Priceless

I looked all over the house this morning for my car charger, fail, went back to the house after I left to make sure I closed the garage door, made a new friend at Enterprise b/c I told them what the Air force sticker a random airmen put on the front door meant, XM radio-SCORE on the free upgrade!!! Drove through an unexpected BLIZZARD, 13 cars in the ditch, 9 on the side of the road, rear-wheel drive rental got stuck in the driveway...three times while listening to someone on Martha Stewart radio discuss Valentine cupcakes...walked 1/2 a mile in 13 degrees, got MOO'd at by a dozen frozen cows, shot 'em while sliding around on an ICY road, thankful I didn't fall like my husband did this morning and break my 5 day old camera, stayed a little longer than usual hoping the wind/snow would pass over, stopped at Cracker Barrel in Marion, then to grandpa's new apartment on the way home, rushing to make it to church to hear the youth speak about their weekend, saw a dog on the road, scratch that, saw 10-15 deer on the road, slam on the brakes-skid 10 feet right into the middle of the pack!! (By the grace of God) they walked away with no more than half an inch to spare!! Wondering if I need glasses, enough cupcake talk, turn off the radio, it's past 6:10 - definitely not making it to church, seriously, phone is dead...Get to the next house and my favorite little girl made me a banner for new office decor. precious. Head home, looking in the back seat to make sure I have my court paperwork for Madison County tomorrow, wondering why news radio is talking about the stupid iphone "confession" app 4 times today. Get home well after 8 to a puppy in the window and a happy husband indulged in frozen pizza and a Ronald Regan documentary. I wonder how church was, I hope my charger turns up...I'll return calls tomorrow, promise.
Get out cheesecake and camera.

Mandi+Pat+Reese = Asleep on the couch by 10

Sneak Peak!!

Katie Sneak Peak

I heart her and everyone needs a little Katie Howard in their life! Seriously, between the youth events, band, volunteering, teaching kids at church, applying to colleges, and staying on top of her game at O'Fallon Township High School she has a few extra minutes to tell you about some goofy thing that just happen to her!! I saw a glimpse of her excitement for life just in one session alone and the joy she has in helping others. Best of luck in the rest of your senior year Katie!!

Engaged!

Brooke and I have been through so much together and I do not know where I would be without her vibrant friendship! When she was in Chicago and I lived in Oklahoma City we would have "date nights" every Thursday! Separately, we would both make her grandmother's chocolate chip banana bread, her mother's amazing hot chocolate, or our forever favorite OreoBalls...I think we're safe to say we love chocolate and Thursday night ABC {Hello Grey's and Private Practice!}. Seriously, I loooove working with couples, especially when I have known them as well as I know these two! Brooke and Daniel met out of an attempt for Pat and I to have someone else to hang out with...we thought if we introduced them and just mayyyybe they would get along and we could tackle the city together=) Less than a year later Brooke and Daniel are engaged and anxiously planning their paradise wedding...94 days to be exact, but who's counting!!

Meet the Reeves!!

Beautiful family coming your way soon!!=)

Beautiful Bride: Beautiful Family

Who doesn't love that first weekend you get to bring the scarves off your top shelf and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate on the back porch? Hello fall =) The Boswell family has a special place in my heart...parked right next to Brett Farve (ugh, despite his latest scandals?) The Boswell family was in need of a new family picture in addition to a few "do-over" pictures that were missed on their wedding day=) I am such a horrible decision maker I couldn't pick just one picture I liked the best! Thanks Boswell family for a great first day of fall!!

He is good, so good

I woke up today and it was October. No, seriously...it literally feels like last week was July, and now leaves are turning red, football consumes my Monday nights and LIFE has flown by so much faster than I realized!
Can we please back track to July=) All the planning was worth it, with a few laughs, a few stressful stories, and quite the love story=)
So because I love him, and he watches Grey's Anatomy on Thursday nights with me (even during baseball's post-season games) here's a few favorite summertime memories with my runner =)