The Life of Al

Saying Goodbye... For Now

2009-01-11T16:24:00.004-06:00

Hello fellow bloggers -

Well, after thoughtful consideration, I have decided to give it a shot with the new blog. I'm actually a little uneasy about the switch since I'm one that is very against change, but I have been trying to put into perspective the things in life that are important. And I realized that change is one of them.

So I'm taking the first step into the world of change... and am changing my blog site (hey... nobody said it had to be LEAPS here people! Babysteps!).

I have posted my first blog to the new site -- http://lifeslittleals.wordpress.com.

I will work on getting everything transfered from this site to the new one. In the mean time, check out the new site! I'm excited about the change, but like I said, also a little uneasy! This blog site has been good to me... but it's time to move on... I think. For now. We'll see what happens. Hell, I'll probably be back to using this site in a few weeks! :)

Thanks for following, though! :)

Three things

2009-01-06T21:04:00.005-06:00

Number 1: Being sick sucks. True, it sometimes does give you a day away from work, but when you feel like poo, it doesn't really count as a day off. Matt and I celebrated the Clark Christmas by getting the Clark flu bug that made its rounds over the weekend. Patty first, followed by Steve, Chel, then Matt and myself. As of today, Michael has been the only healthy one... but I don't know how much longer that can last!

Number 2: Prior to getting sick, the Clark Christmas was wonderful! Gramma Donna kept saying, "Oh my goodness, you all just did way too much", which is always what I love to hear! I'm a giver, what can I say! Seeing smiles on peoples faces after you've given them something they didn't expect but love, is pretty wonderful! Matt and I also loaded up -- I got the entire 'Twilight' series, which made me very happy (even though I have already read them all - I started to re-read the first book again!). Steve got us the 'Decade of Dominance' DVD's, which basically details the Bill Snyder era (part one), which will be fun to watch. I got some new sweaters from Patty and a gift card from Forever 21 from Michael and Chel (yessss!) and money from Gramma Donna and Grandad Jim. Donna just kept saying she's never had to buy for girls so she though money was a good way to go (I concur, but her story of how she went to Dillard's to get us Sarah Jessica Parker perfume was quite on track!).

Number 3: Lastly, I am considering switching blogs. I would not delete this one because it holds too many good stories for me to just destroy! I have attached the link for you just to browse (there isn't anything on it yet but a picture and I might still do a new backdrop, but this is the jist of it!) -- http://lifeslittleals.wordpress.com. I am wanting your feedback because I'm not the one that reads this thing on a regular basis, I just write on it on a regular basis. I like the other blog because I can change the pictures on the blog header and it just looks more clean -- me to a 'T'! :) Anywho, it's just a thought. I'll take votes though -- yay or nay to a new blog!

Happy first full week of January, everyone!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T19:01:00.004-06:00

Welcome to 2009, everyone!

Matt & I spent New Years Eve in Kansas City with all of my good pals (minus a few important ones!). It was hosted by the Siders and we crammed as many people as we possibly could in every nook and cranny they had in their house! It was a great night, full of laughs (which always accompanies our large gatherings!) and lots of pictures!

Chad and Nicole rode up with us to KC so they got to trek along with us to Nebraska Furniture Mart this morning. I had never been there before so when we pulled up, I almost started hyperventilating - this place is gynormous!!! Seriously, it's absolutely huge and is full of anything and everything you could possibly ever need for your house!

We split up, Matt and I heading to the bedroom section, while Nic and Chad went on to the TV's. Matt and I decided we could have stayed there all day looking at everything!!! We checked out the bed we have been eyeing online and love it in person, too! We also tested a mattress that was on sale. So... we'll see! We know what we want, now we just need to buy it - which is always what takes us a year to accomplish! :)

Off to Sedan tomorrow after work for the Clark Christmas... and then Christmas is over for another year. I think it all went by a little too quickly!

Happy New Year to all of my blog followers... I hope 2009 brings you much joy and happiness!

Flickr

2008-12-29T15:43:00.001-06:00

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Where are we? Texas or something?!

2008-12-27T11:09:00.004-06:00

One of the things that I love about this time of year is the bitterly cold weather. I'm a strange one that enjoys having to put on double-layers of clothes, gloves, hats and scarves just to go outside for five minutes. It is also something that Matt likes since he is used to spending Christmas in Illinois, where it is almost always snowing and atleast in single digits.

We kept watching the forecast all week. The meteorologists were expecting unusually high temperatures for this time of year, but I kept blowing it off, saying that you can never really trust a weather forecast, especially in Kansas where the weather changes every 10 minutes.

Well... this time, they got it right.

It was literally NOT COLD out Christmas day and ridiculously warm the day after Christmas. We all received an e-mail on Christmas day from my uncle Steve, who lives in Houston, who said that it felt like the tropics down there so my aunt Sherron was going to turn the air conditioning to 68 to make it feel a little more Christmasy! I only mention this because it felt like the tropics here as well! It was 71 out last night!!

Ofcourse, today the weather has done its normal switcharoo -- it's cold out. Not as cold as I like, but it's in the 30's... and there is an ice/snow storm making its way towards Wichita as I type.

So... another year passes and my hopes of a white Christmas have failed. Apparently Mother Nature and Old Man Winter decided to really screw with our minds this year!

Welcome to Kansas -- Land of Dorothy, Toto and really f'd up weather!

Christmas time is here...

2008-12-22T16:24:00.002-06:00

Today is my last day of work since I'm taking tomorrow off... and I am so happy! I've decided I'm fine with coming to work on a Monday as long as it means I don't have to come back the next day! :)

Matt and I leave for Sedan tomorrow afternoon. Luckily, I was in Sedan this weekend so I was able to take almost all of of our gifts home. If I hadn't made the trip, it would be a tight squeeze trying to get everything in the car to go home, including our dog and his kennel!

Why was I home this weekend when I was only a few days away from being there for longer than 24 hours? Well, I made the 1.75 hour drive home to a) get my hair highlighted and trimmed - which hadn't been done in months - and b) to go to the Nutcracker ballet on Sunday.

The Nutcracker used to be an annual trip for my mom and I. In fact, because of The Nutcracker and Ms. Shoup (a former teacher at Sedan), I met Natalie Shoup, who had come to down to visit her sister for the weekend. Natalie went with us to the ballet and then about 10 years later, she became a Kappa! Fun (and true) story!

I hadn't been to the ballet since I was in 4th or 5th grade... but I'm not sure why I stayed away for so long. I LOVE the ballet! I think its because I really just want to be as poised and graceful as the ballerinas are rather than a very loud cheerleader (though my personality was not meant for the ballerina world!). I find myself mesmerized by the dancing though and am determined to have one of my children be a dancer... and have her teach me everything so we can dance together. Can't you picture that? My poor children are going to be embarassed their entire lives by their parents.

Anywho, the ballet was a good time. And any time spent with both my mom and sister is always an entertaining time so I'm glad I made the 1.75 hour drive... even though I'm doing it again in 24 hours. :)

If I don't see or talk to any of you before then, have a very Merry Christmas and a happy, happy New Year!!!

Out of Hand

2008-12-16T16:02:00.009-06:00

I apologize for my incessant amount of blogging today, but I couldn't keep this one away.

Someone posted this website on their facebook status -- www.makemebabies.com. You upload pictures of you and your signifigant other to see what your future child will look like. I thought, "Oh, why not! Might be fun!"

Boy, was I wrong!

Just look at the kid's picture... doesn't he look like a little shit?!! Seriously, the first thing I thought of when I saw the picture was, "What a little shit!"

So... To those that thought I might get on the baby track any time soon, you can kiss that thought buh-bye. All because of this little shit's picture!

PS. It doesn't help to change up the pictures of myself or Matt -- I tried it!

PPS. I also did not pick out the duck outfit... it might be cute if it was on a baby, but not a 3-year-old -- he reminds me of a pissed off Ralphie from "A Christmas Story" when he has to put on the bunny outfit his aunt made him!

`Twilight' sequel speeds ahead for November 2009

2008-12-16T13:52:00.005-06:00

Let's hope Kristen Stewart's (who plays Bella) attitude changes in the next movie...

`Twilight' sequel speeds ahead for November 2009

LOS ANGELES — "Twilight" fans have a short wait for the next installment of the vampire saga.

Summit Entertainment spokesman Paul Pflug says "New Moon" is following just 12 months after the first movie, opening Nov. 20, 2009, over the same weekend as "Twilight" this year.

Summit has tapped Chris Weitz ("The Golden Compass") to direct "New Moon," based on the second book in Stephenie Meyer's best-selling series about the dangerous romance between a teen (Kristen Stewart) and a vampire (Robert Pattinson) fighting his bloodsucking instincts.

Weitz is taking over the franchise from "Twilight" director Catherine Hardwicke. "Twilight" has shot to $150 million at the box office since debuting Nov. 21.

Cold as...

2008-12-16T10:43:00.004-06:00

Well, I don't know what is this cold (maybe Edward Cullen's hands... anyone read it yet?!). But it's cold... And I'm one of the strange ones that absolutely LOVES it! And to top it all off, it started snowing last night and today, I woke up to an couple of inches of it everywhere!

Yes, it means a longer commute to work due to the slow driving and yes, it can lead to accidents... but it's Christmas! There is suppose to be snow! I love it...

And if at any point in the day I feel like I need a boost, I will head to the front door and stare at the snow! This is why I can never live in a place there is only one season ... hot.

Last night, I ventured out into the wild that is anywhere revolved around Christmas gifts. It was atleast five below outside at times, but I was in the stores sweating my face off! I walked into Forever 21 and just started throwing things over my shoulder (that place needs CARTS!) and almost asked the cashiers if I could leave my stuff on the counter!! :) But I accomplished alot in 3.5 hours... I have a few more things to get and I will be done. Today though, I must get my cousin Connor's gift in the mail so it gets to Virginia in time. The real question here is why am I doing this when Matt was the one that drew Connor's name for our cousin Christmas??? Who knows...

Anywho, I hope everyone is staying warm and if you are getting snow, that you are enjoying it!

Lastly, welcome Stephanie Siders to the blogging world! I have complete faith in your ability to produce great reading material! :)

Wrong...

2008-12-12T13:27:00.000-06:00

But VERY funny!

It's Santa's Gmail Inbox...

Click on the picture next to the blog entry. Make sure you read all of the e-mail subjects and who they are from!

Baby's First...

2008-12-09T18:26:00.007-06:00

Pictures of Addison's first Turkey Day and encounter with Santa...

Love!

Christmas Shopping

2008-12-07T17:28:00.002-06:00

I absolutely love to do it! I could care less if I get any gifts in return, but I LOVE shopping for other people! Matt and I found a few things last weekend when we were in Tulsa, but I ventured out by myself this weekend (no offense, but alot more can be accomplished when you don't have a guy on your tail all day long).

Last year, I found myself doing alot of online shopping because 1) Tulsa at Christmas time is hell (not right, I know, but true) 2) there are great deals to be found on the Web and 3) Tulsa at Christmas time is hell! I recall sitting in traffic for nearly 30 minutes one night just trying to get from one city block to the next. That is not my definition of fun Christmas shopping!

In Wichita, you don't really have to deal with traffic on the roads as much as you do the traffic in the stores - it's like someone posted a sign that said 'EVERYONE GO TO THIS STORE TODAY!!!!!". Holy cow -- walked into Gordman's and turned right back around to go to my car! The lines were ridiculous!

I did find some good stuff though... I have knocked out a few people on the list. Next weekend, I will tackle even more. I did do some more online shopping for things for Matt, but other than that... I've stuck to the stores this year. Only because it's possible to accomplish things in Wichita.... and Tulsa was hell (did I mention that yet?!).

Happy Shopping everyone!

PS. Matt and I got our tree up on Thursday, somehow ended up in a fight over something and didn't get to decorate until Saturday afternoon -- but we are very pleased with it! We also got our first stockings... I love Pottery Barn! :) Pictures will follow when I get my camera back from the antique store -- accidentally took it out to take pictures of a cool cabinet and then went off and left it! Oops! Thank goodness the lady knows me and my mom really well (we frequent her store!).

BCS Rule Change

2008-12-05T09:02:00.000-06:00

After determining the Big-12 championship game participants the BCS computers were put to work on other major contests and today the BCS declared Germany to be the winner of World War II.

"Germany put together an incredible number of victories beginning with the annexation of Austria and the Sudetenland and continuing on into conference play with defeats of Poland, France, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium and the Netherlands. Their only losses came against the US and Russia; however considering their entire body of work--including an incredibly tough Strength of Schedule--our computers deemed them worthy of the #1 ranking."

Questioned about the #4 ranking of the United States the BCS commissioner stated "The US only had two major victories--Japan and Germany. The computer models, unlike humans, aren't influenced by head-to-head contests--they consider each contest to be only a single, equally-weighted event."

German Chancellor Adolph Hitler said "Yes, we lost to the US; but we defeated #2 ranked France in only 6 weeks." Herr Hitler has been criticized for seeking dramatic victories to earn 'style points' to enhance Germany's rankings. Hitler protested "Our contest with Poland was in doubt until the final day and the conditions in Norway were incredibly challenging and demanded the application of additional forces."

The French ranking has also come under scrutiny. The BCS commented "
France had a single loss against Germany and following a preseason #1 ranking they only fell to #2."

Japan was ranked #3 with victories including Manchuria, Borneo and the Philippines.

Interesting take... :)

Update

2008-12-01T21:35:00.003-06:00

Matt and I went and saw 'Twilight' tonight.

Warning: Do NOT go see the movie until you finish the book. The book is 50 times better (as they always are) than the movie and you might think I'm insane if you go and watch it, wondering why I would like the series so much!

Though I did get a great laugh when, on the car ride home, Matt told me he could take Edward down. I tried to remind him that Edward - a vampire, remind you - has the strength of 100 grizzly bears and can kill in an instant... he couldn't believe that I thought Edward would be able to snap him in two.

Poor guy.... :)

New Obsession

2008-11-30T19:57:00.007-06:00

I guess I easily fall into obsessions. Way back in the day, it was New Kids on the Block, followed by Hanson. I was (and still am) a huge Harry Potter fan. My obsessions usually involve heavy internet stalking, blog reading, bio reading, etc. It's a full-on obsession.

And I officially have a new one.

Twilight.

Yes, you've probably heard about it. The movie came out a few weeks ago. I for one knew very little about the four-book series until a radio DJ was talking about it on his morning show, saying that he was really into it and was comparing it to Harry Potter (my ears perked up because like I said, HP is one of my obsessions!).

I didn't really think anything else about it until I went to lunch with two of my coworkers. One of them, for some reason (which I understand completely now) was talking about the books and I was asking her questions about it and all she could tell me was that it was incredible! She said that she bought the first one and couldn't put it down. And with that, I asked her if I could borrow the first book, 'Twilight', from her. She brought it to me the next week. And from there... I'm a believer.

I started book one on Tuesday and finished it Thursday, during Thanksgiving at my aunt's. I got into a very deep conversation with my 13 & 14-year-old cousins (don't judge!) about the book and the movie. Abby has the entire series and it took all of her not to give me every detail of the other three books... I had to shush her many times and do earmuffs to myself so I didn't hear of any details that would kill the final books for me!

She asked if I wanted to borrow the second book, 'Eclipse'... and while trying to make sure Matt didn't see (apparently since my new obsession began, I have talked very little to him because I have been doing nothing but reading!), I shook my head yes and ran away with book two!

Well... I started book two on Thursday and finished it early this morning.

I know, I know. You're thinking I'm insane. You can't believe that I would spend so much time reading a silly book series.

But you cannot dog on me until you go and read the first three chapters of 'Twilight'. If after that, you still think I'm insane, it will be fine to let me know! But not until then!

I'm going to the movie tomorrow night and cannot wait... though I'm worried for my husband. I have a huge crush on a certain vampire (yep, the books deal with vampires -- again, hold your tongue!) who is perfect and beautiful... only problem with him is that he likes to drink blood. But really, can I really hold that against him?! :)

SO.... when you get a chance, buy the book. You can get it for $5 in paperback almost anywhere. I personally will reimburse you $5 if you don't like the book and don't fall in love with Edward Cullen (in the movie, the Edward characte also played Cedric in Harry Potter... for those HP fans).

Now go find your nearest bookstore. Happy reading!

(PS. Meg, I know you have a secret passion for teenage love dramas -- Friday Night Lights, Gossip Girl. You must go get this book and read when Stella is napping!)

Pic 1: 'Twilight' poster
Pic 2: I have a crush on a vampire. Do you see why?! :)

I'm so thankful for...

2008-11-26T09:30:00.004-06:00

My husband of 3 months, but BF for almost 8 years (WOAH), my wonderful family, Coke products, Wrigley, the Clark's, Internet, antique stores, smart-ass humor, Harry Potter, cold weather, agenda planners, Christmas smells, paychecks (that I was just handed!), babies and two-year-olds, Manhattan, Sex & the City, cute coats, the Doty clan, cheap gasoline, online banking, wedding dress preservation, pilgrims, Fatcatrocks.com, text messages, phone calls from Annie, routines, Christmas music, paid-off credit cards!, Dillon's, work holidays, a clean house, 320 and our little mascot baby, Kappa's young and old (meaning my friends and Lauren's friends!), my little Grand Am that made it through four years of hell, memories, Hanson, snow, Sedan, hot tubs, Facebook, the Muppets, traditions, K-State, lake houses, Bob, Sports Daily, Mac computers, Aunt Sherron's goolash and on time flights.

I didn't even go back and look at my list from last year!

I am very blessed and very thankful for the life that I have... I should probably pinch myself every day! :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Tis the Season...

2008-11-23T16:03:00.009-06:00

Yes, it is still November... I know. And I also know that we still haven't celebrated Thanksgiving. But I decided that today would be the day I dig out all of my Christmas decorations and get to work. Matt and I are leaving on Wednesday to go home and won't be come back to Wichita until Sunday. For that reason, I feel that it was OK to start putting up the Christmas deco's!

It was quite the productive weekend... We cleaned the basement yesterday afternoon (because we decided that we should really start to make an attempt to finish it sometime in the near future!), which entailed LOTS of sweeping and cleaning of all the dust and 'extra stuff' that fell to the floor while the ceiling and walls were worked on in August. We decided we are not the smartest human beings in the world when we came upstairs to see our entire house coated in white dust (we had the shop vac on in the basement and it stirred everything up which traveled upstairs!). I was trying to not have a nervous breakdown (since I'm a CLEAN FREAK and I had just cleaned that morning!). I waited until this morning to get out the wet vac and get to work!

Once I got the floors cleaned, I decided to rearrange the furniture so we'd have a good spot for our Christmas tree ... after some careful planning, I started moving! Rearranging furniture, decorating and cleaning are my versions of f-u-n!!! :) I spent the majority of the morning and early afternoon doing those three things and in the end, I think it turned out pretty well! I have some things I still want to do to the outside to spice it up - looks a bit drab! But I'm pretty content with the inside. I have a few of the cylinder vases to get from mom's next weekend to bring back and fill with ornaments and after that, I should be done!

Next up, Christmas tree shopping. Matt asked if I'd just like to cut one down. I said, "You mean from a Christmas tree farm? FUN!" He replied with, "Uh... it would be from a farm!" I'm not sure I want to make an attempt at searching for a tree at Hillcrest Farms... that's why God invented Christmas tree farms... or Lowe's (that is now conveniently located about a block from our house).

Happy decorating!

I Know... It's bad...

2008-11-19T11:00:00.005-06:00

I do realize that my obsession with reality TV is a bit ridiculous. I have already confessed my love for 'The Bachelor' & 'The Bachelorette' (sidenote: did you all see that Jesse and DeAnna broke up? GO FIGURE!) and I'm an avid 'Hills' watcher (why, I have NO idea, other than that the show is my maiden name!). I have a love for Bravo TV, especially when it comes to 'Project Runway', which unfortunately is moving to Lifetime and I'm just not sure if it will be the same. But I have also been one to flip channels and land on 'The Real Housewives of...'.

I think I'm just intrigued (and envious) of these people who have so much money that they don't really know what to do with it, except brag about it and exploit it on national television. The latest version of 'The Real Housewives' was set in Atlanta, which is why I found the article below so fascinating... seems as if the housewives aren't as friendly or have as much money as they make us believe. I know... lying on reality TV?! :)

http://tv.yahoo.com/blog/how-real-are-the-real-housewives--40

Enjoy, you secret reality TV lovers!

Christmas Memories

2008-11-16T13:41:00.005-06:00

Most people know that my two favorite holidays are Christmas and my birthday... celebrating Jesus and celebrating me! :)

Christmas time has always held a special place in my heart, though. Growing up, every year was the same... the Texas crew would roll into town a few days before Christmas. We'd wait at grandma's door all day long until they actually pulled up and from that point on, we only left grandma's to sleep, shower and change clothes. The rest of the time was spent together with the family. We'd do a cousins outing (which meant trying to squeeze 10 bodies into one suburban ... poor Neil was always sent to the trunk!) to Tulsa usually on the 23rd and on the 24th, everyone (Barnes and Hills clans) would come to our house for soup and sandwiches before we went to Christmas Eve mass. Christmas morning we would wake up early, open gifts with the parents and siblings, wait for the Hills side of the family to arrive, eat breakfast and open gifts, then off to grandma's for the rest of the day.

It was a tradition.

That tradition has evolved a bit since those wonderful days. Our Texas crew no longer makes the 11-hour car ride up for Christmas and there is no more waiting at grandma's door. Our Tulsa trip has been downsized to a Bartlesville trip that usually consists of me, Jordan, Lauren, Daniel, Will and Neil (always the trooper!). Christmas day has found us going to a movie in Bartlesville in the afternoon because we don't know what to do with ourselves!

Now, it may sound like I'm complaining about the change. Yes, I do get sad sometimes thinking about the transformation of our tradition, but when I think about why I have enjoyed the tradition so much, it all goes back to family. I am blessed to be apart of such a large, loving and happy family.

I do hate that we are not all able to be together around the holidays like in the past and do get sad thinking that my precious baby cousins - Annie, Luke and Stella - probably won't come to Sedan for a Christmas, but we are still able to carry out most of our traditions such as Christmas Eve dinner and the cousin trip. I will continue to call Seth when we take our Bartlesville trip and whine about how he needs to be there to be the head honcho -- I don't like being in charge and I'm only dealing with about 5 people. Him and Meg had double that and never lost their minds when ordering seven Happy Meals, three quarter pounders - one with cheese, one without onion and ketchup and eight cokes, one orange juice and one Dr. Pepper.

So... whatever your traditions are around the holidays, cherish them. They might not be around forever, but the memories will be!

Merry Christmas... a little early! :)

PS. This all stems from Wichita radio stations beginning their Christmas music playing yesterday! Don't tell Jenna, though -- she is very against Christmas anything pre Thanksgiving!

Check 'er out!

2008-11-14T15:26:00.004-06:00

My mom is famous!

'Faith at a Crossroads'

http://www.ksn.com/news/extra/34463879.html

One Great Night...

2008-11-08T13:47:00.006-06:00

When I heard they were coming to town, the first person I alerted was Jenna, since her birthday was on Monday and I thought this would be a great way to celebrate! Unfortunately, Jenna was unable to attend. But then Lauren stepped in and decided to come down so I'd have someone to go with. She was also a big fan back in the day so it wasn't like she was being forced. Yes folks... we saw Hanson last night!

First, I must say this: I definitely reverted back to my 14-15 year old days when they actually came on stage last night. I've been to many concerts in my lifetime and have never been one to have a freakout moment... but when it is your favorite boy band from a time in your life when your heart would melt whenever you heard them, you are allowed a freakout moment (mine involved high knee kicks and prancing around Lauren while screaming!).

BUT... I also must say that there are people in this world that are MORE freakish than I when it comes to Hanson. Some girls decked their car out in Hanson symbol drawings, others wore very little clothing on their overweight bods and jumped up and down, while pumping their fists in the air and jumping on Lauren's feet the entire night! I can officially say I was not one of those girls! But I do appreciate their love for them and am happy that Hanson still has a following ... might be strange girls, but hey, it's a following!

Lauren and I got there a little early and listened to the opening acts. One band was a bunch of major tools that actually brought up the election and asked who voted for Obama (seriously, do they not know where they are?!!!) and the next group was pretty fantastic! His name is Matt Wertz ( in case you want to check him out) and he played acoustic with a buddy... seriously had goose bumps through every song he played, which to me always signals 'good singer'!

Finally, Lauren and I finished our drinks (very strange to be able to drink at a Hanson concert -- the last time I saw them, I was about 6 years away from the legal drinking age and now I'm about 6 years past the legal drinking age)! We moved to the side so I could try and get picture of them when they walked from their dressing room to the stage. Once they walked out, I was jumping up and down too much to get a shot of them walking on! :)

In the end, we had an awesome time! They played alot of their new stuff, but also alot of their oldies -- Mmmbop, Where's the Love, I Will Come to You, Penny and Me, If Only ... such a good time! Taylor (who officially does NOT look like a 14-year-old girl anymore ... PS. I NEVER thought he looked like a girl!) thanked everyone for sticking with them for 10 years ... Almost made me shed a tear for a few reasons: I can't believe it was that long ago that I was carrying my discman all around Hawaii listening to only Hanson all day every day , I can't believe that I'm married to Matt and not Taylor Hanson and I hope that 10 years from now, I'm still jumping up and down for them (and trying not to break a hip!).

Another Update

2008-11-05T14:55:00.003-06:00

Update 1: I have a job! :) I accepted the communications manager position with Wichita Festivals and start on Monday. I'm really excited to a) have a job b) return to the working world c) still only have to be at work by 9! d) be working towards a project I actually care about! I think it will be a great place to be!

Update 2: I successfully helped out with the Clark family cattle sale! I can honestly tell you I had no idea what was going on, but was proud to be apart of it. Though I'm not sure if I was cut out to be a farmer's wife, I do know that Matt and I were ready to go back to the farm once we got back home. Life is not fast-paced there. It's a nice break from the real world!

Update 3: Apparently as of 45 minutes ago, K-State's head football coach announced that he is resigning from his position. I'm not quite sure my thoughts on this. On one hand, he has been here for only three years and is losing only three seniors from this year's team so next year could be a breakout season. On the other hand, I have not seen anything that shows improvement week to week. I'm not a big fan of change, but I am atleast big enough to say when something isn't working and try to improve, switch up or adjust to become better. I haven't felt that coach Prince has really done that ... he just says, "We played badly and it's my fault." It will be hard to find anyone to replace Bill Snyder and I feel badly that Prince had to be the man to try and follow in his footsteps. Hopefully, we can finish the season on a high note for his sake and look to the future to find the best fit to bring K-State football back!

Update 4: I did cast my ballot for the second time in my life yesterday afternoon. Luckily, I went after the lunch crowd and did not wait in line. I had sent in for an advance voting ballot and it arrived in my mail yesterday, which was not helpful! So, I voted ... and though the election of the president did not go as I had hoped, listening to Obama's speech last night gave me hope. It also just reminded me of what an amazing speech writer he must have --- that was me being a pessimist I suppose, but anyone can talk the talk (especially him since he is such a wonderful speaker). I just hope he can walk the walk! I will say this though ... I do believe in the power of the vote. I don't think I would have said it ever before, but I get it now. It was very cool to be apart of that election yesterday!

That is all for now! Everyone enjoy the rest of their week!

Girls Just Wanna Eat Fo-od

2008-10-30T10:12:00.006-05:00

I'm stealing both of these pictures, but look at what big girls Stella and Addison both are! According to both moms, they are loving their cereal! :) And who wouldn't?! One can only take so much milk, right?! PS. I love bragging about them, can you tell?!

Meg also sent pictures of Stella in her Halloween costume -- obviously she wins cutest baby in a fruit category!

Update

2008-10-28T19:55:00.003-05:00

Got a phone call today from Wichita Festivals. They offered me the job! YAY! :)

I did tell them about my interview with Sullivan, Higdon and Sink tomorrow ... so, I won't be able to give them an answer until after tomorrow.

We shall see... good news is that atleast I got a job!!!

Seems strange...

2008-10-22T13:29:00.003-05:00

How is it that I have been on the job hunt since July and had no nibbles and in the span of a week, I've had two (hopefully three) big bites?!! Everything happens all at once for me when it comes to jobs... so strange.

I have my second interview with Wichita Festivals on Friday. I had "homework" from them that I had to have completed by today at noon so I finished those up last night. I wanted so badly to have them in by Sunday, but even though it was just two questions, I wanted the answers to be perfect. I was about to email my responses back last night, but right before I sent them, I changed my mind on one of my answers and had to rework it. So I think that's a good sign ... I want the answers to be great because I'm really interested in this job.

Last night, I got an email from Tessa (Kappa sister!) about a job opportunity with Sullivan, Higdon and Sink (http://www.wehatesheep.com -- great website -- pretty funny and smart ass'ish, which is my kind of humor!) as a Team Coordinator. She gave me the email of one of the women at the company and I sent her my resume. I just got off the phone with her about 10 minutes ago and it went great! In the first three minutes of the conversation, after explaining how Tessa and I know each other, I discovered that she is a Kappa! She went to Texas Tech (which I won't hold that against her, no one is perfect!) and said she has forgotten how to do our 'secret handshake' and I said I've never been able to do it correctly so we can re-learn together (hello corny Allyson!). Anyway, she talked about the open position, the skills for the position (extremely high-level of organization -- me to a T, right?!) and the atmosphere of the company. I'm going to meet with her next Wednesday to tour the offices and meet with staff. We'll see how it goes!

So, like I said last week, things are starting to look up. I just hope that something works out so I can get back into the working world!

PS. Did I mention that the job at Sullivan, Higdon and Sink (otherwise known as SHS ----- Go Blue Devils!) is a 'jeans environment'... meaning very rarely will you see them in suits! My kind of place!

This is not a Joke.

2008-10-16T22:28:00.002-05:00

Because I could have sworn on my life that she was lying to me! But after five different shots of "You're lying to me!" thrown at her, she even threw an actual due date at me!

Who am I talking about, you ask?

None other than the beautiful, the wonderful, the magnificent .... Megan Little! Yes folks .... Stella's gonna be a big sister! :)

Meg said she is eight weeks along and is due May 31, four days before Stella's first birthday! I, ofcourse, am ecstatic that our large family just continues to grow!

Before the wedding, Meg told me that Matt and I should start trying for a baby next summer because that's when they were going to start trying for baby no. 2... looks like baby no. 2 will BE here by next summer, instead!

Congrats to my cousins... I am so happy for you! And can't wait to hear some new baby names .... Shamus, anyone?! :)

Things are starting to look up... question mark?

2008-10-14T16:11:00.003-05:00

The day started off lovely ... a phone call at 6:52 a.m. from the Andale school district asking me to sub for high school social studies... and school starts at 8:15 ... and Andale is 15-20 minutes away.

OK.

So this means no washing of the hair, no fixing of the hair. Straight pony tail. This also means try to find suitable attire that doesn't require any ironing. Hard to find when you've been out of 'work clothes' environment for 3 months! I eventually found something that did need some slight ironing, but it was OK because I took a 2-minute shower, fixed my hair in 30 seconds, had my makeup on, lunch made and was out the door by 7:18. What substitute teacher shows up 30 minutes before school starts? And for that matter, what real teacher shows up 30 minutes before school starts? The answer is I do! But that was the question the first block students were asking me when they walked in ... apparently their real teacher doesn't show up until after the bell has rung. My guess is this must just be a social studies/government teacher persona because guess what we did today -- watched movies! That's exactly what we did when I was in high school social studies every day ... then filled out work sheets!

I digress.

The day went very well... I'm a big fan of Andale High School. Every time I walked out a door, one of the kids held the door open for me. I was pleasantly surprised ... and just happy that they were not holding up to what the typical high schooler is like nowadays -- stoners, with no classroom manners or respect, and could care less about why they are really in school.

So I left school around 3:20 p.m. and had a new voicemail. It was from the president of Wichita Festivals. She was calling me about a job I had applied for and wanted me to call her back about setting up an interview. YES!

I returned her phone call once I got home and I have an interview on Friday at 9 a.m. The other good job possibility is the director of biddy basketball for the Salvation Army-- Matt's good pal Ted has the hook-ups for me so I have already sent in my resume to the director and will be hearing from them next week!

I can only hope that the tide is turning (when it comes to the job front). I've been starting to become a major Debbie Downer and pessimist about it all... which is very uncharacteristic of me! So ... I beg of all of you who read this blog. Please cross your fingers for me! Ally needs job ASAP.

So this is why I think things are starting to look up .... but I will leave it as a question mark until further notice. :)

One week later...

2008-10-07T14:46:00.002-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my mom! She turns the big 5-1 today, but doesn't look a day over 38! :)

Mom, I wish I could reminisce about the day you were born, like you do when its my birthday, but instead, I will leave you with this:

On this day in 1957, Sputnik was launched into orbit (recall the 'Friends' episode where Ross dresses up as a potato spud and called himself 'Spudnik' - one of my all time favorites!).

On this day in 1963, the first prototype Learjet a mass produced business jet takes off in Wichita, Kansas on it's maiden test flight. (Hey, hey! Who knew your oldest daughter would end up living in this famous city!)

On this day in 1982 (only seven days after the birth of your first born): following it's success in London ( 1981 ) , The Musical "Cats" Opens at the Winter Garden Theatre On Broadway with Betty Buckley as Grizabella. The show runs for a total of 7,485 performances in New York ending it's run on September 10 2000. (What a day!)

On this day in 2001: Following the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon a U.S.-led coalition begins attacks on Taliban-controlled Afghanistan with an intense bombing campaign by American and British forces hoping to locate and destroy the terrorist Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaida organization. (WOW! I didn't even realize... )

On this day in 2003: the Governor of California Gray Davis becomes the second governor to be recalled ( mismanagement of the state budget ) in American history first was ( North Dakota's Lynn J. Frazier 1921 ). On November 17 after the recall election Republican Arnold A. Schwarzenegger is elected. (Also another historic day for our nation!)

So mom, if you are wondering if anything of real relevance ever happened on Oct. 7, you can see that you being born is 100 times more relevant than any of the other things that have occurred on your birthday (even the launching of 'Cats'!).

Happy Birthday!

Life is not fair...

2008-10-07T14:44:00.001-05:00

And I know, I know .... who ever said that life was fair? But I mean... COME ON! This guy left his girlfriend stuck to a toilet seat... and he wins $20,000! UNBELIEVABLE!

Boyfriend of woman stuck to toilet wins $20,000

GREAT BEND, Kan. - A Kansas man whose girlfriend was physically stuck to the toilet in their home wins $20,000 in the state Lottery - for the second time this year.

Kory McFarren of Ness City cashed in his winning $2 Bonus Crossword ticket in Great Bend Monday. On July 29, the 37-year-old McFarren received six months of probation after pleading no contest to misdemeanor mistreatment of a dependent adult.

McFarren called Ness County deputies in February to report that his girlfriend, Pam Babcock, had refused to come out of the bathroom for two years. Authorities found her stuck to the toilet.

Medical personnel estimated Babcock had been on the toilet for at least a month and said the seat had adhered to sores on her body. She was released from a Wichita hospital after several months of treatment.

They Say it's My Birthday .....

2008-09-30T16:59:00.002-05:00

Today I turn the big 2-6. Because I have turned another year older (none the wiser), I feel I should reminisce over the year-o-25 and the great happenings that occurred so I can move on and prepare for the year ahead!

Great Happenings in Allyson's Life (Sept. 30, 2007 - Sept. 30, 2008)

1) I got married! One of those things I always was hoping to check off on the "List of Life Accomplishments" and I finally did it! It was by far the best day of my life (followed by a tie for getting engaged and K-State beating OU in the Big 12 Championship game).

2) I got engaged! :) I'm still proud of Matt, to this day, that he was able to pull off something so big and so important without me knowing anything! I'm the nosiest and sneakiest person I know, too... :)

3) My family gained two more beautiful babies .... Luke Vincent Barnes graced the world with his presence on May 15 while Stella Rose Little arrived to a crowded room full of people on June 3. I love my huge family!

4) K-State beat KU in basketball at Bramlage after 24 years of losses at home ... My buddy Cliff was my partner in crime that night as we sped all over Tulsa trying to find a place to watch the game. We ended up at his place with his roommate ... they lived on the third floor and probably got turned in by their neighbors underneath them due to the extremely loud screams and the continuous jumping off of furniture on to the floor that I did that night after the win! :)

5) Matt and I made our first trip over the big pond for our honeymoon! We spent eight days in London and Paris ... and I recently watched "The Devil Wears Prada" and was actually really wanting to go back to Paris after watching it!

6) Matt spent his first Christmas with the Hills' clan in Sedan. He now knows why I'm a freak about Christmas and wasn't sure if he really wanted to go back to Illinois for Christmas ever again! :)

7) I got the heck out of Oklahoma (bad drivers, bad roads) and got back to Kansas!

8) I traveled ALOT ... women's basketball at ORU took me to many places I had never been (and most likely will never go back to): Boise, Idaho, Shreveport, Louisiana, Edinburg, Texas (hell), Fort Wayne, Indiana, Lubbock, Texas, etc. But I was very fortunate (though prior to actually going I was none too excited) to travel with the team to the NCAA National Tournament where they played the evenutal national champions, Tennessee. I was up close and personal with the best women's basketball coach ever, Pat Summit, and also was around some of the biggest jackasses in my business.

9) My good friend Jenny gave birth to beautiful Addison Taylor Cross on June 15 ... she is precious and the official mascot of the 320 house!

10) Aunt Sherron beat the sh*t out of cancer!

11) I met a lot of good people over the course of a year and that is something I will always treasure!

I will stop there though I know I have about 50 other things to list ... it's been a fantastic year and I was asked by my cousin how to top this year. She suggested having a baby ... I think for now, I will just continue to enjoy hers :) and enjoy being 26!

Life at NASCAR

2008-09-28T18:53:00.003-05:00

I spent the weekend in Manhattan with my family and friends, while Matthew went to the NASCAR race in Kansas City for work. Camping World, a company Matt works with, was hosting the race and gave a group of Coleman employees tickets.

Around noon today, Matt texts me to tell me that him and his boss, Tim, were going to be on the field, next to the main stage while they were introducing drivers and to watch for him. So... Lauren and I bunked up in front of the TV to watch ABC for Matt -- nothing! PS. It was boring!

Then on the way home, he texts me again to say that him and Tim were giving the winning driver the trophy on the main stage and to DVR it. Hmmm... OK. We'll see if he actually is on TV. Well .... he got some air time! He was on the screen for about 5 seconds!

In the pic, he's on the front row, looking cool in a NASCAR hat ...

How cool is he?! :)

Bad Blogger

2008-09-22T20:20:00.002-05:00

What you would think is that since I still don't have a full time job, that I would have all the time in the world to blog. Well, that's partly true. I do have ehh.... some time in the world to blog. The problem is I have NOTHING to blog about! You'd think my life was over after the wedding, but that is far from true!

For instance, our photographer just posted our pictures online ... all 1,303 of them! Holy cow! Yes, it's alot of pictures, but I'd take a million of that day! I'll settle for over a thousand though! (If you want to see our pics, go to www.siebsphoto.com - click on events - go to the second page and click on Hills/Clark - event password is allyson)

Let me come up with some things to talk about...

I have been on the job hunt ... I've been on the job hunt since July but I'm really hunkering down now since I don't have a fun-filled wedding to plan. The job at the top of my list is at Bradley Paper - it's a sweet paper store (I'm a huge nerd) in Wichita. The job description is questionable, meaning I'm not quite sure how many people they are hiring, what all I would be doing,etc. But I went in and talked to the owner and then took in some of my work samples today. He said he will call by Wednesday -- so everyone cross your fingers! I'm not getting my hopes up because I know better than, but.... we shall see!

Umm... right this second, Matt is passed out on the couch and has not felt good all day. I also was not feeling especially well today, but he is worried that he has flu-like symptoms. Ick!!! But because he wanted to make himself think he was OK, we went to Best Buy to get surround sound speakers (SUCH a guy thing because he asked me what I liked and the one I liked was the cute one - other than that, I do note care!) and he had to go out to the car and sit because he was feeling like crap. Guess who got to carry the surround sound out????!

This weekend is Jolly's bachelorette party which should be a grand time! There will be a great group of us there so I'm excited! This is also the Sigma Nu reunion weekend so my mom wants me, Jord and Lauren to meet alot of dad's buddies in college as well as her buddies. And to top that, we are celebrating Josh graduating from K-State! So it will be a packed, fun weekend!

Last but not least ... we are getting REAL TV Wednesday!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my gosh, we cannot wait! All channels, movie channels, AND all of the great shows start this week: Brothers and Sisters, Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy and next week, Private Practice. Life is good!

Have a good week before my birthday! :)

Raining Cats and Dogs

2008-09-12T12:06:00.004-05:00

You'd think that we were living on the coast of Texas right now ... The rain is ridiculous! I took Matt to the airport at 6:30 this morning and was lucky not to flood my car out on the way home.

I decided that since I had nothing to do at the house today, I would drive over to Matt's mom's to watch some TV, feed our dog, etc. Holy cow, the roads are crazy! They've closed some down already, but the areas around our house that are open fields are completely flooded and the water is up to the road.

Sure hope I can get home ...

If not though, atleast I have a place to stay and watch TV! :) I'll try and get pictures up later!

PS. Our photographer emailed me this morning and said our wedding photos would be up this weekend -- yay! I'll be sure to post the link to them when they are up!

It's here!

2008-09-10T14:20:00.003-05:00

The prequel from our wedding day has finally arrived! YAY! Click on the link below - it will take you to our videographer's blog, then scroll down to the blog post about our wedding and it will be under the post.

I have yet to watch it ... somehow I am holding in my inner demon and waiting until Matt gets home so we can watch it together (insert the 'Ahhhh....')!

http://fatcatrocks.blogspot.com/

Alright ... now only seven more months until the entire video is done (insert 'wah wah wahhhhhh....')!!

PS. My birthday is in 20 days -- the big 2-6! Has anyone been placing bets on how long it would take to bring up my birthday?!!! :)

No News...

2008-09-04T09:06:00.002-05:00

Well... it appears that after returning from our wonderful honeymoon, that my life has returned to its natural state of boredom! I do apologize for not posting Part 2 of The Honeymoon, I will get to that one soon!

But really... I have been doing nothing! I am going to start some part-time work for the YMCA this next week, but its nothing very demanding. My substitute teaching license is sitting in limbo right now and probably won't arrive until the middle of the month. And my husband continues to flip-flop on if I should get a full-time job or just sub all year long ... I love him dearly, but his constant changing of the mind or just happening to forget what he had originally said gets kind of old!

On the bright side, I get to go work a volleyball match this afternoon! WSU is hosting a tournament so I'm going to go do stats for a match today and then two on Saturday morning. Back to my realm ... it will be a nice change! I believe we are also off to Manhattan again this weekend for the football game. My uncle Blish is coming down from Minnesota with a buddy for it so I think we'll be making an appearance. If he wasn't going to be there, I'm not so sure I really want to go sit through another boring game! Forgive me, I love my alma mater and the football team. But Montana State? Seriously? Last week was brutal enough!

Anywho ... I hope you are all leading exciting lives. If you are, please write to me about them so I can live my life vicariously through you! :)

Couple of Things

2008-08-28T13:42:00.002-05:00

First off, I got my first lecture from my husband about money and how it does not grow on trees last night. That was real fun! And quite a shocker since I really did think that it grew on trees!

Secondly, I heard on the radio yesterday that Hanson will be in Wichita on Nov. 7!! Jenna, pack you and Josh a bag and come up that night. You and I will celebrate your birthday with a Hanson concert, while Josh and Matt can sit at home and drink and discuss how they are sad they couldn't go to the concert!

Lastly, why is it that Tulsa becomes cool AFTER I leave? I was just reading the Tulsa World newspaper online and saw that Janet Jackson will be performing at the new BOK center in October ... can you believe it?!

Promise to post part 2 of our honeymoon soon. This weekend we are off to Manhattan on Saturday for the football game and first tailgate of the year - I can't wait!

The Honeymoon: Part 1

2008-08-27T16:05:00.008-05:00

Foggy London Town - Days 1-3
(Written during the trip!)

It is Saturday afternoon in London and Matt and I are in the hotel - Matt is asleep (he takes LOTS of naps!) and I am typing up some blogs and writing in my journal. I would love to actually post this on my blog, but internet for a day in our hotel is $30 so Matt said no! This means I have been without internet for a week!

I do realize that you are suppose to relax on your honeymoon, but I would be able to relax alot more if I could look at pictures from the wedding and check my email! :) And since we have done anything but relax (yesterday was our first day of any kind of relaxation), I feel that internet access is not too much to ask for!

Don't get me wrong... this trip has been amazing! The top three moments in my life have all occurred in a week's time - 1) I got married! 2) I stood on the second level of the Eiffel Tower and 3) I actually got around Paris without knowing ANY of the language (at first when we got there, I was pretty sure we would be sitting in the train station all day long because we were clueless!!!).

We got to London around 10:30 pm Monday night (its a 6-hour time difference from here to home), went through customs and got to our hotel at midnight. We checked into our room and just laughed -- everything in London is small. The rooms, the bathrooms, the trash cans, the toilet paper... it was just entertaining! We decided if we could make it through eight days in a tiny room together, we could make it through anything!

Since we didn't go to bed until 2 am (and took some sleeping pills to actually get some sleep!), we didn't wake up until 10:30 am, which was not how we wanted to start our first day! We got up and around and out the door by noon and found a double-decker tour bus and hopped on. It took us all around London and was great because you could hop on and off as you pleased to visit the different sites. It was also great because it gave us a good idea of places we wanted to visit. We saw Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, the garden where they filmed parts of Notting Hill and the exact spot where a part of Mary Poppins was filmed (those are the things I enjoyed hearing about!), St. Paul's Cathedral where Princess Di and Prince Charles were married, and hopped off at the London Tower and took a boat cruise down the Thames River. From there, we could see the Globe Theatre, the Millenium Bridge (which you can see in Love Actually), and the school where Harry Potter (not Hogwarts) went to school! :)

Day two found us at St. Paul's Cathedral where we toured the inside - it was pretty incredible! This is the same place that Princess Di and Prince Charles got married so I felt pretty regal that day .... ha! There are three tiers to the church and you can take stairs up to one of the tiers of the dome and/or you can take the stairs ALL the way to the top (some 500+ steps), which Matt did. I did not... I sat on the second level and waited for him! It actually took him outside of the dome, way up high and he got some great pictures!

After our tour, we walked back out and grabbed lunch (more Italian food for moi!) and then walked across the Millenium Bridge to a museum - we lasted about 5 minutes before we were bored and left! :) Even though we were in London, a very historical and old city, I still could not get into the museum thing... sue me! We hopped on the tube, after yet another hike, to Westminster Abbey, where we were going to try to go to mass. Unfortunately, the only service that was left on the docket that day was not a real service... and had no music, which was the reason I wanted to go in! So... more hiking came and eventually we ended back up at the hotel. Abby had gotten us tickets to Spamelot as our wedding gift, so we changed and went down to Leicester (pronounced Lester, which really annoyed me) Square to eat and go to the show. It was hysterical! It was such a good choice, Abs! :)

Part two of 'The Honeymoon' will include our trip to Paris, our only days of relaxation and Matt's new found love for the word' Cheers!' - he said it to EVERYONE! :)

Pic 1: On the plane at 5:30 a.m. to embark on our honeymoon!
Pic 2: Our small room in London!
Pic 3: The ads promoting the London Olympics in 2012
Pic 4: Harry Potter's school
Pic 5: Us on Millenium Bridge
Pic 6: Big Ben!
Pic 7: Matt and I getting our drinks in before Spamelot
Pic 8: Our seats at Spamelot - I was almost scared to look down! :)

Wedding Day Adventure

2008-08-25T21:46:00.003-05:00

Two weeks! Two weeks since I last posted... I must point out that this was not because I didn't WANT to blog, but there was no time during week one and during week two, I had no internet in London (which was my version of hell - no lie!).

So first off... I am a married woman! Just call me Allyson Clark! Woohoo! The wedding weekend was more than amazing... it went off without a hitch (only a few small pauses along the way, but nothing that couldn't be fixed).

I only wish I could relive the entire day again and go back to talk to people I missed at the reception - that is my biggest regret! The night went by SO fast that I missed talking to family that came from far away, friends that came from far away, etc.

I send a huge shout out to my wonderful, wonderful, wonderful bridesmaids who kept me calm all day long (I shed NO tears the entire day, can you believe it?!! I still can't!), but looked awesome in their cute brown dresses! Thanks to my wonderful family for traveling from various places across the country to spend the weekend in Kansas - I am so lucky to have you all in my life! And also major thanks to all of our wonderful friends that came from all over (or basically Kansas City!) for the wedding - I keep saying that we needed like two separate receptions - one for family, one for friends. That way, we could see and talk to everyone!

But the day was wonderful. I have so many pictures to go through from facebook, from my cousin aka Photographer for the weekend Megan Little ( I just love you so much!). Our videographer also posted about our wedding on their blog (www.fatcatrocks.com - click on 'Blog'!). They will have a four-minute prequel up in a few weeks about the wedding. They were also wonderful, as was our photographer, and our DJ who kicked ass - I just can't say enough great things about everyone!

And last but not least... thank you to my groom! He was so calm and at ease that day, I wasn't sure if it was really Matt! But what a hunk in his tux, right?! :)

So for now, I will stop and just say that I love you all.... thank you for helping make August 16 the best day of our lives!

More pics to come... as well as a post about the trip to Foggy London Town!

The Week Of...

2008-08-10T16:53:00.005-05:00

I am again at Panera... probably for the third or fourth time this week, but this time, I am accompanied by my handsome fiance, who is sitting across from me actually doing work work, unaware that I am typing on my blog about him (I don't really think he knows my blog really exists!).

Some good news came yesterday when Matt got us signed up for TV and internet --- Alleluiah and Amen! And we're getting all for only $11 a month - Matt is a finagler so I'm glad that he was the one to go and get it set up. I am officially out of the stone age on Wednesday and I can't wait! I will be coming to you from the comforts of my home again after the honeymoon ...

Speaking of honeymoon, that begins in a week and a day, but first comes my wedding which is in six days, which is preceded by my rehearsal dinner and bridesmaids luncheon in five days and a BBQ/Ice cream social in four days. Wow. It's all really here! I think now is the time to explain my giddyness for the upcoming weekend:

I am very giddy! :) I've been dreaming of this time in my life since I fell in love with my favorite movie 'Father of the Bride' -- which is the reason I am having a string quartet at the ceremony! (If only I could get them to play the quiet background music during the vows like they do in the movie... ) I think I just got very lucky that my 'Brian McKenzie' just happens to be my best friend.

Matt and I have been through alot in our seven years and seven months (to the date on our wedding day!)... many people get big eyes and drop the jaw when we say how long we have been together. Most days, it doesn't seem like it has been that long (but obviously, there are those days when it seems like 35 years!).

Sometimes I love to sit and daydream about our past (I have alot of time on my hands!) -- there was the time when we were forced to become friends in high school when we were placed in the same reading period, which later wasn't so forced... There was the semester that we were in Spanish class together and I despised him because he was such a smart ass and quite the charmer (just had to shine his pearly whites at anyone and most would drop!)... There was the day that he graduated high school and I wasn't sure how to exist without him (and a few special other people!) in my life... Then came the day when my pal Dusty and I visited him and Beckley in Wichita my senior year, which is when I realized that he could be more than a friend... Then there was the night that he was a home and a group of us went to see a movie in Bartlesville -- we talked the entire night, had the 'butterfly touches' (you know, those touches that are not suppose to mean much, but leave butterflies in your stomach!), and realized on the car ride home that something was happening ... and wondered what we were to tell Michael (Matt's brother -- who was also my good pal!).

Since then, we have stumbled and gotten back up. We have laughed until our stomachs hurt and cried until there were no more tears. Somedays, I just want to hug him and never let him go, other days he drives me crazy (he is a man!)... but the way that I know that we were meant for each other is this look that I get from him -- today at church, we were stuck in the VERY, VERY, VERY back of the church in seats that had to be brought in for us (we weren't even late, but seriously there were about 500 people at church!). I was just sitting there, going over everything that is happening this week and slightly stressing, when he taps me. I can feel him staring at me and I look up at him -- he is grinning (damn those blue eyes and that perfect smile!) and says, "We'll be married in six days!" Though I usually remind him daily about how many days until the 'Big Day', I hadn't reminded him today that in less than a week, we'll be a family.

All it took was the look and the smile... I guess that is all it has ever really took!

Nine Days..

2008-08-07T10:56:00.003-05:00

Weird.

I cannot believe that our wedding is so close -- people keep reminding me of how close it is and I just am in shock! I keep thinking about next weekend and how I will be feeling... right now, it just seems as though it's all a bit unreal. I've been planning for nine months now and everything will finally come together in one day.

Though our lives haven't changed yet...

Matt is having major work stress (its lovely that the man is doing about three different jobs when he should be doing only one!) and will be traveling the week of our wedding. How brutal is that? I feel bad for him because I know how much he just wants to enjoy all of next week, but he will barely have time to! Boo to Coleman!

Anywho... a week from today the fun begins with all of my family getting into town and a few of my buddies. But before all of that can happen, we get to move Lauren into Kappa on Monday - not gonna lie, I'm super excited! I haven't been back to the house since I left my senior year... I'm excited for the smell. You know, the Kappa smell! :)

So, here's to hoping that everything goes smoothly from here on out.... I'm crossing fingers and toes!

Not a Fan...

2008-08-04T15:34:00.002-05:00

When I first moved into the house, I was able to steal internet from someone in the neighborhood - it was glorious because I can live without TV, but I can't live without the internet or my e-mail.

So after I returned from my weekend in Austin, I found that I could no longer steal the internet!!! I kept trying (and keep trying), but nothing... This means that I either have to try and get to the east side to Matt's mom's to get on the internet (15 minute drive) or go to Panera, buy a drink and sit for a few hours and try to get caught up on everything, which is what I am doing now.

I am not a fan of this... I don't enjoy having to leave the comforts of my own home for my obsession. I don't like that I have to pay $1.99 just for the internet! And now is the time the internet is super important - emails from vendors about the wedding, facebook status game, etc.

I digress...

I made it to Lincoln this past weekend for Melissa Kletchka's (Kappa sister) wedding reception. I would love to post pictures... but since I let Matthew take the camera with him to Lincoln, I have not yet been able to take it back from him yet! She looked beautiful and as always, it was great to hang out with my friends!

Now, we are less than two weeks away from my own wedding. Most things are done, I just have a small list of small tasks left (most include the purchasing of gifts). I'm very ready and at this point, don't even care about the things that haven't been done. If they aren't here on my wedding day, oh well!

So one week and five days... maybe I'll get internet in between now and then and be able to post up to the day (which I would so do!). I'm just crossing my fingers that Matt keeps his promise and gets my internet and basic cable set up before I lose my mind!!!!

A Weekend at the Lake

2008-07-28T21:40:00.012-05:00

>

The trip began around 1:45 pm on Friday afternoon. We had already started with a little drama because my dear father decided he wanted to take his truck on a nine-hour trek to Texas, rather than take the comfy Envoy.

This did not put him in any sort of distress because him and my mom would be the ones that had the nice leg room and seats that reclined in the front, while my poor sister and I were cramped in the back seats, trying to find a way to make it nine hours in a backseat the size of an ottoman.

About five minutes into the trip, we were all yelling at each other (yelling in a very funny way, not really a mad yell!), mainly because my dad drives at the pace of a turtle! And when you have a super long ride ahead of you, you want someone behind the wheel that wants to put the pedal to the metal!

The ride went pretty smoothly once we were 10 minutes away from Sedan (except my mom forgot the directions to the lakehouse in Austin - only a slight importance!) and 10 hours later, we walked into my aunt and uncle's lakehouse.

When we arrived, the only ones up were Meg, aunt Sherron and beautiful baby Stella! But then out came Seth and uncle Steve and cutie patootie baby luke was asleep in his crib in the family room. (Sidenote: Luke can sleep through anything! Its like he knew what kind of family he was being born into and came out with earplugs!)My mom immediately took over Stella, while the rest of us unpacked the car (surprise, surprise!).

The rest of the weekend was spent holding babies, being entertained by my 2-year-old cousin Annie (she loves to dance so friends, we will definitely have to bring out the dance party at my wedding for her!), holding babies, swimming, feeding babies, wakeboarding, breaking the boat, watching others change babies, and eating and drinking (and holding babies).

The 2-year-old and under crowd (and their parents!) left by Sunday evening, which left the 50-year-old and older crowd (plus Lauren and I) at the lake... it got alot more quiet, but it was definitely not a bore as my uncle Steve is a great story teller. Our dinner on Monday night consisted of listening to him and aunt Sherron talk about their kids - Seth and his challenge with directions; Meg and her challenge with keeping her cars in tact! :) God love em' both!

I know I say this quite alot, but I don't think it can ever really be said enough: I am the luckiest gal in the world. Not many people in this world have the type of relationship that my family (immediate and extended) has together. A laugh, a smile and a hug are always right around the corner when we're all together and many times I sit around and think that life can't get much better than this! I can't wait for Matt to become a legal part of this clan and someday, have and raise kids to be as happy and loving as my cousins are!

We take off tomorrow morning and then I'm back to Wichita tomorrow night - Matt just got back from his bachelor party in Vegas this afternoon, but takes off for a work trip on Wednesday. He had a good time on his trip... but I was very disappointed in the lack of text messages and voicemails declaring his undying love and devotion to me! All I got from him was "This club is tight...". Who cares! I want to know that you can't to marry me! :)

This weekend I'm off to Lincoln for my final wedding of the summer before my own - I love five-hour car rides by myself! Matt is staying back to work on the house... one can only hope that he has a fence put up, weeds pulled, the landscaping looking pristine and dinner cooked for me when I get home.

I think I might be asking for too much... :)

Picture 1: Annie sharing her friends, Plum and Blue Dog, with Stella - see her?!
Picture 2: The precious crew - Stella, Luke and Annie!
Picture 3: Me feeding Stella Rose!
Picture 4: Me attempting wakeboarding!
Picture 5: Lauren, Nate, Meg, Dad, Mom, Me and uncle Steve, in Luckenbach, Texas

Surprise, Surprise

2008-07-25T08:57:00.003-05:00

And I ask... why, again, do I love this show???

Latest Bachelor Returns to, Well, Bachelorhood
By Natalie Finn
Thu Jul 24, 1:46 PM PDT

We...are...shocked!

Former Bachelor Matt Grant and the recipient of his most important rose, actress Shayne Lamas, have broken off their engagement after publicly pretending that they were meant to be for two whole months, People reports.

"We tried hard to make it work but we realized that we were both heading in different directions," the duo said in a statement. "We truly care about each other and will remain close friends."

The pair had been plagued by reports of trouble in paradise ever since Grant chose Lamas over Chelsea Wanstrath on the season finale of The Bachelor's 12th season, but each continued to deny that the fact that they were no longer living together or that they were never seen in the same place meant that they weren't still planning to tie the knot.

"This stuff makes us stronger," Grant, 27, said last month.

No word yet on whether Lamas, 22, returned the 2.85-carat sparkler her British beau used to seal the deal in May.

Anyway, that makes 10 out of 11 Bachelors (not including the not-ready-for-a-relationship Brad Womack) who have opted out of the matches they made during their stints on the ABC series.

What to do...

2008-07-22T22:25:00.003-05:00

I am asked quite frequently where Matt and I will be going for our honeymoon. Upon my response (of London), the next question that follows is "what do you have planned when you are there?". I wish that I had all of the correct answers for this question, but usually my response is, "Well, I'm not quite sure."

Though it's not completely true, I am still a bit unsure of what we will be doing, which I am OK with. I know that our first order of business will be to hop on a double-decker tour bus to kind of figure out our surroundings! We will for sure take in a show and we will be making a train trip to Paris for a day-trip.

Other than that, we are up in the air! So, if you have any suggestions, we'd love to hear them!

On another note, I think I'm in a rut. When I moved to Wichita almost a month ago, I was very gung-ho about getting things done. A month later, I've gotten alot done, but don't have alot of motivation to do anything else. I stare at my wedding programs every day, knowing that I need to work on them, but that's about as far as I get -- other than thinking to myself, "I'll work on those tomorrow."

I'm hoping that this rut ends soon... I mean, I realize I have a wedding coming up soon (can I just say that I wish the day was here already!) but I have a very small list of things to get done... which includes finishing the programs!

Anywho, I'm off to Austin this weekend with my mom, sister and dad (Jord will be in Vegas celebrating Matt's bachelorness!) to visit my family and beautiful baby cousins! I can't wait!

Maybe when I get back next Tuesday, the rut will be over...

One can only hope!

My Bachelorette Party...

2008-07-21T10:50:00.009-05:00

was pretty fantastic! If I could describe it in just one word, I would say that word would be 'me'. I have never been one to jump at the chance to go to the bars or be the one to get totally plastered, so this weekend was right up my alley (no pun intended)!

First, I must give major kudo's to Jenna and Nicole for planning this great weekend. The Doty's lake house was wonderful as well as their boat that we spent much of Saturday on!

We arrived the lake house on Friday evening and the first thing we see is an unsightly and LARGE picture of me in the window - this was suppose to be the clue to all that this was the Doty's lake house! Scary! The rest of the crew arrived shortly after us and after getting situated and a brief tour, we immediately busted out the brew and began a fun night of games... or basically Allyson telling embarrassing stories about her and Matt.

We were interrupted by some visitors a few different times - first visitor was Paul Buck (please see above picture). He was as close to a stripper as we got all weekend! :) The second visitor was his father and one of his buddies... let's just say, "Like father, like son!" By 1:30 a.m., we were all a bit tired and were just drunk enough to hit the hay.

Everyone was up pretty early on Saturday morning. A handful of girls went out on the boat early to ski and wakeboard while the rest of us hung back at the pool. Chelsi was the last of the party crew to arrive that morning, and after the boaters returned and grabbed some lunch, we all jumped back on the boat with our skipper for afternoon - the lovely Trey Doty - and found a nice little cove where we parked and stayed the entire afternoon!

I must say that I did many things on this trip that I have never done before -- the first was to bong a beer... the second was to bong a beer via a noodle (see above picture). It was ... interesting to say the least. And though I know it is not something to brag about, I will brag that my 25-year-OLD self defeated my 19-year-old sister, who is in college and probably does this regularly! She couldn't hack it when it came to bonging against her sibling! :)

After three hours and many deep discussions about who knows what, we trekked back to the Doty's to drop off some girls to start getting ready for the evening part of our party. Though I was tired and in desperate need of a shower, I decided to stay on the boat... and then decided I would make an attempt at wakeboarding.

I have tried to ski in the past and usually after about 10 attempts of trying to get up on the ski's, I throw in the towel and call it a day. But not this time. I'd say it took me about six attempts to get up on the wakeboard... and once I did, I screamed -- partially because I had no idea what to do next and partially because I couldn't believe I had actually gotten up! I made myself get up twice before ending my run and I had to say I was pretty proud of my self! I must thank all of the boat riders that had to sit through the agony of waiting for me to get up, but also thanks for the encouragement! They all might have been more excited about me getting up on the wakeboard than I was! :) (Sidenote: my body is in complete agony STILL two days after wakeboarding - I think I used muscles I never knew existed!)

We finally made it back to land around 6:45, quickly took showers and were back on the road to eat dinner in Shell Knob. We closed the restaurant down (surprise, surprise!) and headed back to the lake house to open gifts. Can I just say that my plan of always buying my friends comfy PJs for their bachelorette parties in hopes that they would return the favor some day really worked! I received only one piece of langerie and many sets of boxers and T's... woohoo! :) We had a fun time opening up everything and then, though we were all exhausted, a dance party ensued.

As you can see from the above pictures, my back was really starting to kill me (all from wakeboarding!) so I look like a 95-year-old woman trying to hold my back, hold my beer and dance all at the same time! :) Somehow we lasted until 1 a.m. but decided to throw in the towel and hit the sack.

Everyone was back on the road by noon on Sunday, but not before a group photo in front of the house with our lovely t-shirts that Jenna had made specially for the weekend!

It was a pretty wonderful bachelorette party and I wouldn't have had it any other way! Though we were missing a few of my fabulous friends, I am so appreciative of everyone that made the trek to Table Rock for the weekend -- I am lucky to have such great people in my life that took time out of their busy schedules to spend a weekend celebrating my bacheloretteness!

This weekend, Matt and company travel to Vegas for his bachelor party. I told him yesterday that it will really hit him this weekend that we are getting married... and getting married soon! He's pretty excited, as he should be! I will be hitting the lake in Austin, Texas and visiting my family! I can't wait!

Here's to all the bachelorettes and former bachelorettes... Drink a beer in honor of your single life! :)

PS. More pics to come...

Presh...

2008-07-16T20:39:00.006-05:00

Two posts in one day, I know... crazy! But I had to post new pictures of my beautiful babies! I get to see Stella, Luke & Annie next weekend (I heard they are all super excited to see me !) and get to see Addison in less than a month! I can't wait!

Picture 1: Luke & Annie
Picture 2: Addison
Picture 3: Stella

One Month from Today...

2008-07-16T20:20:00.003-05:00

I'll be Mrs. Allyson Clark ... and I'll have to say it without laughing afterwards!

But isn't that strange? You go 25 years having the same name and within an hour, you have a different last name.

I was definitely in 'crying my eyes out' mode on the ride home from Sedan to Wichita today thinking about this (this is why I enjoy car rides by myself -- I could never have hysterical crying fits with someone else in the car!)! And I wasn't crying my eyes out because I'm not happy or not proud about being a Clark -- its a pretty great family and I'm very excited to be apart of it!

It just seems a bit surreal to me. And I guess a bit scary.

I have loved being Allyson Jane Hills. I mean, I can't really see myself with any other name -- my parents had pondered Amber. My uncle Blish said he'd pay for my college education if my parents named me Blish (poor guy didn't want to be a loner the rest of his life!). But they stuck me with Allyson - and only with a 'y' because my dad spelled it wrong on the birth certificate. Go figure! :)

Since my freshman year in college, my nickname became my last name -- it started with Matt's basketball teammates not understanding that there was an 's' at the end of my name. To try to get it through their very thick skulls that it was "Hills", I told them it was 'Hills... like with a z at the end." So I was "Hills with a Z" for awhile... Then Matt started calling me Hills. Then the rest of his buddies started calling me Hills. Then my friends started calling me Hills. It's just kind of stuck...

I think the biggest thing with me is that I hate change. I like things the way they are and really try to keep them the same as possible at all costs. The name change is a pretty drastic leap, though! When my cousin-in-law (heard of that one before?!) got married to my cousin Seth, she went from a Jozwiak to a Barnes... that's quite a change! Rumor has it the first time she had to sign her name Barnes, she cried. Though I find being a Barnes a pretty delightful thought, I completely understand where she is coming from now!

A name is just a name. It does not define who you are, this I know. But I will always be a Hills... And hope that, if anything, my nickname doesn't change!

Wedding No. 2 and Shower No. 3

2008-07-14T11:50:00.003-05:00

This weekend was little Lenny's turn to get married! Matt and I treked up to KC on Saturday afternoon, dumped our stuff at our landlords (Steph and Aaron) house and went on to the wedding. It was a beautiful church and a beautiful ceremony!

Lenny looked absolutely stunning as did the entire bridal party (P's hair was awesome - pictures to come!). Her colors were black, white and a very pretty green color. Her flowers were beautiful green hydrangeas - I loved them!

After the wedding, we made a stop at Steph's for me to pick up the wedding gift, which I left sitting on top of the car. I got back in to Steph's house, realized what I had done and ran back out to get it. We then were leaving for the reception and I realized I had left the gift sitting in Steph's house. Went back to get it... then we finally get to the reception. We get almost inside when I realized I had left the gift in the car. I was almost slapped by 3 different people... and ready to get that gift out of my hands! :)

The reception was at the Webster House, a very cool, old two-story building that is now an antique shop with a restaurant upstairs. The rooms are split up upstairs so the party overtook the entire second story! We all congregated in one of the rooms and had two big tables -- someone later pointed out that it was a 320 table and a Houston table and that we ALWAYS do that! I guess we'll never get away from it either!

We all really had a good time though... one of my favorite parts of the night was when we went to sing to Lenny. While we were waiting on two other girls, Lenny says that we should sing "Little Girl"! Holy cow! First, its hysterical that she asked. Secondly, its hysterical that we did it. And thirdly, its hysterical that we REMEMBERED it! I mean, how could we not since we probably sang it more than 100 times in four years! But still... it was a very special moment when we finished and were so proud of ourselves! :)

After the DJ said the party was over and everyone had left, Lenny's dad comes to the back and asks us if we all need rides... which is when we realized that we were the only ones left and still just chatting away! Oops... So off we went to the Power and Light District, my first time! I really liked it! Until I woke up Sunday and felt like complete ass. That was fun.

Which leads me to my last wedding shower. It was at Beverly Aiken's house -- there were about 8 of us and we had a good time! Good food, a game that I almost won, and gifts (and money!). Plus we got to look at pictures of Edwin (PS. Congrats on your engagement!) from birth to now. :)

Anywho, we are off to my bachelorette party at Table Rock this weekend, which is followed by a weekend in Austin with Stella and Luke (and Seth, Michelle, Nate and Mg!).

I.

Can't.

Wait!!!

WTF

2008-07-08T09:35:00.003-05:00

I give up.

I really do.

I devote hours (three just last night) to this show and it basically sucker punches me every season.

Last night on the finale of The Bachelorette, the entire show, everyone gushed over Jason and how he was the one that Deanna should choose. He is more her type. He is already a great father. He made her feel safe. She took him to swim with SHARKS for goodness sakes (that should have been my tipping off point!).

But no.. in the end, she picks the 'other guy'. Don't get me wrong, the 'other guy' is a great guy, but NOT the one I tuned in every week to watch. And most of the time, not the one that DeAnna was exclaiming about.

They always throw a curve ball at you in the end. Always. Every season. I basically knew that because they were talking such great thing about Jason that he wasn't going to get picked because that's what they do -- they think they are throwing us off by doing that.

NEWSFLASH ABC: You aren't! We get it! We get that you like the element of surprise, but I'm thinking your element of surprise is now bullshit.

So... though I'm not sure I can handle it, I am wanting to boycott the next edition of this show that I have not NOT watched since Trista and Ryan. I understand that my one boycott will not do anything, but maybe it will give me time to cool my jets! :)

PS. Getting married in 38 days. Woah.

My Addiction

2008-07-02T13:32:00.004-05:00

It started way back when I was wee one at Kappa. I didn't watch the very first one, but I have been a devoted fan since then.

Yes, people. I am talking about The Bachelor and The Bachelorette.

I do believe that part of my love for this show is that it was a weekly ritual with my Kappa sisters that we would all meet in one room in the house, everyone would cozy up for one great hour of bonding... and staring at beautiful men aka Ryan on The Bachelorette (Trista and Ryan).

Ever since then, I have made it a priority to sit down and watch the show with every new season. After every season, I declare that it was good, but not as good as Trista and Ryan.

But this season, I do believe, comes in at possibly a tie with Trista and Ryan.

I could not stand DeAnna when she was on The Bachelor two season ago -- she was a bit rude and just rubbed me the wrong way.

It is a different story now... I think I like her because I truly believe that she is just being herself on the show. She was on once before, got dumped by dumb Brad, and is really wanting to fall in love. And yes, I am one of those that believes that it can happen!

My favorite guy, Jason, is still in the running -- the finale is next Monday and I have a feeling I will be at Patty Clark's watching (unless we miraculously get TV by then, but I doubt it).

I hate to admit this but I have been checking the message boards on the ABC website alot lately... I am dying to know if anyone knows what happens BEFORE the show airs. Yes, I'm one of those... I would search through our entire basement as a child to look for Christmas presents, I check my registries online to see what I have gotten, and I want to know if DeAnna picks Jason - sue me! :)

Anywho, if you are bored on Monday nights at 8 pm, tune in. It'll be a doozy, I promise!

Moving Blows

2008-06-30T11:30:00.002-05:00

Please let me explain why.

First off, I was suppose to be at a Kappa's wedding in Kansas City, but decided to pull a "bad friend move" and not go due to moving on Saturday, the 500 mile drive to and from Tulsa to KC as well as another 200 mile drive to Wichita with a loaded down car, plus gas is RIDICULOUS (though I'm a bit glad I didn't go or I would not have been able to see the beautiful Stephanie Siders take 320 pictures all by her lonesome -- excuse me, I mean with her and fake Addison!).

The plan was to have Matt drive down Friday, get up early Saturday, load up his car, my mom would be to Tulsa by 11, we would load her car and Lauren's car, and my dad would roll into town by 1 to load the trailer. What a phenomenal plan, right?

Well, yes, its a great plan... when none of it involves my family!

I love these people more than anything on the planet, but sometimes they drive me bonkers.

So instead of going with the first brilliant plan, a new plan was concocted (not by me) and this is how it went:

1) Matt arrives in Tulsa Friday night - check!
2) Get up early and load Matt's car, finish by 10 a.m. - check!
3) Wait two hours until mom and Lauren show up WITHOUT Lauren's car (NOT on original plan - this one got me fuming, but...) - check!
4) Matt and mom immediately load wood chest into back of Envoy, mom pulls something in her back, can not bend down the rest of the day (also not in the original plan, but....) - check!
5) Load Envoy with as much as can be stuffed in - check!
6) Matt calls UHaul to see how late they are open and to see if they have any trailers available because I'm FOR SURE that there is no way possible all of my stuff will fit in the trailer and the vehicles since Lauren didn't bring her car (also not on original plan, but ... ) - check!
7) Sit and wait ANOTHER two hours for my dad to arrive with the trailer (at one point, we called to check on him, he said he was by the airport - I guess we should have asked which one because it is less than 15 minutes from the Tulsa airport to my apartment - and an hour later, he shows up. I'm still thinking he stopped off at the mall to shop! But... ) - check!
8) Dad arrives around 2:30 pm, we load the trailer and the back of his truck with anything and everything we can stuff in it and miraculously, we got everything in (just barely, might I add!) - check!
9) I had to stuff my wedding dress in the back of my overly full and HOT car... I almost cried. Definitely not in the original plan, but... check!

We finally got the heck out of Tulsa around 5:30 that evening, rolled in to Wichita about 8:30. Patty had dinner ready for us at the house, so we ate, and then unloaded. Unloading is so much easier than loading... until everyone leaves and you look at all the stuff you have to go through! And we still have wedding shower gifts at Patty's to bring... plus wedding gifts from the actual wedding. This should be interesting!

Two days later, I have the kitchen pretty much the way I want it, the living room is... well, it has couches and the TV set up. The rest of the house is a mess and I don't even want to touch it! I might just move a bed into the kitchen since it looks pretty and just not deal with everything else!

PS. On the way back to Wichita from Tulsa, Matt called to ask me something and said, "It just now is hitting me that you're moving back to Wichita and WHY you're moving back to Wichita." Sounds funny, but it really didn't hit me until then either... Seven weeks. Crazy.

I'm Outta Here...

2008-06-27T09:40:00.004-05:00

Today is officially my last day at ORU. Here are some things I'd like everyone to know about this place:

1) It's not too bad a place, if you can avoid chapel, Oral, Richard, strange ORU kids. OK... so basically if I just stayed in my little cubby hole office all year long, it's not too bad!

2) When I was looking for a job last year, I wanted to go somewhere where the people I worked with were great. I lucked out because the people in the athletic department are just that! I will be sad to leave them!

3) Though Richard McCutchen will not be attending my wedding and Cliff will be attending my wedding (no grudge, Richie!), they are my favorite people from here. I would not have survived an entire year without them!

4) If you dig a little deep, you can find students that don't want to preach down your throat or explain to you that God told them to come to ORU (not that this is bad, but its not what you want to hear the first time you meet someone). We were lucky to have some great student help in our office this year -- I thoroughly enjoyed all of them and they made me feel all of 20-years-old again!

5) I must give a shout out to Jenny Hardin and Janae Voelker (Nae was the only Kansas girl on the basketball team this year so we had that bond!). They definitely reached out to the lonely, nerdy SID this year and made it a bit more comfortable to be apart of the team. Though I wasn't the biggest fan of traveling for five-straight months, they made it a bit more worth while. And because of them, I got some nice TV time at the NCAA Tournament, got to be in the presence of the greatest women's basketball coach to ever walk to hardwood (Pat Summitt) and allowed me to get two free pairs of tennis-shoes and some nice gear!

6) People at ORU cannot drive. Obviously since they are in the state of Oklahoma, that should have been a given. But I really don't think that anyone on this campus was forced to go to driver's ed when they were younger. I have literally had people pull out in front of me five different times, while they are driving five miles-per-hour --- and then they wave to me! I wave back, but its not with a nice gesture!

All in all, I will miss the people here. I will miss the girls. I will miss the coaches. But that is it. They made this place bearable for me all year, so thanks!

Now, its time to start a new chapter in my life. When I move back to Wichita this weekend, this will be the first time in me and Matt's relationship that we will be living in the same town and be in the same place at the same time permanently (by permanently, I mean that we will always be in the same place now - not that we will be in Wichita permanently).

It's exciting, a bit strange, and something I can't wait for! Our wedding is less than 50 days away... I was thinking about it this morning and as it gets closer and closer, I find myself thinking of the moment that Father calls us husband and wife - my fear is that he'll forget our names!

Cool site

2008-06-24T16:29:00.004-05:00

I have become addicted to kenziekate.blogspot.com. It's a fun blog that has all kinds of wedding ideas, but really is for anyone -- even those that are not getting married!

Because of the Kenzie Kate blog, I have been exposed to Etsy (www.etsy.com), a site that has anything and everything related to the word 'cute' that you could ever need!

Yesterday, I typed in 'pillow covers' ... oh my gosh, they had a million and they were all so stinkin' cute! And it's all VERY reasonably priced.

So... when you're bored, browse the site. You'll find about 30 things you want, I promise.

Painting, Painting and Painting... Oh my!

2008-06-23T11:44:00.003-05:00

My first free weekend in ... a very long time ... was spent in Wichita at 'our house' (I put quotes around that because I still tend to call it Matt's house and feel strange calling it 'our house' ... DAMN, there are the quotes again. They almost magically appear!). Our goal for the weekend was to get all of the painting and cleaning done that would be needed for me to move in next weekend and feel OK about it.

When I say feeling OK about it, that means that I have a certain standard to which a room that I will be living/bathing in must bet met. Before I have moved into any past apartment or house, I have went in and cleaned each room from top to bottom. I don't like thinking that I am living in someone else's filth!

It should be even more understandable to all when ryou ealize that I'm moving into a house that, two years ago, was brand new, but since then, has had three males and three dogs living in it. So yes, I knew what I was getting myself into because I know what boys think cleaning is. It usually involves two words: wet rag.

Example: there is a spill on the floor -- I'll wipe that down with a wet rag. The windows are disgusting -- I'll wipe that down with a wet rag. There is dog hair in every crevice in this entire house -- I'll get that with a wet rag.

What they don't understand is though a wet rag might remove the spill or dirt, it only dampens dog hair and DOES NOT remove germs. Gross... this sickens me now just thinking about it.

Long story short, we got the entire house painted! Matt was really wanting to do some kind of faux finish to our bedroom and the guest bathroom (I'm a simpleton and like no faux anything... but decided this is something I would not battle him about and let him do what he wanted!). Our bedroom looks great... he just did some different brush strokes to it so its nothing that I can't handle! He sponged the entire guest bathroom... and realized he didn't like it so just went and repainted (thank goodness!).

I went in and cleaned all of the baseboards (otherwise known as dog hair heaven) without throwing up (props to me) and started cleaning the cabinets and sink in the master bathroom. I told Matt that I would pay to have a cleaning service come in and clean the tubs, showers and refrigerator (because that's a whole other story!) and he said that he would go and clean that stuff. I replied with, "Not to be a butthead, but I don't want you to say you're going to go clean it, take a wet rag to it, and really think that you've cleaned it and tell ME that you really have cleaned it." He said he would REALLY clean it... so we'll see. I'm grossed out just thinking about it!

Anywho, this weekend is the big move. I have no words to explain how happy I am to be moving back to Wichita ... maybe its just that I'm so excited to get the heck out of Oklahoma (Erin - this is in no reference to you!). Either way, I can't wait! Next up: finding a job and getting married.

Piece of cake, right?!

Luke, Stella, Annie Time ( to the tune of 'Peanut Butter Jelly Time')

2008-06-18T19:07:00.012-05:00

Here is your daily dose of Stella and Luke, with a side of Annie (and Meg!). I will now be spending my paycheck buying photos of this crew via Shutterfly -- screw buying stuff for the wedding!

Recap of Wedding No. 1

2008-06-16T16:19:00.016-05:00

The weekend began early for Matt and I as we drove up to KC Friday afternoon for Brett and Emily's wedding weekend. I was reading in the wedding so I met up with all of the girls at the church. First off, I must say how much I miss my friends! Though I always feel a bit guilty, I usually drop Matt the second I see them and could sit around and talk to them for hours since it is rare for me to see them!

Luckily, everyone and their dog is getting married this summer so NOT seeing them will not be an issue for the next few months!

After the rehearsal, it was off to the dinner and the 'After Party' as I now call it at Harpo's where we met up with Abby and Gabe. Again I say, it can never be bad night when you're hanging with Abs! She was at the top of her game that night (she really seems to enjoy herself pre-wedding day!) and I enjoyed her mini waves, her talks about her dog, and sitting on Captain Morgan's lap.

As usual, I had a track story to write... and I finally got to it at around 1 a.m. I had the pleasure of riding back to Steph and Aaron's with the groom-to-be, his brother, and Meg. Brett was good to go (and Matt repeatedly told me that Brett was his hero and if he could stay out that late on the eve of our wedding!), but Brett's brother, Jeff, was another story -- we were all packed in Steph's car so Jeff had to crawl into a bawl and sit in the WAY back -- though as you can tell from the picture, he did not mind! :)

Saturday morning came and I was off to the church by 1. I'm glad Abby and I showed up then because it was right before P started to get dressed. She looked absolutely stunning... it's amazing what picking the perfect wedding dress does to a person! She has the perfect little body (which makes me want to vomit) and this dress did nothing but show it off! She was so amazingly calm through the entire process -- I'm hoping that just a little bit of that rubbed off on me. I can only hope for a teeny, tiny bit of calm on our wedding day.

Brett & P decided to see each other before the wedding and get pictures out of the way. The wedding got started at 3, I somehow didn't have any Freudian slips during my readings, and 30 minutes later, we were out of there.

We had a bit of a break in between the wedding and reception, and again, as usual, I had a track story to write. So back to Steph's we went and back to the computer I went. We eventually made it to the reception, which was in a building in downtown KC. It was the perfect spot and was a great party! My friends never cease to 'Bring it' when it comes to wedding receptions -- I do love them for this! :)

I give myself a D- for my participation in the fun -- I promise to do better next wedding, which is 2 weeks away.

All in all, it was a great wedding weekend! It's times like these that I am reminded of the many reasons I am so lucky in life - I have wonderful friends, the bestest best friend in the world, a pretty good looking fiance who can't wait to get married (no lie, I heard it many times this weekend!) and a dog to come home to. Life is good! :)

In addition to the wedding extravaganza, we started cleaning and working on our house on Sunday. I'm officially done at ORU on June 27 and move that Sunday back to Wichita. To say that I'm excited is an understatement!

This week, two candidates are coming in for interviews to replace Cliffy and I ... crazy that it was just a year ago that I was in that position.

PS. I want to see the babies! Are they not the most adorable things you've ever seen?

The Babes

2008-06-16T11:27:00.006-05:00

How do you not love these two?

Pic A: Baby Addison rocking out in her sweet sunglasses
Pic B: Baby Stella with a smirk!

And both wondering when the heck they are going to meet me!

A post about Wedding No. 1 to come... great way to start the wedding season!

Chapman

2008-06-12T14:32:00.002-05:00

At one point in my life, I referred to Chapman as my version of hell (and now that I think about it, I have referred to many things in my life as my versions of hell: girl scout camp, girl scouts, state track...). After last night, I feel that I should take 'ol Chapman out of that category.

The small town west of Junction City was hit hard last night be a tornado that ripped it in two. Chapman is the size of Sedan, but is a 4A school, drawing from lots of small towns around it. It is where I served as the high school wrestling cheer sponsor and substitute taught my senior year at K-State.

I only called it my version of hell because my darling cheerleaders hated me and tried to make my life a living hell! They did a nice job of it, but after looking back at my time there, they taught me alot -- maybe that I should never be a cheer sponsor again, never have teenage children... but for sure how to deal with different kinds of people, attitudes, personalities and life situations.

I drove to this town almost every day for much of the fall semester of 2004 and then on the weekends to take the girls to wrestling meets to cheer in the winter. I loved Chapman because it was small and reminded me of home.

So when I found out that a bad storm had hit Chapman and Manhattan last night, nothing prepared for me for the pictures I saw. The picture up top is the high school building -- those are the front doors that seem to the the only thing left standing. I talked to one of the former cheerleaders this morning... everyone seemed to be accounted for and safe. She just said that Chapman was no more... I sent messages to all of the girls I knew, letting them know I was thinking about them.

It is hard to know what they are going through, when you have never been through it yourself. But I know how important my hometown is to me, so I can only imagine the devastation, heartache and immense pain they are going through.

Manhattan was also hit, but not as badly. Jord was bowling when the storm hit so he had to hang out downstairs at the karaoke bar until it passed. He was safe (as well as Bob!) and nothing was damaged. But many buildings on K-State's campus were damaged and it will take awhile to get everything cleaned up.

The most important thing is that everyone is safe and made it through the tornado. What comes next will be hard, but its better to have to cope and make it through than not be there at all.

Chapman is in my thoughts...

Wedding #1

2008-06-11T16:39:00.005-05:00

This weekend begins my Summer-o-Weddings when Emily Katherine Peine weds Brett Michael Rundle on Saturday afternoon. I am excited for this wedding because its the first time I'll be with all of my buddies (with the exception of Jenny who is busy with her beautiful baby!) in one place since Jenna's wedding last July. How sad is that?

I'm taking off work Friday and driving to Wichita to pick up Matthew. From there, we're off to KC to Steph and Aaron's and will hop in their car to drive to the rehearsal. I'm a reader in this blessed event -- I told P I would attempt to lose my Oklahoma accent by this weekend. I aint sure if it'll happen, but ya'll will find out!

After the rehearsal, we will head to the rehearsal dinner in Westport followed by a bar in Westport! We're bunking up at Steph and Aaron's with Abby and Nicole... a good time shall be head -- I predict big slumber party! :)

We are to be at the church by 1 pm on Saturday afternoon for pictures, followed by the wedding, followed by fun at the reception that is in downtown KC.

I'm so excited for the fun to begin... and I'm so happy for my good pal P. The one thing I have always said is that I want my friends to be happy and I'm so glad that wish has come true!

Wedding details will be provided on Monday.

My wedding update: invitations are addressed and will be sent out on June 17. YESSS! I can definitely say that addressing those suckers was a pain the rear -- and I did them on the computer! I started at 10:30 am and we finished up at 4:30 with the help of my mom, sister, Matt's mom, Lisa and Chelsi... they are my life savers!!!

Next up: wrapping up my year at ORU on June 27, wedding # 2 in KC (Rez's) and moving June 30. Way to pack it all in, Allyson!

Picture: Me & P -- Just call us 2 nut bags!

So she DOES have a name...

2008-06-08T21:55:00.004-05:00

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Addison Taylor Cross ... Jenny and Shawn's newest addition to their family! She was born this afternoon at 2:24 (from what I have learned in the past week, mom's give EXACT times!) pm (mountain time) and is adorable - as you can see from the picture... and I mean seriously, did we really think this child would be anything other than that? Check out her mom! :)

My favorite email of the day was from Meg:
"Addison Taylor (I'm assuming that's the spelling...but I could be wrong.....) She was born this afternoon...probably around 3:30ish.... She was 8lbs and some ounces...not sure about length...I would assume pretty long! :)
Shawn said she's awesome, and Jenny's doing well!
Sorry I didn't get better details but I'll send pics if/when I get them...."

There seems to be a whole lot of assuming going on there, Meg!

It's nice to finally know baby Addison's name since Jenny and Shawn kept it a secret for nine months much to the dismay of many, including moi. I'm so happy she is finally here... how exciting it will be to watch my friend be a mama!

Addison's birth caps the end of a pretty great week... Stella came into the world at the beginning of the week and Addison brought her on home Sunday. If only Big Brown had won the Triple Crown.... :)

Cheers to the new mama's and their precious babies... can't wait until August to pack a church with many, many newborns!

Picture: Mama J and Baby Addison ... Courtesy of Beckman Productions

Uncle Steve's Recap of Stella's Arrival...

2008-06-04T09:26:00.003-05:00

Like Mother like daughter, they both had 12 hour labors. The party began about 9:00 am yesterday morning at the doctors office then moved on to the hospital.

Early arrivals were Nate's parents Suzi and Charles then Sherron and I arrived about 1:30 pm. Xan Janiga and two friends from Singapore came in about that time, followed by Nate's brother Carl, wife Kathy and daughter Haley. Seth, Michelle and Luke ( Annie was partying at her Aunt Nat's) arrived about 7:30pm and the party was starting to gain steam. Nate's sister Cara arrived followed by Nate's buddies Sanjeev and Brian. At about that time someone asked where the champangne was.

Megan's friend Amanda and her husband Joe came in about 8:00 pm and the party was in full swing. Megan wanted everyone to stay in the delivery room but hospital regulations would'nt allow, so the two Grandmas, Suzi and Sherron, Michelle, Xan, Amanda and, oh yeah, Nate were in attendance. The rest of the party adjourned to the waiting room.

We were joined there by Nate's brother Mark and the room was humming once again. At 9:48 pm Stella decided to join the party, she weighed in at 8 lbs, measured 20 inches, has dark wavy hair and is beautiful just like her mother.

Everyone stayed until about 11:00 pm then the party poopers, who had to get up and go to work, started leaving. About midnight someone found a bottle of champagne but by then the interest had waned and the diehards were intrigued with watching the nurses give Stella a bath.

The nurse brought Stella to the room about 1:00 am and we all got turns holding her, as we were getting ready to finally leave, I looked at Megan holding Stella and it brought a smile as I thought how much she looked like her mother.

Mom, Dad and baby are all doing fine!

Grandpa Barnes

Stella is on her way...

2008-06-03T22:05:00.004-05:00

I got an email from my uncle Steve this morning -- the subject line read "Megan is in labor! Sherron is too!" (Sherron is my aunt!). He said that they had admitted Meg to the hospital this morning so they were on their way to Austin and aunt Sherron was yelling at him that they had to go! :)

I sent Meg a text message around 10:30, not expecting one back, just saying 'Holy cow! You're having a child!'... a few minutes later, I get one back saying, "Yeah, its baby time! We'll keep you posted!" I send her one back asking how she's doing and I get another one back, " Yes, doing great! Contractions are getting stronger though. Love you!" I just reminded her to use the drugs!

After work, I decided to go to Bed, Bath and Beyond to continue to register -- since Matt and I know where we'll be living, I can dive into more house stuff! So... as I'm browsing, my phone rings and I check it out -- it's Meg! She had just gotten her epidural, they started patocin (sp?) and she was dialated to 6. She said she was just hanging out and felt nothing, but was calling to say hi because it was the last time she'd be able to!

And 30 seconds ago, as I was typing this, the phone rang and my cousin Seth was calling to say Stella is here!!! She has lots of hair... and he thinks she is about 8 pounds (hadn't weighed her yet!). Said Meg did very well... aunt Sherron, Michelle and Nate's mom were in the delivery room with her... and Seth said that he was watching Nate because he was staring at Stella!

Oh my goodness..... thank goodness she is here!

Good Weekend

2008-06-02T15:54:00.002-05:00

For the second-straight weekend, I made my way back home to Sedan (and I'll go back AGAIN this weekend!) for my bridal shower, hosted by Kay Hills, Lisa Doty and my aunt Sally. Before that fun began, my mom, sister and I had our own fun Friday afternoon when we went to see Sex and the City!

I was a little paranoid about not getting seats and tickets being sold out that I had my mom order the tickets earlier in the week and I got to the theatre super early to make sure we'd get seats. When it was all said and done, I really hadn't needed to worry! There were about 20 people (including us) there to watch the movie! It was great... and great to see the girls together again! I miss that show!

Saturday was my shower out at Kay's house. It was wonderful! There was a large group of about 40 people that came out -- aunt's, friend's, family friends and so on. There was delish food (I ate WAY too many of my aunt Sally's mints that were fantabulous!), lots of people and lots of gifts which makes for a good party! Matt and I continue to do very well at our showers - this shower we got glasses, plates and silverware so we can now officially eat on something other than paper plates!

It was a great day and I'm so lucky to have such great people in my life!

This weekend, we will be addressing invitations on Sunday and the next weekend, we will be venturing for our first wedding of the summer, Ms. Emily Peine's! It will for sure be a grand time because whenever you get Kappa's together, fun follows! :)

The Good and Bad to "Sex & the City: The Movie"

2008-05-30T09:45:00.002-05:00

The good is that I'm so happy they made a movie! It is my favorite TV show of all time -- many life lessons can be learned from that show! The bad is that as soon as the movie is over, it's really over. I do believe that I will shed tears at this event.

This morning, as always, I had the Today Show on in the background while I was getting ready. They had Cynthia Nixon aka Miranda on, talking about her character, the movie, life, etc. I was standing in front of the TV listening when Meredith, Today Show host, asked Cynthia aka Miranda, "It was really tough for your character in this movie because she is dealing with Steve's..."

That is when I screamed "NO!" and turned off the TV! How dare she try and ruin the movie for me by giving out details!!! The only thing I'm OK knowing is that Carrie and Big are supposedly getting married and that Charlotte is pregnant.

That is it.

So I'm super excited to drive to Bartlesville, meet my mom and sister at the movie theatre at 4 pm and head in for my last Sex & the City dose.

It makes me wonder... what did I ever do BEFORE this show?! :)

Good, Long Weekend

2008-05-28T10:29:00.003-05:00

So I just rolled back into the office today after having been gone for four days. And the rest of the week will be fabulous because Cliff and Cris (coworker and boss) left at 10 this morning for Lincoln, Neb., for baseball regionals. So Allyson will be all by herself the rest of the week... YES!!!!!!!

Weekend in Review

-- Made it home late Friday night after having spent two miserable days at baseball games. I enjoy baseball, but I don't enjoy having to run a scoreboard for five-straight games. I was definitely on edge by 10 pm on Friday evening!

-- Lauren and I went to Wichita Saturday morning for my hair and makeup trial run. It went wonderfully! I was super happy with the way everything turned out and loved the stylist... she is going to kick back with us on the Big Day until the wedding starts to make sure everything is looking good! Can't wait!

-- We followed that up with a meeting to discuss the menu for the reception. The best story of the weekend came after we had finished our appointment. The coordinator at the country club told us to have lunch at the club on her... sweet! So she takes us into the dining room, tells the waiter to put our lunch on her tab, but says she has to run because she has a couple coming in from out of town that were doing a taste-test. So we sit down and wait on our menus. Instead, the waiter comes out and asks if we want our food all at once or in courses. Confused, we say whatever is easiest! So out comes our first course -- three different yummy salads. Next comes the second course - potatoes, risotto. Third course, green beans, pepper mixture and asparagus. Fourth course, yummy chicken and steak. After the fourth course, I happen to overhear the waiter talking to the coordinator, which sounded something like this:

-- Darian (coordinator): "They aren't here for the taste-test. That couple in the corner were the ones here for the taste-test. They weren't suppose to get that food!"
-- Waiter: "You never said that! I thought they were the ones here for the taste-test!"
-- Darian: "No! I just was letting them eat for free!"

I was told later that my eyes got REALLY big when I realized what had happened! We were not suppose to be eating the amazing food that was being brought out to us because that food was meant for the taste-testing people that were sitting directly behind us. Oh my gosh! I was so embarrassed! Though it was not our fault at all, I really just wanted to climb under the table and die!

We discussed our options on what the heck we should. Matt said wait until the waiter comes back out, we'll leave a tip and then go. I said we should just leave a tip now and get the heck out! Since it was taking the waiter a super long time to come back out, we opted for option 2, left the money, and scurried out as fast as possible! It ended up being a good story... and we had some great FREE food!

-- Had a cookout at the house on Sunday night with the Clark family (minus Patty). It was gorgeous outside so we hung out in the back and ate some delish corn on the cob!

-- Monday, I went out to the farm to eat lunch with Matt's grandparents and his grandpa's brother and sister in law. We always eat well out there and it is always followed up with a ping pong tournament between Matt, Michael and their dad. It's usually pretty entertaining because they are all pretty competitive!

-- Lastly, Matt and I decided (for sure) that we will be living in Wichita this next year and living in his house. It didn't take long to make this decision: "Matt, where are we going to live?" "I don't know, why don't we just live in my house. We can buy it." "OK, get it done." Something like that!

I took Tuesday off of work because mom and Lauren were coming to Tulsa. We had to take my wedding gown and Lauren's bridesmaid dress to the alterations lady as well as get mom's dress altered. It went quickly and everything should be done by the end of June (good timing since I'm leaving Tulsa June 30!). We also went to the mall and picked up dresses for my shower in Sedan on Saturday.

All in all, it was a great four-day weekend. I wish I had them more often! OH, and baby Stella will be here soon! Mama Meg thought she'd be making her debut this weekend but apparently it was false labor. How the heck are you suppose to know what labor feels like if you've never been through it before? And I digress...

This week: Sex and the City on Friday (I'm sure tears will be shed when its over because then its really over :(, wedding shower on Saturday! Can't wait!

Roll With it Baby

2008-05-21T16:31:00.003-05:00

Tomorrow night at 7 p.m., a great band will be performing at the Mabee Center. The only other performances I have ever seen at the Mabee Center, excluding ORU men's and women's basketball, was Sesame Street Live and Hanson (great show!).

But tomorrow, Huey Lewis and the News is coming to town. And what will I be doing?

Working stupid Summit League baseball. I have attended three games all year... and didn't even make it through all three of them. And now I have to go sit through two-straight days of it, watching HORRIBLE teams play.

Why is baseball ruining my chance to see Huey Lewis and the News?

Engaged Encounter and Lauren

2008-05-21T11:04:00.006-05:00

Well... we can officially get married now! And thank goodness... if we had spent 48 hours by each others side (and 25 other couples sides) and got nothing for it, I would be an unhappy gal!

The reason we can officially get married now is because we spent a weekend at the Catholic Engaged Encounter in Wichita. We had to do it before we were allowed to get married in the church. So, we went, with some pushing and prodding out the door by Matt's mom, to the retreat.

Basically, the weekend entails this: meet in a big conference room with other couples. There are three speakers - a younger married couple, an older married couple, and a priest. They would switch off discussing different topics (starting a family, forgiveness, being married vs. your wedding day, etc.) and after they were done, Matt (or I) would go to the room he was staying in (with a random stranger he had never met) and answer questions about the topic at hand. I would stay in the conference room and write my answers and after 10 minutes, I would meet him in his room and we would read each others answers and discuss.

Though many of our talks were good, those that know Matt and I know that we are not the most serious people. After one session, I had written a page and a half on the topic and I'd go back to Matt's room, and he had wrote jokes down! Also during one session, we decided to nap rather than write answers.

We did get alot out of it and truthfully, I think we feel even closer after we left Sunday (we almost skipped out of the Spiritual Life Center, holding hands, we were so happy to be leaving!). We talked about a lot of important things and I left feeling so lucky to have someone that is so in sync with me. I truly feel like we are ready for the next big step and absolutely can't wait until the big day!

Sunday afternoon I drove home to see the little sister. She had gotten back from Manhattan on Saturday and on day one of being home for the summer, was already bored and not happy to be back!

I have told her over and over that she will be super busy helping me with wedding stuff (invites, programs, etc.) that she'll really enjoy those times when she has nothing to do! She'll look back in 10 years and be sad that she can't have that time back! I know I do! I'm jealous as all get out that she has the whole summer to relax!

And last but not least.... I'm picking up my wedding gown today! YAHOO!

In case you missed it...

2008-05-16T10:37:00.003-05:00

NKOTB is back, baby! In routine fashion, I turned on The Today Show this morning while I was getting ready. And at 8:32 am I walked into my bedroom, only to hear the sweet voices of New Kids on the Block. :)

I just stood there, while trying to apply makeup, and laughed. And I'm sure had goosebumps as Joey (my absolute favorite) sang "Please Don't Go Girl" to me (who else would he be singing that to?)!

It took me back to my youth... and was just funny. I was like..8 when I fell in love with them, which was followed by my Hanson obsession (which is very comparable to the love that my cousin Sydney now has for the Johnas Brothers ... when explaining that comparison to her, she says, "Who is Hanson?" SERIOUSLY!!!).

Anyway, if I could get tickets to see the New Kids, I would do it in a heartbeat. Depending on where I am in three months, they are in KC in October and Minnesota in November. What a great birthday present that would be!

So, in case you missed the best boy band ever, here is the link to watch them on The Today Show.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/24583744/

The best part was when they did a medley of 'Step by Step, 'Hangin' Tough (which included their famous dance), and 'Please Don't go Girl'.

Forever a Boy Band Lover!

Signed,

Allyson J. Hills

One down, one to go

2008-05-15T10:37:00.008-05:00

At 7:48 a.m., Mr. Luke Vincent Barnes was welcomed into the world! I sent Meg a text message before I got to work asking he was here yet and she sent one back saying no, but that she'd keep me posted. Two seconds later, I got a phone call from her saying he was here! :) Apparently, aunt Sherron and uncle Steve had gotten lost in the hospital, but were looking at him through the window!

He is 6 pounds, 9 ounces and 19 inches long -- SMALLER than Annie was when she was born. And she was super small because she arrived so early! But Seth called and said he has the Barnes body -- long torso, short legs. According to the grandparents, he has strawberry blonde hair - he is definitely a Barnes!

So happy he is here... what a great way to bring in the summer! Little Stella will be here so soon as well ... my mom said we will not be waiting until August to see these babies so...

ROAD TRIP!

PS. Meg, my dad said that boat rides are what always got my mom's labor rolling, so if you want the little one to be here sooner, I'd head out to the lake house and hop in the boat!

Picture 1: Baby Luke!
Picture 2: Confused sister ... Seth said they were going to tell Annie that Luke was a cat. This look confirms that she is wondering why Luke is not an actual kitten!

Graduation Time

2008-05-12T13:47:00.006-05:00

This past Saturday, I traveled to little Belle Plaine, Kansas to watch Matt's cousin (and my future cousin!) Kristin graduate from high school. I was a bit worried at first when I looked at the program and it listed 10 VALEDICTORIAN SPEECHES! 10... that is a large number that correlates to way too many high schoolers dragging on and on about random stories that are only funny to them!

Thankfully, most of the speeches went quickly. Kristin also was a Valedictorian and I must say, out of every speech, hers was the best (yes, I'm biased). She told a story, but told it in a way that everyone understood... and laughed with. My kind of speech!

All graduations remind me of my own (ofcourse!). I believe that my high school graduation will go down as one of the strangest... thanks to Lacy Allen and her wonderful "Get out of Sedan!" salutatorian speech. I remember standing up and applauding her after she was done, which now makes me cringe! I am all for moving back home to Sedan (as long as you leave, experience life out of Small Town first!).

But all graduations make me cry. I'm telling you... I blame it all on the Pomp and Circumstance song -- as soon as those drums start at the beginning of the song, I'm a goner! The worst part is I have found myself crying at graduations that involve students that I could have truly cared less about (I'm mean). I really think I have some kind of disease!

All in all, it was a great weekend. Matt's grandma (who I believe is starting to warm up to me), his uncle John, aunt Janet and cousin Andrew all trekked down from Illinois for the graduation and party. I love graduation parties... but I learned I only really love them when they involve the Barnes' and Hills' because we couldn't start drinking until all of the students and teachers had left the party on Saturday. At a Barnes'/Hills' graduation party, the keg was tapped before graduation was even over! :)

Here is to all the graduates... May your graduation day be a memorable one, but look forward to what is to come.

Babies Just Around the Corner...

2008-05-06T09:09:00.003-05:00

From what I have noticed so far, all of the wonderful young people in my life that have gotten married seem - to only me - like they are all playing house. You know, like you did when you were little people. But when those married people who were just 'playing house' bring a baby into their house, that 'childhood' element seems to go out the door.

Yes, if I played house, I'm sure I had a baby in the mix -- but it was the kind that you could poke at its eyes and it wouldn't cry (I sound like a torturer!).

I say all of this because in one week, my cousin Seth and his wonderful wife will be bringing baby no. 2 into their family and my cousin Megan will be having her first with Sir Newt. Meg started a blog recently to keep all of us posted about the last few weeks of being pregnant and the arrival of baby Stella... and as I was reading it, the damn tears welled up (THIS is why I'm worried about my wedding -- if I can't keep it together while reading a blog about my pregnant cousin, how can I hold it together walking down the aisle!).

My cousins are some of the most important people in my life... they always have been. To me, they are kind of like the glue that holds us all together. We have all been 'kids' together... from Seth wrestling with all of us at grandma's and then yelling, "Grandma, they're hurting me!" and she believing him and yelling at us... to Meg being the curious one and asking lots of questions, but loving coming to Sedan and really loving the CQ County Fair (she asked in March when the fair was because her and Nate had talked about coming up for it!).

They are just good people... and married good people... and are now having babies that they will raise to be good people. It's all just crazy! Weren't we 10 like two weeks ago?! :)

So here's to my wonderful cousins and to the newest additions to their families... May they enjoy as wonderful a childhood as we all did!

I think Matt and I will just play house for awhile... :)

Denver, Abs and Mama J

2008-04-28T11:17:00.005-05:00

I boarded a plane at 6:45 am on Saturday morning for a journey to Denver for Jenny's baby shower. Abby met me at the airport and drove me over to her new house... so cute and so fun! They have done alot of painting and it looks great (though I think they should have left the upholstered leopard print wall up!). I met Jacey Timken (finally!) which is one of my younger sorority sister's older sister (got it?!).

We left the house and made our way to the grocery store to pick up things for the baby shower that afternoon. My present to Jenny and Shawn was boring, yet much needed diapers and wipes. My friend Kristen had said to buy Pampers Swaddlers because they were better than Huggies. So I go to the diaper aisle... and had to call her to figure out what to do! There were like 5 million different kinds of Pampers... newborn (up to 10 pounds -- God bless the poor women who give birth to 10 pound babies!) and stage 1 (8-14 pounds). I didn't know what to do... glad Kristen called me back or I know I would have made the wrong decision! :)

We went over to Abby's aunt Tracy's house for the shower and can I just say, this wins for best baby shower ever! First of all, there was a keg. Second of all, the gifts were hysterical. One of their friends made them onesies and had wrote on the front of them... with washable markers! Apparently they didn't realize they were washable (though the front of the box said 'washable') until they were done drawing! So... J & Shawn got the washable markers as a gift as well! :)

On Sunday, Abs and I drove over to Jenny and Shawn's new apartment. Baby ?'s room already had painted pink and brown walls! Now they just need a crib and they are set!

It was highly entertaining to be at their apartment while they are unpacking because what happens is Jenny sits on the couch, Shawn starts unwrapping things, and Jenny either tells him to leave it alone, or where to put it. Shawn later explained that this was why they needed a 30-minute break from each other before we had arrived!

It was a great trip... I sure do miss my Denver friends! Abby is entertaining as always and Jenny is still the disgustingly cute 8-month pregnant gal. It's definitely still a crazy thought to me that next time I see her, she will have a baby girl. I know that she is going to be such a great mom, I just hope that SHE knows that!

I was back at the airport by 6 for my 7:10 flight and back in my own bed by 10:30. It was a fast trip, but worth every penny!

A Day in the Life of Me

2008-04-24T10:37:00.002-05:00

My morning starts at 8:05 am when the alarm goes off. Immediately, the Today show is turned on (you never know what exciting news they will have for you - it was only a few weeks ago when they announced that New Kids on the Block were doing a reunion tour!) and I start getting ready for the day.

I am out the door by 8:43 because that usually gets me into the parking lot at ORU five minutes before 9. I get into my office, turn on my computer, check my email, facebook, Kansas.com and the Tulsa World website.

And from there, that is when my day is officially boring. So... by about 9:32, its a free-for-all. I must state that my job is not always like this. From August until the end of March, I was usually always busy. And if I wasn't busy, I should have been, but was procrastinating on whatever it was I should have been doing!

But I seriously have nothing to do. If I knew I was going to be returning to ORU for my second year, I would be working on my volleyball guide. I actually did start working on it earlier in the year, but Cliff told me to stop because if I'm not staying, its a major waste of good work!

So, I have tried to find things to keep me occupied. I did many, many wedding things. But now, I have most wedding things complete (that can be completed from a 5x10' office - everything else must be physically bought). I check Men's Wearhouse alot to see who and who hasn't been fitted for tuxes yet so I can lay the wrath of Allyson on them. This week, I have gotten on other schools websites to see what their volleyball media guides have looked like to see what I should try to be doing in my guides.

Other than that, I. Am. Bored. This is not a complaint. Its just a fact. I guess this is what happens when you work MANY, many hours --- I now have so much free time, I don't know what to do with myself.

I must return to my boredom now. Time to recheck Kansas.com to see what news has popped up since I last checked it 15 minutes ago. :)

It's HERE!

2008-04-22T10:54:00.006-05:00

News of the Day

My wedding dress is in!!!!!! Oh my goodness, I'm so excited to go pick it up! Ofcourse, I have to wait until the the rest is paid for, which requires a check from my mother. But once that is in my hands, the dress is mine!

I asked them if I needed to try it on there to see if I'd need any alterations made and she said they don't do alterations. Isn't that the strangest thing you've ever heard? And bad on my part for finding that out now! I'm not too concerned since I don't know if I'll need anything fixed on it, but still... They said once I had it altered to bring it back in about a week before the wedding and they would steam it for me.

Anywho, I can't believe that its here! The picture above doesn't do it justice!

And I'm the worst liar in the world because that is most definitely not my dress. Had to post something though! :)

Spring Game and Long Drives

2008-04-21T14:20:00.005-05:00

Weekend Six of Traveling

This weekend, I made a return trip to Wichita on Friday night (but first made a pit stop in Sedan to pick up my passport - WORST picture ever! Not sure if they will let me into ANY country with this picture!). Made it to Wichita by 8ish, ate dinner and then proceeded to go to Old Chicago to meet up with Brad, his fiance Liz, the Yaeger's and Teddy Ted. We had a few drinks... enough for me to start talking non-stop to Liz and Sarah. Good times... I believe I invited Sarah to my bachelorette party! She has a one-year-old so any excuse to leave the baby with his father is good enough for her! :) Jenna &/or Abby, I'll get with you guys on this one! :)

Saturday, Matt and I got up (slowly) and drove up to Manhattan for the annual Tailgate (and spring game)! There were some interesting characters that made an appearance at the tailgate - one male in particular that arrived wearing a woman's v-neck sleeveless top with a vest circa 1993. Interesting is the only word I have for him. OH, and inappropriate. The things he was saying near my dad's ear was just wrong!

Mr. Bob (Jord's dog) also got to come to the tailgate. I'm telling you... that dog is a chick magnet for my brother! My mom and I walked him around for awhile and every three feet someone else was stopping us to play with him!

Eventually, we made it into the game -- which the final score ended up being 3-0. Wow. GREAT game. But seriously, does anyone REALLY go for the game? And what spring game is ever a good game (with the exception of Notre Dame's spring game this year -- there was a brawl on the field between players. Go Catholics! Way to make us proud!)?

Met up with Kappa's later that night... but since I'm old, I can barely make it past midnight so I said my hello's and probably 30 minutes later, said my goodbye's! I would feel bad, but we are all going to see each other every other weekend this summer because of the large amount of weddings we will be attending (including my own!).

Sunday, Matt and I had planned on going to look at houses in Wichita. That plan fell through when the one house we wanted to see was not having an open house! So... instead, I went out to the antique mall to browse. In the midst of my browsing, I came upon 10 vases that I had been searching EVERYWHERE for for the reception! I picked those up for $25 total and will have to return to do another search for more of those vases. I couldn't believe that I never thought about a place like that to look for these vases!

And again, I made the smart decision to stay in Wichita Sunday night and get up at SUPER early and start back to Tulsa for work at 9. How I haven't fallen asleep at the wheel yet is unknown to me!

SO... that was my weekend. It was a good one... never long enough, as usual!

Next weekend is: Weekend Seven of Traveling - Denver edition. I'll be making my way out Saturday morning - after a thrilling Friday evening at TU's KKG Formal - for Jenny's baby shower/BBQ! I'll be sure to get a picture of her and her belly... you won't believe it!

Wedding Shower Complete with Baby Shower

2008-04-14T14:34:00.003-05:00

Matt and I made the long trek up to Kansas City this weekend to partake in my first wedding shower! Matt was not in attendance... he was in attendance, though, for the extremely cold (it was snowing on our way to KC on Saturday to give you a visual of how cold it was) Kansas City Royals baseball game, alongside his brother, my brother, dad, and the Doty men. They kept warm by continuously pumping liquid into their systems!

The shower was wonderful... Jenna was the lovely hostess and she did a magnificent job! It was at Granite City in a nice little party room. Almost all of my good college pals were there as well as my mom and sister, Lisa Doty, Matt's mom Patty and Michael's girlfriend, Chelsi, who is my personal attendant at the wedding. She already put her personal attendant skills to work on Saturday morning when Mr. Doty freaked me out with the time the shower started!

Jenna had made up a mini quiz about Matt and I... I loved it! It made me laugh... and reminisce on our relationship. As we were going through the questions, everyone would say what there answer was and I'd probably have to give Brooke the nod for most correct answers. Who else would have remembered (other than Jenna!) what famous couple Matt and I had dressed up as for a date party?!

We started the day with not much for our house (that we have not looked for) and ended the day with a good load of stuff! Thanks so much to everyone who came... I would have been happy with no gifts and just hanging out! :)

That night, we went over to the lovely Emily Peine's house. I probably could have stayed there all night just talking to her since I never see her... or anyone else for that matter. We then went back to hotel to meet back up with the guys, which was highly entertaining.

Sunday morning, Matt and I went and had breakfast with my parents and then went browsing to look for TV's, to Pottery Barn to look at all the stuff I desperately want and to Dick's... to look at all the Coleman stuff they have. Matt dropped me off at Jenny's baby shower where I got to see everyone all over again, except this time, we added Meg, who couldn't make it to my shower.

I told this to Nicole last night, but I could probably go years without seeing Meg, but it will always seem like I've never missed a day with her. She's just the best... and is going to Abu Dhabi - a real place that sounds unreal to me. Hopefully she comes back with pictures of her on a camel!

J got lots of goodies for baby Cross... I will be out to Denver in two weekends for her next baby shower. I believe I will be investing in some diapers for them... not a glamorous gift, but I hear they are pretty important! :)

ANYWHO, thanks again to everyone for making this such a fun weekend! Jenna, you are the best wedding shower hostess ever! I love you so much.... And Jenny wins for being the cutest little pregnant gal on the block -- I have two separate awards for that though.

Cutest little pregnant gal on the block - friend division. Cutest little pregnant gal on the block - family division. It's a tie between Megan and Michelle in the family division. :)

Give. Me. Cake.

2008-04-07T15:01:00.002-05:00

I spent the weekend in Wichita... it was glorious! Matt and I accomplished alot - passports are done and sent off (major to-do that was checked off!), we met with the lady that will be making our cake and we hung out, which is something we rarely get to do! I also got to visit my lovely friend Kristen and her family - I feel old when I see Zoe because she is now old. And by old, I mean one... but considering last time I saw her she wasn't walking and now, she does, she seems old!

And thanks to Kristen, we will now be having a delicious cake and my favorite mints at our wedding for an EXTREMELY wonderful price! I was more excited about the cheapness of it all than anything else!

She is going to do everything - our five-tier cake, Matt's groom's cake and 300 of the most wonderful cheesecake mints for under $300! The cake will be different-sized layers with a brown ribbon around each tier with our monogram in the fourth layer and our flowers on top. I attempted to replicate it but due to how old our design programs are at ORU, I couldn't get exact colors!

I ordered extra mints because they are my fave -- we will have white, orange and coral-colored cheesecake mints as well as some chocolate mints. I heart these and if I eat anything, it will be the mints!

Anywho, I'm very happy with how everything went. Last big thing to order is the invitations which we know what we want. Just have to actually purchase them now!

Happy second week of April!

PS. For those that know him, Brad Goertz got engaged. Complete craziness.

The Weekend

2008-03-31T16:39:00.003-05:00

This past weekend, I made my fifth trip in six weekends to the lovely and humid Houston, Texas for my cousin Megan's baby shower. I'm sure most families wouldn't spend $150 on a plane ticket for a two-hour shower for a cousin... but again, my family is different!

It was a very fun and relaxing weekend ... and full of the usual amount of laughter that accompanies any Houston trip. This time though, I found myself laughing more at the child of the one that I'm usually laughing at.

Seth's little girl, Annie, will turn two in May and can I just say... she was pure entertainment the entire trip! Even when she's pissed, it's funny! The child definitely has her father's sense of humor, but her mama's good looks! :) She's adorable and it always makes me sad to have to leave and not see her for another three-four months.

Most trips to Houston are filled with shopping, eating, shopping and more shopping. But this one seemed to be a bit different. There was plenty of eating and there was shopping, but when you have two very pregnant women with you, the shopping excursions have to be cut in half because they get tired pretty quickly!

Sunday was Meg's baby shower and she definitely loaded up! As usual, I played my role. This time I was the trash picker-upper. I sat on the floor and watched Meg open her gifts and then usually waited for Michelle to give the explanation of what it was to be used for (to both me and Megan!).

There is so much stuff out there for babies now... I mean there are about 20 different kinds of blankets you have to have, an exer-saucer, a swing, a highchair, a pack-n-play, a crib, two different kinds of strollers, bouncers, car seats, car seat bases, baby monitors, etc. I'm telling you... you need 1,328 things to just have a child! Needless to say, I will be putting this off for a few years... so I think.

Anywho, it was a great weekend. It was fun to see the pregnant gals -- next time I see them, they will have new additions to our ever-growing family.

Stella and Luke... prepare yourselves now and enjoy the peace in quiet you have in the womb while you still can!

Tuxes... Check!

2008-03-25T16:50:00.004-05:00

After getting back from Indiana Monday morning, I jumped right into my car and made the lovely three-hour drive north to Wichita. Matt and I have only seen each other three hours in the past month so I'm glad I decided to go up.

I got to the Dub around 2:30 -- Matt doesn't get off work until 5 so to pass the time, I went over to WSU and hung out with my buddies. I had planned on staying 30 minutes, but finally got out of there an hour and a half later and successfully kept them from working that entire time. It's nice that they don't care that I have random drop-ins... but I sure do miss them!

Next it was to the paper store to look at paper for the programs that I will be making for the wedding. It was somewhat successful... found the paper (which will be expensive, ofcourse) and then checked on prices for the front to be printed at the store (also very expensive). Might have to try and get creative!

Next, I went to look at wedding bands for Matthew. He was suppose to come with, but ended up having to work late. HOLY COW though... the rings I looked at ranged from $800-1,400! I mean, I know I should gladly pay that since I know my pretty ring wasn't cheap... but again, HOLY COW! I told Matt later and he demanded his ring cost only $50. We'll see what happens! :)

I finally met up with Matt and Patty at Men's Wearhouse at the mall at 5:30 -- the process was super easy and super quick (its good that I had basically picked out what they would be wearing, I suppose!). We went with a very simple tuxedo (shown above but minus the silver vest and tie) with the groomsmen, ushers, dads and ring bearer wearing a brown tie and Matt wearing a white one. Simple enough! I think it will look great... very classic!

So, that is checked off my list. The last two major things I need to do is the cake and invitations -- the rest should be smooth-sailing!

So I say.... :)

Day Three: Interesting Night...

2008-03-24T00:15:00.007-05:00

I'm just now finishing up my work and it's 1:15 am (EST). Our game didn't even get over with until 11:30!

Unfortunately, we lost. FInal score: 94-55. Can I just say that I blame the entire loss on the STUPID Tennessee cheerleading squad!! The idiots left their cheer signs out and our leading scorer slipped on one less than five seconds into the game and possibly tore her ACL and was done. R.I.D.I.C.U.L.O.U.S. I was absolutely furious... and a bit in disbelief. Go figure that would happen when we're playing only the best team in the country!

We were down by only 12 going in to the second half, which I personally think is a victory in itself. But the girls got very tired down the stretch, which seemed to be when Tennessee found its second wind. BUT... we did sit Candace Parker down with four fouls early in the second half -- she played a total of 18 minutes.

Great ending was when the entire UT coaching staff and a player came over to our injured girl to check on her. Coach Summitt gave her a hug and said something to her that brought her to tears. Which made me had to walk away so I wouldn't start busting out the tears!

So, my tournament experience is over with. I have to say this is one of the coolest things I have ever been a part of. Yes, I am tired of basketball and yes, I'm glad I'm getting a break! But I must admit, I realized why my job is so cool after tonight. Not many people can say that they got to sit on press row at an NCAA Tournament.

We leave via chartered flight tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. and will get back to Tulsa by 10:45... so happy! I'm taking the day off and traveling to Wichita (I can't avoid travel, apparently!) to do some wedding stuff, then its back to the grindstone on Tuesday.

Hope you've enjoyed my updates. I can't believe I have blogged for three-days straight!

Picture A: Here we go....
Picture B: That figure way over yonder... that's me!
Picture C: Game time!

Day Two: Meetings, Practice Day and Snow

2008-03-22T08:39:00.005-05:00

MORNING

Was up early for day two of this experience... we had our sports information meeting at 8 am. So I jumped in my little rental car and drove over to the arena for the meeting and tour. And again, I was reminded of the nerdiness that is our profession -- and sometimes, the pure snobbery. The Tennessee SID - who proudly stated that she has been to every NCAA Tournament since the tournament began (which means you're old, lady!) - said that she had never been to an SID meeting at the tournament didn't provide drinks and food until today. Well noted, Tennessee. Thanks for sharing that statement.

Anyway, got a tour of the facility and then hung gave myself another tour to find our locker room. As I made my way back around, I ran into our head coach and women's administrator. She wanted me to stay for the administrative meeting, which ALL of the coaches would be at (including Pat, Sherri Coale, Robing Pingeton - Illinois State coach - and others I had never heard of). So I hung around... almost ran into Pat Summitt in her bright orange jumpsuit and then was told I could leave. Fair enough!

So I am now back at the hotel, tired, and waiting for our practice to get here, which isn't until 5:20. We do interviews tonight and then are done until tomorrow. I'm hoping I am not running around like a chicken with my head cut off tonight... we'll see!

PS. Ran into the Illinois State SID who I interviewed with last May and met the guy they hired... nice guy. What a random run-in, though!

EVENING

Did absolutely nothing after returning from the 8 am meeting. Came back to the hotel and took a nap, watched the tube, crawled out around 12:30 to get some lunch and then back to the room. Basically watched more TV until it was time for us to leave for practice. All day today was practice at Mackey Arena where the games will be held. All teams have specific practice times and before practice, have a scheduled interview slot where the coach and two players meet with the media before tomorrow's game.

The interviews went well... basically it was all the Tulsa reporters asking the questions, but the girls and Jerry (head coach) did very well. It's hard to answer the question of "How do you prepare for Tennessee?" There is no answer to that question. We have not played ANYONE remotely close to a Tennessee-type team all season. So its hard to give the girls an example of who they play like -- and when you play in The Summit League, its even tougher!

I did get some pics of the Lady Vols practicing... and when our girls were walking into the gym, coach Summitt stopped from walking out of the gym to say hello to them.

During practice, I sat and talked with Krista Blunk and Kim Anthony - both who work for ESPN and who will be the play-by-play and sideline reporter for our game tomorrow night. Basically they asked about each player, the team, the coach to try and get a feel for what they would be reporting on tomorrow night. So, anything you hear about our girls tomorrow night, can be attributed to Allyson Hills! :)

So tomorrow is game day. Our game isn't until 8:30 pm so its going to be a long day. I plan to get up and go to Mass with a few other Catholic staffers... then possibly going to the arena to watch Oklahoma play... I have nothing else to do! And I have to check out Sherri Coale and see if she really has gained alot of weight -- according to my roomie, she has filled out and was busting out of her shirt at her last game. Interesting.

FYI: Game time is set for 30 minutes after the 6 p.m. game, so we're shooting for 8:30 on ESPN2. Our bench is on the left and I will be sitting directly next to them on press row. When I tug at my ear, that means I'm saying hello to you all! :)

Picture A: Heading to practice...
Picture B: Rachel, Janae, Coach Fink with media
Picture C: Coach Pat Summitt and Candace Parker

Day One: Leaving Oklahoma

2008-03-21T11:53:00.009-05:00

We left the Mabee Center at 7:45 this morning (that's three hours later than we usually leave, so I was a happy girl!) and drove to the airport to board our chartered flight! Can I just say... charter is the way to go! We pulled up to the plane and walked right on to the plane, no security, no nothing. It was glorious!

As I walked on to the plane, I noticed four open first-class seats... and the coaches said "Go for it!" so I immediately found a window seat and again, can I just say... first class is the way to go! Lots of leg room, bigger, nicer leather seats, and close proximity to the bathroom!

The flight lasted about an hour and a half -- as we were flying into West Lafayette, all I could think to myself is, "Wow... Manhattan has GOT to be better than this place!" It looks very.... dead. I guess starting tomorrow it probably won't seem like that once all the teams arrive.

We loaded up on our charter bus and headed to the hotel -- on the ride over, the bus driver invited us to attend church with him on Sunday. Kind man, but I don't do Methodist! :)

We pulled up to our hotel and I was thinking, "Oh, this is great. It's on campus, must be a nice place to stay -- I bet the football teams stay here when they come to play Purdue." As soon as I entered the room, I realized that would be physically impossible since the room is about 12 feet by six feet. Wow. There is a twin bed and a queen-size bed... I took the twin out of the kindness of my heart. But my roomie and I both feel that this is a bad situation since there is no where to put our clothes!

Next up: practice at 4:30. Then to bed -- must be at the arena by 7:45 tomorrow morning for meetings. It will be a long day!

Until the next time....

Picture A: Girls happy to be leaving Tulsa.
Picture B: Our plane!
Picture C: Our teeny, tiny room.

Pregame

2008-03-20T11:14:00.002-05:00

It is a lovely Thursday mid-morning, the sun is out, the birds are chirping... though I don't really know if that's all true since I have no windows in my office.

The men are scheduled to play at 2 pm this afternoon against Pitt in Denver. The news this morning (or the "Morning Gossip with Mary Loue" --marketing secretary -- as I like to call it) is that Sports Illustrated has picked the men to upset Pitt AND the second-round opponent to make it to the Sweet 16.

I don't think its too far off... if we all remember, it was only a few short years ago - my first year - that I was working at Wichita State and they upset a few big-name teams to get to the Sweet 16. Two years later, I'm in my first year at ORU and they are in the Tournament -- anything can happen! Though I wish that the good luck that I give to the teams was good luck that I could give to me personally -- the only good luck I have is with finding outstanding parking spots. True story.

Anyway... just hanging out, waiting for the game. I was terrified after our women won the conference tournament because I knew that meant I would be SWAMPED at work -- people calling wanting interviews, getting my game notes ready, the constant drive to FedEx with five million boxes of media guides and postseason notes to deliver. Boy, was I wrong. That was Wichita State -- a school that has WAY more money than ORU. But at WSU, we had to MAKE our postseason guides. We did the printing, the binding, the sending. At ORU, we send them off to have them made. What a concept, eh?!!

But I really haven't been that busy. Just the normal e-mails with people requesting things. I've probably had more phone calls with people asking about our track stud that won a national championship - ORU's first national champion in ANYTHING - last weekend in the 400-meter dash.

SO... until tomorrow and Day One of Allyson's Trip to the Big Dance... :)

I Take it ALL Back....

2008-03-19T14:26:00.002-05:00

Two posts in one day... Get a life, Allyson!

BUT I had to share my joy... though I do often complain about work, how on average I work 60 hours a week, I haven't had a weekend off since August, I get paid jack crap for the amount of time I put in... OK, so maybe I don't take it all back, but what just arrived in my office is enough to make me forget the reasons this job blows sometimes.

I got STUFF!

The assistant women's basketball coach (whom I have nicknamed Santa) came in with all of my fun goodies since the girls made it to the NCAA Tourney.

New tennis shoes (my second pair since I got a pair at the beginning of the season), a sweet bag with my name on it, a little cotton stretch zip-up with 'ORU Women's Basketball' monogrammed into it, a pink pullover hoodie with 'ORU Women's Basketball' monogrammed on to the front, and a Nike watch! I bet if I tried to sell all of this, I'd make atleast $250... hmm... contemplating that idea!

Anyway, I had to share my joy. Don't worry, though... I'm sure I'll go back to hating the job tomorrow!

We're Seriously Playing Them???

2008-03-18T12:04:00.004-05:00

Yes, it is true. For those of you that watched the women's NCAA selection show Monday night know it's true. ORU will play Tennessee in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Tennessee. Defending National Champions. 15-time SEC Champions. Pat Summitt. Seven-time NCAA coach of the year.

I must say that when I heard that, I just started laughing. And couldn't stop for quite some time.

We are going in as the No. 16 seed to play the No. 1 seed, but what's even funnier is that they aren't even the OVERALL No. 1. But when you hear Tennessee, you automatically think of their women's basketball team and domination. When I watched the girls reactions to when they heard who they were playing, they all just started laughing. I wonder if that was a "Holy crap, I'm scared to death" laugh or "What a way to end the season!" laugh.

Candace Parker, their leading scorer, is leaving after the season to play in the WNBA. She's a junior. Have you EVER heard of a female player doing that?!!! I think she also might be the first woman to dunk in a game.

Is this for real?

We play them on Sunday at 8:30 pm (CST) on ESPN2. If you are bored, you should watch. It will be well worth it ... I will be sitting directly to the left of our bench on press row, trying to hold back from taking pictures, though that is all I will want to be doing.

Should be fun! Hopefully I can snag a photo op with Coach Summitt before we return to Oklahoma!

They are in!

2008-03-13T12:34:00.003-05:00

Here they are!
http://www.conardstudio.com/matclark/

I love many of them because they are just us being us... but Matthew seems to have picked up a fake smile somewhere because there about three of them that are his real smile! And ofcourse, those three are my favorites (17, 24 and 28).

And before you ask, no, he did not dye his hair. Though it does look like it in many of the pics! His hair does get super dark in the winter, but in some of those pics, it looks like he has sprayed-on hair. He wanted me to inform everyone that he is NOT going bald!

I will take suggestions on favorites... My sister sent me and email with her faves, which by the time I was done reading her list, seemed to be almost everyone. Thanks, but not very helpful! :)

Just Waiting....

2008-03-06T11:44:00.002-06:00

A week and four days later and I'm still waiting on our engagement pictures (I just typed 'my engagement pictures and had to go and scratch that to 'our' pictures -- I really have to watch myself!). I don't know if I would be this crazy about them, but when she said they would be up in a week (which would have meant Sunday) I assumed they would be up in a week! I seriously hope I am not like this when we (did it again -- typed 'I' and had to delete!) get married and are waiting on our wedding pictures and video. Though I have learned that the video will take QUITE some time to get done. Jenna is still waiting on her video and she is now going on eight months of marriage!!!

I guess its a great thing that we are leaving the country immediately after our "Wedding Weekend Extravaganza" (it has a title now -- its not just a 'wedding'!). Yes, we have decided on our honeymoon spot.... drum roll, please.

LONDON! (cymbal hit)

We are definitely excited! Matt is checking websites daily on things to do. We're going to try and take a day or two to travel outside of London. I am excited to see what is outside of the United State... but I'm for sure I will be very happy to return. Our itinerary so far has us leaving Wichita at 6 am on Monday, August 18, get to Chicago and leave there at 10 am for London. We will arrive in London at 10:40 pm... from there, who knows! :)

Other than that, my life consists of basketball... and basketball. And I'm not even kidding. Tulsa hosts The Summit League conference tournament from Saturday until Tuesday. I will be working each and every game so all-in-all 14 games in four days. When I say that I am ready for basketball to be over, I truly mean it! I have seen and/or worked 43 games so far this season and in the span of a week, I will turn that number up to 57. Holy Moly. AND if either of the team's WIN the tournament, off they go to the NCAA Tournament... and who will be by their side? That's right...ME! Man, it makes me tired just thinking about it!

Happy Thursday to all! Memphis in May lineup comes out today... woohoo!

Wow... We're Getting Married!

2008-02-25T15:54:00.003-06:00

Yesterday, Matt and I met up in tiny Severy, Kan., to get our engagement pictures taken. Jeannie Conard, the photographer, had taken my brother's and sister's senior pictures and also had children that are Matt's age that went to school at West Elk, so Matt knew them and had played summer ball with them growing up. She takes great photos so we were excited to have her take ours... and just to get them taken in general!

It was suppose to be 50 degrees out, which I suppose it was. But when it's cloudy and gray out, it definitely feels alot colder! Most of the pictures that Jeannie takes are outside and what I was noticing as I got closer and closer to Severy was how much snow they had! Great... just my luck! I assumed that we would have to take alot more pictures inside because once I got in to the lovely town of Severy and got out of car, I realized it was all slush. And I had ballet flats on. Good thinking, Allyson.

The "Getting to..." portion of the trip was quite entertaining. We were to meet Jeannie at her studio at 2. She said it would be hard not to miss since Severy.... well Severy is barely a town! Lauren had given me directions earlier, saying that studio was in a big white building and right next to a really old wooden building. So, I get in to downtown as Matt is pulling into downtown. I jump in with him and we drive around for 10 minutes trying to find this place! I mean, how hard should it be to find a big white building next to an old wooden building in Severy?! We finally had to stop and ask someone and they pointed us in the right direction.

We pull up and Jeannie is waiting and I apologize over and over for being late, explaining to her that Lauren said her studio was big and white and near a wooden building. She points to a huge pile of wood and says, "Well, there's the building!" She said they tore it down about a month ago. So I guess Lauren was partially correct ... though she might be colorblind since her tin building was tan with a green roof. Whatev.

We hopped in the car with her and she took us out to this lake (that we had never seen before - rather large!) to a spot that she takes alot of pictures. I somehow manuevered my way around in flats (no socks, no tights) in the snow. (SIDENOTE: Target ballet flats stay unusually dry in a 1/2 inch of snow, in case you are wondering!). We got some great shots in the snow though... it was still really white and pretty! We spent about 30-45 minutes out at the lake, taking pics. Some were really funny... Matt and I just aren't serious people so when she asked us to not smile, it took all of me not to just fall over from a fit of laughter. Jeannie noted later that I sure like to laugh alot!

We headed back to her studio to take about 8-10 inside shots and that was it. Pretty quick and pretty painless. Matt dropped me off at my car, but not before reminding me how excited he is to marry me. He said that truthfully, he sometimes forgets that we're getting married since we don't see each other very often and have not talked about the wedding in detail in quite some time (due to my brutal work schedule). I completely agree with him though. I mean... I read theknot.com daily and keep in contact with vendors about the wedding. But in the end, that's noy what matters. What matters is that we're getting married... and this was one of those fun steps we took together to get to that goal!

Hopefully we get some good pics out of this, too. Hopefully she doesn't send us the 'closed-eyes' shot. God knows I was probably smiling in that one, too... :)

PS. The picture is of Lauren's so-called wooden building... THAT'S what we were looking for to find her studio. You now understand why we couldn't find it!

It's better...

2008-02-21T13:41:00.002-06:00

I told you things would be better.

He called (I was not going to call first!) and said he was sorry. After giving him crap for awhile, I (sort of) accepted and will move on.

The topic of what to wear will be discussed Friday evening since I have basketball tonight.

Boys Stink... Sometimes.

2008-02-21T11:39:00.003-06:00

I understand that everyone has their bad days. Hell, I probably have a bad day every other day. But there is a difference when a girl has a bad day and when a boy has a bad day.

And apparently, my boy's latest bad day started because of me!

Matt and I are getting our engagement pictures taken on Sunday, something I have been looking forward to since January when I set up the appointment. I have picked out my clothing, how my hair will be done, I'm just very excited! Now this next statement is corny, but it must be done when you live three hours away from your fiance. Matt and I have been talking about actually setting aside a few minutes to discuss our clothing and what each of us will be wearing - even thought about breaking out the web cam.

Last night was going to be our night to discuss this. Instead, I get a text from him asking if I'm going home after our pictures, which I replied yes to you... which he replied with "OK".

When I call him later, he is just being extremely cranky (he had said it was because of K-State playing like crap against Nebraska -- I don't get upset about these things anymore. That is the life of a K-State fan!). Finally, he says he is mad at me because I'm not going to Wichita after our pictures.

My reasoning for not doing such is because I am not an early-riser. I can not get up at 5 am, put a smile on my face and drive three hours back to Tulsa without the possibility of death in the background (due to me falling asleep at the wheel). To him, it means I want to see him, but not badly enough to get up early.

PS. This coming from a man who gets up at 5:30 am three times a week to go play basketball (CRAZY) so is used to getting up that early and doesn't understand why others would find that hard to do.

It has turned in to much bigger drama (I blame him for that) than it should be, which is what most of our fights turn in to. But I refuse to give in and accept his childish behavior. Am I right, or am I right?

So... this is why boys stink, sometimes. Tomorrow, I'm sure everything will be back to normal and they will be great. But today... they are all on my bad list!

Spending Valentine's Day.... with Cliff

2008-02-14T09:34:00.002-06:00

Valentine's Day is that one day a year that is set aside specifically for those that love each other... to show that love. While everyday should be Valentine's Day, this is the Love God's way of reminding men to celebrate the woman in their life.. at least for one day.

I do have a Valentine... it's unfortunate that he is three hours away from me, though! I got a nice text at 8:20 this morning from my Valentine wishing me a "Happy Valentine's Day". I then came to work and immediately searched for the perfect Valentine's E-Card. I wish that I could say I will be able to see my Valentine today so we can go out to eat a lovely, expensive dinner and I would get tons of flowers.

This is not the case, though.

I will be spending Valentine's Day with my coworker, Cliff. His Valentine is also about 3-4 hours away. I know for a fact that his Valentine is getting some gorgeous flowers (a nice array of roses and tulips and maybe stargazer lilies, since they are her favorite - never heard of them, but they are her favorite). Since my Valentine and I decided no gifts this year, only cards, I suggested to Cliff that I would have no problem if he wanted to send me flowers as well.

He thought that my Valentine might have a problem with that.

Must Be Something in the Midwest Water...

2008-02-07T15:01:00.000-06:00

I'm not even kidding! I now know five people that are going to be giving birth to children this coming summer and one that just had a baby yesterday. This all means that I will have six newborn babies (and a few 1+ year olds) at my wedding in August.

My cousin Michelle will be having a baby in May. My cousin Megan will follow up with a baby in June, immediately followed by my friend Jenny who is due in the middle of June. Megan Holding, a friend of mine and Matt's, is due in June and I just found out that my good pal Tami from Wichita State is pregnant and due at the end of July.

I am in love with the idea of "getting married" and everything that comes with it. I can't imagine what the feeling is like when you find out you are going to bring another human being into the world, raise it and hope like hell that it turns out OK. That's just alot more pressure!!! :)

To all my prego cousins and friends, congrats times a million! You are all going to be (and some already are) such amazing and wonderful moms... your little one's are already luckiest babes in the world!

Here's to the moms-to-be... and to all of those that will buy you presents and be content with that for now! :)

Can I just say...... FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-01-31T09:42:00.000-06:00

Well, I'm not gonna lie. I kept my mouth shut until the final minute of the game. I refused to blurt out anything related to the beating of the Jayhawks until I really felt it in my bones! And with a minute left, I was finally able to scream, jump up and down... and probably force Cliff to get a warning note on his door today from the management at his apartment for the loud and obnoxious yelling coming from his third-floor apartment.

But I did not care. I would have streaked the streets (if I was that kind of person). I would have wrote on every facebook wall of every KU person that has no valid reason to be a KU person about the game (if I was that kind of person). I would have worn my purple jumpsuit and a Wildcat tattoo on my face to work today (if I was that kind of person). But because I am not that kind of person (or don't have the guts to be that kind of person), I will just write about the greatest feeling in the world on my blog. Because it's my blog and I can do what I want!

So the best day of my life was on Dec. 6, 2003 in Kansas City, Mo., at Arrowhead Stadium when K-State beat OU in the Big 12 Championship game. It was wonderful because no one thought we had a chance. Even when the game was two-minute away from being over, the Sooner band kept playing Boomer Sooner because they didn't know what else to do! I just remember standing there and thinking, "HOLY SHIT! This is for real!"

Well, that was the same feeling I had last night. I just stood there... wishing I was actually there. That's why it is the second best day of my life - since I wasn't physically there witnessing it like I was the football game. Last night's win was a feeling that is hard to describe... its relief, excitement, rage, and blurry bliss all mixed into one!

I will never forget it. Nor will anyone else that was there witnessing it or those witnessing it from afar... K-State beat KU in Bramlage. The end.

GO CATS!

Unlucky in Sin City...

2008-01-25T14:40:00.000-06:00

Last night, we arrived in Las Vegas around 10:45 aka 12:45 central time -- insert many yawns, I was very tired! I'm not here for pleasure, Im here for busines. The women's basketball team plays Southern Utah Saturday evening in Cedar City, Utah. I think its hilarious that we're staying at a casino - the Golden Nugget, pretty nice digs - and the school is PAYING for it! Actually, as we were walking through last night, some people were cheering as we walked in (old people = booze = loud) for the girls, but I overheard one of them say, "I can't believe that ORU is paying for them to be here..." My thoughts exactly!

BUT the reason we are here, other than the fact that this is the head coach's version of heaven (apparently his weakness is gambling and buffets!), is because when we go to play in Cedar City, there is a big altitude change and it takes two hours for your body to get accustomed to it. That's why we're just going to get there, play and come back. Makes sense... in a strange way!

We've only been here for about 12 hours and I my bad luck has already peeped it ugly head in.

I was admiring my ring this morning (I do this alot, I'm weird) and was just thinking how amazing it is that the little diamonds stay in place. Not kidding you, I looked a little closer and ONE OF THEM WAS MISSING! Unbelievable -- I've had this thing for just over two months and I'm already losing diamonds. Brutal.

I was calm for a second until I called Matt then started bawling. He was completely calm.... he has insurance on it and a guarantee that they'll replace diamonds so he says its not a big deal! Although it did make me feel a bit better, knowing it can be replaced without having to pay something for it, it is a big deal! I was just sad that something like this has happened to me already...

Secondly, the Monte Carlo casino was on fire. No, we're not staying there nor have we been there yet, but the girls were supposed to be back from practice by now, but I'm afraid they might be stuck in traffic right now. No shopping for me... for awhle I suppose!

We'll see what else can happen in the next 48 hours.....

I Heart Sports Daily....

2008-01-17T11:51:00.000-06:00

I was never much of a talk radio kind of gal, so having to listen to sports radio when all they would talk about are NFL and NBA player's whose names I had never heard sounded overly boring. Although my master's is in sports administration and my life basically revolves around sports because of work, I'm really only a high school and college athletics kind of gal. I pass when it comes to the pro's.

But when I moved to Wichita two years ago, my spin on talk radio changed. I was introduced to 'Sports Daily', a daily radio show hosted by Bruce Haertl, a local TV sports anchor, and Bob Lutz, a sports columnist from the Wichita Eagle. What partially made them fun to listen to is the fights that they would constantly get into with each other over certain topics, partially the times that they would make fun of listeners, partially because Bruce helped with radio at K-State games, partially because they would give shout outs to us in the sports information department and make fun of Larry on air, and partially because I had gotten to know both of them through working at Wichita State.

Every day, I would go into work, turn on the radio to their show, and at 11 a.m. when it was over, the TV was turned on so I could avoid listening to Jim Rhome. But since moving to Oklahoma, I have missed out on my favorite sports talk show. Instead, I'm forced to listen to the 'Sports Animal'... and all they talk about is TU and OU... and I don't care! What is worse is that 'Sports Daily' doesn't have their show broadcasted live on the Internet like most normal stations. They do have Podcasts, but I had thought that they only uploaded them once a week -- and why would I want to hear about news that happened a week ago?

But luckily for me, my friend Jordan informed me yesterday that they upload them every afternoon so I can once again start listening to my favorite sports radio talk show.

Now, if I could only come up with something clever to say so I could call in to the show to bag on Bob.

Long time, no talk...

2008-01-05T11:56:00.000-06:00

My apologies for the lack of posting... Christmas was hectic and since then, I've been traveling with the women's basketball team so my blog has been put on the backburner for awhile.

As I type, I am sitting in a hotel room in Bossier City, Louisiana. We have a basketball game at 3 p.m. today in Shreveport at Centenary. I like to call this "The Beginning of the End", meaning that we start conference play today and cruise right on through until the beginning of March, wrap up the regular season with the conference tournament in Tulsa and if we win that sucker, we go to the NCAA Tournament. The month of January is going to be a bit insane with us being on the road three out of the four weeks, but in February we are home three out of the four, which I like. It's been pretty enjoyable so far -- I'm a fan of the three-day trips rather than the five. I don't enjoy the 'living out of a suitcase' that I've got going on, but again, that will come to an end in February. The girls are really fun to be around - I've got one Kansan to bond with (she actually played basketball with Jessen Tucker a few summers ago so we have that connection!)!

Wedding planning is going amazingly well... Matt and I just wish the day was here already! We're really enjoying it all though, he's been a huge help! We have alot done, now its really just buying the odds and ends that we need for the reception, meeting with the planner at the country club to decide on a menu, registering (fun!), and designing our wedding and groom's cake. That is the fun stuff! The stressful part is the other side to getting married - you know, the "life" part! We're trying to figure out where we want to be after we get married - Wichita, Tulsa or somewhere else? It's scary because alot of the pressure that comes with that decision is on my shoulders. Matt just keeps saying that it doesn't matter where we are, as long as we're together. I completely agree... but still stress about figuring it all out. I'm a planner. I want to know where we're going to be in seven months. Sue me.

Christmas was great. Matt spent his first Christmas with our family in Sedan -- he thoroughly enjoyed himself and now understand why I always go overboard when it comes to anything related with giving of gifts! My mom goes a bit nutso at Christmas time... but its always fun and we're all very appreciative. It would be different if we were brats about it! So next year means I might be in Illinois for Christmas -- such a scary and sad thought that I will stop talking about it!

My New Years was pretty brutal. I spent it in Edinburg, Texas aka Mexico with the basketball team. I talked to Matt on the phone until about 12:05 am when I told him Happy New Year and then went to bed. What a way to bring in 2008, huh?!

Other than that, I'm just.... working. Alot. Which is OK since I have nothing else to do in Tulsa. I'm excited for Jan. 19 because Matt will come visit for the first time in two months!

Anywho, hope everyone is well. And a late Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

UPDATE...

2008-01-02T22:24:00.001-06:00

And it looks like the girls will take the lead... again!

Cousin Meg found out she is having a baby girl today!!! Can I just say... the more, the merrier, right girls?! :)

It's so exciting! I am so happy that my wedding will be filled with babies galore - Seth and Michelle's, Nate and Meg's, Jenny and Shawn's, Paul and Megan's... anyone else???!!!

Babies Galore...

2007-12-20T18:22:00.000-06:00

After some quick calculations, I found out that on the Barnes' cousins side of my family, there are exactly eight girls and eight guys (that are relatives by blood). When you add baby Annie in to the mix, the girls take the lead (YES!). But after the news tonight, it looks like we'll be even again...

Seth called me around 5ish today. I was waiting at the drive-thru at Burger King (I've given up on the grocery store this week since I'll be gone all next week, so I've been eating out... alot!). He called and said that he was at the store buying steak for dinner because he had something to celebrate. I screamed because I knew that today was the day him and Michelle were to find out the sex of their baby. After some bullshi**ing with me for awhile, he finally announced that him and Michelle are.........having a baby boy!!!!

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, another boy is added to the mix to even it all up again. We'll find out in January what Meg and Nate are having, so that will throw things off for awhile until someone else in our family decides to have a child.

And after saying that, I will not be having a child anytime soon, so please don't think that I will be the one to even out the family just yet!!! :)

Anywho, great news in our family for 2008: Two new babies and a wedding... not too shabby!

Buried in Oklahoma...

2007-12-10T11:28:00.001-06:00

And I am one of them!
But don't worry -- they aren't going to cancel the women's basketball game tonight...

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=071210_1__Aweek30513

Wedding Planning for the Anal Retentive: Chapter 1

2007-12-03T13:34:00.000-06:00

Now, I know that many of you dedicated bloggers believe that I have had my wedding planned for years now. For obvious reasons, I understand that way of thinking. But I must tell you, I have not had one thing planned. It is true, I have had ideas in my head of what I would love since watching Father of the Bride for the first time 15 some years ago, but I did not have one thing actually planned.

So when I started discussing what I needed to get done ASAP, the advice I was given from many was to nail down the church and the reception site and then just enjoy the Holidays and come January, hit the ground running. I think that that is great advice... for those that are not anal retentive like myself! I realized that once I booked the church, that why not book the videographer, a small string quartet, order bridesmaid dresses and my wedding gown! I know it sounds crazy... (and I don't really have all of those booked yet, but they are in the works!), but I am the type of person that likes to get everything done at once so I don't have to worry about it later!

It has been fun so far though! Matt is into it... he is all about helping me out and taking care of the signing of the contracts and dishing out deposit money since he is in Wichita and I am not. So that is a MAJOR help! His mom is also great... giving me ideas and running Wichita errands for me, but not being intrusive, which she was worried about being! :)

So far, so good...

We meet with the priest on Dec. 12 and hopefully he will just look at Matt and I and say, "Well ofcourse we will marry you here... Let's just knock off the fee of the church while we're at it!" We are planning on a Aug. 16, 2008 wedding...

Did I mention that I can't wait?! :)

PS. Thanks to Aunt Sherron, Meg, Michelle and their spouses for my wedding planner... now my mom and I can BOTH have one! :)