Whooopsies!

It's been a LONG time, over a month, since I've blogged. It's been a busy month and I enjoyed some time in Lebanon for the holidays...sadly today was the official start of our spring semester and back to work every day of the week. the ONLY positivie is that the beginning of the semester means a few (5) months until LAKE SEASON! And only 2 months until baby boy Bough makes his grand entrance. I cannot wait to see him.

Not much of anything has happened. It has surprisingly been very calm in my life, which is a blessing. We are starting to get full swing into club volleyball and that will take most of my weekends up. BUT I am saving my club volleyball earnings for a vacation with my friends in June. I'm super excited.

Work has been really slow, but hopefully it picks up. In my downtime, aka all day, I've become quite the pinterest junky. I'm going to glitterize my keys...yup, that is my next project. I am excited to get on that simply because that means I get to go to HOBBY LOBBY! it's by far my favorite store, my credit card statements will agree.


Happy Monday Ya'll!

birthday week.

It's my birthday week! But I'm getting old and into pointless birthday's soooo I guess I should stop having weeklong celebrations.

This last weekend I went to the anniversary of the Miss Merrie Christmas pageant as the 1994 Little Miss Merrie Christmas with my LARGE lacy sash and all. Yes a few people giggled when they saw it, but I wore it very proudly.

THE sash :)

Saturday night I had a sleeping buddy; Miss Blair stayed the night with Nanna, Pops and I. Only I had to sleep in the same room with her with the RAIN! The rain has to go, ASAP. I always dread Sunday's when I have to go back to work. I love being home with my family and most of all the babies.

This past week at work has been pretty low key. With us not being in season and it being towards the end of the semester it's pretty quiet in our hallway. Next week we are in the office for 2 days then head to SAN ANTONIO for the AVCA Convention and Division I Final Four. I'm super excited, FREE VACATION!

This weekend is Stella's party and the Lady Antebellum concert! I cannot wait!!

Welcome Sweet December!

I think the movie title is Sweet November, but December is definetly the best month.

Day 22- I'm thankful today for text messaging. I know that sounds stupid, but the littlest smiley face or message can make your day.

Day 23- This is Ashley's day. Ashley is my caring, nurturing, easy going older sister. She has the KINDEST heart of all and is so strong. She has been through a lot in the past but never skips a beat and she will never let you know if she is in a bad mood. She goes with the flow. She is also the mother of this precious baby girl and my nephew who will be here in MARCH :)



Day 24- My step-parents. I seriously have the best step-parents EVER! Either one of them would do anything I asked them to do. Steve might complain about it, but he'd do it. Julie has always made sure to include us in EVERYTHING and she always was there when we needed something like laundry, cookies (my fav), wedding stuff, etc. I am so lucky all 4 of my parents get along so well.

Day 25- Yuki's treadmill. HAHA something ridiculous, but in this cold weather I'm thankful she had a treadmill and I do not have to go buy a membership somewhere to get my run in.

Day 26- Today I'm thankful for BLOGGER! Without this blog I wouldn't be able to log on everyday and see what one of my best friends is up to in NEW YORK! Love Jennissa and I'm so glad she's doing something out of the box.

Day 27- Itunes. I used to never use Itunes and got music illegally, well one day this past summer I got a VIRUS, a $125 virus. YIKES! I vowed I'd be picky about my music from then on.

Day 28- Drury. Drury provided SO many opportunities for me. I don't think I'd be where I was without Drury and the people I met there. That was my life for the last four years, and I'm counting all my blessings.

Day 29- I'm thankful for band-aids. No joke, I SLICED MY KNUCKLE AND HAD SKIN DANGLING FROM IT! I was trying to get some dried hot glue off of something and I used some razor blades that my mom had used to clean my oven. I wasn't thinking and was scrapping toward the body, I know..."ALWAYS CUT AWAY FROM YOURSELF" (I can totally hear my mom saying that). Thank goodness for Yuki's medical bag being here at the house, band-aids GALORE!

Day 30- Lastly, my education. If there was one thing my parents would NEVER let me do (and they really could care less what I did) it was let me quit school or not finish something. Currently I'm working on my Master's Degree...after that I'm DONE forever. A master's degree will allow me to get one step closer to my ideal job, a Division I head volleyball coach.

I'll leave you with a family picture taken in October. How pretty is my fam???????

AND IT'S MY BIRTHDAY MONTH!

catching up

Obviously I am slacking:

Day 4- I'm super thankful for my siblings. I have a HUGE family and everytime I tell everyone how many brother's and sisters I have they kind of laugh. No people, not a joke: 2 real sisters, a step-sister, 2 step-brothers and half brother. It's always chaotic at times, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Sounds so cliche I know, but seriously...they rock.

Day 5- Day five is dedicated to JENNISSA! She is such a courageous person who I really look up to. She is not afraid to stand up to anyone and always has to coolest stories. She's been such a good friend to me and makes me realize what is really important. Why #5 you ask?? Well that is when I first met Jennissa, in 5th grade. She had the coolest zipper pull that was a thermometer!

Day 6- I'm thankful for my college friends/teammates. I had the privilege to play volleyball with some AMAZING teammates. And not only were they my teammates, they were my best friends. I lived with Kyrie for four years and although we did fight some, she is still some that I talk to at least 3 days a week. I also talk to Rachel and the 'snatch pod' the about every week. They are incredible and we had so many fun times.

Day 7- I'm thankful for my job. Although some can say 'your job isn't tough' it really, really is! It's such a mentally challenging job and you don't realize how much goes into it if you are just a player. I know I felt that way when I was in college, you get pissy about the littlest things like if you don't get to eat where you want...but someone's budget get charged for that! Whose the budget manager/watcher??? ME! It is tough.

Day 8- I'm thankful for sports. Sport build character...believe it! They have taught me so many life lessons.

Day 9- Skyler. Skyler and I fought like cats and dogs growing up, but now no one messes with the other without hearing about it. We can call and talk about nothing and it's fine. We have become so close and I love the relationship we share. (And I love her Hubby!)

Day 10- Buffalo Wild Wings. If you know me, I love me some good food. I've become addicted (not a good thing) to their boneless lunch special. Yes, my waist will agree.

Day 11- my players. I've learned so much this past year with this group of girls. Granted it wasn't how we wanted our season to go, but they taught me ALOT. I saw so much of myself in their mannerisms, both good and bad. I would call my mom with a story and she would say 'you acted the same way Austin, remember calling me and....' If only I'd know then what I know now (Right Reba??)

Day 12- I'm thankful for HEAT. It's ice cold outside. I'm a whimp, I don't do heat well. Currently, my toes are frozen...need blankets!

Day 13- A washer and dryer. I LOVE doing laundry. Sick I know. But seriously I do at least 3 loads a week.

Day 14- I'm thankful for CABLE! Without it I wouldn't get to watch the most awesome reality shows. The list is too long to name, so I won't bore you. But if you know me, you know I'm OBSESSED with reality tv. (The Bachelor comes on in January...so pumped)

Day 15- Tom Brady. That man makes football worth watching...and I'm not even a HUGE fan. The Chiefs are somewhat of an embarrassment.

Day 16- Pictures. I love pictures and love to decorate with them. Just ask my Hobby Lobby Visa...too many frames

Day 17- HOBBY LOBBY! If you don't like HB then we cannot be friends. Thanks to my friend Michelle, I'm obsessed.

Day 18- I'm thankful for pens. Yes, the writing utensil known as pens make me smile. I have some favorite pens and people know to not touch them or else. I have always loved school supplies.

Day 19- my bed. I take a place to sleep for granted sometimes. I'm lucky to have a place to rest my head each night. And I'm super picky about my bed: I have a body pillow, 4 regular pillows, and 2 mattress pads on it. Yes, I am all about being comfy and feeling surrounded...I also loathe sharing my bed. My poor future hubby, hope he likes the couch :)

Day 20- Gain detergent. I have a favorite laundry detergent..GAIN original! I even have the Gain air freshner...totally obsessed.

Day 21- Today's thankful post is a short work week. Only a few e-mails stand in my way of getting to my friends in Springfield and home until SUNDAY! SO PUMPED! I love going home.


Thankfully I am caught up (no pun intended).
Much LOVE!

30 Days of Thankfulness.

Ok, I've been seeing all these posts on Facebook about Day 1: i'm thankful for...., Day 2: i'm thankful for..., and so on and so on. I'm a little leary about doing that on Facebook each day because I know how annoying I think it is when I'm in a bad mood or having a bad day so I'll use my BLOG to do it! Genious idea I know, but bear with me since I'm a little behind

Day 1: I'm thankful for my sweet neices and nephew who is on the his way! I literally could spend ALL day starring at their pictures and being around them. I cringe each time their parents get on to them, they are NEVER in the wrong but sometimes their mommies and daddies don't agree with me. I'm pretty sure some people think I'm obsessed, but when they get some they'll understand. It's the best feeling, ever! Unfortunately I do not have a picture of Bubby yet, but when I'm sure I'll post it.


         
 Miss Blair

         
               Miss Blair                                               Miss Stella

Day 2: I'm thankful for a loving and supportive parents. My supporting cast is seriously the greatest. My parents have supported me 110% and have always pushed me to be the best. My parents ran me all over the country for various volleyball tournaments, and have paid every dime of what my scholarship didn't pay for. I'm debt free out of college, awesome! They've always been there when I've needed someone or something.

Day 3: I'm truely thankful for my health. Being an athlete has honestly been the best thing that has happend to me! Not only did I get paid to workout, I now get paid to teach students/athletes how to take care of themselves and work them out. It's rewarding to me, some might think differently. I've never (knock on wood) had a major injury while being invovled in athletics and I've never had a major illness (knock on wood). I see people fighting daily from different injuries and diseases, and I really count my blessings. It's been challenging these past few months to figure out ways to stay motivated to work out since I'm not being forced too but I think I've managed well. I have actually lost some weight since the summer, so so far so good.

I'm already brainstorming Day 4...

in the meantime...

I feel like I am progressively getting worse at this whole blogging thing. It's been quite the month for my family and myself. It has also been what feels like the LONGEST month. The best day in October was the 13th when I received this beyond precious picture:

Yup, she is going to be a big sister to a baby BOY! I can now say that I called the sex of the baby when she found out she was preggers. How cute is my little pumpkin with her waffle fry! Her mom is already scared of how she will act when little brother comes, seeing as she has been written up in daycare at least 7 times already for hitting, kicking, etc. He will have a name within the next few months, mommy and daddy are still debating on whether to go with the "B" theme or not.

Volleyball is almost over, crazy that it has gone by so fast. I really love my job, but look forward to a weekend of NOTHING. Yesterday I laid in bed until 3pm after we didn't get home until 2pm. It was so nice to just lay there and relax. (although I paid for it last night when I had severe insomnia, cool.)

I also got the opportunity to go work on the set of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition here in Joplin. They are doing some extraordinary things with these houses and I got lucky and was chosen to volunteer on the first day. I met some of the neatest ladies while working. I volunteered by myself and kind of just hooked my wagon to Ryan, Robyn, and Julie. It was like we were friends before we even knew eachother.

It was such a fun day, I want to go back! I started out by unloading all the fencing and backyard materials for the homes, then I snuck away from that job to meander around and try to get to work on the actual houses and look who I found:

Yes, I found my main man.. TY PENNINGTON! And it was his birthday, so it was an extra special day... I even told him happy birthday right before this photo:



LOVE AT FIRST PICTURE!

I know I look a little ridiculous, but I was in shock that I actually went up to him and said "Hey Ty, can we get a picture with you?" Then I said "by the way Happy Birthday" and he said thanks and RUBBED MY BACK! That is definetly true love.

It's been quite the month, can't wait to see what the rest has in store. I'm so blessed to be in the position I am...

Lots of love!

one month hiatus.

i know, i know...it's been a month! i feel like i've been running around like crazy; leaving home early in the AM only to return when the sun is down. this whole 'real world' experience has been awesome so far, but there are some days that i'd like to stay in bed ALL day and just watch television. only in a perfect world would that be okay, or if i find my long lost sugar daddy...whom i'm still searching for :)

currently we are almost half way through our season, crazy to think we've played that much volleyball. although we have not had the season we'd hoped for, we have a really really great group of kids who continuely work hard each day of practice. i've learned that while it's is somewhat about winning, it is also about constant improvement and motivating these kids to keep putting in the time. i always tell the girls that i feel like i have 11 kids. i'm in charge of all 11 kids at one time, and they are almost the same age as me...weird! it's been such a rewarding experience and i wouldn't trade it for anything. i mean really, who doesn't love a job where they get to wear workout clothes and messy ponytails to work daily....yeah, i'm doing alright. life is good.

other exciting things include this little pumpkin:


I know, cutest little toddler ever. She doesn't even look like a 'baby' anymore, WHERE HAS TIME GONE! and to think she will be a big sister to the newest Bough addition in 5.5 months! NUTS! in 2 weeks we will find out the sex of the new addition, but secretly i've been praying for a boy so no one rains on sissy's parade. not right i know, but for reals...sissy is one of the princess of the family. Nan and Pops bought her and Miss Stella a new puppy named 'Mic'. Blair loves Mic and wants to walk him all the time wether Mic actually wants to walk or not. She always yells 'Meeek walk!' and if he doesn't she sits down and cries. eventually Mic runs over to her and starts licking her face which doesn't really help the situation, but she will get up and try again. poor Meeek.

this is Mic during labor day weekend, i haven't gotten another picture of him lately but it's safe to say he is almost double this size. fast growing little boy. Nan & Pops are trying to find him a new home because it's been a lot of work so far, but there have been no takers so it looks like Mic will forever be ruled by Sissy.


something else i'm pumped out- the CARDINALS clinching the NL wild card! since i've worked for the springfield cardinals it's been a big deal about what a down season our organization was having. we got phone calls, e-mails, facebook messages, etc in regards to our management not making the right decisions. now we can look back on those instances and laugh...we are going to the playoffs! just last week there was talk they wouldn't make it in, i've watched more hours of baseball the last 2 weeks than i've ever watched. and no, i'm not a bandwagon fan. i just don't like to sit and watch ALL of a game when there is reality tv i could be watching.

stay tuned for more updates...while you are at it, go over and read about my bestest friend Jennissa's awesome NY adventures. LOVE HER!