Happy Birthday DAD!!!

Want to make a shout out to my DADDY on his 51st Birthday!!! Sorry I didn't get to spend any time w/ you today, just know I was thinking of you often. I hope you start feeling better soon so I can spoil you w/ a nice dinner out on the town. I love you w/ all my heart and am grateful to have such a wonderful example of a father. Hope you enjoyed your day!

Fathers Day 2008

How lucky can dad's be when there is a Cardinal Baseball game on Father's Day! I was lucky enough to get to spend Father's day w/ my dad, Matt, and Caleb. The weather was awesome and everything went well. I must say Caleb got spoiled horribly by his grandfather but I couldn't help but smile as it was going on. It so fun to watch their relationship grow and grow throughout the years. Caleb is a very lucky little boy w/ a lot of love surrounding him!


The Cardinal game was a lot of fun. I am very fortunate to have such a wonderful family to share my life w/. I thank God everyday for everything I have!!

Can We Say PARTY!!!!

It's Alicia's Bachelorette Party in Chicago!!!! Tons of fun and lots of partying!!

What a CRAZY way to start off the weekend....I decided w/ gas prices the way they are that I should just take the Amtrak. I would recommend it to anyone traveling to Chicago. I was ready to head out the train was running a little bit (20min) behind but nothing serious due to bad weather. We get boarded and get only to Sigel/Neoga and had to stop for debris on the tracks - For an HOUR and a HALF!!! Once we finally got moving again we only made it approximately 2 more miles for another debris delay, yes, you got it, another hour and a half. I should have arrived in Chicago around 8:30p but finally made it around 11:45p. Loonngg Trip but when we got moving again it was smooth sailing and the peaceful bliss I desperately needed.

When I got to Chicago I spent Friday night w/ my lil' sis and we went out to an awesome Piano Bar downtown. It was a great way to wind down after my long journey.

On Saturday we met up w/ everyone and Elizabeth's house and headed off to the beach. What a beautiful day the Lord gave us! The sun was bright and the clouds were few. We got a good volleyball game on and tried out Lake Michigan. Needless to say the water was freezing even w/ all the sunshine. Later that evening Elizabeth set us up for a fun filled night at MOXIE'S! We ate a lot, drank even more, and partied like rock stars the whole night. It was a very memorable time that I'm proud to have been a part of.

Alicia, you are the sweetest person I know and you mean the world to me. As you know, I just want the best for you and wish you and Cole a beautiful and happy future!! Always know that no matter what the occasion, I'm just a phone call away!!

Thoughts & Prayers......

I would like to take a minute and send our thoughts and prayers out to the family of Douglas L. Goeckner today and always. They lost a good man in a tragic moment. There are never any words to help w/ the pain someone goes through in an extremely devastating situation such as this. We want Christina, Calvin and the entire Goeckner family to now we are thinking of you. May your hearts be filled with precious memories of the wonderful gift Doug was to your family.

Our deepest sympathy,
The Ordner's

Disturbing Show....

I have always wondered how I wasn't a Vegetarian. As much as I LOVE animals of all species I've always had very little problem eating a nice juicy steak or a good pork BBQ sandwich. I think I've managed so long because I never really thought about what I was eating at that moment.

Well, this past Tuesday Caleb had a ballgame and we went to eat dinner afterwards then we stopped by my gma Millie's to visit for a bit. To make a long story short, we got home a little late. By the time I got to bed it was about 10:15 and I wanted to watch some t.v. as I always do to help me fall asleep. I know, its a bad habit. Anyway, I flipped it to channel 60 which is FX in our area (cable). The show that I found was called 30 Days. I've heard of it before but had never seen it. This time it was about the abuse of animals. All animals, pets and farm raised. I have never been so disgusted by something in my life. The way these farm animals are handled and treated from birth on is horrendous!! These poor babies are stuck in a 4 X 6 crate standing side by side what looked like for miles. These "farm hands" were needing to move the babies to a different location and would open the back of the crate and just pull the poor, scared, and defenseless babies out of them by the tail, leg, whatever they could get there hands on first and herd them onto a trailer for transport. TRULY PITIFUL!!!
I also watched how they would take the sick and sluggish babies and just throw them on the side of the road or in a field somewhere to let them lay there alone and DIE!!

I know I'm a "city girl" and I know nothing about farming but just from watching this show Tuesday I haven't been able to touch any kind of meat since then. It simply makes my stomach turn thinking about it! I'm sure not all farmers treat there livestock like this and I realize what I was watching came from the state of TX and they were all verrryyy large cattle plants/farms but I still don't understand there concept of "farming". I can only pray for the animals that must suffer so inhumanely.

Caleb's #1 Fan!

I have always considered Caleb a very lucky little man. A very good example is the fact he has at least 6-8 family members at each and everyone of his ballgames. With most home games that # usually goes up and so far his little cousin Calvin has been Caleb's #1 Fan!! He helps Uncle Matt out in the dugout and says "Go Caleb"! We look forward to Calvin's helpful cheers at our future games. Calvin, we consider you a good luck charm for team Thunder.

That's our Boy!!!!

Look who's headed to the 4th Grade in August! Way to go Caleb on a job well done!! He's improved his grades and effort to all A's & B's in the 4th quarter w/ all his hard work and determination. We knew you could do anything you put your mind to Caleb!! Keep up the good work and you'll go places! We are proud of you son! High Five!

Mema's Boy!

We were lucky enough to spend a day w/ my mom in Springfield. She had a Dr. appt in the afternoon so we thought we would just make a day of it. The weather was great except for the Cotton wood trees that were shedding pollen everywhere. Allergies were horrible because of them. Thank goodness for OTC meds!

First we stopped to get something to eat at Denny's where Caleb just LOVES there chicken fingers that are usually shaped in dinosaurs and fries. Today they took on a star shape, they worked too though. One day I think he is going to turn into a chicken w/ as much as he eats in a weeks time.

Then at Caleb's request we went SHOPPING!!! Just kidding, he'd much rather have a shot in the butt that go shopping w/ me. However, just him being him, he was an angel and didn't complain a bit. He's truly a sweet little boy, I thank God for sharing him w/ me!

After everything was said and done we got home in just the nick of time to make his ballgame that he was very anxious to be at. All in all it was a very relaxing day and extremely enjoyable. I wish we had more time to spend w/ family but we'll take every minute we can get.

Enjoying a Sunny Day!

Finally we go a beautiful, sunny, and warm day! It seemed like forever since we'd actually had a day that nice. We ended up spending most of our afternoon outside playing different games and soaking up some warm rays.

First, we played washers. This is a very fun family game. The only downfall for me is Matt and Caleb kick my butt everytime. I'm such a sore looser and absolutely hate not being good at something the first time i try it. I kind of understand why I'm not good at this game though, I can't even throw a frisbee for cryin out loud!

Then the guys played a little pitch and catch. Caleb would truly love to pitch for his team, TTown Thunder. Even though he is very good at his 3rd base position he does dream to one day pitch. Until then we'll continue on w/ all the hard work of practicing. Remember the saying; "Practice makes Perfect and Perfect you shall be!"

Where has the time gone....

It seems like a month of Sunday's since I was last able to update my blog!! Where does the time go. I remember being younger thinking time went by so slow, not anymore! On most days I don't know if I'm coming or going. I spend most of my time at work so when I'm off on the weekend I have very little time to get on the computer because I'm busy havin' w/ the family or cleaning and doing laundry. Basically the usually mom stuff. If I slow down though....I really think I'd be bored....I think I'll wait awhile to find out.

So, tonight, I am going to update my blog if it's the last thing I do! I have a ton of things to share so it may be a two nighter process, we'll just have to see. I look forward to sharing. Talk to you soon!! :-)