"...Bring them up in the discipline & instruction of The Lord."

What a great responsibility given to dads! They are instructed, in Ephesians 6:4, to bring up their children in the discipline and instruction of The Lord. This weekend we got to celebrate Dads (and today, it's continuing on my blog)

My Daddy, Terry, is a godly man who loves Jesus, my momma, and his kids. He is a friend and a humble servant. He works hard to provide for our family and enjoys spending time with us as well - working the cattle, a game of one-on-one, fishing, finding things to do or buy for us that will bring us joy. I enjoy photography and coffee, and my dad bought me a coffee mug that resembles a camera lens! He prays for us and with us. He's driven late at night and in bad weather to take care of me when I was at school, rescuing me from the antics of the neighbor kids. He was "cold and heartless" when changing my bandages after my accident, doing all he could to help me be comfortable and heal. He enjoys bragging on me and my brothers - his office is covered in newspaper clippings of stock shows and handmade "prizes." I've never heard a single person say a bad word about my Daddy - people at his work admire him, people at stock shows and basketball games become his friend instantly, people at church know his great character and love. Dad is a "behind the scenes" kind of guy - he is happy to silently serve. He loves spoiling little ones and always has a smile.

In addition to having such a great dad I also am blessed to have three wonderful grandpas - my Granddad, Trapaw and Grandpa Kenny - and memories with three great-grandpas - Grandpa Sparky, Poppa Olie and Grandpa Hardy.

My, how blessed I am. Thanks for being YOU, Daddy.

Daddy & I at Dad's Day 2009

High 5, Friday!

I've thought it was Friday every day since Wednesday, so I'm clearly excited today is finally here! It's been a super fun week though, so let's hand out some high fives :)

1. Marley Lilly had a flash sale! I already talked about how in love I am with the #Merica bow I ordered. Well, my order is processing, which means it should be headed my way soon!

One of the best emails to receive!

2. Thabo visited the dog park! We went Wednesday after work, and Thabo made friends this time :)

He also enjoyed the water and was a little duck swimming (and walking) around like a pro. He's the dot in the middle of the video. 

3. All together now...."Awe!!"

My brother's pup, Max. He now likes treats. #oops

4. Last night I got to feed the cattle with daddy. He had me stop the truck in the middle of the field as we were herding our donkey (formerly known as Johnny Appleseed - now called Bugs) so that he could pick me a weed. :)

5. The last high five goes to Pinterest...just for being awesome. 

Now it's time for the weekend (well, after a day of work)! It better include a snow cone...and lots of Vine videos, of course. :)

Midweek Favorites

I feel like bloggers sure do love a lot of stuff. I mean, what I'm loving Wednesday, with a new set of loves every week? Okay, really, I fall into that category too thanks to Pinterest so who am I to judge. Moving on. 

I love all things about this: mason jar, pink, glitter. I'm thinking I need to make one of these for my makeup brushes and do the same for the ones currently holding my nail polishes (minus the pink, because who wants to cover up their pretty polishes?!). I did this with a plastic wine glass to make a Snap Cup (a la Elle Woods) for my office, which now houses my sharpies rather than any warm fuzzies (I faced the same challenges Elle did - #LackOfParticipation).

here.

Do you see that? No, not the bow key chain (although, totes presh - also needs to happen) - I'm taking about those monogrammed car mats. What? Yes, please. 

here.

Clearly I love 4th of July (I mean what other holiday is full of sky glitter?). I've already got my outfit planned for the day, and the one thing missing was a bow. As of last night, that's fixed. Marley Lilly has this FANTASTIC patriotic bow that will complete my outfit perfectly and it will be on it's way to my mailbox soon! Hooray! #Merica

here.

Last, has everyone hopped on the Vine train yet? I did - a long time ago - then no one else did, so I stopped because what's the point of vining if no one is going to watch? Well, everyone seems to he hopping on, so be sure to follow @shaeken. We're taking Thabo to the dog park tonight so maybe an adventure will be posted! :) Also be sure to share your Vine name so I can follow back!

Also, 80 days until football season!!! My vacation time has been approved for August 30th and I'm ready to head to Houston to watch some Cowboy football!! #GoPokes #BeACowboy

Happy Weekend.

Since May 20, things have been a bit of a blur. I decided it's finally high time to get life back in order and get back in the swing of things, drink some water instead of caffeine and possibly check those hundreds of emails I've let go unchecked for three weeks. #oops.

I couldn't have picked a better weekend to do all of this, either! On Friday, another business sent Hideaway to work as a "you're doing great work!" treat for my office! My favorite pizza in all of the planet was included - the Big Country.

I have such great Hideaway memories - birthdays with Hailey and homecoming with the Kennedy/Ratcliff group, just to name a couple of my favorites!

On Saturday, after playing paparazzi working for a few hours, Matt and I took the top off my jeep and went up to watch Kale play basketball. He played so hard and his team did great! After 4 games, they were worn out. On the way back from the games, we had a jam sesh in the car and Matt serenaded me to some Backstreet Boys. #keeper

I tried recording him, but the music shut off when I turned on the video camera. Thanks, iPhone, for not cooperating.  #WompWomp

Happy Saturday!

My weekend ended Facetiming with my Taterbug. His constant giggles made Auntie Shae's day!

Kale's baseball season has officially started, and he's playing with Junior High kids - since when is he old enough for this?! My brothers are growing up! Oklahoma weather is finally cooperating (knock on wood) and the top's off my jeep - it's time to get a seatbelt tan and crazy messy hair. It's also light enough outside that Insanity is being replaced with running if mom and I can actually wake up early enough. :) Happy summer, friends. 

Can I credit myself? Cause I just did.

Friday's Five.

Rather than exciting moments from the week or favorite things,

I have just 5 pictures for you this week. 

 

   

And one bonus picture, because I couldn't pick just 5 and this one is important:

A wonderful young lady from my hometown went home to be with Jesus last Friday. Pray for those close to her. She was a girl who touched many lives - she had a smile for everyone and loved all people. Those who knew her, even for a moment, will be forever changed by the legacy she leaves behind. Praise Jesus we know she is with Him today! Catherine, you will be missed so much.

Also, continue to pray for those impacted by the May 19, 20 and 31 tornadoes in Oklahoma. Rebuilding continues. We are #OklahomaStrong. #HelpOK

shirt party!

Happy Friday!

I wanted to give a quick reminder to get your #HelpOK shirts to help with relief efforts here. They're $13, shipping included. Proceeds benefit the Regional Food Bank's disaster relief efforts.

On another note, Twinniekins and I are ordering 4th of July shirts! They come in youth and adult sizes and are going to be on a white tank - it's a loose version of a yoga tank, is the best way I can describe it. We are turning in the order Monday so get your orders in before then! The blue will be sparkly (it doesn't wash/flake off, don't worry!). These tanks are fantastic and you definitely should order one for your 4th festivities! :) If you live out of town, I can mail to you. To order these, email me at shaeken@okstatealumni.org. 

#HelpOK

I've not been reading any blogs lately (and clearly I haven't been blogging, either). Mostly, because I've been entirely too busy at work (love working somewhere that responds immediately to disasters and sticks around for the long haul, btw), but also because disasters involving tornadoes just hit really, really hard. I may talk more about it all later, to get my thoughts out of my head, but right now, I just want to ask you to pray for Oklahoma. I know most of you already have been. Continue, please. I love Oklahoma so much, and I know what those who lost homes are going through. It really stinks. Pray especially for those who are also dealing with the loss of a loved one. And if you know of someone who has been affected by this storm, please visit regionalfoodbank.org/helpok for some helpful resources.

Long after the media attention leaves, Oklahomans who have lost everything are going to be putting their lives back together. You see the nasty mess left behind by the tornado's destructiveness. But after that mess has a big dent put in it, people are still buying the basic things we all take for granted, finding a car, hoping their workplace will open soon, picking out house plans and planning to rebuild.

If you want to help with relief efforts, the Regional Food Bank is providing food and other necessities. You can text TORNADO to 32333 to give a $10 donation to disaster efforts with the Food Bank. The $10 will be applied to your phone bill. Give what you can, volunteer if you can, but pray without ceasing.

Another option to #HelpOK is to match me! We designed these t-shirts for staff to wear, and after many requests, we decided to sell them too. Get your shirt at http://bit.ly/HelpOKshirts. Orders will be taken through June 5 (Wednesday).

You can find out more about the Food Bank's disaster relief efforts and other ways to help at regionalfoodbank.org/helpok, twitter.com/rfbo and facebook.com/regionalfoodbank.

#PrayForOK #HelpOK