Portia's Ballet Recital

You ready for some cuteness?

Portia's first ever ballet recital was a few weeks ago. It was probably the most adorable thing I've ever witnessed.



I'll give you a minute to pull yourself together.

ADORABLE!!!

May Blogging Challenge - Sorry Dudes.

It's been a while, friends.
The last week has been absolutely crazy, and honestly, blogging hasn't even crossed my mind. We've been through storms, packed up everything we own, and moved across the state.
If you've turned the news on lately, you probably know all about the huge tornado that ripped through Moore, OK. Luckily, we were unharmed, but we only lived 4 miles from the damage. It's horrible.
Here's a video Brandon and I took while driving through the area.



Sadly, videos and pictures don't do it justice. The destruction is indescribable. Whole neighborhoods are reduced to piles of rubble. When I stop to think about what was lost, it breaks my heart.

But I have learned a great lesson from this experience. I never want to live far from Oklahoma. Confused? Let me explain.

In the last week, I have witnessed the people of this state rally together mere hours after the storms passed, to lift each other up. Cleaning up debris, donating supplies and money and time; iit's remarkable. Several large companies in the area have donated millions of dollars. The Oklahoma Blood Institute has over 4 times the normal amount of their stores. There are hundreds of churches that have been deemed "tornado relief outposts," where people who need food, water, diapers, clothes, etc. can go to receive help. The University of Oklahoma opened its dorms for anyone who lost their home to stay in for free.

Passing out diapers and wipes on the side of the road to whoever needs them.

These are only a few examples. The entire state has come together in love, and I'm so proud to be an Okie!

With all the craziness following the storms, I missed a few days of the May Blogging Challenge. And then I missed a few days more with the move.
We moved yesterday! We left Norman, since Brandon graduated from OU, and headed back home to the Tulsa area, Claremore to be exact! We are still living out of boxes, but we'll be settled in soon!

Here's the deal. I think I'm calling it quits with the challenge. I've missed 7 days in a row, and I'm predicting that I'll miss more in the next few days. Can ya blame me? I'm a busy mama lately!
Anyway, the whole point of the challenge was for you to get to know me a bit more. Who says that all has to happen in 30 days? I'll go back every once in a while and grab one of the challenge prompts, and tell you all about me.
I actually kinda like it better this way. I don't have to do them in order, and I can ignore the silly ones, and I can even make up my own (what can I say, I'm a rebel)! And, if any of you have any questions that you's like me to answer, feel free to comment!

Day 19, Blogs I Love!

May 19th- 5 Blogs you Love and Why You Love Them

Al's Narratives

http://aldtalks.blogspot.com/

 This is Autumn. She's really cool. She has traveled all across Europe, has wonderful insights, and loves Mormons. We've never met, but I love her.

Hannah Explains It All

http://hmocruz.blogspot.com/

This is Hannah. She's my dear friend, and is seriously one of the coolest people you'll ever meet. She's a journalist, an artist, and a smokin hot babe, as you can see.

Clothed Much

 http://www.clothedmuch.com/

This is Elaine. She has the most wonderful style ever. Look at how cute she is! Not only are her clothes super attractive, but they're reasonably priced and modest. Love!

 Lena B Actually

http://www.lenabactually.com/

This is Lena. She's super rad. She has cool clothes, cute kids, and some serious skills in photography! I've never met her either, but I feel like if we did, we'd be buds.

Cooking Classy

http://www.cookingclassy.com/

This is Jaclyn. She makes some seriously tasty food. Look at that cupcake. Look at it. Go to her blog. Make her recipes. Be happy.

Day 18, I Remember a Twister

May 18th- Tell a Story From Your Childhood

It is prime tornado weather here in Oklahoma today. It's warm but cloudy, and really humid but windy. We are under a tornado watch until 11 pm, and I can almost feel the sky turning green. 

So, in loo of this, I will tell you about the time that I was in a tornado as a kid.

No, this is not a photo that I took. I just got it off the internet.

I don't remember how old I was, but I do know that I was young enough to be upset that I had to come inside and stop playing when the sirens went off. So probably around 5 or 6? Anyway. My Carrie-sister and I had been outside playing in the backyard all morning, with a lime green frisbee, like this one:

I think we had either found it or borrowed it from anther kid in the neighborhood, but I know it wasn't ours. 

The sirens went off, and my mom made us come inside, and I was upset. We had left the frisbee in the yard, and I just knew it would blow away.

We hung out in the bathtub, while my mom listened to the radio coverage of the weather. 

It is at this time that I realize that I have no memory of Daisy or Jeannine in this event. Maybe they were at school, or maybe the frisbee's safety took precedence in my mind. Sorry I don't remember guys. Obviously, you lived, so it's no big deal.

I remember at one point, leaving the bathroom and going to the back door, which was made of glass. I remember looking out, and seeing nothing but wind.  I wonder if this really happened, but it's in my brain. I don't remember feeling afraid, just worried about the frisbee. 

The tornado came and went, and when it was safe again, we went outside to check out the damage. The house was ok, maybe a few shingles missing, but the pine tree in the front yard was completely ripped out by it roots. It was laying on its side, with a huge pit where it had been. 

But I know what you're all wondering: what about the frisbee? It was still where we had left it in the backyard. That's the crazy thing about tornadoes, folks. I've seen houses half gone, with the pictures still hanging on the wall and the dishes still on the table.

Day 17, I'm So Hot!

May 17th- A Favorite Picture of Yourself

Alright, I'ma be honest. I love pictures of myself. I actually couldn't narrow it down to one favorite. Or even two.
So here are 6 of my favorite photos of myself!

 This one was taken at the Color Run last summer. I love it. Carrie and I looked so fun!

 This was taken at my wedding (obviously), and it's one of my favorite because it shows a teeny bit of the awesome relationship that is Carrie and I.

 Ok, so apparently I really like Carrie. This was taken on our family trip to Pensacola, FL. We look so rad.

This was taken right after Margot was born. This is the first time I held her. I love this shot. I love that I have the moment where I first laid eyes on my daughter.

This is one of my favorites because it shows an honest belly-laugh. It's awesome. 

This was taken by Benita at BRCPhotography. Obviously it's one of my faves because I look smokin hot!

Day 16, My Lot in Life

May 16th - Something Difficult About Your "Lot in Life" and How You're Working to Overcome It

Honestly? My life is pretty awesome. 

I have been thinking about this prompt all day, and I'm having a hard time coming up with anything to write about.

I have struggles, just like everyone else, but I know too many people who deal with so much more than I ever could. It makes my life seem like a piece of cake, ya know?

So I'm not going to make up some issue, or take something small and turn it into something big.

I have a lot of really great things going for me right now. I am healthy and strong. I have a home and food in my pantry, and even a few luxuries. I have a devoted husband and beautiful children, and loads more family that I am close to. I have faith and hope for the future, and I am happy!

My lot in life is pretty good!

Day 15, A Day in the Life

May 15th- A Day in the Life

This is a picture heavy post. 

You ready? 

Here we go!