Concrete Jungle

 

Where dreams are made of...there's nothing you can't do! There is such a thing as "a New York minute." I experienced them last week when my sweet mom and I conquered the city...again! It's my favorite place in the world for so many reasons. I can't wait to take Izzy "someday." In the mean time I enjoyed each day with my mom! 

 

I wanted to write down what we did on our adventure. That way when we venture back years later we are able to remember what each day had in store. We arrived Friday afternoon October 4th and went straight to our hotel and challenged the subway! Got on the R train and headed for Madison Square Park. There is a movie called "Something Borrowed" that I can't watch enough. It came out on DVD when Izzy was born. I have seen it 27 times easily. Well the 2 main characters eat at this particular Shake Shack throughout the movie. I remember saying "I want to go there someday..."  

What a perfect way to spend our afternoon. Who cares that we had not eaten since 5:00 a.m.! Not to mention the line was over an hour and a half long. I ordered enough for 3 people! It was just how I imagined...MOVIE PERFECT! 

 The park is right by the Flat Iron Building. It is a famous district that is downtown. I loved our time there.

 We eventually headed back to our Times Square home for the next 5 days. We spent lots of time at Caffe Bene. It was literally at level 1 of the hotel and the best breakfast and yummy coffee.

 The next part of our journey is not very well documented...for a number of reasons. We decided to take a late night Harbor Cruise. This was something Scott and I did for our first anniversary celebration in 2009. It is a New York must. It was my mother's only bucket list item. Why not achieve this on the first night! We bought our tickets in advance from the hotel and had over an hour to get there. Well it was Friday night and rush hour traffic...so we better walk. Well...these two Okies got a little lost in the city. To say "lost" means given the worst directions possible. Even Suri on my iphone couldn't help us. After going to 6th instead of 8th Ave. and landing in front of a convention center on 38th St to find out the only way around was to walk back to 34th....well you get the picture. If only you could have seen our faces as our boat left the dock honking it's very loud whistle...we missed the Titanic (so it felt). Only to find out minutes later the next boat "leaves at 7:30 p.m." With wet clothes (oh no it didn't rain...we were just a sweaty mess from the jog fest/fast paced walking that occurred for an hour and a half) and red hot faces we hung out with our feet up and waited for the next boat. It was worth it! It was by far one of the most beautiful rides you can imagine. The city at night on the water...wow!

 We took a taxi back to the hotel. We couldn't imagine the walk back towards 50th and Broadway. When we got to the lobby we went to the bar and met with our dear friend Elaine and her sweet boyfriend Matthew. What a fabulous night! Elle and I have been friends since grad school. Her and Matthew have been dating for a little over a year. It was a great time!

After day 1 in the city...we realized we need to get better directions and the only people we could count on for that...was ourselves. Okay who were we kidding? I hope Suri can be better help tomorrow! The New York minute is cruel..it makes time go by too fast. We still had 3 more days for our fall 2013 adventure...GO!

 

How Do You Spell Your Name?

 Izabelle, you are 2! Each day you have something new up your sleeve. Recently you learned how to spell your name I-Z-Z-Y. You also know the answers to "How old are you, what state do you live in, when is your birthday, and what are your parents names?"

 The truth is  you are exactly like me...even though you look just like your daddy. That is a great thing because your father is so handsome and I am always ready to have FUN.

 You sleep until 9:00 a.m. and love your chocolate milk in the morning! Followed by waffles. You are not really into eating. You have a few bites and let me know joyfully you are "all done!"

 We are working on potty training...but still have a ways to go. Therefore you wear size 5 diapers and wear size 2 clothes. You love to say your ABC's and sing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star."

 You love to recite names throughout the day. You will ask "Where is Donna...huh?" I will tell you she's at work. You will then say "Donna is sleeping huh!" Then go on to the next person. You also say "Daddy loves me, Mommy loves me, Caitlin loves me, Carley loves me...who else?"

 You are the sweetest little girl. You always give hugs and kisses as we arrive and leave. And your manners are one of my favorite features about you! You always say "please" "thank you" and "bless you" if someone sneezes.

 You are crazy about Mickey Mouse. You love to color, play dolls, dress up, and spend endless hours outside riding your tricycle, jumping on your trampoline, or swinging.

 You still love for mommy to rock you goodnight. To be honest those are some of my favorite moments with you! You pray, chat, and best of all sing!

 You always make us laugh. You have such a beautiful spirit!

 Did I mention you LOVE Diet Coke? You will ask for it all the time. I wonder who taught you that?

 Your biggest love are DOGS.  You will follow and pet any dog you see. You will begin to pet them and say "Ah!"

We are so lucky to be  your parents Izzy. You have THE best heart. You are truly at your TERRIFIC 2's! Cheers to our sweet and sassy little girl.

S&K Road Trip

 

 Recently Scott and I decided (in true fashion) to take a LAST minute road trip. What other kind is better? Our sweet friend and first nanny Vanessa helped launch a church in Ohio. What more reason to go and visit and make a few stops along the way?

 We got into the car early on a Friday morning and literally said "where should we go first?" Izzy would stay at home with all her favorite people so we were kid free. We blasted "Life Is A Highway" and away we went.

 After stopping in St Louis first, Izzy enjoyed being with my parents. She joined them for church too! The story goes as they pulled up she said "Is that church? Oh no!"

 After staying in Missouri one night, we hit the road. We thought it would be a good time to chime Vanessa in that we were coming. She had no idea! Scott sent her a couple of texts that hinted to our arrival. Finally she pieced it all together. She greeted us with Cheryl cookies! She lives in Ohio where its headquarters are. If you know my family...you know these cookies are our favorite and a staple when it comes to "thank you" "happy birthday" or "best wishes." We went for a yummy Italian dinner then went to get yummy ice cream at Jenni's.

 Meanwhile back in Oklahoma...Izzy played and enjoyed Tingie & Bob.

 The next morning in Ohio we went to Adventure Church's first service. They had a great turn out and did an awesome job welcoming guests. Vanessa is the song director...and boy did she do an outstanding job!

 We got really close to her sister and brother in law when they lived in Oklahoma. Here I am pictured with their sweet kids Rileigh and Maddox. Izzy and Ri were best pals!

 Shortly after church we headed South. We both chose a city we had never been to. Nashville won! We headed to the land of the good 'ol opry. Once settled in our downtown hotel we turned on the tv and tried to narrow down food choices. But guess what was on? Miss America! I have not missed this broadcast since I was in kindergarten. Therefore we ordered room service and enjoyed the crowning of Miss New York...again!

 To make up for our uneventful Nashville night, we got up early and went to the famous breakfast joint 417 Union. Wow! We were glad we went. There is so much history here. Not to mention we spotted Adam Levine from Maroon 5.

 We headed down Painters Alley.

 Walk around downtown...then headed to Memphis.

 We jammed out at Hard Rock....

 And strolled down Beale Street...

After our adventures in Tennessee we were home sweet home bound to Oklahoma. What a trip! Cheers to our sweet pals in Ohio! God is good all the time and all the time God is good.

Magical Night With Princess Izzy

Recently Izzy J and I were invited to "Disney On Ice" with Kelli Ann and LilliAnn. I have known Kel for 10 years. She's my little in AXO. They are the most generous fun loving family. We had a spectacular night! 

Izzy dressed like the Tangled Princess.  

It's so true what they say about parenting. Life is so much more spectacular in the eyes of your child. When I watched Izzy throughout the evening my heart was glowing. 

It was one of my favorite nights as a mom. I look forward to Walt Disney World one day. My hope for Izabelle is "if you can dream it, you can do it!" 

Cheers to the Rollins! And our pal Mickey Mouse!

Sweet Something's

It is all too clear. Not how we got here, but the fact that LOVE is all around this sweet girl. 

Whether we spend our Saturday mornings building a garden, or walking our favorite furry pal. Our days are full of giggles and blissful something's.

I did not have a dog growing up. So when people mentioned "man's best friend" I didn't always understand. Our Bernie is not a dog. He is our little Pinocchio because he wants to be a real boy someday.

Izabelle adores him. They spend their days together.

Cheers to these two! I'll love you forever.

Where Have You Been?

My Friend Lauren from Houston was in Norman a couple of weeks ago. On a brisk morning walking to campus corner (one of our favorite spots) she mentioned how she missed my blog. I then realized how I've neglected our "somedays" and needed to pay more attention to putting things down that mattered. Our time together mattered. I look forward to spending more time with my friend Lauren soon. Thank you PT for making me realize that I needed to write more down. Because mostly I truly relish in the present. I miss you and love you. XO