New Post Further Down

For some reason the post titled 'We got Schivelreed' is further down the page. Please scroll down to see all the wonderful findings we were greeted with when we got home from our honeymoon!

The New Addition

Yesterday afternoon after I got off work, Dustin and I planned on heading to town to do some grocery shopping. It had just started to rain when we were getting ready to leave, so we held off leaving for about 30 minutes hoping the rain would stop to avoid getting drenched walking to the car. We eventually got to leave when the rain had died down a bit. Dustin insisted on shopping at the Wal-Mart on the North side of Springfield on Kearney street because it had three entrances, as opposed to the one off Glenstone with only two entrances. After arriving at Wal-mart, we got out of the car only to hear a screeching meow coming from under our car. Our cat Chip rarely gets under vehicles, so we were very surprised to hear it. After looking at Dustin with a 'wondering' look and the other people around us were interested too, I got under the car and found a very scared, but friendly kitten. We were guessing it had crawled up under the car and onto the spare tire to get out of the rain at our house.

**We were shocked it had rode on the spare tire for nearly 30 miles from our house to Wal-Mart without falling off!**

I looked at Dustin and he had this look on his face suggesting to let it go so we could get on with our shopping. I told him we couldn't just leave him in the Wal-mart parking lot, he'd most likely get ran over. So, we decided to put him in the car while we shopped and take him home with us. Dustin said he'd find something to put him in while we shopped. After he left, the man collecting shopping carts in the parking lot said he saw a box a few isles over, so he went to get it for us. He and Dustin returned at the same time so we ended up putting the 10-week-ish old kitten in the box with a shopping basket over it so he couldn't roam in the car while we were inside. I was hesitant to leave him in the car because it was very hot and humid and we didn't want to crack the windows in case it started to rain again. We put him in the car and went on with our shopping.

We hurried to get our groceries and headed back out to the car and headed home.

Once home, we gave him some water and offered him some of Chip's food. He sniffed it, but couldn't really eat it due to it's large size. We fixed dinner, ate, then headed to the store for a movie rental and kitten food.

After a while, I asked Dustin if we could keep him.. he reluctantly said yes! Now we have this kitten with no name. I suggested Wallie, as in Wal-Mart. Dustin said no. He then spouted out Hitch, since he hitched a ride. It stuck, so now we have Chip, Hitch and Hunter.

We sat down to get ready to watch the movie and Hitch immediately jumped on Dustin and headed up to lay under his chin and around neck. Ironically, Chip got his name because he always liked to sleep on Dustin's shoulder... HA! Both Chip and Hitch liked to rub on Dustin's chin because of his rough facial hair, at least that's what we think.

Hitch and Chip did not get along. They both hissed and growled at each other at first sight. Hopefully, over time, they will learn to like each other. He likes to be with you no matter where you are at.. he'll fit in quite well in our little family!

Ah, they're bonding! Hitch is laying on this back looking up at Dustin. =)

Naptime!

Dog sitting

Our friends, the Zimmer's, traveled to Minnesota to celebrate their son's high school graduation. They have a dog, Bear, who I might add is a huge standard poodle. I LOVE him because he' s hypo-allergenic and my allergies cease to exist when I'm around him, unlike any other dog I pet. Pat and Peggy knew how much I liked him and asked us if we wanted to keep him at our house for the weekend while they were away. Of course I said yes! Dustin's not a fan of big dogs, claiming they knock things over as they walk by and jump on you... he was on a strict diet and could only have a certain amount of food at a certain time of the day; unlike Hunter who constantly has food and eats when he pleases, ha! In the evenings, we took both Hunter and Bear on walks. Hunter is a bit of a 'puller' when he walks, while Bear really does walk. Despite his size, I think Dustin liked him, but unsure if he'll let me get a standard poodle someday.

Bear!

Very patiently waiting at the gate for a walk.

Hays Trip

Here it is, already almost July! When we got to travel to Hays for my college graduation in mid-May, I was ecstatic to have met miss Sophia Moeckel. Another opportunity presented itself for me to travel back to Hays. Dustin was taking 14 of his Nixa wrestlers to the FHSU wrestling camp from June 20-23. He needed another driver to transport four boys, so I happily volunteered! We left Father's Day morning around 9am and arrived in Hays, KS around 4:30pm. Ben and Lindsey graciously allowed me to stay with them during our stay in Hays. It was wonderful to catch up with Lindsey and all that had been going on in their lives.

Sophia has changed so much.. she's starting to smile and show her personality; although, Sophia has had a rough time with colic lately. I never have been around or taken care of a baby who had colic, boy did it open my eyes! I had Sophia a few times while Lindsey was busy and she's just cry and cry.. somewhat frustrating due to the fact she had just had a bottle and a new diaper. She would eventually calm down once she was put on her tummy on the floor. Most babies I've taken care of dislike 'tummy time' on the floor, but it seemed to soothe her.

Lindsey needed to get some things done at the house, so I took Sophia with me to visit Dustin and the guys at the wrestling camp. She slept nearly the whole time, but it allowed me to stop and see several of my friends including Abbie Wedel, the Melvin's and Dazx McLoughlin. When I moved out of Hays and got married, I didn't know how much I would get to see the friends I had in Hays, but I've been fortunate enough to see them twice already.

Anyway, here are some pictures of sweet Sophia.

Getting some loves from Daddy

and Mommy too!

So happy after our bath and lotion!
Sporting her adorable personalized PJ's..

Lindsey's way to transport both Sophia and the laundry up the stairs.. love it!

Graduation/House Celebration

Due to the long distance that everyone would have to drive to watch me walk across the stage at FHSU, my parents and I decided to have a joint party to celebrate my graduation and their new house! Such a good turn out, I think Dustin counted 34 people come and go throughout the day. It was great to see everyone, not knowing when we'll see them again. Hopefully, sometime this summer, but we'll have to see! Thank you mom and dad for all you've done and continue to do for me, I love you very much! MIGHT I add, I asked Dustin to take a few pictures for me at the party.... he had everyone laughing beacuse he would take continious pictures one after another... there were 9 pictures of Alex for me to choose from. If you flipped through them quickly, you can see him slowly turning towards Dustin smiling.. =) Thank you honey for taking pictures for me, love you!

My big brother, Alex

L-R: Younger brother, Travis; Grandpa Rex (mom's dad); Diane (mom's sister); Diane's friend

L-R: My dad!; Cousin Kyle; Travis; Grandpa Rex

My WONDERFUL mother, Kim

L-R: Denny and his wife Bev; Grandpa John (dad's dad); Alex; Uncle Mike (dad's brother) and his friend Maria

Graduation and More!

I'm finally finished with Hays, KS after walking at graduation on May 15th! Was great to see everyone. I actually left a little early in the week to spend some time with my very good friends Ben and Lindsey and their new little girl, Sophia. Dustin came up with his parents Friday from Missouri. My parents drove to Hays after picking up my grandparents and arrived in Hays late evening on Friday also. Got to also see another friend Abbie while I was there too. Saturday after graduation, we stopped by Len and Summer's to pick up the bike and mini fridge that my dad and I couldn't get on the UHaul to bring home. I lived with them for about 9 months while I finished up college... wonderful family! We also stopped by Lindsey and Ben's so my parents could meet Sophia before they headed home...


Had a wonderful time in Hays, but already miss my friends. Can't wait until the FHSU wrestling camp so that I can see all of them again!

Sweet Little Sophia

Sweet little Sophia is only 12 days old. My very good friends Lindsey and Ben are her wonderful parents. There's no words to describe how beautiful and sweet she is! Sophia is absolutely perfect, congratulations Ben and Lindsey, she's a blessing!

Our first non-parent guests!

My grandparents stopped by to see us in Rogersville about a month ago. They were on their way to Branson with their friends Sam and Wilma from Nevada, MO. Showed them our house for the first time, they really liked it. They only stopped for a short time, but so gratelful they did! Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for stopping by, our doors always open for family, love you!

We got Shivereed!

While Dustin and I were away on our honeymoon, Dustin's aunt's found a way into our house and had a little fun. On our way home from the KC Airport, Dustin gets a picture text message from his Aunt. He couldn't quite make out the picture... but we would soon find out exactly what it was after returning home! I'll just let the pictures explain everything that we found, enjoy!

This was an eviction notice taped to our front porch by the garage door.

Our welcome home sign from Dustin's
Rogersville Wrestling Team and USA Club Team.

Bubble wrap under all the door mats.
Under the impression this was a goodie basket for us.
Will explain it further on down...

The closet was filled with balloons about 5' high.
Balloons in the dryer.
Baby food with pink and blue bottles in the cabinets.
Balloons in the bath tub.
Shrink wrap between the toilet and the toilet seat that had bugs laying on them.. and of course the fish in the toilet bowl.
Fish in the toilet.
Pregnancy test. =)
Kool-Aide in the toilet tank so when we flushed it, it turned the water colors.
Vasoline on sinks and door knobs.
Caution tape around the backyard patio area.

Flower pot it the toilet.Sewed the towel together as it hung on the towel ring.

Baby fish in the bath tubs.
These cans were in the goodie basket. Little did we know until we looked closely, the labels had all been taken off and put on random cans. We had no idea what was in each can.The note they left behind.. With Love and In Fun!

A New Look

Dustin worked so hard last summer to get our front yard looking great with new landscaping. He got all the block walls done in the front last summer, but this past weekend, we finally got some flowers, plants and mulch put down. It's amazing how much it changes the looks of the house!

Here are some pictures of the house 2 years ago when he bought it.



This is last summer building the new walls to frame the flower beds. He had some wonderful help from some of his wrestlers... okay, mostly Joe and Sam!

Here is Sam framing the tree, light pole and other stuff we want to cover up with some plants.

Little bit of preparation.... new flowers, plants and mulch!
Getting everything placed just right before we begin digging and planting.
Chip and Hunter were well aware of all the changes...
We ran out of daylight, so we brought out some light of our own. We did get some people driving awfully slow by the house wondering what we were doing at 10:30pm with bright lights... HAThe end result!

The next step is to complete the pavers in the walkway from the driveway to the front door... we'll save that for another weekend!