Mizzou Victory!!

Yesterday was our 1st game of the season as our Tigers took on the Fighting Illini in the Arch Rivalry Boarder War in St. Louis (hence the usage of 'Arch')....this being the 5th year. 

Our boys came out very strong and stayed strong the whole game giving us our 1st victory of the season with a score of 37-9! Our team had many coaching changes this year which included two new coordinators and a new coach to the staff all together, which had many people a little concerned for the fate of this years team, but I think the first game helped hush some of that!

Aimee, myself & Adriene in our bus to the game...tailgaiting rockstar style...

Aimee, Adriene, & Myself before kick-off, and Marching Mizzou in formation...

Next game is on Saturday, 9/12 at 6PM in The Zou where we will take on Bowling Green.

1st WIN!!

Hip Hip Hooray....Nico's team finally one a game today!! After a very LONG season of losses and rain-outs they finally won one!! It also helped that the other team only had 6 players show up and we had to play outfield for them! :) 

We are thinking the win is one of three things or a culmination of all:

1. We played at a different ball park
2. Our friend's the Catons came for the 1st time (thanks for coming!)
3. The fact that they only had 6 players

Regardless, we will take the W!!! He has two games left and hopefully we can pull off a couple more wins!

Wordless (or mostly) Wednesday

Out on the O'Connor's boat/lake (Sun, 5/31)....

Obessed

Friday Night was supposed to be the start of Nico's baseball tournament but because of all the rain that we got that morning the fields were to wet to start. This allowed us Don & Tony to be able to do more work on the bathroom...which I can't wait to be able to share it with you because it is looking fab-u-lous! 

The evening turned out to be beautiful so the kids were able to get some great play time outside with their friend Sophie and I was able to catch up with Aimee. After chatting we decided to head to the movies and check out Obsessed. Will it be a big award winning flick? Not so much, it was too predictable and too much like Fatal Attraction (which is far better). Am I glad I went to see it? Sure, it was a entertaining and the lead male, Idris Elba, is HOT!!!! Not to mention I was able to spend some time with my friend!

I know, I know...

you are still waiting for bowl updates....I'll get it done (I'm trying to compile photos from 4 different cameras)! 

Otherwise, we are all doing great! We spent most of the weekend with the Spiccis because Don is helping Tony redo their basement. Friday night was demo night so all the boys, including Nico, went to their house to rip out the entire basement. Nico was so funny, all week he was anxious for Friday because, "we have our class party because we earned enough compliment points and then I get to go rip out walls at the Spicci house", and he referred to it as the best day of his life! So cute! 

While the boys were in man land all of us girls headed out to some friends of ours house for the 1st night of bible study...Aimee & I did the bible study while all of the kids (11) played.

Saturday morning Nico had his basketball game @ 8am and then it was demo day #2. The boys headed over their before noon, and the girls and I headed over there a couple hours after. We all had lunch together and then us girls left, dropped Liv off at a friend's, and then headed to my house. It was pretty low key but we had fun especially rockin' out to the Spicci's American Idol game for Wii (loved it)! Later in the eve we left the girls home and Aimee & I headed out to get dinner for us & the boys.

Sunday was relaxing....love those kind of days. Don helped the girls get their room rearranged (pics later when it's done) while I napped and then he headed back over to the Spicci's for day 3...they are really making a lot of progress. Then that eve we ate dinner with my sister and played the new version of Life (it has credit cards instead of cash...the game has come along way from the original but it's fun).

Today is back to the grind! :(

If Momma Ain't Happy Ain't Nobody Happy!

Momma IS happy today...so all can be happy today! :)

The three older kids are at school today, I was able to get my hair cut & colored this morning, and Bella & I are going to lunch with daddy (and maybe Mitch) Mitch is our good friend & Bella's Godfather (1 of 2) in from Indiana where he's the head EQ Mgr. He will be here until Friday and we are excited about his visit since he hasn't been here since the summer of '05!

Continued Prayers

Please continue to pray for our friend's, the Caton's, as they head down this new, unknown, and often times scary medical journey for their daughter, Weslie. The doctors confirmed that she did indeed have a stroke most likely in utero. 

• Please pray for them as they now start the process to see what caused the stroke, lasting effects, possibility of more, physical therapy and so much more. 
• Please pray that the doctors have the knowledge and insight that they need to treat this little pumpkin. 
• Please pray for Keith & Adriene that they can find some peace in whatever is handed to them.
• Please pray for Weslie, that whatever diagnosis is handed to her that she will overcome it and grow to be a strong healthy women. Knowing this little sweetie pie though, she's going to overcome any obstacle that is put in her way...this child is a girl that knows what she wants and isn't going to settle for anything less (& a nosey little one too)...watch out Kade! :) One good example of her strong will and advancement: the doctors told Keith & Adriene that she would probably be walking in the next month...she's only 8 months old for crying out loud!
  

Keith, Adriene, Kade, & Weslie, we love you all and are here for you for whatever you need!!!

Prayer Request

Please pray for our friend's, Adriene & Keith's, baby Weslie who is almost 8 months old. She had to go through an MRI this morning....please pray for positive results from this test.

Please click here for her full stroy!

Thanksgiving!!

This year for Thanksgiving our good friends, the Spiccis, had us over for dinner! It was so nice to go to someone's house for a change. Since Don has worked here at Mizzou we have not been able to travel for Thanksgiving. So our dinners for the past 9 years have consisted of us cooking or going to the dining hall...both have been great but it was a nice change this year!

In addition to the Spiccis having us, they were also kind enough to have Borts (one of Don's assistants) and Erich (one of Don's students) for dinner as well. The food was fantastic but as with all holidays there was a TON of it! They made turkey, stuffing, dressing, veggies cranberries, mashed potatoes rolls, coconut custard pie, pumpkin pie and pecan pie...it was all DELICIOUS! We brought pre dinner snacks, I made sweet potato casserole (it was AWESOME) and two pie (I made apple and Bail made cherry...both SO GOOD)! 

Thanks Tony, Aimee, and Sophie!!!!!

Aimee & Tony prepping and Borts, Bella, & I....

Bella helping to put the silver away (she did a great job) and the rest playing a game...

Bailey's Cherry Pie and my Apple Pie (this one turned out so much better then my last one)...

Thanksgiving Break

The kids had a three days off this year for Thanksgiving break which is a 1st for us...they usually have only had two days off. Despite our Wednesday morning mayhem which led me to the photo contest, we had a great break!!

Wednesday afternoon we headed over to the Spicci's house so the kids could play with Sophie and so Aimee and I could sew. We got to their house about 2PM and ended up staying their until about 9:30-10PM. In addition to sewing and the kids crafting and playing, we also made our pie crusts for our pies for Thanksgiving, we had dinner (a smorgasbord of Buffalo Wild Wings & D. Rowe's), and I had to bring Nico back & forth to his basketball practice.

Thursday we went to the Spicci's for Thanksgiving but this will get it's own post.

Friday Don left for Kansas City for the game so the kids and I were on our own. We hung out at home for the morning and then I took the kids to see Madagascar 2 in the afternoon....it was cute and we all had fun! After the movie we met up with our friends the Anglens for pizza at Shakespeare's...the Anglens used to live here but moved to Indiana a few years ago. They also have four kids and their oldest Becca and Bailey have been the greatest of friends since Kindergarten. All of our kids love to play with each other so it's nice to be able to get together with them (Nico also loves it because their daughter, Sarah, is his "girlfriend" and has been for several years). After dinner we all went to the Mizzou women's volleyball game (which they  lost), and then Becca came over to spend the night with Bail. 

Saturday I got up at 5:30am to head to Kansas City for the MU/KU game at Arrowhead Stadium on the staff fan bus (which left at 7:30am) . It was fun despite the very cold/wet/snowy weather, the long day (13 1/2 hours to be precise), and the loss by 3 in the last seconds of the game. This coming Saturday our boys will play in the Big XII Championship game at Arrowhead against the Oklahoma Sooners for the Big XII Title...Go TIGERS!!!

Sunday Don and I had to go to the football banquet at the Holiday Inn Select and the kids hung out at the Spicci's (they got to go get a tree with them at the tree farm).

Gobble Gobble!!

Wishing all of you a very safe and Happy Thanksgiving from our Family to yours!!

We are thankful to have such wonderful family & friends like you in our lives!

We wish that we could celebrate with all of you, but know that we are with you in spirit! We love you all, and hope that you all have a wonderful day with your families & friends!!

Answered Prayers

Saint Anthony answered our Prayers....our prayers are not always answered in the way that we think the should be but THEY ARE ALWAYS ANSWERED!

It has really been bothering me that we have not been able to find Bella's Ellie...I know we shouldn't get attached to material possessions but when it's something that your child has loved and carried since infancy it's kind of hard not to. Not to mention it's hard seeing your child so upset about it as well so as a mom of course you want to fix what's hurting them.

I have been turning this place upside down since we discovered Ellie was missing, but obviously have had no luck. Yesterday, when I learned that our friend's baby had been born I started the hunt for a gift for him. I texted Adriene to find out where she got her child's lovies to see if that was something that maybe I wanted to get the baby. She immediately called me back concerned and wondering if I was looking for another replacement for Ellie. We both happened to on our laptops while talking and she had asked if did a search online for a new one....which I had and had no luck. So just for fun she starts searching, and then starts asking me questions like: Is it green with pink satin?, Does it have an elephant head?, Does it have another elephant on the blanket part?, does it have the words LOVE ME on it?.....Umm YES to all of that....where did you find it?? EBAY!

At this point my adrenline is now a runnin'....I get on Ebay to where she is and immediatly place my bid, but the auction didn't end for 2 days. I do have a life and didn't think it would be wise to parked in front of my laptop for 48 hrs (although I really wouldn't mind but the knee biters would nag me the whole time). So I decided to email the seller with my woes and see if they would do a buy it now for me. They were kind enough to do this for me and even upgraded the shipping to priority at no extra charge! 

She is on the way! If by chance the original does rear it's head then we'll have a back up...maybe an at home Ellie and a car Ellie!

Thank you Saint Anthony!!!

A New Baby is on the Way!!

It's a BOY!!! Baby Garret Steven was born at 12:47 am. Weighing in at 6 lbs 1 ounce and 19.5 inches long. She only pushed 5 times in 15 mins. and he was here. All are doing well.

Congratulations Paula & Jason...we are so happy for you all and we love you!!!

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10PM (CST)Update: As of 15 minutes ago she was only dilated to 4 and getting an epidural 30 mins from then. I never that that I would say this (having gone through childbirth 4 times) but it's a good thing that her labor is moving slowly so daddy can get there on time.

Here is a little background on our friendship with this couple:

 I 1st met Paula my Sophomore year in college when she was dating a friend of mine "B". We all (Don, Paula, & I) became good friends and remained that way even when her & "B"'s relationship ended. For whatever reason Paula couldn't move past "B" and I KNEW that she deserved so much better...she is a sweet, loving, caring, generous, genuine person. 

Fast forward to the fall of '95, Don had started a friendship up with Jason...Jason was a student trainer and Don was the EQ guy and these two where and are two peas in a pod. Don had introduced me to Jason one day while I was visiting him at the office...I got pretty bored each day after I got off work or when I didn't work because at the time we didn't have children but I was pregnant with Bailey. While getting to know Jason I drilled the poor guy with "the Sherri questions" which include things like: are you dating anyone, what is your type, what are your interests, do you like this, do you like that, etc, etc.. (if a guy makes it through this series of Q&A then he's good to go in my book). Once he passed "the test" I realized that he and Paula had a lot in common so I set them up...my 1st and only set-up and I did a pretty good job if I do say so myself! For their 1st date all four of us went out together for lunch at a local Chinese place and they hit it off from there!!

From that point on we were all pretty inseparable! I have so many wonderful memories from our time with them but one of my favorites was on 1/25/96...they were at the hospital when Bailey was born (not right in the room because I had a c-section). Their love, support, help and friendship meant/means the world to us! Don & I were in their wedding in Colorado June '02, which was wonderful and our little Liv was able to be in it too as she was only 6 weeks old. As I said before, they are also her God-parents as well!

Sorry for the ramblings but I wanted to make sure and at least get some of this story in writing before I get old and can't remember anything (that's seems to happen quickly with 4 kids...LOL). After all, the whole point of this blog was to keep family and friends in touch, and to use it as a journal/timeline of our lives...they are definitely an important part in our journey!

We love you guys and can't wait to meet "little cub"! It's is pure torture on us that we can't be there for you, for the birth of your 1st, like you were there for us (plus I'm sure Jason could use the Luigi's pizza after the delivery like Don did)!!

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6:30PM (CST) Update: She is now contracting every 4 minutes and she corrected Jason's arrival time to 10PM (MST). We are keeping our fingers crossed for them!

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Update: Don spoke with Jason, the new daddy to be, earlier and learned that he won't be able to make back until 9PM tonight (the earliest flight he could catch was at 4PM...not sure what time zones we are referring to). Nonetheless, the docs have tried to slow things down for Paula to hopefully ensure that he's there for the delivery. Please keep them in your thoughts and pray that he makes it there in time.

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I just got a text from a very good friend of mine, Paula (Liv's God-mother), telling me that she's in labor...her water broke this morning at 8am...YEAH!! She is currently dilated to 2cm, so she's probably in for a long day. I can't even begin to tell you how excited we are for her and Jason...we/they weren't even sure that they would ever be able to have children!!!

Please help me pray for them for: a safe delivery for both Paula and "little cub" (that's their nickname for baby), that "little cub" is healthy, and that Jason has a safe trip back to them (he is the head trainer for the NHL Phoenix Coyotes and they are currently in NC).

I'll keep you posted as I get more info...

Homecoming Festivities

The time has come to get caught up in my blogging with past events.

Mizzou's homecoming game was on October 25th but homecoming events go on all week on campus. We don't generally partake in many of the festivities that the campus has to offer but we do go to house decs (decorations) (on Friday night) and the game (on Saturday). For those of you that are unfamiliar with house decs, they are put on by the sororities and fraternities. Each Frat and sorority pair up and create little skits/plays that coincide with the theme that is picked for the year. With that theme, they take the characters from the theme and base there

whole script around beating the team that we are playing that year. This year the theme was

Pixar/Disney movies and the team we played was the Colorado Buffaloes. The kids really enjoy watching the skits and mom really enjoys the people watching and socializing with friends. We went to house decs with are friends the Spiccis, but before attending we got together at our house for some of Tony's awesome chili (heck I even set the table like you find in a restaurant)...we had to warm up before heading out because it was a bit chilly outside!

Pictures:

#1 Aimee & I eating chili & having beverages

#2 Don & Tony eating chili & having beverages

#3 Nico & Tony on their chariot going to house decs (parking is horrendous so we just took the golf cart and gator)
#4,5 & 6 Me (nice double chin...yuck), Aimee, Bella, Bail, Liv, and Sophie on our chariot driven by Don
#7 Our family in front of the Cars backdrop.
#8 Bailey & Sophie in the Onion from Shrek
#9 My table setting

Funny/sassy Bella, OTMB, stories...we were leaving the house decs and the Frat closest to us had music playing. Bella was riding on Don's shoulders and he whispers to me listen to her. I couldn't hear her but apparently she was singing the song that was playing (a top hit...can't remember which one though). I asked her, "Bella what are you singing?" and she says, "I don't know and you don't need to know"! See what sassiness I'm dealing with!

Peach Tree Farm

Every fall the kids have a Monday off from school so us and the O'Connor's try to head to this fun little pumpkin farm outside of town if the weather is nice. Today turned out to be a beautiful day so off we went.

Bail, Liv & Nico going into the Maze...

Pretty Young Lady...Lovely Flowers!
Mom & Nico...Mom & Bella...Handsome Little Man...Mom, Bella & Liv on the Hayride...The Scarecrow was a stand in for Dad...Bail & Liv feeding the donkeys...Liv feeding the goats...

Fearfest

**Note** I cheated on this post as I copied it off of Adriene's...no sense in us both writing the same thing when she did it just fine (FYI I warned her last night that I was going to do it sense she was the one with the camera)! :-) Thanks A.!

Last night, some girlfriends and I decided to go out and take part in the Halloween "fun" of going to a haunted house. We began the evening with dinner and "megarees" (margaritas) at a local restaurant then headed to Fearfest in Aimee's pregnant roller skate of a car. Once out there, we got a quick pic with the only creature that would let us and headed into the house...
It was pretty scary...not because of what it was, but because it was pretty dark and you couldn't see around the corners (where there would be someone waiting to jump out and scream at you.) At one point in the house you had to crawl through a small hole in the wall that eventually led you out of the house...that was pretty weird, but not too scary. Then you walked through the insane asylum...not too scary, just a lot of people acting crazy and screaming in your face (that got pretty annoying by the end of it all...but I guess that was all they could do since the rules stated that they couldn't touch you).

Anyways, then we went on the cornfield hay ride. The tractor took us to the back of the corn field where all the ghouls were walking out of the corn towards us...then they all stopped and started dancing the "Thriller" dance. So naturally, we all got up and danced too!!! But as we were preoccupied with the dancing, other ghouls come up behind us and scared all of us pretty badly.

Then they told us that we had to get out off of the hayride and walk back through the corn field maze. This wasn't sooo bad, as you could kinda see where the next person was waiting for you. However, there was a guy with a chainsaw that kept running after us. But he quickly lost interest in me when I asked if we could get a picture with him (I needed stuff for this post!!!) They said that they couldn't take pics...so they left us to go scare other unsuspecting guests.

It was a fun evening. I wouldn't say I was terrified...only slightly spooked on a few occasions. All in all, a good time. And glad to have gotten in on the Halloween spirit.

Recap of Our Weekend

Friday:
Don left at 6am for Nebraska so mom had to do the morning routine and get the kids to school. After school Liv went to play at her friend Em's house and the rest of us came home to do some cleaning. Then that evening the rest of us went to our friend's, the Alnutt's house. Kate had a few of us football widows over for pizza, wine (for the moms of course), and adult conversation while the kids played together.

Saturday:
All morning was cleaning day! Nico tackled the toy room and I tackled the laundry room (neither project is near completion but at least we started). Bail had several little household projects to take care of, and Liv & Bella helped where ever needed. Then that evening, Bail went to babysit for the Spicci's and Nico spent the night at his friend Carson's house. While the girls and I hosted our little watch party, to watch MIZZOU cream Nebraska!

Sunday:
Bail had youth group in the morning and then we all went to our church's Oktoberfest. We had a fun time and we managed to win 3 cakes on the cake walk (I won one & Nico won 2 - he was loving that game & played it most of the day). I picked out a little packaged set for my cake of choice...it included a muffin tin, two boxes of corn muffin mix and cute fall napkins all bundled up cute...great idea! Nico picked out brownines and a red velvet cake. I'm loving going to this event now that the kids are getting older...they can just go on there own and play with their friends. Bella, myself, Tracy, Rob, Aimee, Adriene and her little ones sat in the shade, had sodas & snacks and listened to the bands...it was a pleasant day. Don had to work from 2-5 so he only stayed with a short time...he was also VERY tired as he had gotten home at 6:30am & only had 3 hours of sleep.

That evening we, along with the Caton's, were invited to the Spicci's house for an AWESOME Italian dinner made mostly by Tony, and of course we supplied the dessert! :) Again, we had a great time, with great food, great conversation, and great friends!!!

Anniversary Party

This past Saturday night some friends of ours celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary with a big shin-dig on Stephen's College campus...now you know your getting old when you have friend's that are celebrating 25 yrs. of marriage (AGHH)! Anyway, we went with the Catons and Spiccis and had a great time! After the party we headed to the Broadway Diner for some food (to soak some libations up)!

Aimee, Adriene, Me & Sarah at the party
(the photo quality is crappy because it was taken with Don's phone which has no flash
...still cute though!)...
Adriene & I at the Broadway Diner post party
(you can see Keith's reflection in the window taking it)...
This would be why Aimee is not in the previous photo...SACKED OUT!
She said to me yesterday, "I heard you taking it but I couldn't force my eyes open"!
(She was able to eat her food in between her naps) :)...

Please Pray...

**Update...baby Jackson was sent home yesterday around 11:30 and from what I hear is doing much better. I think it was just some kind of virus causing his issues (not RSV...that test came back negative) . Glad you're feeling better Jackson!**

...for my friend Christin's baby, Jackson, who is 5 1/2 months old. They are currently at the hospital with him as he is experiencing some very labored breathing...they have him on oxygen as they try to figure out what's going on.

Please pray for baby Jackson to recover from what ever it is that is causing the labored breathing and for the doctor's to figure out what is causing this!

Chrisitn's blog is private so if you have any kind words for the Stoners please leave them here or email me and I'll be sure to get them to her!

Many Thanks!!

Mizzou is now 3-0!!

Our weekend was pretty low key...it was so low key that I don't even remember what we did on Friday (if I ever regain that info I'll let you know...if it was something big that is).
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Saturday had Hurricane Ike rain in the forecast so on Friday night I decided that we were going to stay home and watch, which I'm glad we did because we got the rain alright. Angie and Aimee came over to watch the game with us (the Caton's weren't feeling well) and we had fun watching Mizzou roll all over the Nevada Wolf Pack with a score of 69-17.

Bella hadn't been feeling all that great but not slowed down, and by the end of the game she was running 102.5 fever (another reason I was glad we stayed home)...she is now on meds for strep which is a whole different story (hint - she HATES taking meds). Our guests left and the kids and I relaxed watching tv...I ended up taking an 1 1/2 hour nap (love naps on rainy days).

Once Don got home our friends, Tony & Aimee, came over and we watched the movie Baby Momma with Amy Poehler & Tina Fey from SNL...if you like slap stick humor it was funny but not hysterical like I had hoped. Speaking of funny, Aimee introduced me to the Kaitlin & Rick skits on SNL...you have got to check them out they CRACK me up!! Kaitlin is played by Amy Poehler & is supposed to be an eleven year old, and Rick is her step-father played by Horatio! This one is called Kaitlin at the Mall and is my favorite one!
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Sunday I brought Bail to her youth group in the morning, then in the afternoon I went & played with Aimee...we went to Joann Fabrics & then did some sewing at her house while Bail stayed home with Bella and Nico & Liv went to work with dad. Don picked me up from the Spicci's and we went to check out some of the flooding in town...it completely flood the MAC and flooded over part of Scott blvd (I'll post some photos of this later). We then all regrouped at home and had Addison's for Victory Sunday Dinner!

The next two pictures Nico took. He took them to show Aimee's tickets getting used (it was a joke) but he actually captured our 1st touchdown and extra point...good job buddy!!

Bella doing the "Touchdown Spicci Spank" (I told you the illness didn't slow her)...

Aimee did Liv & Bella's hair...

These next two are of the girls showing off their hair...how sweet are they?!!!