish every day consisted of the pool, snowcones, and obviously Brody.

The only thing missing is Tony... who has Monday OFF!  So excited.

Marion by Natalie

My friend started a business- Marion by Natalie.  I know all too well how it is starting a business... my lemonade stand in grade school, selling starburst bracelets in junior high, dog walking business during college, daycare after marriage, and now my photography. (look at me go, heh)

Natalie just opened shop so I wanted to give my readers the pleasure of checking it out- and I know you'll love whatever she makes for you, I do!

Let me just say, this girl is no amateur seamstress.  She definitely has a knack for it and is definitely going places.  I had the pleasure of working with her when she made me a darling skirt.  It all started when I saw the design on her facebook and I said to myself, "I want that.."  So I enlisted her to make me the same.  Turned out she had leftovers of the exact same fabric so I said, I'll take it, suit me up!

We took these pics on Mother's day (so for all those wondering how I looked at 11.4 weeks.)  All I had to do was look out my window and I found a greener, prettier setting than people drive hours to find in dusty 'ol AZ (I love AZ don't be mistaken.. just not the most colorful state for a photographer to live).
'Nough rambling- check out this skirt she made me!

I asked Nat some questions so even if you don't live in AZ you can know about how you can take advantage of her mad skills...

What inspired the name?

My husband's full name is John Wayne Ingram. No really it is. He has been so supportive of my sewing. From watching hours of Project Runway to purchasing my first serger for me, he has been the biggest encouragement thru this entire process. I wanted to name my company something meaningful and John Wayne, the original John Wayne's real name is Marion. I chose the name because I wanted it to always remind me of my biggest support and of the person that will always be there for me. I would not have the confidence in myself that I do, if it were not for my husband.

How long have you been into sewing?

I took a few summer sewing classes thru 4H when I was 9 and 10. I learned how to make simple things like a basic pair of shorts and a nightgown. We worked from a pattern, which if you have ever done that, is terribly confusing. My mom sewed a bit, but mostly quilts. Last summer I had to sew a few backpacks for our church youth group. I borrowed someone's sewing machine and have not looked back since. Before I knew it I was begging Jack to let me buy my own and I was making my first skirt. Most of the things I know I have taught myself in the last year. I have always been scared of sewing because the patterns are so difficult to understand. When I realized I could make anything without a pattern I just took off and started sewing every spare minute I had. It has all be exploration and so much fun.

So what if someone outside of Arizona wants a custom dress/or other piece of clothing?  Is that possible to do?

This is a question I have been asking myself constantly since I started dreaming up the idea of making clothes for other people. I am so thankful for some of my amazing friends that have helped to push me. I just recently made a prom dress for a good friend of mine who happens to live in Vermont. It was an amazing learning experience and it turned out great. I do have two different dress forms allowing me to make clothes for sizes 2 thru 16 . The dress forms allow me to change the measurements to fit the measurements of the customer. It really gives me the ability to work with a specific shape and be able to visualize a garment. My goal is to make custom brides maid, prom, and wedding dresses and not just for people in Arizona. It is definately possible and the idea really excites me!

What kind of clothing items do you make other than the shirts listed in your shop?  (Do you specialize in anything particular?)

I LOVE making the shirts that I sale. They were something that I started making for myself and some people were interested in them, so I decided to make them for others. That being said, my favorite things to make are skirts and dresses. I started out making skirts. Because of my odd porportions, I find it difficult to find skirts that are cute and flattering so I decided I would just make my own, and I have fallen in love with it. I love to look femenine and feel beautiful, and I want to help other women feel beautiful as well. I am always looking for things that challenge me and right now there are so many ideas I have for these two areas of clothing.  

I know I've seen you make headbands and things- are you planning on selling those too, sometime?

How funny that you would ask this, I just made myself a bunch of different headbands this weekend with my sister in law. There are so many amazing people out there that make headbands, that I just do not think I want to get into competition with them. If anyone wants me to make them a headband I am more then willing to make one, however I would probably rather direct you to someone more qualified and talented in the area.

She made it without a pattern and every detail is great!

Go check out Natalie's shop HERE!

Picking on Brody

He loves it

I love Sundays

Sunday means church, and ALL day just me and my boys. Today after church we went to the temple not too far from us- I love Sundays, I love my family, and I love the temple.

It was incredibly windy!

Brody started collecting pinecones like it was nobodies business.  We have pinecones galore in our backseat now.

He was so happy!  And the wind was making him laugh too.. since it was practically knocking him over!

It was a great day (:

Since Sunday is all about church and family in our house, I wanted to leave you with something church- and then something family..

"From my own experience with life’s hardships I have learned that faith in God develops a personal love for Him which is reciprocated through his blessings to us in times of need...to all who are meeting new or challenging times, I say: Do not fear the challenges of life, but approach them patiently, with faith in God. He will reward your faith with power not only to endure, but also to overcome hardships, disappointments, trials, and struggles of daily living." - R.D. Pinegar

My adorable nephew Everett was diagnosed with Autism recently.  My sister created a blog for him so she could record his journey and progress.. but also to connect with other mom's who have children with Autism.  I hope if you have experience with this, you can go over and say HI.  I think it can really help her to learn from your experience- I'm sure it will help everyone in the same situation.

{Click HERE}

Happy Sunday!

I found this...

This was me 15 weeks prego with Brody.

FIFTEEN WEEKS!

  I have more of a belly than that NOW and I'm 13 weeks.  *sigh.  Don't go getting excited, I'm not going to gain weight massively.  I refuse.  JK.  But I do refuse... Although, the exercise starts as soon as I'm done with my photo shoots.  (I crammed a bunch in before i left and now I'm working as much as I can to get them done....whenever there aren't flipping tornadoes taking over my day.)

 I've had really bad headaches with this one... I read that's normal so I'm not going to let it bother me as much.  Moving on..

And then I found this:

!AY CARAMBA!

 

This was me ON my due date with Brody.  9 months and counting...This isn't even one of the worst pictures but yikes.  I POP... and I know it has to do with my short torso.  So be warned.

At any rate, I've been obsessing about weight since I can remember (in a healthy way of course, I don't consider it a weakness per se)- it's even worse when I'm pregnant but I've decided this would be my last rant.   I'm going to trrrrry to not mention how enormous I feel to Tony (ok that part is a weakness)- and I'm going to just enjoyyyyy everything and everyday. (That shouldn't be hard, life is grand)

Here's to enjoying everything and everyday, that goes for you too. (*raises figurative cup of sparkling cider to computer screen) hmmm.. that sounds good now.

After all, it's really about the bouncing baby I bring into the world.  It's all about HIM or HER and who cares if I feel like hiding in a closet all day because I will soon become an object of points and stares.  I'm COMIN OUT!  um.... not like.nevermind.  I can do without the belly groping from strangers though, that's all I ask.  No touchy! (that'll be a while from now anyway)

That's what it's all about, Charlie Brown.  That, right there.  I can't wait!

Hmm... you can tell I didn't know a lick about a quality picture back then... yikes, these look ancient.  I'm so glad this time around I can get some decent photos! (I'm teaching Tony how to use my camera!! Weeee!)

Now off to get me some real cider.... or maybe some pie.... ha!  liez
(And hello to some new followers!  Welcome to the madness these ramblings about my life) It's especially nice to know who reads!  Can't forget those old timers though...what up to you too=]

Everyone NEEDS to know this

When I was working on homework for my science class...

"Each of the following figures shows a person (not to scale) located on Earth..."

GET OUT!

Just so you know guys- this is NOT TO SCALE... nice to know, right?

948 Miles

Brody and I headed out of AZ a little over a week ago.  I was feeling pretty confident over my finals and stuff.  Turns out I got straight A's!  That's, SIX A's for me!  I'm super happy because I worked my little tail off juggling slightly too much- but it's all over.  WOo Hoo!

I was going to take a few online classes this semester but Tony insisted I focus on spending all that time with Brody because once the new baby is here, my time will be divided.  What a wonderful husband I have.  I was feeling like I needed to do more but he wants me to just take it easy during this pregnancy.  I'm SO glad I listened to him and I'm done with school for the summer.  I'm so happy to have another year of school under my belt though!

It was a great trip- one I was VERY worried about.  Driving 948 miles- just me and B, with all our valuables, and with a car battery that needs replacing, I wasn't sure how smooth it would go.  I was mostly worried the weeks beforehand would finally catch up to me- that I would fall asleep at the wheel or worse, Brody would scream the entire drive. (JK, I know that's not worse).  The first day was glorious- he freaked for only about 20 minutes the ENTIRE DAY!

We stayed at a nice hotel just off the road on Route 66 and it was great!  I took him to the pool (he was mad when I said we had to go), and we had about an hour of daylight to tour the little town.  Although, I got the worst nights sleep of my life!  Brody was up half the night asking to "go"..ended up falling off the ridiculously high bed once after he finally did fall asleep, cried, watched cartoons for 2 straight hours in the middle of the night until he finally fell asleep at 6am.  It was brutal.  I found out I'm pretty much deaf in one ear (the ear I've always had a problem with- but still could hear out of somewhat) because when I was sleeping on my bad ear the TV was super loud but when I was sleeping on my good ear, I didn't hear the TV at all!  Ugh.  Whatever.
Oh, I had a feeling Brody would roll off the bed- and seeing is they were extremely high, I used the extra 6 pillows and blankets to pad the ground.  So at least he fell on that, right?
Here are some more pictures of the trip:

Brody was mesmerized by the dreamcatchers- and we kept getting looked at like we were going to break something.

Yes we went to a crappy diner at 9pm in our pj's.  This was about 4 seconds before that O.J. ended up on their carpet.

And the next day was a little more rough for Brody- he was upset half the drive.  But we made it to OK in one piece and it was SOO nice to get here earlier than expected.

The only thing that made him happy the 2nd day was letting him "drive" at a rest stop.  He's obsessed with wanting to drive- he's barely two!
Tiresome but fun/successful trip.  Lotta bugs on that windshield.  I couldn't agree more with Tony when he said, "I'm so happy to have my family back!"

A trip to see Tony

It was a real treat to escape Arizona for a few days and spend them just Tony and I.  When he found out we were going to be apart from each other for a while he immediately went looking for plane tickets so I could visit. (:

And it was just what we needed...

Airport bathroom pic.... what does one wear when they haven't seen their husband in foreverz???  I dunno... but I wore this: 

The shirt I was hoping to find that one fun day...

I got there later in the day, once Tony was done with work.  We ate at Toby Keith's, got delish concretes from my favorite place here, and enjoyed a theater all to ourselves.  Mostly, it was fun just to hang out for the first time in weeeeeks.  That theater is the best around.

 

The next day we spent walking around Bricktown... we saw a movie again that night too...getting all our movie watching in since this summer it will be hard to find a sitter.

I'm also thinking I have to try this place... Mexican food EMBASSY!  haha.  Embassy. (easily amused)  I also want to go to that Melting Pot (although I've already had it)...but I want to go- just because the building alone is huge.

So here are the details of that first outfit- since it is currently my favorite!-

Shirt- Day Trip, from Buckle

Jeans- MEK

Gold chain heart and pearl drop necklace- vintage.  From my great Grandma Pearl (:

Necklace and Matching earrings- Buckle.com

Downeast Basics lace cami- I wear one just about every day!  LOVE them!

Times Square Tangerine Creme polish- NYC.  It's like 2 dollars and doesn't chip like the more expensive kind do!

Navy belt- thrifted

Gold shoes- Ross.  Love cheap finds!

(ps I love clothes... another clothes post in your future- it's another REVIEW!!)

Oh good times visiting my bff.