Our Aweful Beautiful Life

Tuesday, 25 August 2009 Indiana State Fair. One of my fondest memories growing up. It was typically our vacation and I think it all came rushing back to me when I walked into the pig barn this year, and took my first smells of my past....to us, State Fair was always about keeping your pigs cool, having a really cute show outfit, and getting run the grounds for the few days before it actually started. As the years progressed, I've spent my fair share of all 12 days working the State Fair from FFA to the summer I interned with Clear Channel to full time jobs after college. This year, I only had to work three, and I was lucky to spend my last shift on a daddy/daughter date. Dad's as much of a freak about the fairs as I am (which is likely where I get it), so he said he'd ride along with me, and after I got done working my five hour shift, we'd walk around some more. I warned him that he'd be on his own for 4-5 hours, and he was totally cool ...

Tuesday, 25 August 2009 Colton helped me bake a cake this weekend. He was actually really good, and it's pretty cute!! We got him a training toilet a while back. We paid probably $18 for the thing, and it's amazing. How did go from baking a cake to a training toliet you might ask? Hang with me...I promise I've not lost track. So this toliet, has a seat that can be placed on the regular toliet, or used in conjunction with the bottom of the trainer seat, which doubles as a step stool, and in our situation, even a booster seat. So, do you see we got a training toliet, booster seat and step stool, all just for $18! How awesome is that. So, on the day I was baking the cake, he wanted me to hold him, but obviously, I can't hold him and run a mixer, work around a hot oven, etc. So I sent him after his stool, and from that moment forward, he would put the stool down, step up, watch what I was doing, and when I'd go over to the sink, he'd step...

Yes, folks, it's true. My best friend of 27 years finally took the plunge this weekend, and I couldn't be happier for her. Talk about a beautiful bride. And a beautiful wedding. And most of all -- a beautiful family. Ever since I was a little girl who ended up with two brothers for siblings, these girls have adopted me as one of their own sisters, and I couldn't be more thankful for that. What a great group of girls to be associated with, and lucky enough, my brothers adopted them, and them my brothers. I'm not kidding....between New Years' Eve's spent as one big happy family playing cards around the kitchen table, or messing with our Ram Bucky in the pasture....we've had some good times together, all 7 of us! Who could forget rides in the Grape Ape home from basketball/volleyball games with our Dad's critiquing our performance, or getting ready for every formal dance together -- Stacy and I have shared so many memories, and ...

We had a fun weekend recently -- filled with good times. Friday night we went to Indiana Beach with John, Jess & Meredith. Saturday was Stacy's Bachelorette Party on the River and Sunday was Gram Pat's birthday party at Brad & Jacki's, followed by dinner at Matt & Amanda's. (Surely some of you are sighing about right now -- going, jeez, they run around A LOT!). Truthfully, i am too, after reading that...but you know what's sad. We didn't have ANYTHING planned for Friday night. Nothing. Who's idea was it to go to Indiana Beach even though she's running on empty.....MINE! I swear to you, there is something genetically wrong with me, that I can't not have something going on. Granted, looking back, we had a great time. But I'm exhausted, and we're going right into another crazy weekend. Although, hopefully this one will be more relaxing....kind of vacationish. We're going to Spring Mill State Park for ...

Thursday, 30 July 2009 Let this be my public apology, that I'm TERRIBLE about remembering to send cards.  There, I said it...I know I stink....so leave me alone!  I have a certain friend who is fantastic about sending birthday & anniversary cards....every year she sends one, and they always come on time. Do you realize this means that she actually knows when it's coming up, keeps the dates straight, takes the time to purchase a card in advance, write a cute little note, and mail it in time for it to arrive in my mailbox on the day before or day of the actual event? EVERY YEAR! I don't know how she does it. A.) I don't remember anyone's birthday's, let alone anniversary's. B.) The ones I do remember are immediate family, and I'd probably be shunned if I forgot them (and make no exceptions, their cards are usually hand delivered on the day of or right around their actual event date). C.) I can't even utilize the han...

For as long as I've been around (and even way before I was a part of the Stockment Family) you could always identify Brad Stockment with Excel Coop. I don't honestly know of many times in the last 5 years, that I've seen Brad is much else other than his Excel Appearal. So, imagine his delight when Colton had to borrow one of Uncle Jacob's old sweatshirts to go for our ice cream/road farming drive... Earlier in the evening, Colton tried on Uncle Jacob's moped helmet --  All tuckered out!

Wednesday, 22 July 2009 We fair'd it up all weekend, and of course, I was in hog heaven. Literally....hog heaven. HA :) Anyway....here are a few pictures. Saturday night I emcee'd the White County Fashion Revue, then we hung around for awhile, eating supper with Mom & Dad, and watching the Queen Contest. Sunday night was Tippecanoe County and we went to watch Laura in her Fashion Revue, and see their animals. We never did get to see her calves, but we had fun. We're going back tonight, because I never did get a taco salad....so we might have to indulge, and perhaps a milkshake while we're at it....hmm....I love fair food. Let's face it....I just flat love the fair. So many good memories from my childhood! Enjoy! Colton enjoying a Hot Dog with Mom at the fair...I love the first picture --even though he's got a mouthfull of food and we've got a dumpster as our backdrop! HA He's appropriately saying "cheese" -- ...