Luke's 5th Birthday

Last night we had a WILD time as we celebrated Luke's fifth birthday. We were initially going to celebrate just as a family, but in the spirit of fun, I decided to invite a few 'regulars' along. We were a crew of about 27! After eating, we went to do some bowling! Everyone had a wild time and Diane bowled a career high of 167! Congrats Diane!

Third Annual Ferguson Family Fun Weekend

It seems anticlimactic now, but we had such a great Ferguson Family Fun weekend on the 14-16th. We stayed in a cabin at lake Murray in south central Oklahoma. Each year the trip gets better. There was so much to do and see!

The first night we celebrated birthdays for Luke and me. It was extremely windy so we decided to take the party indoors for gifts and cake. When Neil and Mary arrived, we all rubbed her belly. Baby Joel is really growing and we look forward to the day he arrives!

The next morning we boarded a pontoon boat and cruised about the lake a bit. We didn't discover we weren't provided with an anchor until we were underway, so in order to fish we tied off to several old tree stumps. With the first cast of the day, Liam caught the largest fish, a 3 lb drum. He did all the work himself and was really proud. Someone, I won't say who, got his line hung up and Neil volunteered to jump in to the rescue. When we weren't tethered to a branch, he also pushed and pulled the boat in the desired direction. We took a break from fishing and a nice lunch and Lily had a nap. At the boat dock we enjoyed feeding the massive and slightly creepy carp. In the afternoon, we split up and did our own things. Some played golf, regular and miniature. While Matt and Diane tried out their new boat motor and later were pulled back to shore by some nice people when the motor had a glitch. Meanwhile, Matt got a nasty gash in his foot when he stepped on some glass as he waded out to the boat. Later we had steak on the grill and made s'mores while we sat around the camp fire. Before bed we glued Matt's foot back together with some super glue made for surgical wounds. I almost got my fingers glued to his foot in the process!

On Sunday morning, we took a bike ride and then went to Tucker's Tower. The views were impressive! Every day we were there the weather was perfect. The breeze felt great on top of the tower. Lily was most impressed with the 'kittykittykitty' roaming the grounds. On our way to have lunch at the Ferguson's RV, we packed up our stuff. After lunch we Lily played in the water for a bit and then we were on our way home. Look for the fourth installment of Ferguson Family Fun in May!

Remembering Mildred

Today we got the news that Joel's paternal grandmother, Mildred, passed away from a sudden stroke. We will miss her so much! She had such spunk and wit! I know that Joel gets his dry sense of humor from her.

The past few years, she has lived with Darrell and Willa Rae. We are so glad that she came here from Pennsylvania so that we could spend more time with her. She enjoyed her great-grandchildren very much. In fact, I had a hard time finding a picture with out her holding Lily!

Over at Darrell and Willa Rae's home, we had a lovely dinner provided by some of the ladies from South Sand Spring Church of God. During dinner, Joel suggested that we honor Mildred by taking our time eating and making sure that we went back for thirds! For those of you who didn't know Mildred, she was a tiny little gal (about 4'11" and 90 lbs) who could really put it away! We often teased her that she had a hollow leg! I still don't know where she put it all.

I can't believe we won't see her again! But she'll forever be in our hearts. I smile when I think that she's seeing Virgil, Kathy, and her parents again. Most importantly, Jesus! Thank you Lord that she didn't suffer. We love you Millie!

Kevin and Mallory

I just had to share these precious pictures of my niece and nephew. I really wish that they were close, so I could see them grow. Their daddy has been in Iraq for over a year and should be coming home soon! We are all still praying for his safety and quick return!

For those of you who don't know, I am becoming a bit of a fanatic about my posts. So, if you haven't check the blog in a few days, you might have missed some stuff! Be sure to scroll on down. Also, I will be finishing the OFRT blog site within the next few days so click on the link to the right and check out Joel's adventures!

Girlfriends

I am blessed to have so many precious girlfriends! Each one is unique and makes me a better person in her own special way. I'm glad to have them around to get me through this crazy life. Unfortunately, we can never all get together at the same time to visit and eat. If we did, we would have to rent out a whole restaurant! Tonight, Carrie, Stacy, Janie, and I got together to catch up. We had so much fun! I think we were at Carraba's for about 3 hours. Our poor waiter! We took up his table for so long, but he was a good sport. Eventually, we just went and sat on the benches outside so we could visit longer. While we were out there, we got a nice man to snap our picture. We decided that next time, a slumber party is in order! Here's to all my girls! Love ya!

A laborious weekend

I think we packed as much in to our Labor Day weekend as we possibly could! We got an early start wtih Lily and Joel both sick on Thursday and Friday. Saturday morning I took the boys to the Lane's house for Owen's birthday party. It was a golf par-tee. There were adorable visors for all the kiddos and a mini mini-golf course in the back yard. Charla always out does herself and we had a blast.

As soon as we left, we headed home to load up our stuff and off we went to Wakita. While we were there the boys went dove hunting and we visited with some of my Schubert family. That night we a small celebration for Luke and my September birthdays. We were blessed to have Frank and Debbie Lambert with us. They were good sports around our crazy, grumpy toddler!

We debated on our many options of carnivals, parties, and chores that we could have done today, but ultimately we just drove home and got our stuff put away. With three children to keep up with, we had to come home to get a vacation from our vacation!

We make the 1980s look gooooooood......

I can't help myself, I'm posting twice in one day! These photos are just too good to keep all to myself. My sister-in-law Diane hosted 80s bunco at her house tonight and we had a blast! Her house was decorated with My Little Ponies, Cabbage Patch dolls, Pound Puppies, and Strawberry Shortcake to name a few. She also had great candy like pop rocks and nerds for us to enjoy. I didn't win any money, but I still had a blast. Thank you to Brenda for taking pics of us!

We're lookin' good!

My attempt at a 'feathered' hairdo.

Okay, so I'm a dork....

I was thinking today, as I sometimes do, and I'm in agreement with my husband who has lovingly reminded me lately that I'm really, deep down inside, a NERD. Now remember, he's the engineer that sits behind a computer all day...

Here are a few reasons why I am that dork...

*I keep my shopping list (categorized of course) on my computer desktop for easy data entry

*I use and love Jott.com

*I check my email about 10 times a day

*I have my 2008 calendar and it's filled out with birth dates already

*I love Sci Fi movies and books (Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Harry Potter...) I have maps and notes on Lord of the Rings.... I read the same books over and over....

*I subscribe to Merriam-Webster's word of the day and get recall lists each day via email

*I like things like vaccum cleaners, sinks, clothes, and other practical items as gifts

*I love my minivan. However, it would be much better with some flames airbrushed on it's side...

*I buy Christmas gifts all year round and usually have my shopping done by November 31st (as well as my Christmas cards sent out) because I hate going out and fighting the crowds

*I own, and use, a label maker (one of my practical gifts)

*I have a box fetish. It's very difficult for me to throw one away. There's a ton of empties in the attic.

*I like things like NASCAR and Horsepower TV... I can tell you how a motor works and I think Stacey's mullet rocks!

*I like to go fishing

*I love geneaology and I have a program with around 2000 names that I've entered in to it.

*I have my own blog site.

So, there you go. I think that Joel is correct after all. I have to remind him that he still married me though...

Hard to say good-bye

Well, here I am on the other side of my last night working at Hillcrest Labor and Delivery. How bittersweet! Honestly, I have been ready to quit WORK for a while now, but I wasn't prepared for how much I was going to miss the PEOPLE. They truly are the best nurses and dive in to help each other and me with the IVs at which I stink so badly! I actually shed some tears as I clocked out for the last time and got in to my car. However, as I was leaving the parking garage, some gal who was late for work was driving way too fast and almost hit me. That brought me back to reality!

Myself, Lacey, Becca, Laurie, Deb, Miss Pat, Jen (and baby on the way any day), Linda, Juanita, and Taber, plus some random doll baby

Laurie and Hillary in triage

After 8 years, there are so many people I will miss, so many memories that I will take with me, so many laughs, and so many gross things I won't even mention here! I wish that I'd have thought to get pictures of everyone. Alas, I only brought my camera on the last night therefore I have pictures of 1/3 of the people that I wish I had. I know that some of you Hillcrestians will read this, so email pictures you have of others from work so I can put them in my scrapbook, PLEASE!

GIRLS, I LOVE YOU ALL! THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!

School is cool!

Well, school is in full swing. We are getting our routine down finally. The day before school started, we got to go meet the boys' teachers. Luke wanted to dress just like his brother so I thought that I should go ahead and dress Lily in the same colors too. I couldn't get them to smile for the camera well since the sun was in their eyes, but they looked cute anyhow. Liam and Luke like their teachers and are making new friends.

Luke on his first day of school.

Liam on his first day of school.

Here's a pretty cute picture of Luke in his paper bag suit that I made him. Good, cheap fun!

Just so stinkin' cute!

Our other news from last post was that Joel was going to take a new job with better pay. But, when he turned in his resignation he was offered a matching salary at his current job and so we decided that he'd stay. He has only a 5 minute commute versus a 40-50 minute commute if he took the other job. The boys' school is between his work and our house. Plus he gets to keep his vacation, etc... God is totally working in our lives and we are extremely thankful!

Well, that's it for now. Look for a post again soon.

xo, S

This year in review

Okay, it's taken me most of the day, but I think I've got it now.....

Old Dog, New Tricks!

Howdy friends and family! I've been inspired by my friends, the oklaHOMANS, to start my own blog page/site/thing. I don't even know what the correct terminology is for it, but I'm giving it a try anyway! I just worked my very first ipod a week or so ago and viewed a friend's myspace page. This old dog is learning some new tricks!

Anyway, we are making some fun changes in the Ferguson household. One change is that I'm finally quitting work. Liam is in school all day, Luke 1/2 day, and Lily is home with me all day and I'm trying to make it to Jazzercise 4-5 times per week. SO, I am taxiing non-stop, leaving no time for sleep after working all night. I'll say more about other changes soon.... and NO it's not another baby....

This has been the shortest summer that I can remember! Liam and Luke have already started school on the 9th. I was worried about Luke, but he has adjusted to the schedule very well and is starting to learn the names of some of the kids in his class. However, picking up the kiddos from school at the end of the day might have been a nightmare, but God is merciful. There are 800 children in our elementary school. Traffic is backed up for 1/4 of a mile either direction after school. Thankfully, 4 year old students have the advantage of getting out 5 minutes before the other students and they have their own pickup/dropoff area. Liam's classroom is next door to Luke's, so I pull in front of about 50 other cars waiting and pick up both of the boys there. I am home before most of the other cars even start to move. We wanted to have Luke in the morning session, but missed getting in. God works in wonderful ways doesn't He!?

Okay, now that I've written a few lines, I'm going to try adding some pictures of what we've been up to so far this year. Hope you are all well! xo, Stefani