Don't Judge Me...

...by the condition of my garage.

My 800 mile journey started with a 2,200 sq. foot house.

Loaded into a 27' U-Haul truck.

Unloaded into a 1,000 sq. foot apartment.  Thank goodness for that garage!

My intention for the past three months has been to clean my garage so that when the Indiana winter comes rolling in, I will have a place to park my car w/out scapping windows every morning. 

But I have found it much easier to shut the door and pretend that those nagging boxes do not exist. 

It is November in Indiana and it has been 70 degrees all week - very unusaul.  I have to believe that it is mother nature being kind to me and allowing one more chance to get that garage clean. 

So, I post this as motivation. 

There will be one winner and ONE winner only at the end of this weekend. 

Me or the boxes...

Stay tuned.

Ahoy Matey! Ahhhhrrrrrr!!

My beautiful daughter has dressed-up for Halloween as many characters over the course of her lifetime.  At ten months she was a lady bug - because that is her nick-name - Tia-Bug.  Then she has been Tweety, a bride, a ballerina, a fuzzy lady bug.  So many girly cute outfits. 

Imagine my surprise when this year she wanted to be THIS....

A rough and tumble, take no excusses, follow no ones lead...PIRATE!

But I must say that she made an ADORABLE pirate. 

I really didn't know where to take Tia trick-or-treating this years since we are new to town.  A lady a work with invited us to her house, to park in her driveway and walk her neighborhood.  We walked both sided of about 7 blocks.  Tia got so much candy she couldn't hardly carry her bag.  And I'm telling you...she got GOOD candy....Reeses, Butterfinger, Kit Kat, Snickers, M&Ms...all the goods!!!  And yes, she has been sharing and Mommy is happy about that.  But my thighs aren't.

Tia is already voting on her costume for next year.  She says a cheerleader.  We'll have to refer back here next year to see if she holds true.

Shiver Me Timbers!!!

School Pictures!

Okay, I admit it...I've been a terrible blogger lately.  I had two really tiresome weeks where I was missing Oklahoma A LOT!  The days are getting shorter and and the evenings longer.  It is getting cooler here and Tia and I haven't been spending as much time outside.  So that leaves a lot of time in the house looking at four walls and watching bad cable tv. 

So, I had a little talk with myself and remimded "me" that life is good.  I have an awesome kid and a comfortable home and a job that I enjoy and faith that blesses me on a daily basis. 

Then I opened Tia's backpack and look what I found!!!



First Grade - Mrs. Stevenson's Class

My child makes me happy every day.  I'm blessed and grateful and overjoyed that I have her.  I prayed for so long for her and all the time, God was just planning and making sure that I got the perfect child for me. 

So, I've probably gushed about my kid enough for everyone.  So I'll sign off for tonigh and try really hard to figure out how to get the halloween pictures off my iPhone and posted.  Too cute!





Brown County

Today Tia and I went to famed Brown County Indiana.  Home to Nashville, IN and beautiful fall colors.  We visited the home of a friend from work.  They live down winding dirt and gravel roads and their home is tranquil and peaceful and sublime.  We walked the woods, took pictures and enjoyed fellowship with friendly faces.  It was a wonderful day. 

Tia & Jessie walking to the treehouse.

At the end of the day, Tia did not want to leave and yes, there were tears.  But we will go back.  How can you not want to spend time in the country, on a hill, with great friends?

God has truely blessed our lives!  When you seek Him and then follow through on His plan for your life, you can feel nothing but blessed.  We miss our friends and family in Oklahoma, but we feel like we are making a home in Indiana.  Thank you for all your prayers and well wishes.  The only thing that could make Indiana better is if I could have all of you here.  :-)

Picture Perfect!

May God bless your every day.  May He guide your path.  May He hold your hand and be your friend.

Love you all,

Susan & Tia

FIC (Families In Christ)

Tonight was the hayride!!!  YAY!!  Tia and I have joined the FIC group at our church.  Members between the ages of 20-50 who have young/school aged children.  We join together for fun and fellowhip w/other believers.  It is a great way to get aquainted with the church family. 

Tia has made fast friends with Miss Caroline

You would have thought they had known each other since the womb.  They played and ran and laughed all night.  And can't wait to see each other tomorrow at church.  Little girls are so FUN!

We had hot dogs and all the fixins'.  Yum Yum.  It is really nice to meet and spend time with fellow believers who love their spouses and children.  There were no expectations and everyone was taken at face value. 

We had an awesome evening!  Now off to bed to get ready for Mission in Action Day tomorrow at Church. Tia and I have volunteered for Operation Chirstmas Child. 



Indiana Fall

Fall is here!  All the trees are turning colors.  They are bright orange, red and yellow.  I can't believe how beautiful it is.  For all of those who know me...Fall is my favorite season.  I love pumpkins, cool, crisp weather, hay rides, bon fires, the color orange (eventhough OU rocks!!), roosters and leaves. 

While most people dream of world travel, I would dream of a vacation to the Northeast in the Fall.  Who new that 2010 would have me living in Indiana and enjoying my first full-color-Fall?

My Oklahoma Roots run deep.  Born and raised in NW Oklahoma, I never thought that I would live anywhere but there.  But God has His own agenda.  When I found out in January that my dream job was being relocated to Indiana, I knew that there was no way I could move.  So I found another job.  And I wasn't happy.  Good people, just the wrong fit.  So I prayed.  And I ignored.  And I prayed.  And I ingored.  And finally I said "are you sure?".  And He said "yes".  So I took the biggest, least self-controlled step of faith of my life and I said "okay".  Tia and I packed our stuff, rented a U-Haul and moved to Indiana.  I drove into Indiana for the first time in my life on August 21, 2010 and I know that I'm where God wants me. 

Tia is happy and well adjusted in Mrs. Stevenson's first grade class.  She is learning to read bigger words every day.  She has learned addition and subtraction.  And is making lots of new friends.  We miss our old friends too.  We have spent a lot of time at the parks and outside because the weather here is wonderful. 

So we hope to keep you updated and share our favorite pictures and new adventures! 

Come explore Indiana with us!!