152.

Papa Bob and Grandma Sue, who live up north in Illinois gave Baby J a tricycle for Christmas.  He really enjoys it!  He has yet to master pedaling, but thinks it is fun when mom/dad will push him around.  He will also use his feet to scoot himself, and sometimes he just gets off and pushes the trike himself.  As a parent it's really fun to watch Baby J enjoying himself and mastering problem solving. 

151.

I find the Spanish moss of the south to be magical.  It is relaxing and romantic. 

150.

This is our guard dog.  She is very fierce.  At any noise, no matter how small or common, her ears lift up- just like they are in this photo.  Then she proceeds to determine whether we need to be alerted to said noise.  She is a funny dog.  Barks a big bark, but is such a scaredy cat at heart.  I love my Ruby. 

149.

Tropical storm Beryl brought rain to our Memorial Day BBQ, but we were spending the day gathered with good friends, eating yummy food, in remembrance of the heroes who have given their lives in sacrifice for our country.  So who could really complain about a little rain?

148.

Sporting our OKC Thunder gear.  We are always home-team-proud no matter where we are currently living. 

147.

 

Someone was happy to be home and able to sleep in the big bed after a week away.

146.

Today is our last full day in Missouri.  Sad.  It's amazing how quickly a week can fly when traveling.  MM and I took my young cousins to Kansas City for the day.  We were suppose to explore the new aquarium at Crown Center, but tickets sold out for the entire weekend, including today.  After our initial disappointment wore off we headed to the plaza.  We wanted to take the kids to a Japanese steakhouse for lunch.  Pope and MM's cousin Sarah and her husband Johnny met us for lunch too.  While driving to the plaza we passed The Nelson (art museum) and the kids freaked out of the huge shuttlecock sculptures in the yard.  Turns out they have never been to the Nelson- suddenly we had new fun day plans!  So after our delicious and ultra-filling lunch, we checked out the museum for couple hours and then grabbed fancy cupcakes for a treat before heading back to the farm.

Grams made us a delicious goodbye dinner.  We requested Swiss steak and she added all the fixings [apple salad, cheesy potatoes, papa's corn, hot rolls] as well.  The Rabers came to dinner, and it was really nice to catch up with them.  The Rabers are my grandparents best friends and I have known them for years and years.  Mr. Raber is retired Army who also served with the 173rd and loves talking military with MM. 

Once dinner was eaten, the dishes cleared, and the guests gone we enjoyed the last bit of daylight swinging on the deck. 

145.

We spent the afternoon/evening with my mom and stepdad's at their farm.  We were able to take MM on his first horse ride.  We ate a good dinner of grilled chicken and bake potatoes, followed by s'mores cooked over open fire.  Baby J ran around, playing for hours with cousins.  Fun night!

144. OK family

Today was a whirlwind day of the best kind because we saw lots of loved ones in a short 24 hours.

We started the morning with my granny, brother, and dad.  MM cooked us all bacon, eggs, and biscuits for breakfast and we spent some time together.  My great aunt Mary (Granny's sister) passed away and her funeral was scheduled while we were home, I was grateful to be able to attend with the the rest of the family.  She lived a long, full life and is preceded in death by my great uncle.  It's always sad to say goodbye, but we know we will see her again. 

After the services MM, Baby J, and I headed down the interstate to Tulsa for an impromptu overnight with his parents.  We spent the afternoon and evening with MM's mom, dad, sisters, papa, a couple close friends.  Everyone loved getting to play with Baby J- the star of all visits!  If you have yet to have children, just understand that once you do, your visits are second rate to the visit of the baby!  Haha.

It was fantastic to see everyone and get in quality family time.  MM was so happy driving into Tulsa.  I love that I married a strong, family-loving man.  Sometimes we want to give up the military lifestyle and settle down close to everyone we love already.  Until then we will appreciate the visits we are able to make and cherish the moments we have. 

143.

When we met in college we became fast friends and have grown up together over the last 10 years, marrying and having babies fairly close in time to one another.  Even though more time passes between our visits than I would prefer, I know that she is always there for me and I am always here for her.  Each time we meet up we pick up where we left off; it's like we were hanging out the week before. 

True friendships can stand the test of time and distance.

Thanks for being my friend and for traveling north to see me while I was back in Missouri- it means a lot to me!



While home I was also able to to catch up with a good high school friend (loved seeing you J!) and her 2 adorable little boys.  We spent the day lunching, and chatting, and showing the boys all the tractors on the farm.  After hours together it was time for her to go home and as she pulled away I realized I hadn't taken a single photo.  Sad. 

142.

There are lots of fun things to do on the farm.  One that every grandkid has enjoyed over the years is riding/driving the gator.  The great-grandkid was no exception.  He loved going for gator rides and pretending to be the driver. 

141. Graduating Storm

Graduate Zachary Storm Coakley- Harrisonville High School- Class of 2012.

I am very grateful for the opportunity to fly home and watch my one and only brother graduate.  I wanted a sibling for years and years, then I started middle school and gave up hope.  Until one day my dad shocked me, by taking to me lunch and telling me that I was finally going to be a big sister!  He says that I said, I didn't need a little sibling now that I was in middle school and had a locker.  HA!  

Storm was born and because of the 11+ years between us, we did not have the typical brother-sister childhood.  I was his babysitter and chauffeur quite often.  Then when he was only 7 years old, I moved away to college.  And after college, I started dating the love of my life and took on a great adventure by moving to Italy with him.  Storm and I always remained close to one another- even through years of great distance.  And now that he is becoming an adult we are able to connect in a whole new way.  I am so lucky to have my little brother and I was very proud watching him cross this stage.  Congratulations Storm!  Sissy loves you!  Always.

140. Lizz Day + Royals

DAYTIME FUN:

Lizz drove from St. Louis to spend the day with me.  I have some of the greatest friends!  We spent the day exploring the Nelson-Atkins Art Museum in Kansas City, followed by lunch and coffee at a sidewalk cafe on The Plaza.  I really miss living 10 minutes down the road from her!

NIGHTTIME FUN:

 

That evening I surrounded myself with boys (husband, brother, friend, and brother's friend) and caught my first Royals game since the K underwent it's renovation.  The stadium looks great and I love how the outfield area is connected, making it a complete circle.  The coolest camera-man I know was working the game and hooked up us with free tickets to the game! Royals won 7-3!

139.

After some good luck and a little money we were able to move up the second flight in our trip, reducing an original 4 hour layover to just a little over an hour and half and allowing us to get home while my family was still awake!  Baby J was a great flyer.  He was a busy boy, but didn't fuss or cry once. 

138.

 

Such a big helper.  

137.

Driving through downtown.

136.

 

His favorite chair and momma's iphone, what more does a kid need to be happy?!

135.

Meghan is my sweet friend who loves 1. cookies  2. presents  3. surprises. 
Jasmin and I had these cookies made by a local baker and took them to Meghan's house this morning while she was working so when she comes home this afternoon she will find her birthday surprise!

The whole effect of the surprise complete with decorations and cookies displayed in her cake stand.

134. Day of the Momma

Happy Mother's Day to me!  I am one lucky momma to be able to spend my days with such a wonderful son.  He has opened my eyes and filled my heart in his short 1 and half years with us. 
MM made my day extra special with lots of foodie love.  For breakfast he made me pancakes and then for lunch he made me his special Tuscan steak with a side of smashed rosemary potatoes.   

He also surprised me with a Dyson vacuum.  I have been cursing our current vacuum with each use for years and dreaming of a Dyson, but because they are pricey we decided we would wait.  It's definitely a want and not a need.  But getting a want over a need for a gift is what makes a gift oh-so-great!  And wow, was I shocked!  I actually told him it was too big of a present and he had to return it, but he refused and started cleaning- now how can I argue with that?!  

133. pizza party

Some friends hosted a Pizza Party tonight.  Such a fun idea!  They bought a bunch of pizza dough from a bakery and had all their guests bring favorite toppings.  Every family made a pizza and when the pies were finished baking we had a buffet of pizza slices, featuring a variety of toppings.  Here's our masterpiece before it went into the oven.  

132.

Typical evening entertainment at the Jordan home.

131.

Last year for my birthday MM bought me a Pandora bracelet and we have been adding to it charm by charm.  I like charms that have special meaning or memory behind them.  The seashell with gold starfish charm (right) is my newest one.  It was the only souvenir I wanted from our anniversary trip to Jamaica.  Perfect way to remember such a special (surprise) trip. 

130.

After learning to use the fork, we have moved on to the spoon.  It's messier, but he is doing well with it too. 

129.

Big boy J learning to use his fork while eating. 

128.

As an ex-picky eater I am so grateful that I have grown into a new love of vegetables!  Spring and summer, with much of the produce coming into season, is my favorite grocery shopping seasons.  If I am allowed to say I have a favorite grocery shopping season?  I don't even like grocery shopping. 

127.

Watching the dogs outside and talking all about it. 

126. Our very non-Mexican Cinco De Mayo

Fort Gordon's Spring Fest Fair.  

Petting Zoo

 

After lunch at Moe's and Jordan family nap time...

We picked Strawberries.

Ended the busy day by washing both cars/playing with Baby J in the soap suds and hose.  Happy and Exhausted.

125.

Girls night out with my friend Mandy!  She let me borrow her 'The Hunger Games' book and waited until I had read it to see the movie.  We both liked the movie- not as much as the book, but then again when is a movie ever better than the book it's based on? 
Afterwards we sipped champagne on a restaurant patio and caught up on our girl talk. 

124.

Watching his farm animal dvd after breakfast.  He enjoys seeing the animals and trying to mimic the sounds.  His Moo, "Ooooooo" is my favorite.

123.

The Magnolia tree in front of our house is in full bloom.  Pretty.

122.

Baby J and I watching our favorite 3rd baseman play his first game of the regular season.