25 Random Things About Me...

1. I probably have the longest tongue known to man.


2. I cannot stand for anyone to touch my feet. For this reason, I have never had a professional pedicure. The thought of one makes me want to puke. I can give myself one, but no one else can touch them. Not even my husband.


3. I come from a relatively large family. I have 3 sisters and 2 brothers and we range in age from 40 to 16.


4. I cannot stand dressers. I do not own one. I want everything neatly hung in a closet- in front of me in plain view. I hate the thought of rummaging through a dresser looking for something in particular. Everything always ends up in a huge wad. My "unmentionables" are in wicker baskets on a shelf in my closet.


5. I have a nephew and a niece that are twins. They are almost six months old.


6. I have never in my 29 years mowed a yard, but have driven the hay truck more times than I can count.


7. I did not see the ocean until I was 23. It was Easter weekend in Galveston, TX with my sister, brother-in-law, niece and nephew. Yes, I did the "Baywatch".


8. I am a carpet Nazi. I have come to realize this. Spill something on my carpet and I will kill you. Just ask my husband.


9. I am extremely peeved when people use the phrase "Alls I know...". 'Alls' is not a word, people!!!


10. Silver Dollar City is one of my favorite places on this earth. (Lame, I know) The smells, sounds and overall atmosphere cannot be duplicated. My parents took me every summer for as long as I can remember and over the years it has become a very special place in my heart. Granted, my sister has worked there for many years, so I knew basically everyone there and never had to pay to get in. I have made many dear friends there and even more memories!! (Kerri!!) I think between the summers of 2001-2003, I may have missed 3 weekends.


11. I am probably the most loyal person you'll ever meet. Almost to a fault. I never want to see the bad in people, so I tend to sometimes set myself up. I have gotten better in the past few years- too many experiences of being taken advantage of. I am starting to catch on...


12. I have to slather my entire body in lotion when I get out of the shower. I cannot get dressed until this task is completed. If I don't, my entire day is messed up from the get-go.


13. I am somewhat of a homebody. I think too many years of "going out", maybe. Now, don't get me wrong, I love a date with my husband or lunch with friends, but home is a good place to be.


14. All I have ever wanted to be is a mom. I didn't have a very good example as a small child, so being the mom I never had is extremely important to me.


15. I am terrified of being pregnant. I have always had a major phobia of doctors/needles, so giving birth doesn't sound all that fun to me. I know the reward in the end will be well worth it, though.


16. The mandolin is my favorite instrument EVER.


17. I have an unnatural obsession with The Pioneer Woman. Oh, how I would love to meet her!


18. In high school, the girls on my basketball team nicknamed me "Forest". I revealed to them at summer camp that I could run like Forest Gump and took off across the football field at SMS. The name stuck and somehow my junior yearbook was inscribed with "Forest, #25". I still to this day do not know who's idea that was. Ty?? Tonya?? Libby??


19. I once walked from Battlefield and Kansas to Battlefield and Glenstone and back just to see how long it would take me. The answer? Just over 4 hours. (I lagged a little bit)


20. I absolutely LOVE photography. I am currently saving for my dream camera and hope to make a profession of it someday.


21. In high school, my parents approached me about being annorexic. They actually thought I had an eating disorder. I was 5'11" and 126 pounds. The answer is "no". That's what 4 hours of working out a day will do to you. (Athletics plus practice) That would explain the 50 pound weight gain since then.


22. I have a thing for cowboys. Always have. A cowboy hat and boots will always turn my head. And the sound of spurs?... forgetaboutit.


23. I have to wear chapstick at all times. Especially after I brush my teeth. Only Burt's Bees.


24. Once I am finished blowdrying/straightening my hair, I do not touch it with a brush or comb for the rest of the day. For some reason I think this will make it frizzy and take the "straight" away.


25. I didn't know true love until I met my husband. I have never been in a relationship where I truly felt loved until he came along. For the first time in my life, I dont fear being cheated on or heartbroken. I am very lucky.

Birthdays and Baseball

This weekend was a really fun, family weekend. Friday night consisted of the usual routine: pick up Dyson, have dinner as a family, Dyson's bathtime, then bedtime and then settle in next to my hubby on the couch to catch up on our shows from that week. Saturday we hung around the house, played with Dyson and then Kelly (J.D.'s sister) called to invite us to El Matador for dinner with the family in honor of my mother-in-law's 21st birthday. (Just kidding, she's obviously not 21, but we let her claim that she is!)

I love this one....notice how red her face is!!

Happy Birthday, Debbie!

Mmmmm, cheesecake!

Kelly and her youngest, Chance, acting silly.

Dale and Dyson. Sorry, buddy, the cheesecake is Grandma's!

My hubby and I with his cheeseball grin that haunts all of our pictures...

Why is everyone hiding their face??

Then today, we woke up and headed to Venus for a day of T-ball!! It was Dyson's first game and boy, was he excited! There was about an hour of opening ceremonies for all of the teams playing for the city of Venus, so we had plenty of time to grab a burger before the game. The boosters had barbecue grills set up with all the works. Pretty soon it was time to hit the field!

"Introducing number 9, Dyson Sowers!"

This is Tanner, the coaches son, and boy is he good!!

"Alright, buddy, hit it outta the park!"

"I got this, Coach!"

"Now when he hits the ball, you run hard to second, okay?"

Wait for it, wait for it....

Go!!!

And he scores!

"Did you see me, Summer?"

Victory is so sweet.

"I am proud of each and every one of you!"

(He really was saying that)

"Now go hit the showers!"

(Just kidding!)

Good Friend, Good Eats!

This afternoon I met with my good friend, Danielle (who I haven't seen in FOREVER!) for lunch. I met her at a restaurant in Aubrey called The Prairie House. I'd never eaten there and was anxious to try it out. The food was really good. Just what you would expect- homestyle cooking, which also happens to be one of my favorites.

Anywho, seeing Danielle today was awesome. The last time I'd actually hung out with her, she had just found out she was expecting a baby. Today I finally got to meet the little man, Drake. It was about time, he'll be one next month!

And to top off a great day, I came home to this:

A new backyard fence!! Thanks, honey! Now if you can just tackle that garage.... =)

A Day On the Farm....

Yesterday we headed over to my mother-in-law's house for awhile. We had borrowed her truck so we could go pick up a four-wheeler J.D. had bought from his former boss for next to nothing. They had a colt earlier that morning, and we were all eager to get a good look at him. He was precious. Needless to say, Dyson was smitten. I think he secretly wanted to take him home. He always tries to convince us that there's plenty of room in the backyard for a horse, and his Daddy quickly reminds him there's barely enough room back there for our dog! Can't blame him for trying, though.

I like to call this one "Roots".

"Barrels" of Fun

Well, here you have it folks....my husband's third grade class picture. He came home from picking Dyson up from his mother (Misty) last night and had a few old trinkets of his with him. Apparently she had found some things of his that she thought he might want back. Can you guess which one is my handsome husband?

So, after J.D. and Dyson changed and got ready, we all went to a barrel horse banquet as guests of my mother-in-law, Debbie. She recently won first place in the Senior 3D division, so she was being honored (along with the winners from all the other divisions) with a custom saddle. It really was a good time. The food was great, Dyson had a good time playing with all the other young cowboys and cowgirls, and we enjoyed visiting with family. Kelly and the boys were there as well as good 'ol Dale. We were all very proud of Debbie and of her fiance', Curt, who took home a couple of prizes himself!

Chance and Preston

Good 'ol Dale

Dyson being....well, Dyson

Cousinly love...

Dyson with Curt and Grandma Debbie

Debbie presenting one of many awards

I guess I missed the joke...

Debbie and her beautiful new saddle!

A few of the many winners that night....aren't the little ones adorable?

For The Love Of The Game

Last night was Dyson's very first baseball practice. After this past year's football season, we were anxious to see just how excited he would be about this new endeavor. He really hadn't been that into football. He had been the second smallest kid on a team of NINE and under. Pretty intimidating for a five year-old. (Mind you, it was a TACKLE football team.) So, needless to say, we were curious how practice would go. We were pleasantly surprised. He really seems to like baseball and doesn't seem to show any reservations at all. He has quite a little arm on him and isn't afraid to go after the ball. Besides the fact that we nearly froze to death, it was a good time!

I'm still trying to figure this blogging stuff out, so I apologize that these pictures aren't in chronological order- they're backwards! Oh well, "A" for effort, right?

Dyson at The Cotton Patch Cafe after practice



Being goofy...

Practice makes perfect!



I told him he ran so fast, I could catch him on the camera! ;)

Lining up to run the bases...