Our plans

Well, after all this time, we are finally looking into getting started building our home on our land. We have filled out paperwork for a construction loan, and we are talking to a guy that we go to church with about GC'ing the project. It's scary, nervewrecking, and exciting all at once. I will surely keep you posted as we go along.

Other than that, we took Colten to the zoo for the first time a couple of weekends ago. It was a last minute decision so we were only there for about an hour, but he really seemed to enjoy it. We have plans to go again this Saturday with my sister, brother-in-law, nephew, and my mom while she is in town for Mother's Day. The weather is supposed to be beautiful, and I'm really looking forward to the two boys interacting with each other in such a fun environment. I'll try to remember to take plenty of pictures.

Colten picked up some kind of 24 hour stomach bug last weekend. No fun, but he is fully recovered now and as boisterous as ever. He definitely keeps me on my toes all the time, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Here are few recent pics of my darling boy!



Sitting in his big boy chair


Hanging out on my grandparents' porch


Checking out the goose at the zoo


Love his profile - looking at the elephants

I'm suddenly the mother of a boy, not a baby.

It has been too long since I have posted. It seems that, now that we are close to family, we stay very busy. Jobs are going well, and we are looking into reapplying for financing to start building on the land. Life is great here and, while we miss our Texas friends, we are enjoying being Okies.

As for Colten, I came to the realization this week that he somehow became a little boy in the last couple of months. I love that he is trying so hard to talk and to be independent with everything he does. Yet, part of me mourns for the fact that he is not my baby boy anymore (yes, I know he will always be my baby - but you know what I mean). Still, it is amazing to watch him grow and learn and I constantly marvel at how much more he "gets" every day. Here are a few recent pics of my little boy, including his first Easter that he went hunting for eggs. Hope everyone is doing well!



Playing outside


Hanging out with Cayden after the Easter egg hunt


Gathering eggs


This egg talked (my mom got it at Walgreens) and he thought it was funny!


Handsome boy dressed up for Easter

It's been a while...

since I have posted anything on our blog. I should be ashamed. Life got crazy over the holidays spending time with family and snowed in under SEVERAL inches of snow Christmas Eve. Then, I started a new job the first Monday in January working for Avis/Budget Group. Colten went back to daycare (which he has finally adjusted to - I think he got spoiled to being home with mom). We have just been going and going. We placed membership at my old home church, Park Plaza, here in town and are really enjoying making new friends and getting involved. It's also really great to be near family and be able to spend time with them.

Colten is getting so big. He started walking the week of Thanksgiving and has never looked back. I think he would be running all over the house right now if he could get his feet to keep up with him. He is truly a delight every day, and he reminds me to thank God for how blessed I am. I'll have to post some updated pics of him later.

For now, it's off to work I go. Hope everyone is doing well. I'll try to get back on the bandwagon of writing more frequently.

Rest of the house pics and some Colten ones too

Playing at GG and Pappy's:

Colten and Cayden at lunch:


Watching the planes at the airport:


Master bedroom:

Colten's room:

We are truly Okies now!

Our first week in Oklahoma has been a whirlwind. I had an interview on Monday (that I think went really well, but we'll see this coming week). We spent Tuesday and Wednesday finishing setting up our new bank accounts, registering our vehicles, and getting our new driver's licenses. Then, we spent yesterday and GG and Pappy's for Thanksgiving. Ate too much, let the boys play together. All in all, it was a great day. Unfortunately, Kevin's grandfather passed away yesterday, and he is now in Tennessee for the funeral.

So, like I said, busy, busy, busy. That's all I have the energy for now. I'll include some pics of the inside of our adorable rent house below. :) (and in another post because I couldn't insert anymore pics).

Bathroom:

Living Room looking towards the front door:

Living room looking towards the kitchen:

Kitchen:

Dining room/office looking towards the deck out back:

The time draws near

Well, I was saddened to have a cold (or something of that nature) put me "under the weather" this weekend, as I had hoped that Colten and I could go to church in Grapevine one last time before the move. Unfortunately, it just didn't work out and so my chance to say goodbye to so many in person has passed. To each of you, thank you so much for the love and friendship you have shown us in the five years we have lived here. It has been great to meet you, enjoy good times together, grow together. We will miss you dearly. Hopefully, we will have a chance to come back and visit now and again. If any of you are ever in Tulsa, look us up. We'd love to see you then too.

As for the move itself, I can't believe it is already here. This will be my last week working for Southwest as no opportunities are available for me to continue my employment with them in Tulsa. I am on the prowl for a new job, and I have an interview lined up for the Monday right after we move (nothing like cramming it all in right). I am flying Colten to Tulsa on Thursday as my sister and GG have volunteered to watch him Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. That is great for us because it will mean we don't have to worry about what he needs while we finish packing, load the truck, and make a five hour drive. That's the plan basically. Kevin is flying home on Friday afternoon. We will go pick up the Uhaul and the neighbors are helping us load. Then, as soon as the apartment people walk through with us on Saturday morning (when they open at 10), we will hit the road.

It's been a wild ride, but we are both looking forward to starting our new chapter in Tulsa. Please stay in touch friends. I will try to keep the blog updated as Colten grows and once we finally start building our house. Until next time, know that we love you and miss you already.

The time is drawing near...

So, we've been kinda out of touch, but big things are looming in Cook-land. Kevin has been blessed with a job that will take us to our planned destination....Tulsa. He is finishing up some training here in Dallas, but his first day on the job in Tulsa is November 2nd. He will move up there on Halloween. Colten and I will follow on November 21st at the end of our current lease. I still don't know for sure what my job situation holds. Our Department is nearing the ability to work from home, but as some details aren't ironed out yet, I haven't been given a 100% yea or nay yet. So, my future with Southwest is all that hangs in the balance for our move.

Fortunately, after a weekend of searching, we found an adorable little rent house. It will serve our needs while we build the house out on our land (which I promise to blog about for posterity).

Anyway, the news has been slowly circulating, and since we have been on the go, go, go since this all started we haven't been at church in Grapevine to share with all those folks. Promise we will make it back at least once before we move.

On a side note, any help we can get loading the rental truck late on November 20th would be great. More to come. Stay tuned....